Here's what the new book looks like. Orders take about three weeks to come in for the hard cover copy. For those who say, "Hey, that looks like the old books bound up together!" You're right. I've done some necessary editing and added a chapter to the green book so that more of the story is told. The book is only about 150 pages long, so it's an easy read. Here's a thought--Christmas books for Christmas.

The book is available in download or hard cover form at www.lulu.com/benjap.

Water. Just the thought reminds us of the source of life that keeps us going. It refreshes us when we drink it; it cleans us as we wash; it even invigorates and inspires us as it falls from the sky to replenish the earth. But when we desire water—for cleaning or for drinking—we want it to be clean and pure.

We are to present ourselves to God in just this manner—clean and pure. The way that we do this is to allow the Holy Spirit to cleanse us, to make us pure. Are we allowing God to do his cleansing work within us this week?

The sacrificial system originally set up in the Bible required perfect animals (without blemish) to be presented in the act of worship. When Paul writes that we are to "present our bodies as living sacrifices" (see Romans 12:1), he indicates to us that we are our own sacrifice of worship. When we present ourselves to God in worship we are to be clean and pure. Are we refreshing to the Father? or do we expect Him to accept what we would not?

We are excited to say that the Doctor has given Caty the "she's doing great" release. She has overcome the early onset of jaundice, she is gaining weight, and she is content.

Robert Burns was the first to observe it, and later we adapted his insight with the saying, “the best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” When we understand that, we are better able to adjust our own lives to the plans of the One who is greater than either mice or men. Last week I promised you that we would be emphasizing the word “Mercy” from the Beatitudes. My plans were interrupted by the birth of our newest baby—Catherine Joy (Caty)—on Saturday, August 19. Our surprise was more than welcome since Hannah was ready to hold Caty in her arms—I must admit that I was as well—and it provided a special birthday present for my oldest niece who celebrated her 19th birthday on Saturday.

Watch for God to help you change your plans. He may surprise you with something joyful. It may happen soon.

She's finally here--after an all-day session at the hospital.

Catherine Joy (Caty) Potter
Born on August 19, 2006, 7:21 p.m.
At Greenville Regional Hospital, Greenville, Illinois
7 pounds, 1 ounce
21 inches

Proud parents: Benjie and Hannah Potter
Super-proud siblings: Joanna and Curtis

In high school we played the game "Mercy". The object of this game was to interlock the fingers with your opponent and then try to bend his fingers backwards until he cried, "Mercy!" The first to cry for mercy was the loser.

We can be glad that God's mercy doesn't work like this. He doesn't force us to cry for mercy, but offers it freely. Often we forget this and wait until we are desperate for mercy to ask. Let us not wait until we are desperate again, ask for mercy--God gives it freely.

Since He gives it freely to us, let us also give mercy freely to our neighbor. Shall we stop looking for everyone to do everything we want to do every day, but let us give them the benefit of the doubt whether they deserve it or not. Then we can say we are more like Jesus than we were yesterday.

Remember coming into the house after a long hard day working in the yard? When my brother and I were building our thriving lawncare business in Kemp, Texas, we discovered that nothing hit the spot better than a big meal around the table accompanied by a giant glass of ice-cold tea (with plenty of sugar).

God wants to provide that same kind of satisfaction as we work in the field of souls. That's where we begin to hunger and thirst after righteousness. When we consider the beatitudes as words to live by we find that our hearts grow hungry for the Word of God. This week we see that God provides the hearty meal that we need to fill our hungering spirits. We also see that He does not leave us thirsty either.

Come, let's eat at His table, and drink from His cup!