Getting Out of Dodge! I mean Moscow!

Loved of The LORD, Happy New Year! I will preface this next section with looking back that I was walking in The Faith that I knew about for 17 years and in turn had taught it to others for many of those years as grew in it myself. It seemed like I was in a dream and having my own working capital and Several Thousand for the Saws on me I was very uncomfortable. I was always coming to that place of deciding to Trust HIM again! And Again! AND AGAIN!

If there was ever one … This Is ... “The Secret!”

I am glad that I am writing all this down now, as trying to remember what happened, names and places are not jumping out at me yet! Thank you Becky for encouraging me to do this. Yes and Jamie too, for so many of the particulars!

After we got all my gear up the 3 flights of stairs, Ulia introduced me to her parents and I walked in & over to them to shake hands. I am not sure how I became aware that I was doing something wrong, nevertheless, all three seemed to be looking at my brand new Sorel Snow Boots and then I noticed that they were not wearing any shoes of any kind. I looked back at the entry passage & saw all their shoes there. Thus, my first lesson in Russian Culture. It is easier to stay up with “Outside Dirt” kept in that one spot!

I need to place a side note here about my Sorel Snow Boots. Knowing that I was to be in weather that I was not used to, I researched the weather in the north and knew if I kept my feet warm & dry, that I would be able to make it. Where was Google when I needed it. Well I used what was a search engine back then as Google did not come on the scene for about four years later. I found several weather boot manufacturers and read the specs and knew I wanted a pair of Sorel Caribous and was really proud that I had found them. Yes, my brothers & sisters, I was thanking GOD to have found them and the peace that these were the ones! I remember several Belarusian women laughing at me because I held comfort, i.e. keeping warm & dry, ahead of being fashionable.

Ulia's, Parents were Jewish, tho I did not find out if they were practicing or not. Ulia became what was called a ‘Completed Jew’ and was going with an American who headed up a fellowship made up of mostly Jewish people who knew Yeshuah, as their Savior. The Saws were hooked up with him and of course the scenario to send Ulia back to Moscow and help me get to Minsk developed from there. More about him later.

A hot meal of borch, which is a kind of Russian soup with water, meat, potatoes, cabbage, carrot, tomatoes and beetroot, was served with sour cream. The Saws had fixed a dinner before they left, so it was the second time I ate it. With 3 foot of snow outside and the end of February, it hit the spot!

Ulia’s Father & I conversed with hand signs and grunts and by the time Ulia and I left for Minsk, he had me counting to five in Russian. Ulia explained that she was sleeping in her parent’s bed with her mom and her dad would sleep on the couch. Her room (The 2^nd room of the 2 room flat.) had a single bed and on top of the closet was stacks to the ceiling wrapped with cloth to keep their identity unknown. It was plain what was off limits for me and I soon was nestled in.

The next morning was Sunday and after a hot cereal of some kind of grain and my counting lessons, Ulia and I headed to one of the 3 local assemblies of the “Non-Denominational” Denomination that I mentioned that we were a part of years before.

See: Sunday, October 14, 2007 Where Do I Fit In The Body Of Christ? VI

Even in 1994 there were already three of them in Moscow! The Pastor was an American and he taught in English with a Russian Interpreter. I was welcomed with open arms and know I could have functioned there if there were not all ready plans in motion to keep me busy for what wound up to be 4 months away from home.

A side Note: The Pastor was going with a national and they were planning on getting married later on that year. A couple months later, I found out that the… Let me just all him “The Overseer” of the Eastern European Assemblies of the Local churches of that “Non-Denominational” Denomination told the Pastor that he could not marry this woman, because of the complications that it would cause.

Nevertheless, they got married and the Pastor was removed from that Church by the N-D Denom. When they tried to place another Pastor in that spot, the congregation refused, because they wanted their original Pastor and the Church was pulled from the rolls. Several years later, being privy to the N-D’s Pastor’s Conference from friends who were still involved, I found out that the original Pastor had been restored into their ranks and was even addressing the conference about what was happening in Russia.

After Church we all headed to a restaurant and fellowshipped a couple hours. Ulia took me around to some of the sites and we made a quick pass of “Red Square” and headed back to visit with her parents.

After dinner, I excused myself and read Scripture for a while. I started to read 3 Chapters every day and 5 chapters on Sunday in the late 70’s that put me thru the Bible in a year. I doubled up 2 or 3 years so it would tally up to thru it once for every year of commitment. As I write this now I am in the last few chapters of Revelation, now for the 30^th time. Every time it has open up even more to my understanding and enhanced my relationship with HIM.

The night before I spotted a chart on the door that had the Russian alphabet with Hebrew comparison and started giving it my attention. I had taken 1 year Hebrew several years ago, yet never took it any further. What happen was for those few evenings I had the groundwork of learning the Russian sounds, tho some had to come from Hades, as I never learned to pronounce them really right. Nevertheless, things looked like they were dropping into place.

The next morning, Monday we left after breakfast and my Russian lessons … well numbers anyhow and headed back up town to purchased our train tickets to Minsk. After several inquires, Ulia found out that the train ticket for me was going to cost about $150+ USD being a foreigner and after talking it over for awhile we decided to take a step of Faith and buy two national tickets for around $8 USD each and believe that we would not be checked crossing the border into Belarus.

As that took several hours standing in lines, (i.e. Ulia did) she showed me some other sites on the way back to her folk’s place. We also shopped for our meals for the 12 hours trip to Minsk.

Tuesday morning up early … Hot gruel … what ever it was, thanking her folks for the accommodations, saying our goodbyes, (They hated to see Ulia leave as she had only been there for 4 days.) we made our way to the train station.

I was not aware of the train situation & was surprised that the 2^nd class compartments had 4 bunks in them. My next surprise was when two young Belarusian ladies were our compartment mates. My 1^st thought was, What would my wife think? Just a short round of Q &A’s we settled in for our half a day trip. We bought hot chai (Tea) from the porter to go with our meal now enhanced with the other girl’s contributions and settled into conversation with Ulia translating as fast as she could.

Twelve Hours later … MINSK The Capitol of the Republic Of Belarus! And The Cowboy Missionary in Action!

©2007

Cartoons And Comedians In The Church

071221 I have just visited Jon Birch’s “The Ongoing Adventures Of ASBO Jesus!” and I recommend you taking a look! Jon’s Cartoons made me think and remember and I have to insert this thought in the middle of my story, because it is another look at who HE made me.

Almost thirty years ago, the Zeal was prominent with out much finesse. As soon as I learned anything about the word … It Was Published! I would embarrass my wife, … what the Hey! I still do at times! During those years we were serving in the Local Assembly I would have enjoyed having a turn up front, yet because I took what I learned literally and seriously, it was considered borderline “Faith Movement” (See: Where Do I Fit In The Body Of Christ? VI ) … If not “Blab It And Grab It!” and was never allowed to be up front with out a muzzle on. Nevertheless, anyone with a Guitar around their neck and who could carry a tune … at least in a bucket … was given free reign to spew anything that came to their mind. Some were babies not, but a few months old and their thoughts were barely Scriptural if in fact at all. And don’t you know the Regular Worship Team were always letting you know how “It Is”!

So, As I was enjoying Jon’s Cartoons I came across this one and just had to pen these thoughts as they were refreshed by his take on the “Church Rock Star”! #236
As a teenager, I carried a Bongo set with me and enjoyed playing with them every chance I had. Later in my walk, I would play along with the group in “Home Style Worship”! Always an understudy to be a comedian, when there was a discussion time; I would let all know that I also played the guitar, and assured them that I could play the guitar like I did the Bongos! Someone would hand me a guitar and after strumming a couple cords, I would twirl the guitar around and start the beat on the back like a drum of some kind. Most of the times it got a few laughs and of course made my day!

After a few years, I told the wife I was going to get up on the platform with a guitar around my neck and strum once or twice and start preaching & teaching GOD’s Word! Needless to say, she never would let me. But, at least I get to tell you about it now. And … Oh Yea! Thanks Jon!!!

During this Season when and where we take a special day to celebrate “That HE Was Born” I would Bless you with all that HE has for you and yours, as you remain obedient to HIS Direction at what HE is having you do!

Honest I will get Ulia & me out of Moscow next week! 1

©2007

Simpleology

Mark Joyner has been one of my mentor's for some time now and I have learned a lot from some of his resourses. Simpleology sends me an encouraging direction all week long!
I am going to be taking this new Blog Course, to see if it will help me on my other web sites! Take a look, all it will cost you is some time! 1
©2007

The Tentmaker

Loved of The LORD! I wanted to start this post and address the term “Tentmaker”! When I wrote my deputation letter, I said, that I would work my way for my own support, while I was on Missions and was only looking for support for the home fires and making sure my wife was able to pay the bills, while I was gone. When this all ‘Came To Pass’ I was reminded of Acts 18:3 and Paul’s reference to sustaining him self Thru his trade.

Being a General Contractor by Profession and a Carpenter by Trade, I figured I could find something I could do to keep a couple beans on the table. Therefore, I coined the term ‘Tentmaker’ and used Acts 18:3 as the example. I had never heard it used that way in my 14 years of ministry. No doubt, others had used it before and since then I know it has been used that way.

In fact, when I got a hold of Jamie Saw last month, she was in another country with no Religious Freedom and was using it as “A Talk Around” in case we were monitored. She was meaning, “A Believer” who was earning a living and paying their way, while ministering. I thought that was interesting that it was now being used as common understanding. It did take a couple different terms before they stopped going over my head and then made sense to what she was saying!

Do not give up on me, as I will get back to Ulia & me getting out of Moscow, … yet I need to finish this post with the “Tentmaker”!

All the time I was there, I only came across one time that might have been an opportunity, yet as I started to go that way it was straight up hill all the way and besides I was eating well and the ‘Min Ops’ were coming out of our ears!

Cutting to the Chase ...with the only time I actually tried to drive a nail. A couple months after getting to Minsk and moving twice (great stories too!), I found my self very adept at laundering my clothes. Keep in mine that I was constantly seeking whether I should be using any of the talents and skills that I had for anything and the answer always was “To Teach, Preach and Minister, as it was put in front of me.

I was in a four room flat (i.e. counting the kitchen.), which was Up Town” compared to the one & two room flats that was the norm. It had a main room, which Westerners would call the living room that was used as a meeting room. I would try to wash clothes when there were no meetings scheduled, because it was easy to rig temporary clotheslines in that room.

One day that Patrick & I had nothing planed, till later on in the afternoon, I needed to get some of my clothes washed. After getting them washed, (By Hand.) the phone rings and Patrick tells me that he has all the young men of this Ministry/Humanitarian Aid group coming over for an important meeting.

Knowing I could not hang the wet clothes in the usual place and manner, I tried to innovate some kind of solution in my sleeping room. There was a fixture on one side of the room, but nothing on the other side to tie my nylon line. After scouring the flat I found a couple bent nails in the bath room that were being used as hanging hooks. After about ten minutes, I finally straighten them out, using something that was some kind of a wall ordainment, as a hammer. When I tried to drive the nail into that opposite wall, it bent so bad that I could not straighten it. It had started a hole though, that I was able to get the other nail into the wall enough to tie my string.

All during this time, I was having an in depth conversation with the Lord and I finally resolved that I would not ask HIM Again about using my talents and skills while I was there. That was when the second nail finally took hold. My Nail driving days were over for the duration.

Next week, back up to Moscow and Ulia & I getting out of town. Cowboy Missonary and the Train Ride!

©2007

! “The Secret” of being a ‘Cowboy Missionary’! Part 2.

Wow! How time flies!!! Well only two days behind. Here we go!!!

Anyone who has went thru the process of getting Visa’s, know that it is a learning experience. First The Passport and then receiving a letter of invitation from some legal entity in the Country you are requesting to visit.
This letter was from a group of young Belorussian Christain men that Patrick had put together for this purpose and for getting "humanitarian Aid" into Minsk, for the Ministry. The group had to be made up of Nationals only.

Russia was easy and the Russian travel agency in Hollywood had it all dialed in. The Travel Agency sent my Passport to Russian Embassy in San Francisco and because all the “T”s crossed and “I”s dotted (Naturally for a … … fee) was back in a couple days.

Then “I” sent the Passport to The Belarusian Embassy in DC with Letter of invitation and two weeks later received the (Torn) empty envelope . Now I had to apply for another Pass Port and make several trips to LA and pay more fees etc. Back to DC for Belarusian Visa and barely back in time to make connections in San Francisco on Aero Flop … I mean Aeroflot to Moskava! (Moscow) A group of Russians in airport, with ½ hour till boarding, about 9 or 10 of them, took the cap off a half gallon of Vodka, threw the cap away, and passed it back and forth till it was time to board and naturally the Vodka was gone. I was praying that it was not because they had flown with the pilot before.

The plane was not full, so there was an empty seat between a young Siberian Law Student and me. He was studying International law in, … I believe it was South Dakota. In the North anyhow.

Shucks! I have to back up a minute, in order to go on. Before they left, Patrick had found an old book on survival Russian words & phrases and the family would come over several different times and we would spend 2 or 3 hours practicing what we thought was Russian. Why I was doing it with them, was beside me. I honestly was trying to learn with them, and as a teacher was taking the lead much of the time, in order to expedite their learning.

Nevertheless back on the plane, I strike up this conversation with this young man and I find out that his father is a big shot in the Government and there were some things, about he would not talk.

One of the things I found out, was our Russian Lessons put me way behind, as far as the lessons this young man was giving in me in Russian there on the plane. I was talking to one of the Saws’ daughters a couple weeks ago on the phone and she was laughing, as she reminded me of the Russian Lessons at my house before they left. They still had the book with them when they finally landed in Moscow, 8 hours late and missed their connection. She told me that when they showed the book to someone that they were told that the author did not know what he was talking about in this book and all the Russian they had learned was to no avail for them too!

Therefore, I learned how to count to 2, say thank you and was in Belarus two months before I finally heard how to say Please and Your Welcome the right way. They said it so fast that I did not hear one syllable ever, until I held someone’s mouth and made them say it one syllable at a time. Keep in mine that up until then, they would smile and the younger ones outright laughed, every time I said it!

Now, let us get back to my new Siberian friend and the flight into Moscow. I really enjoyed talking to him and he seemed to like me and we talked about a lot of things, except like I said, when it came to why he was on his way back to Moscow and a few other obvious things, he would look uncomfortable and change the subject.

When we landed, he headed for a gate that had nobody at it, while I was herded into one of 10 or 12 that were already 40 deep. When I looked up, he was gone. Finally, thru the line about an hour later, I am looking at Immigration and he is looking at my passport and Russian Visa with this puzzled look on his face, as he is asking me questions in Russian and I do not understand.

Low and Behold … the Siberian reappears, I found out he came back to get his baggage and as he walks by he sees me, and was wondering what was going on. Customs would show him my passport, pointing at something and then the Visa, pointing and shaking his head.

I do not know what was said, yet the young man spoke to customs sternly and with authority and customs nodded his head, stamped my documents and handed them back to me with a smile. You tell me! My seat on that plane was ordained and I know who was sitting in that empty seat! This is a part of what it means to be “A Cowboy Missionary”! 'Partaking In The Kingdom'!

I went for the baggage. I had two big suitcases and a giant duffle bag that had a couple rollers on the bottom end, plus a backpack that I carried on. It was quite an experience getting it stacked up so I could pull them with both hands.

I went on thru the airport to the non-passenger area and HOW Blessed I was when I seen this young woman with a sign with my name on it! Ulia could speak English very well and she had hired a driver to pick me up and take us to her Mom & Dad’s Flat, about 50 km on the other side of Moscow. Patrick had prearranged this, when they knew I was coming. In fact, Ulia had barely returned from Belarus and was only with her folks a day when I came in.

It was the middle of night, nevertheless the driver would point out different spots and she would translate for me. When he pointed out the Kremlin, it was all lit up with different colored lights and I told Ulia that it looked like Disney Land. She hesitantly told the driver what I said and with out any missed licks he responded with, “That Is What It Is” and all 3 of us cracked up! When we got to her folk’s building I was so wound up that, the Driver and Ulia had to tell me 2 or 3 times to pay him the $50 bucks that I owed for the ride.

We went up four flights of stairs, made three or four trips and then to meet Ulia’s Parents. Keep in mind this is a two room flat and Ulia gave up her room to me, while she slept with her mom and her dad slept on the couch.

Need to get this posted so I can go to bed now, myself. We will pick this up in the next post and explain “The Tentmaker” too. Oh! Before I skip over it, remember when my first Passport and Belarusian Visa was lost. The new Passport had a new number and the Russian Visa had the old Passport number on it. That is what had the Customs Agent in a quandary until my friend straightens him out. Later!

©2007

“The Secret” of being a ‘Cowboy Missionary’!

The Moscow experience for the Saws (I need to give them a last name for continuity.) is a story in itself. I will pick that up later. Remember that they are on their way to Moldova (Former USSR) in the cold of Winter and they make it as far as Minsk, the Capital of The Republic of Belarus. (Trivia = White Russia.) Jamie (Lets give them all a name.) the wife and Mother acquires a position in a Private business that provides a service to Diplomats & Dignitaries. I will mention ‘Tent Makers’ below.

Patrick (Not his real name) is a full time Missionary that Ministers to anyone who will stand still long enough to hear the message. This group is about 75-80 % late teens & young adults, tho there are families and even singular Grannies & Gramps there too. Babushkas and Dadushkas. (Sp?)

Now keep in mind that these people are like our own children … Family for sure and we are doing the best to stay in communication with them. E-Mail was antiquated and not reliable then, tho I communicate today with another spiritual son & his family in Minsk as tho there was no miles between us. With VoIP we talk computer to computer all over as … well almost as good as using a land line to talk to your next door neighbor. Believe or not funds started to come in right away Not A Flood per se and we had to rely on God to show us how to get it to them. Today it is just a matter of depositing monies into their MC or Visa debit card and one just goes to a bank, almost as we do here. I have to say that nothing is ever … was ever easy and there still seems to be a complex issue in every situation over there in the Former USSR. I believe the federation is called the CIS i.e. Confederation (of) Independent States today.

Some how … … … some way we made contact with other Missionaries on their way there or going back there after a Sabbaticals, along with Business people endeavoring to set up trade with the Belarussians and they carried the funds and little essentials into them for us. Keep in Mind that ACI, which was at that time headed up and ran by Ken and Carol Meeks at that time was a big part of this and because of their experiences were really a big help.

Now let me get to “The Secret” of being a ‘Cowboy Missionary’!” and my experience the first time.

I was just talking to my neighbor (Who God is moving in his life now after knowing him for over forty years.) that there is a hole in every human being that is to be filled with only the presence of God. I was telling him (And he Knew … ) how for so many years I tried to cram anything and everything into it and never got any satisfaction till I recommitted myself to Christ. My wife and I did that in December of 1977. I pray that this will happen thirty years later in my neighbor’s life.

Sometime in 1993 The Spirit of God Placed … … ‘A Knowing’ deep down inside of me to assist my Friends & Family to get on down to Chisinau the Capitol of Moldolva. The Ministry was doing so good and growing in Minsk that there was not a drive to get on down to where they were called.

When I told my wife that God had called me to the Mission Field she was incredulous and I could see the heels digging in. Nonetheless, I sat down to my Radio Shack Tandy that my brother in law gave me when he got his super 286 and wrote the second paragraph of my Deputation Letter. It went something like this:

If you think that this is just another preacher trying to get into your billfold, then before you read another word, … throw this into the trash can.

I showed this to the lovely wife of my youth the next morning and she said, “Oh Yea! That is going to get you a lot of support!”

Nevertheless, before we went to Church that morning, she told me that should our Pastor concurred that she would support me in the move, tho she would stay and keep the home fires aglow.

Our youngest son flat out told me that he did not want me to go over to that dangerous place. I had to remind him that a few months before that one of our neighbor’s son up the street was blown away by a ‘drive by’ down the street. Of how his mother and I ducked and hid behind the decorated rock portion of the exterior wall up in our bedroom one night when a drive by filled the neighbor’s car across the street with lead.

I just knew that I would be safer over there in Russia than here at home! The only real danger was to the hair on the back of my neck when I found myself in some bizarre situations.

Moving along! Keep in mind that I did not know how God was going to do this, only that He was going to do it! After the Service we went up to our pastor and my wife is watching both of us very closely, as I told him that I had been called to Missions and the need to assist getting the Moldolvian Ministry going. Without any hesitation, he was in agreement and we also agreed that Minsk was the home camp till the timing was right.

That afternoon after I drafted the 1^st and 3^rd paragraph, ( it was about 2 pages after it was done.) we went up to the High Desert where there was a family gathering, It was probably a birthday. When we went in some of my brother’s in-laws were already there and we had not seen them for a while. Before we even sat down, I was asked directly, without hesitation what I was up to these days. Keep in mind it was only the night before that I had received the calling.

Funny you asked, I replied. I have been called to Missions. To Belarus and then to Moldolva to assist some friends in the ministry that they were called to. Directly, without hesitation, I was told, “We want some of that!” and we soon had the 1^st $1,000, as an emphatic GO! During the middle of the next week and I still did not have the Deputation Letter written yet, we found ourselves out of town at some friend’s that we never saw unless it was on the week end. We had fellowshipped with them before they move away and were like Family too. The 1^st thing he said, (as it had been a while since seeing them too.) directly and with out hesitation, “What are you doing these days?”

I am not being repetitious or redundant in making these connections. You have to hear this being ‘screamed’ at me with Spiritual confirmation. When I told him in few words what was happening, he responded emphatically, “We want some of that!”

In the mouth of two or three witnesses, let every word be established! Deut. 17:6; Deut. 19:15; Matthew 18:16; 2 Cor. 13:1; 1 Tim. 5:19; Hebrews 10:28;

Having a tenacious character, there was nothing that would stop me now! By The Way! In these later years I am still being honed, as even the God Given tenacity, with out the explicit direction of The Holy Spirit, blinds one to the obvious opportunities. However, Learn I Will! In JESUS’ Name! Hopefully without, as much self effort. IYKWIM? It is so much easier to do it by HIS numbers!

Cutting to the chase! Well next week MORE! “The Secret” of being a ‘Cowboy Missionary’! Part 2. And ‘The Tent Makers'

©2007

The Fonz For President / Henry Winkler

Last month My Wife & I invested 3 awesome days in SLC UT at Authors Conference and BookWise Convention. We had the pleasure of listening to many Published Authors and met several of them. When we were in line to get ‘The Fonz’ / Henry Winkler sign the books we had bought, my Wife showed him a ‘Button’ with ‘The Fonz For President’ on it. She said, “I wanted to show you this” as he was signing all these books as fast as he could --

-- He glanced up for a second and went back to signing the books as it was ‘No Big Thing’. After about 30 seconds (Seem like an hour!) quickly he looked up, snatched the button out of her hand, Signed it quickly and winked at her as he handed it back.

My Wife's Prize Trophy For The Day!
An autographed Campaign Button Of "The Fonz For President!

(Edit) See:The Fonz For President: Button

1 AKA DP, as I am about my FATHER’s Business!

Making A Difference And Helping Other People Reach Their Goals!

www.BookWisePays.com

Come Turn A Page!

©2007

“Cowboy Missionaries On The Go!” - - - - - - Re: 'Cowboy Crane Operators'

I have a need to explain a little more about this term “Cowboy”! Back in the late fifties and early sixties I was working on Missile Silos at Vandenberg AFB, and these Silos are around 200 feet deep. After we dug them and ‘slip formed’ the poured in place concrete, Structural Iron Workers erected the Crib Iron in the Silo. Most Iron Workers are Cowboys themselves, ‘Daring’ just a part of their characters.
The crane operator was extremely good and would bring these men out of the hole in a ‘Man Cage’ and they would be egging him on, yelling and jumping, bouncing the cage. He got so that as soon as the cage cleared the hole, he would swing the boom quickly to half way between the hole & where the cage was supposed to be set down. As the cage was swinging really fast, he would agilely swing the boom over to where he would at the last minute gently placed the cage on the X that marked the landing spot. This operator was GOOD! And so, the Iron Workers called him a ‘Cowboy Operator’. Not to take anything away from “The Cowboy Ministries” that minister to Cowboys today. I thought this would be a good place to give some meaning to my use of the term. By The Way, The safety program at that time (OSHA?) eventually stopped the Cowboy Antics, as it was extremely dangerous.

Back to my story and our friends who were Cowboys!
They sold and gave away everything, which was not much, & off they went with Family & Friends wondering if they had lost their mind. You might say they did lose their mind, … after they found their heart!

Our friends and their four kids took off for Moldova via Moscow in 1994 with only what they had with them, about $1,500.00 in cash, in the middle of winter. On their way, on the plane was a Mission Group from a Korean Church here in So. Cal. On their way to St. Petersburg to minister for a week, the Plane change destinations in mid flight, which caused our friends to miss their connections in Moscow.

Another friend of ours, went with them, to help them get established and he returned to US two weeks later. He was sitting next to one of these people in the other group and was telling the woman who was sitting between him and her husband, about this family that heard the voice of GOD and sold (and gave away) everything, but the clothes on their back and was heading for Moldova, which is below the Ukraine. This woman started to weep and our friend asked her husband if he offended her and the Husband with a smile on his face, said no … that his wife had a dream that GOD told her that she was to give a family on this trip, $2,000.00 who were on their way to the Mission Field.

Needless to say, that everything was on schedule, regardless of what the circumstances were saying. To make a long story shorter, When in Moscow, they told a person that they were on their way to Moldova and the response was, “It is a long train ride to Moldova!”

I may eventually write more about their adventures and God meeting their needs, as I put this book together, yet I am in the process of contacting them, to see where they stand on this.

Next Week: More on Cowboy Missionaries! ©2007

Cowboy Missionaries That Are Not Cowboys!

How far do you have to back up to get continuity? I will fill in this gap, as The Book progresses;

To Continue:

We met this family in a Church that “we found our selves in”, (A Story in Itself!) and to us they were believers … yet not judging, they seemed some what nominal to us. We tried every thing not to fellowship with them, except outright rudeness. Every Sunday and I mean ‘Every Sunday they invited us over to their house for dinner and fellowship. Now I did not need to Talk about GOD all the time, yet our conversations were always mundane and secular. When we would interject something a little bit spiritual, it very seldom got much traction. Nevertheless, we kept plugging along. And AND A N D we soon ‘Knew’ that GOD had put us together. And we became really good friends!FAMILY!

This Church was basic Fundamental, Evangelical, Non Charismatic, where we could probably be labeled as Pentecostal who had served in a light … well Charismatic Denomination for over 20 years.(That said, They were not a Denomination) … (You figure that out, tho It will eventually be a part of The Book too. See : Where Do I Fit In The Body Of Christ? VI (2nd Para.); Below.)

After a couple of years, now finding ourselves singing from hymnals, and being directed by The Holy Spirit, our friend found himself in a fuller relationship with God and in more light in understanding Spirituals. 1Cor. 12:1 ff.

He told me one evening, that God knew that "I would never step foot into a Pentecostal Church and that is why HE sent you to me!"

Sometime in 1993 or 4 a couple on Deputations visited, the Church on their way to China. (Going to China will become an interesting portion of the Book later on.) My friend’s wife received the calling during this visit, yet he wasn’t going to have any part of it. Our Pastor’s wife told her to just start praying and believe it or not … Oh Yea, you’re a believer, within 2 months he was called to the Republic of Moldova, former USSR. I can still hear him now (Writing and) Singing, Moldova, Moldova, I hear the cry from Moldova! (Which was a completed song by the time they left.)

When I asked how he was going to get support … IF … When it came in, he had found a support group that were not a Spiritual Covering yet collected & dispersed support revenue and for lack of a better term “Cowboy Missionaries”. This had no reference to Cowboys per se, it meant those who were on their own, going into the Mission field.

This group was Aviation Missionaries that dropped Scripture & Tracks into Villages in Mexico, until the laws changed that prevented them from doing it. It evolved into what it is today and the Acronym ACI now stands for Assisting Christian Individuals, International.

Click on their Link (above) and Take a look at what is available. If you have any questions, Email Nancy Hagerman, She will be blessed for an opportunity to assist you in getting started as a Missionary.

Funny now, as I Googled , there does not seem to be anything that uses that term for that meaning. As a side note, should you know anywhere it is used like this, I would appreciate hearing from you.

Next Week “Cowboy Missionaries On The Go ©2007 !”http://www.bigdadgib.net/2008/01/20/good-baptist-cowboy/trackback/

The Unique Way To Missions

Loved Of The LORD,
So many times, as we have been ministering, I have been asked about the process to be involved in Missions. All I can say is that the way GOD took me,(And later The wife of my youth, with me.) was contrary to any Church &/or Group Mission ways that I know about. Most Missionaries have to drum up support to so much a month, (around $20 - $40 thousand a year) before they are sent. This might be a new term for you, but to go along with that"Special Uniqueness" of our calling, we found ourselves a part of a special breed called “Cowboy Missionaries”. Below is a portion of a very Good article on the normal Deputation process. Check out the link for the full article!

Missionary deputation is often looked upon as "the pits," a horrible experience through which fledgling missionaries must pass in order to become "real missionaries." "If only we could avoid deputation," say some who claim that otherwise they would consider missionary service. Ernest D. Pickering, Th.D.

In July of 2007 we were up in the Yosemite area for a Special Retirement Celebration of one of our former Pastors and some friends from down here in So Cal were staying in the same Lodge with us. During our conversations, our Mission trips were shared in passing & I was “Told” that I needed to write it down so other people could partake of it too. Here it is in the middle of November of 2007 and I find myself writing another chapter of The Book.
I have to back up and tell another story for background before my own story, as this is really a step of faith. Next week … Same writer, Same Blog! 1 ©2007

BookWise

Loved of The LORD,
We are still in the process of (Learning) Building our Blog Site, i.e. Won Preacher's Thoughts
So "Just to be honest" we need to experiment, in order to get it up to speed. As slow as it has been, we are excited that we are starting to move and as soon as I complete some of these learning curves, getting them under my belt, I will concentrate on the purpose of the Blog. In the Mean Time, if you have any Questions about this building process, let me know and I will be blessed to share what I know. I have not been able to Hot Link the "BookWise" side panel yet, (Edited 071112 "We have it working now! Try It Out!) Nevertheless the Title of this post and name above, will take you there. Now that that is done, Let me just say that we have been able to minister without raising support in "The General Way" and our hand in Business (Like "BookWise") and our Regular Income has sufficed thus far. As The Apostle Paul encouraged the Philippians by commending those who had a part in his ministry, (Philip. 4:17
Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.) *Come Turn A Page!* & have a part in ours. Thank you for your indulgence in this short recess from the main direction and I will now get back to Business Now! 1 ©2007

Another Book Review!

Loved of The LORD,
No moss growing under my feet. Have T. D. Jakes 'REPOSITION YOURSELF' under my belt. It was an informative and found it to be a good read. As I have said before, "Have not found a man (or woman) of God that I agree with 100%, yet Bishop Jakes' book is helpful. Check out my reviews on the link above. NOTE! This is the 1st time I tried this link thing, now watch it work!

Blog Rush & UpDated Blog

Loved Of The LORD,
Still learning about Blogging. Have added "Blog Rush" to get more exposure. The Blogs shown are not necessarily my position and are in the category of Religion &/or Spiritual Blogs. To learn more about "Blog Rush" click on bottom tab.
I am also very pleased with "HostMonster" as my server. When you are ready for your own site, Give it a look! All for now, as I am off to the gym!
L8r, 1

The Secret

Loved Of THE LORD,

Well this has been a busy & exciting two weeks and running to catch up on many things including this Blog.

The Love of my life, who is The Wife of my youth and I were up in the Salt Lake City Area visiting love ones after a phenomenal 3 day business training & Writer's Conference. I will make reference to it soon, again time being a factor.

On returning to this love of writing I find a comment to the last post (Sunday, October 14, 2007) that make reference to The Secret and a couple other things that seem to fit right in here at this time.

Katch writes, “‘The Secret’ is a very clever commercialisation of the Law of Attraction. - “YOU ATTRACT WHAT YOU FOCUS ON” is not a new phenomenon.”

I am reminded of the unjust steward of Luke 16 who was commended for being shrewd, V:8. There is nothing new under the Sun, Eccles. 1:9; and no doubt the world has access to The Truth of Scripture and Science with no restrictions to capitalizing on any of it. I think what is disappointing, is that The Church labels those very same truths, as 'New Age' (It is.) and will not have any part of the very same things that JESUS taught.

Katch continues, “For me The Secret and all that I researched and read following on from viewing this DVD has brought me back to my starting point as a Believer.”

AND ... The (Continuing) 'Good News' is that even a Secular Publication is used to speak to Believers on where they are at and where they are going. Even the 'Practiced' Truth will still lead to Hell, should The Blood not be appropriated by faith. Another sermon for another time. ;-)

Katch Quoting Phil.4:8, then saying, “There is so much in Scripture for us to take note of and practice in daily life which includes how we conduct ourselves in business and our working life.”

Yes, Phil. 4:8 was delivered to me many moons ago, as a Rx to good mental health, by a Precious Former Pastor of mine, and I am always still looking for 'The Good Report' to meditate on, in all things that HE places before me. So many portions of Scripture “Just” seem to come in focus at the appropriate time, which evidences and confirms The Holy Spirit’s direction and my awareness of being in HIS Presence.

Katch, “When you have written your review of Joel Osteen’s book “Your Best Life Now” have a read of the review on …”

No doubt someone(s) in 'The Traditional Church' has labeled Joel Osteen's teaching and writing, as something watered down &/or blasphemous when only looking at a minute portion of the total ministry.

I was told by a young brother yesterday that Joel Osteen did no teach on hell or homosexuality and was reminded that I was called on years ago for not making my first and foremost issue in introducing JESUS to someone that HE Was GOD. My response was, that to me it was more important to introduce my LORD as a friend and to Know that The Word Of God and The Holy Spirit were more than capable of revealing That Truth, as well as the needed others to a neophyte believer in due time and order, as HE saw fit. Joel probably has that same assurance and peace that GOD is calling The shots there too. After all something is going on for that Ministry to be the biggest in the US.

Nevertheless I appreciate any comments and in this case, … was apropos and content for this post. As always I am excited to hear what HE is doing in believer’s lives.

Where Do I Fit In The Body Of Christ? VI

Loved Of The LORD! To finish up this chapter I Might as well throw this out there too. Almost 30 years ago, my Sister & her Hub, were going to a 4 Square in Central Cal, which made it easy for us to move into the "Word Of Faith" Camp. When we were re-committed we were attached to a painting contractor, who subed work from me. We not only became close friends, he eventually became my Apostle Paul and his wife & he were a part of WOF, also, down here in SoCal.

Now this camp, I guess you could say sect, was maligned as, "Blab It & Grab It", "Name It & Claim It" and were teaching more than the 'basics' of what the 2007 internet hit ‘The Secret’ touched on, yet from a Scriptural perspective and in more depth.

Because of my own personal studies I watched them close and as even today, I still do not agree completely with any preacher/teacher today in every aspect of their position, which I believe has more to do with The unique Personal Relationship than anything else; and really did not find anything that far out of line and even that could be explained as personal perspectives ... &/or preferences, which at that time, I could even see why they saw it that way. WHEW! How is that for a run-on?

Nevertheless, the church we were attending … was part of a group of the same name, who called themselves as "Non Denominational", who are really as much as a Denominational Sect as any that easily come to mind.

Here is where we found ourselves 'called to' for so many years, and they classified WOF Teaching along side of Blasphemy. Anything that I would minister that had WOF catch words, would always be received with distrust, doubt and even disgust, so this taught me to teach the same things carefully using other words, different ways, so that the ministry would prevail.

At the time I wrote this back in late 2006 I realized at this place in my thoughts, that I was writing what would eventually become this book.

I said all of that to say this, I believe that I needed to remain low profile on most of these things, as far as my involvement in business went, unless directed to be/do other wise, by The Holy Spirit.

"The Secret" seemed to be coming out of the closet, (my perspective at the time) and I thought it would be interesting to see how it would be embraced, in the proclaimed or be hushed in the standard business Paradigm that we were partaking of.

There seems to always be a tie , that will not allow your Spiritual Life be separated from the daily activities of the rest of one’s participation here on this world.

‘The Secret’ seemed to go quickly back into the closet, as far as business went, though most would still acknowledge it should it be mentioned. How many were practicing it thereafter and even now is hard to say.

BTW! "The Secret" would have been held in contempt by The Church Sect we were still a part of and as I have told others before, that even as near as a year ago, I would have been highly skeptical of it, because of my indoctrination there in that assembly.

S O I will continue to Minister & Encourage others to be aware of how we are programmed & use Scripture to explain it. I did it at Business Opportunity Meetings on a regular basis and it was accepted; though I needed to memorize More Scripture to reference, for sure. Should you have questions, reference what you would like scriptural backing to.

My Business mentor at that time who was also becoming a spiritual son could not understand the concepts and when I tried to encourage him by pointing out words he uses (Neg. that pops us out of ‘The Maze’) he would returned with, “that was the first time I used that word” and he tried hard to "Remember" not to use that /those word(s) around me. More of works, than walking in it. IYKWIM? i.e. out of a man's mouth = the abundance of his heart. He also seemed to get offended when I pushed the issue. Oh Well! You can lead a horse to water, but a pencil must be lead!

FATHER let me not be arrogant in what you are teaching me and open to all that YOU have yet for me to walk in! In JESUS’ Name!
And BTW! Again! I just remembered (as I was writing) that I studied and taught for a season (15 yrs ago), 1 on 1, BSs etc. "The Natural Mind by Natural Man Vs The Spiritual Mind According to Scripture" I found this to be embarrassing that with all that above, as I realized I was just starting to really walk in it. That that teaching back then, had the Sub-conscious in it & the works!) :-[ I believed it … yet was not Faithing It! IYKWIM? I did not know how to put a stop to the vicious circle!

Funny not Ha Ha It wasn’t till the 2^nd time I read Joel Ostean’s “Your Best Life Now” (Reminded now that I need to do a review on that book too.) that I had been teaching this for years, yet, still was not walking in the fullness of it. Even being told, “Sure … that is what you had been teaching us for years.” :-(

Now to walk in what HE puts before me and not let my mouth, really … my way of thinking pop me out of ‘The Maze’ prematurely. To encourage others to taste and see, How Good GOD Is! More next week.

Where Do I Fit In The Body Of Christ? V

We enjoyed the cruise and did not even get off at the three different ports we visited. A well needed change of pace. Tho I did not need the extra pounds that I wound up with.

To continue:

1^st of all to (Probably) blow you away, I know by The Scripture Itself that the "Traditional Church" that the masses of Christians go to today, does not even remotely look like the 1^st century Church, that is described in the New Testament. Catholic, Pentecostal, Baptist, Methodist, C of C, Anglican. Nazarene, Episcopal, Sectarian, & even the cults that say they are the real Christian Church, et al. The 1^st church did not sit in rows and look at the back of heads, while one up in front (elevated or not) told the rest, ... what GOD was saying. ANOTHER Chapter later on.

I find the early Church Sitting or standing or doing both in a circle, facing each other, if not on their face, and GOD Speaking thru them & to them. 1Cor. 14 pretty well covers this, at least as I read it. Here we see only one leader and HE being The Head of the Body, as The Holy Spirit is manifested in the different believers. See 1Cor. 12:7&11 … well shucks! Read the whole chapter!

I know that out of the gate I became Exclusive even Sectarian and putting our LORD in the box of how I met & I came to really know HIM, for the 1^st time. HE Stayed in that box for many a moon, until mentors & of Course The Holy Spirit led me into more Truth.

I see & walk in The Truth that I have at the time and it takes a jolt to be able not only see someone else’s perspective and to be able to appreciate that they too, have an unique encounter that becomes a filter (like I have, yet really different.) that they see HIM Thru. And of course, also what The Holy Spirit is saying thru The Word and The Body when assembled.

Almost 30 years ago I was having a conversation with my pastor (At the Time) and I said to him that I believed that The Word Of GOD was a many faceted Jewel and that two people looking at it from their position saw something different as to their own unique relationship with The Living GOD. (As The Holy Spirit Revealed it to each one.) It was the very same Truth, yet to & for the individual. He said that that was not so and I was able to see that was what had been revealed to him at that time. Not to elevate my self, as the man taught me many things about The Word and our LORD, that was also part of the process. He also was a Giant when it came to grace and he walked in it and disbursed it to all he met!

That step of Faith, i.e. saying that to him allowed The Holy Spirit to reveal even more. What I had already been taught did not change, yet each time I allowed HIM to reveal more light it all started to make … really make more sense. All I know is that the more I learn, only reveals how much more there is that I do not know!

Need to put this to the presses and to hit the sack! More next week GOD willing!

GOD Bless

Where Do I Fit In The Body Of Christ? IV

Chapter Two --The Maze: Loved Of The LORD! In the late 70s thru the 80s & into the 90s “Men’s Prayer time @ our home on Tuesday evenings. Another chapter: in itself. I believe it was in 79, One of the brothers had a vision about me being in this maze over & over again and before I would find my way out with that victory, I would just pop out of the maze every time before finishing it. When I asked him what it meant, he responded that he did not know.

Knowing that it had to do with “The Evil Sin Of Unbelief” and even preaching about it at different times, I did not see the fullness of it until June or July of 2006. I knew at that time, that I would grab a hold of GOD’s Promises and walk in that belief for a short season, yet still knowing that it was my mouth that would throw the promise, away. When things did not seem like it was going in the right direction I would get bombed out & say out loud with my mouth, “Well I Guess That Is Not Going To Happen!” which was proof that I did not really believe whatever that promise was, was for me.

In Other Words , I did not know the importance of, 1^st of all, continually thinking about it as having ‘Come 2 Pass’ (future) 2^nd and just as important the necessity of walking in that Truth with my mouth day in & day out.

Now do not get me wrong. I do not mean lie about what was happening at the time, YET keeping my eyes & heart on the vision and always speaking of it, as what is. (i.e. in the present tense!)

Then probably the most important was the necessity of being emotionally positive about it, especially should there be something negative trying to come against it, which was and is always the case.

No Doubt there will be some of you, who will question the source of what I am walking in, yet it is all scriptural, comment for the References should you desire.

Now I am not going to try to get you (Who read this) to see &/ or believe what I have come to be believing, Yet I will encourage you to check out The Scriptures for yourself and walk in what The HOLY SPIRIT reveals to you. (Acts 17:11) More on this next week. BTW! Yesterday The Lovely Marilyn (The Wife Of My Youth) and I boarded “The Monarch Of The Sea for four days of Cruising (And Eating!) the left coast of SoCal & Upper Baja. (Knowing that there will be more lessons here too!

Where Do I Fit In The Body Of Christ? III

There never seems to be enough time to do all one has planed. So it is so easy to put it all off, because you cannot get it all done. There comes a time, Eccl. 3, when one needs to put the things they have been taught into Action and go beyond just teaching & encouraging others. WOW how the truths that I have taught for 30years, all of a sudden seem to make, not only more sense, yet reveals how much more there is yet to partake of.
Hang on, more to come! Chapter 2 next week.

Where Do I Fit In The Body Of Christ? II

Ok, a day behind, yet not a dollar short! To continue on from Friday the 7th of September.

I want to thank The Wife of my youth, The Lovely Marilyn, who has stood by me, supported and encouraged me in so many ventures and adventures in nigh unto 5 decades + of Marital Learning & Communication. Also my Family, the natural & spiritual children who have contributed to who I am. To those Brethren who were so instrumental in challenging the box, (way of thinking), that I had bound My LORD JESUS in. And my good friend and Sister in The LORD, Kath Salomons, who was an associate I was working with in the educational field for nigh unto 10 years who we met face to face for the first time last Nov, 2006. She has been an encourager and thought provoker for so many years and will proof read & edit this new enterprise that is now before me in its entirety. MOST of all, Special Thanks to my GOD & Savior, The LORD JESUS, The Anointed SON, for saving me and patiently teaching me to seek HIM for direction, in all endeavors.

Next week, more to come!

Book Review Joseph’s Bones

Loved Of The LORD

I just finished reading this book & I thought you might be interested in another direction I invested in.

Joseph’s Bones

Understanding The Struggle Between God And Mankind In The Bible

Jerome M. Segal

Being a believer and follower of Jesus for thirty years, reading this work was somewhat a strain to do, as Jerome Segal suggests, to set aside my beliefs and read with an open mind. This was indeed a trek in unexplored space for me. Yet another review to add to my list

I found Jerome Segal to be an astute student and scholar of the bible. His extensive knowledge and understanding of Holy writ is obviously displayed in this in-depth critical analysis and perspective.

Segal sets aside conventional, theological and accepted views and uses Scripture (Those he chose.) alone to radically present his contentions.

His analysis thru the Torah & Joshua (Hexateuch ) portrays GOD as a immature neophyte, who is omnipotent, yet not omniscience nor magnanimous.

He seems to have Yahweh looking for a mentor and has Abraham and Moses as instruments in respectably shaping GOD’s character and perspective on obedience, justice & punishment..

His writing displays his belief and love for god and he is scholarly neutral in his position on the deity of JESUS, while at the same time suggesting that JESUS was also a part of Yahweh’s evolution.

He emphasizes the Israelites carrying two arks with them one being the bones of Joseph, which seems feasible, as the bones were with them till they buried them in Shechem, It was probably more a sarcophagus being of the rank he held in Egypt.

The Ark of the covenant being the visible image of GOD’s Law and Judgment and the ark of Joseph’s Bones reminding them of Joseph’s Love and Forgiveness.

As hard as it was to read, (because of my beliefs) I found it never dry and it kept my interest as a mystery would. Dr. Segal did an exceptional job showing JESUS and Joseph being alike in so many ways.

Even though I have never found two people agree completely on what Scripture is saying and as different as this was, I have to say that, “All and all it was a good read for understanding how others see The Word.”

Where Do I Fit In The Body Of Christ? I

Ok! Loved Of The LORD, ... I'm Back
How many people that I know … and so many more that I do not, have a lost feeling about their place, i.e. “Where they are to function” in The Body Of Christ?

For so many years knowing that I belonged by The Word Of GOD, yet always questioning the place I would find myself in.
Oh do not get me wrong, there are always times that I would be blessed & know where I was, was GOD’s will, yet people’s response or reaction to the things I would say or do, seemed to leave doubt.

Knowing that I was a leader from an early age & also knowing that you always served an apprenticeship period and paid your dues, kept me strong in my pursuit of GOD’s will for my life and understanding HIS Word.

Even writing this today, I have known that I would be writing it for some time, just as now it is being manifested and you might say, that I am “Taking the bull by the horns” and “JUST DOING IT”

More on its way!

Lot more to say about creation.

I apologize for not getting back sooner, as I am also building a web site & learning from scratch.
Now some of you are waiting with bated breath for me to elaborate on:

Now I have a "Whole Lot More" to say about our part of creation here & now, yet will leave it for another curiosity. (From 070515)

OK But don't call the 'The Blab It & Grab It ' Police on me till you weigh this out. OTOH go ahead.
Hard to get up to speed, because it will take a lot of Scripture Quotes to get there,
Let me start with, 'JESUS giving us the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Matthew 16:18-19
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. [19] And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

HE Confirms what the keys are ( In the mouth of two or more witness) in:

Matthew 18:18-20
Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. [19] Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. [20] For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."

Now look at what else HE says,"Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven."

Anything they ask ... "DONE" in heaven. Yes I know by our FATHER!
Now how do you bind & loose?
To bind or loose here on earth can only be done with the mouth, & Heaven is not here on earth ... per se, yet it is within the believer.

Luke 17:21
nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."

Whew! This is going to take some work, so hang on, I will try to hurry!
When Paul is talking about the word of faith that saves us, we 1st think about it and then believe it, Yet it is when we say it, that it comes to pass. OK The Scripture!

Romans 10:8-10
But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith which we preach): [9] that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Now where did Paul get this perspective? This one is not mystical like some of his other views ... well yes it is, ... yet backed up with "The Word OF Faith" !

Deut. 30:11-16
"For this commandment which I command you today is not too ¹mysterious for you, nor is it far off. [12] It is not in heaven, that you should say, 'Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?' [13] Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, 'Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?' [14] But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.
[15] "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, [16] in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess.

Let us look at this a little closer; ¹mysterious in the NKJV, hidden in the KJV and difficult in the NIV. Moses says that this is as plain as the nose on your face, WP's V. Now look at Vss 12-14 and compare with what Paul says in Rom. 10:6-8. Not verbatim, as he was probably writing from memory. YET "In Your Mouth" nevertheless! Continuing:

Deut. 30:15-16
"See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, [16] in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess.

Look at this: "Set before us ... 'Life and Good' 'Death and evil'" Now what are we to do with these? I am glad you asked!! :-)

Deut. 30:19
I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore ² choose life, that both you and your descendants may live;

Now I ask you how do you ²choose?
Moses and Paul both say with your mouth! Now do not argue with me, argue with The Word of GOD!

Now I will tip toe here a moment. 1st let me clarify that Ignorance is not a bad word, It just means, to not know, let alone understand.

When someone is going thru trials, e.g. financial problems, sickness etc, there are a few things to look at. GOD Knows best and I believe that we are in school. Now the believer never fails, yet we often take the same tests over & over till we pass. Some of the times it is just plain Ignorance of what GOD had created for us and if we do not know, we can never really understand.

OK Some Explanations!

OK Some Explanations!

Some of you might have some Qs on Yesterdays post.


To Get Things Going!

How about 'The Blab It & Grab It ' Police? In some Churches it is taboo to take The Scripture as truth. e.g. "You can have what you say!" Mark 11:23&24 and claim that anyone who says you can is from The 'Name it and claim it!' &/or 'Blab it & Grab it' sect, if not go all the way and call it a "Cult". They who partake of that mind set, I call, 'The Blab It & Grab It ' Police.

BTW! I am learning how to do this "Blogging" as we go! :-0

So that is one down and a few to go! More tomorrow. Any more Qs, Post me.
Have a blessed evening, 1, as we all are about our FATHER's Business!
Making A Difference And Helping Other People Reach Their Goals!

To Get Things Going!

In answer to E-Mail request on: “Hearing GOD for direction.” Please make query to any terms that you are not familiar with. I will let this develop accordingly.

070109 A lot on my plate, yet I want to give you my 'Honest Opinion' and I do not want to alert 'The Blab It & Grab It ' Police, IYKWIM?
1st let me re-establish my position. We (@ least U & me) have been put here, (Where ever that may be @ the Time) to find out how much GOD Loves us, ... to 'Know' (Somewhat) what 'Price Was Paid' and to 'Also Know' that U & I are debtors and that the accruing interest thru the past has been paid, by our obedience to HIS Direction, i.e. accepting what HE has done all (At The Cross) that all has been paid., Now as HE Publishes (Thru Us) that Truth to every other human being on the face of the earth, as HE directs. (BTW! Not as others expect &/or demand us to do!)
That being said!
The more I study, the more I am learning that we have more to do with (The OnGoing) Creation in 'The Here & Now' that meets the Proverbial Eye! You especially 'Know' that I have been teaching for many moons that we hear @ least 5 voices. GOD, if we have our ears on, the devil for sure & need to recognize that one, our Peers, (Family, Friends & Associates), The World and all of its offers &/or Traps, and the "Subtle One", which is 'Self' Itself"!!!
"Sub Divide", as U desire. ... ... ... Now I have a "Whole Lot More" to say about our part of creation here & now, yet will leave it for another curiosity. One thing I do Know, (@ least @ this time) is that I need to Hear HIS Voice above all ... ... ... and that HE Confirms my Direction (with 2 or more { I have so many daily that I can bet w/out gambling!}) and that as long as I am seeking (HIS) Direction that I can & will count on " Philippian Stop Sign " (Philip. 3:15; ) should I venture off ... ... ... this exciting path!
A N D ! Amos 3:7
Surely the Lord GOD does nothing,
Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets.
N O W ! Yes there are many voices, thoughts, ideas that go thru our minds, AND like birds ... that we can do nothing about ... flying over our heads, Yet 'We Can Choose' which ones we will allow to build nests in our hair! IYKWIM?
Believing that this will help ... I am '1' ... ... ... ORU12?