Showing posts with label Christian Ministry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christian Ministry. Show all posts

Sunday, March 22, 2020

Religion Goes Hi-tech to Deal With Closure of Houses of Worship

Most churches, houses of worship, have been closed during the China Virus pandemic, because of the need for social distancing. Like educational institutions from K-12 and college, the actual physical buildings being closed, churches and synagogues have also started going hi-tech, meaning, online. Lauren Green, in her report on America's News HQ, did an excellent job in explaining what churches and synagogues are doing to compensate for their doors being shut.

It is an excellent solution for the closings, and what can be done for those that can't go to their house of worship. Not just the various religions that are now doing it, but for you to be watching! I've been doing that for the last eight months, to be honest, for the reasons that are hard to explain, but I found it very enjoyable. My church has had "online preaching" for years, and I can see the sermons from the comfort of my home. I guess I can really say, Thanking the Lord for technology!


Here are several RELATED LINKS to youtube channels and links where we can get our spiritual fix:

Monday, March 2, 2020

The PURPOSE of all of your PAIN. Joy beyond Suffering ~ Video by Fortis Media

Have you ever asked, "Lord, what is the purpose of all the things I'm going through?" I'm pretty sure you have, especially if you're a Christian. All of us do. JJ McNown has a message for us, that it is like the wine makers of the past, pouring the wine from vessel to vessel to remove the dregs. No, I know, you probably have no idea what I'm talking about, so I'll let JJ explain it to you here. It will make sense.

Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Give me MORE, Lord! I’m READY ~ Video by Fortis Media

How many of you wish that the Lord would give you more than you presently have?

If you desire to make more money, have a healthier marriage, possess more responsibility, achieve greater feats, or acquire more personal power…

You need to watch this video.

JJ (McNown)
In this video, JJ states that, "Sometimes God allows something that He hates, to accomplish something He loves." Bad things. I mean, REALLY bad things, can happen to people. Why? Please know that when bad things happen, it could be because God is preparing you for what lays ahead for you in your life, which could be really good. Simply said, this is a video, a bit less than 20 minutes, that could change your whole outlook on life. I highly recommend watching it from beginning to end.

No, I didn't put this blog post up, or share the video, just to see more "clicks." Yes, I see this message from JJ to be something that I really could grab on to, even in my more senior years of my life. I mean, really, that was what clicked in my mind when I was watching this presentation. I really did want to stand up and shout, "Give me MORE, Lord! I'm ready!!"

Let me throw in a little story, to make my point. About 10 years ago, I was out at work, and there was a young cat that wondered onto the property that I was providing security for, that seemed friendly, at least to me. I didn't want that poor cat to starve to death, so I put it into my car, and took him home with me when I got off work. I promptly took him to the veterinarian, so he could be checked out, and given necessary shots. Also, as the vet found some problems with flees or mites, gave the little cat a dose of flea treatment on his back.

Well, the cat scratched himself up after that, and it got infected, and he died. And I know it was my fault, for not getting him back to the vet. It all happened so fast, and when the infection got started, he would hide from me. (For all of you that may think I should have done more, it was my first cat, ever.) Anyway, about a week after that tragedy, my neighbor comes by, and asks if I wanted a replacement cat. A nice little cat comes following him, and it looks just like the one that died. I wasn't sure and told my neighbor I'd have to think about it. At work that night, I thought about it, and it was affirmative, I'd adopt the stray. 10 years later, that cat, who I named RC (Replacement Cat), is now laying on my lap as I type this out.

What God did was to prepare me, with allowing something that He hates, to accomplish something He loves. Did I just repeat myself? Yes, I did. It is an example of what JJ is talking about here, in this video. While thinking about my story, watch what JJ has to say now. I think you'll feel the same joy I had in my heart when I heard this message.

Saturday, February 15, 2020

Jesus Can Save You ~ Fortis Media ~ Video

Now, being that this is the first of the blogs that I am posting here, from Foundation Church Portland, let me introduce you to JJ McNown. JJ is a young man that I followed on Twitter one day, and then found his Fortis Media channel on youtube.com. In this post, you will see one of JJ McNown's preaching messages in the video below, during his time pastoring the church he founded, at just 22 years old.

The message is referring to Genesis 41, the story of the Pharoah's dreams, and how Joseph rose to power and saved Egypt, and the world, during the seven years of famine. Brothers and Sisters, in this message, JJ explains the meanings of this chapter, and how they relate to Jesus Christ. Not only that, but in this message, JJ also shows us how we can only be Saved through the Grace of God, through our Faith - a Gift of God - and not by our works, as said in Ephesians 2:6-10 (NIV):
"6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Also referenced in this message is Zechariah 12:10 (NIV):
“And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son..."
There is a good reason that I chose this video, to be the first of the ministry videos that I will provide here on The Cross Tribe Network. Unfortunately, there are many of us who are Christian that may not have realized how important the Old Testament is in understanding His Grace, and His gift of offering His Son Jesus Christ for our Redemption, just as Zechariah prophesized.

Thursday, May 2, 2019

Love Softens Our Hearts

Things on my heart...

Love Softens Our Hearts

Verses of the day, which gave me some insight on what we are up against. Ephesians 4:17-19 (NIV):

17 So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.

My thoughts on this:

Those three verses explain very well why it is so hard to explain God's love to people. Yes, as the world is, there is a lot of hardening of our hearts. Yes, I had a long period of my life where my heart was hardened, and looking back, it was always a matter where I felt there was some worldwide conspiracy to keep me slightly in poverty (relative to my peers)... Imagine that, predictably, I was outraged because "some unknown power" was always holding me down. And, I wasn't ever going to have the lifestyle of the rich and famous; so, therefore, my belief was that they were all just greedy.

Do you see what I am getting at, yet? What I am saying, is that by some miracle, I finally realized that the real joy in life was in loving people, despite their "place in life." Which, eventually, softened my heart, and which allowed me to find the sensitivity I needed to get back to the life God wants for me. It is what made me understand, completely, that Love Is The Way. If I could finally find His Truth, so can anyone else. I really do my best now, to Melt Their Hearts With Love. Love is the way. I'm just sayin'....

Thursday, February 7, 2019

Johnny Plays "Things On My Heart"

Things on my heart...
There are many things that we learn in life. We can't all be the best of the best, that's for sure. There is only one winner of the Super Bowl. There will only be one driver that wins the Daytona 500. And there is just one President of the United States.
And, most importantly, none of us will ever be perfect. However, we must remember, that God designed us all for His purpose. That is the thing that should give us all hope.
I think that my experience here on Facebook has provided me with knowing these things so that I am able to cope with whatever feedback that I get, or don't get! Everyone here would enjoy a great amount of "Likes," and sometimes we just don't reach as many folks as we wish we could. I get that. There are times when we try so hard, doing something that we are proud of, and thinking it will be an amazing hit, that draws many viewers. Well, not always so much, not as we would hope for.
But, I can tell you this now. After all these years, if I am able to touch one life, I'm okay with that. And I have the one that is the love of my life that has taught me that. For sure!
In the near future, I will be making some changes in how I do things here on Facebook. I will make that announcement, very soon. This series, "Things on my heart...", will be posted on another venue, one of those blog things, but don't worry: I will share them here so that you can still see them.
Meanwhile, I want to tell you what a joy it is to just go to my keyboard, and play. Yes, I just play. Tonight, after the wonderful State of the Union, I got on the keyboard, and just enjoyed the moments, knowing the Lord has a purpose for me. I played, for Him! In His glory, came a tune that came to my heart.
I am definitely not beating my own drum, I am far from being perfect, especially when playing on the fly. But just know, it came from my heart, and I can only give Him the credit. You'll understand what I am saying when you see the attached video.
Appropriately, the song is called, "Things On My Heart" and I hope you will enjoy it! And I only share it with you, knowing my imperfections, because I love you.



Note from this author:

I am John Kubicek, the author for the Cross Tribe Network blog.  I sincerely apologize for the nearly five years of inactivity on this blog.  Never could I have dreamed of not being able to continue blogging in the way I had been previous to 2014.  That is going to change!  While I have been quite active on my personal timeline on Facebook, and a Facebook page called Johnny2k's America, it brought on a big change in things that I did, otherwise, and that was a horrible decision on my part.  I have recently seen a great need to revitalize my blogging activity.  You will see activity here, and on my other blogs here, much more like the times in the past, before I became disabled.  Yes, a disability can cause a person to change habits, and not always for the good.  Not that I don't still have the disability, but that I am learning to overcome the adversities.

Thank you very much if you have returned to see what I have posted.  You will be pleasantly relieved to see this blog being reinvigorated!

Sunday, August 31, 2014

VIDEO: Bobby Bowden: "The Wisdom of Faith" is important in life




*     *     *     *

Don't be afraid!
WE the PEOPLE
are the MOB
ONE NATION UNDER GOD
YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
johnny2k's Tea Party Gear

*     *     *     *



Saturday, June 19, 2010

God Lives Under the Bed

I received this story in my email today, and felt that I should share it!
God Lives Under the Bed

I envy Kevin. My brother, Kevin, thinks God lives under his bed. At least that's what I heard him say one night.

He was praying out loud in his dark bedroom, and I stopped to listen, 'Are you there, God?' he said. 'Where are you? Oh, I see. Under the bed...'

I giggled softly and tiptoed off to my own room. Kevin's unique perspectives are often a source of amusement. But that night something else lingered long after the humor. I realized for the first time the very different world Kevin lives in.

He was born 30 years ago, mentally disabled as a result of difficulties during labor. Apart from his size (he's 6-foot-2), there are few ways in which he is an adult.

He reasons and communicates with the capabilities of a 7-year-old, and he always will. He will probably always believe that God lives under his bed, that Santa Claus is the one who fills the space under our tree every Christmas and that airplanes stay up in the sky because angels carry them.

I remember wondering if Kevin realises he is different. Is he ever dissatisfied with his monotonous life?

Up before dawn each day, off to work at a workshop for the disabled, home to walk our cocker spaniel, return to eat his favorite macaroni-and-cheese for dinner, and later to bed.

The only variation in the entire scheme is laundry, when he hovers excitedly over the washing machine like a mother with her newborn child.

He does not seem dissatisfied.

He lopes out to the bus every morning at 7:05, eager for a day of simple work.

He wrings his hands excitedly while the water boils on the stove before dinner, and he stays up late twice a week to gather our dirty laundry for his next day's laundry chores.

And Saturdays - oh, the bliss of Saturdays! That's the day my Dad takes Kevin to the airport to have a soft drink, watch the planes land, and speculate loudly on the destination of each passenger inside. 'That one's goin' to Chi-car-go!' Kevin shouts as he claps his hands.

His anticipation is so great he can hardly sleep on Friday nights.

And so goes his world of daily rituals and weekend field trips.

He doesn't know what it means to be discontent.

His life is simple.

He will never know the entanglements of wealth of power, and he does not care what brand of clothing he wears or what kind of food he eats. His needs have always been met, and he never worries that one day they may not be.

His hands are diligent. Kevin is never so happy as when he is working. When he unloads the dishwasher or vacuums the carpet, his heart is completely in it.

He does not shrink from a job when it is begun, and he does not leave a job until it is finished. But when his tasks are done, Kevin knows how to relax.

He is not obsessed with his work or the work of others. His heart is pure.

He still believes everyone tells the truth, promises must be kept, and when you are wrong, you apologize instead of argue.

Free from pride and unconcerned with appearances, Kevin is not afraid to cry when he is hurt, angry or sorry. He is always transparent, always sincere. And he trusts God.

Not confined by intellectual reasoning, when he comes to Christ, he comes as a child. Kevin seems to know God - to really be friends with Him in a way that is difficult for an 'educated' person to grasp. God seems like his closest companion.

In my moments of doubt and frustrations with my Christianity, I envy the security Kevin has in his simple faith.

It is then that I am most willing to admit that he has some divine knowledge that rises above my mortal questions.

It is then I realise that perhaps he is not the one with the handicap. I am. My obligations, my fear, my pride, my circumstances - they all become disabilities when I do not trust them to God's care.

Who knows if Kevin comprehends things I can never learn? After all, he has spent his whole life in that kind of innocence, praying after dark and soaking up the goodness and love of God.

And one day, when the mysteries of heaven are opened, and we are all amazed at how close God really is to our hearts, I'll realize that God heard the simple prayers of a boy who believed that God lived under his bed.

Kevin won't be surprised at all!

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Monday, June 14, 2010

America: Graduating from God? Part 1 ~ By Chuck Norris

Rep. Randy Forbes put a video on youtube.com, which now has 3,196,272 views, and is described as follows:

Our Judeo-Christian Nation

Congressman Forbes asks the questions "Did America ever consider itself a Judeo-Christian nation?" and "If America was once a Judeo-Christian nation, when did it cease to be?" on the floor of the US House.

Video provided by RepRandyForbes

When I went to Chuck's column on WND tonight, I noticed it was Part 2 of a two-part series, so I went back to this Part 1 to start from the beginning. (I missed last week's column because of that morning when technology failed, and didn't get a chance to get caught up.)  Amazingly, this column was directly related to the two previous stories that I post on this blog this morning, which you can see under RELATED STORIES toward the bottom of this page. Pat Boone wrote about the problems facing America and the world that there seems to be no solutions for, except for turning to God.  The column by Greg Laurie discusses the need for Christians to quit evading and start invading. In short, both columns said that Christians must be SILENT NO MORE. And in this column, Chuck Norris explains how Christianity is being eliminated from American culture. So, it is very fitting for me to conclude this introduction to Chuck's column by saying that we must pray, and begin taking back America. We need to be the shining city on the hill for all to see. Just sayin'...

George Washington gave a very wise and timely word in his "Farewell Address" to all prospective Americans (including all government officials) who even entertain the thought that they can graduate from God. It also serves as a great "commencement address" to all graduates this spring:
"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of patriotism, who should labor to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connections with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked: Where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation deserts the oaths which are the instruments of investigation in courts of justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of peculiar structure, reason and experience both forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle."
Our founders' America is on life support and breathing its last. And the only ones who can save it are the God who assisted our founders in its creation and the patriots who today bear His and our founders' baton. Our focus is no longer the total war, but one battle at a time – one rally at a time, one election at a time and one piece of legislation at a time.
By Chuck Norris

Posted: June 07, 2010 ~ 1:00 am Eastern

© 2010

(Note: This is Part 1 of a two-part series on spiritual regression in America.)


Last week I read a blog post that noted how prayer was banned at a high-school graduation in Indiana but not in Alabama. Then I read another news report about how another California high school changed its graduation "opening prayer" to "a moment of silence." No big shocker there.

Tragically, these types of devaluing religious news stories are a dime a dozen today. Spiritual regression is not only a trend but an epidemic.

The Fuller Youth Institute just reported that less than half (40 percent) of even church-going high-school seniors "significantly struggle with their faith and with finding a church after graduation." And other statistics show that, by the time they end their college education, 90 percent will have dropped out of church.

The Barna Group reports that only 29 percent of teenagers say they "will definitely" be attending church after graduation. That's about one in three if you're an optimist – about one in four if you're a pessimist. And about one in five if you believe these polled teenagers are either overly optimistic or over-exaggerators. Any way you look at it, the "Leave It to Beaver" family seems so passé and archaic in our times.

Long ago the Creator was replaced by natural causes in public classrooms. Prayer was ousted by human potential. Humans have become the kings of their castles and captains of their souls. Preaching has been overturned by political correctness. Church has been replaced by the NFL and Sunday commerce. And the government is now God, granting to all who has need. And we're shocked that more and more of our children and grandchildren want nothing to do with church?

Attrition in church attendance and faith in God is definitely on the rise. And so is animosity toward America's Judeo-Christian heritage.

Two Connecticut public schools were denied their graduation ceremonies from being held in a local church by U.S. District Court Judge Janet Hall. Hall ruled in favor of the ACLU on behalf of two local high-school seniors and their parents, who said the students were agnostic and would find it "difficult if not impossible" to attend the graduation if it were held in a church. Hall concluded that using a church for graduation would be an unconstitutional endorsement of religion. Leave it up to the ACLU and a federal judge to tell a local community where they could and could not hold their graduations, even though the majority favored it in the large church which was perfect for the big graduation crowds.

READ FULL STORY at WorldNetDaily.com

RELATED STORIES:
Can things get any worse? You betcha ~ By Pat Boone (READ THIS 1ST)
Christians: Infiltrate, don't isolate ~ By Greg Laurie (READ THIS 2ND)


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Sunday, March 21, 2010

Places of the Heart

On a day like this, when I believe we could lose our freedom, I really needed to see or hear something to lift me up. I found out, in a big way, that it pays to actually check out private messages that I receive on my youtube account. Today, I received one that recommended a video to see. I watched it, and though the video quality may not have been impressive, I quickly understood that this was not about the "video." (Nice scenery, though, but a little jerky). It was all about the music and the lyrics. Just read the lyrics as you listen to the song. I think you will be glad that I finally checked my messages!


Video provided by apinkowski77

And, now the beautiful lyrics:

(Written by Sheryl and Adam Pinkowski; Performed by KRISSY)

Places of the Heart.

Does your heart reach out to your soul
Feeling a need for you to belong
A place where no one feels alone
So warm and safe from every wrong
Why does the sun light up the sky
And the trees shade you and I
Why does the grape hold on to the vine
Rivers that flow through valley's of time
Look at the mountains they stand so tall
Look at the sea how the billows roll
Colours of Autumn leaves in fall
Oh Lord You made them all
And when you see how the eagle flies
Spreads her wings over mountains high
Then to her young ones in their nest
She folds them to her breast
Does your heart reach out to your Soul
Feeling a need for you to belong
A place where no one feels alone
So warm and safe from every wrong

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Sunday, January 31, 2010

God helps those who ... ~ By Greg Laurie

Commentary from WorldNetDaily
Greg Laurie
By Greg Laurie

Posted: January 30, 2010 ~ 1:00 am Eastern

© 2010



Some people think the Bible teaches that God helps those who help themselves. But you won't find this quoted in the Bible. In fact, it is not a biblical concept. The fact is that God helps those who can't help themselves. God helps those who see how radical their condition is, who recognize there is no way they can save their own souls.

The Bible tells the story of a man like this, a man who was in a very difficult state – a seemingly hopeless situation. I think it may even have been his utter helplessness that drew Jesus to him. He had been abandoned. He was a desperately lonely man, a man who, for all practical purposes, was an outcast.

Paralyzed for 38 years, he spent his days by a pool in Jerusalem called Bethesda, hoping for a miracle. All alone and in need, he was surrounded by people who were blind, lame and paralyzed. Each were waiting for the stirring of the water – believed to be the work of an angel – because the first one to step into the pool would be healed.

Perhaps the night before, this man had offered up a prayer to God. Maybe he prayed, "Lord, if you would just help me be the first one into the water when the angel stirs it up, I would be so grateful." Little did he realize that God himself would come in human form and give him far more than what he asked for. Instead of sending an angel to stir up the waters, God was about to stir up his life – not just physically, but – more importantly – spiritually. The Bible tells us that God is able to do above and beyond that which we could ask or think (see Ephesians 3:20). And that is what happened in this man's life.

The Bible says that "Jesus saw him lying there" (John 5:6 NIV). What I find interesting is that he wasn't the only person there at the pool. There were a lot of people. But we don't read that Jesus saw them. The Bible says that Jesus saw him. And that is important to realize, because when God looks into a crowd of people, he sees you. He sees you as an individual, just like he saw this man. In the midst of all this activity Jesus had time for an individual whom he knew by name.

Then Jesus asked him – and in a broad sense, all of us – a poignant question: "Do you want to get well?" (verse 6 NIV). Or to expand the question, "Do you want to change your life?" Jesus was essentially asking, "Are you willing to put yourself, just as you are, in my hands? Are you ready for me to do for you what you are unable to do for yourself?"

Now this may seem like a strange question. We might think, What kind of thing is that to ask a guy who is paralyzed and unable to move? Of course he wants to be made well. But not everyone wants to change. Not every drug addict wants to be free from the power of drugs. Not every immoral person wants to be a moral person. Not every person who has chosen a certain lifestyle wants to break free from it. So it is a valid question: Do you want to change your life?

READ FULL STORY >

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Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Request For Transfer

The following came in an email from my good friend Rev. Gerri. The author is unknown.

The Task Ahead of You
Request For Transfer

TO: Commander-in-Chief Spiritual Armed Forces, Jesus Christ

Dear Lord:

I am writing this to You to request a transfer to a desk job. I herewith present my reasons: I began my career as a private, but because of the intensity of the battle You have quickly moved me up in the ranks. You have made me an officer and given me a tremendous amount of responsibility. There are many soldiers and recruits under my charge. I am constantly being called upon to dispense wisdom, make judgments, and find solutions to complex problems. You have placed me in a position to function as an officer, when in my heart I know I have only the skills of a private.

I realize that You have promised to supply all I would need for the battle. But Sir, I must present You a realistic picture of my situation. My uniform, once so crisp and starched, is now stained with tears and blood of those I have tried to assist. The soles of my boots are cracked and worn from the miles I have walked trying to enlist, encourage, and instruct the troops. My weapons are marred, tarnished and chipped from constant battle against the enemy. Even the Book of Regulations I was issued has been torn and tattered from endless use. The words are now smeared.

You have promised You would be with me throughout, but when the noise of the battle is so loud and the confusion is so great, I can neither see nor hear You. I feel so alone. I'm tired. I'm discouraged. I have Battle Fatigue. I would never ask You for a discharge. I love being in Your service. But I humbly request a demotion and transfer. I'll file papers or clean latrines. Just get me out of the battle -- please, Sir.

Your Faithful, but tired, Warrior.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

TO: Faithful, but tired, Soldier, Spiritual Armed Forces

LOCATION: The Battlefield

SUBJECT: Transfer

Dear Soldier:

Your request for transfer has been denied. I herewith present My reasons: You are needed in this battle. I have selected you, and I will keep My Word to supply your needs. You do not need a demotion and transfer. Besides, you'd never cut it on latrine duty anyway. You need a period of "R & R" (Renewal and Rekindling). I am setting aside a place on the battlefield that is insulated and fully protected from the enemy. I will meet you there and I will give you rest. I will remove your old equipment and "make all things new."

You have been wounded in the battle, My soldier. Your wounds are not visible, but you have received grave internal injuries. You need to be healed. I will heal you. Also, you have been weakened in the battle. You need to be strengthened. I will strengthen you and be your strength. I will instill in you confidence and ability. My Words will be rekindled within you, giving you renewed love, zeal and enthusiasm. Report to Me tattered and empty. I will replenish you.

Compassionately,

Your Commander-in-Chief, Jesus Christ

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Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Where Did It All Go?

By Guest Columnist Rev. Gerri Janeway

Let me begin by saying, it did not happen overnight. Little by little, America began its downward spiral to moral decline. As a nation, it opened itself up for an attack by Satan, who had long awaited the opportunity to discredit and destroy the Godly influence of America, not only on all Americans, but also on the entire world. The Scripture foretold of this time, describing it as a time that never was, and never will be again.

It seems the entire world has gone crazy and has fallen apart overnight, but it didn't happen overnight. It was a subtle move. A little here, a little there, conditioning our people to accept the vile and immoral acts as commonplace and the norm. America accepted the attitude, "live and let live," and "what someone else does, doesn't effect me." (So wrong!) We sat idle as people like Madalyn Murray O’Hair campaigned and won her stand to take prayer out of schools.

We sat still and allowed mainstream TV to promote profanity first, and then sex and violence. And now, on the legacy (ABC, CBS, and NBC) and cable networks, homosexuality is being shown as “normal,” and making fun of Christianity has escalated into calling them right-wing terrorists bent on destroying America.

While men slept, the enemy came in and sowed tares among the wheat and now those tares are choking the very life out of America and smothering all signs of Christianity and morality. We have played our part in setting the stage for the “new world order” and the Anti-Christ. Our only hope is repentance as individuals and a nation for our sins and complacency and to fall on the mercy of Almighty God. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, “IF my (Christian) people which are called by my name (Christians) will humble themselves and pray and turn from their wicked ways, then will I (God) hear from Heaven and forgive their sins and heal their land."

So, what do we do now?

The answers are very plain. We must acknowledge our sins, both personal and collective sins as a nation, walk in humility, and pray and turn away from those sins. God will then hear us in Heaven and will forgive our sins and heal our land (nation). It is now up to the Christian community to repent and cry out for mercy.

First, the Christian community must repent and pray seeking the forgiveness and mercy of God, then present a time of repentance to the nation(s), much like Jonah did to Nineveh. We can sit idle and take this lightly, shake our heads and say this is a terrible time, or we can move to action and do our part to turn America and the world back to God. America's destiny IS in our hands and IS within our grasp. We all have a personal responsibility to participate in this united time of prayer of repentance.

It is my sincere hope that God will hear us and send Holy Ghost conviction into every heart and into every home, business, school, legislature, courtroom, place of entertainment, and visit the media with a call to repentance, one that no one can or will want to shake off. I pray that there is a renewal of the “fear of God” birthed in every heart of the people of America.

It is my prayer that every parent, both Mom and Dad, will take their place as parents and accept the responsibility of their children's destiny and restore family altars and guidance in both moral and Christian principles.

I pray that any and all who are involved in leadership positions – both secular and religious – will accept the responsibility of repentance and set a moral and godly example of purity and honesty

My prayer is that schools that have taken the responsibility to educate our children will once again promote moral principles, both by guidance and practice, and refuse to instill any immoral or ungodly instruction in the hearts of our children.

I pray that elected leaders, officials, and legislators will embrace Truth and be people of integrity and people who are trustworthy again, putting away the reproach that all politicians are corrupt and liars.

It is time that we have judges sitting on the bench who will understand that they have a tremendous responsibility to make righteous and true judgments as men and women who have been entrusted to this high office of responsibility. They should also be held accountable to those who entrusted them to this office.

There is a need for business people to repent and stop selling out godly principles and stop bowing to the pressures of the world and stop promoting immoral agendas for mammon (money). No wonder the Scriptures state that the love of money is the root of evil. We must become people of integrity again who refuse to compromise the destiny of our children and nation for a few dollars.

We must understand that human life is valuable and that we would repent of abortion and so-called "mercy-killing,” which are out and out murder and suicide. We must realize that God is the only one who has the right to give and take life, and all others will be held accountable to him. We must repent over killing millions of babies who we disvalued and murdered through abortion, covering every corner of our land with the blood that cries out, “why was I not allowed to live?”

We must begin once again to love and not hate, show respect and honor instead of moral decay and deceit. We must become a people of integrity and godly principles based on the Word of God as our forefathers had done. This nation was great because good men and women of God, men and women of integrity, men and women of faith and moral responsibility, gave all that we might have this freedom and opportunity to live free:
    Free of war;
    free of oppression;
    free to raise our children in the ways of the Lord;
    free to follow our conscience and convictions as God leads us;
    free to work and provide for the necessary needs of our families and communities without oppression;
    free to choose how we believe (i.e. freedom of religion);
    and free in knowing that with any responsibility comes accountability to our families, to one another and to our God.
It time (past time!) to pray. We can no longer exercise the right of silence but must cry out to God in repentance and sincerity for forgiveness and mercy that God will heal our land. The answer lies within us as Christians to shoulder our responsibility on our knees in humility and repentance. What will you individually do for your nation? What are we willing to do collectively as the Christian community of America? Are we willing to pray and repent, or will we be momentarily be stirred but remain unchanged? We are responsible for our own destiny and entrusted with the destiny of our posterity (our children). Can we humble ourselves long enough to sincerely repent and join a united effort to turn America back to God?

Where do we begin?

A time of National Prayer has been called for the 30 days from April 15th through May 15, 2009 at 9:00 pm Eastern Time, for just 15 minutes of united prayer strictly for repentance and asking God to have mercy on our land. Then, on July 18, 2009, marches, demonstrations, outreaches and events will be happening all across America and in many other countries of the world as a united effort to call our people to repentance.

May God bless you and may God bless America again.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

What You've Just Seen...

So, once again, my very good friend and Sister in the Lord, Rev. Gerri Janeway, sent me an email that I needed to share with you today. Now, I've seen this one before, this story has been around. Oh, but there's a good reason it has. It's a great story, and the rumor is, something like this actually happened... somewhere, sometime... Okay, I won't keep teasing you; here's the story:

What You've Just Seen...

His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans, and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college. He is brilliant. Kind of profound and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college.

Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative Church. They want to develop a ministry to the students but are not sure how to go about it.

One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started and so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat. The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. People are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything. Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit, and when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet.

By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick. About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill.

Now the deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying to themselves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do.

How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor?

It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy. The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane. All eyes are focused on him... You can't even hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do.

And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty, he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won't be alone.

Everyone chokes up with emotion. When the minister gains control, he says, "What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget."

Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read! I asked the Lord to bless you, as I prayed for you today. To guide you and protect you as you go along your way...

His love is always with you,
His promises are true,
And when we give Him all our cares,
You know He will see us through.


"Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His Holy Name!" ~ Psalms 103:1
This is just one of those remarkable stories that must stay "viral." It's a story that we must all stay aware of, and remember. God actually DOES use us all. We ARE part of His Creation, part of His Word. Our actions speak volumes.

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

From a "Closet" Longhorn Fan

By John Kubicek

So, what does a college football bowl game have to do with Christian ministry? Or, maybe we should ask that question from a different perspective. Perhaps we could ask what Christian ministry has to do with a college football bowl game? From either perspective, I hope I'll be able to answer those questions.

If this blog post had to do with politics and religion, I wouldn't expect a large audience. Except for a person I know - a Longhorn fan - that went to sleep after the first half of the Texas vs Ohio State game, being that the score at that point was 6-3, in the favor of the Buckeyes, I would suspect that all of the Buckeye and Longhorn fans had the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl game on Fox tuned in last night. I did, but I did it the right way. I slept during the first half, and watched the second half. That was the way to do it.

It was an amazing game. That second half was something you don't get to see all that often. A come-back by the Longhorns, and just when you thought that they would put the game away, another comeback - this time by the Buckeyes. With a little over two minutes left in the game, the Longhorns marched 79 yards down the field for a touchdown - another pass from Colt McCoy to Quan Cosby - and went ahead by a score of 24 to 21.

I was very happy about the outcome, as Ohio State is part of the Big Ten, and were the last hope for a Big Ten win in the college football bowl games - other than the Iowa Hawkeyes. That is one of the reasons, admittedly, that I was cheering on the Longhorns. But now, I have another good reason. It was during the post-game show that I saw something wonderful that the ACLU hasn't yet found a way to eliminate from our lives. There was an exposure of the Christian culture, a display of the willingness to display what many Christians are all about. Commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior, in a national venue, in the view of millions of people.

I remember back when Kurt Warner (a Cedar Rapids, IA native) took the St. Louis Rams to the Super Bowl, and won, and in his post game remarks, happened to mention how much Jesus meant in his life. And I've seen him continuously doing the same thing at every opportunity. How great! And how awesome it is to see the public display and words straight from a Christian mouth, coming from a superstar - and not get bleeped. No, the most bleeping I've seen in a while on network television would be the garbage coming from the mouth of a misfit, Kathy Griffin. This gives me hope!

The fact that Christian testimonies are able to still be aired in the sports venues should give all of us hope! It might also explain why I've loved the Chicago Cubs games that are aired on a couple great networks. There have been many testimonies I've seen from the likes of Carlos Zambrano and others, all aired without censorship from those networks. And there is where we have hope: Sports networks that have allowed the message of knowing the Lord in our lives to be aired.

So, I guess I should now allow you to see the things I saw following the game last night. That explains the first video. The second one is a video that came up in related videos after uploading mine.


A Tribute to the Texas Longhorns from Iowa (Hawkeye Land)


Seniors Praying - James Laurinaitis, Malcolm Jenkins, Colt McCoy, and Marcus Freeman say a prayer after the 2009 Fiesta Bowl



If I ever decided to move from Iowa, which would obviously be in an attempt to escape Iowa winters, I'd probably move to Texas. I would always be a Hawkeye, but if I was living down there in the Republic, I wouldn't have to be a closet Longhorn fan! Hook 'em Horns!