Going Up or Down? You Should Know Already.

Here is a video from a debate that took place during now-President Obama's Senate campaign. Watch particularly from :22 - :31.

Look, if you REALLY ARE A Christian; a believer in Jesus Christ and the atonement He provided for us on the cross, then you KNOW whether you are going up or down. You don't have to ask HIM about it. There are so many 'believers' who are NOT sure. They should stop calling themselves Christians. The church is responsible for this by the way. It has, for too long, preached a watered-down gospel. ( I will provide, in a future post some examples of this. Right now I am experiencing some technical difficulties with regards to videos.)



The President is not the only one like this, but he is the President, hence the high-profile standards. Don't tell me that we are on the same side because you believe like I do. You do NOT believe like I do if you do not know for a certainty whether you are going up or down. In all fairness, this video was a while ago, and it's possible that by sitting under the preaching of Jeremiah Wright, he learned of his true fate, but I doubt that. Heh.

Just my occasional political twist on matters of faith.

Embracing What is Right

First, let me say that this is not a political entry. This is a personal entry. I try very hard to steer away from the political realm, as difficult as that sometimes is. Also, I am not claiming anyone to be guilty by association, so don't even read into that here.

As I watched history unfold during the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States, I was unimpressed. There wa no 'wow' moment for me. From Rick Warren's 'prayer' until the end of Joseph Lowery's 'bendiction' - nothing.

I wasn't surprised by the crowds. I expected them.

The music left no lasting impression except for the fact that they could keep stringed instruments in such great tune at such low temperatures. I hear that maybe it was pre-recorded; a Yo-Yo version of lip-synching? Yo-Yo Manilli. I couldn't resist.

There was no historic 'quote' from th ePresident's speech that we will ever see etched in marble or written in history books. For such a charismatic and eloquent man, and after all of the campaign speeches, it was almost anti-climactic. We appear to be stuck with "Yes, we can."

The poem was, well, odd.

And then Rev. Lowery takes to the microphone to pronounce the benediction. Still not impressed, but it definitely sticks with me.

BENEDICTION - A benediction (Latin: bene, well + dicere, to speak) is a short invocation for divine help, blessing and guidance, usually at the end of worship service.

According to wikipedia, Dr Lowery has been in ministry since at least 1952. He should certainly know the purpose of a benediction. He got most of it right. He prayed for protection over the President and his family. He prayed for an end to war in this world. He prayed for the unity of the millions in attendance. Then he tried to add the rhyming and humor to his 'prayer'.

Here is the closing text of this benediction:

"Lord, in the memory of all the saints who from their labors rest, and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around ... when yellow will be mellow ... when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right. That all those who do justice and love mercy say Amen."

That is NOT a blessing! It is NOT, as the latin states, speaking well of anyone.

This is not an attack on the man of God. He has very many accomplishments, has served God many years and I would never discount any of that. But, I would think that after all of the trouble our new President has had in the past with preachers, he would make some safer choices.

In the following video, you can even see his regret in his face...watch closely...



There are some other things that I can say here regarding the struggle against racism in the United States, but they may start a riot in front of my home. Now, while SOME of my readers may want me to do that, I am not going to. There are many of my African American blogging friends who say it very well.

Suffice it to say, that the three main challenges facing us with regard to racism are these:

1. Old thoughts are still in play. That is to say that people of the older generation and even some out-of-touch, uneducated people of my own generation, have a certain mind-set regarding other races. they do not see anything wrong with their viewpoint, and feel free to speak their mind on the issue.

2. We still call racism a 'problem'. The more you call something a problem, the more of a problem it becomes. The Bible says that:

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
Proverbs 18:21

3. The victim mentality. A young man that I have really grown to admire says it best in the following video. And since he's black, he is allowed to say it. Whatever! This was posted pre-election. While I agreed with his views in the rest of the video at that time, some of it now falls out of line with our support of our current President. I know you're going to watch it all. This video was in response to someone else's blog entry, but watch around :54 through 1:34. A tip of the hat to an Ol' Broad for this video.



Finally, let me say this: When we start viewing ourselves as we are; a great, blessed, powerful country, we will be able to re-take our rightful place in this world as a leader. As long as we view ourselves as struggling within, we will always be a struggling nation. It is time for us, as a nation to renew our mind. The current President is in office because the left succeeded at getting some on the right to renew their minds about certain things. Unfortunately, the church is responsible for putting an ungodly man in office and America as a nation will pay the price.

Yes, it is time for white and every other color to embrace what is right.

God is right.

Marvia Providence

Someone Please Tell Them it's Not April Yet

The atheists are at it again. They are trying to steal another holiday. Why is it that they are not happy with their own holiday? Why do they have to take ours too?

Nonbelievers' sign at Capitol counters Nativity


Does this mean there will be no egg roll at the White House next year? If you are reading this hungry then you may have read that last sentence wrong. Try again. Ooops, that will be the Obama administration, right? He's gonna have to do all that POTUS stuff! How funny, seeing as he is not even a christian.


OK, so some of you are probably trying to figure out when National Atheist Day is....

April 1st, every year.


The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.


Psalms 14:1

Jamaica - Sunday - Wow!

Hallelujah! Byron was the first person in the doors of New Covenant on Sunday morning!

He even got a new shirt for church from someone!


We ministered in their Sunday morning service, teaching and preaching on the importance of submitting to the vision of the house, the man and woman of God and how that is all connected to fulfilling your destiny.

After the message, as we prayed for the people of New Covenant,

Brother Smith


Sister G


and Sister Donna
all were healed of deafness or pain in their ears!

Byron recommitted himself to follow God and claimed Pastor White as his man of God!

Sunday night, we were back in Topsham.

Perla and Lee

The church in Wanstead joined us there. It was good to see Pastor and Mother Stevens again.

(Should I get a hat?)

New Covenant from Mandeville also came and all three churches joined together for a great time of worship.






God showed up and God showed off!

The people were encouraged by the Word of God. There was another man healed in his ears that night. As we prayed for the people, the presence and power of God fell and filled all the believers anew. Everyone was refreshed by the Power of the Holy Spirit.

The mission work of Revival Fires Fellowship International and Overflowing Life Christian Center is bearing much fruit in Jamaica.

When it is time to give to missions, we ask that you remember the faces and places we have shared with you today. Your giving facilitates these good works.

The churches in Jamaica are moving forward in God.

Come back this week for videos from our trip...

Jamaica - Saturday

TOPSHAM, Jamaica

The view from the Topsham church.

We arrived on Friday afternoon, (without our carry-on). After the drive from Kingston to Mandeville, we checked and freshened up a bit. Then we went to Pastor Williams’ house in Topsham for dinner. We spent some time with him and his family.

During our time in Topsham, we had some time to see some of the work that has been done on the church building. They have installed beautiful new doors.

The floor has been completely tiled.

It was bare cement before. They have completed the new lettering over the pulpit area also.

The back room, for visiting ministers, is finished and fully furnished.

The bathroom also has been completed.

Pastor Williams also showed us some of the damage caused by this year’s hurricanes. He personally lost about 2/3 of his crops. The stones were washed away on the path to the church in certain places,

as well as under the various footbridges. Hurricane Gilbert was severe enough to uproot trees.

The pigs, however, survived.

They are reproducing.

This one is even currently, ‘with pig’, Pastor Williams said.

MANDEVILLE, Jamaica

On Saturday, we spent some time preparing for ministry on Sunday. We also got out and about in Mandeville waiting for our afternoon appointment with Pastor White.

We came across Byron.

Actually, he came across us. He appeared very concerned with whether or not we were enjoying our vacation. We shared with him why we were actually in Jamaica. After speaking with Byron for a bit, he started asking us for money for food. Since we were on our way to Juici Patti, the Jamaican equivalent of McDonald’s, we told Byron that we would buy him a beef patty.

The security guard at Juici Patti was none too pleased to have Byron there. Byron sells packets of seeds on the street and they did not want him selling his seeds inside. That was their verbal statement anyway. Byron put down his box of seed packets but they still were insisting that he leave. I assured the guard that Byron was with us; he would be eating with us and leaving with us. I got that all too familiar ‘you silly american’ knowing smile look from the guard as he walked away.

While we spent time in Juici Patti with Byron, the Spirit of God moved in the restaurant and gave us a word for Byron’s life. Many others were listening attentively as we shared the truth of God’s Word with this man. We could see people listening in and nodding in agreement to what was being said.

Byron had been speaking very negatively about people and the way he gets treated. We shared with Byron the truth of sowing and reaping and that the negative treatment that he regularly receives could be a direct result of the negative way he treats others. It is a biblical principle of sowing and reaping.

As we left Juici Patti, we encouraged Byron to come to church right there in Mandeville the next day where we would be ministering.

PASTOR ALANDO WHITE

Later that afternoon, we met with Pastor Alando White and his wife, as well as another member of their church. Pastor White was the one who had contacted Bishop McIver with a desire to come under his leadership and apostolic covering. Pastor White showed us around some different areas of town and told us about their various ministries there in Mandeville. It turns out that the main part of Pastor White’s vision for ministry is to minister to street people and rehabilitate them and place them back into society. I think we found Byron’s pastor.

After our time with the Whites, Perla and I had dinner at the hotel, continued preparing for Sunday and then rested up for a full day of ministry in Jamaica on Sunday.

Coming up...Jamaica - Sunday - Wow!

Jamaica 2008 - Part One - $15.00, for what?!

We flew from Philadelphia through Montego Bay, (where USAir lost my ONLY bag I checked; yeah the one they charged me 15.00 to check), then on to Kingston.

So, this bag you see, was our only checked baggage. We had our full alotment of carry-ons. We could carry on everything we needed. I just didn't want to go through the whole little-plastic-bottle-for-everything-your-body-needs-in-a-ziploc-bag-please ordeal. So we shoved all those liquids, etc. into one bag and checked it.

The USAir lady said it was going through to Kingston. Since, I have traveled multiple times internationally, I knew better. So, I asked her to clarify it. She assured me that it would go through to Kingston. I asked her again if I needed to pick it up in Montego Bay to clear through customs and recheck it. She said once again that the bag would be in Kingston when I got there and showed me the tag on the bag to prove it.

Our flight into Montego Bay was delayed almost an hour. As we ran through the airport to make our connection, we passed the baggage claim. I actually thought of stopping to check if my bag was there, but we had NO TIME. As we ran past, I glanced over. I didn't see any small black bag with a blue ribbon tied to it on the carousel. Ok, I thought, maybe this was what I was now paying $15.00 for anyway. They'll put it through inspection and it will come out on the other end.

Off to immigration and customs.

I am a big man. If I have to run through the airport, I sweat. The whole security thing, taking off my shoes, my belt, watch, check your pockets, and don't lose your passport and boarding pass in the process! Some airports they want your passport through the x-ray, in others keep it with you.

Anyway, security and immigration officials are told to always be suspicious of anyone sweating profusely. HA! I almost always get pulled aside at security and I almost always get the extra questions at immigration. But this time I had my blood pressure under control. No sweating this trip.

We went through immigration and customs, barely made it to our plane. They actually were calling our names on the speaker to get to the gate.

Off to Kingston!

We arrived in 25 minutes, on time. We went to the baggage claim and found no bag. I knew at that moment what had happened. I went to the 'lost baggage' counter. I was so happy to be at my destination. Jamaica is so friendly. They quickly determined that my bag was in Montego Bay and they would have it delivered to me at our hotel, and charge US Air.

I should have it by morning; but this is Jamaica, where the ruling mentality still stands, "soon come".

We got our bag LATE the next night. We had already bought everything we needed. But it was good to have the bag.

Not that I am implying that I was in any personal want, for I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am.


Philippians 4:11

Jamaica 2008 - Introduction

This was not my first trip to Jamaica. It was my third. We have been working with Bishop Jim and Mary McIver for several years in Jamaica. When we are in Jamaica, we stay in Mandeville, the third largest city on the island. It is the closest city to the churches we work with. This was Perla's first trip to Jamaica.

Revival Fires Fellowship International has two churches in Jamaica in its fellowship; now three.

Pastor Williams' church is in Topsham*. He has been with us for several years now. Topsham is in the mountains. The roads to get there are very curvy. People beep when driving on them as they are coming to a curve. This is to let any oncoming traffic know you are coming. At night, the beep becomes a flash of the high beams. They also beep when they know someone, think they know someone, live in the same area as them, have seen them a lot or to say thanks for letting them pass. Needless to say there can be a lot of beeping. Where I would rush to the mechanic if my air conditioner wasn't working, I imagine they really need that horn.

Pastor Stevens' church is in Wanstead. Wanstead is even farther into the country. Pastor Stevens has been with RFFI for a couple years now also.

Pastor White of New Covenant Church in Mandeville contacted Bishop McIver with an interest to come under his leadership. The other churches were also desiring a visit from us. Bishop was not able to make the trip at this time due to prior obligations, so he sent Perla and I in his place.

It was a very fruitful trip!

*I discovered during this trip that it may actually be Topsand, but everyone there says and spells it as Topsham. I may never know. Neither one googles for Jamaica. However, there are cities in the US, Canada and the UK called Topsham, so I'm inclined to go with that one.

New news

Some time ago, we changed the look of our blog, explaining that we were heading in a new direction. We are now at liberty to reveal that direction.

We will be doing more mission work abroad. We will be operating out of Revival Fires Fellowship International / Overflowing Life Christian Center in Allentown, PA. This is our home church and missions is a large part of the vision of our leadership. We are committed to that vision.

We will be going to Jamaica at the end of this month. There are already two Revival Fires Fellowship churches in Jamaica with more on the way. We are impacting the world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We are excited to go and fellowship with the churches in Jamaica. We are believing that the Holy Spirit will move in the midst of His People. We are believing for signs and wonders, healing, deliverance and the Power of God. Please pray for us as we go. We are currently raising the funds for this trip and future mission work in Jamaica and Mexico. Any donations may be made to the address of RFFI which can be found in the link above.

Thank you for your support and prayers.

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 15:58

What Happened?

If you have been here before, then you just noticed that this place looks different.

Well, you did not click on the wrong bookmark. It's just that we are undergoing some changes.

The focus of our ministry is changing and this blog will be changing with it. The reason for that is that this blog will be a part of the new things going on.

While we can not reveal all the great things that God has for us at this time, we can share some.

We have released, and been released from, the fellowship here in Easton. After three summers of canvassing, street witnessing and preaching, and teaching the Word, we have seen little, if any fruit. It is time to move on.

There are other areas in which our efforts, we believe, would be of better use for the advancing of His Kingdom. We love Easton. We will still be here. It is our home. We will continue to be available here. But, there are new opportunities just around the corner.

For those of you who I know that read this blog, this post probably means very little. For those who will come, it will provide a history necessary for understanding.

'Stay tuned' for more information on our newest endeavors....

Pastor John & Perla

Mass Transit - Part Two, Kilometro 21

Please be strapped into your chair as you read this. I do not want anyone getting hurt as their laughter knocks them to the floor.


View Larger Map

This is Kilometro 21.

On the left, the large white building is the gas station with the tan building being a sort of 'convenience' store. On the right of the dirt road, you can barely make out some taxis parked on the corner, with some garages for repair/storage of those taxis just to their south on the dirt road.


I can't believe I was able to locate this place on Google maps!


So here I am standing at Kilometro 21, (not my in-laws house). It is just before 9 pm. The buses I am told, run until 10. I am waiting for the bus to come by. I know the bus I was on was "no longer operating for the evening", but there are multiple buses that run the same route. I know what it looks like. It always stops here. There are other people waiting.

Two words: Taxi driver.

Oh, he seemed so helpful. I knew when he approached me that he was just looking for a fare from the norteamericano. I explained my recent adventure to him. He asked about where my in-laws lived. I gave him the half-tire-my-property-line-Paraguay vs Germany-Vicente-Felipa-three-turns-in-from-the-church 'directions'. He ended up being the only Paraguayan who did not pretend to know everyone in town. He looked puzzled. He calls across the street to some other taxi drivers. About 4 of them now are all talking Guarani seeming as if they are attempting to figure out the great mystery of the ages. One of the younger ones says something and they ALL say, "Oh yes, yes. I know where that is!" "Oh, Great!" I felt more secure with his uncertainty. He assures me that he knows where this church is and that the young kid actually KNOWS my in-laws. Heh.

Two words: It rained.

As we get into the taxi and drive off, it starts raining; not a lot, but raining. This rain is only the manifestation of the humidity I had been 'enjoying' all evening. I am 6'1" and 280 pounds. I sweat. Humidity condenses on me. He was shorter, but just as stocky for his height. Perspiration? We were equal.

I am not so sure what kind of car this was. It seemed to be a mixture of several different cars all put together in one of those garages. I realized as we drove off that this vehicle was a stick shift with no first gear. We jerked violently to a start. We were off! As we drove along toward the church, which is on this same road, the rain really started coming down. He winds up his window, except for a crack at the top. I follow suit. He is not using his wipers. We make a turn. I tell him that the church is straight ahead. he assures me that my desired destination is that way.

The car stops. "Is that it?" he asks. I look out the window to see a church. Nice church. Not the church. "Oh, OK", he replies. "It must be the one that is that way. We jerk to a start. We're off again. The rain is really coming down now. He takes me to about 4 different churches. None of them are the right one. If you knew the make-up of this area or any back roads towns in rural Paraguay, you would understand my amazement at the fact that there were even so many churches and that he knew where so many were! I keep trying to explain to him that the church that I am referring to is back on the 'main' dirt road. He assures me again that Fernando and Felipa live that way, and he knows how to get there. Oh, Father! Please come to my aid. It's Vicente and Felipa! Who knows who this Fernando and Felipa are. I am sure they are very nice people and may even take in a lost norteamericano for the night. But my wife and children are at Vicente and Felipa's house.

Three words: Mechanic for hire.

So as we are driving in the manifested humidity, we too big sweaty men in this Toyo-nissa-onda-ford taxi, the windows are fogging up. Now, as I said, he is not using his wipers. Had he used them, he may have avoided the fogging up of his windshield. Now, he is not using the defroster either. Such the foreigner I am! The car stops; and stops in the most secluded, darkest spot on the planet.

He reaches under his steering wheel. Again, I am thinking 'easy prey'. He fiddles around with something.

The engine dies.
The lights go out.

He pulls out a wire from the dashboard and connects it to whatever he was fiddling with under the steering wheel.

The radio, the wipers and the defroster all come on.

We sit there a while, in the dark.

He says nothing.
I am praying.

The windshield clears up.

He disconnects the wires again; dead car, no wipers, no defrost, no radio, no engine, no lights

He reconnects the other wires. The car starts, the lights go on, we violently jump over first gear and we're off again!

After our late night local Capiata church tour, I finally convince him at 9:30 to take me back to Kilometro 21 (not my in-laws house) so that I can at least make one final attempt to get on the last bus. He obliges me. We finally both agree on one thing: Kilometro 21 is (say it with me); that way!

I can now see 'kilometro 21'. It is well lit, there is a gas station, some taxis, some people hanging around, loud music. That is not my in-laws' house. We arrive. He charges me the equivalent of $1.40 for my 45 minute church tour. I pay him the equivalent of $7.00.

It has been almost 3 hours since I last saw Julian.

To be continued....

2e

I ALWAYS WIN!!!!

Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place.

2 Corinthians 2:14

Archives

I noticed that some of our earlier posts have gone into archives. They are not being rebellious or anything. In fact, they are doing exactly what they were told to do, at the time they were told to do it. I miss some of them though. So I wanted to take this time here to ask you new readers to visit some of them, especially this one.

What is YOUR Cardboard Testimony?