Last week began a new start with a new week, a new month, and a new quarter as we headed into the final three months of 2003. Since my weight had been steadily on the rise for most of September (picked up 3 lbs), I decided to begin keeping a journal of what and when I ate. For those of us trying to keep our bodies as God's temple (1 Corinthians 3:17), I recommend it highly if only for the reason it slows down unnecessary eating (you know, all that trouble writing it down <g>).

In response to last week's mention about "biblical giving," someone sent a link that may tell why. Part of the article reads as follows:

In his book Their Blood Cries Out, (Paul) Marshall also blames evangelical silence on:

–an obsession with end-times prophecy,
–a nationalist form of Christianity that confuses God and America,
–a popular "success" theology that emphasizes prosperity and inner comfort as results of spiritual integrity,
–a competition for fund-raising dollars, and
–a lack of information.

I had a hard time with this story.

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+ Shirin had been (and still is) praying regularly with a local believer who has a heart for Muslim women. During their time of prayer her friend shares with her about the women's, financial, emotional, spiritual (being the only believer in their town as well as family) and physical pressures that new believers are under. As she reflected on Jesus' time here on earth she thought about Luke 5:31 and asked that you pray with them that, through all the trials and tribulations of life, God would draw these women closer to Himself and feed their passion to grow in Him... Shirin thanks you for your prayers. Her friend will be traveling until late October and asks for prayer for a safe time that will also be a kingdom building time.

+ You prayed that visitors to the International Prayer Center of Jerusalem (IPCJ) will be led of God to further the work... (sigh) not yet, but we have more visitors this week!

+ Some time this month we'll have to register the car we drive, and we asked you to please accept our thanks for giving us this car. We mentioned that your group has designated part of your weekly tithe to be sent through the Cooperative Program, and a big part of that finds its way directly to us.

+ Jasmine continues to enjoy school. We thank you so much for your faithful prayers for her. She is being exposed to many new things and new behaviors. We asked you to pray with us that Jasmine would continue to tell us what she is doing in school and for God to give us wisdom in how to explain behavior that she is not used to being around... Jasmine is excited to tell us what she did in school when we pick her up. She also mentions behavior she sees in other classmates. What a relief and peace of mind we have as we share with Jasmine what the Bible says about how we should act towards God and man.

+ Shirin started language study with a new helper, and you began praying that Shirin would be a witness to her helper and that the helper would see that only Jesus is our high priest... Shirin took a recent church bulletin to read during her Arabic lesson and was surprised at how interested the helper was in the sermonettes. The helper started writing verses and explaining how she is studying the Bible on her own. Thank you for praying for Shirin's helper and for more opportunities to share.

<T H I S  W E E K><

<>< More visitors are coming to the Prayer Center; hopefully, they will catch its vision and purpose and then tell others about it. Pray with us that this be so.

<>< I'm working on a co-worker's computer this week and could use an extra dose of His wisdom and insight on the best way to fix it up.

<>< This week will mark the fourth anniversary of "Andrew's" untimely death. Pray with us that his death not be in vain and that his family would accept what he understood by faith.

<>< Continue praying for the ongoing agricultural work taking place in the Prayer Garden, especially that real seeds would take root and grow.

 >< Pray for the Alawites of Syria. >

CALENDAR UPDATES

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1, We would fall deeper in love with Jesus.

* We realize this is the mainstay of our life.

2, open to God’s appointments

* Jasmine and I walked home from school today but took a different route. While we didn't get to share with anyone, I realized that a tighter squeeze on my hand was an indication I had kept the right appointment for the day.

3, Hanni’s salvation

* I hear his truck now and am grateful you're praying.

4, Jasmine’s ongoing safety

* We are ever so grateful that she hasn't experienced any unnecessary trauma. Thank you!

5, Ask God to bless “Pastor Jack.”

* Since the new start has grown on its own, I don't see much of him. I'm sure, however, he has received your blessings.

6, Ask that our marriage grow sweeter.

* Over sixteen years just keep getting better : -)

7, Join us in asking for our 2nd child.

* We're trusting God day by day. Thanks for joining us.