January 1, 2007

(Wanda's response to Mrs. Myers receiving the holy Ghost.)

Hello Pastor John,

Last night I went to bed soooo thankful to JESUS.
This morning I woke up feeling soooo thankful to JESUS!
The wonderful memory of Christmas day!

I had just left the house fifteen minutes before and was driving to visit with my children and grandchildren. My phone rang and it was Sue, soooo excited! She said "Guess what! Mrs.Myers, Barbara and Ellen's mama, just got the holy GHOST!"

WOW! I hung up and started praising GOD and JESUS! Thanking them over and over! The sweetest feeling was all through my body! Tears of joy and praise for JESUS love and mercy! The holy GHOST was soooo strong, full of GOD's GRACE! It was the most tender feeling from deep in the soul for those sweet daughters kneeling at their mama's feet. JESUS gave LIFE to sister Myers and JOY and fullness in the body for HIS GREAT LOVE and MERCY! The JOY and Tears of gratitude and PRAISING to GOD and JESUS was such a blessing to FEEL! The holy GHOST in this vessel seen the beauty of that wondrous baptism and the beauty of those daughters at their mamas feet knowing the great love and wonder of our LORD!

I was there! By the GRACE and MERCY of my LORD! THROUGH HIS holy GHOST! I thank GOD! I pray everyday and night to be worthy to be a part of JESUS' family. Now there are three new babies! OOh, the love of JESUS is sooooo sweet to feel.

Thank you Pastor John and all of GODs people for walking and enduring in faith and love and fear of a holy GOD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST! I am thankful and full of love for each one of you. I am here by the grace of GOD always!

love,
sister Wanda

Thank you, Sister Wanda. It really touched my heart when you said, "I was there." That is such a holy attitude when you hear of someone else being blessed by Jesus!

Pastor John

December 30, 2006

Dear Pastor John: In your "Thought for the Morning - You Are Evil" you wrote:

". . . .You cannot love yourself because if you do, you will abuse that love and be lost forever (Jn. 12:25)."

Okay. my former nature was evil. In my flesh dwells NO GOOD THING. I can acknowledge that. But, having put on Christ, having God's Spirit inside of me, does that still mean I'm STILL evil, in spite of that?

That is the "self" I was talking about.

"You are so evil that the safest thing for you to do is to hate yourself (Lk. 14:26)."

Then why did Jesus tell us to love our neighbors AS WE LOVE OURSELVES? How do we reconcile that commandment in scripture with these two examples from John and Luke?

Brad

In Luke and John, Jesus was talking about the same "self" that I was talking about. Your self-ish desires, self-ish plans, self-ish motives, etc.

Brother Brad, you are a valuable person to have among us. I hope you will be faithful to Christ and always be here to help us. You ask questions that others want to ask, and probably should ask, but do not. So, you help them, and you give me the opportunity to explain things that are not, and sometimes, cannot be fully explained at other times. Keep up the good work, brother!

jdc

December 28, 2006

Pastor John:

Last night I read the following from p. 121 of Basics of Biblical Greek. It seemed a good thought for the present situations. I have made substitutions for the words "christians" and "church".

"... servants of Christ today sometimes wonder how to exercise discipline lovingly against a sinning member of the body. In this text, [Mat 18:15-20] Jesus provides an answer: when the person refuses to turn from sin after repeated loving confrontation, the body by disciplining the person simply recognizes the spiritual reality that is already true in God's sight."

The omitted part of the quote is, "Just as we struggle to affirm absolutes in a relativist culture ...", but that is just something that xtns feel they must. I could restate it like this, "Just as we want truth and reality and not the hypocrisy of the world".

I know I see people, at first, and for a long time thereafter, in the best possible light, but eventually I have to catch up to where God is at with a person who has refused to repent.

Damien

That is excellent, Damien. Thanks.

jdc

December 27, 2006

Hey Pastor John,

The TFM "Just As True" brought to mind some things about scripture that the Lord helped me to understand recently and I want to share it with you.

One time I read II Peter 3:15-16 where Peter indicated that the Epistles Paul wrote were scriptures just like other scriptures. After reading that, I thought Wow! I wonder what it would have been like to have been living at a time that a man of God would have written scriptures and have recognized them as such when they were written? What a blessing it would have been to have personally known those people!

Recently, while driving down the road, I remembered the scripture where Paul told Timothy that "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works" II Timothy 3:16-17. What the Lord then helped me to understand was that we are living in that time. We are blessed to know people who speak and/or write because they are inspired by the Spirit to do so. If someone reads the TFT's, TFE's, TFM's, Tract's, Broadcaster's, or books that you have written, or, if they listen to the CD's, Cassettes, Reel to Reel's, or watch the DVD's, what they will find there are things that are profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness that they may be thoroughly furnished unto all good works so that may serve the living God acceptably. Amen!

The type of media that it is recorded on is irrelevant. There is nothing more holy about ink and paper than plastic or recording tape or whatever. It just so happens that ink and parchments was the only recording media that was available back in the days of the prophets and other men of God. Today we have more variety in forms of media from which to choose. It isn't the media that's important, it's what's on it that we received from God. We record it so we can remember it and share it. And like the other scriptures, you can go and read it or listen to it years afterward and sometimes again and again and still get blessed by its contents, and at times, get something out of it that you've never gotten before even though it may not be new subject matter to you.

The written material and the cassettes, CD's etc;, that I have saved over the years are more precious to me now than ever before. If I was to be unable to be a part of a meeting of the saints for some reason, I would still have them along with the Scriptures with which to feed my soul by.

Thank God for His Spirit! Where would we be without it?

Billy H.

Hi Brother Billy:

I have heard testimonies from many saints over the years that I felt were as holy as any Scripture I have ever read. Sometimes truth that is good for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, is not even recorded at all, except in heaven and in the hearts of those who hear it.

Pastor John

December 24, 2006

Pastor John:

I was surprised when I read about the sin offering in Leviticus. I did not remember that most of the beast offered as a sin offering was in fact taken away from the tabernacle to be burnt. It is almost like there was another altar somewhere else where such things were to be burnt so that the little that was left was fit to be offered to God. Hebrews tells us that this other place is where Jesus suffered and that we have to go to Him, there, to be sanctified by his blood so we can eat of the altar in heaven.

If we don't go to Jesus for the help we need to destroy the works of the flesh in this life, we will never get to God; we won't even have access to the bread of life we need and the other things Bro Billy wrote of. Jesus is the high priest, the mediator , the way, the life - all of those things. He did say, "And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me." God is teaching us - GO TO JESUS TO COME TO ME!

If we approach God any other way we will be in our sins yet and cannot stand in that place, and we will all be black spots. That we aren't that way yet is a testimony of the love of God and His patience, but He is finished with some of that patience, or so I am convinced.

I'm writing these things because I see them. God help me and all of us to do them.

Damien

December 23, 2006

Good morning!

I just wanted to share with you what I woke up with this morning. I love the Psalms and if you ever need encouragement, that is a good place to start!

Psalm 32
[1] Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
[2] Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
[3] When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.
[4] For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.
[5] I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah
[6] For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.
[7] Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

(I have a note in my Bible, this is God speaking now)

[8] I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
[9] Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.
[10] Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.
[11] Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

Amen! That is good.

Amy

December 23, 2006

Hey Pastor John

Just wanted to share with everyone what, the GOOD Lord as done with me since Sunday.

I can not exactly remember details or anything but I know I sure can remember the feelings I had. Sunday morning I finally got ALL my cards on the table about myself and what I have been hiding. Then on Wednesday I was driving home from work in Sanford (Tim and I drove separate) and I was listening to a cd of Wednesday night meeting “Love without hypocrisy?” and I was I think on cloud 10 I was praying something then the lord touched me, and I said “Oh lord thank you” Then I said “Oh lord I LOVE those feelings” and he touched me again but more intense then the first time and I just spoke in tounges and had the best drive home. I think I actually went to your house first.

The next day I had to drive separate again and that afternoon driving home I had the best time again this time I was listening to Cd that I burnt on the computer of random songs from the meetings and the first one was Darrens song “I can make you move” I listened to that over and over again praying to God “oh Yes lord yes I want that” And when I was singing along to it the lines that say “Just give up and give in” I Think I was feeling those words the way Jesus would of said them and that was pleading.

Praise God that he gives us feelings he doesn’t have too, but he wants too. And what have we done to deserve that nothing, OH GOD LET ME BE MORE WORTHY!

Well that has been my week and I am very thankful so far and I want to continue to be thankful and Humble and all that.

Well I better go - sorry about the spelling mistake and bad grammer if there is any.

Steven

December 22, 2006

Hi John,

The TFM on Hypocrisy is one of the best I have ever read. I have read it again and again. The way you explain it is so simple. I have been trained to play a role at my job, but that is not who I am. That is so good!

That is why at times I have felt so awkward trying to tell someone who I really am. All they can see is the role that they are playing, and think everyone one else is the same as they are. But the real me is the one that loves the Spirit and what the Spirit is doing all the time. We really are strangers and pilgrims in a strange land!

We have to be hypocrites in this world to play our part, but not in God's kingdom. I am so glad that God showed you this pastor John. "This is big!" [as Lou says.] I don’t ever want to be playing a role when it comes to serving God. I hate that. God help me not to ever do that again, but let it be real from my heart.

Thanks
Stuart

Thanks, Stuart.

It IS big, and I hope we will all learn to walk in this light that Jesus keeps shining upon us and our path. He is merciful to us! Let's give him the response he wants us to give.

Pastor John

December 21, 2006

John,

I've been reading over most of Jesus' commandments these last several days and it's really been a blessing. Jesus didn't ask us to do much, but what He did ask us to do tells us an awful lot about God. I thank God for His commandments.

Taylor

That is a wonderful thought, Taylor, one that I think is very overlooked. The commandments that Jesus told his followers to keep were themselves little revelations of God.

Incredible. We need to stop and think about that. And we also, at the same time, would do well to think about the commandments Jesus did not give his followers. What he did not say can also reveal truth to us about God.

jdc

December 23, 2006

Subject: net mail - hey :) Hi there,

Just wanted to say hi and let you know what a wonderful time we had.

We were in the mountains and even though it's not the best time of year for sight seeing, well...it depends how you look at things, it was still the most beautiful scenery. I had never been deep in the mountains here; what an awesome place. Everything was so nice including the place we stayed.

All that was wonderful, but nothing will top the feelings and experience that I had that morning in your office when you married us. I cannot explain how it felt to see all my family there it was so sweet. I left there feeling so thankful and blessed. I have been feeling like a new person for several weeks now...I love it :) Thank you Jesus for allowing me to hear you!!

John, I am SO SO SO thankful that God has had mercy on my life. And God putting Frank in my life is just another way of me feeling and seeing God's love. I truly am so happy.

I love you and Barbara very much and I have no words to thankyou for all you and the rest of my family have done for me over the years. Helping me with Christopher, putting me through school, my tattoo removal, giving me little jobs, just to name a few. And most of all the things I have learned through you about me and my God.

I love you all!
Marleyna

p.s. As soon as we got back, we started moving stuff out of Frank's house that night...we just finished up last night. He signed the papers and now it's a closed door :) On with our new life! yay :)

Dear Marleyna:

You are a story about God! How does that feel? :)

Pastor John

December 22, 2006

Pastor John:

Yesterday, after doing some reading, Kay asked me to read Hebrews 4 with her. In particular, she was wondering about the last verse of the chapter.

Heb 4:16 "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." (KJV)

Kay was thinking about Sister Tammy's dream about a person running toward the most holy place in the tabernacle and God turning them into a black spot, and how that went together with a verse that says to go boldly to the throne of grace. I could feel what she was feeling about it. We are told to go boldly, yet God might destroy a person running to that place.

As it was I looked into the word "boldness". Of the 8 versions I have on my PC, 5 had "boldness", 2 had "confidence" and 1 had "freedom" in this verse. Then I looked at the Greek and found the following definitions for the word:

1) freedom in speaking, unreservedness in speech
    1a) openly, frankly, i.e without concealment
    1b) without ambiguity or circumlocution
    1c) without the use of figures and comparisons

2) free and fearless confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance

3) the deportment by which one becomes conspicuous or secures publicity

I was surprised at the suggested meanings and usage suggested for this word. Definition 2 includes boldness, but the free and fearless confidence - we don't want to get carried away with that in the flesh, though we can have assurance. Definition 3 reminds me of the Pharisee praying in Jesus' parable and the activities we have been reading about in Matthew.

Definition 1 contains some very interesting ideas that seem relevant at present. Open, frank, without concealment, no figures or analogies. Without ambiguity or circumlocution. I had to look up this last word. Webster Online has this:

circumlocution:

I also found this about another word, periphrasis, at Britannica.com:

also called circumlocution the use of a longer phrasing in place of a possible shorter form of expression; a roundabout or indirect manner of writing or speaking.

I studied the uses of "boldly" as a translation in the NT, and mostly they stood for the same Greek word or the related verb. In this case, it appears to be always connected with speaking boldly.

An exception is Mk 15:43, " Joseph of Arimathaea, ... came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus." Here, boldly comes from a different Greek word which had the following definitions:

1) not to dread or shun through fear
2) to bear, endure
3) to bring one’s self to
4) to be bold
5) bear one’s self boldly, deal boldly

For me, at least, this is more typically how I think of the word bold, and it is different from what the book of Hebrews is saying about approaching God.

It seems this verse in Hebrews is instructing us that when we approach God in prayer, we need to avoid lots of words and explanations and get down to the heart of the whatever is going on with us and God. Humble, open, frank, not flowery, and as has been said so often of late - real. If we do this, than we can have the assurance we need in approaching God. I started to feel that that word boldly was christian in its effect and could lead to a person not having the fear of God. The "get-saved", "name-it-and-claim-it" type of doctrines have this wrong kind of boldness in approaching God.

This verse is yet another which is, in effect, telling us to avoid hypocrisy, to not put on a show when it comes to approaching God. That will be acceptable to Him.

Damien

Hi Damien:

Thanks for the research and information.

From what I have seen in the Scriptures, it is clear that we need to be aware of the pitfall of having boldness toward God and yet falling into the pit of being presumptuous about out status with God. We could say that Aaron's two sons, Nadab and Abihu, sinned because they came "boldly before the throne of grace" with an unlawful offering; consequently, God destroyed them with fire. This is the situation demonstrated in Tammy's dream; it seems to me that she said those people running toward the Most Holy were doing so in an arrogant, defiant spirit.

Still, the tragic story of Aaron's foolish sons tells us that our attitude in approaching God, whether bold or timid, is secondary to our coming before the Lord in the manner that He prescribes. In this new covenant, that means "in spirit and in truth", or as I translated it, "spiritually and truly". With our heart open, and with truth in it, we can always approach our heavenly Father with confidence that He will hear us and give us grace. That is the kind of boldness, I think, that Hebrews is describing: "bold" and "confident" of the results because one knows that his heart is open and true.

Pastor John

December 21, 2006

Hi John.

While I was working the other morning, different thoughts were coming to mind about foundations - i.e. how we can "build our lives" on the right foundation, or on other types of foundations. It occurred to me that if our lives were built on the right foundation, no amount of wind or waves would be able to knock us over. We needn't worry about what storms may be coming; we can just concentrate on keeping our feet on the right foundation.

As I was reading in Luke later that day, I "ran into" this (actually, I felt like the Lord was confirming what I think He was telling me earlier in the day):

"And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock" (Lk. 6:46-48).

Just before this (in the same chapter), Jesus told his disciples these things:

27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloak forbid not to take thy coat also.
30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again.
31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
32 For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.
34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
35 But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

This was a wonderful lesson to me. If we won't be moved when the storms are blowing, this is how we'll be living (with God's help).

Taylor

Dear Brother Taylor:

There have been a few special times over the years when I have felt a deep need to re-examine my faith, to re-search for the perfect will of God, to throw everything out and let God put back in only the things that He wants in me. I have a very deep desire to know and do only what is true and acceptable to God, and nothing I think matters to me in comparison to my desire to know what God thinks. One such time was in 1993 when the Lord revealed to me that it was Christianity that he had been calling me out of. I felt that I wanted to re-read every commandment of Jesus, and this time without the interference of the ideas and spirit of Christianity.

My hope is that we humble ourselves together before the Lord and His book, and obey Paul's admonition: "Examine your own selves, whether you be in the faith."

I loved reading your email. It was what is in my heart. And I pray God that we can always be of the same mind in Christ and live in peace together with all the saints who have that same longing.

jdc

December 18, 2006

Hi John,

I have never seen one evil spirit change from what it is. That's because evil spirits are bound in chains of darkness and they cannot change what they are. Their judgment has already been passed. We have to kick them out of our temples and be willing for God to give us His Spirit and change us into what He is - "holy". I sure hope everybody does right. I believe we will.

Stuart Hi Stuart:

God's holy Spirit is not ever going to change from what it is, either. That is why we have to measure up. The holy Ghost is not going to "dumb down" the course for us because God knows we can do it, and Jesus showed us how.

jdc

December 18, 2006

Hi Brother John,

I’ve told several people here in Louisville about a sweet experience I had last Friday. Here it is.

Last Friday, I wanted to be around God’s people, and to feel some good feelings with them. I went over to the pottery to see Sisters Sue, Donna and Wanda on their lunch break, as I often do. Well, Donna had gone for the day and Sue and Wanda were about to go. Sue said, “Let me sing you the song I sang to Wanda this morning” , and as she began to sing “Then Jesus Came”, I felt the sweetest feelings. I love that song. Sue and Wanda and I were holding hands and speaking in tongues quietly, and I was singing along what part I remembered. It was a REALLY good feeling right down the middle of my body and very peaceful and welcome. We talked for awhile about the love of God and the hope that we feel in God, still holding hands and speaking softly. It was a feeling of AWE. I loved it and I love those two women for loving God. I love that God ever let me be born, and then be born again, and then let me feel those feelings.

WOW!!!!! This morning in our living room, I was singing the chorus to some who were gathered there, and it was so sweet it choked me up, so I handed the words of the song to Wanda to finish it for me. It feels good all over again just to tell about it. Amen.

“When Jesus comes, the tempter’s power is broken; When Jesus comes the tears are wiped away. He takes the gloom and fills the life with glory, For all is changed when Jesus comes to stay.”

…Suzi…

That's really living, Suzi. Congratulations on being chosen by Jesus to enjoy life.

jdc

December 14, 2006

Hi John,

What a wonderful time in the Lord we all had today! Nothing planned, nothing scheduled! When I gave my testimony about Jesus stopping by to visit me, I only mentioned a few of the scriptures. But there were so many more that blessed me.

As you know I keep up with all my experiences and wanted to forward this on to you.

Thanks for stopping by Sunday morning. And I thank Jesus for stopping by Friday afternoon to give me something to tell about.

Sheila

Jesus Stopped by for a Visit

Friday afternoon, December 15, 2006

I was quietly and slowly doing my work around the house as I was talking to the Lord about wanting to know how to be led by His Spirit. I went outside to sweep off the deck and enjoy the beautiful spring-like weather. I said softly, “I wonder what I need to do next . . . maybe I’ll straighten up the garden shed.” Then I heard the sweetest and softest voice say, “Why don’t you get your Bible and read in Psalms like you did when you were young?” I recognized that voice and immediately got my Bible and set up a lawn chair out on the deck to enjoy the sun while reading. I began to read David’s prayers to the Lord and remembered that I used to do that many years ago. I knew I needed help from Jesus then just as I do right now. Some of my favorites:

O LORD my God in thee do I put my trust. Why standest thou afar off, O LORD? why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble? How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? Preserve me, O God: for in thee do I put my trust. I will love thee, O LORD, my strength. O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength. Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication. Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. O God, thou are my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee. Make hast, O God, to deliver me; make haste to help me, O LORD. But I am poor and needy: make haste unto me, O God: thou art my help and my deliverer; O LORD, make no tarrying. In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion. O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help. I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. O LORD God of my salvation, I have cried day and night before thee. Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts.

Several times I would close my eyes and ponder on the words. Then the sun seemed to stop right on my face, and then I knew what Jesus had done. The tears began to roll down my cheeks. I felt those old feelings being stirred, and it seemed like I was right back there at 25 years old when I used to lie out in the sun and read these same scriptures from Psalms and pray these same prayers. At that point, I realized Jesus had invited me back to a place of my first love with Him. It was a different town, a different house, and a different yard, and 30 years in between, but those scriptures were just as sweet to me as in my youth - no, they were sweeter to me. For I knew I had loved God all those years and He had loved me too so very, very much.

As I read the following verses in Psalms 71, the tears literally poured from my eyes.

Psalms 71 v.5 For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth.

v.6 By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother’s bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee.

v.7 I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.

v.8 Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.

v.9 Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.

v.17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.

v.18 Now also when I am old and gray headed, O God, forsake me not

My visitation from the Lord was one of the sweetest experiences. The feelings went deeper and were more tender than any I had felt in a long time. Of all the times I have been blessed in meetings and shouted and danced (as good as that was), I knew what I had just felt from the Lord was better than that.

Sheila

December 14, 2006

Hi Pastor John,

Thank you for the wonderful teaching and praying for me last night. I am a blessed women!!!! Praise God!!! I wish I could explain how I feel down in my soul but all I know is that it is GOOD!!! Thank you, Jesus!!!!

Love,
Doris

PS: I just looked up the word GOOD because it just didn't see adequate for the way I am feeling, but once I read some of the meanings in the dictionary, I decided GOOD was good. (Having positive or desirable qualities, whole, sound, beneficial, complete, genuine, REAL, just to list a few.) I want to have all of these qualities in the spirit.

ahhhh. . . that's good, Doris! :) Pastor John

December 13, 2006

John,

Margo's dream reminds me of the dream I had a few months ago.

In the dream a group of us had gone to someone's house. The person that lived in the house was either seeking the holy Ghost or they already had the holy Ghost, but they had backslid. Either way, they were at a crossroads in their life. We noticed one of the rooms in their house was on fire. We went back to this room and opened the door and there was a piece of plywood lying on the floor. The room was not on fire, but it was the plywood that was burning from the underside. One of us lifted the plywood up and what was burning on the plywood were the letters - O B E Y.

I loved that dream.

Lord let us be willing to let you burn it in our hearts.

Rob

Sounds like one of Darren's songs.

jdc

December 13, 2006

Pastor John,

Thanks for the explanation on that quote. I agree. Quiet or loud- whether still, or shaking my arms, I just want to be wherever the Lord is, and be doing exactly what He wants me to be. That's funny what you said, God is not deaf. I guess sometimes we just want Him to hear us so bad and think He's like one of us that He can hear us better if we yell. In the end, it's all a matter of the heart. :o)

Thanks again, that was really good to me. haha...I wonder what that man would have thought of me when I was drunk recently and "dancing" all over the floor. I think that was "governed joy." :o)

Love you,

Maleah

Ha! yes, that is exactly what it was, Maleah. And thank God for it! Love you, too!

Pastor John

December 13, 2006

Pastor John,

Here is a passage from the book, The Happiest People On Earth that has been on my mind this morning. (It is a magazine reporter commenting on a meeting that Demos Shakarian was in..)

"Watch out for emotionalism, we warned each other - shouting, arm-waiving, frenzied testimonies - the time worn techniques for whipping a large crowd into a state of excitement. We watched....and nothing of the sort occurred. From the front of the hotel ballroom, Demos conducted the meetings with the hushed sensitivity of one who listened for a voice we could not hear. Instead of the chaos we expected, a restrained and orderly joy governed the convention. Having armoured ourselves against assaults that did not come, we had no defense against the love we actually encountered and that week we, along with hundereds of others, began our own walk in the Spirit."

What do you think about it? I wish I could have been there to see what it was like.

Maleah

Hi Maleah:

Concerning this man's comment: "the time worn techniques for whipping a large crowd into a state of excitement", I can only say that I have never seen that happen. On the contrary, watching certain orators at work, I have become convinced that the best of them are not at all the kind of men this reporter describes. I remember listening to Martin Luther King making a speech in Detroit many years ago, and I was stunned at how low-key he was, how slow, and yet how mightily he could work the audience up to a crescendo of emotion. He was very slow, deliberate, with pauses all along, and smooth. I have noticed in old news film, Adolf Hitler making speeches, and though more packed with hand gestures and fervent voice than M. L. King, he certainly spent much of his time speaking deliberately.

I am convinced, mainly by M. L. King, and a speaker in about 1976 who came to the seminary I attended, that the best orators, the ones who can most work up a crowd into a excited frenzy, are not the loud, excited talkers but the slow and deliberate ones. Long ago, when my father was accused of putting people under a spell to make them shout and praise God and fall out on the floor under the power of God, he pointed out that those who hypnotize people use quietness, not loud noises, to bring the people under their power.

The man you quoted had an attitude against loud praise among the saints. I hope he was delivered from that fleshly opinion at some point in his journey of faith. There is nothing holy about noise, but there is also no need to avoid it. Those who demand that worship gatherings be loud should be advised that God is not deaf, and those who demand that worship gatherings be quiet should be advised that god is not nervous, either.

Pastor John

December 13, 2006

Hey John,

I had a very very short dream last night that was very sad and sobering. Dream:

We were in the operating room of a hospital and someone wheeled a patient into the room. I never saw the face of the patient. The staff standing around to assist were wearing clothes way too large for them, caps, gloves, shoes, everything too large for them. Only the mask fit properly. I guess Jesus did not want me to see the faces. Our caps kept falling in our eyes and we had to take our hands with gloves too big and try to push it up so we could see. It was pitiful!!! This went on for some time and I never saw you, but knew you were there in the staff somewhere. No one said anything, but we all knew this procedure wasn't working, no one was equipped to help. I woke up. I knew the staff was the body and we can't help Jesus out at all when He is doing the surgery. Like I said it was sad and sobering.

Lou

Amazing, Lou! Let's all seek God and let Him give us what we wear. We do not want to live on reputation or old manna! jdc

December 11, 2006

Dear Pastor John,

This is part of an email that I received from my cousin whom I emailed about my surgery. I am not quite sure how to respond to this part of her email. She is a very devout Jehovah's Witness. I believe with all my heart that Jesus has put this on me. Of course, that just goes along with believing everything that happens to us happens by God's design, and I don't think they believe like that. They truly believe Satan is the ruler of this world (from a conversation I had with my Aunt this weekend). However, I want to respond to this correctly and not harshly. Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Sheila

"Just as a note of comfort, James 1:13, lets us know that God does not bring bad things on any of us. "When under trial, let no one say: "I am being tried by God. For with evil things God cannot be tried, nor does he try anyone." The reason bad things happen is just due to the sin and imperfection we inherited from our fore father Adam. Romans 5:12, "That is why, just as through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned." Once Adam sinned, he could no longer pass on perfection to his offspring. But, thankfully, the situation is not always bleak because he sent his son Jesus to die as a ransom to buy back what Adam lost for all mankind. One day soon, a heavenly kingdom or government will rule over the entire earth and Jesus as king of that kingdom or goverment will restore all mankind back to perfection. Isaiah 35:5, 6 talks about how those who are sick will be healed and restored to health. "At that time the eyes of the blind ones will be opened, and the very ears of the deaf ones will be unstopped. At that time the lame one will climpb up just as a stag does, and the tongue of the speechless one will criy out in gladness." Isa. 33:24 "And no resident will say: "I am sick." We so look forward to that time. We will keep you in our prayers."

Love Martha

Hi Sheila:

Sin brings no consequences on its own, anymore than righteousness does. God alone is judge, and He determines everything every day for everybody.

James did not write what the Jehovah Witness version of the Bible says he wrote in James 1:13. James is obviously talking about temptations of the flesh to sin, not about trials of one's faith (with such things as physical suffering, persecutions, or disappointments). That is why James tells us that God cannot be tempted with evil. God is God; he is not "in the flesh". Jesus came, took on flesh, and "was tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin." The Bible is literally glutted with references to God testing, or trying, the hearts of the men, contrary to what your cousin has been taught. A child could find a hundred such references by just flipping the pages of the Bible. Even Jesus said that his sufferings were the cup of the Lord for him. Is there any disaster described in the Bible that the prophets said God did not send? I cannot think of a single one.

These are not suggestions as to what you should to say to your cousin, however. She is not my responsibility. I just want you to know the truth and, so, remain free from her idolatrous notions. The devil is not in charge of your life or anyone else's (as idolaters have always taught), unless, of course, our God has granted him that power over a person or nation. The devil is "the prince of the world" only in the sense that the world acts as if he is God. We who know the truth know that "The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof."

And that brings me to that great Scripture: "The Lord reigns! Let the earth rejoice!" (If you remember, I have that verse engraved in stone over my fireplace.)

Pastor John

December 11, 2006

Hi John, I was reading in Jeremiah this morning and came a crossed these verses. I put in the word Christianity, and wow:

Jer 51:5 For Israel hath not been forsaken, nor Judah of his God, of the Lord of hosts; though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel.
Jer 51:6 Flee out of the midst of Babylon (Christianity), and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the Lord's vengeance; he will render unto her a recompense.
Jer 51:7 Babylon (Christianity) hath been a golden cup in the Lord's hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad.
Jer 51:8 Babylon (Christianity) is suddenly fallen and destroyed: howl for her; take balm for her pain, if so be she may be healed.
Jer 51:9 We would have healed Babylon (Christianity), but she is not healed: forsake her, and let us go every one into his own country: for her judgment reacheth unto heaven, and is lifted up even to the skies.
Jer 51:10 The Lord hath brought forth our righteousness: come, and let us declare in Zion the work of the Lord our God.

I really liked verse 7 "Babylon (Christianity) hath been a golden cup in the LORD'S hand, that made all the earth drunken: the nations have drunken of her wine; therefore the nations are mad."

How true is this is, all the world is being made to drink of the cup of Christianity by the Lord.

Stuart

December 10, 2006

Hi John,

I saw the picture of the dinosaur eggs that Damien forwarded. Is it true that the dinosaurs existed during the period before the flood? and also, is the earth approximately 6,000 years old (not millions)?

Thanks,

Jackie

Hi Jackie

Pastor John passed your email onto me and asked me to reply to you. I hope I can help you with this. I believe it is reasonable to infer from the existence of fossils that these creatures once existed. The belief of some that God created the earth complete with such artifacts seems strange to me. That being the case, then the only time period that I have knowledge of when they could have existed in is from Creation to the Flood and a relatively short time afterwards.

Likewise, I have found no reason to doubt that the Earth's age is close to that which can be determined from scripture which would be approaching 6000 years old. I have a physics background and can at least say that the common methods used for determining the age of rocks or the Earth incorporate significant, untested assumptions. They produce wildly varying answers for the same rock material and are unreliable in the extreme.

So my answers to you would be yes, and yes. There is no reason I have come across that forces me to have to believe in "long ages". I admit, it is hard to imagine dinosaurs roaming the earth not so long ago but I believe that is mainly because we have been heavily influenced to think about it a particular way.

I hope this is of some help to you.

Damien

December 10, 2006

Hi John,

I would like to share a short story.

Sheila and myself have been saving money for many months now, to pay an unsettled debt that I aquired while running away from Jesus years ago. We have come close to the estimated amount that I think I owe him. Well, Sheila mentioned a couple of weeks ago that we would be at that amount in a month or so, and suggested that I might start trying to locate this fellow. I had not seen him for years. I did not know if he would live in the same place that he did years ago. I really did not expect that he would. I did know that he was an auto mechanic, so I thought that might give me some avenue to start my search for him.

Well, Sheila went to the hospital last weekend you know. And while she was there I had to make a trip to the store for her and also get myself a late lunch. I stopped at a fast food restaurant and started to approach the building. Then, a little girl walked past me in the opposite direction pointing her finger toward the road. She yelled to (seemingly no one) that "He's in the road!" I looked, and saw a little black dog running around in traffic on Poplar Level Rd. Some traffic was stopping and some was unaware. People were in the road trying to get the dog and scared the dog back across the road with moving traffic again. I said "Jesus please don't let that dog get hit" it was a tense moment. The dog made it back to the parking lot on my side of the road, and I got him close by calling him, then I snatched him before he could run again. YAY!

Well, Here is the REAL GOOD part. I picked the dog up and saw no one to return it to, except the little girl. I was afraid to do that and told her maybe I had better hold on to him and we would take him back to her parents. Here comes 2 vehicles down beside the restaraunt, the first stops and says " is that your dog?" "No," I said, "but it sure has made a mess of traffic" or something to that effect. Well, they drove off, so it wasn't their dog either. The second vehicle, a white van, starts to approach. I start toward the van and the window comes down, and it is the dog owner. Not only is it the dog owner, but it is also the wife of the man that I owed that money to. Well, they were divorced, but she had his phone number for me. I told her that I had been saving up to pay them, and that I was about there. She told me not to worry about it, but I told her I had their money and that I was going to make it right.

God has the timing! I needed to know where those folks were, and He produced them when the time was right. Bro. Tom told me that was the safest little dog on the planet for that moment, because it was bait for me!

God has given me another opportunity to make things right, where I had previously made them wrong. The point is to make me blameless in the sight of all men. Not to be a reproach to the name of Jesus. And if that man tells the truth, whenever he hears my name mentioned, in or out of the context of serving God, He will have to say that I made things right with him. That opportunity to stand blameless before God is truly a blessing, thank you God.

Jerry

Hi Jerry:

What an extraordinary story! That is wonderful. God is helping you stand perfect before Him, and I believe that he is doing that because you really desire His help, deep in your heart. In other words, you are not pretending that you want God to help you make something right (= hypocrite). Praise God! There is nothing that He cannot do.

Pastor John

December 6, 2006

Pastor John

While you were praying for people tonight I was saying to God that I wanted to be real and pure and something else I've forgotten. Then I heard you say to someone, "real and holy", and I said,"that's it Lord!" I then started to have thoughts about the OT sacrifices and how most of the sin offering was taken "without the camp" to be burnt there where the ashes from the burnt offering altar were dumped. I was thinking how we need to get rid of that stuff so that what is left is fit to be put on the altar of burnt offering.

A little after you prayed for me as I was standing there I started to feel something like a fire in me. It was such a good feeling. So real and holy. It gave me feelings that I did not want to do anything that would cause it to go out and that I wanted only to do things that would increase it. It also made me want to go and read those chapters in Leviticus about the offerings which I have started to do already.

I know in Hebrews that it says we have an altar that the physical priesthood could not eat of. It goes on to talk about the sin offering being burnt without the camp. Then it says that likewise Jesus "suffered without the gate." They took him out somewhere to kill him. After pointing this out, we are told, "Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach."

We have to go to that place where the sin offering was burnt and that place for us is Jesus! We have to go to him and confess our sin and our need so he can get rid of it. (And we will be reviled for doing so!) Then we can eat from that altar in heaven, and when Jesus has cleansed us we can, "by him ... offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name." This is just what we are being urged to do right now by the Spirit. If we don't, then we are not going to be fit to offer any sacrifice to God.

What a wonderful meeting full of things that God has done!

Damien

December 6, 2006

John, Amen! Lying in the floor while Darren is singing can be a wonderful place to rest in the Lord. During Thanksgiving, I was in the floor while Darren was singing one night, and I heard the words to one of his songs like I have never heard them before. The words that Darren was singing from Jesus were - "I want to burn it in your heart - that simply, I Love You".

I've heard that song many times, but I had never heard those words. Those words and the feeling went deep into my heart, to the point that I could feel Jesus working in my chest. I still value that touch in the floor. Rob

Hi Rob:

A floor seems tomb a wonderful place to get in touch with God. And when heavenly music is added . . . . Maybe that's why Sister Linnie May used to say in the spirit, "Seek high. Come low!"

jdc

December 5, 2006

To whom I've called,

There is a blessing for casting away all fear. Looking on toward your God and fearing Him only is keeping Him ever near.

Jesus

=========

John,

If we can only take in these words from Jesus, we will be able to look onward toward God with no fear and a clean conscience. Fear of anything but God is just something that we have been dragging along with us. It is just more junk and trash that we need to throw out so that we can move onward and upward toward God.

Whenever Jesus shows us something like this to help us, He is clearing the way for us to be able to move on. We don't have a clue as to what is next. I can't even see an hour down the road, but Jesus can, but only as his Father shows him. That's where faith in God and life in the Spirit come in. When Jesus clears the way for us, we still don't see where we are going next. We only see where we have been, and where we are now...still in desperate need of God.

Darren

Oh, Darren! Such holy advice! God bless you for that. That is good to my soul!

Pastor John

December 5, 2006

Dear Pastor John,

Yesterday was very good for me. I have been seeing how much I need God's help. Getting in the shower one day recently, I had the thought that we can clean ourselves on the outside, but we can't do that on the inside. That is up to Jesus. Yesterday, I was going to check emails as I usually do in the morning, and before I was able to get to the computer I heard Jesus say: "If you want to", and it felt so sweet to me. Jesus didn't want me doing anything that was not in my heart to do.

Well.. I did check my emails and read the TFM on Regularly Scheduled Meetings and was really blessed. It has been good, too, reading from everyone about what God is doing for them. Hearing about how Cliff has been touched made me want to hear his testimony, and I was wondering how I was going to be able to do that. Then today, I was so happy for the news that we are going to get together on Wednesday. It feels like my heart is healed with all the happy endings. I am very thankful and can't wait to see you all again.

With Love,

Adam

Hi Adam:

Jesus does say to us all, "If you want to", and he says that to us all the time. In return, I say, "Lord, may I?"

Pastor John

December 5, 2006

Pastor John:

I feel as if was just given a clean robe of unworthiness that I plan on wearing from now on at all times.

Bob

Thank you Jesus! If we all do that, the fellowship we share will be real, clean, and holy. Why don't you and the family come over this Wednesday night and tell me and the folks here about it?

jdc

December 5, 2006

Dear Bro. John:

I wish I could get the feelings into this email of a dream I had last night. It wasn't so much the details of the dream as the feeling that woke me at 5:00 pm - - I felt so loved and absolutely dependent on God.

In the dream, it was just as things are happening with us right now. Things that God was doing for us - - removing Xty, church, and now scheduled meetings. Who knows what He has planned next, but when I woke up this morning, the backwards and forwards message was burning wonderfully in my soul. I could feel God tenderly saying, "I know you can't do it, so I am doing it for you." And each time He does for us, He is moving us closer to Him and away from this world. Oh, the love and tender mercies of God!

All the things that we have thought were bringing us closer to Him were not. And He knew that. He knows that we are helpless without Him, and each time He does for us what He does, we realize it, too. If we open our hearts to Him, we will feel that love coming from Him drawing us closer into His thoughts and His ways.

As I look out my window at the day beginning to break and the sunrise coming up over the trees, I realize that the Power that brings that about each morning is also in control of my life. I am just so satisfied to be still and let God love me and move me (us) closer to Him.

"I know you can't do it, so I am doing it for you."

Praise God!

Sister Sandy

December 5, 2006

Hey John,

I just wanted to say this right now while I was feeling it. I can't believe how good I feel! When I read your e-mail about "what a scheduled meeting was like" I felt thrilled. I feel light as a feather. I immedietely thought about how you have said that you have moved out on faith and obeyed God, and then came the understanding. I feel like there is a WORLD of understanding in that e-mail about the meetings being scheduled. It's like OH YEAH! I see that now! You could never, never, never, know that without getting away from it. And you could never get away from it without obeying Jesus. HA!

Damien's e-mail sent me over the edge. While reading that, oh, the thrill I felt while reading his thoughts. They are new to me, but they are not new. I feel like the Spirit in me has always known! I don't feel surprised. I feel relieved and happy. Jesus is getting us further and further away, isn't He?

How many more crutches will He take away before it's over? Everything that isn't Him is keeping us from the power of God that we most desperately need. Thank God for drawing us one step closer. We have just lost one more ungodly similitude to that religion that calls itself after the name of the living God, where the will of man, not the Spirit of God, reigns.

I feel relief in the Spirit and I trust that feeling! I saw a picture in my mind while sitting here, and the picture was this... a light far off in the distance above a vast body of water, and the people looked at it from the shore, and they looked at one another as for an answer. It made me think this....When the power of God rises up, it will not rise from the midst of the people but will rise up in the distance away from them, and they will look at it in bewilderment, and they will look at one another as for some answer as to what it is. It will rise up from a place that Jesus is taking us if we will follow. It is that deserted island where it is just "me and God" for everyone of us.

John, I believe that it will be so far away from what we think we "know" about God, so far from the shore, that we will know then that Jesus is holding us up and that we will drown if He stops. Just like Peter, walking on the water. No one will get the glory but God.

Thank you,

Jerry

December 4, 2006

Hey Pastor John,

Steven and I were just reading in Leviticus and we got to Ch.10 where Nadab and Abihu were killed by God. Reading this, I got something out of this that I had never seen before and it was soo good. After the Lord “devoured” them, you could probably guess that Aaron would have been sad/shocked/upset, something…and Moses says in verse 3…

"This is it that the Lord spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace."

That really stood out to me b/c how I read it was “I WILL be sanctified…I WILL be glorified!” It’s as if God saw that Aaron would be sad and not know how to take the event, and He sent Moses to say, if I am not obeyed and things done my way, this is what will happen, b/c I WILL be sanctified before my people. Then there was nothing more for Aaron to say to that! It was so wonderful for me to see that, and it really put a fear of God in me, and Steven as well. I told Steven that it really makes me want to do everything that I can to make sure that I am obeying God and doing what is right and what I am supposed to, so that this doesn’t happen to me. God was serious in this verse and I really felt it. Oh God help us!

Leah

December 4, 2006

Pastor John:

Just want to say we are so blessed. I don't know what to say or do other than ( because of you folks) just try to love God more and all of you also. I know when you all stand before God on that judgment day He will take your goodness into account. We sure do like the wood shed that Bob, Tim, and Josiah built for us Saturday, and thanks to others that had a part in this project.

I have been thinking: What if we didn't have a shepherd to keep us from straying out of the fold? What would we do? I know for me, I must get closer to God and stay under His wing, for if I just stay where I am, I will become weak, and eventually the wolf will sneak up when least expected and devour me.

May God touch all there that are sick in body and restore them to their health, and for all that are having problems in any way, God help them to see this, too, will pass if we just hang on, trusting and obeying Him.

Ray

December 4, 2006

thanks for that TFM on the regularly scheduled meetings. that was a comfort to me. i feel refreshed and rejuvenated... and very, very peaceful. quiet.

-'(-E-)'

Sometimes, Elijah, being quiet is the perfect way to feel. And it is a very good feeling.

Dad

December 4, 2006

I have been very impressed lately with my own inability to reach God, beginning with the night God gave me the dream about Aunt Sandy. I was praying and asking Jesus what I could do to reach Him.

I told Him, “Everytime I try to pray and pray or read and read, I get in trouble for being overreligious. That’s not my place, but Jesus I miss you!! How do I reach you? And I knew then that there is nothing I do to be good enough or to MAKE Jesus touch me. I can’t read the Bible enough, pray enough, go to enough meetings…All I can do is stay ready and available in case He condescends to touch me/us. So I humbly told Jesus I missed feeling him close by and I felt like He was a thousand miles away. Never really thinking He would really do anything more. But He DID that very night!!

Aunt Sandy’s testimony in that wonderful Sunday meeting of how, after all that you and others had severely warned her and she was send home to seek God, she DID NOT get on the floor and wallow but instead asked Him if it was ok to eat a sandwich and take a nap first is so AMAZING to me.

I do not know Jesus as well as that. I would have thought He expected me on the floor wallowing (and getting nowhere). I am learning something about how to walk more perfectly in Him and consequently I am learning more about Jesus. It is very excited to have a little more of some overreligious, self-glorifying ideas out of me.

Token

Dear Token:

What Sandy said about "heart seeking" being more effective than "hard seeking" in our search for God is true, but before the day when she took a nap and then Jesus came, she had done a lot of "hard seeking" that I think she needed to do.

After all is said and done, the end of the matter is that each person must know what the Spirit wants him or her to do to seek God, and we all need to discern the way that the Spirit wants us, individually, to do it. Sister Ellen certainly labored in prayer Saturday night before Jesus came and delivered her. It was one of the most glorious moments of my entire life to feel the Spirit move in and take her burden away. (I wonder if she felt as relieved as I did!) Ellen "prayed through", and I felt honored to be there and to experience such a thing. Ellen's seeking was both "hard seeking" and "heart seeking", even though we know that the "heart seeking" was the main thing.

That said, though, Sandy's testimony was precious and encouraging, and we all need to think of seeking God in that way -- "heartily unto the Lord."

Dad

December 4, 2006

Hi Pastor John,

I would like to tell what happened to me last week. I was feeling rough from sinus drainage, sore throat and coughing. I was lying in bed and was very tired and wanted to go to sleep. But all I could do was roll, toss and cough. As I was talking to the Lord, something changed in how I was feeling. I started to pray and asked the Lord for one of his miracles. The next thought was this house needs one of your miracles, and when you send it, Lord, don't let me miss it.

I was lying on my back and don't remember if I had my eyes open or closed, and right after I asked for the miracle, a figure appeared in the right side of my vision. I watched it as it traveled from the right side of my vision and over to left side of my vision. All I could see was from the waist up and it appeared like it was slowly riding a horse by the way it was bouncing. It had the face of a man with a plain but pleasant look. What stood out about the appearance was that it had a full head of short wavy blond hair. When the figure had traveled across my vision to my left side, it suddenly disappeared in a star burst. At that moment I felt the Spirit of God move through my body from head to toe, and almost immediately the coughing and soar throat stopped. I praised God and rolled over and went to sleep still praising God.

Randell

Sounds like Jesus. Praise God!

Pastor John

December 4, 2006

Hey Bro. John,

I just wanted to say that Randell's experience sounds amazing and wonderful. You said in the OCT. 29th cd Under the shadow/True holiness that..... like your Father, we too should not find it so unusual to have experiences (with Jesus or His angels)...... That should not be a strange thing, huh? Man that e-mail sure is good, wow!

thanks

Jerry

December 4, 2006

Hi Bro. John:

This is just a short note to say Hi. I am sorry I did not get to spend much time with you over the Thanksgiving weekend, or even say goodbye to you before I left. I know how busy you've been. I just hope you've been able to get some rest. But John, I had the most wonderful weekend, it really was "out of this world", and I feel so privileged to have been there to share it with my family. God is sooo good to us.

I also wanted to share this with you.

Since I got back last Monday night I've been on a mission to get my house cleaned before my family members arrive here next Friday. I've been doing some major cleaning, I even got Arnold up on a ladder on Saturday and we cleaned all the windows in the house. It's all done now, and I feel so good.

Last night I listened to the CD of the Wednesday night meeting where Sis. Betty was singing in the spirit. That was so good! Afterwards I was praying and asking God to make me clean and holy and fix whatever needs to be fixed in me. I was also thanking him for helping me to get my house cleaned, and telling him how happy I was. As soon as I said, "God, I'm so happy my house is clean," the Spirit said "I'm happy too when MY house is clean". That made me feel so good, I started telling God I wanted to be clean and make him happy. He knows I want Him to do whatever he needs to do to make me clean and holy for him.

Take care, and I hope we'll talk soon.

Margaret

Thanks, Margaret!

It is a wonderful feeling to have God thoroughly clean His house. May we always belong in it and never be cast out as "the chaff that the wind blows away." I hope you have a wonderful visit with your son and family when they come to visit from England. Jesus can make it perfect for you and them.

Pray for us. I hope to see you again in the not too distant future.

jdc

December 4, 2006

Oh John, this TFM makes it more alive than ever what the Spirit was saying to us last Saturday morning, "O vain man, do you think you can choose how to worship me? Oh vain man are you so proud that you think you can choose how to worship me"? God is good, God is good. I love it, I love it. Thank you Jesus!!!!!!!

Lou

December 4, 2006

Pastor John

I can only quote Sister Sandy, "Oh, oh, oh, oh, oooooooohhhhhh ..."

This is wonderful, glorious, so much better than "not a church". This really is not being a church. Oh the feelings of God are real! One Sunday (I think) morning recently, as I was loading the car to "go to the meeting", I had the thought that to anyone looking on I would have looked just like one of the many people who went to church on a Sunday morning. I felt something I could not form into thoughts.

Also recently, Sarah, observant as ever, has started talking about the churches we pass by here in Swepsonville as we "went to the meeting". She had been asking why, what, can we go to one, I want to go to one, etc. in her child-like manner. We would answer her and were getting frustrated with it. Then we would explain how what we did was different and say all of this stuff about Jesus this, Jesus that, but now I feel I have been instructed by her. I felt hypocrisy in my soul, but of course my "knowledge of the truth" stopped it coming out of my mouth. God, help me!

One particular day as we turned right at the church opposite Swepsonville PO, Sarah asked, "What do they do in there?" Kay answered, "They tell lies about Jesus". Well, that is true, but something in me did not like that answer. Over time in Australia, I often felt an anger over some of the flippant (as I saw them) comments about xty made in my house. I felt that there was no feelings in that for our family imprisoned in those places. Feeling that, I said in the car that day, that it is not a lie when someone in those places is baptized by Jesus with the Holy Spirit. Jesus does go to those places, just as he has condescended to come to "our" meetings to honor true hearts seeking Him.

I read in Ps 78 the other week how even when Israel repented at God's rebukes, they did it with flattery, and God still honored them. Has not God done the same with the meetings? Hard as it might be at first to admit, the bride arranging meeting times is surely flattery.

Ps 78:37-38: "For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant. But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath."

Since I wrote that email, I noticed the words "did not stir up all his wrath". They flattered and lied in repentance toward God, and He still forgave them, but some wrath was stirred up. I saw that like a deposit into a bank account, building up until the dreadful thing (mentioned in v. 50) occurred, "He made a way to his anger."

God has spared us, especially this week. Sitting on your floor Thursday night I felt a couple of ropes thrown round me to haul me up off a slippery slope that I was starting on down. But we should be warned that though not all of God's wrath was stirred up it was stirred up a little, and I feel still is. You felt that and told us. God has been merciful. We would be wise to take advantage of the space he has given us and the blessing we have received of having one of our usurping, flattering errors taken away from us by God. As this past week went on, God let me feel dirtier and dirtier about what had happened, and showed me that while I might have arrived after the event, my heart had agreement in it for what had happened and, as we have just read in Matthew, if it is in your heart, you have done it. God has no interest in fancy legal argument. I found that out for real this week as well.

I seem to remember the Lord telling Bro Darren on one occasion, when he was frustrated in his attempts to get to you for prayer during a meeting, that, "I am the meeting". We are going to find the truth of that or fall away from this calling. You wrote: "Jesus, what on earth shall we do?" And, "Jesus, when on earth shall we do it?"

Dare I suggest, "Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven".

"Oh, oh, oh, oh, oooooooohhhhhh ..." glory!

Damien

December 3, 2006

Hi Pastor John,

I was catching up on my CDs [from the prayer meetings], and I was listening to the CD "Anything is Sin." That just reiterates what you said during Thanksgiving. It's serious; God is being serious, and at the same time, it is so liberating in the spirit to know that you are protected in God if you do what is required of you by Him. He's going to take care of you, and if you make a mistake, He can fix it if you repent.

You said in the CD, "Don't you want God to fill your temple?" What else is worth having?? It's the only fulfilling thing that can raise you up from the grave, and if God doesn't fill you with it, you're going to die. It's either eternal life with God or death without Him, that is truly the only options. If you blame someone or something else for your sin, then you are going to die. Just ask God how to handle something, and listen without wasting time playing the victim or questioning the past. Move on and be happy because you are alive now, and you have the time to get it right with God!

Wendy

Thanks, Wendy. That is good.

Pastor John

December 1, 2006

Hey John,

I just wanted to tell you how the songs on the Night Music 2 has blessed me this morning. (again) They all are so good and sweet to hear, but number 9, Gary's "Just A Little More Time." is really for the now The words were speaking right out of heaven to me and will to anyone who has a heart to hear.

I don't care what the body is going through, Jesus is always there to help. Here are just a few of the lines that touched my heart so deeply.

"I know you and everything you are going through----I will never give you more than you can handle----just turn to prayer you'll find me there----just a little more time---wait on me and it will all be fine--------I know you--let me carry you like I plan to do----be thankful too because I'm loving you------(Wow Wow Wow!!!!!!!!) just trust in me it's just my holy way for you!!!!!! lift your head and see my hand in ALL THINGS."

This is just so good to me this morning. John, we will never know how good God is if we don't start trusting Him. He doesn't require much out of any of us but to live a simple holy life.

Lou

December 1, 2006

Hey Bro. John,

This has blessed my soul this morning....The flesh did not repent when I chose the way of the Lord. Jesus made me an offer of eternal life, and I chose it over the flesh, but my flesh stayed exactly the same ....The flesh has never repented.... It has never "gotten well", it is just as sick as the day that I last saw it. So if we are to be well, we must stay far away from it. We can only do that by walking in the Spirit.

Every rotten thing that we were, every sin that did, does still "so easily beset us", is still waiting for us in the flesh if we will have it. It will be there until the day that we shed this flesh for eternity.

So... Here is the wonderful news! if we are struggling with any sin, if we are trying to walk holy and feeling the heaviness of near defeat, if we are feeling unable and weak, it is of the flesh! And, it is exactly how your flesh felt on your very best, most victorious day, with Jesus! So....Get out of the flesh! and live and be happy and free, AND REST! And Lock the door behind you, so you can't get back in! Man this feels good!

Love,

Jerry

Hi Brother Jerry.

That is a wonderful thought with which to start your day, and ours. The flesh will never surrender its will and its ways. It will never believe the truth and surrender to Christ. Only in the Spirit is there any real and lasting peace and joy and righteousness for us.

jdc

December 1, 2006

John,

This morning I was putting away laundry and the spirit told me to look out the window. It was a little before 7:00 and this is what I saw: The sun was already coming up a bit, but it was hard to see the sunrise completely because there were low grey clouds in front of it. You could tell it would have been a nice sunrise because it was reflecting on the puffy clouds high above. I was watching those low grey clouds and how very fast they were moving. They were moving so fast! I looked around at the trees and they weren't blowing much, but it amazed me the air current above the trees was moving those clouds right along. The spirit said to me, "That is what I am doing." John, God is getting those clouds away so we can see that beautiful sunrise!! He is moving the grey clouds away so we can see the "Son" better! haha! Oh, I am so thankful for experiences and for listening to God's voice. I am looking out my window now and all I see are grey clouds...I am thankful I listened to that voice and took the time to look because now that scene outside my window is gone. Praise God! It felt so good to just praise God this morning and tell Him how very wonderful He is! I feel excited! :)

Love,

Carrie

ps- I thank God too that He is letting Samuel and Samantha sleep this late so I can write this to you! :)

Hi Carrie:

That is wonderful! Isn't it sweet to be alive to see the world as it is meant to be seen? David said, "O, that men would praise God for His wonderful works to the children of men!" I am glad that you are doing that!

jdc

November 30, 2006

Hey Uncle John,

Tonight when I came home, I went into my bedroom and closed the door. I picked up a bible on my bed and opened it to somewhere near the center. Anything I read would have touched me, but it opened to Isaiah 26. This is the verse I read: 26:3. "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee."

It was just what I needed. God, help me keep my mind more than ever on you.

Aaron Nelson

Good, Aaron! And I believe that God will do that for you, and that you will do that for Him and for His people.

November 30, 2006

Hey Uncle John,

I feel like this Thanksgiving was a really good Thanksgiving for me. Lately I have been feeling like I need to start stepping up to the plate as far as the meetings go and the first thing I felt like I needed to start doing was raise my hands. For me raising my hands seemed like it would be embarrassing', you might say. I feel like for the past few meetings I would get really close to raising my hands but then I would end up not doing it because of 'embarrassment', the most I would do was speak in tongues.

Well, the reason this Thanksgiving was such a good one to me was because of two things. The first one was Thursday night while everyone was getting so blessed I was at that 'almost raising my hands state' and I heard something say, "Raise your hands" with the tone of if you don't do it now your going to miss a really good blessing. It said it about three or four times and on the last time of saying it I finally raised my hands and I was like 'so this is what it feels like' (it felt really good). Later on in the meeting I went up for prayer and got really blessed.

The second part took place Sunday morning when Leah came over and said that her and Steven watched the video of when her, Mrs. Margo, and I had received the Holy Ghost (the 23rd of November). When she said that, I had the thought 'I wonder if Thursday was on the 23rd'. So I looked at a calendar and the 23rd was on a Thursday. I got a really good birthday present from God!

Thank You God!!!

~Josiah

Hey, Josiah,

I am glad you wrote and told us that. I didn't know so much interesting stuff was going on inside of you. That is a good testimony!

Uncle John

November 30, 2006

Pastor John,

Last night as I was going to sleep, I felt so good in my spirit. Everyone in the Lord was coming to my mind, and I just prayed for each one in the Spirit, with so much thankfulness in my heart that I know each one and that they are a part of me. I feel so honored that God has let me know the people that I know. I drifted off to sleep a little, and in just a few minutes I was awake again. I started thinking about what's going on with those who have rejected God. The simplest and quietest questions kept going through my mind, "What's wrong with Jesus? What's wrong with the holy Ghost?" Really, what is so wrong with it? Nothing. Nothing at all. It's sweet. Jesus is sweet. It's so insane to not want what we have. I don't say that with any sarcasm or attitude either. It's just a quiet, simple truth. I'm very thankful that God has allowed me to believe the truth and to love His people. We are very blessed.

Love,

Cris

Hi Cris:

You are so right. Let me add this thought, though, that I have been thinking lately. Being blessed is not what we do. That is God's part. Our part is to respond by walking "worthy of the calling to which we have been called." When I consider the incredible blessings that God has poured out on us, during the past five or six years especially, then I humbly have to wonder how worthy of those blessings we have walked. It makes me want to crawl to Jesus for mercy, for me and for us all. I hope Jesus has not blessed us beyond what we are able, or willing, to bear.

Pastor John

November 30, 2006

Hey Pastor John,

This Thanksgiving weekend was the best ever for me too. I confess, I was one of those that was getting blessed so much. It was too good to keep to myself, which is why I'm writing.

For me though, it all started several weeks ago. I had been seeking the Lord because I didn't feel like I was progressing, or growing in the Lord. Then, one day driving down the road I was listening to a meeting CD and Barbara was testifying. She reminded us of a testimony that Ellen had given some months back. In her testimony, Ellen said "We get what we settle for". The spirit showed me that's what I was doing. I had settled for what I had, and I hadn't realized it. I began praying because in my heart I didn't want to settle. Ever! Not in this life! Then the spirit showed me some worldly things I was hanging on to. If I wanted to grow in the spirit, I would have to get rid of the excess baggage. I made up my heart then that I was finished with those worldly things. I immediately felt like a weight had dropped off. I was different and I knew it. It was like the Lord seen my heart and knew I was through with it and just went ahead and chopped it off. No more desire for it at all.

Then last Wednesday, the day before Thanksgiving, I read the TFM "Since". Through it, the Lord showed me that I had a problem with pride. I had some testimonies that God wouldn't let me tell because I was taking pride in them and wanting some of the glory - the glory that only belongs to the Father and the Son. I repented of that, too, and started seeking God to cut that out of me as well. Then during the meeting Friday when you started praying for everyone I told God that when I went to you for prayer, I wanted him to take that pride out of my heart. I wanted to be free of it. When I went to you, I told you that the Lord had showed me that I had a problem with pride and that I wanted it out of me. When you prayed for me the power of God fell on me so strong that I couldn't even breath. The Spirit went over me in waves. At one point it eased up enough so that I could take a breath and then went over me again just as strong as at the first. I just tried to take in as much as possible.

After that, I again felt different. I felt more freedom in the spirit. Tongues flowed out of me in a greater way than ever before. I was at peace with God. I had confidence in myself toward God and that gave me more faith and more love toward God and his children. I felt like I was walking in the light, and I want this to continue on and on. To keep growing in the spirit. To feel closer to God and to really be one with Him and Jesus just as Jesus prayed that we would. I know that its available to all of us if we just keep ourselves clean from sin and unspotted from the world. Praise God! I am just so thankful for His mercy on me. Amen!

Billy H.

Hi Billy:

That is a testimony that ought to be put up on billboards along the highways. But maybe it will be taken in and put up on a billboard in some folks heart if we send this out. It is for someone.

I thank God for your zeal for righteousness. May God always give you the desires of your heart like this. That is the way of salvation.

Pastor John

November 27, 2006

Hi Pastor John,

Judy and I were talking about Thursday night, when we greeted each , (you, her, & me) and it turned into a deep cleansing shower from the Lord. Judy said, "It felt as though my spirit was speaking with Pastor John's spirit, and we were having a conversation together in the Spirit." I told her, ''That is exactly how I felt." There were some really wonderful things that happened, but after that, I felt like the Lord had given Judy and me what we needed in our souls. I did enjoy Donna's song; those feelings went in so deep. I very much liked the Revelation reading, there were many good warnings in it. The rejoicing and laughter was wonderful, but nothing topped what happened to us in the meeting room Thursday. The Spirit spoke to my heart, "Spiritual Manners."

The best Thanksgiving weekend for me yet.

Thank-you Jesus,

Billy M.

Hi Billy:

Yes, it was a special moment for us when the Lord blessed you and me and Judy like that. I was grateful for that blessing. Several people have told me that this Thanksgiving weekend was the best one ever for them. What that tells me is that some were spiritually better prepared to gather with the saints, or hungrier for God, than ever. I am so thankful that I was allowed to see God bless His children like that! If we knew how holy it was, we might do like Moses or other holy men and just fall to the ground. Come to think of it, a bunch of us did!

Billy, can you even imagine how dark a spirit any human would have to be under to be able to sit in those meetings this past Thanksgiving weekend and not rejoice for the things God was doing to and/or through Sandy, or Jenny, or Lou, or Darren, or Tony, or Earl, or . . . . well, everyone who was blessed? The list gets pretty long. At times, it was beyond words, and still is.

Pastor John

November 30, 2006

Pastor John said:

Several people have told me that this Thanksgiving weekend was the best one ever for them. What that tells me is that some were spiritually better prepared to gather with the saints, or hungrier for God, than ever.

AMEN! YES! I felt that very strongly, John. For some inexplicable reason, I felt hungrier for God now than I did four years ago, when I was baptised with the holy ghost. I had a deep feeling this year of a collective, spiritual "preparedness" from most of us. . .as if we all have been strengthening the body by our individual daily deeds, improved attitudes, and subsequently our increased devotion and our faith. We were prepared in the Spirit to be blessed with JOY UNSPEAKABLE. And that's exactly what we got!

At times, it was beyond words, and still is.

Pastor John

"Beyond words" is right:

I awoke on Sunday morning, and said to God,

"Ohhhh, how can I thank you Lord? English is so inadequate. How can I say 'Thank-you'?"

The holy ghost answered, "DO 'thank-you.'"

. . . .in other words: "DEMONSTRATE your thankfulness. . .by your deeds and in your behavior."

I loved that!! There is NO excuse for not living right, after what God continues to pour out on us! :^)

And. . . as you said in a reply to someone else, doing is better than talking about it.

I love you all SO MUCH!

Brother Brad

November 27, 2006

Hey! Amen to [Brother Billy's feeling that this was the best Thanksgiving weekend ever!] Tony and I were talking last night about the week and all the wonderful things that God did for everyone. We have been trying to think of our highlights, but how can you pick just one?!?!? It made me so happy to see the new and improved Sis Sandy. I also enjoyed Bro. Brad dancing! :) That was really sweet. Darren dancing, meeting Jenny, all the wonderful songs! Man, you could go on and on! It seemed like the more excited I got watching different ones, the more blessed I felt. I left there this weekend with precious memories that I will never forget. I am thankful that Jesus allowed me to be apart of it all, and to feel the feelings of God. I learned a lot last week!

Margo

Hi Margo:

If you love people, their blessings are yours. What you said is how it always is when you love people with the love of God: "the more excited I got watching different ones, the more blessed I felt."

Pastor John

November 27, 2006

Your reply to Margo's email:

"What you said is how it always is when you love people with the love of God: 'the more excited I got watching different ones, the more blessed I felt.' "

Pastor John,

I am so glad to hear that I too was loving the people with the love of God, for those are the same feelings I felt this weekend also! And as I was watching others being blessed by Jesus, I was thanking God that I felt happy for them. My favorite moment this weekend was watching Haley Friday night when she was sitting next to Amy. She just cried and cried feeling wonderful sweet loving feelings from Jesus. Lord knows she needed that touch. I too remember feeling such sweetness from Jesus as a little girl. Maleah and I would cry during the meetings when we were little because of the feelings we felt. And this weekend, I felt Jesus' sweetness while hugging Maleah. All I could do was cry and thank Jesus. I thank God for every time he has allowed me to listen to his voice, to the saints around me who had heard from God, and just for being patient with me. I hope I can always remember those times so that I can be patient with others.

love,

Sarah

Hi Sarah:

Precious thoughts and feelings, those! Even if we are not feeling any particluarly spectacular blessing in a meeting of the saints, if we love God's people, we will be blessed anyway with joy for others being blessed, especially with such blessings as we saw this past weekend. One cannot love God or His people and not rejoice at such things as we saw happening in the Spirit with some of God's children.

My! What an honor to see Sister Sandy being used again by the Lord. I literally covered my face a couple of times, wondering if I was even worthy to behold such a holy thing. There is no one with a heart for God who could refrain from bursting with joy (and fear of God, too!) for Sandy's restoration in Christ. Where on this earth could we find so happy a group of people? I thank God for His mercy to allow me to be here. In fact, just saying that sentence felt so good and right that I want to say it again! I thank God for His mercy to allow me to be here, to see what we see and to feel what we feel. "Praise ye the Lord!"

Pastor John

November 27, 2006

Hey John,

I have been thinking about this. God is not showing us what is out of order in our lives for the purpose of saying, "You are wrong", that is what men do. You put it like this on the back of the - GOAL OF THE GOSPEL - 1-page handout: "We ridicule others errors in order to emphasize our RIGHTNESS" .................... We have no rightness, and our pointing out of errors, if not motivated by the good Spirit of God, can be for "effect" only, and produces nothing holy. What a sad way to treat mankind. That is the nature of man.

But God is not like that. He knows that we are wrong; that is not an issue to ponder. We started out that way before He chose us. He has a holy purpose for showing us our errors. It is not to condemn us and bring us down. Quite the contrary, it is to invite us to be more like him and bring us up. God has always blessed us before showing us another way that we were not like Him. It was not slipping by His attention all that time, we just weren't ready for the invitation to move up yet. God is good to us.

thank you,

Jerry

Hi Jerry:

That is right. God's correction is only an invitation to be more like Him. It is holy love in action, and to borrow a phrase from the poet John Donne, "scarce any man has enough of it."

Pastor John

November 22, 2006

Hey!

This thought for the morning is very good. It really explains what the slanderer was doing to try to puff Jesus up. The slanderer sure is a cunning fellow who has used this same tactic to deceive the world and many of our brothers and sisters that are in Christianity today putting thoughts in peoples minds that if you want to serve God, you have to join a church. In so many words...."Prove it. Prove that you love God."

I'm so glad Jesus didn't bow down to Satan during that temptation. I am so glad he refused to be puffed up and boast in himself as you said, but remained humble to his Father. It takes faith to do that, and it takes faith to come out and believe that Christianity is not of God -- another tactic inspired by the Devil. By trying to persuade people, using such phrases as, "If you love God, you need to become a member", or, "If you love God, you'll . . . . " That just heaps burdens on God's people, and condemnation because they feel obligated to do as they're told because they do love God and they think that is what they should do. But in all reality, it is sucking the love and the very life they feel about Jesus right out of them. It is wearing them down.

But what I love about the God we have come to know is that He has called us to His peace and love and rest. He is going to come out on top. We do not have to prove ourselves by joining anything. We just obey the commandments of God and enjoy the Spirit He has given. We have learned to rest and let God prove Himself....And He does over and over again. Oh...if God's people could rest in this!

What a peace. What a liberty. What a rest. What a wonderful merciful God.

Sister Amy

No, "that old serpent" was not tempting Jesus to prove to Satan he was really the Messiah, or that he really had a special connection with God. It was ignorant men, such as King Herod, who wanted Jesus to do tricks, to show off who he was (Lk. 23:8). Satan’s motive was much more subtle than that. His words would have puffed Jesus up against God and brought Jesus under his evil control.

Even when Satan tempted Jesus to bow at his feet, he was trying to puff Jesus up. If Jesus had bowed to Satan, he would not really have been bowing to Satan at all, but to himself as no longer needing the true God. It is only when men raise themselves on high and, so, deny their need of God that they find themselves prostrate at Satan’s feet. Pride brings every man to the incense altar of the Devil. Who is man that he would even think to choose whom to serve? There is no choice because there is no God but one! The choice is already made for us by the God who created us. We will serve Him or we will die.

Jesus refused to lift himself up. He refused to become like Satan; instead, he chose to continue to be like his heavenly Father. He remembered that he was who he was only because God had made him who he was, and he remained humble in the sight of God. And if God wanted people to know who he was, then God would open their eyes to see it without Jesus, in his own will, trying to show them. Jesus refused to puff himself up and take that honor upon himself.

November 22, 2006

Hi Pastor John,

I took some cds to Jimmy P's. house. I was telling Tammy what happened with sister Sandy. Watching the love of God fill her soul was wonderful. You could feel it back and forth flowing to each other.

Later, I went to Jr's. house, and Natalie was telling me her experiences she had with the Lord, and the phone calls she had with you. The best part to me was, she was just seeking God, then God put all the parts together about sister Sandy. We are a few states apart, but God was using His spirit to communicate to us all.

I enjoyed meeting Jenny, and hearing how she found us, or rather, Jesus finding her. She isn't lost, Jesus knows exactly where she is..

I loved the feelings on the floor, how in the world could we put those into words. I loved seeing Bro. Gary getting touched with those feelings of love and mercy from God. Seeing bro. Ray & Sister Cora Bell enjoy the Spirit and everyone loving them was Heavenly. I loved seeing sister Sandy fall in love again with Jesus. "Let's fall in Love again." It was an honor to be there, I thank Jesus he gave me the opportunity to come.

Billy M.

All that anyone can say to that is that God gave you (not to say, us) a great weekend! Come again . . . like tomorrow! Who knows what is next?

Pastor John

November 21, 2006

Hey Uncle John,

I wanted to let you know about some of the things that happened recently in my drivers education course. It's neat to have the opportunity to testify to people when I usually don't get the opportunity.

The second class, a boy that I had been on the same baseball team with, after greeting me he said, "Are you a Christian?" I said, "No, I'm not Christian, but where I go, we love God. We don't go along with the forms of Christianity, and we believe you have to have the holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues to be saved in the end." "Oh", he said, and he sat down at another table. Then he said, "Are you Amish?" I said "what?" "Are you Almish?" he said. I still couldn't understand him, because it was loud before the class started. So I said, "Why?" although I still could not hear him, I guessed he was saying something concerning religion. He replied, "Well, we (the guys over here and I) were just noticing your mannerism." Then class started. The next day at class, I asked him, "What were you saying yesterday?" He said, "Amish." "Oh, I said, no, I am not Amish." But we did not have time to say anything else before class started. He didn't speak to me for the rest of the classes.

The second and probably the best thing that happened was this. My drivers ed. teacher had his beloved daughter killed about three years ago. He didn't have his burden taken away like Aunt Carol, though. Instead, he's still taking medication to relieve the mental pain he goes through all the time. He didn't have the heart to throw anyone out of class, though several deserved it. Two classes before the last class, he made the remark, "You know, teachers don't like apples anymore; they like chocolate." On the way up to the last class, my mom and I were listening to the "Best Thing to Me" CD and every song seemed to fit his situation in some way. So, I decided to give it to him. At the high school, after I finished my test, everyone else was still working or had already gotten up and left the room. I went up to him and said, "Mr. --------, I have something for you that's better than chocolate." He looked really surprised (as if nothing could be better than chocolate), and said "What's that?". I brought out the CD and said, "This CD has some of the songs that the people that my family and I get together with, for prayer meetings, sing." He looked really pleased/surprised and said, "Thank you, very much".

Well, that's pretty much it.

See you later,

Aaron Nelson

P.S. I got my Drivers Permit today!

That's a good testimony, Aaron. Keep it.

Pastor John

November 21, 2006

Hi John,

I want to share something the Lord gave me this morning on my way to work: “Doubt sees nothing but the obstacles, but faith sees the way.” WoW, how true that is.

It also reminded me of the scripture in Matthew 19:27: "But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." If we walk in the spirit all we can see is God’s hand in every fiber of our lives and nothing else, but if we walk in the flesh all we see is the problems and not God’s wonderful hand at work trying to save us from ourselves.

I thank God for every person he has put in my life and every one he has taken out of my life, I have learn to trust him completely with every thing around me. Every person I have came into contact with, at work, home and in the world has been put there from God to save me and teach me how to live in Him. I want to learn and be what God wants me to be in everything in my life! Praise God, thank you Jesus!

“Doubt sees nothing but the obstacles, but faith sees the way.”

Stuart

November 21, 2006

Pastor John-

Cora Belle and I were blessed this week-end more than we can put in words. I know everyone there was also; how could anyone not be? It was wonderful seeing the holy Ghost at work, especially in Sis. Sandy. I thank God for what I felt there Sunday in the meeing and also Saturday night at Bro. Wendell and Sis. Caroline's when a lot of the saints came over. It was all wonderful. Thank God for you and and everyone. We felt so much love. Nothing christian around your house.

Ray

November 20, 2006

Hello Brother John,

We had a wonderful, peaceful Bible study in our living room Sunday morning with our family, the Durhams, sisters Wanda and Gwen. Gwen sang a song for us (an old one we hadn’t heard), then she told how she got the holy Ghost years ago. Then Tom sang a song, and Gwen and Wanda were REALLY feeling the love of God. I went and knelt at Sister Gwen’s knees, and she began to pray the sweetest prayer, some in English, some in tongues. The feeling was very peaceful. I didn’t want to move from that spot for maybe an hour. Gwen was also praying for Sheila D. who was sitting on the floor behind me. Wanda was close by, praying, and it was wonderful. I heard my daughters singing a beautiful song together. We continued like that for an hour or so. It was so peaceful and effortless to feel whatever God was doing. We loved it!

See you in a few days!

Love,

Suzi

November 20, 2006

Oh, It was so much more than words can describe. I have never been in the holy Ghost where I was taken yesterday. It is a wonderful beautiful feeling! how I wish I could put it into english.....impossible.

It was the best meeting I have ever been to.

Love,

Sheila D

November 20, 2006

Good morning John.

I believe yesterday's meeting was one of the most precious gatherings I have ever been in. "Loving mercy" is the experience I had yesterday John. I thought I understood those words, but I did not. It's so special to love mercy WHEN WE SEE & FEEL IT being given by the holy Ghost, to a truly repentant soul. What God did for Sister Sandy yesterday was beyond description - may she continue in that work of God's grace.

When Sister Sandy was out in the Spirit on the floor, she said that Jesus had said these words to her: "Let's fall in love again." Oh what words of grace, John! They went deep for me. It was an experience. I was on the floor saying, "Yes, me too Lord" - and I fell in love again, with Jesus. I love what Jesus does. I love to feel what I felt and to hear the words I heard through you and Sandy. There were gems I must listen to again. I felt that the things I saw and felt yesterday were "holiness unto the Lord." Words fail me.

I know it is something we say all the time, but yesterday WAS the best meeting ever.

Gary

November 18, 2006

Pastor John:

Wow.

I listened to an OT class tape (remember "cassettes"?) the other day, from 1st Samuel, where Darren introduced that glorious song---Let There Be No Chains on Me.

One verse:

"Teach me how to feel,
Let me know what is right and wrong.
Show me what is real
And what is not,
So I can be forever free."

John, you made a comment on that verse, later on in that meeting, and I thought, "Whew! What powerful things God HAS revealed to us---since then!

He's shown us what is right and wrong, and we had to listen...and change! Not too long after that, in 2003, because of the spirit of prayer in that song---God revealed to you the truth about The Church.

We found out that our belief wasn't real!! It was a lie. We were deceived! ---And willing to change! Glory to God!!!

I'm so glad to be part of a congregation who's open to change, to knowing what is right and wrong from God's point of view. I'm so thankful to be correctable.

You wrote about the elderly saints who recieved the message of "Coming Out of Chrisitianity" with rejoicing and gladness. Others couldn't take it in, just like with the "All Things" message. It's the SPIRIT that enables people to hear the truth and obey it, and follow it. I am so grateful for this spirit of openness and liberty!! The ability to WALK IN THE SPIRIT, rather than hang on to our own personal opinions, beliefs, etc. !! That's burdensome! How does the world live like that??!!! How did I used to live like that???!!!. . . in that "other" life?!!! Hahahaha!

Oh I thank God for drawing me back, close to Him, and allowing me to have peace, knowing that I CAN trust His Spirit, every step of the way. I also thank Him for those settled feelings, feelings of comfort, that are not too settled to be changed as well.

I HATE the carnal mind!! I hate how it deceives a person!! I hate the way it sabotages sound judgment and common sense! I hate the way it tries to wiggle aroung the obvious facts, ignore spiritual experiences and have it's own way!!! I hate the PRIDE that the flesh thrives on, and the ignorance of the individual that it depends upon for it's survival!!!

I spoke with someone today who'd seen "The daVinci Code" movie and were so fascinated by it that they want to read the book! I thought, why do people get caught up in a ludicrous, bizarre idea from a man, when they could study the Bible?! Why do they research about God, in all sources EXCEPT the Bible? Why do they take the word of a NOVELIST, but not the CREATOR's Word?! UNBELIEF!!

There's a smorgasboard of religions out there that people think they can explore, do a little research on and then pick one and put their confidence in it, without ever giving JESUS a fair chance!!!

Ohhh, the pride of this flesh is amazing to me!! It takes us down roads that lead nowhere. Wasting our time! Distracting us from the "REAL" and substituting the "FALSE." And many folks actually prefer the false! Consequently, people never get to know the truth, never seek the holy ghost and eventually settle into the mediocre experience known as "life" on this planet. Whew!! I am on a roll!

Thank God for His glorious TRUTH, and the sweet rest that comes with it!!!

I like what your father said, "Whatever it is that keeps the holy ghost out of your life will keep you out of the glory world!" How tragically true!!!

I just want to pray for EVERYBODY!!! Everybody NEEDS JESUS!!!

Amen!

Brad

Hi Brad:

What a great email! What can I say? Amen!

Pastor John

November 18, 2006

Friday Evening

Pastor John,

In the translating today I was trying to say something that didn't come out too well about the difference in the commandment regarding divorce in the old testament vs. divorce in the new testament. My impressions have always been that Moses permitted divorce in certain circumstances, including the ones we talked about: (the "finding no favor because of some uncleanness" as in Deuteronomy 24:1, or by reason of "hate" in Deuteronomy 24:3). These reasons for divorce carried over into Jesus' day, and the Pharisees wanted to tempt him on this point of the Law in Mark 10: 1-12. His answer to their question exposed their sin of using Moses law to"put away" their wives in order to remarry. To Jesus, that was adultery. He got right down to the heart of the matter. And by answering them the way he did, Jesus was closing loopholes in Moses law.

I had never considered that Jesus was closing the loophole in the Law that allowed the Pharisees to (legally) commit adultery, Adam. That's a new thought, and it sounds right.

In the translating session, I was feeling that Jesus was trying to stop this cycle of adultery by saying in so many words: "No, you will not put away your wife anymore like this. From now on, you will be taking a look at yourself." He said, "but I say unto you . . . whosoever looks upon a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart" and "but I say unto you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery . . . ." That was challenging the custom of the day which was abusive to women who, depending on the disposition of the husband, could find themselves, for just about any reason, without a home and in a position to find another husband to care for them. The commandment, "Thou shalt not commit adultery" was being spelled out.

This is a remarkable take on this verse, Adam.

We discussed changing the wording in Matt 5:32 from "the cause of fornication" being a reason for divorce to "moral impurity." On second thought, we might want to take another look at that. Fornication can be pinned down much more easily, and it may be what Jesus was saying, rather than "moral uncleanness", which could have a much broader interpretation. Saying "moral uncleanness" could open the door again for excuses for men to get out of a marriage based on opinion, preference, innuendo, or hearsay, and so would continue the chain of allowing men to act out the real adultery of the heart, while pointing at and condemning the woman.

What do you think about using the word "unchastity", as some versions have it, or simply, "immorality"? As I said during the translation, "fornication" does not include, biblically speaking, adultery, which certainly would be a cause for divorce. What we need is an English word that means "immoral", and at the same time refers only to that genre of immorality that has to do with intimate relationships. "Unchastity" would probably do it, but it is an awkward sounding word.

The tract called "The Forgiven Woman" is one of my favorite tracts. Jesus goes beyond the wrongful act into repentance, forgiveness, and a chance at life. No man condemned the woman who was caught "in the very act of adultery" after Jesus was through with the accusers. Whether she went back to her husband, I don't know. He may not have taken her back, and she, going by the Law as Jesus interpreted it for us in Matthew 5, may have not been allowed to marry again. She may even have been eventually stoned anyway; I don't know. But at any rate, she was given another chance at life because Jesus forgave her. I love that story, and reading in the translating session put a new light on it. Just some thoughts....Thank you for inviting me to "sit in" today.

Adam

Saturday Morning

This morning I was also thinking about some of those things. You are right, the definition of fornication in the dictionary is different from adultery. Adultery involves at least one married person, and fornication does not involve any married person. I think that adultery is the more wicked of the two as it affects a covenant or promise. Most readers wouldn't catch that though, and maybe that is why the king james version uses the word "fornication". But since the verses in Matt 5:31 and 32 are speaking to married persons, it has to be the wrong use of the word.

Also, I looked up the word "unchaste" in the paperback Thesaurus I have here, and it listed similar words as being: lewd, incontinent, wanton, lascivious, lecherous, dissolute, and immoral. Then there is a hyphen, and it lists a few more words, including "unfaithful" and "adulterous". And then it says to see or look up another word: "impurity", or "purity". The word "unchastity" would include being unfaithful, and that is very close, as you said, to what is needed here. I agree it sounds awkward, but it looks like the best thing, outside of finding a new word in English. Whew!

Well, Adam, after all is said and done, it appears that "unchastity" may be the word we go with in that verse. That is the closest English word that I have found to the Greek word Jesus used in the verse from Matthew 5.

Thanks you so much for your input in our effort to produce for God's children the much needed non-Christian version of the New Testament. May God give us success!

Pastor John

November 17, 2006

Wow.

Brad here.

I'm gonna say "Amen" to Sister Sue's email about re-reading those good ol' TFT's! I feel like we're in one accord on this. . . because recently I began to start my day, each day, at breakfast, reading a few of those TFT's from that beloved "encyclopedia" that Gary and Amy put together, INSTEAD of reading the junk in the morning paper! I FEEL LIKE A MILLION DOLLARS!

Hooooooooweeeee!

It's a strange feeling, however, re-reading them after a couple of years. I know that I read them all online, but I guess they didn't sink in. (I don't recall any of them.) So, it's like reading them for the first time, and man---- do they go in deeeeeep!

Today I began my day with the cleanest feeling in my soul, just from spending time with the TFT book. I had a curiously strong urge to pray afterwards, and the Spirit of God was doing something in me, I don't know what, but it was sweet! What a refershing! What a boost for the day! GLORY TO GOD!!! Thanksgiving ---HERE I COME!!!!

Thank you Jesus for our Pastor! And thank you, pastor John, for your diligent and obedient writing.

Brother Brad

November 17, 2006

Pastor John

Kay and I have been reading John's gospel. This morning we were up to chapter 6. One verse that stood out to us was v29, "This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." Just before, that Jesus said to "labor for that meat that endures unto everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you." Everything we have to do to please God is found in Jesus through the Spirit. We don't need to do anything else. All that stuff that christianity thinks up and imposes on people in the name of Jesus - we can just forget about it. We can be happy and satisfied with the simplicity that Jesus gives to us. That was what we were feeling in the translation session today.

Further on in John 6, we read about the manna in the wilderness. I had a cross reference to Ps 78:24 which I checked out. I decided to read it out to Kay and Sarah and went back a verse at a time trying to "get the context". Well, it was all so good that I ended up back at verse 1 and read the whole thing! I had read the email about lies so verse 36 stood out, "Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues."

Later in the day, I wanted to re-read that verse, but this time, I really got what those few verses (near v36) were saying. I had missed it earlier. In verse 34 and 35 God says that after he sent trials and afflictions, they did return and seek him.

34 When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and enquired early after God. 35 And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.

But they did it with lies as the next verse (36) says. I didn't get that the first time I read it. God then gives the reason.

37 For their heart was not right with him, neither were they steadfast in his covenant.

You can look like you are seeking God, but it be a lie! What is even more incredible are the next verses.

38 But he, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity, and destroyed them not: yea, many a time turned he his anger away, and did not stir up all his wrath.

39 For he remembered that they were but flesh; a wind that passeth away, and cometh not again. Even though they were hypocrites and deceivers, and that while in the very act of repenting, He still had mercy. What a God, God IS!

This stirred something up in us. Since yesterday's translating session I have had a strong sense of the fear of God. Thinking about answering to that heavenly court is a fearful thing, and today it was even stronger.

God is so merciful, but it is not infinite. In following verses, "How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness" ... "they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel" We need God's power. The gospel has to be not in word only but in demonstration of the Spirit and power. Oh, we need that. I don't want to limit God amongst us.

... "He made a way to his anger"

A way to his anger. Oh God, help us to not get to that place. This is such a wonderful place God has put us. A simple, good life with right understanding and the sure promise of eternal joy with the Lord if we are faithful. What else do we want? Yes, what sin is it that you would rather have or prefer to this? I'm asking myself that question, and I hope others will. Help me, God, to be simple and clean. He doesn't require much of us.

52 But made his own people to go forth like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock.
53 And he led them on safely, so that they feared not:

Damien

November 17, 2006

Pastor John,

Oh my! What a wonderful doctor's appt. today! :) Yeehaa! Dr. J------- was simply amazed at my cervix today. He kept saying, "This is amazing. I can't believe this. How is this possible? " :):):) I told him it was Jesus! :) I told him I've had lots of good help, too. It is possible for a cervix to increase in thickness some (to help keep those babies in!), but he has not seen one increase like this. The best measurement I've ever had was 3.3 cm, which was okay in the beginning, and we knew we would have to watch it. He put me on bedrest at 2.6 cm 5 weeks ago. We have watched it thin to as little as 2 cm at one point. Last week it had increased to somewhere btw. 2.3 cm to 2.7 cm, and that's why he was so tickled with things and let me go out and eat. Well, today he was just shocked. It was a good 3 cm. The smallest reading he could get was 2.7 cm!!! Thank you, Jesus!

Jesus is giving us another wonderful testimony. Dr. Jackson is a special doctor that I know God has placed over my care. I pray for him often. He has a special heart for caring about people, and he has faith in God. I'm hoping that with all that he's seen God do for us, it will really encourage him to know our God. It has been a wonderful, wonderful experience for us. God is so good. No matter how things look, if we keep a good attitude, and look at our situation as an opportunity to have faith in God, and just trust Him, He will not let us down.

This morning I had this little song in my mind as I was getting ready for my appt. I haven't heard it in a long time, but it is fitting for the day. It was, "God will turn it for your good."

Thank you for helping me to learn who I am and who my Father is.

Love you,

Cris

Dear Cris:

This is such happy news! Thank God for His goodness to Haskell and you, and to us through your blessing!

Pastor John

November 17, 2006

Pastor John

I think God lets me go to bed some nights not to sleep but to become more awake. Some nights He really blesses me with wonderful thoughts and feelings. And He also knows how to put you in a mood to fall asleep also. What and where would we be without Him and His love and goodness? I hope He never lets me, by any thought or action or any thing else, know what that would be like.

Ray

November 17, 2006

Good morning!

Thank you for sending this to me. I love the sweet feelings from Jesus! I got blessed so much Wednesday night before I could testify about what the Spirit said to me before the meeting. Oh and I enjoyed it so much!! Thank you Jesus!

As I was getting dressed, after I sent you the email about understanding, I was just having the sweetest feelings of thankfulness and just enjoying them. The Spirit spoke to me and said, “You understand because this is where you belong.” OH!!! How sweet!! When we got to the meeting Wednesday night, that’s what you were saying! I love HIM so much!!! Thank you Jesus!! Thank you, thank you, thank you! He has always known I have never understood much about the Bible and so much more. I am able to understand my Bible now and what you tell us about our DADDY!!

You know, Keith was talking to me one day about a person he knows in Chr