Once again the people’s blood Is streaming …

 

"Dear God, calamity again!
It was so peaceful, so serene;
We had just begun to break the chains
That bind our folk in slavery
When halt! Once again the people’s blood

Is streaming …"

Taras Shevchenko, Ukrainian poet, 1859 

My husband has been telling me to prepare myself, that the war in Ukraine is going to get much worse. I was still up last night/early morning when the news about the atrocities in Bucha hit the Ukrainian news. They are 7 hours ahead of me and the pictures were just starting to to be shown in the Telegram feeds of The Kyiv Independent and Ukraine Now. Ordinary people, some with their hands tied behind their back shot in the head including children, mass grave of about 300, some bodies had been partially burned, some decapitated, mutilated after death.

I have nothing intelligent to add. It's barbaric and evil and sends me to my knees begging God to stop this war.

You Don't Have to Suffer to Show Solidarity

I love history! I love researching and learning about what happened before I was alive.  The Colonial Era and World War II are just two time periods that fascinate me. I have often wondered if I was alive during the '30's and '40's would I have been an isolationist? 

On February 24, 2022 and the days after I had my answer -- NO! While I think I understand President Biden's reasons for not giving the planes and tanks President Zelenskyy so desperately needs, I alternate between frustration, anger, fear, and heartache that we are not doing more. Yes, we have given bunches of money, but it makes me think of the parent who shows love to their child by throwing money at them, when what they really need is their time and presence.

Since the slaughter started over a month ago, I won't let myself look at news while I am at work. But once I'm home I watch President Zelenskyy's nightly address to the Ukrainians, pour over newspaper articles, Telegram posts, tweets, Instagram posts, and watch the news the entire time, multi-tasking until I'm so overwhelmed by the horror of it all I have to stop. By then it's usually well after midnight. On the weekend, it's even worse because I have more time. I'm learning as much as I can about the history of Ukraine. I've been operating on little sleep for over a month.

But how dare I complain, when I choose to do this, instead of being in Ukraine having the horror thrust upon me. My husband has been imploring me to stop. He said, "You can't keep this up. What if this goes on for years?"

Don Lemon is interviewing someone right now as I'm typing this. He asked his guest what the best case scenario is for how long the war will last. He said several more months. Worst case scenario: years!  How can it go on for years? There will be nothing of Ukraine left!

I discovered the account of ukraine_artistry on Instagram a few days ago. She shared a post entitled, "How Not to Talk about the War in Ukraine" When I got to the end of the 4th slide, the last line:

"You don't have to suffer to show solidarity." 

That sentence jumped of my phone at me! I realized that I have been subconsciously feeling guilty that I have a warm home with my loved ones around me, that I'm not suffering -- that I am alive!

This realization hasn't curbed my nightly diet of all things Ukraine though. My heart still aches for them. I still don't know why this is so deeply and profoundly affecting me. But, it is causing me to cry out to God on their behalf. 

Maybe that's my answer right there.

Слава Україні

Zelenskyy, the Oscars, and Westies

 I made the mistake this morning of commenting on this photo on President Zelenkyy's Instagram account.

"You have the full support of this American, Mr. President." 

Two Ukrainians thanked me, a Russian said vile things, which then caused 104 more comments, arguments, etc. I learned my lesson. I will keep my thoughts to myself, or share here. It's not like President Zelenskyy will read it anyway.

I do want to share what he said when he posted the photo: 

"More and more people in the world are on the side of Ukraine, on the side of good in this battle with evil. And if politicians don't know how to follow people, we will teach them. This is the basis of democracy of our national character."

A lot of our politicians need to heed that and listen to the people they are supposed to be representing.

Battle with evil: 

'Peacemaker' Roman Abramovich flew to Russia to 'give Putin a handwritten note from Zelenksy dictating Ukraine's terms' in a bid to end war...but was told, "Tell him I will thrash them."

Слава Україні

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Did you watch The Academy Awards last night? Even if you didn't I'm sure you were told about the slap heard round the world. The best line from Will Smith's acceptance speech?

Denzel said to me a few minutes ago, he said, 'At your highest moment, be careful, that's when the devil comes for you.'

Too bad Denzel didn't give him that bit of advice sooner.

_________________________________________________________________________________

Something purely innocent and delightful to end the evening:

 

I Need to Start Blogging Again

Ukraine lies heavy on my heart. I need to start blogging about it. If even one person reads and can join me in praying, then it is worth it.

I have updated the header with a beautiful picture (taken by Polina Rytova) of a wheat field in Eastern Ukraine.

I listened to President Biden's speech in Warsaw this afternoon, maybe one of his best speeches. I was shocked by the way he ended it, so was the White House as they back pedaled and said he was not speaking about regime change. The more I've thought about it I think he spoke from his heart:

"A dictator bent on rebuilding an empire will never erase a people's love for liberty. Brutality will never grind down their will to be free. Ukraine will never be a victory for Russia, for free people refuse to live in a world of hopelessness and darkness. We will have a different future, a brighter future, rooted in democracy and principle, hope and light. Of decency and dignity and freedom and possibilities. For God's sake, this man cannot remain in power."

 I have been very frustrated that we aren't doing more to help Ukraine. I think President Zelenskyy is too. He has shown remarkable restraint. Here is his nightly broadcast to the citizens of Ukraine:

I've also been forcing myself to pray for Putin. It is so easy to hate him.

Слава Україні

He's Enough

These verses spoke to my during my devotions tonight.

First an admonition to myself:

"Search for the LORD and for his strength; continually seek him."   I Chronicles 16:11

Second, these verses bring comfort that God does see what's going on and will bring justice.

"LORD, you know the hopes of the helpless. Surely you will hear their cries and comfort them. You will bring justice to the orphans and the oppressed, so mere people can no longer terrify them."      Psalm 10:17-18

Photo from Kaitlyn Bouchillon's July 12 Instagram Stories.

According to His Own Mercy

I Will Help You

I AM THE ONE WHO HELPS YOU, DECLARES THE LORD. —ISAIAH 41: 14 

This morning let us hear the Lord Jesus speak to each one of us: “I will help you.”“It is but a small thing for Me, your God, to help you. Consider what I have done already. What! Not help you? Why, I bought you with My blood. What! Not help you? I have died for you; and if I have done the greater, will I not do the less? Help you! It is the least thing I will ever do for you; I have done more, and will do more. Before the world began I chose you. I made the covenant for you. I laid aside My glory and became a man for you; I gave up My life for you; and if I did all this, I will surely help you now. In helping you, I am giving you what I have bought for you already. If you had need of a thousand times as much help, I would give it to you; you require little compared with what I am ready to give. It is much for you to need, but it is nothing for me to bestow. Help you? Fear not! If there were an ant at the door of your granary asking for help, it would not ruin you to give him a handful of your wheat; and you are nothing but a tiny insect at the door of My all-sufficiency. I will help you.”O my soul, is this not enough? Do you need more strength than the omnipotence of the united Trinity? Do you want more wisdom than exists in the Father, more love than displays itself in the Son, or more power than is manifest in the influences of the Spirit? Bring here your empty pitcher! Surely this well will fill it. Hurry, gather up your wants, and bring them here—your emptiness, your woes, your needs. Behold, this river of God is full for your supply; what else can you desire? Go forth, my soul, in this your might. The Eternal God is your helper! 

Fear not, I am with you, oh, be not dismay’d! I, I am your God, and will still give you aid.

Morning and Evening by CH Spurgeon

The Story Behind "Praise You in This Storm"

Praise You in This Storm

My absolute favorite Casting Crowns song.

I was sure by now, God you would have reached down
And wiped our tears away,
Stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
That it's still raining
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear your whisper through the rain
I'm with you
And as your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
The God who gives and takes away

And I'll praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
That you are who you are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry you raised me up again
My strength is almost gone how can I carry on
If I can't find you
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear you whisper through the rain
I'm with you
And as your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
The God who gives and takes away

And I'll praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
That you are who you are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The maker of heaven and earth

And I'll praise you in this storm
And I will lift my hands
That you are who you are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm

And though my heart is torn
I will praise you in this storm

O I want to know You more!

"Once we get intimate with Jesus we are never lonely and we never lack for understanding or compassion. We can continually pour out our hearts to Him without being perceived as overly emotional or pitiful.

The picture resulting from such a life is that of the strong, calm balance that our Lord gives to those who are intimate with Him."

~Oswald Chambers, My Utmost For His Highest

Oh how I long for that intimacy! But how many times I've turned to everything but Him to satisfy that longing.

Thanks be to God, that He pours His grace on me time and time again. Thank you Jesus that you keep wooing me back.

As I was reading this tonight, this song came to mind. I first heard it over 30 years ago when the church I was attending put on a musical by Steve Fry entitled "We Are Called."

It is the cry of my heart. 

"Just  the time I feel
That I've been caught
In the mire of self.
Just the time I feel
My mind's been bought
By worldly wealth.
That's when the breeze begins
To blow I know,
The Spirit's call
And all my worldly wanderings
Just melt into His love.

Oh, I want to know You more!
Deep within my soul I want to know You,
Oh, I want to know You.
To feel Your heart and know Your mind,
Looking in Your eyes stirs up within me,
Cries that says I want to know You
Oh, I want to know You more.
Oh, I want to know You more.

When my daily deeds
Ordinarily lose life and song,
My heart begins to bleed,
Sensitivity to Him is gone.
I've run the race but set my own pace
And face a shattered soul,
But the gentle arms of Jesus
Warm my hungering to be whole.

Oh, I want to know You more!
Deep within my soul I want to know You,
Oh, I want to know You.
And I would give my final breathe
To know You in Your death and resurrection,
Oh, I want to know You more
Oh, I want to know You more
Oh, I want to know You more"