In This Month's Report:
* Editorial - Sleeping in the Storm
* Health Update - Recovering Before the Next Round
* Feedback - Addicted to the Good News
* May Ministry - Impacting the Northeast and Beyond
* News and Resources - Whole World Optimistic!
* Products - Four Exciting Resources (see link below)
* Partnership - Invest In God's Program for the Northeast of America
* God Thoughts - The Warlike Power of a Civilized People

We would love to hear from you; please send us your feedback today. Don’t forget the ever-popular 'GOD THOUGHTS' at the end of this report. Enjoy! JB

"And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow." Mark 4:37

INTRODUCTION

Our world is experiencing a 'windstorm' that is shaking everything that can be shaken. The dire predictions of many secular and religious commentators don't offer much encouragement for the future. Some are asserting that we are witnessing the end of the world as we know it and hope is becoming a scarce commodity in today's world.

HEAD IN THE SAND

All that aside, the reality is there can be no pretending that there is nothing to be concerned about. The times we are now in are enough to put fear in anyone not living and walking in a true relationship with Christ. However, there is a big difference between sticking your head in the sand like an ostrich, hoping that the harshness of your surroundings just might go away, and living in the peace that passes all earthly understanding, just like Jesus sleeping in the storm!

Jesus had no concern for the tumult of the surrounding environment. He knew His mission was not going to be interrupted by some passing storm, and above all, He lived in the assurance of His close relationship with His Father, the source of all comfort and security.

A FRUSTRATED JESUS?

His disciples had not yet come into that place of peace. They were overcome with indignation as Mark, chapter 4, goes on to say, "And they awoke Him and said to Him, 'Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?' Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, 'Peace, be still!' And the wind ceased and there was a great calm." The Lord's authority to calm the elements came from His total security in who He was and His relationship with the Father, the ultimate source of power.

However, Jesus then expressed His frustration by not only rebuking the storm but also His disciples, "But He said to them, 'Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?' And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, 'Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!'”

THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS?

As I have battled with my health over the first half of this year, I have been learning to stay in that same place of peace that Jesus occupied in the storm, so much that He was secure enough to just go to sleep while the world around Him was in tumult. While I have not been sleeping by any means, the peace of my spirit and soul rests in the faith and trust that grows daily as, more and more, we all enter into what some are calling 'the beginning of sorrows'!
 

Although the following scripture is first to the Jews, as a spiritual child of Abraham, we can also claim this promise, "When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, when you turn to the Lord your God and obey His voice (for the Lord your God is a merciful God), He will not forsake you nor destroy you..." (Deut. 4:30-31).

If you are in the middle of a storm right now, feeling like you're being pushed to the limit, remember that man's extremity is God's opportunity. #

I am so grateful to all of you who are responding to our appeal for prayer and support after the diagnosis of cancer in my esophagus at the beginning of this year.

I am now home after the ordeal of surgery to remove most of my esophagus nearly a month ago. I am slowly recovering and regaining strength daily before the next round of proposed chemo.

I will send you an update with more details and prayer points in the next few days.

"Dear Jeff, Thank you so much for keeping everyone updated on your condition. It means a lot to all of us when someone in a battle such as yours is willing to share their story. You are a very strong person. Your transparency and faith are evident. We have been praying for you on a regular basis both personally and corporately since the news first came to us. We look daily for any news....

We are also standing in faith for another minister in a situation similar to yours. We will not give up or give in. No matter how it looks, no matter what the report. We just insist on standing on the covenant with both of you. There's no other option. Just keep sending out a blurb now and then so we know how to pray. We love you and look forward to hearing good news as time progresses." Sincerely, Steve & Linda Mears, Pastors, Living Water Christian Center, New Gretna, NJ

"Dear Jeff, Our prayers are with you. May God raise you and strengthen you in continuing God's great commission. Your stand has changed many lives. Without your stand you wouldn't be receiving my email today. Your ministry led me and my family to be addicted to the good news of the Gospel. We stand on the Gospel and there is no turning back. Thanks to you. We wish you a speedy recovery and our thoughts are with you and your family." God Bless you, the Fotopoulos Family, Melbourne, Australia