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Ever had a feeling something was gonna happen and it did? When we were on Stateside Assignment (STAS) last summer and challenged every church we visited to double their previous Lottie Moon Christmas Offering (and then heard of several who did so this past Christmas), it was no surprise to read this Baptist Press article: * IMB trustees celebrate Lottie Moon figures.
+ <L A S T W E E K><+ Scott asked for your intercession as he caught up on various items and made progress with plans for an upcoming strategic event... wow, one thing I can't seem to catch up on is sleep. I was running on about 3hrs a night for two weeks and decided the best way to "get back to normal" was to get back to my normal routine. Ouch! It seems, too, that the more items I 'cross off my list,' the more other items surface. Your intercession keeps me from staying 'too distracted' from the main reason I'm here. Thank you! + Shirin asked for insight on planning for an upcoming prayerwalking group... Shirin writes, "Thank you, your prayers have really started the ball rolling. We are very excited about how God is going to use this team to stand in the gap for the lost in this land. Please continue to pray for this volunteer group until mid-April. We know Satan has a strong hold here and doesn't want to let go." + Jasmine had what looked like a chipped tooth and was in occasional pain. We planned on taking her to the dentist last week, so you prayed for her endurance until we could get there... once again your intercession made a difference in our lives. Thank you!
<T H I S W E E K><<>< Scott asks for wisdom in balancing 'home and work' responsibilities as Jasmine begins her Easter break. <>< Jasmine will be off from school the next two weeks. Shirin asks that you pray that while Jasmine has a time of relaxation she'll also have time to focus on her English home schooling material. <>< Jasmine asks for safety on her field trip today and for the remaining time she's on break.
<* Pray for the Lingayat of India.><
CULTURE DIGEST: Family time trumps church; Americans ignorant about religion ... "...people routinely choose family events over church commitments because they say they’re not finding church to be a relevant enough resource in their time-crunched lifestyles."
THE SCARS OF LIFESome years ago, on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door, leaving behind shoes, socks, and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore. His father working in the yard saw the two as they got closer and closer together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son as loudly as he could. Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached his father, the alligator reached him. From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father was much too passionate to let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And, on his arms, were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved. The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. I have them because my Dad wouldn't let go." You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my friend, are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, He's been there holding on to you. The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You are a child of God He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way But sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing what lies ahead. The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins - and if you have the scars of His love on your arms, be very, very grateful. He did not and will not ever let you go.
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