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posted by Donald on 10/3/08

September 30.
In Israel, Rosh Hashanah is celebrated. People rest from work and the ram’s horn sounds during a special memorial service.
In southern Taiwan an unusually large flock of 126 migrant ibises are sighted in a field: white with long curved black bills, black heads and black tails.
And in Choujhou, a farmer bends over another field. He doesn’t wear a Chinese hat: his graying hair is easy to see along with his white shirt as he works slowly down the rows of his garden. He is lanky and agile; his arms are the color of light brown chocolate. In his right hand he wields a curved knife, cutting away weeds that crowd the edges of each row.
He is an inspiration to watch. I wonder “What will he do when he reaches the end of the row?”
After completing some more personal projects I returned to the window. He was much closer to the row’s end, making the repetitious strokes with regularity and care. At last he reached the end–and turned the corner finishing off the edges. And then he stood up. And turned around.
With a brush of his sleeve he wiped the sweat off his brow. He swung his hands a little bit almost in glee and though I couldn’t see his face I could discern a sense of great satisfaction.
We all have the same privilege: to live and work in co-operation with God’s creation designs and glorify Him with the harvest.
“What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboreth? I have seen the travail which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised therewith. He hath made everything beautiful in its time: also he hath set eternity in their heart, yet so that man cannot find out the work that God hath done from the beginning even to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them, than to rejoice, and to do good so long as they live. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy good in all his labor, is the gift of God. I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it; and God hath done it, that men should fear before him” (Ecclesiastes 3:9-14, ASV).

5 Comments » | posted in Family News

posted by Robert on 10/2/08

In the midst of a city with escalating immorality and increasing public wickedness, nearly two thousand Christians gathered in San Francisco for a time of open repentance and prayer. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to attend this prayer rally, which was appropriately named America Return to God.

The powerful message on true repentance, the need for one accord, and the power of crying out was perfect preparation for the time of prayer that followed. Surrounded by a multitude of believers sincerely and fervently lifting up their families, their churches, and their nation, I was reminded of the promise in II Chronicles 7:14:

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land” (II Chronicles 7:14).

Judgment must begin at the house of God. (See I Peter 4:17.) Do Christians really believe that marriage is one man and one woman for life? We don’t seem to act like it. Our generation is quickly losing its moral compass. This is why it was so encouraging for me to join with so many other believers in repentance and prayer as they stood for truth in a very dark world.

3 Comments » | posted in Ministry Reports