My Redeemer, 2nd Chapter of Acts

The Roma people (or gypsies) face harsh discrimination that has lasted for centuries. In Romania, many gypsies have no birth certificates or marriage licenses; they are 'vagabonds'. Prejudice is widespread; they are looked upon as thieves and tramps. Outside of Christ, they lack hope.

Kevin Hoy, founder of The Smile Foundation, has worked in Romania for a decade. His first project was in Tileagd village where he helped to set up a school, a neighborhood store, and a church where many gypsies received Jesus.

Such overwhelming hopelessness has led many gypsies to embrace Jesus. In 2009, the “Toflea miracle” occurred, where 500 gypsies—the largest baptism in Romanian history—took place, reported CBN News. In 2010, hundreds more from the village turned to Christ. And the message is spreading...there is hope!

This video highlights the hope in Christ Jesus found by the Roma people. Please pray that more will continue to be drawn to the Redeemed of the world. A poignant reminder of all of our need!

Annie (Ward) Herring, (Matthew Ward's sister), is one of the voices I love best. She, Nellie, and Matthew were part of the 'Jesus Music' movement in the 70s as 2nd Chapter of Acts, later known as contemporary Christian music. See 2nd Chapter of Acts in archives 2/22/11 and Matthew Ward, 3/1/11.

The story of the 11 member Ward family growing up in North Dakota is remarkable. Both of their parents died, leaving the children to figure life out alone. Read the story here to learn the gracious care bestowed on them by our loving Lord.

Lyrics:
Here I go again
I'm thinking of the time when I will stand
and look into the eyes
of my Redeemer

Words won't come my way
And deep inside my silence echoing
I'll find my voice to sing of my Redeemer

And I know upon this earth I'll never find
The words that can express my heart, oh my

When with His words of life
He spoke and pulled my dark thoughts from the night
How can I repay my Redeemer

With His wounded hands
He held my broken heart to understand
I never can repay
My Redeemer

And I know upon this earth I'll never find
The words that can express my heart, oh my

Supporting Scriptures:
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15

“You shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.” Philippians 2:15-16

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed."
Isaiah 53:5

"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." Romans 12:1

"No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever."
Revelations 22:3-5

This Is My Father's World, 2nd Chapter Of Acts

In 1611, the German astronomer Johannes Kepler, made the first ever reference to snow crystals in his work On the Six-Cornered Snowflake. The photograph above, of a considerably more recent vintage, was made with electron microscopy in 2003.

This world, down to its tiniest detail, is truly a masterpiece of design, and we are the blessed recipients! In taking dominion of the earth, we work to understand our Creator and His lovely workmanship as 'Snowflake' Bentley did.

"Under the microscope, I found that snowflakes were miracles of beauty; and it seemed a shame that this beauty should not be seen and appreciated by others. Every crystal was a masterpiece of design and no one design was ever repeated. When a snowflake melted, that design was forever lost. Just that much beauty was gone, without leaving any record behind." ~ Wilson Bentley

Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley, 1925

The words of This Is My Father's World were written to an old English melody. To read about the story behind the original hymn by Maltbie Babcock in 1901, visit http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/i/tismyfw.htm

Lyrics:
This is my Father's world

And to my listening ears
All nature sings and round me rings
The music of the spheres

This is my Father's world
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks, of trees, of skies and seas
His hand the wonders wrought

This is my Father's world
Oh, and let me never forget
That though the wrong seems often so strong
God is the ruler yet

This is my Father's world
Oh, the battle is not done
Jesus who died will be satisfied
And the earth, heaven will be one

Jesus who died will be satisfied
And the earth and heaven
Oh, earth and heaven
Oh, earth and heaven will be one

Supporting Scriptures:
By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. Genesis 2:2-3

“The world is Mine, and all that is in it.” Psalm 50:12

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." James 1:17

"And he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ." Ephesians 1:9-10