Sin Foundations - Pride & Purpose

"And Jacob said to them, 'My brothers, where are you from?'  And they said, 'We are from Haran.'  And he said to them, 'Do you know Laban the son of Nahor?'  And they said, 'We know him.'  And he said to them, 'Is it well with him?'  And they said, 'It is well, and behold Rachel his daughter is coming with the sheep.' 

"And he said, 'Behold, it is still high day; and it is not time for the livestock to be gathered.  Water the sheep, and go, pasture them.'  But they said, 'We cannot, until all the flocks are gathered, and they roll the stone from the mouth of the well; then we water the sheep.'

"While he was still speaking with them, Rachel came with her father's sheep, for she was a shepherdess.  And it came about, when Jacob saw Rachel, the daughter of Laban his mother's brother, and the sheep of Laban his mother's brother, that Jacob went up, and rolled the stone from the mouth of the well, and watered the flock of Laban his mother's brother.  Then Jacob kissed Rachel, and lifted his voice and wept." Genesis 27:4-11

Imagine the scene:  a young man on a journey away from home the first time, hearing such good news and then seeing this woman (the first occurrence of love at first sight).  He proudly pulled the cover from the well just for her and then made his joy at finding family known. 

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, Darlene 

PS: ANY PRAYER UPDATES TODAY?  Please send updates!  For any of you who wonder if prayer is worth taking time for, just page through previous entries and see the hand of our loving Father in action!

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST:  Please pray for:   Isaac's Dad (84 years old) after a heart attack.  "My Dad is getting better now, though his blood pressure shoots up at night.  Endoscopy and Echogram is recommended by Doctors but we have to wait until money becomes available.  We surely covet your continued prayers.  PB needs a heart-kidney transplant and is still waiting in the hospital.

PHILIPPINES:  A tanker and passenger ship collided, 35 dead and 775 trapped inside the sunken ship.  Monsoon rains crippled (2 of 4) Manila's airport terminal.  Most of Manila is flooded.  Worst flood since typhoon Ondoy (the worst in their history).

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS:  Scott for mental and physical healing, God focus and ability to think clearly.  Deepak needs our prayers for his situation, asks that we remember the two young sons of Melanie Karunaratne - who just passed away.  

Raven - her cancer has spread to her lymph nodes, bone scan came back ok second time around, lungs are still iffy, but the spots are too small and too close to blood vessels to safely biopsy right now - looking at four rounds of chemo, then radiation, then pill.  Chemo starts this Thursday (15 Aug). 

PRAISE & THANKSGIVING:   Heidi has now been awarded full time work.  John, Patti's husband is recovering well after his second knee surgery.  Tarrega is home recovering after a heart procedure. 

Adrian is home but in much stress and discomfort from the treatment - still very weak and unable to eat properly.  Thank you all for praying for him.

Betinna's husband, Jim (with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia) got to go out from the hospital for the first time for his birthday!  She thanks everyone for their prayers.  PNS is feeling better and needs our prayers as he continues to look for a job and that he will continue to grow in strength.

PRAY FOR THOSE WITH HEALTH CONCERNS:   David R doing well through complicated health challenges.  Tim (my little brother) with CPRD, needs financial help and satisfying work.  For Audley and Beverly’s situation and his new endeavour.  For Carlton still suffering from horrible infections and pain in his bones.  For Nancy who is growing stronger and for Fred as he cares for her.  For PJ

ONGOING JOB RELATED:  Barbara (sister-in-law) has had a few very promising job interviews.  Pray the Lord has one of these positions for her.  Be with Hans as he struggles through changes in his life – that he'll cling securely to the Lord and that there will be an unexpected, satisfying job in his chosen field for him.  Please pray for a new project for me and the wisdom of my next steps. 

ONGOING PRAYER REQUESTS:  Pray for Milo as he studies in Germany till February and for his mom, Sabine as adjusts to this time away.  Pray the Lord’s hand is dramatically apparent in the lives of all who receive and read this devotion...that His mighty works would be worked out in each life for His purposes in surprising and wonderful ways! 

Carla & Paul K for good results from their business plans.  Please pray for Deborah as she deals with a difficult situation.  Give her focus and comfort for her hurting heart as He brings about His will in this situation. 

For Linda and Ian.  For Rob and his daughter.  For Reg.  Pray for Annette and her career adventures.  Pray for wisdom for my brother as he deals with an important matter.  For David K, in his studies and Matthew K as he grows up.  Elaine and Jim back in Hong Kong.

PRAY FOR THE WORLD:  God’s grace on USA & REVIVAL for His children there and for the many nations and individuals suffering from global financial mismanagement.  Pray for the Catholic Church and that the new Pope will always put Jesus first.