God be with you...

A woman with a scarf over her head hoists her six-year-old up onto the first step of the school bus. "Goodbye," she says.

A father on the phone with his freshman son has just finished bawling him out for his poor grades. There is mostly silence at the other end of the line. "Well, goodbye," the father says.

When the girl at the airport hears the announcement that her plane is starting to board, she turns to the boy who is seeing her off. "I guess this is goodbye," she says.

The noise of the traffic almost drowns out the sound of the word, but the shape of it lingers on the old man's lips. He tries to look vigorous and resourceful as he holds out his hand to the other old man. "Goodbye." This time they say it so nearly in unison that it makes them both smile.

It was a long while ago that the words, God be with you disappeared into the word goodbye, but every now and again some trace of them still glimmers through. Frederick Buechner

Yes, I would much prefer the phrase "God be with you." According to Wikipidia, that is where the term "goodbye" comes from....I never knew!

Saying goodbye always feels wrong, there is something within our soul that rails against it as abnormal and unnatural. That is because it is. God never intended for us to ever have to part, in life or in death.....Because of what Jesus did, none of us have to face that "eternal" goodbye; so while we have this earthly sorrow now, we have that promise that we will see each other again in that place where goodbye is never uttered, that sorrow never felt.

Brothers and sisters, we don't want you to be ignorant about those who have died. We don't want you to grieve like other people who have no hope. 1 Thessalonians 4:13

The Best Gift

The clamoring for gift ideas is already starting....Every year about this time it seems all the news channels have to start talking about how well, (or how poorly) the retailers will be doing this Christmas season. What will people buy, what will be the best sellers....Every year it irritates me more and more. And you go into the store and see Halloween decorations right next to Christmas! It's too much.

Thinking of gifts reminded me of a very special gift my Mom received earlier this year. My dear friend and I were thinking of what to get her for her 80th Birthday.....All of a sudden she looked up, electric eyes alight...."I have an idea!" She asked, "What means more to her than anything? I said, "Family? God?"

"Well yes," she said, "God, and showing God's love to everyone around her. What better way than to give out Bibles? Very special Bibles to give to all her friends, like a living legacy!" I caught her enthusiasm...."Yes," I said, "She would love that!"

The only problem was that she wanted her to be able to give one to each lady at her party, which would have been about 15 Bibles, but then the guestlist exploded into about 35. (My Mom is very popular.) She went to the bookstore and it just so happened they were discontinuing some very nice leather Bibles in dark blue, and they were on sale. She bought 15, which was all they had. We decided that was the right number. She had it lettered in Gold Leaf to say, "The Vera Cook Legacy Bible" and put a picture of Mom on the inside cover. (the one you see here.)

I don't think we have ever enjoyed giving a gift more. To see her face as she opened the box and saw them all was priceless. And the giving has continued through the year as she has thoughtfully and prayerfully considering where each one will go. Tears usually come with each presentation; on the inside flap of every one is a personal note to tell the person how much she has meant in her life. What a blessing it has been to take part in, and I thank my wonderful friend for coming up with the idea. It was truly a God thing.


Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, "Your God reigns!"

What matters.....

Ever felt like your mind was over-full but empty at the same time? Sometimes I feel like one of those 8-ball things you used to shake up and then different messages float to the "magic window." Seems like every kid in the neighborhood had one, along with our barbies, GI Joes, skates, board games, and record players; YES record players, not CD players, not I-pods, not I-phones that play music. You remember that little plastic thing you had to plug into the 45s? My Mom still has them all in the original hard carrying case with the squeaky handle.

Not long ago I was back home visiting and we got them all out. Some of the neighborhood folks came over and had a great time listening to those old scratchy songs. Us "older" women squealing like girls remembering Bobby Sherman, David Cassidy....Mixed in with Beatles, Peter, Paul and Mary, and Alvin and the Chipmunks, and the Legend of Wyatt Earp. I am feeling nostalgic alot more lately. I am feeling more and more like my folks. Maybe it comes with turning 50 as I did this year....The years are passing at an ever-increasingly alarming rate. I am more accutely aware of the passage of time than ever before.

A charming little film is out right now that addresses this issue of the passage of time from one man's perpective. Really, God's perspective as it is lived out by one 75 year old man. "The Secret life of Jonathan Sperry" is one of those little films that sneaks up on you after you see it. In a sea of polished, sophisticated, slick movies filled with action and noise, it is a calm, peaceful movie about what really matters in this life according to God; and what can happen when one person stands up and dares to live what they believe. How one testimony of faith and forgiveness can affect others in a powerful way. It slows you down a bit; makes you want to go out to a graveyard, talk to God and take stock of your life. I heartily recommend it.

"Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." James 4:13,14

Why church?

‘I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the House of the Lord”’(Psalm 122:2). Why do we go to the House of the Lord? We go ‘to give thanks to the Name of the Lord’(Psalm 122:4). We seek His mercy for our past sins: ‘Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us!’(Psalm 123:3). We seek His help for our future temptations: ‘Our help is in the Name of the Lord…’(Psalm 124:8). As we receive mercy and help from the Lord, we worship Him: ‘Blessed be the Lord’(Psalm 124:6). In our worship, we ‘look to the Lord our God’, drawing encouragement from His Word: ‘The Lord is on our side’- In Him we have the victory (Psalm 123:2; Psalm 124:1-5). Rejoicing in God’s blessing, we pray for others: ‘May they prosper who love You’(Psalm 122:6).

So often we leave church with the same burdens we had when we came in. This should never be. We turn and greet the person behind us, shake their hand, maybe a hug and smile, maybe give our name. All the while our hearts are aching. God never intended that. "And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Acts 2:42

I attended a prayer service last night and it was really a blessing. Just getting together to talk to God, lift each other up. That is when it gets real, and sometimes that can be scary. Emotions show up, and tears....but after all is said and done, burdens lifted, hearts lightened, strangers grow closer. Real change happens from the inside out.....

Today I am thankful for the circle of prayer that reaches around the world. Heads bowed, hands clasped....in homes, churches, battlefields, sporting events, commuting cars, hospitals, in hearts and heads. He keeps them all in His bowl of gold.

"And when He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, having each one a harp, and golden bowls of incense, which are the prayers of the saints." Rev. 5:8

Thankful for the promises of God today, my gratitude list grows:

57. All our needs will be met. Phil. 4:19

58. We will have enough Grace to do whatever He asks. 2 Cor. 12:9

59. Blessings are ours through the promise of Abraham and the redemptive work on the cross. Genesis 22:18

60. We have deliverance from ALL temptation. 1 Cor. 10:13

61. We have victory over death itself. Acts 2:32

62. If we keep trusting Him, ultimately everything will work out for our good. Romans 8:28

63. We never have to be alone. John 14:26

64. Peace in every circumstance. Phil 4:7

65. Assurance that our prayers are heard. 1 John 5:14

66. With God there is always hope. Heb. 6:19

Continue counting your blessings with Ann here:

Elam Ministries is reporting that the health of Iranian Christians Maryam Rustampoor (27) and Marzieh Amirizadeh (30) is deteriorating after having been imprisoned for six months. Here is their latest update:

Maryam and Marzieh have now been in prison in Tehran because of their faith for over six months and their health is deteriorating. This is the most urgent matter for prayer - that the Lord heals them directly and miraculously for the glory of His name and their encouragement.

Both women are suffering from sore throats, irregular painful stomach aches and often intense head aches. Both have lost much weight during their ordeal, because of their sickness and lack of nutrition. Marzieh's tooth infection is only being treated by painkillers and if the infection spreads it could become critical.

Due to overcrowding in the prison and the limited facilities, they have not received adequate treatment. There are also many other sick inmates and so there is a constant risk of picking up other viruses.

Regarding their case, the judge has said that they are 'not cooperating' meaning Maryam and Marzieh would not deny Christ but were faithful witnesses. The implication of his remark is that they continue to stay in prison. This is the normal punishment for female apostates: they are kept imprisoned until they recant. Please pray for this judge that he is either removed from the case or that he orders their release.

Please pray for these dear sisters and show your solidarity with them by posting a prayer for them on our Persecuted Church Prayer Wall.

Knowing our enemy

art Spiritual warfare by Laurie Cooper

I remember when you couldn't even say "butt" on prime time. The "B" word is commonplace now and I am still surprised and cringe when I hear it. I never want to get to the point that I no longer even hear it. Satan has been using a new tactic lately. I have noticed it more in the past couple of years or so. This is the prime-time "bleep." TV execs know they can't use the real word so they fill it in. C'mon, we know the word they're bleeping! (And so do our kids) The mind, clever thing that it is, will actually jump in and replace the word silently, so it's really the same thing as hearing it.

Last night I noticed that the usual words in a "certain program" were beeped out (a lot!) but "Jesus Christ" (not used in a praise-worthy manner) was not. I have noticed this disturbing trend in movies rated PG13 as well.

Satan is a very clever and subtle strategist. None of us should be surprised by his tactics....."in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes." 2 Cor. 2:11 He knows that if he can get us to compromise in the seemingly harmless stuff, then the rest will be easier. His aim is to get the church to look more like the rest of the world. How is he doing? When I see people slurping sippy cups of Starbucks in church, I have a problem. One time I was standing in the aisle waiting to take communion and two women behind me were talking the whole time, like they were in a movie line. Do we not know we are standing on Holy ground?

The Apostle Paul never lost sight of his enemy and neither should we. He was keenly aware of who he was fighting, but He also knew he already had the victory in Christ. But satan is real, he is here, and he has only one purpose. Jesus warns us: "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." (John 10:10-11)

Satan isn't talked about much in too many churches today, and that may prove to be a fatal error. We need to know who our enemy is and we need to know what to do to send him back where he belongs like Jesus did when he was tempted.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:12

Thank you God, for giving us the final victory through Your Son!

Ten Commandments for Families

Family Life Radio is having their Fall Shar-a-thon right now. I would encourage everyone to give whatever gift you can if you have been blessed by it. It has been an encouragement to me and best of all, it is all listener supported, NO ADS! Today Randy Carlson was talking about family principles and shared these ten things. So simple but so powerful. Think how many families would be changed if we just did these 10 things!

Ten Commandments for Our Family
Guiding principles for family life—

We promise to:
1. Protect each other from harm.
2. Be patient with each other
3. Be trustworthy-so we can be trusted
4. Say I’m sorry and really mean it
5. Be self-controlled
6. Be as polite to each other as we are to guests
7. Celebrate each other’s victories
8. Stay close to each other during times of defeat and loss
9. Speak to each other with words of kindness and respect
10. Never, ever give up on each other