On May 29th all over the world Jews celebrate the Shavuot, the Feast of weeks. God commanded the children of Israel to keep the Shavuot once a year. The feast has many aspects to it but most Rabbis agree that it was the day that God gave Moses the Law on Mt Sinai, and conclude that this was the day that the nation of Israel was birthed. On this same day some 1450 years later, would also have a distinction of the birth of the Church of Jesus Christ. Luke records this most famous day in church History in the Book of Acts:
Acts 2:1-4 "When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." Happy Birthday Body of Christ!!!!!!
Victory day may 9th Moscow Russia 2009.......
Every May 9th the entire county of Russia celebrates the victory over Nazi fascism. It is the day when all of Russia honors its veterans. Victory Park is my favorite place to be with thousands of other Muscovites and hundreds of heroes of World War 2. Victory Park as well as Moscow are filled with monuments to remind future generations of the heroic efforts of men and women who gave their lives in the great war. The Memorials remind us all of the great and tragic price that was paid to stop Nazism.
One of Moscow’s newest memorials is a memorial to the most tragic event in the history of mankind. It is a memorial that reminds mankind of the source of every war that has been recorded in the history of the world. It is a memorial that speaks of the moment when blood shed, sorrow, destruction and death entered the human race. It's one of the most Moscow’s most unique memorials that depicts the most tragic day on planet earth. In the Garden of Eden when man disobeyed his loving creator and chose to obey the fallen angel. It was on that day when sin entered the human race. Man has had the need for a Savior ever since to save him from eternal destruction. God Himself would shed the innocent blood of an animal to cloth a naked Adam and Eve when their attempt to cover their sin by using leaves failed. (click on photo for a closer view)
Also here in Moscow we have many reminders of the greatest victory over the greatest war ever in the history of the world. It is impossible to walk around this huge city for any length of time and not see the cross of Christ, they stand all over the city as memorials of the world's greatest victory as Jesus Christ, the Son of God came to earth to die for our sins and to overcome death in His resurrection.
1Cor. 15:21-22 "For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive."
John 5:24 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life."
This is a recent picture of my dear friends Ilya and Ira Gromov. We go back almost 10 years ago when my sister and I came to Russia. We had the privilege of working with them at the CC Bible College here in Moscow. Since those day Ilya and Ira became husband and wife and now have two little boys. Ilya is a very talented guy in teaching and worship and is a pastor in the southern port city of Novorossiysk, Russia. I recently was reunited with them at the CC St Pete’s pastors conference.
Geno is not only seeing spiritual growth in his little fellowship, but as the picture shows Geno is also experiencing growth in his little garden.
My friend Yuri passed away on the 19th of May of terminal stomach cancer. Yuri passed into eternity without any noticeable pain. I’m thankful that I had the opportunity to spend the last 3 weeks visiting Him. Yuri had a great attitude, and I never saw him complain once during our visits. Most of the time together I would just read scripture to him and pray with him. On my last visit he was very weak, and it would be 2 hours after the visit that Yuri passed.
( Yuri second from the right)
1Corinthians 15:51-55: "Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed--in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: "Death is swallowed up in victory." "O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?"
