STORM

Matthew 14:26-27  

When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. It's a ghost,they said, and cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately said to them:Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.

We cannot imagine the fear they had when Jesus walked on the lake,

They knew Him not, thinking it was a ghost, but oh their sad mistake.

Cries of fear they expressed, and then He spoke soon to them,

Courage He gave them, not derision and scorn; He did not condemn.

He consoled them with words, and then they were not afraid,

He will do the same for you, when you come to Him for His aid.(RP)

A storm was predicted by the forecasters and it is apparently here. Strong winds and rain are the scenario outside right now. They predicted flooding also. We wonder what all this will to the trick or treaters. At our church there is supposed to be an evangelistic outreach from 6-8 this evening. We pray the rain will calm so it will be a success. This afternoon we should also attend the funeral of our neighbor Pastor Oscar Lee. If Margie is well enough, we will. We also hope she had a good night like she did Thursday. Thank you all for praying. 

FLOOD WARNING

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Ephesians 4:30-31

Sin grieves the Holy Spirit, so Christians should watch carefully their walk,

Be careful with your way of living and pay attention to the way you talk.

We have been bought with a price, and the Spirit of God has sealed us,

And to this life with Christ, each and everyone daily will prayerfully adjust.

He is not happy when bitterness,anger, and rage take charge of his own,

So stop slandering and expressing malice, and all your blessings disown. (RP)

Yesterday we received a flood warning for our county. We are concerned about the Saturday night outreach ministry on the church parking lot. Each year hundreds visit it.  Gospel literature and Gideon New Testaments are distributed also. The rain last year let up from 6-8 pm which was a blessing. We are praying it will be okay again. MUCH work has gone into it already. We appreciate your prayers for it. This morning we go to the Ferndale Senior Activity Center for the Bible class. We always look forward to it. This morning it is a very wet and windy. Thanks for praying.

MEDICATION

Jeremiah 29:11 

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Here we have a glimpse of God, telling his thoughts about us,

He wants us to have peace, and for us we know that is a plus.

He thinks no evil of us, and wants us to have a future of hope,

And just hearing these words from our Lord, help us really cope.(RP)

Margie spent time yesterday on the phone with her doctor trying to get her sleep medication adjusted. Apparently she had to reduce one and her doctor prescribed another. We went to the drug store at 8:30 last night to get it. She did not have a real good night but at least she slept some. We appreciate prayer about this. She has always had trouble sleeping. It is raining a lot and we are concerned about the big ministry event at our church Saturday night where we outreach to our church neighbors and others with the gospel. Thanks for praying.

NEW TIRE

Proverbs 19:20-21 

Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days. There are many plans in a man's heart, Nevertheless the Lord's counsel-that will stand.

One very wise counsel we all should hear; listen to God each day,

Read the Bible to understand exactly what He wants to convey.

He wants you to be wise both now and when you reach later years,

Keep getting more of it, and never allow yourself to get in arrears.

We all have such flashy plans, and we really want to achieve,

But remember that God's counsel is best, so be ready to receive. (RP)

Going down the hill to church yesterday, I noticed that one of the tires was acting up. It has been for some time now, and we have had to fill it many times. I finally took it to the tire shop and it did have a screw in it preventing a proper seal. The screw had injured the tire, so I had to buy a new one. They told me it was best to buy two new ones for the front of the Buick. I decided on just one for the time being. We are glad to have that fixed. Margie had a pretty good day although she was pretty tired out. She had a good sleep but I think the medication still made her drowsy. Her retina specialist gave her a good report and gave another injection in her right eye. In the afternoon we received word that our neighbor, pastor Oscar Lee died yesterday morning. That service will be Saturday. Thanks for praying. 

READING

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

John 16:33.

Only in Jesus is there peace, because He is Peace,

As we commune with Him, peace really does increase.

In this world there is trouble, and it increases every day,

Jesus promised that He overcomes, and all will be okay.

Christian, keep on trusting Him, because He cares for you.

In spite of the difficulties down here, He will see you through.(RP)

Margie and I spent the good part of the day checking, reading,correcting chapters in our future book. After getting them refined as much as we know how to, then we will have them edited by an expert. We are still far from that point, however.  I was still able to do more work in future planning for the book of Genesis. I try to keep ahead on the study sheets which we distribute each week at the class. Margie has been having fairly good nights and we hope last night will be the same. She is asleep as I write this. Thanks for praying. 

SHOCKING

For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice. John 18:37

Jesus entered the world to do many things; some are written right here.

And I am so sure you will find them as you read; they are all so clear. 

Jesus the Truth came to bear witness of Himself; this is His message to us,

And all who accept Him as the Truth, have definitely experienced a plus. 

Those who trust Jesus, listen gladly to His lovely and powerful voice. 

And when they do, without a doubt know that they have made the right choice(RP)

Last night our neighbor phoned to say her husband, pastor Oscar Lee, had knee surgery, was doing well, then the nurses found him in his room having suffered a massive stroke. Yesterday they removed the life support system. It is sobering to say the least. I had prayer with Jan and I am glad someone came to spend the night with her. We had a good day at church and our son entertained us at a restaurant afterward. At home we had dessert which Margie made the day before. We have our self-made schedule laid out for the week and plan to stay pretty busy. There is much to do. Thankfully Margie had a good night. Thanks for praying. 

HOPEFUL

He who believes in Me . . . out of his heart will flow rivers of living water. John 7:38

Salvation brings a refreshment, when Jesus reigns in your heart,

His Spirit indwells and brings joy that will never from you depart.

The joy and excitement He gives, flows like rivers of water cool,

And his abundance of power infuses one, as sparkling as a jewel.

You who are outside of Jesus, receive Him right now in your life,

The result will be joy without ceasing, and a life with so little strife.(RP)

We are hopeful that today Margie will feel well enough to attend church. As I write she is still in bed. I think she had a good night but I cannot always tell, because I sleep well and don't know when she has wakeful times during the night. Our son Rawlie is here and it is nice to have his company. He plans to take us to a meal today. We hope we can enjoy that time with him. Thanks for praying.