"I give thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ, praying..."

"I give thanks to our Lord Jesus Christ. praying always for you and thanking Him for your faith and the love which ye have for us and for all the saints... for the hope that is laid up for you in heaven which the Gospel revealed to you and in you and is now bearing the fruit of the Gospel in all the world. May the grace, peace and love of your Lord abide and grow in you ever,ore. Amen."

Her it is Thanksgiving-Christmas Season once again. There will be poor needy people in many parts of the globe who will be raising thanksgiving to God for the help sent by American Christians. Many of them have the custom, instead of saying "thank you" for any favor, will answer, "Dios se lo pague", which may be translated, "May the Lord repay you".

So many of you will answer your own prayers for you and yours, whatever those prayers may be.

In addition to the usual foodstuffs, we are able to add usually, clothing, shoes, candy, apples, and the like. It might interest you to know that a few years ago all the native apples were hard runty little things, while any apple of any size had to be imported, and all imported things were double or more in cost because of the Custom customs. The custom duties are one of the chief sources of income and taxation for most of these developing or backward countries.

Every so often in financial crisis, or course not infrequent, the cut on apples would be doubled still again or their importation banned altogether for a while. In recent years grafted tree stock has been more adequate so that now our apples, though green-yellow in color, have better flavor than those California fancy red apples which have little but their color.

I often think that there is a pretty good lesson for Christian women and modern styles. Many dress up with every paint, powder, perfume and jewelry but when someone cites the Bible on Modesty, they reply, "This is just the outside, while God looketh on the heart." Well, He surely does just that, and doubtless usually finds California fancy apples, all looks, little flavor. If God made us in His image, no one should feel it is necessary to redo the job. Right?

What do they call it when one is really one way, but acts another? I have been giving to some young Christians lately the message that there is on element of Bible Salvation more important than Dying out to Self, de-throning the 'old-man' of pride, carnality, and self will. Only after that can Christ really come in to sup with us in the fullness of His love and communion.

A short time back I reported on the blessing of having a good young American preacher going back into the mountains with the Gospel over the same areas I had begun many years ago.

During his last conference with me he said he was considering suggesting that his campaigns be changed to hold campaigns in larger cities, bigger crowds, more popular churches participating... I am going to answer that I cannot decide too rigidly myself, that he faces a major place of decision which only he can choose in the presence of God.

My experience has been, that those who want quantity always lose on quality. One path is narrow, rugged and leads to the cross; the other is broad with many going on that easy faith highway. The only cross is gilded. No cross for us to bear, Jesus bore it alone, paid it all without any doctrine that might bring suffering or require sacrifice on our part. Take your pick. I cannot decide for another. Jesus does not want our forced servitude.

The TV channels are filled with popular evangelistic programs. Every young evangelist is tempted with the dreams of having high powered programs, great crowds and millions of dollars.

The picture is clearly described as Laodicean, a church that thinks it is rich and is poverty stricken. It had something that looks like gold but is not the gold that has been purified in the fires.

Add your prayers, please, for our young evangelists. I have faith and hope for this one, especially, since some time ago, he had a close experience with the Lord about "dying out to the old carnal self-life." We one the foreign fields have the same temptations as Christians in the U.S. So keep us all in your prayers.

And thank you, once again, for the faithful prayers, as well as the good love-offerings, and letters of fellowship.

Your friend, and your servant in the Lord.

Orland Wolfram

Oh the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God. How unsearchable are His judgments and ways, past finding out. For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his counsellor? Or who hath first given to Him, and it shall be recompense unto him again? For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things... to Whom be glory forever, Amen.

Oh, the unsearchable riches of both the Love and wisdom of God!