United We Stand

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Before boarding our flight to Moscow from Kazan airport we toured Victory Park in down town Kazan. A large one hundred and twenty-four acre memorial park with planes and tanks from World War 2 to honor the twenty million Russians who lost their lives fighting with the allied forces. Since I have served in the Royal Air Force I had to stop to have a photo by one of the planes with Pastor Stan from Arizona and Pastor Stan from Russia.

Here we are again allied this time under the Captain of our souls fighting the good fight of faith!

John 17 2 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us:that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.

2 Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life

The Widow’s Mite

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While ministering in Russia last week I was overwhelmed by the pure love and sacrificial generosity of the people. I was given several boxes of Russian chocolates, handmade jewelry and flowers grown in their small garden plots given to them by the government to grow their own vegetables. But the memory that will stay with me was that of a very old woman staggering up to me and saying in her broken English “For you, for you” and handing me a still warm smoked chicken wrapped only in clear plastic before disappearing anonymously into the crowd.

I was so touched by her sacrificial gift and at the same time overjoyed that God would use this as a clear window to my soul of the widow’s mite as I shared the story with my fellow pastors. We fed on the chicken that night after the service but are still spiritually feeding on her example. 

Mark 12:43 This poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

Praying One For Another

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After praying for Tatyana for emotional, spiritual and physical health she was my constant companion while in Russia. In a few short days she became like a daughter to me and said she would learn English better so she could write to me. I think the English in her letter was very good! Love and miss you, Tatyana. Walk with the King and be a blessing!

Dear Maggie! The love of Jesus that you keep in your heart comes and hugs))It’s great!!Your eyes are the reflection of the eyes of Jesus. This radiance has touched my heart!!! May God bless You in your service to broadcast God’s love, beauty, tenderness, kindness and “king” of Christianity!

Supporting One and Other

Today as my home church prays for me and sends me out with their blessing I am all packed and ready to leave on Tuesday for my trip to Russia with a thankful heart for all the prayers of blessing, cards, financial support and even a “Care package” from my missionary daughter, Patsy, tied up with ribbons of thoughtfulness and love. Thank you all so much, it is so encouraging to know you will all be praying as we labor together in His Vineyard. 

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1 Corinthians 3:7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one:and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.

Praying One For Another

Thanks to all those who prayed for me yesterday. I’m overjoyed to give you a good report from Dr. Marchlinski as he checked out my heart. The electrocardiogram revealed the graph of a beautiful, steady, sound, sinus rhythm heartbeat.

What great news! I am now ready to leave with my Russian Visa, which was hard to obtain, but also leaving with a clean bill of health which even the Russian embassy couldn’t have issued. I have learned to appreciate not only each breath but each heartbeat.

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How often do we take for granted the electricity that God created to cause our hearts to beat 80 beats per minute/ 4800 beats per hour and 115,200 beats per day? Perhaps never until there is an electrical problem like myself.

What an awesome Creator we serve! And man thinks he invented electricity! Man only discovered it.

Praying my spiritual heart will be in sinus rhythm with His heartbeat as I travel overseas.