Last week marked our denomination's "Week of Prayer for International Work" along with the annual promotion of the offering that provides about half of our support. To those of you who participated and gave sacrificially, we say thank you :-)

There is still time to participate in the offering. More information can be found at www.imb.org and a link to give directly to the annual offering can be found here.

Tomorrow (Dec 14, 2006) marks the 12th anniversary of our career appointment with the IMB. Pray with us that our next dozen years of working with the Lord will be even more productive than these past few years.

+ <L A S T  W E E K><

+ Scott asked for another round of God's "extra" measure of grace as his 'full week' went to a fortnight... well, things don't look like they're slowing down, and your intercession last week went a long way. Thank you for making another difference in my life!

+ Shirin asked for prayer to share the gospel message this week as she goes to visit ladies... Shirin writes, "Thank you for your prayers. During my visit I realized I needed to build a little more of a rapport with the ladies before I could openly share with them. I know the more we pray for them and I visit them the more the Holy Spirit will work on their hearts."

+ Jasmine continued to realize she needs God's help to tell her friends about Jesus, especially during the upcoming Christmas season. (The girls at Jasmine's school are 80% Muslim, yet most are willing to listen to the truth of the Christmas Story.)... Jasmine says, "I was happy because my teacher let us do a Christmas play. I hope the play will improve and that it will speak to my friends."

<T H I S  W E E K><

<>< Join Scott in praying for those with whom he comes in contact this week to be receptive to the Good News of the Season.

<>< Please pray with Shirin and a coworker as they start a small English class in a refugee camp in the West Bank. We are hoping for opportunities to answer faith questions when they come up as well as being invited into homes of the students.

<>< Jasmine asks for prayer as she and her classmates rehearse for the Christmas play.

<* Pray for the Somali of Somalia.><

Some Southern Baptists ask, ‘Who is Lottie Moon?’

Poll: Americans want to see ‘Merry Christmas’ in stores.

Resources abound for imparting Cooperative Program vision.

(Jerry Rankin): Why we give.

(Wanda S. Lee): Season of self-denial.

Dear Children,

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually the time of a pagan festival. Although, I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that, there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can and may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish; I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15:1-8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local Hot-Line. They talk with people like that every day.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then, stop shopping there on Sunday! If the stores didn't make so much money on that day, they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home and in church with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name. You may already know someone like that.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Marines, the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do or say things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of My children.

11. Read my Book every day. That's where you'll learn of Me.

PS ~ Remember; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me most and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court.

Have a most blessed Christmas, with all those whom you love, and remember, I LOVE YOU!