SIGN A PETITION TO THE UN FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHRISTIANS :" The church in Syria has shone brightly for 2,000 years. But today violence and persecution threatens its survival. Thanks to an incredible response, Open Doors is helping 8,000 families in Syria survive each month. We believe the signatures and prayers of 500,000 people will encourage the UN to act and protect the rights and lives of all Syrians, especially the vulnerable Christian community." Go to: http://lp.opendoorsusa.org/emails/nov-13-action/save-syria.html?utm_source=action&utm_medium=email&utm_content=button&utm_campaign=november
URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS:
"Missionary in Philippines: 'Bodies Laying Everywhere'- By Dale Hurd and Heather Sells, November 12; http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/November/Truckloads-of-Bodies-Filipinos-Plead-for-Help/ - [PRAY that relief supplies will get to the needed area in time to help the tens of thousands who are in great need. PRAY that security can be established in the midst of looters causing problems in the midst of the devastation. - Stan]
NEWS ALERT: Oct. 23: "Christians Fleeing IRAQ Area Once Considered Safe," - CBNNews.com, http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/October/Christians-Fleeing-Iraq-Area-Once-Considered-Safe/ PRAY that believers in Iraq will know God's protection and provision; that believers will know[ whether they are called to flee or remain and persevere; and that their persecutors may come to hear the gospel and come to faith in Christ. - Stan]
Continue to Pray for EGYPT - Continue to pray for the tense situation in Egypt and especially for the Christian believers who are being targeted with violence by Muslim Brotherhood members.]
Update on Kenneth Bae: "US Ready to Bargain with N. Korea for Bae's Release,"- CBNNews.com, Aug 14, 2013 http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/August/S-Ready-to-Bargain-with-N-Korea-for-Baes-Release/ - The United States is willing to engage North Korea to secure the release of imprisoned American Christian Kenneth Bae. State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf said the United States is "willing to consider a number of different options" to bring him home.In a video recently released by a North Korean newspaper, Bae requested the United States send a high-ranking official to North Korea to seek his pardon. It is unclear if he spoke of his own volition in the video. Bae, 45, was sentenced to 15 years of hard labor for sharing his faith. He suffers health problems such as diabetes and is currently hospitalized.[PRAY for 1) God's healing of and presence with Pastor Bae, 2) His earliest release by the North Korean government, and 3) God's comfort for his family and friends.]
NEWS ALERT: Monday, November 04, 2013 - Saeed's Life in [Greater] Jeopardy After Prison Transfer - CBNNews.com, ; http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/world/2013/November/Saeeds-Life-in-Jeopardy-after-Prison-Transfer/ IRAN - Vigils Mark One Year Imprisonment of Pastor Saeed - CBNNews.com, Thursday, September 26, 2013 - Today marks one-year that American pastor Saeed Abedini has been held in an Iranian prison. He is serving an eight-year sentence because of his Christian faith. It has been a year of torment as he has suffered beatings, physical pain from untreated medical conditions, and separation from his wife and two children... The suffering has not dampened his passion for Jesus. Pastor Abedini has led more than 30 prisoners to Christ during his time in prison. This afternoon, thousands of Americans from coast to coast will pray for his release. Events will be held in 40 states at capitols, city halls, parks and churches. Thousands more will join from 15 nations around the world
PRAY: - For comfort and peace for Saeed’s wife and children here in the U.S.\
- For a strong witness and testimony from Pastor Abedini in the prison where God has placed him
- For Christians around the world who are being persecuted for their faith in Christ
- BOLDly (Beside Our Leaders Daily) for leadership from the White House and State Department in defending the freedoms of Abedini and other Americans
- GO TO SaveSaeed.org to sign a petition over 600,000 others asking for his immediate release
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"Ten Ways to Start the New Year Fresh -- Again "- Jackie Gingrich Cushman | Jan 02, 2014; http://townhall.com/columnists/jackiegingrichcushman/2014/01/02/ten-ways-to-start-the-new-year-fresh--again-n1770500/page/full
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It's the beginning of a new year and a great chance to start over -- but how? Here are 10 ways to gain a fresh start in 2014.
2. Define success. Whether it be money made, time spent, lives changed or experiences created, every person has a different definition of success. Do not worry if yours is different from anyone else's. Instead, worry if it is the same.
3. Think about long-term success, not short-term success. Nothing grand can be completed in a year, so don't attempt to rebuild your life in such a short time.Write your obituary. What do you want said about you when you die?
4. Define what you can do in the coming year that will build a foundation to achieve your long-term goals. Is it getting an additional degree, paying off credit card bills, rebuilding relationships? What can be done in one year that will set the stage for long-term success? Now, write it down.
5. Survey the terrain. What are the strengths and weaknesses of your position? What is happening in the environment around you and is there any way to take advantage of the winds and currents of change that are already happening in your industry and in your life? Write down how you can take advantage of the terrain.
6. Take inventory of talent and supplies. What are the assets available to be used and are there any alliances to be made that might help you reach those goals and help your allies reach theirs? A full and complete inventory might allow you to recognize previously unused assets. Ensure that all assets and possible alliances are being put to use. Put this in writing.
7. Break your annual goal into subgoals that can be completed in individual months. Determine what needs to be done each month to make your annual goal easy to accomplish. Write it on a calendar for a monthly check in. That's the easy part; then make sure that the monthly check-in occurs in a timely manner. Be truthful with yourself regarding whether you are making sufficient progress and reevaluate your goals on a monthly basis. Are you making extra progress in some areas, but not as much in others? Once the monthly evaluations take place and the goals are recalibrated and written down, celebrate your successes and forget your failures.
8. Translate the monthly goals into daily activities. In the end, all accomplishments are the result of daily activity. What should happen on a daily basis to make the monthly goal inevitable? Write these items down and review them every morning and night. The morning review will remind you of what your goals are for the day, the nightly review will allow you to determine if the daily goals have been met. Recalibrate your daily activity, if necessary. Again, forget your failures and celebrate your successes.
9. Develop ongoing amnesia. Forget what did not work for you last year and your failures, (yes, we all had them). Celebrate your successes. Continue this on a yearly, monthly, weekly, daily basis. A large part of life is about momentum; positive momentum should be amplified and reinforced.
10. Enjoy life. Enjoy your family, pets, friends, clients, suppliers and even the person who bags your groceries. We only get one life, and there is a good chance that it will be shorter than we might like, so enjoy the time that you have. Take time out every day -- even if it is only 10 minutes -- just for you. Take a hot bath, read a book, stare out the window.
In the end, it's important to remember that life is not about the accomplishments; it's about the relationships that we make along the way -- including our relationship with ourselves.
[bold and italics emphasis mine]
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