Good Lord's Day,

SING A PRAYER-That is what Thomas Chisholm allowed us to do with the words to 
this great hymn.
O, TO BE LIKE THEE-O, TO BE LIKE THEE
BLESSED REDEEMER, PURE AS THOU ART
COME IN THY SWEETNESS, COME IN THY FULNESS
STAMP THINE OWN IMAGE, DEEP ON MY HEART. 

"For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, 
leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, 
neither was guile found in his mouth:" 111 Peter 2: 21,22

I HARDLY KNOW-Where to start this week. My time at this keyboard has been 
adjusted drastically downward. A failure in some internal circuits needed to 
be adjusted. Philip was able to do so after long conversations with the 
support network for iMac. If I have failed to respond to your mail, perhaps 
it was during those days when I was off-line. I must rush a bit today, so 
mistakes may be more frequent even in this more brief visit.

One duty thrust upon me was to rebuild my mailing list in this computer. 
Obviously, I got you back. 

As I looked down the list for these notes, I am struck by: variety of 
persons, the ever-widening geography involved, the spiritual resources 
available, the ministries that reach round the world, the number of you that 
I have not personally met,--isn't God's family huge and diverse.

SEATTLE-Jeanene is there until February 9. A niece needed surgery on her 
feet and ankles that demanded that she be bedfast several days. A very busy 
pre-school boy and a sister in kindergarten plus a husband whose work demands 
24/7 availability means that they need help. We we able to minister to them 
by her going to nurse and "grandma". She is really accomplished in both 
areas. She will return to work in floral designing in those busy days before 
Valentines Day.

Me? I do fine. Phil does double duty, Megan (granddaughter) moves in the 
spare bedroom and is here nights while Phil is at work, the Blaylocks are 
here a lot, Randall, Jeanine, Owen and Collin check several times a day. 
They all care, cook and clean. I am royally and regularly "spoiled". 
Question-can you "spoil" an egg that is rotten already?

STILL THERE-We are praying as Dr. Wendell Kempton goes. Among his overseas 
duties is a trip to Laos to appeal for the prison release of more than 90 
pastors. I learned that February 7 is set as a return date. I will keep you 
informed. Please keep praying.

MORE PRAYER NEEDS-The niece mentioned above for complete recovery. A lady 
with two elementary age children has a blood clot that has moved to her 
lungs. The ever darkening issues in Israel. The troops in Afghanistan and 
their families. A reader writes that a stay in the hospital was necessary as 
they try to balance blood sugar levels.

BILLY-Is the title of a book published by Crossway Books in 1997. Sherwood 
Eliot Wirt is founding editor of Decision magazine. A constant companion of 
Billy Graham for forty years, Mr. Wirt gives a view of a dear friend combined 
with a journalist's honesty.

ISBN 0-89107-934-3. A gift from Megan, it is in line for me to read.

SONG OF SOLOMON-The way I grasp it is that it is a pattern for a long lasting 
love affair. Chapter two speaks of the "little foxes" during the period of 
time that the lovers are growing to know each other well enough to wed. They 
refuse to have the marriage come to ruin over the little flaws of character 
that they possess. The most perilous year of marriage is the first year. 
Why greet this new relationship with surprises? I do not wish to engage in 
"small talk", but it seems to me that we, as believers, often overlook small 
issues that may be of great importance in our relationship with Christ.

In conversation with the Blaylocks, we named some small things worthy of 
study. Guile and forbearing led our list. Make one of your own.

FINISHING SCHOOL-I only know of two individuals that I knew who attended 
finishing school. This segment of higher education is reserved for those 
born to privilege in finance and education. One of these is a teacher and 
musician. The other a pastor. As a segment of their higher education, they 
were enrolled to learn etiquette and social graces. They were always dressed 
properly and never at a loss for a proper gift. I was privileged to labor 
alongside each of these on a daily basis long enough to appreciate their 
"finishing touches" as they truly "connected" with individuals. May each of 
us attend the "finishing school" of God's spirit.

NEXT WEEK-Is Super Sunday. When this all began 1/15/67 the main event was a 
football game. 2002 in New Orleans is a party over several days with the 
game as an incidental. We , who are biblically aware, await the final event 
on earth as prophecied in Revelation 19. The preliminary events in history 
are all behind us. The rapid pace of today's events assures us that we are 
near to the climactic event. Let's take a long preview look together next 
week. Read Daniel 2 and recall the Sunday School lesson you probably shared 
as you drew a large image.

His,
Ron Krantz