MARLENE POULSON'S HOME GOING

Revelation 21:4

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.

Oh the joy of looking upward to our home beyond the skies,

When we see our Savior, Master, and look into His eyes.

God's handkerchief will be busy, on that blessed future day,

When with love and great compassion he will wipe our tears away.

Graveyard markers will be history cause all death has had its end,

No more pain or sorrow will touch us and eternity with Him we'll spend(RP)

I was shocked this morning when I checked text messaging on cell phone. Harold, my brother in Alaska, and I sent messages back and forth last night. He and Marlene have been ill. This morning I checked text messages and last night at 11:56 Harold advised us that Marlene was home with the Lord. Wow, we could hardly believe it.  Today I have been on the phone with him, and await further word after their family meeting this afternoon.  Please pray for Harold and Marlene's family.  Thanks for praying.

MISSIONARY EMPHASIS

Let all things be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:40

In a world that's very topsy-turvy, and confusion rules the day,

We should always pay attention and do everything God's way.

When things go wrong around us, stop and listen to God's Word,

You will learn from it instruction like nothing you've ever heard.

He takes no pleasure in confusion,warfare and selfish acts,

So learn to do things His way, and then you can daily relax.(RP)

This morning at church we will hear a report from our good friends Larry and Rose Ann Thornburg, veteran missionaries to Spain. Our church has supported them for many years. During the morning service we will also hear from our pastor who just returned from Asia where he taught classes in Biblical counseling. Also today we hear from Catherine Russell who just returned from Thailand where she has served a year. We look forward to these presentations. We were blessed by having our son here these two days.  Thanks for praying. 

VERY BUSY DAY

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit,but test the spirits to see whether they are from God,because many false prophets have gone out into the world.1 John 4:1

False prophets abound in our world today, deceiving as many as they can,

And if possible they would reach everywhere, and drag men to their evil clan.

We are not to be gullible, but try these evil ones to discern they are not from God,

Don't listen to their lies; get away and don't get caught by their firing squad.(RP)

It was a very busy day for us yesterday. The Bible class members came and we had a good time in Genesis 9.  There were two new ones and we were happy to have them. I usually like to "take it easy" after the class, but Margie had a very important test at the Cardio-Vascular unit in Bellingham to check the circulation in her legs. That took almost 2 hours. The Lord was good by letting me stay with Margie during this procedure and by doing so we were able to minister to the technician spiritually. What a blessing. He was appreciative and so were we.  Then, because this place had removed the bandage from Margie's wound (pressure ulcer), we had made an appointment at the Wound Healing Center to have that replaced.  In doing so the nurse who cared for Margie turned out to be a former missionary and her dad was the former pastor of the church Margie's sister attended years ago.  They knew one another well. What a great afternoon that was. It was like icing on the cake for us after a very busy day.  Thanks for praying. 

BIBLE CLASS STARTS

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

When we are saved God expects us to work,

It is written in His word and we should not shirk.

He made us beautiful and has a job for us to do,

So work for Him with enthusiasm and be true.

This work He prepared long ago, so don't delay,

Keep on doing it very faithfully from day to day. 

(RP)

We are pleased because the Bible class starts this morning. We wonder how many will remember that this is the day. We have received e-mails and comments from some of the class members. They are glad it will begin today.  Margie has further medical appointments even today about which I will talk in tomorrow's blog. It is definitely cooler, and we know fall is on its way. Thanks for praying.

DOWNPOUR

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Sometimes we are prone to think that God is not thinking of me, 

Why are things happening to me, and is this is the way it has to be?

Just remember dear friend that God is sovereign and controls all,

And we may think He's forgotten us or we are against a hard wall.

But now we know that in marvelous ways He works His will for us,

And for this reason we should always decide to never fret or fuss.

We are the target of His love and His leading is always right,

So rest in Him and let Him lead and just watch Him with delight.(RP)

On our way to meet friends for dinner in Bellingham we encountered near our home a downpour deluxe. I don't know when we have experienced a rain like that. And as we drove to Bellingham the streaks of lightning were spectacular, along with the accompanying thunder. We were pleased that in Bellingham the rain stopped and we were able to get inside without getting wet. The same thing happened as we left. It was a good day. Margie got a permanent and looks real nice. I got some printing of material done for the Friday Bible class. Today there is a bright sunshine and our only commitment so far is prayer meeting in the afternoon.  Thanks for praying. 

PERMANENT

Proverbs 12:26 

The righteous should choose his friends carefully,for the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Great is the heritage of friends; they help us in many ways,

So don't ever get caught with the wicked; he really betrays,

Always take care in picking your friends; it always pays.

Another plus is that God takes pleasure in the one who obeys.(RP)

Yesterday's heavy appointment day went well. At the wound clinic, they assured Margie that the pressure ulcer they are treating has no cancer. This is a blessing. They want her to have a special artery and vein scan in her one leg (which is more swollen) to be sure all is well in her circulation. We are awaiting word about that appointment. She also got a positive report from the retina specialist that there was less water in her eye problem. She had another shot in the right eye and she sees him again in 8 weeks. We also attended the monthly missionary meeting at church and heard from Catherine Russell about her year in Thailand. This morning I take Margie to have a permanent. I am in the process now of doing the weekly washing of clothes.  Thanks so much for praying. 

FOUR APPOINTMENTS

James 4:7 

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

God's guide for living healthy lives in the spiritual realm,

Is when we let go and let Him take control of our helm.

Submitting to His control is the best thing one can do,

You will be blessed when you always His will pursue.

Resisting the devil is God-ordained, and it always works.

God blesses the obedient; sadness is for he who shirks.

Resist the devil and he will definitely flee from you,

Refreshment will come daily as you at His fountain renew. (RP)

This is a full day of appointments and meetings. We pray especially for Margie to have strength for each one. Yesterday I had my check-up at the doctors. Thankfully all is well so far. He took some blood for other lab work and will tell he how things are. But so far for the eighty-four and a half year old man, all is okay. For this we praise the Lord. No prescription drugs. I am thankful. Thanks for praying.