October 1, 2006

Hello John,

I am so excited about the things that Paul shared with me about Sunday's gathering. The authority of God setting things in order . . . . The understanding that we are worse than the creatures of the sea by nature. That the greater of us men devour the lesser out of an evil heart and desire for gain, instead of like the fish who do it to survive, because they have to eat.

John, the thing that excited me most was a brand new thought to me, if I understood Paul correctly. I wanted to go down and tell the Traughbers about it, but I was afraid I may not have it right. This is what I understood, Jesus spoke in parables to all the people because what He was saying was only for some of the people. When His disciples asked him why he was confusing them with parables, Jesus explained the situation and went on to translate the parables just for the disciples so that they alone would understand. Here's the new part for me, man I love this (Have I got it right?) The mystery of the Kingdom of God is still a parable (confusing) to everyone, RIGHT NOW! and the holy Ghost is that same Jesus today (Just like when we read about Him in Matthew) saying "unto you it is given" (THAT MEANS UNTO ME!) and translating the parable in our spiritual ear RIGHT NOW! Because we are chosen now, like they were chosen then. Man this is sooo good. He was acting out something spiritual then, even when He was doing that for His disciples. My goodness, everything that happens means something. The whole old covenent was a shadow "likened unto" life in the Spirit. I am in awe. What a wonderful NEW understanding.

Thank you,

Jerry

Ha! Yes, you got it right, Brother Jerry. Go ahead and tell Tom, and anyone else who will listen. :)

jdc

September 29, 2006

John,

Just wanted to confess again. Thank Jesus for letting me understand and believe the truth about the new birth (I was reading Adam's e-mail), and that I'm not saved yet. I just felt like writing down my experience and telling it again, how I know that I am not saved yet. Its like I'm seeing, again, that our testimonies and experiences with God are important, and they are bigger than we might think sometimes. Just want to keep mine alive, so I wanted to say it...

My experience was that when I was seeking the Lord one day, before I got the holy Ghost, I was watching a TV preacher. I was so hungry for something from Jesus - to fill the need I felt in my heart. So, when the man gave the "repeat after me" altar call, I got on my knees at home before Jesus and with all my heart repeated those words (whatever they were) to Jesus. Nothing happened. There was no relief. Nothing changed about the feelings of need of something from the Lord. After the man went off the air, I tried it again, repeating that prayer and it didn't change anything of how I felt. So I tried it again, trying to get it to work . . . to get (feel) some kind of relief from the Lord. It didn't happen. So, I figured it was just me and that I wasn't doing something right. So, I got up and went about my business and didn't think much about it after that but kept seeking the Lord every way I knew how to do. Then I received the holy Ghost! THAT WAS THE RELIEF and comfort and assurance, and everything else...and the FEELINGS were in that experience. That was REAL! The other wasn't - it didn't do anything for me. And another thing . . . it wasn't until AFTER I received the holy Ghost (spoke in tongues) that I began to feel the strength that I would be able to not go back to some of the things that I used to do. The holy Ghost came with strength.

And then, when the Lord put it on my heart to contact you, and you sent me the New Birth and What is Salvation teaching series. I heard you say that we aren't saved until the end, and it made PERFECT sense . . . like a lightbulb went off, and I was thinking "OH, THAT'S WHY I COULDN'T FEEL ANYTHING WHEN I TRIED TO GET SAVED".

Thanks, John.

Lyn

Amen, Lyn! What a wonderful testimony!

Pastor John

September 29, 2006

Pastor John,

Visiting with the Dr. today, he immediately thanked us for the New Birth series we gave him and the music CDs. He said he and his wife had the chance to listen to them together on a trip and appreciated the lively discussions that ensued between them afterward. He said that he knew of you and that he had some friends that had visited your meetings and didn't feel right about the teachings. They had told him that you were a little "off base" on some things. He said that no one man knows the whole truth and that there was only one man who ever did and he lived 2000 years ago. (Jesus) Whew! He said that when you get into a situation where you don't listen to what anyone else says, that isn't good. Hmm... thinking about some of that now it sounded like a tongue in cheek thing. He didn't come right out and say it but I think he did a round about job of commenting on what he has heard from his friends.

I wondered what he meant by "off base" and he filled us in. It was the New Birth. He didn't agree that tongues were the sign of the baptism of the holy Spirit which he talked about to us as being the one baptism before. I don't know what to say, other than we didn't feel like defending anything. Just let it all go. I'm glad God let us love the truth and spoke to our hearts. This stumbling block was not there. I almost feel like apologizing for my enthusiasm before. I guess we have to keep learning. I am so thankful for being able to tell who my family is. Thankful for knowing the sign of the baptism, and thankful for right teaching keeping us out of confusion. Going down the wrong road - nothing fits together. What a wonderful rest in not having to argue or anything. Thinking about how much that means today, as Jimmy Tolle said in the meeting, look what the simple truth has saved us from.

We left the office telling him we appreciated his honesty. It was an education again but with a sad ending. At least for today.

Adam

Hey Adam,

Speaking in tongues is always going to end up being the issue, no matter where you start with anyone. No matter what doctrine you start with, baptism, works, salvation, or even the trinity, when you put the pot on the stove and boil it all down, the issue of speaking in tongues will be the only issue left to deal with. I don't know who the doctor's friends are who came to our meetings, but it doesn't really matter. If they can keep him away from the truth, then I have to assume that God has found him unworthy of it.

I will have to disagree with him on one significant point. He said that there is only one man who knew everything, and it is obvious that Jesus is that man of whom he spoke since that man lived two thousand years ago. But Jesus did not know everything, and he himself told us so. Only the Father knows everything, though the saints can certainly know everything that they need to know. John (1Jn. 2:20) wrote to some saints he knew that they had an anointing from God and they knew "all things". Obviously, they didn't know all things as God knows all things. (Who in heaven's name would ever claim that?) At the same time, they knew all the things they needed to know in order to please God and be saved.

In our generation, God's saints have been so intimidated by the world that they are afraid to confess that they are without sin, or that the anointing of God teaches us "all things that pertain to life and peace". Jesus said that the holy Ghost would guide us into all truth. Doesn't it stand to reason then, that if we humble ourselves to Jesus, he will do as he promised and guide us by his Spirit into all the truth we need to know, or at least all the truth we can bear? May God help us not to be cowered by the world's unbelief, but confess the work of Christ in us freely and with joy.

I am not sure what circumstances the doctor might be referring to by implying that I listen to no one. But I will confess this; I hope that God will always save me from following men who do not know the truth. And if God's people everywhere would follow my example and do that one simple thing, it might be that Jesus' prayer in John 17 would at last be answered, and the Father would make us all one, as Jesus is one with him. (May God do that for us and our family everywhere!) The issue of me, or anyone, not listening to anybody else is a phony one. For myself, I listen well to all men who speak in the name of the Lord, until they prove to me that they are not sent by God to speak for Him. The real issue is never really that there is a person who listens to nobody. We all listen to somebody. The issue is, and the problem is, that the wrong people are being listened to, and that is the evil that keeps the body of Christ divided. I will listen to anyone who can teach me of the kingdom of my heavenly Father, but I insist that what I am taught be truth. Shouldn't we all do that? And if my rejection of false teachers, Adam, makes it appear to some of my brothers that I listen to no one, then what can I do about it? Believing the truth has made being misunderstood my lot in this life -- and yours.

Don't feel bad about being excited at your prior visit with that doctor, Adam. Your joy then was just more evidence of how much you love the truth and how much you love for people to see it, especially the people of God, to whom the truth belongs if they will just receive it. Continue to pray for your physician friend, and if you ever have the opportunity to minister some spiritual medicine to him, and the Lord leads you to do so, then do it with your whole heart.

Pastor John

September 29, 2006

Oh Pastor John!!! That TFM on "Genius" was the best TFM ever!! :0) Thank you so much. That is so encouraging.

This week I have been feeling real thankful for what Jesus has given me.

We went to visit my parents on Sunday because my dad has been ill, and I tell you what....I was sooooo thankful when we left there. Just seeing and thinking about what Jesus called me out of. I am a different kind of brand now! Ha, a new creation. When we were there, I was looking at pictures from when I was a child growing up, and just seeing what Jesus really did do for me was amazing. After we left their house, we were driving down the road listening to Darren singing, and all I could do inside was thank God. The things that He really has saved me from. It is so sweet.

I am so thankful I was only 17 when Jesus touched me! I got to sit with my husband on my 21st birthday a few years ago and drink a milkshake!!! YAH! That means a lot, to know that I don't have to worry about all the things that young people in the world do. Jesus has saved me from all of the things that makes the world happy. I had a thought riding down the road that day though. Everything Jesus gives me is conditional. If I don't continue to love God and do what is right and obey Him, then it will all be taking away. All the blessings come with conditions. If He has done this much for us in just 5 years, and if we do what is right, I can't imagine what it will be like in another 5 years!

When I read that TFM, it just made me know how special I am to Jesus. Out of all the young people on this planet, he picked me. WOW! I want to keep doing what is right so that he can use me for His purposes and so that I will function in my place in the body. That is what I am here for anyways, right? :0) I just pray that I will give up my own will, because His really is much better!!! God is going to have His way, anyways.

OK, well, I know I probably left some things out, but hopefully you get the idea. Thanks for all the good emails! Yummy! I love y'all lots! Talk to you later.

Margo

September 29, 2006

Pastor John:

I am so thankful for the people God has let me know, the young ones especially. I was telling Bess last week of what a special blessing one young person (Leah) is to me. She is everything that I wish I could have been when I was her age. She has had the courage to be what I wanted to be, and she has denied herself beyond what I was capable of when I was her age. She didn't start out from her youth in the truth either, but when she heard it (a couple of years younger than I was when I heard it), she fell in love with Jesus and gave up her whole life and moved across the country. Wow! I've had times when I've walked through the mall and seen these large posters of young people supposedly having a good time and being happy. Leah has come into my mind, along with a special feeling, and I've thought, "Leah is the true picture of happiness. Her conscience is clear." (She could be the "anti-world" poster.)

I'm very thankful that God had mercy on me, and now half of my life can be saved. It is really special to have young people around who "get it" without having to make the mistakes and wasted time. I pray for more young people to have hearts like that. God's way really is the only way that leads to happiness. All of us find it out sometime. I'm thankful that it's been on this side of the grave for us. But how much better it is to find it out, and love it and give everything you have for it, from youth. Wow, that is an amazing thing when it happens.

That's some of my feelings :) I was blessed by reading this TFM ("Genius"), and it reminded me of my conversation with Bess last week. I don't want to puff anybody up or anything like that, but I do have respect for the godliness that I've seen in some young people. I feel blessed by God that He's allowed me to know them.

Cris

September 27, 2006

Dear Brother Clark,

I enjoyed your articles online and am pleased to see more and more people are becoming aware that our Lord Jesus IS NOT God, nor is he equal to Him. I praise you for your ministry as in mine, I have also stood up for the truth of the Bible over the trinitarian traditions of men.

One article you wrote on receiving tithes, I would like to comment on because so few ministers quote these scriptures. Remember the Biblical "tithe" was 10% of crops and livestock given to support the LEVITE priests who had no land or other support. When the Temple was destroyed in 70 AD, the Levitical priesthood went with it. In fact, there is no record of 1st century Christians paying tithes to ANY man because as history bears out, most were thrown out of the synogogues for confessing Christ.

Paul never asked for money for his ministry nor did Barnabas. Read their own record in God's Word where they did not eat anyone's bread for free but rather WORKED long into the night so as to be an example for other servants of Christ. 1 Corinthians 9:6 - "Or is it only I and Barnabas who must WORK FOR A LIVING?"

I have often thought about the issue of tithes and offerings and have studied those Scriptures carefully, I think, with the saints who are here. I am aware that Paul refused to take any money from the saints in the regions of Achaia (2Cor. 11:10); at the same time, he most certainly did receive money for his work from other congregations (2Cor. 11:8). The spiritual condition and situation of the saints in Corinth was such that, for their sakes, Paul thought it best to refuse their money. He did, by the way, allow the Corinthians to gather their money and to send it, by him, to the poor saints in Judea (1Cor. 16:2).

In consonance with what Jesus said (Mt. 10:10), Paul also taught the Corinthians that a servant of the true God is worthy of financial support from those to whom he ministers. He states plainly that God has ordained that His servants live by the gospel they preach (1Cor. 9:13-14). "Do you not know", Paul asked, "that those who labor in the temple partake of the things of the temple and those who tend to the altar share with the altar? In just that way, the Lord has also ordained that they who proclaim the gospel should live of the gospel."

I don't know what version of the Bible translated 9:6 the way you have it (above), but using it as you did is a classic case of using a Scripture out of its proper context. Just consider the verses before and after 1Corinthians 9:6:

4. Do we not have authority to eat and drink freely?
5. Do we not have authority to take along a married sister, as also do the rest of the apostles, and brothers of the Lord, and Cephas?
6. Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working?
7. Who ever serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat its fruit? Or who shepherds a flock and does not partake of milk from the flock?
8. Am I saying these things as a man, or does not the Law also say the same?
9. For in the Law of Moses it is written, “Do not muzzle an ox when he is treading out the grain.” Is it for oxen that God is concerned,
10. or does it actually say this for our sake? For us, no doubt, because it is written that he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes ought to labor in hope of sharing in the crop.
11. If we have sown spiritual things to you, is it a great thing if we reap material things from you?
12. If other men partake of authority over you, do not we more?

In these verses, and others, Paul is clearly not saying what you tell me that you believe; to wit, that it is wrong for an anointed servant of God to live by the support of the saints to whom he ministers. Paul's whole point in that ninth chapter of 1Corinthians is to defend his God-given authority to receive money from the saints, even if in the case of the Corinthians, he chose not to use that authority.

So you or I are not entitled to 10% of anyone's income. This scam was instituted by the Church when it needed to raise funds for the Crusades. Tithing was not done by first century Christians. In fact under the Law there were THREE tithes that were required, which included one for the Temple and one for the Levites.

I cannot speak for you, of course, but I am entitled not only to the tithe of these wonderful saints here but also the offerings they wish to bring to their God. I was given authority from God about 15 years ago to receive His tithes and offerings in His name from His children to whom I minister.

Now, Dear brother, my ordination from God for this (which I was not seeking) was not a scam, and it had nothing whatsoever to do with the Church or Christianity or the Crusades. It was the word of God that came to me, and I remember the words He spoke to me that day about His tithe and offerings that these saints are to bring to Him. He said to me, "Every dime that comes in to this work is for you and for your children."

Now, if you have had no such ordination from the Lord, I commend you, for you have done very well in not taking any of God's money from the hands of God's children. It would have destroyed you, and it has saved you from being another of the many thieves that are sucking the life blood out of God children.

I do applaud you for not accepting money from the ungodly woman who unrepentantly exposed herself. However, I work to support my ministry as did Paul and Barnabas so I would not have to be tempted to take tainted money in the first place. No one is obligated to give me money just because I have chosen to follow Christ.

Nor is anyone obligated to give me money because I chose to follow Christ. But if I God sends me His children to feed and care for until He sends His Son Jesus from heaven for us all, those children of God are absolutely obligated to respond to the spiritual provisions I provide them by providing natural provisions for me - that is, if I choose to receive those things from them.

Temptations often spring from a sense of need. There is no temptation for me to take money from the ungodly because the saints here are obeying God in bringing their tithes and offerings. I hope that if I were in financial need, I would be strong enough in the Lord to overcome the temptation to take the bribes of the ungodly, but I have learned not to boast in myself. I am weak and needy, and it is only by God's mercy that I stand.

Also, I have never seen the linking of Yahweh to Jove by any researchers of the Hebrew language.

Nor have I. But what difference does that make, brother? How many Hebrew researchers have ever taught that the baptism of the holy Ghost, with the evidence of speaking in tongues or "stammering lips", is the new birth?

Jehovah was first used by a Dominican Monk in the 13th century, so the dates you offer simply do not match up. If Yahweh is not the God of the Bible's name, then what IS His name? Also you do know the Lord Jesus name? Proverbs 30:4 will give you a clue as it asks: "What is his name and the name of his son? Tell me if you know!"

See if you research the Word of God fully, you would know that The Father, Yahweh, (some write it as Yahvah) gave His name to His Son. Jesus in not the Son of God's true name. It is Yavahshua or the English version being Joshua. This means "Yah's Salvation". So I have to agree with many Hebrew scholars and the evidence of the Bible itself. The covenant name of God the Father is Yahweh / Yahvah. To say this is the pagan name of the God of the Christians is without foundation, I'm afraid.

The theory of the Tetragrammaton's proper pronunciation is explained well enough in my on-line Broadcaster titled, "Yahweh, God of the Christians". I won't rehash that. But I will reiterate the fact that even according to the theory itself, by which the name "Yahweh" came into vogue, "Yahweh" is only a guess. The name could just as easily be "Yoohoo", or "Yeehai" or "Youhee" or any of dozens of other combinations of vowels insterspersed within those four consonants. There is no grammatical justification for "Yahweh" any more than there is for any of those other combinations.

I'm not trying to disuade your work because most of what I read I agree with. I have been spirit-filled and speaking in tongues since I was baptised at age 12. However, I also know that knowledge can puff up. We are still called to love our brothers in the faith, even if they belong to a church. (I am not a member of any church and agree with you on that point.)

Still we can not make rules that someone is not serving God because they belong to a church. We let God show them mercy and direction.

Bless you again for your writings,

Reverend M.J.

Dear Brother,

You must know that the only people who are serving God are those who are doing His will. That is why it is of such importance to us here to submit ourselves quickly to truth when God condescends to reveal any of it to us. It is our hope that we have the kind of spirit that will allow us to change anything we think or do (and we have changed much over the years) if God will only show us the way. Making changes is something we will continue to be able to do only if we love God above all else, and we pray that God will give us such a devotion to him. I have been among those who were thought they were serving God when the food they were serving had actually been cooked by Satan. It is a bad feeling to discover that about yourself, I can tell you. But Jesus is my hero.

Finally, my brother, I have tried to respond to your issues plainly so that you can plainly understand me. I hope that I have accomplished that without leaving the impression of being contentious or proud. I can assure you that neither is the case. Please feel free to write again soon.

I am your servant in Christ,

John Clark, Sr

PS

A word of brotherly caution (and again, plainly spoken), if you will allow me. It concerns me somewhat that you overlooked Paul's obvious defense of his authority to receive money from the saints for whom he ministered. You attempted instead to make it appear that Paul's modus operandi at all times and in all places was to work for his living and never take money from God's saints. Nor did you mention the saints' obligation, which according to Jesus and to Paul exists, to respond to being given spiritual things with giving natural things, and instead of doing that, you picked out one verse in 1Corinthians 9 (and one that was badly translated besides) to argue contrary to Paul's undeniable meaning in the whole chapter. I hope that this was not an intentional error on your part, but it does not speak well of your ability to rise above your own opinion and submit yourself to the word of God that contradicts it. Please, dear brother for whom Christ died, do not let your reputation among men (for receiving no tithes) or your opinion about any subject cause you to skirt around what is clearly set forth in the Scriptures.

September 26, 2006

Hello Pastor John!

I had the most wonderful thoughts during the night. I awoke around 2 a.m. I started having so many good thoughts go through my head and soul. It was as if someone was preaching . . . it just went on and on. It started with an image I saw of a young man. On the outside he looked perfectly normal. But I could see him 3-D. I could see what he looked like on the outside, the shell of his body, and I could see what was inside of him. He was empty on the inside. As I saw this image, I could hear constant thoughts and understanding about this young man. I understood how much nourishment is needed for the physical body. Proper nourishment is essential for normal growth, for muscles, just to have a normal functioning body. That understanding of the physical led into what I was understanding about us spiritually. The preaching I was hearing was to this effect: If we are not eating - spiritually - how in the world can we expect to have anything on our insides? If our children - if any of us - do not spend time alone in prayer with Jesus, if we take no thought or time to read the Scriptures - we will not have anything on our insides. We will be empty.

I was also reminded last night of a young person who used to come to our meetings, received the holy Ghost, but shortly after that her love of God died away. Before she was completely gone from us, I remember looking at her during a meeting and a stunning revelation hit me. She was spiritually anorexic. She would not let herself taste of the good food of the spirit of God. She would not eat. It was so sad to watch her meeting after meeting starving to death, but she would not open her mouth or heart and take in one bite of food that was so plentiful!

I was telling my boys this morning about this preaching I was hearing during the night, and the image of the young man that was empty on his insides. The only thing I could say to them afterwards was, "You will be empty if you don't eat." I felt this for my children and all the young people. Take the time to cherish what God has given you. It is no small thing! God help us to eat of the good food He has given us.

Donna N.

September 26, 2006

Pastor John,

That [TFM on The Only Pathway] is so good. It reminds me of the introduction to your Solomon's Wisdom book. You stated in there that everyone wants to be happy. Everyone is doing whatever he is doing because he is hoping that it will bring him happiness. We are so blessed to have God show us what little we do know about His pathway to happiness, which is the only real pathway to happiness. And we are blessed that He has helped us to believe it!

Cris

Hi Cris:

Nothing from God is "in the flesh" or "of the flesh", even our believing the truth of the gospel. It is all of God. God called us; God gave us faith; God granted us repentance; God washed our sins away and guides us; and in the end, God will save us. All of that was done, is done, and will be done in the Spirit. You are right; God has helped us to see and believe. And a large part of our "confessing Christ" is our confessing that without God's help, we could never have been able of believing the truth of Christ Jesus at all.

Thank you, heavenly Father!

Pastor John

September 26, 2006

Hi John.

Last week in the meeting, my spirit just kept feeling so deep inside the words "love righteousness" - you talked about it too, and it blessed me. It him my spiriit as the answer to being happy, and overcoming in every situation. What I was feeling is that if we RUN to righteousness because we love it from the inside out, there is victory. There is no "crack" in any door when we love it. Loving righteousness therefore, is a great weapon. I have been thinking about that over the past few days, AND I have been putting it into practice on occasion. And it has felt so good.

Last night, I was reading before bed, and just happened on these verses: (Heb. 1:8-9) "But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."

It jumped off the page at me! It's in the BIBLE! Do we want to be filled with gladness? Love righteousness, and hate evil. From the heart. Run to DO righteousness and the "oil" will hit you right between the eyes.

I love it when the Bible bears witness to what the Spirit has told us and it is understood even better!!

Gary

Hi Gary:

I think you were too busy loving righteousness last week in the meeting to hear me when I quoted that verse from Hebrews about loving righteousness. Way to go! I love it when saints miss the point I'm making because they already got it!

jdc

September 26, 2006

To the saints who meet in my house:

Hey there,

We cannot go by age, but if the normal course of things holds true, those among us who are growing old will go on to be with the Lord in not too many more years, and funeral arrangements need to be made clear ahead of time.

(Now, I am NOT predicting anything. Don't get nervous or paranoid!! But I think we should be smart - all of us - and have a common understanding of what we plan to do before we find ourselves in a situation we have not prepared for.)

I have no desire at all to go through any Christian-type funeral ritual. When Uncle Joe, my best friend in Christ and in life, died, Aunt Myrtle and I had no "wake", and I buried him with little or no fanfare at all the next morning. Some folks from the meetings met us at the grave site the next morning when he was interred and, after a few words, went home.

I will not preside over a Christian funeral rite, and I feel that I should make that as clear as possible now so that everybody can go ahead and prepare your family and friends for my feelings about that. My counsel has a long time been for us all to live as full a life in Christ as possible while we are here, and not to spend time thinking about what kind of ceremony our dead bodies will go through when we are gone. If I have anything to do with it, there won't be any ceremony at all.

Why don't we all just make sure that everyone in our lives understands that when we are dead, all that we need is to be buried? Does it really sound awful for the undertakers just to take our dead bodies out to a graveyard and bury them when we have finished with them? In my opinion, if we make it known that such a simple thing is all that we desire, it will be a relief to our earthly relatives and friends, and to the body of Christ, and a good testimony besides.

The funeral rites developed by man's religions are oppressive to hurting hearts, and we are free not to participate in them. When one of you falls asleep in Christ, I want to concentrate on getting comfort from the Lord, not on what I should wear to the funeral.

jdc

September 25, 2006

Hi brother John,

I wanted to tell you about a sweet visit we had yesterday with my parents. My brothers and sisters have been taking turns helping my parents on Sunday afternoons with dinner. My parents are both in their mid-seventies and in poor health. Yesterday was our turn to help out.

When we got to their house, my mother told us that my dad (Joe) had been feeling bad and was concerned that he might have a kidney stone. He was in a lot of pain. The medicine they prescribed was not working and he was dreading having to go to the hospital Monday morning for treatment.

Suzi and I were both standing in the kitchen when my mother told us about my dad. I had a feeling that I wanted to pray for him. I didn’t know it then but Suzi was feeling the same thing. Without saying anything to each other, we walked into the other room where he was sitting in his recliner. Suzi got down on her knees beside him and started patting his arm. I told him that God can crush kidney stones. He leaned forward and said, “Put your hands on my back where the pain is.” We both prayed for him for a few minutes. I could feel the Spirit gently flowing through me. I wasn’t sure if God was going to heal him or not but it felt good to pray for him.

After dinner, my mother wanted us to watch this DVD of the life story of a gospel quartet singer, George Younce, who is no longer living. Suzi and I both enjoyed listening to the music with my parents. It was real peaceful. My dad slept through most of it.

Suzi sent a thank you email message to my mother when we returned home. Here is her reply.

“Dear Suzi,

I'm glad you and Tom and Sarah came for supper last night. I really enjoy having you here and appreciate all the work you do for me. Hope you will come again soon.

I want you to know that Joe said he hasn't had that bad pain since you two prayed for him. I could see that he was feeling better last night. He did go ahead and go get his cat scan today and it showed that kidney stones were NOT his problem. He has a bladder infection.

That is a big relief to him because that procedure he has to go through to get rid of the stones is painful and embarrassing. They just put him on medicine and it should take care of the problem. Thanks for your prayers,

Love,

Mom.”

I appreciate experiences like yesterday. As you may remember, both my parents have the holy Ghost but have never left the catholic religion. Nevertheless, I am thankful for the opportunity to share a little kindness with two of God’s children.

Tom

Dear Tom:

Please do as much for your parents as you can while you have them, as I know you do. People who have an open door to us, even a small one, are just asking to be loved. Let's take advantage of every one we can.

jdc

September 21, 2006

Dear Pastor John,

This TFM [The Desperate Condition of Man] is "a hard saying. Who can hear it?"

Nevertheless . . . I LOVE IT.

The truth is clean, and it scours the soul of the debris accumulated in this world!

Re: forgiveness of unrepentent folks:

Once, during prayer, Jesus told me to use my spiritual "dipstick" to determine the oil level in a person, whether I could trust them or not. (Ha! I liked that.) That corresponded with something you said in another TFT a while ago, about loving with caution: "You can only love someone as much as THEY LOVE GOD" (or words to that effect). When we try to be merciful and kind and forgiving to someone who has not repented, we are---as you said---asking for more of the same trouble; and we can only love someone with the love of God to the extent that they reciprocate that interest in God. Isn't that true? I have found it SO hard to try and love someone too much, when they didn't love God or didn't want God. My good intentions were futile. My Spirit was compromised when I tried to "like" someone or "love" someone more than they love God---especially if they are an unrepentent soul. No fellowship. Can't do it. Gotta use that dipstick. Test those spirits.

I love this. It's clear. It's clean. It keeps us from being hurt AND from hurting an evil person by tolerating their behavior. Right? That's ultimately hurting them, if we placate their spirit and forgive them before they've repented. It doesn't do either of us any good. I like trusting God. Listening to God, and obeying God.

love,

Brother Brad

September 21, 2006

Hello Pastor John!

I just wanted to write a few lines to say how thankful I am feeling tonight. Tomorrow is my holy Ghost birthday!!! Sept, 22 2001. I am so grateful to God. He did not have to point me in the right direction, that lead me out of darkness and into His wonderful light. Jesus sure has changed my life in five years. I have gone from being a fool lost in sin, full of debt, would not work, dropped out of school, was so far behind in child support that I almost went to jail for one year. That was then. Now since Jesus touched my life and gave me God's Spirit, I will be at UPS for two years this Dec, I got my GED, and I have not been behind in child support for four years now. I have the best family, and a wonderful wife. I have a man who knows the Truth about GOD, and does not waiver it for nothing. I am a blessed man! I am not boasting about myself. I am boasting about the only thing that ever changed my life and that is GOD my Father full of mercy and grace, and His wonderful son JESUS.

The emails lately have been wonderful. One email sparked a lot of good thoughts . A person wrote to you and gave a real long drug out story of needing your help in moving to Burlington, to be with Gods children. My first reaction was, this is not real, this person is wanting all this help from Jesus, but I thought where is the repentance, where was the need for forgiveness? If this person had just first called out to God and sought Him with a humble heart, asking Jesus to show them the Truth about God, and just started to try and live right to the best of their ability, by following after doing good then God would have shown this person the same way He has shown us. At some point and time, we all who meet together in your home have had a real experience with God. Just just have to be real with GOD about wanting a good holy, clean life. I was glad to know I was feeling right about this persons email.

I am so glad God sees the heart. I love this way of life! Thanks to Jesus I have hope of making it with God when I die. So I am gonna give everything I have to make Jesus happy with what I do in this life, He has given me. Praise God forever! I love my life! Thank you Jesus for all you have done for me. I love you John. Thanks for loving what you heard from God. May He continue to keep talking to us all.

Brother Tony

Oh, thank you, Tony. You have been given a wonderful testimony. It is valuable. Take care of it!!

Pastor John

PS Happy Birthday!

September 19, 2006

Hi,

Thank you so much for all the good, good food coming to us today. This TFM ["Unforgivable Sin"] is very sobering, definitely something to think about. Especially this part, "And so, we must understand that any sin is unforgivable if God refuses to forgive it." That makes me want to live so pleasing to my Father and never do anything that would provoke Him to wrath. That is a very scary thought. We don't want to provoke Him with anything, not even a seemingly small thing, so that He would make the decision that "enough is enough." I remember a few years ago the Spirit told me that God grants repentance. He allows us to repent if we repent of anything. That let me know that my life was in God's hands. I was thankful for His mercy then and I am thankful for His mercy now.

Sheila

September 19, 2006

Hey!

I just finished reading the Thought for the Morning - "God's Thoughts Behind God's Words" There were two sentences that really struck me when I read them.

"To know the truth is simply to think what God thinks when we use the words God uses."

and...

"Only as we humble ourselves to God's thoughts can we comprehend the words that have come out of His mouth."

That is it! That is nothing so hard and complicated. Wow! God makes things so wonderfully simple. It is simple and true. Thank you, God, for your wonderful thoughts!

:)

Donna

September 19, 2006

Hey,

I just read this TFM on "The Poor", and it is so touching and so true. The first section where you tell of what Paul said about using "the foolish things of the world so that He might bring the wise to nothing", reminds me of a very touching moment the day Brother Brad received the holy Ghost. In all sincerity, Brother Brad came to you on his knees feeling so much joy and not knowing how to let it out or contain it, and he said humbly to you, "my friends will think I am crazy". Your answer to him was, "Brad, God uses the foolish things to confound the wise". That was so touching to me. I remember being in awe at the anointing that you have as a Pastor that was already at work teaching and instructing a new born babe in Christ and in awe that God was using "the things" that only the meek and lowly will cherish to confuse the wise of this world.

Just this week I read the tract on Patience and something in it particularly stood out to me about riches. It was that earthly riches are a trial for anyone. To be blessed so, is a fiery trial. Actually, one of the fieriest trials of all. I then thought of how blessed we have been spiritually over the years up until now, and it made me start thanking God for everything He has done. Such blessings from God are a trial for us and it should bring us very low before Him. If we can see that it is not the riches that make us righteous or holy, and we stay humble before the Lord, and don't forget the One who blessed us, we will never lose sight of the goal. But, unless we will maintain an attitude of humility and thankfulness and not seek after the riches that come with the blessing, we will become just like Israel. God help us.

Thanks again for this TFM. It is a good reminder of who we are. I was nothing, "Then Jesus came!"

Amy

September 19, 2006

Good morning,

Wow. This [TFM on "Called Out"] sure is good to me. Thanks! Just to know that you have been called and you hear the voice of God and you obeyed it is a blessing. Then to know because of that, you are "chosen of God". What a wonderful place to be. Praise God!

The past two nights I have awoke with more and more thankfulness. I was getting ready for work and looked down at my hands and thought..."Thank you for my hands" What would I do without them? They do a lot of my work. What a marvelous thing to have hands and how wonderfully made they are. I praised Jesus for them! And that is a small thing compared to all the other wonderful things God has given to us. We are blessed and have been called out of darkness into light. 8-) I am so thankful for that, because I once was lost wandering around in all the wrong places -- but God. To continue on and see Jesus, and for him to say to me, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant".....that's the goal. That's what I long for.

Thank you..

Amy

September 19, 2006

John,

Thank you for these emails. You don't know how much they help me during the day. Sometimes I go back and read them several times. I think of all those years when I didn't have anybody to care if I was helped or not. Thank you John.

I love you....

Sarah H.

Dear Sarah:

It is encouraging to know that you are being blessed by the things I am sending out. It makes me want to "keep on keeping on!" As children of God in a hostile world, we all need each other to encourage one another "while it is called today". If we were to depend on the world to encourage us in our work, none of us would survive.

I love you, too!

jdc

September 17, 2006

Dear John,

About a month or so ago, Haskell handed me a cassette tape he found from the box of tapes that had belonged to Ray. It was titled "Tracy (Lee Ann's sister) receives holy Ghost". Haskell said he thought I might like to have it. The tape had a # 2 on it, so I looked through the box for the tape with a # 1 on it with the same date (1/4/03), just to make sure I could hear the entire message again. This morning, I asked moma if we could listen to those tapes on the way to the meeting. WOW! It stirred up the best feelings in both of us.

That meeting, from the very beginning of it to the end, was just for me!! (I'm sure other people felt like it was "just for them", too!) Earl started out talking about how we need the holy Ghost--that it's our life line. Then Ellen Payne gave a testimony about something she told her children about going to the river. "The river doesn't come to you, you have to go to the river. Just like you have to go to God." Then, John, you gave one of the most powerful sermans about the holy Ghost!! It was just "straight truth": if we don't have the holy Ghost in the end, we'll be cast into the lake of fire. I could see (and hear) that it really stirred up feelings in all the saints who were there. Especially when you talked about "knocking someone out of the way to get what you need from God." Then, I just knew you were talking to me when you asked: "What are you waiting for, an invitation?!"

Well, that did it! Everybody there began to shout and praise God, and started going up for a blessing or to be prayed for. Soon after that, Lee Ann asked me if I wanted to go up for prayer. On the tape, you were singing "Just Press Along". I heard really loud shouting and praising God in the background. This was when I was repenting and pouring my heart out to God, tears running down my face. I had no idea God was really hearing me, or even considering giving me the holy Ghost. I just knew I needed what you were talking about in the meeting. Well, God heard me. He was merciful and gave me the holy Ghost that very night. PRAISE GOD!

It was on the trip back home from the meeting today that we heard the song: "I Was Born in a Blaze of Glory" which was on the second tape. Moma and I both started to cry! What a sweet night that was! I'm so thankful for God's mercy on me. That same spirit he gave me that night continues to live in me and guide me. I'm so thankful!

Love,

Tracy Varner

Thank you, Tracy, for that testimony. It is your testimony that you have from your Father. It can never be undone, and no one will ever be able to take it from you. Only you can ever keep it "out of circulation", and I hope you won't ever do that!

jdc

September 13, 2006

John,

I enjoyed reading the TFM about the Key of David and how the prophecy came to pass. You also mentioned how the Bible is full of prophecies about Jesus Christ. This past Sunday, our small group started reading in Matthew. In the third chapter it tells how Jesus was baptized with the holy Ghost. I thought about Jesus' life before and after that experience, particularly the attributes that came with the Spirit that day.

I ran across Isaiah 11:1-5. Verse 2 says, "And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord."

The verses continue to describe what the Spirit brought to Jesus that day. The verse that particularly caught my attention was the end of verse four, "...and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked."

I began thinking of the many stories in the Gospels that describe how the words Jesus spoke exposed darkness. The truth he spoke lifted bands of wickedness. Those that had a heart for righteousness where freed by the truth he spoke. Those that held to darkness were exposed for who they were.

Even today, the prophecy lives on. I thought about how we have been freed by the word of God many times, such as coming out of Christianity, the true meaning of "church", etc. etc. His lips continue to "slay the wicked", [by slaying] wrong ideas about God or anything else that keeps us from being free.

I am thankful we have been blessed to have ears to hear his voice for our good and not for our destruction. I am grateful for the still small voice that speaks to my heart at times, setting me free from sin and slaying wrong ideas about God.

Tom

Dear Brother Tom:

All the ancient prophets and wise men testified, in one way or another, as David did: "The whole earth is full of His glory." Likewise, we can testify that the whole Bible is full of the glory of the Son of God -- and we can see this truth only when our eyes are opened to what God has hidden in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. Jesus is everything, not only in the New Testament writings but throughout the Scriptures. That is why the apostles of the Lord could go everywhere with only the Old Testament books (and the anointing of the holy Ghost) and preach Christ, persuading men "from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ." Their minds were freed from the darkness of sin to see the mystery God had hidden within everything ever written about the things He had done -- the wonderful mystery of Christ.

jdc

September 12, 2006

Hey Pastor John!

Today in one of my classes, my professor ended his lecture by saying, "And well...the devil's in the details." I felt myself get a disgusted look on my face as I thought, "What??...what's he doing in there?" So I walked out of that class thanking God that HE is in the details! I feel so thankful that God is in all the little details of my life, and everyone's lives, that makes things so stress-free! It's so wonderful to know that God is doing all things for my good, as long as I continue to obey Him.

I loved it today because God let me feel so thankful and it felt so good! I thought about it the whole way home and...*sigh* I love my life! I love God! I love that He knows everything about me and everything I need and everything I want, and don't want. I love that He is taking care of me and my husband and all of our precious family. I love that He loves me! What is there to ever complain about with a God like God?

Leah

September 12, 2006

Hey Amy,

I was so excited to hear from ya'll Saturday. I have been having the best days of late, because of what God had shown me last week. When you called, I was still feasting on that thought. I was driving through Tn. on my way to a job. I noticed, it seemed, every detail of the mountains; it was if I could zoom-in & out of this breath-taking view. I saw the sun shining on the cliffs and its rays peaking through the trees. Seeing those rays, I felt the warmth of them, even though I was in my truck. I looked up and saw the most beatiful clouds I have ever seen, and watched their shadows cover the different hills and mountains; it seemed there were cracks in them, letting the sun's rays shine through; you had the feeling someone was peeking through the clouds and watching the earth.

I felt so small and in awe of God's creation. I said in my heart, I know the one who created this, and more importantly, that one knows me even better than I know myself. I had the best feelings while I was driving. While I was still beholding this view, I heard a voice in my spirit saying, ''I can handle all of your problems.'' Before all of this, I was praying and letting God know that there are situations in my life that are too big for me to handle.

After I heard the voice of the Spirit, I literally felt as though the earth was suspended, and that it was only the power of God that was holding it up. I looked down and saw my hands holding the steering wheel with a tighter grip as though this world could fall with any second.

While I was experiencing these feelings, I felt such a confidence in God. I knew in my soul that he created this world that I was put on, that he could handle everyone of my problems. I felt faith that God has not a problem one. I was crying and praising God in my truck. I felt such a joy. I felt loved, and cuddled-up by a great big God. I'm still feeling this same confidence in God now. I told God he could have everyone of my problems, because I know there are problems too heavy for my shoulders to bear.

I don't think I could put in words what I have been feeling, but I sure do love what I feel. I appreciate the phone call, it was so good to hear ya'll's voices. Please tell ones you see hey. Give mom and dad a big hug from me. I love you all, see you soon.

Love,

Your brother Billy M.

September 1, 2006

Hi Pastor John,

Isn't it wonderful to have our "new" brothers and sisters from so far away join us with their sweet and encouraging testimonies. They are adding so much to our family, and I love them so much! Maybe a wall will have to be removed and more chairs added, but if each one who joins us here are as filled with the Spirit and are so open and willing to share their experiences with God with us, then I really believe they will be sent here by Him, and whatever has to be done to make room for them will be well worth it.

The love for each other and for God on Wednesday evening was really touching my heart! I loved seeing you so touched by the Spirit, and Lou's testimony about how God had been touching her, and then to see Maleah dancing in the Spirit, well, it was wonderful! Even little Sarah was having a good time dancing with the songs that were being sung. Then Keith's testomony. Wow!

I am so thankful that Jesus is giving us these times together, and I just want to be worthy to be on the journey!

Love,

Sister Mama

Dear Sister Mama:

What a joy it is to see God's people enjoy their Lord! I am thankful that we have so many good people around us who love what is right and who love the Spirit of God. I feel blessed to be sitting among them, and if we have to knock out a wall to make room for more of God's children, well, it will be worth it if the saints use that space to praise the Lord.

jdc

September 1, 2006

Pastor John,

Wed. night took me back to getting the holy Ghost when I was 8. Watching you dance as they played the real genuine song made me think about what I was thinking about right before I got the holy Ghost. I remember feeling so thankful thinking about Jesus praising God out in cow pastures and not even caring if he stepped on cow patties. I'm so thankful I know what the Love of God feels like- esp. when it covers you.

Love,

Maleah

Dear Maleah:

ummmm . . . let me guess. The day you received the holy Ghost, Brother Jimmy preached about Jesus shouting in a cow pasture . . .? Well, I am sure Jesus did that, some time . . . maybe. Anyway, I am glad you received the holy Ghost when you were very young and are still praising God with us in this pasture!

If you'll excuse me now, I want to go talk to Brother Jimmy.

Pastor John

August 31, 2006

Pastor John

This TFM on peace was encouraging in every way. In a small way I have experienced this peace over the last few months even as the life I had known was being dismantled around me. It did not matter what anyone else thought about it, it didn't matter what I thought either. Once I knew it was God working and I submitted to that it was easy, or full of peace is the real way to describe it.

I have often marvelled at the old hymns you sometimes sing or that are printed in tracts and the like and no more than with this hymn, "Is your all on the altar?". (Since I arrived in the USA I have found myself praying often about every thought being brought into captivity (to obedience). Last night I was praying for God to help me to get it ALL on the altar.)

I have often wondered who were these people who wrote these hymns. The words are too true for them not to have been touched by God and yet they seem to have faded, for the most part, from sight. I looked up this hymn and found it was written by one Elisha Albright Hoffman who lived from 1839-1929. He wrote over 2000 songs and edited more than 50 song books which included the following:

The Evergreen, 1873

Spiritual Songs for Gos­pel Meet­ings and the Sun­day School, 1878

Pentecostal Hymns No. 1 (Chi­ca­go, Il­li­nois: Hope Pub­lish­ing Com­pa­ny, 1894)

I also found the following story. Such stories are often embellished but there is a non-christian feeling in this one that I have fellowship with.

While not working in his study or writing gospel songs and hymns, he could be found ministering with the poor in their homes. The story has been told that while visiting one day, he came to a home which had experienced much sorrow and affliction. He found the mother of the home in the depths of despair. He tried to quote Bible verses that he thought would help to console her, but to no avail. Then he suggested that she could do nothing better than to take all of her sorrow to the Lord Jesus. "You must tell Jesus," he told her. Upon mediating upon these words, a light broke across her face and she cried, "Yes, I must tell Jesus." Mr. Hoffman left immediately with those words still ringing in his ears — "I must tell Jesus." He went directly home and wrote:

I must tell Jesus all of my trials;
I cannot bear these burdens alone;
In my distress He kindly will help me;
He ever loves and cares for His own.

Chorus:
"I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
I cannot bear my burdens alone;
I must tell Jesus! I must tell Jesus!
Jesus can help me, Jesus alone."

2

I must tell Jesus all of my troubles,
He is a kind, compassionate Friend;
If I but ask Him, He will deliver,
Make of my troubles quickly an end.

3

Tempted and tried, I need a great Saviour,
One who can help my burdens to bear;
I must tell Jesus, I must tell Jesus,
He all my cares and sorrows will share.

4

O how the world to evil allures me!
O how my heart is tempted to sin!
I must tell Jesus, and He will help me
Over the world the vict'ry to win.

I was certainly blessed by this. There is a heritage we have in the saints that went before that sadly, for the most part, xty has stolen from us, but here and there you can find traces.

Damien

Hi Damien:

Mr. Huffman wrote many wonderful songs, and many on the very touching level with "I Must Tell Jesus". Thanks for the story behind that great song. I had never heard that.

jdc

August 26, 2006

Hi Pastor John,

We are reading in Levitcus about the set up of the Levitical Priesthood. I have been listening also to the cd's on the Sacrifice of Jesus and the cd about the Law. The killing of the animal was in the courtyard of the Tabernacle and then the Sacrifice was taken by the high Priest and presented to God in the holy of Holies. The owner of the animal had to kill it, just as we have been taught. Jesus was taken outside of Jerusalem and killed on the cross. God was his owner, as we know, and jesus said that his death was the cup he Father gave him to drink. Then, Jesus (the high priest) presented himself (the slain lamb) to the Father in heaven before God's throne.

In the New Testament we are to present our bodies a ''living sacrifice''. When we were drawing the Tabernacle, accordfing to the assignmnet you gave the OT class, I noticed where the animal was killed: in the courtyard. And I noticed where the sacrifice was made: in the Most Holy place. Then I had a good thought. I noticed how close to God people were when they killed the animal, and how much closer to God was the owner's sacrifice, ''in the Most holy place''. I was getting very excited in the Lord.

If we are to present out bodies a living sacrafice, how close we must be to God in the killing of our flesh; like the animal in the courtyard (as Paul said, "I die daily''), and how even closer to the presence of God we must be when we present that sacrifice to God, ''holy and acceptable''. Praise God!

God is very near to us when we present that sacrifice to Him in holiness. It makes you want to wake up daily and find ways to kill yourself (figuratively speaking of course). Just to be able to get into the coutyard, of the tabernacle you had to be circumcized. Of all the places on Earth, that is where the israelites were to bring the animal that was required by God.

We know Stephen said,'' God does not dwell in temples made with hands'', and we know our bodies are now the temple of God. How close to God we must be just to be able to kill the influences on your flesh and spirit. After that, you will be closer to God by presenting yourself more in holiness to Him, as the sacrifice was offered in the most holy Place, as Jesus was a pattern, slain on the cross and then offered to the Father when he ascended into heaven.

And more importantly, Jesus tore down "the veil of the flesh", and we have direct access to the Father by the Spirit!

I'm very excited about this beacuse Jesus is letting me understand how close we can be to him by killing self. I'm all over the place with this, and I know I'm just scratching the surface whith these good feelings I have with this. God wants us close to him. Praise God!

Bro. Billy

Thanks, Billy.

Those are some good thoughts of God, revealing of His nature and sweet to the soul. "How precious are thy thoughts unto me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand."

Pastor John

August 25, 2006

John,

I came across this TFM earlier today. It caught my eye and I wanted to read it again. As I sat here tonight reading it, I couldn't get over the impact I felt from the sincerity, purity, and holiness of what I was hearing in the spirit. Here are the lines that really struck me:

"Paul 'died to law' when he began to be led by the Spirit . . ."

"If any outward law was able to make men holy, Jesus suffered and died for nothing."

" . . . we needed a Savior."

"Are you led by the Spirit . . .?"

Being led by the Spirit. That is life! It is everything! I keep hearing within me "Are you able?" It feels big! God, help us say YES to you.

God is good.

Donna N.

August 24, 2006

Dear Pastor John,

During my drives to work locations today I listened to the New Birth cd series, for the first time since you've re-recorded it.

I. AM. ABSOLUTELY. ASTOUNDED. !!!!

John, your work for the kingdom of God---for the proclamation of the truth---is beyond what my words can express. . . it's just. . . phenomenal. God has done such a wondeful thing with you, for you, and for the small faction of individuals (us) who have heard, believed, and LOVED the truth. WHO ARE WE to God that He would give YOU to US?

The way in which you present the truth about the New Birth could not be more professional, intellectually honest, reasonable and thorough. What a great presentation!!!

It's an open-and-shut case. !!

There are no holes in this, folks!!!

BUT WHY do so few see this narrow way? ??????!!!!!!

I felt such a tremendous power and JOY in the holy ghost, as I was hearing you examine each separate tenet of scriptural application. Your "courtroom" persuasiveness is an admirable skill. Ever thought of ? . . .no, never mind. ;^D

I am so grateful for this brilliant light we have been given. There certainly is NO ROOM , NO EXCUSE for SIN when we have a mammoth responsibility for this knowledge God has given to us!!!!

And you, our pastor; what have we done to deserve you?!!

This is not flattery, my brother, but a love and appreciation that I cannot hold inside.

GLORY TO GOD!!!!

I always pray for your continued health and integrity, and for Jesus to work through you for many DECADES to come. (Yes, you read that correctly.)

Love,

your devoted Brother Brad

Hi Brad:

I wish the whole world could hear the truth of the New Birth. Hundreds have ordered the free CD we offer on The New Birth, but that is a small thing when we consider how many need to hear the truth.

I love the verse in the OT in which God asks, "Who has despised the day of small things?" God doesn't despise us, even though what we are doing is, by every earthly measure, a very "small thing". But I believe with all my heart that the work we have been given by Jesus is the most important work on earth at the present time. May God help us walk worthy of it and be able to give a good account of our labor in the end.

Pastor John

August 24, 2006

Hey John

As I was driving to work this morning, I was thinking about the will of God versus the will of man, and how that God will give you what your flesh wants if you stubbornly pursue it -- and you will continue on in the dark as if everything is ok. But for me, it is like watching a person die, after you have watched God bless him so much, but then he trades God's blessing for earthly things. It has made me search myself. I want God to be glad He has blessed me, not sorry.

DORIS W.

It isn't just like watching a person die. You are watching a person die when you see that happen, Doris, and it is a warning to us all.

jdc

August 24, 2006

John,

I woke up this morning thinking about when I graduated from college & then went on to received the holy Ghost a few weeks later. The Way International didn't have a standard of holiness that they lived by, but God let us receive the holy Ghost. Tim & I made mistakes along the way as we were searching after God, but God didn't give up on us; He kept leading us towards holiness & I am grateful to have found the real way. Now . . . it feels so sweet to know that our young people are being taught to live in ways that please God. If they do that, God will save them from the heartache that comes from having to figure it out on their own. Our young people don't have to make the mistakes we made when we were just starting out. They can live clean from the beginning because they have been shown what is right and good. I appreciate that. :)

Love,

Bess

August 23, 2006

John, here are a few good excerpts from the George Clark reel from the mid-1097's I listened to yesterday (entitled "Spirit Filled") that really stuck out to me:

"Hell is filled with nice, caring people. You remember the one man who cared so much for his brothers that he asked the Lord to send someone to them to warn them not to come to the hell he was in. It's about being Spirit FILLED."

"The only truly happy people are the ones who are Spirit FILLED. They don't just have it; they are FILLED with it."

(Earl Pittman) "When troubling spirits come around, just tell them, "Go away - I don't want you." They'll leave.

(Uncle Joe) "that's the truth!"

GCC - "You'll never be happy unless you are working for God's kingdom. Get your mind more on others than on yourself, and you'll feel good; let's get this truth out."

"Be filled with the Spirit."

"When God's children came out of Egypt there wasn't a sick or feeble one among them... it was only afterwards...."

whew ---- Good stuff.

Gary

Those are good thoughts from the mind of Christ, Gary.

What you quoted from Brother Earl goes along with what I have had to remind several different people lately. Basically, it is simply this, that they, not some stupid spirit, are in charge of their behavior. We all need to stop acting like pitiful victims and just live according to the will of God. Men accept excuses for failure, and God used to, but since Jesus died to give us the power of God's Spirit, we have no excuse for failure. Paul even told the Athenians (Acts 17) that God use to "wink at" some of their ways because they had no help. "But now He commandeth all men everywhere to repent!"

On Judgment Day, I hope none of us try to pull something over on God by whining, "I just couldn't help it (sniff, sniff). I don't know why I kept doing those things. I prayed and prayed, but you just didn't help me (sniff, sniff). I did everything I knew to do (sniff, sniff)." That kind of blather is just another way we can make God laugh. And if some of us get enough like God, we will laugh, too.

Good grief!! Jesus suffered and died for us!! The holy Ghost is here!! We CAN please God, and we are going to please God, or He is going to remove us from His congregation.

Let's all do what Earl said long ago and just tell all ungodly spirits, with their ungodly attitudes and ungodly thoughts, to go away. We are in charge of ourselves! And we will be held accountable for ourselves, and there will be no room for excuses.

Pastor John

Some comments from other viewers concerning the emails above are as follows:

Hey John, Ha! This is good. It reminded me of Nehemiah with Tobiah and the temple. Didn't Paul say "know ye not that you are the temple of God"? You can get like Nehemiah and get so mad at something dirtying up your temple, that you can throw it out! And, better yet, not let it in the door to begin with! It's like you said, we are in charge of ourselves! I think the key is in what Brother Earl said, "Go away - I don't want you." You got to not want it! That is why it is hanging around. That flesh is still liking, wanting, that old "dung heap" and doesn't quite want to let go. And, if you keep hanging on to it and going back to it; you start to stink! I love what you said the other Wednesday night, it doesn't matter how much you paint it up, cover it up, dress it up, it still stinks and the holy Ghost can smell it! I'm with you....let's go! Jesus didn't die for that....He died for us to live!

Sister Amy

and . . .

Hey John, Wow I loved this response. What is wrong with people? (sniff, sniff, cry baby, victim and on and on and on. They love it!!!!!!!!!)The holy Ghost is here to override everything and I mean everything. That's the Spirit of God, that's His life. Boy this feels goooood!!!!!!!

Lou

Lou:

Our flesh is far more twisted than we know. But God is tryiong to convince us of the truth concerning how wretched it is. But the flesh loves itself. That is why so many whine and complain about constant failure. They are fooled by the flesh into thinking they are victims because that is how the flesh -- and most likely, the devil -- feels about itself.

When we see the truth, we run to our Father and ask for His help, first, to help us not be fooled by the flesh and its pouty excuses, and then for power to overcome it! May God help us be bold enough to drink His holy Ghost poison and get rid of our biggest problem - our own flesh!!

jdc

and . . .

Amen! Good preaching!

I tell them "you stupid spirit, get out of here!"

Rob

August 23, 2006

Hello Bro. John,

When I came down this week to Burlington, I felt very troubled. I came and talked to you and you told me that God was not making me feel what I was feeling. For a little while now, I have been adjusting my actions according to what I was feeling, and had pulled way too far into one direction, instead of just living in moderation.

It was fearful, putting into action what you told me concerning this, because for awhile, I have thought that God was responsible for what I was feeling. When I did just let go of that fear, and start walking down the middle of the road, I was thrilled to find that the feeling that troubled me left, and that I was left with the Joy that I have been struggling to keep hold of lately. I am thankful to God for that. I feel light as a feather again, the way I am supposed to.....ahhhh!

I have learned something. I believe we can have the holy Ghost, and live without sin and still have something else in the temple. I think it is the something else that causes the problems. I was talking with some folks tonight about us, here and there in N.C. And we were talking about how wonderful our experiences are there in Burlington when we go. People aren't afraid to laugh at what is funny. Or speak their mind. No one seems to be afraid of being wrong, everyone already seems to know they are wrong and are looking to the only one who is right, and everyone seems glad about it. Folks openly confess their faults, intentionally and sometimes unintentionally, which is even better because they aren't afraid to speak up either way.

It's family, and the love for one another keeps out the fear of growing around one another. Everyone's heart here in Louisville seems to be pulled toward that love that is felt there. I want everything out of me that keeps me from that kind of love with my family. I pray that God will cleanse every temple that belongs to Him. Take away everything that is not of you God, and leave us the rest.

Jerry

Hi Jerry:

This was a great email! Thank you. This part in particular was excellent: "I believe we can have the holy Ghost, and live without sin and still have something else in the temple." Jerry, that is great insight. If we live with that understanding, we can be made perfect by God in short order. If not, we will keep getting struck trying to fix ourselves, and our imaginations will ruin us.

Man, that was good to me!

jdc

August 23, 2006

Hi John.

I got an email from a woman this morning who said that she had compromised her holy Ghost and married an "unbeliever". She said she knew she disobeyed God and wanted to get back to Him. She said she missed going up to the altar at her UPC church and praying, and speaking in tongues (the inference being that "church" was the only place she did that.)

I thought to myself that men's "churches" or their times of gathering, to many of God's children today, are just a "hiding places" if that's where they have to go to feel something - a place where they hide from living a Spirit filled life every day and letting their lights shine EVERY day, and openly. What good is it if the only place one prays or speaks in tongues is at a meeting somewhere and not at home? Where is the connection the other 6 days of the week? How can that possibly keep a person in the way of holiness? Had she been praying and speaking in tongues and staying alive in the Spirit EVERY day, that marriage probably would not have happened.

When we were in your office Saturday playing Darren's songs and being blessed, I started to look around the room. And each person I looked at was praying and rejoicing, and I started to pray for their life, for them to prosper in the Spirit, to be established and to be a blessing, etc. After I got to about the 4th or 5th person, the Spirit flooded my soul, and I felt a deep connection with Jesus... I was speaking in tongues quietly, and feeling such a deep love in the Spirit for the family of God - I could only tremble with tears of love. I heard, "this is all I require of you." That connection. That was satisfaction to me John. To know I'm connected to Jesus, full of the Spirit, and feeling the deep love of God TODAY. I appreciated that experience. It's an every day thing, and I want that connection to be alive every day. That's what Jesus wants of me.

Have a good day!

Gary

Hi Gary:

To have that connection with God all the time is life. I have met a sister in the Lord who went for years and never even felt the Spirit at home. Then, she came to our prayer meeting and learned that she could commune with God anytime, anywhere. I don't understand how it was that she did not know that, but she did have the real holy ghost. It was a powerful revelation to her to hear testimonies of people who had experiences with God at home, and other places outside of "church". What a bondage the "church mentality" is on people's hearts and minds!

jdc

August 19, 2006

Hi Pastor John,

I want to share what God did for me this morning. When I got to work I typed it up because I didn't want to forget any of the details.

Daddy's Girl

When Randell's alarm clock went off this morning at 4:30 am I woke up with a migraine. As I lay there I talked to God and asked him to please take the headache away because I wanted to be able to go to work and especially be able to go to the meeting tonight. I asked Randell to get me some medicine, water and a bite of something to eat because I get sick if I take the medicine without something on my stomach. He brought that to me right away and then I asked for a cold cloth to go on my forehead, which he got right away. I thanked him and as he went to get ready for work I lay there thanking God for a husband that was willing to do all those things for me. Then I continued to thank God for any and everything that came to mind . . . my bed, air conditioning, food, water, his love, his mercy and so on. Later I started to sing (in my mind) a song I use to sing as a little girl. (God is so good, God is so good, God is so good, He's so good to me. I'll praise his name, I'll praise his name, I'll praise his name, He's so good to me.) Then I noticed that my headache was gone! I started thanking and praising God for relieving me of the headache. By now it was 6:00 and time to get up and go to work. While I was in the shower I was still thanking God and singing, "The Lord is Blessing Me Right Now, Oh the Lord is Blessing Me Right Now. He woke me up this morning and he started me on my way, Oh the Lord is Blessing Me Right Now." When I stepped out of that shower, I hit my knees and the Spirit fell. What I heard coming out of my mouth was just like a little child (like little Naomi) would call her Daddy. (Da Da Da, Da Da) Then the feelings hit me . . . My Daddy had been taking care of me all morning. It was WONDERFUL. The feeling was, it wasn't God or even my Heavenly Father . . . . . It was my DADDY taking care of his little girl. THANK YOU GOD!!!!! THANK YOU GOD!!!!!!!!

I like being Daddy's Girl!!!!!!!!!!!!

Doris

August 11, 2006

Hello Pastor John,

I just had to write to say"HALLELUJAH!! What a wonderful time in the LORD!! ALL times are precious PRAISING GOD!! GOD IS SOOOOOO GOOD! It is almost too overwhelming to be able to talk, hug, see and feel the holy GHOST in so many PRECIOUS saints at one time! Every song! every word from GOD through you, every testimony of GOD in each life! To see children loving the feelings! REAL LIFE! I cannot seem to tell my feelings in the meetings in words. JESUS IS OUR HERO! HE TAKES OUR HURTS! WE ARE BLESSED! WE ARE LOVED!

Our troubles come when we stop doing the WILL OF GOD FOR US! GOD IS HOLY!! We have so much food to feast on! Bible studies,CDs, Songs, TFMs, TFEs, Testimonies! Having alone time with JESUS! FELLOWSHIP! OOH! HOW CAN WE LOVE GOD MORE?

STAYING FULL OF THE HOLY GHOST! HEARING THAT STILL SMALL VOICE AND OBEY QUICKLY!

As I lay on the floor Saturday night [in the prayer meeting] I ask GOD to take my mind, heart, body and soul completely, and to help me be a slave completely! Then I felt such a light, bubbly feeling in my belly! And these words "There is a well of LIVING WATER SPRINGING FORTH!"

I felt so childlike. All I wanted to do is feel that light bubbly feeeling. OH! THANK YOU JESUS! THANK YOU GOD! FOREVER!

I just want to do the WILL of my MASTER! That is what we all were born to do! HOW PRECIOUS IS THAT!!!!! I do not want to be a stumbling block for any of GOD's people!

Staying with Tim and Bess and their boys was a blessing to Doris and me! We had a meeting at their table Saturday morning! WOW! Those blessed saints! In ONE SPIRIT!

Then again at Chris and Karen's! BLESSINGS! The trip there and back,WOW, I got to spend time with Tony, Margo,and Doris! It was W_O_N_D_E_R_F_U_L! PRAISING GOD AND LOVING ONE ANOTHER! OUR MINDS STAYED ON JESUS!!!!!

love,

sister wanda

August 9, 2006

Hi John,

The other day I was riding at night. I saw some shooting stars for a brief moment and then they were gone. I was thinking if it wasn't for the Earth's atmosphere that God created, we would be bombarded by literally millions of meteors of various sizes. Many of the houses were dark from people sleeping peacefully in their homes and don't know what the atmoshere has protected them from.

I then began to thank Jesus for the things he had protected me from that I didn't even know he did. Even though I could not see them or do not even know what they are. I know of many, but there are literally millions like the shooting stars I probably have no clue about. I can sleep peacefully knowing that God is watching over me. I thank him for the love he has let me feel, and the people of God in my life I can feel it with.

As Tony's song says, ''Stay in my world''. I look around and started counting the many blessings God has graciously granted to me, and it's only because I have stayed in God's holy Ghost atmosphere. No telling how many meteors God has let burn up that would have devastated me, but I thank him for his mercies every day.

Bro. Billy

Dear Brother Billy:

That is a great thought! God has saved us so many times, and He loves us so much that He does not even want us to be bothered with the details! How many times did we save our small children from harm, but they were so small that they could not have understood what we had done for them if we tried to explain it to them? So it must be with God, talking care of us that we not only don't know about but could not understand if He tried to explain it.

We have a wonderful Father.

jdc

August 9, 2006

HI JOHN

A thought came to me as I was sitting here eating my breakfast. I was thinking. GOD came on the scene. The thought was, "I have A FATHER that loves HIS little girl." The overwhelming feeling of GOD came over me. I thought of my fleshly father who was an alcholic. He loved his bottle more than me. Then that good feeling flooded my soul. My real Father loves his little girl. These are a few things GOD spoke to me this morning.

GOD said "HE SHINES IN THE LOVE OF MY HEART." That was so good to me. And HE SAID, "GOD COMES ALIVE IN ME." I am so overwhelmed by the presence of GOD as I write this. GOD said to me, "LOVING YOU IS JOYOUS." AND GOD said to me, "I COME TO CALL YOU UNTO ME."

I am learning to get still and quiet so I can hear what GOD has to say to me. GOD wants to talk to HIS children.
I can't get over the thought that GOD loves HIS little girl.

I love you always.

MOM.

Dear Mom:

Sounds as if you and the Father had a good conversation. Thank God for those precious times!

jdc

August 6, 2006

I just wanted to say how wonderful the meeting was today! The song (Do It, Do it, Do It), the message about how Jesus was leading the mob, exposing what/where they, the religious leaders were! What a life to be living!!! Being able to pray for Frank, someone seeking a touch from God, that is a honor, just watching how much God wants to bless and give, and how we (humans) just don't even know how to take it in!!!

Pastor John, I am so thankful for being allowed to be here, and I want my life in God and with the saints to be one that will bring a smile, add strength or give encouragement that's why I am here and I want to do my part cause God has done his!!!

Chris and I were talking about a testimony he had some time back about how when we (he) came to God he was packing a trunk full of junk and how now it is just a little overnight bag. That is real, that is how Good God is, he starts emptying our trunk as soon as we undo the padlock!!!

I guess I will close for now saying Love to you all!!!

Karen

P.S. Chris has a new verse to the song from today. "You can't go fishing in the belly of a Whale!"
SMILE :>) Running from God never caught any fish or bore any fruit.

August 3, 2006

Yay!

I was so happy to hear from Tracey today about last night's meeting! It sounded just like our conversation yesterday! On Tuesday I got a very disgusted feeling about the "niceness" of Christianity. I had been watching something on t.v. that I thought was decent. At the end of the program though, there was that ugly spirit, implying that people couldn't judge that an evil man who had done evil things on that program and then died was now in hell. Everyone wanted to be nice. Yuck! It was terrible! I went and took a bath, and I was just full of disgust for that spirit. I saw how it was trying to "improve" on who God already is, and I saw how different holy is than nice! Holy is clean, and it doesn't hurt innocent people. Nice blinds people, and sets them up to be hurt and to hurt others. I could feel how different our God is than the god of Christianity, and I could feel (even if it was only a drop) of how much God hates it! I mean hates it! It was so good to me!!

Later, on Tuesday night, I was thinking about something that I wanted to happen, and I heard the Lord say, "Well, ask me. Why don't you tell me." So I did. It was the sweetest feeling, too. So yesterday, I had told Tracey about both of those things, and she said that last night she was thinking, "We've already had this meeting earlier today!" I appreciate that! We might not be able to be there on Wednesday nights, but Jesus is keeping us connected and it makes me feel so good! It is really encouraging.

We miss everybody so much, and we are looking forward to the weekend! Sometimes people's faces will just pop in my mind, and tears come to my eyes because I feel so blessed to have you all in my life. See you soon!

Love you,

Cris

Hi Cris:

When Jesus keeps us connected in the way you described, it is called "fellowship"; it is created by the Spirit and is in no part from the will or wisdom of men. Thanks be to God for His gifts and His people!

Pastor John

August 3, 2006

Hey there,

I just wanted to say how much love I feel for everyone. The feelings in my heart I have are just overflowing with the love of God from last night being together. I love what you told us about listening to what the Spirit is saying..... "What do you want from Jesus?"; to lay our hearts desires out before the Lord and be real with God. I have thought about that all night and all this morning.

When I was at work yesterday, I was pondering over something a friend of mine said as we were talking about the Lord. God is touching her heart, and inside, she is feeling it but she was unsure of the consequences that serving God would bring. She said that she was not ready yet. As I thought about that, I started thinking about the things that she would be facing and as I went through each thing, I thought...."well....that's not so bad..... that's not so bad..... God can take care of that" and then, the end result was.... nothing is worth missing out with God. What a husband or wife would think, a parent, family, changing a lifestyle; those things are all temporary. The fellowship that we have with one another and the love of God that touches us and keeps us alive cannot compare to any of the rest; the rest are just distractions.

I feel such faith from last night and encouragement. We serve the true and living God. The Master who created everything. My Spirit feels alive and well. Thanks for the encouraging words and bringing to light ; Where is our faith? What are we trusting? And, "What do we want from Jesus?" He can and will, if we let him! He has all the answers we need. And the benefits from making a right choice far out way the consequences of wondering about whether or not you are ready to make one. The love of God that was overflowing in me last night was praying for all of us that we will be one and make it together. How much I felt like Jesus wants us to make it. Nothing is worth missing out with God. Nothing.

Amy

Hi Amy:

When I hear someone say, "I'm not ready yet", I hear these things:

"I am not ready to be happy."
"I am not ready to be clean."
"I am not ready to obey God."
"I am not ready to stop sinning."
"I am not ready to love others as myself."
"I am not ready to have a clear conscience."
"I am not ready to be honest."
"I am not ready to be good."

Anybody not yet ready for God still loves death and darkness, and they can't be trusted. Be careful.

Pastor John

July 31, 2006

Dear Pastor John,

Last week I went to visit the pharmacy to get my schedule and TB test read early and just before leaving the secretary told me to look for about 5 pharmacists they just hired at orientation that was coming up. Today was the orientation day and I am amazed at what God did. I had no idea what was in store for me. I arrived at the classroom about a half hour early, and sat in a seat over by the wall. There were only about 3 people in the room including myself, and by the looks of things, there were to be about 200 more seats to fill. I got uneasy where I was sitting and felt like I should go somewhere else, so I picked a place by the isle. Then the room started filling up, and a lady sat one seat down from me. I introduced myself to her and found out she was one of the Pharmacists I was to look for. (But I wasn't really, she just arrived on her own). When the room was totally full, there was just one seat left, and that was the one between me and the lady Pharmacist. Then a very well-dressed and polite man came in and sat in that seat one hour after the class started, and he turned out to be another Pharmacist.

As the day went on, we had breaks and I went out into the hall, speaking to God in the Spirit. The words were just rolling out of my mouth. It felt so good to do that, I couldn't wait to get to the next break so I could go down the hall, speaking in tongues again.

Then something very odd happened just before the class was over. They had a section on sexual harrassment and showed a movie of some very wicked conduct in the workplace. I was shocked, and couldn't look at the screen, turning my eyes to the wall. Then I started to get sick inside of the sin they were showing. Literally nauseous. In the middle of it all, people in the room were laughing as though it was funny. That made me even sicker. Then I remembered some old saints I used to know who had gone to a wedding where inappropriate comments were made. They were so sick about it. I felt now that I knew how they felt. The very well-dressed Pharmacist next to me was laughing, too. That was God showing me how sin knows no bounds. No matter how much education a person has - or title - or position - or how well they are dressed, their hearts are never right unless God makes them right. That man couldn't feel the shame I was feeling. I couldn't open my mouth but marvelled at the feelings God was giving me that were the exact opposite of the one who was just inches away. Then class was dismissed, and I was in such a state of grief that I cried for the sin that was in that room in my car most of the way home.

Then Token thoughtfully called and asked how Heidi was feeling. Thankfully, I was able to tell her that she was ok, but before getting off the phone, I related a little about what happened at work. It felt so good to be able to tell it. Then she said that in the translating session today, you talked about something similar. How sin is in the heart of some very smart people.

This was an amazing day with amazing events. God revealed hearts. He set everything up to drive a point home. I sure am glad I came over to see what God was doing tonight. That was an extra blessing. And for me too, what could have been just an "orientation" was a day that will last forever.

Adam

Thanks, Adam.

If we stay close to God, everything we experience will teach us more about God, ourselves, and all of life. God has designed everything in our lives for that purpose, from the moment of our birth until we draw our last breath. But this wonderful truth is so all-encompassing that we will never be able to believe it unless God grants us faith.

Keep the faith you have, Adam. It is making it possible for you to see what God sees, to think what God thinks, and to feel what God feels.

Pastor John

July 22, 2006

Hi,

Interestingly enough, I've run into friction with people over considerably "less important", non-spiritual things when I had sincerely delved into a matter to learn the truth about it, while they had not. I'm not particularly one to argue, but it would bother me inside when - for example - one of the girls I roomed with last year would tell me basically to shut up, that I was wrong, when I knew that I was right by research about what we were talking about. This ranged from things like the fact that God does, in fact, hate some people (evil people, as evidenced by His wrath) to other things like that so-and-so isn't what gossipers make them out to be, or any other thing I had searched out by curiosity.

Just now I was watching the tail end of a TV report on hoaxes with my mother. I often feel like there is some kind of battle going on between us at times, and I was feeling just now that on some levels at times like these, I hate her. (That's a little strange, I think, but it's honestly a feeling somewhere inside me.) The segment was on a woman who believed and paid a supposed psychic thousands of dollars to remove a curse from her and her family. I was commenting basically that the lady deserved that! There came a part where a supposed letter from God appeared for her and demanded more money for the psychic, or else Satan would harm the lady and her family. (I know: God only permits what Satan can do, so Satan is not to be feared!) All I could do was kind of laugh, like, Wow. My mother made a point to say, "Oh, that's from God? In perfect English?" I said, "Well, yeah. If she were in Mexico then it'd be in Spanish..." My mom sarcastically replied, "Exactly, because God speaks in your 'universal tongue'."

She sat behind me laughing, then I heard her click the phone on. She held it up to me, "Lori, it's God calling for you." I don't know if I wanted to cry or yell, but I kind of hated that I found nothing to say, only not to respond.

I'm a bit angry right now, still, and altogether kind of sad and upset. Just wanted to vent to you before I stewed in it and "didn't get the point" if there was one.

Good night,

Lori

Hi Lori:

I am glad you said nothing when you had nothing else to say. In the world, whoever gets the last clever, cutting word "wins". In Jesus, whoever listens to him wins. You could have, if you had wanted, taken the phone from her and (with love for her) started talking to God about things she needs to hear . . . but I guess you're not as mean as I am . . . yet. ;)

As far as "hate" goes, until His wrath comes, God hates passively. Read Isaiah 66:1-13. Those verses describes God's thoughts toward those (the Jews of Jesus' time) who continued with their ceremonies instead of receiving the Messiah and God's Spirit when it was poured out from His heavenly temple (Acts 2). God's vengeance on them was to leave them out when the holy Ghost came and to give them a delusion instead of giving them His Spirit. Think of it! The leaders of Israel rejoiced and thanked God that they were not among those who were staggering under the power of God and speaking in tongues! And that amounts to this: They felt blessed to be cursed. (God's curse is a hard heart - Lamentations 3:64-66). So, let people mock and laugh, and let them tell you to shut up. And pray that God will have mercy on them, too.

Do you get the CDs from the prayer meetings here? Lori, you need to be digging in with Jesus during your summer break! Don't be satisfied with just seeing the failure of others. Get filled with the answer they need!

Pastor John

July 21, 2006

Hello Pastor John,

The LORD is our Hero! OOH! I have a hard time reading these GOD FILLED emails! I am laughing and tears of JOY and LOVE are running down my face! YAY! GLORY TO GOD! Sisters Karen, Bess, Betty, Amy, Leah, Rebekah Joy! The emails are such a blessing to me!

OH How beautiful to feel your love for GOD, the holy GHOST, your daily blessings! I am so full of JOY in my soul! Sister Morgan! Happy birthday! This is just the beginning of wondrous feelings and true love in the holy GHOST! Talk to JESUS! PRAISE HIM! GLORIFY GOD!

When Leah said she had been on the floor, praying, talking to JESUS, spending time with HIM, The holy GHOST REJOICED in me! If I had the words to tell you Pastor John how much I appreciate your teaching, your love of GOD, the holy GHOST, government, GOD's children, I would write it down. All I can do is let these tears of joy and thankfulness flow from my soul for you to GOD! Always in thanksgiving for each saint also, in N.C. and here, in Australia, and California and all that will come to GOD and the truth! Each one has blessed me deeply!

I thank GOD for every chastening of me and others, for it is for all our good! I am grateful to know that GOD is no respecter of persons! To get to hear meetings on CDs is a blessing! I never knew Preacher Clark, or Uncle Joe, Sister Leatha, Brother Frank. But, PRAISE GOD! I have heard them preaching on CDs! What a treasure!

I have taken the old testament class! And, I am blessed to be going through the old testament again! AMEN! AMEN! THANK YOU JESUS!

I'm talking to JESUS, walking with HIM, Deep in the holy GHOST where there is NO sin! HE bears my burdens! HE set me FREE! ALWAYS WITH JESUS IS WHERE I WILL BE! OH! I love you all! THANK YOU LORD! FOREVER!

love,

sister wanda

Hi Sister Wanda:

Your emails always add a ray of light to my life, and others feel the same way. Stay full, and stay in touch.

Pastor John

July 21, 2006

Good morning,

I just read all the words to the new song you sang in the prayer meeting ("Da Da Da Da Da Da"). Amazing! Just amazing! My heart started beating faster and faster, like when you get excited about something wonderful. It is so good to have feelings, right feelings and to be alive and enjoy the things of God.

And that rain last night! Beautiful sight and beautiful sound. That was Jesus loving us.

See you.

Sheila

Thank God for feelings, Sheila. Let's enjoy them and live!

jdc

July 21, 2006

Pastor John,

Last week, as I was praying, I asked God to please let me start over. I immediately heard back, "You don't need to start over; you just need to start!" That felt so good!!!! Every day I can wake up and start!

Julie

Amen! That is so good! Sounds like Jesus.

jdc

PS Crank it up, girl. :)

July 21, 2006

Crazy.

It's like you have to be kidding me. :) I had just been reading some TFMs, then got up to take care of some things. I was just about to come type an e-mail asking you this: The people who believed Jesus when He said that they must drink His blood and eat His flesh - how could they have believed Him? (I had just seen a blood donation letter I received and thought, "Well, it wasn't His actual, physical blood He was saying would save people.") I'd always thought, "Well, God just blessed them like that. They weren't as proud as, say, the Pharisees."

Reading this TFM just now "Recognizing God's Voice", it makes a lot more sense. It's almost like, How could I have missed this before? Anyway, just wanted to say hi (Hi! :)) and thanks.

Thanks, :)

Brittanie

Sane.

It is good to hear from you again! I hope you're having a nice break from school, and I am glad to hear that you are keeping up with the emails. There are benefits in doing that. Do you have a copy of the new CD, Night Music 2?

Pastor John

July 20, 2006

Hey John,

When you were talking at the beginning of the meeting about being thankful for our blessings, because they are so many, I had this picture go through my mind. I saw a bunch of kids sitting around a christmas tree opening presents. When they would get to a present, they would shake it and then tear into it. If it were clothes, they would toss it aside and immediately go for another present, and start doing the same thing over again. If it were a toy, they would be more eager to tear open other presents to find more toys.

I hope that is not how we are coming across to God. Throwing gifts aside and only wanting the shiny new toys to play with, and throwing the clothes aside. We need to be clothed with righteousness, and we also need to have a good time in the spirit. Both are necessary. But we don't want to only look for the gifts that we can play with but the garments of praise that we can wear.

Being thankful, John, goes right along with the attitude of a servant. They go hand in hand. You can't have one without the other. I find myself praying and when the words come out, help me God, or help us God, a voice comes back and says, "I am helping you." Then I start praying, God help me to receive the help you are giving me and us.

He has not left us hopeless, YET.

Thanks for your words and deeds last night.

I love you.

Sis Betty

July 20, 2006

Hi John,

I have been having some wonderful thoughts and I just wanted to share some of them with you. This morning I was thinking about prayer and how that there are people everywhere praying to something or somebody, and millions praying to what they think is God, and it was overwhelming to think about how many words are being spoken by people that just go out into the air and do not mean a thing! "WoW'.

And as I was thinking these things, a spirit of prayer came over me, asking God to make my prayer acceptable to him, a sweet savor to him, not just words being spoken out of habit or my own desires, but acceptable to him, something that will touch him, and I prayed that he would put a prayer in my heart that he wanted me to pray.

I hope he puts a prayer in my heart like the woman that had the issue of blood for twelve years, and she touched the hem of his garment and was made whole. Now, I hope I don't have to wait twelve years! :) I just want my prayers to mean something to God, not just words spoken out into the air. I know that we need to live up to what God is showing us right now and live clean and pure, and I want to make sure I am doing my part to make my prayers acceptable to him.

Stuart

Good sermon, Stuart. Thank you. That is a sobering thought.

jdc

July 20, 2006

John,

Yesterday when Jeremiah & Jonathan were leaving to go to the pool with the other children, I sat down on the couch for a couple of minutes, waiting for the time I was supposed to meet Debbie Tolle.

As I was sitting there, I had a simple thought to turn on the tv & watch the last 10 minutes of a baby program in which babies were born by c-section. As I watched that little baby come into this world, I began to sob with all my heart, thanking God for how good He has been to us all. He has provided all we need. He hasn't withheld any good thing from us. And then I began to cry out, telling God I was so sorry we don't love Him & asking Him why we can't just love Him & stay thankful. Those feelings were so sincere & deep. My heart had been feeling heavy because I had been thinking about the ones who are going their own way. I want to keep my heart examined every day so that I can be willing to change what He says change & be willing to keep doing what He says I'm doing right.

Love,

Bess

July 20, 2006

Hello Pastor John!

I am so glad that I was a part of the meeting last night. I mean a real part, feeling the love of God as his spirit was being poured down, and seeing the girls seek that loving touch and finding it. It is the life!!!

I loved how you started the meeting out reminding us that we need to be thankful, and asking us to really look in our own heart to see if we feel that God is shaking his head in disgust, or rather with a smile that he has chosen us.

I have been thanking him for the many touches over the years. They are why I am here. He touched me and I changed. I spent the afternoon on Sunday alone with him. It was wonderful to go back and remember each time he had thought enough about me to reach out and give me hope when I felt hopeless, strength when I felt weak, love when I felt alone.

When you were talking last night about how God knows us and loves us I looked over at Chris, and as close as we are, and as well as I feel I know him, I do not know him like God knows him. I do not know how many hairs he has on his head. WOW God does. He has them numbered. He REALLY does know and understand us. He REALLY does LOVE us. I want to return that love by doing my part, by being happy and thankful for ALL the wonderful things he has done this far.

I will close for now. I just feel so full that I am overflowing over. I love you all!

Love

Karen :>)

July 19, 2006

Hi John.

Thank YOU for calling me tonight to tell me the news about my new little sister Morgan who got the holy Ghost in the meeting this evening... with JOY! I love it that way. I just wish I was there to see and feel it. Won't be long!

I sat down here at the computer, and then had to push away from it and raise my hands and started speaking in tongues. I just had to praise my heavenly Father. He is the best. This is what we are living for John. If we can keep our minds on God, and on the needs of the ones around us, and seek Him, look what He can do!! Praise GOD!!! I just had to praise Him, because I love Him - I love what He can do. This is the best life. Go Jesus GO!!!

Gary

Yes, Gary. It was absolutely wonderful, and honor to be here to be a part of it. Praise God!

jdc

July 19, 2006

I had a really touching experience with the Lord. Pastor John was singing, "Hide you in the Blood". As I was standing there listening to the song, I began to fly. I just got lost with Jesus. I was flying through a mountainous valley. The more I flew, the more I enjoyed it. I began to fly around the mountains, up and over, twirling and enjoying the ride. While I was flying, the Lord was talking to me. He asked me, "Do you know how to hide?" I said, "No, how do you hide?" He said, "by being covered with the blood - saturated", by being full of the Spirit.

While I was yeilding my body in praise to Him, He said to me, "This is you. You were created to praise me and to thank me." Pastor John said in the meeting that most people are trying to be saved in this life, but Jesus said for us to get lost.......in him. You can get lost in the praises of God and the thankfullness for what He has done. That is what matters most in this life. What God has done. He has saved us from death. He sure is good!

I think it is wonderful how God's word is the same today as it was yesterday or years ago. I actually think it is better and clearer and more precious as we go along.

Amy

One viewer's comments concerning the email above is as follows:

OOH! WOW! Flying with JESUS! I PRAY WE ALL FLY! AND SWIM WITH HIM! DAILY! PRAISE GOD FOREVER! THANK YOU FOR GODs TESTIMONY!

love,wanda

Amy,

You'd better be careful with those testimonies. I don't know how much longer I can keep Wanda down here if you keep this up.

jdc

July 19, 2006

Hi John,

I remember as a young boy seeing older saints praying witrh all their hearts before God. Sister Mae, Bro. Murry, Sister Brown, & and others like Mike Hayes. These were Godly examples of how to seek God. We have so many wonderful resources and songs with annointed teachings, and we still have Godly examples. But the deepest fulfillment I get from the Lord is just when I'm alone and seek God, letting him talk to me and feed me. I am very thankful for those he put around me, but I love the cleansing effect of being alone in the spirit with Jesus. Just him & me.

Billy M.

Hi Billy:

I said in years past that if our happiest moments were not those we spend with Jesus alone, then something is out of balance in our lives. I still feel that way.

jdc

July 19, 2006

Hi there:

Just in case anyone still has a lingering question about it, nobody in my house is allowed to be afraid of demons.

When my children were small and tried to pull off that "I'm afraid of the dark" thing, I made sure they understood that I was more to be feared than the dark -- and to go to sleep and bother us no more with that nonsense.

God wants us to know that He is more to be feared than "the dark side of the force". And knowing that, we can finally rest and stop bothering other people.

jdc

July 19, 2006

Pastor John,

This morning I was watching the news, and they were talking about the high gas prices, high energy prices, and high fuel prices. There was a discussion about how people needed to be more careful with their money now more than ever. I had a thought, "People who are wasteful with earthly riches, are wasteful with their spiritual riches." It was like the Lord was showing me there is a direct relationship between the two. It is a spiritual condition. Our spiritual riches are wasted when we neglect them or don't value them. They could be wasted by having conversations that we don't need to have, or by not holding up a standard when we're around sinners. Just doing anything outside of the will of God is being wasteful. It is not valuing what God has already given to us by not protecting it. And that wastefulness shows up in other areas, like finances.

Cris

Good Morning, Cris!

You are being talked to by a Spirit -- the right one! Jesus himself said, "If you have been unfaithful with unrighteous mammon (money), who will commit to your trust the true riches?" (Lk. 16:11). This statement was made right after he said, "He who is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much; and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much." Our earthly possessions are the "least" of this parable, and our "pearl of great price" is the "much". How we are with the least reflects our heart's attitude toward our eternal riches, just as you and Jesus say. :)

Much love from all of us here!

Pastor John

July 19, 2006

Hi John,

I was praying this morning and asking God to touch some of the young people and some of the other people that are going through some things right now. As I was praying for God to touch them, the spirit spoke back to me and said “They need to touch me.” John, I was thinking how desperate I feel. God does not NEED us; we NEED Him.

We need to be desperate like the woman from Canaan was when she came to Jesus and needed a crumb from the master's table. I need crumbs every day. I can’t live with out those crumbs he gives me.

Stuart

Hi Stuart:

Anything that comes from the Master's table is to be received with thanksgiving -- crumbs, bread, wine -- whatever. The wonderful thing is that Jesus has called us up from the dirt to sit with him at the feast. Man, the crumbs are good -- very good -- but how much better it is to sit with the Master in his Father's house! I hope we understand how blessed we are, and what an opportunity we have been given in Christ. When the Wedding Feast is made, and the Bridegroom at last dines with his chosen Bride, I pray to God that we will allowed to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of God.

Dear God, help us! We need you!

jdc

One viewer's comments concerning the emails above are as follows:

Hey there, That sure was good. I have been praying too about all these things that have been coming up and I asked the Lord, "Do we have a breech in the wall Lord?" The only thought I had to come was; "You can't do more than someone is doing for their own self." If someone makes the choices they make or desire the things that they desire, what can we do? If people want to entertain strange spirits or play around with God, what can we do? We have got to have thankful hearts and love our "pearl of GREAT price" more than anything else in this world. It has to mean something to you. Each person has to touch God for himself and love the response that He gives, no matter what it is. I love Stuart's email and your response. We are just dirt, and he raised us up to dine with him. Praise God! If you pull away from the table, it's of your own doing and not God's. Lord help us!

Amy

July 17, 2006

Hi John.

Lee Ann, Ellen, Benjamin, and I read Chapters 27 and 28 in Matthew tonight, and we have some questions. In 27:51-53, it appears that at the moment Jesus died on the cross, many graves were opened and dead people rose up and went into the city. The words “saints” and “resurrection” are used. I can see how some may use these verses to support a belief that that was the first resurrection, but Jesus hadn’t even risen from the dead yet, so these dead people couldn’t have had the Spirit. I suppose that they came back to life the same way as Lazarus? But then, what about that scripture that says “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment”? Did these “resurrected” people die again? Also, in 28:19, Jesus appears to his disciples after he rose from the grave and told them to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”. Is this a poor translation, designed to support Christian doctrine? Lee Ann’s mom had some questions on these scriptures, so your answers to these questions will probably answer hers too. Thanks.

I wish that you could’ve seen Benjamin tonight. Ellen gave him that large picture bible to look at while we read (some of my earliest memories are of the water color pictures in that bible). He loves your song, the one you did with the thunder and Jesus being nailed to the cross (he doesn’t like that version, though, because it scares him). He got to talking about the water color picture showing Jesus hanging on the cross, with the dark clouds, and telling the soldiers to go away. Our reading went very slowly, because we let him take turns to “read”. He would try to sing some of the song, too - Lee Ann would help him. It was precious! I got some on video. We sure are blessed!

Mark

Hi Brother Mark:

For a father to take time to spend reading the Bible with and guiding his family is a beautiful thing; it is a memory to be cherished and an act for which there is a reward from God. True religion -- religion as it should be -- has its roots at home, alone with the family.

To answer your questions, the word "resurrection" is in those verses from Matthew 27:51-53, but only with regard to Jesus. It was only after Jesus' resurrection that those saints (people could be "saints" under the Law) arose and entered the city. Apparently, when Jesus finished his preaching in the heart of the earth, he brought some dead saints (I suspect recently dead saints) back to life with him for some wise purpose. But since we are told absolutely nothing else about them or about this incident, there is nothing else we can say about it. It happened, but why? Who were those dead saints? There are some unanswered questions here.

As for the Scripture that says "It is appointed unto men ONCE to die", we should always remember that God is not bound by the Scriptures. God raised up from the dead many people in Israel's history, and Jesus raised up many while he was here among us. They all had to die again. I would imagine that God made their dying easier the second time around, but who can say anything for sure? These are all things that are beyond our experience.

As for Matthew 28:19, these words are used by Christians the world over as part of their ritual for various methods of water baptism. Apostolics interpret this verse as meaning that the name of the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghost is "Jesus". Trinitarians say that Jesus was referring to the three persons of the Trinity who are three and not three but are one and not one. (Sorry. That doctrine is just funny to me.) As for me, I don't know why Jesus said that the way he said it. I am clever enough, and so are you, to make up somehting that would fit. And if I had a mind to, I could then defend my doctrine against anyone who wanted to quarrel about it. But I find it so much simpler and safer to confess that it is not clear to me what that verse is saying. I really would like to know, but until God helps me see it, I cannot figure that one out. "In the name of" can simply mean something like "with regard to" or "in thinking of", and you can take it from there. But the fact is, Matthew 28:19 is a confusing verse for everyone, and every Christian teacher that I have ever heard try to explain that verse just interprets it according to what he has been taught by others.

Anyway, thanks for the letter. And please continue spending those precious times with your family. It is a good time to train your children and to help them understand themselves and this world.

jdc

July 17, 2006

Bro. John,

I had a wonderful thought today, it thrilled my Spirit.

While I was working, and things were quiet, I began to recall in my mind a conversation I had had regarding a backslidden brother in the Lord. And in that conversation someone had said to me, "What about his children? How can he do that to his children?" I felt empowered with the thoughts that followed those --- The love for children or a spouse or parents, or even a love for our own selves can't break the bonds of sin; we are utterly captive, prisoners. Nothing on this earth can set us free. That is Jesus' work, and His alone. ---- Praise God!

Thanks

Jerry

When we turn to sin, Jerry, we hate everybody, including ourselves and Jesus. Sin makes us madmen. My father taught us that every demon is insane, and to the extent a man entertains the thoughts or feelings of a demon, he becomes as insane as that demon is.

Pastor John

July 17, 2006

Hi John,

I had another thought this morning on my way to work. I spend about 45 minutes to an hour driving in my car to work every day, so I do a lot of talking to the Lord during that time, and I love it. I was thinking about something you have said over and over again through the years. It is about how that when a fish is swimming in the water, the water is the last thing the fish is thinking about because it is always there -- until they our taken out of the water, or something like that.

My thought was what if you were that fish, and you where taken out of the water and laid on the bank, and you could see the water, and just because you could see the water, you thought you were ok because you were still around the water. You could see other fish swimming in the water, but you were not in the water . . . the fish would eventually die.

It is the same way in the spirit of God. You can be around the spirit; you can see other people swimming in the spirit; you may even get splashed every once in a while. Just because you can see the spirit from the bank, don’t think you are safe. You still need to get in the spirit and swim, or you will die.

I loved seeing some of the young fish swimming this past weekend.

Stuart

July 17, 2006

Dear Pastor John,

I just want to write to tell you how much I enjoyed the meeting yesterday. Some wonderful things were being said that I am excited about. One thing that is really standing out is how Jesus' baptism comes from heaven. It can't be given by men, and there is nothing in this world to administer it! Today, I am seeing like never before that the holy Ghost baptism is saying: this is the REAL GOD! People have to fear God when it comes! When others around us hear tongues, the sound of the Spirit is judging them to be loving Jesus or not. That is a very sobering reality. I want to THANK GOD He has chosen us to love what He gives!

In looking through the gospel tract called 'The Kingdom of God' this week, I read the part where Jesus told Pontius Pilate, "My kingdom is not of this world." Those words feel so powerful to me today. When the kingdom (Spirit of God) comes into a person, it is saying the same thing. It is sent from heaven, a place no one has seen, by the REAL Jesus. It is saying: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved! Just writing this down, I am feeling such overwhelming thankfulness to be able to love what He has graciously given and to be in the midst of the saints, hearing and feeling the Gospel be preached.

Brother Adam

July 17, 2006

Hi John

I wanted to share with you some thoughts I had this morning on my way in to work. I was praying and talking to God and these words came out of my mouth: “Don’t let me be afraid to let you save me”. Over and over again, I would say, “Don’t let me be afraid to let you save me!” It felt so good to be able to say those words again and again.

I started thinking about what has transpired over the past week in the Louisville Friday night meeting and the meeting cd of the Wednesday night meeting in NC and over the weekend, I thought about the fear I felt in the Friday meeting, and how clean that felt to me.

It was not a tormenting fear it was a saving fear, meant to save us and anyone who needed to repent. It was an opportunity to get free of sin. As I was lying in the floor, I was searching every thought and looking for anything I could find to repent of and looking to feel that from God and move quickly to get rid of it. It was a fearful thing, but a good one, meant to save us. I thank God for that prayer this morning: “Don’t let me be afraid to let you save me.” That is our hope.

Stuart

Thank you, Stuart for that testimony. A simple study of the word "fear" in the Bible shows us the great value of the fear of God. "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." But the nature of man is to fear God in the wrong way, as if God is cruel and doesn't fully understand us.

I do sincerely hope that God will help us not to be afraid to be blessed by Him and saved in the end. That is a very wise prayer for us to pray.

Pastor John

July 17, 2006

Hi John.

In reading Acts recently, we came across the story of Paul going to Rome. Paul knew from God that he was to go to Rome; God showed Paul that he MUST appear before Caesar (once in Acts 27:24, and I'm sure at previous times as well.)

As Paul was traveling, he met various people along the way, real prophets, that told Paul what he would suffer by going there. Paul was unmoved from his course - it did not move him to learn that news. Some people with Paul actually tried to persuade him FROM going to Rome because they thought that God was trying to protect him through these prophetic warnings (Act 21:12-14). In the end, Paul had God's way, of course, and the people traveling with Paul said, "The will of the Lord be done". They did not insist on saving Paul or that their ideas must be done, in the end, so they must have been willing to admit that their good ideas were wrong. Paul had some godly friends with him.

I have been thinking that it takes a VERY good and a humble spirit to be willing to be wrong AT ANY TIME. To change course on a moment's notice. To trust God, and NOT to get set on our own idea of how something is going to go, even when we think we know God or have heard from God. A made up mind could be dangerous in some situations. It is very easy, especially after God has used us in some way, or after we have had some experience, for pride to set in; then we shut our ears when He is still talking.

So my thought today was, "God, let me want your will above anything I think, and let me at all times be willing to be wrong so my ears are open to hear what is right." And I guess that all comes down to not having a will, other than God's.

Gary

Yes, but I don't think that Paul's friends were necessarily wrong by not wanting Paul to go to Jerusalem. They knew how valuable he was for the saints, and they loved him. So, that never has seemed to me to be a matter of right and wrong but of what they wanted as opposed to what Paul had his mind up to do. Had God actually revealed to Paul a doctrine that said "Thou must go to Jerusalem", they would have been wrong to oppose him, but I don't see that being the case in that story. Paul never says