Quotes from Janette Oke

There had been incidents meant to remind them that they were being watched. Yet there had also been more arrests and darker threats and cruel floggings. The religious authorities had no intention of letting the group continue unchallenged. When any possible reason for an offense could be generated, they took full advantage.

That Mary had chosen to do the best thing, and that it would not be taken from her." Martha spoke as matter-of-factly as she would about the weather. "I saw then that there are many ways to serve our Lord. Some like you and I do it through action. Others like Mary do it through reverence.

Today, as she sat in her room following prayer, she reflected on how their numbers had grown in a way they could not have if they had all remained in Jerusalem. This time Abigail allowed herself to give silent voice to her deepest questions. Was this why, Lord? Was Stephen the seed that, when planted in the ground, bore fruit? Did you use his death to scatter us for your purposes?

The Bible tells us that God abhors it, too. He wants us to love and care for one another." "Does the white man know that?" "Some of them do." "Hasn't the white man had the Bible for many years?" "Yes, for many years." "Then why doesn't he read it and do what it says?" I shook my head. It was a troubling question. "I don't know," I finally admitted. "I really don't know.

I stood too. I didn't want to return to the village. I disliked even more the thought of returning to the small cabin. I was so thankful that it would soon be spring again and I could enjoy more and more of the outdoors.

I would like to introduce you further to our Lord God through the holy writings. David was a man chosen by God, anointed as king, and yet he too suffered. As do we all. And here is the key. Our God has been with us all along. Our God awaits the moment when we turn to him and ask his forgiveness, his blessing, his anointing, his peace.

Ya hurt, Joshsh?" I thought that was quite apparent, but for someone like Sam who spent a good deal of his time on the ground, perhaps it was a reasonable question.

This is true of all of us. It is a huge change, from unbelief to knowing God's presence, from perception of only what we can see, hear, and feel to a new realm, the spiritual world. We enter into this like infants.

Memories are so fragile, you know. Sometimes I feel they are best left undisturbed.

Nazarenes." Ezra faltered, leaning against a nearby wall. The word in Hebrew was Hanozree and held powerful significance among religious Judeans. The word signified the highest form of denial of self, rejection of sin, turning away from temptation, and earnestly seeking the Lord.

I was going to need help. I knew of only one true source readily available to me. I stopped for a few moments of prayer.

I didn't feel comfortable with this new world. My northern isolation had protected me from all this.