Brian and Ruth Christine Newsletter

February 2005 Newsletter 

Hello free world!  How is everyone doing out there?  I would like to start this issue off with a prayer just for you:

"Lord, King of the universe, You created all that is, all that was and all that will ever be.  We are Your craftsmanship and Your prized possession.  I ask You to bless every person who reads these words with major growth this year.  May they excel in their pursuits and may the truly set their hearts on things eternal,  pleasing Your heart and causing You to smile upon them. Please teach every one of us to maintain a child-like faith in all the maturity and wisdom of an aged patriarch.  Open our eyes to all that is important in life and blind us to distraction and folly. In Jesus' name uphold us in you might."  Amen

This is probably going to be a very volatile year so we as believers need to be awake, aware, and prepared for anything that might come our way  #1 We need to have our faith deeply rooted in God alone.  How can one test this? The best way is to ask yourself some brutally honest questions and face them head on.  Questions like the following:  Do I really love my enemies?  What evidence exists that I do?  Do I follow the voice of God or am I seeking the comfort of a 'good appearance" or the status quo?  Have I forgiven all who've wronged me?  What about those who've betrayed me, even in my own family?

Asking ourselves questions like these is extremely uncomfortable and often repulsive.  Why? Because the flesh dies hard.  But growth comes at a cost.  Just ask an athlete or weight trainer.  The worst thing one can do in a time such as today is to stagnate or fail to evaluate oneself, checking for chinks in the armor that could spell our demise on the open battlefield.  Now is not the time to be complacent, to sit and daydream of retirement and the cozy house your nest egg guarantees you.  

Our maxim is: God is my Rock, there is no safety or security, only Him.

This is a time to get real about our God, to set apart our lives completely instead of in parts and pieces.  I challenge you to grow.

Our President's speech on freedom was interesting.  It came a few days after a new rule was promulgated here at my institution that no religious materials may be possessed in the dayroom (our common living area).  I was reprimanded subsequently for possession of a Bible and a prayer list while in the dayroom all by myself.  This is America, or should I say was America.  I considered filing a grievance, but don't think it's my battle at this time.  I'm working on legal issues that could potentially get Ruth & I out of prison sooner.

I no turn this over to that wonderful lady.  My love to you all, Brian Christine

Well, another month!  Let's see what are the high points?  This month has been busy at work.  We have had a lot more calls into the DMV than we did before Christmas, so that is keeping me busy.  There are some new trainees, so that adds variety and brings a little change.

I am currently okay with my job and have not been looking for another recently.

Personally I have been battling irritation and frustration in dealing with some of the phone calls- Things like people hanging up on me or telling me I to blame for the DMV's fees, etc- get to me after a while.  I just keep praying that I will get past that feeling of irritation and be able to do my job with a happy heart.

The kids are all well, apart from Bethany, who is recovering from the chicken pox- though better now when she is a kid than when she is older.  All 3 girls went on a train trip with my parents to the city to go shopping and from what Miriam tells me, they had fun.  Olivia and Abbey-Rose continue to grow.  They have graduated out of nursery and into the Sunday school class at church.  This morning, they were telling me about Moses and the "moan-heads" (which for us adults is the story about the Israelites complaining in the desert, hence being called "moan-heads"!

Brian has been doing lots of legal research (way more that I could stomach!)  And tomorrow is a work day so I had better get this out in the mail and get some sleep.  I hope you are all well.

Please join with me in praying for the many friends and family members of friends who seem to be having serious health issues (heart problems, hernias, and cancer) at the moment. 

Lord I ask you to bless and protect each one of these people, and anyone who is reading this.  We ask you to heal those who are sick and comfort those who are suffering and give us all strength.  God Bless and keep us all  

Amen.  Ruth