Spiritual Battles In The Heavenlies!

This was 1st posted at www.dpgatten.com

So many times I am asked to be praying for something &/or to be put on my prayer list. First of all I quit having a prayer list, as I always ran out of paper. I do know there are many who have and keep up 'Prayer Journals' and are Blessed accordingly.

I will pray right then and usually ask that when there is further need I will be quicken to pray at that time and sometimes I am and sometimes I am not.

Nevertheless there is always prayers going on and is Another reason when asked, I say we are in prayer, (Before The Throne & 2 or more together in HIS Name!) and we will be looking for the "Good Report!" in JESUS' Name!

I do not know why I am telling you this. [At the time I 1st wrote this I was in the Dark though you will be able to see the light come in steps and/or stages.]

Earlier today (around 9 AM onMonday the 26th of Jan. 2009) I become aware of gargantuan activity in the spiritual realm and around 3 PM, I told Marilyn that there is a battle going on & it will soon become obvious to those sensitive, as it breaks out & forth in the here & now. Those who are not plugged in will only be able to see havoc & turmoil and thus not able to be of service.

I am always aware that a prophet never misses. One miss and you are out. In other words; Not a Prophet Of God! ... A False Prophet.

I was also checked earlier [Around 10 AM], not to use the word 'Ministry' during a phone conversation with a brother that is being taken in an explosive expansion, as a servant of the most high GOD and was prompted to use 'Service' instead, not knowing then what it meant at the time.

During the different activities during the day I was aware of the military and the reference of being in the service and quicken to this:

Jesus told us in Matt. 10:34 "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword."

For what it is worth:


Tell me it is presumption; Amos 3:7

Continuing as a servant serving The Most High GOD!

As usual , looking 4 'The Good Report!

Thoughts: Factions in the Church!

Why do Issues that come up in The Church, sometimes turn into a deeply implanted Crusade that one finds their self almost ready to die for and protect what one thinks is its virtue. 1Cor 11:19



I have a real good friend and brother, … In a way another Spiritual Son, who is still ministering in the Former USSR. We have been conversing (E-Mail) about the different Doctrines that make the different Denominations Ultra Sectarian in the positions they take.



As we dialogged, we find out how really united we our in our beliefs. The more we converse, the more the light reveals what we had formally thought as being differences.



It Becomes Hilarious, when we get down to the Nity Grity. We can laugh at those who are locked into their ‘Boxes’ (Filters)



It reminds us of the Sadducees and the Pharisees during Jesus’ time. The controversy over being, an after life, any such thing as Angels, etc. were very minor to the main Issue at hand. That is Serving God.



The Preacher, who came to town and turn their Religious world upside down, united them, (Against Him.) proving that they did not know God. (Even Face to Face with Him.)



Today it is so easy to Label another part of the body, as heretical, because of how they see things different.



The most recent is the ongoing arguments from the Calvinists and the Armenians. It has been going on for scores of decades and both sides, (And all the splinters betwixt and between.) wrestle over an issue that has nothing to do with getting The Gospel Published and giving individuals a choice of not spending Eternity in Hell.



Is Predestination something only God determines, and if it is, what is the use of preaching the Gospel, if God is going to make the decision, regardless of what is your desire? On the other hand, after you choose to be saved, can you turn your back and walk so far away from God that He will never hear you repent, ask for forgiveness and He welcoming you back with open arms?



Like the Hypothetical sign at the entrance to The Kingdom as you approach it, … it reads, “Predestination” and as you pass through, you glance back at that sign and it reads, “Who So Ever Will”!




I have ministered to many from these different “Factions’ that have been beside themselves about Salvation, especially theirs and helped most see the Light from The Truth! It is what sets them FREE!



Let me finish with this:
Paul is very clear about the factions in the Church and I believe that he is telling us that these factions are necessary. Let us look at it here:
1Cor. 11:19 For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you.



There is no one person that will be able to minister to every single person. It had been, it is and will be all of us that Publish The Good News that will bring in The Kingdom. Even though Paul is rebuking the Church at Corinth, he is telling them (and us.) that some will hear it from others, some from … yes even you, and I hate to spoil your thoughts about me, but God has and will still use me. (As unworthy as I am.)



Forget the trivial and hone in on what is important! i.e. The Vital message is: Jesus + Nothing! The ‘Nothing’ includes anything that one would consider important to be saved. Jesus Took care of it ALL!

The Jewish Christians wanted to strap Circumcision on the Gentiles for them to be saved. That made Paul Mad!

The only Question to be asked is: ARE You Saved Now? And If not: How Come? Scripture is very plain about how and the way it is done.



Should you need some help on this, comment and we will go to The Word Himself.



Be Blessed, 1 aka DP

X Final Thoughts: Business & Other Belief Systems

Now we need to get on with the Final Touches. Hang on as this may get Hairy.

Let me preface this again that there are always “Exceptions To The Rules”, Nevertheless, lets take these next … Items at face value only. Mary Matalin & James Carville, which I brought up last time, is a perfect example. Group 1, will hold to ‘Not Being Un-Equally Yoked’ to hold true in Business as well, as the main Item of Marriage. Group 2 more than likely will not want to be tied up either in Business or Marriage with those of Group 1, for no other reason than the possible fanaticism of Group 1. (Though Group 2 can & will be adamant in their positions, too!)

How far does either group cross over the line would be 3 or 4 Tomes of itself. Therefore, I will just head off into the conclusion for this thought with this:

All! i.e. of all groups need to understand what they believe and also to know that should you cross over that line, (Whatever It May Be.) you will be compromised in your endeavors. The negative influence &/or force, will under most normal circumstances defeat the fruition of any direction, based on nothing other than Scriptural Teachings, that co-inside with what the Sages of the other understandings have been saying for centuries.

The resulting consequences and/or circumstances were lessons to be learned and the choice remains with the decision maker, and to how each situation will either bless with an opportunity that has been revealed, or the curse that was more than likely thought of to begin with. Job said, “What I feared has come upon me!” And hand in hand, “Happy is he that condemns not what he does!”

Now it is your turn! Call me on any of the premises that I have laid out and we will go to the Scripture and Sages to confirm what I have laid out.

Have a blessed Day! 1 aka, DP

IX More Thoughts: Business & Other Belief Systems

“Other Pressing Matters” seems to be the Reason/ Excuse that is common today when there has been a lapse in fulfilling a commitment. Nevertheless, I will start this post begging forgiveness from my faithful readers for this delay.



Give me a few lines to get this back up and running again. … Thank you!



Now approaching my seventh decade, I do not profess to know all about these Spirituals, nor have what I do know, working perfectly in my life. Now not to be redundant, yet it helps to reiterate some things for those of you who are just coming aboard and have not yet caught the direction we are endeavoring to pursue. This will also help some of you ‘Regulars’ to stay abreast without going back to be refreshed.



Allow me to say that you do not need to embrace these thoughts completely as I present them to you. Nevertheless, be as smart as a cow and eat the hay and spit out the (What you believe are) sticks. Most of you, who find interest here, are more than (likely) old enough, to have been around the John several times and know how to flush it! As this is Labor Day, please rest and do not labor! :-)



OK Regulars! One more and we will get on with this thought for today.



We are talking about people of different belief systems engaging in any kind of Business venture.


See post where ‘Groups’ are discussed. CLICK HERE


(Also see labels down in the left sidebar, “Groups”)


Scripture refers it to an ox and mule being yoked together to pull a load. “2Cor 6:14” Most of the times it is used in reference to Spiritual convictions in marriage. e.g. Can you believe that Mary Matalin & James Carville are married to each other. She is a ‘Rather Die Than Change’ Conservative and advisor to many in the Republican Party and he is an ultra Liberal who works with the Democrats. I do not know their spiritual conviction, but their jobs pit themselves against each other. Both are good at what they do, one can only imagine what goes on behind closed doors.



The reason to bring them up is, again to know that there are ‘Exceptions’ to every rule. So as things we discuss, start to line up and make sense, do not put yourself in a box that you cannot smell the roses, because of the fertilizer.



From last post and talking about going to the mail box and not thinking about bills per se. The $10 off coupon meant little to some of you, Nevertheless, Money is coming this way. I just deposited checks for over $26K the bills are paid before they come in the mail and still getting useful coupons on a regular basis.



There is hesitation to continue in this direction, as many will take a (or their) Situation and locked into their own filters, will choose, subconsciously to write off anything herein revealed. Nevertheless, I will pursue this angle for the few that get it.



A friend of mine brought up that in the J.O.B. work force today it is very fortunate to find a direct supervisor that has the same convictions. Those who do, still have to realize that their supervisor and/or owner may be coming from an opposite perspective. Another reason why so many are looking for an opportunity to be self employed and/or work from home. What does one do, when they find themselves in that kind of situation? Without God’s Favor group one will so often panic or look on the situation with an eye toward darkness and the preverbal half full glass.

Do not get huffed up, as I also know there are those of you that are out of bed with your glass not only half-full, knowing it will soon be running over.


“I am drinking from the saucer, as my cup runneth over!”



Now again failing to upset group 1, let us see how we do with Group 2. Those who do not know or understand the personal favor of God, may or may not see or understand that those positive outlooks, i.e. perspectives, (Eye of light), Nevertheless, act on those divine laws and either watch their thoughts, (to begin with) but more importantly what is coming out of their mouth.


This affords them favor with the Universe, their concept and/or ‘a Doorknob’ that they believe in. It is an actuality as valid and powerful as Gravity.


Let me finish this post today with, how mind boggling it is that there are those in both groups that choose not the full advantage there is knowing God. Like James & Mary above who apparently have found ‘Work Arounds’. Group one passing on by the ‘Joint participation’ with God and HIS laws and Group two who pass on knowing HIM Personally through HIS SON Jesus The Anointed ONE!



In the next post, I will endeavor to give examples what one in either group may do when they find themselves un-equally yoke with another of a different belief system.



Be Blessed, 1 aka, DP

Thoughts: Business & Other Belief Systems

As you can see, I have ‘kind of’ let this lay for a while. I have had to look at the ministry that I have been called to and had to make more room for those who believe they have it all dialed in. i.e. Not just their Relationship with The LORD, yet including everyone else’s too. I have a lot to say about this, yet I will only touch on it now.

I have a brother, my Mother’s third child, (There are six of us, in case it matters.) [whew! How much is enough? I am the oldest.] who has just had over half of his tongue removed, because of a malignant growth. Cells in his tonsils and lips that will be treated with radiation. He made The Lord Savior years ago, yet soon after, pursued his own direction. He has a pacemaker and has had so many things happen to him that he should have been dead years ago. e.g. Billiard Balls bounce off his head, etc. In other words, he has not made HIM LORD of his life.

Saturday he told me that because of his heavy drinking and smoking, he was a whole lot more susceptible to it! Sunday when I questioned him on what he thought about all the (Really Miraculous.) chances he has had, he again informed me that if he woke up with a shovel full of dirt in his face that he would be with The LORD! I was not asking him about that, yet he let me know emphatically that that was already established and poured in concrete.

My Aunt, who is 89 and been praying for all of her brother’s off spring since we were born … WOW and I was going to make this quick! My Aunt inferred that in spite of all her prayers, that he was not saved, when questioning her how she knew, her reference was to all the sin of drinking and smoking. (Please Note that this is more involved and I am doing my best to ‘Cut To The Chase’.)

I have a spiritual son, (One of Many.) who has left wife and family to move in with another woman. (I had got wind of it several months ago and it broke my heart. I have been ministering to him for close to 30 years.) He told me that he (and this other she) has been in church seeking God’s Face more in the last three months than he and the first, she had, in two decades. By The Way, he is not the first one who has done this. (Some might [like to] say, ‘Like Father, Like Son’! ‘Pretty close’, yet I took a step of Faith, that has brought in Fruition for over thirty years.)

When explaining this to my aunt, as another reference to where my brother was, above, she implied that he was not saved, because of this horrendous sin. Well anyway, he called me this morning and assured me one thing he knew for sure, was that God loved him without reservation. When it boiled down to the nitty gritty his sin is being a double minded man, unstable in all his ways. Everything else is only circumstances and ramifications of that root, ‘Lack Of Faith’.

In other words, even tho she knew it, it was hard to convey to her that there was no difference in those horrendous sins above and her breaking a fingernail and saying, ‘Turkey Lips’ knowing that she was cursing when she said it!

Well my brother is now reflecting on whether it is important for him to hear in that day of reckoning, ‘Well Done, MY Good and Faithful Servant’ or not.

My protégée has today a foundation of Knowing that God loves him without reservation and is now in the process to establish his next step on building on that foundation.

Now! That I have that established, I will continue next time with “Thoughts! “Other Belief Systems For Business” By The Way, for you who are wondering about my

Thoughts, I do know the Scriptures to confirm my position. Mt. 7:7;

Be Blessed, 1 aka DP ‘I Shall Return!’

Thoughts ~ Philippian Stop Sign

As I continue to write, I periodically Mention “The Philippian Stop Sign” and how importantly it becomes, as I seek direction and Revelation. Many times there is a necessity to recapitulate how I come across some of theses Jewels that are a part of my walk with The Living GOD! Please understand that this is not from “The Gnostic Mindset”, But as The HOLY SPIRIT Reveals.



Times past it is just to give credit to the Individual that the tidbit comes from, though that is not always the case and /or necessary. In fact in my conversations with HIM, I have even repented for going on as if the revelation was given directly to me, and was told, “Where Do You Think That They Got It From, To Begin With?!”



In this case, I want to back up and introduce you to one of my dear friends, who has been at times a subtle Mentor (Humbly, not suggesting that what he had to say had any purpose.) and many times one used to allow me to make quantum leaps in Faith.



Of course we share many trips where we have been (You might say,) hand in hand, as GOD has spoke to both of us through both of us. Oh, before I pass it by, his name is Doug.




I will start this writing with a perspective he gave me over thirty years ago, that though it was beyond my understanding at the time has allowed me to interact with so many of my brethren over the years.



Picture if you can a Dumbbell with two round hollow balls at each end of a hollow tube. You are in one ball (Your World) looking through the hollow tube at any other person in (Their World) the other ball. The only thing one may see of the other ball (Through The Tube.) is very limited and visa versa. Somewhat resembling 'The Shadows' of Plato’s “Cave Allegory”, Another Subject For Another Time!”



In other words, one cannot really understand the uniqueness of another’s Perspective of the physical Realm to begin with, let alone Spiritual Understanding. Oh yes, from what we can see, we can agree on many aspects of the worlds (Balls) of others, especially if we want to.



My Question at the time was how can I be sure that what I am doing at any time, is the perfect Will of God? This was a quandary for many years for me, as another perspective Doug used was that he chose not to believe anything that was not revealed by The Spirit of God! This included many verses of Scripture that I had wrapped up with a bow and made my own. (Emphasis Mine!)



Nevertheless, several years ago, as I was questioning him again, out of the Blue he referred to ‘The Philippian Stop Sign” and the assurance it afforded.



So if you are ready let us take that Mystical Trip that Paul explains in the third Chapter of Philippians. I will use the New King James Version for this explanation.



Paul’s exhortation is to not to have any confidence in the flesh and you have to admit that this has been … the norm for The Traditional Church to have us major in. Nevertheless, Paul goes on to explain one of the main reasons is so that we may Fellowship in our LORD’s Sufferings.



Keep in mind that these words we have mouthed over the centuries. The Goal is to attain to the resurrection from the dead. This is something that is ongoing in the here and now! Phil. 3: 10 & 11. Paul has tasted something that is sweet … maybe flavorful would be a better word. In that morsel is the promise of even more of the same. Now at the same time, as Socrates’ philosophers are blinded by the sun when coming out of the cave and their former cave neighbors now think they are crazy, they can now see and describe what are no longer shadows. Paul is doing his best to encourage The Philippians, as well as us today to partake of what has been placed before us.



No way is Paul bragging or elevating himself, more than likely savoring the pain of Christ’s Suffering, he continues in the 12th verse with:

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.

He is continuing in what he now knows he has been called to and he, also has a need/desire to grasp even more.

[13] Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, [14] I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Allow me to leave the significance of partaking of “The Suffering” and address the Philippian Stop Sign. As we learn to “PRESS In” to that goal, we KNOW that we are on that ‘Path’ and we have what is called, “The Mind Of Christ”:

1 Cor. 2:16 For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.

This Maturity, Perfection is on going process that still brings us to the place of absolute assurance of our walk and we know:

[Phil. 3:15] Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.

(This Is The Stop Sign, should it be used.) It now becomes GOD’s right, … job, … and even pleasure to straighten us out! The rest of the Chapter Paul’s Exhortation is again to imitate him, as he imitates Christ. (1 Cor. 4:16; 1 Cor. 11:1;)

Take the time to allow the last six verses to speak to you in that very special way and I will stop here so I can post this to the Blog.

Now no doubt there will be some of you who will not see it this way and all I can do is to encourage you to continue to look down that “Hollow Tube” and wonder until you become a Partaker of HIS Kingdom Now!
Be Blessed, 1 aka DP © 2008

Faith Under Pressure Part 3 (Trip To Moldovia)

Pat Took Picture of Gena, Andre and Me

Loved Of The LORD, We paid the porter for our Chi (Tea) then and for the next morning and got comfortable. Pat and I got the bottom bunks and the two young men, Gena and Andre were happy in the top two. There was a fold down table under the window. We left it up all the way, as it was stacked with our provisions for the trip.

We sang to The LORD and laughed about many of the crazy situations and issue involvements that it took to get this far. I have no doubt that they would have made Pat & I hang it up had it happened back home.

We had all just fallen asleep when we made the first border crossing into the Ukraine. The stopping of the train had us almost awake when Immigration banged on our compartment door. Pat understood most of the conversation between the Officer and the … let me just refer to them as ‘The Boys’ for now on. I was catching the gist, by the inflection of their voices and the body language. I knew there was a conflict developing and informed later that the Officer wanted to go thru our bags. This is where Pat put his foot down, because of the effort to exploit a share of anything found as payola to let us pass. Here was a reminder of my several adventures crossing into Mexico again.

After finding out that, we were not to be intimidated and his time to check all the passengers for pass ports and visas running out the Officer move on to the next compartment. It was an hour later after the boys explained everything before we got back to sleep.

Waking up early and taking turns with all the passengers on our car to toilet privileges, the porter had brought our hot Chi and we partook of some of the provisions we had brought. BTW! The bath had a sink with cold water and the toilet itself was a straight hole to the railroad ties below. I took note not to be walking along side of the tracks outside of town when a passenger train was passing.

Later that day we crossed in to Moldova and stopped again for Immigration. Remember that Pat and I did not have a visa for Moldova. The citizens of the former USSR only needed their passports and had access to all the Confederacy of Independent States. i.e. Called the CIS for short.

We opened the door in response to the rap and were in anticipation of anything that could possibly happen. When the, older this time, Officer asked for our passports, he glanced at the other three and when he got to mine he did a double take on mine as he looked back at me a couple times with a smile on his face. My passport picture was of me clean-shaven and now I had a full rap around beard. He wished us all the equivalent of, ‘Have a pleasant trip’, as he handed us all back our passports and then said, Das ve danya, as we closed the door.

The boys were incredulous at Pat and I having skated through that issue so smoothly! Pat & I, aware of the boys un-belief played it for what it was worth and gave everybody the look that we expected it to happen that way. To GOD be The Glory! Later when we were alone, Pat & I discussed how surprised we were too! Nevertheless, we BOLDLY ENTERED Moldova and were inspired to believe GOD for anything. We will talk about some of those things next time. … … © 2008

! “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

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.