April 2025 - Lingering at Easter: Awaiting Transformation

As we draw near to Easter, to Resurrection Sunday, I find myself lingering in the goodness and grace given to me—and to you—as Jesus hung on the cross to procure and secure my redemption, reconciliation and restoration. And to pursue for me, with me, a transformed life.

As I linger in these thoughts, God reminds me of the ongoing cycle of His work in and through me.

Deep humility (a true recognition of who God is and who I am) –> (leads to)

Genuine repentance (hating my sin) –>

True worship (awe, gratitude, adoration, honor) –>

Dependent prayer (I am inadequate, unworthy, needy)–>

Spirit anointing (now available for every need, asked for, received by faith)

Consistently living out the above will lead to the following being increasingly evident in my life.

Sincere gratitude (not a perfunctory thank you, but true giving of thanks)

Courageous faith (trust in action, no matter what the challenge)

Authentic living (so that my life looks more and more like Jesus)

Real oneness (preferring one another, united in the \Spirit)

As these realities are growing in me, they will inevitably lead to actions:

Bold proclamation (I will be talking about my Savior boldly and sensitively)

Sacrificial love (serving others, laying down my life for others)

Compassionate justice (responding in word and deed to pain and injustice)

Yet I must recognize that I cannot do all this. It becomes possible and true in my life because of the Boundless Grace of God. It is not my performance, my good deeds, my hard work. It is all God’s gracious gift of grace, in His presence, to enable me to become like Jesus, to do the impossible, to move on when I fail, to trust when I am inadequate, to believe God can work in and through someone as unworthy as I am.

Tru316 and a Sweet Award

Tru316 is a ministry focused on Bible translation from the original languages. They are doing good work. They give a “Medallion Award” each year, and I was blessed to receive it three weeks ago for a lifetime of service to the Lord.

You can learn more about Tru316 at https://tru316.com. And you can watch a video of the award presentation, which includes a photo video of my Cru career and some nice things that were said about me at the link below.

Watch Tru316 Day - Honoring Judy Douglass: https://www.youtube.com/live/kbH91BrakqQ?t=3858s

Speaking to African Widows in Rwanda

For three mornings one week last month I was on zoom with about 15 widows—some staff and some disciples—talking about my journey and how God has walked with me every step since Steve left. I shared how God created each of us as “works of art” for the good plans He has already prepared for us (Ephesians 2:10) . I loved the interaction. Here’s a recording of the final message:

Watch A Word from Judy: You Are a Work of Art

Jesus Film and Loving by Faith

The Jesus Film staff across the U.S. are going through the Transferable Concepts—basic content written by Bill Bright in 1970. They asked me to share how this message came to be.

My office was right across from Bill Bright. Dr. Bright was always a positive, joyful person. One week as he came to the office, he seemed very pensive, even troubled. Because, some of the early leaders working on campus had decided Campus Crusade should change it’s focus. They asked Bill to step down and one of them would become president. He spent the night in prayer, asking God for His plan. He assured Dr Bright that he was God’s chosen leader. But then He said, “Remember, Bill, I love those men. And I want to love them through you.” And the concept of “love by faith” became one of Dr. Bright’s main messages.

Books for the World

You know I love to include some books, especially ones that broaden your view of the world. Here are two from friends of mine.

From Pain into Glorious Hope: A Middle Eastern Woman Testifies of God’s Faithfulness Through Her Life by Ezies Ebrahim. Ezies will take you from an assassination in Egypt to Bahrain to Saudi Arabia to the US.

Worlds Here and There: An Activity Book for International Transition by Paul Snider and Donna Kushner. If you’re moving away from home, or back home, or someplace new, Paul and Donna will give you practical help and fun activities to make the change.

Snapshots from the Farm

I love time with my kids and grands. In my recent trip to Josh and Lesley’s, I had a great time. Lesley and I talked about growing in Jesus!! Josh was home recovering from an infectious cyst—second time. He’s thrilled he is finally back at work.

And of course I have fun with the kids. Reading books, playing games outdoors and inside, doing artwork. The painting of flamingos was done with a special paint that makes them look like a real work of art.