Thanksgiving Thoughts

This Thanksgiving two of our children were in other states.  Actually a state.  Pretty far from home, but close in our hearts like many, many other families were experiencing for a multitude of reasons.  Two others were  celebrating  elsewhere and not able to come.  But this Thanksgiving also brought extended family here to us for the first time - for their first Thanksgiving from halfway around the world.  And it reminded me that each day, holiday or not, provides new opportunities for me to relate to new and old friends and family.  Instead of wishing for the time when all the children were "under foot" and we were all together (yes, every Mom's wish!), I realized that one of the blessings of grown children is that your family keeps growing in numbers.  Even if you don't have grandchildren being born, the grown ones are making new friends, getting married and adding "in-loves" to the family, connecting with new coworkers or roommates or classmates.  And it dawned on me this Thanksgiving that I am thankful for new connections.  New opportunities to pray for, and with, and about, wonderful, unique, beautifully created people that just last Thanksgiving I didn't know, or knew to a lesser extent.  What a wonderful gift.  The gift of new connections.  The gift of opportunity to share life and share heartaches and share laughter and share memories with old friends and new alike.  As a young girl scout we used to sing this song on the camp bus, "Make new friends, but keep the old, one is silver and the other gold."  How very true.  But for the believer, it also has a deeper meaning.  Connection with fellow believers brings deeper ties than even the best friendship - it brings true sisterhood and brotherhood that is eternal.  It brings a shared purpose for ourselves, a shared burden for others, a shared joy in Christ, and a shared beautiful, wonderful, amazing perspective on the true meaning and value of life itself.

Thank you, Jesus Christ, for this day, for these many days, where You have added to that treasure in my heart called fellowship.  Thank you for Your Salvation, Your guidance, Your love that blossoms in that sweet temporary fellowship that is only a glimpse of the perfect fellowship to come.  Help us, O Lord and Master, to seize the opportunity to expand the fellowship in whatever way you put before us.  Help us not to get caught up in the temporary filling of our bellies with worldly things but to keep our eyes on the beauty of the eternal, so that none will be left out of the feast to come.  -Amen.

What if the nation of Israel is wiped out?

Would the end of the world, the return of Christ be imminent if the nation of Israel as we know it ceased to exist?

Would your faith in Christ be shaken or destroyed if Christ did not return immediately if Israel was destroyed by her enemies?

These are questions I have asked others lately and put them into a panic.  In all honesty I am asking not because I have any definitive answers but because they are so very sure that they do.  You see, as I read and study the scriptures more I see that each of us reads and studies from a very closed cultural context, and a very self-centered one at that.  Just a few days ago I heard several Christians state that if America were destroyed, it would of course mean that the end of the world was here.  Since I have had the privilege of international travel, and have a wonderful believing son-in-law from another country, I see things quite a bit differently.  The end of America as a democracy or country might coincide with Christ's return.  But how very self-centered (and incorrect!) we are to think that Christ's eternal Kingdom is dependent on America!  But what about Israel - "God's chosen nation"?  Isn't its very existence a fulfillment of prophecy of end times?

Firstly, we must remember that the nation of Israel as it exists is not the Israel of the Old Testament.  Are the descendants of Abraham special to God?  Certainly.  But who are the descendants of Abraham?  Romans 4 tells us "This is why the promise is by faith, so that it may be according to grace, to guarantee it to all the descendants - not only to those who are of the law but also to those who are of Abraham's faith.  He is the father of us all in God's sight.  As it is written: I have made you the father of many nations.  He believed in God, who gives life to the dead and calls things into existence that do not exist.  He believed, hoping against hope, so that he became the father of many nations according to what had been spoken: So will your descendants be."

Who is Israel?  WE are Israel.  Romans 4 concludes: "Therefore, it was credited to him for righteousness. Now it was credited to him was not written for Abraham alone, but also for us. It will be credited to us who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered up for our trespasses and raised for our justification."

Secondly, many are trying to affix a date, a time, of the end.  Yes, we are to look for ripening of the ages with scripture in hand.  But this is so that each generation can be aware of the brevity of life, the need for being ready at any moment to step from this "shadowland" into the reality of eternity.  Too many people are looking to the nation of Israel as a "sign".  Beware of signs, especially those that satisfy our need to label others, to boost our already too-large ego, or to draw us away from growing in Christ as we use our time and energy to satisfy our curiosity.  “Now concerning that day and hour no one knows—neither the angels in heaven, nor the Son —except the Father only."  Matthew 24:36

Much of my life I have looked at things (and often still do) from a temporal, "this-is-my-little-world" view rather than the universal and eternal view that the Lord has.  Certainly my finite mind and soul cannot begin to comprehend the complexity and longevity that the Lord could show me, but at least over the years He has allowed me to see how very tiny and extremely self-centered my view usually is.  And for some reason He has allowed me to see that others are caught in the web of deceit concerning the nation of Israel.

** Please don't misunderstand - I stand strongly with Israel and will do whatever I can to support not only her existence but her strength.   Most of all her people are in my prayers as I long to see her multitudes see the hope of the true Messiah and not to place their hope of peace in a worldly nation.  But just as I do not think Christ is dependent on America's existence to carry out the plan for His eternal Kingdom, I do not think He is dependent on the existence of the state of Israel, the nation of Great Britain, the house churches in China or the Islamic state of Iran to carry out His will.  Will He use each of these nations and the individuals in them for His purposes?  Of course.  But He is Sovereign and Eternal and Omnipotent and the nations are in His hands.

"For the kingdom is the Lord’s,
And He rules over the nations."
Psalm 22:28

"Pray for Me" stickers

If you pray for our troops and would like others to do the same, someone on Baghdad Prayer Patrol had a great idea - download and print these stickers and put them on your Christmas cards and/or packages. A great reminder to pass on to others the need for uplifting our troops in prayer, especially throughout the holidays.

Brief updates....

Pray for our friends who were in an accident last Sat. night and thankfully not physically badly hurt but are suffering deep emotions as they help a Mom who lost both legs......
Pray for a friend whose son is in Afghanistan on a mission and they haven't heard from him in almost 3 weeks....
Praise that my MIL's latest tests look good and no sign of recurrence of lymphoma....
Pray for my BIL and SIL as they are now in month 5 after losing their daughter in a motorcycle accident and must face this month her birthday, two annual family outings without her, and just continued grief in general.....
Thanks - let me know how to pray for you!
-F

Missionary Monday

Here again "coincidences" (aka "God's Sovereign and Perfect Plan") amaze me. This year somehow I was more acutely aware of my Mom's absence from this life on her birthday, and then two days later a friend mentioned how strongly he missed his Mom on her birthday (which was the day after my Mom's). And while I had a few weeks to deal with the news of my Mom's impending death from cancer, he had to deal with the shock of a violent and unexpected death of both parents. They were killed in 2004 in Iraq while going to help do what they had done many other places - help others in dire need. Pray today for Scott (their son), his wife Leia, their children who will barely remember their martyred grandparents, and all of the Elliott family. Thanks!! Here is a short tribute to them -

Missionary Monday

1 - Praise with Audrey about what is happening in her part of Japan!!
2 - Pray for safety for Jenna who will be traveling home in a few days to see her family and her marine brother who has been stationed overseas.
3 - Envy me because I got a good dose of baby hugs yesterday from the Mestas' "twinettes" (called that to distinguish them from their twin brothers!)
4 - Pray for two families who are moving this week who both have special needs children and will have many challenges as they seek to do God's work in new places.
5 - Pray for 3 Godly men in 3 different companies who are the only Christians and whose coworkers are watching them closely during layoffs and stressful times to see if they 'practice what they preach".
GOD is Good!!

Keep a clear eye toward life's end

I just finished reading a most honest, direct, sometimes shocking, sometimes heart-wrenching, always genuine, true story of a man about whom we have all heard many truths and untruths about - Justice Clarence Thomas. If you have not yet read his book (My Grandfather's Son) either get online and order a copy now or run to the nearest library like I did. Be forewarned that whether or not you agree with Justice Thomas on his political beliefs and ideologies, he gives a very open account of his life, environment, feelings, failures, successes, regrets and gratitude. He does not overplay or downplay the role of his family or his faith. His writing style is so transparent and honest that you might wish he had left out some of his shortcomings. But that's one of the wonderful things about the book, the fact that a very private man put on paper for the world to see that he is just that - a private man. Not a black man. Not a Supreme Court Justice. Not a superman or Southerner or Republican or ex-Democrat or some ideal for others but a regular person who grew up in dire circumstances in an often unjust world and through hard work and faith is now in one of the highest offices in the greatest nation in the world. Not a perfect nation but not a nation to be thrown away or taken for granted. He is just a sinner who decides each day to try to do the best he can in whatever circumstances he is in to live a life worthy of his family and his faith. What more can anyone ask of anyone else?

In the book Justice Thomas reveals that he had carried with him a prayer attributed to St. Francis. I really liked the prayer and researched it a little more. The best I can determine the exact prayer that he carried in his wallet, which had gotten him through many tough times, was an abbreviated version. Below is the version I like - it goes very well with the Cotton Mather "Parental Resolution" that a dear friend sent me a few weeks ago that I now keep outlined on the front of my fridge. Both things are a reminder to "Keep a clear eye towards life's end", keep priorities straight by keeping eternity in sight, keep my heart straight by binding it with the Lord's desire to see all come to the saving grace and mercy He has waiting for us.

Keep a clear eye toward life’s end.
Do not forget your purpose and destiny as God’s creature.
What you are in his sight is what you are and nothing more.
Do not let worldly cares and anxieties or the pressures of office
blot out the divine life within you or the voice of God's Spirit
guiding you in your great task of leading humanity to wholeness.
If you open yourself to God and His plan
printed deeply in your heart,
God will open Himself to you.
Remember, that when you leave this earth,
you can take with you nothing that you have received—
fading symbols of honour, trappings of power—
but only what you have given:
a full heart
enriched by honest service, love, sacrifice, and courage.

(May the Lord help us to finish the race well by running it well each and every day.)

Missionary Monday

I would love to splash pictures all over this entry and give you lots of details but unfortunately I can't. You will just have to use your imagination and bear with my vague details but please, oh please, do bear with me without images and descriptive hooks to lure you. For my friends need you. They really, really need your prayers right now.

There is one precious group with two young children and another on the way that are facing immense odds of even being able to safely stop out of their doorway right now. Yet they stay in this foreign land. Why? Because they know that if they are abruptly ushered into the next life they will be better off and with their precious Savior forever. And they know that the multitudes around them will have absolutely no chance of joining them unless they stay to tell them of hope and salvation and redemption and forgiveness that only can be found in the Christ of whom that they have never heard. So pray. For their safety and for some miracle to happen to allow them to reach the hurting lost.

There is another couple who have long since passed the age of having their own children but are blessed almost daily with new babies to care for and tend to and to somehow find the means and energy to raise dozens of these orphans. Many of these are abandoned due to the poverty. Many have one or more physical deformities or illnesses. None of them would hear the good news of Christ without the isolated Christian orphanage in this region. Their neighbors did not want to hear the Good News yet they are beginning to open up because for several years now they have seen what Jesus' love can do for unwanted children. Pray for strength, an easing of persecution, and financial provision for this couple. They learned the truth of the gospel through an elderly lady in their village who had heard from a missionary during WWII. "His Word will not return void." May they find strength and love from their Savior and encouragement from fellow believers who although we are far apart in miles are close together in heart and Spirit.

Thank you for praying today.

Quick update on MIL...

Praise! All lab reports so far seem to indicate it is the same type of lymphoma as before. We will meet with her surgeon tomorrow for follow-up and then early next week with her cancer doctor to discuss options for treatments. So far things are very encouraging so thanks so very much to all who have prayed and written!
-F

Update on MIL ...

Thanks so much to all who have been praying. Praise! Contrary to the first reports, after all lab work and biopsies were complete and compared to PT and CAT scans, they now think her lymphoma is actually only recurring in one spot and that it might be possible for it to be removed with surgery. This is a real praise, although it is a more aggressive type than what she had 2 years ago, if it is confined to the surgical site she will not have to undergo chemo and radiation again. We will not know that until surgery is over. Right now we are awaiting a specific date for surgery but it will probably be in the next two weeks. Thanks again for the prayers and please continue them!

What happens when you pray...

A dear older Christian friend once told me "If you want to see trials and tribulations, try praying." She is one of the most remarkable prayer warriors I have ever known. So here I post "Prayer Requests" last Thursday and then things sort of went downhill, reminding me of her warning.

Friday was my MIL's 69th birthday and I must say that I am very blessed to have a Christian mother-in-law who dearly loves her children and grandchildren. Over the years we have (of course) seen many things in life differently but neither of us has ever doubted the love we each have for our shared family. Not only have I learned things from her but I am amazed how she has been open to learn things from her children and grandchildren. May I never reach the point that I am not willing to learn, especially and most importantly, spiritual truths.
Anyway, early on the morning of her birthday she got "the" call from her doctor. The lymphoma has returned, is in several places this time and we go tomorrow to hear the pros/cons of surgery, radiation and/or chemo.

Then Friday afternoon they called my brother-in-law to say he needed to rush to the coast because his mother was very close to the end. Not unexpected but she has rebounded so many times when the doctors thought it was the end that honestly we all were just not really expecting it to finally come. She passed away on Sat., so Sunday morning we fed the dogs for all 3 families (2 had already gone down), got what clothes everyone needed and drove 2 more vehicles down. My dh and oldest daughter came back Sunday night but the youngest ones and I stayed on until all the arrangements were over.

I get back home Tuesday night and find out that a dear, sweet friend has found out that she has cervical cancer. She has a son on the front lines in Iraq. She has had many trials and tribulations over the years and has a quiet faith that just feels like sunshine every time I read her writing or am in her presence. My heart aches for her and her family.

Then another email let me know that my friend at church whose 26 year-old brother has been battling brain cancer had passed away very quickly after having to be taken to the ER. As far as she knows her brother was not a believer and my heart just breaks to think of the pain she is suffering and the judgment awaiting him. How our Heavenly Father's heart must break for all of those around us who have not accepted his free gift of Salvation through Jesus' bloody sacrifice. It makes me so remorseful to think of all the time and energy I waste on "hay and stubble" instead of reaching out to the lost!

So is this what to expect when you pray? Yes, I think so, at least sometimes. But it is precisely the pain and suffering and aching and crying that make us more able to pray. And the prayers make us more able to hear God's voice in the midst of troubles. For after the shock and anger and tears these words have the most meaning:
"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
What an amazing promise!!

Prayer Requests

Today, won't you please join me in praying for:

1 - Our troops across the globe, in particular Josh, Cory and David (sons of friends) - safety, peace for them and their families.

2 - The Japanese girls that Audrey has shared the gospel with who have not yet made a decision - hearts to be opened in God's perfect timing.

3 - A Macedonian friend of Mandy's who is so close to accepting Christ - that all barriers to her acceptance be broken down.

4 - The 26 year-old brother of a friend at church who has massive brain lesions and does not know the Lord - that Christian medical workers be put in his path and that he would open his heart to the Savior.

5 - A homeschooling friend who just lost her 34 year-old sister-in-law to cancer - that her brother's heart would be comforted and that he would have Godly wisdom in helping their children (ages 6 & 2) deal with the loss of their mother.

6 - An outreach ministry that is helping single mothers deal with daily stress - for wisdom for the leaders to know how best to help and for Christ's love to shine through in every circumstance

7 - For those in the Southeast devasted by the tornadoes - for comfort for those who lost loved ones and practical needs to be met for homeless.

Thank you -

Heartaches

Please pray for two dear young ladies who are friends of ours. One is facing a very sudden and serious cancer in her mother, one is dealing with a second miscarriage and she and her husband are wondering whether to continue to remain overseas as missionaries. My heart aches with both of these young ladies not only because they are sweet ladies but also because the Lord has seen fit to have me deal with both of these issues in my own life and I feel that I should be better at comforting them than I do. It was especially hard to lose my Mom so suddenly since (foolishly) I had always thought of her being around to see her grandchildren grow up. Both miscarriages I had were much harder physically and emotionally than I ever imagined. You see why both of these young ladies hold a special place in my heart these days. My prayers are continually with them, I wish I was along side them to hug and hold, and my heart aches with theirs. Please join me in praying for their strength, wisdom, and that they will hold onto THE Comforter who can give them what they need each hour of each day. Thanks for your prayers.

From Baghdad Prayer Patrol - Praise!

Can I share some good news with you?
Last week there was not a single military casualty; Iraqi or U.S., in Anbar Province. This is the first time that has happened since March 2003.

These statistics reflect the changes since mid-June, which was the peak of the troop surge (and also the Baghdad Prayer Patrol surge) until the beginning of this week.

- Violence in and around Baghdad is down 59 percent.

- Car bombs are down 65 percent.

- Casualties from car bombs and roadside bombs are down by 80 percent.

- Casualties from enemy attacks down 77 percent.

- Operations against Iraqi security forces are down 62 percent.

- Assassination attempts for sectarian reasons are down 72 percent.

Do I hear an amen!
Thank you so much for your faithfulness in prayer.
Only heaven will reveal how much our little Prayer Patrol is contributing to these successes.

Let us not grow weary in well-doing.
Our troops are still there, the Iraqi people are still suffering, our job is not done. Rejoice, give thanks to God for His faithfulness, be encouraged, then strap on your boots and get back on patrol, we've got a job to finish.

I am honored to run with you to the battle,
Wayne Dillard
Baghdad Prayer Patrol

P.S. Please pass this good news on and recruit some more prayer troops, so we can finish well in Iraq and bring these heroes home.

Join me on patrol at: Baghdad Prayer Patrol