Dear Friends,

With the arrival of spring, my patio is like a circus of activity with birds coming and going, gathering nest materials and defending their territories. They certainly have their disagreements at our table feeder and the feathers often fly! But an amazing thing to see is how they respond to perceived danger. One bird will give a warning call, usually from a tree, and immediately all fighting stops every bird is on the alert, bodies erect, heads turn together toward the watchman. They then either evacuate in one big united takeoff, or if the alarm proves false, slowly begin to relax and eat, all differences forgotten for the time being. I've seen this behavior again and again. The voice of the watchman brings unity and direction. All self centered activity ceases as attention is turned to preserving life from outside enemies.

Isaiah 56:10 12 describes a time in Israel's history when the watchmen were silent. The Bible describes them as blind, without knowledge, dumb dogs that cannot bark, loving to slumber. They were greedy and selfish, calling each day great for pleasure. Because of this Isaiah 57:1 2 tells us "the righteous man perishes, the godly die before their time even through wickedness, and no one lays it to heart or even wonders why." I have given this a lot of thought. You see, Skip went to be with the Lord March 22, fifteen minutes after Jim anointed him with oil for the last time. I am happy for him for he is whole and with God. But I am troubled for us who remain. So many have died recently and more are being devoured than ever before in the body of Christ. What are we to say to all of this? Is God sovereign? Yes! Is He in control? Yes! Then what is our response to be? I've heard many people just accept these diseases and deaths as God's chosen will because they feel it is wrong to ask why. But I say we must ask why God expects us to He is making a very big statement to His Body in allowing these deaths (as well as much bondage to sin and fear). How sad He must be when we go on as though nothing happened and don't even ask why! How much will have to befall us how many more Skips will we be robbed of before we respond to the danger we are in. Isaiah 42:25 says of Israel in captivity, "though set on fire and burned they do not realize the reason why, that it is Me wanting them to repent."

Does it seem presumptuous to question God? Habakkuk was a man who heard from God that his people were to be taken captive. He immediately asked why the enemy should be allowed to triumph in a series bold questions and then waited on his watchtower for God's answer wondering if he had been too rash. But God did not rebuke him. He answered him with the vision he needed to endure the evil days ahead enabling his famous testimony "though the fig tree does not blossom and there be no fruit on the vine, though the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no cattle in the stall, yet will I rejoice in the Lord and glory in the God of my salvation" Habakkuk 3: 17 18. But Habakkuk could not and would not accept captivity or rejoice until he had sought and heard from God. Why should we do any less? It is much easier to just accept but we serve a God of relationship He wants to stir us up to know His ways He wants to reveal Himself to us.

And as for the body of Christ, it doesn't take much observation to see how broken down our walls are. Is there a home that is not touched some bondage or heart break, disease, divorce or wayward child? Is it just the time we live in as so many think or can something be done? We can temporarily dull our pain

with worldly things. Or if we are not personally touched we can pass by the wounded and just hope we never have to join their ranks. Surely this is not how we are to live! We truly are one and God is waiting to conquer us so He can bless us (Isaiah 30:18)

It would be sad if the bird that sees danger did not alert the others. Although his cry interferes with their pleasure it also saves their lives. Does this letter seem hard? Through this letter I am like a watchman and I just can't keep silent because there is hope and a way of escape. It is found in Isaiah 55:6 "Seek, inquire for and require the Lord while He may be found claiming Him by necessity and by right, call upon Him while He is near." In verse 12 the Lord promises us we shall all go out from spiritual exile of sin and evil with joy and be led forth with peace. Instead of the thorn will come up the cypress, and instead of the brier, the myrtle, and it shall be for the Lord a memorial to His praise that shall not be cut off.

Let us take heart together and ask the Lord to grant understanding and boldness and direction to us. May we not just accept or make peace with the evil day but recognize we have an enemy and use all our armor to stand through God's mighty power. And we pray for those of you going through deep trials that through God you will take the spoils. May we all move forward and see His glory manifested in our day. Amen and amen. God bless you all. We love you and continue to remember you in prayer with thanksgiving.