Departments Staff List Staff List MORNING STAR A Multimedia Christian Publication P.O. Box 7755, Nashua, NH 03060 Tel: 603-883-4624 Fax: 603-883-0466 INTERNET: mstarmac@aol.com EDITOR IN CHIEF Toby Trudel - Nashua, NH EXECUTIVE EDITOR Pastor Geoffrey Kragen - Roseville, CA MANAGING EDITOR Teresa Giordanengo - Canonsburg, PA SENIOR EDITORS Janette Kragen - Roseville, CA Al Murillo III - El Paso, TX ASSOCIATE EDITORS Jerry Johnson - Modesto, CA Pastor Russell Walden - Doniphan, MO Mike Wilkinson - Citrus Heights, CA Dr. Charles Wootten - Matoaca, VA CONTRIBUTING EDITORS Chuck Bennett - San Jose, CA Bryan Dufelmeier - Springfield IL Dr. Paul A. Kienel - Whittier, CA Zola Levitt - Dallas, TX Dennis R. Mallory - Albany, NY Joseph A. Nigro - Oradell, NJ Rick Riker - North Plainfield, NJ Jeannine Robinson - Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Moishe Rosen - San Francisco, CA Ray & Sharon Sanders - Jerusalem, Israel Dale Strand - Dublin, CA Rick Thrasher - Santa Clara, CA J.C. Trudel - Naples, FL Terry White - Washington, DC SENIOR PUBLISHER - DOS and WINDOWS Editions Steve Paulovich - Pembroke, NH SENIOR PUBLISHER - MACINTOSH Edition Toby Trudel - Nashua, NH SENIOR PUBLISHER - Hard Copy Edition Ray Reed - Beaumont, TX HARD COPY COVER ARTIST Donna Riker - North Plainfield, NJ OFFICE SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN Patrick Auriemma - Nashua, N.H. ELECTRONIC DISTRIBUTION DIRECTOR OF BBS DISTRIBUTION Walter H. Bauer Jr. - Sugar Land, TX AMERICA ONLINE NETWORK Jerry White - Germantown, MD (DOS, WIN & MAC editions) COMPUSERVE NETWORK Dr. Charles Wootten - Matoaca, VA (DOS & WIN editions) Douglas Wade - Redondo Beach, CA (MAC edition) GENIE NETWORK Mike Wilkinson - Citrus Heights, CA (DOS edition) DELPHI NETWORK Rev. Vince Gonzalez - Naples, FL (DOS edition) E-WORLD NETWORK John Linton - Haverford, PA (MAC edition) INTERNET NETWORK (DOS EDITION) Per Cederqvist - Linkoping, Sweden Internet Email: ceder@lysator.liu.se Morning Star is available on the Internet via anonymous ftp from: ftp.lysator.liu.se (pub/religion/christianity/morning-star) INTERNET NETWORK (MAC EDITION) Gary Bogart - Ithaca, NY Internet Email: njb@iclnet93.iclnet.org Morning Star is available on the Internet via anonymous ftp from: iclnet93.iclnet.org (pub/software/mac/Morning.Star) MORNING STAR is produced and published monthly, by a staff of born again believers in Jesus, located across the United States of America. Correspondence to MORNING STAR may be sent via the U.S. Postal Service or one of several computer networks. ELECTRONIC MAIL LINKS INTERNET: mstarmac@aol.com FIDONET: 1:106/3118 CHRISTIAN FAMILY NETWORK: 8:3003/0 CHRISTIAN DISTRIBUTION NETWORK: 8:2013/0 POLICENET: 150:402/53 If you run a bulletin board system and would like for your BBS callers to be able to view Morning Star on line by running a door program then contact: Alan Graff P.O. Box 131 Wheelersburg, Ohio 45694 Fidonet 1:2260/250 and 77:100/50 BBS: 614-776-7136 CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP ONLINE LETTER (CFOL) Margo A. Kanthak - St. Cloud, MN (CFOL is a monthly news/info/prayer letter, affiliated with MORNING STAR, for Christians across the Internet. To subscribe send your Internet I.D. to: phdutchess@aol.com) Editor's Letter Editor's Letter Hello and welcome to volume 4.3 of MORNING STAR. The Feature-theme for this issue is Missions and Missionaries. The term "mission field" has certainly taken on a new meaning in these last days. For instance, the computer network most of our staff "hangs out" on (America Online) is fast approaching 1.5 million users. Almost every night of the week you can find live Christian discussion areas (called "chat rooms") that are open to the public. On any given night, I can meet hundreds of people online who do not yet know the Lord - what a mission field! For those who are reading one of the computer editions of this magazine, we have a great new resource. If you have an electronic mail connection through the Internet, sign up for our new "Christian Fellowship Online Letter" (CFOL). Send your Internet I.D. to phdutchess@aol.com. The CFOL is a monthly news, info and prayer-request letter connecting the global online Body of Christ. If you have a need for Christian info of any kind, a prayer request or praise report, send it to phdutchess@aol.com to be included in the next issue! Over 1100 people are now receiving the CFOL! Folks, we really need YOUR help with articles, stories and testimonies to publish. As I've said countless times before, we do NOT have a writing staff. If everyone reading MORNING STAR sent in just one item to publish, we would be all set into the next century! Articles on ANY topic will be considered. If you wish to write for one of our upcoming Feature-themes ... here they are: Volume 4.5 (Mar) ONE in Christ (Unity among believers IN Christ) Volume 4.6 (Apr) Prison Ministry Volume 4.7 (May) Family issue Volume 4.8 (June) Annual Prophecy Update Volume 4.9 (July) Witnessing You can send your material via our Post Office box, fax number or Internet email. Also, don't forget our outreach to prison chaplains, inmates and missionaries. We need financial help NOW with printing 1000 hard copies a month of MORNING STAR which are mailed free to these people. It costs us about $750 an issue to do this - and we have no sponsors. If we don't get donations, WE STILL PRINT AND MAIL THEM! - the entire cost is then paid for by a few staff members who simply do without a few things that month - (like groceries!). Please help us out with a tax-deductible donation of any size - this is really an important ministry as many believers in jail or in foreign lands have very little Christian material to read - they actually use MORNING STAR to learn from, teach others and lead even more people to Christ. A check can be made out to MORNING STAR and sent to our publishing ministry: David's Mighty Men PO Box 5093 Beaumont, TX 77726 As we enter 1995 and draw ever so near to the return of our Lord, I wish all of our readers and their loved ones, the Shalom of Messiah Jesus - it is the peace that passes all understanding. Toby Trudel Browsing with the Bookworm Browsing with the Bookworm Browsing with the Bookworm It is rare I review something from the secular world. It isn't that I only read Christian books, it is just I don't often find a secular work worth reviewing. And I never expected to be recommending one that is on the best seller list. But, this being the Christmas season, I thought it would be nice to consider a children's book. Actually although this work is available as a hard cover book, I am recommending the audio version. Also, while this book is directed to children, I think that it is great for adults as well. So, enough beating around the bush ... THE BOOK OF VIRTUES: A TREASURY OF GREAT MORAL STORIES edited by William J. Bennett Simon & Schuster, New York, NY, 1994, $ 27.50 Audio Version, VOLUMES 1 & 2 Simon & Schuster Audioworks, 1994, $ 25.00 each. One of the major complaints against contemporary education is the lack of a moral foundation, or "traditional values." I'm not sure any of us have any confidence in what type of values contemporary education would present, if there was an emphasis on values. While it might be a blessing if these qualities were still to be found within the educational system, the real problem is their absence within the American home. Historically, the basic education, beginning in the home, and continued within the school system, was the teaching of virtues. Examples of virtues were drawn from classic literature, historical accounts, and the Bible. They were collected in many works designed to uplift children. The American Heritage Dictionary defines virtue as: "1.a. Moral excellence and righteousness; goodness. b. An example or kind of moral excellence: the virtue of patience." Virtues are needed, and sadly, are often overlooked. "The Book of Virtues" is Bill Bennett's effort to provide these uplifting examples of virtues for the benefit of our children. He has broken the work down into specific topics with a variety of offerings to illustrate each virtue. These areas include: Self-discipline; Friendship; Responsibility; Work; Courage; Perseverance; Honest; Loyalty and Faith. The illustrations are drawn from diverse sources including the Bible, with accounts of Cain and Able, Ruth and Naomi, Noah and the Ark and from Christian tradition including the songs "Amazing Grace," and "Go Down Moses." Other sources include children's works such as the story of "Chicken Little," and Kipling's "How the Camel Got His Hump," and Aesop's Fables. Authors include: Daniel Defoe, Charles Dickens, Robert Frost, The Brothers Grimm, Nathaniel Hawthrone, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Mark Twain and Oscar Wilde. Bennett also draws from essays of famous individuals, including: "Abraham Lincoln Denies a Loan," Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "Letter from Birmingham City Jail" and "George Washington's Rules of Civility." Cultures represented include Greek, Roman, Western and Eastern. Certainly as believers we may not be in total agreement with all the examples provided, but the principles are ones we all desire for our children. And, in the written edition, if you read selections to your children, (the approach I would highly recommend), you have the freedom to be selective. Which brings me to the reason that I am recommending the audio versions of the work, in spite of the $ 50 cost for both volumes. Each set includes four tapes and runs about six hours, giving a total of twelve hours of materials. These illustrations are meant to be listened to. This was often the way that they were presented in the past. Listening provides a depth of warmth and variety missing from the written page. The producers of the tapes have done an outstanding job of getting some of the best voices in film and theatre to read the selections. They have also done an excellent job of matching voices to readings. Especially appealing was the reading of "Now I Lay Me Down to Sleep" by John and Joseph Bennett, who I assume are Bill Bennett's young boys. Readers include such wonderful voices as: Edward Asner, Claire Bloom, Barbara Bush, Dorian Harewood, Charlton Heston, Dana Ivey, Andrea Martin, David McCallum, Moe Morton, Kate Nelligan, Tonya Pinkins, Faith Prince, Tom Selleck, Richard Thomas, Harriet Walter, Fritz Weaver and Michael York. These tapes are a great gift for the young people in your family, that is, if you yourselves can stop listening to them long enough to pass them on. I recommend both the book and the tapes without reservation. Until next month good listening and I remain your friend, The Bookworm Behind the Screens Behind the Screens BEHIND THE SCREENS By Bryan Dufelmeier Happy holidays everyone. Yes I know they'll be over by the time this comes out but still as we keep Christmas alive in our hearts and look forward to the New Year, let's be filled with merriment and good cheer. One of the ways to do that is through music and that is the subject of this month's column. I want to use this article to define an important concept in computer software. The term is "killer app." "App" stands for application. The term "killer" is an interesting choice indeed. A killer app is a computer program that so defines what a particular category of software is supposed to exemplify both in quality and achievement that it forever helps to set the standard and clarify the importance of that category of software. A good example is the popular Lotus 1-2-3. This application changed the status of business software, and spreadsheets in particular, from some nice programs to business tools that many would find hard to live without today. I'm sure that others who use computers could come up with a number of other good examples but hopefully you get the point. A killer app means excellence. Its influence can't be ignored. I'll start this month offerings with a shareware program called the Jewish Juke box. This program is a collection of Jewish songs about God, the Sabbath and the Torah (law) which appears to be from the Old Testament. The music plays through the PC speaker and selections are made by entering the number of the desired song from the main menu. Unfortunately for many, a large number of the songs have Hebrew titles only so you have to wait until you see the text of the song to understand what you chose. The cost it $5 and the program works as advertised. One nice feature is that the text is given in Hebrew, and then the corresponding line in English right below it. This makes it easy to follow along. I couldn't resist reviewing this software as the programmer was 10 years old. Wow! The next programs are from Compuserve's religion forum from the Christianity library. The "Let's Sing Scripture," volumes 1 and 2 are collections of original songs based on scripture with their text and scripture references included. These programs go for $10 a piece and lead sheets and performance rights can also be obtained. The programs run almost identically to the Jewish Jukebox. There is a replay option available but to repeat a song you have to hit the letter "r" and then enter each time. If you want to hear and sing along with a song until you have memorized the verse it may take several tries. I would have liked to see an adjustable auto-replay and some basic music controls like volume, pitch, tempo, and maybe even vibrato. If you're going to use the relatively low quality of the PC speaker, then you should do what you can to enhance and customize it. This is especially true with flexible replay options that could be important in memorizing scripture. Such features enhance a program's purpose and bring it one step closer to being a killer app. I haven't looked at every one of these songs but some verses that should be included are Ephesians 5:18-19 and Colosians 3:16. They both refer to songs, hymns, and spiritual songs. I have some ideas concerning what a killer app for Christian music software should be like. I am not a programmer, but would very much like to collaborate with others who are. I feel certain that some talented person or persons out there could translate my concepts in to concrete Praise for Him who deserves all Praise. If interested contact me by Internet email. Throughout the ages God has endeavored to reach out to man and show His character and love. Then came Jesus. He was in a very real sense, God's killer app. Please don't let the phrase throw you. Jesus was all that God wanted to say to us. He was God's example to us and we must be His examples to a dying world. Bryan Dufelmeiercan be reached via the Internet at: 73617.251@cis Praise and Prayer Praise and Prayer PRAISE AND PRAYER is our international prayer link column. Send your praise report or prayer request to MORNING STAR for publication in our next issue. Call on your brothers and sisters worldwide and together we will call on God! PRAISE REPORTS ILLINOIS Brenda has left rehab, and is doing much better! Jennifer is in rehab and was led to the Lord Jesus by Brenda! Praise the Lord! NEW JERSEY Rich thanks everyone for praying for his wife Donna. She is recovering very well from the surgery on her hand. Also, the Bea family's problem has been resolved. Their daughter Erin was being harassed at school by a girl that was living with her father. Her mother came and took the girl back to Missouri. So the Lord answered by moving the source of the trouble completely out of state. PENNSYLVANIA Shirley thanks the Lord that the stroke she had only paralyzed her right hand. In time, with therapy, she will be fine. She had been having mini-strokes and did not realize it. Now she is on proper medication, thank the Lord. OTHERS The Lord has blessed the JonMT family with a precious baby girl. Born November 20th, Jaime Leigh, weighed in at 6 lbs. 15 1/2 ozs. Mother Lolita and baby are both healthy and happy, and this makes Daddy very happy. Join us in praising God for this miracle. INTERNATIONAL PRAISE Although Christians and new converts in MALI are being harassed, kidnapped, poisoned and killed by Muslims or put on hit-lists, they continue to serve the Lord. Praise the Lord for their endurance and ask the Lord to protect them. PRAYER REQUESTS CALIFORNIA Pray for a job for Janette. FLORIDA Pray for Denise and her family, that the Lord will meet all their needs. Cissy is depressed over a broken marriage. Pray the Lord will comfort her and heal the hurt. GEORGIA Pray for Katie who lies to her parents. ILLINOIS Pray for Bernice and family. Her husband went to be with the Lord. MAINE Pray for a job for Gene. He wants to be led of the Spirit of God and have courage to do what the Lord has for him. MINNESOTA Francine asks prayer for Gskoog, from Stillwater, who desires to start a ministry, Pray for vision and guidance from the Lord to help those in recovery programs. NEW HAMPSHIRE Continue to pray for Toby for a complete healing of his elbow and/or a new job. NEW YORK Pray for a job for Terri. Pray that Anita's home will sell quickly and that the Lord will help her in decisions in her life. OREGON Pray for Shirley who had a heart attack. She and Ken are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. PENNSYLVANIA Pray for reconciliation in the marriage of Dan and Beverly. They have 3 young teenage sons and have been married 15 years. Pray for reconciliation in the Baldwin family's marriage. They have been married for 12 years. TEXAS Pray for financial problems for Dan in Texas. WASHINGTON Pray for Lynn and Anita, who were in prison. Anita has cancer and has basically turned from all her brothers and sisters since being released from prison. She and Lynn developed a close bond in the LORD. All we know for sure is that she is hurting. OTHERS Jean has strayed from the Lord through the years. She has been married too many times, and is currently married to one man and living with another. The doctors have discovered she has a heart problem, and has asked for prayer. She needs prayer for her relationship with the Lord first of all. Let's all expect God to meet her needs for a new relationship with Him and her heart problem. Peregrinne is the director of a Christian vocal ensemble. Yesterday, one of the singers was sentenced to 30 days in the county jail for a crime he is not guilty of. He must register with the State as a sex offender (which he is not) and his wife will lose her daycare business. Please pray for his safety and early release. He is in there with very dangerous criminals and he's very frightened. Someone was raped in that jail only last week. He is in great danger and his wife (who is newly pregnant) is so frightened for him that she can't eat or sleep. Pray for Alvin who is suicidal. TPrice has a friend that was hurt in an auto accident about one year ago. The friend has recovered partially but needs our prayers for a complete recovery. Jeremiah has a friend that tried to commit suicide and would like us to pray for him. Ken asked that we pray for him that he will follow the right path. Jeff, a software engineer, wants God's will in his life. Pray for Tiny as he tries to quit smoking. Pray also for his arthritic condition that is causing him much pain in his arms. Pray for John who had a stroke. Pray for Joel who is in jail. Pray for him to allow God's love to penetrate his fear and pride. Lightspell is dealing with a great deal of pain in the loss of her father. She wants answers, but doesn't recognize the only answer there is. Pray she will seek the Lord for her answers and He will comfort her heart. Jon's wife Cindy has cancer and is recovering from ovarian surgery. She is anxious to get back to her clown ministry for kids and adults. Please pray for her. Pray for Lorna's mom who has cancer. Picasso reports that a friend's dad is a homosexual who left when she was real young. Last week he died in her arms of AIDS. She's smiling and seems to be doing well on the outside, but she's still dealing with it on the inside. Please pray for her. Edmonds R reports that a special friend, Richard (owner of KHRT, a Christian radio station in Minot, ND) has requested prayer for his wife Glenda who was diagnosed with terminal cancer 8 months ago. The doctors have all given up hope and they say the only thing that can save her now is a miracle. Richard & Glenda have a very special ministry with the radio station which has become such a powerful force for Christ in the area. Please pray for healing and also please pass this on to as many networks as possible. JanaPB asks prayer about the condition of her father. Although he is able to be up and around a little, he is getting weaker. Her dad has been a great support for her and a wonderful role model for her son since her divorce 15 years ago. Also, please pray for Juan, a former student of hers charged with a felony, and for his mom Peggy. Mojoe reports that the Pastor at New Community Church has decided to resign and at the moment there is no Pastor to fill the gap that is left. The threat of folding looms strongly. We need two elders, one of whom would assume the pastorate. The deacons of our church feel that this is a time of seeking the Lord's will in this and other areas within our church. Please pray with us. Boerstlers says that the current period of his life is very restless. He loves the Lord, and yet each work situation he steps into meets with unexpected disappointment. He cannot seem to find a position which meets his professional background and training. He needs HIS HEALING TOUCH in his heart, in his body, emotions, and spirit. Please join us in praying for healing in the deepest parts of his being. INTERNATIONAL REQUESTS COMORO ISLANDS Pray that the Comoro Christians, who are heavily persecuted by radical Muslims, will be aware of God's presence and the prayers of brothers and sister worldwide. Pray that they will know that they have not been forgotten as they "fight the good fight". MEXICO Please pray for 14-year old Octavia, who was gang-raped and beaten up by "caciques" ("Caciques" are wealthy mafia-like landowners who attack evangelicals once they become Christians.) They also brutally shot and killed her parents in Chiapas and she is left to look after her two younger sisters, Leonicia (4) and Martha (2). Pray for Rosa who was widowed by the same assassins. She has gunshot wounds but is recovering. Please pray for her eight children. SUDAN Pray for Mahanna Mohammed and Abdullah Yousif, 2 Christian believers from the village of Nafi who have been sentenced to crucifixion! VIETNAM Christian revival among the Hmong tribe has resulted in increased persecution. Pray for encouragement from the Lord for our Christian brothers who have been imprisoned and are reportedly being tortured. MORE THAN EVER, Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6a). Resources Resources MORNING STAR INFORMATION AND PRODUCT GUIDE January, 1995 ******* READING ******* The CHRISTIAN WORLD REPORT (Prophecy and current events newspaper from Peter LaLonde) ($29.95 annual, 11 issues per year) US: P.O. Box 1440, Niagara Falls, NY 14302 Canada: P.O Box 5091, Burlington, Ontario L7R 4M2 DECISION MAGAZINE ($7 annually, 11 issues per year) Billy Graham Evangelistic Association P.O. Box 779 Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440-0779 FOCUS ON THE FAMILY MAGAZINE P.O. Box 35500 Colorado Springs, Co 80935-3550 (free upon request) HIGHWAY A magazine for Truck Drivers Transport For Christ - Highway P.O. Box 303 Denver, PA 17517 IN OTHER WORDS Newspaper of Wycliffe Bible Translators PO BOX 2727 Huntington Beach, CA 92647 PARTNERS PRAYER GUIDE (Partner Ministries) 1470 N. 4th St. PO BOX 15025 San Jose CA. 95115-0025 (free guide to praying for different nations) PRISON EVANGELISM MAGAZINE International Prison Ministry P.O. Box 63 Dallas, TX 75221 THE TEACHING HOME (A Christian magazine for home educators) P.O. Box 20219 Portland, Oregon 97220-0219 Phone: (503) 253-9633 Fax: (503) 253-7345 TESTIMONY NEWSLETTER Dennis R. Mallory, Publisher P. O. Box 14974 Albany, NY 12212-4974 TODAY IN THE WORD (Moody Bible Institute) 820 North La Salle Drive Chicago Il. 60610 (free 3-month trial subscription) TRACKS IN THE SAND Uncovering Christian Men's Issues P.O. Box 1828 Tustin, CA 92680 INTERNET: mark.perew@ofa123.fidonet.org WORLD CHALLENGE (David Wilkerson letter) (free newsletter, 17 issues per year) P.O. Box 260 Lindale, Texas 75771 (903)-963-8626 ******* RESOURCES ******* CHRISTIAN BOOK DISTRIBUTORS P.O. Box 6000 Peabody MA. 01961-6000 Customer Service: (508) 977-4550 Membership and monthly catalog subscription; $3 per year CHRISTIAN COMMUNICATIONS Prison & Ministry Outreach - Online Bible Studies Jeannine Robinson P.O. 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Bridge St. PO BOX 8000 Elkton MD 21922-8000 ($5 membership fee) INSTITUTE FOR RELIGIOUS RESEARCH 1340 Monroe Ave, NW Grand Rapids Michigan 49505 Phone: (616) 451-4562 Fax: (616) 451-8907 INTERNATIONAL BIBLE SOCIETY PO BOX 35700 Colorado Springs CO 80935-3570 (719) 488-9200 (800) 524-1588 Fax: (719) 488-0870 MESSIANIC RECORDS INC./LAMB (A Concert Ministry) 7605 Brookhaven Road Philadelphia, PA 19151 (215) 477-1050 Fax (215) 477-1087 NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR RELEASE TIME CHRISTIAN EDUCATION P.O. Box K Ellijay, GA 30540 (404) 276-7900 ON LINE BIBLE COLLEGE Servant of the Lord BBS: 804-590-2161 Whole Cousel Ministries Mataoca, Virginia Sysop: Dr. Charles A. Wootten INTERNET: listener1@aol.com or 76476.1556@cis Fax: (804) 590-1659 SPIRITUAL COUNTERFEIT RESEARCH AND INFORMATION PROJECT 925 South Mason Road Suite 151 Katy, TX 77450 Phone: (713) 647-0949 WYCLIFFE BIBLE TRANSLATORS P.O. Box 2727 Huntington Beach, CA 92647 phone: (714) 969-4600 FAX: (714) 969-4661 ZONDERVAN PUBLISHING HOUSE -NRSV Concordance -NIV Atlas of the Bible 1-800-727-3480 S.C.U.D. WARNINGS ! S.C.U.D. WARNINGS ! S piritual C ounterfeits U ndermining D octrine W A R N I N G S By Jerry Johnson Horace Meets the Who - Part Two A few months ago a story was shared of a Woofaloo, Horace, who'd bravely declared: "I'm tired of slaving for the Great unseen Who, chore after chore and doing the do. "If Who is so mighty and if he's so good, why's serving him all about 'must,' 'have to,' 'should'? Why should I want Who, who's glum and so grim? Why would I look forward to being with him?" The Who sought out Horace to speak of what's true, to talk about love, not doing the do. Horace's thinking was changed, oh, so quick, spending time with the Who, that's what did the trick. From that day on forward, that young Woofaloo delighted in being involved with the Who. He prayed to the Who, spoke His praise all day long, he read the Who's book, he sang the Who's song. All who knew Horace could now well affirm that Horace's love of the Who would stand firm. Horace would talk of the Who and His care With whoever he chose, Horace would share. To those he had chosen, he'd tell of Who's love, how great it would be with Who up above. He'd share all these things, then say "too-da-loo," he wanted to be by himself with the Who. One day when the shloop birds were flying up high and the scent of znort flowers was filling the sky, the Who spoke to Horace, so busy in prayer, and said to the young lad: "Son, do you care?" "Do I care about you?!" Horace questioned, upset. "Isn't my love for you obvious yet?! I've prayed and I've read and I've talked and I've learned. What's it about me that's got you concerned?" The Who answered gently (that's often his way) "If I asked you this question, just what would you say: What do you think of your neighbor, Zaboo? Or your boss, Mr. Blinlock? Your old teacher, Miss Floo?" Horace stood silent, said, after a while: "Zaboo is disgraceful, he's sloppy and vile, he keeps his yard messy, his house is a shame. Just ask all his neighbors, they'll tell you the same. "And Blinlock, my boss, is just plain old mean. A stingier Woofaloo's never been seen. Miss Floo never liked me, she made that quite clear. That's why I don't talk to her, won't even come near. "But what do they matter in how I love you?" The Who answered sadly, "You see, but they do. My son I had sent to pay a great price. Do you think that he paid it for only the nice?" "Of course not," cried Horace, "I know your love's vast." Then Who said, "Why save it? Why hold to it fast? My love is a gift I give freely to you, so give my love freely to each Woofaloo." "But, Who," stuttered Horace, all flustered and stressed "I should give them a bad time, not give them my best!" Then Who said, gravely, with a tear in His eye, "My son was my best and I sent Him to die. "To die for Zaboo and Blinlock and Floo for people in need, for people like you. If you love me truly, with all of your heart You'll love all my children, not only a part. "Whether friendly or ornery, good looking or bad, ecstatically happy or terribly sad. My son gave His all in love to each one. Each Woofaloo is my daughter, my son. "But some just don't know it, they haven't a clue, unless they can see it living through you. To be with the likeable's always a cinch, it can be done by a shrew or even a grinch. "But to give your love freely to those who hate you goes far beyond what mere Woofaloos do. That love is so awesome, unique and divine, that all who observe it will know that it's mine." "But how do I love them," Horace quickly replied, "when it's not what I'm feeling deep down inside?" The Who quickly countered, "Please, make no mistake. Love's not a feeling, it's a choice that you make." "The greatest command is to love me, full out. The next greatest one has considerable clout: Choose to love people, every last one, so people may say, 'like Father, like son.' Commentary Commentary HOLY LAUGHTER OR WHOLLY ERROR? By Joseph A. Nigro "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are from God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." (1 John 4:1) I had heard a lot about the new movement that is sweeping Christianity, the "holy laughter revival." I read some articles about it, both pro and con, and I discussed it with people who had experienced it. However, I could not make a verdict about it without having an encounter with the movement. I chose to go to a revival with the originator of the movement, Rodney Howard Browne, who likes to call himself "The Holy Ghost Bartender." What I experienced was Biblical, but not in the way that most people would want to hear. First, let me preface this with the fact that there are brothers and sisters in Christ whom I love dearly that are in this movement. I hold these dear brothers and sisters in the highest regard, and this article is not against them personally, but rather a examination of the holy laughter movement in light of the Bible. "Babylon will be a heap of ruins, a haunt of jackals, an object of horror and scorn, a place where no one lives. Her people all roar like young lions, they growl like lion cubs. But while they are aroused, I will set out a feast for them and make them drunk, so that they shout with laughter - then sleep forever and not awake, declares the Lord. I will bring them down like lambs to the slaughter, like rams and goats." (Jeremiah 51:37-40) I had gone to the meeting with some anticipation that God had possibly started a new movement bringing a new found joy to the churches. I was prepared for the blessing, but I also was prepared for the possibility of a counterfeit teaching. I walked into a very large packed church that was jamming with music. The music was incredibly good, and quite a few people were dancing. I noticed a good feeling inside. After a few more songs, some people broke into a hysterical laugh. As the meeting kept on going, people all over the church were laughing, some for hours on end. Members of the choir were actually rolling on the floor laughing. People were rolling around or just lying on the ground either crying or laughing. Literally several hundred people would just be laughing at the same time, some for 5 minutes, some for up to 3 hours! Some women danced sensually around the church while one man massaged the wall with the front of his body! What was amazing was that the speaker didn't really say too much except that he had the new wine of the Holy Spirit to share with others so that they could get drunk with him. That's about all Rodney said over and over, in various ways, in song mostly, but the same message. Rodney criticized those who did not agree with his message, saying that if you don't believe the laughter is from God, you are a mausoleum! And yet I had this warm, feel good spirit inside of me ... this must have been of God. Before I ever stepped into the meeting, I was prayed up with my wife, Andrea, to discern anything not of God. The crying and laughing and shaking were so ultra hysterical that I immediately thought that this was of the flesh, yet I still had a good feeling inside. So as the meeting progressed, I prayed for God to show me ... why the good feeling? What God revealed to me was one of enormous dimensions. I Timothy 4:1 tells us, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." It hit me so hard that I almost fell over, the good feeling was a seducing spirit ... a literal spirit of a good feeling from a demon! My spirit liked the feeling, but that's because my spirit was being seduced (captivated, delighted, enticed), and it felt almost sensual. That explained all the laughter and sensual dancing, and crying, along with barking and roaring! This holy laughter revival is a movement of demons coming as angels of light to seduce Christians in these end times. "Although God is interested in our bodies as well as our souls, His sphere of involvement with a Christian is primarily "in the spirit." God is a Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and in truth. On the other hand, demons interact with people in the flesh - that is, in the physical body, and in the mental realm (emotions, desires, feelings). They give bodily sensations (shivers, shakes, heat, tingles, weakness, energy, etc.) and mental feelings (overwhelming burdens, or intoxicating sensations of joy, revelations, strong desires, impulses to do irrational things, etc.). The majority of people who experience "holy laughter" say the result is a feeling of intense love. Because they are Christians, their love is directed at Jesus. However, this does not prove that the feelings of love are sent from God." (1) Rodney sang the same song for almost an hour, but when He came to the altar call, he adamantly and repeatedly commanded, "hurry, hurry." Yet a message was never given at all, so what were these people responding to? Some of the "backsliders" who responded were laughing and dancing just a few minutes earlier, yet they now waltzed down an aisle to respond to an altar call. When the "sinners" came up to the altar, they were NEVER told to repent of their sins. They were just told that they were a child of the King. When God's Holy Spirit comes in power, He calls sinners to repentance. He convicts of sin, He reminds of judgement, and He gives assurance of righteousness only to be found in the Savior, the Lord Jesus (John 16:8). Unless you're willing to come to God as a sinner, asking for God's forgiveness, you don't have a relationship with Him. So what type of alter call was being issued? There was never a real serious moment, because as the altar call was given, people were laughing hysterically. As they prayed the prayer, and sang worship songs, people were laughing uncontrollably. Later, when a video was shown of Rodney pretending he was drunk in the Spirit, the place went wild. "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge ..." (Hosea 4:6). I really can't tell you where the Word of God was in all of this because it sure wasn't in the meeting. When you go to a church, or a revival, or a teaching, there is NOTHING that is more important than the teaching of the Word of God. Yes, I give high priority to musical worship, but God tells us that it's the opening and teaching of His Word that He blesses. The Scriptures tell us in Hebrews 4:12, "For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart." God's word shares the very attributes of God Himself. It is living and full of activity and power. God Himself is telling us that He is active and so is His judgement. He tells us that His Word is a sharp sword that goes into man's most inner being and judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. But whenever the word was "attempted" to be preached, the people would laugh even harder. This quote is from a meeting led by Rodney Howard-Browne: "One night I was preaching on hell, and laughter just hit the whole place. The more I told people what hell was like, the more they laughed" (Charisma, August 1994). Of course there is no preaching of God's Word, because demons are mockers of God's Word, and they don't want to hear it! Answer me these questions Church: "How can you laugh frivolously when you know that millions of people are dying and going to hell?" "How can you laugh when over 4000 babies are being aborted in American daily?" "How can you laugh when thousands of children are dying daily because of starvation?" The only way you can laugh frivolously is when you are seduced by a demonic spirit! I'm not against joy or laughter. But the joy of knowing Christ, the joy of salvation, and seeing others come to a saving knowledge of God is truly a joy inexpressible. Yet, I also identify with the Man of Sorrows, Jesus, because I hurt for those who are dying from starvation, or are being massacred in a war. I weep for those who are going to hell, and march against babies being aborted. Most Scripture references to laughter are nearly all adverse, and has to do with mocking and derision. There is no biblical "gift" of a spirit of laughter. Christian joy is an inward peace and assurance, not an hysterical outburst of laughter. The Bible tells us that the fruit of the Spirit is "self-control" and commands: "Let all things be done decently and in order." (1 Corinthians 14:40). I ask and exhort my brothers and sisters in Christ to truly test the spirits. Learn to distinguish the difference between the presence of the Holy Spirit, as opposed to the presence of seducing spirits. Choose to build your life on the Word of God and not on an experience or good feeling. Once Jesus ALONE becomes our foundation, we don't need a "experience" to draw closer to Him. Spend quality time in the Word of God and let His Word cleanse you. May God open your eyes to His Spirit, His Love, and His Peace as you seek Him with all your heart, and you find your Joy in Him alone. "For the time will come when men will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teacher, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Timothy 4:3-4) [1] "The Toronto Phenomenon/Laughing in the Spirit: Is it of God? How can Christians Decide?", Tricia Tillin, Banner Ministries/UK Features Angels with Dirty Faces Angels with Dirty Faces ANGELS WITH DIRTY FACES Inner City of Paterson, NJ By Connie Leonessa Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these." (Matthew 19:14) He was the first one to greet me as I pulled around the corner in my van; a boy I hardly knew, but he knew me - he knew my name and why I came every Sunday and during the week to his neighborhood. "Hi Mike, you're up early! Have a sandwich," I said as I opened the door to the van. Mike climbed in and his sister followed along with a group of children we usually pick up ranging in ages from 4-13 years. I had heard from a neighbor that Mike was a "bad kid," that he'd been suspended from school again, and has "no respect for authority." These words weighed heavy on my heart as we pulled away and headed off to Sunday school. I watched Mike as he sat attentively through church. Afterwards, when we went to the park for some fun, I looked on as he helped the little children on the swings. This was not exactly the rascal I was warned about. I became concerned about his missing so much school, so the following week, I made an appointment with his teacher. She couldn't give me too many details about his problems, but told me he was doing poorly in his schoolwork, kept losing his books, and didn't seem to trust adults. When he w as questioned by one of his teachers as to why he was having so many problems he replied, "It's because nobody loves me." This statement comes from the lips of a 9 year old boy. In hearing this, my heart's cry became, "Yes Michael, someone does love you - He loves you so much that He gave His life for you. You are loved Michael and I hope to be able to demonstrate His great love to you by giving you one of the best gifts a person can give a child-- the gift of time." The children of the inner city live with much turmoil. One hour a week can make the difference between heaven or hell. There are many "Michaels" out there - not just in the inner-cities but in all of our communities. We will find them if we would just open our eyes and our hearts. If every Christian family or single person would reach out to one "Michael," lives would be changed, the life of the child as well as your own. "The King will reply,' Whatever you did to the least of these ...you did for me." Matthew 25:40 This article is from Straight Path Ministries Magazine. If you are interested in a free subscription, or possibly going on a missions trip, please contact us: Straight Path Ministries 297-101 Kinderkamack Rd. Ste. 278 Oradell, NJ 07649 Fax Number: (201) 261-4954 Internet: StraitPath@aol.com Miracle in Mexico Miracle in Mexico MIRACLE IN MEXICO By Joseph A. Nigro While in Mexico, My wife Andrea and I were serving the Lord on a Calvary Commission Christmas Outreach Team. Calvary was conducting a crusade in a baseball stadium where about 4000 people had gathered for the event. I started to wander around through the crowd observing the people's reaction to the minister's preaching. I saw a little boy with an eye that was infected so badly that I could barely look at him. I found out that his name was Juan, and I brought him to the missions's medical staff to be examined. Both the doctor and the nurse agreed that the eye, which was completely closed and covered with blood and pus, was quite bad. They even feared that Juan would possibly lose his sight. The doctor recommended some medicine, but was unsure of its effectiveness due to the severity of the infection. Several other mission workers had gathered around and all felt compassion for Juan. We went to a pharmacy and I tried to communicate in our limited Spanish the medicine needed. We returned with the medicine and found Juan with his grandmother holding his hand. I gave it to Juan's grandmother, instructing her to put hot water over Juan's eye and apply the medicine. The grandmother told one of Calvary Commission's Mexican workers that Juan would not let anyone touch his eye, and that she had no hot water where they lived. We felt so helpless and frustrated. It seemed there was no way we could help Juan. I began to pace around like in a squirrel in a cage, racking my brains for a solution. Debbie Moriarty, who was with my group, was sitting in a corner crying over Juan. I cried out in prayer, "God, there is absolutely nothing I can do ... I am totally helpless!" Then God told me in my spirit that I was correct, and I just needed to give the circumstances over to Him. He made it clear to my heart that it is "not by might, nor by strength, but by my Spirit says the Lord." [Zechariah 4:6] I called some more of the workers over and had them pray over Juan in Spanish so that both Juan and his grandmother would understand what was taking place. The very next day, when we returned to the stadium, I saw Juan and his grandmother coming towards us. She was completely ecstatic, and she wanted to show Juan to me. I couldn't believe what I was seeing, Juan's eye was open and almost completely healed. I brought Juan around to the people who prayed over him and they were shocked. Juan's grandmother wanted us to pray again for Juan and her to be blessed by God, as she saw the power of God demonstrated on her grandson. Our God is an Awesome God whose compassion never fails. As much as our hearts were rushed when we saw Juan's suffering, I'm sure God's heart was feeling the same compassion on him. Matthew 14:14 was experienced that day - "... He saw a great multitude, and felt compassion for them, and healed their sick." Mexican Christmas Outreach Mexican Christmas Outreach MEXICAN CHRISTMAS OUTREACH By: Andrea Nigro "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the surpassing greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves ..." (2 Corinthians 4:7) This past December a group of seven from the NJ/NY area participated in the annual Mexican Christmas Outreach in Reynosa sponsored by Calvary Commission. In reflecting back on the nine days that we were there, so many anointed and awesome things that God did through us and the entire team came to mind. Just as Paul recognized his inadequacy in himself and compared himself to an "earthen vessel" so we too realized our position in presenting this "treasure" to the Mexicans. We were able to reach out to the people in love and bring the Gospel to those lacking any hope. One man living in a very poor village challenged our small group as we went door to door evangelizing and inviting the people to a church service. Dalto claimed to believe in God but couldn't understand about knowing Jesus as his personal Savior and Lord. After speaking to him for quite a while, I asked him as we departed if there was something specific for him that we could pray for. He requested that God would provide food for his family. Dalto had his own business making pinatas, but the economy is really suffering in this area of Mexico. As I listened to this man's plight, the Lord pierced my heart with compassion and conviction. I heard in my spirit, "Why don't you bring him food?" After we prayed over him, he was so touched that he gave us two large, beautiful pinatas and refused to accept any money. We were able to use these in two very poor villages as a treat for the children at Christmas. As we left his home, the whole group sensed the same thing from the Lord as I had heard in my spirit. Even though we wanted to go and get him food, we couldn't free ourselves up at that time. That next evening, we gathered a large amount of rice and beans, borrowed someone's truck, went back to the village and traced through the town to find him at his place of business. I will never forget the expression on this humble man's face. He was so unbelieving and in awe that we followed through with his prayer and became "the hands and feet of Jesus." The Lord showed me afresh the truth of James 2:15-16, "If a brother or sister is without clothing, and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, be warmed and filled,' and do not give them what is necessary for the body, what use is that?" I believe that Dalto understood the love of Jesus more that day because of this small act of kindness. This was one of the many events that occurred in a typical day as we served the Lord in Reynosa, Mexico. Cuba - What an Experience Cuba - What an Experience CUBA - WHAT AN EXPERIENCE! By Ken Kinstel To each of you who prayed for us this past month while we were in Cuba, we wish to express our deepest gratitude. Thank you also to those who fasted in our behalf during this time. We were so aware of God's presence and help in every aspect of the journey, and we give the Lord all the credit and praise for what was accomplished during our visit. Once again we saw demonstrated before our very eyes that this Jesus of Nazareth of whom we have read and have come to know in our spirit is truly the Lord of all creation. He is the Christ of God, the One appointed by the Father "to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head." (Ephesians 1:10) People think that they are the ones controlling their own lives, but it is God who always has the final word. And so it was in Cuba. You specifically asked the Lord to help us enter the country with the literature and other items, and God did it! When it was my turn to go through customs, the official stood there for several moments like he was thinking about something else and then waved me through. He didn't even ask to open any of my luggage. Another man's suitcase was opened, and the official pulled out a plastic bag full of evangelistic tracts. He opened one, read part of it, put it back in, and sent him on his way. Another man's huge duffel bag zipper burst open at the port of entry allowing the contents of the bag to be seen. A Cuban official rushed over and helped him close the bag. Before you knew it, we were all through the check point and on our way to the hotel. The Lord allowed us to enter Cuba with every single item. We took some items in to encourage God's people with. Included were sixty New Testaments, several thousand gospel tracts, books on the Christian family (greatly needed in this land with an 80% divorce rate), one hundred copies of A "Voice in the Wilderness," study Bibles, hymnals, guitar strings, vitamins, coffee, razors, toothpaste, peanut butter, shampoo, canned hams, aspirin, tooth brushes, pediatric antibiotics, and many other items. Jesus told us that it was more blessed to give than to receive, and what a great privilege it was to come in Jesus' name and share with such dear brothers and sisters who are in so much need. In every place we tried to tell the people that we were only messengers and that the items we were bringing them were gifts of love from believers here in the United States. To see evidence that Christians in other places were concerned about them seemed to be very encouraging to them. The experience made us think of the Scripture in Isaiah 40, where the Lord said, "Comfort my people." It was quite an experience to hand a person a small bar of soap or tube of toothpaste and hear them exclaim with intense feeling: "Oh, brother, thank you! Praise the Lord for His provision!" One evening the Lord allowed us to meet and encourage one of His choice servants, a man who had served as superintendent of his denomination for eighteen years, from the time of the revolution in 1959 until his retirement in 1977. Now he and his wife live rather hidden away and forgotten in a large, overcrowded housing complex in Havana. To get to their dwelling we had to drive into an almost totally unlighted neighborhood, climb three flights of stairs up into a dark and dilapidated building, and walk along a narrow cat-walk, which led to their tiny cubicle. The brother who served as our contact and guide told us that he had visited this couple last December 25th and that all they had for their Christmas meal that evening was one very small fish. They had eaten nothing the night before. This man's monthly pension was the equivalent of approximately one U.S. dollar. What a joy it was to visit with them and share something of the abundance we all take for granted in our nation. (Don't forget to be grateful today for what God has given you.) After listening to some of their memories from many years past, we were privileged to share with them a number of items that are difficult to find in their country at the present time. Soap, shaving cream, razors, bouillon cubes, tuna, a canned ham, finances, and more. You should have seen the face of his wife when she realized what the ham was. Talk about rejoicing and praising the Lord! Evidently, she hadn't seen anything like that for a while. This dear, elderly lady of around 83 years of age began to move around the room, lifting her hands toward heaven and praising God. She then prayed for all of us who had come to visit. It was indeed a rare and beautiful moment. Perhaps the greatest blessing to my heart was the young lady who lived with them and took care of them. She told us that because they had led her to find Jesus many years ago, she would never leave them in their time of need now. She said she loved them as grandparents, and with that began to weep because she was so overjoyed that some of their needs were being met. Never have I sensed a more selfless heart in anyone. When we gave her some gifts and finances, she began to praise the Lord and cry even more. She shared with us that just before our arrival she had been crying out to the Lord to provide shoes that she needed, and then some people from another land arrived unexpectedly with the answer to her prayer. What a blessing to see how God had timed our visit! The rest of her offering she already was planning to give to others who had needs greater than she perceived hers to be and for whom she had been praying. To see someone in such poverty herself rejoicing over how she could share her offering with others touched our hearts profoundly. In Revelation 3:17 Jesus said, "You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see." In Cuba we found a church that outwardly was in much need but that inwardly was glorious. Never have I seen such beautiful lights on faces. In that land the light is very light, and the dark is very dark. The faces of all the people of God there shine with a heavenly glow that is so lovely, so unlike anything seen in this world. I found myself wanting to stare at the glory of God shining from their countenances because it was so beautiful! On our last full day in Cuba, we had the privilege of visiting two churches where the Lord had manifested Himself powerfully several years ago. It was at a time when atheism was still very strong on the island. Since that divine visitation, there has bee n a great turning to the Lord, especially among the young people. The believers we talked to in these places told us of many thousands of miracles of healing. They said that people came by the truck loads from all over the island to receive help for various problems. We heard accounts of deaf people receiving their hearing, of those who came in wheel chairs who left walking, and of many other great works. When we arrived at one of these churches, there was a lady present in the group who had seen part of our group in a dream the night before and already knew we were coming. We had the honor of eating a meal, which she prepared for us, in her home. We also had the privilege of being in a service when prayer was offered for an unsaved man who had one leg that was shorter than the other. As soon as the petition for healing was lifted to the Lord, God mercifully touched him; and we all watched in great wonder as the shorter leg grew in length until it matched the other normal one. Immediately after this happened, the man asked Jesus to forgive him for all his sins, and he entered into the greatest experience of healing of all, the healing of the soul. We praise the Lord that He allowed us to witness such a marvel of His grace and power. The believers we met in Cuba asked us to tell American Christians to please remember them in prayer. We related to them also of the need in the church here, and they said they would pray for us too. In more than one place they shared with us how the Holy Spirit has revealed to them of a time in the near future when the presence of the Lord will descend upon their nation in a great awakening. They said the Lord has shown them that He soon will be sending many Cuban believers all over the world as missionaries. God hasn't forgotten His people in Cuba. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if during the past thirty-five years He's been preparing a unique vessel for something very special that He has in mind for these final days of history prior to Jesus Christ's second appearing. If you want to write to Ken Kinstel about future trips to Mexico, Guatemala, and Cuba, or to be put on his missionary mailing list, please contact him at: Oilton Christ Fellowship P.O. Box 281 Oilton, OK 74052 Russia - Knocking on Heaven's Door Russia - Knocking on Heaven's Door RUSSIA - KNOCKING ON HEAVEN'S DOOR By Joseph A. Nigro Going to Russia four times now has led me to the conclusion that I will never cease to be amazed at how God works ... just when I thought I had Him all figured out! God is quite creative on how He draws people to Himself, and His using a bunch of ordinary people like our team shows that God can use anyone. Every trip is always different, and this one was no exception. I was prepared for the trip to Kirov, Russia where very few Americans ever went. And once again, our team had to overcome the conditions of the trip. Going in the month of May, I never dreamed that it would be cold. I brought almost all summer clothes, and froze. Then I would come out of the cold and go to a hotel room where there was no heat or hot water. Yet the warmth of God's Spirit moved us as we saw 850 people commit their lives to Christ. It's hard to just give highlights of an outreach when nothing compares to experiencing it yourself. Imagine going to the Grand Canyon and trying to explain how it looks. The same is true of going to Russia when you see the Spirit of God just moving throughout the country. One such experience is that of a high school that loved the message of Christ so much, they invited us back three times! The final time they invited us back was for their graduation services, to speak briefly and sing to the graduation class and their parents. Another unique time was when we were giving out Bibles on the street, and a man saw us from a hospital room. The man then left the hospital room and came to get some Bibles for himself and for some other patients. Then a few minutes later, the man came back again for more Bibles. Finally the man came back and asked if we could send over a case of Bibles, and someone to help him distribute them to every patient in the hospital! The hotel that we stayed at was typically Russian, where the restaurant had a loud band playing. Every night while eating, the band would be rocking and the people in the restaurant would just look at us. They really wouldn't take our Bibles, and they would barely acknowledge us. But God had a unique plan to reach the people in the restaurant. We had several interpreters. One, whose name was Andre, was an interpreter in training. His English was fair, but he knew how to sing and play American songs on his guitar. So we approached the restaurant band and asked if we could sing the song, "Knock, Knocking on Heavens Door," by Bob Dylan. The band said sure! We then went up to the stage and told the people in the restaurant that we are Americans who traveled 35 hours to come say that we love you. We then told them that what was more important was that God loved them and that He was knocking on the door of their hearts! We then began to play and God in His infinite grace and mercy looked down at our group and said, "Oi Vay," I have to help this band. I must confess, it sounded great, as the whole place was rocking and some were singing the chorus with us. When we came to the third line, Andre didn't know it, so I sang..." Jesus come into this room now, Open up their eyes that they may see, come fill this place with your Holy Spirit, because they're Knock, Knock, Knocking on Heavens Door..." After the song, everyone in the restaurant took Bibles, even the cooks in the back came out to take them. The military men and police also came out of the front of the hotel to take Bibles, because they now realized that we loved them, and more importantly, God loved them enough to send some people to them with His message. The biggest blessing of the trip was bringing with us a sign language interpreter, Georgette. When we were preparing to go into our nightly service, we noticed a group of deaf people who were holding a meeting. They had a club for deaf people and Georgette went and invited them into the nightly services we were holding. The group of about 40-50 deaf people all came into the services and accepted Christ! They then came to the service every single night for the next week. They were such a blessing at the services and I started to see the glory of God on their faces as the week progressed. What really touched our hearts was that, as we left the town of Kirov, many from the deaf group came to the train station to see us off, saying thanks for the eternal life in Christ. They may have been deaf physically, but they truly had ears to hear! Joseph Nigro is director of Straight Path Ministries Straight Path Ministries 297-101 Kinderkamack Rd. Ste. 278 Oradell, NJ 07649 Fax Number: (201) 261-4954 Internet: StraitPath@aol.com India Outreach India Outreach INDIA OUTREACH By Tom Faunce I could not tell you how my heart cries out with joy enough on paper. But I will do my best to share with you the miracle of this trip. I have never seen so many truly come to Christ, as I have here amongst these Hindus. The enemy had tried so hard to keep me from going. I had recently returned from Africa. I was not feeling up to going anywhere for awhile. But a friend of mine, Pastor Larry Hughes from Alabama had asked me to go before I had left for Africa. Returning from Africa, there was a fax waiting for me from India from a friend asking me to come to India. I wanted to ignore these requests. One night while lying in bed, I felt the Holy Spirit prompting, "Will you go?" I finally said in my heart, "Yes, Lord, I will go." My wife, Julie, who has stood with me through so much, believed that I should go. I had thousands of tracts from World Missionary Press and many Bibles on tape in the Hindi and Teligu language, from Bible Alliance. I started ordering more Bibles and the "Jesus" film in these languages. I had no finances to work with. But I knew that if God wanted me to go, He would make a way. A friend of mine, Bill, who has always helped so much in the past, found out that I was going and said he would help. I was able to pay for some of the supplies and the aircrew because of his caring. Also, some friends from Colombia, Tennessee invited me down to speak at a house meeting. This little meeting opened the door for me to go on this trip with medical supplies, Bibles, the film and my video projector. The day I left my home to head down south to Alabama was a clod, winter, stormy day and I had no idea of the difficulties that I was heading into. If I had known, I never would have left. I loaded up my van with all of the materials and headed out. I had a large amount of supplies. On the way through Ohio, I decided to stop at a ministry that has helped us with mission supplies in the past. Heart to Heart shares in song in many churches across the United States. They in turn also supply and support many missions in the world. I was so blessed by their warm reception of me. Rick Goad gave me 80 Amplified Bibles and full Bibles on cassette along with children's music to take with me to India. By the time I left there if was already late afternoon. The weather was getting worse. Driving was getting very dangerous and I didn't get into Kentucky until nightfall. The snow and ice was so bad that they shut down the freeway and made us exit. I was so pressed for time and I began to think that I would never make it. I met some young men in a four wheel drive pick-up who said they knew a way around through the back roads. Pressed for time, I asked if I could follow them. About ten miles out in the middle of nowhere, we starting hitting very large snowdrifts. Temperatures were dropping steadily. I hit one set of drifts and got stuck. I tried to get out of the van because the engine was making all kinds of strange noises. Finally, the van stalled and I could not get her going. I thought for sure that my timing chain went. I was snow bound out in the middle of nowhere. I thought, "It's all over, I'll never make it. I'll probably freeze to death on this back road in Kentucky." As you can see, by this time I was feeling sorry for myself. Cold, broken down van with all the supplies, it all seemed an impossibility. But that still small voice spoke, "Will you leave it and follow me?" Just then, the young men in the truck came back and I asked them if I could load all of my supplies in the back of their truck. They agreed and we loaded everything up in the snow that was so deep that it took us some time. Off we went, leaving my van in the middle of that road. I was sure I would never see that van again. I thought by now that I had missed God and I didn't know what to do next or where to go. The young men took me to a hotel near Lexington, Kentucky. They really went out of their way to help me. The driver shared with me how his father does mission work with their church. I realized that the Lord had sent these two my way. I checked into the hotel and carried all the supplies in. I was four hundred miles from Atlanta, without money, transportation and with the plane to India leaving the next day all seemed lost. I called Julie. She was very concerned but most of all she reminded me about how we had been through this before and the Lord had always seen us through. She encouraged me not to give up. I called Delta Airlines and told them about my situation. They told me that Lexington airport was closed because of the storm. They were hoping to reopen it at 5 AM. They also agreed that if I was able to get a ticket, they would waive all my excess baggage to Atlanta. That was a miracle in itself. My next problem was that I had no money for the ticket from Lexington to Atlanta. It's very hard and very humbling to call people up and ask them for help, but I knew if I was to go on, I would have to ask someone. I called a friend from Tennessee who has helped my family and I in the past. I told Mike my situation and he responded cheerfully. He purchased my ticket with his card. I believe this one act of kindness is what stopped satan from gaining victory. Satan did not want that "Jesus" film to go to India. God used Mike beyond all he will ever know until he is in the kingdom seeing the fruit of his love. I was to fly out of Lexington by 1:00 p.m. leaving me plenty of time to make the 7:00 p.m. flight for India. But because of bad weather our plane didn't get out of Lexington until almost 6:00 p.m. I spoke with the people from Delta and they said they would see what they could do. When we landed in Atlanta, a man from Delta was waiting for me at the gate. He took me outside and put me in a car and drove down the airstrip to the international flight section. The plane was loaded and ready to go. I could not believe that they waited for me. Boarding the plane, I saw Larry and the rest of the crew. I was so happy to see them, but in my heart I thought, "Well, they go me on here but there is no way they would be able to get all my supplies on here in this short time. The plane started to taxi on the runway, when all of a sudden it stopped. The pilot on the intercom said, "Sorry for the delay, but we had to load some excess baggage.." My heart leaped for joy for I knew the excess was our supplies! Jesus is so faithful. All odds were against me, but God was for me. It was His supply and He was not about to let satan get his way. Even when we arrived in India, satan tried to separate us from the movie and the materials we needed because of lack of space. I cannot share all that happened that tried to make us quit. I am learning more and more about being steadfast and persistent. Never look at your circumstances or your trials for they can cause you to give up. We need to press on and Jesus will see us through. "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers us out of them all." The miracle of the gospel was so prevalent in the villages amongst the Hindu tribes. There was such power and anointing on the film. Pastor Larry Hughes and I traveled many miles to these remote places and it has been worth it. The Hindu farmers are very poor. We had a hard time to even get power to show the movie. In one place , we had to tap into an electrical line that ran through the village about 150 yards from the area where we were going to show the movie. It was very dangerous, but the people wanted to see the film so much that they did all they could to help. We didn't have to advertise in any of the villages. We just told the children what we were doing and they became our mouth pieces. Hundreds showed up each night. Most stood out in the fields during the presentation. The gospel presented in visual form is so powerful. The Hindus who had never heard or seen the gospel were now seeing it and hearing it at the same time. It was as if we were really at the actual event. The emotions of the people were overwhelming, especially at the crucifixion of Christ. Each night weeping was heard throughout the crowds. One night, a lady lamented so loud that it was hard to hear the movie. During the resurrection scene, there was such an outpouring of God's Spirit that you could feel and sense the Lord's presence mightily. At the end of the film, they go over the movie, explaining the claims of Christ so it can be easily understood. After each film, we would have a call to repentance. Hundreds responded every night, weeping as they came forward for prayer and salvation. There has been such conviction on these people. I believe they truly have responded in sincerity. The pastors in India have a work set out for them. They face much difficulties and trials. Please pray for them. I learned on this trip the importance of not giving up. I so thank all those who have given and stood with us to make this trip possible. I would also like to thank that one special person who has stood with me through so much. When so many have rejected us and the work, she has been so faithful. She is my best friend, my help-meet, my wife, Julie. She would not want me sharing this but I feel I need to speak of her for she has been the encouragement to press on. If you are interested in contacting Tom, or receiving a free Frontlines Outreach Newsletter, please contact: Tom Faunce Frontline Outreach Ministries P.O. Box 942 Monroe, MI 48161 (313) 242-2887 Wearing the "Yoke" in Bangladesh Wearing the "Yoke" in Bangladesh WEARING THE "YOKE" IN BANGLADESH Living in one of the poorest countries in the world the Christians of Bangladesh (1% of the population) wear an additional yoke. When they accept Jesus in this Muslim dominated country, their neighbors refuse to rent them a cow to pull the plow through their muddy fields. Christian families must take the yoke themselves, then pull the plow for the entire planting season. They are mocked and ridiculed as they slip through the mud in front of the heavy plow. This is their apparent reward. But didn't Jesus mention a yoke in His teachings? In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus talks about rest, an easy and a light burden. Are the Christians in Bangladesh missing something? I think not. At first glance, Jesus' statements in Matthew cause us to believe that following Him is a glorious escape where all true believers can throw down their humble shovels and claim a painless physical "inheritance" now. Because we have carnal tendencies, we equal His "rest" and "light burdens" as applying to our bodies, but Jesus states in Matthew 11:29 that this rest is for our "souls." A few immature teachers today excite their congregations with their spiritual rights for bodily comfort, never desiring to comprehend that the body can be in agony while the soul is at rest. Even as Bangladeshi Christians wear blisters on their necks from the yoke, the other yoke, Christ's yoke, works peace in their hearts. Would you offer Jesus water at the well? In at least twenty-five villages of Bangladesh, new Christians are not allowed to drink or wash from the village communal water well. Since they have left Islam, Christians would "pollute" the well so are not allowed to touch it. As the same religious conflict covers Bangladesh, assuredly many more villages are involved. The outcast Christians must walk from 1/2 to 2 miles to obtain well water (rivers are unhealthy), then carry it home. I don't even carry a small pail of water around the outside of my house, or around the block. The handle would hurt my hand. Most of us Americans haven't carried water for a few generations, and not for two miles. The Voice of the Martyrs has been paying for wells to be dug behind Christian homes of our brothers and sisters in Bangladesh. These simple "tube wells" with PVC pipe cost about $50 each. Christians in the village can share this well. This is one of the many, many ways we reach out to remember those in bonds ... Thank you for your help. Beatings and haircuts When a Muslim turns his back on the religion of Islam and becomes a real Christian, it is almost certain he will face Biblical persecution. Converts have their houses burned or torn down by angry Muslim neighbors. They are beaten with fists and sticks, have all their meager possessions stolen, lose their jobs, are denied employment and deprived of their family inheritance. The father of one student named Rafiqul was very angry when he found out his son had been studying a Bible course. His father burned the books and took him to the mosque and its Muslim leaders. They tried to force him to stop taking the Bible course by beating him. But he still continued. Then he became a Christian and his father was even more angry. Again he was to receive "village punishment." (The village leaders made a judgement that all his hair must be cut off and that he be tortured.) Finally, his elder brother rescued him from this punishment. Eventually this elder brother also became a Christian. Another form of persecution the new converts experience involves their children. Often they are kicked out of their school. This is sometimes done in a shamefully violent way to try to discourage other children from becoming Christians. The parents of these children are often not educated themselves. Dhajibur Rahaman says of his family: Now that my family has become Christians, my children have been kicked out of school. The teacher chased my daughter away from the school with a stick because we became Christians, and I don't have the money to pay the school fees. (It is a public school, which means it's a Muslim school.) I cannot teach them myself. Please, can you do something so my children can go to school and learn more of Jesus? No more Sunday A good general overview of the country can be read from the two pages in "Operation World." In the 1986 edition, there were 440 Protestant missionaries listed with only 25 of them spending the majority of their time reaching the Muslims. The 1993 edition listed 316. Some have been kicked out and some moved on. Bangladesh has half the population of America squeezed into an area smaller than the size of Oklahoma. The government is trying to walk a fine line between pleasing the West and he oil rich Middle East. They get most of their hard currency from donations by these two sources. The Saudis have said that if they get rid of all the "missionaries" (although most are social programs only), they will give more money; but if they did that, the West would give less. Most of the mosques in Bangladesh are built with donations from the Middle East. There is constitutional "freedom of religion" but this is not practiced. The laws are becoming more Islamic all the time, like the moving of the public holiday from Sunday to Friday about 15 years ago and the declaration of Islam being the "State Religion." It is known what will happen to missionaries who are discovered to be attempting to convert Muslims. They are given 24 to 48 hours to leave the country and possibly blacklisted. However, there is great openness to the Gospel. This is mainly among the common people of some villages. Many seldom go to the mosque and have no fanatical tendencies. They just want to lead a peaceful life and that is why they accept the Prince of Peace. The poverty, disaster, and crowded conditions that show absolutely no sign of changing are another reason for them to hope. Please remember to pray for our brothers and sisters in Bangladesh. Their faith and perseverance is an encouragement to us all. From THE VOICE OF THE MARTYRS PO Box 443 Bartlesville, OK 74005 (918) 337-8015 Partners International Partners International PARTNERS INTERNATIONAL MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS - December 1994 Only the Powerful Love of Jesus ... Yi Somalay is a student at a Bible school that Partners assists in Cambodia. At the age of thirteen, she watched the Khmer Rouge brutally tie her father to a horse and drag him until he died. When she later became a Christian, she was transformed. She humbly shared, "I let go of my bitterness and forgave Pol Pot's soldiers ... because Jesus had forgiven me." Given her experiences, Yi's postgraduation plans are amazing. She says, "After I graduate I want to minister in one of the remote provinces where many Khmer Rouge soldiers still hide out. They really need Jesus! My mother is afraid for me. But I don't care about my life ... I live only for God!" O the great, great love of Jesus for only He has the power to transform the bitterness of a woman who has suffered so much ... into such a sacrificial commitment to the very same soldiers who traumatized her. A New Heart Our regional coordinator for the Middle East/North Africa recently heard the following story from one of our partner ministry leaders: A group of soldiers were ambushed by an armed Islamic group. All the soldiers were killed except one, and he was a Christian. Upon returning to his garrison he was suspected to be connected to the Islamists and was then poisoned with a poison that attacks the heart. At the hospital where he was taken he was considered to be dead. However, during this "dead time," he reportedly had a dream. In his dream the Lord Jesus appeared to him and told him that He was going to receive a new heart. The Lord then took his "old" heart and gave him a new one. In his miraculous recovery, it became known that he was a Christian and that he had a special connection with God! "I Felt So Small ... But God Has Made Me Big" Florentino Mamani, our partner ministry leader from Bolivia, recently visited his supporters in the United States. Florentino comes from a marginalized minority tribe in the remote Andes mountains. During his visit, he was overwhelmed with emotions and impressed by the opportunity of representing his people and his God in another culture. He shared: It is such a joy to have a family in the Lord that looks after one another and for the ministry .... It still seems like a dream to me, maybe it's because we Quechuas feel inferior. I felt it would be something impossible or unattainable for a Quechua, it really was too much for me, I felt so small. But by the way God has worked in each one of my steps, in my expressions and actions, He has made me big. He has guided me as a small child held by his father's hand. To God be the praise, honor and gratitude. Used Clothes Arrive Just In Time! A very big "Thank You" to all of you who donated so generously to our Liberia relief fund last May! We just received word from ministry leader James Marwieh who states: We are very pleased to tell you about the distribution of used clothes donated to us through Partners International. Our people were and are still overjoyed by this worthy assistance. It came at the time the majority of them were naked .... So far we have distributed 275 bales of used clothing and 49 bags of shoes. The other 177 bales will be distributed to those who are now thronging to Monrovia ... May God continue to guide and strengthen all of our donor friends, as we serve and praise His blessed name. "We Have Given Our Money To Missions ... Now We Want to Give Ourselves!" Vanlal Nghaka, one of our partner workers in India, experienced a very moving Missions Week with a church in Aizawl. This particular church has over 2,000 members and has supported many local missionaries from other churches. They said, "We have given our money gladly but we want to be able to give ourselves for missions. Come and challenge us!" When Vanlal arrived, the church was packed with young people. By the end of the conference, many had committed their lives to full-time ministry for the Gospel. The Fragrance of Christ According to one of our partner ministry leaders in Thailand, the following story is frequently told among Thai Christians. There was a certain tiger in the jungle who was very hungry and wanted to eat. So the tiger asked God, "I'm very hungry. Can I eat anything I see in the jungle?" God said, "You can eat anything." The tiger replied, "But, God, can I even eat man?" God said, "You can even eat man except for Christians." The tiger then asked, "How am I supposed to detect the Christians?" God said, "You will know they are Christians by their fragrance." Confused, the tiger asked, "What fragrance?" God replied, "When you smell the sweet aroma of Christ, then you will know they are Christians. " The tiger agreed and then went very far into the jungle. There he met a man and wondered if this man was a Christian. So the tiger sniffed and sniffed. But he didn't smell a thing. He ate the feet, the legs, the heart, and the arms of the man. ... and he still didn't smell anything. The last thing he ate was the mouth and un-oh! When he ate the mouth, he smelled the fragrance of Christ. The tiger exclaimed, "Oh no!" He ran back to God and said, "God, please forgive me. I ate a Christian. But I didn't know it was a Christian until too late because only the mouth smelled like the fragrance of Christ!" Our ministry leaders in Thailand tell the story to show that many believers are Christian in name only, not in their hearts nor in their lives. Please pray that the Christian Thais may be "the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing" (2 Cor. 2:15). Ministry Highlights is published by Partners International. For more information write to 2302 Zanker Road, P.O. Box 15025, San Jose, CA 95115-0025; or call (408) 453-3800, (800) 966-5515; FAX (408) 437-9708. Studies Old Testament Studies Old Testament Studies In this column, we are going to do something different. We are going to look at the Inter-Testamental period. We are going to touch on an occasion for celebration that occurs during winter. It often is close to Christmas but largely ignored by the Church. It is Hanukkah. Future studies in this column will include books from both the Old and New Testaments. JESUS OUR MENORAH by Pastor Geoff Kragen Ba-ruch a-ta, A-do-nai E-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha-o-lam, a-sher ki-de-sha-nu be-mits-vo-tav, ve-tsi-va-nu le-had-lik neir shel Cha-nu-ka Ba-ruch a-ta, A-do-nai E-lo-hei-nu, me-lech ha-o-lam, she-a-sa ni-sim la-a-vo-tei-nu ba-ya-mim ha-heim ba-ze-man ha-zeh. Ba-ruch a-ta, A-do-nai E-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha-o-lam, she-he-che-ya-nu ve-ki-ye-ma-nu ve-hi-gi-a-nu la-ze-man ha-zeh. Praised be Thou, O Lord our God, Ruler of the world, who has sanctified us by Thy commandments, and bidden us Kindle the Hanukkah lights. Praised be Thou, O Lord our God, Ruler of the world, who didst wondrous things for our fathers, in days of old, at this season. Praised be Thou, O Lord our God, Ruler of the world, who hast granted us life, sustained us, and permitted us to celebrate this joyous festival. "Then came Chanukkah in Yerushalayim. It was winter, and Yeshua was walking around inside the Temple area, in Shlomo's Colonnade" (John 10:22-23). (1) This article was adapted from a message given during Advent season 1994. We were celebrating the first Advent of Messiah. This is the celebration of the Incarnation, the coming of God in human form, the coming of Jesus, Yeshua. He came as the ultimate gift, the gift of salvation for all mankind. And, as we look back on his first coming, we also look forward to His second, the second Advent. This will be the coming of Jesus as King over a restored nation Israel and a restored world. Today is also the eighth night of Hanukkah. This holiday is tied to the lunar calendar and therefore can be as much as thirty days away from Christmas. There is no direct relationship between the two celebrations. Some contemporary Jews have used Hanukkah as a substitute for Christmas for their children. Though there is no direct relationship between Christmas and Hanukkah, let us use this column to tell the story of this celebration, the Festival of Dedication. Both tell of the working of God. And both can be tied to the coming of Jesus, for as we read in John 10:22-23, Jesus celebrated Hanukkah. As we look at the celebration, we will touch on its history and God working with His people even during the inter- Testamental period. Next, we will see that Jesus is our Menorah, our light, and the light of the world. We will see that as Hanukkah looks back on one restoration of a desecrated Temple, with the coming of Messiah as King at the second Advent we will see the restoration of another desecrated Temple. This is the future Hanukkah. The historical incidents leading to the celebration of Hanukkah are not found in the Tanakh, the Old Testament. But they were prophesied in this passage from Daniel. "Out of one of them came another horn, which started small but grew in power to the south and to the east and toward the Beautiful Land. It grew until it reached the host of the heavens, and it threw some of the starry host down to the earth and trampled on them. It set itself up to be as great as the Prince of the host; it took away the daily sacrifice from him, and the place of his sanctuary was brought low. Because of rebellion, the host (of the saints) and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground. Then I heard a holy one speaking, and another holy one said to him, 'How long will it take for the vision to be fulfilled--the vision concerning the daily sacrifice, the rebellion that causes desolation, and the surrender of the sanctuary and of the host that will be trampled underfoot?' He said to me, 'It will take 2,300 evenings and mornings; then the sanctuary will be reconsecrated'" (Daniel 8:9-14). This passage does look toward Antichrist's actions during the Tribulation period. Nevertheless, it was also fulfilled by incidents that we will now consider. With the expansion of the Greek Empire dissension had arisen among the people of Israel. The leaders of Judah, committed to a traditional view of Judaism, saw the Greek expansion and its accomping philosopha as a competing position. This phlosophy was "combined" with the Bible by Hellenistic Jews who supported the Greek way of life. It was in the midst of this climate that Antiochus Epiphanes tried to end the Jewish way of life. And Satan found someone to carry out his attempt at a "Final Solution" for the Jewish people. The events of Hanukkah come out of this environment and are a type of the fulfillment of Daniel 8:14. The ultimate abuse of this day occurred with the setting up of an idol on the altar of the Temple by Antiochus Epiphanes, "the little horn of Daniel." His instructions to the Jewish leaders were to end the sacrifice and the keeping of the Law. His intent was to expand the political and religious power of Greek Empire. On the fifteenth of Kislev, 168 B.C.E., the Holy of Holies was desecrated by the king, with the erecting of a pagan altar: "In the Temple above the altar was placed a statue of Jupiter bearing an obvious resemblance to Antiochus. Over such a Temple, Menelaus ... consented to remain as high priest. To that statue were brought as sacrifices the animal most detested by the Jews, the pig. An abominable act had been perpetrated on the twenty-fifth day of Kislev in the year 168 B.C.E. and, to us the descriptive expression of the book of Maccabees, it left the Jewish people desolate." (2) This act has often been called a type of the "abomination of desolation." It is a foreshadowing of the next desecration of the future Temple. This is a Temple for which the cornerstone has been prepared but not yet laid. It is this Temple in which the sacrificial system will be reestablished. It is this Tribulational Temple that may rise soon. And it is this Temple that Messiah himself will be the one to restore. I found the following article that adds some contemporary interest to the issue of the rebuilding of the Temple. -- October 12, 1989 - The Associated Press - JERUSALEM-- "A group of militant Israelis is preparing to lay a three-ton cornerstone next week in hopes of eventually rebuilding the ancient Jewish Temple. Group members want to rebuild the temple that was destroyed by the Romans in A.D. 70. An earlier temple, built by King Solomon, was destroyed by the Babylonians in 587 B.C." Anyway, going back to our account, at least one priest, Mattathias, spoke out against the outrage to the Temple. According to the story, he slew a Jew who came to worship the idol. He also slew an officer of the king, and finally, he pulled down the altar saying: "Whosoever is zealous of the law and maintaineth the covenant, let him follow me." (3) After the death of Mattathias another rose up to stand for God. This was Judah Maccabbee. It was he and his family that fought for the nation. They retook the Temple and set about cleansing it from the blasphemy that had been committed. The festival of lights you know, is said to be a miracle. It happened many years ago, in the land of Israel's people. Brave Judah led the battle cry, to deliver up his people, and raised once more God's altar with gladness, song, and music. And they kindled new the holy lamps and brought to God their offering; with oil enough for just one night, for eight days it stood lasting. And so through the hand of the Lord the Temple was restored after the work of the "little horn of Daniel." And as this once occurred, it will again happen during that period that is called the Tribulation. Antiochus was the one who foreshadowed the coming Antichrist, he who will desecrate the new Temple by stopping the sacrifice and requiring worship of himself. The miracle of the lamps, the lasting of one day's oil for eight days shows that God is the true source of our light. And we know that it is Yeshua Himself that is our ultimate light. "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life'" ( John 8:12). As we can see in the New Testament, the Jewish people were looking for a king. But Yeshua didn't come to fulfill this role at His first Advent, the birth that we are celebrating this season. He came to bring the message of peace. Not peace in the world, but peace between the human race and the God whom they rebelled against. He was to be God's peace offering, sacrifice for the sins of people. As Paul puts it: "For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). It is the acceptance of this message that makes one a child of God. It is this message that brings us into the kingdom of God. It is this message that is the gift of the Advent season. As we have also noted there is a second coming, a coming that is still expected by some Jews. This is the coming of Messiah as King. It is then He will set up His throne and restore His nation Israel. "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this" (Isaiah 9:6-7). And as part of the setting up of this kingdom, there will be a new Hanukkah. Yeshua will overthrow Antichrist, cleanse the Temple and restore the people in their relationship to God. The Jewish people will finally know that Yeshua is their Messiah, and will accept His sacrifice for their sins. "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son" (Zechariah 12:10). And so, as God caused one day's oil to last for eight until new oil could be manufactured, He will again work a miracle. He will come not only to restore the Temple, but to restore His people, and to bring a new heaven and earth. But this is still in the future, whether the fulfillment of this teachings begins tomorrow, next week, next year or is delayed for a number of years. The real question we must ask is: have we chosen to allow the light of Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus the Christ into our lives now? Are we willing to allow the light of God to become the basis of our salvation? Have we accepted the words of Paul? (see above -- 1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Yeshua is our Menorah. He is the miracle light of God, "A light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel" (Luke 2:32). "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life'" (John 8:12). As children of the Lord, are we choosing to live by that light that He provides? "This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin" (1 John 1:5-7). Let the light of Jesus our Menorah shine on us throughout the year, lighting our path, and leading us into an evergrowing relationship with God our loving Father. Also let us allow that same light to shine through us to all whom we meet. Then others can choose to have that same light, that same relationship, that same salvation that we have. And as the Day approaches, let us pray that we will see many come to salvation and then growth. Finally let us look forward to the return of our Lord and Savior. Christmas, Hanukkah, both are times of celebrating the miraculous working of our God. Both are times of looking back on miracles. Both are times of looking forward to the Day when we will see God again working great miracles. Let us joyfully celebrate both. 1. JEWISH NEW TESTAMENT, David H. Stern, Trans., Jewish New Testament Publications, 1989, p. 134. 2. Solomon, Grayzel, A HISTORY OF THE JEWS, p. 56. 3. TREASURES OF CHANUKAH, The Unicorn Publishing House, 1987, p. 12. New In Christ New In Christ "New in Christ" is a regular MORNING STAR column written primarily for people who wish to learn more about the basic teachings of Biblical Christianity. The editorial staff at MORNING STAR encourages all readers to use freely this information to help new Christians grow in their walk with the Lord. CHRIST IS GOD Part three of a three-part series By Toby Trudel There are many opinions in the world as to who Jesus Christ really was/is. The most important question in my opinion would be, "Is Jesus God?" There are churches and individuals today, professing to be Christian, who don't believe Jesus is God - or that the Bible teaches this, or that Jesus Himself said that He is God. This month, in part three of our study, we examine more evidence from the New Testament which shows us that Jesus is indeed God. YET EVEN MORE EVIDENCE FROM THE BIBLE In the book of Hebrews, God the Father refers to Christ His Son AS GOD: But UNTO THE SON HE SAITH, THY THRONE O GOD, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom (Hebrews 1:8). Yet the Psalmist wrote this of the Messiah (Psalm 45:6). Psalm 110:1 relates to a conversation between the Father and the Son; "Jehovah saith unto my Lord (Adonai), sit thou at my right hand." Jesus applied this passage to Himself in Matthew 22:43,44. Isaiah too, in a great Messianic passage exhorted Israel, "Behold YOUR GOD" (Isaiah 40:9). Daniel referred to the Messiah as the "Ancient of days" (Daniel 7:22), a phrase used twice in the same passage to describe God the Father. (Daniel 7:9,13). John 1:14 and Hebrews 1:2, state not only that Christ was the creator, but that Christ was the brightness of God's glory. This subject of God's glory is also more evidence for Christ's divinity as God's glory belongs ONLY TO GOD: "I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another ..." (Isaiah 42:8). Christ Himself claimed this glory as His own, thus claiming to be God: And now, O Father, GLORIFY THOU ME with thine own self WITH THE GLORY WHICH I HAD WITH THEE BEFORE THE WORLD WAS" (John 17:5). Jude "seconds" the motion" ... "To the only wise GOD OUR SAVIOUR, BE GLORY and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen" (Jude 1:25). Paul writes in Philippians 2:11, that one day, "... every knee shall bow ... and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Yet Paul, as He often did, is quoting this passage from the Tanach (Old Testament): "For I am God and there is no other ... To me every knee shall bow, and every tongue swear" (Isaiah 45:22,23). Jesus made other claims which were reserved for God only. He said "I am the good shepherd" (John 10:11), yet it is Jehovah who is the shepherd (Psalm 10:11, 23:1). Peter also called Him the "chief Shepherd" (1st Peter 5:4), as did the writer of Hebrews (Hebrews 13:20). Jesus claimed to be judge of all men and nations, (John 5:27-30, Matthew 25:31-46), yet it is Jehovah who is this judge (Joel 3:12, Deuteronomy 32:35). Paul verified this title in 2nd Timothy 4:1. Jesus said He is the light of the world (John 8:12), yet it is Jehovah that is the light (Psalm 27:1, Isaiah 60:9). Jesus referred to Himself as the coming bridegroom (Matthew 25:1, Ephesians 5:28-33, Revelation 21:2), yet this how Jehovah is depicted in the Tanach (Isaiah 62:5, Hosea 2:16). Jesus claimed to forgive sin (Mark 2:5), and the apostles claimed that in Jesus' name were sins forgiven (Acts 5:31), even though this right was that of God's only (Jeremiah 31:34, Psalm 130:4). Jesus claimed the ability to raise the dead (John 5:25,29), yet God alone is the giver of life (1st Samuel 2:6, Deuteronomy 32:39, Psalm 2:7). His apostles called him the Rock (1st Corinthians 10:4), yet Jehovah is the Rock (Psalm 18;2, 95:1 and many others). The Tanach says God is the redeemer (Hosea 13:14, Psalm 130:7), yet Jesus is named the redeemer (Titus 2:13, Revelation 5:9). It also says that God has the title of "Savior," (Isaiah 43:3), yet Jesus is called "the Saviour of the world" (John 4:42). Both Jesus and Jehovah are viewed as the author of eternal words (Matthew 24:35 and Isaiah 40:8). In the Book of Revelation, which is the revelation of Jesus Christ to John, Jesus speaking to John refers to Himself as the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last. (Revelation 1:8, 1:11, 21:6 and 22:13). Yet the Old Testament tells us that it is the God Jehovah who is the first and the last! (Isaiah 44:6) When Stephen was killed for his faith he called UPON GOD. He called JESUS: "And they stoned Stephen, calling UPON GOD, and saying, LORD JESUS, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep" (Acts 7:59,60). WHAT ABOUT THE SO-CALLED PROOF TEXTS? Finally there are some passages that certain groups like to quote out of context to "prove" Jesus was not God. (Somehow ignoring all the ones cited above as well as others!) Here are some: 1. Jesus said "My Father is greater than I" (John 14:28). The answer to this is that Father was greater than Jesus in office but NOT in nature. Jesus claimed equality with God in essence (John 5:18, 10:30). As mentioned already He set aside His attributes to become God-man (Philippians 2:5-8). 2. Jesus' claim of ignorance to the time of His second coming (Mark 13:32). Jesus was ignorant of this fact, AS MAN, just as he was of the fig tree having fruit in Matthew 21:19. This is because Jesus had two distinct natures. One which tired, hungered and thirsted and had finite knowledge and grew in wisdom (Luke 2:52), and the other which as I mentioned earlier knew all things. 3. Jesus said that neither He nor anyone else was good other than God (Mark 10:18). Notice that Jesus did not deny that He was good (or God) to the man in this verse. Rather, Jesus was challenging him and giving him two alternatives - to accept Him as good and God, or not to. 4. Jesus prayed on the cross, "My God my God, why hast thou forsaken me" (Mark 15:34). There are many verses in scripture where one person of the Godhead speaks to another, (Psalm 110:1, Zechariah 1:12, Hebrews 1:8), hence this verse offers no disproof of Christ's deity. 5. Jesus is the "firstborn over all creation" (Colossians 1:15). Note further down this same chapter. First in verse 16 where it states that ALL was created through Him. Then there is verse 17 which explains that Christ is before all things and by HIM all things consist. Finally, verse 18, which explains that Christ is firstborn FROM THE DEAD, the HEAD of the body, the church. Christ resurrected on the Jewish feast of Firstfruits, the first born in the FIRST Resurrection (Revelation 20:5), which started with the firstborn (Christ -1st Corinthians 15:20), followed by SOME Old Testament saints who were resurrected at the time of Christ's resurrection, ("The graves were opened", and many bodies of the saints came out of their graves and appeared to the local people" (Matthew 27:52,53). Note that not all the Old Testament saints were resurrected here, only a token number, which kept with the symbolism of the Feast of the Firstfruits where only a handful of grain was presented to the priest, not the whole stalk! Then the dead in Christ at a later time (1st Thessalonians 4:15), followed by "we which are alive" (1st Thessalonians 4:17). And finally the tribulation saints mentioned in Revelation 20:4. 6. Jesus is "the beginning of the creation of God" (Revelation 3:14). The Greek is clear here. It says OF God not BY God. The Greek word for beginning (arche), is the active role of creating, NOT the inactive role of being created. Thus the verse, properly translated reaffirms all the other verses in scripture that Christ was active in the creation process, not a result of it. 7. Christ is the "begotten Son of God" (John 1:14, 1:18, 3:16, 3:18, 4:9). The Greek term with reference to Christ (monogenes; "only begotten"), has nothing to do with His being the only created Son of God. It is in fact more a term of endearment suggesting the thought of deepest affection, as is the case of the Old Testament word "yachid", translated as "only one", "only son", "only beloved" or "darling" in various Old Testament passages. In fact, the same term is found in Hebrews 11:17, referring to Isaac being Abraham's "only begotten." Yet Isaac was not Abraham's only son, he had others. Isaac WAS special though! In fact the oldest manuscripts (3rd and 4th century), have the term "monogenes theos", in the Gospel verses, meaning "only begotten God! To take this verse and translate it as "created by", not only lacks grammatical support, it contradicts all of the scripture cited above. Hopefully all of the above information will help set the record straight. Share it with those who are confused on this all important issue as time is short and their salvation is at stake. Messianic Studies Messianic Studies JESUS, THE RABBI - WAS HE ORTHODOX? By David Bivin Jerusalem, Israel Part 1 of a 3-part series (A transcript of an address first given at Christ Church in Jerusalem on May 26th 1987. Reprinted with permission of Christian Friends of Israel) INTRODUCTION "Jesus, The Rabbi - Was He Orthodox?". It may be jumping ahead a little bit to ask whether or not He was observant and orthodox. First, we must ask, was He even Jewish? And then, was He a Rabbi? Only after that may we go on to find if He was an observant orthodox Rabbi. It is rather shocking to find out how many Christians are not aware that Jesus was Jewish. In this land (of Israel) for instance there are whole communities of people, Christian people, non-Jewish, who do not believe that Jesus is Jewish. A friend of mine was furthering her knowledge of Hebrew in an Ulpan (a language school) here in Jerusalem. She fell into conversation with a young lady from Bethlehem, a Christian, who was trying to learn Hebrew. At one point in the conversation my friend said, "Well, you know Jesus was Jewish after all." The lady replied: "He wasn't Jewish." My friend replied, "Well, go ask your priest and see what he says." She didn't ask her priest, but she went home and asked her mother and father. The father said: "Yes, she's right. He was Jewish." The mother said: "No, He's not Jewish". So it was a tie. Not only here, but in Europe, England and the United States, we would be shocked to find out how many Christian people have never realized that Jesus was Jewish. Another friend of mine, who is a film actor in the United States, was commissioned by a certain person in a large city to create a mural of Acts chapter two as an artistic representation. This friend of mine suggested that it should have a wider context. The mural should not only depict the fire and the tongues and the Holy Spirit, but the men and women should be represented as Jews, perhaps in Jewish dress. After all, he said, "Jesus was Jewish, and His disciples were Jewish." The person who had commissioned the mural replied, "You know, my pastor said that in his sermon last Sunday, and I was absolutely shocked!" I could go on with stories like this, but if you just do a minimal amount of research, you will find that many Christians still believe that Jesus was not Jewish. Let me begin by saying a few words about Jesus' Jewishness, as obvious as it should be. THE JEWISHNESS OF JESUS It is not hard to find evidence in the New Testament for Jesus' Jewishness. Firstly, Jesus genealogy is clearly Jewish. In the gospels of Matthew and Luke, His lineage is traced back to the patriarchs in typical Jewish fashion. Jesus' family was also completely Jewish. Joseph, the earthly father's name, was the second most common name of the period for Jewish men. His mother's name, Mary, was the most common Jewish women's name. Inscriptions dating from the first century indicate that the name Jeshua, Jesus, was itself the fifth most common Jewish man's name after the names Simeon, Joseph, Judah and John. All of Jesus' known relatives were Jewish. They included Elizabeth, Zachariah the priest, their son John the Baptist, as well as Jesus' own brothers, James, Joseph (one of the sons carried the name of the father), Simeon and Judah. The fact that Jesus and His family were observant Jews is fully documented in the gospels. Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day, and as is still Jewish custom for male children, at his circumcision ceremony he was formally given his name. His parents also performed two other Jewish ceremonies in Jerusalem during that time. One was the "pidyon ha-ben" (the redemption of the first born), which Joseph symbolically performed on Jesus' thirty-first day, by giving five silver coins to a priest. The other occurred on the forty-first day after Jesus' birth when Mary performed the ceremony for her purification by bringing two offerings to the temple. Jesus' parents, we are told, went up to Jerusalem every year to observe the east of Passover. This devotion is exemplary and unusual, because many people living outside Jerusalem made a pilgrimage to the Temple only a few times in their lives, and some only once. To make a pilgrimage was a major expense for people who had to pay for the cost of the journey, the cost of the stay in Jerusalem and the cost of the sacrifices offered in the temple during the festival. The Biblical commandment of Deuteronomy 16:16, "Three times a year all your men shall appear before the Lord your God at the place that He will choose, on the Feast of Unleavened Bread, on the Feast of Weeks, and on the Feast of Booths", was not interpreted literally by the rabbis. Pilgrimage was encouraged by them but not made mandatory. Of course, all the other biblical regulations pertaining to each festival could be fully observed by each family in its place of residence. The evidence in the gospels indicates that Jesus was no less observant than His parents. For instance, Jesus was in Jerusalem for Passover when He was arrested and when he "ate the Passover" with His disciples. JESUS A RABBI So much for Jesus' Jewishness. Now, was He a rabbi? By the time Jesus began His public ministry, He had not only received the thorough religious training typical of the average Jewish man of his day, but He had probably spent years studying with one of the outstanding rabbis in the Galilee. He did not begin His ministry until a rather mature age. What was He doing all these years? We know quite a great deal about that from rabbinic sources. Jesus thus appeared on the scene as a respected rabbi Himself. He was recognized as such by His contemporaries, as many passages in the New Testament illustrate. And Jesus answered and said to him: "Shimon, I have something to say to you". And he said: "Rabbi, what is it?" A lawyer asked Him a question to test Him: "Rabbi, what is the greatest commandment in the Torah?" And behold a rich man came up to Him and said: "Rabbi, what good thing must do to have eternal life?" And someone in the crowd said to Him: "Rabbi, order my brother to divide the inheritance with me." Matters of inheritance were a typical thing that one came to a Rabbi about. And some of the Pharisees said to Him: "Rabbi, rebuke your disciples." And they asked him saying: "Rabbi, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God truly ..." And one last example. Some of the Sadducees came up to Him and they asked Him saying: "Rabbi ..." And so on. Note the diversity of those who address Jesus as rabbi; a lawyer, a rich man, Pharisees, Sadducees, and ordinary people. Obviously there was a broad cross-section of people in Jesus' day who saw Him as a rabbi. To understand the significance of Jesus being called a rabbi, one must first grasp what a rabbi of the first century was and how he functioned in that society. The term "rabbi" is derived from the Hebrew word "rav" which in biblical Hebrew means "great." It was not used as a title or as a form of address. In Jesus' time it was used to refer to the master of a slave or the master of a disciple. Thus a rabbi literally meant "my master" and was a term of respect. It was not a formal title, but it was used when you addressed a teacher. From the gospel accounts, Jesus clearly appears as a typical first century rabbi. He traveled from place to place. He depended upon the hospitality of the people. He taught out doors. He taught in homes. He taught in villages. He taught in synagogues. He even taught in the temple. He had a band of disciples who followed Him around as He traveled. This is the very image of a Jewish rabbi in the land of Israel at the time. Perhaps the most convincing proof that Jesus was a practicing rabbi was His style of teaching. He used the same method of instruction that was characteristic of the other rabbis of His day. A simple example is Jesus' use of parables to convey His teaching. Parables such as Jesus used were extremely common among the rabbis of first century Israel and over 4,000 of them have survived in rabbinic literature. That is if you count only the full-blown story type parables. Other scholars estimate that there are around 20,000 parables that are found in rabbinic literature. It is of interest that of all of these thousands of parables, there is not one parable in Aramaic. Every one of them is in Hebrew. Even as much as a few hundred years later, 500 to 600 AD, which include texts written in Aramaic, the parable is always given in Hebrew. Next month: Part 2 - "Was Jesus Observant?" David Bivin has lived in Israel since 1963, when he came to do graduate studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. From 1970 to 1981 he was director of the modern Language Division of the American Ulpan, and also director of the Modern Hebrew Department of the Institute of Holy Land Studies on Mount Zion. He is co-author of two books: "Fluent Biblical and Modern Hebrew", and "Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus". He is currently director of the Jerusalem School for the Study of the Synoptic Gospels, which is sponsored by the Centre for Judaic-Christian Studies. David Bivin also serves as an elder of the Narkis Street Baptist congregation in Jerusalem. Growing in Grace Growing in Grace The Growth in Grace column provides insights into basic issues of Christian maturity. Growth is the nature of life. When growth ceases, death is the result. Spiritual growth is a possibility, and a need. Growth in Grace is every believer's privilege and responsibility. RECOVERING BIBLICAL SPIRITUALITY By Pastor Russell Walden The story goes that a well-known evangelist traveled behind the Bamboo curtain with the message of the gospel. He met with Mao-Tseng and his communist leadership with the awesome responsibility to represent Christ to that dark nation. He was asked, "Do you believe in the Christ of Christianity?" Thoughtfully, he answered, "No. I believe in the Christ of the Bible." When you look at Christianity, you will find expressed there many philosophies and viewpoints about its scope and purpose. But if there is anything to the gospel, then you must agree that no matter what our opinions and viewpoints, there is ONE ABSOLUTE truth. It is found in the Person of Jesus Christ. No matter what Spirituality is to us, it will ultimately be measured by the Father's absolute standard. Christian Spirituality and grace are one thing. Biblical Spirituality is another. A restoration is coming to our generation. This is not a restoration of Christianity, per se, but a restoration of Biblical Spirituality. This is spirituality as Jesus intended us to experience it through his death, burial and resurrection. When you look around at the church, and at Christianity as a whole, you must ask the question: "Is THIS what motivated him to carry the cross to Golgotha?" Hardly. The Christian Religious System of this day is in as sad a shape as the Jewish Religious System was in Jesus' day. When he came as a suffering Savior, he didn't come to restore the Jewish Religious System. He DID come to restore His people to His purpose. Likewise, in the day when he comes as a Conquering Victor, he is not coming to revive Christianity. Instead, he is coming to restore his people to Himself, to intimate relationship. For those who are listening, and watching, the gulf will continue to widen between those who hold the person of Jesus as the essential foundation of the faith, and those who operate on principles wholly or partially independent of the Spirit of Christ. On the unstable middle ground, countless thousands will continue to fall away from the church into the chasm of irreligion. Or they will be swept into the myriad fissures of false religion and reactionary cults. This sifting and separation will not reach completion until the judgment when Christ separates the sheep from the goats. "All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats" (Matthew 25:32). The segregation that is to be culminated in heaven has already begun on the earth. Jesus spoke of the angels being sent out at the endtime to separate the wheat from the tares. Many men have become impatient with the command to "let both grow until the harvest ..." "Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn" (Matthew 13:30). Separatist movements have succeeded in removing themselves from the "apostate mother church," but not themselves from the apostasy. Sooner or later every expressed organization of the church has gone the way of all flesh. The description of the people of God and the glorious church of God in the final days before the Parousia (the Second Coming) cannot but lead to the conclusion that a restoration of Biblical Spirituality will emerge. "All glorious is the princess within her chamber; her gown is interwoven with gold. In embroidered garments she is led to the king; her virgin companions follow her and are brought to you" (Psalm 45:13-14). The falling away prophesied in the Bible is a manifestation of the threshing of the church in preparation and purification. The precious remnant is being extracted from the vile, corrupt system. Born-again believers from every quarter of Christendom -- Catholics, Protestants, independents, orthodox, etc., from these ranks, those hungering and thirsting for reality in Jesus Christ, are coming forth to Him. "Then I heard another voice from heaven say: "Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues" (Revelation 18:4). The "Falling Away" can only be properly understood from a first century perspective. The twentieth century Christian might envision boarded-up churches, backslidden leaders, or rampant godlessness worse than it already is. From the early church perspective, however, it is a much more provocative suggestion. Imagine this "falling away" from the vantage point of the pristine condition of first century Christianity. Viewed down the corridors of history, modern-day Christianity is a sad caricature of the church of Acts by almost every measurement. The description of the fallen church is the description of modern-day Christianity. Jesus warned one church to "Remember the height from which you have fallen." "Don't let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction" (2 Thessalonians 2:3). Compared to the first century pattern, the twentieth century church with all its promotion, pomp and influence falls far short of God's purpose. "Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place" (Revelation 2:5). Be aware that the pathway of recovery is a personal, not an institutional matter. Jesus never sought to restore the institution of Jewish religion. He did come, however to restore His people to God's purpose. It is each man's response to Jesus that determines his placement among the wheat or the tares, the sheep or the goats. This determination is more than a decision. There are decisions for Jesus made every day that never result in lasting change or even true regeneration. Your decision to ask Jesus into your heart is only a part of the process. Discipleship in Christ is a lifelong, all-encompassing involvement of the Spirit of Christ and the principles of the Word of God in each area of your life. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). "There is a dispute that the New Testament gives no pattern for church life. This verse affirms that the scriptures are the guide in these matters and all matters. Any tradition or practice that is not validated by the written word may or may not be expedient but should not have the force of law among the churches. To look at it any other way is not different than the Catholic doctrine of oral tradition that has led to the excesses in that institution" (The Nature of Our Relationships, a message given by the author at a pastoral conference in June 1992 in Alexandria, Louisiana). A distinction must be made between Biblical Spirituality and the contemporary Christian religious system. Is the Christ of Christianity the Christ of the Bible? Is Jesus as much at home in the cloistered walls of institutional Christianity as he was in the homes of publicans and sinners? The theology of the Christian religious system is to Biblical Spirituality what pork barrel spending is to the balanced budget amendment. The original intent of any given bill is often negated by pork barrel riders added on to a bill. Likewise, through religious tradition and man's philosophies and deceit, the church of the Living God has lost much of its effectiveness to fulfill its purpose on earth. 8. Any practice, program, philosophy, or doctrine that is not solidly affirmed by the simple truths of the New Testament is to be held suspect. The New Testament church never knew what a church building was. They did not have just one minister, but considered themselves all ministers of God. There was not a single Sunday School or Children's Church spoken of in the New Testament. On and on the list goes, citing institutions held as inviolate components of the Christian church that have no basis in New Testament practice. These things must then be held loosely and carried out only so far as they help meet New Testament goals for the local church. What then are the most important issues? What is the base line of Biblical Spirituality? What is the minimum array of components to make up a New Testament church? A comparison to car shopping gives a good analogy of this issue: When buying a new vehicle, what is "standard equipment" and what is "optional equipment"? Every new car buyer knows that adding option after option can nearly double the price of a car. How many people have estimated the price of Christianity and decided it was too high? Could it be because they were given a sticker price that included item after item of the traditions that only impaired, rather than enhanced, the original product? What is not that important? What is the basic Christian commitment, doctrine and practice? Understand - what might be critical to walking with God in one generation is not critical at all in another. This refers to cultural and societal applications of the timeless truth of the gospel. Likewise there are periods of history where the dynamics of Biblical Spirituality are strikingly similar, though they be separated by hundreds of years or thousands of miles. Consider the dynamics of spirituality in the days before Jesus' first arrival in the earth. The WORD for Today The WORD for Today This month, we will conclude our first series on Communication in Marriage. We are examining communication problems in marriage from a biblical perspective. We are showing how couples can apply God's word to their marriage. The companion book to this study is H. Norman Wright's COMMUNICATION: KEY TO YOUR MARRIAGE. The book is published by Regal Books and should be available from your Christian book store. This is the tenth of ten articles inspired by a series given by Pastor Geoff Kragen through Foothill Bible Church in Lincoln, California. BUILD UP ONE ANOTHER! The two great commands of the New Testament are relational. "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' (Matthew 22:37-38). These commands to relationship are to be acted out in love. In the relationship of marriage, we often forget to deal with one another primarily out of love. The love I am talking about here is not the "warm fuzzies." It is the love that is concerned for the other personÝs needs, for our spouse. This means that our focus is first on them, and second on ourselves. This, of course, is the model Christ provides for us. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Christ put His need to avoid the suffering of the cross second to mankindÝs need to be reconciled to the Father. If we reach out in love towards our spouse, then we will be more concerned with understanding them, rather than worrying about being understood ourselves. Acting out of love will go a long way to help improve our conversational skills. One of the major problems with our conversation is that while we know what we are saying, our spouse may be hearing something entirely different that what we intended. "Honey, I was just trying to be constructive with way I was saying." But did your spouse hear it as constructive? "That's what you always say when you criticize me. I'm tired of always being attacked." At this point, the best thing you can do is to ask your spouse to go into detail. Remember: how you are perceived is not always how you want to be perceived. Your spouse is one of the best people to help you see yourself more accurately. If you want to be understood, you must first understand your spouse. If you understand him or her, then you will be able to express yourself in a way that is more likely to be received accurately. Do you remember when you were first dating? At that point, one of the most important factors in your relationship was getting to know your partner as completely as possible. This should also be the case in your relationship with the Lord ... and this was probably true when you were a new believer. But over time it seems that we aren't as concerned with knowing God as we are with letting Him know us. And we also appear to be more concerned with how our spouse meets our needs rather, than how we can care for him or her. In both cases, this approach does nothing to deepen the quality of our relationships. We will only mature as believers if we grow in our knowledge of the Lord and dependency on Him. Believe me, He already knows us very well. Likewise, we will only strengthen our marriage and improve our communication if we get to know our spouse better. We are to love our spouses. To do this, we must know them. As we grow in our knowledge, and therefore love, then our goal must be to care for them, to build them up. This attitude will have a tremendous benefit on our efforts to communicate. Hopefully, our spouses are striving towards the same goal. However, we are responsible to move toward them, whether they reciprocate or not. Part of the blessing that comes with marriage is the opportunity, the Lord provides to care for and build up our spouse. We all need to be lifted up at times. We need to know that we are loved. We need to be comforted. Yes, we are to look primarily to the Lord to meet these needs. But He has chosen to provide for them through godly relationships. These should be found first within our own families, and second within our church families. The way we communicate with our spouses should be designed to strengthen them and build them up. This means that as we love one another, we are to focus on the other person. This requires dependency on the Lord to accomplish what Paul expressed in Ephesians 4:2 when he said that the Ephesians were "to live in a becoming way ... 'with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one anotherÝ (Amplified).' And Paul had the same thing in mind when he wrote the Philippians and said, 'Fill up and complete my joy by living in harmony and being of the same mind and one in purpose, having the same love, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention. Do nothing from factional motives--through contentiousness, strife, selfishness or for unworthy ends--or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself--thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves. Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others (Philippians 2:2-4, Amplified).'" (1) Can you imagine how much more effectively you can communicate as a couple, if your behavior towards each other is typified by these qualities? The basis of effective communication within marriage, is loving each other with Christ's love. Even if your marriage has become boring, stale, or even damaged, if you both will turn to God and ask Him to help you love each other as He desires, you marriage can be improved, strengthened and will show new life. Dependency on God is the real "Key to your Marriage." He will motivate you to desire to improve your communication. In closing this article and series, I'd like to leave you with Norman Wright's "Marriage Communication Guidelines." 1. Be a ready listener and do not answer until the other person has finished talking. Proverbs 18:13; James 1:19 2. Be slow to speak. Think first. Don't be hasty in your words. Speak in such a way that the other person can understand and accept what you say. Proverbs 15:23, 28; 21:23; 29:20; James 1:19 3. Speak the truth always but do it in love. Do not exaggerate. Ephesians 4:15, 25; Colossians 3:9 4. Do not use silence to frustrate the other person. Explain why you are hesitant to talk at this time. 5. Do not become involved in quarrels. It is possible to disagree without quarreling. Proverbs 17:14; 20:3; Romans 13:13; Ephesians 4:31 6. Do not respond in anger. Use a soft and kind response. Proverbs 14:29; 15:1; 25:15; 29:11; Ephesians 4:26, 31 7. When you are in the wrong, admit it and ask for forgiveness. James 5:16 When someone confesses to you, tell them you forgive the. Be sure it is forgotten and not brought up to the person. Proverbs 17:9; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13; 1 Peter 4:8 8. Avoid nagging. Proverbs 10:19; 17:9; 20:5 9. Do not blame or criticize the other person. Instead, restore ... encourage ... edify. Romans 14:13; Galatians 6:1; 1 Thessalonians 5:11. If someone verbally attacks, criticized or blames you, do not respond in the same manner. Romans 12:17, 21; 1 Peter 2:23; 3:9 10. Try to understand the other person's opinion. Make allowances for differences. Be concerned about their interests. Philippians 2:1-4; Ephesians 4:2 I hope that this series has helped you. If you have not yet read the recommended book, I suggest you and your spouse each get a copy. Work through it together and do the exercises. Comments or questions can be directed to Pastor Geoff Kragen here at Morning Star. Next month, Janette Kragen discusses recent statistics on marriage, divorce and cohabitation. Starting the following month, we will begin a new series expanding on the subject of marriage communication. The accompanying text will be Norman writes sequel to the current text, "More Communication Keys For Your Marriage." We suggest that you get this book and use it in conjunction with the new series. And so until next month, keep loving and talking. May the Lord bless your marriage. 1. Wright, H. Norman, COMMUNICATION: KEY TO YOUR MARRIAGE, Regal Books, Ventura, CA, p. 165. Columns Anee M'Amin Anee M'Amin In this month's ANEE M'AMIN (Hebrew for "I believe") we present a report in keeping with this month's MISSION theme. IN CUBA TOO! In a few minutes we will be landing at the Jose Marti International Airport at Havana." Even hearing that announcement, it was still hard to believe that I was going there. Of the many places I have imagined visiting, I never thought of Cuba, so I was surprised when Moishe Rosen asked me to go there to preach. He explained that due to Cuba's bad economy, it was not a suitable place to seek financial support for our Jews for Jesus ministry, but he expected me to find Christians who would understand and appreciate the nature of our ministry and pray for us. It would not be a place where Christians could help us as much as we could minister to them and to the Jewish people who lived there. I was to schedule some meetings and find out what God is doing in that country. Over a period of several months, I contacted some Cuban pastors. and everything was set up for my visit. Upon my arrival I got in touch with Jorge, the pastor of a Baptist church in one of the heavily populated neighborhoods of Havana. Jorge was my host throughout my stay. To say that the economic situation in Cuba is difficult is an understatement. Some very basic supplies, such as soap, toilet paper and medicine are extremely difficult to find. Food and gasoline are also very scarce. The lack of gasoline causes transportation problems. Few buses circulate in Havana. Hundreds of people wait for hours for a bus. Many go to school or work on bikes, which can be seen by the hundreds on the streets. Buildings that look partially demolished or at least in desperate need of paint are common sights. Power blackouts are normal, and many of the houses have no electricity during the day. In spite of these hardships, enthusiastic Christians are filling the churches of Havana. On my first Sunday there, I preached at a downtown Baptist church. I described how Christ is clearly shown in the Passover. Following my presentation, the church was celebrating the Lord's Supper, and so many people had come that they ran out of communion supplies. At another downtown church where I spoke on a Thursday evening, 300 enthusiastic believers came to worship despite the transportation and street lighting I was excited to discover that the number of people that night was the same as attended a Sunday morning "man" service. My pastor host gave me a chance to preach at his church twiceùonce on a Saturday night and once on a Tuesday night. Both times the church was packed with 200 people. Some had to walk five miles to come to services, but they were happy to do it. The worshipers had an enthusiasm I had seldom encountered before. I think that every time a hymn was sung, it could be heard a block away. THE JEWISH COMMUNITY IN CUBA I needed matzah (unleavened bread) for my Christ in the Passover presentations, and I realized that I had not brought any. How could I find matzah in Havana if regular bread was already hard to get? A synagogue seemed like a good place to try. I found out that there were threeùone downtown and two in the old city. Those in the old city were Sephardic (of Mediterranean origin). I chose to try the downtown Ashkenazic (Eastern European style) synagogue. Not only did I get the matzah, but I also got statistics about the Jewish community. (I learned there are 1,300 Jewish people in Cuba.) I also accepted an invitation to attend Sabbath services the next Saturday morning. The downtown synagogue still held traces of its former grandeur. One of the elders of the synagogue invited me to read the Torah blessing, which I was glad to do. By the end of the service, most of the congregation knew that I was a visitor from Argentina. Several people engaged me in conversations, and some asked me to take letters to their relatives outside of Cuba. Several people even invited me for coffee at their homes, and I gladly accepted. As I set out to visit those who had invited me, I could see the hand of the Lord already working. Many of them lived very close to where I was staying. The first family I visited was eager to meet me because, of all things, their son had left Cuba to live in Buenos Aires! I promised to take back some letters and books for him. As soon as I could, I shared the gospel with them. I was surprised at their openness to the words of Jesus. Like most Jewish people, they had carried a distorted image of Jesus and were surprised to hear from the Scriptures that He was Jewish and cared for the Jewish people. I visited this family twice and left them a New Testament so they could read more about Jesus. When I came back to Buenos Aires, I visited their son and was excited to find out that he, too, was very open to the gospel. Another person who invited me to visit her was a synagogue youth leader and a doctor at one of the hospitals in Havana. After some small talk, I asked her what she thought about the Messiah. She said she had been taught that the Messiah was not a person but a time when peace and justice would prevail on earth. I told her that the prophets had said something different, and I read her Isaiah 53. At that, she responded, "But then the Messiah is Jesus! It cannot be possible, because we Jews are not supposed to believe in Jesus." However, she was not able to explain how the description the prophet had given about the description the prophet had given about the Messiah. She also wanted to keep in touch and know more about Christ. A high point in my trip came when I met another Jewish person, Frank. He had been invited by a neighbor to attend one of my church meetings and had come mainly because he was surprised to hear that a Jewish person would be preaching. Frank was interested in hearing more, and I invited him to meet with me the first day he was free. The following Tuesday, he came to another of my meetings and brought his mother. I preached, and one person responded to my invitation to make a commitment to Christ. It was Sara, Frank's mother! After the meeting, I met with Frank, Sara and the pastor of the church to explain more about the gospel to Sara and to talk more with Frank. We agreed to meet again the following morning, at which time I explained the gospel to Frank. Frank was concerned that to accept Christ was un-Jewish. He recognized his need for God, especially in the circumstance under which he lived in Cuba. He was surprised that, despite the harsh conditions there, his Christian neighbor always found time to take care of others, always had a word of encouragement and, whenever possible, shared some of the small amounts of food or medicine he had. I explained to Frank that Jesus was the One who lived in his neighbor's heart and put that special love in him. I told Frank he could have the same love and joy if he would give his life to Jesus. At that, Frank prayed a commitment of faith in Jesus as His Messiah and Savior. What a blessed trip it was! As the plane was taking off and I was getting my last sight of Cuba, I couldn't stop thinking about all the Jewish people I had met who were so open to the gospel and all the enthusiasm I had found in the Cuban believers. Even now I can still hear in my mind the loud, clear and joyous singing I heard at every meeting. I can still see the radiant faces of the Christians at every church as they met for services. Please pray for Cuba. Pray for the believers and for the many Jewish people there who need to hear the gospel. From the JEWS FOR JESUS NEWSLETTER Testimony Testimony A LIFE OF MIRACLES By Carmelo Caso Submitted by Pastor Eugene Palma Mine is a life of miracles. In the four years that I have been saved, God has done great things in my life. Once on a plane trip from Rochester to Los Angeles, where my husband and I went for a visit, a great miracle took place. The trip going there was fine; however, almost an hour in the air on our return flight, the airplane developed a noisy problem in one of the engines. The pilot announced that the plane had to return to Los Angeles and that everyone must be ready to jump out should a fire break out. With my Bible in hand I began to cry out to God to save us. Everyone was frightened and began to panic. It seemed like I was the only one crying out to God. Yet, thank God, the plane landed safely without incident. We all got off and were transferred to another flight back to Rochester. Praise the Lord! Another miracle surprised me and everyone. One day, when one of my knees was paining me terribly, the devil tried to convince me to stay home from church, but I ignored him and went. At the service I asked for prayer. The following day I had an appointment with the doctor. He looked at my knee and told me he found nothing wrong. However, when he examined me, he discovered a malignant tumor in one of my kidneys. When the doctor informed me that I would have to undergo an operation to remove the kidney, I asked the elders of the church to pray for me, just like the Scriptures teach. Later, when the doctors operated, they found that the tumor had mysteriously moved to the outside of the kidney. All they had to do was scoop it out, leaving my kidney intact. Praise the Lord! On another occasion a large cyst developed next to my right ear. I phoned the doctor for an appointment, but I was told that I would have to wait a couple of weeks. So I decided to visit a sister who knows how to pray. A short while after praying, while still in the sister's home, the cyst broke and drained by itself, and I was completely healed. Praise the Lord! One evening recently, as I was going to my room to pray, the Lord appeared to me in a vision, wearing bright, shining garments. He was walking slowly before me, while I was following after Him. My body trembled all over. A little while later I had a dream that I was in the hospital for something of which I was unaware. Exactly two weeks afterward, while I was leaving work after midnight to go out to my car, I fell to the ground, hitting my head on the cement walk. When I came to my senses, I saw a lot of blood. With the help of the Lord I was able to get up, get to my car and drive home. My husband was asleep. Although I went to bed, I could not sleep for all the pain I felt in my body. When my husband saw me in the morning, bruised and bleeding, he rushed me to emergency. From there the doctors put me in the hospital for almost two weeks. The church, as well as others, prayed for me. My pastor faithfully visited me, and so did many others. Now I am at home and am attending the services. Praise the Lord! Prison Ministry Prison Ministry NEW YEAR, NEW LEAF, NEW LIFE As this is being written, it is fall. Leaves are fluttering to the ground. The cycle of nature is taking over. Old leaves are finished. After a quiet period of winter, new leaves will sprout. Life will begin again, fresh and new. Do you wish you could start over? Many people in prison have deep regrets about their past. The lonely hours are often filled with "if-onlys" and "I wish I had ..." thoughts. Although you can't undo what has been done, you can start brand-new spiritually. God is always accepting. He doesn't hold grudges, and He doesn't "rub our noses" in the past. There is forgiveness. There is starting over. There is new life. As you read this, the new year will be beginning. New Year's resolutions are often broken quickly. We mean well, but we don't have the power to keep our promises. But with God living in us, we have the power to begin again. To start fresh. And to conquer old habits and ways. If you have already committed your life to Christ, then you don't need to do it again. You need to begin to grow. But if you have never begun this new spiritual life - never been "born again" in the Bible's words - that's the step you need to take now. God loves you but He hates your sin. A price has to be paid for sin. Jesus Christ was willing to pay that price with His own life. God accepts that substitute. Though you can never be righteous enough to gain God's favor by yourself, you can gain it through the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Commit your life to Him, and accept this gift. _ In your own words, confess your sin to God and ask His forgiveness. _ Thank Him for the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. _ Tell Him that you accept the gift of salvation ... that you accept Jesus Christ into your life as your Savior from sin. _ Thank Him for the gift, and for the salvation. _ Promise to follow God ... to learn more about Him, and to grow in your faith. If you have prayed this prayer for the first time, we would like to send you some materials to help you get started in your new Christian life. Write to "New Life," Inside Journal, P.O. Box 16429, Washington, DC 20041-6429. A PRAYER FOR THE NEW YEAR By Roy Anthony Borges May the peace, love, joy and happiness of life be with us throughout the new year. May all our suspicious doubts and fears be erased so that your light may shine forth in us all. Give us the strength to stop blaming other people for our problems and the wisdom to check out ourselves first, for then we will discover that a majority of our problems, suspicions and wrong deeds are our own fault. Teach us to remember that we pay a price for the lessons that we learn in this life and that no matter how smart or tough we think we are, we can be had. The race of life is not won by the swift or the greedy. Let me able to be the same whether I have abundance or poverty. No one owes us anything and no one in our life is going to be totally true and faithful to us. So let us stop looking for it and recognize that no one is perfect, that people are human and make mistakes. Add forgiveness to our ways and rid us of all bitterness. Replace in our hearts a desire to know You and a longing to please You, for we know the rewards shall be great May we always be grateful for being alive and realize that no matter what the problems or circumstances may be that You will carry us through them. Life is too short to waste time on the things we can't change. Let us think positively about today, for tomorrow is not guaranteed to anyone. Roy Anthony Borges is a prisoner in Florida. From INSIDE JOURNAL A publication of PRISON FELLOWSHIP PO Box 16429 Washington, DC 20041-6429 Education Education GENEROUS GIVING By Dr. Paul A. Kienel, President Association of Christian Schools International I remember back 49 years when I was in the 6th grade. I had an after school paper route. I delivered the Walla Walla Union newspaper in my hometown of Milton-Freewater, Oregon. Over a period of months, I had saved my newspaper route earnings to buy a Lionel electric train set. One evening, a missionary spoke in our church about the serious financial needs of an orphanage in Egypt. Suddenly, my need for an electric train was overshadowed by my compelling desire to provide for the children of that orphanage. I am sure the small amount I gave to that project did not make a major financial difference in the Egyptian orphanage, but a pattern of generous giving was established in my "innermost being" that is with me to this day. I am not a wealthy person, but I thoroughly enjoy giving from my modest means to needy individuals and to worthy causes - especially causes which honor Christ. I believe it is important early on in a child's life that he or she learn to tithe 10% of their earnings or their allowance to the Christian ministry, and even beyond that, to give generously to worthy causes. There are several ways you can establish in your child's mind that it is right to give generously: 1- Let your children know that you financially support your church. If you are a tither, let them know that 10% of your income goes toward the ministry of your church and explain why you do so. Read to them Malachi 3:10, " 'Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house and prove Me now in this,' says the Lord of hosts, 'If I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.' " 2- Talk to your children about giving to the poor. Regardless of your economic status, there is always someone who has less than you. When I was a child in Oregon, our single-parent family was on Umatilla county welfare for eight years. There was a welfare family down the street from us who was in more desperate straits than our family. We talked about our needs, and we assisted them. I remember how glad I was that our family could help another family. If you are giving to the poor in any form, directly or indirectly, let your children know about it, and tell them why you are doing so. Read to them Hebrews 13:16: "And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased." 3- Give generously to your school. The Christmas season is coming. Most Christian schools have a Christmas giving program. Very often it is a Christmas bonus for the teachers. It may be a Christmas giving project in another form. Whatever the project, involve your children. Talk about the amount each family member should contribute toward your family's gift to the school. Make it a family adventure in generous giving. 4- Sponsor a child - make it a family project. The Association of Christian Schools International, the largest evangelical Christian school organization in the world, has a special program to assist deserving students in third-world countries. It is called ACSI Student Sponsorship. Like other programs of this type, when you sign on as a sponsor and contribute $24.00 per month, you and your family will receive a specific child's picture and profile, and you will be encouraged to pray for the child on a regular basis. Throughout the year you may receive letters from your sponsored child, and you and your family will be invited to share the love of Christ with them through your communication. Your regular monthly support will help pay "your child's" tuition, buy books and school supplies, provide medical attention and health training, and in some cases, provide a hot lunch program so necessary in a third-world country. With a Christian education and a caring sponsor, many of these children will become the spiritual leaders of their communities in the 21st century. Sponsorship of a deserving student in another country is an opportunity for you to establish a pattern of generous giving in the mind of your own children. There is nothing so sad as a child who has no concept of sharing or giving to others. I urge you to write for a free brochure which describes the ACSI Student Sponsorship program. Please write to: ACSI Student Sponsorship, PO Box 35097, Colorado Springs, CO 80935-3509, or call (719) 528-6906. I conclude with the words of Jesus. He said, " ... whatever you did for one of the least of these ... you did for me" (Matthew 25:40 NIV). Music Music CALLED TO KOREA In May of 1995, what is called the most diverse gathering of the Body of Christ in all of history will draw together 4,500 Christian Leaders from 200 nations in Seoul, Korea for the Global Consultation On World Evangelism (GCOWE). Sponsored by the AD 2000 and Beyond Movement, the consultation is part of the growing desire by many denominations and mission organizations to capitalize on the goal of reaching as many people as possible with the Gospel by the year 2000. The congress brings together some of the best church growth strategists, intercessors and preachers from around the world to unite for nine days of prayer, worship, and times of planning to bring closure to Christ's command to take the Gospel to every nation and people. Frank Fortunato Jr. (son of Rev. Frank Fortunato), an ordained minister with the Christian Church of North America, has been asked to oversee the music and worship for GCOWE. This is a culminating experience for Frank as it pulls together more than 20 years of involvement in missions, music, and worship, in many parts of the world. Frank Jr. began his overseas ministry on board the MV Logos in 1972. In the 1980's Frank became the director of Logos ship. He also spent time on a second ship, the MV Doulos. Both ships are part of the global ministry of Operation Mobilization. Operation Mobilization has 2,500 workers spread out across 70 nations with 600 missionaries serving in the two ships' ministry. Frank serves as OM's International Music Director. Since 1987 Frank and his family have been part of the OM USA headquarters, where Frank oversees the music office for OM. He is also involved in leading worship with many other groups. Frank also helped organize the historic Love Europe Congresses, which has drawn thousands of young people each summer to Europe for a week of training. This was followed by several hundred outreach teams that spread across East and West Europe. Music and worship has been a major feature of these congresses and this was the training that Frank received that enabled him to be chosen for the upcoming Global Congress in Korea. Frank travels extensively both internationally and nationally with a unique program called "His Kingdom is Coming, Celebrations of Praise and World Awareness." In a one hour session, Frank weaves together a time of congregational praise celebrating Christ as our King. This is followed by a mini Concert of Prayer, where the congregation prays for some of the world's troubled spots and some of the unreached people groups. A time of commitment to Christ as Lord, closes the program. Frank weaves special music and congregational singing throughout. He has also enjoyed ministering in various churches and is available for ongoing ministry. During Frank's recent furlough in 1993, he did a recording in Nashville of the music of "His Kingdom is Coming." Copies are available through OM at (404) 631-0432. He can be contacted at OM, P.O. Box 444, Tyrone, Georgia 30290-0444, tel: (404) 631-0432, fax: (404) 631-0439. From the Vista Publication of The General Council of the Christian Church of North America. Chef's Corner Chef's Corner HOLIDAY COOKIES that are easy to make and delicious too! DEE'S SOFT SUGAR COOKIE - Sift together, 6 cups flour, 1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda, and 1-1/2 teaspoons salt. Cream 3/4 cup shortening and 3/4 cup butter or margarine until soft and fluffy. Add 3 cups sugar a little at a time creaming well after each addition. Add 3 egg yolks and 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla and beat until light and fluffy. Add flour mixture alternately with 1-1/2 cups sour milk, stirring gently until batter is smooth. Beat 3 egg whites until stiff and fold in the batter. Drop by rounded tablespoonful on lightly greased baking sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Yield about 7 dozen cookies. (This recipe can be successfully halved.) ROSEANNE'S BROWNIES - Cream together 1/2 cup margarine and 1 cup sugar. Add 4 eggs ( 1 at a time) beating well after each. Add 1/4 teaspoon baking powder, 1 cup Hershey's syrup, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts and 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons flour. Mix well. Pour into a greased 10-1/2 inch by 15 inch jelly roll pan and bake in preheated 350 degree oven for 20 minutes. Cool. Frost with canned chocolate frosting or dust with confectioner's sugar. Cut into squares. These freeze well. MARY'S CASHEW COOKIES WITH COFFEE ICING - In large mixing bowl cream 1/2 cup butter or oleo and 1 cup packed brown sugar. Beat in 1 egg and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Stir together 2 cups flour, 3/4 teaspoon baking powder, 3/4 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add to the creamed mixture and beat thoroughly. Beat in 1/2 cup sour cream. Stir in 2 cups cashew halves or pieces. Drop by teaspoonful onto greased cookie sheet. Bake in preheated 400 degree oven for 10 minutes. When almost cool, frost with coffee icing: COFFEE ICING - In large saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons butter or oleo. Remove from heat and add 3 tablespoons brewed coffee, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla, and 2 cups confectioner's sugar. Mix well. Frost cookies. Yield 4 to 5 dozen cookies. CHOOSE-A-CAKE-MIX COOKIES - In a large mixing bowl combine 2 packages (2 layer size) cake mix (pudding type), 2/3 cup oleo or butter, melted, 2 eggs and 1/4 cup water. Mix well. (Dough will be stiff.) Stir in 1 (12 oz.) package (2 cups) miniature semi-sweet chocolate pieces. Drop by teaspoonful onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until golden. Cool 2 minutes on cookie sheet. Remove; cool on wire rack. Store in tight sealing container. Yield about 7 dozen cookies. OTHER VARIATIONS: PEANUTTY CHOCOLATE COOKIES - prepare recipe as above except use chocolate cake mix (pudding type) and stir in 2 cups candy coated milk chocolate covered peanuts, halved. CARROT-RAISIN COOKIES - Prepare recipe as above except use carrot-spice cake mix (pudding type) and stir in 2 cups raisins. Bake these at 375 degrees about 12 minutes. LEMON-APRICOT COOKIES - Prepare recipe as above except use lemon cake mix (pudding type) and stir in 2 cups snipped dried apricots. TERRI'S CHRISTMAS CRISPS - Cream 1/2 pound butter and add 2/3 pound brown sugar gradually; beat until light. Add 2 unbeaten eggs and beat thoroughly. Sift 2 cups cake flour and 1/3 teaspoon soda. Add 1/2 pound pecans, ground fine and add to creamed mixture. Drop by teaspoonful onto ungreased baking sheet 2-1/2 inches apart. Place a pecan half in center of each cookie and bake in 350 degree oven for 10 minutes. Cool slightly before removing from pan. Yield 4 dozen cookies. PAT'S CINNAMON STICKS - Mix together 3 cups sugar, 2 cups ground walnuts and 1 tablespoon cinnamon and set aside. In another bowl, cream together 1/2 pound butter and 1/2 pound cream cheese. Add 2-1/2 cups flour gradually. If dough is too soft add a little more flour. Chill dough. Roll dough out to 1/2 inch thick and spread 1 beaten egg all over the dough. Then use cinnamon mixture to cover the dough. Cut into 1-1/2 inch strips and twist. Bake on cookie sheet at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Yield 50-60 cinnamon sticks. GRETCHEN'S DATE & NUT STRAWBERRIES - Melt 5 tablespoons butter, cool and add 2 eggs and 1 cup sugar and mix well. Cook over low heat 5 minutes. Add 8 oz. sugared chopped dates, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla, and 1/2 cup flour. Mix and cook until thick about 5 minutes. Take off heat and stir in 1 cup chopped walnuts and 3 cups rice crispies. Roll into strawberry shaped balls. Dip bottom half in red sugar and top half in green sugar. Lay on waxed paper to cool. Yield 3 dozen strawberries. MARILYN'S FRENCH WAFFLES - Combine 1 pound margarine, 8 eggs, 2-3/4 cups sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add 6 cups flour a little at a time. Use one teaspoon for each cookie. Make on waffle iron. Yield 6 dozen waffles. GRANDMA GREGO'S DATE BARS - Beat 5 egg yolks until light, add 1 cup sugar and mix in 1/8 teaspoon salt. Sift 1 cup flour and 1 tablespoon baking powder 3 times. Add 1 pound chopped dates and 1-1/2 cups chopped walnuts to flour mixture so as to separate them. Add egg and sugar mixture to flour mixture. Fold in 5 egg whites (beaten stiff). Pour in greased square cake pan 1 inch deep. Bake at 325 degrees for 40 minutes. Take from oven, let stand until cool, cut into bars and roll in powdered sugar. Yield 3-4 dozen bars. JEAN'S ICED CHOCOLATE DROP COOKIES - Cream 1 cup shortening (preferably 1/2 cup butter and 1/2 cup shortening) and 2 cups packed brown sugar, then add 2 eggs. In another bowl sift together 4 cups flour, 1 teaspoon soda, and 1 teaspoon salt. Add 4 squares unsweetened chocolate (melted and cooled) and mix. Add flour mixture and 1 cup sour milk alternately to the creamed mixture and mix well. Add 2 teaspoons vanilla and 2 cups chopped nuts. Drop by teaspoonful onto greased baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. ICING - 4 squares unsweetened chocolate (melted and cooled), 2 tablespoons softened butter, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla, 1/2 cup milk and 1 box sifted powdered sugar. Mix all in order and ice cookies. Yield 6-7 dozen cookies. (This recipe can be successfully halved.) PEG'S POTATO CHIP COOKIES - Cream together 1 pound oleo, 1 scant cup sugar, and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Add 3-1/2 cups flour, then extra full cup crushed potato chips. Drop by teaspoonful onto an ungreased cookie sheet and then flatten with a fork. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. VI'S TUTTI FRUTTI COOKIES - Beat 2 eggs until foamy. Gradually beat in 1 cup confectioner's sugar. Stir in 3 tablespoons melted shortening. Sift together 3/4 cup flour, 1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt. Stir into egg mixture. Add 1 cup chopped walnuts, 1 cup cut-up dates, and 3/4 cup cut-up candied fruit mix. Spread in greased 8 inch x 2 inch square pan. Bake 40-45 minutes at 275 degrees. When cool, cut into 1 to 2 inch bars. Yield 32 bars. AUNT FRAN'S ICED TARALUCCI COOKIES - Cream together 3 cups sugar, 1 dozen eggs ( save 4 whites for icing), and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add 1 pound shortening, melted and cooled, and mix well. Sift together 10 cups flour, 6 teaspoons baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt. Make a large well in flour and pour creamed mixture in and pull four mix in with fork until all flour is used. Work dough until smooth (should be soft, but if it is difficult to handle, add flour.) Roll into 1 inch balls and bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes until golden. Cool. ICING - Beat 4 reserved egg whites until frothy. Add one box confectioner's sugar and mix well. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and mix. (A few drops food coloring can be added if desired.) Hold cooled cookies by the bottom and dip and swirl in icing and then lay right side up on waxed paper until dry. Yield 10 dozen cookies. These freeze well. CFI Reports CFI Reports CFI REPORTS is our monthly column dedicated to the ministries of CHRISTIAN FRIENDS OF ISRAEL in Jerusalem. Our October, 1993 issue of MORNING STAR (Volume 3.1) presented a summary of the various CFI ministries and explained the foundational principles and objectives of CFI. In this month's column we present the December WATCHMAN'S PRAYER LETTER from Sharon Sanders in Jerusalem. WATCHMAN'S PRAYER LETTER - December 1994 "I will take my stand to watch, and station myself on the tower ..." Habakkuk 2:1 In this strategically important hour of Israel's history, we continue to sound the "Call to Prayer." In a day and age when Scriptural admonitions often leave little impression on men's hearts; in Israel, amidst tension, and a false security in "peace" negotiations, the impact of the Bible is reemerging in newspapers and even in government meetings. Prevailing prayer is breaking through barriers of spiritual lethargy. We must faithfully continue to call upon God for a spiritual revival and a "turning back to God" in the Land. During a recent visit to Israel by American President, Bill Clinton, during a special session in the Knesset, Prime Minister Yitzak Rabin alluded to the Scriptural admonition to stand with Israel. President Clinton told the Knesset that his Pastor had told him, "If you abandon Israel, God will never forgive you. It is God's will that Israel, the Biblical home of the people of Israel, will continue forever and ever." This statement was followed by strong applause from the Knesset. Please pray that neither the United States nor any other nation will pressure Israel into further concessions of "Land for Peace." _ REMEMBER THE LORD'S PROMISES "... blessed is he that blesses thee, cursed is he that curses thee." (Genesis 27:29) As we observe nations in the world arena making decisions whether to stand with Israel or to be against her, we must pray for our own individual countries, that they will be among the sheep and not the goats when the Lord separates them in the coming days of the Lord's judgment. Mordechai Fredman of Tel Aviv University quoted an address by Crown Prince Hassan at the ceremony for opening the first border crossing between Israel and Jordan. Hassan quoted a passage from Hosea 2:17, "I will give her vineyards from there, and the Valley of Achor as a plowland of hope." (New Jewish Publication Society translation) This quotation from the BIBLE to "the people of the Book" befuddled and surprised the commentators present at the ceremony as many do not know their own Scriptures. _ REJOICE that an Arabic leader would quote from the Jewish Scriptures: "And the Gentiles shall come to thy light ..." (Isaiah 60:2). However, we need to pray that the Jewish people will better understand their own Biblical heritage. Pray that they will study the Scriptures to avoid further embarrassment, should the learned leaders of neighboring states cite additional passages (of the BIBLE). "More to be desired are the words of the Lord than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb." (Psalm 19:10) PLO leaders in Tunis fear that if Arafat continues to run things as he does, (even though his position is being undermined on the Palestinian scene), the efforts which have been invested until now in the Peace Process could end up being for naught. Morocco's King Hassan called Yasser Arafat the "President of Palestine." During the Casablanca Conference, one of the leaders stated: "We sit with you and negotiate the number of members of the Palestinian Authority, the status of Jerusalem and the end of days ..." (Selections from the Hebrew Press, Jerusalem, 9 November, 1994) * KEEP A PRAYERFUL WATCH over Jerusalem. At the Organization of the Islamic Conference which will hold its seventh summit in Morocco on December 13-14, Jerusalem will be the focus. Talks on the final status of Jerusalem are due to begin within a year. As you prayerfully watch over Jerusalem, claim God's promises spoken in Zechariah 12:8 that "in that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem,"... for this special City is indeed "... destined to be called the throne of the Lord." (Jeremiah 3:17) * SERIOUSLY INTERCEDE against the Islamic Jihad which has recruited more than 50 volunteers to carry out suicide attacks throughout Israel. These men shed blood like water" (Psalm 79:3) and have vowed to carry out their plans. "Mine enemies reproach me all the day; and they that are mad against me are sworn against me." (Psalm 102:8) Pray for the Lord's divine protection upon the people of Israel as they go about in their daily lives. * CONTINUE TO PRAY for the settlers on the Golan Heights. Their cry to the world is, "The Golan is not for sale or for barter," and that, "only we in Israel have the right to decide what will happen ... Syria has to accept that the Golan is and will always remain an integral part of Israel and this is to be the basis for real and lasting peaceù the peace of the brave. The Golan is a part of the Biblical heritage of Israel. Joshua 20:8, I Chronicles 5:11-12, 6:71) Thank the Lord that His promises will not allow it to be taken away from the Jewish people, who rightfully are the caretakers of the Lord's Land as well as the Lord's City. "We are a unique nation," President Ezer Weizman told US President Bill Clinton. "We have a mission to bring our brethren from the four corners of the earth to their homeland ." Abraham Rabinovich stated: "Let us not over inflate the Diaspora' s importance. Israel is the treasure-house of the Jewish people." "Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Behold, I will save my people from the east country, and from the west country; and I will bring them, and they shall dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God ..." (Zechariah 8:7,8) * REMEMBER THE LORD'S PROMISES for the ingathering of Israel. He WILL call for His People; He WILL bring them back and He WILL settle them in the Land; He WILL give them hope and His Name WILL be glorified within the borders of Israel. "And there is hope in thine end, saith the Lord, that thy children shall come again to their own border." (Jeremiah 31:17) One month ago, Israeli soldier Nahshon Wachsman was executed by Hamas kidnappers. During this ordeal, over 50,000 Israelis united to pray at the Western Wall for his release and safety. This was the largest assembly in recent years, surpassing even the gathering for prayer at the Wall during the Gulf War and during the long period of drought in the Land during 1992. Rabbis who visited his parents to impart religious inspiration were instead inspired by their faith. Mr. Wachsman stated: "Everyone has a mission in life ... and since the kidnapping created such a powerful sense of unity among Israelis, perhaps that was related to Nahshon's mission." Mrs. Wachsman who had believed that the "... outpouring of prayer would protect him" does not believe those prayers were wasted. She continued, "Prayers don't get lost. Jews prayed for 2,000 years to return to Israel ... eventually the time comes for the fulfillment of prayers. The soldiers who tried to save Nahshon could have all been killedùmaybe the prayers protected them. "Mr. Wachsman concluded: "I would break down if I did not know there was some master plan, that every person was put on earth for a purpose." * THANK GOD for these "ordinary people" with unbending Biblical faith in the Lord God of Israel. Pray that Jeremiah 31:34 will come to pass for the Jewish people ... "And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brothers, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest ..." Until His Return, Sharon Sanders, Jerusalem Room at My Inn Room at My Inn ROOM AT MY INN By Delores E. Bius Every Christmas Eve now I listen expectantly, waiting for a knock or ring at the door that will herald the visit of an angel unaware or earthly visitor whom God is sending my way. However, I wasn't always so attuned to such a sacred gift. As a matter of fact, several years ago I almost missed out on an unexpected blessing. I was so busy getting ready for Christmas that I had lost the true Christmas spirit somewhere along the way. On the Christmas Eve in question, I was several days behind in my rigid schedule of things to do. That morning I had shopped for groceries and had wrapped the last few gifts to go under the tree. By three in the afternoon, I was elbow-deep in cookie dough, confectioner's sugar and assorted icings, making specially-decorated butter cookies. The week before my two granddaughters and I had participated in our main Christmas cookie baking, so I had quite a collection of stars, wreaths, reindeer, Christmas trees and such. This baking session was to culminate in the production of special cookie surprises. They would be gingerbread replicas of my two granddaughters themselves, Suzy and Melanie, from their pigtailed hair to their shiny red shoes. Last year I had created a Mickey Mouse cookie for one and a Donald Duck for the other. The insistent ringing of the doorbell interrupted my labor of love. I answered it reluctantly with a frown on my face. A woman I did not recognize greeted me with, "Hi, you don't remember me, do you? I am Fran Johnson. Dick and I used to live down the block. Our oldest sons were in the same class in grade school." (These boys were now married with children of their own.) Recognition flooded over me upon her explanation. They had moved away 10 years earlier and we had finally lost touch. Not only that, but Fran, like most of us, had gained weight and had also adopted a different hair style, thus changing in appearance. Noting my flour-covered hands and apron, Fran explained, "We are on our way to visit my folks on the other side of the city and we have to leave there tomorrow night. We are moving again, this time to Pennsylvania. Dick warned we ought not to bother you on Christmas Eve, but I wanted to see our old neighborhood again. I miss the chats we used to have over coffee and wanted to wish you a merry Christmas." Fran's warm smile made me ashamed of my reluctant hospitality. Here were old friends taking the time to drop by and I had been so busy with Christmas trappings that I was resenting their intrusion. My eyes filled with tears of shame for my self-centeredness and love for my friend. I could see that she was shivering in her worn coat and thin shoes. "Why are we standing here in the door?" I said, "Go get Dick and the children and come on in." "Oh, he doesn't want to impose," she explained. "I'm afraid he won't come in and I mustn't loiter as the heater in our car doesn't work very well and I know they are cold out there." Throwing a sweater over my shoulders, I darted out with Fran and informed her husband in no uncertain terms that I wouldn't hear of them not coming in for at least a cup of coffee. Ushering them into the house, I took their coats and settled them all in comfortable chairs in the living room. While they began thawing out, I hurriedly made sandwiches and poured coffee and served it on TV-trays. I made the children mugs of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows. For dessert I served some of the Christmas cookies my granddaughters and I had already made. We had a real gab-fest over the snack. Fran and Dick confided that they had both accepted the Lord as their Savior. This news was a real answer to prayer for me. When we had been neighbors, I had witnessed to them, but seemingly without any success. As they explained, a couple from a church near their home in Virginia contacted them during house-to-house visitation. They agreed to attend that church and soon accepted the Lord under the minister's preaching. Fran warmly admitted, "We knew you had been praying for us and we couldn't wait to see you again to tell you in person that your prayers were answered at last." We had a time of prayer together and silently I asked God's forgiveness for my hesitant hospitality earlier. After an hour, they insisted they had to leave, so I quickly found little gifts under the tree for the children. Deftly I removed tags designating the gifts for my granddaughters. There were still plenty of others for the girls, as usual. I also gave Fran and Dick a new Christian book I had finished reading earlier, knowing it would be a blessing to them. As they left, Fran hugged me and said, "Thanks for being so gracious about our coming by so unexpectedly." Truthfully, I replied, "No, I want to thank you for dropping by and also for giving me a break from my baking. Seeing old friends again has made my Christmas Eve very special. Even more precious is knowing we are now brethren in Christ!" While they rattled off in their ancient car and I resumed my cookie baking, I was glad I had made room at my inn that Christmas Eve. I also shivered to think how I had almost missed out on a very special blessing. Since that Christmas, I have made it a point to leave Christmas Eve open. If baking, or any other task for Christmas is still unfinished, I shelve it. From noon on, Christmas Eve is reserved for whomever might come to my door. Another practice I have initiated is to keep on hand several extra gifts already wrapped, with tags left blank for any unexpected guests - adult or child. The main idea is that I keep on the lookout for any unexpected guest the Lord may have scheduled to drop in on me on Christmas Eve. I keep my schedule flexible and listen lovingly and hopefully for my doorbell. This just might be the year He sends me another special Christmas Eve blessing. From the Vista Publication of The General Council of the Christian Church of North America. The Ship The Ship THE SHIP Scott Willis Salem, Oregon It was a cool morning that day, the fog that had been so thick was now replaced by a warm sun. I made my way to the waterfront. There were many ships docked and preparing to sail. A young man I was, so eager to sail on one of these. It was time for me to make a choice. Which ship would I commit my soul to? As I strolled along the dock, those aboard each ship would call to me. "Come aboard lad, many treasures await you in the East," cried one man. "Sail with us young man, these pleasures we offer will satisfy." Some would offer pleasure or riches, while others promised inner peace and tranquillity. Who should I sail with? Struggling with the decision I became very uneasy. The fog had lifted, I was now accountable! Suddenly I looked, and there was a ship before me. This ship was very different than the others. It was an old ship. Yet it seemed as though it were built yesterday. Not decked with precious jewels or gold, no great flag or name representing their great king. At the front of the boat it read "The Narrow Way." As I marveled at it's simplicity, there was a sweet voice as the wind; "Deny yourself, take up your oar, and sail with me." The crew pulled up anchor, and began to untie the ship. I ran as fast as my legs would allow me to reach them. "Come aboard son, there is still time," one man said. Standing aboard, it was hard not to marvel at the simplicity of this galley ship. It had a large White Sail above, and each person had an oar to bare below. "We have a place for you, it's time to go below." The man led me to the lower part of the ship. As we entered the lower section of the galley ship, I heard men and women singing songs. These songs were new to my ears. New songs, songs of hope and strength! I marveled that each person with oar in hand seemed so free from all bondage. Yet part of me knew that each one was a slave to the Captain. "Here son, this is the Captain's Journal," the man said. "You will need this on your journey." Feeling very unworthy to read the Captain's Journal, I reluctantly took the Book from this man. "May I speak with the Captain sir ?" "Yes," he replied, as he walked away. Very curious at this point, I began to read the Journal. My heart became very tender as each page breathed life into my empty soul. The journal read; "long ago, it was promised that this Captain would give His life for the crew." This Captain was not like so many others I had read about as a youth. He had a very small crew. Reading about His journeys, it became very clear to me this Captain did more than all the famous captains I had idolized in my younger years. He came to set the captives free! "Yes!" "I want to be free!" With my journal close by, I grabbed an oar and began to row. The ship had windows, but I could only see through them dimly. As I read the journal daily, my strength increased. The Ship would stop frequently at ports, to get supplies. Arriving at the port Babylon, we dropped anchor. So many beautiful ships were docked there. Loading and unloading their goods, I looked with amazement at their beauty. Some on our ship could not stand the temptation. They immediately fled our ship as the sailors from other boats mocked and belittled our crew. "We will only take what we need son," the man said. "Pull up the anchor, it's time to go." "But wait sir, what about those that left the ship?" I cried. "Let them go, the Captain does not force anyone to sail with Him," he replied. As we sailed from the port Babylon, we watched those that had left our ship being mocked by those other sailors for sailing with us! Trying to hide my tears, I made my way back to my post. Suddenly a voice from the Journal whispered to me; "Many are called, but few are chosen." As time passed, my strength would often be replaced by weakness. No fault of the Captain's, just my own unbelief. At times the temptation to leave the ship became very great. My fellow sailors would always encourage me in these weak moments, often sharing a word of strength from the Captain's Journal. They began to tell me that soon we would reach that Final Port. As the days soon turned to years, it seemed so light and momentary, all my trials and tests. At each port, new sailors would come aboard. "Come aboard, there is still time," I would say. My heart was always grieved because so many chose to leave the ship. The Day came when we pulled up anchor for the last time. The sky was very dark over the horizon. Our Ship headed straight into the storm. We raised The Sail, knowing It would lead us to that Final Port! This storm seemed as though it would never end. Never before had such a storm raged upon the seas. One dark morning it was my turn to take watch in the crow's nest. As I watched and prayed, suddenly a Bright Light beamed from afar. I sounded a trumpet to alert the crew that our long awaited Port was now so very near. The Sail guided us so swiftly to this Light, our crew now very weak in body, yet so strong in heart! There were other ships there that day, all intending to enter The Port. Many of those ships filled with Babylon's riches, their hulls so broad and full, sought to enter this Narrow Port. Our crew watched as each ship smashed against the rocks! Their crews all falling victim to those rough seas. At last, it was our time to enter The Port. The Sail guided us as we all grabbed our oars, and began to row. As we entered the Passage Way, the storm ceased! Our ship was just narrow enough to enter the mouth of The Port! Our hearts were full of joy and hope. We would finally get to see that Wonderful Port! None of us ever could have imagined the beauty that was before our eyes. Expecting to see other ships docked, my expectation soon turned to surprise. There were no other ships there, just one dock large enough for our ship! All along the shore line were a great crowd of sailors cheering, those having sailed on The Narrow Way before. As we left the ship, crowns were placed upon our heads. As we stood before The Captain, none of us felt worthy to wear a crown. Confessing that Our Captain is Lord, we all knelt before Him, and placed our crowns at His feet. You Can Live on $100 a Year... You Can Live on $100 a Year... YOU CAN LIVE ON $100 A YEAR ... MILLIONS DO! By Rev. John DelTurco Get rid of all your furniture except one table and one chair. Throw out your lamps, TV, radio and stereo. Dispose of all your clothing except a couple of dresses or one suit. Keep one pair of shoes for the head of the family. Shut off the water, gas, and electricity, and get rid of the car. Give away all your kitchen appliances and move the family to the tool-shed. Keep a small bag of flour, some sugar and salt, a few potatoes, a handful of onions and some dried beans. Forget about newspapers, magazines, and books. Count your emergency fund at about $5.00. No bank books, no pension plans, no insurance policies. Pray fervently that you don't get sick. Try to find three acres of land that you can cultivate as a tenant farmer. If there's no drought, expect $100 - $300 for the year's cash crops. Pay one-third to the landlord, and another chunk to the money lender. Nobody in his right mind would suggest that we live on $100 a year. We couldn't live on $1,000 a year, or even $3,000. But many of us could cut our living expenses 10 or 20 percent a year and not really miss it. We could begin by cutting out the luxuries, and they alone might save us several thousand dollars a year. The only problem with this is that after living with the luxuries for a year or two they become necessities and thus hard to give up. Economically, the world is divided into two parts - the "have" nations and the "have not" nations. The gap between the two is getting bigger with every passing year. The "have" nations have too much and people in the "have not" nations go to bed hungry every night. The "have" nations are exhausting the resources of science to find a cheap and easy way to remove the calories from our food while the "have not" nations are crying out for more food, more fat, more protein, more and more calories. Let us pray fervently for the needy of our world as well as the needy of America. Also, let us thank God for providing our every need and never take for granted His hand upon our lives. Finally, whatever we can do financially, let us give to feed the hungry and relieve their pain. Let us provide for the "have nots" as God provides for us!