Friends in High Places

How enriched our lives become as we gather a bouquet of friends. I see that Jonathan Singh is now following my blog. He is a dear little brother from Delhi, India who stayed with us for a while a few years ago. We continue to pray for his ministy in far northern India. Remember India in your prayers. Christians are being slaughtered there and pray for Jonathan's safety. Our dear Mexican family has added so much to our lives even to the point of their last baby girl being named Carla. Pray for them. They live in such poverty. Our Kenyan family who actually lives in our apartment are a wonderful blessing to our lives. We are Sho-sho and Babu to the baby--Grandmother and Grandfather.
Several years ago when I was in Seminary, a friend came to me and said that he had seen me in a vision the night before while he was in prayer. He said that I was wearing a garment made from the flags of many nations. I think that my extended families and my Patten online students are part of the fulfillment of this vision. I pray the the Lord will continue to enlarge our boarders and that we would be kind to the aliens who live among us--as God instructed the Israelites in the Torah.

God's Nod

Our Mother walked in/by/with/through the Spirit. During the time that our Daddy was in Europe during his service to his country with the Screaming Eagles, the legendary 101st Airborne, Mother became especially burdened to pray for his safety. As she travailed in prayer, she saw Jesus seated at His Father's right hand. Jesus got up from His seat and went and stood in front of God. It was obvious to Mother that Jesus was talking to God. Shortly, she saw God nod. She knew that Jesus had asked for Daddy's protection and God had agreed. Mother was comforted and Daddy returned home safely! What a wonderful thing it is to know a God who cares, a Jesus who intercedes and a Holy Spirit who comforts.

Celebrating Heroes

As I close out the day, I am thinking of the sacrifice of one who died for his "boys." My hat is off and my prayers are with the surviving members of Jared Monte's troup and family. Jared Monte was awarded the medal of honor posthumously today. Over 100 members of his family attended the ceremony today as President Obama awarded the medal for Monte's heroism and loss of his own life as he tried three times to rescue one of his "boys" who was wounded and in the direct line of fire of a group of about 50 enemy troups in Afganistan in 2006.
I am reminded of the Great Sacrifice of God's only Begotten Son who gave His life for me. I need to share with you the short story of one of our church members who had a vision last night. He awoke and sat on the edge of his bed. He saw a blank page, then, suddenly the words "I am coming soon" appeared on the page. He was born, He died, He was resurrected and He is coming back. And all of this for me...and you. I love what Jared Monte did for his "boys," but nothing compares to what Jesus did for us!