WHEN DOES LIFE BEGIN?

So beautiful!

Click on the picture or the link

(or copy and paste the link into your browser)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IetPAANnhzQ

or search YouTube for:

What Child Is This / Child of the Poor | The Hound + The Fox

“Now at this time Mary arose and went with haste to the hill country to a city of Judah, and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth.  And it came about that when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 

 “And she cried out with a loud voice, and said, ‘Blessed among women are you, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!  And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 

“’For behold when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy.  And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what had been spoken to her by the Lord.’” Luke 1:39-45

 Because Luke was a skilled physician, his observations include a medical perspective.  Here is an early example, attesting to the viability of the unborn -- yet living -- individuals each woman carried within her for this ‘first meeting’ of Jesus and John.

Perhaps the two families were next-door neighbors (or visited each other often).  Picture what it would have been to watch those two toddlers learning about stubbing their toes and obeying their parents; of learning the Torah from their fathers and the other men of their villages.  

What a gift these children would have been for their earthly parents … and how their lives were significantly interwoven from the start. 

Take care with love, especially His!  Your servant and friend in Christ, who still prays for you each morning.  Darlene

PS:  Please pray for this ministry.  My statement of faith is found here:    https://especiallyhislove.blogspot.com   You can find the WeakDay Devotion online by doing a Google search for “WeakDay Devotion”  (Also, there is an android “Google Blogger” app you can download to read them on your phone.)

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST

• ·      UPDATE – CATASTROPHIC FIRES IN AUSTRALIA – EASTERN AUSTRALIA continues to struggle through historic ‘dust bowl’ droughts and over 100 bush fires covering more than 3,500 square miles.  Three people have died, hundreds of homes lost..  High winds and heatwave temperatures to soar to 105 F (36C).  Active fires now only 11 miles from central Sydney.  Click on word “UPDATE” for more information (there are two other links above).  Please pray for the firefighters, those caring for those seeking shelter, for those suffering from and in the path of the fires, for those who have lost everything, the animals and the tragedy that accompanies this.  Please pray for God’s mercy on this dry and sunburnt, burning land and that His people will rise up and show their extraordinary love and compassion at this time!

NEW PRAYER REQUESTS and UPDATES

• ·      URGENT -USA - Pray the Lord would demonstrate His power in unexpected and uniting ways during these times of unrest and confusion.  Help hearts settle and rest in Him alone.  Let the truth of God’s Word and ways overcome the drive to destroy our founding, Bible-based values.
• ·      Chris H – suddenly lost his sister (the last of his family) last Sunday.  Please hold him up with prayers as he walks through this time of change and pain. 
• ·      Savannah – fifteen-year-old granddaughter of Cliff and Beth, is suffering from a psychological disorder that is difficult to treat and could lead to very serious consequences.  She NEEDS all the prayers that can be said on her behalf.
• ·      Christine’s husband – broke his arm and wrist and is home recovering.  Pray during this time that the Lord will speak to him through his loving wife and that they will have a Christ-centred relationship and family.
• ·      Doris (My Second Mom) – will be 101 on 22 December – is back to her enthusiastic-for-the-Lord self.  Pray for Patti, her daughter, as she remains so faithful in sacrificing time and making the effort to always demonstrate God’s love to her precious mother.  Doris (and her husband, Owen, now waiting for Doris in Heaven) both prayed faithfully to bring me to the foot of the Cross from age 12. 
• ·      UPDATE -Yalawe – did have the surgery and they believe he is now cancer free.  Please continue to pray for his full recovery and that his family and friends would be patient with him.
• ·      SJ – as he struggles with circumstances he did not anticipate.  Pray for his willingness to grow through this dark time and for wisdom of his counsellors.  Pray for his ability to rest and forgive himself.
• ·      Deepak – thanks you for your prayers and has seen the Lord’s hand in his life in many new ways.  His business is growing and now he needs time to consider his next steps.  Pray he stays close to the Lord in all his busyness.
• ·      UPDATE - Lachlan – thanks you for praying for him.  He has completed his seminary studies and now urgently needs to find housing for himself and his three children.
• ·      Paul –Pray for his ongoing resilience and that the Lord would allow him to find a role.  He’s been unemployed since 2010.  Most of all, pray his heart melts enough for the Truth to touch him where it hurts.  Pray for my wisdom and patience as he stays here.
• ·      UPDATE - Patti – faithful daughter of Doris, wife of John is unwell and resting at home.  A Proverbs 31 woman, who needs strength, energy and the ability to prioritise with grace and resolve.  Pray she grows in confidence and learns that ‘no’ is a perfectly acceptable response.  Pray she enjoy precious time with John.
• ·      Terri – her relationship of 13 years has just broken, and she needs prayers to travel through this journey.
• ·      Tracey – Pray Tracey finds a new role to satisfy her and allow her to grow and share her skills and wisdom.
• ·      Me – Please pray for the Lord to provide a new project for me.

PRAY FOR THOSE IN FULL-TIME SERVICE