tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73734453722732837882024-03-20T07:39:47.428-04:00Windstorm WordsWoody Crosthwaitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13829416056486067447noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7373445372273283788.post-51825341526309497692019-03-10T18:43:00.000-04:002019-03-10T18:43:13.896-04:00Legacy of an Ancient King (Part One)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Legacy of an Ancient King<br />
(Part One)</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">It's hard to believe that I didn't post a blog in 2018. It isn't that I had nothing to say. I suppose it is because, for most of the year, I did not have the wherewithal to say it. I don't know whether or not I have a "second wind," but find myself unable to be silent about events unfolding in our country that I am convinced will (soon) play a significant role in our nation's future.</span></div>
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To get us started, you MUST read this story of and ancient king who ruled relatively close to the time of Judah's destruction some 130 years after Israel fell to the Assyrians. Not too much is ever said about the connection of this ancient king to America today, but, I believe there is a connection. Please read the story or what I say will make no sense whatsoever! This story is the backdrop for this post. The story is found in two places in the Old Testament of the Bible. Here are the references:<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">2 Kings 21:1-18 and 2 Chronicles 33</span></i></b><b><i><span style="color: #cc0000;">:1 - 20</span></i></b><br />
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<span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>WHAT WOUL</i></b><b><i>D HAPPEN IF YOU WATCHED AS FIFTY OF THE </i></b></span><br />
<span style="color: yellow;"><b><i>LARGEST CITIES IN AMERICA WERE BEING </i></b><b><i> DESTROYED?</i></b></span><br />
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As of this post, two American states have either passed laws that allow for third trimester abortions ("...far past the stages at which fetuses can survive after birth," The Atlantic, Feb. 4, 2019) or, considering them. Right to Life, Pro - Life, and Pro Choice advocates have, since 1973, heard the stats that regularly inform us of the numbers of babies aborted at various stages of their lives. Depending on what "stat" one believes there have been between 49 and 54 million abortions performed since 1973. I catch those stats often enough due to the reporting of one news agency or another. As chilling as it is, I think that perhaps human nature impedes our ability to translate "statistics" into stark reality. If we have no one close to us who has had an abortion, sometimes news of the numbers far too often makes no impact. I am often numb to the statistical numbers..Are you?<br />
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I have made a list of America's fifty largest cities. (The list came from moving.com. The population figures in some cases have been rounded and/or estimated. They are, however, accurate enough to add up to just over forty - eight million people.) Peruse the list...<br />
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Do you live in one of those cities? Have you lived in one? Do you know someone who lives in one of them now?<br />
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What if, suddenly, a nuclear or biological attack came to the U.S. and wiped out the populations of the cities I've listed below....<br />
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What would be our response? What would be your response?<br />
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The populations of the fifty largest cities in our country are roughly equal to the number of babies who have died by abortion since 1973.<br />
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Statistics do not impact us so much...numbers do. </div>
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New York City 8.5m<o:p></o:p></div>
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Los Angeles 3.9m<o:p></o:p></div>
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Chicago 2.7m<o:p></o:p></div>
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Houston 2.2m<o:p></o:p></div>
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Philadelphia 1.5m<o:p></o:p></div>
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Phoenix 1.5m<o:p></o:p></div>
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San Antonio 1.4m<o:p></o:p></div>
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San Diego 1.3m<o:p></o:p></div>
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Dallas 1.3m<o:p></o:p></div>
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San Jose 1m</div>
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Austin, TX – 931,830<o:p></o:p></div>
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Jacksonville, FL – 868,031<o:p></o:p></div>
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San Francisco, CA – 864,816<o:p></o:p></div>
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Indianapolis, IN – 853,173<o:p></o:p></div>
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Columbus, OH – 850,106<o:p></o:p></div>
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Fort Worth, TX – 833,319<o:p></o:p></div>
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Charlotte, NC – 827,097<o:p></o:p></div>
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Seattle, WA – 684,451<o:p></o:p></div>
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Denver, CO – 682,545<o:p></o:p></div>
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El Paso, TX – 681,124<o:p></o:p></div>
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Detroit, MI – 677,116<o:p></o:p></div>
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Washington, DC – 672,228<o:p></o:p></div>
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Boston, MA – 667,137<o:p></o:p></div>
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Memphis, TN – 655,770<o:p></o:p></div>
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Nashville, TN – 654,610<o:p></o:p></div>
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Portland, OR – 632,309<o:p></o:p></div>
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Oklahoma City, OK – 631,346<o:p></o:p></div>
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Las Vegas, NV – 623,747<o:p></o:p></div>
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Baltimore, MD – 621,849<o:p></o:p></div>
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Louisville, KY – 615,366<o:p></o:p></div>
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Milwaukee, WI – 600,155<o:p></o:p></div>
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Albuquerque, NM – 559,121<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tucson, AZ – 531,641<o:p></o:p></div>
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Fresno, CA – 520,052<o:p></o:p></div>
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Sacramento, CA – 490,712<o:p></o:p></div>
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Kansas City, MO – 475,378<o:p></o:p></div>
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Long Beach, CA –474,140<o:p></o:p></div>
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Mesa, AZ – 471,825<o:p></o:p></div>
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Atlanta, GA – 463,878<o:p></o:p></div>
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Colorado Springs, CO – 456,568<o:p></o:p></div>
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Virginia Beach, VA – 452,745<o:p></o:p></div>
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Raleigh, NC – 451,066<o:p></o:p></div>
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Omaha, NE – 443,885<o:p></o:p></div>
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Miami, FL – 441,003<o:p></o:p></div>
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Oakland, CA – 419,267<o:p></o:p></div>
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Minneapolis, MN – 410,939<o:p></o:p></div>
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Tulsa, OK – 403,505<o:p></o:p></div>
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Wichita, KS – 389,965<o:p></o:p></div>
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New Orleans, LA – 389,617<o:p></o:p></div>
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Arlington, TX– 388,125<o:p></o:p><br />
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Where do we go from here? Where are we headed and what about the ancient king?</div>
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Stay tuned...</div>
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Woody Crosthwaitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13829416056486067447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7373445372273283788.post-27955199841230539592017-12-18T18:29:00.000-05:002017-12-18T18:29:10.058-05:00My tribe and a little white card...<div class="MsoNormal">
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December 18, 2017</div>
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It came in the mail sometime last week. The outside of the
envelope identified the contents. I didn’t open it for a couple of days. Its
content was the source of a flood of emotion that has not subsided. It was from
my churches’ international office and the envelope contained my 2018 minister’s
card that identifies me as a licensed and ordained minister in my tribe. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I spend quite a chunk of my day in the bedroom of our house
that we’ve turned into my dialysis clinic. As I did my treatments each day, I
looked at the ID card and traced the last 35 plus years in ministry. One of the
most significant parts of my spiritual journey, outside my conversion and
ongoing relationship with Jesus is the revelation of God’s church – His one
church. All persons who have come to faith in Christ through faith and
repentance are in God’s Church. Over the years I have been blessed to know,
love, and work beside brothers and sisters in Christ from nearly every
religious persuasion. The fellowship and partnership in ministry that we have
all shared are treasures that cannot be replaced. But, I am thankful that God
saw fit to place me in the group to which I belong and in which I have been at
home all of my life. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I have kept the card close since receiving it as a reminder
of the tremendous sense of pride that I’ve had over the years to have been part
of the ministry of the movement that has brought significant change to most of
the earth’s continents. Is my “group” the largest of churches and has their
influence been felt because of their size? No, quite the opposite. But there
has been a global influence nonetheless. Thousands have come to know Jesus because
of the Gospel being preached since around 1880. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I remembered the start of my own pastoral ministry in 1984.
I thought then (and believed) that the hopes and dreams born in my heart would
find their fulfillment in my ministry as a pastor. Over the years I have heard
stories of pastors who had long term ministries. (And I’ve personally known a
few.) These precious men and women served in the same congregation for decades.
They were able to see children converted and see those children grow up, find
life mates, and have children of their own. They rejoiced with their flock when
babies were born. They walked with those whose lives were changed by death. In
each case, love flowed between the hearts of the family. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I was never able to have a long-term ministry. My last
pastorate ended in 1995. I am forever grateful for the ever so brief pastoral
positions I did have. Some of my fondest memories and greatest blessings came
from the churches that I was able to serve as pastor. And yet, there is a deep
longing in my heart.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As I said, my new ID card brought a sense of humble pride.
(Is that an oxymoron?) (As opposed to arrogant pride.) It also brought a sense
of sadness and regret. The regret was fueled by this, probably a lie from satan,
<i>If I had only done things differently</i>…it
is too late for an assignment that would span more than a few weeks, much less
years. I still hope for fruit to grow from those times when I was able to share
the Gospel with groups of people.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I realized today how tired I am. There seems to be little or
no strength to even maintain a semblance of the dream even though dreams enable
me to eat my daily bread. I also realize that I am unable to be content. I
understand what the Bible says about being content. Paul speaks of that
particularly in Philippians four, but I think the context is referring to
material things. My discontent comes from unfulfilled hopes and dreams. </div>
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I am still a part of God’s family. I was able to serve with
an enthusiasm that for a season, seemed to be contagious. I look back with joy
and happiness. I look forward to crossing the finish line and hearing the Lord say,
“Well done…” I love the connection that my little white ID card declares. I only
wish I had been given more time to be a part of a global mission. <o:p></o:p></div>
Woody Crosthwaitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13829416056486067447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7373445372273283788.post-11091004203695394142017-11-30T16:51:00.000-05:002017-11-30T16:51:16.729-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">(<b><i><span style="color: #e06666;">This was my "Christmas letter" from 2016. There is always so much I want to say about Christmas and each year the message seems to get longer. It isn't that I couldn't come up with something else to say so as to have a new message, it's just that I am passionate about sharing what I believe to be true. So, except for a few minor changes, this is a new, old "Merry Christmas." I do hope that you are encouraged if not inspired to present the truth about Christmas to others. Time is short and the Gospel of Jesus is the only thing that will save the world. Thanks for taking the time to read what has been on my heart for a long time.</span></i></b>)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">“Where
were you when the lights went out?”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">I was just
a kid when someone asked me that question. I didn’t “get” the question (as a
joke) and replied, “I don’t know, where?” The jokester said, “In the dark.”
There were others in the room during this little rhetorical Q & A and
everyone laughed. I thought it was clever so I've asked the question, “Where
were you when the lights went out” to many other unsuspecting folks and usually
get to break the “punchline” to them. But what has that to do with Christmas? Let's look at this in spiritual terms.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Are we in
the dark? Is there even a darkness in which one may be engulfed? Is there a
light that can overcome darkness? Who is that light, and where may it be seen
and experienced? More than two thousand years ago, a few shepherds saw and
heard about Jesus from a group of angels. Later, some “Wise Men” saw a light
that led them to Jesus. But beyond the angelic heralds and beyond the star that
shone so brightly lay a darkness in the hearts of people that demanded a hope
rooted in love rather than religion. Hence, Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">This is
the first “new” Christmas letter I’ve written since around 1990. My theme in
past years has been about the faithfulness of God to His own Word. When we say
“Merry Christmas” what we really mean (or should mean) is that God always keeps
His promises! He promised to send The Messiah to the world and He did when
Jesus was born. If Jesus’ birth was established long before He came, then His
Second Advent is also established. If Jesus came once, He will surely come
again! (And I believe His Second Coming is imminent.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The “new”
of this Christmas message centers around two worlds. The world in which Jesus
was born and ours. What came to me when I asked myself about the conditions of
the world over 2000 years ago, prompted another question: If I fail to
understand to any greater level the world in which Jesus was born, could that
mean that I really have no idea about the true meaning of Christmas? We (as
Christians) are fond of the saying "Jesus is the reason for the
season." How "cliche - ish" that has become. Even though we cram
some religious activities into the holiday season. Some, take an almost
militant approach to saying "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy
Holidays," but in it all we may
still miss entirely the magnitude of what it meant and what it means to know
the God who invaded history with His perfect, holy, and Divine presence IN THE
FLESH. Understanding the reality of “Christmas” necessarily takes us back to
the first century and the time in which God chose to send His Son. If we fail
to understand the world as it was when Jesus was born, can we fully appreciate
the implications of the first advent for our world in our time?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The world,
our world, is not too much different or too far removed from the world of first
century Israel. The world of the Jew during Jesus time was a time of hopeless
despair. The world for the Gentile in the first century was void of light. For
all people, it was a time of darkness. So it is today. Our world is void of light, entrenched in darkness and despair. Jesus first advent brought a hope to the
world that was so great; so revolutionary; so beyond this world that many
missed it. When Jesus came, He, single - handedly pierced the darkness with
nearly unapproachable light.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Lately,
I’ve been thinking about the condition of our nation. For that matter, I think
of our world and the darkness that is pressing in against people of all races,
colors, and ethnicities. I have been thinking about the world in
which Jesus was born. I pondered what I have learned over the years in reading the Bible many times and what I remember from history about
Palestine, the Roman Empire and the nation of Israel in the first century. I began to read some articles on the subject.
I found an article by Pastor David Schrock that listed seven elements that
comprised the world in which Jesus was born. In many ways, the condition of the
“world” in our time and especially that of our country is very similar to the time of Jesus. Following
are abbreviated portions of his article to serve as talking points. Pastor
Schrock’s material is italicized. The link to the full web article is at the
end of my letter. (The article is excellent! Please take time to read it!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The World was a dark place</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">. <i>While we think of Christmas as a season of light, the truth is, the
birth story of Jesus Christ is filled with darkness. Anticipating the birth of the Christ child
centuries before Mary was great with child, Isaiah writes that the light that
was coming into the world, came to a people shrouded in darkness (9:1-7). Gloom, anguish, and contempt were just some
of the adjectives used to describe this darkness. Thus, in order to understand
the full revelation of the light which came into the world when Christ was
born, we need to recognize the darkness into which our Christ was born. </i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">First, when Christ was born, the
word of God had not been heard for four centuries.</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> If we compare the world that Jesus
was born into with today, to what conclusions must we come? Malachi was the
last O.T. prophet to receive a message from God. From the time that Malachi
rolled up his scroll until Jesus came on the scene as God’s Living Word, 400
years had passed. While we must work a bit to get it, it is possible to
understand, at least in part, why Israel rejected Jesus. But <b>we</b> have Christ and His Word in all His
fullness and yet we either overlook, or, worse yet, ignore Him. So, which of
the time periods might we consider to be the worst? A world without a Word from
God for centuries, or, God’s Word revealed and yet ignored? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Second, the people of God were
under the oppressive rule of Rome. </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">We believe we live in what we call
a “free country.” We are not under the thumb of a foreign power. But are we
really free? Are we chained in servitude to a host of idols that manifest themselves
in hedonistic, humanistic, and materialistic pleasures? Is even the church out
of touch with the common elements that bring God’s people to dynamic mission?
Have we traded liberty for license? License is doing what we want when we want.
Liberty is having the power to do what is right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Third, the nation of Israel was
fracturing. </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Does
that have a familiar ring to it? Could America be more divided? Splintered?
What did Jesus say or do that provided a balm for the brokenness that plagued
His people in the first century? What does He provide for us today?<i> <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Fourth, the birth of Jesus came
through a virgin</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">. Christ followers universally believe in the
“Virgin Birth” of Jesus. But it wasn’t so for Mary, Joseph, and their
contemporaries. At first, Joseph was faced with a monumental struggle. He needed
to protect his honor and that of his betrothed. It took a Divine dream to
untangle the knot in which Joseph was entwined. But what of today. With
pluralism eating away at a commitment to absolute truth and with Jesus being at
the center of controversy which gives way to the slide into alarming levels of
subjectivity, has the Virgin Birth become as problematic today as it was then?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Fifth, the census was a
considerable imposition. </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Joseph
and Mary had to travel about four days to get to Bethlehem from Nazareth to
obey the new census law. And yet, they made the journey. Today, most folks
won’t travel four miles in a heated/air-conditioned car with cruise control to
be counted part of the Body of Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Sixth, the poverty of Mary and
Joseph did not fit the royal son they had.
Not only were the conditions leading up to Christ’s birth dark, so too
was his birth. Luke 2:7 records that
there was “no place for them in the inn.”
This is probably because it was filled up with travelers coming for the
census; but it may also be the case that Joseph, a carpenter by trade, did not
have the means to pay for or to pay extra for a room. Money talks, right? But it is clear, that Joseph had no
bargaining power. Mary and Joseph went
to the stable, where Jesus was born and laid in a manger. Without family or hospitality, darkness
surrounded them. </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Today, images of a new born baby,
“wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger” are still the basis for
Christians who try to keep Jesus as “the reason for the season.” And while the
King of Kings and Lord of Lords did come into the world stripped of His
majesty, He is NO LONGER a baby in a manger. He IS literally OUR King of Kings
and Lord of Lords. We should no longer have a euphoric and perhaps even
romantic image of The Messiah as a baby. When we see Him, we will see Him as He
is.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Seventh, through the hostile forces
of Herod, Satan tried to kill Jesus.
Poverty was not the only source of darkness; persecution followed Jesus’
birth, so that he was constantly under threat. </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Jesus is now beyond danger. His
resurrection from the dead has placed Him at the Father’s right hand as He ever
intercedes for us. Satan cannot touch Jesus but, he is busy trying to touch us. His schemes fall to the ground, however, rendered powerless by the Blood of the Lamb
and the testimony of those who have been covered in that blood.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Darkness is everywhere in Christ’s
birth, which should not come as a surprise when we think of the prophecies in
the Old Testament and the conditions of the world that God created. As John 1 says, “The true light, which
enlightens everyone, was coming into the world, . . . yet the world did not
know him.”<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Remembering that the light of
Christ came in the darkness of night gives us hope that God can still pour
light into our hearts and shine light into our lives. No matter how dark it may be, no matter where
the darkness comes from, God is the light who enlightens everyone, and has come
to take up residence in the lives of those who look to Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">This
Christmas, I am going to spend much time in learning about and reflecting on
the world in which Jesus was born. I am going to think about and meditate on my
world. I am going to seek ways to speak about this Jesus who brought hope,
light, and peace to a world far removed from mine and yet, is here, now. today,
in my place and time to do as He did then...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Jesus...He
REALLY IS the "Reason for the Season." But rather than think of Christmas in terms of a short cliche, think of it as proof that God keeps His promises. Share the depth of that with others this year. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">May YOU be
blessed this Christmas season with a renewed vision of the One who came, died,
rose from the dead and will soon come again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">(Italicized
material taken from David Schrock’s article. The weblink to that article is
below.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://davidschrock.com/2011/12/12/darkness-the-world-in-which-christ-was-born" target="_blank">Pastor Shrock's Article</a></span></div>
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Woody Crosthwaitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13829416056486067447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7373445372273283788.post-78691755720000342752017-01-27T14:28:00.000-05:002017-01-27T14:28:47.452-05:00Hope deferred...<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQkEm4LzRuj9KxBQbLgycoaUz-74MeOR4lUattKNacuEO9-ePBA200nPOnNkh-d5ZosyA1GXR5kk08IOn-YyjNwW73f6tKK7jJZB0uL9yqdQ6oQhD2whAof3H-4R5w67gR-DaiucXOvBl2/s320/Banner+12.jpg" /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Hoping for Hope…(Proverbs 13:12)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">“This is it?” “This is what it all comes to?…an
enormous world of hope catapulted into the reality of a small world of
accomplishment…but accomplishment it was. Education. Service. The thrill of and
for life brought some degree of satisfaction and, in the beginning, had somehow
painted a picture of more than this….”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Is this what was in her heart?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">She was well dressed. And I surmised that she, once a
lady of adequate means, knew of the finer graces that trademarked her
generation. A multi – colored plaid skirt. A once pressed but wrinkled from
wear white blouse. One intentionally well placed sequined hair pin held a
partially combed wisp of hair just above her forehead. Nylon hose wrapped each
leg and ended in neatly tied gray loafers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Of course, I could not hear her thoughts or know of
her background. We saw her, alone, in a wheel chair, as Gayle and I waited in a
doctor’s office patient lounge. We guessed she was waiting to be picked up from
her appointment and I was waiting for mine.
It was if I <b><i>could</i></b> hear her thoughts however. I studied her demeanor;
noticed the hollow sadness in her eyes; and the seeming discontent expressed by
a gaze not connected to anything but time and space which had served to rob her
of dignity and respectability. Perhaps the sadness was accentuated by the
realization that the care she once provided to and for others was now a distant
memory as she was forced by that same thief, time and space, to be the
recipient of care. We were only eight feet apart but it seemed, at least, for
that moment, that we were much closer; almost connected in perhaps painful,
unexplainable ways. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">When my appointment with the doctor was over she was
gone from the waiting room. I am sure I will never see her again but that
lonely figure, as I came to realize, spoke much more to my own situation than
she did of her own – at least what I perceived her situation to be. What I
thought I knew of her was merely a series of thoughts based on what I imagined.
What I saw in her and the thoughts that flooded my heart were very real. It was an unsettled voice deep within my own
heart that shouted in silence, “This is it?” “<b><i>This</i></b> is the sum – total
of <b><i>my</i></b>
days?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Years of service, all be them minimal and provided with
a great sense of awe and gratitude, now lost to memory alone as the trees that
were seemingly barren of fruit did not even provide shade from the scorching
sun of reality under which I found myself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">What had been perceived as a “calling” on my life and
accompanied by frequent reminders that the fulfillment of dreams of just how
that “calling” would manifest itself lay just beyond closed doors. Those doors,
remain securely locked in their place. In sight, but always out of reach. Seen
through shadowy images of what could be but never realized. Chronic illness
robbing not only health and presenting themselves like nails in a coffin. Hopes
and dreams die but until the coffin is shut tight, there is a pathway for those
hopes and dreams to be fulfilled. It seems the lid has shut and nails seem to
be that which prevents the hopes and dreams of and for life from ever seeing the
light of day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There was one other similarity between the woman I saw
in the doctor’s office. She was alone. She may have a host of friends and
family that were there for her, but for that moment, she was alone. An added
fearful trial when hopes and dreams begin to fade is when one feels they are
alone. Few call, or communicate in other ways, not just to touch base, but to
share the life-giving Word accompanied by prayer. When one has been strong, or, at least <i>appeared</i> to be strong, all of one’s
life, it is probably assumed that even when hopes and dreams begin to fade,
hope, and help is not needed. Nothing could be further from the truth. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Woody Crosthwaitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13829416056486067447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7373445372273283788.post-30468904154571360512017-01-08T02:52:00.000-05:002017-01-08T02:52:39.148-05:00Listening for the Silent Cries and a Trip to the Well<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRVNDIUGQTAZWMmk14s8HBND9ParcUzHjIb0eAIE8MJKbWqGkp-0AmTjo0URorXCbV8Ixtva9q0Z0DxLFhKWiw9FXd_cyz3BarrF9GJDkbMlrQCnlRPEm5TjIFtgdKrnaR1INUPjH_uhj/s1600/Banner+5+Duplicate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRRVNDIUGQTAZWMmk14s8HBND9ParcUzHjIb0eAIE8MJKbWqGkp-0AmTjo0URorXCbV8Ixtva9q0Z0DxLFhKWiw9FXd_cyz3BarrF9GJDkbMlrQCnlRPEm5TjIFtgdKrnaR1INUPjH_uhj/s1600/Banner+5+Duplicate.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: #38761d; font-size: 13.5pt;">"...But He needed to go through
Samaria..."</span></i></b><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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It is about thirty
- five miles from Judea to Samaria. More or less, of course, depending on where
Jesus was, exactly, in Judea when He and the disciples left for
Galilee. (Jesus had talked with Nicodemus in chapter three, so it's
possible Jesus was still in Jerusalem). Of the itinerant group of
thirteen, Jesus was the only one who knew of and planned for a meeting that
would not only change the life of a sin riddled woman and many of her city but
would be a source of inspiration for millions over centuries. The meeting? At
Jacob's well in Sychar. And while the points of the story are without question
the lessons Jesus taught the woman and the disciples, the journey to this
divinely orchestrated and appointed meeting; the journey<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b><i><span style="color: #38761d;">to</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i> </i></b></span>the meeting must never be overlooked. It
is the journey that provides us as Christ followers with that which we need to
actually fulfill Christ's mission on earth. If we fail to recognize the truth
about<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b><i><span style="color: #38761d;">how</span></i></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><b><i> <span style="color: #38761d;">and why</span> </i></b></span>Jesus made His way to the well, and when He
arrived, we stumble through life missing most if not all of our own divinely
orchestrated appointments.<o:p></o:p><br />
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Before I share my thoughts however, I want to ask you to spend some time looking at a map and reading a familiar story. In reading the story, which begins in the fourth chapter of John's Gospel. The most important elements of the story, at least in the beginning, is the setting in which the story takes place. The setting changes, but again, one cannot even begin to unpack the depth of what Jesus did at the end of the story until we set ourselves in the location of the the story's beginning.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Here is a link to the map, (Using the text, study the map closely using the legend to help you place yourself in the setting) -<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="http://www.bible.ca/maps/maps-palestine-33AD.htm" target="_blank">A trip to a well at noon</a></span></div>
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The average man
can walk about 3.1 miles per hour (according to Wikipedia). A burst of power walking can possibly
produce speeds of around 4 mph but would probably cause the <i>walker</i> to start running. The appointment was set at noon (most commentators interpret the time frame of the "sixth hour" to be noon), and Jesus could not miss this God ordained meeting. If Jesus was about thirty - five miles from the well and if He and the disciples were walking at a consistent speed of three miles per hour, the simple math presents a bit over eleven and one half hours to get to Jacob's well in time to meet a hungry and thirsty woman.<br /><o:p></o:p><br />
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It is doubtful that Jesus and the disciples left for Galilee at 12:30 AM and walked all night through a difficult terrain and on a potentially dangerous path. It seems that given the circumstances, a stay - over would have been required. However, splitting the distance and the demands of the appointed time, Jesus and His band no doubt walked at a considerably brisk and steady pace for most of two days. Another point to consider is Jesus' strategy. Did Jesus encourage the disciples to keep <i>His</i> pace so that when they got to the well, which they thought was just a pit stop of sorts, they would go into town to get some lunch? Would the Divine Appointment otherwise known as a Samaritan woman who was dying of thirst, approach a well with thirteen Jewish men around it, one of which was a Rabbi?<br />
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Can you hear the disciples talk among themselves? Can you imagine the kinds of questions they may have asked Jesus?<br />
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But what about the woman? No doubt, if you're reading this post, you're a believer and you've heard many sermons/lessons on this story. There is good cause to know<span style="color: #38761d;"> </span><i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #38761d;">why</span> </i>she came at noon to get water. I won't take time to list those (possible) reasons here. The point I do want to raise is this - at this point in her life, to whom could she turn. With whom could she share her hurt, pain, disappointment, and grief. If Jesus had not clearly orchestrated this meeting, what could have become of this woman, created by God with the same calling and before - conception mission that had been given to Jeremiah?<br />
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And what of today?<br />
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Jesus is not here in body. He IS here in Spirit and His Body, the church, does here, on earth, in reality, in truth, and in force, what Jesus did in body long ago...or, the church is supposed to do what Jesus did.<br />
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So what of the people who hurt for any number of reasons, and cannot, or do not for as many reasons, share their hearts? I am assuming that you looked at the map because it is important to know that if the church does, in reality, the work of Jesus because Jesus lives inside it, then Divine Appointments happen every day. Those appointments are just as amazing and nearly as unbelievable as the meeting with the "woman at the well" centuries ago.<br />
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What of the people who are bound by their calling to be strong for the many who need strength, counsel and comfort? There are many who have been a source of strength to others for so long that they are regarded as having strength in their DNA. There are times when they hurt, feel weak, and could use someone to be their Divine Appointment but others do not come but because God has revealed Himself in His Word so often, they truly do walk by faith...alone. What if they make the mistake of saying, "I'm doing OK," when inside they are being crushed under the weight of devastating physical illness and their source of income had been taken away? And of those whose hopes and dreams never materialized and their perceived open doors for ministry to which they had given their lives seemed to all slam shut, what of them? What if the countless "I"m OK's" sometimes, not always, but sometimes really means, "I'm desperately struggling, will you pray <span style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">with me</span>?" (Many people say they're praying <i style="font-weight: bold;">for </i>others, but what if a few minutes were taken to pray WITH them?) What of those who have been strong, and walked alone so long, under the mantle of strength, that even when a spirit of desperation threatens their peace, they cannot ask for help? What if others' also see someone who seems to always have it together and efforts are never made to at least go beneath the surface to see if there are deep seated needs. What if those perceived to be strong just need someone to journey with them for a time and have never felt vulnerable enough to express their need...hence, silent cries. Is it possible for entire churches to miss the unspoken cries for help that come from the folks who attend regularly and say when asked that "things are OK" when they hurt inside. ? </div>
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Look around. Are there those around you who appear to be strong? Are there folks who are as faithful as they know how to be and do, in fact, trust in and follow Jesus and yet through there strength creeps weakness and the need for some of the family to come along side them to share the pain of parts of their journey?<br />
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So, what does this look like fleshed out? First, one must know <span style="color: #38761d; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">how</span> the Holy Spirit works. (BTW, He works exactly like He did when He directed Jesus to that ancient well!) When, in, by, and through the Word one is sure how the Holy Spirit works, one must begin to listen. God's Spirit will direct you into someone else's life. When one is directed, ask the Lord for direction. When He gives it, (the direction), then follow through with a text, email, or some other way to actually be involved in their life. Ultimately, though, a "live" personal prayer not for that person (because prayer "for" that assignment has already been voiced many times), but a prayer <span style="color: red; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">with </span>the one God has placed on your heart should be voiced.<br />
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Don't let images of strength deter you from reaching out. Those images, may, from time to time be illusions. They may be unable to ask for help...help them anyway.</div>
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<br />Woody Crosthwaitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13829416056486067447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7373445372273283788.post-17256152691104850462016-12-31T13:47:00.000-05:002016-12-31T13:47:03.109-05:00I don't have to go to church to be a Christian<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGv89tocvYJvDYBAsILraljiVOLsrAc-CYBZzcgaqD8tFPT8_UWYf20qb37Pc3DaSjkjZW3pA9HiHBremD58bLM4IAYbpwRn8aBY7ScFrt-3qYs87a3O4hhki4pOT3fgDPrecjjb5qO6z6/s1600/Banner+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGv89tocvYJvDYBAsILraljiVOLsrAc-CYBZzcgaqD8tFPT8_UWYf20qb37Pc3DaSjkjZW3pA9HiHBremD58bLM4IAYbpwRn8aBY7ScFrt-3qYs87a3O4hhki4pOT3fgDPrecjjb5qO6z6/s320/Banner+11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Can a warning be an encouragement? It can, if you take time to not just read my words but hear my heart. I wanted my last post of 2016 to be just that - an urgent warning but also a sincere effort to encourage you to be part of something so much bigger than yourself - God's church!</div>
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A Head without a body…</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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…and the thought that “I do not have to go to church to be a
Christian." I have had countless people tell me that over the years. I would say that choosing to isolate one's self from the Body of Christ would rank at the top of the list of lies fed to us by satan. (Along with lies like, "I don't have to really read the Bible, or share my faith...) <o:p></o:p></div>
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But consider God's Word - </div>
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Colossians 1:18 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></div>
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“And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the
beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the
preeminence.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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1 Corinthians 12:27 (NKJV)<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Now you are the body of Christ…”<o:p></o:p></div>
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It is more than likely that you read about the Headless
Horseman in Washington Irving’s short story, <i>The Legend of Sleepy Hollow</i> at some point in high school or
college. The Horseman’s place in the story or Irving’s story itself is not
important in this blog but I mention it to promote the image of an animate person
without a head – a headless body. But what if one changes the imagery to a
bodiless head? Can you see it? Just a head with eyes, nose, ears, and a mouth
floating around without a body. You can see it, can you not?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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If I told you that there was, in fact, a head floating
around without a body, what would you say? To what would or could you point
that would indicate that my proposition was true? Think with me again about the
Scriptures I posted at the top of this blog.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In Colossians chapter one, Paul makes a simple but profound
statement when he declares, by the authority of the Holy Spirit that Jesus
Christ IS the Head of the Body. Next, (not chronologically), Paul states,
again, by the authority of the Holy Spirit that a Christ follower is the body
of Christ. (I have made a “Christ follower” a condition for being in that body
because of what I know of the whole of Scripture.) I also want to remind my
readers that in BOTH cases, Paul was addressing a <b><i>local body of believers</i></b><i>!</i> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
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OK, so track with me here…<o:p></o:p></div>
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There are well over 300 prophecies of Christ in the OT. Of
course, Jesus fulfills ALL of those 300+ prophecies. So, as HEAD of the church,
it is logical to say that Jesus appears as that Head whenever there are
prophecies that point to Him. But, is he just a “Head” floating through His –
story (History)?<o:p></o:p></div>
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If Jesus the Head of the Church (His Body) is prophesied, would
not Scripture also contain prophesies about His Church? (Of course, those
prophecies would present themselves in types and shadows as those that pointed
to Christ did.) That is a rhetorical question because the answer is a
resounding “YES!”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Do you see where I am going with this?<o:p></o:p></div>
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If Jesus’ Body is as much a part of His – story as He is;
and, if all that Paul said (by the authority of the Holy Spirit) about Jesus
and His body was directed to a local body of believers either directly or
indirectly (as in the case of Timothy for example); and if most of the other
New Testament writers also talked to groups of Christians not just individuals
then how can the case be made that one could be a Christian and not “go to
church” or otherwise be connected to a local body of Christ followers?<o:p></o:p></div>
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There are some other very significant reasons why a Christ follower
must be a contributing and participating member of what has been labeled a “faith
community” in this postmodern era. But whatever you choose to call it…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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….you cannot be a Christ follower and reject His body. It’s
really that simple. I doubt you would want to stand before God at the end of
your life and try to explain to Him the reason why you ignored Matthew
28:18-20. I wonder where you will spend eternity if you reject His last
command? (How can disciples be taught all that Jesus taught if one is separated from the Body?)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>(Coming to church and
warming a pew or chair does not, unfortunately, qualify as being part of a
church.)<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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Below are some additional Scriptures that also teach the importance of
being part of the church. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Whatever you do, do it quickly. Time is short and again, you
do not want to stand before God having rejected the very essence of His
mission. 2017 could bring us all things we never imagined. Knowing things ABOUT
God’s will is insufficient when He has called us to BE His will. Being is
always more important than knowing. Be prepared for what comes by being part of
His family…your life depends on it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Supplemental reading:</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Church…</div>
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<br /></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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…is a group of people we are commanded to be a part of; but
why? Hebrews 10:24-25<o:p></o:p></div>
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…is a family and being part of it is the way spiritual gifts
are exchanged! Romans 1:9-12<o:p></o:p></div>
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…is the place where mysteries are revealed! Colossians 1:25-26 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></div>
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…is the place where God’s wisdom is revealed! Ephesians
3:10-11 (NIV)<o:p></o:p></div>
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…is the only place we can find the truth! 1Timothy 3:14-15<o:p></o:p></div>
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…was built by Jesus to invade enemy territory and take back
prisoners of war deceived by satan! (Matthew
16:13-19)</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Woody Crosthwaitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13829416056486067447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7373445372273283788.post-80869190392530500082016-12-12T16:25:00.000-05:002016-12-12T16:25:42.390-05:00Where were YOU when the Lights Went Out?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPryfOowyCXuq2KARcUUVTH4dv2BocEDDuOO_MKlwyEdS9KxA5MhcKEVJnmJP6_VTX0CZHLKkbvbvnnZRMlJF_lj2kO14Y2i7ccewdfKJOylC5agrSw380NHMZ8rx5mzmZrkiHUF-4YBtm/s1600/Banner+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPryfOowyCXuq2KARcUUVTH4dv2BocEDDuOO_MKlwyEdS9KxA5MhcKEVJnmJP6_VTX0CZHLKkbvbvnnZRMlJF_lj2kO14Y2i7ccewdfKJOylC5agrSw380NHMZ8rx5mzmZrkiHUF-4YBtm/s320/Banner+10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">“Where
were you when the lights went out?”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">I was just
a kid when someone asked me that question. I didn’t “get” the question (as a
joke) and replied, “I don’t know, where?” The jokester said, “In the dark.”
There were others in the room during this little rhetorical Q & A and
everyone laughed. I thought it was clever so I’ve asked the question, “Where
were you when the lights went out” to many other unsuspecting folks and usually
get to break the “punchline” to them. But what has that to do with Christmas?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Are we in
the dark? Is there even a darkness in which one may be engulfed? Is there a
light that can overcome darkness? Who is that light, and where may it be seen
and experienced? More than two thousand years ago, a few shepherds saw and
heard about Jesus from a group of angels. Later, some “Wise Men” saw a light
that led them to Jesus. But beyond the angelic heralds and beyond the star that
shone so brightly lay a darkness in the hearts of people that demanded a hope
rooted in love rather than religion. Hence, Christmas.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">This is
the first “new” Christmas letter I’ve written since around 1990. My theme in
past years has been about the faithfulness of God to His own Word. When we say
“Merry Christmas” what we really mean (or should mean) is that God always keeps
His promises! He promised to send The Messiah to the world and He did when
Jesus was born. If Jesus’ birth was established long before He came, then His
Second Advent is also established. If Jesus came once, He will surely come
again! (And I believe His Second Coming is imminent.)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The “new”
of this Christmas message centers around two worlds. The world in which Jesus
was born and ours. What came to me when I asked myself about the conditions of
the world over 2000 years ago, prompted another question: If I fail to
understand to any greater level the world in which Jesus was born, could that
mean that I really have no idea about the true meaning of Christmas? We (as
Christians) are fond of the saying "Jesus is the reason for the
season." How "cliche - ish" that has become. Even though we cram
some religious activities into the holiday season. Some, take an almost
militant approach to saying "Merry Christmas" instead of "Happy
Holidays," but in it all we may
still miss entirely the magnitude of what it meant and what it means to know
the God who invaded history with His perfect, holy, and Divine presence IN THE
FLESH. Understanding the reality of “Christmas” necessarily takes us back to
the first century and the time in which God chose to send His Son. If we fail
to understand the world as it was when Jesus was born, can we fully appreciate
the implications of the first advent for our world in our time?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The world,
our world, is not too much different or too far removed from the world of first
century Israel. The world of the Jew during Jesus time was a time of hopeless
despair. The world for the Gentile in the first century was void of light. For
all people, it was a time of darkness. Jesus first advent brought a hope to the
world that was so great; so revolutionary; so beyond this world that many
missed it. When Jesus came, He, single - handedly pierced the darkness with
nearly unapproachable light.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Lately,
I’ve been thinking about the state our country is in. For that matter, I think
of our world and the darkness that is pressing in against people of all races,
colors, and ethnicities. A few days ago, I began thinking about the world in
which Jesus was born. I pondered what I have learned over the years in
carefully reading the Bible many times and what I remember from history about
Palestine, the Roman Empire and the nation of Israel in the first century. I began to read some articles on the subject.
I found an article by Pastor David Schrock that listed seven elements that
comprised the world in which Jesus was born. In many ways, the condition of the
“world” in our time and especially that of our country are very similar. Following
are abbreviated portions of his article to serve as talking points. Pastor
Schrock’s material is italicized. The link to the full web article is at the
end of my letter. (The article is excellent! Please take time to read it!)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The World was a dark place</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">. <i>While we think of Christmas as a season of light, the truth is, the
birth story of Jesus Christ is filled with darkness. Anticipating the birth of the Christ child
centuries before Mary was great with child, Isaiah writes that the light that
was coming into the world, came to a people shrouded in darkness (9:1-7). Gloom, anguish, and contempt were just some
of the adjectives used to describe this darkness. Thus, in order to understand
the full revelation of the light which came into the world when Christ was
born, we need to recognize the darkness into which our Christ was born. </i><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">First, when Christ was born, the
word of God had not been heard for four centuries.</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> If we compare the world that Jesus
was born into with today, to what conclusions must we come? Malachi was the
last O.T. prophet to receive a message from God. From the time that Malachi
rolled up his scroll until Jesus came on the scene as God’s Living Word, 400
years had passed. While we must work a bit to get it, it is possible to
understand, at least in part, why Israel rejected Jesus. But <b>we</b> have Christ and His Word in all His
fullness and yet we either overlook, or, worse yet, ignore Him. So, which of
the time periods might we consider to be the worst? A world without a Word from
God for centuries, or, God’s Word revealed and yet ignored? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Second, the people of God were
under the oppressive rule of Rome. </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">We believe we live in what we call
a “free country.” We are not under the thumb of a foreign power. But are we
really free? Are we chained in servitude to a host of idols that manifest themselves
in hedonistic, humanistic, and materialistic pleasures? Is even the church out
of touch with the common elements that bring God’s people to dynamic mission?
Have we traded liberty for license? License is doing what we want when we want.
Liberty is having the power to do what is right.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Third, the nation of Israel was
fracturing. </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Does
that have a familiar ring to it? Could America be more divided? Splintered?
What did Jesus say or do that provided a balm for the brokenness that plagued
His people in the first century? What does He provide for us today?<i> <o:p></o:p></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Fourth, the birth of Jesus came
through a virgin</span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">. Christ followers universally believe in the
“Virgin Birth” of Jesus. But it wasn’t so for Mary, Joseph, and their
contemporaries. At first, Joseph was faced with a monumental struggle. He needed
to protect his honor and that of his betrothed. It took a Divine dream to
untangle the knot in which Joseph was entwined. But what of today. With
pluralism eating away at a commitment to absolute truth and with Jesus being at
the center of controversy which gives way to the slide into alarming levels of
subjectivity, has the Virgin Birth become as problematic today as it was then?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Fifth, the census was a
considerable imposition. </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Joseph
and Mary had to travel about four days to get to Bethlehem from Nazareth to
obey the new census law. And yet, they made the journey. Today, most folks
won’t travel four miles in a heated/air conditioned car with cruise control to
be counted part of the Body of Christ.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Sixth, the poverty of Mary and
Joseph did not fit the royal son they had.
Not only were the conditions leading up to Christ’s birth dark, so too
was his birth. Luke 2:7 records that
there was “no place for them in the inn.”
This is probably because it was filled up with travelers coming for the
census; but it may also be the case that Joseph, a carpenter by trade, did not
have the means to pay for or to pay extra for a room. Money talks, right? But it is clear, that Joseph had no
bargaining power. Mary and Joseph went
to the stable, where Jesus was born and laid in a manger. Without family or hospitality, darkness
surrounded them. </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Today, images of a new born baby,
“wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger” are still replete for
Christians who try to keep Jesus as “the reason for the season.” And while the
King of Kings and Lord of Lords did come into the world stripped of His
majesty, He is NO LONGER a baby in a manger. He IS literally OUR King of Kings
and Lord of Lords. We should no longer have a euphoric and perhaps even
romantic image of The Messiah as a baby. When we see Him, we will see Him as He
is.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Seventh, through the hostile forces
of Herod, Satan tried to kill Jesus.
Poverty was not the only source of darkness; persecution followed Jesus’
birth, so that he was constantly under threat. </span></i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Jesus is now beyond danger. His
resurrection from the dead has placed Him at the Father’s right hand as He ever
intercedes for us. Satan cannot touch Jesus but, he is busy trying to touch us.
But his schemes fall to the ground rendered powerless by the Blood of the Lamb
and the testimony of those who have been covered in that blood.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Darkness is everywhere in Christ’s
birth, which should not come as a surprise when we think of the prophecies in
the Old Testament and the conditions of the world that God created. As John 1 says, “The true light, which
enlightens everyone, was coming into the world, . . . yet the world did not
know him.”<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Remembering that the light of
Christ came in the darkness of night gives us hope that God can still pour
light into our hearts and shine light into our lives. No matter how dark it may be, no matter where
the darkness comes from, God is the light who enlightens everyone, and has come
to take up residence in the lives of those who look to Christ.<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">This
Christmas, I am going to spend much time in learning about and reflecting on
the world in which Jesus was born. I am going to think about and meditate on my
world. I am going to seek ways to speak about this Jesus who brought hope,
light, and peace to a world far removed from mine and yet, is here, now. today,
in my place and time to do as He did then...<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Jesus...He
REALLY IS the "Reason for the Season."<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">May YOU be
blessed this Christmas season with a renewed vision of the One who came, died,
rose from the dead and will soon come again. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">(Italicized
material taken from David Schrock’s article. The weblink to that article is
below.)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://davidschrock.com/2011/12/12/darkness-the-world-in-which-christ-was-born/" target="_blank">Read Pastor David's Blog Here</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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Woody Crosthwaitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13829416056486067447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7373445372273283788.post-32805615086936564972016-07-29T20:12:00.000-04:002016-07-29T20:12:10.139-04:00A "Call to Ministry!"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISdnQPsJ2pL01qAx9efKYY8M3TavomcfOBI-zVb1Oz1SzyVYgK-iexbAyblD-ykaguduzTk1S4wggIJ8Q0lGlvZT-4O3JvjcpV8-YG9R1BJGcyk73GApbohvG6kzPHQ6dIHXBZNNgMjJa/s1600/Banner+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISdnQPsJ2pL01qAx9efKYY8M3TavomcfOBI-zVb1Oz1SzyVYgK-iexbAyblD-ykaguduzTk1S4wggIJ8Q0lGlvZT-4O3JvjcpV8-YG9R1BJGcyk73GApbohvG6kzPHQ6dIHXBZNNgMjJa/s320/Banner+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Luke 4 (NKJV)<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">16 So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought
up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and
stood up to read. 17 And He was handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. And when
He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Because He has anointed Me </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">To preach the gospel to the poor;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">To proclaim liberty to the captives </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">And recovery of sight to the blind, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">To set at liberty those who are oppressed; </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">19 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">I think I was seventeen. I may have been eighteen when I made an appointment to speak with my pastor, Billy T. Ball, to talk about "going into the ministry." I started working in the churches' bus ministry as soon as I got my driver's license. I had worked in Vacation Bible Schools since I was fourteen or so. When I was sixteen and seventeen I volunteered as a summer church camp counselor. I began to understand the burden I had for the youth that God placed in my life in various situations (one of which was becoming an assistant manager of a fast food chain at sixteen). I loved kids even though I was still a "kid" myself. I felt like I had a place in God's Kingdom working with youth.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">I had also had two distinctly divine encounters with the Lord during this time in my life, both of which seemed to provide me with the tools to finally articulate what I felt in my heart. Trying to sort out the burdens for specific people, the draw to reach out to them, and exactly what it was I felt God "calling" me to do was a challenge that I needed help to face. So, as I said, I made an appointment to talk about the strong feelings I had in my heart. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">Billy T. (as we called him, which, was a heartfelt term of endearment) looked up over his half reading glasses and after a couple of silent and very uncomfortable minutes, he simply said, "What's on your mind?"</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">With my heart pounding, I managed to squeak a few words about feeling God's call on my life. I finally summarized the whirlwind of emotion with, "Bro. Ball, I feel God is calling me to youth ministry."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">Again, there was a deafening few moments of silence, and again, he peered at me over the top of his half glasses. Finally, a smile spread over his face and said, "There's no such thing."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">I wondered if I'd heard correctly. So, I think I said something like, "I'm not sure I understand..." (By this time I was quaking in my shoes!) </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">He simply repeated what he had said before, "There is no such thing as being called to youth ministry." As my pastor in whom I had the greatest confidence explained what he meant, I not only felt at ease, but knew in my heart that what he spoke was absolutely true. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">In a few short minutes, Bro. Ball taught me that God calls people to proclaim His Word. That's what ministry is. There are a myriad of reasons why this is so but speaking to my original query, he simply told me that my call was to proclaim the gospel. If that proclamation was made to a group of teens, that was fine, but that I should be always ready to proclaim the gospel to whomever and wherever the opportunity arose. I left that meeting with a new understanding of God's will, my purpose in life, and how I would accomplish that which God had called me to. It was liberating to say the least. That short but poignant conversation was one of the sparks that would eventually set my whole being on fire. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">Over the years as I studied the prophets, particularly Jeremiah; and, as I studied the New Testament which (obviously) gives us detailed information about Jesus and how He fleshed out His call, I found absolutely nothing that would even hint that what my pastor had told me about ministry was not true. I have served the church in nearly every possible "ministry" and in every instance, without exception, proclaiming the gospel has been the root and foundation of it all. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">There is no such things as specialized ministry. It's a bird that doesn't exist. There is no such thing as being "called" to youth ministry or music, Christian education, or any other ministry to an exclusive group or segment of the church. There is one calling, made possible by the anointing of the Holy Spirit, and that is, </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b>"...to preach the gospel..."</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; line-height: 17.12px;">The next time you hear someone say "I've been called to the ministry," ask them, first, if they have been anointed by the same Spirit that anointed Jesus. Next, ask them if they have been anointed to preach the gospel. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">That's all you have to ask, and there's nothing you have to do except to pray that the Holy Spirit would given them heartburn just like the disciples in Luke 24.</span></span></div>
Woody Crosthwaitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13829416056486067447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7373445372273283788.post-18964290821426148942016-06-10T11:03:00.000-04:002016-07-05T16:12:23.658-04:00As in the days of Noah...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Matthew 24:36 - 39</div>
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<b><i><span style="color: orange;">36 “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the
angels of heaven, but My Father only. 37 But as the days of Noah were, so also
will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in the days before the flood,
they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day
that Noah entered the ark, 39 and did not know until the flood came and took
them all away, </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: orange;">so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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If you have followed my "blogs" for any number of years, you have no doubt come across the many posts I have written regarding Jesus' return. Some time ago, I shared here what I believe are vital truths revealed in the Parable of the Fig Tree in this same chapter (Matthew 24). Countless persons have written countless pieces regarding all that is contained in Matthew twenty - four and twenty - five. While it would probably be helpful if I re - posted what I believe is revealed in the Fig Tree Parable so that a contextual backdrop could more precisely convey what I want to share in this post, I will allow you, my reader to review those points. </div>
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(I also always feel compelled to say that I understand the variance in doctrines and opinions that exist regarding Jesus' return. I make no effort to defend my position, only to state it. It is up to each believer/Christ follower to search the Scriptures (diligently) for answers to one of the most important questions mankind could entertain.)</div>
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In this post, I want to focus on one statement that Jesus made in response to the questions the disciples asked at the beginning of the chapter. I have the verses from which the statement comes at the top of this post. Here's the statement:</div>
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<b><i><span style="color: orange;">But as the days of Noah were, </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: orange;">so also will the coming of the Son of Man be</span></i></b></div>
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Jesus does give two things that people did in the days of Noah that caused them to miss getting on board the ark. He assigned those same things to the time of His return. (People were eating and drinking; marrying and giving in marriage.) However, here are some things that need to be considered.</div>
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1. People have always been scurrying about consumed by self interest. Was there a deeper and more catastrophic issue that affected those who failed to be saved in the ark? I say there is. That "deeper and more catastrophic issue" is simply that everyone except Noah and his family ignored God's Word. Think of that "word" as a promise. It was not a happy, positive promise that caused people to look forward to the event with joy and excitement but it was a promise nonetheless. God said, "I am going to destroy the world with a flood." Proof of the pending fulfillment of the promise was in the ark itself. But, people were too busy with their own lives; they had grown so far away from God that His Word meant nothing; and, they did not believe He would keep His promise and destroy the world.</div>
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2. So it is today. God has said that there would be another day of great judgment only this day will be the end of all things. No rain, no boat, no saving of animals, no flood; just the end of all things. The same deeper and more catastrophic issue engulfs our world today as it did in the days of Noah. The most frightening fact however, at least for Americans and others who claim to be "Christians" in Western Culture do not believe that God will keep His promise to return. Even believers are scurrying about engulfed in self interest. There is at least one unique issue that is engrained in Western societies, (Americans included) that those in Noah's day did not contend with. That is that hope is being placed in political figures and governmental systems. </div>
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3. I ask you, my reader; can YOU present a case for Christ's coming? It is folly to think that Jesus did not give us signs of His return. The day and hour, no, no one knows, but the "time," a resounding YES. What part does Islam play in this unfolding drama that will result in the dropping of the final curtain of history. Is the greatest deception that any politician could perpetrate on a nation that which claims that they (he or she in this case) can solve the "Radical Terror" problem being faced now by the whole world. There is NO one, be it POTUS, a Supreme Court, a Congress or Senate; no Prime Minister or Parliament, NO coalition of military forces, NO shift in ideology or change in terms used to describe the enemy is going to stop the clock from ticking and the fast approach of Jesus' return. </div>
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Throughout history, God has used pagan armies to bring judgment on his people. Philistia, Assyria, Babylon, the Medes and Persians, Greece, Rome, Germany...to name a few. Are there parallels that also should be considering when we see God's judgment approaching? I'll let you answer that. But, I ask again, does Islam play a part in the judgment of America and in the signs of the times just before Jesus' return. With eight to ten million Muslims here as citizens, is there cause for concern? You'll have to figure that out.</div>
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There is one more parallel when talking about "the days of Noah." Just as Noah prepared an ark whereby people could be saved from God's wrath; so is there a boat of safety today. Only this "boat" is not made of gopher wood. This boat is the life and safety of the new birth provided in, by, and through Jesus Christ. Are YOU on board? Regardless of what comes in the days, weeks, and months ahead are you safe in the knowledge that you belong to Him? Have you repented of your wickedness perpetrated by your own self interest and have you experienced the new birth? </div>
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The end is coming. Are you ready? Whether you believe that or not, well...just as the people who watched Noah build the ark, you'll have to decide. But know this. There will come a day when the door will be shut and it will be too late. </div>
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Woody Crosthwaitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13829416056486067447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7373445372273283788.post-67062782580099321682016-06-01T21:08:00.001-04:002016-06-02T09:16:22.774-04:00R & R Guaranteed! (A Recipe for Revival!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A Recipe for Revival - Guaranteed!</div>
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The Promse:</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has
come upon you; </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>and in all Judea
and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8 NKJV).</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">The Premise:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">What if we <i style="font-weight: bold;">really </i>believed what Jesus said? I'm sure there is a name for a literary device that explains something simply by repeating it. I have to repeat Acts 1:8 to help explain how I think a sweeping revival would come if we believed that - </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b>we would receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon us -</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">so that -</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b>we would be witnesses to Christ in...</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">...witnesses where? Well, Jesus told the disciples that <i style="font-weight: bold;">they </i>would be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the end of the earth because that's where they lived. </span></span></div>
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Since we don't live in Jerusalem, Judea, or anywhere near Samaria, how would WE fulfill this command/promise? Where is OUR Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the end of the earth?</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">Where do YOU live? Gayle and I live in a small town in Southwest Ohio called Springboro. If the commands and promises found in Scripture are relevant for every generation then Jesus is telling me that the Holy Spirit would come upon me so that "I" could be His witness in Springboro (my Jerusalem); in Ohio (my Judea); in the U.S., and to the end of the earth. We read that and affirm the fulfillment of that promise/command because we know that after the twelve disciples had tarried in Jerusalem with quite a number of other believers, the Holy Spirit did come just as Jesus said He would. Within days, thousands of new Christ - followers were added to the Kingdom. Our faith, literally, is a product of the twelve disciples obeying Jesus and following His step - by - step procedure for taking the Gospel into all the world. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">While we can imagine a lot of grand and glorious things, if we're honest, we have trouble believing that an entire community could be reached with the Gospel, much less moving beyond our city to our "Judeas" or "Samarias." But, I know of a way...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">I mean, it's no big secret or new revelation. It <i style="font-weight: bold;">is </i>however, something that would require surrendering our desire to preserve our tribal rules and customs. In other words, we would have to trust God to work in HIS church through HIS Spirit and HIS Word and move beyond the walls that divide God's people. Let me explain how I believe this would result in an unbelievable move of God in my "Jerusalem" and yours!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;"><b>What about the public school(s) in your community?</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">More than likely, if you're reading this, you know that I am a substitute school teacher. I just finished my third (2015/16) school year. If we're even relatively close, you probably also know the intense burden I've had for one particular local school district (because I felt like the Lord placed this burden on me in March, 2015). I began to pray for and work towards a revival in this district. It is after I started praying with an unusual passion for this school that I began hearing things at every school in which I served as a substitute.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">I began to hear students in every school talk about their church and/or some related activity. I know, this isn't an earth shattering piece of information...or...is it?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">Then, it hit me! While I can and I think should apply Jesus' command/promise in the first chapter of Acts literally, for myself, the context tells us that Jesus was speaking to the first disciples. By the time they made it to that upper room there were 120 assembled (Acts 1:15). Of course we know that it was the witness of that 120 that spread like "wild fire" and resulted in thousands being saved in just a few days. So, Jesus told the disciples, and He's telling us that we are not supposed to fulfill Acts 1:8 alone, we're supposed to do this together!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">Realistically, can <b>your</b> church win the whole of your "Jerusalem?" And yet, that is our command. How could the Gospel spread throughout a community rapidly? Bear with me and let me get back to the students in your local school who attend a church. Let's play what if? This will connect the dots and actually spark a revival in your area - in your "Jerusalem."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">What if, you and a group of folks from your church (youth included) drove through the parking lots of all the churches in your neighborhood and asked the Lord to anoint the lips of the ministers in that church, What if you and a group of others prayed that the pastors, youth ministers, Sunday school teachers, small group leaders - all of the communicators of the Gospel would haven an anointing on their lives like never before?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">What if the group from your church also began to pray for the students who attend that church? What if you prayed that God would open their hearts to His Word just like He did Lydia's in Acts 16? What if you kept praying this audacious prayer until God answered those prayers because it is His will and He said whatever we ask in His name, according to His will, He would answer...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">Can you see how that would work? Can you see that praying that all ministers would communicate God's Word with power and that the students who hear God's word would receive it, would bear much fruit and result in revival because our schools would be set on fire.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">There are at least four reasons why I think this simple recipe for revival isn't used -</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">1. We fear anything happening outside our tribe because we wouldn't be able to control it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">2. We want our tribe to control it so that we would get the glory.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">3. We don't <b>really </b>trust God to work in HIS church to achieve His goals because we have a preconceived notion about how God's work should be done, and</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">4. We simply don't have the time and are unwilling to pay the price for widespread revival.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">Do we love our kids? I mean, do we REALLY love them? Do we want them to be saved? Do we want our schools to be set free from sex, drugs, and an ever increasing level of violence not seen in any past generation? Could 25, 100, 500 kids be set on fire with a passion for Jesus and His Word. Could life transformation come to an entire school district? Would that revival spill out into an entire community and to surrounding communities? Would THAT revival extend to the end of the earth?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">Jesus said that it would...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">What on earth are we waiting for?</span></span></div>
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Woody Crosthwaitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13829416056486067447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7373445372273283788.post-79789724534231500492016-05-28T19:24:00.000-04:002016-05-28T19:24:11.268-04:00Make NO mistake! The foundations ARE destroyed! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b style="color: red; font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">What can the righteous do?</span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">(As an introduction, could I point you to my last blog entry? What I said about morality, Christianity and presidential politics is key actually, to what I want to share in this post. I'll repeat my premise just in case you would rather not read my February blog. The President of the United States could not flesh out the Gospel of Jesus Christ and hold that office. Americans should not expect the president to be a truly biblical Christian. BUT! We should expect, in fact, demand, that our president be a moral person. Morality, in spite of post modern ideology, is not found in a subjectivity that constantly moves the base line needed to evaluate <i style="font-weight: bold;">objective </i>morality. There are, in spite of our cultural downward spiral, objective moral standards by which we should gauge whether or not a person is fit for public office. That being said, let me share a few more thoughts about the <i style="font-weight: bold;">choices</i> we have when we vote for a new POTUS.)<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">I used Psalm 11:3 as a header for this entry. Unpacking this verse and the context in which it is found is an excellent Bible study but for the sake of this post, I will simply state that regardless of whether one acknowledges objective moral truth or not, the fact remains that the moral fiber of our country has been eaten away. It is not being eaten away, it is gone. Our moral compass has been destroyed primarily because the church has surrendered its authority to temporal, governmental systems which were never supposed to replace a living faith in God and in Jesus Christ, God in the flesh. That surrender has left the church not just in decline but impotent. Darkness has pressed against the church almost with little or, in some cases, no resistance. What chilling principles are revealed in Jesus' Words (from Matthew 6:22-23 NKJV)? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><i><b>The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye
is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your
whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is
darkness, how great is that darkness!</b></i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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The church has lost sight of it's offensive role in pressing <i style="font-weight: bold;">back</i> against the darkness. Sexual promiscuity (both gay and straight), legalization of marijuana, false religion (Islam and Mormonism to name two), a rise in satanism, and a host of other issues have drained the churches' strength and resolve. And, hence, our nation has paid a horrible price.<br />
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As I said earlier, the church has, for generations, left the government at all levels in charge of defining and executing a moral code. Since government was never supposed to be the moral compass to begin with, we are now at a point in our nation's history where a total collapse of values has sent us to the brink of judgement. Listen to what David said in Psalm 9:17 (from the NLT) -<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The blogs that have been written about the "pros" and cons" of both Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump would fill a small library. It goes without saying that the very thought of Hillary Clinton becoming the POTUS is about as unsettling as anything could be. But for the first time in our history, as far as I am aware, a great majority of conservative Americans (and yes, those who would claim to be Christians) are lending their support to one of the most godless, adulterating, lying, hedonistic, arrogant, proud, and otherwise immoral people that one could possibly imagine. All because he says, that he is "going to make America great again."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">It is NOT POSSIBLE that Donald Trump can make America great. Our greatness is and always has been based on our allegiance to God - the God of the Bible! With that allegiance gone, it is preposterous to even consider that a man such as Donald Trump could do anything but drag our nation even further into an abyss of darkness from which there is already no return. To be fair, no one can help us now. But make no mistake about it; Donald Trump is as unfit for the office of President as any human could be. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">I understand the reasons (as weak as they are) for voting for Trump. All, or, most of which stem from the desire to keep Hillary from being elected president. For the last twelve years, a conservative vote has not been in genuine support of the conservative candidate but in opposition to the Democrat. That, in an of itself is not only tragic but indicative of the slippery slope we have ridden, now, to it's conclusion. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 17.12px;">Regardless of who wins the White House in November - it is simply too late. No one can help us now. No one, that is, but God Himself. But since we have ignored His warning shots across our bow, and in fact, ignored HIM, we have been given over to our lusts. Again, I say, it is just too late. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #f1c232;"><b><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-stretch: normal; line-height: 17.12px; text-indent: -0.25in;">Judgment is being meted out to us, at this point, in the godless people we now have running for President of the United States. </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; text-indent: -0.25in;"> </span></b></span></div>
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Woody Crosthwaitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13829416056486067447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7373445372273283788.post-48536342600547841032016-02-13T21:24:00.000-05:002016-02-13T21:24:15.409-05:00Morality, Christianity, Presidential Politics, and Government<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Warning...I do understand the nature and complexity of the topics/issues I am writing about. I am going to write about them anyway. (I know..."complex topics and issues have never stopped me from writing before!) The prompt for this blog has been and is the race for the White House. Straight up, I find no fault really in the <i style="font-weight: bold;">process</i>. Democracy, American style, has been and continues to be one of the world's greatest social experiments. The jury is still out about its success even after nearly 240 years. Conversely, I find the persons who are <i style="font-weight: bold;">IN </i>that process and competing for what is perhaps arguably still the most powerful job in the world absolutely, without exception, despicable and even unconscionable. I find no redeeming value in ANY of the power hungry deceivers who will, as most before them, do anything to win...I repeat, <i>anything. </i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I also understand that I am making broad generalizations about those who are still in the race and that my disgust encroaches on character judgment. So be it. I suppose if I could sit down with each person individually over a cup of McCafe coffee (MUCH better than Starbucks, btw!) and talk about the weather, jobs, our kids, our favorite movies, songs, and books...if we even dared venture into the realms of religion and politics; and if there were no cameras or news crews around, there could be some earnest, sincere, and even positive exchanges. By our second or third coffee refills, we may even come to the place where we liked each other. But these conditions do not exist. As it is, every one running for the office of POTUS is bent on doing whatever it takes and saying whatever must be said to sit in the Oval Office. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">I write today to perhaps serve a warning to those who would rally around one candidate or another with false hopes of "their" man or woman <b><i>fixing</i> </b>what's wrong with America. There is an offense taking place. The worst offenders? People who have some claim to belief in God with a mostly benign knowledge of someone they identify as Jesus who, they think, is just the chief of their 'religion.' It is this desire for some ONE to fix things combined with the push to find the <b>most evangelical </b>candidate that has, as never before, clouded if not cloaked the true message of the biblical Jesus found in Scripture (from Genesis to Revelation), otherwise known as "The Gospel." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am sorry that I am into my fourth paragraph and have not stated my thesis. Having a minor in English has not kept me inside the guidelines of a well written piece considering that the <i>thesis</i> needs to appear in the first paragraph of a piece and even more preferably in the first few sentences. I am also sorry that my penchant for self indulgence while at the key board has brought you this far without it...so...at long last...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. It IS possible to be moral outside of even a hint of Christian thought or active, practical "Christian" application.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. Christianity must be defined and applied (fleshed out) directly from the Scriptures with, to a large degree, an attachment to orthodoxy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">3. It is highly UNLIKELY if not impossible for anyone seeking the presidency to practice their faith according to all that Jesus Himself demands. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">And, 4. What is the role of secular, temporal government. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">To address the first part of the thesis requires an honest and veritable understanding of the source of morality and subsequently the display of that same morality - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Humans are born with a sense of right and wrong, which, translates into an inherent moral code or compass. We know this from the story of the creation for starters. I understand that this flies in the face of modern and post - modern thought. I won't take the time to define them here but I am fairly certain that the terms, </span><span style="line-height: 18.6667px;">Tabula Rasa and Innatism</span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 14pt;"> have been part of your Western dilemma for some time. The debates that have risen on school, college, and university campuses concerning the opposing ideas of a "blank slate" and "born - with" have at times been intense. The debate has spawned a very necessary and disciplined defense of biblical faith and practice called <i>Apologetics</i>. The Moral Argument builds a case for the existence of God in three parts - </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 14pt;">1. If God does not exist, then objective moral values do not exist.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 14pt;">2. Objective moral values exist, so,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 14pt;">3. God exists.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 14pt;">The moral argument along with the cosmological, teleological, and ontological arguments for God's existence are, as I said, important for the public arena in a godless, post - modern society. Having listed them, my intent has not been to enter into an apologetic exercise. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 14pt;">Discussing this discipline and building a case for inherent moral codes and compasses using solid but philosophical apologetic devises is not my intent and does not serve the theses brought about by the political dilemma that has prompted the post to begin with. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 14pt;">I will make a simple declaration. Objective moral values are not only based on God's law - The Ten Commandments but also in God's design. All humans are born with at least a partial awareness of God's law in general and those that directly affect life in any society in particular. (Do not lie, steal, covet, do not murder or commit adultery and the respect of parents) provide restraints for what otherwise would be anarchy. Yes, one's conscience can be seared from and by a complete disregard for that which humanity knows is necessary for a healthy society and culture. The six commands I listed necessarily point to the other four. Admittedly however, those four are, or, at least could be arbitrarily interpreted and influenced by social and cultural contexts. Romans 1:18 - 2:15 teaches us that included in a general revelation of God is the knowledge of morality. (General revelation should not be confused with special revelation which is another matter not pertaining to my theses.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">How does this highly philosophical thought process pertain to the 2016 presidential contest? What we as Americans should seek in our next president is a solid and undeniable foundation built on the moral code implanted in us by God. We, for the most part, are mistakenly seeking a candidate who seems to articulate the <b>most </b><i style="font-weight: bold;">Christian</i> set of values. What the candidate espouses however, is morality, NOT Christianity. Here is the judgment. To equate an inherent set of moral values with biblical Christianity is a dangerous misunderstanding of both. The candidates running for president are vagrant, lying, charlatans. Their ONLY motivation for talking about Christianity is to woo unsuspecting voters who would more than likely not be able to define the term they use to describe themselves - evangelicals. I <i style="font-weight: bold;">am</i> painfully aware that most if not all of those running for president make the public claim to be Christian. There is however, a great problem with their declarations. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. So, what is a Christian? At the risk of over simplification, a Christian is everything the Bible says it is. The Bible, unfortunately for those who use the Bible as a tool to promote their own agendas also tells us what a Christian is not. There are over 31,000 verses in the Bible. For the sake of this part of my "thesis" let me share with you four sets. (All from the NKJV)</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 14pt;">a. Matthew 4:19; Then He
said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers </span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 14pt;">of men.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 14pt;"><i>How presumptuous it would be to contribute any commentary to this short statement from Jesus, except to say that "Follow Me" is not a suggestion. The command is followed by Jesus' intent for all those who respond to His command. (There are no options for alternative mission endeavors.)</i></span></div>
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<i>Since this is a universal command and an all encompassing agenda for the Christ follower, then every presidential candidate who professes a relationship with Jesus should be directly involved in fulfilling the next set of verses with everyone God has placed in their path. Has there been any news of a presidential candidate sharing the Gospel with their aides, those of the media who travel with them, or, even with those who are also running for office - with the express intent on either winning them to a genuine faith and trust in Christ, or, to disciple them into a deeper walk with God.</i></div>
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<i>Ahhh...you say, "Woody, that is totally and completely unreasonable..." My point exactly.</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>b. Matthew 28:18-20; And Jesus came and
spoke to them, saying, “All authority
has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and
make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.</b><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Again, how much commentary would it take to dilute the purity of the declaration, command, and promise all included in some of Jesus' last words. How many candidates running for president have stated that what they will do their first day in office is to seek wisdom and guidance from THE ONE who has ALL authority in heaven...oh...lest we forget that Jesus also has ALL authority ON EARTH? Is it dangerous for a human to arrogantly declare "If I am elected president, "I" am going to do this and that..." Really? If the respective candidates are in fact Christians, why would not part of their mission as a Christ following president be a passion to make disciples as The One with ALL authority commanded? Could it be that they have no clue what Jesus commands? Is THAT alone the reason they cannot or will not teach others everything that Jesus' commanded. Can one share what one does not have? Can one teach what one does not know?</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Ahhh...you say, "But Woody, how can you expect a president of the United States to actually flesh that out?" I say, "You can expect that if you have one set of principles to which a Christ follower would adhere. As it stands, there are TWO sets of principles. One that is biblical and anointed, the other is designed by those who want to use the Gospel for personal gain much like Simon the Magician."</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>c. 1 John 2:3-6; Now by this we know that
we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His
commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But
whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in
him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also
to walk just as He walked.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 14pt;">Is commentary necessary? Would questions better serve the </span></span><span style="line-height: 18.6667px;">identification</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 14pt;"> of a dilemma presented by these words of John in relationship to the presidential candidates who so flippantly and ignorantly profess to know Christ? Do they keep Jesus' commands? Are His commands arbitrary and subjective? Is not love THE qualifier for whether or not one does in fact "...keep His commands...?"</span></span></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 14pt;"><br /></span></span></i></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 14pt;">Do the candidates walk as Jesus walked? Would that command from John include studying the sacred texts as Jesus did? Would that not entail praying as Jesus prayed? Would declaring that Jesus is the only way to God not be part of the testimony of a true, born again believer? If the antitheses of any (or all) of those points is the actual reality, is not the "spirit of anti - Christ" in play rather than the Holy Spirit? (And <b>please, PLEASE</b> do not associate my reference to "the spirit of anti - Christ" with a pronouncement of some false end time scenario!)</span></span></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 14pt;"><b>d. James 3:11; Does a spring send forth
fresh water and bitter from the same opening?</b></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 14pt;">Can the accusatory, slanderous speech, and the engagement of willful </span></span><span style="line-height: 18.6667px;">defamation of character, one against the other be fresh and bitter water flowing from the fountain of the heart? That is a rhetorical question because the answer is unequivocally no! </span></i><br />
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<span style="line-height: 18.6667px;">So, to address the third part of my thesis I would say that it is not possible for a BIBLICAL Christ - follower who fleshes out the Word of God, literally, to be president of the United States. But, is that what one would even want? A more appropriate question is this; Is it necessary for the leader of a secular (temporal) country to be "Christian?" Aren't the most important attributes of the leader of an entire nation simply a well defined sense of morality and the courage to live within the constraints of the moral code given by God?</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 18.6667px;">That brings us to the fourth and final part of my thesis. The role of government. The best place to piece together what the Bible has to say about civil government and our responsibility TO that government is found in Romans 13:1-7. The Bible separates (divides) the role(s) of civil government ruled by secular leaders, who by the way are appointed by God (Acts 17), and HIS government - the Kingdom of God ruled by THE KING! So, technically, (and perhaps even ironically) there IS to be a separation of Church and state. If you do a web search for "the biblical role of government," you will find over 16,000,000 pages of information. I "clicked" on the first five. There are some excellent articles that discuss the subject from a wide range of points of view. I will quote one section from S. Michael Houdmann's site, "Got Questions." </span><br />
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"Whether the Bible uses the terms “master,” “ruler,”
“government,” or any other name for an established authority, the instruction
is always the same – obey. We must remember that God created the authorities
ruling over us just as He created us. As Paul wrote to the Romans, “Everyone
must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority
except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been
established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling
against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on
themselves” (Romans 13:1-2). Peter wrote, “Submit yourselves for the Lord's
sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the
supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do
wrong and to commend those who do right” (1 Peter 2:13-14). Both Peter and Paul
also remind slaves repeatedly to be obedient to their masters for the same
reasons (Ephesians 6:5-8; Colossians 3:22-25; 1 Timothy 6:1-2; 1 Peter 2:18-20;
Titus 2:9-11)."<o:p></o:p></div>
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So what does all this mean for us as Christians?</div>
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1. We should absolutely vote! For what candidate? I can't tell you that. I can tell you that morality should and MUST be an issue and a contributing factor in our decision.</div>
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2. Christianity, as it is defined in and by Scripture and exemplified by Jesus and the First Century Church, should not be THE issue because no one running for office does anything but give lip service to God which is about as close to an abomination as one could get. </div>
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3. It is not only unreasonable but unbiblical to expect civil government, in all it's branches, to assume the role of the church. The government protects our civil and temporal interests. That's it...</div>
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4. As for our leaders, we get what we deserve. When we ourselves have adopted a form of religion designed by and for our own lusts and preconceptions, we can't expect our leaders to take us down any road but that of destruction and judgment.</div>
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The next time you're tempted to pay homage to "your candidate" because he (or she?) makes a public profession of some sort of faith in God and who flies into a church or two for a photo op; and, who says, "God bless the United States of America," you should pause to figure out what "god" they're talking about. Their "god" is revealed in and by their lust for power.</div>
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What is the hope of America? Jesus Christ and His Word. What is the hope FOR America? That we, who say we believe turn to Him, repent, and cry out for deliverance. </div>
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Woody Crosthwaitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13829416056486067447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7373445372273283788.post-43884368107803201192015-12-19T10:57:00.001-05:002015-12-19T10:57:35.450-05:00Merry Christmas means that God ALWAYS keeps His promises!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8DNzKs0LdfBvtNo8rJs3LFJZMFTQVZ3ApxjoVGXssJIrmTVlXJUY8P5WGCwEY-kOXAkHShX38TPacAtF5IBwqJiclPfT5obWOTVTFHrt3DSTVSkI8xwFTWs1KkSY0ptwfDgK8hrplDYtF/s1600/Banner+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8DNzKs0LdfBvtNo8rJs3LFJZMFTQVZ3ApxjoVGXssJIrmTVlXJUY8P5WGCwEY-kOXAkHShX38TPacAtF5IBwqJiclPfT5obWOTVTFHrt3DSTVSkI8xwFTWs1KkSY0ptwfDgK8hrplDYtF/s320/Banner+11.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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Dear Friends and Family,<o:p></o:p></div>
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I think that I started using this basic “Merry Christmas”
message around 1990. I bring it to you again because I am more convinced of the
premise behind this letter than ever before! Here’s that premise – if God
promised to send His Son to be our Savior and He kept that promise; then His
promise to return is sure. <o:p></o:p></div>
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If the
birth of Jesus was orchestrated by God according to the fullness of time and
there were signs that indicated that time (which few saw and recognized); and,
if all of the major events of Jesus life, death, burial, and resurrection were
also ordained and “signs” were given to reveal those times…then Jesus’ Second
Coming will not be a random event that goes without events that provide insight
into the time (not a day or hour!) of Jesus’ return and the end of all things.
If we celebrate Jesus’ birth at “Christmas” and He was born at the appointed
time will not His coming also be at an appointed time?<o:p></o:p></div>
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This is so
vitally important and I share this message at Christmas because it seems that
everything Jesus talked about in Matthew chapters twenty – four and twenty –
five concerning His Second Coming, (which was given as the answer to the three
part question the disciples asked in Matthew 24:3) is being fulfilled right
before our eyes. So, the question WE must ask is whether or not the “signs”
that Scripture provides us do in fact determine where on history’s time line we
live. If prophecy is being fulfilled, as it was when Jesus was born and if we
are at the end of time it would be of utmost importance to make sure we
understand those “signs.” I don’t think that I have ever listed the prophecies
that have yet to be fulfilled regarding Jesus’ return in my Christmas letter.
For the sake of space, the list begins after the rebirth of Israel as a nation.
That fulfilled prophecy seems to be that which catapults all other prophecies
into fulfillment. The budding of the fig
tree in Matthew 24 was Israel becoming a nation in 1948. Jesus said that the generation
that saw that event would also see “…all things fulfilled.” (BTW, this “list”
is not in chronological order.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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1. The destruction of Damascus. (Have you been paying attention
to the news and Russia’s involvement in Syria? Bone chilling!)</div>
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2. The Gospel to be preached in the whole world; Matthew 24.
(Can anyone deny that there is a Gospel witness even now in every nation?)<o:p></o:p></div>
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3. The Jews will come to believe in and accept Jesus as the
Messiah; (This is seen in all of the prophets in one way or another.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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4. The “tares” will be eliminated at the time of the harvest;
Matthew 13.<o:p></o:p></div>
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5. Nations will come against Israel. Again, there is much to
say in the Prophets.</div>
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But here is the BEST news of all!<o:p></o:p></div>
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6. <b><i><span style="color: #a64d79;">The church being raised up to be in the end as it was in the
beginning (primarily the church revealed in the book of Acts!) Daniel, Isaiah,
Micah and in fact, most of the OT talks much about what God is going to do in
the latter days! This end – time church has often been called “The Evening
Light” church because God will work in and through the church as He did at the
churches’ beginning!</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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There is a sense of urgency in my heart that I cannot
ignore. I suppose my plea to all of those in my life, whether family or
friends, is to make sure that we don’t miss the things all around us to help us
determine where on the time line of history we live. Time is a linear line with
a beginning and an end. Each generation should consider where it is on that
line and live accordingly. Except for some shepherds, a group of “Wise men,”
and a few others, the “signs” that revealed the time of Jesus’ birth were
missed. There are billions now who are missing the “signs” of Jesus’ Second
Coming. No one can know the day or hour, but we can know the time. It is time.
Begin today to make sure your lamp is trimmed and full of oil! Those without
oil will be shut out of the wedding feast. The parable of the wise and foolish
virgins, which was Jesus’ last parable, is the most terrifying of all. Be
ready. And, help everyone you know to get ready!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Share the Gospel with wild and reckless abandon!<o:p></o:p></div>
Woody Crosthwaitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13829416056486067447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7373445372273283788.post-7215606267709413452015-12-18T17:01:00.000-05:002015-12-18T17:03:42.492-05:00Merry Christmas? A Zombie Jesus? Really? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hmmm....</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I HAVE to be over thinking all of this. I am, aren't I? But, on the other hand, maybe not...over thinking all of this that is...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let me start with a verse from the Bible that will help address the questions I posed in the title of this post - (It's from John 1:14)</span><br />
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><i>"And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld
His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and
truth" (NKJV).</i></b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm sure you know this, but this verse from the Gospel of John is talking about Jesus, the Christ; God in the flesh who once walked on the earth with a human body but now lives in Spirit through His body, the church, just as surely as He did when He walked in a physical, temporal body! And, I must add that the biblical Jesus who DOES, <u style="font-weight: bold;">IN FAC</u><u style="font-weight: bold;">T</u> live in His body, the church, through His Spirit lives in and with the SAME glory He had when the disciples gazed upon Him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Beholding His glory...seriously, think about it. <b><span style="color: #f1c232;">BEHOLDING HIS GLORY!</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Why, in America, would there be two ridiculous, outrageous, and even dangerous ends of a spectrum that have the issue of the glory of Jesus Christ at their root? Track with me for a minute -</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On one end of a "spectrum" society rages against the phrase<i> Merry Christmas</i> because it points to Jesus Christ. Now we can't have that, can we? Whether or not Jesus was or wasn't born on December 25 is not the issue. The issue is that it's pointless to ignore the fact that Christmas IS about Jesus. Just saying "Happy Holidays" does absolutely nothing to erase the point of Christmas being about the first advent of God in flesh coming to abide with us!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hey world...rage all you want, seriously, it's STILL all about Jesus! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Like it or not, (and this is why I don't have my comments section available), it is, without question the churches' fault that this controversy has arisen over the last few decades. Intentionally, or, unintentionally, we have conspired to cloak the biblical Jesus by ignoring His Word and rejecting His Spirit. It is really just that simple.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>IF </b>we sought out the biblical Jesus and walked in His Spirit and thereby beheld HIS glory, then, without question the world would also SEE HIS GLORY! And let me tell you, when one sees HIS glory, well, there just ain't no question about who the season is about!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And now for the other end of the spectrum...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Have you seen this? <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/08/us/zombie-nativity-scene-cincinnati.html?_r=0" target="_blank">Zombie Jesus!</a> (Clickable link!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Free speech? Are you kidding me? Is this not frightening if not absolutely terrifying? This goes WAY beyond God's prohibition of making graven images. This is taking the very crux of history and the reality of the "Lamb that takes away the sin of the world" and associating Him with something dark, sinister, and evil. Honestly, I would be shaking in my boots to even think of making a zombie jesus, much less actually doing it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Are you telling me that such a project could so easily be undertaken and displayed in front of thousands of people if Jesus' glory was clearly and unmistakably displayed in the church instead?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This is beyond tragic...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here's the thing...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is coming a day, when God's glory, IN JESUS, is going to be revealed in ways that many, who <i>claim</i> to be Christians, will not even be able to believe. EVERY eye is going to see and EVERY tongue is going to confess that HE IS LORD. For those who want to pretend that Christmas is just a holiday and has no connection to Emmanuel, God With Us; and, for those who would dare associate Jesus with evil, their confession will be too little too late...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">BUT...how much responsibility will be placed on US if we cloaked Jesus' glory by ignoring God's Word and rejecting His Spirit?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I don't even want to consider the implications.</span></div>
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Woody Crosthwaitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13829416056486067447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7373445372273283788.post-39426182615900212032015-12-07T18:42:00.000-05:002015-12-07T18:42:33.282-05:00No Holding Back! A Tribute to Billy T. Ball<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nRHKm5hNI4GFIHAAuNxxd97gN8Z6ep6twyqUyXp9mA2LqNhPv3tJ6Lr5l3qpqBkNUygMjE1Xw6MWc7ZTTMkA9NRq0HSd9jKlhh279kzG5hKtfd7UrHtJcELERkgciqIz3UgCCAnryDi0/s1600/Billy+T+Ball.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6nRHKm5hNI4GFIHAAuNxxd97gN8Z6ep6twyqUyXp9mA2LqNhPv3tJ6Lr5l3qpqBkNUygMjE1Xw6MWc7ZTTMkA9NRq0HSd9jKlhh279kzG5hKtfd7UrHtJcELERkgciqIz3UgCCAnryDi0/s200/Billy+T+Ball.jpg" width="163" /></a></div>
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<i>“As for me, this is My covenant with them,” says the Lord.
“My Spirit, who is on you, will not depart from you, and my words that I have
put in your mouth will always be on your lips, on the lips of your children and
on the lips of their descendants—from this time on and forever,” says the Lord
(Isaiah 59:21 NIV).</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">The backstory -</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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It really started on a Saturday night. I don't know WHICH Saturday night but I
do know I was 15. The church our family attended was in deep spiritual trouble.
Our once thriving youth group had dwindled to just 4 or 5 students, 2 of which
were my brother and I. We lived out in the country, maybe 10 or 12 miles from
Middletown, Ohio. (One would think that after living there for years, at some
point, someone would have<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>clocked</i> the
actual mileage...)</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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My sisters attended the Grand Ave. Church of God in Middletown. They encouraged
me to begin attending the youth service held on Saturday nights. The church had
a growing bus ministry and a dear lady, Connie Centers, drove a few miles out
of her way to pick me up for the Saturday night youth service. (JB Walters was
the youth leader. JB has gone home to be with the Lord but as I've written in the
past, in a very short period of<i> </i>time I was<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>hooked</i>! on Saturday nights
because of the ministry of JB and Nina Walters!) </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Another couple, Rod and Juanita Montgomery, had a route in Preble County on
Sunday mornings. I started attending the church on Sunday mornings also. When I
turned 16 and got my driver's license, I began attending regularly. Billy T.
Ball was not only my pastor, but was a preacher that spoke a<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Thus Saith the Lord</i> message
with a power and authority that I had never heard OR experienced before and I
grew up in the church.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
How could I or anyone possibly recount the impact of his messages, his life,
and love for Jesus and His church. How could those who had Bro. Ball as a
pastor recall the years of Sunday mornings and evenings, the Thursday night
prayer meetings, and the Tuesday morning Bible studies...who could forget?</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
Bro. Ball laid my theological foundation. He also helped me lay the bricks that
became the doctrinal building that sits on that foundation and, on which my
life and ministry are now based. As I said, I have grown up in the church and
always believed in the<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>basics</i>.
(No need to list them here.) It was under Bro. Ball's ministry, however, that
the Gospel opened up to a whole new level. There were things connected to those
basic doctrines that could take one higher, deeper. longer, and wider than one
could have imagined at the start. One would have to listen though...one had to
listen intently, purposefully, passionately, and with single - mindedness to
God through His Word, and His Spirit. There were no shortcuts, or express
lanes to drive in to understand<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><b><i style="font-weight: bold;">His - Story<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i></b>(history).</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
I do not remember a time when the Word came without God's anointing. Bro. Ball
walked in the Spirit and the Spirit worked through him in ways I had not seen
and have rarely seen since. Bro. Ball, not only preached God's Word with power,
but left us (those who were under his ministry) with a ravenous hunger for that
Word. He helped us develop a thirst to know God and to speak about Him with
authority. We developed a soul burden for the lost. Race, color, creed,
ethnicity, or language - across the street, across town, or across the globe -
it didn't matter. Winning the world was not only THE cause for which one's
energies should be directed, but a cause that would end in a revival
unparalleled in history. That revival would lead to the coming of Jesus.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
Volumes could be written about anyone who has had a great and positive
influence on others. Time nor space would allow the re-telling of a life who
changed others' lives. This is a blog. I have a natural propensity to be wordy.
I'll close with a Scripture that embodies what Bro. Ball imparted to me. I
shared Isaiah 59:21 at the top of this post. I suppose if 100 people tried to
summarize what impact Bro. Ball had on their lives, there would be 100
different ways that a tribute could be written. These words from Isaiah, to me,
provide us with the promise that God's Word will always be on the lips of a new
generation because of the faithfulness of the last generation. Being filled
with and walking in God's Spirit and proclaiming HIS Word is THE most important
gift anyone could give to others. Bro. Ball gave us this gift
unreservedly. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br />
Part of the "title" for this post is "No Holding Back!" I
too believe that a global revival is SOON coming. This revival will be the
result of God's work in His last days church that will not only equal the work
He did when the church was born but surpass it. This revival will lead to the
Second Coming of Jesus and the end of all things. I can no longer be silent and
I cannot hold back what I believe to be absolute truth. Billy T. Ball's legacy
for me, was a message of extreme hope! A hope generated by the Gospel of Jesus
Christ. The coming of God, in flesh, into this world has changed everything.
His birth, death, resurrection, and soon coming is the Good News that the whole
world needs. The Church, armed in God's Spirit and with His Word can, and will,
storm the gates of hell and take back those who have been trapped by satan's
lies in unprecedented numbers. The Kingdom that Jesus brought to this world
will be presented back to God when He comes. And that, will be the end of all
things.</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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I do not want to miss out on the work of God in these last days. I do not want
to hear the cry, "The Bridegroom comes," only to be shut out of the
wedding feast because my lamp has run out of oil. When it is all said and done,
I want to hear God say to me, what He has already said to Bro. Ball; "Well
done good and faithful servant..."</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Woody Crosthwaitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13829416056486067447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7373445372273283788.post-83584724204894464792015-11-30T17:21:00.000-05:002015-12-23T15:42:34.369-05:00What? Jesus prayed for me?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifstgUP6AzRMFYeQnsWSqG8Y14UpY5Ot3REwrLCVz6eqRIJX2nFjMk9AK4SXI398NocXr5rPWZfVwyc1gmpa5fUGN8CvxXnu9Qy6jJDOKQFfzdBVlKc6HthAIkyvrZovU30GV7G8v7z2Yy/s1600/Banner+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifstgUP6AzRMFYeQnsWSqG8Y14UpY5Ot3REwrLCVz6eqRIJX2nFjMk9AK4SXI398NocXr5rPWZfVwyc1gmpa5fUGN8CvxXnu9Qy6jJDOKQFfzdBVlKc6HthAIkyvrZovU30GV7G8v7z2Yy/s320/Banner+9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Jesus prayed for me!</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: yellow; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b>And He is STILL praying for me!</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><b>I can't even
unpack these - </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>“I do not pray
for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word..."
(John 17:20)<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"Who is
he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is
even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us" (Romans
8:35).<o:p></o:p></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>"Therefore
He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him,
since He always lives to make intercession for them" (Hebrews 7:25). </i><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Gayle and I
were having our devotional time a few hours ago and in the middle of our
discussion on prayer itself, the above three verses literally bolted into my
mind like lightning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Jesus prayed
for me...did you hear that? <b><u><span style="color: cyan;">Jesus prayed for ME!</span></u></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><u><span style="color: cyan;"><br /></span></u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All I can say is, why wouldn't I do all I could to listen, learn, obey, and serve Him with all my heart?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Did you REALLY read the first verse, from John 17:20? Do you know the context of verse 20? Jesus prayed for me right before He was murdered...think about it!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The crazy thing is, He is STILL praying for me! Ever </span><span style="font-size: 13.3333px;">interceding</span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Don't you see? I HAVE to live my life for Him!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>What will YOU do? You know He was praying for YOU TOO, right?</b></span></div>
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Woody Crosthwaitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13829416056486067447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7373445372273283788.post-30195756592391327992015-11-26T10:54:00.000-05:002015-12-23T15:45:58.863-05:00Praying and believing for the future!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lYfqWSzquchxUCMXNKTmeSiHdaraw5CLBcINPcnlhIbmVgooK1S90BYUaPurmA4XeU1MQ6MSM-rUCRTyrWGmUVdiu33iofxUUxmbAKzpsVkG8UB_253vo2JxgXk2otF1Kk4W2z-tTFWs/s1600/Banner+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lYfqWSzquchxUCMXNKTmeSiHdaraw5CLBcINPcnlhIbmVgooK1S90BYUaPurmA4XeU1MQ6MSM-rUCRTyrWGmUVdiu33iofxUUxmbAKzpsVkG8UB_253vo2JxgXk2otF1Kk4W2z-tTFWs/s320/Banner+10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>"...(as it is written, “I have made you a father of
many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to
the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;"</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is from Romans 4:17 (NKJV). When I woke up this morning
(at about 6:15 AM), this Scripture was on my heart and IN my spirit! An unusual
verse perhaps to think of when writing a Thanksgiving post. But...check this
out...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I opened the "new post" window, pasted the logo I
wanted to use for this blog and copied the verse above from Biblegateway. com
onto my new blog window. But then I stopped because Gayle and I were ready to
have our morning devotional time. We are using Mark Batterson's Draw the Circle
devotional book and we're in our third time through. Today, Gayle read Day 25.
The title for this chapter is, "A Prophetic Voice." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I wish I could just copy and paste today's devo right here
into my blog because every word Batterson wrote for day 25 had already been
placed in and on MY heart when I first woke up. Let me share one paragraph
under the heading, "Personal Prophecies."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">"Prayer
isn't just the way we cultivate our own potential; prayer is the way we recognize potential in others.
Like Paul, who saw gifts in Timothy that Timothy couldn't see in himself, we,
through prayer, are enabled to see with prophetic eyes. We are given
supernatural insight. Then we are prepared to speak with prophetic boldness
into the lives God has positioned in our path" </i>(140).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Today is Thanksgiving Day, 2015. Gayle and I praise and
thank God daily for His abundant supply. I, as anyone talking about this
"holiday" could, thank God for the rest of our lives for all He is
and for all He's provided. I thank Him for life eternal made possible through
Jesus. I am thankful for Gayle, my family and friends, and for His sustaining
daily strength in spite of critical health issues.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But today, I am also thankful for the things God is going to provide us in the near future! I said in my last blog that I would share some things about four things Gayle and I are praying about AND FOR! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. We thank God that He is going to miraculously save the girls, the manager(s), and the owners of New York New York which is a local strip club. We are praying for each person to have other vocational opportunities as well. With everyone involved out of "the business," we are praying that God would provide the building for a ministry center that could be remodeled and sanctified for His work.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. We thank the Lord for the work He's doing at a local high school. And trust me, He IS working. But our praise takes us to the work He's about to do there. Revival is coming. We're sure of it. And many, many lives (students, faculty and staff) are going to be transformed by the grace of God. Jesus is about to show up, AND show off! (Thanks for that too, Mark Batterson!) (I wish I could share the story of just ONE young man, a ninth grader who has the faith of someone who has lived for Christ MUCH longer. He's amazing! Perhaps soon, he will share his story here.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. Gayle and I praise God for the open doors He is going to provide to have my books edited professionally and published. I am convinced that the Lord gave the ideas and themes to me and I believe that He is going to use them to reach a lot of folks with the Gospel.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And, 4., Because of the love and support of some dear friends whom I love with all my heart, Windstorm is back on the Web. I had a dream that took shape in 1985. That dream has yet to be fulfilled but that dream, with many parts, is about to come to pass.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We believe. And, we give thanks!</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Woody Crosthwaitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13829416056486067447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7373445372273283788.post-46077805746058834042015-11-14T18:37:00.000-05:002015-11-14T18:37:40.474-05:00Blogging again...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJY9urhN1DmQCc94WsVj4LlbduG7U2pAeWTFHVuPwA0XJ00Dst11QBrqLnuCawrccWbiP_yvGJF-BUs0ck1ScyJq0vsCQlaJwlIp_o6EId9va6b8m7c6CkQ-QJE8R7smOsLqqFgwSTHrOW/s1600/Banner+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="69" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJY9urhN1DmQCc94WsVj4LlbduG7U2pAeWTFHVuPwA0XJ00Dst11QBrqLnuCawrccWbiP_yvGJF-BUs0ck1ScyJq0vsCQlaJwlIp_o6EId9va6b8m7c6CkQ-QJE8R7smOsLqqFgwSTHrOW/s320/Banner+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's hard to believe that it's been nearly nine months since
my last post. I write again, today, in the shadow of the terrorist attacks in
Paris, France. I am not even sure how to re-introduce things for which I am
passionate. To cover everything in this post would take much longer to write
than there is time, and, it would take much more time to read than you can
spare. I, for the sake of time, will highlight those things for which Gayle and
I have been praying earnestly. Longer "stories" about these
"dreams" will be forthcoming. An old familiar bullet list will have
to point the way today...<o:p></o:p></div>
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<ul>
<li>Where, really, would one begin to comment on or
"analyze" the events in Paris over the last twenty-four hours?
Hundreds of hours of news coverage have now accumulated. I have watched a
significant amount of that coverage. Just a short while ago I heard the end of
an interview with an "authority" in understanding the radicalization
of Muslims. He made this comment, (which is somewhat of a paraphrase): </li>
</ul>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<b><i>What we need (he said) is to determine what causes persons
to turn to the dark side. That way, it would be easier to identify potential
terrorist threats.</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Wow, could we ever take off and chase a whole herd of
rabbits with that one...(are a bunch of rabbits a herd?)<o:p></o:p></div>
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This particular thread of the ongoing debate over the
"radicalization" of Muslims who actively engage in terrorism assumes,
as does all of Western society that human beings are independent of any
spiritual influence. So, given that people can simply choose to do good or evil
society must safeguard itself against the influences that would cause people to
choose to do evil.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But a fundamental biblical truth trumps the ideals and
philosophies of any culture or society. While many different texts could be
considered, here is one that lays the context for evil in the world. (From 1
John 5:19 ESV)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>"We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies
in the power of the evil one."</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Yes, people can do good things. But, that doesn't change the
fact that until one is born again and comes under the influence of the Holy
Spirit, "radicalization" lurks in the darkness. So, to all the
pundits who want to try to squelch the radicalization of people who become
terrorists, there is only ONE hope...<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">PERIOD!</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Next time out - <o:p></o:p></div>
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<ul>
<li>A strip club turned ministry center</li>
<li>Revival at a local high school</li>
<li>Book projects</li>
<li>Windstorm on the Web</li>
</ul>
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Woody Crosthwaitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13829416056486067447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7373445372273283788.post-35191207411240061202015-02-22T20:12:00.000-05:002015-02-22T20:12:55.715-05:00The NCC at NYNY! (Dreamin' BIG!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi43E77kJumoIZY250AP5P3Lt84_Ix1b4P-Zi5v-kCpUqdoRe5TqfAZha5FDtsjxDhMpZEg6X1icG4BI96BrljgSyFnli8KF4SAt8xJSdTMi90jcHSilIoP-hwYW9fTJNQ8rGnpJZBG7Qh/s1600/Banner+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: orange;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi43E77kJumoIZY250AP5P3Lt84_Ix1b4P-Zi5v-kCpUqdoRe5TqfAZha5FDtsjxDhMpZEg6X1icG4BI96BrljgSyFnli8KF4SAt8xJSdTMi90jcHSilIoP-hwYW9fTJNQ8rGnpJZBG7Qh/s1600/Banner+12.jpg" height="69" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<div>
<span style="color: orange;">I cannot count the times I've written about hopes and dreams I have that I feel have been given to me by the Lord. I write today to share yet again one of those "dreams."</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: orange;">I felt called to ministry a long time ago. I cannot point to a specific time, place, or associate that calling with an event, but I definitely know that God has called me into ministry. I also know that "ministry" encompasses that to which Jesus calls ALL believers and expressed, explained, and defined in Matthew's and Mark's <i style="font-weight: bold;">Great Commission</i>. Specifically though, for me, my "call" has to do with preaching and teaching Scripture in settings that would win unbeliever's to Christ and to also disciple them as Jesus prescribed. </span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: orange;">Sometime between 1989 and 1992 I believe God performed a miracle for me that sealed my belief that God had me in the area in which I live to do His work, in His will, and in His way. That work would result in many lives being saved and growing towards maturity as taught in Scripture. This miracle involved a dead tree coming back to life. I won't tell the whole story here but I have never stopped believing that what I saw and felt was God's affirmation that I was right where He wanted me and that He was going to raise up His church as a witness to Him just as He had resurrected my little dead tree.</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: orange;">You, my reader, may not be able to fully understand the brokenness I felt when, instead of the church growing, it began to decline. Shattered is the only adjective I can use to describe how I felt when a half dozen or so folks and I had to make the decision to close the church in March, 1993. It was devastating. Not only did the church <i>not </i>grow, but closed. </span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: orange;">I have carried the sorrow and guilt of that for twenty - two years. But here's the thing - when one is given a miracle and one <i style="font-weight: bold;">sees</i> the miracle, it's hard not to hide that in the heart and expect that what was pronounced by the miracle would someday come to pass.</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: orange;">Since I am writing this post on February 22, 2015, it is less than a week until March 1st - the month that the church closed so long ago. I have to tell you that twenty - two years is a long time to hold on to and hold out <i>for</i> a dream. As I write, there are no visible signs that would cause me to hope for the miracle that I believe God gave me more than two decades ago. But here I am. Hoping, Dreaming. And, believing. </span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: orange;">Along with the dream of the church that I feel the Lord told me He would raise up comes the location for the church that in and of itself would mean that people would come to know the grace, mercy, peace, and love of Jesus.</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: orange;">The name and mission of the church that closed was The North County Church. The mission? To win the whole of the northern part of our county. There is currently, all across America, a concerted effort to combat human trafficking. The prostitution industry in America and here locally is linked to strip clubs and shops that sell sex related merchandise. It is by now common knowledge that pornography has ripped the very heart and soul out of the men in America which includes the men of the church. </span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: orange;">So, with the memory of a miracle; with the name and mission of the church well defined; and with the passion to see lives unchained from sexual sin (and every other "sin"), the only thing left is a location in which the ministry could be housed.</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: orange;">Here's where the dream gets crazy. Today, I renewed my hope and prayer that the Lord would provide the building in which New York New York, a local strip club currently does business. I pray that the owners, managers, workers, and patrons come to the place where they can trust Christ with all their hearts; follow Him wherever He leads, and share His love with their world. I pray that the resources would be provided to buy the building; remodel and equip it to house a church and ministry center that would reach the whole world. After dreaming the dream for over twenty years...I think I can keep dreaming a while longer. In fact, I <i>will keep dreaming</i>!</span><br />
<span style="color: orange;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: orange;">Yes The NCC in place of NYNY. I'll hold out for that!</span></div>
Woody Crosthwaitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13829416056486067447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7373445372273283788.post-35139074425482015692015-01-01T14:52:00.000-05:002015-01-01T14:52:18.799-05:00Now, about that list...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvLkjyjbUmMkxSjD5n4N3X90Y22Kn3qdivPwuSl9iK8dOnOVOXHu5cu0fuDgURXV3rXFvvdqzTfQbihQY9OOG1w3GHtksmfwOg8lGspUsik2RV95X5RvmoxlvcPqaxYJtPHBc5HVgtDQJ/s1600/Banner+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvLkjyjbUmMkxSjD5n4N3X90Y22Kn3qdivPwuSl9iK8dOnOVOXHu5cu0fuDgURXV3rXFvvdqzTfQbihQY9OOG1w3GHtksmfwOg8lGspUsik2RV95X5RvmoxlvcPqaxYJtPHBc5HVgtDQJ/s1600/Banner+9.jpg" height="69" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I left the ministry a few years ago. I will talk about the <i>why </i>in another post, but at the time I decided I'd just call it quits, I (obviously) thought I would never be back. Keep in mind, I didn't say I left the church. I continued to sing, preach, and teach when given the opportunity but I had faced such discouragement and I felt so isolated that I wanted nothing to do with <i>professional</i> ministry again. A few years later, after a very long time seeking and searching for a restored vision, the Lord answered my prayer. I had what <i style="font-weight: bold;">I </i>thought was a word directly from Him. A "word" for the church I felt sure He would someday allow me to be part of and dare I say the church I was certain I would pastor. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Mission statements are all the rage aren't they? Experts do not agree on whether or not an organization even needs a mission statement but a lot of time is spent writing them. I seemed to have a certain clarity for a mission statement that would easily and concisely communicate elements of and for a new church. This new ministry outreach would be a - </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">P.E.P. Rally</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">P.E.P. is an acronym for <b>P</b>raise, <b>E</b>quip, and <b>P</b>repare.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I want to share some things about each of the elements in this acrostic mission statement but will start with the last and work my way to the first. So, let's talk about <i style="font-weight: bold;">Prepare</i>.</span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Let's talk about a church that would, as part of it's very foundation, prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus. It's an important topic considering the fact that Jesus talked about His coming a great deal. Check out this portion of Matthew chapter 16:1-4;</span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked
that He would show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said to them, “When it is
evening you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red’; and in the
morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’
Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern
the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign,
and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.” And He
left them and departed.</span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We must obviously guard our propensity to eisegete Scripture. I have often heard this set of verses quoted to support trying to estimate the time in which Jesus' would return and time would cease. I think there may be a link, albeit weak, that would allow us, with some degree of assurance, to discern "...the signs of the times..." in connection with His coming. However, having said that, and if one would be true to the text <i style="font-weight: bold;">and </i>context, I don't think these verses speak directly to or explicitly of trying to determine when Jesus will come.</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So then, what's the point and why am I suggesting that this part of Matthew's Gospel <i>could </i>provide an accurate and biblical way to determine whether or not we were close to the day of Jesus' return?</span></span></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm glad you asked...I'll explain it in the next post. Stay tuned!</span></span></div>
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Woody Crosthwaitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13829416056486067447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7373445372273283788.post-57013083797143094582014-12-31T22:57:00.000-05:002014-12-31T23:01:10.760-05:002015. Bring it on...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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2015. At the time of this writing, a new year is exactly six
hours away. At this same time <i>last “new
year,”</i> if I had decided to <i>blog </i>the
event, would not have revealed anything different than what I am about to “blog”
tonight, December 31, 2014. What I would have written would be that which has
erupted from my heart every year for well over a decade. The elusive dreams for
a future that seems increasingly out of reach. <o:p></o:p></div>
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A few days ago, I posed a question on Facebook. “If hope is
all one has, is hope enough?” I think that it is – hope is enough to keep
dreaming. In spite of having no visible signs that the dreams in my heat are
viable and worthy of hope, hope hangs on. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve talked about them – the dreams – a lot in the past. In
fact, in one way or another, those dreams and the disappointment(s) I’ve felt
as a result of not seeing them fulfilled has dominated my writing. Tonight,
just hours away from a new year, I want to actually share some of the dreams
for which I hope.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’ve always wanted to write. (You may be thinking that,
after reading my blogs over the years, I should hope for something a little
more attainable, tongue – in – cheek!) To date, I have completed two projects.
One was self – published a few years ago, with the help of a friend. The second
is a training guide for a t – shirt project I feel the Lord gave me a long time
ago. It needs to be professionally edited. Both, I hope one day, will be
published by a major company.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I am currently working on a novel called <i>Salvation in the City</i>. I not only would
like this project to be professionally edited and published but someday turned
into a screen play and movie. <o:p></o:p></div>
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That’s all, right? No, a 1000 times no! I also believe that
when I was in first grade, a vision of sharing the gospel all over the world
came to me. Part of the fire in my heart is fueled by a desire to pastor a
church. God was so gracious to me and allowed me to pastor three churches. I
could write volumes on the mistakes I made but the point is, for this post,
that I am convinced that God will one day give me one more chance to lead a
group of people that believe they (we) can win the world. <o:p></o:p></div>
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There are so many things I could talk about that I hope a
new church would embrace from the Scriptures but there are also things that I
hope the church could discard that actually serve to cloak the Gospel. (<i>That </i>part of the “list” will have to be
saved for another post!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Age and its accompanying health concerns seem to be
increasingly large barriers to seeing my dreams come to pass, but I defer to my
opening lines…<o:p></o:p></div>
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I continue to hope…and for now at least, hope is enough!<o:p></o:p></div>
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2015. Bring it on…<o:p></o:p></div>
Woody Crosthwaitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13829416056486067447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7373445372273283788.post-20344489109253506942014-08-22T13:41:00.000-04:002014-08-22T13:41:06.810-04:00RAW and BRUTALLY HONEST...thoughts on depression, p2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LhqzyrmRNcfrPxKruLIODBXmFBozWgXOhQT8JIL9ih-iHFvoyxrEkBCqBd-1W170idLl8G2SbnmxMFoDwk8ktWvWExoEcymd65da_qnSU-jzJusFbalXfxiWYJqLxl9wTLOQqYPsEHhN/s1600/Banner+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_LhqzyrmRNcfrPxKruLIODBXmFBozWgXOhQT8JIL9ih-iHFvoyxrEkBCqBd-1W170idLl8G2SbnmxMFoDwk8ktWvWExoEcymd65da_qnSU-jzJusFbalXfxiWYJqLxl9wTLOQqYPsEHhN/s1600/Banner+11.jpg" height="69" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: right; text-indent: 17px;">
<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">"Choose for yourselves <i>this </i>day...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">...whom you will serve...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">...As for me and my house...</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">...we will serve the Lord.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #6fa8dc; font-size: large;">Joshua 24:15 NKJV </span><br />
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Of late, how many times has "choice" been part of
conversations about most any topic one would want to discuss in American
culture? We have "rights," right? (Yes, I meant to use the word
twice...for emphasis...) We must exercise our basic right to choose, right? We
can choose where to eat, what to eat (except in New York where you can't buy a
large soda...oh, I forgot, folks kicked that to the curb because it did away
with one's ability to choose.) We can choose our heath care...<b><i>not</i></b>...we
can choose our religion and we can choose whether or not to murder a baby...so
just leave me alone because I have the right to choose!<o:p></o:p></div>
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There IS one choice that we have for sure and the choice we
make determines where we'll spend eternity. I think that trumps every other
choice. A lot of folks believe in "free will" but I choose not to
open that can of worms. All I’ll say about it is this, if you KNOW the facts
about God’s will, revealed only in His Word and through His Spirit, does it
make any sense to make choices without figuring out what His will is?<o:p></o:p></div>
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The point of my last post, (Thoughts on depression; part 1)
was that God’s Word is that which helped me make choices that enabled me to function
(survive) and even thrive in the very middle of depression. Had God not been
faithful to teach me for the years, before the times of depression came, I can’t
say what condition I would be in today. Again, though, He <b><i><u>WAS </u></i></b>faithful! His
faithfulness allowed me to make the decision to follow Him and obey all that He
had asked of me even though the days and weeks were often overcast with storm
clouds. And btw, not only WAS He faithful, He IS faithful!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I will share briefly three issues that have, in part, been
issues that have caused my depression. I have never talked about these in depth
in any blog. Talking about them privately or in a very small group is one
thing, but to be so brutally honest and gut wrenching raw is quite another. I
only share them now, even at the risk of misunderstanding, because maybe
someone else will be encouraged. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Crushing defeat –<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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I accepted the call to pastor my second church with an absolute
assurance that I was in God’s perfect will. I think I could safely include most
of those who made “the call” in those who also believed we were in God’s will.
The weeks and months following my move seemed to confirm out choices. The
church grew and we were able to expand our ministry outreach. We made plans to
move from the churches’ original location for reasons that seemed to be right.
Within a few months after our move, things began to change. After 3 years and
10 months the church closed.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I was devastated. On the advice of “friends” we gave up. The
assets were liquidated and our state charter was canceled. I don’t suppose
anyone who has not been a pastor and had a church which once thrived to
collapse and close could understand the heartache and sense of defeat. I felt
betrayed, misunderstood, and isolated. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Honestly, I have never fully recovered. I often feel embarrassed,
ashamed, and guilty. Oh, I know, I’ve heard all of the responses one could hear
and I believe them. But, in spite of my sense of utter failure, I <i>choose</i> to press on and proclaim that
which I know to be true – God’s Word.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Poor Health - <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Over the years my health has declined. So much so, that
unless the Lord would heal me (and I DO believe in Devine healing, I will never
be able to pastor another church. I left my third and last church in 1995. I
have prayed earnestly for one more chance to do that which I believed God
called me. For 19 years I have prayed for one more chance…and now, at 58, it
seems too late to be called to a church as pastor. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As I said, this is brutally honest and absolutely raw. I don’t
allow comments on my blogs and I’m especially glad particularly for <i>this</i> post. Again, I’ve heard all the
things that are meant to bring encouragement but sometimes folks feel obligated
to say something…I’m not looking for any response. I hope no one feels
obligated to offer sympathy! I just want to share my heart in hopes of helping
others who have broken dreams.<o:p></o:p></div>
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What does one do when hopes and dreams are not only
shattered, but broken into pieces and blown into the winds of time?<o:p></o:p></div>
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A dynamic faith in God and His Word is believed IN and acted
ON regardless of whether great disappointment and illness sometimes sucks the
hope of an abundant life away with fury</div>
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<b>Financial issues –</b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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Wrong career choices, poor health, and failure to plan
effectively by looking somewhat further ahead can leave one in dire financial
straits. When God’s will is sought in earnest about choices that affect not
just vocation but ministry and one <i>feels</i>
like they are without question, <b><i>in </i></b>God’s will, to have those choices
backfire, one can feel like they’re in the middle of a crash and burn situation.
When there is no end in sight to financial crises that threaten to suck the
very joy of living out of our heart, what does one do? What <b><i>can</i></b>
one do?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Because I have learned what the Bible says about what God
requires in the stewardship of one’s finances, we choose to be faithful in
tithing and giving of finances in accordance to Scripture. It doesn’t matter if
God never sees fit to “bless us” in a way that I pray for…His Word directs us
in our giving. Is there discouragement? Yes. I can testify that our “needs” seem
to always be met. Are there still days when the pressure to find a way to do
other things so that peace of mind would come in financial issues? Yes, without
question.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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As I said, because I made a choice a long time ago to
believe in, trust, and obey the Bible, I press on believing that miracles do
exist and that perhaps I will see one of them.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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It’s all about choice. Regardless of what we feel, where we
find ourselves or the troublesome storm that lies in the horizon we can end
with where I started – <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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In God’s Word. NONE of His promises has ever failed!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Are you discouraged? So much so that you’re also depressed?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Learn God’s Word, so that a choice can be made. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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He wants to use you even in the midst of what seems like
darkness!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I made it through some tough times. I think I’m on the other
side of it.</div>
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The temptation to be hopeless has been set aside by my faith and
trust in a faithful, loving, gracious, and merciful God! That IS hope!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Don't despair! </div>
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Woody Crosthwaitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13829416056486067447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7373445372273283788.post-15162427478592135962014-08-16T17:09:00.002-04:002014-08-16T17:09:43.665-04:00Depression; A Condition. Hope; THE Way out! Thoughts on Robin Williams -<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
A few days ago, the news broke the story about Robin Williams committing suicide. It was reported that he had suffered with severe depression. Medical and non - medical analysts have attributed several things they feel may have caused or contributed to his suicide. While I used him in this post's <i>headline</i>, I have no intention of making additional comments about him personally. I do want to share some things about another topic that arose as a result of Williams' death; that is, suicide in general. One website claims that nearly 30K people take their own lives each year. Some have suggested that suicide should have more attention in the media and perhaps persons who are extremely depressed would be encouraged to seek help.<br />
<br />
Let me share just a piece of <i>my</i> story.<br />
<br />
Depression is real. I know, I've struggled with depression for a long time. I've used the word "struggled." I suppose there are several synonyms I could have used. But I <i>have struggled.</i><br />
<br />
I seldom talk about it. There are a lot of reasons why I don't. This blog post is a risky entry. I fear what people will think and say when they find out that I have been severely depressed in the past.<br />
<br />
In fact, this is the first time in several years that I have shared the link to my blog. Even though I write in a public forum, I know that many will misunderstand and I may be tempted to assume a defensive posture knowing full well that I may not be able to provide explanation for what I say. Sometimes I write and don't understand it myself...but...I risk my heart in hopes of sharing something that would help someone else. If you do take the time to read other posts, you may not understand my heart. I hope you do!<br />
<br />
Questions often accompany transparency especially regarding why a Christian (and one involved in ministry) would be depressed. I have been told more times than I can remember that hidden and unconfessed sin is the only reason any Christian would be depressed, As one may imagine, those kinds of explanations (under the disguise of advice and counsel) only serve to send the heart into yet another downward spiral. I have spent hours, as a result, with a heavy heart, begging God to forgive me for something...anything...but particularly for things (yes, "things" means sin) that I committed years ago. When my friends shared with me "in love" that I was oppressed and DE-pressed because of sin, I felt chained to my past. I know, I've heard this: "When the devil reminds you of your past, remind HIM of his future." I believed I was forgiven. But way too often I couldn't <i>feel</i> forgiven.<br />
<br />
Another reason I would rather not discuss the issues is because of another question. "Well, what on earth would you be depressed about?" To my knowledge, I seldom tried to answer that. I didn't know why I was depressed. No reason I would give, when I chose to at least try to answer it, would keep people from scratching their heads. When you're hurting, how can you actually describe something that you yourself cannot see much less help someone else to see? That is an exercise in futility.<br />
<br />
Health, age, unfulfilled dreams...all of these, separate or bunched together and in varying degrees seem to have contributed to my depression.<br />
<br />
So, what was <i style="font-weight: bold;">my </i>way of escape.<br />
<br />
Always, in <b><i><u>every case</u></i></b>, and <b><i><u>every day</u></i></b>, God's word was my source of hope for salvation, healing and deliverance.<br />
<br />
Somewhere on the net, there exists an account of an encounter with God that I had during a time when I was seeking him with all my heart. I won't share it here, but God asked me some questions just as surely as I'm alive right now typing this post. I have had precious few encounters with the Lord where I could claim that "He really did" speak to me. But on this occasion, and in His grace and mercy, He challenged me to seek Him, His Word and His Spirit as did Jeremiah and the Emmaus Road disciples did. He asked me why I had never asked Him to DO for me what He had done to Jeremiah and the two disciples we read about in Luke 24.<br />
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I cried out with as much passion and sincerity as I had within me. He kept His Word! He taught me; opened doors for me to share what He had taught,.and set my ministry on solid foundation for years to come. Then came the depression...<br />
<br />
It was after my supernatural encounter with God, after He began to teach me deep things, that I committed to reading the Bible through the rest of my life. I have kept that commitment. There have been days when I could barely get out of the house. Some days I didn't. I wanted to withdraw from any contact. There have been times when I could not see God working in my life, or feel His presence...<br />
<br />
...except...<br />
<br />
when I had His Word on my lap reading, praying, and learning what it meant to push forward BECAUSE of HIS WORD!<br />
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Each day, regardless of how I felt, I could finish my Bible study time with a very conscious and deliberate action. I would <i style="font-weight: bold;">choose</i> to obey His Word and simply refuse to be defeated.<br />
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I never stopped sharing that there IS hope in the Lord because in my heart I settled this a long time ago - His Word is absolute truth;<b><i><u> a truth I could always depend on. </u></i></b><br />
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That's why I am so passionate and persistent about asking (and sometimes pleading with) people to read, study, and learn God's Word. HE IS FAITHFUL! Then, when trouble comes, especially emotional trouble, you too can just make a choice...it's just that simple. Choose to trust in HIM and His word regardless of whether you feel the world is falling apart or not...make a choice. Believe and obey. Be faithful, because HE IS.<br />
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There IS a way out of depression!<br />
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There is so much more to say...I'll close for now. But listen...again,<br />
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There IS a way out of depression!<br />
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<br />
<br />Woody Crosthwaitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13829416056486067447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7373445372273283788.post-705330776192813692014-05-23T17:27:00.000-04:002014-05-26T11:37:50.165-04:00Dreams...they're good while they last...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It can be tough when reality sets in...</div>
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A few days ago, on May 17, (2014) I pulled the plug on my website, thewindstorm.org. Today is May 23rd. It's taken me a few days to figure out exactly what I'm feeling about a lot of things. As of today, I am still not sure what I feel, but didn't want this blog to lie in "draft" mode forever.<br />
<br />
My tri-annual web hosting fee was due on May 20th. I didn't have the money to renew it. I spent quite a number of days trying to find a way to pay the fee and keep my web site on line. I knew that it was an exercise in futility. After nearly fifteen years, and after coming to terms with the fact that, as far as I know, there was little or no impact made by having the site, it seemed that the wisdom that prevailed was to let it go.<br />
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The whole idea of <i style="font-weight: bold;">Windstorm Ministries </i>came during my first pastoral role. Sometime in 1985 the Lord opened doors for me to hold many different types of meetings in the Midwestern and Southern parts of the country. While sitting in the sanctuary of the church I led, and after praying for a biblical name for the ministry that I felt blessed with I ran across Acts 2:2.<br />
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"Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting" (NLT).<br />
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That was it! I wanted the Lord to use me like a Windstorm - to see people's lives changed in, by, and through the Gospel. Throughout my ministry in Missouri from 1984 - 1988, I believed the Lord's blessing was on that ministry - that the "Windstorm" had just begun..<br />
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I moved back to Ohio in 1988. Nearly ten years passed before another <i>sense</i> of extraordinary ministry came. In 1998 I took the ministry on line. I've recounted the story so many times. I conducted an online Bible study ministry and by 2004 was sending close to 1800 Bible studies to young men all over the world.<br />
<br />
Ten years later, there seems to be no visible evidence of any impact made during those early years. I am taking into account that "visible" could be an operative word. Just because I haven't seen anything in a long, long time that would indicate that I have a viable ministry doesn't mean that maybe...just maybe there have been fruit bearing events. I just don't know.<br />
<br />
I had a minister spread the word once that "my" ministry wasn't viable. Perhaps he was right. It's been months, and now, actually, a few years since I've actually sensed God's work in my life. I DO rejoice however because He HAS taught me over the years and it seems He is still revealing Himself in His Word. Because of that, in spite of the depression and sense of hopelessness that I battle nearly everyday, I <i style="font-weight: bold;">choose</i> to <i style="font-weight: bold;">act </i>on what I believe to be true.<br />
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I realize how much of a <i>pity - party </i>this sounds like. I <i>am </i>involved in ministry. I don't want to minimize the things I do in the church that are done to further the cause of Christ. (My heart's desire IS to further the cause of Christ.) I also realize that trying to explain or describe the source of my discontent is almost impossible. People close to me; those who love me and have every intention of trying to be an encouragement seem to wonder why I struggle with depression and a sense of failure. They point to what <i>they see</i> as successful and fruitful ministry. Again, I don't mean to denigrate or minimize the ministry I've been involved in, it's just that there is, at this point in my life an overwhelming sense of loss and defeat.<br />
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Crushing financial bondage, debilitating physical illness, and a constant struggle with depression has left me numb. I seldom "feel" hopeful about <i>my</i> future. One who reads this post may wonder how it is that I am still involved in ministry. Each day, I choose to act on that which I really do believe to be true. I MUST, at the end of the day, confess that which Habakkuk did:<br />
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If the fig tree never blossoms; if the vines produce no fruit; if the stalls hold no cattle; if the olive tree is barren, and if there is no food in the field...yet I will rejoice in the Lord. When dreams fade away and one is forced by reality to seek a different way, those are hard, hard concepts to process. But because I DO believe and therefore proclaim that the Bible IS true and therefore the God of the Bible is who He says He is perhaps there is still hope that He would once again use me to bear much fruit. While the things I thought would come to pass have not perhaps there are things ahead that will be my deliverance from my sense of pervasive failure. </div>
Woody Crosthwaitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13829416056486067447noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7373445372273283788.post-69323343199569428792014-02-06T08:05:00.000-05:002014-02-06T08:05:30.143-05:00Is the Bible really important?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b>I am asking myself this question today, "Is the Bible really vital </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b>to our understanding of what it means to be a "Christ - follower?"</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="color: #cc0000;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span></div>
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I am fairly certain that if I polled those that claim to be Christians in my "circle" of friends, they would all say with quite the level of enthusiasm, "YES!" Of course a question like that, and the answer that most would provide would also more than likely lead to other questions and perhaps a variety of answers. Some of the answers may even reveal opposing viewpoints.</div>
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You may wonder how this fits in to my "<i>waiting - on - my - dreams - and - visions - to - be - revealed</i>" theme that I started in my last post. Simply, I am looking forward to the day when the American church looks more like the church that has been painted first as a prophetic image, (a forward looking shadowy model, type, or archetype that has been) provided in the Old Testament but revealed in all its beauty in the New Testament. The Church of God revealed in Scripture is a masterpiece. The church revealed in post - modern American culture is a caricature - nearly unrecognizable <i>if </i>one holds it up against what is revealed in Scripture...</div>
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Having said that, I am looking for the day when we <i>see</i> such things as -</div>
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<ul>
<li>a lot of people being born again as opposed to merely <i>assimilating</i> into the life of a local congregation. (Assimilation is nothing more than a buzz word that says to a person, "Come and be part of our programs, give money and time to support various causes, and begin to look and act like we do.") Rarely in today's church do we hear talk of sin, it's root, it's fruit, and it's remedy.</li>
<li>persons connecting with and fleshing out (literally) the commands of Jesus particularly those that are necessary to undertake HIS mission.</li>
<li>a ravenous hunger to read, study, and practically apply the Scriptures. (And, for the church to view the Bible as the very words of God.)</li>
<li>the church, in love and passionate persistence, reeking havoc in satan's domain by winning those trapped in and shredded by false religion to a biblical love for and trust in the Jesus of the Bible!</li>
<li>widespread and physical healing by Divine power.</li>
<li>the spirit of anti - christ overwhelmed by THE Spirit of Christ working in and through the Church of God.</li>
<li>men, especially young men willing to pay any price, go anywhere, do anything, to go on the offensive and storm the gates of hell for the express purpose of taking back prisoners of war imprisoned by the devil's lies. </li>
<li>the church lifting up true praise and worship to God in, by, and through lives lived <i>in praise</i>: the praise which is revealed in Scripture. (This true worship and praise has little and often nothing to do with the foolishness that goes on in most churches in corporate settings.)</li>
</ul>
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These are some of my hopes and dreams...</div>
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Woody Crosthwaitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13829416056486067447noreply@blogger.com0