11- Matthew

Excerpt from the Fox's Book of Martyrs

Matthew
Whose occupation was that of a toll-gatherer, was born at Nazareth. He wrote his gospel in Hebrew, which was afterwards translated into Greek by James the Less. The scene of his labors was Parthia, and Ethiopia, in which latter country he suffered martyrdom, being slain with a halberd in the city of Nadabah, A.D. 60.

an ancient halberd...

10- Philip

Excerpt from the Fox's Book of Martyrs

Philip
"Was born at Bethsaida, in Galilee and was first called by the name of "disciple." He labored diligently in Upper Asia, and suffered martyrdom at Heliopolis, in Phrygia. He was scourged, thrown into prison, and afterwards crucified, A.D. 54. "

9- James

Excerpt from the Fox's Book of Martyrs

James the Great
"The next martyr we meet with, according to St. Luke, in the History of the Apostles' Acts, was James the son of Zebedee, the elder brother of John, and a relative of our Lord; for his mother Salome was cousin-german to the Virgin Mary. It was not until ten years after the death of Stephen that the second martyrdom took place; for no sooner had Herod Agrippa been appointed governor of Judea, than, with a view to ingratiate himself with them, he raised a sharp persecution against the Christians, and determined to make an effectual blow, by striking at their leaders. The account given us by an eminent primitive writer, Clemens Alexandrinus, ought not to be overlooked; that, as James was led to the place of martyrdom, his accuser was brought to repent of his conduct by the apostle's extraordinary courage and undauntedness, and fell down at his feet to request his pardon, professing himself a Christian, and resolving that James should not receive the crown of martyrdom alone. Hence they were both beheaded at the same time. Thus did the first apostolic martyr cheerfully and resolutely receive that cup, which he had told our Savior he was ready to drink. Timon and Parmenas suffered martyrdom about the same time; the one at Philippi, and the other in Macedonia. These events took place A.D. 44."

The prophecy of this is in Matthew 20:22-23, as well as in Mark.

Oh, how I want to be one that is not afraid to die for me Lord. And right now, I don't want to be afriad to truly live for my Lord.

Holy Spirit, help me die to my flesh. I am yours. (Rom 12:1)

8- Stephen

Excerpt from the Fox's Book of Martyrs

St. Stephen
"St. Stephen suffered the next in order. His death was occasioned by the faithful manner in which he preached the Gospel to the betrayers and murderers of Christ. To such a degree of madness were they excited, that they cast him out of the city and stoned him to death. The time when he suffered is generally supposed to have been at the Passover which succeeded to that of our Lord's crucifixion, and to the era of his ascension, in the following spring.
Upon this a great persecution was raised against all who professed their belief in Christ as the Messiah, or as a prophet. We are immediately told by St. Luke, that "there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem;" and that "they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles."
About two thousand Christians, with Nicanor, one of the seven deacons, suffered martyrdom during the "persecution that arose about Stephen." "

You can read further into his account in Acts 7.

may you be inspired to live for something worth dying for... namely Jesus Christ

blessings

7- February 25, 2009

I write not with some new revelation or cool angle or phrase. But just to confess the simple truth that will change everything.
God is good.
He loves me.

6 ~Isaiah 48:10-11

Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction. For my own sake, for my own sake, I do it, for how should my name be profaned? My glory I will not give to another.

5- February

Wow. A month has already come and passed in 2009. I realize I am only 23, but time is really flying faster and faster. I am not trying to be morbid, but before I realize I will be done with this part of life. If one month, even one year can slip by so easily, it really challenges me to think. It can either be a good thing in that I spent the year wisely and can be grateful for what I did with it, or I can look back and think, "Wow, what did I do with this year?"
I mean really, what am I doing with my time?!
Does it have purpose?
I believe my life, thus, the time I have in it, does serve a purpose... But am I fulfilling it? It is designed to have purpose, but I am doing with it what I was designed to do...
I am trying my best. I do have regret, but I also have gratitude in the power God has allowed to me to walk in His design. I am definitely feeling my way through alot of dark times, but His Word is a lamp unto my feet and with it and His voice calling me forward, I will not give up the journey and I will not let it be a waste.

Thank You for grace- my sin erased -You called me as Your son
For I did rebel into the grip of hell- yet You give me what You've won
Life
Yes, a life to live that death will give as I join You in the tomb
I die to sin, am raised again as I emerge from eternity's womb
Come quickly