Astronomers using NASA's Hubble Space Telescope have taken the first visible-light snapshot of a planet orbiting another star. The images show the planet, named Fomalhaut b, as a tiny point source of light orbiting the nearby, bright southern star Fomalhaut, located 25 light-years away in the constellation Piscis Australis. An immense debris disk about 21.5 billion miles across surrounds the star. Fomalhaut b is orbiting 1.8 billion miles inside the disk's sharp inner edge.

Much of the world lies spiritually barren. People feel unfulfilled, oppressed, and overwhelmed with problems. But the Bible speaks of a day when everything will change. Every wilderness and wasteland will be glad, and "the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice" (vs. 1-2 NKJV). The prophecy God gave to Isaiah is filled with pictures of abundance and overwhelming blessing, safety, peace, and joy.

When John and Abigail Adams sailed to England in 1784, Abigail spent many hours watching the sea, often alone, awed by the beauty of God's creation. One day, her thoughts turned to the Bible, and she wrote, "Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty."

I was talking to a friend yesterday. (He had just rededicated his heart to Jesus on Sunday.) He was telling me that he was so bored.  I thought about that and wondered how Father God must of felt about that statement.  Give that some thought the next time you're bored.  I tend to think you won't stay bored but would enter into conversation with the Creator.   

Fear filled hearts throughout Christian Europe. The Ottoman Turks were on the march, inspired by an aggressive religion. Their goal: to make Europe an Islamic continent. They already had conquered much of Eastern Europe, besieged Vienna, and caused havoc throughout the Mediterranean. Author Roger Crowley notes that "everywhere the threat of Islam seemed to press."

Furthermore, Christians were divided. Many leaders were obsessed with politics and power struggles. France even agreed to an alliance with the Ottomans and seemed more concerned about the Holy Roman Empire. Many Catholic leaders were focused on the perceived threats of Martin Luther, who had begun what would be called the Reformation.

Luther, who was born on this day in 1483, had many challenges. Though focused on the Biblical insights God had given him, he also knew the Muslim threat was real. In 1530, he wrote "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God," which became a central hymn of the Christian faith. Among its inspirations, Crowley suggests that the "central metaphor" may have dealt with the Muslim threat.

Yes, as Luther wrote, God is our "mighty fortress." We face an "ancient foe" who seeks to work us woe. "His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate, on earth is not his equal." But, as Luther realized, Jesus is "on our side...from age to age the same, and He must win the battle."

The people of God had embraced the world, trusting in kings and armies, money and power, and experts. But Isaiah warned that all these were nothing but "props," and God was taking away "every kind of prop." He wanted them to trust in Him and Him alone.

They still were under the illusion that they could trust in judges and counselors, captains and craftsmen, mighty men and generals, but God warned that none of these people had His wisdom and understanding: "I will make boys their princes, and with childishness" (v. 4). The New American Bible graphically says, "I will make straplings their princes; the fickle shall govern them."

Because God's people weren't putting their full trust in Him, He wanted them to know they would be ruled foolishly by their leaders. They had hoped they could count on mere men to solve their problems, unaware that they would suffer the consequences of not trusting in God.

People throughout the world still often make the same kinds of mistakes by elevating men and women in the place of God. They expect mere flesh and blood to rule with the insight and wisdom that can come only from Him.

The world urgently needs men and women who do not depend on their flawed human nature, but on God Himself. We need those who are filled with His Spirit...who are bold and fearless...who have His compassion and love...and who seek His direction and guidance for government and business, ministry and finances, families and marriages.

Today, seek God first in everything you do. Trust in Him. Make Him the strength of your life.

It's very rare that I have a dream or vision that I say is from God.  But on the evening of November 4th I had a dream or vision - I don't know.  It was simply a storm hit the USA on the east coast.  Now I don't know the meaning of it but this next devotion is very comforting to me.

God told Isaiah of a day when He would shelter His people from every storm. Even in the heat of the day, they could rest in the shade. They would be protected and find refuge. Who would benefit from these blessings? Those who were "holy."

God wanted His people to recognize that their nation had been filled with sin and disgusting conduct. But He had "washed away the filth" and cleansed them.

How had God done this? "By the spirit of judgment and the spirit of burning." In other words, they had gone through fire. Difficult times had exposed their sins. This was unpleasant, but the result was freedom from sin, filthiness, and immorality. Now that they were clean, God was ready to supernaturally protect them and lavish them with blessings.

In our time, God stands ready to protect us, provide for us, and bless us. But He cannot do so as long as there is sin in our lives...if our minds have unclean thoughts...or if our hearts are impure. For our own good, the Lord must purge us. If necessary, He will send fire to burn away all that pollutes our lives and displeases Him.

Today, let God purify you. Allow Him to refine you until you are holy in His sight, cleansed of impurities, and ready for the bounty of His blessings. And remember to pray for your nation to return to the Lord and be cleansed and forgiven.

I believe the US is in for a time of "cleansing".  Will we allow God to purify us or will be go deeper into sin?  Let's pray that it's the former. 

We butchered a deer.  Austin did a great job.  Kalli had to get in the action as well.

Simon Kenton became a hero to many who lived in the perilous wilderness of the American frontier in the early 19th century. James Finley, in his autobiography, describes how Kenton was "ready to fly at a moment's warning to the place of danger, for the protection of the scattered families." He seemed fearless, no matter how dire the threat. But no one realized that there was no peace within his own heart.

In the fall of 1819, Kenton attended a campmeeting in Kentucky, and there he saw the power of God. Many "were awakened," including several of his relatives. Moved by what he had seen, one morning he asked Finley's father, Robert, to walk with him into the woods.

As the two men sat alone, Kenton confessed that although he knew God had preserved him through many adventures, he still was "a great sinner." As he shared the dark secrets of his heart, tears poured from his eyes. This hardened warrior realized he needed Jesus. He fell to the ground, crying out to God.

Suddenly, Kenton's burdens disappeared. He "sprang to his feet" and let out "a shout toward Heaven which made the woods resound with its gladness." Like the man healed in Acts 3, Kenton began leaping and praising God, shouting louder and louder. When he arrived back at the campmeeting, "his appearance startled the whole encampment." Everyone wanted to know what had happened. He told them, "If I had all the world here, I would tell of the goodness and mercy of God!"

It's very possible that today South Dakota may pass the most restrictive abortion bill in the nation.  -Propostion 11    I pray that life is protected today. 

Pastor Mark Arnold in Lebanon , Ohio who wrote the below account. This
account is true. He first sent this out to just a tiny handful of 
friends and relatives, never dreaming that, thanks to email, it would 
soon travel around the world. As of 3:30 p.m. today, September 25, he's
heard back from 49 states, 11 nations, several major Christian
ministries and news networks and is receiving 70-100 emails an hour. He
is refusing money from the news networks for the story even though he's
a "tent-maker" pastor of a little church who works 50-hour weeks besides
his church duties.

He was asked what he felt the value was in letting this story go public.
He said he is seeing people moved and coming out of the "caves" they've
been in, coming alive and realizing that they need to get back involved
in the affairs of the nation and not sleep through this season like the
church did when they allowed prayer to be removed from schools. "God
asked me if I would obey and I did," he said. "I was a "Mordecai for her
(Sarah Palin); I did my part. Now the church has to do their part."

So, dear praying friends. Read the story below, be encouraged and get to
work - on your knees, with your testimony and in the voting booth. And,
whether you agree with the idea of this story going public to
non-believers or not, it already has so please pray for protection for
him as well as for John McCain and Sarah Palin. 

***********************************************

And for anyone who needs to verify or confirm this story that follows,
please Email me or call me at the following numbers:

 MEA31975@aol.com (513) 291-0425

Be Blessed!

Pastor Mark Arnold

(PLEASE READ ENTIRE STORY BELOW)

This past Tuesday, the McCain / Palin Bus came through a little town
called, Lebanon , Ohio . The LORD allowed me to go to the Rally giving
them a message that He wanted me to personally deliver.

Sunday Night - a burden hit me that would only shake me to my knees - I
prayed and wept for our Nation. Never has my heart been so broken before
God. I literally interceded for these wonderful people who do not
deserve all the hate against them. The GOD-Haters are going to try
everything to stop them, but they will not succeed! 

God is not pleased with the "bashing" in the News of this "Anointed"
person. He has called her for this time! I promised God that I would
pray and hold them up in prayer. I would "listen" out and be mindful of
where they were. The following day is important in this
timeline...because I didn't even know until God spoke to me...

Monday and into Monday Night - the burden of prayer was so heavy that I
was literally shaking and could not stop weeping. I didn't know that
they were coming to Ohio . I prayed and walked and wept and walked. I
prayed and prayed and wept and prayed...

Tuesday at 2:00 A.M. - God spoke these words to me - "...Go turn the
Radio on!" Immediately the Reporter's words were -  "McCain & Palin Bus
to be in Lebanon later this morning for a 10:00 A.M. Rally!" 

Immediately on hearing that news, I heard God again...God said, "You are
to go. You will meet them and give them a message for Me!" 

I prayed as an intercessor and went to a place in prayer that I don't
think I've ever been...because the LORD had just visited me...and I knew
I was on a " Mission ." I had now been up since Sunday Night...and now
it's Tuesday and I've got to go on the "WORD of the LORD." He sure
became My Strength as this unfolds...

I didn't stop praying until I drove over to the town and parked the car.
The News would later report they were expecting 5,000 people and the
actual head-count of those who had been scanned was more than 10,000
people.

I simply obeyed...and God actually told me where to stand, who to talk
to...and when to be on the move. I had sure learned on the Mission
Field, when God wants to open a door, He will do it at the appropriate
time. He always has someone to assist...and even those standing beside
you may just be an Angel.

I struck up a conversation with an agent on the ground - he simply said,
"I can't allow you to stand here!" Here is where the bus was going to
actually pull up to. They had to make a much larger perimeter so the
entire area was now being moved back several blocks. The only other
thing he told me to do was to go through the metal detector zone and
just watch from the back. So, that's what I did.

Due to sensitivity of the Internet...I can't share much of the story as
to what happened next was a definite GOD THING ALL THE WAY.
Looking over the shoulders and backs and heads of all those people...I
knew it would take a miracle for what GOD told me to do. 

As I was standing there, two Boy Scouts came running up my
back...literally, they almost knocked me to the ground because they were
running so fast behind me...up my back and over to the right. These Boy
Scouts were about Junior High Age. Their Scout Leader and several others
were behind them...but as the two out front was trying to push through
the crowd, saying they were late...the smaller scouts were left in their
dust. The Scout Leader who was with a McCain Rep from the State grabbed
me and told me bring the other Scouts up front as they try to keep up
with the first two that just came through.

I just became the leader of the rest of the Scouts to lead them right up
front and center. As the Rep was shouting back at me...to bring the
Scouts forward...the people parted just like God parted the Red Sea.

I marched those boys right up front and to the right of the stage as one
was looking from the back. When I got there I was fifteen feet from the
podium. GOD said, "Stand here, and don't move from this spot."

Within five minutes...the bus pulled up and around the other side
McCain, Sarah Palin and her husband Todd stepped up and the speeches
took off. I was where God placed me...and even Sarah Palin and Todd were
standing on my side of the stage. I made eye contact, I gave them thumbs
up gestures...and I knew they were just happy to see me standing there.Ha Ha

When they came around the podium and started on the other side, I knew
they were coming right toward me, a little lady who stood by me, reached
up and told the Rep that they had promised a Picture with her because
she was the one who had lost a son in Iraq, recently. The Rep confirmed
she would get a pic with them and they would talk to her. When McCain
came to hug her... he immediately shook my hand and following his moment
with her, I shook his hand as he grabbed my hand, now for the second
time, and I said, "God wants you to know that I'm praying for you, Sir!"
He thanked me and kept smiling. I repeated that phrase to him five
times. He grabbed my hands and looked right into my eyes and said, "I
won't make it without prayer. Sir, Thank You for praying for me, and
don't let one day go by that you don't pray for me. I need all the
prayers that I can get. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!"

As he moved to my right, Sarah Palin, came over to my left
side...standing over the crowd and then looking at the little lady who
had lost the son. It took a moment for her to shake some hands and
people were pushing in all around. Sarah came and got on her hands and
knees on that side of the stage and hugged that little Mom, telling her,
"...it was not in vain." She promised her support.  It was at this
moment Sarah Palin, reached out for me to help her up and as I was
assisting her to stand I was now face to face with her and GOD said,
"Open up your mouth and I will fill it." 

Here is what came out... "God wants you to know that you are a present
day Esther!"  [She immediately began to cry]  "God wants to tell you
that you are Chosen for such a time as this!"  "You are called, and
chosen to be a leader." "Don't lose heart and don't fear man." "The news
and nay-sayers and criticizers are going to be very hateful toward
you... and in the days ahead they are going to turn up the heat...but do
not fear." "You are a present day Esther." You are an Esther. You are an
Esther!  "Keep your eyes on GOD and know that He has chosen you to
Reign!"  "Stay strong...be strong...don't tire. Don't be weary in
well-doing. Be strong."

Her husband Todd came over and I told him what I told her. He began to
cry. I emphasized the fact that he was to guard her at this time...and
know that "...she is GOD-CALLED and GOD-ANOINTED." "...this is a
GOD-THING and your wife is a Present day Esther...she is for God to use
at this time...She is an Esther...she is an Esther...she is an Esther."
"You will be hated...but stand strong...GOD has called both of you to
stand!" "We are praying and I am praying for you...!" 

At this moment, McCain came right to where I was finishing talking to
Todd and I told Mr. McCain exactly what I told to Sarah and Todd Palin.
"Mr. McCain, ...they are called of God and she is an Esther." "Don't
lose hope and don't lose heart." "We are praying for all of you!" He
shook my hand and with a deep look of understanding what I had just
said, he said, "Thank you for your prayers and support...I really do
mean that!" And he turned and shook more hands...and I watched them as
they went through the crowd. 

When I got to my car I sat there for quite a long time...knowing the GOD
of the Universe had just used me to deliver a message confirming to
Sarah and Todd to realize they are truly chosen vessels of God.
 

I wept. I have not stopped praying and crying. My heart is full knowing
they had to have all the staging and all the hype and all the
crowd...but the GOD of Heaven and Earth...wanted to give them a
Divine-God-Appointment! To God be all the GLORY and HONOR.

If anyone wants to know if I believe God can speak. Yes...Absolutely, is
my Answer! Be praying for me...and let me know what you think about all
of this.

Pastor Mark Arnold

MEA31975@aol.com

www.AgreeInPrayer.com

I caught a glimpse at what America was like in her infancy last night, more than I ever had before.  The Founding Fathers intended for the foundation to be built upon Christianity and morality.  Many of them said without that, the paper the constitution is written on is worthless.  It wasn't until the mid 1800's that many of the Founding Father's ideas were changed.  That change came through Harvard when a new President embraced Evolution by Charles Darwin.  We went from a natural law to a progressive law thought process.  Breaking it down:  We went from believing all law came from God (natural law) to all law coming from man (progressive or evolutionary law).  Tomorrow this nation is going to vote along the same lines.  The Democratic party has largely bought the idea of progressive law and the Republican party struggles to hold on to the natural law.  Americans need to vote their morality and not words that stir us or a love for change.