WORD OF THE DAY - Thursday 09 December 2010

We were able to visit with our dear friends Laura and George Delaino. While living in Cedar Key, we had an early morning prayer and Bible study hour that included some refreshments and great conversation. This was also a time to meet new people in the community and make friends. This couple was there if we were there. Laura Jean has been a faithful member of the congregation since her teenage years due to the good example of her mother. Now she has problems with her vision that makes it impossible for her to read the daily Word of the Day. Laura made friends with Olga in Magadan and when she was able to see good, she would always write something to Olga as a way of encouraging her in the faith. And Olga wrote many good letters to Laura that she treasures. It is wonderful the way God's people truly love one another even though we may never meet on this side of Heaven, but we know that after this life if over, we will have that joyful and eternal fellowship with our Lord as we follow Him. Thank you for your prayers for this important mission work.

While we were waiting on the car dealership to make a decision about the car, we took a ride out to Cedar Key where I preached the Gospel from August 2001 until August 2008. This was during the time when I was unable to obtain a travel visa for Russia. We have many dear friends there and long to be able to visit them after our next mission work in Ukraine and Russia. Galina enjoyed her work there with the Cedar Key Historical Society Museum and we both stayed involved with community activities such as working as poll workers during elections. We noticed that the sagging world economy has taken its toll on many small businesses in this Gulf Coast island community. Several familiar and "landmark" restaurants and other shops were closed. However, this small town has a resilient core of people who will do everything possible to bring back successful businesses to the community. The city economy is fed to a large extent by the local clam industry. Cedar Key clams are shipped all over the world. Like the rest of Florida, many dollars come from tourists from other states as well as Canada and some other countries.

In addition to growing cotton and peanuts, this region of south Alabama, south Georgia and north Florida has many large cattle ranches. All the Cowboys don't live in Texas.

Cotton farmers in southeast Alabama and southwest Georgia were working hard to bring in their cotton. There were so many of these large round bails that it seemed to be countless. However, we noticed that everything was in order.

This photo was taken Tuesday morning as the rising sun greeted us on the highway between Dothan, Alabama and Donaldsonville, Georgia. We had to take a trip down to the automobile dealership where our car is being worked on. We were able to meet with the manager of the service department and settle the dispute and they promised to have the car ready Friday. It costs too much to stay in hotels for those days, so we just drove back up to Montgomery so that we can continue working on our plans for going back to our Ukraine and Russia work in January.

And the tempter came and said to Him (Jesus), “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:3-4)

И приступил к Нему искуситель и сказал: если Ты Сын Божий, скажи, чтобы камни сии сделались хлебами. Он же сказал ему в ответ: написано: не хлебом одним будет жить человек, но всяким словом, исходящим из уст Божиих. (От Матфея 4:3-4 Russian)

І ось приступив до Нього спокусник, і сказав: Коли Ти Син Божий, скажи, щоб каміння це стало хлібами! А Він відповів і промовив: Написано: Не хлібом самим буде жити людина, але кожним словом, що походить із уст Божих. (Матей 4:3-4 Ukrainian)

Y llegándose á él el tentador, dijo: Si eres Hijo de Dios, di que estas piedras se hagan pan. Mas él respondiendo, dijo: Escrito está: No con solo el pan vivirá el hombre, mas con toda palabra que sale de la boca de Dios. (Mateo 4:3-4 Spanish)

Dear God, our Most Holy, Kind, and Merciful Father in Heaven ~ Thank you of the incredible gift of life on this new day. We are in awe of the beautiful “green pastures” that you have led us through. According to your mercy, do not lead us into temptation like the situations that our Savior encountered in the wilderness with our adversary Satan. Lead us into righteousness as we learn and obey the will of Christ our Lord. Protect us with your Spirit as we follow the Way. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.