Counting the Stars – Bonikowsky Family
  • Count the stars!
  • Inspirational media
    • THINKING through the Scriptures
    • PENSANDO a través de las Escrituras
    • THINKING INSIDE THE QUARANTINE devotionals (Mar 11 - May 20, 2020)
    • OPA's Devos for grandchildren
  • Family
    • Andy & Mimi
    • Our kids
    • Sending church
    • Mission agency
    • Contact us
  • Blog
  • Books
    • Paz en el corazón
    • The Aierdi Miracle
    • El milagro de Aierdi
    • The Joy of Missions
  • Various videos
  • Postcard projects
    • 2020 postcard project
    • Previous projects
    • Previous postcards
  • Ministries
    • Living Hope Baptist Church
    • Missionary Teen Retreats
    • Aierdi farmhouse
    • Gospel literature/printing
  • The Gospel

A SHINING FACE

1/23/2021

0 Comments

 
It is most remarkable to read Daniel’s prayer in his 9th chapter.
If you started reading the book there, not having any idea of what happened in chapters 1-6, you would have a very different mental picture of his character. You would think he was a despicable person just turning to God after a life of horrible sin.
But that wasn’t Daniel. He was godly. Not perfect, but exemplary in faith and courage.
Yet in his prayer he repeatedly includes himself in the terrible wickedness of the nation and asks for mercy. He is not playing around or trying to manipulate God. He is honestly accepting part of the responsibility for the judgment that has fallen on the nation. At the end of his prayer he asks the Lord to cause his face to shine once again on the sanctuary and his people.
We too may be tempted to pray with a finger pointed only at those actively and currently involved in our nation’s moral descent.
Perhaps it would be better to humble ourselves and follow the example of one of our Biblical heroes. God put his prayer in the Bible for a reason.
May we have the wisdom to learn.
Daniel 9 (v.17)
0 Comments

Holding your Breath

1/18/2021

0 Comments

 
In Spanish we say, “no tiene pelos en la lengua” which has the rather odd literal translation of, “he has no hair on his tongue”! It refers to a person who says things like they are, more or less the equivalent of “not mincing one’s words”.
At any rate, that would seem to describe an elderly Daniel fairly well, especially as he talks to the wicked king Belshazzar. A paraphrase would be, “You have used God’s temple utensils for a blasphemous party, knowing very well what He did to your proud grandfather many years ago. Now, He who holds your breath in His hand has had it. You are in major trouble.”
What a phrase! “He who holds your breath in His hand.”
In Genesis 2, God breathed the breath of life into man’s nostrils, but He did not relinquish ownership of it nor authority over it.
Modern man, from the poorest to the most powerful ones in world politics, tends to think his breath is a personal possession. Day after day we see the authorities speak with cocky assurance about their plans and goals. There seems to be little doubt in their minds that their breath is guaranteed for tomorrow.
Belshazzar thought so too, until the hand appeared.
We live in special times and may soon witness events that could parallel stories like this one in Daniel 5.
Meanwhile, let’s use our breath to honor God every moment we are awake
0 Comments

Honoring the Elderly

1/18/2021

0 Comments

 
0 Comments

Behind the Scenes

1/10/2021

0 Comments

 
Many times we look at the situation around us and ask, “Where in the world is God? Why isn’t He doing anything?” Yes that may be exactly the way we feel and it may even be what we believe. But it shouldn’t be. If we know the God of the Bible, who does not change, we know He is never absent or inactive.
Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. (Psalm 121:4)

The Israelites thought God had abandoned them beside the Red Sea. They were wrong.
Naomi thought God had abandoned her and Ruth. She was wrong.
Elijah thought that God had left him alone. He was wrong.
Darius thought Daniel’s God had not come through for him. He was wrong.
Jonah thought God would not get him to Nineveh. He was wrong.
The two Emmaus disciples thought Jesus was dead and gone. They were wrong.

Or on the other side of the coin…
The people who heard Noah thought his preaching about God was hogwash. It wasn’t.
Lot’s son-in-law’s thought his warnings of God’s judgment were nonsense. They weren’t.
Achan thought nobody was watching. Somebody was.
Saul thought nobody was capable of facing Goliath. He was wrong.
Sennacherib thought he could blaspheme and no God would respond. Not so.
Nebuchadnezzar figured his oven was too hot for God to save the three friends. It wasn’t.

If we are looking around right now and saying, “Where in the world is God? It doesn’t look like He’s doing anything.”
​WE ARE WRONG.

(Exodus 14; Ruth 3; 1 Kings 19; Daniel 6; Jonah 2; Luke 24; Genesis 7; Genesis 19; Joshua 7; 1 Samuel 17; 2 Chronicles 32; Daniel 3)
0 Comments

Stress

1/5/2021

0 Comments

 
For many, this Covid year has brought about some intensely stressful situations.
And so, I’d like to analyze this thing called stress for a few minutes, for it may not be what we sometimes think it is. First of all, it is very much a thing of the mind, an invisible war that takes place in our thought life, and something all of us have to deal with.    
However, since it is usually triggered by very visible and tangible situations, we tend to think of it almost as a physical malady. If we add the various bodily symptoms that often come with it, it is no wonder that we may see it as an evil attacking us from “out there” somewhere.
Stress can come to us in many ways and from many directions. It may come through a demanding boss, unpleasant co-workers, or nasty clients. There is a kind that comes knocking at our door when bills are due and money is scarce. Other common sources are family tensions, health problems or uncertainties, huge and intimidating projects, or complex ministry situations.
Sleepless nights are a frequent product, as well as tightness in the chest, loss or increase of appetite, irritability, etc…
But ultimately, stress is very much a spiritual battle. At least, I see it that way in my life. There comes a point when I have to stop blaming circumstances and take a look deeper and inside.
In order to get some perspective on the issue, let’s consider three very familiar Bible stories.
First, think of the Israelites, right out of Egypt. They soon found themselves facing a sea of water with the Egyptian chariots pressing in from behind. They were mega stressed, so much so that they blamed Moses for taking them to their death and wished they were slaves back in Egypt! But should they have been stressed? NO, absolutely not. From reality’s perspective, they weren’t in the slightest bit of danger. And after the miracles they had just witnessed, they should have been looking up and saying, “Hmmmm. I wonder how God is going to get us out of THIS mess?”
Now let’s think about the three Hebrews standing before Nebuchadnezzar. They could probably hear the roar of the fire and feel the increase of temperature coming from the furnace. Knowing  it was their next stop, shouldn’t they have stressed out? NO, and they didn’t. Why not?
Because they believed God.
Finally, move forward a few chapters and think about Daniel, and how stressed he was when the lion’s den decree was passed. Actually, he wasn’t, was he? Why not?
Because he believed God.
Now let’s ask ourselves why we are often stressed into desperation over circumstances that don’t come even close to these I mentioned? Why were we stressed out?
Because we failed to believe God.
We didn’t rule our minds and control our thinking, and we either forgot or ignored basic truths like these:
Psalm 23:1, The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
Isaiah 26:3-4, Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, who mind is stayed on thee…
So the next time I feel stress beginning to invade my soul, I trust I’ll have the maturity to acknowledge what’s really happening and repeat what a certain gentleman said long ago, “Lord, please help my unbelief!
0 Comments

Simeon's Light

12/21/2020

0 Comments

 
This Christmas story is about the amazing encounter of an elderly gentleman, a young married couple, and their first baby boy. It is full of mystery and wisdom, faith and hope, patience and happiness!

Audio: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/42572996
0 Comments

An Almighty Lesson

12/17/2020

0 Comments

 
In this lesson from the life of Jacob, we see how vital the truth of God’s omnipotence is, and its power to change the outlook and attitude of one who after a century of horrible choices, was the very definition of misery. It is a message of hope and encouragement for all of us, who to one degree or another, have failed to live up to the high calling we have in Christ.
​Spreakers audio: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/42298601
0 Comments

Thanksgiving Surprise

11/26/2020

0 Comments

 
God loves to surprise. He promises to do so, and in my experience He has awesomely kept His word. Since beginning to record His surprises twenty-one years ago, I have recorded over 650 unusual ones. Sometimes they are negative, but overwhelmingly they are positive, because God is good by nature.
If you have a few minutes to read, maybe you will rejoice in seeing the hand of God through what He did yesterday. And as usual, the blessings are often in the tiny details. Here are the main facts.
Two days ago I arrived in Greenville for a quick trip on family business. On Tuesday I went to the DMV with my granddaughter, to buy tags for our car. Because I was registering it in SC for the first time, the lady said there was a fee of $250. My response to her was, “Ouch!” I had no idea. But I had no choice, so I paid for it and walked out thinking, “Lord, that didn’t feel very good.”
Yesterday I was here at Karen Dr. getting ready to meet my sister-in-law for lunch when an elderly gentleman, a long time friend of our family, came by. He lives in another state and I was shocked to see him come to the door. He had heard from my father-in-law that I was here and came by to invite me to lunch, along with a retired missionary couple. I first checked with Debbie, and she was good with it, so I agreed to meet at Red Lobster in 25 minutes.
When I arrived at the restaurant, this gentleman was getting out of his car, and immediately came to me quite embarrassed because he’d just realized he’d accidentally forgotten his wallet. If the restaurant didn’t accept a check, would I mind paying for the meal and he would make the check out to me?
The four of us had a delightful lunch after which I paid. He insisted on following through with the check and asked how much it was. I showed him the amount on my phone and he started writing. Before we left the table I went ahead and unfolded the check.
I said, “Sir, that is enough for us to eat here for a few days!” It was almost exactly what I had left at the DMV the day before.
God loves to surprise. It is one of the many ways He shows us His love and proves His invisible but very real existence. If it were just once or twice, we might feel the pressure to let the skeptic argue for coincidence. But when it happens over a lifetime? Nah, I don’t think so! 
I thank and praise Him for being so loving, so faithful, and so kind.
Happy Thanksgiving! AB


Jeremiah 33:3, “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.”
0 Comments

Our Shield

11/18/2020

0 Comments

 
When we think of shields we often think of ancient weaponry, for protection, and in the Bible that is the context. But the concept itself is timeless and very relevant, quite often a serious source of anxiety or peace, depending on your worldview.
Spreakers audio: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/4202402
0 Comments

Not a Thread

11/11/2020

0 Comments

 
Have you ever been offered a fortune that for ethical reasons you could not accept? Not me. What an interesting predicament. But this is exactly what happened to Abram.
Audio: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/41921023
0 Comments
<<Previous

    clips & pics

    Picture
    Picture
    Click for brief video
    • Special 3-book offer
    Picture

    • MTR14 video greeting

    Bonikowsky JUL video report
    Picture

    Picture
    Humorous stories from 50 years on the mission field!
    Picture
    A true story that only God could make happen!
    Now in Spanish

    Picture
    Collection of 96 devotional articles

    Categories

    All
    Just A Minute
    Just A Second
    Thoughts On Leadership
    Thoughts On Thinking

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    February 2019
    August 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    December 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    November 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013

    RSS Feed