Pray without ceasing ... -- 1 Thessalonians 5:17

In my mind I think I've been leaning more toward Pray until you pass a polygraph, but Brandi reminded me this morning via email that now is a critical time to pray.

From her journal this morning:

Now it is easy to "relax" in prayer. But I felt reminded by the Spirit that now is just as critical. Decisions will be made based on the pass and we want God's best and for Him to be glorified.

We still don't know what the future holds. If the authorities are logical, they will allow me back in my home immediately. But I've seen that all too often rational thought means virtually nothing when people who are far removed from a situation go into "cover their tail" mode. Right now, nothing is a foregone conclusion. The contretemps that is the past nine months is still not over, and who knows what God has in store for the future?

With that said, I'm believing God to be reunited with my family by April. Please pray with me to that end. I know it will happen. But if not, I still will not serve the god of this age.

Therefore the LORD heard this and was furious;
So a fire was kindled against Jacob,
And anger also came up against Israel,
Because they did not believe in God,
And did not trust in His salvation.
-- Psalm 78:21 & 22

Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God. ... -- Hebrews 3:12

Tomorrow is a big day, but I have no anxiety right now. Meditating on the above passages tonight has helped me to remember that unbelief is, well, evil. I will hold the beginning of my confidence steadfast to the end, and I will wait for the salvation of Yahweh.

If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods ... -- Daniel 3:17 & 18 (ESV)

I love the confidence of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. They know God will deliver them, but even if he doesn't -- "but if not" -- then they still won't bow.

I trust God for His deliverance, and I know He will deliver us from so great a death (2 Cor. 1:10), but if that deliverance is not what I expect, then I still won't bow to the god of this age.

- Still trying to figure out everything about an attorney.
- Our kids (sans Eve) are in Houston right now until this weekend. We're leaning heavily toward telling them what's been going on, and why I'm not home. I think we may do that this weekend or early next week. We'll see. It'll obviously be Brandi who tells them.
- Most days are full of deep joy and deep sorrow.
- Please pray that something works out for us to have reliable transportation for Brandi. Her Suburban is broken (again!), and we're kind of at a dead end right now. If she doesn't have a vehicle she's essentially a single mom without transportation. Bad news.
- That's it for now.

If you only have time to pray for one thing with regard to our trial, please pray for Brandi. She's incredibly strong in the Lord, but she needs JESUS' grace as much as any of us. She is raising our four children, taking care of chores around our little farm, homeschooling, spending as much time with me as possible, and doing a billion other things that demand her attention ... and she's doing all of that alone. I wish I could help her. Please, pray for her.

As most of you probably know, the latest news is that BC has said that I must petition the judge (through an attorney) if I want to have any sort of written or verbal communication with my children. While that is a setback, and certainly not what we were hoping for, we know it didn't take God by surprise and that He has a plan for us through this leg of the journey. Please pray for God's provision through all of this.