Ps 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

As we come closer to the Thanksgiving holiday, I wanted to take this opportunity to share a few thoughts I had today.I had to spend my day fixing an emergency involving a decrepit rabbit hutch and an escapee.

I had to build a new hutch, which turned out better than expected, I might add. I'll share some pictures of it soon.

During this construction day, I had a period of reflection. No, this is not your typical "feeling blessed" moment. I am blessed, for sure, and I don't want to take that for granted. This time, however, I was reminded of something through one of the radio programs my little girls listen to.I was reminded how very important it is to be still. We all tend to get busy, or at least, have busy work to do. Farm life has more than its share in that area. This is why this concept is so poignant. "Be still and know that I am God..." the bible says.

This is much deeper than just stopping to smell the roses, indeed. All you have to do is sit still, with no sound but the sounds of creation around you, and know that He is God. There is a very comforting feeling in the knowledge that your God is right there, next to you.

In fact, one of the most important aspects to your prayer life is in being still, silent, listening for and to God. He still communicates with His people. There is much comfort in that, also. All too often, we get busy and forget how to be still. You know, a great place to do this is in the woods? This is a place, however small a slice, in which creation is witnessed in action. This is a great place to be still.Perhaps a fast is in order in our lives. Not a fast from food, but a fast from everyday technology and hustle. Maybe, being still could involve just a short time, in silence, concentrating on Jehovah God and seek Him.When we pray, do we take the time after the prayer has been uttered, to listen? I wonder how often we miss God's voice because we have to hurry off to another task. There are many distractions in this world that even make it difficult to not be of the world. But, perhaps, we should try.So, here's the challenge I propose. Take some time to be still. Be still and know He is God. I have a feeling this act would rejuvenate a tired body and rekindle a lost joy.

Ps 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

Amen!

News From The Hope's

When I received this email from Karen Hope, I was encouraged from the message it contained. I think that Karen's message can apply to many of us in so many ways. Please read her letter and feel free to comment on it, letting us all know what Karen's letter means to you.
Scott




Breanna got out of the hospital last night. If she continues to do well over the next few days we are hoping Terry and Ian can come and bring us HOME! The people here are wonderful but we miss our family in Bull Shoals. Breanna is improving but she has a long recovery still. When you stretch your spinal cord hard enough to pull down on your brain stem and then cut it loose, you can expect some odd things to happen. It also affects the area where she has the syrinx in her upper spinal area. She is having some numbness in her left leg and still having vision problems but they are getting better. I think the best thing for now is to continue to pray. Pray specifically that God be glorified in everything we say or do. It is easy to get angry when I think she spent four days in the hospital because the emergency room doctor ordered a medicine she was allergic to, but I have to think of all the people who asked " when are you getting a lawyer?" It was so easy to say, " God had this in His plan" Then I would get the same question. "HOW can you be so CALM!!?" Oh how wonderful is our Father in heaven that I would be afforded the opportunity to explain the rest I find in Him! My body grows weary but my soul does not! I have had my moments indeed but it does not take long for me to find my peace in my Fathers arms. This has been such a struggle all my life and yet now it seems so natural. He is in control! How much more could you ask for? I have had my "WHY" moments as I watched Breanna struggle with pain I am sure I could not handle, but He reminds me the "why" is because He is the great I Am. It was so simple when I finally saw it. Will I ask "why" again? I am sure I will, but now I have the answer! I can return to Him over and over and not need a human answer to that question ever again. God does not answer prayer in our time or in our way but He never leaves us alone. People assume if God does not answer with healing if we have prayed for it, that He has either chosen not to answer or we did not pray correctly. That is so not true. He hears our every word. He wants to know our desire but we must believe that what happens after that prayer is His will and not ours or we do not really want His will but our own. I would praise Him every day if Breanna was miraculously healed and I will praise Him every day if she is not. It breaks my heart to see her struggle to have a life that is in the smallest of ways "normal" compared to this worlds standards. However, seeing her struggle may be hard but I can praise God she is here for me to see those struggles. I know her reward in heaven will be great because she never curses the Lord for His will in her life. I am grateful for the opportunity to grow closer to the Lord these last 36 days. We as a family have also become closer in so many ways.

Thank you all for your prayers, cards, letters and calls. We can't wait to get home!
Karen

P.S. sorry about the mini sermon, I am just overwhelmed by His love! As for the physical needs, we are fine here. You might ask Terry about what if any needs they have there.

Men's Meeting

Remember men, there will be a Men's Meeting held at the church, on Friday (tomorrow) the 31. The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. and may last until 8:30, no later.

Topics will vary, but the gist of this meeting will be to give a general overview of what we are going to be about.

I am very excited at this! This is something I have wanted in our church for a long time. So, remember to bring your bible and your sons (if you so wish) for a time of fellowship, prayer, bible study, discussion and testimony/accountability.

I look forward to seeing many of you there! If you can't make it, please make plans now for the next meeting that will be held on the last Friday of January. See you there!

Scott

Men's Meeting

Men, you are invited to attend a men's meeting to be held here, at the church, on Friday, October 31 beginning at 6:30 p.m.
The meeting should last about 2 hours.

In an effort to promote, encourage and minister to one another with the goal of Biblical manhood.
These meetings are planned to be held monthly, the last Friday of each month. Topics will vary, but the main ones will be:

A. Leadership in the home (teaching our children the commands and principles of God. And leading our wives as spiritual head of our homes.)

B. Church issues. (Leadership is not reserved for Pastor and Elders. It is for all men in the church.)

C. Bible study and prayer.

D. Encouragement/ministry.

E. Anything else that comes along, related to biblical manhood.

Please plan to attend and, by all means, bring your sons along. What better way for them to learn biblical manhood than from their fathers!

Dear parents of Unit 40 men,
My name is Corrie Pendergast and I am the wife of your son's Commanding Officer in Basic Training. It is a joy for me to serve along side my husband and to lift up his hands in the hard times that Basic Training brings during these nine weeks. It isn't always an easy arena, but it is certainly where the Lord has called my husband and our family. Keon's vision and heart for the men who are under him are an example to many, and he gladly lays down his life for them. Thank you for the many who I know lift him up in prayer every day!
My husband asked if I would write and let you all know that the men of Unit 40 and their leadership have now started out on probably the hardest thing that the men have to do in Basic. They all left this morning (Wednesday) and headed for Oklahoma. They have camped out tonight and will begin tomorrow morning at about six o'clock their 50-mile, 24 Hour Hike. It certainly is a challenging hike, even for my husband and the leadership men that have done it before, but from all I ever hear after the fact, it is one of the most growing times for the men in their relationships with the Lord. They are pushed beyond their limits and the Lord is the ONLY one that can give them the strength for completing that hike. Please be in prayer for all of the men -- and until Friday around 6:00 AM -- for the Lord to be their "refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble." Sometimes it is through the intense pain of life that we learn the most!
We look forward to meeting each of you in just a couple of weeks! May the Lord's richest blessings be on you.
Prayerfully for the men of Unit 40,
Mrs. Corrie Pendergast
Wife of Capt. Keon Pendergast


Please pray for Jed during this time, especially, as he is struggling a bit. Pastor asked specifically for prayer that Jed would cry out to the Lord during this time and that Jed would lean upon Him.

Hi,
I have sent this link to Breanna's Caringbridge site so people can keep up with what is going on. Please share this with the church so those who can will be able to check for updates. It saves me a lot of time if they can go there instead of having to send so many e-mails.

Love and Prayers,
Karen

www.caringbridge.org/visit/breannahope


Please go and visit. Pray for them. Send tham a card or letter, let them know you are thinking of them.
Scott

Breanna Update

HI,
It is hard to take in the fact that Breanna has both a spinal fluid leak and meningitis, however if they had only treated her for the leak then we would have had to treat the other later. Also we have had the privilage to minister to three families who have lost children while we were here. We do not know how they feel but we do understand the pain. We miss you all and we are grateful for the calls and cards.
Love, Karen