Mary's Christianity Blog

John the Baptist is one of the most distinctive characters in the New Testament. He had an unusual flair for fashion, wearing wild-looking clothing made of camel's hair and a leather belt around his waist. He lived in the desert wilderness, ate locust and wild honey and preached a strange message. Unlike so many people, John the Baptist knew his mission in life. He clearly understood that he had been set apart by God for a purpose.

Learn more about John the Baptist's accomplishments, his character strengths, and the lessons we can take from his life:

• John the Baptist
• The Baptism of Jesus by John
• The Jordan River

When I read this news story about a group of four American Christians who had a rather large supply (315) of Bibles confiscated by Chinese officials as they arrived at the airport in Kunming, China Sunday evening, I couldn't help but think of my own naïve arrival in Rio de Janeiro, when I went to live and work as a missionary back in the early 90s. Like these missionaries from Vision Beyond Borders, I had failed to read and understand the proper customs procedures, and therefore, my desktop computer and printer were confiscated. If I had known ahead of time, I would have taken the proper steps to procure legal documents that would have allowed entry of my equipment. It cost me quite a bit, but I learned some valuable lessons.

The experience taught me to remember the practical side of ministry. Missionaries would do well to take steps to properly prepare before attempting feats of international proportions. It is so important to thoroughly know the policies and protocol of the government authority over the nation where you plan to target your ministry. The information I gained through 'the school of hard knocks' came in quite handy, though, as I later began to lead many short-term mission teams into Brazil for evangelist outreaches.

Having made a very similar mistake, I feel for this group in China, yet they might have avoided a great deal of trouble and expense had they done their homework before traveling. Hopefully, they will adapt and grow from this unfortunate experience.

More About Foreign Missions

• Top Foreign Missions Books
• Secret Believers by Al Janssen and Brother Andrew

Toughened by an abusive childhood, even after becoming a Christian, Stacy remained emotionless and strong. But she was also very angry. What she didn't understand was that she had been simply enduring in her own strength. Stacy had to become weak so the Lord could be strong within her. Eventually she learned that to get past her anger and heal, she needed to learn how to feel.

Stacy's true story is one of our many featured testimonies from you, the members and visitors of this site. Each story reveals a life transformed by Christian faith. If your relationship with God has made a significant difference in your life, we would like to hear about it.
• Submit your testimony by filling out this Submission Form.
• To receive weekly messages of hope and encouragement from real-life stories of changed lives, sign up for eTestimonies.

• Read: Stacy's Sweet Submission

Recently I launched a new section of the site devoted to guest book reviewers. Christian readers and book enthusiasts are now welcome to submit original book reviews to be considered for publication on the Christianity site. To find out more or to submit a book review, check out this Christian Book Review Submission Form.

Guest reviewer Lee Franklin gives us a sneak peek into Michelle Sutton's debut novel, It's Not About Me. Lee says, "Michelle is among a growing group of authors who describe their writing as edgy. They push the envelope and deal with topics most of us don’t want to think about. This particular book deals with pre-marital sex, assault, alcohol and teenage pregnancy, but not in a gratuitous way. Rather, it identifies with these issues and handles them in a way which glorifies God."

• Read Review: It's Not About Me by Michelle Sutton

Praying together as a couple and praying individually for your spouse is one of the most powerful weapons you have against divorce and in favor of building intimacy in your marriage.

In a devotional workbook titled, What's in the Bible for Couples, Christian marriage expert and author Gary Chapman contributed these thoughts: "The English word for intimacy comes from the Latin word intimus, meaning "inner." Thus intimacy involves two people opening their inner selves to each other. It is entering into each other's lives emotionally, intellectually, socially, physically and spiritually. It is connecting at the deepest possible level in every area of life. Intimacy is accompanied by a sense of love and trust."

A few years ago, my husband and I made a commitment to begin reading the Bible and praying together in the morning. It took us 2.5 years to get through the entire Bible, but it was one of the most tremendous marriage-building experiences we've ever shared. Praying together not only brought us closer to each other, it deeply reinforced our bond with the Lord.

If you're unsure where to get started praying together as a couple, here are just a few Christian prayers for spouses and married couples to help you take the first step:

• Christian Prayers for Couples

UPDATE 08/17/08: For a recap of the Political Forum read this report from Fox News or watch a video from CNN.

For many voters, faith plays an important role in deciding who to vote for in the presidential elections. If learning about the candidates' values and spirituality is just as important to you as knowing their stand on political issues, you'll want to watch a special 2-hour joint campaign appearance to air this Saturday, Aug. 16 at 8 pm on Fox News Channel. You can also watch the forum live online from 5-7 pm Saturday.

Rick Warren, who will moderate this 'Civil Forum on the Presidency' at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California, stated, "This is a critical time for our nation and the American people deserve to hear both candidates speak from the heart – without interruption – in a civil and thoughtful format absent the partisan 'gotcha' questions that typically produce heat instead of light."

The non-debate format of the event will give each candidate the uninterrupted chance to focus on how they will lead the country, not in areas of policy, but rather, based on their convictions of character, values and faith. Warren will be the only one asking the questions, and each candidate will have their own time and space on stage.

I dare say, for undecided Christian voters, this event could potentially be one of the most important opportunities of the campaign.

• John McCain's Faith Profile
• Barack Obama's Faith Profile
• Compare Candidates on the Issues

It's time for Popcorn Testimonies again, as they just keep popping up on the site! If you're asking, "What are popcorn testimonies?" Take a look at these quick, spontaneous accounts of God's life-changing intervention in the experiences of the members and visitors of this site. Their true accounts are a part of our collection of featured testimonies. Each testimony is unique, submitted by persons of diverse Christian faith groups and backgrounds, yet a similar theme of hope and encouragement is revealed in each of their transformed lives.

• Today's Popcorn Testimony is Michelle's Story: I No Longer Want to Die.

If your relationship with God has made a significant difference in your life, we would like to hear about it. Submit your testimony by filling out this Submission Form. To receive weekly messages of hope and encouragement from real-life stories of changed lives, sign up for eTestimonies.

Do you feel like you're traveling down a dead end street, but the path to change seems too scary or just too hard to even consider? If fear of change has you stuck in a rut and headed nowhere fast, Jack Zavada of Inspiration-for-Singles.com shares some secrets to help you safely maneuver your way though change.

Find out why change is so hard and what to do about it!

• Read: Why Change is So Hard

This week's post is a member-submitted Christian poem called A Little Boy's Prayer. It is the heart-felt, bedtime prayer of a young boy who misses his father.

Image: © Davide Guglielmo
A Little Boy's Prayer

In the darkness of the night the little boy slips out of bed,
Drops to his knees, shuts his big blue eyes, and bows his head.

Dear Jesus, please don't get mad for it's only me again,
You know I love you, and you always do what you can.

Each night I talk to you and ask the same things over and over.
And I'm sure by now you know I have a new dog named Rover.
Read more ... A Little Boy's Prayer by Pearl Pennington Blevins.

Do you have an original Christian prayer that would encourage or benefit a fellow believer? Perhaps you've written a unique poem you'd like to share with others. We are looking for Christian prayers and poems to encourage our readers in their communication with God. To submit your original prayer or poem, please fill out this Prayer / Poem Submission Form.

More Children's Prayers:

• Children's Bedtime Prayers
• Prayers for Protection
• Children's Morning Prayers

Secret Believers is co-authored by Al Janssen and Brother Andrew, a Dutch missionary who first became famous for smuggling Bibles to Christians in communist countries. It's an intriguing book, made up different stories of the lives of Muslims who turn to faith in Jesus Christ. An eye-opener, the book reveals the difficulties Christian Muslims face with their countries, families, and governments when they abandon the faith of Islam, accepting salvation through Jesus. Although the authors use pseudonyms to protect the characters, the stories are all true.

Venice Kichura, guest contributor for About.com, gave the book 4 stars. She said, "I'd recommend every Christian reading Secret Believers to arouse them out of their comfort zone and pray fervently for our Christian brothers and sisters in Muslim countries."

• Read the full review: Secret Believers by Al Janssen and Brother Andrew.