Condolences to Ben Witherington and his family.  His father passed away yesterday at the age of 92.  Stop  by Ben’s blog and take a few minutes to read the “goodbye” letter he wrote to his father.  The post is titled:  Requiem For My Father–A Last Letter.  This is the way I said goodbye to my father as well.  Regardless of the age we lose our parents, there are always so many things left unsaid.  Writing a final letter can be very healing.

Take a minute to read the business section of any newspaper, magazine, or web site and you’re bound to hear more and more about massive layoffs and rising unemployment.  I got word of more friends of mine losing their jobs today.  Each time these layoffs hit close to home I’m reminded of how little it would take for me to lose my home in the event that I lost my job.  At these moments it’s important to remember that we hold on too tightly to our money and our possessions.  We try to take comfort in our own strength, ability, and power.  The truth is it’s fleeting.  All that we have here on this earth is only for a moment.  Let’s not look to our money, possessions, or even our own strength in these tough times.  Let’s set our eyes upon Jesus Christ.  In our final hours and in that final moment, our relationship with Him is all that will matter.  Turn to Him in these difficult times.  Turn to Him in good times.  No matter what you do, be sure you turn to Him.  Pray that those who are experiencing the difficulties of unemployment at this present time will be drawn to put their trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, so that they will find their comfort and rest in Him.

One of the things that has happened amongst my friend and peer groups this year is a lot of marital struggles.  There’s a bit of divorce, job difficulties, new babies, financial struggles, etc.  It has been especially brutal on friends of ours who are doing ministry to other married couples.  It seems the deeper they go into ministry, the more the enemy works overtime.  Please pray for me and my wife that we’d know how we can be an encouragement and help to these folks in their time of need and struggle.  Pray that they would not see us, but see Jesus Christ working through us to meet their needs.

Good Morning to all of the Bible Geek Gone Wild listeners out there in cyberspace.  I wanted to ask for prayer.  Over the last several years, I’ve gone through a lot of personal change (i.e. moves, job changes, life changes, etc.).  In the midst of it all, I’ve had the overwhelming sense of being at a crossroads, but no clear direction as to what’s next.  At present I have a sense that I need to greatly increase my efforts of seeking God in Bible reading and prayer and that will be the first step in gaining clarity on this stirring I feel in the depths of my soul.  I kindly ask for your prayers on this.  Have a great Sunday!

P.S. Please keep praying for my friend Sara, who is in the midst of her 3rd pregnancy and facing 9 more weeks of bed rest.  Also, please keep remembering my cousin’s daughter Jentai, who is being treated for leukemia.