“Rejoice in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh.” Phil. 3:3

Let our service for him never be about our performance , but always knowing Him more fully by being right there in the center of His will. (In His presence is fullness of joy.) This should safeguard us from pride . Pride focuses on performance and seeks man’s flattery. Should we not desire instead true joy?! Why settle for vainglory when instead you can ABIDE IN HIS LOVE? Hallelujah – only God Himself should be praised. Jesus said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”Jn. 12:32

As for the Debate coming together in such amazing ways, what must be focused on – what must be gleaned and enjoyed – is God’s power to draw people, but beyond that we see His passion to reach out to the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel. Oh, that they may know the joy that is found in His presence!

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12.

And as passionately as our Lord wants them to hear His Word of Truth, the enemy wants to stop the Truth from being heard, especially going forth among the Jewish people.

Three days ago we received an email from an "anti-missionary" group letting us know that they would be attending the debate. Michael tried to defuse any disturbance by suggesting that they have one of their rabbis debate Dr. Brown sometime in early 2010. We hoped that this offer would give them an incentive not to create a disturbance on Tuesday evening. They said "no" they would not validate "Brown's" position (they refused to put "Dr." before his name), etc. There has been one more communication with them since and not very pleasant on their part -- Michael did reach out to them in love. Please pray for wisdom on how we will deal with them if they attempt to disturb the debate.

Yesterday morning a tow truck (yes, a tow truck!) hit our car. We had to have another towing company take our car away for repairs and now have a rental car. No one was hurt. Then a few hours later, Mimi was in a store looking for something to use as a donation box. She reached up to a top shelf and a heavy wooden placque hit her on the head, with the corner of the frame puncturing a vein on the top of her scalp. After four sutures, they still could not stop the bleeding and applied a tight pressure wrapping.

This morning we received a call from a Jewish friend in Alabama. She is a believer who was raised in South Florida. She has three members of her family, all unbelievers, who have told her they want to come, and she will be bringing them to the debate. When Mimi answered the phone, the first thing the woman told her was "the devil doesn't want me coming to this debate -- but I'm coming anyway." Last night she tripped over an object in her house. She thought she had broken her neck. She was rushed to the emergency room and thankfully there was no break, but because she takes blood thinners she is bruised and hurting all over (her foot was injured in the fall as well).

The Apostle Peter said for us to be alert and sober-minded for we have an adversary who is like a roaring lion. We rejoice to know we are at the center of God's will in serving Him as we all are, so we, of course, are not asking anyone to panic or anything like that. This instead is a glorious opportunity for us to "take it to Him in prayer." What amazing plans God must have for fruit from this Debate!!

We love y'all!