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Commercial Valentine’s Day. It’s getting ready to throw heart shaped boxes of chocolates and cartoon themed mailboxes at us.  Is it bad? No. Do we eat the chocolate? Yes. I love taking this modern made-up day of love as an opportunity to consider love. Real and meaningful ways to love. When I stumbled on “My Brother’s Keeper” from Not Consumed, I knew I found what we were going to use for our Bible study this February. 

 “My Brother’s Keeper” is a 4-week long parent-led Bible study for siblings.  There is a parent guide and every child gets a book. You can customize your order and get the book based on age range.  Everyone from toddlers to teens gets an age-appropriate book. Using examples of 10 biblical siblings, through the study you will cover God’s plan for families, envy, jealousy, selfishness, love, service, and forgiveness.  There is time to work and answer questions independently and sections to do together. It has a breakdown of how to resolve conflict and steps to take when you have wronged someone or been wronged. 

There are plenty of rough days in our all-girl household ranging from toddler to teen. Ultimately, I know as the mother of my home all I can do is plant the seeds. Seeds based in biblical truth and not commercial one day only holidays. Whether or not we use this study or a different one or none at all, I am striving to point their hearts to discipleship. A great place to start is the walls of our own home. 

  The Holy Spirit creates in us an affection for the Word of God. Once we meet Him, we begin to yearn to know the Lord better, and to read His “love letter” to mankind. Soon after, we start to ask the question, “What Bible translation should I read?”

  I have been asked that, or heard comments about that question, a number of times over the years. So, finding a good Bible translation is important. But translating between languages is not as simplistic as we might think. Our brother Sergio Albonico shares an example that makes the point well:

  “Many of you will remember our dear friend Dalma Piper from Costa Rica.  She was an amazing chef and one expression she often used was, “Que rico gallo pinto!”  If we were to do a literal translation of this expression it would read, “What a rich painted rooster!” When in fact the contemporary meaning amongst the locals in Costa Rica is something more like, “How tasty this rice and beans dish is!” 

  Translation is not simplistic. In the English-speaking world, though, we have an embarrassing wealth of good options when it comes to the Bible. There are a number of solid, faithful translations to choose from. Each has its own slight strengths and weaknesses. It is very helpful for us to know a bit about those, in choosing what translation we use.

  One key idea to grasp is that each version has a translational philosophy. This is not something that eggheaded experts concocted to complicate the Bible. This is merely a by-product of trying to be consistent. When there is a passage like Sergio’s example above, should we translate the literal words, word-for-word; or should we translate the idea, and then express that in words that are as close as possible to the original where we can? There are obvious advantages and disadvantages to each.

  For study of the Bible, there is an advantage in having a more word-for-word literal translation. Since each word is inspired by God, anything less than this may at times gloss over (or even obscure) connections and nuances that the Author has intended. For this reason, I would highly recommend the New American Standard (NASB) or the English Standard Version (ESV).

  For general comprehension of the Bible, there can be an advantage to having a more idea-for-idea translation. The New International Version (NIV) is a good choice here. While it might not capture some phrases as well, it can be easier to read while still being faithful. Other translations can also be very useful. The King James (KJV), the New King James (NKJV), and the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) each have their own advantages.

  Today it is very easy to refer to multiple translations with a single click. Sites like blueletterbible.org will do this for you quickly, once you are comfortable navigating them. Also, a good Study Bible - with notes to go along with each passage - can very quickly answer questions and clarify issues as you read. Choose a trusted editor or publisher, and your Study Bible will give you confidence in embracing passages that you’ve never read before.

  God does His work in us through His Word. It is where we meet Him, see Him, hear Him, and are transformed by Him. May you find Him rich, as you commune with Him in His Word today.

“The law of the LORD is perfect,
restoring the soul;
the testimony of the LORD is sure,
making wise the simple;

the precepts of the LORD are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the LORD is pure,
enlightening the eyes ...”
~ Ps. 19:7-8

"IT IS GOD WHO ARMS ME WITH STRENGTH AND MAKES MY WAY PERFECT" - PSALM 18:32

  This week I’ve been thinking a lot about what we can bring to our partners in South Asia. As we prepare to go as a church to work with Genesis of Hope (GOH) there are always questions near in my mind. Is the cost worth it? Is the time and money worth our travel halfway around the world? Do I have anything to offer our friends, our partners in the gospel, or the lost who have never heard the gospel? 

  God has answered this question many times in my life. My relationship with God is always deepened as I see that His faithfulness does not just cover my tiny corner of the world and my small life. I also believe we are better partners in the Gospel with those living in difficult places when we have walked where they walk. I love the logo for missions at Mountain Christian, “Bring Change, Be changed.” I have always come away changed. 

  I first went to South Asia (SA) in college and I fell in love with so many things about the country I was in. What really took a hold in my heart though was the open worship of false gods and the darkness that prevailed. During this time I realized how inadequate I was for the work that needed to be done. I turned to the only place I could - I began to pray. I had learned about prayer walking during previous mission trips and every time I went I saw some answered prayers and more insight into needs. Prayer walking is just praying as you are present in the world. It’s easy to turn your thoughts towards prayer when you do not understand the local language. As you begin practicing prayer God opens your eyes to strongholds, struggles, needs and ways He is working. 

  Pastor Frank’s sermon last Sunday reminded me of the power of prayer for our partners in the gospel. As we are able to look in their faces and understand the environment they are living and working in, God moves us to pray. We can pray for our brothers and sisters in Christ that their “love may mature in the real knowledge of God.” We can lift up to the true God the false gods and the barriers that hinder this real knowledge.  

  I see God’s hand guiding what felt like a pretty rushed trip in 2019. When we were invited to participate in a huge VBS in SA our small team took a few short months to plan and fundraise. This trip laid the foundation for MCC’s partnership with GOH. We visited several Hope Centers and met many partners in the gospel. Through this we adopted Shahabhad Hope Center and were able support the work done there even through some pretty crazy times of the pandemic. Looking back and seeing that 2020 changed so much and really cut off the possibility of travel, it is even more beautiful that God put all the pieces together so easily for our team to travel to SA. Being able to pray for specific friends and the Hope Center that we support in SA has been such a blessing. 

  Please be praying for the team that will travel this fall to South Asia. Please pray for their families and all the details surrounding the preparation to go. The country we will be traveling to is becoming increasingly hostile to the gospel. Please pray for open doors. Pray for encouragement for our partners, some of whom have been forced out of their homes by angry mobs and threatened by the police. Pray for Ravi as he travels extensively leading teams and encouraging GOH workers. Pray for his family as they are not together during these trips. If you took notes from Pastor Frank’s sermon please pray Philippians 1:9-11 for our faithful partners in the gospel working in a country where they are the minority (less than 2% Christian). 

Micah and Nicole met and married at Mountain Christian Church in 1997. It was a match made in Heaven – Ha Ha!

Nicole’s family found MCC through the daycare that was that meeting at MCC in the early 1980’s, and has attended MCC since about 1983. Micah’s family started attending MCC when they moved to the East Mountains in 1991. They have served MCC through a variety of ministries over the years: leading the middle school youth group, teaching preschool, participating in Bible Studies and Fellowship Groups, serving on the Safety/Security team, and helping to lead Vacation Bible School.

The Barkers have three children who were raised at MCC. Tristan is 21 and serving in the Army at Fort Campbell, KY. Emily is 17 and homeschooling her Senior year, and Katie is a 15-year-old sophomore at East Mountain High School.

Micah is in his 24th year as a deputy with Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Dept and currently patrols the East Mountain area. Nicole has transitioned from a home-school mom and works part time at Kefauver CPA.

In their off time, Micah enjoys hiking and mountain biking. Nicole enjoys sitting in the sun and reading when not puttering around the house working on odd jobs.

They are looking forward to serving you on the Deacon Council!

*Photo credit - Mosey Photography