Dearly Beloved in Christ,
Greetings in Jesus' Name.
MIRACLES ----- MIRACLES --------- MIRACLES.
I stand in Awe to see my God perform miracles after miracles in this past month. It looks like a dream to me. This month has gone very very fast and I want to thank each one of you who so sincerely pray and support the work financially here, the work that God is doing in and through the team of RHS missionaries.
Kowselya a Koya tribal lady was in tears as I talked to her in the Jail, she cries saying that they have put her in on false charge of murdering her husband. Missionaries Jyoti, Sabitha and I consoled her saying" Don't cry, Jesus is with you, Jesus will deliver you and in the meantime you can learn to read and write and read God's Book and sing His songs." She gave us a long stare, which meant that she did not understand a thing of what we were trying to tell her! Days rolled in to weeks and weeks into months and 4 years passed by and this last month she was released from the prison. Kowselya is now sooooooooooo happy, she can now read the Bible and pray. This is truly a miracle. The men and lady prisoners in the Malkangiri sub jail may never see the outside of their prison walls, but many are becoming "Free" because now they trust in Jesus as their Lord and Saviour and their deliverer. The 9 lady prisoners from the naxalite group can read the Bible and almost all of them can pray now. I am overjoyed to report that our first visit to the Koraput jail went off very well, with very good response from the prison inmates and also with the Koraput Main Jail Superintendent. What a miracle!
The floods have destroyed more than 5000 - houses and rendered many miserable. The ongoing rehabilitation work looks as though there will be no end to this. BUT praise be to Him, for we could buy tons of medicines to distribute to all mission centres and it is a Miracle that no one came down with sickness as after effects of a devastating flood. We with the help of various sources could for the first time in 10 months buy medicines without credit and we spent Rs 63,000/- on supply of medicines alone. I believe this is a miracle because I felt so overjoyed to go and get the needed medicines without taking credits. Thanks to each one of you who stood with us in this time of flood crisis. The rehabilitation work continues, so please keep up your prayers and financial support.
Many of you prayed for Mary to get her eligibility certificate. It took over 2 months and making 5 trips to Chennai, running from department to department to make her paper to move from the government clerk's desk to the registrar's table. Many advised me that I needed to give a bribe to the clerks, otherwise my daughter's paper will not move. I was in tears. I do not think that I have cried soooooooooooooooo much in my life before as I cried last month, not only for this but also for various issues. BUT I said "I believe in a GOD who can help me get the certificate without giving any bribe, if my daughter Mary needed to continue her BA Fine Arts course in Stella Maris College - God will perform a miracle." Praise the Lord finally just 2 days before the final date of closure for this year, her papers went to the Registrar and was signed. Wow! ! Isn't our God "Super ". Its a miracle indeed.
While running for the signatures and submission of Mary's eligibility certificate, on 28th Sep 2006, I tripped and fell on the Madras University steps. Landing heavily on my left knee and my right wrist. The pain was excruciating, BUT God helped me and protected me from sustaining any fracture and helped me to heal. Within a week on 4th Oct while running up the steps of the British consulate to get Mary's certificate attested, I slipped again and injured my right collarbone area, my right arm, my right knee, the tip of my nose, and my right eyebrow. Again Praise the Lord, the Lord prevented a fracture and helped me to heal well. You can ask, why was I running up stairs, it is because after hours and hours of waiting at the university I would be asked to produce papers when the office would be closing within 40 minutes or so, and so naturally I kept running! Well, I am usually careful and I believe that it is indeed His miracle as he protected me during 2 very bad falls and kept me well. Thank you for praying and I am sure that it is because of the prayers of many that God has helped me to keep well. I had a complete medical check up and by God's Grace all my parameters are O.K. This is a miracle indeed.
Now for Praise and Prayer points:
Praise God:
1. For the prisoners who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and saviour.
2. For Dhonsai Mandi and Ramchandra Khora who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
3. For all the 9 women prisoners from the naxal group who can read the Bible well now.
4. For the gift of a baby boy for Prabhati and Niranjan Kuldeep
5. For the new villages - Narayanguda, Tariniguda, Jhatiguda, Tondki, Sobhapatiguda, and Itabatti which were visited for the first time in the last month.
6. For the eligibility certificate for Mary which came through.
7. For the good health and strength that God has given me so far.
8. For the new work in the Koraput Jail.
9. As a lorry hit the Qualis when the lorry took a sharp left turn on a main road. It was a hit and run case. For a motorbike that hit the Qualis on the left side again causing a dent. Praise God nothing happened to any of us.
Please pray for:
1. Wisdom for Remo and Susan as they manage Work/Studies and Home.
2. For evangelist Sukdev's sister who is suffering from sickle cell anaemia and is critically ill and sinking. Please pray for the miracle of healing.
3. For Dillip's mother, who is a widow - sick with Kidney failure - For a miraculous healing as the younger sister of Dillip who is still not married.
4. For the marriage of our missionaries- Romesh. Dillip and Niranjan Gorada.
5. For a good bridegroom for our missionary Dilip's sister.
6. For the necessary District Collector's signature in the FCRA papers for submission to the government.
7. For the Quails repair loan of Rs 1.3 lakhs and Rs. 25,000/- to be covered for the present Quails repair to be done quickly. It has already covered 1,05,000 Kms.
8. For finance for the fixing of the medical van which has covered 3,04,000 Kms.
9. For sponsorship for all evangelists, widows and children and also for the needed sponsorship for David and Mary's education to come through.
Closing with thanks for your constant prayer and financial support,
Love and prayers,
Dr. Iris G. R. Paul
Can you believe it?!? We move into November’s readings this week! How the time has flown as we have spent this year in God’s word!
Job is not my favorite book – I have always had a hard time understanding it – but to read it in the Message has really opened my eyes to it. I fell in love with chapter 11:7-12. Zophar is talking sideways most of the time – but when he talks about God in these verses, the hairs on my neck stood up – it was so awesome! And then in Chapter 12:13-25 when Job answers him – whew! It reminded me that sometimes I take God for granted – I make Him a safe and gentle God – and He is not! And then how Job takes on God – almost as if he is chastising Him! As we read along – it is a good thing for Job’s friends that he was to miserable to get up – cause sometimes it sounds like he is on the verge of KO’ing them! Then the part of Job that I have always loved in every version I have read it in - Chapter 19:23-27. Such an incredible statement of faith!
When you read Acts 15 in the Message it shows you that some of the challenges the first church faced are still alive and well today – from division within the church body to division between friends. Did you notice as you continued to read Acts that most of the time when there was a riot or some other uproar around Paul’s teaching – it was usually the Jewish leaders? And then towards the end of Acts when Paul is taken prisoner it is by the Jewish leaders, and they follow Paul as he is sent from judge to judge so that they can continue to make trouble for him. We read this type of stuff and wonder what was up with the Jewish leaders that they could not simply accept this change – but how often do we – as the Church – act with alarm when somebody proposes something new?
This week’s readings:
Sonday, Oct 29….... Job 20, Mark 3-4
Monday, Oct 30…... Job 21; Mark 5-6
Tuesday, Oct 31…..Job 22; Mark 7-8
Wed. Nov 1…...… Psalm 121, Mark 9-10
Thurs, Nov 2…..… Job 23-24; Mark 11-12
Friday, Nov 3…… Job 25; Mark 13-14
Sat. Nov 4……...…Job 26-27; Mark 15-16
(Not Necessarily in that Order)
Valerie Rae Hanneman
Hebrews 4:12, NLT “For the Word of God is alive and powerful...”
I love to study about Jesus, the incarnate Word of God. (John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God”) I love to study the words of God that are in the Bible. I also love to read other peoples writings about the Word and the words. My favorite types of books are those that address apologetics. (Apologetics is the reasoned defense of the Christian faith)
But as fascinating as I find apologetics they are a little dry and maybe not the best witnessing tool. So when people ask me how I know God exists I don’t start talking apologetics. Instead I answer “Jeffery Dalmer, Alice Cooper, me and the chickens at the Big Fresno Fair – not necessarily in that order.” It is a great first line because it is absolutely unexpected and I always get asked to explain it. I say that I believe that God created the universe and I base that belief on the chickens at the Big Fresno Fair. Have you ever seen the chickens at the fair? It is astounding how many different varieties that there are. Some of them are so big and fat that you wonder how they can move. Others are perched up on these tall, skinny legs. They are all sorts of colors, some of them solid, spotted or other patterns. Some of them had feathers that looked like fur and this comical dandelion of feathers on their head so thick you couldn’t see their eyes. Others had these long feathers at their feet that looked like a dust ruffle. Evolution says that species evolve to enhance their survival – so why did so many different chickens evolve? Why not just the standard white, Kentucky Fried Chicken? And why the dandelion or the dust-ruffle chickens? The one chicken can hardly see, the other can hardly run. They have not evolved to survive better but rather to be a coyote’s next meal. And the chickens are only one example of the endless variety in our universe that can only exist because of the creativity of our God.
I talk about how God’s love and mercy reaches out to everybody. And is there a better example of God’s love than Jeffery Dalmer? There are not many people as vile and evil as this cannibal serial killer. While he was in prison Dalmer made a confession in Christ. When you first hear about this you think “a jailhouse conversion looks good to the parole board.” But Dalmer was serving 15 consecutive life sentences, he wasn’t ever getting out of prison. There wasn’t any reason for him to fake a conversion. After his confession of faith there was an obvious change in Jeffery Dalmer.
Next I talk about how God changes lives. Do you remember Alice Cooper, the father of shock rock? For years he outraged parents and delighted young people with his outrageous lyrics and on-stage antics. Then in the ‘80’s Alice met Jesus in a personal way. His music changed – no longer did he sing his songs that glorified violence, promiscuity or heavy partying. His new music had a better message. He and his friend established the Solid Rock Foundation that funds a Christ-centered home for troubled youth. In an interview Alice Cooper said that he had been one thing at one time, but that now he was a new creature, and then praised God for what he is now. God made a 180 degree change in Alice Cooper – He can change anybody.
Last I talk about me and what God has done in my life. I talk about the angry, bitter, unhappy woman I had been 11 years ago and about the joy that my life is now. I talk about Care Fresno Kids Klub and how God uses me to make a difference in a child’s life. I tell them that when I look into the mirror, I know that I am looking at God’s miracle.
Then I talk to my friend about their response to the God Who creates the universe, Who loves Jeffery Dalmer and loves them, Who changed Alice Cooper and wants to change them, Who gave me a life of joy and purpose and wants to do the same for them.
So you may be saying, “Well all of this is interesting – but what difference does it make? Why should I care about any of this?” The answer is – you shouldn’t. Knowing how I answer people does not make any difference in your life. What does make a difference in your life is how YOU answer the questions. Are you ready for the questions?
In 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul tells Timothy (and us) to “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season;” In other words – be prepared to answer the questions. Be prepared when they are asked; be prepared before they are asked. The best way to be prepared is to be in the Word of God and to study the words of God. The next way is to practice your answers. I didn’t just come up with the Jeffery Dalmer, Alice Cooper, me and the chicken’s answer. I have had one version or another ready for years.
Be prepared to answer the questions before you are asked. A soul may hang in the balance.
LORD Jesus, I thank You that You have made such a tremendous difference in my life. Help me to be prepared for the questions that I am asked so that someone else can receive this same joy.
Contact Valerie or sign up for the e-Ministry at valerie@fresnofirst.org
My God, how wonderful Thou art, Thy majesty, how bright; How beautiful Thy mercy seat In depths of burning light! -Hymn, “The Eternal Father
Hank Michalk, my friend in Washington, has been transferred to a rehabilitation home, where his progress is slow. Pauline says it is difficult to see Hank – a big, active man all his life – struggling to learn to walk again.
Mitch, who fell from the hunting stand, is doing well. His hearing has come back. He has been accepted at the Craig Hospital in Denver. This hospital is a leader in working with spinal injuries. He will be there for about three months
Our Nigeria mission team is back! I had the opportunity to talk to Norm at our small group and he is very excited about what was accomplished while they were there. I can hardly wait to hear all the stories they have to tell!
The following is from Bev Willis, a wonderful Christian woman who is such a blessing to our congregation – “Please put me on your prayer list. I have had lots of pain in my neck and shoulder and went to doctor and had Sed Rate taken - went up to 69 and that was even after having taken two doses of 20 milligrams of prednisone - so I am to continue on the 20 milligrams each day and see my doctor again on Wed. of the coming week. I have polymyalgia and it has flared its ugly head again. The most a person should carry for sed rate is under 30.”
We continue to pray for the following: Samee Myers, Sylvia Eland, Tony McDonald, Sharleen Ferree, Richard Massie, Dallis, Michael Ferris, Bob Molander, Lance Corp. Eric Hamilton in Iraq, Jacob Filpala in Iraq, Willie in Iraq, Dorothy Wajckus, my young friend down at juvenile hall, Walt Couch & prostrate cancer.
Pray for our missionaries –Judy, Faye & Miisaw at the New Life Center in Thailand, Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, The Reaching Hand Society in India, Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos, Gospel for Asia, Biana Grogg with The Faith Alive Clinic in Jos, Nigeria, Laurie Bethall in Prague, Megan Dineen in Mexico, Matthew, Lisa & Nathan in Jos Nigeria, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Pray for our pastors our leadership, our ministries, and Father’s provision for His Church. Pray that we recognize opportunities to share our faith with others.
Pray for our country, her leadership and our military.
El Hanun, Our Gracious God,
We thank You so much that Your grace and mercy towards us is never-ending. We would be in a lot of trouble if it wasn’t. You are the joy of our lives and the hope of our hearts. We pray LORD God, that our hearts beat in a rhythm of love for You, that our words are lyric’s of praise to You, and that our actions make up the melody of a song to You that only we can sing. Our desire is that our lives are a song of love from our hearts to Yours.
Abba, we thank You for the great news on Hank and Mitch. Continue to heal both of these men. Grant them peace of mind and peace of body during this time.
Thank You, god of eternity, for the safe return of our Nigeria Team. Continue to bless and use them as they now share their adventure with us.
Yahweh Ropheha, Our God Who heals, we lift before You our sister, Bev, and we ask that whatever this thing is in her neck and shoulder that You will ease it away from her.
LORD Of Our Salvation, we hold out before You all of those who are on our prayer chain, many have been there for a long time and for them we pray your patience as they wait on You, others just a short time. For all of them we pray that You heal their situation quickly.
We pray for Your missionaries around the world, Holy Spirit, and we ask that You continue to provide for them in every way.
We love our pastors LORD Jesus, and we thank You that You have brought them to us. Help us to remember the heavy load of responsibility that they bear as they guide us in Your ways and on Your path. Help us to support them in every way that we can.
Triune God, our community of faith has a multitude of ministries – each of them directed by You and focused on You. We ask that you provide for the needs of each ministry, guide the leaders and surround them with Your protection.
Bless our country and guide her. Place a hand of protection around those who serve in the military.
The beginning of our history is in the words, “In the beginning, God” and the end of our history is “Even so, Come LORD Jesus.” Even though it is mankind’s story, it is really Your story – the story of how You created us, love us, save us and give us eternal life. Help us to hold Your story close to our hearts.
October 23, 2006
Dear Family & Friends,
Sanu! Greetings from Nigeria!
September and October have been wonderfully hectic months. We have been implementing new daily clinic routines and systems to improve client services. We’ve also begun the transition to a new medical records system that will provide better protection of our client’s privacy and confidentiality rights, facilitate treatment and management of increasing numbers of patients, and eventually support new research capacity. Thank you for your prayers and contributions that continue to support Faith Alive as we seek to provide a higher level of care for our patients and to share the love of Jesus with all who come through our doors.
My life has been especially blessed this past two weeks as thirteen friends from Fresno First Baptist Church came to Jos to visit Faith Alive and labor alongside us. Their willing hearts, encouraging words, and helping hands provided great assistance in the implementation of the new medical records and clinic systems. Thank you for sending them to be a part of the Faith Alive family for a short time. Many thanks also for all of the “goodies” that you sent to us with the team – Bibles and nursing books, surplus drugs and medical supplies, glucometers, children’s books for a school, toys and diapers for an orphanage, and those hard-to-find food items (the pancake mix will be put to good use soon). Your generous gifts have brightened our days and provided much needed supplies that will improve the quality of life of many struggling Nigerians.
On another personal note, some of you who are on my church’s email prayer list heard that my brother, Richard, spent a weekend in the hospital recently and was diagnosed with a colon tumor. Thankfully, the biopsy results came back showing a precancerous type of tumor. He will be seeing a surgeon in a week or so, and making decisions about the type of surgery to undergo to remove the tumor. Being on the other side of the world while one of my closest family members is going through this has been a bit difficult, but God is faithfully caring for each of us, and once again I’m finding that his peace and grace are sufficient for each day. Please keep Rich and all of the family in your prayers.
In closing, “All the brothers and sisters here say hello. The amazing grace of the Master, Jesus Christ, the extravagant love of God, and the intimate friendship of the Holy Spirit, be with all of you” (2 Corinthians 13: 13 & 14, the Message Remix Bible).
Yours faithfully, Biana Grogg
Malachi was a sad book, wasn’t it? First we hear God’s charges against Judah – they had offered defiled animals for sacrifice – not perfect ones. They intermarried with the gentiles around them and were pulled to other gods, they robbed God by withholding the tithe, and they had said that it was futile to serve God. But in spite of all of this – still God gives promise of the Messiah. The 5th verse in Malachi 4 was interesting – I wonder if the Elijah that was referred to was John the Baptist – or when Elijah comes during the last of the Great Tribulation.
We got started into Job – a great book of faith and perseverance.
Acts 7:54-56 are verses that give me great comfort. Stephen is about to be martyred for the faith and Jesus reveals Himself to him in all His glory. It makes me believe that at the time of our deaths – particularly under circumstances such as this – Jesus comes to us to guide us through the door of life and into His presence forever.
There is so much richness in Acts – so many things to just ponder over. But here is something that stood out for me this week. The last thing that Jesus said before he ascended was “Go into the world….” But the church is staying pretty centered in Jerusalem. After the stoning of Stephan a great persecution arose against the church and scattered it. Because it was now scattered, Saul/Paul had to go to Damascus in order to kill off some more Christians. On the road to Damascus, Saul/Paul had an up-close and personal encounter with Jesus – and we know the rest of Paul’s story. If Stephen had not been martyred, if the church had not been scattered, Saul/Paul would not have been on that road and we would not have his incredible writings. satan’s intentions were to use both events to bring harm to Jesus’ Church – but our mighty God turned it around for great good.
This week’s readings:
Sonday, Oct 22…....Job 11-12; Acts 15-16
Monday, Oct 23…... Job 13-14; Acts 17-18
Tuesday, Oct 24….. Job 15; Acts 19-20
Wed. Oct 25…...… Job 16; Acts 21-23
Thurs, Oct 26…..…Job 17; Acts 24-26
Friday, Oct 27…… Job 18; Psalm 114; Acts 27-28
Sat. Oct 28……...…Job 19; Mark 1-2
Valerie Rae Hanneman
Mark 4:37-38 (NIV) “A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.
I have served Jesus through the Care Fresno Kids Klub ministry for 10 years now. It was the first ministry that He called me to and I believe that it will be the last ministry that He calls me from. I have climbed the highest mountains in this ministry. But it has also brought me my greatest grief in service to Him. Eight years ago there was this little boy, Bob. (Not his real name) Bob was just a little gem of a boy. At five years old, his spirit sparkled with joy just as brightly as his eyes did. He was a non-stop talker, curious, bright and cute. When his family moved out of the neighborhood I really missed him. Imagine my surprise the following year when I was picking up my son at his school, heard my name called out, and there was Bob. For the next year, when I picked up Steven for Kids Klub, I picked up Bob. He came with us when Kids Klub went down Christmas Tree Lane. As we were traveling down the Lane, I stood up in front of all the kids and told them to tone it down or I was going to get mean. My little Bob jumped up from his seat, stood in front of me and shouted that they better not ever call me mean because I was the best person ever! This little cub had the roar of a lion when it came to protecting me. A few months passed, and then Bob changed. He became quiet; the sparkle was gone from his spirit and from his eyes. At first I thought, “He’s just going through a rough patch” but time went on, and Bob was still quiet. In just an aside to his mom one day I mentioned how quiet he had gotten. Her face crumbled and she brought me into the house. This sweet little angel boy had been molested. I let her talk about the legal stuff, the therapy, the pain of her quiet little boy – mostly of the pain. And I held it together and prayed with her as I left. I got around the corner, pulled the car over to the side of the road and gave vent to my shattered heart. The pain seemed to fill every iota of my being. And it just seemed to get worse. I don’t want to go into the gory details of my descent into despair during the next week but about 10 days later I was on the phone to one of our pastors because I could not do the Kids Klub ministry with this pain and this lack of faith in God. Part of me seemed to by dying.
It was a beautiful day. Jesus was teaching the crowds using parables – the Parable of the Sower, The Lamp on a Stand, The Mustard Seed. In private He was explaining the parables to His disciples. Then He decided to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. The Sea of Galilee is a lake that is 13 miles long and 8 miles wide. After they all got on the small, open boat, Jesus went to the stern (back) of the boat, lay down on a cushion and went to sleep. After an exhausting day, He welcomed the chance to catch up on His sleep. (Don’t we all?) Suddenly the Sea of Galilee was rocked by a sudden squall. The dictionary describes a squall as a violent windstorm usually accompanied by rain or snow. The Greek word used here and translated as squall or storm was seismos – it can also be interpreted earthquake and is the root of the word seismograph. Imagine being on a small open boat when this earthquake/storm hits. The wind screams as it tears at the sails from the mast, waves as high as the boat buffets it, crashing over the side. Rain slashes into their faces and into the boat. Lightning splits the sky as it walks across the waves, thunder booms, shaking their very hearts. The disciples fight the storm as best as they can. Although most of them are fishermen who have worked on this lake their whole lives, they believe that they are about to die in this storm.
As you imagine this terrifying scene, tell me, what is the greatest danger to the boat?
Do you think it is the storm? It’s not. The greatest danger is the disciples in the boat and their lack of faith. Their lack of faith made them vulnerable to the storm that was swirling around them. Although this was still fairly early in Jesus’ ministry, the disciples had witnessed Him healing the Centurion’s servant, healing leprosy, healing a paraplegic, casting out demons, giving sight to the blind and meeting the needs of all who came to Him. They knew that this Man was not your run-of-the-mill carpenter. They knew him to be Messiah – the Son of God. But they did not have faith in Him during the storm.
Where was Jesus as the storm raged around them? He was asleep in the boat. How could He calmly sleep when the boat was on the verge of capsizing in the storm? Jesus slept because He had enough faith to know that Father might let the storm pound around Him, but Father would not let it capsize Him.
He won’t let the storm capsize us either.
The pastor I called wasn’t the right pastor to talk to if I was going to quit Care Fresno, but they were the right pastor for me to talk to at that time. Gently they helped me to keep from capsizing in the brutal storm of pain that I was in. They helped me to see past the storm and to see where the Son waits for me. They helped me to see that although this seismos was going to rock me, it would not drown me. Nor would any storm.
Although the storm I was in caused me great pain – it did not break me. Satan was not able to use it to drive me out of Care Fresno. I have weathered more storms, some of them almost as brutal. Because of Jesus, I can sleep in the boat during them.
LORD Jesus, No matter the size or ferocity of the storms I have faced, You have always brought me through them. I can sleep in the boat because I know that You always will.
Contact Valerie or sign up for the e-ministry of Fresno First at Valerie@fresnofirst.org
Love is not blind, it sees more not less; but because it sees more it chooses to see less. -Unknown
Stan Jenks was in services this past Sonday – and looking GREAT! Changes in his meds have greatly improved how he was feeling.
Please pray for Hank. He is married to Pauline, a close friend of mine – they live up in Washington. He was driving their tractor when it slipped off the side of the road and knocked him off. The rear tire of the tractor then ran over him. He is in the hospital in Spokane with a busted pelvis. Praise You Father! Hank is alive!
Char and Hal Cole are traveling to see their old friend, Larry Reynolds. Larry is in the last stages of cancer. His most urgent need is that he is not in relationship with God. .
Mitch, who fell from the hunting stand, is doing well. He is at peace with knowing he may never walk again but also determined to prove the doctor’s wrong.
Our Nigeria mission team will be back next Monday! It seems like they have been gone forever and yet also seems like it has gone so fast! Didn’t you love that e-mail from Joy?
Our beloved Samee Myers will be undergoing surgery on November 14th. Please keep this woman after Christ’s own heart in your prayers.
We continue to pray for the following: Sylvia Eland, Tony McDonald, Sharleen Ferree, Geneva Schaeffer, Richard Massie, Dallis, Michael Ferris, Bob Molander, Lance Corp. Eric Hamilton in Iraq, Jacob Filpala in Iraq, Willie in Iraq, Dorothy Wajckus, my young friend down at juvenile hall, Walt Couch & prostrate cancer, John Rodgers with cancer.
Pray for our missionaries –Matthew, Lisa & Nathan in Jos Nigeria, Judy, Faye & Miisaw at the New Life Center in Thailand, Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, The Reaching Hand Society in India, Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos, Gospel for Asia, Biana Grogg with The Faith Alive Clinic in Jos, Nigeria, Laurie Bethall in Prague, Megan Dineen in Mexico, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Pray for our pastors our leadership, our ministries, and Father’s provision for His Church. Pray that we recognize opportunities to share our faith with others.
Pray for our country, her leadership and our military.
Great & Glorious God,
My mind is dazzled by the thought of You and of all Your glory. I try to imagine the vision of You on Your throne that Isaiah saw and my heart beats faster as I glory in You. But even as my mind is dazzled I know that I have not even begun to scratch the surface of the infinity of You. You are beyond what I can imagine. You are my dreams come true and more than I am able to dream. You are God and we worship You.
Love Incarnate, we lift our pastors up before You and ask that You bless them and their families. We thank You, LORD God for Willie and for the leadership he gives us. His heart is so tuned to You. We praise You for Terrie and her boundless energy and love for the Body of Christ. We thank You for Bryan and for his incredible talent that he uses wholeheartedly to serve You. Pour Your blessings on Chris as he works with the young people of our church – he guides the future of our church. We pray for Mike and for his wonderful smile and heart. His joy in You is so apparent. We lift up Pastor Dale and thank You for the years of service that he has given You and continues to give You. We pray for Pastor Dan and his loving care of our seniors. He is amazing as he gives so much of himself to them. We pray for Pastor Gene, LORD of Life and thank You for placing him within our fellowship of faith where we all benefit from his godly wisdom. We thank You for Jessica and her great big heart for missions. Continue to guide her. With joy we call out Your blessings on Kristin and thank You for her love for the children of our church and neighborhood.
We thank You, Elohim, and praise You for the great news on Stan. Continue to restore him to full health.
Healer of Body & Soul, we lift Hank before You and ask that You bring healing to his body. Bless Pauline during this time as she travels back and forth to be with her husband.
Holy Spirit, we ask that You guide Char and Hal as they visit Larry and his family. Give them the words that will turn Larry’s heart towards You.
King of Glory, continue to be with Mitch as he heals. Use Mitch to fulfill Your purpose.
Continue to reveal Yourself in new ways to Your Nigeria team as this great adventure in serving You begins to draw to a close. Keep them safe as they come home to us.
Holy God, Defender of Your children, we pray in agreement for Samee as she prepares for this surgery and ask that You give her a calmness of heart and spirit.
Holy, Holy, Holy, LORD God Almighty, which is and was and is to come. Our hearts will sing this song of praise for all of eternity.
Theotes, Triune God, Your promise is that wherever two or three are gathered in Your name, You are there. Thank You for being here with us. We ask, with humble hearts, that Your hand be upon each of those who continue to be on our prayer chain.
We lift up all the missionaries who serve You and ask Your protection surround them with peace.
Father, we ask your blessing and guidance upon this country we love.
We thank You, Abba for this time we have spent with you. We have breathed in deeply the fragrance of Your love. The world has disappeared and You are all we know. We are complete
Note from Valerie: The following is a personal e-mail from Joy Nolte to Willie. I asked Willie to allow me to share it with you because it is so wonderful as she talks about what they are doing and experiencing.
It's hard to put into words how awesome this trip has been. Yesterday was espcially meaningful because we dedicated the property at Bakin Kogi. They asked me with Norm to dedicate and pray for the property in your absence. It was an amazing experience that we'll have to talk about when we get home. Today I met the principal at Mt. Carmel and saw the facility. Another fantastic day. We're starting to get on Nigeria time, just in time to return home to Fresno time. Kristin has been getting sick due to lack of sleep, but she's okay. I thought about you yesterday and wondered how the Church Service went. Which by the way, Africans definitely know how to worship and dance! Guess What? Dr. Chris loves to dance!
Love, Mom
I think that Nehemiah 3 is one of the great passages in the Bible. It tells – by name – those who rebuilt the gates and walls of Jerusalem. For me it shows how God brings to the forefront those who are doing the “grunt” work. There were all sorts of “important” people in the neighborhood at that time – but it is the workers who are mentioned by name! This chapter illustrates what Jesus said in the Newer Testament – the first shall be last and the last shall be first. Nehemiah is a great book on leadership – examples of godly leadership abound – but I think my favorite one occurs in chapter 6, verse 14 of Nehemiah when he asks the LORD to remember those who had plotted against him. Nehemiah did not take action against those who were trying to bring about his downfall – he did what God told him to do – he rebuilt the wall. He left the plotters in God’s hands. A powerful lesson of how we are to behave when others come against us. We need to remember that the battle belongs to the LORD. We are to simply obey Him.
Luke 23 is the account of Jesus’ crucifixion. But in the middle of this telling of death is the telling of life. What a wonderful expression of the relentless love that Jesus has for us that even in the middle of His own death, He reached out to the thief on the cross and saved him. There is no limit to God’s mercy!
This week’s readings:
Sonday, Oct 15…....Nehemiah 13, Malachi 1-2, Act 4
Monday, Oct 16…... Mal 304, psalm 148; Acts 5
Tuesday, Oct 17….. Job 1-2; Acts 6-7
Wed. Oct 18…...… Job 3-4; Acts 8-9
Thurs, Oct 19…..…Job 5; Psalm 108; Acts 10-11
Friday, Oct 20…… Job 6-8; Acts 12
Sat. Oct 21……...…Job 9-10;Acts 13-14
Valerie Rae Hanneman
Matthew 8:14-15 “Jesus went to the home of Peter, where He found that Peter's mother-in-law was sick in bed with fever. He took her by the hand, and the fever left her. Then she got up and served Jesus a meal.”(CEV)
Jesus had called me to this children’s ministry and I wasn’t happy. I was helping out once a week with a homework/play club over at the apartments across the street from the church. The ministry was called Care Fresno and I was only there because I knew it was better than sitting in some fish’s belly. So I was doing it - because He told me to - but I didn’t like kids in general- and these little heathens from the neighborhood were horrible! In my mind, I was actually looking for a way out of the ministry. Now, on this particular afternoon, I have Greg Ruud standing in front of me. Care Fresno needs a volunteer coordinator - would I be interested in the position? Inside my mind, I was doing the freakazoid. I came up with the religious excuses first - I had only been back at the church for a year - I didn’t know enough about the Bible. I had never lead a ministry - I would mess it up. Jesus deserved better than me - wouldn’t He want somebody who WANTED to do it? And then the other excuses. I worked full-time plus some, my children were young and I was a single mom with all that entails, including dragging them to soccer games every weekend. I looked at all the excuses for not saying yes. I did a gut check and knew I absolutely could not do this ministry, so I told Greg..................
It was the end of a long day for Jesus. Earlier that day He had preached the Sermon on the Mount. As He was coming down from the mountain He was approached by a leper who asked to be healed, and Jesus healed him. Then came the Centurion asking that his servant be healed. Jesus offered to accompany the man to his home, but the Centurion declined saying that he wasn’t good enough for Jesus to come to his home, that if Jesus just said so - the servant would be healed. Jesus said so, and the servant was healed. Now he has come to Peter’s house in Caperneum. And then in just three sentences, the Word tells of one of the most significant lessons for we who are Christ-followers to learn and obey. Jesus came into Peter’s house, found his mother-in-law sick in bed with a fever. He took her hand, the fever left her, and she got up and served Him a meal.
So what is the significant lesson for us? In a day of amazing events - why should this one stand out? Jesus did not have to preach a sermon that would resonate throughout the world for the rest of time. This was just a relative little healing. He did not have to cure her of leprosy - just of a fever. He did not have to do a long-distance healing, He came to where she was and took her hand. Do you see the significance? It is so easy to overlook.
The significance wasn’t in what Jesus did. Jesus did what He always does. He met her need. The significance is in what the mother-in-law did. She was sick in bed with a fever, Jesus healed her, and she got up and served Him a meal. She got up and served Him. She did not say that she didn’t know enough about cooking to serve Jesus a meal. She didn’t say that she needed to go to the Cordon Bleu of Jerusalem before she cooked for Jesus because her cooking wasn’t worthy of Him. She didn’t say that she was behind on her chores because of her illness. In fact, she is not recorded as saying anything at all. She just got up and served Jesus.
And that is the lesson for us. Just get up and serve Jesus.
I did a gut check and knew I absolutely could not do this ministry, so I told Greg..................yes. There I stood in the middle of my no’s - and within my heart a small still voice said “yes.” I knew it was Jesus speaking to me (it sure wasn’t me!) So I just got up and served Jesus.
Like Peter’s mother-in-law, I had a fever - only my fever was a deadly one - it was a sin-fever. When I took my soul-sickness to Him, Jesus took my hand and did what He always does. He met my need.. He saved my from my fever and healed me eternally. What can I ever give Him that compares to what He has given me?
Out of gratitude, this healed woman got up and served Jesus a meal - it wasn’t anything that could rival what Jesus was used to eating in heaven, but it was the best that she had to give to Him. And for Jesus, who could see into her heart, it was ambrosia.
Out of gratitude, this healed woman said “yes” when everything inside of her was saying “no.” I wasn’t equipped to lead the Care Fresno Kids Klub ministry ten years ago and to be honest, I still am not fully equipped to handle it. But it is the best that I have to give Him. And for Jesus, who sees into a heart that only wants to love and serve Him, it gives Him cause to shout in triumph.
Have you felt Jesus gently urging you into serving Him in a place that is outside of your comfort zone? Are your excuses an echo of mine? Quit making excuses and just get up and serve Him. He makes it worth it when You step out for Him.
My LORD Jesus, I got up and served You in a ministry that I did not want to do. I obeyed Your voice because I love You. Now I serve You in Care Fresno because I love You and I love this ministry. Thank You for choosing me - challenging me - and changing me. Please don’t let me find a comfort zone in this ministry - keep challenging me and changing me to be more like You.
Contact Valerie or sign up for the e-Ministry of Fresno First Baptist at valerie@fresnofirst.org
Well, we made it! I'm sending you this greeting from Jos, Nigeria! I'm in the AfriOne Internet Cafe. We made it into Abuja (the capital) last night at about 7:00pm, and spent the night there. (It isn't safe to drive the road to Jos at night.) We drove from Abuja to Jos this morning, and arrived at about noon. We must have hit about 8 or 10 military road blocks along the road.
It's great to be back! I've been catching up with old friends all day. We were met by Biana Grogg and Dr. Chris at the airport. The flight over went really smoothly. It took us 10 hours from L.A. to Amsterdam, and 6 hours from Amsterdam to Nigeria.
Biana and the Watsons are all doing well, and send their love to everybody. In fact, we had lunch with the Watsons today, and I got to feed Nathan on my lap, and he fell asleep on me for about a half hour. Really cool. Well, I just wanted to let you know that we made it safely, and are having a great time. I'll keep you updated as the two weeks goes along. At the Internet Cafe, we get 20 minutes online for 100 Naira, or about 80 cents. Talk to you soon!
[S]he who has learned to pray has learned the greatest secret of a holy and happy life.
-William Law
Stan Jenks suffered a silent heart attack and is having problems with fatigue. Tests later this week will determine what is next for him..
Rita Hoffman’s son, Mitch, came through the operation on his wrist with flying colors. He has been removed from the respirator and is breathing on his own. Mitch, who fell from a hunting stand, is still in intensive care and has a long road to go.
Our Nigeria mission team left yesterday for L.A., Amsterdam, then Nigeria. Please continue to keep them covered in prayer as they are away from us.
We continue to pray for the following: The Rahn family as they grieve Ray’s passing, Sylvia, Baby Nathan, Tony McDonald, Sharleen Ferree, Geneva Schaeffer, Larry Reynolds, Richard Massie, Dallis, Samee Myers, Chuck Alstrom, Michael Ferris, Dennis Galloway, Bonnie Mendoza, Bob Molander, Lance Corporal Eric Hamilton in Iraq, Jacob Filpala in Iraq, Willie serving in Iraq, Dorothy Wajckus, my young friend down at juvenile hall, Walt Couch & prostrate cancer, John Rodgers with cancer.
Pray for our missionaries – Megan Dineen in Mexico, Matthew, Lisa & Nathan in Jos Nigeria. Judy, Faye & Miisaw at the New Life Center in Thailand, Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, The Reaching Hand Society in India, Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos, Gospel for Asia, Biana Grogg with The Faith Alive Clinic in Jos, Nigeria, Laurie Bethall in Prague, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Pray for our pastors our leadership, our ministries, and Father’s provision for His Church. Pray that we recognize opportunities to share our faith with others.
Pray for our country, her leadership and our military.
LORD Jesus,
With our hands and hearts upraised to You, we ask that You help calm our spirits, that the cares and stresses of this temporary world pass from our minds and that we focus on only that which is eternal - You. Help us to be still and know that You are God.
We lift our beloved brother, Stan, before You, Giver of Life, and we ask that You touch his body with healing.
We praise You, Spirit of God, for the great news on Mitch. We thank You for the progress that he has made and we look forward to seeing what You will yet do with this young man.
Adonai, we lift up our team in Nigeria and ask that You bless them during this time of service to You. In all that they do, Holy Father, may they glorify You.
My God and my King, Jesus, I think often about that moment when time and earth pass away for me, and I am truly in Your presence. In my mind’s eye I see Heaven lit up by Your glory, I hear the angels singing, “Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty which was and is and is to come.” With my head bowed in awe, on my knees before You in worship, I watch as my hand reaches out to touch Your feet, and I know that - finally - I am complete.
Our greatest joy is to worship You.
Jehovah Shalom, God of our peace, we pray Your peace on those on our prayer chain who continue to need You in their lives as they deal with their situations.
We pray in agreement as we lift up before Your throne, the missionaries who serve You in places so far away from us. We praise You because although they are far from us - they are never far from You.
So often we ask that You hear our request of You. Word of God, help us to hear what You request of You.
YHWH, the Great I AM, we pray that You pour Your power on our pastors. Guide them on the path that You would have us go. We ask that Your mercy and peace be upon them as they lead us. LORD God, our pastors have a great responsibility as Your shepherds to the local flock. Help us to support and love them at all times.
Open the eyes of our hearts, LORD God, first to see You in all Your glory, and then to see those in this world who You love so much, but who do not know You. Help us to live lives that show this world how much You love them. Bless our leaders and our ministries and help us keep the focus only on You.
Protect the men and women who serve this country around the world. Guide our leaders in their decisions. Bless our country.
From all around the earth, all of creation joins together to sing Your praise. In different languages, and to different tunes, we sing the same song - we love You LORD!
Note from Valerie: This poem was written by a friend of mine who found one of our e-Devotionals on the web. She contacted me to ask a question, and we have been e-mail buddies since then. What an incredible God we serve Who can connect – with strands of Christian love & friendship – two people like this!
Bearing the Cross
by Karen Leann Malonee
I am trying so patiently to bear the cross,
but the cross consists of so much grief, pain, and loss.
Lord, this seems to be far more than I can handle;
I am lost in the darkness and I don't have a candle.
Lord, where are You? Where did You go?
How could You leave me during my times of woe?
My back is bent with a heavy burden.
Lord, can't You see how much I am hurting?
I suffer pain, grief, and fears,
as well as temptations, frustrations, and tears.
You know how often I've fallen down, Lord, and how hard my life has been.
How often have I made You frown, Lord, by falling into sin!
I counted up all the crosses that You gave me, Lord, to bear.
At first, I thought You had done this because You didn't love me, and did not care.
But after I carried them farther than a mile,
I stopped, and I really thought for a while.
I then realized that You gave me these crosses to make me strong.
And You were with me the whole time, Lord; You were there all along.
You really DO love me, Lord, and You gave me them to bear
so that I would become stronger, and learn just how much You really care.
And as heavy as these crosses might seem to be, I know that they are really quite light --
when compared to the cross that Jesus bore for this world on that holy night.
Lord, I know that You will never give me something that I cannot handle.
And Lord, Your love has lightened my darkness; You are my missing candle.
I am relying on You, Lord, to lead me on the road that leads to my Heavenly Goal.
And upon Your Son's True Body and True Blood to feed my hungry soul.
And even though the path is narrow,
I'll still follow Christ, the Arrow
that will lead me on the road through pain and strife --
so that in the end, I may wear that Crown of Life!
Phillippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Poem © Karen L. Malonee, used with permission
Verses 12 & 13 of Zech 10 stopped me in my tracks. I do not think that this amount of money and where it went is a coincidence – but I am struggling to see how it fits with Jesus’ story. Do you see the connection? And then verse 10 of chapter 12 when Israel looks on the one they have pierced – and then the reference to the plain of Megiddo – which – if I recall correctly – is where the battle of Armageddon will take place. And what a joy to read about the second coming of Jesus in chapter 14!
I loved to read of the completion of the temple in Ezra and how they celebrated the first Passover in the new temple. What a day of joy that must have been.
I loved reading the glorious adventure story of Esther. It had everything! An obscure girl chosen to be Queen, and an evil man trying to destroy all the Jewish people because of a slight given to his pride by a single Jewish man. Then Haman seeks to hang Mordecai from a huge gallows, and ends up on it himself when the Queen reveals his plot. Did you notice what I noticed? It is something that does not happen in any other book of the Bible. God is not mentioned in Esther.
Our readings in Luke this week had many of my favorite parables and stories of Jesus. Jesus’ comment about the dead body and vultures in Luke 17:37 was a little bit strange though. What did you think of it?
This week’s readings:
Sonday, Oct 8…....Ezra 9-10; Psalm 131; Luke 21
Monday, Oct 9…... Nehemiah 1-2; Psalm 133-124; Luke 22
Tuesday, Oct 10…..Neh 3-4; Luke 23
Wed. Oct 11…...… Neh 5-6; Ps 146; Lk 24
Thurs, Oct 12…..…Neh 7-8; Acts 1
Friday, Oct 13…… Neh 9-10; Acts 2
Sat. Oct 14……...…Neh 11-12; Psalm 1, Acts 3
When a Christian shuns fellowship with other Christians, the devil smiles. When he stops studying the Bible, the devil laughs. When he stops praying, the devil shouts for joy.-Corrie Ten Boom
Please remember Doris Rahn, Ilene Luna, and the Rahn family after the passing of Ray Rahn earlier this week.
Stan Jenks suffered a silent heart attack a week ago. My understanding is that he is on bed rest orders from his doctor.
Jane Wright is requesting prayer for 2-year-old Nathan, her niece’s son. Nathan and his dad were in an auto accident in Iowa. Nathan sustained a fractured skull; multiple broken bones, and has brain swelling. He is in critical condition.
Great praise from John Eland – “A praise update on my brother Bill, the surgery to clean out his left carotid artery was successful and he is to be released from the hospital today. (Bill's my role model, so I want him to live and long and healthy life!)” Keep Bill’s wife, Sylvia, in prayer – she will be having an operation in a few weeks to repair a torn rotator cuff.
Biana’s brother, Rich, is waiting for the results of a biopsy for suspected colon cancer.
Please pray for Rita Hoffman’s son, Mitch. (Rita is a subscriber back East) Mitch, a bow hunter, fell from his hunting stand. He broke 8 vertebrae in his neck, several ribs, his shoulder and his wrist. It is unlikely he will walk again. He is only able to communicate by blinking his eyes for “yes” and “no.” Mitch is in the St. Paul, Minnesota hospital - which is difficult for him as a Green Bay fan.
Our Nigeria mission team is their final week before they head off. What an adventure in Christ they are about to have!
We continue to pray for the following: Tony McDonald, Sharleen Ferree, Geneva Schaeffer, Larry Reynolds, Richard Massie, Dallis, Samee Myers, Michael Ferris, Dennis Galloway, Bonnie Mendoza, Bob Molander, Lance Corporal Eric Hamilton in Iraq, Jacob Filpala in Iraq, Willie in Iraq, Dorothy Wajckus, my young friend down at juvenile hall, Jonathan Rumsey, serving in Bagdad, Mike Abbott in Afghanistan, Walt Couch & prostrate cancer, John Rodgers with cancer.
Pray for our missionaries – Megan Dineen in Mexico, Matthew, Lisa & Nathan in Jos Nigeria. Judy, Faye & Miisaw at the New Life Center in Thailand, Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, The Reaching Hand Society in India, Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos, Gospel for Asia, Biana Grogg with The Faith Alive Clinic in Jos, Nigeria, Laurie Bethall in Prague, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Pray for our pastors our leadership, our ministries, and Father’s provision for His Church. Pray that we recognize opportunities to share our faith with others.
Pray for our country, her leadership and our military.
God of the Angel Armies,
With humble hearts we acknowledge that without You, we are nothing. You are the Giver of Life – You give us the air we breathe and the beat of our hearts. You are the Giver of Abundant Life – You provide for our needs and guide us on the path of life. You are the Giver of Joyous Life – You are the song of our hearts, the praise of our lips and the dancing of our feet. You are God and there is none beside You.
LORD of Lights, in this time of sorrow we lift up Doris, Ilene and the Rahn family and ask that You surround them with Your comfort and peace.
Abba, we lift up Stan, Nathan, Sylvia, Rich & Mitch and pray that You heal their bodies and strengthen their spirits. LORD, Nathan and Mitch are facing huge challenges in reaching full recovery. We praise You because You are the God Who takes on huge challenges with one hand tied behind Your back.
Holy Jesus, twelve of Yours are about to take off for Nigeria to serve You. Keep them safe from all harm. The thirteenth that is going, LORD, doesn’t know You yet. We pray that her eyes and heart will be open during this trip and that she sees You in all Your glory.
Elohim, too often we blithely call ourselves the hands and feet of Jesus, then go back into the world and don’t use our feet to go to a person in need or use our hands to reach out to help. Forgive us for talking the talk but not walking the walk. Help us to have a servant’s heart and the ability to see where we can serve, and the willingness to truly be Your hands and feet.
Mercy, Grace and Love, we lift before You the families in Pennsylvania whose lives were suddenly devastated by violence towards their innocent daughters.
Holy Spirit, We thank You that You are the sanctuary in which we remain. In agreement we call out for those who remain on our list and ask that in every way and in each situation You are glorified.
Warrior King of kings, we pray that Your mighty sword be placed in front of our missionaries to protect them from the anger and insanity that seems to mark this world. We pray for our brothers and sisters around the world who stand tall for You at the risk of their lives.
Jehovah Jirah, God our provider, we lift up our pastors to You and ask that You provide for all their needs. Grant them a time of refreshing within You so that they will see afresh the wonder of You. We pray for their families and ask that You protect them. We pray for our leaders and ministries and ask that in all that we do we glorify You. Let us boast in nothing but You.
Counselor, guide our leaders and our country.
We love You, LORD. You are our home.
Larry and Jan Martin, International Ministries, Thailand
Dear Partners in Ministry,
The gas in the bathroom has run out, cold showers I can deal with for a day or so, then a burst pipe - that needs some attention today and yes, you guessed it I’m home alone. Larry has been away for a week of a three-week trip and the place is falling to pieces. Well not exactly I did however have to remind myself that I used to deal with worse than I have mentioned and that I probably could again. Getting the gas bottle replaced was sort of easy - it just dealt with taking the old bottle of gas, strapping it to a trolley and walking it up the hill a few hundred yards - coming down with the full bottle was easier (I almost jogged). With that under my belt, I called a neighbor for moral support and she and I went to it with a hacksaw, PVC pipe and glue and dealt with the water pipe.
Larry is doing “special deputation” in the States and God has been providing for him along the way. On a crowded plane he got 3 seats to himself and was able to get some sleep and after all the computer hassles we were having basically until he left, we were amazed that the discs he burnt before he left have worked. He’ll be back on the 14th of October and after a meeting we’ll take a week off and go camping in a National park near Chiang Mai.
This is the time of year for the annual World Mission Offering to be taken
in many churches. Thank you to all of you who have been faithful supporters
of International Ministries through the past years and especially our work
in Thailand. We encourage you to rise to the challenge of increasing your
giving by at least 20% this year. International Ministries is once again
growing and adding new missionaries to the field and looking to a positive
future. Please help us in making this happen.
Last week was the last week of semester and we finished up with a 2-day sports carnival. I went both days and followed my kids (3 schools) around and cheered them, it gave me a great opportunity to chat with parents and teachers alike as we watched our kids slowly being beaten out of the competition. In the end, one of Larry’s schools won all 4 of the competitions.
I have just a few classes at home in the next two weeks, and providing the house doesn’t fall apart, I’m intending to use the time to get out and visit with the neighbors. As a lot of folk are picking corn right now I’ll probably don my farming gear including a very wide brimmed hat and get out and help some.
Last night at our weekly worship service at Ban Sra we looked at the teaching of Jesus on turning the other cheek, going the extra mile, and praying for your enemies. The new believers thought, and rightly so, that this is pretty radical, we discussed it for a while and they said this is going to be difficult but resolved to ask God to help make it a reality for them. As part of the service a candle was lit to remind us all that Jesus is the light of the world and we are His lights to the world.
May you too know that you are taking Jesus grace and mercy to the world.
Thank you for support and encouragement as we work together to see God’s Kingdom come,
Love
Jan and Larry
God can do anything, you know far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us…” Ephesians 3:20 from The Message.
PRAY… GIVE… BE AMAZED!
Prayer and Praise
Give thanks for and pray for continued safety as Larry travels. Pray that he is an encouragement to the people he is sharing with.
Pray that we, American Baptists, meet the challenge and are amazed by what God is doing both in and through us as he uses the World Mission offering to see His Kingdom come..
Praise God that the tract Larry has been working on has finally been printed. Pray that it will be a blessing and help people here to understand they can come to Jesus from a Thai background.
Pray for the new believers as they grow and share with their families and neighbors.
Pray that things won’t crop up and stop me (Jan) from spending meaningful time with folk in the next couple of weeks.
A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, "Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.
The Lord led the holy man to two doors. He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in.
In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.
The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful, but because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths. The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering. The Lord said, "You have seen Hell."
They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking.
The holy man said, "I don't understand.
"It is simple" said the Lord, "it requires but one skill. You see, they have learned to feed each other. While the greedy think only of themselves.”
Considering how excited I was last week to tell you about Cyrus being named in Isaiah 150 years earlier than Daniel, I am sure that you know my reaction to reading Ezra 1 – when Cyrus sent the Jewish exiles back to Jerusalem and even sent back the articles that had been taken out of the temple by King Neb. How wonderful it was to read of their traditions being restored and the Temple being rebuilt. Then in Chapter 4, the work on the Temple was stopped because of lies told by Israel’s enemies. It wasn’t until we read these three books, Ezra, Haggai and Zechariah, side by side that I realized that they were contemporaries.
Psalm 84 is the basis of one of my favorite praise and worship songs “Better is One Day.” Did you start singing it as you read this Psalm? I did.
Luke 7 has one of my favorite stories in it – the raising of the widow’s son. Coming into town was the parade of Life, Jesus, His disciples, and a crowd of followers. Coming out of the town was the parade of death, the son’s coffin, the widowed mother, and the mourners. When the two parades met, the parade of death was defeated and the son was returned to the mother. Death is always defeated by the Life, Jesus.
This week’s readings:
Sonday, Oct 1…....Zech 10-12, Psalm 126, Luke 14
Monday, Oct 2…...Zech 13-14; Psalm 147; Luke 15
Tuesday, Oct 3…..Ezra 5-6, Psalm 139; Luke 16
Wed. Oct 4…...… Esther 1-2; Psalm 150, Luke 17
Thurs, Oct 5…..…Esther 3-8; Luke 18
Friday, Oct 6…… Esther 9-10; Luke 19
Sat. Oct 7……...…Ezra 7-8; Luke 20