Small Things Add Up

This is a personal note. Feel free to skip it.

We have an older neighbor who has become abusive (shouts swears). She accuses us of things. She threatens to sue. We kill trees in her yard. We put water under her house. We steal her newspaper. And now, our outdoor cat has given her indoor dog fleas.

Everyone who hears of it chuckles, but this last accusation has become a problem. Hunter is a working cat, a Maine Coon we hired as a mouser. He looks and acts like this: http://www.catteries.org.uk/MaineCoon.html. Outdoor cats are fairly common here. They hold down vermin. Hunter does a good job. But in our town, it is an infraction to allow a cat out of confinement. Must be on a leash (ha) or kept in a fenced yard (how?).

Our neighbor has now repeatedly called animal control hoping to have Hunter captured. We live in woodland, next to a wilderness-style park. So, each night animal control tries for Hunter, but gets a possum or a raccoon or the like, and takes them away. We now confine Hunter nearing 24 hours a day, but it makes him crazy. Hunter is fixed, not noisy or troublesome. For ten years, he's been doing his job without bothering anyone, including our neighbor. In fact, he's a great guy, and quite popular. But now he has a mortal enemy.

I know this is small, but harassment takes its toll. If you can relate, join me in prayer:

"Father, each of us has influences in our lives that deflect us from task. Sometimes circumstances, sometimes health, sometimes malice. We ask that you help us press right through distractions. If it please you, we ask that you would remove the worst of these distractions, and grant us peace and focus as we serve you. We ask in Jesus' name, amen."

Rick

A Pat for Us

Most of you have been praying with me for the Star Project for years now. So, I wanted to share with you a couple of phone calls that came in this morning within an hour of each other. Felt like I was receiving a love-pat from Our Father, so now I'm patting you!

Both calls were from people who had seen the DVD somewhere and wanted to buy their own copies. The first was from a man whose voice sounded of awe. He said, in part: "I saw the DVD, and I'm simply amazed. Your work has opened so much up for me." I could hear that his journey with God was changing. That call would have been plenty, but then came the second. It was from a woman who explained: "I have a friend who is dying. She's looking for proof that there is a God. I think the Star DVD will be perfect for her, and I've already arranged for someone to hand deliver it."

And with that came tears of humility and thanks to God for the amazing *privilege* of being involved in His work. And *you* people who have empowered this project with your prayers are absolutely part of it. I consider those phone calls to be for you, my faithful friends.

Immediate need: Julie is finishing an enhanced score. The warfare has been fierce with computer glitches, and she has a respiratory bug so bad that it's difficult to understand her speech.

If you have time, please join me in prayer:

"Father, we rejoice at your love pats! At confirmation that our prayers are being heard, and that we are part of a project that is advancing your work. It is a delight, and we ask for more! Each of us is involved in our own journey with you, and we all long for confirmation that we are on track. We get that from your word and other means, but it is never more welcome than when it seems to come directly from you. Thank you! We ask that you bind the evil one as Julie writes. Touch her with healing. Pour yourself through her as she writes music that adds yet more mystery, gravity and meaning to the story of your Star. We ask these things in the name of Messiah Jesus, amen."

Rick