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As We Were Saying . . .
. . . before we were so rudely interrupted.
Please pardon the long pause.
We don't know who or what to blame except the one in charge of the "other side" of this spiritual war.
Our site for Focus On Jesus had operated on our service provider with no glitches since its inception. The Christian group which operated the Internet Service Provider were always ready and available with a quick, helpful, and willing response to any problem we had. Whether it was software, hardware, or "cockpit" problems, they responded as you would expect another Christian to do.
However, about a year ago, they sold their entire operation to another company and are no longer in an internet-related business. The company who purchased them, also bought another company nearby and merged the three together.
In the process of merging the electronic and physical facilities, they "lost" Focus On Jesus and our sponsoring site Disciples Fellowship, along with all the other web sites they supported. After working feverishly, they got them all restored -- almost. They sent emails to all their webmasters, telling us what a difficult time they had come through, and now all the sites were restored. However, Focus On Jesus and Disciples Fellowship were apparently irretrievable.
Our own backups were incomplete, since someone else had done the original designs and first several editions.
So, the reconstruction is underway after about 3/4s of a year, trying to get all our lost files back.
The Lord always provides, doesn't he?
We have a new host who has much better rates, and outstanding tech support. Pray that we can continue as long as we are serving our Lord, and that if we should ever cease to serve him, this effort will continue his purposes, even if we don't.
Many have sent emails, and some have telephoned to make sure everything and everyone is all right. We are, and we continue being the most blessed in this effort. Please continue to pray for us. Inquire about linking sites. Pray that we may continue to reach those who do not yet Focus On Jesus. Voluntary contributions of articles, referrals, prayers, and funds are always welcome. We exist on voluntary contributions from readers. However, we don't put appeals for funds on the front burner. It funds come in, we will continue. If they do not, we will stop publishing. We believe that's one way the Lord directs and continues or will stop this ministry.
So, please be praying, not only for the success of this effort, that we may continue to reach those who need these messages, but pray about whether you should submit an article (or two) for possible publication, and whether you should contribute funds, and if so, how much and how often. Just trust the Lord for guidance about that.
If you'd like to contribute money, please make checks (or money orders) payable to:
Disciples Fellowship
and mail to:
Disciples Fellowship
PO Box 845
La Fayette, GA (USA) 30728-0845
May God bless you as you serve him.
Troubled Waters
A couple who are dear Christian friends are currently sailing through some troubled marital seas as this is being written. I'll not share their names, but they have two children -- a recently married daughter, and an eleven year old son. They have been married for twenty-something years.
They've had difficult times before. Haven't all married couples? This time, however, Satan has really thrown one of his best punches, and they are reeling under the spiritual blows.
All their friends are praying for them. They are seeing a Christian marriage counselor. Please pray that their relationship will be restored to the wonderful condition it once was in, and that their love for each other and their relationship with Jesus will be stronger than before and greater than they ever could have imagined it to be.
This just in . . .
From our correspondent in Hollywood (California, not Florida!), we hear that the Gaither Vocal Band, a particular favorite of ours, is filming an episode of the CBS series, Touched By An Angel. With my favorite theologian -- Mark Lowry in it -- it just cannot miss. Even in reruns. You can see photos (link above), or you can visit Mark's site at Mark Lowry.
'Til then . . .
-- Art Thompson
