GETTING YOUR FEET WET!

GETTING YOUR FEET WET!

“And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the Lord- the Lord of all the earth- set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.”

(Joshua 3:13)

A few years ago I spent about five weeks carrying Bibles into China from a base in Hong Kong. OK, smuggling Bibles. The communist government was controlling the “registered churches,” and so most of the Christians in China were functioning “underground.” In spite of, (maybe because of), decades of intense persecution, the Gospel, and the church, was spreading like wildfire. It still is. There is a real lack of Bibles though, and so people like me were bringing them in. Twelve times I crossed a border, travelled inland, made the drop, and returned to base. In the providence of God, I was never caught.

Not only did I feel like I was doing my part, but I can also say that I have never felt closer to God, or more alive. One day though, at the border, I felt a surge of worry. As I waited to have my passport examined, I could see a dozen customs officers hard at work. Loads of travellers were having their bags searched. That’s when I remembered the priests and the Jordan. That’s when the peace came. “I am a priest of the Lord of all the earth. I carry the ark of the covenant in my heart, and his holy word with my hands.” As I stepped into the customs area, every officer disappeared. Every one was busy searching someone else. I couldn’t even see one. The river parted, and I walked through on dry ground.

So, what is it that God has laid on your heart? I’m not saying that everyone should smuggle Bibles, or that we always see success. But I know that as His child, you are also His priest. In prayer, you stand in the presence of the One who is life and represent a dying world. And in that dying world, you stand before its people and represent the One who is Life. Surely God has something for you to do. How many times does He have to ask? Wouldn’t it be awful to find out later that you had missed out on the very thing that would have really made a difference? Remember, He is the Lord of all the earth. Go on, get your feet wet!

Chris Thompson

Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 6-7; Luke 20:27-47

Chris Thompson is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy. His devotionals are featured in our 365-daily devotional, REAL VICTORY FOR REAL LIFE -- Finding God Faithful and True. To order a copy, call Jef at the KESWICK Bookstore -- 732-350-1187 ext. 31

daily Freedom Fighters e-devotional from America's KESWICK for Wednesday, October 26, 2005

GET READY FOR AN AWESOME RIDE!

“‘For I know the plans I have for you’, declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” (Jeremiah 29:11)

The plans God has for you are plans to give you hope and a future. He has things in store for you that “no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1Cor. 2:9b) When you receive Jesus as your personal savior, His plans are going to be brought forth. They will come to pass in order for you to be conformed to the image of Christ. The Context for the verse in Jeremiah 29 was God’s chastening of His people by sending them into captivity for Seventy years in Babylon. It was just prior to this captivity that God reassured them that He knew what he was doing – and that He was working out His plan for their good and His glory. The experiences that the Israelites went through during these years were that of dealing with the consequences of their sin. They disobeyed the Lord and were now being held responsible for it. And so it is with us. When sin is present in as person’s life, God will do one of two things with it – forgive it, or judge it. In order for anyone to enter into a personal relationship with God through Christ, sin must be dealt with. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word has no place in our lives.” (1Jn. 1:8-10)

I remember as a kid going on the rides on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights, NJ. My favorite ride was the Jet-Star. This bobsled type rollercoaster reached speeds close to, if not over 100 miles per hour. Now, Great Adventure boasts of its “Nitro” rollercoaster or the “Great American Scream Machine” or, if you like a more traditional roller coaster there is “Rolling Thunder.” Usually before each of these rides start, you hear a final statement from the operator that sounds something like, “Please Hold On To The Bar!” It was the indicator that you were in for an awesome ride. The operator of the ride knew what you were in for. If it was your first time on the ride, you may not have known what to expect. The ride may seem dangerous. When the shoulder harness clicks and the bar comes down over your lap, you’re locked in for the ride of your life. You have to trust that the operator knows what he’s doing to have an awesome ride. In your walk with Christ, it may seem like a roller coaster of a ride; but take heart, God knows what his plans are for you. He’s the one you must hold on to. He is the one that who keeps you securely in his grip. It’s like the first time you ride a road you haven’t been down before. The twists and turns along the road have to be met with caution and skill but keep holding on to the handle bars, lean into your turns and accelerate through them and you will have an awesome ride.

Lord, sometimes this ride seems too much for me to handle, please help me to hold on to your promises to steer me through the twists and turns of life so I may enjoy the ride before me. In Jesus’ Name -- Amen

Rev. Michael P. Woods

Scripture Reading: 1 Kings 1-2; Luke 19-28-48

Pastor Mike Woods is the Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries and is the Administrator of the Colony of Mercy, America's KESWICK'S 108 year old residential program for men in addiction. For information about the Colony of Mercy, visit our website -- www.americaskeswick.org

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daily Freedom Fighters e-devotional from America's KESWICK for Tuesday, October 25, 2005

FROM “WITHOUT HOPE” TO “A LIVING HOPE”

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy as begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4).

Almost all of the New Testament was written to people who were in trouble in one way or another, who were unhappy for various reasons, who were tempted to look back to the live out of which they had been saved. They were unhappy and troubled even though they were Christians. They didn’t know what to do or believe, and they needed help. In other words, the apostles were writing to real people just like us and giving them God’s answers to the same kinds of problems we face.

What did they tell them? One of the primary questions they answered over and over had to do with God’s forgiveness. Apparently, these people had committed so much sin so many different times, they were worried and wondered if God would still love them, forgive them, and let them into heaven.

Like these people, maybe there is some sin in your life that makes you think God couldn’t love you and He just wouldn’t forgive you: “God couldn’t love me. After all, I stole something. I had an abortion. I’ve told a lot of lies. I’ve had premarital sex. I’ve committed adultery or been involved in homosexuality.”

Well, the Bible says you are wrong about God! He knows all about your sins and still loves you. He wants you to come to Him for complete forgiveness and for His help and guidance.

In Ephesians 2:11-12 we read that we were sinners “without hope and without God in the world,” totally undeserving and unworthy of God’s favor and forgiveness. But He extended His kindness to us and instructed us to gladly and humbly accept it and believe that He loves us.

The Apostle Peter writes, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4).

Dr. John Ankerberg

Scripture Reading: 2 Samuel 21-22; Luke 18:24-43

Our good friend, Dr. John Ankerberg will be speaking at America's KESWICK Labor Day Weekend 2006. To order a copy of our daily devotional, REAL VICTORY FOR REAL LIFE, please call Jef at the Keswick Bookstore -- 800-453-7942.

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daily Freedom Fighters e-devotional from America's KESWICK for Monday, October 24, 2005

GIVE GOD TIME

“You say, ‘I choose the appointed time; it is I who judge uprightly.’” (Psalm 75:2)

In his delightful compendium of wisdom we call Ecclesiastes, Solomon astounds us with his “practical” wisdom. He notes, “To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). The word “season” implies duration, a period of time with set boundaries at the beginning and end. The word “time” implies a point in time, like right now.

God has a special kind of calendar. He keeps time in ways that no other timepiece can. God doesn’t run on Greenwich Mean Time. He clocks at His own speed; He does things in His own time.

For God, there is a time for everything, even difficult things like death, and war and grieving. God doesn’t exclude negative things from our lives; in fact, He seems to make time for them. But God promises that there is a “season” for everything, a set time, with a well defined beginning and ending. Even the bad times come to an end, when their season is up. God will see to it.

That’s why we need to constantly live by God’s timetable. Then we’ll be reminded that we need to give God time—to make the world right, to correct all the physical and verbal abuse we have taken, to take away sickness and death, to make of us what He wants us to be. God has placed “eternity in our hearts” to remind us that almost everything under heaven is temporary. The older we get and the more struggles we face, the more comforting it is to remember that God makes all things beautiful in His time, not ours.

If you feel a little overwhelmed by challenges and changes in your life, remember you always can always find strength in God, the One who will never change. When things seem to be out of control in your life, remember the Great Timekeeper, the One who is ultimately in control and will not allow your challenges to continue one moment longer than their appointed time.

God is available to comfort you through all the seasons of your life. So don’t rush things. God can make even the most difficult trial a beautiful opportunity in your life if you’ll only give Him time.

Dr. Woodrow Kroll

Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 12-13; Luke 22:1-30

from the Keswick daily devotional -- REAL VICTORY FOR REAL LIFE. Order your copy today. Call Jef at the KESWICK BOOKSTORE -- 732-350-1187 ext. 31

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daily Freedom Fighters e-devotional from America's KESWICK for Sunday, October 23, 2005

WHAT GOD CANNOT DO

“Behold I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27).

Does this mean that God will do anything you ask? Probably not.

God’s omnipotence is His ability to do all His character will permit Him to do. You can be thankful there are some things God just won’t do because they are out of harmony with His moral nature.

God will not look on your sin with approval. Habakkuk 1:12-13 says, “Are You not from everlasting, O Lord my God, my Holy One? ... You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness.” God’s power won’t approve of your sin because His character won’t permit Him to do so.

Also, God will not be tempted to do evil Himself. James 1:13, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.” God doesn’t have the power to be tempted to do evil. That’s why you can trust His character. When you want God to do something that is out of character for Him, He won’t do it, and that should encourage you.

Besides this, God cannot lie. To Titus the apostle Paul wrote that he was an apostle “according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgement of the truth which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began” (Titus 1:1-2). That means you can trust God and His Word to always tell you the truth. You may not like what He tells you, but you can be certain it will always be true.

God is not hampered by inability but sometimes He is deterred by His character. If He delays in solving your problems, it’s not because He lacks the power to do something about them. Rather, it’s because He possesses the wisdom to care for them in the right time and in the right way, neither of which may be evident yet.

Rejoice that God is omnipotent, but be equally glad that He is omniscient, all-knowing. Without the combination of the two, you would have a God with strength but no character, power with no convictions. Fortunately, our God has both. Thank Him for who He is today.

Dr. Woodrow Kroll

Scripture Reading: Daniel 3-4; 1 John 5

TO ORDER A COPY OF THE 365- Daily Devotional, REAL VICTORY FOR REAL LIFE, please call Jef at the KESWICK BOOKSTORE -- 800-453-7942 ext. 31

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daily Freedom Fighters e-devotional from America's KESWICK for Friday, October 21, 2005

HE NEVER CHANGES

"It seems to be very hard for us to comprehend the importance of the
fact that Christ does not change and that there is no fluctuation in His
character, in His nature, in His resources, in His love and mercy.

Because change is everywhere around us at all times on this earth and
among human beings, it is difficult for us to grasp the eternal and
unchanging nature and person of Jesus Christ .
But nothing about our Lord Jesus Christ has changed down to this very
hour. His love has not changed. It hasn't cooled off, and it needs no
increase because He has already loved us with infinite love and there is
no way that infinitude can be increased. His compassionate understanding
of us has not changed. His interest in us and His purposes for us have
not changed.

He is Jesus Christ, our Lord. He is the very same Jesus. Even though He
has been raised from the dead and seated at the right hand of the
Majesty in the heavens, and made Head over all things to the Church, His
love for us remains unchanged. Even though He has been given all
authority and power in heaven and in earth, He is the very same Jesus in
every detail. He is the same YESTERDAY, TODAY and FOREVER!

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever." Hebrews 13:4

from TOZER ON THE ALMIGHTY GOD compiled by Ron Eggert published by
Christian Publications. Good words for today.

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daily Freedom Fighters e-devotional from America's KESWICK for Thursday, October 20, 2005

The Devil's Beatitudes

Blessed are they who are too tired and too busy to go to church on
Sunday, for they are my best workers.
Blessed are they who are bored with the minister's mannerisms and
mistakes, for they get nothing out of the sermon.
Blessed is the church member who expects to be invited to his own church
for he is part of the problem instead of the solution.
Blessed are they who gossip, for they cause strife and divisions that
please me.
Blessed are they who are easily offended, for they soon get angry and
quit.
Blessed are they who do not give their offerings to carry of God's work
for they are my best helpers.
Blessed is he who professes to love God but hates his brother and
sister, for he shall be with me forever.
Blessed are the trouble makers, for they shall be called the children of
the devil.
Blessed is he who has no time to pray, for he will be easy prey.

from PULPIT HELPS

Your Pastor needs your encouragement and support. Why not drop him a
note today. Let him know you are praying for him. Have a good day in
Christ.

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daily Freedom Fighters e-devotional from America's KESWICK for Wednesday, October 19, 2005

HAPPY CHRISTIANS . . .

We live in the 5th largest senior citizen's population of the country
and rub shoulders with thousands of seniors. In my eight years in this
community I have met some of the grumpiest people. Unfortunately some of
them have been Christians.

God has wired all of us differently and I realize that part of my
"wiring" is that I tend to be optimistic and positive in my outlook. I
tend to look at the glass as "half full" while others tend to look at
the glass as "half empty." I have a wonderful group of men and women
that meet with me in the mornings to pray and for several months I would
walk away from the prayer time frustrated and depressed. Then I realized
that most of my key leaders are wired the opposite of how I am wired.
Two or three of us are excited for the brand new day and all the
challenges before us. We are happy and excited about to see what God is
going to do next. The rest of the team are just happy that they are
awake. Just their demeanor sends a signal that they wished they were
still in bed. The glass is definitely "half-empty."

Over the years I have been involved in leading worship and one of the
things that has made me chuckle is watching people sing. We can be
singing songs about joy and all that God has done for us, but someone
how the joy and happiness hasn't made it from the heart to the face.

Now I am not suggesting to you this morning that we need to put on a
false face and be fake with people we rub shoulders with. But I do
believe that we could impact the kingdom by allowing the joy that is in
our hearts to bubble up from within and show itself on our faces. There
are so many unhappy, miserable people, that your countenance alone could
give you a reason to share the hope that is within you.

In reading through some of the Psalms this morning, I read these words
from Psalm 16 from THE MESSAGE: "I'm happy from the inside out, and
from the outside in, I'm firmly formed. You canceled my ticket to hell
-- that's not my destination."

This morning I am happy that because of JESUS -- my ticket destination
has been changed from hell to heaven! That in itself ought to make me
happy today. I deserve hell -- but instead, because of His grace (God
giving me what I don't deserve) and mercy (God NOT giving me what I do
deserve) -- heaven is my destiny. Wow!

I learned a little chorus in Sunday School many years ago: "I'm
in-right, out-right, up-right, down -right happy all the time, I'm
in-right, out-right, up-right, down-right happy all the time. Since
Jesus Christ came in -- and cleansed my heart from sin -- I'm in-right,
out-right, up-right, down-right happy all the time."

Lord, may my life today bubble over with the joy and happiness that is
in my heart because of what YOU have done in my life.
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daily Freedom Fighters e-devotional from America's KESWICK for Tuesday, October 18, 2005

GOD IS . . .

Yesterday I shared with you from Scripture who are great God is . . .
Someone shared this with me many years ago . . .

God is like --

God is like Ford -- He has a better idea!
God is like Coke -- He is the real thing!
God is like Pan Am -- He makes the going great!
God is like Pepsi -- He's got lots to give!
God is like Standard Oil -- You expect more from Him and you get it!
God is like Dial soap -- Aren't you glad you know Him?
God is like Alka Seltzer -- Try Him, You'll like Him!
God is like Bayer asprin -- He takes the pain away!
God is like Hallmark cards -- He cared enough to send the very best!
God is like Tide -- He gets out the stains that others leave behind!
God is like VO5 hair spray -- He holds through all kinds of weather!
God is like Mattell toys -- You can tell He's swell!

Maybe you are too old to remember some of those ... so how about these?

God is like Dominoe's Pizza -- He delivers!
God is like Westinghouse -- You can be sure if it's God!
God is like Visine -- He gets the sin out!
God is like Vitalis Hair Creme -- Who says God doesn't care about hair?
God is like AllState -- You're in good hands with God.
God is like Gaterade -- He quenches your thirst!
God is like Ban Roll-On -- He won't wear off as the day wears on!
God is like Bounty Towels -- He's the quicker, picker-upper!
God is like Campbell's Soup -- M'm good! M'm good!
God is like Citiband -- The God who never sleeps!
God is like the Energizer Bunny -- He keeps going and going and going!
God is like McDonald's -- He did it all for you!
God is like Mr. Clean -- He cleans your whole life and everything in it!

"No one is like the Lord. For there is none besides You nor is there any
Rock like our God." (1 Samuel 2:2) Good reminder on this 18th day of
October.

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daily Freedom Fighters e-devotional from America's KESWICK for Monday, October 17, 2005

GOD IS . . .

I am preparing for the messages I will be sharing in Bermuda (well ...
someone has to do it) next week. I love the way God's Word speaks to my
heart. I am planning to share from Ephesians 3:20 -- "Now unto Him who
is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we can ask or think
. . ."

I love that phrase -- "who is . . ." Hebrews says, "Without faith it is
impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that HE
IS, and that HE IS a rewarder to them that diligently seek Him."

Let me remind you from the WORD who HE IS:

1. God IS with you in all you do. (Genesis 21:22)
2. The Lord IS my strength and my song and has become my salvation. He
IS my Father's God, and I will praise Him . . ." (Exodus 15:2)
3. The Lord your God IS a consuming fire -- a jealous God. (Deuteronomy
4:24)
4. The Lord your God IS one! (Deuteronomy 6:4)
5. The Lord your God IS He who goes before you. (Deuteronomy 10:17)
6. He IS our God who has done awesome things. (Deuteronomy 10:21)
7. He IS your life and the length of your days. (Deuteronomy 30:20)
8. He IS the Rock, His work is perfect. (Deuteronomy 32:4)
9. He IS the God of all knowledge. (1 Samuel 2:3)
10. He IS your strength and power. (2 Samuel 22:23)
11. He IS gracious and merciful. (2 Chronicles 30:9)
12. He IS a just judge. (Psalm 7:11)
13. He IS a shield to those who trust Him. (Psalm 18:31)
14. He IS our refuge and strength. (Psalm 46:1)
15. He IS your helper. (Psalm 54:4)
16. He IS your defense. (Psalm 59:17)
17. He IS the God of the impossible. (Matthew 19:26)
18. He IS the God of peace. (1 Corinthians 14:33)

My friends, this morning this should cause you to sing . . . "Then
sings my soul, My Savior, God to me -- HOW GREAT THOU ART!" Praise Him
today because of who HE IS!- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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daily Freedom Fighters e-devotional from America's KESWICK For Sunday, October16, 2005

WORSHIP WARS?

On the Lord's Day, a day when God's children are supposed to gather
together AS ONE to worship our great God, some get tangled up in the
quagmire of fighting over styles of music. Too many praise chrouses for
some, and not enough hymns for others. Some banter about the need for
"biblical worship."

Well let me throw on one you today. Paul says in Colossians 3:16: "Let
the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one
another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual
songs with GRATITUDE in your hearts."

There is an example of BIBLICAL WORSHIP -- whether it is a psalm (The
Psalter . . . which 75% of us have never ever used in our worship),
hymns and spiritual songs, we sing them TOGETHER with GRATITUDE!!! But
let's not leave off the next verse -- "And WHATEVER you do, in WORD or
DEED, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, GIVING THANKS TO GOD THE
FATHER THROUGH HIM. (Colossians 3:17)

So as you gather today to worship CORPORATELY -- whether you are singing
a hymn or a praise chorus -- You are doing it in HIS NAME -- worship
isn't about us -- IT IS ALL ABOUT HYMN.

Here's an assignment for you this morning -- are you ready for the
challenge? I am giving you a psalm to sing -- come on -- right where you
are -- this comes from a hymnal compiled by the famed preacher --
Charles Haddon Spureon. The hymn tune is AMAZING GRACE and the text is
from Psalm 1. Now worship HIM by singing HIS WORDS set to music . . .
and let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly . . .

Blest is the man who shuns the place
Where sinners love to meet;
Who fears to tread their wicked ways,
And hates the scoffer's seat.

But in the statutes of the Lord
Has placed his chief delight;
By day he reads or hears the Word,
And meditates by night.

He, like a plant of gen'rous kind,
By living waters set,
Safe from the storms and blasting wind,
Enjoys a peaceful state.

Green as the leaf, and ever fair,
Shall his profession shine;
While fruits of holiness appear
Like clusters on the vine.

Not so the impious and unjust;
What vain designs they form!
Their hopes are blown away like dust,
Our chaff before the storm.

Sinners in judgment shall stand
Amongst the sons of grace,
When Christ, the Judge, at His right hand
Appoints His saints a place.

His eye beholds the path thye tread;
His heart approves it well:
But crooked ways a sinners lead
Down to gates of hell."

Have a blessed Lord's day.

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daily Freedom Fighters e-devotional from America's KESWICK for Saturday, October 14, 2005

SANDPAPER PEOPLE

Ok . . . now I certainly can't be the only one who has had (or has)
someone in their life that has rub them the wrong way. How do we respond
to those "sandpaper" people that God brings across our path? Well,
author Mary Southerland suggests in her new book -- SANDPAPER PEOPLE --
DEALING WITH THE ONES WHO RUB YOU THE WRONG WAY (Harvest House
Publishers) -- that there are twelve things we can we do when we do
indeed encounter SANDPAPER PEOPLE:

1. Be loving: Recognize their worth.
2. Be humble: Choose against pride.
3. Be accepting: Love them just as they are.
4. Be encouraging: Become their greatest cheerleader.
5. Be patient: Learn to endure.
6. Be forgiving (Ouch!): Forgive and forget.
7. Be caring: Meet a need.
8. Be peaceful: Wage peace -- be a peacemaker.
9. Be confrontational: Care enough to confront.
10. Be thankful: Thank God for them.
11. Be strong: Develop endurance.
12. Be committed: REFUSE TO WALK AWAY!

"Fools are headstrong and explode all too quickly; the prudent quietly
shrug off insults." -- Proverbs 12:16 THE MESSAGE

Next time you face one of those SANDPAPER PEOPLE -- Pull out this list
and allow God to work in your life as well as theirs!

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daily Freedom Fighters e-devotional from America's KESWICK For Friday, October 14, 2005

SLOW LEARNER . . .

The hard part about writing Freedom Fighters is that having to live out
what you write! I wish I could tell you I have it all together, guys
(and you ladies that have joined us!). I am a slow learner and still in
process. After sharing what I read yesterday from STREAMS IN THE DESERT,
I purposed to pray about EVERYTHING as I moved through the day. Well I
didn't. And I must confess it was a frustrating day. I was short with
several of my co-workers . . . made issues out of stuff that should
have been "little" but turned big.

I have been trying to debrief at the end of the day and write in my
journal. Duh! Why didn't I practice what I wrote? I need to learn to
pray about EVERYTHING! Some of the situations I messed up yesterday
could have easily been averted had I just taken a few moments to pray
for wisdom, prayed for the right way to respond, and to just take a
"time out with the Lord to chill!"

Today in STREAMS . . . "God has a simplicity about Him in working out
His plans, and yet He possesses a resourcefulness equal to any
difficulty. His faithfulness to His trusting children is unwavering, and
He is steadfast in holding to His purpose. In Joseph's life, we see God
work through a fellow prisoner, later through a dream, and finally
through lifting Joseph from a prison to a position of governor. And the
length of Joseph's prison stay gave him the strength and steadiness he
needed as governor. It is always safe to trust God's methods and to live
by HIS clock . . . DIFFICULTY is actually the atmosphere surrounding a
miracle, or a miracle in its initial stage. Yet if it is to be a great
miracle, that surrounding condition will not simply be a difficulty, but
an utter IMPOSSIBILITY! And it is the clinging hand of His child that
makes a desperate situation a delight to God!" -- Streams in the Desert

Wow! Powerful words today! Well here's the deal -- I am going to purpose
to pray about EVERYTHING today! How about you? In fact, I will also do
this -- if you pray for me -- I will pray for you! Thanks for being my
friend!

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SLEEPLESS NIGHT

Have you ever had one of the nights where you just tossed and turned? Couldn't turn off the brain? For me, nights like that is when my mind starts to race and ANXIETY sets in which then sometimes leads to FEAR (False Events Appearing Real!). Last night was one of those nights.
Concern for our Director of Maintenance who is battling leukemia that has now turned into non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. Concerns about several staff that are facing tough times in their lives. Concerns about my growing "to-do" list and all that needs to be done before going to Bermuda at the end of next week. And the list goes on and on . . .

Sometime during the night, the Lord reminded me -- "talk to ME about these things."

This morning when I got up for my quiet time, I opened STREAMS IN THE DESERT, and here are the words that refreshed my soul this morning: "Do not be anxious about anything." (Philippians:6)

"Anxiety should never be found in a believer. In spite of the magnitude, quantity, and diversity of our trials, afflictions, and difficulties, anxiety should not exist under any circumstances. This is because we have a Father in heaven who is almighty, who loves His children as He loves His 'one and only Son,' and whose complete joy and delight is to continually assist them under all circumstances. We should heed His Word, which says, 'Do not be anxious about anything, but in EVERYTHING, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.'

IN EVERYTHING -- not simply when our house is on fire or when our beloved spouse and children are gravely ill, but even in the SMALLEST matters of life. We are to take EVERYTHING to God -- little things, very little things, even what the world calls TRIVIAL things. Yes, we are to take EVERYTHING, living all day long in holy fellowship with our
Heavenly Father and our precious Lord Jesus. We should develop something of a spiritual instinct causing us to immediately turn to God when a concern keeps us awake at night. During those sleepless nights, we should speak to Him, bringing our various concerns before Him, no matter how small they may be. Also speak to the Lord about any trail you are facing or any difficulties you may have in your family or professional life.

BY PRAYER AND PETITION -- earnestly, pleading persevering and enduring, and waiting, waiting, waiting on God. WITH THANKSGIVING -- always laying a good foundation. Even if we have NO possessions, there is one thing for which we can always be thankful -- THAT HE HAS SAVED US FROM HELL! We can also give thanks that He has given us His Holy Word, His Holy Spirit, and the most precious gift of all -- HIS SON! Therefore when we consider all this, we have abundant reasons for thanksgiving.

AND THE PEACE OF GOD WHICH TRANSCENDS ALL UNDERSTANDING WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS -- This is such a wonderful, genuine, and precious blessing that to truly know it, you must experience it, for it 'TRANSCENDS ALL UNDERSTANDING . . . Search your heart several times a day, and if you find something that is disturbing your peace, remember to take the proper steps to restore the calm." from STREAMS IN THE DESERT -- published by Zondervan.

GETTING INTO GOD'S STRIDE

"The test of a person's spiritual like and character is not what he does in the extraordinary moments of life, but what he does during the ordinary times when there is nothing tremendous or exciting happening. A person's worth is revealed in his attitude toward the ordinary things of
life when he is not under the spot light (see John 1:35-37) . . . It is difficult to get into stride with God, because as soon as we start walking with Him we find that His pace has far surpassed us before we have even taken three steps. He has different ways of doing things, and we have to be trained and disciplined in His ways. It was said of Jesus -- 'He will not fail nor be discouraged (Isaiah 42:4)' . . . because He never worked from HIS OWN INDIVIDUAL STANDPOINT, but always worked from the standpoint of HIS FATHER.

And we must learn to do the same. Spiritual truth is learned through the atmosphere that surrounds us, not through intellectual reasoning. If is God's Spirit that changes the atmosphere of our way of looking at things, and then things begin to be possible which before where
impossible. Getting into God's stride means nothing less than oneness with Him. It takes a long time to get there, but keep at it. Don't give up because the pain is intense right now -- get on with it, and before long you will find that you have a new vision and a new purpose."

from the pen of OSWALD CHAMBERS -- MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST published by Discovery House.

TRANSFORMING WORSHIP

"Let Spirit-filled worship be a blend of our highest thoughts and our deeper feelings so that one of the goals of true worship be reached: the reshaping of our lives . . . Let us learn to meditate on God's power, His love, His wisdom, His holiness, His changelessness, His mercy, His glory . . . An increased deepening of praise, worship, thanksgiving is inevitable where worshippers are led to think on the manifold splendor of the Holy One, our God. Let us kneel to worship . . . let us rise to praise Him - -

the Almighty and Self Sufficient One,
the Entirely Holy Three-in-One,
the Merciful, Righteous and the Just,
the All-Knowing and All-Wise,
the Essence and Fountain of Love,
the Creator and Lord of Hosts,
the Absolute and Changeless One,
the Transcendent and Immanent One,
the True and Faithful One,
who, in all His wonder, grandeur and excellence,
has chosen to love us,
has sought to redeem us,
has sent His Son to us:
JESUS CHRIST THE ONE AND ONLY SAVIOR . . .
He has become our Father through the new birth He has made possible in Christ,
who was born of the virgin, lived sinlessly, taught truthfully, died vicariously for mankind,
whose blood and death are the ransom paid for me, providing completely for my eternal salvation.

HE IS THE SON OF GOD,
who literally and physically rose from the dead,
who has ascended to the right hand of the Majesty on high and
who has poured out His Holy Spirit of power upon us,
that we might live in grace both now and forever.
Let the Father be praised!
Let His Son be worshipped!
Let His Spirit be manifested among us!" from WORSHIP HIS
MAJESTY by Dr. Jack Hayford, writer/composer of "MAJESTY"

And here is the bottom line, my friends -- this kind of worship is not just for Sunday! It is for every day of our lives! Be a worshipper today in all you do! Good words to consider and apply.

GOD OUR SHEPHERD

"I must remember that while POSITIONALLY God sees me perfect in Christ, PRACTICALLY He sees me as a sheep, sometimes strong and sometimes weak, sometimes obedient and some times vacillating. I see that in the sheep's psalm -- Psalm 23.

While God the Shepherd is portrayed as competent and capable in the psalm, the sheep is not. Often the sheep is obedient and follows closely by the Shepherd's side and so enjoys green pastures and quiet waters. But sometimes I am a disobedient sheep and so must be 'driven' in the right paths. I sometimes need the rod and the staff and their discipline, which is painful at the moment, but it ultimately brings its 'comfort' (vs. 4). Sometimes I am fearful, especially at the approach of any cavern, cleft or valley. While every valley has its fears, the valley of death has the greatest fear of all, and so I need the extra assurance of my Shepherd's presence, which enables me to 'fear no harm.'

Sometimes I am surrounded by my enemies, but even then God arranges things so that in THEIR sight I am provided a table, a provision, and an oversight by my thoughtful, concerned Shepherd. He wants to show my enemies that I made no mistake in putting my trust entirely in Him.

There are also times when my cup simply overflows. Those are times when I cry out with wonder, 'Why me, Lord? Why me?' When I receive those overwhelming times of joy, it is not because I am good, but because my Shepherd is and He simply desires to share His goodness with me. In fact, He pursues me with 'goodness and mercy (vs. 6) until He brings me safely into His eternal home.

What shall I say of a God who understands me so fully and provides for me so completely? 'Great is the Lord, and greatly [deserves] to be praised.' (Psalm 96:4)"

from DAILY WITH THE KING by W. Glyn Evans published by Moody Press

Good words for today. Read Psalm 23!

IN TIMES LIKE THESE . . .

What is God doing? Is He trying to get our attention? Thousands left homeless by the Hurricanes Katrina and Rita? Thousands of lives lost in South America this weekend as a result of landslides? Over $25,000 killed in Pakistan with 40,000 injured from the earthquakes yesterday?

The prophet Habakkuk said: "Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days -- You would not believe if you were told." (Habakkuk 1:5)

Is He giving us a wake-up call -- to the church? To the nation? To our world? I believe He is. While these are difficult days -- these are days that we who love the Lord can shine as bright lights in the darkness. In fact, it could very well be that things could get worse. Habakkuk
painted a pretty bleak picture in the three chapters of his prophecy. But listen to how the book ends -- it ends with PRAISE! "Though the fig tree should not blossom, and there be no fruit on the vines, though the yield of the olive should fail, and the fields produce no food, Though
the flock should be cut off from the fold, And there be no cattle in the stall -- YET I WILL EXALT IN THE LORD, I WILL REJOICE IN THE GOD OF MY SALVATION. THE LORD GOD IS MY MY STRENGTH, AND HE HAS MADE MY FEET LIKE HIND'S FEET, AND MAKES ME WALK ON HIGH PLACES!" (Habakkuk 3:17-19)

These are not times for us to live in despair. As you gather with brothers and sisters today -- Rejoice! HE IS YOUR STRENGTH! HE IS YOUR JOY! LOOK UP! YOUR REDEMPTION DRAWETH NIGH!

Good words to ponder on this rainy Lord's Day. Thank You, Lord for reviving the parched ground with your refreshing rains. Do the same today for our dry souls. Send your rains of revival on our parched, dry, barren hearts." Amen.

REST IN GOD

"Virtue starts to grow in a heart that desires the will of God. It is not a question of knowing a lot, or be talented, or even doing great deeds. All that you really need is to long to belong completely to God. But how does your will come to this place? By conforming little by little, but without reservation, to what God wants. You must learn to bring your weak will in line with God's all-powerful one. Here you will find inexhaustible and never-ending peace and joy.

Adore, praise, and bless God for everything! See Him in ALL things. There is never anything truly evil in your life for God uses even the most terrible sufferings to work for your good because you love Him. Can the troubles God uses to purify your life be called evil? Think of what these troubles accomplish in your life.

Rest all your cares on the bosom of the Father. Be content to follow His will in all things, and to let Him bring your will into harmony and oneness with Him. Do not resist Him as he works within you. If you feel resistance rising up inside of you, turn to Him and take His side against your own rebellious nature. He will know what to do. Learn not the grieve the Holy Spirit within you, for He watches over your inner life. Learn from the past mistakes you have made without getting discouraged.

How can you better glorify God than by renouncing your own desires and letting Him do what pleases Him? He is truly your God when you see nothing but the hand of God ruling over things in your life, and you worship Him with not outside pressure and even with no inward comfort.

To want to serve God in some conditions, but not others, is to serve Him in your own way. But to put no limits on your submission to God is truly dying to yourself. This is how to worship God!
Open yourself to God without measure. Let His life flow through you like a torrent. Fear nothing on the road you are walking. God will lead you by the hand. Let your love for Him cast out the fear you feel for yourself." from THE SEEKING HEART by Fenelon.

TRUSTING HIM TO KEEP YOU

"I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me." (Philippians 3:12)

"'Abide in me': These words are no law of Moses, demanding from the sinful what they cannot perform. They are the command of love, which is only a promise in a different shape. Think of this until all feeling of burden, fear, and despair pass away, and the first thought that comes as
you hear of abiding in Jesus is one of bright and joyous hope: It is for me; I know I will enjoy it. You are not under the law which is demanding DO, but under grace with its blessed BELIEVE what Christ will do for you. And if the questions is asked, 'But surely there is something for us TO DO,' the answer is, 'Our DOING and WORKING are but the FRUIT of Christ working in us.' It is when the soul becomes utterly PASSIVE, looking for and resting in what CHRIST will do, that its energies are stirred to their highest activity, and we work most effectively because we know that He works in us. It is as we see in the words 'REMAIN IN ME' (John 15:4) the mighty energies of love reaching out after us to have us and to hold us, that all the strength of our will is awakened to abide in Him.

This connection between Christ's work and our work is beautifully expressed in the words of Paul: 'I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.' It was because he knew that the mighty and the faithful One had grasped him with the glorious purpose of making him one with Christ that he did his utmost to grasp the glorious prize.

Fix your eyes on Christ. Gaze on the love that shines in those eyes and asks whether you can trust Him, who sought, found, and brought you near, now to keep you. It is because Jesus has taken hold of me and because He keeps me that I dare to say, 'Savior, I abide in You.'"

from the pen of ANDREW MURRAY -- THE ANDREW MURRAY DAILY READER IN TODAY'S LANGUAGE published by Bethany House Publishers (Murray [1828-1917] was born in South Africa. After receiving his education in Scotland and Holland, he returned top South Africa and spent his life there as a pastor, missionary, and author of many devotional books. He
and his wife, Emma, raised eight children.)

THE DESIRES OF YOUR HEART

"Delight yourself also in the Lord, And He shall give you the desires of your heart." -- Psalm 37:4

"Your relationship with God ought to bring you more joy, satisfaction, and pleasure than any other relationship, activity, or material possession you have. Scripture exhorts you to delight yourself in the Lord, finding your greatest pleasure in God and the things dear to His
heart.

How can you find pleasure in what God enjoys? Only as you spend time with Him will you begin to take delight in the things God loves. As you spend intimate time with God allow Him to show you your situation from His perspective, you will begin to see things as God sees them. As you
adjust yourself to God, your heart will begging to desire the same things God's heart desires. When you pray, you will find yourself asking for the very things God desires. Matters foremost on God's heart will be preeminent in yours. Your first request in prayer will not be for yourself, but for God's name to be exalted and His kingdom to be extended. (Matthew 6:9-10)

Have you been asking God to give you the desires of your heart without first seeking to understand what is on His heart? God places this important requirement for those who pray: that we will seek HIS priorities and make them our own. This great qualifier prevents us from
asking out of selfishness. As we find joy in the Lord, we will see what is truly important, and we will long for these things as the Father does." from EXPERIENCING GOD DAY-BY-DAY by Henry Blackaby -- Broadman & Holman

Good words to ponder.

MORNING NEEDS

From the book -- THE VALLEY OF VISION -- Prayers of the Puritans -- published by Banner of Truth

O God, the Author of all good,
I will come to You for the grace another day will require for its duties and events.
I step out into a wicked world,
I carry about me an evil heart,
I know that without You I can do nothing,
that everything with which I shall be concerned
however harmless in itself,
may prove an occasion of sin or folly,
unless I am kept by Your power.
Hold me up and I shall be safe.
Preserve my understanding from subtitly (skill) of error,
my affections from love of idols,
my character from strain of vice,
my profession from every form of evil.
May I engage in nothing in which I cannot implore Your blessing,
and in which I cannot invite Your inspection.
Prosper me in all lawful undertakings, or prepare me for disappointments;
Give me neither poverty or riches;
Feed me with food convenient for me, lest I be full and deny You
and say, Who is the Lord?
or be poor, and steal, and take Your name in vain.
May every creature be made good to me by prayer and Your will;
Teach me how to use the world, and not abuse it,
to improve my talents,
to redeem my time,
to walk in wisdom toward those without,
and in kindness to those within,
to do go to all men,
and especially to my fellow Christians.
And to You be the glory. Amen.

Good words to ponder as you pray through today!

IT'S LATER THAN YOU THINK . . .

Here is one more snippet from THE CRIMINALIZATION OF CHRISTIANITY for your consideration:

"A survey released by the Society for Adolescent Medicine indicates that 'about 84 percent of parents do not believe that their teenage children have ever had sex, but CDC data show that almost 50% of ninth through 12th graders age 14-18 are sexually active.'

Parent Lisa Gallego said that when her 15-year old daughter balked at putting a condom in her mouth, instructor Tony Escudero told her, 'Come on, sweetie, have a little fun.' The New Mexico Health Department is standing behind a sex education teacher in Santa Fe who encouraged ninth graders to taste flavored condoms . . . Also, Gallegos quotes her daughter as saying when a male student expressed his disgust with homosexual activity, Escudero said, 'Never say never, because you never know. Someday you might like it that way.'

Tennessee Sexuality Information and Education Council urged educators to prepare children to step into a new world: 'to do this they must pry children away from old views and values, especially from biblical and other traditional forms of sexual morality.'

The Center for Disease Control produced a book entitled REDUCING THE RISK for the public school system. Here is how they present the option of abstaining from sex:

"You could become a hermit, or so unpleasant that everyone stays clear of you. Or you could never become involved in a romantic relationship.""Abstinence-only programs force-feed students religious ideology that condemns homosexuality, masturbation, abortion, and contraception. In doing so, they endanger students' sexual health." -- Planned Parenthood

"No matter how much we guide our children within our families and within our churches, we are not stranger than the power of sexuality. The solution is to have parents of teens buy a box of 200 condoms and put them at a little-used location of the house . . . but where the teens
can find them. That way the kids won't be afraid to ask, and the parents won't know." -- Sharon Stone -- United Nations Conference on AIDS "Social workers in Winnipeg have begun handing out 'high-quality' crack pipes and instructions to addicts on the city's streets, part of a
harm-reduction strategy put in place by local health officials . . . The kits are not handed out to just anyone who asks, she stressed, but are given to crack cocaine users who have been assessed by trained social workers, who in many cases have had multiple interactions with those users . . ." According to the story, your "Safe Crack Use Kit" comes complete with metal screens, alcohol swabs (for those who do end up sharing), pipe cleaners, matches, lip balm, at least one condom, and information about where an addict can get help. Yes, smoking crack is illegal and dangerous. But some people are going to do it anyway . . . so why not help them commit illegal, self-destructive acts."

from "THE CRIMINALIZATION OF CHRISTIANITY . . . READ THIS BEFORE IT BECOMES ILLEGAL!" by Janet L. Folger, published by Multnomah.

The prophet Ezekiel warned: "If the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes the life on one of them, that man will be taken away because of his sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood." --
Ezekiel 33:6

I strongly urge you to get a copy of this book so that you will be aware and informed of what is taking place in our country. We cannot afford to be ostriches with our heads in the sand. It is not too late -- we can make a difference. The book sells for $19.95 -- but I am making it available to our Freedom Fighter family for $15. To order a copy, respond to this email. We will mail your book and you can mail your check to my attention.

IS HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF?

"On April 7, 1933, laws were passed in pre-World War 2 Germany . . . 400 hundred separate pieces of legislation enacted between 1933 and 1939 that defined, isolated, excluded, segregated, and impoverished German Jews.

Does this sound familiar? "Hitler turned Christmas and Easter into pagan holidays. Christmas became a pagan festival, and at least for the SS troops, its date was changed to Yuletide. Crucifixes were eliminated from classrooms, and Easter was turned into a holiday that heralded the arrival of spring. Carols and nativity plays were banned from schools. Sound vaguely familiar?

Signs saying 'Jews Unwelcome' were posted in public facilities, shops, theaters, restaurants, hotels, and pharmacies. Jews were forbidden to sit on public park benches and relegated to benches marked 'FOR JEWS ONLY.' . . . Christians today are becoming the subject of negativity.
A political cartoon pictures Christians as rats pulling the Republican elephant into the 'faith mission' with the quite, 'You're becoming saved, like it or not.' If only those pesky Christian rats would leave the Republican Party alone. Ted Turner refers to people of faith as 'one of the great world evils, comparable to the smallpox virus but harder to eradicate.'

Historically, after ridicule, deionization, censorship, and discrimination comes persecution. In Germany, the call came for a final solution. There are lots of ways to implement a final solution. Gas chambers are one. Lions are another. Here is a chilling comment by Reggie Rivers of the Rocky Mountain Times: 'I can periodically understand the frustration and general fatigue that compelled the Romans to throw select Christians to the lions. Its not just that the lions were hungry; it was that the Romans were tired of listening to the self-righteous babbling of Christians who claimed to be experts on everything and had egos the size of . . . well, God.'" from THE CRIMINALIZATION OF CHRISTIANITY by Janet Folger.

We need to be men and women like the children of Issachar who had "an understanding of the times." (1 Chronicles 12:32). That is why you need to be a student of THE BOOK -- GOD'S WORD.

I have copies of this compelling book for our Freedom Fighter family. It is a must read for every Christian. Regular price $19.95 -- for our FF family $15. To order a copy, respond to this email.

THE ONE WE WORSHIP AND ADORE

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light in accessible hid from our eyes.
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious -- Thy great name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,
Nor wanting, nor wasting, Thou rulest in might;
Thy justice like mountains, high soaring above
Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all, life Thou givest -- to both great and small;
In all life Thou livest -- the true life of all.
Thy wisdom so boundless, Thy mercy so free,
Eternal Thy goodness for naught changeth Thee.

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,
Thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;
All praise we would render -- O help us to see
'Tis only the splendor of light hideth Thee!

This morning as you gather to worship -- we worship our great God! Worship is all about Him!

DARE TO BE A DANIEL

Some of you have heard that the IRS has been cracking down on churches, some have even had their tax exempt status questioned. Well wait until you hear this . . . "In 1954, Senator Lyndon B. Johnson, was angry at some churches who opposed him. He thought he would teach them a lesson by legislating a gag rule for them and every other church in America. He offered an amendment that permanently extended the reach of the IRS into our nation's churches, parachurches, and nonprofit organizations. The amendment was accepted unanimously without debate.

'Since that time,' said Congressman Walter B. Jones (R-NC), 'the IRS has turned the 501(c)(3) code-section on its head in an attempt to punish pastors for communicating the principles of their faith during an election period.' So Congressman Jones, along with former House Majority
Whip, Tom Delay, introduced the House of Worship Political Speech Protection Act, which would free churches their First Amendment freedoms just like everyone else. If you care about restoring freedom to our churches, this bill MUST BE PASSED.

Barry Lynn of the Americans United for Separation of Church and State is sending people to churches to videotape sermons for any irregularities and report them to IRS. Lynn is joined by the so-called Mainstream Coalition, which has about a hundred volunteers monitoring churches to see whether pastors are abiding by federal laws governing political activity by nonprofit institutions." from THE CRIMINALIZATION OF CHRISTIANITY published by Multnomah.

Sound familiar? Remember Daniel? Daniel refused to bow and worship the pagan Gods. He stood firm for his convictions. And the result? Tossed in the lions den. THEN GOD SHOWED UP and honored David for his obedience and faithfulness. The King repented and declared: "I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before the
God of Daniel; FOR HE IS THE LIVING GOD AND ENDURING FOREVER. AND HIS
KINGDOM IS ONE WHICH WILL NOT BE DESTROYED. AND HIS DOMINION WILL BE
FOREVER. HE DELIVERS AND RESCUES AND PERFORMS SIGNS AND WONDERS IN
HEAVEN AND ON EARTH, WHO HAS ALSO DELIVERED DANIEL FROM THE POWER OF THE LIONS!" (Daniel 6:26-27)

Friend, it's not too late. Dare to be a Daniel! Good words to consider. Special for Freedom Fighter members: order THE CRIMINALIZATION OF CHRISTIANITY by responding to this email. Regular price $19.95 -- Freedom Fighter price -- $15.00.