Kit Sober

"A man's gift makes room for him." A man's ministry takes on the form of him and of those he attracts and form the ministry together. Maybe vp had a vision from the Holy Spirit of the Holy Spirit help he could bring into the world. I think he did, but I also think he was not willing to pay the price of holiness, which is required to retain the Holy Spirit in one's life. An example is Billy Graham's ministry (Billy Graham Evanglistic Ministry), and millions of people have been blessed by this ministry. Samaritan's Purse, founded by Billy Graham's son Franklin, has collected and distributed shoebox Christmas presents for millions of children and many other worthy operations of bringing God's kindness to people. Not only Ruth and Billy's children and their families but also the families of the men and women who founded their ministries have helped the Lord bring not only the gospel, but also disaster relief and other physical aid to suffering people. Also Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Joyce Meyer, David Wilkerson (The Cross and the Switchblade) and some other ministries I know of with leaders who lived to serve the Lord. The Way International grew when Holy Spirit was there, but He was driven out by greed and lust and etc. etc. I am sure that twi wasn't the only ministry whose leaders bit the dust. I think the key in "manifestation calculation" is being willing to keep one's promise to the Lord, to serve Him as He directs. We will never be able to see where the Lord will take us, only that we need to obey the Lord if we want the blessing of His presence and protection. Moses, Abraham, Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego -- none of these people knew where their "ministry" would take them, but their obedience and reverence allowed the Lord to do many mighty things by their hands, giving them the wisdom and strength needed as He did so. Watchman Nee was imprisoned in China 1952-1972 when he died in prison. But he still has people who love to read what he wrote. I have been receiving for a few years a daily devotional of Watchman Nee's stuff from Christian Fellowship Publishers. And Watchman Nee's "ministry" is not noted by many, but I believe he helped the Lord keep His Word alive and that he has a most precious mansion in heaven. The big question, in my opinion, is what is the legacy into the world I am leaving. I hope and pray I have helped strengthen the foundation and covering of prayer in the world, so people are more protected from the punches of the wicked one.

I received the attached version of I Peter 5:8-9 (don't know which version it is), but it got me to thinking because the "lion' pictured in the devotional looks to me like a lioness defending her lair, not aggressively attacking or looking for prey. And the other attached picture is a lion (male) who looks to me like he is on the prowl for prey. What got me thinking is that I had always thought of a "sober" mind as one that just was calm, cool, and collected, and watching only. However, this devotional got me thinking that perhaps the sober minded watchfulness should include willingness to fight to the death in protecting our precious loved ones who are under our protection. As a mother I have always felt like that. And I know some parents who are still fighting for their children, even though they have grown and "left the nest," yet I know I still feel like I am fighting tooth and nail for them, for their lives. I haven't explored verse 9 enough. 1 Peter 5:8-9: The Message: King James Version: Any thoughts?

I love the daily devotionals, especially the ones that I can use year after year (e.g,. spiral bound, not tear off calendar) because each time they come up, I am (1) reminded of the verse and address and (2) each time it comes up I have grown a little bit since the last time, and signs of deepening my walk with the Lord is always gratifying. Don't think there is a limit to the reminders in my room, in the kitchen, at the phone, in my office/work space, because I always need to be reminded to make my minutes count. One of my favorites is a set of 54 cards, one scripture for each week, from Dalcon Marketing, which has the basics we learned in PFAL: for example, this week, November 18-24, is "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life; and they are they which testify of me." John 5:39. What this verse means to me today: I have been focusing on looking for the face of Jesus Christ in the scriptures. And now that I am deaf, I cannot listen to the teachings and music which used to keep me going. But I can still read. and I am so thankful that I know to read the Bible.

And some more from CFF's newsletter: Thanksgiving Riddles If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring? Pilgrims! Why do turkeys gobble? Because they never learned table manners! What kind of key has legs and can't open doors? A Turkey! How can you send a turkey through the post office? Bird class mail! What happened when the turkey got into a fight? He got the stuffing knocked out of him! Why did the turkey cross the road? Because the chicken got Thanksgiving off! Why did the band hire a turkey as a drummer? Because he had the drumsticks! What sound does a space turkey make? Hubble, Hubble, Hubble! How do you make gold soup? Throw in fourteen carats! What's a Pilgrim's favorite kind of music? Plymouth Rock! What do you call a 500-pound turkey? Sir! How do little Pilgrims draw pictures? With crayon-berries! Why don't turkeys fly? They can't afford plane tickets! What's the friendliest vegetable on Earth? The sweet potato! What's a turkey's favorite type of doll? Gobble-heads!

This article is by a Messianic Rabbi (Jew who believes Jesus is the Messiah). I subscribe to a number of Jewish websites and "feeds" because Jews have a long history of searching and researching the scriptures and discussing differing views of what scripture means, and this provides a depth of their roots into God's heart, and I thought you might like this. How precious this is to me. This understanding of Jacob's being kind to his brother (from whom he had taken his birthright and blessing) assuaged the tempest of Esau's anger and saved his own life. I had never seen it this way. Thought you would like it, too.

Thanks so much. :)/> Holy Spirit, with comfort and wisdom, He brings peace to us as well (so we can fight the adversary, rather than each other) :)/> Often I think, "Pass the ammunition," and now I am beginning to see that the ammunition with which we are loaded is kindness. Who woulda thought?

Not as His peer, as in equal to (as Lucifer thought) , but made out of the "stuff" of God. Our bodies and minds and hearts and souls were made after the image of God. We were made in His image, not only spirit, but all of us is in His image -- we love as He loves, we feel as He feels. People do talk to God. That spirit infuses us and gives life to all our flesh and soul is capable of communicating with the Lord in infinite ways other than speaking in tongues. It's the presence of the spirit which gives life to us. I remember the blind man who was given his sight, and when questioned further by the Pharisees, said, "... and you also would worship Him?" They could not worship the Lord Jesus because the Holy Spirit was not alive in them. That spirit, the comforter, the spirit of truth, guides us into all truth, which is Jesus. He makes known the Lord Jesus to us. I know it's the Holy Spirit if it reveals the Lord Jesus to me, in scripture and in His presence in the earth (the face of Jesus is often shown to me in people who show Him forth in that part of Him they know.

With many thanks to the many precious friends who fulfill the category of "minister" in the world today, officially and unofficially: There are so many many kindhearted people here, to whom I owe the deepest thanks for your kindness. Thanks so very much.

PFAL expanded foundational syllabus. If someone would make a copy of the syllabus or tell me where I could obtain one, I would sincerely appreciate it. Mine have long since been discarded, and now I am finding I would like to go through and actually verify what I have often as "accepted without question" as "truth" in my brain. Please email me or post if there is a public option to acquire a syllabus. Thanks. Of course I would pay for copying and postage, etc.

I now believe that there is nothing that a person cannot be healed of by the precious name of Jesus and by the power of His precious blood. Especially since God would have everyone saved (made whole). I think that "born of the seed" stuff that vp was so intense upon is rubbish. I think anyone can be saved who comes to the foot of the cross. I think any wound, whether seared over (and hidden from view) our bleeding profusely can be healed by the Lord Jesus. (I also am so very thankful for the medical doctors and medical staff who perform healing by the work of their hands.)

Excathedra wrote... I am most always "beyond desperate for help" and find that any kind of prayer will bring me closer into the presence of the Lord :)/> Recently I watched Sid Roth's "It's Supernatural" with Tommy Welchel, and since then, have been reading about the Azusa Street Revival (1906-1910). Sid Roth's "It's supernatural" program includes portrayals of what his guest experienced, and during the course of Tommy Welchel's interview there were portrayals of William J Seymour, the preacher who led the Azusa Street Revival. Before he would preach/teach/minister, he set on a bench in the warehouse there with a wooden box on his head . . . I have been doing that . . . I don't have a wooden box, but I got a cardboard box that was big enough for my head. And just sitting in my bedroom praying with that box on my head helps keep away the various distractions and helps me get into the praise and worship quicker and deeper than without the box. I think praying is a "whatever works" deal. Speaking in tongues is good, but William Seymour knew he was called to lead the revival and was ministering and doing what the Lord told him to do before he received the fullness of the Holy Spirit. There have been many wonderful Christians who have walked with the Lord who did not speak in tongues. I never read or heard that Billy Graham speaks in tongues, but he certainly has done wonderful things to bring the kingdom of heaven to earth. It seems that both that twi and ex-twi people are easily prejudiced against people who don't speak in tongues, as though speaking in tongues was the dividing line between godliness and ungodliness, between approaching the throne of God and being denied access to Him. However, since the Lord looks on the heart, truly. And the Lord is the true Judge of the heart. It seems most foolish to venture such a judgment. I go with "whatever works." For me right now it's sitting with a box on my head. And I am trying also to build up a routine such as Daniel had of praying like this three times a day. I watched the PureFlix movie, "Daniel," and Holy Spirit brought into mind the children's fellowship song, "Daniel was a man of Prayer" [daily prayed he three times]. I definitely agree that developing a consistent prayer fellowship with the Lord is vital keeping us in the confidence and faith of Daniel who was so faithful that God was able to shut the lions' mouth. Daniel lived in a faith realm where "fears could not alarm him" and I think that had to do with the consistent prayer routine he and Ananiah, Hazariah, and Mishael (commonly known as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) had.

This may be the most articulate quote regarding a man's responsibility before God I know (This is a quote I am working on memorizing and implanting in my heart.)

The Watchman Nee devotional this morning, Watchman Nee often addresses that the grace of Christianity is the working of God from within. As Steve Hill says it, "Grace is not a freedom to sin, but a freedom from sin." The "cheap grace" which is (and was used most notably used by twi to provide license to sin). Grace is most precious, in my opinion.:)/>

Terribly sorry, I just heard about the relationship between a pumpkin's radius and its circumference, ...pumpkin pie...again, <br class="Apple-interchange-newline">

I am older than a lot of you guys. I was at the Fillmore watching Grace Slick, and Jerry Garcia and other friends. . . When I got into twi I threw out all my music except Brian Bliss-Bev Strick-etc. (My audiologist is working to try to get me cochlear implants, so I may hear again. Then I will come back and listen to it.)

During the very early 1960s, my high school days beatnik daze of motorcycle trips and after hours club Jimbo's Bop City, etc. etc. I also went to Washington DC because we were going to pray the demons out of that place. A few years later, after UC Berserkeley days dayz, I took "The Class" and trusted that this TWI group was going to help clean up the place. Even though I haven't seen the Pentagon cleaned up yet, I still have hope because God is still the miracle working God Who gave His only begotten son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life, and I do still love this USA place. :)

Moving on. . . . update: Elizabeth Smart has written a book about her healing from the abduction she endured for 9 months when she was 14 years old. I think we similarly had our innocence stolen in twi and similarly we were abducted and raped by twi, spiritually, emotionally, financially, as well as the physical rape that some endured). I was working frequently in Wendover NV at that time Elizabeth Smart was abducted (you would be amazed at how many LDS people work in the gaming industry). From an interview in "Breaking Christian News" today with Elizabeth Smart, which I thought had applicability to our moving forward from the hurt and dirt we experienced in twi: Also, I keep coming here kinda like Lou Rawls sang, "...I left my heart in San Francisco. . ." I left my heart with so many many people during my twi years, and this is one place I feel comfortable where I can keep in touch with some of those precious loved ones. Also people who had shared twi experiences can relate to laughing a dumb jokes, having a WOW mobile (and not understanding that having a beat up junk heap of a car was not a great "witness of believing"). So many things are laughable now. And also so many things are heartbreaking now, and it's just nice to have a place to go where people kinda "understand where you are coming from" really. . Other people who loved the same folks (Michael Martin, Del Duncan, Howard and Jane Yeremian, Ralph and Joanne Anderson, etc. etc. So many wonderful folks who really did "show us The Way" (of Jesus Christ).

Thanks. Nice perspective I think.

Steven Hill is one of those people who not only helped implement "The Brownsville Revival" of the 1990s, but has remained true and faithful since being saved 30+years ago. Avalanche is his latest book, and is a heart throbbing revelation of what Christianity should be personally. He compares the state of the Church in a snowballing parable of an Avalanche. Below are quotes from where I am reading now, and I was thinking maybe someone else here at this Greasespot Cafe might be another prodigal, hoping to be shown the way to (or back to) the heart of the Lord Jesus.

another word of Forgiveness from Brother Andrew's Open Doors