They stood on the edge of our property near a road. Thankfully both trees leaned inward, towards our property, one slightly downhill—that would be a simple cut—the other slightly uphill—that would be a different story.

Soon the first one was down. It lay facing the southeast. We would have quite a few mulching chips from its branches! But that was only half the job. The second tree, approximately the same size and height, had its branches growing all towards the northeast. If it fell that way it was in danger of destorying Michael’s walnut saplings or a young elm that we wanted to keep. (They’re a rarer species now.) More than that however, if it fell in that direction, the one cutting it would be put in a tight spot between the falling tree and the fence. The only escape route was down a steep hill. And, what’s more, the wind was against us.

Our goal then was to fell the tree as far southward as possible. Michael was the one cutting. First he notched it on the southeast side, about 90 degrees perpendicular to the way it was leaning. Then he began his cut from the back, coming from the north so that the bark remaining in tact on the south side would tend to pull the falling tree in that direction. Would it work?

About that time, Jonathan came out for a shift. He had come at an interesting time and would be a witness to the things that happened next. At about this point something amazing happened. The wind, which had quieted, now started to blow from the north—in our favor. I had never thought of that! We had prayed before the operation. We had asked God to bless us with safety and give us alertness. But we had never thought to ask Him to change the wind! Almost as quickly as I thought these thoughts, the wind reversed itself and blew very strong from the south. I picked some grass and sprinkled it in the wind. It flew almost horizontally the breeze was blowing so hard.

But then something else happened . . . the chain saw sputtered and stopped. Just stopped! At that point, it did not seem to us that things would go the way we hoped. We had cleaned the air filter on the chain saw earlier so we checked the gas and the sawdust around the sprocket. No problems there. Patiently and deliberately, Michael retrieved the second saw from the back of the truck. It roared to life and we repositioned ourselves. Michael stood on the north side of the tree with a good angle on the blade. I stood uphill. As soon as I saw the tree leaning to one side or the other I would signal to Michael. Jonathan stood directly behind me.

The morning sun shown from the other side of the towering maple. The wind blew. The cut on the back of the tree deepened. But the tree did not fall. Michael paused and looked up at the tree trying to discern which way it would go. A truck passed.

Jonathan and I were praying the Lord would either change the wind or cause it to subside. Finally we cried out for the Lord to change the wind again.

The saw blade width was now entirely within the trunk of the tree. We couldn’t go farther. To completely cut through the bark on the south side would free the tree to fall in any direction. We had done all we could. I remember Michael waiting there for a second or two at the base of the tree. Then all at once I realized that the wind was coming from my left, from the north, ever so gently but unmistakably real and steady, and the tree was falling. Hinged perfectly, and aided by the breeze, it slowly tilted, fell through the air, and landed in almost perfect parallel with the tree that had gone before it! There it lay.

Praise the Lord! He had given us one more instance of His delight in hearing and answering us. In every aspect of life He works according to His ways and waits for us to lean on Him. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths” . . . and thy trees’ paths as well!  (Proverbs 3:5-6).

But under its political front, what is Iran like? Like any country it is a country of people! and the people make the country what it is.

What would you do if you lived in a country that does not know freedom of speech, press or religion, hasn’t for as long as you can remember, and has little or no hope of doing so—ever? Imagine that you are not allowed to study certain things for yourself or arrive at or express your own conclusions logically. (For instance, imagine that your schoolteacher merely refers to the United States as the “Big Satan” and to a nation like Israel as the “Little Satan”, to be hated even before they are understood.) Imagine that the army, police and justice system have agendas other than the defense of basic human rights? As Americans we truly can’t imagine what it is like . . . what it is like to live life in fear. Yet it is so for many. Multitudes are still covered by a curtain of personal oppression black as a chador.

It is against such blackness that the heart freedom that Christ can bring will shine the brightest. Here is a testimony from Voice of the Martyrs and three key prayer points from Operation World.

“As a Muslim, I loved God very much, but I could never reach him or find him. I moved the vacuum cleaner back an forth across the rug on the same spot. Then, frustrated and tired, I fell asleep.

“A few weeks later, one of our relatives from abroad came to visit us. We saw that he had changed. We asked him, ‘What happened to you? What has changed you?’ He began to tell us about Jesus and his miracles. The he said, ‘I had a dream. In my dream, Jesus told me to come to you and bring you the good news.’ He gave us a Bible.

“I began reading the Bible and gave my heart to Jesus. I became kinder, nicer. My husband became angry. He was a radical Muslim. He said, ‘Are you a Christian? I know what to do with you.”

“I remembered the scripture where Jesus said that if we deny him, then He will deny us before the Father. I thought, ‘Well, he is going to divorce me anyway. I will tell him the truth.’ After I told him, he said, ‘What a good thing that you are  a Christian. I want to read the Bible. I want to change, too.’ He took the Bible and left our house for a week. Then he called me and said, "’I believe in this God.’

“Now we have a ministry. We go to the streets and witness to people, anyone we can find. Some have believed. . . .”

.

1. Pray for courage, love and wisdom among our Christian brothers and sisters in the church of Iran
   They are in the middle of one of the most supernaturally-written stories of all time.
2. Pray for access to the Bible
   Some reckon that 10 million Bibles would be gladly received were there opportunity.
3. Pray for unreached people-groups
   Of seventy ethnic groups only eight include (known) groups of believers.

Ah, my son, if you have no soul to save,—no sins to be forgiven, if Christ did not die for you,—if there is no Heaven, ho hell, no immortality,—then you may live without repentance and salvation. But you have a soul—you are a sinner—Christ shed His blood for you—you are immortal, and destined to the joys of Heaven or the woes of perdition, and therefore, religion is your supreme necessity. You have motives to piety, not only as a man, but as a soldier. Of  all men the soldier has the greater need of piety. . . .

Piety will not make you effeminate or cowardly. Some of the bravest soldiers of the world have been humble Christians. Cromwell, Gardiner and Havelock, thunderbolts of war, were as devout as they were heroic. Our own illustrious Washington maintained the claims of Christianity, amid the demoralizing influences of the Revolution, with a zeal corresponding with the heroism with which he fought the battles of our independence. Why should not the Christian be courageous? He has less cause to love life or dread death than other men. In the path of duty he has nothing to fear. Life and death may be equally pleasing to him. The apostle Paul, in the prospect of martyrdom, could say: “I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better,—nevertheless, to abide in the flesh is more needful for you.”

And now, my dear soldier boy, I must take leave of you. Remember that you have a large share in my love, my sympathies, and my prayers. By day and by night, you are in my thoughts: and often the unbidden tear flows down my cheek when I think of your sufferings and dangers. Let me have joy of you, my son, and I can have no greater joy than to hear that you are doing your duty—your whole duty—to your country and to God. . . .

Enjoy Ronald Reagan’s Christmas address below!

We did it! Thanks to many generous contributors, Lenspiration accomplished it’s End-of-the-Month Challenge fundraising goal of $1000 by midnight, November 30! Visit Purchase with a Purpose to read the facts and events of the campaign.

From The Governor’s Desk: A weekly column by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin
“Each Thanksgiving, families travel from places near and far to share a meal and spend time together as a symbol of gratitude. The Thanksgiving table is often set using the best china and other favorite pieces with their own special meaning. Hours are devoted to the preparation of food, which seems to overflow the table and there is always room for lots of good conversation. Unfortunately, this picturesque celebration, with the abundance of company and delicious fare on Thanksgiving Day, is not experienced by all West Virginians.

“This holiday season I call upon all those who are able to share their blessings with others. Whether you donate non-perishable goods to a local soup kitchen, participate in a church-based collection, or volunteer to help serve a holiday meal at one of the many community Thanksgiving dinners, your efforts will make a difference.

“…The donations need not be grand gestures. Keep in mind that the small things can and often do make a world of difference. A simple can of beans, soup, or vegetables is always appreciated. When we all work together, we can make positive things happen.

“Every meal tastes better when you share it with good company. As you gather with friends and family, please consider adding to your traditions by creating a new one. Perhaps, you could visit a nursing home and enjoy some time with our most treasured citizens, our seniors. Maybe volunteer to help distribute holiday meals at your local food bank, or simply extend an invitation to a neighbor who may be alone this season. All family traditions must start somewhere. I cannot think of a better tradition than extending the joy of the season to those in your community.

“When we open our hearts, what we stand to gain is so much more than what we give. West Virginians are known for helping their neighbors in times of need. We share with a generous spirit. These are attributes of which we can all be proud and I ask you to let them shine, especially during this holiday season.”

Jobe Martin? . . . Yes! I had heard of him. Creation seminars. Creation videos. Esteemed creation authors. Deep discussions of science, geology, Biblical worldview. Stimuli from the past came flooding into my memory as I contemplated the fact that he was speaking here today. No wonder the place was crowded!

And no wonder I returned that very night to hear him give a second message. Dr. Jobe Martin, former evolutionist and present Creation Evangelist, speaks from medical and scientific experience on the hot topics of creation, evolution, discipleship, and Biblical prophecy. His journey from evolutionary theory to Biblical fact started when he began to study animals that challenged the scientific assumptions and broke the “rules” of his traditional education, a major emphasis of his current ministry: Biblical Discipleship Ministries.

If you are new to the idea of Creation Science or simply want to be equipped to answer the barrage of evolutionary thinking that is so prevalent today, check out Dr. Jobe Martin’s website and incredibly captivating publications. Recently, I have enjoyed reading his book “The Evolution of a Creationist”, a combined autobiography and handbook on answering the arguments of evolution. I also personally recommend “God of Wonders”, an exceptionally produced, 80 minute documentary that gives a glimpse into God’s infinite power and wisdom, majesty and care as displayed in the universe, the molecular world, and every day life. It will leave you spellbound!