“Severe!” (February 2013 Update)
I continue to be amazed with the names of the months here in Ukraine. They all tell something about the weather changes. January is Січень or “Cutting.” This could refer either to the cutting of wood or to the cutting or “biting” cold. As someone who heated his home for many years with a woodstove, seems a little late for cutting wood. But it could mean “splitting wood.” Either one is usually pretty descriptive! February is Лютий which means “severe.” This definitely refers to the weather which is usually colder in February than January. Fortunately, we’ve had a lot of snow but not a lot of really cold weather. Still I love the descriptive months!
In teaching Hebrews, we were reminded of the tremendous difference between the Old Covenant and the New. For example, in Hebrews 12:18-24, we read:
You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.” The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”
But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
How wonderful it is to realize the grace of God through Jesus is not severe but full of overflowing mercy!
I just finished teaching Hebrews last week and had a really wonderful time. It was great to work through a book of the Bible chapter by chapter. The students all seemed to appreciate this also. The questions and discussions in class were great.
In our church ministries, we are preparing for our Refresh Weekend next weekend. We will be teaching about our spiritual lives and our quiet times with God. Be praying for us as we teach and lead next weekend. On Wednesday nights, I continue to teach a small group Bible Study on the right bank and we love working with this wonderful group of college and career people!
In the coming months, I will be preparing for my upcoming classes. I’ll be helping teach some parts of the Church Planting class on Prayer in March. Then in April, I will be teaching Pneumatology and then Eschatology. Finally in May, I will be helping teach Research and Critical Thinking 1 and then at the end of May and early June, I will be teaching Research and Critical Thinking 2.
On Monday, I will begin again with my Russian studies. I have not had any lessons since the beginning of November and I am ready to get started again. I really need to spend every extra moment I can working on Russian. My listening comprehension continues to improve but I need some work on speaking, especially using the right cases.
We had a wonderful Christmas in Arkansas! It was great to be with family and with friends again and to be able to worship in a number of local churches where are friends attend (we even got to attend 2 Christmas eve services!).
Finally, thanks for praying for our finances. God continues to amaze us with His timing and with the generosity of brothers and sisters in Christ. At the end of the year, we received a couple of additional gifts from current supporters that allowed us to be even at the end of this fiscal year.
Thanks for being our partners in ministry! We hope you had a blessed Christmas and that this New Year will be a special time as you serve Him and follow Him with all your heart!
By His Grace,
Jim and Katya
Teaching Resources International 