ALL THINGS FITTING TOGETHER PERFECTLY

ESTHER AND I HAVE BEEN LENT A PUZZLE!    In fact this is the second one, we having re-discovered after many years how very relaxing and a peaceful an activity it is to be engaged upon.

King Ludwig 11 of Bavaria
1845-1886

The one we are now busy with is of the Castle above.     It has been called a 'Fairy-tale' Castle, and was built by Ludwig 11 of Bavaria.    The setting, amidst mountains, forest and lake, is quite striking scenic.     It has an almost unreal appearance.   The castle was 'intended as a home for king Ludwig, until he died in 1886.'      In actual fact he only lived in it for a total of 172 days!!.     Since his death the Government has opened it up to the public and more than 6,000 as day visit it during the summer months.       Kind Luwig 11 built it out of his own pocket, and extensive personal borrowing, as a Personal Retreat. 
Ludwig was only 18 when he ascended the Bavarian Throne in1865.    He reigned for 21 years before being deposed.    He spent fortunes building castle after castle, and it
is suggested that in an effort to stop his building craze, he was  found to be mentally unable to rule - they said he was mad.  Just three days later he was DEAD -  he was found floating in the lake with his psychiatrist - he was dead as well.    What happened?   Nobody knows.     A creator of great beauty and inspiration, yet somehow never able to enjoy the fruit of it.
YET others, in their millions, have been thrilled and blessed to share in his vision, and in his dream.

AND so now WE are hooked on Puzzling!!   

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HERE IS OUR SON, Daryl who celebrated his
45th Birthday on the 27th of September.   We had him with us for a Birthday supper together with Carol and their kids, Becky, Jeremy and Erica.    Jessy was unable to be with us since he is in Nairobi continuing his Engineering Course.  We had a happy evening together.

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A Word About Choosing our Friends!!

Friends can change one another - for better or for worse.

Friends can can also HURT you.  In Psalms 41v9 the Psalmist writes  ' My own familiar friend who ate at my table, has lifted 

up his hand against me!'    Some have thought these words can be transferred to Jesus, speaking of Judas!    Judas had been with Jesus THREE years, walking, talking, and eating with Him.    But he secretly sold Jesus down the river for a handful of silver!   Jesus knew the flaw in Judas' nature, but went along with him - but JUDAS did NOT change for the better.

Pick your friends carefully, and take care they do not lead you into evil.

JESUS is my Friend  -  Is He yours also?

Amos 3v3 asks ' Can TWO walk together unless they be agreed?'        Do I  -  Do YOU agree together with Jesus, to follow Him, as He follows His Father?

CAN FRIEND OF JESUS go along with deception and lies?    Can he agree with us speaking Slander, Foul Language, and to partake of sexual promiscuity, or delve into pornographic films or literature?

CAN a Child of God, walking hand in hand with HIM indulge in drunkenness, drug abuse, and other damaging human addictions of any kind that are let into his body - the very Temple of God; the dwelling place of God.

NO!    That kind of friend is NO friend of mine that I should have a close relationship with him, and spend my time with..      A True Friend will always be ready to DIE for his friend, and to ensure that he does nothing to bring hurt, or endanger the life of his friend - Romans 13v8-14
JESUS, - even our Father in Heaven, would never lead anyone into HARM, of any kind.

WE, likewise, should watch over our personal example of life,  that WE should not lead another astray so that they may be at risk!   We should be ready to warn,  exhort and encourage all those we meet, and especially those who are walk away from THE WAY in order to please themselves, and to conform to the ungodly world around them.  REMEMBER 'Faithful are the wounds of a friend'.  A real friend will no fear to displease a friend if it means he may at the same time save his friend.

What FRIENDS we might Be, if we a Friend like JESUS  -

 A FRIEND LIKE JESUS,  Oh what bliss

That one so weak as I

Should ever have a friend like this

To lead me to the sky.

A Friend when other friendships cease

;

A Friend when others fail.

A Friend who gives me joy and Peace,

A Friend who will prevail.

A Friend to lead me in the dark;

A Friend who knows the way.

A Friend to steer my weak frail bark,

A Friend my debts to pay.

A Friend when sickness lays me low;

A Friend when death draws near.

A Friend as through the Vale I go,

A Friend to help and cheer.

A Friend when life's rough voyage is o'er;

A Friend when death is PAST!

A Friend to GREET on Heaven's shore;

A Friend when home at last!

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TODAY THE SKIES ARE GREY!     But WE are rejoicing and Praising God for His very special assistance to us.    At a time when we could not share with a brother or sister, HE has yet again taken our prayers and Himself taken our Burdens to the hearts of His Chosen, and RESCUED us.   Yea, we DO, and SHALL REJOICE.     Our Thankfulness to all those who may have contributed and felt led to help us from our distress.      Our FORTH UPDATE of the year is finished, and I hope to send it out before Tuesday, with our usual Acknowledgements,  where addresses are available to us.

Politically, the situation here in Kenya remains grave.    The opposition continues to demand one new condition after the other of the Ruling Party, AND of the Election Organisers, with the threat that if these demands (all of them) are not met then they, the Opposition, will not vote on the 26th October.

The Government is determined that satisfied or not, the opposition not voting, the ELECTION will go the vote of whosoever will brave the day and cast their ballot.       Meanwhile the Country is rife with demonstrations, strikes, and a kind of expectant tension.       The Country is also feeling the effects of slackening rainfall in more tan 40 area.     Please continue to pray.    

Esther and I remain well and active.    HOWEVER I am just now having a problem with my TOES.

They are all nice and pink, thank you, but especially at night they become uncomfortable due to soreness, sometimes little stabs of sharp pain, and a kind of dryness of skin which stops me from wiggling my otherwise admirable toes!     This is I believe another symptom of Diabetes, and I am hoping I will not find my toes falling, or being amputated.      I am determined to march on - but if anyone knows how I might find relief I would be most grateful.

Our Love to you all, and our prayers.       We are ALL of us wrapped about with His Love.   We are indeed SO Blessed, SO protected, and noticed.

John, Esther, Daryl, Green