I enjoy early morning when things are quiet and the mind/body is refreshed. For many years (even the years that I was an educator), I have included a scripture verse with my correspondence. One that I have used often is Matthew 6:33. I work from a  daily "To Do" list with the items prioritized. This means #1 is the most important and the last item is the least important. My desire is to put Matthew 6:33 at the head of my list. Jesus said that when we seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness that everything else will be there. "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you."  Since I have kept the agenda pages for the last twenty-five years, I can go back and tell you pretty much what I has doing on a certain day. That is helpful.

Today I accepted an invitation to conduct prayer seminars in France the last week in January 2008. When we first entered Europe with the prayer seminars, I termed Europe as the "continent that has lost its faith." And that is true. The number of evangelical Christians is very small. There is little interest in spiritual matters among many Europeans. France is at the forefront. One of the reasons that we like tyo mobilize prayer warriors is to encourage them to pray for laborers in their own vineyard. Although Jesus Himself told us to pray for laborers, the truth is that we are not obeying Him. In fact, if you recorded every prayer prayed today in your area and there is one for laborers, I will be surprised. We are guilty of the sin of prayerlessness and this is an example.

My Bible study this morning was Mark 4-7. As a reporter does, Mark noted events in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ in clear, concise language. "Teaching" and "healing" were two words that I marked. He meet every need that came before Him. The very last verse in the reading got my attention: The people "were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well; he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak" (Mark 7:37). Everything He did or said was exactly right for each occasion. Here we are over 2,000 years away, but there could be no greater challenge for one's life. My desire has been to do things well, but I often fall short. Through His grace and mercy, however, there is a land of beginning again. My affirmation to my self is that I want to do all things well. With God's help, the impossible becomes the possible.

Long ago I heard something that caught my attention and has guided much of what I have been doing for several decades. Here it is: "They will not come, they must be brought. They will not seek, they must be sought. They will not study, they must be taught." Certainly, the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself, came to seek and to save the lost. He mandated that those who are His disciples go into the world and evangelize. Once a person is reached, he must be taught. My work is teaching the Word of God to those who attend the prayer seminars. It has been amazing to see the Holy Spirit bring the Word alive in the hearts and minds of those who attend. Preparations are being made in three nations--South Africa, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo--for my teaching ministry. The prayer seminar workbook is ready in English, French, and Swahili. Teaching is more effective when the students have the workbook in their own langauge. Thankfully, our partners supply the financial and prayer support to allow this teaching to go forth. Thank you!

After a busy day and night, I tend to "feel my age" the next day. That is true today. After a wonderful board meeting in Murfreesboro, TN, Sue and I "hit the road" headed home. Since she had been in Kentucky with her family for a week, we had both cars. Sometimes she was in the lead and other times I was out in front. We traveled with the traffic--and it is fast in Tennessee--and only stopped twice. Both of us commented how good it was to be home last night. Let me share something that I learned in reading Nehemiah 8:10. No person was even busier than Nehemiah in getting the wall rebuilt around Jerusalem in a record fifty-two days. The people worked day and night. Nehemiah explained that "the joy of the Lord" was His strength. I can say from experience that this is a true statement. Keep the joy of the Lord fresh and it is amazing how quickly strength is renewed.

Today I stood on holy ground as I began the day in Matthew 26-28. I observed the Lord Jesus Christ as He finished the work His Father had sent Him to do. I am grateful to Mary of Bethany for anointing Him with precious ointment, first His feet and then she poured it on His head. Jesus explained she was preparing His body for burial. I went to the Garden of Gethsemane and watched Him pray so earnestly and fervently as His disciples slept. Then I heard the crowd coming, saw Judas betray Him with a kiss, followed Him through trials and the walk to Calvary carrying His cross. Then, there He was on the Cross from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. shedding His blood for my sins. Death and burial came next. But on Sunday morning, He arose! He lives! My heart was touched and  my love for Him was stirred. I remember why we have the prayer seminar ministry as His last words recorded by Matthew is to go, make disciples, and teach them all things (Matthew 28:18-20). Gladly will I go as long as He opens doors and gives me strength to do so. I am ready for the quarterly meeting of JGHM's Board of Directors in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. We hope to end the day at home in Lynchburg, Virginia, 500 miles away. Thank You, Lord, for Your grace and mercy. I love You.

Yesterday, Dr. Jones Kaheli, professor at Liberty Univesity and a native of Kenya, brought the new Swahili translation of the prayer seminar workbook. Martin Shikuku, pastor in Eldoret, Kenya, translated the English workbook into Swahili providing a handwritten edition. Dr. Kaheli is editing the edition typed by his two daughters. It is beautiful! Once the graphics are inserted, it will be ready for printing. Millions speak Swahili as their primary language and this will be a valuable tool for teaching. Earlier in the week, I received a completed French translation prepared by Daniel Beauchemin in Montreal. In the beginning of our ministry in other nations, it became apparent that JGHM must provide a copy of the prayer seminar workbook in the language of the people. Through God's grace and our supporters--who provide the funds--the prayer seminar workbook is available in many languages. God is good!

The dates for the prayer seminars in South Africa, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo are November 8-30. The excitement is growing. In teach venue in the latter two countries, pastors are coming from a wide area at their own expense. JGHM plans to provide funds for food and lodging. Over two hundred pastors are expected in Misikhu in Western Kenya and over three hundred pastors and leaders are expected in Uvira in the eastern part of Congo. Many are praying with me for the needed funds. Since this one trip is equivalent to three trips, the budget that we have established is the second largest in our twenty-four year history--$13,100. $5,000 has been received as of mail time yesterday.  All three pastors who are serving as coordinators in Kenya and the Congo have been conducting prayer seminars since April of last year when they were in a course on prayer that I taught for East Africa Bible Institute. Of course, we have a branch of our work in South Africa since 1988. Pray for the financial resources to serve God's children in these three nations. By the way, Congo is our 50th nation for the prayer seminar ministry outside the United States.

I have just checked carefully my airline tickets from Johannesburg to Capetown to Nairobi to Bujumbura (Burundi) for the seminars in Africa November 8-30. I have learned by experience to be meticulous and not presume everything is OKAY. A number of years ago, Sue and I arrived in Moscow en route to a seminar in the Ural Mountains only to find that the Russian embassy in Los Angeles had entered the wrong dates. Since I worked through a reputable travel agent in getting the Russian visa and was very busy with my work with the colleges, I had not looked. The supervisor in Russia said that the error could be corrected if I would pay him $500. Of course, I refused and held my ground until he relented. While I was taken to his office in another building leaving Sue alone with the luggage for several hours, it was a distressful time. I'm trying to touch every base these days as I travel to avoid surprises. Trust God and verify is the word for the day.

My major project today was getting the report finalized for our quarterly board meeting which will be held in Murfreesboro, Tennessee on Monday. This will be the 96th board meeting signifying the completion of twenty-four years as a ministry. Some of the board members have been with me from the beginning. Since JGHM is a Tennessee non-profit corporation, there are strict guidelines for the management of the ministry. The board provides oversight. I ended the day transmitting funds to Kenya for the expenses of the prayer seminars that will be conducted there in November. I began the day at 4 a.m. and have worked all day doing the Lord's work. Although I have never grown tired of the way, I sometimes get tired in the way. The amazing thing is the renewal that comes with a good night's sleep.