Is there a God? Really?

How does a tanker ship now parked alongside cars, homes and tangled ruins get moved?

How do huge cargo containers look as if they were dropped on the floor like Legos?

How are nuclear plants to be calmed—cooled—restored—made safe?

How does a mother stand behind her child while being checked for radiation?

How does sea water 6 miles inland—ever recede?

I make myself watch the videos . . . linger on the stilled images of devastation that is present, active, moving, dire, immediate, needy, and desperate for all who are right now experiencing the reality of this disaster. 

I read the statistics, the updated reports, the personal testimonies.

As I sit in our warm home, sun shining through the window, with computer hooked up to electricity and I look—I know that the father and son I see staring at the wreckage are no longer standing in that place.  For me, they are frozen—stilled, and yet . . .

Where are they this moment? 

Are they warm? 

Are they in their home? 

Someone else’s? 

Do they have food? 

Water? 

Electricity? 

Are they safe? 

Are they okay? 

Will they ever be okay again?

Those we know personally, living in Japan, we know to be safe. What of those hearts today breaking over their own known ones not known to be safe?  

What about the many, faceless, nameless ones that represent 

the numbing numbers on the dead-count?  

What about those who have survived these four days cold, hungry, 
thirsty, shocked and wondering where is the help? 

Where is their saving? 

Where is their savior?

These are the unanswerable questions that cause many 

to question the existence of God?

How does such depth of destruction equate in our hearts and minds that, yes—there is a God and, yes—He is only, always good.

He said there would be pains.  (Matthew 24)

He will be true to His words. 

He will fulfill all that has been promised.

For me—I look at these pictures, I see the devastation, I view the movement of water climbing 30 feet tall, going speeds of up to 500mph and I offer my own question . . .

How can there be ANY doubt 

that there IS a God?

How else does an island get moved 8 feet? 

How else does a spinning globe tilt 10 inches off its axis?

How else does a man ride his roof-top 9 miles out to sea where he is saved?

His ways are not my own, so they will not always make sense to my senses.  He who defined good—IS, but His goodness is for His glory, not necessarily mankind's.

“Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!’"  Revelation 5:13

And so we pray . . . there is nothing more powerful than a praying believer of Jesus Christ.  

Our prayers met with Jesus’ power for God’s glory! 

For the people of Japan—

we love, we give and we most fervently pray!

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“Let not many of you become teachers . . .” (James 3:1, 2)

Boy, have I been feeling James’ wisdom on this one lately! 

If you were to come to my church on any given Sunday you would find me tucked up in a small room in the gymnasium with a group of young ladies of junior high age.  They are an interesting bunch.  Some have been born and raised in the church and are blessed with a happy, coherent, nurturing, loving home.  

Others . . . well, not so much! 

• One gal has a drunkard for a Father who yells at her whenever he is sober.
• Another was abused as a baby and is being raised by wonderful relatives.
• One girl lives with Dad and Grandma because Mom chose another child by another man to live with.
• And still another being raised by Dad because Mom could no longer handle her autistic brother.

Now . . . throw into this mix the current generation “me” mentality and we have an interesting soup of personalities, pains and conduct on any given Sunday.

But James wasn’t exhorting hesitation here because it would be hard, or painful, or a kick in pride’s fanny because sometimes the hearers do. not. want. to. hear!

No . . . he was instructing caution, “knowing that as such we shall incur a stricter judgment”.

I am given one hour each week to love on hurting, wounded, sinful, selfish, disinterested and disrespectful girls  . . . and I am going to incur a stricter judgment!!!

It doesn’t seem quite fair, now does it?

 Especially after this past Sunday.  

It was bad.  

Ugly, in fact!  

I failed in my attempt to not cry as I closed the class early in prayer.

The truth is . . . I love these girls!  I love Jesus!  I want these girls to love Jesus!  And I want it really, really, really, really bad!!!  But—I can’t make them want it.  I can only love on them, get to know them more, and pray—

hoping that in me they will see some thing, 

some One, 

some Treasure, 

worth going after some day!

But I also am a sinner.  I sin.  I respond to rejection.  I make mistakes.

“For we all stumble in many ways.  If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well,” (v. 2)

I will make mistakes. 

But loving Jesus openly in front of these girls will not be one of them.

Speaking as well as showing His love for them will not be one of them.

Walking the line carefully between accepting where they are at and accepting bad behavior . . . 

well, that one I could use a little divine help on! J

So, why am I writing all of this today?  I’m not so sure—

other than we are the Body of Christ. 

We. Are. The. Body! 

I do not want your pity. 

I do not want your critique. 

{Helpful suggestions given in love—perhaps!} 

But what I do need, what every Bible teacher of every age every where needs from you is your prayers!  We need to be covered in prayer as we go before hearts and minds that have been poisoned by the world, hurt by those who should have loved and subject to sin and the wiles of the evil one!

Will you please pause right now and pray for all teachers of the Truth?

I, for one, sincerely thank you!

Get blog updates to your inbox or news reader by clicking here...

Click here for the other posts from my study of the book of James

I am joining The Good Morning Girls as we study James together.

When you invite the Holy Spirit...He always comes!

When you ask something of the Holy Spirit...He always gives something!

And His something is never less...because He is the God of more!

~Pastor David Rodes~

The Bundle of Sticks

A certain Father had a family of Sons, who were forever quarreling among themselves. No words he could say did the least good, so he cast about in his mind for some very striking example that should make them see that discord would lead them to misfortune.

One day when the quarreling had been much more violent than usual and each of the Sons was moping in a surly manner, he asked one of them to bring him a bundle of sticks. Then handing the bundle to each of his Sons in turn he told them to try to break it. But although each one tried his best, none was able to do so.

The Father then untied the bundle and gave the sticks to his Sons to break one by one. This they did very easily.

"My Sons," said the Father, "do you not see how certain it is that if you agree with each other and help each other, it will be impossible for your enemies to injure you? But if you are divided among yourselves, you will be no stronger than a single stick in that bundle."

In unity is strength.

I was reading this Aesop Fable to my daughter yesterday when about halfway through, I was struck with a deep sadness as my thoughts substituted the Church in America for the Sons.

Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her. The Bible is full of scripture referring to the Church, the body of Christ, the body being built up of many members and how the members must be in unity of mind and work together.

Let me say that I am not a defeatist! I believe the Church is vibrant and alive. But one would be ignorant to not notice the division, the hypocrisy, the quarreling, the Christ-unlikeness that is often caught going on between denominations and believers in general.  This has weakened us in the eyes of unbelievers and of our enemies.

Just this past Sunday, the Jr. High girls in my Sunday School class were sharing comments contrary to Christ they heard made by confessing believers in Christ. I was left facing puzzled adolescents and one in particular who now only believes in God “to a point” because of all that she has witnessed amongst believers in various venues.

Oh, my beloved Covenant partners, this should not be!

Please join me in praying for the unity of the Church. Pray for the unity of Believers.

Satan’s plan has not changed. It’s the same old, powerful scheme to steal, kill and destroy. As much as it depends on me. As much as it depends on you. Let’s not allow victory for Satan any more in regards to the Bride of Christ.

Join me in prayer.
Join me in consciously building up the Church with your tongue.
Join me in adamantly holding your tongue when overwhelming feelings and/or a respone to offenses want to spill unedifying words.

We are the Church and we stand as One!

He is Good! Always!

What was that little note that I commented on just Monday—just 2 days ago? Hmmm...Settled faith.

I had just come across that line at the top of my writing during my morning reading time. My thoughts kind of took off with it and what you read was just a simple reminder to myself. Or so it seemed.

Then came Tuesday...

The pressing began with bleeding when there shouldn’t be. A newly forming soul was being fashioned, knitted together in the secret place. Far enough along now, or so I thought, so as not to worry.

Doctor alongside technology looked for the little one. Little one was found.

I’ve laid on the table many times. I know where the tiny, flashing, lighted spot is to be. The life spot—the heart. We found only stillness.

Motionless tranquility breaking my own heart.

There was no dancing and spinning to make me smile. My baby was just floating in the waters.

My heart ceased its own beating until I felt it reverberating in my head, throat and chest so loud and wild that I thought it would burst from my body.

I’ve been down this road before. Differently, but the same road. The pressing comes fresh.

Do I still trust in God’s goodness and love for me? Do I still believe that He cares how much this hurts—that He understands how difficult this walk is to take? Do I still want to keep taking chances and agree to trust Him as He asked us to almost 8 years ago now “to give us who He wanted to be in our family”? Even if it is only for a little while?

My thoughts never considered on Monday the news I’d receive on Tuesday.

I reread my Monday thoughts once more. I check my faith once more. It’s not the same. Even though it has only been a difference of 2 short days. Amidst the pain, there is growth.

There are four things I believe, without doubt...

First of all, God is good ALL the time and He has been so very good to us. We know He will continue to be so as we walk through this.

Secondly, I believe this life was as complete in God’s eyes as anyone else’s! Including my 87 year old grandmothers!

Thirdly, (as was shared to me by our eldest daughter and revealed to her by the Spirit as she cried out to God)—this soul is more alive now than we even are! We are dying by the second, by the inch. This life, our baby, is fully alive and in the presence of the Lord!

And finally, we are sure that we will learn things, see Him, grow in ways we never could have had this baby not come into our lives for this very short visit.

Proven faith—it’s what I desire, what I ask God for. How can I oppose the pressing to prove authentication?

We are sad and disappointed—that is the truth! But we are comforted by the fact that God hears our prayers, our cries, and that He has captured each of our tears in His bottle—each and every one! They are that important to Him!

May I ask you for your prayers on my behalf? Would you please pray and ask God to assist my body in releasing baby quickly. My doctor wants to be patient, but she has her own thoughts as to when a more intrusive route should be taken than what I have in mind.

I thank you for praying and thinking on me, friends and sisters!

He is good! Always!

Be Strong And Take Courage

I was not going to write today. I try extremely hard to not “speak my mind” here but “share my heart”. Today, I suppose, is a little bit of both...


When I woke up this morning I was not stunned, but a sad realization came across me concerning America. She no longer listens to truth, she listens to the media. She does not see people as created in the image of God. She no longer cares for life—new or old, she cares for convenience—no matter the cost. She no longer believes in responsibility of self, but in self entitlement. Maybe you are chuckling at me thinking, "'she no longer'...it's been this way for awhile now!" Yes, perhaps, but I have always tried to think the best of my country and my fellow Americans. I love this country and I love my neighbors within its borders!


But then God......

God whispered these words in my ear this morning... “Be strong and take courage!”

Psalm 31:23-24
"O love the LORD, all you His godly ones! The LORD preserves the faithful and fully recompenses the proud doer. Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who hope in the LORD."


Psalm 27:13-14
"I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD."


One of the sadder realizations in all of this is how split the American Christians are. We were all over the place in this election and don’t think that others didn’t notice! Our voice is weakening and will continue to weaken unless we become stronger as a whole.

The only way in which we can do that is to become stronger in our own personal walks of faith in Jesus Christ and to build one another up in our places of fellowship. Iron sharpening iron. Walking in truth, yes, but always in love!

Along with our daily reading and/or studying of the scriptures...we must Pray!

1. Pray for a Great Awakening across our country
2. Pray for the conviction of sins in the hearts of believers and unbelievers alike
3. Pray for a turning to Righteousness
4. Pray for a new culture with Christ—one of higher standards above the current culture
5. Pray that Christianity be distinctly different! (Salt and light have to BE different to BE noticed!)
6. Pray for a fear of God
7. Pray for those in authority

Most of all, remember who reigns as Lord and King forever...Jesus!

“The Lord sits as King forever.” Psalm 29:10

Keep your eyes on Him. Keep setting your heart to seek Him and His precepts for life.

“Be strong and take courage” in Him!


~To clarify my comment on "life--young and old"...I live in Washington state where a measure on doctor assisted suicide for the terminally ill was approved yesterday... ~

Christian Voter Guide

Before filling out your ballot at home or heading off to the polls tomorrow, please check this out by following this link to Christian Voter Guide!

You simply click on your state and on the right hand side a list of resources will come up to assist you in the selection of candidates in the varying positions. From President to Judge to County Assessor--any information available on the candidates beliefs and voting record will be made available to you here. A very valuable resource!

And as our pastor shared yesterday--"be sure and vote your biblically informed, Christian conscience!"

And keep praying...

Last Thursday Prayer...

before the elections!

If you have been following along here for any length of time, you know that on Thursdays we join with thousands of others across our country praying for America at the noon hour. This is the last Thursday prayer day before the elections, but we will be continuing on through the end of the year--Christmas Day is a Thursday this year.

For more information, click here or here...

I know that everyone is exhausted with this election year. Trust me, I am as well! But I am reminded today that we are to carry on in prayer through to the end. So whether or not you are a part of this organized time of prayer (either away from or within your own home), the One Minute Prayer movement, fasting alongside your prayers or just praying whenever God brings America to mind---do just that! Pray for America...for the elections, the state of our country, our economy, our soldiers, our rejection of the standards of God, our sins, our strengths, our voice in the world, our state before the Almighty God!

Thank you for joining with me today. There is strength in numbers, friends...

Praying For The Election

Yesterday I was privileged to visit with a very good friend for a couple of hours. We spent part of that time discussing our country, the election, the candidates and what changes we could be in for following November 4th. Change will come with either candidate and with those elected to Congress. But what kind of change will we see?

There is no perfect candidate, folks. There never has been in the history of America, nor will there be. (Nope, George Washington was pretty great...but not perfect! :)

This voting year there is a lot at stake. The Republicans in Congress spent most of 2008 thwarting the efforts of the Democratic agenda to extend the onslaught of abortion, homosexual rights over religious freedom and the sanctity of marriage. In doing so, both sides always knew there was a Republican president willing to use his veto pen if necessary to keep our country from furthering itself from the statutes of God.

Those "in the know" predict Congress will once again be dominated by the Democratic party. Who we elect as president will be HUGE in what agendas come forth and what course our country takes over the next 4 years!

The purpose of my post today is not to give you my opinion...the purpose is to beg you to get down on your knees on behalf of our country and pray to God concerning her; her people, her direction, her soldiers, her position, her policies, her practices, her history and her future.

Pray for God's wisdom (not self preference) in casting your vote.

Pray and ask God for revival across our land! During this economic difficulty, I see fields ready for harvesting.

Pray for the conviction of sins and idol worship in the hearts of all--saved and unsaved!

Please join us and thousands others as we pray from noon until 12:30 or 1:00 p.m. for America. Fast the day, a meal, a dessert, television, something...anything...give of yourself and your time and go before God on behalf of our country.

I fear God, not man!

I go to God for the country that I love--and for the country that my children and grandchildren will grow up in. What the future holds for them could be decided in a few short weeks. Be a vital part of the decision making process in prayer and in voting!


God bless each one of you as you seek His face during this bumpy portion of the journey. I know many of you are struggling--your notes make my heart ache...please know that I am praying for those who have asked for prayer! Some are having deep personal struggles, financial struggles, worries, concerns, health dilemmas and so on. Please don't despair! Go to God! Please don't be so wearied by your own, very real, difficulties that you neglect to pray for America and this election. It is far too important. He hears all your prayers, so just spend some extra time in His presence today.


~If you haven't watched the program "America at the Crossroads" may I encourage you to do so! You can start with this link and work your way through. Vital information along with accurate Bible study--so you can't go wrong! ~

Prayer...

Today is Thursday...please try to set aside 30 min. to an hour around noon to join with thousands across America as we pray for our nation.

There is another prayer movement that I have been informed about where everyone stops to pray for just one minute for America each evening. Here is a little more information concerning this...

During WWII, there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every night at a prescribed hour for one minute to collectively pray for the safety of England, its people and peace. This had an amazing effect as bombing stopped.

There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America.

The United States of America and our citizens need prayer more than ever!!! If you would like to participate: each evening at 9:00 PM Eastern Time, 8:00 PM Central , 7:00 PM Mountain, 6:00 PM Pacific, stop whatever you are doing and spend one minute praying for the safety of the United States, our troops, our citizens, for wisdom and courage for our leaders, the up-coming election, and that the Bible will remain the basis for the laws governing our land and that Christianity will grow in the U.S.

Some Questions Answered...

Today I write in response to some questions I have been asked recently that I felt would be best to share in one posting with all of you--just in case these are some questions that you have had along with others who have specifically asked them...so here we go...

No... :) ... I am not pregnant. I have been inundated with emails and a couple of calls from friends/family asking since my post "To My Precious, Unseen Little One". As noted at the bottom, I wrote that piece for a very dear friend of mine who is newly expecting with a "surprise to her and hubby but not to God" pregnancy. I would be honored and grateful if the Lord of all heaven and earth should choose to bless my beloved and I once more. But as of today, our 6 precious blessings (and our little one in heaven) are whom God has chosen for this family, for this time in history.

There have been questions as to whether or not the movie "Fireproof" is appropriate for children. I understand that the cost of going to a movie 2 times can be prohibitive. Believe me when I say that this is not an easy time for us right now to put out the money for a box office repeat. That being said, we still felt that it was important that we watched the movie first and then I took the older 3 children (ages 17, 14, 11) the following evening. I cannot make the judgment call for your family as to whether or not it is appropriate for your children. We ourselves questioned our 11 (almost 12) year old going. They all enjoyed the movie and we have spent a lot of time since discussing (at their initiation) the different aspects of the movie as well as marriage and relationships in general. I hate to sound so inconclusive in my answer, but we are each responsible for what we allow in our children's lives. You may want to check out movie review links on the internet for more information on the storyline to help you in making your decision.

Since writing "Stirrings in the Heart", many have asked when I am going to reveal more of what God has been doing in my life personally. While I do plan to touch on several things that God has been showing me during this time, it would be absolutely impossible to "explain" it all in this format. It would take me pages to write and expound on all the background information needed for all that God is doing now to make sense to everyone. Does that make sense? :) Also, although I do write a lot about what God is teaching me and showing me through His precious Word, I have tried to be careful about not making this blog "all about me". The God given purpose behind this special place is to write that which God shows me in my walk with Him as I, through His wondrous grace, attempt to daily align my heart with His. Most of which I can feel confident in sharing with all of you here because those things pertain to all of us in many ways during our different stops along this journey. Also, when God brought the idea to mind for this blog, it was with the intention to encourage all of us to go to Him to direct us in our lives. Too often, it is too easy and too much of our habit to go to others and pick up on their ideas for our own walk. While we are to encourage one another, yes, and fellowship with one another, yes, and be real for one another, yes, and direct each other to God, yes!!!!, I want to be careful that my writings do not encourage anyone to follow after what I am doing, but seeking after what God wants YOU to be doing. Some of those things will be the same--seeking Him, spending time in the word, being open and responsive to the wooings of the Holy Spirit, growing in our sanctification, etc. But our paths on the journey can also look quite different while following all of those likenesses. I have found myself in my own walk be led off of my own path to follow after the ideas and ways of others--albeit good for them--not so good for me because they were not God's ways for my life and my family. I pray that this long explanation is making sense. :) Sometimes I think my middle name is "too many words...too much information!"

I have been asked how many people visit here each day. To be honest, I don't know. When I first started up I had a counter on my page because I saw everyone else with a blog have one--so I just added one too. It seemed like the bloggy thing to do :). God then reminded me, quite a while back now, that how many people who visited was not important to Him--my obedience in having this place was. That large or small He would lead those who needed to read the postings to this "special to me" place. So...no counters, no idea on numbers...but I am so glad that you are one of the ones that He has brought by! My prayer--daily--is that you would be blessed greatly by Him, encouraged and challenged in your own walk while here visiting! And if you have been, please email the blog link to others that you know. Perhaps something written here is meant for them to hear as well.

Finally, I want to encourage you to write to me at any time. If you scroll down the sidebar to the right, you will see a heading entitled "Questions or Comments?" I truly love hearing from each one of you and all that God is showing you and how He is growing you. All your notes encourage me greatly!

Remember that today is Thursday--please consider joining us in prayer for our country between 12 noon - 1:00 p.m. wherever you live and wherever you are at that time. God moves when His people join together in prayer! And as you pray today, please remember our brothers and sisters in India!

God bless each and everyone of you this day!

Soli Deo Gloria!
To God Alone the Glory!

Robin

Praying For America

Are you praying for America? She needs our prayers desperately! Is she headed for judgment or for revival? Join with thousands of others praying for revival...Prayer for our Nation.

Here is some more information about joining with others in prayer that I wrote about back in May.

Every Thursday at noon through the elections and on through to the end of the year. You don't have to leave your home to join others. It would be wonderful if that works for you. We live kind of far out from town, so it works best for my family to just gather here and pray together. Perhaps you could organize your own Thursday prayer meeting with friends in your home.

Also, PLEASE consider fasting along with your praying! The scriptures say "when you fast...". Denying ourselves food is such a small sacrifice to express to the Father that we are humbly coming before Him with our requests and that we are seriously in need of His divine intervention.

I wholeheartedly agree with the many others that have been saying that we don't realize just how crucial this election year is going to be. We need God's guidance in how we cast our votes, absolutely, but we also need Him to intervene on a higher level.

Please join us, won't you!

Urgent Prayer Request...Again For India

Please click here for an update on the volatile situation in India.

It has become worse, friends. Please click on the link, read the report, watch the video and pray fervently for our brothers and sisters in Christ!

Urgent Prayer Request...

...for our brothers and sisters in India!

Please read the following update, click here for more information...and then pray!

Imagine how you would feel if a mob broke into your home, raped your wife and daughters, tried to kill you and then burned your house down—all because you are a Christian. That's exactly what is happening to our brothers and sisters in Orissa, India, right now.

Dear friend, I have seen a lot of violence against Christians in my more than 30 years of sharing the Gospel with the people of Asia. I have even been on the receiving end of some of those attacks. But the events in Orissa are by far the most orchestrated and horrifying atrocities I have ever witnessed.

Please join me in praying for these persecuted brothers and sisters in their time of great suffering.

Yours for the unreached,
K.P. Yohannan
Founder & President
Gospel for Asia

Pray For China

All the world, news stories, newspaper articles, blogs, worldwide web, backyard BBQ conversation is all about what is happening in China right now...the Olympics!

Beijing 2008

I love watching the Olympics! I always have. Through the performances and amazing feats of talented men and women who have pushed their gifted bodies to go further than thought possible (and possibly further than God had designed :) I can envision my self as a brave diver plunging 3 stories with barely a ripple to show I had parted the waters. I can be the bouncey, acrobatic gymnast with grace and poise instead of the klutzy gal I truly am who actually chipped her front teeth doing a round off in elementary school. I can imagine myself breaking records as I tear through the tape at the finish line of a track race to the cheers of "U-S-A!" even though I run slower than molasses. And even though I cannot even put my face under water without holding my nose, I am as a dolphin effortlessly flying through the water of a swimming pool during the freestyle. Ahh...my imagination can run wild and even I, yes I, can be a gold medalist standing on the platform with grateful tears flowing down my cheeks as the world listens with me to the playing of our anthem.

Last Saturday was the family birthday party at our home for Brianne and her 2 year old cousin. As we gathered, comment after comment was made praising the opening ceremonies from the evening before. We do not have cable in our home, so we were unable to watch it. We heard all about the technology used, the incredible accuracy of performers and on and on and on. I was most envious! The following day, Chuck figured out how to link his computer to our television so that we could watch the Olympics from recordings through the network online.

Now, let me be completely honest here and admit to some pre-Olympic emotional reserve. China persecutes Christians and they do so regularly and severely. We receive publications from the organization Voice of the Martyrs and they have kept us updated on what has been going on in that country as they have been preparing for this time when the entire world would be watching. They want to prove to the world that they are a different China...a humane China...a friendly China...a China that the world can be proud of and the Olympic committee can be relieved about choosing.

As my family and I sat and watched the, indeed, amazing opening ceremonies...I couldn’t help but think of the various stories that I have recently read. I couldn’t quite erase from my thoughts the pictures of the persecuted and imprisoned for their faith and preaching of Jesus Christ. My thoughts went to children who have been taken away from families because it is illegal to teach them about Jesus before the age of 18. I thought of those who attend underground house churches because they belong to “the evil occult” as Christianity is referred to.

About halfway through the incredible performances, Brianne looked at me and said, “It’s kind of hard to really enjoy this when I think about that pastor having to make all of those soccer balls.” She is referring to a Christian pastor who has been imprisoned for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. During his imprisonment, he was forced to assemble 2000 soccer balls for the Olympics.

Yes, I had to agree, my delight at what I was seeing was severely marred by the truth behind the beauty—China hides its ugly true self. China hates Jesus. China hates Christians. China hates pastors and missionaries. China needs our prayers!

I really do not have any desire to rain on anyone’s Olympic parade. My family and I have enjoyed watching for a couple of hours each evening all the events. The boys have gotten the biggest kick out of badminton and ping pong being actual Olympic sports! We have sat amazed at divers, swimmers, gymnasts, archers, shooters, and look forward to all of the events in the days to come. No, my purpose in writing this today is to ask you to pray for China during this time of focused attention towards that country.

Pray for the walls of hatred to be broken down by the love and blood of Jesus Christ. Pray for the many who are persecuted daily in His name. Pray for their families. Pray for those families that attend the underground churches. Pray for the pastors and missionaries that preach to them. Pray for the underground Bible schools. Pray for the teachers and students who attend and leave the building rarely so as not to be found out. Pray for those who are beaten and stripped of their businesses and possessions when found out. Pray for the missionaries and attendees of the Olympics who have taken Bibles and other Christian publications with them who are in danger if they get found out. Pray for the lost, the unsaved who are adamantly taught from a young age to resist Jesus.

Enjoy the Olympic experience and dream those truly “impossible” dreams. :) Enjoy the time with family and friends around the television set. But remember how it really is not all fun and “games” in China.

It is about far more than the sad stories of children separated from their families at the age of 3 to train to be an Olympian. It is far more than the outrage that a child with a beautiful voice cannot be the one performing in front of the crowd because she is not deemed “cute” enough. No...it is far more serious, far more consequential than all of that, sad though those stories may be.

It may be the Olympics, but it is still China!

Watch...Enjoy...and Pray!

And if you happen to catch any of the soccer matches, please remember the imprisoned pastor who made the ball you see being used. Such a small, seemingly unimportant reality is the necessity of all the balls needed for practice and for play. Except in this case, no paid employee at the Wilson Sporting Equipment Company made them. No, the hands of a beaten and persecuted Christian pastor did...all 2000 of them!

For more information on the persecuted church in China and throughout the world click here.

Corporate Prayer for America

Dear Family and Friends...

Please prayfully consider joining our family with thousands of others across America praying every Thursday for our nation. Here is a link that explains further... America at the Crossroads

This period of corporate prayer is from now until the elections in November (or can be carried on until Dec. 25--our Lord's birthday).

Every Thursday we are encouraged to gather and pray at noon for 30 min. to an hour. We would encourage you to also fast all or part of the day as well. (A dawn to dusk fast from morning until dinner...a Daniel fast--fruit,veggies & water only...a one meal fast...or full day fast...???)

This truly is a crucial time for our nation! Who knows but that the prayers of His faithful people may stem the tide of judgment and bring a return of blessing and holiness to America! May we prayerfully seek the election of godly servants that have His agenda in mind for our country! May we also pray for our country to turn from sin and acceptance of evil practices!

Please pass this information on to others you know that would love to see "God bless America" once again!