Thanks for praying over the recent special request. By way of update, things did not go as he and his family had wanted :-(

The red tape set in as the "who are you, and why are you here" questions emerged; needless to say, they're a bit disheartened. Please continue to intercede on their behalf.

While it's been almost two months since the tsunami in Southeast Asia, life is far from normal for the people remaining there. Please keep them before His throne. "Tsunami response entering new phase; Southern Baptist gifts top $10 million."

We continue to covet your intercession for us and deeply appreciate your affirming words in the e-mails we receive each week. I've often asked what you enjoy about the Wednesday Weekly and, surprisingly, many of you have said, "You share some of the best links!" :*-)

Well, let me not disappoint you :-)

Get an early start on the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering! "Humorous spots, video message ready for N. American mission emphasis"

Does your church do a combined missions offering promotion (associational, state, national, and international)? If so, click here to share your ideas and read ways other churches promote the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering using a one-offering approach. 

If you're looking for someone to help you buy or sell a home, I'd suggest you look no further than our agent from "way back when," Joe Baker.  Shirin and I bought and sold a townhouse in Centreville, Virginia with Joe's help back in 92-95.

Along those lines of home ownership, here's a free safety tip to preserve the life of your clothes dryer: Washing the lint filter in your clothes dryer can help extend the lifespan of that appliance. 

While I'm certainly no advocate for carbonated beverages of any sort, 7-Up has this incredibly funny "mind game" over at http://digicc.com/fido/ I think you'll really enjoy.

Please feel free to recommend the 'Wednesday Weekly' to other like-minded intercessors in your circle of friends. Invite them either to send me an email at scoterry31684-subscribe@topica.com or to subscribe at our Wednesday Weekly website.

Matthew 24:14

* Be sure to sign up for the Wednesday Weekly.

+ You prayed for the safe, uneventful arrival of a volunteer willing to assess the Prayer Center and become an out$poken advocate, and you asked God to make his time here productive and fruitful in many ways... his arrival was safe and uneventful plus he brought with him some much needed warm temperatures! While his "out$poken advocacy" remains to be seen, I believe he has the tools to do so. The brief time he was here was indeed productive and fruitful, and we're grateful for your intercession!

+ The director of the Lazarus Home was having some eye surgery last week, so you joined us in praying that the director's sight would become normal again and that God would be glorified through the whole event... Shirin writes, "Thank you for praying. I wish I could say the operation was done and all is fine, but that is not the case. In this country they have socialized medicine, which means everyone has equal opportunity to medicine. At the hospital the director went to several offices to find out where she needed to go to see the doctor. Once we found the right office the second word out of the workers mouth was that her appointment was cancelled and no reason was given. While leaving the hospital the director thanked me many times for just being with her and for the prayer support I told her she had from you. The director has made new appointments for next month, so I will let you know more later."

+ Jasmine asked you to pray for her second new tooth to come in without hurting... hmm, it was off and on this week, so she's asking you to continue praying for her.

<T H I S  W E E K><

<>< Pray with me over receiving clear direction on how to proceed with the Prayer Garden. The architect said we'd need "$50,000" just to get started, but I'd like to see something happen while we're waiting for that amount to arrive.

<>< Shirin is having some pain in her foot and would appreciate your prayers for a quick and thorough recovery.

<>< Please pray for Shirin and Jasmine as they go to the Lazarus Girls Home on Friday. Shirin has been asked to teach some girls cross stitch. Jasmine will be helping the girls learn to make decorated sugar cookies. They plan to talk about Valentine's Day and God's unfailing love for us.

<>< Jasmine's first filling is this week, so Shirin and I would covet your intercession to allow Jasmine to have a "good experience" in the dental chair.

><Pray for the Komering of South Sumatra, Indonesia.>

CALENDAR UPDATES

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16, Arabic language progress

* Well, at least Jasmine is progressing :*-)

17, US families to fall in love with Jesus

* An ongoing concern of ours...

18, Jasmine’s ongoing safety

* She remains "safe and secure from all alarms," and we appreciate your intercession.

19, We would fall deeper in love with Jesus.

* Hearing Jasmine sing keeps our thoughts on loving Him.

20, to see a new follower be born today

* Oh, how I was yearning to see it come to pass; unfortunately, I didn't get to see it happen. How about you?

21, Ali’s salvation

* When I saw him today, I joined you in praying for his eternity.

22, more people to hear God’s word

* I had opportunity to share with a new gas station attendant!

Billy Graham

In January 2000, leaders in Charlotte, North Carolina, invited their favorite son, Billy Graham, to a luncheon in his honor. Billy initially hesitated to accept the invitation because he struggles with Parkinson's, but the Charlotte leaders said, "We don't expect a major address. Just come and let us honor you." So he agreed.

After wonderful things were said about him, Dr. Graham stepped to the rostrum, looked at the crowd, and said, "I'm reminded today of Albert Einstein, the great physicist who this month has been honored by Time magazine as the Man of the Century.

Einstein was once traveling from Princeton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching the tickets of each passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest pocket. He couldn't find his ticket, so he reached in his other pocket. It wasn't there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn't find it. Then he looked in the seat by him. He couldn't find it.

The conductor said, 'Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I'm sure you bought a ticket. Don't worry about it.' Einstein nodded appreciatively.

The conductor continued down the aisle punching tickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and saw the great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat for his ticket.

The conductor rushed back and said, 'Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don't worry. I know who you are. No problem. You don't need a ticket. I'm sure you bought one.'

Einstein looked at him and said, 'Young man, I too know who I am. What I don't know is where I'm going.'"

Having said that Billy Graham continued, "See the suit I'm wearing? It's a brand new suit. My wife, my children, and my grandchildren are telling me I've gotten a little slovenly in my old age. I used to be a bit more fastidious. So I went out and bought a new suit for this luncheon and one more occasion.

You know what that occasion is? This is the suit in which I'll be buried. But when you hear I'm dead, I don't want you to immediately remember the suit I'm wearing. I want you to remember this: I not only know who I am, I also know where I'm going."