Hold Up Your Card!

Fall is football season in North America. College teams are vying for championships and students are excited.

One of the phenomena of college football is the card section. Students in a particular section of the stadium have a number of cards that they hold up on command, resulting in a picture or slogan being seen on the other side of the stadium.

The only way to make this work is if there is a master of the section that calls out which card the student should hold up at a particular time. This photo, courtesy of the Penn State Department of Public Information illustrates this premise.
I am reminded of the story in the ninth chapter of John about the blind man that Jesus healed. Jesus was asked by his disciples who had sinned to cause this blindness.

Jesus replies in verses 3 and 4, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life."

We have to admit that many hardships are born of our sins. However, we should not dwell on this fact, for many of our trials are NOT the result of sin. Also, we should realize few of our hardships have to do with how we are living at the present time.

We, especially when feeling devastated, are focused on our needs. God is looking at the big picture. IT’S NOT ALWAYS ABOUT US!

At the football game we are given one card of many. The master is on the other side telling us what card to hold up. It doesn’t make sense to us but it does to the master who has the plan and sees the result. If we fail to follow the master, the picture is not going to develop as it should.

In the game of life, we may be dealt a card that we don’t understand. However, the Master … our Lord, who is on the other side seeing the whole picture knows what that card is doing and is pleased with the result.

Think of the millions of people who have heard this story and think of the glory it has brought to our Lord … all because the blind man held up the card that had been dealt to him … blindness. And, having successfully held the dealt card, the Lord eventually cured him of his blindness. Jesus opened his eyes and in verse 38, upon his confession of belief the man accepted the gift of eternal life.

We are all in God’s card section. He is handing out the cards. We may never understand why our particular card has been given to us but our faith in God and His ultimate plan will result in the final picture being gloriously correct.

So, with joy in your heart, endure your hardship and praise Him … the Master Creator and HOLD UP YOUR CARD!

Larry Abele – Editorial Team

A Letter From The Weresch's ...

Paul and Betty Weresch have been ministering in Europe since September 23rd. They have visited churches in Norway, then on to Russia and now are in Poland. Let me share their recent letter with you.

Greetings from two European travelers …

We had a very interesting time in Sochi and Adler Russia. The services were great. There was a very good spirit in all the services.

A highlight one evening was an 84 year old war veteran who received Christ as his Saviour We just wish you could have been with us to experience the wonderful time of worship and the way the people responded to the messages. The people were very excited to have us come to minister to them.

One Saturday (our free day) the pastor and his wife took us for a tour into the mountains. First we visited a tea plantation. It is the first one in Russia. We were shown around and then had tea and light lunch at the tea house. From there a 4 wheel vehicle picked us up and took us to a rehab center which is also a summer camp for children. The camp is being built in very rugged terrain but has good potential, however right now it is still very primitive. There is no running water or utilities of any kind.

While there we had a meeting with the rehab people. Their testimonies were most interesting. The leader of the group is a former drug addict that has been free for 5 years. He has taken Bible school by correspondence. What beautiful young lives that now have been free and redeemed by Jesus.

On Sunday we had a wonderful service in Sochi. They church was packed. Then we were taken out to a Georgian restaurant. It was a beautiful place. We dined in the loft of the building. The food was served with flair. Wish you could have been with us for it was very interesting.

After a very long traveling day on Monday we arrived in Poland at 4:00 AM Tuesday. We had flown to Berlin and there were picked up by the pastor's son at 11:30 P.M. Then we had a 4 hour drive to Dzierzoniow, Poland. After a few hours of sleep we are fine.

The weather here is the opposite from Sochi. It is cold, windy and
raining. Some parts of Poland had an early snow. On this trip we have learned to just take it as it comes. In November we will be returning to Canada.

God bless you
Betty and Paul Weresch

Continue to pray for Paul and Betty as they continue their mnistry in Poland.

Larry Abele - Editorial Team

Pastor Vidar fron Norway

Pastor Vidar is an amazing man!
He is a husband, father, and grandfather, a sheppard of 200 sheep, math teacher, and pastor of a local Church. In his spare time he runs across the hills and mountains of the West Cup of Norway. Betty and I found him and his wife to be the most gracious and loving hosts.
Thanks again, Jogina and Vidar!

Laws of the Harvest

In our neck of the woods … it is harvest time. Dozens of tandem grain trucks are going from the fields to the port, bringing in the harvest. How do we know it is time to harvest? We ask the expert … the farmer. He is familiar with the crop and the rules of nature that control when it is time.

You know … there is another harvest that is ready.

Take a moment to turn to John 4:34 in your Bible and read the words of Jesus.

"My food," said Jesus, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying 'One sows and another reaps' is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor."

The Master Farmer is telling us that there is work to be done. So, let’s review some basic rules of the harvest:

1. If the crop is ready … it is time to harvest.
The old saying, “make hay while the sun shines” comes to mind. Now is not the time for preparation, for talking about the harvest, for studying about the harvest or for longing for past great harvests … now is time to DO it! We need to take the Farmer’s word … it is ready!

2. If you are not aiming to harvest … you will not harvest.
We don't accidentally harvest … we need to do it on purpose. The grain does not come to you ... you have to go GET IT! Don’t wait for someone to trip into your church to welcome them. Invite them in!

3. There is enough harvest for everyone.
You never hear a harvester say, “Well, this job is OK, but I wish there was more to do.” The best harvester is one who just loves to work.

And never us the excuse that no one asked you. Is it possible that you didn’t hear the KING OF THE UNIVERSE when He asked you?

Don’t wait for a professional trainer to come and teach you how to harvest. The best way to learn is to get out there and do it. A love for Jesus and the desire to serve Him is all the training you need to share His love for people and tell them that they too are loved by Jesus and by you.

And 4. A good harvest is worth celebrating.
Verse 36 … you just read it … states that the sower and the reaper will be glad together.
Listen to the words of Jesus, the Master Farmer, as He speaks in Luke 15:4-7,

"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.' I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

What a thrill to lead someone to Christ. Don’t you want to share the joy?

And, lastly, don’t forget … Someone Harvested You!

Larry Abele – Editorial Team

Lead by Doing What Others Wont Do: Drive to Completion

Greetings,
This article had really spoken to me. I would like to bless all of you by sharing it here. On the cross, Jesus said: "It is finished" and yet, so many people at the end of their life's road say, I wish I would've done this or that - there is so much I haven't done... It is said about Jesus: "For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross"; what is it in our lives that will push us to complete the tasks set before us? Read on and you will learn more about ways to get things accomplished in life. Have a great day and may God bless you! Alexander Shein


Lead by Doing What Others Won't Do: Drive to Completion
By Mark Sanborn

Visit any home improvement store on a Saturday morning, and you will see the beginning of hundreds of projects. People gather supplies, get instruction, and consult with professionals to get their game plans in order. Week after week the same scenario plays out. Based on sales, it would appear that these weekend warriors will soon beautify and improve the entire planet.

But reality and results tell another story entirely. A quick look through the garages and basements of many of these great starters would likely reveal the truth about completion: the final ten percent, for many people, is virtually uncharted territory - meaning they never get there.

Carry the accumulation of half-demolished foyers, clogged caulk guns, and piles of debris into the business world, and it's no different.

The pattern for success in business is to recognize an unsatisfied need, innovate to find and provide a solution, then to expand and repeat the process. Somewhere between innovation and delivery, we find the no-man's zone known as completion.

I once employed someone who proved to be an excellent initiator but a terrible finisher. She would start a task but get hung up once she encountered an obstacle. When asked why she didn't get the job done, she blamed someone for not getting back to her or a situation she'd encountered. In short, she didn't understand how to drive to completion.

What makes completion such a challenge?

Completion forces us to step forward.
For many people, the thought of completing a goal is unsettling - even when the task at hand is unpleasant. Maybe it's the sense of the 'known evil' being preferable to the unknown one. No matter how ornery a project has become, at least it's a pain in the neck that is familiar. We know that upon completion, we must choose again. We question whether we've got the goods needed to accomplish the next challenge.

Completion forces us to step up.
Concluding the current initiative inevitably moves us to a point of "what next?" For success-minded people, the answer to that question always comes in the form of raising the bar. Knowing that an even greater challenge lies ahead can make incompletion insidiously alluring. We know that each completion is followed by a call for even more. We wonder how we will bear up as the stakes are raised.

Completion forces us to step out.
Whether the task at hand is pleasant or not, we become attached to it. No matter how hard it seemed as we first put our hands to the plow, it is now within our comfort zone. It is familiar, and it seems manageable. People generally fear change. We convince ourselves that survival depends on staying inside our circle of competency. Completion represents a not-so-subtle nudge out of that circle.

For many people, incompletion has become a way of life. It takes the form of procrastination, loss of interest, confusion, and frustration. By remaining at the 90% complete mark, we reap the dubious benefits of security, mediocrity, and familiarity.

How can we push forward for completion?

Assess the current situation.
Focus on one task at a time until it is complete. This sounds like an effective solution - on paper. Chances are, though, that your world is more complex than that. However, even with multiple projects and priorities going on at the same time, you can still focus on one idea at a time and then move on. Each new opportunity should be evaluated before you commit. Remember that 'good' is the enemy of 'best' in your consideration. Does it serve your purpose? If so, engage and then move forward into completion.

Realize that the final 10% isn't so bad.
Often the final stretch is comprised of unremarkable, monotonous, or tedious tasks. Because they are less than exhilarating, they seem onerous. Reality is that these final milestones are a lot closer, and a lot easier to attain than they seem. These loose ends rarely take the time or energy we fear they will. Just like the sticker on your car's rearview mirror reads, completion "may be closer than they appear."

Understand the price you pay for incompletion.
The process of beginning an initiative and working on it requires that you fully engage your commitment, your creative power, and your attention. The deepest recesses of your mind loathe letting go of these commitments. Like an elbow constantly poking into your ribs, your mind will nag you unceasingly about your incompletion. This distraction is often enough to pull you right out of the game when it's time to take your next step.

Enjoy the rewards of completion.
The marketplace rewards completion. Every purchase of goods or services is immediately and unconsciously evaluated for completion. If you were to go out for dinner, place your order, and then never receive your food, you would complain, refuse to pay, and never want to go there again. If you purchased a car and discovered it was missing some key component, a steering wheel for example, you would refuse to take delivery.

It's been said that the key to outrageous success is to do what nobody else will do. This brings to the forefront an opportunity to excel through completion, and reap the rewards of your diligence. A quick look around illustrates people's tendency toward procrastination, loss of momentum, distraction, and incompletion. By committing to completion, you will do what nobody else will do, and the rewards will follow.

Recognizing the prices and benefits of completion may be enough to move you forward. What prize awaits when you push forward for completion?

Lead by Doing What Others Won't Do: Drive to Completion | GiANT Impact

God Bless America

Today, July 4 - 2009, is the 233rd birthday of The United States of America. The occasion prompted a call from my Canadian friend, Paul Weresch, who wished my nation a happy birthday.

He was remembering the song, “America, America, God shed his grace on thee …” and as we thought about those words Paul also remembered what the Psalmist wrote … “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12).

There has been a lot of negative things said about our democracy but Sir Winston Churchill said it best when he stated, “It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried.”

In a time when the entire world is looking for answers, many are looking to the U.S. to lead as they have so often done in the past. This is the time, my friends, for a strong and vibrant nation … a nation that is not afraid to quote Patrick Henry who declared,

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians; not on religions, but on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For this very reason peoples of other faiths have been afforded asylum, prosperity, and freedom of worship here."

We must be a nation of people who, like their founding fathers, never tire of mentioning and praising the Lord. George Washington said in his 1796 farewell address, “It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible.”

As we sing, “My Country, 'Tis of Thee,” we must remember what we are saying; that my country … this country, America … is of You, my Lord. It is a gift from God.

“Our fathers' God, to Thee, Author of liberty, To Thee we sing”

It is to God we sing, for the liberty we have is from Him, because He formulated the true way of liberty … that we love the Lord our God with all our heart and with all our soul, and with all our might; and that we love our neighbors as ourselves. (Deuteronomy 6:5, Leviticus 19:18)

We also need to remember that if we truly love God, we will also love and care for the whole of His creation; including without exception, all other humans, all the other animals, and the world in which we all live.

Continuing with the last verse of this hymn, “Long may our land be bright with freedom's holy light ...” These United States will not be a bright light to us, or to the world around us, unless that light is the bright and holy light of the Lord from heaven.

As Isaiah said, in 2:5, to the nation of Israel that was turning more and more from the ways of the Lord. “Come, house of Jacob, and let us walk in the light of the Lord”.

Come all of you who love this land, let us also walk in the light of the Lord, so that nothing will ever happen to our freedom.

You will find to the right of this entry, a link to the Presidential Prayer Team. Go to that link and join with them in prayer for our nation and for our leaders. All of our leaders from the very lowest elected position to the mightiest seat in the world need our prayers.

"It is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favors. No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand which conducts the affairs of men more than the people of the United States."  - George Washington.

“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

Paul and I join with the people of our great nation in saying, “Happy Fourth of July and God Bless America!

Larry Abele – Editorial Team

Goodbye, Rosy ... For Now

I just received a midnight call from my nephew about an hour ago. It’s the type of call that none of us as human beings want to receive. It was to inform me that his mom … my sister for 71 plus years had passed away.

This will be the only grieving I will do because I am happy. Please let me explain.

Rosy and I were three years apart, she was my baby sister. Although we were never really close emotionally or, for the most part, geographically ... we knew that we cared for each other and communicated as we could.

As she began her battle with cancer some months ago, we stayed in touch more and in the last few months, Tim, her son, had started a newsletter to keep her loved ones informed. I called her a couple times a week and we prayed for her at our church regularly along with many others around the country. Although serious from the onset … we thought the battle had been won when it took a turn for the worse a couple weeks ago and one week ago she entered hospice care.
 
I began to worry about the most important thing in my heart and mind … did my sister believe that Jesus Christ her Savior had died to save her from her sins. Although she was involved in church having been a professional pianist, organ player and choir director at several different churches, I wasn‘t sure. I needed to know if she had accepted the Lord and if not, I wanted to be there to show her the way. I made the six hour trip to Tacoma, Washington and was there to see Rosy the day she entered hospice care. Although we hadn’t been that close in life, I wanted to know that we would be together in Heaven.
 
It was sad seeing Rosy, not quite conscious, lying there. I kissed her and held her hand and told her I was there. She squeezed my hand in return. We had an ongoing joke where I would introduce her at our annual birthday gathering as my “older” sister. It went so far that she would bring her birth certificate to show everyone. So, as she lay there I told her … “OK, I admit it … you are my YOUNGER sister!” She smiled and mumbled that it was … “about time I admitted it.”

The next day, after a night of praying and reading all the comfort passages in the Bible I could find, I took my youngest daughter with me and we went to see Rosy. Her son, daughter and daughter-in-law hadn't arrived and we were alone with her. I wasn’t sure she would be conscious enough to hear us but she was quite attentive and even asked for some ice cream which we were able to feed her.
 
She was hurting and asked for something more for the pain. Then, she looked at me and mumbled something about God. I leaned closer and asked what she had said and she said, “God will take care of me.” After all the agonizing, praying and preparation I had done through the night, I didn’t have to open my mouth. I held her hand and asked, “Rosy, have you received the Lord as your personal savior?”

Her answer was the sweetest words I had ever heard from her as she said, “Yes, I have.” Tears of joy rolled down my face as I watched her give in to the medication and go to sleep.

That was three days ago. According to Tim, she hadn’t said much after that and was having trouble breathing. So, tonight I got the call … my baby sister has shed that diseased, painful body and has flown away to be with Jesus. And, I am having a hard time wiping the smile off my face because I am at peace. I know we will be together for all of eternity … Dad, Mom, little Arthur who died at age one, me and Rosy … my baby sister.

Larry Abele - Editorial Team

Ten Years and Counting ...

This blog, “Let’s Talk …” isn’t the only communication medium the Weresch’s use to further the spread of the Good News. Recently a website “Paul Weresch Online” has been launched. Also, a newsletter has been going to a mailing list that includes supporters in the U.S., Canada and Europe.

Ten years ago this month, after returning from a four day visit with the Weresch’s in Germany, I designed and published the first newsletter showcasing how God has used them through the last several decades. They took me on a whirlwind visit through the territory they had ministered in during the cold war … delivering Bibles, money and medicine behind the Iron Curtain to believers in Eastern Europe ... laboring obediently with a price on their heads. At that time, the mentoring that had begun six years before in Tacoma, Washington came to full bloom and I was sold out to this couple, who through every obstacle had been obedient to the Lord.

Between the periods … Spring 1999 and Spring 2009, Paul’s supporters have received 21 issues of “Der Bote” which loosely translated means “The Messenger” in German.

The Spring 1999 issue was the first time the Weresch’s had more than a single typewritten page for their newsletter, so they provided material for one page … the front … and kindly let me ramble on for three more about our travels during my visit along with a few of the hundreds of pictures taken.

It has been a delight to put together these missals for ten years … a labor of love … love for our Lord and love for Paul and Betty Weresch. After much prodding, we have found a way to link them to this blog and they are available by touching any of the dates in the column to the upper right. You will have access to the very first issue as well as the last three. Possibly, if they are enjoyed by you, the frequent reader, we will prepare and upload all 21.

I hope you enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed creating them.

Larry Abele … Editorial Team

Greetings from Sochi, Russia

Paul and Betty Weresch have just returned to their home from Europe. I had a wonderful time translating and assisting in their ministry. It was a privilege to be his translator and a blessing to participate in the Bible seminars conducted for the churches of Sochi, Russia.

God has been speaking much to me and my friends. We have learned so much these days. As you probably know the Winter Olympic Games in 2014 will be held in Sochi and together with Paul we are dreaming about having all of Sochi evangelized during the games. Now is a good time to start sharing the vision with believers in the city.

Please pray for Churches of Sochi to catch the vision and to partner together in this great venture!

Alexander Shein, Editorial Team

Alleluia - Alleluia - He Is Risen!

What a wonderful thing happened that day when our Jesus was resurrected! It is the defining event of our faith … the power over death. A new beginning … how fitting that we should celebrate His resurrection in spring … a time of new life!

I will remember Easter forever, because it was on that day, 16 years ago that I became a new man … was given a new heart and a share of that great event … resurrection. That was the day I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ into my heart.

Two things have happened this week that has had me musing about that glorious event. Although my mother had gone to heaven a decade before, my father – a wonderful Christian man – enjoyed the last eight years of his life with me, his born-again son. I could see the joy shining from his heart as we would talk about the Lord we shared. I will see them both again in heaven because that is what resurrection is all about.

The first thing that happened this week was the posting by my friend Alexander (Sasha) Shein of the video right under this posting. You should stop reading for a moment, go down a few inches and take a couple minutes to see this young boy talk about his father.

The second thing that happened was during my weekly phone conversation with Paul Weresch.

Paul and Betty have been in Germany, Poland and Russia … revisiting churches they have planted. It has been a glorious few weeks with the Lord blessing them greatly. They are so very thankful for that. However, the thing Paul wanted to talk to me about was a note from one of his sons, Jonathan. He and his wife Jen have been moved by the Lord to build some houses in El Salvador this summer with Habitat for Humanity. You could hear the joy in Paul’s voice as he spoke to me about his Godly son.

You see, all of Paul and Betty’s sons are serving the Lord. And, with all the joys and success the Lord has given the Weresch’s by His grace … the greatest is that they are witnessing God work in the lives of their children.

It is simple … Jesus Christ died for us and was resurrected … He asks us to remember that and believe … then pass it on to our children.

If the little boy in Sasha’s video clip sees a father who loves God with all his heart and shows it, he will follow in his father’s footsteps. And, the father will experience great joy, just as my father did, just as Paul and Betty did, just as you can if you pass that love on to your sons and daughters.

And, my dear friends, our great Father in heaven will also experience great joy and know … it was worth it!

Happy Easter!

Larry Abele - Editorial Team

Im Watching You Dad!

Watch this amazing little video.
It is a message from a little boy to his dad.
We all need to know this!



May God help us, fathers.
Alexander Shein, Editorial Team

"I Can Do All Things ..."

Paul and Betty Weresch are on a mission trip to Germany, Poland and Russia, visiting churches they have planted in the past several decades of ministering to that area. They will wind up their trip the middle of April visiting Sochi, Russia, a city that hopes to host the Olympics in 2014.

Meanwhile, back in their home town of Vancouver, BC, the preparations are reaching a feverish pitch as that city readies for the 2010 Winter Olympics. Imagine, a city filled with hundreds of teens and young adults who follow wholeheartedly their particular sporting endeavor.

Many of those young people follow the Lord wholeheartedly as well. Laura Wilkinson, two-time Olympian gold medallist in platform diving, is one of those young people who did just that. She says on her web page that her favorite saying was a Bible verse:  "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13. She said she loves that verse because, “I know whatever challenge I face in life, Jesus will lead me through it.”

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all the Olympians felt the same way as Laura does?

Karen Reed of Vancouver, believes it would be wonderful and is doing something about it. Having served for 21 years in pastoral ministry at Broadway Church, Karen is the Chief Executive Officer of More Than Gold, an organization that is reaching out for Christ during the Olympic games in Vancouver. You can learn more or participate by clicking on the link supplied to the lower right on this page. As you will see on their web page, they asked the question, “What is to be our response as a Christian community?”

They believe transformation is possible and that networks are the best way to bring about change. More Than Gold supplies that network. They feel this could be a 'tipping point' for significant advancement of the kingdom of God.

We feel the same way. Karen and her organization is doing what Jesus asked each and every one of us to do as written in Mark 16:15, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”

It took Jesus’ followers at that time awhile to understand the good news and what all the world meant, but as the Holy Spirit opened their hearts and minds, they began to go. Was the world prepared for them and their life-changing message? The answer is a resounding yes! And … it is still yes today!

God had a specific strategy in mind for sending his message of salvation to the world. In Romans 1:16, Paul summarized it in this way: "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes …”.

Are you a bit timid … do you wonder how you can make an impact … do you need that power that Jesus’ followers needed to get started? Just remember what Laura Wilkinson knows is for you to know as well …“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Larry Abele - Editorial Team

Wisdom for Life

We wish you to enjoy this short presentation video about the Wisdom for Life

Is God Real?

What happens when I start doubting God's reality?

I have been a Christian for over fifteen years, still, surprisingly, that thought did recently cross my mind. Is there a place for such thinking in my mind? Can a follower of Christ deal with that sort of thinking? Do you wonder where it comes from?

It comes from the garden of Eden, from the words of that same snake that asked Eve (who walked with God "in the cool of the day"): “Did God really...?” That Serpent loves to play in our minds. If we unwittingly invite him in he will do his job.

Is God real? How do I know that I'm real? Who says that I'm a man, that I'm human? Maybe I am just a worm who thinks he is a human? What wild thoughts! Still, many people struggle with that sort of ideas...

There is a source outside of myself which objectively says who He is and who I am.

“In the beginning God …” The first four words of the Source … the Bible. The inspired Word of God tells us who He is and who we are …

“Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground." So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them” (Genesis 1:26-27).

Satan will skip through your mind, no matter who you are or what the condition of your heart. But, you can throw that Serpent out of your mind, just as Christ did when tempted by him … “It is written,” Christ responded.

Is God real? Am I real? Yes! How do I know? Who said so? God! He said it, I believe it, and that is proof enough for me!

Alexander Shein – Editorial Team

Words, Words, Words

Litte children have been heard on the playground chanting, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me!" It is usually quite the opposite ... the school yard bully has used words to hurt them badly.

Words are the currency of our society. The Second Edition of the Oxford English Dictionary contains full entries for 171,476 words in current use. The Bible contains 774,746 words ... 593,493 in the Old Testament and 181,253 in the New.

Blind and deaf from the age of 19 months, Helen Keller could neither hear nor see a word but used them to great effect writing a total of 12 published books and several articles. With the help of her profound faith, she transformed her life into one lived in service of the Good.

"The Bible gives me a deep, comforting sense that things seen are temporal and things unseen are eternal," she said.

It was God, Himself, who used His Word to the greatest effect. If you take time to read the first chapter of Genesis, you will find that it was with His WORD that He created everything!

David penned these words in Psalm 33:6: "By the word of the Lord the heavens were made ..." Again in verse 9: "For He spoke, and it was done ..."

Isaiah stated: "The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our god stands forever." (40:8)

John starts his book with these words: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."

In the book of Proverbs, there are 35 statements that admonish the use of the mouth, from whence pours out words. God realized the power of words when He inspired Solomon to write: "The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked." (Proverbs 10:11).

But, it is John who gives us the understanding of the greatest power of the word when he quotes Jesus in John 5:24-25: "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from life to death."

That is the ultimate power of words!

The little children may have been wrong in their chant ... words can hurt us. However, the good news is that words, the wonderfully inspired Words of the Bible can also give us life, in its fullest and everlasting.

That is the Good Word!

Larry Abele - Editorial Team

Peace That Surpasses All Understanding

Death is a tragic thing to those who do not believe ... people who have banked their entire existence on who THEY are and what THEY must be in this life. It is not unusual to see survivors who commit suicide rather than deal with a loved ones passing. Other’s have died of a broken heart, seeing no future for them.

When the end of life comes to those who do not believe in Jesus Christ and the promise of eternal life, there is nothing … NOTHING! I cannot imagine the pain these people must suffer as it all comes to an end.

There appeared on these pages some time ago, a piece by Paul, “A Great Experience .. A Wonderful Legacy” where he commented on the passing of a dear friend .. a Christian man .. Glenn Doornink.

Recently Paul received a letter from Glenn’s wife, Mary Ellen. The content of that letter illustrates the exact opposite to the thoughts I put forth to you before. The letter exudes loving memory surrounded by the peace of understanding that we who believe in Jesus Christ will all meet once again in Heaven. Please let me include the letter, in it’s entirety:

Dear Paul and Betty,

Words are simply inadequate to convey the depth of gratitude I owe to you people for your willingness to skillfully guide our family through some uncharted waters after Glenn's departure. With Godly wisdom you helped us through the family gatherings where you encouraged open expression as we wept and laughed together at memories of the good life Glenn had lived among us. My own heart was thrilled and comforted by many things I heard during those times and also with the apparent agreement reached on many details.

So fitting were your messages as you bathed every event with God's truth from His word, at the chapel before the burial to the graveside comments and the good message at the memorial service itself. You carried a large responsibility in causing the whole affair to bring glory to our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ and honor to Glenn. May God reward you richly for playing such a key role in steering us all through that memorable day. Our Father even added beautiful weather with three formations of geese flying overhead at the burial site.

A wise man told us before we married, "One of you will lay the other in the grave some day if our Lord tarries", and so it has been. Death is truly an enemy as the separation robs us of the close relationship we enjoyed for many years.

The LORD is righteous in all His ways, gracious in all His works. The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. Psalm 145:17,18

Most Sincerely, Mary Ellen

That, my friends, is "that peace that surpasses all understanding" that is promised in Philippians 4:7 and that is available to us all.

Larry Abele – Editorial Team

A Letter from my dear wife, Betty

Dear Friends,

May God’s blessing and guidance accompany you throughout this New Year 2009.

Just being into the third week of the year much has happened, we have seen the overwhelming crowd of people weeping and rejoicing while witnessing the inauguration of the New President of the United States.

Then in the other side of the World we saw the pictures of people in utter despair seeing their loved ones die and their home destroyed by war in Gaza. The future is unknown to all of us, will be rejoicing or shedding tears of grieve?

While we live from day to day in this New Year may our life not be like a monopoly game where we strive to be the winner and then take it all, only to realize that our life (like in the game) when over, all is put into the box. We have no more than all others.

May we realize that today Life is an opportunity given to us by God to SHARE our resources whether they are physical, mental, spiritual and monetary. Great examples in this life are Jimmy Carter and the many volunteers building the Habitat houses for the poor. Then there are also the many community and church volunteers. Let us, you and I, join these people.

“Therefore as we have opportunity, let us Do Good to All people”    Galatians 6:10.

Paul and I are looking forward to our ministry in Europe this year. In March and April we plan to be in Germany, Poland and Russia. We will be focused on teaching the Word to the pastors, leaders and congregations. We thank you for making this ministry possible through your prayers and financial support.

Here are exerts from a letter meant for all our donors who make this possible; received from Bible school students whom we are supporting:

“Dear Paul,
Thank you for your support in our studying at the Bible school. All of the sessions are a great opportunity to be grounded in the Word and prepare us for service. These studies are made much easier by the support you give us. We are so grateful to you for these blessings. Best wishes from; Lukasz, Marek, Jarek and Bartek”

God bless you

Paul and Betty Weresch

How Is Your Prayer Life?

As a brand new Christian, many years ago, I struggled with prayer. Since then, I have heard many Christians say the same thing. It always seemed so formal … so stilted. Most of us were familiar with the Bible in language penned in 1611. Speech from that time seemed a bit formal to our ears.

Then I remembered a story related by my Pastor at the time. His son had built a house next door to his own. It became a habit for his pre-school grandson to walk over, enter the house and go for the refrigerator. The pastor confronted this little intruder one day and asked him, “Why do you think you can just come in here when you want, young man!?” The little tyke replied, “Cause you’re my grandpa.”

I then had the same revelation that Martin Luther had in the sixteenth century as he read Galatians 4:4-7, “God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.”

The term "Abba" is felt to convey a sense of affection and intimacy that is perceived to be very much lacking in the far more formal term "father." Abba is actually an Aramaic word, which most scholars feel is the language that our Lord Jesus Christ spoke during His human existence upon this earth.

As expositor, W. E. Vine wrote, "'Abba' is the word framed by the lips of infants, and betokens unreasoning trust; 'father' expresses an intelligent apprehension of the relationship. The two together express the love and intelligent confidence of the child."

Though our God, the Creator of the entire universe and everything in it, is deserving of the highest honor and respect, He is also our “father” … our “daddy”. He loves us as little children

I remember my father as a man bigger than life … however, I also remember the warmth of his strong arms and the love that radiated from his instruction. And, I want to face my heavenly Father on the same terms.

So, if you are having trouble with prayer … in either the frequency of it or the formality of it … just try to envision yourself snuggling up to your “daddy” and telling Him how your day has been.

“For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." Romans 8:15-16

Larry Abele - Editorial Team

This Could Be Your Year!

First let me wish a Happy 2009 to all of my brothers and sisters in Christ! May this coming year continue to reveal in you the wonderful Grace of our Almighty God ... Bless you all!

To those who have not yet decided to accept Christ’s freely given invitation to everlasting life … THIS COULD BE YOUR YEAR! We will pray that it is a new beginning for you.

To those who will be making new year’s resolutions. Bless you … and more power to you if you mean to keep them. However, in most cases these resolutions … made in the fit of starting over … dissolve into failure as time passes.

Would you like to make one resolution that cannot fail! Resolve to FOLLOW GOD WHOLEHEARTEDLY!

If you resolve to quit smoking, that cigarette will not help you quit. If you resolve to lose weight that extra helping of dessert is not going to help. If you resolve to love that grouchy neighbor you certainly wont get any help from him.

But, if you resolve to follow God wholeheartedly … God is going to step in and help with that resolution. And you know what, my friends? He is also going to help with the smoking, the dieting and with loving your neighbor!

What does it mean to follow God wholeheartedly? Be committed even though you might be a minority in your office, in your school or even in your own home. Be willing to accept the sovereign choices of God even though they might not be your choices. Be ready and willing to act upon God’s promises given through His Word. Be willing to go out and tackle the world for God … you don’t have to go to Africa or Europe … just across the street. And, be willing to stick to it for life … being a wholehearted follower of God is not a sprint but a marathon.

David … “a man after God’s own heart” said it best in Psalm 37 when he sang,

“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture, Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.”

David FOLLOWED THE LORD WHOLEHEARTEDLY and so could you. Make that resolution … this could be your year!

Larry Abele – Editorial Team