Pastor Les 

          Over the last few months, Les has accepted an offer from a local church to fill in as an Interim Pastor.  The existing Pastor had gone on sabbatical last year as he walked with his wife during a serious illness, and unfortunately, she passed away.  Eventually, the Pastor chose to retire.  

          The church is now going through a pastoral search process, but for a period, they need some help with filling the pulpit and having someone who would be willing to fill in and help with pastoral care responsibilities.  This has been a great fit for us as we wait for the Lord to open up a potential return to Israel.  Please keep Les in your prayers as he serves in this way!

          Thanks to several of you who have responded to the earthquake crisis in Haiti.  We have stayed in touch with Haitian friends and are very grateful to share that most of the locations we were involved in have sustained minimal damage.  More importantly, the kids, staff, and friends associated with those projects have avoided any serious injury.  We are saddened by the news of the devastation in Les Cayes, and the fatalities throughout the country that are earthquake-related.  We are continuing to send funds down to Haiti, to help them get through the emergency crisis state of things.  If you would like to help, please click here: Laborers With Christ  Please keep Haiti in your prayers!

          We honestly have been side-tracked by events in Haiti and Afghanistan.  The Afghanistan situation has brought more concern to the Middle East in general and a new reason of reluctance for the Israel government to feel comfortable to open up to tourists and volunteers.  We have reached out to friends in Israel, but they have not responded up to this point.  It’s likely they have no new information for us.  We are staying informed on the different issues and current events in the Middle East, and praying for wisdom as we look to the future.  We do covet your prayers as we process all that is going on in the world today.

         Are you Ready:

          It shouldn’t surprise you that this topic would come up in light of the recent happenings in Afghanistan and Haiti.  They, mostly Afghanistan, have been in the news a lot and the level of shock, frustration, and devastation on humanity has been heart-breaking.  Based on what we are witnessing, one has to ask if we are fast approaching the end of days talked about in the Olivet discourse in Matthew 24-25, Mark 13, and Luke 21.  Here are a few passages out of Matthew 24:6-8 NKJV, “And you will hear of wars and rumors of war. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is to yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilence and earthquakes in various places. All theses are the beginning of sorrows.”   

          It is certainly not for me to try and decide just where we are with regard to Biblical prophecy for the end of days, but I do want to ask you a question.  Are you ready?  Do you have Jesus’ return on your radar?  Is your house in order?  Are you giving the Lord prominence in your life and staying alert and sober?

          In the first part of Matthew 25, Jesus shares a parable of the 10 Virgins.  It reaffirms to us the value of being prepared.  Matthew 25 1-13 KJV, “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

          Here are a few observations with regard to the 10 Virgins parable.  

          1). Being aware doesn’t do the job.  The five foolish virgins were aware; they knew the bridegroom was
          coming, but still missed the wedding feast.

          2). Awareness must be coupled with preparation.  The reason the five virgins were considered foolish was that
          they did not prepare totally by having plenty of oil.  We would do well to spend time in God’s word and have a
          heart and mind that is trained to stay alert and sober.  It’s on our shoulders to be prepared.            

          3). Finally, watch therefore…once we are aware and our awareness has been coupled with preparation, we
          need to be mindful of the things going on around us. World and current events need to have a level of
          importance to us!  Our lives can encounter so many distractions and interference. Don’t allow them to diminish
          your watchfulness.  So, remember, aware…prepare…watch therefore!

                              

Science is beginning to confirm what certain wise men have said at different points in history. King David said, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." Prov. 17:22. 
 
   MIND-BODY CONNECTION (Anger)

                                             (click title) 
 

1. Your Brain on Anger
2. Your Body on Anger
3. The Science of Thought