Lost In the Prairies.....Found by God

• Pray that God's perfect love will drive out all fear from the hearts of these suffering tribal Christians.

• Ask Him to bring healing and comfort to them, especially after experiencing brutal attacks of persecution.

• May those in authority uphold and properly defend the religious rights of all citizens in this area, serving as a catalyst of peace between the different faith groups.

I'm not judging, but this is something that has been bothering me.  I mean if they are not opening their Bibles at Church are they opening their Bibles at home?  It's something that I think about.  I'm not pointing fingers and not saying because I bring my Bible to Church that am I holier than those who do not.  I never grew up in the Church.  I didn't have any one in my life that read the Bible or knew the word.  I'm surprised sometimes how I always felt called to God.  He definitely had me in the palm of His hand.  So the questions are if we aren't in the word, how do we knew what we are called to do?  How are we to learn His ways?  How are we to teach the next generation about Him and His purpose for our life?  I believe the same questions I have,  have been hanging over the leadership of our church, as well.  Our church will be participating during lent in the Saddleback church study - 40 Days in the Word.

Now I have to admit that I am not a huge fan of Pastor Rick Warren.  I participated in the Purpose Driven Life a few years ago.  There was some information that was quite good, but I did question some of His teaching.  (Don't ask me what they were, I don't remember).   This is the summary of the campaign from the 40 Days in the Word website:  

Together with Rick Warren and Saddleback Church you’ve experienced 40 days of Purpose, Love and Community. Now come along with Rick on a journey of 40 Days in the Word, a journey of eternal significance as you and your church will learn how to be not only a “hearer” of the Word, but also a “doer” of God’s Word. 

40 Days in the Word is a church wide weekly study of six principles of the Word of God. Together with Rick, the Saddleback Team and great pastors from across the country you and your church will explore the authenticity, reliability, power, comfort, interpretation and doing of God’s Word. This eight week journey, led by Rick Warren, will encourage spiritual growth in every member of your church.

When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth.  Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God.  And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luke 1:12-17 NIV84)

Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” (Luke 1:18 NIV84)

Why does my son have autism?
Why is my youngest autistic as well?
Why does my daughter have to face this alone?

Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. 63 He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone’s astonishment he wrote, “His name is John.” 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God. (Luke1: 62-64 NIV 84).