At the end of this page is a delightful story, shared by one of you :-)

As the holiday season approaches and you set aside time for family at Thanksgiving, allow me to turn your mind toward Christmas but not in the 'traditional' sense <g>. Many of you have had a first-hand impact on my life and the life of my family, particularly if you've tithed to a church affiliated with the SBC. Part of your tithe has found its way to the Cooperative Program and then it made its way to us through the International Board. Your weekly participation is sustaining and we thank you!

Most of you know, too, that the upcoming Lottie Moon Christmas Offering provides about half of our annual support. Even in the midst of this year's unusual circumstances, I believe Southern Baptists will rise to the occasion to see the nations of the world reached with the gospel by giving a mere $150 million (collectively, we probably spend more than that on wrapping paper). You've already 'dug deep' to help victims of tsunamis, floods, hurricanes, and those only God knows about. I recognize, too, that you've begun to feel the pinch of costly gas and fuel. (I won't bother to tell you that our gas has been well over $4.50/gallon for several years.)

Please know and realize that being obedient to the Great Commission is our top priority as followers of Jesus. What you give this year will go a long way in seeing the lost come to the realization that Jesus Christ is Lord. Would you join me, Shirin, and Jasmine in seeing fewer presents under the tree this year so we can see more people standing before the Throne of God giving Him the worship He deserves?

Rick Warren wrote an interesting and compelling article I hope you'll read: "The motive behind your Great Commission mission" 

While searching for 'second hand' "Adventures in Odyssey" CDs for Jasmine, I found an online source over at www.oneplace.com A friend from seminary has a radio broadcast from there, too, and I'm pretty sure Frank will challenge you to walk with God. Be sure to check out the various ministries listed under the 'Ministries' button! (And if you have any old "Adventures in Odyssey" CDs collecting dust, I know a little girl who could use them!)

Matthew 24:14

* Be sure to sign up for the Wednesday Weekly.

+ Scott wanted to "shake off" the annoying feelings of 'general aggravation' and realized your intercession would make a difference... wow, that was quick! Being able to get back to my morning walk was part of the answer, but I believe it was your intercession that 'set me straight' :-)

+ Shirin and a co-worker prayed with the Director of the Lazarus Home for Girls and asked you to pray with them that they would be an encouragement to the director and house mothers and be able to help them make a positive decision for Christ... Shirin writes, "Your prayers are always an encouragement. We were able to visit with the director and staff of the home and pray for them."

+ Jasmine expressed concern for her friends at school to know Jesus, especially her best friend Nana... it didn't happen this week, so Jasmine is expecting you to keep praying until "it changes."

<T H I S  W E E K><

<>< Join me in asking God for greater exposure of the Prayer Center so the unreached will gain advocacy.

<>< We have a parent-teacher conference this week and Shirin asks that you'd pray that we'd gain a clearer understanding of Jasmine's needs from her teacher's perspective.

<>< Jasmine wants you to know that her school has a new snack bar, and she's having a little trouble with all the pushing and shoving. She's asking that she'll have a good week this coming week and knows your praying will make a difference!

>< Pray for the Mahratta of India.>

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9, Pray for Scott’s sister to fall in love with Jesus.

* I didn't hear of this happening today, so continue praying it so.

10, Pray for the ladies meeting in the Old City as it helps the ladies grow in their faith.

* Shirin writes, "Thank you for praying. This past month was Ramadan, so we made home visits. We were able to encourage the ladies in their faith in Jesus and pray with them."

11, Pray for the girls and staff of the Lazarus Home to know Jesus.

* Your prayers are drawing the girls and staff closer to Jesus.

12, Pray with Jasmine for her friends to know Jesus.

* A nightly prayer, Jasmine desires that her friends "know God and what it means to follow Him."

13-15, As Palestinians prepare to celebrate Independence Day Tuesday, ask God to grant them their true independence from the occupation of sin.

* Oh, when this happens...

A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago. They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner. In their rush, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time.

ALL BUT ONE !!!

He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with his feelings, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned.

He told his buddies to go on without him, waved good-bye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor.

He was glad he did.

The 16 year old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her, no one stopping and no one to care for her plight.

The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket.

When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, "Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you okay?" She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, "I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly."

As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, "Mister...." He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, "Are you Jesus?"

He stopped in mid-stride, and he wondered. Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: "Are you Jesus?"

Do people mistake you for Jesus? That's our destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace.

If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act a He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day. You are the apple of His eye even though we, too, have been bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked you and me up on a hill called Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit.

Let us live like we are worth the price He paid!!!!! Top