Remedy For Empty Religion

...The first World War was essentially a war between Germany and France, with other nations coming to the defense of France for fear of the aggressive ambitions of Germany. When Germany was finally pushed back behind its own borders, France determined to set up a line of defense to prevent such an invasion from ever happening again. The result was the Maginot Line, a formidable line of fortification along the border between France and Germany.

One young French army officer, Charles de Gaulle, tried to warn his su­periors in the army and in the government that this would not be enough. He told them that they were preparing for the last war and that, when the enemy came the next time, he would not come in the way they were expect­ing. He wrote of how a modern army would have to be highly mobile, ready to face an aggressor at any time, any place. His superiors thought him a troublesome young fool, considering themselves to be dwelling in safety be­hind the Maginot Line. But in 1939 the German Panzer divisions came sweeping through Holland and Belgium, completely bypassing the Maginot Line, and swiftly made themselves the masters of France.

Are the Conference decisions in some measure our Maginot Line? They are a record of how the church has faced and overcome challenges to the faith in the past. Have we perhaps become complacent, believing that we are dwelling in safety behind the protection of these decisions? But the enemy is attacking today in ways that were hardly dreamed of in the past. Can we protect our beloved church from these attacks by continually erect­ing new fortifications?

There is no room for complacency in this battle. There is no security to be found solely in a scrupulous obedience to the Conference decisions of the past, even though we believe those decisions to have the blessing of the Holy Spirit. Much more is needed to be victorious in this battle. Self-denial, cross-bearing, and a vibrant, living faith are required in the heart of every person who calls himself or herself a believer.

Remedy for Empty Religion

Adult & Youth Sunday School Lessons

Volume 47 . No. 2

Good News Foundation International Update and Prayer Request for Dec.21

Dear Sponsors, Supporters and Friends,

 

Here is an overdue update on what has been going on at GNFI. We have been very busy preparing for the return to our projects, the Lastic Canyon water project in Haiti and the Agua de Vida orphanage in Mexico. Many hours and lots of travel have been spent with the logistics and planning. The Lord has blessed us with the necessary funds to finish the Lastic Canyon project. This is a miracle in how the monies came in when it was least expected! When we stand back and stay out of God's way, he supplies our every need! We are still in need of funds for the Agua de Vida orphanage in Mexico. If the Lord speaks to your heart for these dear children we would be very thankful to you! We are currently open for new projects, if you know of a need that may fit GNFI, please let us know. In October, Kevin Bronson and Denver Eides made a trip to Ethiopia to visit a site where locals capture steam to get a small supply of water. The steam comes from underground in a funnel that could be harnessed for clean drinking water. While they were there they did some research and tested some of their ideas. They were able to get a lot more water with just a quick, somewhat crude system, instead of using tree branches thrown over these steaming areas, like the locals have done for a very long time. This seems to be have good potential for a future water project. In the dry season, people walk up to 8 miles for water! We will also be researching more orphanages in Baja Mexico, there are 84 orphanages in Baja alone!

 

Gearing up for the Lastic Canyon is going on now, so all volunteers from earlier this year that want to volunteer again for early 2011, please contact Roger Jantz at rvjantz@gmail.com, 209-631-5205 or 209-965-4290 as soon as possible.

 

As the year 2010 comes to a close we would like to thank all who entrusted their money to GNFI. This humbles us that you trusted us to use your money wisely. This money will be used to alleviate suffering, hunger and give clean drinking water as God directs. If anyone feels to share a gift before the end of the year, remember we are a tax deductible foundation!

 

Usually we don't talk to much about ourselves, but we feel we should share a little about the GNFI treasurer, Reg Bronson. Reg works hard for us, putting in many hours and doing a great job with his honesty and conservatism. Those of you that know him, already know that he has MS, a disease that can be slow, but unrelenting, and makes life more difficult and puts limits on your life. We would like to put out a prayer request for Reg, as he will be going to the Tucson Medical Center this Tuesday, the 21st, for a procedure that may help alleviate the symptoms. The fervent prayer of a believer is a powerful event! Thank you for your consideration of Reg.

 

GNFI is now 1 year old, and what a year it was! A year of much learning, blessings, miracles, support, growth.... and the Haiti earthquake! As we look back, all we see is God! As we look forward all we see is God! He will be our All in All and together with God and our faithful supporters, we will have direction for the future. Have a Blessed Christmas and a profitable New Year!

 

The GNFI Board

 

Reg Bronson

Roger Jantz

Jim Victor

Grant Schmidt

Daniel Jantz, John Monroe, Bob Jantz

Iraqi Muslims Persecuting Iraqi Christians

Christian Persecution in Iraqi and the Middle East Finally is getting Front Page
New York Times had a front page article on the persecution of Iraqis Christian minority. Many Iraqi Christians are packing their bags and leaving with the shirts on their back to start life anew elsewhere. It is not like these small Chrisitan's are posing such a threat to the Muslim majority. Apparently there are hints that the government are turning a blind eye to their plight. As Christians we pray for those that are persecuted and also for those that persecute. I hope in the end Muslims the world over can witness the power of forgivness and love borne from hearts where God's love dwells. If a Muslim would ever read this article I would encourage him to find out if there is not a cry in his heart. If there is I would encourage him to pick up a Bible with a prayerful heart and see what it says. If you believe Jesus is a prophet start with his writings and see what his message really was.

Bible Fired Revival: An article by Jonathon Goforth

I was sent this in a e-mail and it seemed quite "heart-provoking". Does it challenge you? I am afraid I fall quite short of the mark! JLT

We wish to affirm, too, that we can entertain no hope of a mighty,
globe-encircling Holy Spirit revival without there being first a back to
the Bible movement. The Author of the Bible is being greatly dishonoured
these days by the doubt cast upon His Word. It must, indeed, be a cause
of intense grief to Him that the Book which alone testifies of the Lord
Jesus should be so lightly esteemed by man. Unless the Bible is to us in
very truth the Word of God, our prayers can be naught but sheer mockery.
There never has been a revival except where there have been Christian
men and women thoroughly believing in and wholeheartedly pleading the
promises of God.
The Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, is the only weapon
which has ever been mightily used in revival. Where it has been given
for what it claims to be, the Word of God has always been like a sharp,
two edged sword, like fire, and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in
pieces. ..
During my student days in Toronto my one weapon, in the jails and slums,
was the Bible. In China I have often given from thirty-five to forty
addresses in a week, practically all of them being simply Bible
rehearsals. In fact, I think I can safely say that, during the forty-one
years that I have been on the foreign field, I have never once addressed
a Chinese audience without an open Bible in my hand, from which I could
say, “Thus saith the Lord!” I have always taken it for granted that the
simple preaching of the Word would bring men to Christ. It has never
failed me yet. My Chinese pastor, one of the most consecrated men I have
ever met, was saved from a life of shame and vice by the first Gospel
address which he ever heard me give.
My deepest regret, on reaching threescore years and ten, is that I have
not devoted more time to the study of the Bible. Still, in less than
nineteen years I have gone through the New Testament in Chinese
fifty-five times. That prince of Bible teachers, Dr. Campbell Morgan,
has declared that he would not attempt to teach any book in the Bible
unless he had first read it over at least fifty times. Some years ago, I
understand, a gentleman attended the English Keswick and was so fired
with a zeal for the Bible that in three years he read it through twelve
times. One would imagine, of course, that he belonged to the leisured
class. On the contrary, however, he began his day’s work at the
Motherwell steel plant at 5:30 a. m.
The Bible was not so neglected a Book when the great revivals of 1857-59
swept over the United States and Great Britain. Neither was it so
neglected in Moody’s time. During the late Manchu dynasty, scholars were
expected to know the classics of their sages off by heart. How do the
scholars of so-called Christian lands measure up to that standard as
regards the “World’s Great Classic”? It is nothing short of pathetic how
so many, who come professedly to represent the Lord Jesus Christ in
China, know so little of His Word. Thirty years ago the missionary ideal
was to know the Bible so well that one would not have to carry around a
concordance. Is the indifference to the Bible today on the part of so
many missionaries due to the fact, perhaps, that they have discovered
some better means with which to meet the needs of a sin sick world?
Finally, the call to revival must be a call to exalt Jesus Christ in our
hearts as King of kings and Lord of lords. He is like an Everest peak,
rising from the level plain. There must be room only for Him, if we
would have Him dwell with us at all. Every idol must be smashed; every
darling Isaac laid on the altar; every urge of self denied. Then, and
then only, can we expect the larger fields to open before us. ..
Was there ever such an incomparable opportunity for Christian leaders to
get rid of their ecclesiastical idols and bring themselves into heart
contact with the unsearchable riches of Christ as at the Missionary
Conference in Edinburgh in 1910? There has been no Church gathering in
modern times around which such expectations have centred. Missionary
leaders had come from all parts of the world. It was the confident hope
of many that a new era in missions had dawned. The subject for the last
day was -- “The Home Base.” It provoked visions of endless
possibilities. The home churches, empowered by a mighty Holy Ghost
Revival, would send out men fitted as were Paul and Barnabas. With their
enormous resources in men and means the world would be evangelized in a
generation.
Alas! it was only a dream. Never have I experienced such keen pain and
disappointment as I did that day. Of the many who addressed that great
missionary gathering, not more than three emphasized God the Holy Spirit
as the one essential factor in world evangelization. Listening to the
addresses that day, one could not but conclude that the giving of the
Gospel to lost mankind was largely a matter of better organization,
better equipment, more men and women. Symptoms, indeed, were not lacking
that a few more sparks might have precipitated an explosion. But no, the
dethronement of the idol of ecclesiastical self-sufficiency was
apparently too great a price to pay.
But, brethren, the Spirit of God is with us still. Pentecost is yet
within our grasp. If revival is being withheld from us it is because
some idol remains still enthroned; because we still insist in placing
our reliance in human schemes; because we still refuse to face the
unchangeable truth that “it is not by might, but BY MY SPIRIT.”

- Jonathon Goforth

A FREE Gospel Tract and Literature Resource: Gospel Tract and Bible Society

I have been noticing that Operation Noah's Ark Audience has increasingly turned international. I have also been disappointed that I have not been able to post as many Gospel articles as I would have liked. It is my sincere desire that the light could shine in every corner even on the Internet, and if we all do our little part God only knows the souls we may point to him. Of course we do not treat Gospel outreach as a score board. We all know we all stand in need of a Physician. Especially one for the soul. We all need a Savior to save us from ourselves and damnation of those that sin against God willfully. God help us all because none can stand justified before God without the blood of Jesus. 


To Keep it Simple :


If any readers here need good solid Gospel literature read, Bible study or for pass out on the street:


1. Is sound doctrinally
2. Is FREE
3. Teaches Jesus Christ, Repentance, Humility, Nonresistance (Matt. 5-7), Heaven and Hell
4. Covers all manner of doctrine found in the Bible like
   a. Women's headcovering
   b. Modesty
   c. Men wearing the Beard
   d. Proper Practise of Holy Kiss, etc.
5. Uses KJV
6. Comes in many languages


CONTACT: 

Gospel Tract and Bible Society

An agency of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite, that publishes and distributes tracts in 59 languages in 149 countries.

U.S. office: PO Box 700, Moundridge, Kansas 67107.

Ph. 620-345-2533; Fax 2528

Contact Gospel Tract (USA)

Box 180, RR 1, Ste. Anne, Manitoba R5H 1R1.

Ph. 204-355-4975; Fax 4107

Contact Gospel Tract (Canada)

Gospel Tract and Bible Society Regional Offices

To contact regional offices in Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Ukraine, Russia, or Romania use the following form:

Contact Gospel Tract (USA)

Gospel Tract is a branch  of the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite. That website and samples of literature can be found on http://churchofgodinchristmennonite.net/

The Tale of the King and His Four Wives

Once upon a time there was a rich King who had four wives. He loved the 4th wife the most and adorned her with rich robes and treated her to the finest of delicacies. He gave her nothing but the best.

He also loved the 3rd wife very much and was always showing her off to neighboring kingdoms. However, he feared that one day she would leave him for another.

He also loved his 2nd wife. She was his confidant and was always kind, considerate and patient with him. Whenever the King faced a problem, he could confide in her, and she would help him get through the difficult times.

The King’s 1st wife was a very loyal partner and had made great contributions in maintaining his wealth and kingdom. However, he did not love the first wife. Although she loved him deeply, he hardly took notice of her!

One day, the King fell ill and he knew his time was short. He thought of his luxurious life and wondered, “I now have four wives with me, but when I die, I’ll be all alone.”

Thus, he asked the 4th wife, “I have loved you the most, endowed you with the finest clothing and showered great care over you. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?” “No way!” replied the 4th wife and she walked away without another word. Her answer cut like a sharp knife right into his heart.

The sad King then asked the 3rd wife, “I have loved you all my life. Now that I’m dying, will you follow me and keep me company?” “No!” replied the 3rd wife. “Life is too good! When you die, I’m going to remarry!” His heart sank and turned cold.

He then asked the 2nd wife, “I have always turned to you for help and you’ve always been there for me. When I die, will you follow me and keep me company?” “I’m sorry, I can’t help you out this time!” replied the 2nd wife. “At the very most, I can only walk with you to your grave.” Her answer struck him like a bolt of lightning, and the King was devastated.

Then a voice called out: “I’ll go with you. I’ll follow you no matter where you go.” The King looked up, and there was his first wife. She was very skinny as she suffered from malnutrition and neglect. Greatly grieved, the King said, “I should have taken much better care of you when I had the chance!”

In truth, we all have the 4 wives in our lives:

Our 4th wife is our body. No matter how much time and effort we lavish in making it look good, it will leave us when we die. Our 3rd wife is our possessions, status and wealth. When we die, it will all go to others. Our 2nd wife is our family and friends. No matter how much they have been there for us, the furthest they can stay by us is up to the grave. And our 1st wife is our Soul, often neglected in pursuit of wealth, power and pleasures of the world. However, our Soul is the only thing that will follow us wherever we go.

Cultivate, strengthen and cherish it now, for it is the only part of us that will follow us to the throne of God and continue with us throughout Eternity. 


Rev 2:4

Finding Truth in Today's Babel

As I was examining my life the last few days, I realized how much I fall short of the mark. How prone to sin and selfishness am I! Thank God for His blood and grace to allow me to get up and start again. Every morning should find me reaching out to God for courage and strength. Bible reading is a nessecity to try the spirits to see if they are of God. The Spirit of God and the Word run hand in hand complementing the other. I am the most strong when I acknowledge my dependency on God and allow the Lord to be my strength. It just so alarms me the deception that has crept into the Churches of today to promote "self-awareness" and self-promotion. Christian life is just another self improvement rather than a redemption from death and eternal destruction. Christ did come to save and redeem the lost ------not put a band-aid on the self-sufficent. I wrote a quick list of Truth as I find it presented in the Word and how I have found it. Others could no doubt add more to it.


 The Truth


1. Loving God with all your Heart
Deut.10:12
And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul


2. Loving your neighbor as your self (including loving your enemies)

Matt. 5:43-44  Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you



3. Teaches Repentance and Unconditional forgiveness 


 Luke 13:5
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.


1 John 1:9   
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.


Matt. 6:14-15
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.   But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses


4. Teaches Humility: How small we are in comparison of how BIG God is. Also allows us to find the key in finding our strength in God vs. being sufficent of our selves. Read Psalms about David's outlook- a man after God's own heart.


2 Cor 3:5
Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God






5. Teaches Cross Bearing, Carefulness to  Deny Self and to Forsake the World and it's Lusts. Where is the Carefulness to be unspotted of the World, today?


Matt.16:24
Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.


6. Following the Holy Spirit. If you truly follow the Spirit it will agree with the Bible, and you will gain fresh inspiration from the Word.


2 Tim 3:16
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness


7.Teaches Eternal Consequences. Heaven and Hell. It is said that Jesus, in fact, has spoken and warned more about hell than he shared about Heaven. He is truly a Savior to those that accept his sacrifice.



1John 5:28-29
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.




Rev. 21:8
But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.


8. The Truth also bears fruit--Fruit of Righteousness


Matt 7:17-20
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them


THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN: THE COUNTERFEIT VOICE OF BABEL CLOAKED AS CHRISTIANITY. THE ANTI-CHRIST OF TODAY


There are so many voices claiming to be the true way. So many advancing a Christianity that is not really compatible with scripture. Gen. Booth of the late 1800's and early 1900's  summed it up quite well in this  little writing. (I have them written in my Bible:)

General William Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army's analysis of the chief 
dangers of the twentieth century could never be more accurate now. He enumerated 
six dangers:

1. Religion Without The Holy Spirit
2. Christianity Without Christ
3. Forgiveness Without Repentance
4. Salvation Without Regeneration
5. Politics Without God
6. Heaven Without Hell






THE PRESSURES BABEL AS A WORLDLY SYSTEM ANOTHER FACE OF ANTI-CHRIST

Eph 6:12

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places

Now as we think about pressures and voices from the media, governments, and worldly society. Elements from within them that identify with Babel and the worldly kingdom that rebels against God.


.Have You Ever Heard of the 45 Goals in the Communist Overthrow of America from around 1963. I wrote down a few of them here for your review so you can see how America has allowed itself to become so ensnared. What bombs could not destroy, self indulgence has wrought even greater destruction to the soul of our society. I believe most Christians recognize Communism as Anti-Christ in its rejection of the rightful and moral  place of God in society.  Just look at the present world of media and how it so fits into this agenda. Here is a sampling of some of the points that relate to this article. To read the rest and my source for this list see http://www.rense.com/general32/americ.htm I have heard and read portions of these points from various sources through the years. 


16. Use technical decisions of the courts to weaken basic American institutions by claiming their activities violate civil rights.



17. Get control of the schools. Use them as transmission belts for socialism and current Communist propaganda. Soften the curriculum. Get control of teachers' associations. Put the party line in textbooks.



18. Gain control of all student newspapers.



19. Use student riots to foment public protests against programs or organizations which are under Communist attack.



20. Infiltrate the press. Get control of book-review assignments, editorial writing, policy-making positions.



21. Gain control of key positions in radio, TV, and motion pictures.



22. Continue discrediting American culture by degrading all forms of artistic expression. An American Communist cell was told to "eliminate all good sculpture from parks and buildings, substitute shapeless, awkward and meaningless forms."


23. Control art critics and directors of art museums. "Our plan is to promote ugliness, repulsive, meaningless art."



24. Eliminate all laws governing obscenity by calling them "censorship" and a violation of free speech and free press.


25. Break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography and obscenity in books, magazines, motion pictures, radio, and TV.



26. Present homosexuality, degeneracy and promiscuity as "normal, natural, healthy."



27. Infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with "social" religion. Discredit the Bible and emphasize the need for intellectual maturity, which does not need a "religious crutch."



28. Eliminate prayer or any phase of religious expression in the schools on the ground that it violates the principle of "separation of church and state."



29. Discredit the American Constitution by calling it inadequate, old-fashioned, out of step with modern needs, a hindrance to cooperation between nations on a worldwide basis.



30. Discredit the American Founding Fathers. Present them as selfish aristocrats who had no concern for the "common man."

31. Belittle all forms of American culture and discourage the teaching of American history on the ground that it was only a minor part of the "big picture." Give more emphasis to Russian history since the Communists took over.

32. Support any socialist movement to give centralized control over any part of the culture--education, social agencies, welfare programs, mental health clinics, etc.



33. Eliminate all laws or procedures which interfere with the operation of the Communist apparatus.



37. Infiltrate and gain control of big business.



38. Transfer some of the powers of arrest from the police to social agencies. Treat all behavioral problems as psychiatric disorders which no one but psychiatrists can understand [or treat].



39. Dominate the psychiatric profession and use mental health laws as a means of gaining coercive control over those who oppose Communist goals.

40. Discredit the family as an institution. Encourage promiscuity and easy divorce.

41. Emphasize the need to raise children away from the negative influence of parents. Attribute prejudices, mental blocks and retarding of children to suppressive influence of parents.









We do not need to lose ourselves and fear or apprehension. We just need to find our security in our creator and Saviour. This verse comes to mind:


Ps. 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God


Thank God we have somewhere to go with our struggles, sins and disappointments.  May God bless you through life.


 JLT

A Great Depression Giver

Here is an interesting story I read in my Smithsonian Magazine Dec 2010 Issue. I think it fits the Thanksgiving/Easter season very well.  It is by Ted Gup and follow the link to the original article at the bottom. 

The year was 1933 and christmas was just a week away. Deep in the trough of the Great Depression, the people of Canton, Ohio, were down on their luck and hungry. Nearly half the town was out of work. Along the railroad tracks, children in patched coats scavenged for coal spilled from passing trains. The prison and orphanage swelled with the casualties of hard times.

It was then that a mysterious "B. Virdot" took out a tiny ad in the Canton Repository, offering to help the needy before Christmas. All he asked was that they write to him and tell him of their hardships. B. Virdot, he said, was not his real name, and no one would ever know his true identity. He pledged that those who wrote to him would also remain anonymous.

Letters poured into the post office by the hundreds. From every corner of the beleaguered town they came—from the baker, the bellhop, the steeplejack, the millworker, the blacksmith, the janitor, the pipe fitter, the salesman, the fallen executive. All of them told their stories in the hope of receiving a hand. And in the days thereafter, $5 checks went out to 150 families across the town. Today, $5 doesn't sound like much, but back then it was more like $100. For many, it was more money than they had seen in months. So stunning was the offer that it was featured in a front-page story in the newspaper, and word of it spread a hundred miles.

Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/A-Yuletide-Gift-of-Kindness.html#ixzz16IVP1azB

Haiti Clinic Update: Motorcycle Accidents and Prayer Meetings

BY KEITH TOEWS

          To show you the mood of the locals and how grateful they are for a little help, and to let you in on our day, I’ll tell you once incident from last Sat. 

          On the way home from Fore’ market we found a young lady on the road who had been involved in a motorcycle accident and had many bad scrapes, pealed burnt skin from the exhaust pipe, and severe bruising. She couldn’t walk, so we picked her up and took her to our house for bandaging. (our clinic is not yet operational).  She (named Manya) was in alot of pain but these people hide some of that so well.  We had no interpreter but it worked. We cleaned and bandaged her, and then loaded her into the back seat and I started out to find how to take her home. On the way she suddenly made me stop as she saw a friend of hers and so the friend jumped in with us. All thru the town and all the way down the long steep trails that went down to her house the friend kept making me stop at different groups beside the road and he would tell them... “look at what these whites are doing for Haiti! They come here to help all us Haitians! These whites are really doing lots of good for us!”  And the people would gather around, and the story was told and retold. Beings we are new here and they don’t know us personally yet they would often ask what church we are in. The friend always told them we were part of brother Anthony’s church and they invariably said emphatically “ahhhhh, yes, they are doing lots of good for us here in Oriani!”. I felt blessed by their gratefulness. It was interesting that when we came to the end of the road, the news had obviously travled ahead of us and her family and friends were waiting with a horse to take her home. Well, there was no way that she could be taken on a horse, so a few of the men had some vigorous discussions and soon they had her in their arms and were carrying her off down the path, the full moon lighting the way. Tonight I heard our little Christina praying for her at bedtime, so I ask  you to join us in prayer for her and these dear people. We pray for their physical well being, but also, or should I say especially, that the good news of Jesus and salvation can be a reality to them too. It truly is amazing to see how becoming spiritually born again changes these people’s lives. They have a sparkle about them which is remarkable. Their eyes and faces light up. They are happy even amid their earthly trials and problems.  Thank You Jesus for how your spiritual touch still changes lives (and destinies)!

Our house is progressing and we hope to be living in it in a couple weeks or so. The rains have kinda quite, the air has a dry cool feel to it, so we might be heading into the dry season which sometimes doesn’t rain for 5 months. Our cisterns are full of water so we are enthused about that. Our nights are cold enough that with the windows all shuttered and two comforters on... I still wear a  t shirt and jogging pants to bed. Sure feels different than the Haiti I knew as a young boy. stinky We lived along a main road at almost sea level in Ganthier and it was hot, dusty, and noisy. Here in Oriani, the nights are silent, and a

the 5500 ft elevation give us cool clear air that makes the full moon so bright we can see colors!

Next day... Sunday was interesting and very touching. Anthony and Darla are still in the DR waiting for test results to see what is wrong with Darla and her fevers etc. Our family and the two girls Carmen and Charlene (Carmen is Anthony’s househelp and Charlene is our schoolteacher) were the only whites in church. Charlene is the only one of us who can fully understand what all is being said and can translate. I understood alot of it as the speakers all seemed to speak clearly this time. But the Haitian’s had the church service and I was totally impressed with the depth of knowledge, and spiritual understanding these new Christians have. Osias (our clinic doctor) had the sermon and preached on Paul and Silas in the jail and how the prison doors were opened and the chains broken. Likened it to how our chains can be broken too. He also encouraged the church to be strong like Paul and Silas, not run away from our troubles. And spoke of how the jailers repented and were converted thru the witness of these apostles. After church Osias organised all the church members together and had a prayer meeting for Darla, where multiple people prayed. First the song “Touch Me Lord Jesus” (same Creole song as what we have in English) was sung and dedicated to Darla, then long passionate prayers were brought to God asking for health and courage for Anthonys and that they could take their place as missionarys here very soon again. After this prayer meeting the whole church walked and walked down the trails till we came to Bro Wilfreds house where his sick wife was. We packed into his two room house till it was standing room only. Again songs and prayers were offered for this lady’s health and courage.   I felt faith and trust in these fine brethren and sisters. I feel like they are indeed part of my family of God. Matthew chapter 9 starts out telling the story of how Jesus healed the man sick with palsy. Take note that Jesus healed him because of the faith of...his FRIENDS! Let’s all continue in faith and trust, making our requests made known unto God, knowing that his desire for us is as a father to his children.

HOAX: Who Lives in a House Like This?

A reader informed me that the e-mail I recieved on this matter was a hoax as the pictures depict a house in LA, United States. Actually it is probably a half truth. Prez. Mugabe is presently building a mansion that is just as grand or possibly exceeds the one depicted. Part of my judgement stems from his cousins real estate depicted in Zim at http://www.newzimbabwe.com/pages/chiyangwa32.12810.html

 Thank-you  reader for the clarification. I will try to screen or investigate a little better next time. Thanks again. For details see
http://www.hoax-slayer.com/robert-mugabe-mansion.shtml

Confidence Health Center: Keith Toews Family Arrive in Haiti

As written by Keith Toews:

I wanted to keep all my updates to a few paragraphs but it is hard. I will try to be more brief next time! J

Its been quite the 3 weeks. We arrived in Port-au-Prince and were greeted by my parents Robert and Sally. We drove up the mountain in the dark and there had been 8 inches of rain in 2 days so things we abit slippery and a few washouts. Anthonys were still in DR with their babe so we just crashed at their house for the night. Next night we moved to our temporary little house. (more on that at the end)

It has rained almost every day, and has been hard to get clothes dried, and get our house ready. Everything is in the sticky mud. But our kids say it is the best life ever, and these are the best days of their lives. J 

The future clinic is coming along nicely and the privacy wall is mostly done and the yard is getting cleaned up and soon we will be ready to start looking at getting it serviceable. Nurse Kim Ratliff from Bonners Ferry, ID, is in Haiti now and is spending some time with a Canadian midwife who is doing some work in Jacmel area. This will give some valuable hands-on experience in the local setting before she moves up here to work in the Oriani center.  

Since we came almost 3 weeks ago, several people have had to be taken down the mountain to hospitals because of serious injury and problems.  We were on our way to a hospital with a man who was the victim of a hit and run motorcycle accident.  After he was hit and knocked out, his friends loaded him on a donkey and brought him to Oriani. Next day after he still hadn’t woken up, they brought him to Anthonys. We then loaded him up in the back of the pickup, laid out on a door and pad, and headed for a hospital.  After about an hour of driving the other passengers alerted us that he had expired. Sure enough, no breathing, no pulse. Then as we sadly turned around to take him back home, the wailing started from the back of the pickup. The wailing,screaming,singing continued all the way back to town. I asked what they were chanting and wailing and Anthony said that they were saying “oh how miserable I am... Only the good Lord knows how terrible this is... etc”.  

We have a 21 yr old guy coming to church that crouches bum on heels all the time. He cant straighten his hips nor his knees. So he WALKS that way! His head is at our waist height and he has learned quite a gait. He “walks” up and down the hills, thru the mud, about 30 minutes to church. The Haitians tend to make fun of guys like him and he has a sorry existence. I found him one day by a fence, alone, and I asked him why he was this way, and for how long. He replied that it was since he was 6 yrs old and that it was because he is a bad person or has a bad spirit.  He was too ashamed to lift his face and look at me so I crouched down at his level and he still wouldn’t look at me. I told him it was a disease (Polio?) that did this to him, and that it was not because of anything else or his fault. I don’t think he was convinced.  I couldn’t keep my tears back. As I looked at him I have never wished so much that Jesus could once again just walk the earth like he did 2000 yrs ago.... touching and healing. That He could just touch a young man like this and say “rise! Stand up and walk!” J. 

I should tell you about our housing plan....

My parents had built a house in Fond Parisian a number of years ago for their use when they often came to Haiti. That house has been completely flooded out and abandoned now. Dad has recently decided to obtain and rebuild a house here in Oriani instead of down in Fond Parisian. This is the house that we will now rent for Confidence Health Center staff housing. The house will be a nice house and the rent is very reasonable, although there is alot of work to do to rebuild it. This arrangement is helpful for us as we won’t have to put out as much capital investment right now. Right now we are living in a 330sq ft building while we finish knocking walls out and get a roof put on the main house. We huddled in this small house during Hurricane Thomas, in the semidarkness, with shutters closed, one lamp burning(we broke the other two), during much of the 48 hours of steady rain. We soooo look forward to moving into the bigger house once we get it ready. It will be awhile yet though as it is mostly bare block walls yet with no roof on.

Pray for us! Pray that we learn the language quickly, and also that Confidence Health Center can get running as quickly as possible. And pray for our health and safety here. 

So long.... Keith, Candace, and family.

Drilling to Hell Story: Researching the Source

How many have you heard the story about the Finnish drilling rig in Siberia whose drill suddenly hit a hollow spot 4 miles down. When they were investigating the problem when they realized there was screaming going on down there. They lowered microphones, etc. I have always wondered about this story and wondered where it's source was. This is the closest link I have found so far. I want readers to be sure that Hell is real. Whether or not this particular story is true or not the Bible is clear on the matter of Hell. It is the final resting place for sin , made for the devil and his angels (Matt 25:41) and all those that reject the Love of God.  Rev. 20: 15, Rev. 21:8

 I have heard this story about the drilling told at different times and I wondered at its source. If you know of a differing source let me know. Here is the link to one article on the matter:

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/d/drilltohellfacts.htm

A Little Math on the LOVE of God

Some one no doubt could present this better, but in my feeble way I would like to share with you a little about a sermon we heard last night on the LOVE OF GOD. Yes folks that is the answer to your problems. See if you can make any sense out of this.

GOD = LOVE 

JESUS ON THE CROSS= HOLY SPIRIT = LOVE 

 MAN = Made in the Image of God = Since the fall miserable Creature = Wants to be accepted = wants to be loved = GOD loves him and is willing to fill all those needs, but man still rejects this

LOVE= Casts out fear because Man's needs are filled by love

TRUE CHRISTIAN= Has LOVE for Everybody = No Offences towards brethren

1.If you do not have the fruits of the True Christian, Loving Everybody and of no offense ---How can you have the Holy Spirit?

2. Everybody was asked to sit on the front bench as a convert in their hearts and asked, " Do YOU absolutely LOVE everybody?" If not you are not ready for Communion.

3. All your excuses and fables about why you are not more successful in your Christian life are really nothing. The real answer is why you do not accept the Love of God in your life when it is so available.

4. If you were Dirk Willieums running from your enemies and he fell in the ice---would you not think, "Providence for MY escape" or would you go back and make sure he was safe?

I guess we walk around with a head knowledge about these things but they do not enter the heart as a reality. And now I can see where this has affected me as well. Love is so available and needed in the World today and yet why do we avoid it?

 

Texting, Youth, and Chinese Water Torture

In my Church it seems like the concern of excessive cell phonetexting of youth has been a concern. Some tend to brush the concern aside or even roll their eyes at the concern. At the same time most would have a opinion on the matter. I know this might seem like a light hearted title and immaterial article to post, but I think that it is important for the Christian and the Church to have an eye open to the possible snares of the technology world. It seems the devil wants to keep the ball spinning rapidly so that we act before we listen to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. Just like fast tempo music in a resteraunt causes you to eat faster, etc. Someone sent me an e-mail linking me with this address and I trust it may interest the readership here. I posted the source address below article. 

DRIP DRIP DRIP – Not Internet, but a related safety issue!

 By Steve Ensley on November 11, 2010

"Often I use different articles I have found to discuss a topic or safety issue.  This post will be a little different in that I will be commenting on a trend that has recently hit the news, but is really an issue that has been building for a couple of years.  I’m talking about “teen texting”.  Most parents can tell you (having been teens once themselves), that the teenage years are a time of finding connections and developing one’s identity.  When I was young (about 100 years ago),  most socializing was done at church events and school recesses.  But technology has changed everything!

"Texting is now the “in” thing.  One CNN article is quoted as stating that the average teen sends and receives 3339 text messages per month.  Really?!  Think about it for a moment.  If you do anything more than 3000 times per month it HAS to have a MAJOR impact on your life!

"And by all accounts, texting is having a major impact on the lives of teens.   Another study released in just the last few days indicates that teens who text a lot are more likely to engage in destructive behaviors such as drinking, smoking and pre-marital sex.  Please keep in mind these are secular studies and it seems the evidence is overwhelming.

Now lets place this behavior into a spiritual perspective.  If excessive use of this technology increases risky behavior, then it HAS to be impacting spiritual and moral growth.  Do the words “drip, drip, drip” come to mind.  The Chinese are credited for inventing water torture that was guaranteed to break any soldier or spy with the simple drip drip drip of water.  It slowly breaks down the resistance to the point of insanity.

"The “drip drip drip” of texting is apparently having the same effects on our teens morally!

"I think the biggest mistake we can make as parents is to believe that “my teen” will not be affected.

"This is a moral issue folks.  It is another burden we must carry as parents, another cross if you will, but aren’t our children worth it!

"I am not including any links in this article, but if you search on “teen texting” in any search engine, you will find a ton of articles regarding this object.  Put your spiritual hat on when you read these and see if you reach the same conclusions I did!"

This article of Steve Ensley can be found on http://steveensley.com/2010/11/drip-drip-drip-not-internet-but-a-related-safety-issue/