Solomon presents a realistic, profound and biblical perspective of life “under heaven.” Consider his message in Ecclesiastes 3: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” He continues in Chapter 3 with contrasts of some of those issues. Life is cyclical, so rather than dreading change and transition, we can anticipate all the renewal and creativity they incite.

In the business of life, this is the perfect time to encourage you, my faithful JudyBlog readers, to explore and connect to the new and improved TWR.org website. It’s refreshing, creative and inspirational. I’m enthusiastic about all it has to offer those of us who want to stay informed about what the Lord is doing through this far-reaching media ministry. The posted listeners’ stories, news and blogs expand my missions vision.

I asked TWR Web and Social Media Strategist Trip Smith to describe the value of the newly redesigned TWR.org:

The new website was designed very intentionally with visitors in mind. We want people to be able to find the information they’re looking for as conveniently as possible. The blog section of the site is all about letting our friends and supporters know what’s happening with TWR around the world, so they can pray, give and serve accordingly.

We’re proud of the new site design, but we always want to make our online presence better. Over the coming months, we’ll be making exciting improvements that will make a visit to TWR.org an informative and encouraging experience for anyone who stops by. We’ll also be unveiling new websites and content to meet this goal, and you can still connect to TWR on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

With Trip’s expertise and creativity and our editor Jon Hill’s outstanding writing ability, there is much to appreciate. I’m excited! The quality of stories and news you’ve been used to on the JudyBlog are to be found at TWR.org. With this final JudyBlog post, it’s not goodbye; instead, let’s go forward together and feast on the delectable offerings featured on TWR’s web page. That way we’ll stay connected.

Let me know what you think. You can contact me at jhughes@twr.org. I’d love to hear from you.

It was God’s sovereign plan from its creation to its completion. There is no other reasonable explanation. Suffering, humiliation, rejection, persecution and death by crucifixion are concepts repugnant to humanity.

In the fullness of time, as the prophets foretold, a Redeemer, the Son of God, entered this world to offer us salvation, forgiveness of sins and eternal life accomplished through his obedient life, sacrificial death and glorious resurrection. The Spirit was upon him, and God anointed him to proclaim good news to the poor; declare liberty to captives; give sight to the blind; and provide liberty to the oppressed (Luke 4:18). Hallelujah! What a Savior!

The reality of the blessed gospel is seen through transformed lives. Consider what the Lord has accomplished through his ongoing refining process in our lives as his children. We’re new creations. Thankfully, he’s not finished with us yet.

Read how this North African Arabic-speaking TWR listener has a new understanding of the gospel:

I am writing you in the hope that I may be accepted within the TTB (Thru the Bible) family. My life is surrounded by darkness. I was originally a follower of the local religion but now I am a Christian! I am praying that I can now be used as a light to illuminate the darkness around me.

I have been facing many kinds of persecution; for instance, all my belongings were stolen and taken from me because of my faith in Jesus Christ. However, my heart has been sustained with the joy of the Lord. I know that my true treasure lies in heaven where it is eternal and cannot be stolen by thieves.

Your radio program has helped me understand the Holy Bible much better. It is truly the Word of God. My wounds and sorrows are being healed because the Lord is working in me through his Word. I believe that Jesus Christ has enlightened our minds and softened our hearts to love him and live according to his plan for us on this earth!

As I am writing you this letter, tears are dropping from my face. It is not because I am sad but because I am sending you my true, deep feelings of how I love the Lord. No one here understands me. They don’t know and are simply blind!

I need your support to help me show the light of Jesus in my life to the many people out there who are walking in the darkness of their own sins and lies. You are now my family, and I hope you consider me one of yours as well.

As followers of Christ, this Easter season gives us the renewed opportunity to celebrate the glorious resurrection of our Lord and to rejoice with God’s people worldwide such as our brother in North Africa. Together, we cry out with the words of the prophet Isaiah: Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be made known in all the earth (Isaiah 12:6 ESV). The Lord is gracious to yoke us together in order to further his kingdom purposes in this world. Together, we declare, “He has risen!”

Source of Letter: TWR Europe

Photo Credit: abcdz2000

Mount Everest North Face

How are you at high elevations? Other than some initial shortness of breath and a headache or two, I manage to transition well from the lower elevation of eastern North Carolina to Colorado’s 12,162-foot Mount Crested Butte. In 2011, my family and I hiked just short of the top.

But Colorado’s Rocky Mountains are no match for the Himalayas of Nepal in terms of elevation. According to Wikipedia, Nepal’s mountainous north has eight of the world’s 10 tallest mountains, including the highest point on earth, Mount Everest, at nearly 30,000 feet above sea level.

Last week, TWR-Nepal leader Simon Subba, two members of his team, and TWR’s Carol and Daryl VanDyken provided a true Nepalese mountaintop experience for five TWR friends from the U.S. They explored parts of the federal democratic republic, visited historic sites and witnessed the results of TWR’s ministry in that region.

Nepal Radio Distribution

During three prison visits with five groups of prisoners, both men and women, the TWR group felt “privileged,” writes Carol, “to witness 14 men receive Jesus through the preaching of the Word by local pastors and evangelists.” She explains that TWR also has a practical outreach to prisoners by providing needed items to make life bearable.

Another high priority for the TWR-Nepal staff is radio distribution. Carol and her group joyfully assisted in the distribution of radios and Bibles to some of the prisoners. The imprisoned believers pleaded: “Pray for us! Don’t forget us!”

The TWR team and a congregation of approximately 50 Nepalese believers watched from the surrounding rocks as 19 believers were baptized in a jungle pond. All of those baptized were TWR listeners and were discipled for a year, and many face rejection from their Hindu families.

Nepal Baptism

A grateful Carol explains, “TWR-Nepal is truly expressing in action TWR’s intent to assist the Church and work out that calling through partnerships with local pastors and NGOs (nongovernmental agencies).”  She adds, “The pastors and evangelists in Nepal feel that the Lord is going to multiply the believers in that country exponentially within the next two decades.”

For several hours each day throughout Nepal, TWR’s programming airs from 55 FM stations in five languages. The government airs at no cost some of TWR’s programs that address social issues like AIDs because officials see the value for their people.

If you’d like to learn more about TWR’s ministry in Nepal, click here. If you’d like to explore a region of the world to learn what the Lord is doing through TWR’s significant media outreach, contact me at jhughes@twr.org. You, too, may have an opportunity to have your own mountaintop experience.

Photo Credits: Mt. Everest, P. Anders Martinussen; Nepal, Carol VanDyken

TWR speaks to the hearts of men, women and children while equipping and encouraging them to impact their families and communities with the gospel. Our greatest encouragement comes when we meet people who have been reached with the Lord’s truth through this media ministry and hear how that truth is being put into practice in their own lives. TWR’s President Lauren Libby believes that our calling as a mission is “to reach the world for Christ by mass media so that lasting fruit is produced.”

Each year, hundreds of thousands of responses are received at TWR’s offices around the world, and I have the privilege to read some of those replies. These contacts can come from letters, phone calls, SMS, emails, Skype or visits to our many local offices. Men, women and children describe how their blinded eyes were opened to the truth and how they now have peace and joy amid their difficult circumstances. That’s a God thing, wouldn’t you agree?

Take the opportunity to read Carlos’ story of his turn from being a drug lord to being a pastor. Or Samnang’s testimony of becoming a child of God and experiencing the Lord’s guiding hand on her life. Or learn about the Lord’s beautiful redemptive plan unfolding in Fisnike’s life and family. Or read about the letter that made such an impact in Wakshuma’s life featured in the award-winning TWR Magazine, Volume 34, No. 1. Read and rejoice in God’s majestic, loving handiwork.

Tell me what you value about the ministry of TWR. I’d love to hear from you.

Let me know if you’d like to receive a Ministry in Focus report of TWR’s 2013 priority projects and prayer requests or have a copy of TWR’s most recent magazine with Wakshuma’s story. You can reach me at jhughes@twr.org or 1-800-456-7897.

The DeLorean

Have you seen the 1985 science-fiction adventure film starring Michael J. Fox, “Back to the Future”? Fox plays the ‘80s teenager Marty McFly who through the intellectual genius of his friend Dr Emmett “Doc” Brown travels back in time in a plutonium-powered 1981 DeLorean car to 1955 to meet his future parents. With comedic twists and turns, Marty’s mission entails bringing together his parents-to-be after he unwittingly threatens their romantic relationship before it can even get started, thereby jeopardizing his family’s future existence and his own destiny. I’m not providing any more details in case you want to see it.

Though this whimsical tall tale was built around young Marty’s terror that he had irreparably damaged his and his parent’s lives, such guilt and anguish are very real for some in our world today. Many are following a path that leads to an eternal destiny of separation from God and his judgment.  But for those like our brother in India, Santosh, by God’s grace their eternal destiny is secure and forever settled in heaven. Read Santosh’s stirring testimony to the truth:

My name is Santosh. I used to worship various gods, but I was frustrated. I had so many questions, but I could not find any answers. Why did our gods not help us or provide for us?

One day, a man came to our village distributing some pamphlets. I met him, and he shared with me about a radio program that would give me peace and joy. I was inquisitive and asked him lots of questions. Noting my interest, he took me aside and shared that Jesus Christ could change my destiny. He suggested that I listen to the [TWR] program, Neta Vachan (The Word Today).

That evening, I tuned in to the program and was surprised that it was such a good one. The next day I listened to it again. I felt so blessed as it gave me great relief from my sorrows.

I became a regular listener of the program. Soon, I realized that Jesus Christ is the true God. He listens to our prayers and turns our sorrows into joy. I wrote to the man who introduced me to Neta Vachan and shared my feelings about the program.

I’m facing a lot of opposition from my family, but I have made a strong decision to follow Jesus Christ. He has changed my life.

We praise God for redeeming Santosh’s life! Like many who listen to TWR’s programs across India, God’s Word is alive, active and transforming their lives and destiny. To learn more about TWR’s life-changing ministry in India, click here.

Source: TWR Asia

Photo Credits: DeLorean by David Sinofksy; Man by Asif Akbar

Though real dehydration resulting from drought is a reality for many in our world today, spiritual dryness is widespread and ultimately more perilous. Jesus understood this concept when he spoke to the woman at the well: “Everyone who drinks of this water [from the well] will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:13-14).

Providentially, the Lord has provided TWR with an opportunity to reach spiritually thirsty souls in the region of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and North India (PANI). Interestingly, “pani” is a Hindi word that means “water.”

Several years ago, God opened a door in this region of the world for TWR to increase its signal strength from shortwave to AM radio. More than 200 million people live under the reach of the new 500,000-watt AM PANI transmitter. While TWR has shortwave programming in some of the languages of the region — Panjabi, Pashto, Sindhi, Urdu, Farsi and Dari — the new AM transmitter will allow more time each week for programs in these languages.

PANI antenna

Right now the four antennas have been installed and the transmitter is ready to be shipped. The next step is to complete the construction of the transmitter building. Lord willing, we’ll be on the air by July 2013 to the “heart of the unevangelized world,” as the seventh edition of Operation World describes the area.

We’re at 95 percent of our total funding goal of $1,494,000, with a remaining need of about $66,000. TWR’s International Director for the Americas Tim Klingbeil wrote the following: “I continue to be amazed to see how God is providing for this project. Let’s pray together for God’s provision to meet the goal and begin broadcasting by the middle of 2013!”

The PANI project is especially on my heart, and its purpose brings to mind this relevant, powerful verse from Revelation 22:17: “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price.”

Please join me in interceding for this significant work and outreach to the thirsty people of Pakistan, Afghanistan and North India. Pray for those who will hear the gospel, that they will joyfully receive the spiritual water of life that Jesus offers.

To learn more about how you can reach thirsty souls through the PANI project, click here.

Photo Credit: “Water”, Zsuzsanna Kilian, photographer

Nearly a quarter of the world’s female population lives under the oppressive teaching that women are deficient in intelligence and spirituality. More than half of Indian women believe they deserve the abuse they receive simply for being females.  Five hundred Chinese women kill themselves every day to escape a life of indignities.  Something has gone terribly wrong!  This picture has remained untouched for ages: historically, women have been on the receiving end of all sorts of abuse and degradation, and they are considered to be property, unclean, inferior and worth less than even a cow! Because cultures are shaped by fallen people who all too often have no understanding of women’s true value and purpose, women remain devalued and disposable, according to TWR’s Media Matters newsletter.

Five women died in my local community since May 2012 as a result of domestic violence. This horrendous, violent act is felt at all economic and educational levels. Often called a “private family matter,” abuse in the home is a reality for thousands. And children who witness such behavior regularly are more susceptible to become victims or perpetrators. In the United States or around the world, we cannot forget that many suffer silently from physical and emotional abuse in their homes every day.

TWR Project Hannah Founder and Global Ministry Director Marli Spieker wrote, “Recently, the outcry of hundreds of thousands of Indian youths awoke the world to the hideous crime of rape. As we prayed for healing and comfort for the family of the young female medical student gang-raped to death in a bus, I kept thinking of millions who survived this type of horrendous assault only to live as if they are dead — robbed of their dignity, honor and value as human beings. Rape not always kills the body but always kills the soul of a woman.”

The sinful cycle of violence and oppression that affects the lives of women and children can be broken, and the solution is biblical. Marli added, “The Bible warns us not to ignore such evil; rather, we must take redemptive action.” Consider the words of Proverbs 24:11-12: “Rescue those who are being taken away to death; hold back those who are stumbling to the slaughter. If you say, ‘Behold, we did not know this,’ does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?”

What can we do? “What an amazing responsibility we have to seek biblical justice by praying and acting on their [suffering women] behalf,” wrote Marli. “Pray for governments to defend the rights of girls and women while punishing the perpetrators, but most of all, let’s ask God to cause a moral awakening among men everywhere.”

Along with Marli, we know that when broken women bring their pain to Jesus, the One who can set them free, and receive God-bestowed dignity and mercy, restoration happens. Around the world in more than 60 languages, God is using Project Hannah to communicate the grace-liberating gospel of Jesus Christ through its radio program, Women of Hope.

To join us in speaking hope to suffering women, click here.

Amid this tension-filled environment, TWR’s Arabic Ministries unobtrusively and faithfully continues its outreach in this region — awakening hearts to the transforming power of the gospel. TWR’s Arabic Ministries director offers his perspective on these events and the significant opportunities that developed:

In the last two years, a series of protests, demonstrations and political changes swept through the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and those events went down in history as the “Arab Spring.” For most people in the world, spring is the favorite season. It symbolizes rebirth, life, growth, warmth and hope for the future. But the springs of 2011 and 2012 for the Arab world were different. Flames, anger and frustration just kept on occurring everywhere, and the situation is not getting better. Tensions are not at ease; the “Arab Spring” turned into the “Arab winter”!

In addition to the significant damages and some good developments that the social and political changes afflicted on the MENA region, whether economic, psychological or physical, the popularly called Arab Spring is in danger of becoming a “winter of persecution” for Christians in the Arab world. The denial of freedom and the threat of  persecution hang over people’s lives and result in kidnappings, bombings, killings and forced conversions. Many Iraqi, Egyptian and Syrian Christians are being forced to flee their countries.

In 1990 there were between 1.2 million and 1.4 million Christians in Iraq. Today, it is estimated that less than 500,000 remain. With the current events and the vague future ahead, here comes an important consideration: If “secular media” played a major role in changing the face of the Arab world, can “Christian media” play a more powerful role to bring change into the lives of peoples of the area? What would that role be amid this chaos?

In this situation, TWR Arabic Ministries decided to stand in prayer and action as God showed throughout these two years that he is at work. No matter how hard the situation is, he is still opening amazing doors for outreach and evangelism through radio and various media platforms.

We praise the Lord that the message we are delivering is helping many people from all backgrounds to put their trust in the true God, the One who can provide peace and comfort in the midst of danger and a dreadful future. So radio programs are not just radio programs anymore, but they are becoming and will continue to be “agents of change” in the lives of many Arabs!

We look back at the different ministry opportunities in the last year and can’t but place another stone of help and say along with [the prophet] Samuel, “Thus far has the Lord helped us.” The year 2012 was a milestone in the history of TWR Arabic Ministries. Our dream for Arabic Internet Radio (AiR) came to life in addition to our engagement in mobile applications, landing pages, mobile version websites and more. See ArabicPrograms.org for more on these.

We thank God for his rich blessings, for holding our hand step by step and for guiding us to serve faithfully despite the challenges our region faces.

To join us in ministry as an agent of change for the Middle East, click here.

Source: TWR Europe

Photo Credit: TWR Europe

China

Where would you find emperors, dragons, silk, tea, spices and rice along with a terra-cotta army and the Great Wall? It’s the People’s Republic of China, of course, and according to the Lonely Planet travel guide, there are 4,218 things to see and do there.

Just looking at a map, one is immediately struck by the vastness of this nation. With 1.3 billion inhabitants, it’s the world’s most populous country and the fourth-largest country in terms of area.

Even though China maintains strict control over its people, it is remarkable that “the survival and growth of the Church in China are two of the decisive events of our generation,” reports Operation World, 7^th Edition. “The staggering recent growth of the Chinese Church has no parallel in history—from 2.7 million evangelicals in 1975 to over 75 million in 2010.”

Persecution of believers under a repressive, Communist regime has only served to purify the church, not destroy her. As a recent Morning Star News article reported, “In 2012, the Communist government began the first of a three-phase plan to eradicate unregistered house churches.” This has led to increased attacks against protestant believers and pastors.

China Radio Church Kit

TWR’s vision involves coming alongside and assisting the church in its mission. Since 1994, our team in Asia has distributed Radio Church Kits in mainland China to support the spiritual growth of house-church members. It’s exciting to see the fruit of this labor, but there is also a continuing need for discipleship among house-church leaders and new believers to protect them from false doctrines and legalism.

As of the end of 2012, TWR Asia had distributed 114,200 kits. This year TWR is expanding its ministry in China, and this includes a goal of dispersing 3,000 additional kits as the Lord provides.

The intensity of harassment and persecution faced by our Chinese brothers and sisters in Christ probably would send us in the West “over the wall.” The testimonies we receive from these believers communicate a spiritual hunger, resilience and determination to stand firm for Christ’s sake regardless of the cost.

To learn how you can help support our Christian brothers and sisters in China, click here.

China Facts: http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/countries/china-facts/

Photo Credit: Ansley James Jensen

This morning, I reflected on the meaning of genuine love, which the Apostle Paul richly defines in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, 13 (ESV):

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. So now faith, hope and love abide, these three, but the greatest of these is love.

It’s apparent to me that this kind of loving is more than simply natural — it’s supernatural. The empowerment to love like this is birthed in a heart surrendered in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ, who first loved us. There’s no other way.

The merciful, compassionate, loving heart of God is the spring that flows through his blood-bought children to others. This is the stuff missions is made of! “It is not primarily out of a compassion for humanity that we share our faith or pray for the lost; it is first of all, love for God,” writes John Dawson in his book “Taking Our Cities for God.” It’s love of God that propels us.

John Piper unfolds this wonderful truth in his passionate book on missions, “Let the Nations Be Glad,” when he writes:

There is a God-enthralled, Christ-treasuring, all-enduring love that pursues the fullness of God in the soul and in the service of Jesus. It cries out with the psalmist, “Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you! Let the nations be glad and sing for joy. …Sing praises to our King, sing praises! For God is the King of all the earth” (Pss. 67:3-4; 47:6-7).

Let’s link arms and pray, go, send and give as we sing the love song for the nations in praise and glory to God. How will you display the love of God today? I’d love to hear from you.

Photo Credit: Robert Proksa