Saints Alive Newsletter December 2004

We are taking the next few weeks to spend time with our family. A time to sit back and reflect on the goodness of the Lord. We have been so busy with family and ministry needs that I had to just let this newsletter take a back seat to other things. I apologize for it being later than usual.

This is the time of the year that I go through all the prayer requests over the last year and spend time lifting up your needs to the Lord. It is my ministry to you and it goes on all year long, but Christmas break is my ‘special’ time. If you have sent in a prayer request, know that I am praying with you. You can get a last minute prayer in to me by email at edecker999@aol.com, my personal travel email account.

Last month, I asked for help in raising $4,000.00 to use to upgrade our aging computer system and dead printer... I am delighted to report that over $4,000.00 came in and we are getting updated to today’s technology. Wow! What a difference!

The ministry enjoyed great openings this year to reach out and minister to the many needs that come our way. I often think that the work may slow down eventually, but with over 1,800,000 hits on our website this last year, hundreds of thousands of videos and books [not to mention the zillions of tracts over the last 28 years], out there, all with our contact information, life rarely gets in the slow lane.

That is why we always take the last few weeks of December to rest, regroup and get our priorities back in line with what the Lord wants.

I have just returned from a 3 weeks study program in

Israel

, a stretch for me physically. I have done so well in recovering from my stroke, but I was far beyond my limits a few times during the trip. I went to study a number of things, including the tie-in of Mormonism and Freemasonry to the Kabbalah, the practice and study of ancient Jewish mysticism. I will be writing about it in the future.

I traveled the steps of Jesus. I went from the North to the South of Israel, and visited many of the places written about in the Old Testament.

I was in Capernaum, sitting quietly on a stone seat in the synagogue across from Simon Peter’s house where Jesus had taught and marveled on the closeness I felt with Him there, the very place where his feet trod the stone floor. I may have been sitting on the same seat He sat on. It was such a special time for me.

“Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. 22 And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.”

Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 But Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. 31 So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.

Yet, even there and again as I sat under an ancient olive tree in the Garden of Gethsemane, I realized that I have that same closeness with Him at home, during my prayer time, at Church, during worship, at the office as I intercede over your prayer needs, and in my words as I minister to those lost in Spiritual darkness.

What a marvelous thing. He is there for me and for you, too, no matter where we sit and reach out for His touch. I pray that you will take a few moments and sit quietly in His Presence today. Rejoice in the God who came in the flesh, born of a virgin, sent by the Father to be the atonement, the once, for all, sin offering.

Let that Jesus fill your hearts and minds with His enormous love, His gift of life to you, this Christmas season. Let’s not let that spirit end the day after the presents are opened.

As we end this year of many miracles, I want to ask you to pray about making a significant commitment to the ministry of Saints Alive during the next year. Some of you have already done that, in both your prayer support and your finances. The ministry survives because of you. Please ask the Lord for an amount to send in today as a special year end gift. We have such great plans for the next year, a year we believe will be a break-through year for a river of people being set free.

Can you pray for us, that we stay centered in the call we have to reach the lost. Pray also for my health and for Michelle Grimm’s health. In spite of being out there on the battle field, Michelle is fighting MS. She is going through a rough time right now. You can send a note of encouragement to her at the office or at michelle@saintsalive.com.

You can send your special gifts to our Offices by mail, using the postage paid envelope or you can give an on-line gift through our website. At www.saintsalive.com just click on the Donation line on the left side of the Home page.

All & in All

Altogether Lovely One

Anchor

Ancient of Days

Alpha & Omega

Balm of Gilead

Only Begotten

Beloved

Bishop of Our Souls

Bridegroom

Bright & Morning Star

Chiefest among ten thousand

Chosen of God

Counselor

Creator of all things

Wonderful

Emmanuel

Faithful Witness

First & the Last

Friend of sinners

Gift of God

Governor

Heir of all things

Hiding Place

Holy Child

Hope of Israel

I AM

Jehovah

Lamb of God

Lawgiver

Lion of the tribe of Judah

Vine

Mercy Seat

Messiah

Nazarene

Peace

Our Master

Mighty God

Physician

Ransom

Resurrection & the Life

Rose of Sharon

Sanctification

Savior

Shepherd

Teacher

The Way

The Word