Thank you all for your interest and prayers for Nathan Ing and
family. Many of you responded to the request to donate to the
family and receive a membership to www.PlainFaith.com. You have
seriously helped by providing over $3,000. This is a great start
that will go a long way in meeting their financial needs.

I will run the charitable fund raiser through Monday, August 25,
2008 at 12:00 PM Eastern time. If you are thinking about helping
the Ings monetarily and would like a membership of 6, 13, or 36
months in exchange, go to Nathan's Page. Also, please pass this
information along to your friends.

You can see some zoo outing pictures with the Ings and an
interesting video with me facing a gorilla: click here. Gets
exciting about 1/3 of the way through.

Personal Family News

My son, Elijah, tied his own tie. He will turn six next month. His
mother and I, and big sister, are all very proud of him. I went
through it several times with him over the past few weeks. Then
last week he walked in and said, "Is this long enough?" He did not
want it too long or short, as I taught him. A great moment for a
father! Picture here

Newsletter Subscriber Survey

We have many new members at www.PlainFaith.com and subscribers to
this newsletter. If you have not already taken the quick survey,
please do so.

Take the survey.

*****
We Cannot See The End

Would you like to have been Joseph or to enjoy the power and
luxuries he had as lord of Egypt? He was the most powerful man,
except the Pharaoh, and may have even been more powerful than him
in reality.

You know his story (Genesis 37, 39-45). He started out as a favored
son and despised brother. He was nearly killed and then sold into
slavery. Though faithful to his master, he was wrongfully accused
and thrown in prison. Yet, all these things are what led him to his
position as lord of the land.

Do you think Joseph saw the end from the beginning? Of course not.
All he could see is what was in front of him. He kept the right
attitude and took the right actions. He is a model for all of us
when we face adversity and prosperity. He was a man of extreme
integrity and God blessed him for it.

You and I cannot see the end from the beginning and especially in
the midst of troubles. Yet, these may be the very things God is
using to lead us to "bigger and better" things. No, we do not
expect that God will provide us with material goods if we live
righteously; He may or may not. Rather, there are many things to do
in this life for God and Christ's kingdom. There are many blessings
our Creator can bestow on us outside the material realm;
friendships, kindness, comfort--and all spiritual blessings in
Christ (Eph. 1:3).

Let us be like Joseph. Though maligned and mistreated, he
maintained his faith in God. We must keep a godly attitude and do
the right thing no matter our circumstances.

If you are having some trouble and struggling through it, go back
and read about all that Joseph faced. It will encourage you to know
God cares and can bring you through it all.
*****

Public Access

Word of the Week: Christ
Anti-Christian Laws, Judges, Government

Also, check out this popular article: Max Lucado's 3:16: The Good,
The Bad, & The Ugly

Members Only

Revelation 13
How To Study The Bible: Resources

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All the best,
Steven