What Did The Early Believers in Yeshua "Look Like"?

A Disclaimer from the "Profit": Since a few readers/haters like to make sure my work is "original"... this one isn't. I added quite a bit more research to information I compiled from around the internet. Are you offended that I study and pull pieces from other people's research to compile what, in my mind, is a more accurate teaching?? I didn't think so, but some do... get over it, right!!!

I KNOW I am also going to get in trouble by some mainline thinkers over this post, but I feel so strongly that we will not see personal nor corporate blessing until we do things the way we are taught in the Word of God minus ALL the trappings and traditions men have added for centuries... read with an open heart toward the Kingdom of G-d!!! Here goes:

Professing a faith in Yeshua Ha'machiach was not meant to be a whole new religion called "Christianity". And in doing so the focus is more on the "Gospel of Jesus Christ" the the Gospel proclaimed by Yeshua! "Christianity" is comprised of many groups and endless schools of thought. But does the picture today reflect the early Believers of Yeshua's Message of 2,000 years ago? The comparisons will surprise you!

Two billion people on earth profess to be "Christian". In other words, nearly every third person believes he is following Yeshua and the Bible.

Dominant in Western nations, Christianity is the world’s most popular religion, appearing in all sorts of shapes, sizes, varieties and flavors.

Huston Smith, author of The World’s Religions, described the world of Christianity this way: “From the majestic pontifical High Mass in St. Peter’s to the quiet simplicity of a Quaker meeting; from the intellectual sophistication of Saint Thomas Aquinas to the moving simplicity of spirituals such as ‘Lord, I want to be a Christian,’ from St. Paul’s in London, the parish Church of Great Britain, to Mother Teresa in the slums of Calcutta—all this is Christianity.”

Was he correct? Is this the picture of true Christianity?


The Traditional Churches

Have you ever wondered why there are so many different groups? Have you ever thought to yourself: “Is this what Yeshua meant when He said, ‘I will build my Church’?” Additionally, have you asked, “What is the difference between these groups?”—“Which one is the exact continuation of the first-century Believers?”

If you are religious, then your beliefs are important to you—religion is a central part of your life.

However, have you ever examined the traditional view of followers of Yeshua's teachings? Have you compared it with your Bible? Or do you simply assume that the church you attend is correct?

If religion is an important part of your life, then you should not take the answers to these questions lightly. On the other hand, if you do not consider yourself religious, this article will change your perspective of those who call themselves Christian.
What Did the Church Look Like?

Suppose you are living during the first century, and you are asked what you think Christianity will look like in 2,000 years. The only item you have to determine your answer is the Bible. What picture would you paint? Would it look similar to what exists today? Since the Holy Bible is supposedly Christianity’s foundation, it must hold the answers to the religion that comes from it.

Why, therefore, are there so many groups today claiming to be "Christian"? The simplest answer is that they all teach different things. If they taught the same doctrines, they would be united under one Church government—in one group.

The book of Acts begins with the birth of the New Testament Church. Therefore, this would be the place to begin. Notice how the Church was described after 3,000 people were baptized in one day: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship” (Acts 2:42).

Why is this significant? The two most defining features of G-d’s Church are evident: steadfast continuation in (1) the apostles’ doctrine (teachings), and (2) fellowship. Then, after verse 43 explains that the fear of God was apparent in “every soul,” verse 44 adds, “…all that believed were together.” Verse 46 also states that they continued to be of “one accord [agreement],” meeting together “daily” in various houses in “singleness of heart.”

The Church of G-d was unified!—not divided in varying and disagreeing groups all calling themselves "Christian".

One Church or Many?

Professing Christianity believes that G-d’s Church is split into different branches. Perhaps the Methodists best explain the common position of Christianity: “Nourished by common roots of this shared Christian heritage, the branches of Christ’s church have developed diverse traditions that enlarge our store of shared understandings. Our avowed ecumenical commitment as United Methodists is to gather our own doctrinal emphases into the larger Christian unity, there to be made more meaningful in a richer whole” (emphasis mine).

While this sounds honorable, is it what Yeshua intended? Were there to be many groups of “diverse traditions” all with their own “doctrinal emphasis”?

Even the Roman Catholics, who, for the most part, believe that G-d’s Church cannot be divided, say this: “Those [outside the Roman Catholic Church] who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in a certain, although imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church” (Catech 838). (GAG- my commentary)

Again, are all these differing groups what Yeshua intended?

The Bible is clear that the Church—Yeshua’s Body (Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18)—is unified. Notice:

• I Corinthians 1:10: “Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.”

• I Corinthians 12:25: “…there should be no schism in the body.”

• Ephesians 4:16: “From whom the whole body fitly joined together [Moffat translation: “welded together”] and compacted by that which every joint supplies.”

Do these scriptures describe modern so-called followers of Yeshua? The answer is clear!

The world is filled with all sorts of different groups professing to be "Christian", and most profess that the other competing groups are also Christian. Yet, notice Yeshua’s words: “And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand” (Mark 3:25). The Greek word for “stand” can also mean “abide, continue, be established, hold up.” A house or any organization cannot stand—abide, continue, hold up—if divided. Yet, the world of Christianity is divided!

Would Yeshua have built His Church to contradict His statement in Mark 3:25? Of course not.

Simply put, Yeshua said, “I will build My Church” (Matt. 16:18)—not churches! This is the first of many differences that you will discover as this article continues.

Is G-d a Trinity?

When researching the statements of belief of various "Christian" denominations, invariably, the description of G-d is listed first. Of course, since our beliefs should be based on following the G-d of the Bible, it is understandable that G-d is central.

Notice the common view of mainstream Christians: “The most distinguishing belief of Christianity is the doctrine of the Trinity, which views the one G-d as consisting of three Persons: the Father, the Son (Christ) and the Holy Spirit” (religionfacts.com).

Yet, nowhere in the entire Bible is the trinity mentioned, even if one combines a number of verses to try to prove it! (One scripture does mention this triune relationship in the King James translation, but biblical scholars admit that this verse was not part of the original text.) The convoluted, confused picture of G-d that professing "Christianity" presents is simply not there. Another reason for the confusion is the inaccurate belief that the "Old" Testament has been superseded by the New Testament. Another poor doctrinal stand taken by an anti-Semitic belief system that crept into Church around 325 AD with Rome's announcement that this NEW RELIGION of CHRISTIANITY was now the State Religion, and was further supported by "noble" King James' personal anti-Semite's which led to a literal re-write of the New testament removing all the flavor and Jewish meanings.

Of course, the true nature of G-d cannot be explained in a few short statements. Nevertheless, G-d’s Word is clear on who and what G-d is. There are only two G-d-beings—the Father and Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is not a person. G-d, the Father, is the G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who has been sort of "recreated" in the image of "Christianity" and has been stripped of all Jewishness. This has caused a total lack of understanding of who he is, what Yeshua's role is, who should we be directing our prayers to, what we celebrate and even when we celebrate it! Our "Christianity" has, for the most part, become a man made "religion" full of un-Biblical traditions, celebrations and festivals that have been born out of appeasement and compromise. Hence we are engulfed in a virtually powerless, anemic survival that is not making near the impact for justice, brotherhood, love and support he intended at all!

The True Gospel

Another common emphasis among modern Christian churches is the mission of spreading and teaching the gospel. But how do all these groups define Yeshua’s gospel?

The word “gospel” means “good news.” Yeshua was a Messenger who preached a message of good news. Yet, almost every church believes and teaches that the gospel message is about Yeshua Himself—in effect, the message is about the Messenger. They focus on teaching and spreading stories about His life to new believers.

Yeshua does play an extremely important and central role in Christianity; however, He is not the gospel. Though the Bible clearly shows that Yeshua should be preached in conjunction with the gospel, it also clearly shows that He Himself preached the gospel—and He did not talk about Himself when He did so! He focused on the Father- modern Christianity focuses on the SON!

The Methodists believe the following: “Gospel has a number of distinct meanings. It refers to the Good News concerning Christ, the Kingdom of God, and salvation. It also refers to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles.”

As can be seen from this definition, Christianity takes a vague approach to this basic, most fundamental teaching—the actual mission of Christianity is watered down, confused and simply taught incorrectly.

How does the Bible define the gospel? Notice Mark 1:14: “…Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God.” This is the gospel that Jesus preached. It was in this same context that He said, “Repent you, and believe the gospel.” Which gospel? “…of the kingdom of G-d.”

Holidays and Holy Days

Central to modern Christianity is its many holidays: “The most important Christian holiday is Easter, a spring holiday that celebrates Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Easter is immediately preceded by Holy Week, which includes Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. The 40 days prior to Easter form the Lenten season, a time of fasting and repentance. Another holiday that came to be important is Christmas, which commemorates the birth of Jesus on December 25. Saints’ days are also important. Some of these, such as St. Patrick’s Day and St. Valentine’s Day, have come to play a prominent role in popular American culture” (religionfacts.com).

These are commonly observed days for both the religious and non-religious—but they are not taught in the Bible! Neither will you find that New Testament Believers kept ANY OF these worldly holidays- including the day Yeshua was born (which was NOT Dec 25th). Plus only once does the word “Easter” appear in the Bible. However, upon closer examination, the Greek word actually should be translated “Passover.”. Another one of King James' efforts to rid the Word of God of anything "Jewish".

So then, we must ask: What days, if any, did the New Testament Church observe?

The Old Testament describes the Holy Days instituted by God millennia ago. Physical Israel kept those days as did the early Believers- for almost THREE CENTURIES AFTER Yeshua rose and ascended to Heaven.

Notice that Paul mentioned the Days of Unleavened Bread: “And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days” (Acts 20:6).

Also, in Acts 2, we find the Church keeping the Feast of Weeks (or Pentecost). Because it was a Holy Day, the Church was “all with one accord in one place.”

Then there are the other Holy Days established by G-d—Passover, the Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, the Feast of Tabernacles and the Last Great Day.

These Holy Days picture God’s Plan for mankind.

The Seventh-Day Sabbath

Another common trait of traditional Christianity is Sunday worship: “Christian practices vary by denomination, but common elements include a Sunday worship service…” (religionfacts.com). The vast majority of professing Christians claim that Sunday is the “Lord’s Day,” and that those who believe in G-d are to keep this day.

Many also believe that Yeshua did away with the seventh-day Sabbath. Then why did Yeshua say to His disciples, “Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:28)? His Disciples and all those who came under His teachings met together on Saturday for nearly 300 years after Yeshua's resurrection and ascension.

Notice this astonishing admission on whether Yeshua authorized the change from the Sabbath to Sunday: “For example, nowhere in the Bible do we find that Yeshua or the Apostles ordered that the Sabbath be changed from Saturday to Sunday. We have the commandment of G-d given to Moses to keep holy the Sabbath day that is the 7th day of the week, Saturday. Today most Christians keep Sunday because it has been revealed to us by the [Roman Catholic] church outside the Bible” (Catholic Virginian).

The Bible commands G-d’s people to have a “holy convocation” (or assembly) on the Sabbath and Holy Days (Lev. 23:3). Our book Saturday or Sunday – Which Is the Sabbath? explains that Yeshua kept the Sabbath, first-to-third century Believers kept that day, and God’s people are still required to observe the seventh day.

By keeping Sunday instead of G-d’s Sabbath, modern Christianity differs from what the Bible teaches and from what New Testament Believers 2,000 years ago observed.

A Little Flock

Could so many of these large, well-established churches—with hundreds of millions of people—be wrong?

Society, especially in Western cultures, stresses, “Bigger is better.” More money, more friends, larger cars, bigger houses and so on are all seen as a better way of life. The more people one can find to support this or that group, idea, or cause, the better. This way of thinking is prevalent in professing "Christianity". People feel safe in numbers; therefore, large congregations are more popular, and thus grow faster than small ones. Accountability and personal choices (responsibility) is not needed in large group settings where one is entertained, comforted and appeased for an hour or less, rather than being sharpened, made new, having your mind renewed, seeing HOLINESS come into your life washing out the filth of self and carnal choices!

But just because the majority follows a certain way, does that make it right?

Yeshau calls His Church a little flock (Luke 12:32). Only when Yeshua returns will G-d’s way of life prevail throughout the world. Until that point, Yeshua is only working with a few—called “firstfruits”—to rule with Him after His Second Coming.

“The god of this world”

Although we have looked at a few of the major differences between today’s Christianity and the Church that Yeshua established, let’s also look at how Yeshua described counterfeit Christianity: “Howbeit in vain do [they] worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, [they] hold the tradition of men. Full well [they] reject the commandment of G-d, that [they] may keep [their] own tradition” (Mark 7:7-9).

This blog post has briefly touched upon several common beliefs to which the majority of so-called Christians adhere.

So what happened within the last 2,000 years? How could so many today be so deceived?—and so wrong?

The Bible reveals that the whole world is deceived (Rev. 12:9) by the “god of this world” (II Cor. 4:4)—Satan the devil. The world is cut off from God, and Satan has deceived a large part of it into thinking they are following Christ. But, they are following “another Jesus” (11:4)—and, in fact, are not part of true Biblical System we are all called to who follow the Father and His Messiah.

Will you put forth the effort to first become, then find the true Church? I am trying!!

3 Basic Beliefs Exist On The Earth

This post includes a GREAT teaching from Dr. Mike Murdock. Read on and be blessed. Please pass this around. It maybe the single most important foundational teaching we as Believers in Yeshua need to learn!

This post teaches us about PERSONAL responsibility. I AM RESPONSIBLE for the quality of my life. I AM RESPONSIBLE for the JOY or LACK OF JOY in my life because of my WISE or STUPID and SELFISH choices I make.

When things "go good" people credit G-d. When things go wrong the fault the Devil. WRONG!!! It's YOU in both cases. G-d's plan is to prosper you, have you walk in wholeness and complete a huge purpose for your existence. BUT we do not seek His wisdom. We "seek counsel" from others (most of the time from those who are walking in the flesh as much as we are and are afraid of losing a relationship with you to tell you the truth... things go "to hell in a hand basket" because we did what we wanted to do and now we spin off a whole new set of consequences and we lose YEARS mopping that mess up, plus, everyone's future has been altered by your selfishness.

Now He said He can make up for the years the canker worm has eaten, but why should we have to live in lost, made up years if you can choose wisdom and self denial FIRST and walk in His joy and blessings first. We are supposed to have the mind of Christ, but we need to rip out the on/off switch between His mind and ours, seek wisdom and use what we have been given. You see, wisdom takes TIME. Studying the Word of G-d takes YEARS- a LIFETIME. But in the meantime, we are supposed to lean on learned men and women of G-d who have walked victoriously, studied the Word, have a lifetime of following His Word. But we are BANKRUPT of G-dly men and women around us- especially in Church leadership! Most are worldly Believers who don't have His mind "on" enough to live and walk with much consistency! They have their own agenda and are looking to build their own empires. Where have the real followers of G-d gone??? Where are truly committed men and women gone? Everyone is "religious" but very very few have G-dly wisdom, depth and consistent, evidential character. We are in a desert spiritually.

About 25 years ago, while living in Florida, I asked my Mentor and Apostle, Dr. Rev. Loran W. Helm, "Brother Helm, why don't we see more people living a truly "Spirit led" life, like I personally experience you and Florence (his precious wife) lead??" I said it sorta critically... He looked at me, got up close to my face, and from underneith his glasses, said to me in a loving but authoritative tone, "Son, THEN BECOME IT!!" Wow. That burned deep within me. So, I am trying!!

Here is Dr. Mike's teaching.... join with me to BECOME IT!

Belief #1. God Is In Control Of Everything That Happens On The Earth.

Is this true? Are my decisions unnecessary? If everything that happens is planned and ordered by God, you cannot legally prosecute a rapist...nor a murderer...nor a child abuser. Why? If you believe God is in control, that person is not responsible for their own conduct and behavior. God is responsible. Is that possible? Of course not. Jesus said He wasn’t willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance... yet people are perishing every day. In Matthew 23:37 He looked across Jerusalem and said, “How often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!”

God did not predestine your decisions. God predestined the consequences of decisions.

Belief #2. Satan Is In Control Of Everything On
The Earth.

If he is, why is there so much success, enthusiasm, passion, miracles happening on the earth? If satan was in control of the earth, nobody would serve Christ. No preacher would ever preach the gospel. No man would get saved. No, satan is not in control of the entire earth or terrorism would rule.

Belief #3. Your Personal Decisions Are Creating Your Personal Circumstances.

This is Scriptural... documented 331 times in Scripture. Review Isaiah 1:19-20, “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land...But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword:”

This indicates and proves that I am involved in the decisions of my life.
􏰁 The Quality Of Your Wisdom Determines The Quality Of Your Decisions.
􏰁 The Quality Of Your Decisions Are Revealed In The Circumstances Of Your Life.
􏰁 Your Financial Decisions Determine Your Financial Success.
􏰁 Your Relationship Joy Reveals Your Relationship Skills...And The Quality Of Your Decisions.

You can succeed. You need not fail.
But, you must learn the secrets of motivating yourself...to avoid the horrifying and tragic consequences of daily failure.

Pretty intense, isn't it Blog buddies... now GO OUT AND BECOME IT!! The world is waiting for you to rise up. If not you, who?? Love you all.

Please add comments!

A Letter to Me- from Me...

Recently I signed up to participate in an 30-day fun writing project based on the wisdom of Ralph Waldo Emerson (visit ralphwaldoemerson.me for more info). Each day, they email out a quote and a writing prompt that is based on his book, “Self Reliance” as a way to help liberate ourselves from the lies we tell ourselves (often unconsciously).

While I don’t participate every day, I do read every day and reflect upon what is shared. Today I felt compelled to respond publicly. Here’s the quote for today…

“There will be an agreement in whatever variety of actions, so they be each honest and natural in their hour.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
And here is the writing prompt…

What would you say to the person you were five years ago?
What will you say to the person you’ll be in five years?

Here’s the first half of the prompt of what I’d write to my self 5 years ago…


My Dearest Larry…
I have some good news, and some bad news. Since I know what kind of person you are, you always want the bad stuff first. It helps you more easily see the silver lining in all situations, so here it goes.

Dude, you’re totally f#@*-ed. No seriously. You are.

I say that with the greatest reverence for who you are, what you’re capable of, and I don’t use profanity lightly. When used sparingly and consciously profanity carries a great weight and makes an impact. I wanted to get your attention to prepare you for what follows…

Life as you know it is going to be totally flipped upside-down, you won’t recognize yourself, and you’ll see the world in strange ways that you can’t possibly imagine. Your financial life will be thrown into ruin and your perfect credit will disappear. Everything you think you are and want to be will be obliterated, including your reputation. You're "friends"... most of 'em ran so fast you'll think you were hit by a bus! Oh, and you’ll move back into a small rental property in a town that will have nothing but bad memories! Yup, you know where I am talking about (and before that you will be living back with your Dad- yup I said Dad because your Mom is going to die! Oh, don't worry, it gets better!)

Oh yeah, and you know all your favorite foods? They’re gone and have been replaced with your childhood nightmare foods. Yes, everything you hated to eat, and sometimes even threw up directly on your plate will become your primary diet because you're about to have a heart attack and a small nervous breakdown (so much for "Mr. Strong Person-I can do this"!)

I'd start reading about a cave in Israel called Adullum, by the way if I were you- it will come in handy pretty soon!!

Sorry if that sounds depressing. It’s just the way it is. Oh, and that beautiful wife you waited for and loved, and six-figure income you enjoyed with no stress, and the millions in the bank? Yeah, you’re getting a divorce and you’re best friend will run off with your millions. And the Bank, the Telecom Company and Airline- gone, gone and.... gone.

Your son and daughter will pay the dearest price of all for the selfish choices you and Catherine made, too. You'll come close to losing Joshua, more than once. Liz will be hurt inside so badly she won't like you and won't want to talk to you for a long time (can you believe all this!!).

Like I said, you’re totally f*#@-ed.

Don’t worry though…

As scary as that sounds, all of that is just “deconstructing” the parts of your life that don’t work so that you can make room for what really does. You were pretty off balance there, big guy!

The good news is that the result of that chaos and destruction is you will experience inner freedom, joy, happiness, you'll meet REAL FRIENDS (in Indiana. Don't wrinkle your nose like that at me... I said Indiana!) who will be with you for a lifetime, and you will realize restoration and abundance in ways far beyond your current grasp or imagination!! Most people you work with and care about left, except for the Butler's, the Wilson's, the McGough's and the Myles'!

The things you are scared of now, you won’t fear anymore. You will no longer see inner fear (that no one knows you feel) as an obstacle, but rather, as a blessed opportunity.

Your new outlook on life will be one of taking action, courage, and success beyond anything you ever imagined. You will be stronger and more loving overall.

Your relationships will thrive and deepen with authenticity and meaning, and you’ll experience financial abundance far beyond what you ever dreamed possible while working with your past team. Your false accusation will be exposed as a plot against you. You’ll be self-employed in service to humanity, helping others live their most incredible lives… that others may learn from your experiences. You will write a book about this special "calling"- Your story will be others' hope.

Your health will improve, your mental clarity will sharpen, and you’ll be more easily able to appreciate the simple things in life.

Your children will make it through- and learn who their Daddy really is and love you more than ever imaginable. Oh, and Liz will bless you with a beautiful granddaughter, Gianna Grace! This will allow you to fulfill the ability to be a "good" man and provide for your children and your children's children as the Word says. Joshua and Lizzy will make it through and stand next to you in ministry and business and you'll be proud of them both- and they will be proud of you, too!

Catherine may not ever come back... I can't see that far into the future. But whatever happens, maintain love, shalom and respect. You can't make someone love you, Larry, as difficult as that is to hear!

No matter what happens, hang in there… You’re in for the bumpiest ride of your entire life. At times you will think you're unable to make it- you will see days and days of total despair and loneliness, but you'll soon come to find out it’s also going to be the most rewarding and character building time of your entire life as well.

Not only that… here’s the MOST IMPORTANT THING for you to realize…

You’ll actually know, deep deep down, how incredible and amazing you are. In other words…

You’re going to fall in love with yourself, for the first time- In Christ.

Call me if you need anything. I am always right here!

The "Chief" and "Profit" Larry

Manvotional: Facing the Mistakes of Life

I found an article written in 1909 by a William George Jordan, who was the managing editor for The Ladies Home Journal, after which he edited The Saturday Evening Post (1888-89), called "Facing The Mistakes in Life" and thought I would repost it for my blog buddies!!

Enjoy:

There are only two classes of people who never make mistakes—they are the dead and the unborn. Mistakes are the inevitable accompaniment of the greatest gift given to man—individual freedom of action. If he were only a pawn in the fingers of Omnipotence, with no self-moving power, man would never make a mistake, but his very immunity would degrade him to the ranks of the lower animals and the plants. An oyster never makes a mistake—it has not the mind that would permit it to forsake an instinct.

Let us be glad of the dignity of our privilege to make mistakes, glad of the wisdom that enables us to recognize them, glad of the power that permits us to turn their light as a glowing illumination along the pathway of our future.

Mistakes are the growing pains of wisdom, the assessments we pay on our stock of experience, the raw material of error to be transformed into higher living. Without them there would be no individual growth, no progress, no conquest. Mistakes are the knots, the tangles, the broken threads, the dropped stitches in the web of our living. They are the misdeals in judgment, our unwise investments in morals, the profit and loss account of wisdom. They are the misleading bypaths from the straight road of truth and truth in our highest living is but the accuracy of the soul.

Life is simply time given to man to learn how to live. Mistakes are always part of learning. The real dignity of life consists in cultivating a fine attitude towards our own mistakes and those of others. It is the fine tolerance of a fine soul. Man becomes great, not through never making mistakes, but by profiting by those he does make; by being satisfied with a single rendition of a mistake, not encoring it into a continuous performance; by getting from it the honey of new, regenerating inspiration with no irritating sting of morbid regret; by building better to-day because of his poor yesterday; and by rising with renewed strength, finer purpose and freshened courage every time he falls.

In great chain factories, power machines are specially built to test chains—to make them fail, to show their weakness, to reveal the mistakes of workmanship. Let us thank God when a mistake shows us the weak link in the chain of our living. It is a new revelation of how to live. It means the rich red blood of a new inspiration.

If we have made an error, done a wrong, been unjust to another or to ourselves, or, like the Pharisee, passed by some opportunity for good, we should have the courage to face our mistake squarely, to call it boldly by its right name, to acknowledge it frankly and to put in no flimsy alibis of excuse to protect an anemic self-esteem.

If we have been selfish, unselfishness should atone; if we have wronged, we should right; if we have hurt, we should heal; if we have taken unjustly, we should restore; if we have been unfair, we should become just. Every possible reparation should be made. If confession of regret for the wrong and for our inability to set it right be the maximum of our power let us at least do that. A quick atonement sometimes almost effaces the memory. If foolish pride stands in our way we are aggravating the first mistake by a new one. Some people’s mistakes are never born singly—they come in litters.

Those who waken to the realization of their wrong act, weeks, months or years later, sometimes feel it is better to let confession or reparation lapse, that it is too late to reopen a closed account; but men rarely feel deeply wounded if asked to accept payment on an old promissory note—outlawed for years.

Some people like to wander in the cemetery of their past errors, to reread the old epitaphs and to spend hours in mourning over the grave of a wrong. This new mistake does not antidote the old one. The remorse that paralyzes hope, corrodes purpose, and deadens energy is not moral health, it is—an indigestion of the soul that cannot assimilate an act. It is selfish, cowardly surrender to the dominance of the past. It is lost motion in morals; it does no good to the individual, to the injured, to others, or to the world. If the past be unworthy live it down; if it be worthy live up to it and—surpass it.

Omnipotence cannot change the past, so why should we try? Our duty is to compel that past to vitalize our future with new courage and purpose, making it a larger, greater future than would have been possible without the past that has so grieved us. If we can get real, fine, appetizing dividends from our mistakes they prove themselves not losses but—wise investments. They seem like old mining shares, laid aside in the lavender of memory of our optimism and now, by some sudden change in the market of speculation, proved to be of real value.

Musing over the dreams of youth, the golden hopes that have not blossomed into deeds, is a dangerous mental dissipation. In very small doses it may stimulate; in large ones it weakens effort. It over-emphasizes the past at the expense of the present; it adds weights, not wings, to purpose. “It might have been” is the lullaby of regret with which man often puts to sleep the mighty courage and confidence that should inspire him. We do not need narcotics in life so much as we need tonics. We may try sometimes, sadly and speculatively, to reconstruct our life from some date in the past when we might have taken a different course. We build on a dead “if.” This is the most unwise brand of air-castle.

The other road always looks attractive. Distant sails are always white; far-off hills always green. It may perhaps have been the poorer road after all, could our imagination, through some magic, see with perfect vision the finality of its possibility. The other road might have meant wealth but less happiness; fame might have charmed our ears with the sweet music of praise, but the little hand of love that rests so trustingly in ours might have been denied us. Death itself might have come earlier to us or his touch stilled the beatings of a heart we hold dearer than our own. What the other road might have meant no eternity of conjecture could ever reveal; no omnipotence could enable us now to walk therein even if we wished.

It is a greater mistake to err in purpose, in aim, in principle, than in our method of attaining them…Right principles are vital and primary. They bring the maximum of profit from mistakes, reduce the loss to a minimum. False pride perpetuates our mistakes, deters us from confessing them, debars us from repairing them and ceasing them.

Let us never accept mistakes as final; let us organize victory out of the broken ranks of failure and, despite all odds, fight on calmly, courageously, unflinchingly, serenely confident that, in the end, right living and right doing must triumph.

TEN BENEFITS of the Present Fiscal Crisis

I am, by nature, pretty optimistic. I am naturally a happy person. I have dealt on and off over the years with depression but for the most part, those around me will tell you I keep my head above water most of the time and can rationally figure out how to maneuver in the roughest of waters!

But I’m pretty realistic and certainly not one who blindly believes everything is going to be fine. I am certainly not one who fiddles while Rome burns either (cough- Obama). I know people are suffering, and the pastoral part of me hates to see this happening to those around me! That's why our team created the seminar series www.DebtFreeMeSeminars.com To help those who feel lost in debt and overwhelmed by financial concerns. More recently, we began a fund and coordinated support and relief for hundreds of families who's lives were destroyed by a tornado in southern Oklahoma (please give generously to www.TushkaRelief.com).

Here is what fiscal crises' and personal financial tragedies do that are actually a "positive" and make you both survive, and, thrive in these challenging times. On to the Ten Benefits:

* It causes you to be more creative.
* It forces you to make the tough decisions you have been procrastinating about.
* It thins out the competition- weak willed and poor management teams crack in this environment.
* It makes you more grateful when you realize you can’t take anything for granted.
* It reminds you that real wealth isn’t about only "stuff".
* It forces out-of-the-box thinking- although true success is always birthed outside the norm!!
* It makes it easier to abandon business-as-usual.
* It brings you back to the basics.
* It accelerates necessary change.
* It causes you to be less wasteful.

While you may not feel like you are able to control what happens with the economy (although I think we really can- watch out for my new book with Tarik El-Naggar), you can control your own mental focus. Usually, this determines whether you feel anxiety and fear or peace and hope. It's okay to fear some, don't feel guilty. Just don't let it last!! But know your heavenly Father is with you and says for you to fear not... for He is with us! He really is... I know because I have been in fear and worry and I am still standing, by G-d's Grace, and FAVOR from His Children shown to me.

Get strong. Get prayed up. Get creative. And when you are in need, find someone who is, too, and give. Your help is on it's way!!

"Easter" Or "Passover"?

We all know that the early church did not celebrate Easter with jelly beans, chocolate bunnies and marshmallow chickens. Their children never went on Easter egg hunts. Of course, the death and resurrection of Jesus stood above all the cultural trappings, but it was Passover not Easter, that the early Believers honored.

The word Easter actually comes from the Anglo Saxon Eastre, the goddess of spring. As Christianity spread, it became church policy not to undo pagan holidays, but instead inject Christian meaning into the celebrations. Although I enjoy eating chocolate bunnies, I recognize that the colored eggs, rabbits and chickens were originally symbols through which the locals paid homage to the "gods" that governed sexual fertility.

Although most Believers still refer to the season of Yeshua's resurrection as "Easter," in my heart I look past secular traditions and into the reality of spiritual truth. Indeed, even when I am with one who celebrates Easter with eggs, etc., I overlook these cultural traditions and call everyone's attention to the great miracle: the resurrection of Yeshua.

Church Celebrated Passover

While we can forgive and cover unbiblical traditions in love, it remains important that we steadfastly pursue the truth of G-d's Word. Thus, we should recognize that the early Believers did not celebrate "Easter" as we do in modern times. They celebrated the Feast of Passover. This annual tradition was not only commemorative; it was also prophetic in nature. Additionally, we would expect that the Jewish disciples would celebrate Passover, but so also did the Gentile believers. We see this clearly in Paul's letter to the Corinthians. He wrote, "...Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the feast" (1 Cor. 5:7-8).

These Gentile Corinthians were urged by Paul to celebrate the Hebrew Feast of Passover. True, they did not celebrate the Old Testament ritual as did the Jews with unleavened bread, etc. Rather, they approached the feast from its spiritual perspective, focusing on "the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" (v. 8). Indeed, the Church kept the Passover, not only in remembrance of Israel's deliverance from Egypt, but also in remembrance of what Yeshua---their Passover---fulfilled in delivering mankind from the penalty of sin and judgment.

Listen again to the Lord's statement to His disciples. He said, "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of G-d" (Luke 22:15-16).

Yeshua's desired to eat the Passover, not looking back, but looking forward in prophetic anticipation of Passover being fulfilled on a whole new level in the Kingdom of G-d. Through Christ's sacrifice, a new Passover would be established far greater than that of Israel's deliverance from Pharaoh. This Passover would affect the entire world. While it would still be a type of Passover, it would be kept "in remembrance of [Yeshua]" (v. 19).


Hebrew Passover Versus Christian Passover

The Old Testament Passover, for all its powerful intrinsic and literal value, was actually a shadow of what Yeshua would fulfill on behalf of the world. Therefore, let's look at this first Passover.

The Hebrew Passover occurred in ancient Egypt when the Israelites were slaves. We are familiar with the story: G-d had sent Moses to bring deliverance to His people. Each time Pharaoh refused, divine judgments fell upon Egypt; the last and most decisive judgment occurred the night before the Israelites left Egypt. The Lord commanded the Hebrews to kill a lamb and put its blood on the doorposts and lintels of each house. That night, as the angel of death went forth and killed every first-born male in Egypt, he "passed over" every home whose exterior door was covered by the blood of the lamb. From this "passing over" comes the term "Passover."

Yet, the Israelites were required to do more than put lamb's blood upon their doorposts. They also had to roast the lamb they'd slain and then eat it entirely; any remains were to be burnt. It was to be eaten with bitter herbs, and eaten in haste with their loins girded and a walking staff ready. They also had to remove all leaven from their dwellings and bake unleavened bread for their journey into the wilderness. The next morning the entire nation of Israel along with their sheep and cattle were victoriously delivered from their time of bondage. Every year from then on the Israelites were required to commemorate God's great deliverance. This commemoration was also known as the "Feast of Unleavened Bread." It lasted for eight days and was considered a mandatory feast for all of Israel.

When Yeshua came, one of His singular purposes was to fulfill the Law and the Prophets (Matt. 5:17). This mission to bring fulfillment included Israel's feasts; in a profound way, the Passover would become central. Remember also, the feasts were shadows of something greater than themselves. Paul said their "substance belongs to Yeshua" (Col. 2:17). It is absolutely remarkable that, of all days in the calendar year, Christ, the Lamb of G-d, died on Passover. As the high priest was offering a lamb for the sins of the Jews, on that day G-d was offering His Son for the sins of the world! It is Yeshua's blood that protects us today in the same way the blood on the doorposts symbolized G-d's protection for Israel in Egypt.

But let's take the Passover further into its great, end-time fulfillment. During this last Passover celebrated by Yeshua, I believe He not only had the forgiveness of the world on His mind, but also the great, end-time fulfillment of Passover - an event which is yet to come. Thus, as He ate that last Passover with His disciples, He said, "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of G-d" (Luke 22: 15-16).

Yeshua said that the Passover will have yet another great fulfillment when He eats it with us "in the kingdom of G-d." After that last supper Yeshua did not again celebrate Passover. His statement refers to something yet to come, something that will unfold at the end of the age. When Yeshua speaks about the Passover being fulfilled in the kingdom, He is saying that there will be yet another fulfillment to the Feast of Passover, a time when those who are truly Yeshua's, who have "eaten" the Lamb's flesh and partaken of His blood covenant, are divinely protected during the time of the end. G-d has not destined us for wrath. The Kingdom Passover, fulfilled by the Lamb of G-d, positions us in the eternal protection of the Almighty.


In whatever manner Yeshua's words shall be fulfilled, let us require of ourselves to partake of the whole Lamb and not merely nibble at the comforting verses. Let us diligently apply the Lamb's blood over the doorways to our hearts, as well as over our families and loved ones. And even as the world around us continues its rush toward sin and judgment, let us instead press into G-d's kingdom. For during these very days of shaking, we shall receive a "kingdom which cannot be shaken" (Heb. 12:28).



People, let us live in holy expectation of that day when Yeshua shall return and we shall eat the Passover with Him in the Kingdom of G-d.

Living a Life So Exciting People Have to Check it Out!!!

I recently had a soul from a church do a full background check on me because they didn't believe I have been through what all I said I did... they also uncovered some "dirt"!! IMAGINE... the Profit having DIRT!!!! Surprised?? You shouldn't be if you have ever attended a meeting I have hosted! I tell all my dirt!! Oh yeah!! Why not? Why hide from anything in your past- especially when it a source of testimony?

So people, stop looking back. If YOU are supposed to be a "Kingdom" guy, then stinkin act like it and stop spreading rumors about others, or if you found such juicy stuff, go to that person and deal with them... unless you have other motives. Do you? Check your heart and be honest. G-d knows your heart and all that's in it already and we always find out what's in each others hearts, too... eventually!

By the way... no murders or anything!!! Just a false accusation, speeding tickets, resisted arrest one time and kicked the cop (long story), had a state try and get taxes out of me the year after I lived there, I am divorced (still love ya hunny!).... still like me???

Creek County Man Can Offer ‘Text While You Drive’

Here is a re-print from the SapulpaHeraldOnLine.com written by John Brock about our new company that saves lives and ends TEXTING AND DRIVING... enjoy...

"A Creek County businessman would like to add a new(ish) word to the vocabulary of Sapulpans, the nation and the world.

The word is: Vext. The word and the company it represents GetVext.com was partly conceived in Sapulpa and has a local address. Perhaps it’s biggest fan is in CEO and county resident Larry Favalora.

The company can tout the features of its’ product summed up with one sentence.

GetVext.com provides mobile phone users-subscribers with easy e-mail and text message access-composing (even on a drive behind the wheel of an auto) by voice alone using any cell phone in the United States.

It is a cell phone feature that Favalora strongly feels is both needed by the market as a stand alone product, and if implemented (used) by consumers will benefit American society as a whole, by eliminating the threat of cell phone texting and driving teens (and anybody else) while operating a motor vehicle.

“We really feel our system will elimate the dangers of texting and driving, especially among the young. The distraction the danger its in the news, some experts liken it to being as bad (driving) as alcohol intoxication.

“Teens are going to text in the car if they can. History shows us that prohibition doesn’t work. They can write as many laws as they wish (banning texting by drivers-increasing fines and penalties) but that won’t necessarily solve the problem and is probably foolish. Technology has caused the problem and we believe our technology (Vext) can solve the problem,” Favalora said.

The GetVext system is computer server based. The nuts and bolts of the system operate from a stand alone electronics company allied with GetVext.

About a minutes worth of quiet time will set up the system for the first time user with a one keypad press that speed dials the computerized server farm in Canada.

A few voice prompts later and the system is set-up and ready to convert spoken words into written text type and then send it to the proper destination.

A demonstration Wednesday in the Herald’s offices displayed a relative ease of set-up and moments later Favalora spoke into his cell phone and kazow-boom a text appeared on the Herald employee’s ordinary run of the mill mobile phone.

The software-system reproduced the company CEO’s words into text-type precisely.

“We identified a niche in the market in that most of the anti-texting technology available today is for smart-phone users. Smart phones are about 30-percent of the overall market. Our product will work with any cellphone,” he said.

“A big part of the philosophy of our company is not only to seek out small innovative products and companies, to make a profit but also to be charitable to society with a portion of the proceeds of profit,” Favalora said.

Fundraising schemes for churches, non profits, schools and sports teams is a marketers niche the company is pledging to exploit. So contact GetVext.com to get started- it's TOTALLY free to start for Non-Profit groups and generates recurring monthly income!

The entrepreneur readily admits with near certainty that the Oklahoma state legislature will at some future point, pass anti-texting while driving laws. Trendwise similar legislation has been and will be enacted by other states of the union.

“Part of our marketing is directed at kids and parents of kids. We have a program where we can get local schools involved in the safety aspect of it and as a fundraising tool. Our service costs justs $6.95 a month,” he said rather proudly.

“It would be great to go to a school assembly at Sapulpa High and showcase the safety aspect of our product and the benefit to the school itself as a fundraising tool,” Favalora said.

The company CEO is a an energetic salesman and brings an eastern seaboard accent and flair and he speaks almost as much with hand gestures as words.

Asked as to what brought a New York businessman to oil patch country. “I married a gal from Oklahoma, moved out here in the 80's with her and really liked the area and people. So I stayed. I looked around the community saw some things I thought should be addressed so I ran to be the mayor of Oilton and won the office serving in the 1990’s.

Always hands on, Favalora during his mayoral tenure he was unhappy with State law enforcement response in arresting the behavior of drug dealers who were brazenly doing their business almost in the wide open.

“I figured I was mayor and couldn’t get the response I needed, so I just hid a video camera in the bushes and recorded the transactions,” he said.

His non-traditional tactic apparently worked, State and County law enforcement apparently perked up their efforts and served his little community a bit better than before.

I Have Something CRAZYGOOD To Share...

I've been social networking now for a few years and although I wouldn't consider myself "hard core", I check FB daily and occasionally share pics and/or videos. But on a regular basis add incredibly witty comments to the crazy things that my friends post. Some are true classics! In recent days, I've become more and more concerned about what I read about social networking sites selling the information that they compile about me as I use their site. Evidently, the 500,000,000 of us sharing our likes/dislikes, talking about where we go and what we do-is really big business-and by that I mean-big MONEY business. SNS sell our personal information as well as our content to third parties-who are clamoring to find potential sales. I mean I know they have to make money, but at what price to us-the users. And it seems so easy for private information shared on these sites to become available to everyone-I mean, you read terrible stories about things that happen as a result of private information made public from these sites. A friend mentioned to me that she was using crazygood.com-a subscription-based social networking site that doesn't sell users' info or even allow ads. I still FB often but use it more as a search for friends now-because it's so massive. But if I want to SHARE info, photos, etc., I only use Crazygood. It just makes me feel more protected, and I'm back in control of my own information. If you're concerned about your cyber safety and want to be SURE your private information remains just that-PRIVATE, then check out Crazygood by clicking on the link below.

By the way I am making some pretty good money already- and that is not a bad deal either in this economy!!!!

http://www.crazygood.com/refer/Maven

"UGH, Sales are down. I'm down. People won't buy."

I get a ton of emails that start out something like, "My sales are off," or "The market is down," or "I just can't get motivated like I used to."

Times are a bit tough. What's your point?

Well, as much as I'd love to tell you to quit whining and get to work, I'd rather not sound like your boss.

HOPE: There's business out there. Just not as much of it.

REALITY: People will still be buying. Even if the quantity is lower. The question is, will they be buying from you?

When things aren't going well, you have 2.5 options:
1. Do something about it.
2. Do nothing about it.
2.5 Complain about it.

Lack of sales is NOT a problem. People's indecision is NOT a problem. Lack of motivation is NOT a problem. All three are SYMPTOMS. If you're looking to cure your ills, you'd better look deeper than complaining.

Here's where to start - look for the clues:
CLUE ONE: Plan less. Act more.
CLUE TWO: Plan for today the night before.
CLUE THREE: Plan for the week on Sunday.
CLUE FOUR: Plan six valuable or money meetings.
CLUE FIVE: Plan actions and activities that lead to completion.
CLUE SIX: Plan successes, not just actions.

CLUE SIX POINT FIVE: Now is the time. You know the old expression, "There's no time like the present." I say, "There is only the present."
ATTITUDE CLUE: If your drama factor exceeds your sales results, it's time for an extreme attitude makeover.

When sales are slow, big companies "cut" rather than "invest." They say, "I'll advertise after the recovery, I'll market after the recovery, I'll train more after the recovery" -- wondering all the while why things aren't improving, as they whip their salespeople.

They "react" rather than "proact." Sales drop even further, morale drops, and key people quit. And as a result, recovery takes longer.

As a salesperson, here's what to do. Look at who you are AND how you engage:
•Help your customers. If your business is down, it means that others are down. Give them business-building ideas or sales leads. Send an idea a week. They will remember your help after they recover.
•Get closer to your customers. Work there for a day. Get to understand WHY things are slower, and what it will take to make them better.
•Position yourself as a resource, not just a salesperson. You must communicate a value message to your customers every week.
•Get endorsements from your most loyal customers, and use them in a testimonial ad campaign. It authenticates all your claims. Your prospects will be more likely to believe you. Your customers will love you, and tell others. And your competition (who has your best customers on their "hot" list), will HATE you. Rock!
•Rededicate yourself to the present. Your ability to win is in direct proportion to your desire to remain a student and the intensity of your attitude and enthusiasm - TODAY.

And if you're a CEO or sales leader, here's what to do:
Invest in your people. Double your soft-skills training budget. Teach them attitude, goals, presentation skills, creativity, and selling skills. Now is the time for coaching, encouragement, and leadership by example.

Invest in your PRESENT customers. Market with customer testimonials and endorsements, not self-serving brags. Don't just say it. Prove it.

Improve service. I'll never understand why empty restaurants have lousy service. Now is the time to get the business community, or the community in which you live, to begin talking about you in a good way. Word-of-mouth advertising will bring more customers than traditional advertising.

CAUTION: It's not ONE thing. To get back in the game, it's a bit of all these elements. There is no pill you can swallow that will make the market better, you better, or the customer buy faster - much less make the customer buy from you, rather than the competition.

The good news is that you control your destiny. That's why you are an Entrepreneur in the first place!

** By the way to calm the "chatter" I don't always write all the entries on my blog from scratch... I collect great thoughts from the net and bring them to you!!! BTW- most Pastors preach from stuff written by guys over 2000 years ago... you have a problem with that?? I didn't think so! So stop the gossip, do what my blog says rather than being so concerned who authored it all. I make no $$ from this... sheesh!!!

It's time to Reclaim the Seven Mountains of Culture

The Great Commission is a TEACHING as well as PREACHING commission!

Mt 28:19-20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all THE NATIONS, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (NAS) Teach them all I commanded you.

Did you know that Yashua (Jesus) gave us 50 commandments to take to the nations?

The 50 commandments of Yashua will change a nation. Notice how Yashua commands us to both preach repentance and TEACH THEM TO “OBSERVE ALL THINGS THAT I COMMANDED YOU”. We tend to focus on getting people saved, or born again. That is certainly the start. This however is called the “Gospel of Salvation.” He has called us, as Joseph was called in Genesis 45:8 to FATHER the Pharoh, or the world system!!! NOT JUST get people "saved" from a future of waste, depression, poor, G-dless choices here on earth and ultimately totally separated from their Father, Creator and friend for all eternity.

The “Gospel of the Kingdom” on the other hand is the Gospel we are called to preach AND LIVE OUT. It includes the call to repentance but goes much further. The Seven Mountains of Culture reaches into the world system and threatens Satan's control over the nations. It is a teaching commission along side a preaching commission. It has been neglected too long.It is where at work you stand out... not because of your hardline stand on "sin" and obnoxious bumper stickers; hateful, compassion-free attitude; and "better than you" underlying tone in all you do! You are called for the purpose OF SHOWING and LIVING out before people what you believe. It is where you see yourself called to take dominion over the area, or "MOUNTAIN" you have been called to work, not just being a "good guy" or doing "your work well". It is where you actually TAKE control by "fathering" people in the arena you are called to work!!!

To disciple, or "father" a nation you need a philosophy that governs all aspects of behavior yet is flexible enough to apply to all sectors of society. What are the sectors of society the gospel must penetrate in order to disciple nations?

There are in fact seven mountains or world kingdoms that make up the matrix in which the culture of every nation exists. These mountains are also called “mind molders” because the person who controls the tops of these mountains has leverage over the minds and lives of those beneath in every other mountain. The church has a message for each of these mountains. We need to both demonstrate the power of God and recover our confidence in the practical, life changing dynamic that is unleashed when society is built on non optional universal life principles- the commandments of Yashua! It is the absence of this moral foundation that explains why it is easier to liberate a country from dictatorship than it is to bring it into order and prosperity once the dictator is out of power.

The Seven Mountains are …

* Arts/Entertainment
* Business/Finance
* Church/Ministry
* Education
* Family
* Government
* Media

According to Steve Shultz, founder of the Elijah List, “The Seven Mountain Symphony” CD is a new sound! It�s a “Spoke and Soak” – it has the spoken word with soaking music. There is not a sound like it in the earth. It is a new sound for a new day.

Seven Mountain Symphony is a sound commissioned and inspired by Holy Spirit. It is a symphonic ensemble of some of the leading apostolic and prophetic voices of this generation – the voice of Yashua speaking through some of His chosen generals in this hour to release both revelation and impartation. It is a collection worth purchasing as you pray for wisdom seeking just what your role in this restoration really is!!

Let's determine to seek our part in what G-d is doing today- in this hour of uncertainty and failed systems, it is the hour of His Kingdom and His people to rise in love; in power; in un-worldly wisdom with THE ANSWER to true stability, peace and prosperity. Let's face it- we as believers have done a horrible job!! We have let the dominion Yashua won on the cross be handed over, for a time, to the world's system and leadership once again!! You, as a Child of The Most High, have all you need to BECOME what you are called to be in this season.

Forget the "prosperity" message you have heard (a $35 offering isn't going to get us out of our selfish habits and bring favor!); forget the 'cloister" message where you hide away and stock cans of food.... get your hands dirty... be bold and LIVE truth. He is looking for those of us to step up and "father" a fatherless generation into the wisdom of a Father who can heal, deliver, save and bring real JOY to lives lived without peace, direction and love.

You are the answer. Start living like it!!!


Prayer Power
Most gracious and merciful heavenly Father, help us to know, experience and demonstrate Your power in a society that is built on Your non optional, universal life principles. May you bless us to be strong and of good courage as we battle to reclaim the Seven Mountains for Your Kingdom. Grant us wisdom to bring order and prosperity to the tribes and communties we are part of. In Yashua's name, the name above all names, we pray! Amen!

Did Jesus NOW Say "Hey, let's go get a ham sandwich!"???

DID JESUS DECLARE "ALL" FOODS CLEAN, OR JUST LEVITICAL FOODS?

Question 1:If G-d declared something an abomination/disgusting in His sight. Could Jesus be from the Father, and be ONE with the Father, and completely contradict Him???

Question 2: If Jesus declared "ALL" Foods Clean in His earthly ministry, why would Peter declare that NOTHING UNCLEAN had ever touched his lips, years after the Resurrection??

Question 3: Did you read the WHOLE Chapter Peter had the vision, and the WHOLE CHAPTER where Jesus said the mistranslated quote above?

READ THIS BIBLE CHAPTER REAL SLOW.
Mark 7
"Now when the Pharisees gathered to him, with some of the scribes who had come from Jerusalem, 2they saw that some of his disciples ate with hands that were defiled, that is, unwashed. 3(For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash[a] their hands, holding to the tradition of the elders, 4and when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing ofcups and pots and copper vessels and dining couches. 5And the Pharisees and the scribes asked him, "Why do your disciples not walk according to(H) the tradition of the elders, but eat withdefiled hands?"

JESUS AND UNWASHED HANDS:
The Disciples were NOT eating pork. They were eating Levitically Clean Food (Broma/Bromatis) in the Greek. Jesus and His Disciples were first Century Jews, they would never even refer to a pig as food at all. The problem the Pharisees has was that like their version of what is lawful on the Sabbath Yeshua, also a Rabbi, was allowing His disciples to break a TRADITION of the Church leaders. He was not letting them break the Commands of G-d by eating something G-d said was not intended for the human body.


The Pharisees had a tradition that you must WASH YOUR HANDS before you eat. This part is backed by Torah. The problem is that they invented an entire ceremony that was required before you could eat, with someone else washing your hands for you and a paragraph long prayer and the whole nine yards. If you didn't do the entire TRADITIONAL HANDWASHING CEREMONY then what you ate, was considered by the Pharisees, jsut as unclean as eating pig or bat, or a snake or scorpions. The Pharisees did not ask the Disciples why they were eatign a X-mas ham, instead they asked why they ate with "Unwashed Hands". Then "JESUS declared All BROMA clean" Broma is Greek for Levitically Clean/Kashrut food. Their is another word for unclean food that is also translated unclean spirit. He declared ALL Levitically Clean Food as Clean, IF YOU GAVE YOUR HANDS A TRADITIONAL CEREMONIAL WASHING before you ate or Not!

The Pharisees also made their disciples fast on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and Jesus did not make His Disciples fast and they questioned Him about this as well.

MARK 7 Continues about the Traditions of the Pharisees, such as Hand Washing.
"6 And he said to them, "Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,

(M) "'This people honors me with their lips,
but their heart is far from me;
7 in vain do they worship me,
teaching as(N) doctrines the commandments of men.'

8 You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men."

9 And he said to them, "You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! 10 For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother'; and, 'Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.' 11 But you say, 'If a man tells his father or his mother, "Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban"' (that is, given to G-d)[d]— 12 then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, 13 thus(R) making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do."

What Defiles a Person


14 And he called the people to him again and said to them, "Hear me, all of you, and understand: 15 There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him." 17 And when he had entered the house and left the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. 18 And he said to them, "Then are you also without understanding? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, 19 since it enters not his heart but his stomach, and is expelled?" Thus he declared all foods clean.) 20 And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him. 21 For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, 22 coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person."

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SANITATION UNCLEAN AND SPIRITUALLY UNCLEAN IN MARK 7

The Pharisees got to a point of legalism in which they no longer distinguised between Kashrut Laws (the Sanitation code for good communal health) and the Moral Laws both given by G-d and upheld by Jesus. There are two kinds of unclean, one is that you are physically sick and most likely contagious (Koinos in Greek). The other is that you Spiritually sick and most likely contagious (Akathartos in Greek, from a root word meaning "Spiritual Death"). The Pharisees got the idea from that Greeks that the body was a reflection of the soul, and if you were sick or physically unsanitary then G-d must be upset with you and you are Spiritually Sick. Jesus said that not washing your hands thoroughly before you eat, and what goes into your mouth (like pork) can make you physically sick (Koinos), but what comes out of you is a display of your Spiritual Sickness(Akathartos).

Jesus also upheld the Levitical Diet by upholding the Torah in Matthew 5:19

A House in the Land of Shinar

"Then said I to the angel that talked with me, Whither do these bear the ephah? And he said unto me, To build it an house in the land of Shinar: and it shall be established, and set there upon her own base." (Zechariah 5:10-11)

This prophecy of the latter days shows a woman named "wickedness" being translated rapidly in a great measuring basket (symbolizing commerce and finance "through all the earth," v. 6) to a base being built for it in the ancient land of Shinar (same as Sumeria). This was also the land of Nimrod, the leader of the post-Flood rebellion against G-d at Babel. "He began to be a mighty one in the earth. . . . And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, . . . in the land of Shinar" (Genesis 10:8, 10).

From this first Babylon in the land of Shinar, the dispersed followers of Nimrod carried their anti G-d, materialistic religion into every land through every age. Its current form is mainly a pantheistic, evolutionary humanism promoting a "new world order," featuring a world government and (supposedly) universal prosperity, without G-d, a world order such as Nimrod tried to build at Babylon long ago. This "new world order" isn't new at all, but it is trying to birth itself once again... maybe for the final stage!

In the final book of the Bible, this woman of wickedness is called "MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH." She is said to be sitting upon "peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues" (Revelation 17:5, 15). This monstrous system is evidently once again to have a house built for it in the land of Shinar. I am not being a paranoid conspiracy theorist, but isn't it a "coincidence" that we have "freed" Babylon recently??

It is interesting that Babylon (near Baghdad in Iraq) is partially rebuilt. Being very near the geographical center of the earth's land masses, this site is the ideal location for a world government. In any case, the day will come when Babylon will fall forever, and there will be "a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia" (Revelation 18:2; 19:1).

Think... don't feel as much, but THINK.

Knowing What To Do Is Often HEARD, not Always SEEN!

Just because an opportunity presents itself for which we are qualified does not necessarily mean that it is G-d’s will for us to accept it. Many times circumstances “line up” and everything looks good, yet it doesn’t seem right. In such cases we need to hear from G-d. That is why I say that divine direction is really heard not seen. We Kingdom believers should be more interested in the unseen than we are in the things that are visible.

The only safe way to decide which direction to go is by learning to distinguish between the voices we hear. There are always three sources of voices: there is G-d’s voice, our own voice (usually crafted by the experiences of our life- good and bad- and what was spoken over us like "you can't do THAT" or "NO ONE has EVER done that before")and, lastly, the Enemy's voice. We must learn to distinguish among these three.

We must choose to eliminate all foggy areas in our lives. This is the key to being able to see and think clearly. Fog is very dangerous to drive into, especially a spiritual fog.

We believers should choose to build on what we hear on the inside, not what we see on the outside.
There is a big difference between having an ability to do something, and being called and anointed to do it. As you have sat in church, you may have seen someone who has the ability to sing, but that is not the necessarily evidence that the person has been called of G-d to the life of a singer. A gift is not a call.

I am not suggesting that when we have the ability to do something that G-d isn’t directing us to use that ability. But ability should not be the only criterion for deciding whether or not we make a particular choice. Not only does the Lord give us a road map, He also provides direction signals, information signs, a vehicle, fuel, and time to get to our destination.

We need to be sensitive to what lies in the unseen. Many people have walked right over rich pools of oil or veins of gold, not realizing what lay just beneath their feet. Their vision was too limited. They only saw the ground, not the treasure hidden in it.

Look beyond what you see with your natural eyes. Listen with your spiritual ears. Keep your antenna up for G-d’s perfect direction in your life. It isn't always as it seems! He knows the outcome... will you trust Him??

Shabbat Shalom!!

The Real Roots of Our Financial Crisis

Almost all of the liberal and conservative commentators on the Great Recession and Financial Collapse/Bailout of 2008 have neglected the cultural and moral reasons for this economic mess. Unless those causes are addressed, all the finger pointing and all the proposed "solutions" will be like putting band-aids on a tumor. Let me be as specific and concrete as I can.

In the 1980s, Michael Lewis wrote a comedic book called Liar's Poker that depicted the excesses of Wall Street at the firm, Salomon Brothers. He recently updated it with an article entitled, "After the Fall, Greed, Stupidity, and Really Bad Luck: How Wall Street Did Itself In." The bottom line is Wall Street learned next to nothing, from the past, the scandals, schemes, downturns and the criminality. The materialism and culture of greed was just too addictive. To quote Lewis' last line, "Something for nothing. It never loses its charm."

Certainly macroeconomic weakness, heightened economic imbalances, over-leverage and extreme credit risks have contributed to the unbelievable levels of market volatility we have witnessed in this downturn, now become a near collapse. Almost all financial experts and many policymakers have started to cry out for financial reforms, greater financial transparency and measures to rebuild confidence. Trust is needed in the financial architecture and institutions, regulatory agencies among them, that underlie our now highly interconnected global economic system. Yet this is why the sage market advisor, David Smick spells out so explicitly in his book, The World Is Curved, "The distasteful reality, is that there are no quick fixes for the global credit system's dilemma, which is why the world has become a dangerous place with so much economic heartache."

Let's be completely honest since so much is at stake. Why did the financial giants: investment banks, hedge funds, ratings agencies, large investors for that matter, get us into this "risky business" and dangerous situation in the first place? The answer in a word, actually a deep-seated vice, is greed.

The outcries for punishment, heads rolling, massive government regulations and bureaucratic solutions are only now beginning. There will be dozens of plans and much hand wringing. Congress will over-react and yet more firms and perhaps half of all hedge funds will fail, hurting yet more people and dragging down the economy as a whole. No one can even predict what will happen to the credit default swap market, which totals just shy of a quadzillion dollars (do the math).

It is characteristic of the age in which we live to see the "moral dimension" as a matter of following yet more rules or dictated regulations. The ancients, however, seldom referred to rules or even principles. For them a moral life was not a matter of what you do but of what you are. The fundamental notion was not duty but virtue and the task of the moral person was to describe the virtues that we should emulate and teach. This is how Socrates, Plato and preeminently Aristotle conceived of the moral life. St. Thomas Aquinas synthesized it into Christianity. The words of the Roman, Cicero closely correspond, as do those of the great sage Confucius, in China. Like him, the Greeks, Romans and Christians all attempted to find a basis for moral conduct in human nature. They all believed that the core idea is virtue.

Today "virtue" is literally and figuratively missing from our public vocabulary and the idea of "the moral" has been either trivialized or totally relativized. No training session or quick executive briefing can revive ethics and morality because they are habituated over years and years not in some late afternoon consultants' PowerPoint presentation or a touchy feely weekend retreat. At the very root of our financial crisis is a moral vacuum, which can only be filled with true virtue. Virtue can be defined as "moral excellence," which is gained on the grounds or basis of reason. It is a core positive quality that advantages both individuals and society.

Capitalism, the goose that laid our golden eggs over the past decades, brings about immense transformation, particularly in its globalized form. It is in nature as Adam Smith reminded us in his first book, The Theory of Moral Sentiments, written long before his better-known work, The Wealth of Nations, all about what he called "the moral sentiments." He himself distinguished between self-interest, which he promoted, and greed. Self-interest is both good and essential. Greed is always wrong and bad. The key difference is the former uses self-restraint, which obviously requires a moral code and a moral compass. There are moral preconditions in a market economy: the sentiments of sympathy, benevolence and compassion, of approval; disapproval and indignation, which underpin the social order and make it possible to engage in business in the first place. Human beings are not just profit-maximizers. They have moral scruples, personal commitments and the desire for happiness. These set limits to their plans for personal profit, and also stimulate them to pursue profit in ways that honor their higher values and generosity. Many companies, large and small, exhibit these; they live and conduct business by these values, in every industry and on every continent.

Those nations, peoples, and businesses that neglect the moral ecology of their own cultures, especially corporate cultures, and financial firms' cultures are most noteworthy, cannot enjoy the fruits of capitalism. Because that system must essentially be moral or it falters, declines and fails. What we need to rediscover and renew today at this time more than any other in modern memory is spiritual enterprise, which is capitalism in its most profound and important virtuous form.

Spiritual capital is the fund of beliefs, examples, and commitments that are transmitted from generation to generation through a religious, moral or spiritual tradition, and which attach people to the transcendental source of human happiness. Without rediscovery of the virtues we cannot understand or resolve the deepest roots of this financial and, ultimately, moral crisis.

That moral crisis cannot be dictated by governmental power or throwing money at "problems." One of the paradoxes of the "progressive movement" is that it has spawned public policies that have had as their collective consequence an end totally opposite to the one intended. Instead of offering temporary help to a needy few, we have expanded the ranks of those perpetually in need. Where communism failed to create "new socialist man" behind the former Iron Curtain we are succeeding in America. Instead of creating a society of free and responsible individuals, we have created the entitlement generation(s). Ever since we proclaimed that we should be free from fear, we have been afraid to be free.

There is, lest we forget in this era of Obamanomics, a very corrosive and morally corrupting influence of government which stimulates the "something for nothing" mentality more than anything else in our present culture. The latest episode in so-called "stimulus" is mostly a series of government giveaways or payoffs to interest groups now in power. There is nothing virtuous about such bailouts to any and every constituency that screams loudest or turns out the vote. Quite the opposite, such actions inevitably destroy freedom, cripple the market, and like drug addiction lead to a need for more and more without regard to effect. At some point we will wake up and there will be hell to pay, i.e., hyperinflation and a worthless currency.

I Can't Give Up... I Just Can't

A look at Elijah in 1 Kings 19: 4-16

Do you sometimes feel like giving up? Does it seem like the journey is too difficult and that everyone is out to get you? Do you just want to lie down somewhere and hide from your troubles? This is the way Elijah felt. He had done a mighty work for God, but it seemed like he was the only one in the nation of Israel being true to God. Now he was being pursued and hunted, and he just felt like the fight wasn’t worth all the effort. If you’ve ever felt that way, you can learn from the example of Elijah. These verses give us important instruction as to what God would have us do when we feel like quitting.

Verse 4

But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a broom tree; and he asked that he might die, saying, "It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am no better than my fathers."

Elijah was so frustrated that he asked God to let him die. Have you ever felt that way? You feel like you’ve come to the end of your rope and you simply have no strength left. That is the way Elijah felt.

Snaith comments, "Elijah stops and shelters, exhausted and disillusioned, under a broom tree. ... It provides no great amount of shade against the desert sun, but it is the best shade there is. Elijah is utterly at the end of his own courage and his own strength, and dejectedly confesses that in spite of all he has done at Carmel he is no better than his fathers."

Verses 5-6

And he lay down and slept under a broom tree; and behold, an angel touched him, and said to him, "Arise and eat."

And he looked, and behold, there was at his head a cake baked on hot stones and a jar of water. And he ate and drank, and lay down again.

Elijah was so despondent that all he felt like doing was sleeping. Many people when faced with difficult situations feel more tired and drained than usual. They just want to sleep, hoping that when they wake up all their troubles will somehow have disappeared. God cared for Elijah and sent an angel to minister to him. He cooked bread and provided water and woke him up so that he could be strengthened and nourished. But Elijah didn’t want to face another day and so retreated again into sleep.

Into what are you retreating? It may not be sleep. You could be running from your problems by retreating into drugs or alcohol or immorality or some obsession to distract your mind. Elijah didn’t want to face tomorrow.

Verses 7-8

And the angel of the Lord came again a second time, and touched him, and said, "Arise and eat, else the journey will be too great for you."

And he arose, and ate and drank, and went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount of God.

Here we have three things the angel tells Elijah to help him get over his desire to give up. I believe God is telling us the same three things today.

First, he says, to arise. We will never overcome our feelings of frustration and despondency unless we are willing to get up and do something about it. The angel told Elijah to arise. God may be telling you to arise – you’ve been hiding for too long. It’s time to get up and face the real world once again.

Second, the angel tells Elijah to eat. Elijah needed physical nourishment. We may not need food, but we may need other forms of nourishment – emotional, mental, spiritual. Whatever we need, God has provided it for us just the same way he provided for Elijah. He told Elijah to be strengthened by the food. God is telling us to be strengthened by spiritual nourishment. This might come from the living message of the Bible, or the love and encouragement of our church family. It could come from our time in prayer and meditation or it could come from being renewed by the Holy Spirit. Whatever your need, God will provide it and is offering it to you by saying, "arise and eat."

And third, the angel tells Elijah that he must begin the journey. He could not simply stay where he was and do nothing. He must begin the journey which would end in a new calling and a new spiritual encounter with God. God is telling us we cannot stay where we are in the shade of discouragement and hopelessness. We must begin the journey out of our depression. We must allow God to strengthen us for the journey, and then by faith step out.

Remember, trying times are no time to quit trying.

Verse 9

And there he came to a cave, and lodged there; and behold, the word of the Lord came to him, and he said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

So Elijah made the journey to Mount Horeb. This was most likely the Sinai mountain where God had given Moses the ten commandments. God had sent Elijah here for a purpose. But when he arrived, instead of climbing up the mountain, he decided to hide in a cave. As Sockman remarks, "Elijah was in the cave mood. He came to a cave and lodged there. Both his mind and heart had gone into hiding. He was still free from Ahab and Jezebel, but he was a prisoner of himself. He had shut the sunlight out of his mind. He had drawn the shutters of his heart. When doors are slammed against us, we are prone to draw into ourselves and lock our hearts against others."

So God came to Elijah and asked the question, "What are you doing here?" Is God asking you that same question? Are you hiding in a cave trying to escape the turmoil and confusion out there? God does not want us to live unto ourselves. He wants us to get out of the cave and start helping others and being a blessing to them. Perhaps it’s been a long time since you’ve thought of ways you could strengthen and be a help to others. Perhaps it’s been a long time since you got out of your cave. God may be asking you, "What are you doing here?"

More to come...

Where I Have Been Lately-

Chastening... it's not fun, but it's the required process.


"Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty." (Job 5:17)

One of the fascinating paradoxes of Scripture (and of human life) is the oft-repeated principle that true parental love requires appropriate chastening, and chastening rightly received generates blessing and happiness. "He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes" (Proverbs 13:24).

We are living in a world very devoid of correction and personal discipline- it is at epidemic levels and is the reason for the demise of the moral fiber, glue and basic respect for life in general!

This practice of discipline and correction is effective child psychology, assuming that the chastening is remedial rather than vindictive and is applied in love rather than anger. But the main teaching of such passages goes beyond parental child-training methods to the grand theme of God’s spiritual training of His children for eternity.

This thought is often expressed in the Psalms (94:12, etc.), but it is especially clear in the Proverbs. "My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction: For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth" (Proverbs 3:11-12).

The classic passage on this theme is Hebrews 12:5-11, which begins by quoting the above verses in Proverbs, and eventually concludes as follows: "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby" (Hebrews 12:11).

We are "sons and daughters" of "the Lord Almighty" (2 Corinthians 6:18), and it is essential that we be properly trained for our glorious future as "kings and priests unto God" (Revelation 1:6). We must learn to behave in ways appropriate to our high calling as children of the King, and this requires the divine rod at appropriate times. In His closing words to the last of the seven churches, Christ reminds us again: "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent" (Revelation 3:19).

Just grin and bear it... it drives away those who really aren't called to us anyway and makes us ready for the coming role of Kingdom leadership you were called to take. it separates the "chosen" who assume the role they are called for and those who "talk it" but aren't willing to "walk it"! I ask G-d each day that His will be done in me, so I bring it on myself...gladly!!

TRUST... that's the issue

G-d wants to be trusted.

G-d's greatest desire is to be trusted.

G-d's passion is fellowship with us, with YOU... now!

How?? Sounds "mystical" and pretty unattainable? It's not! But only certain people "hear" from Yashua... "I hear all the time" or "Jesus TOLD me..." Well, I hope they did hear from Him. I am not the judge, but that creates too broad of a brush stroke for those of us who don't get words directly everyday, who has never had words written on walls telling us what to do and where to go... so here is a devotional for the "rest of us" who don't hear G-d's audible voice all the time... but seek fellowship and direction from the King of kings and Lord of lords and made a way for us to enter the throne... enjoy and relax. TRUST Him.

"Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed." (Psalm 37:3)

Sprinkled throughout this psalm are various pictures that provide the assurance of God’s victory--not only in His eternal plan, but also in and through the lives of His precious saints.

Trust is the most basic of the characteristics of our relationship with the Lord and sets the foundation for all the rest. The Hebrew word carries the meaning of confidence, or boldness, and is often used in such a way that it would imply that we are to "gain support" and "lean on" the One in whom we trust. The expanded definition of trust is contained in Proverbs: "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones" (Proverbs 3:5-8).

But merely having great confidence in the God of creation is not enough. We must "do good" (our text). The entire New Testament book of James is devoted to this theme: "faith without works is dead" (James 2:20). "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke 6:46). "O that there were such an heart in them," God told Moses, "that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!" (Deuteronomy 5:29).

If we would enjoy the blessings of God, we must embrace the plan of God. If we are to expect the promise that we will "dwell" and "be fed," then we must submit to the instructions of our Lord, who told us to "seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:33).

The Temple's Silent Construction

"And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building." (1 Kings 6:7)

Here is a remarkable testimony to the engineering and construction skills of the ancients. In order to erect the magnificent temple of Solomon, every portion was so carefully fabricated, far away from the construction site, that the building could be completely erected in reverent silence.

Furthermore, the stones were not small and rough. "They brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house" (1 Kings 5:17). They were quarried from limestone beds beneath the city and had to be fabricated and brought to the temple site, all ready to be laid in place. "And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers" (1 Kings 5:18).

In both its unique beauty and its silent assemblage, the temple is a striking type of the spiritual temple now being erected by the Holy Spirit. "Now therefore ye are . . . built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord; In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit" (Ephesians 2:19-22).

In this spiritual temple, each new believer is a costly stone, carefully cut from the world's dark quarry, then silently placed in the growing structure by the Holy Spirit on the foundation of Jesus Christ, "to whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house" (1 Peter 2:4-5). "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?" (1 Corinthians 3:16).

I don't care what you see, feel or understand... you are being chipped away and broken for the use of the Master. As david saught G-d's face and cried out "Create in me a clean heart, Oh G-d, and restore, renew, clean up a right Spirit within me" you too must look deep inside and let Him chip away at what is costic, foul, selfish, causes doubt and fear and let Him make you into what He needs you to be to fit in where He needs you. Here is where your peace in the midst of the storm is found. It is usually through struggles we find this place and it will take a struggle of a different kind to stay there. It's worth it. Come on- let's go together and emerge ready for His Kingdom's purpose. I am with ya'!

The Economy... of this world.

If you're watching the news and scratching your head wondering what bomb hit the economy, you're certainly not alone. It's rough out there. People are losing their jobs, retirement dreams are going up in smoke and personal wealth is plummeting. Here's why it's happening and what it all means.

How did we get here?

(Scooting over my soapbox) DEBT.. debt most of us couldn't afford to have! Here is a more specific education on the condition of our situation. Read it all:

By now you likely know that the crisis in the financial markets is the culmination of years of reckless mortgage lending and Wall Street dealmaking. It's the final gasp of the burst housing bubble. But how exactly did this happen?

To find the root cause of Wall Street's woes, you have to go back to the collapse of a different bubble - tech. In 2001, after the dotcom craze ended and the bear market began, the Federal Reserve started aggressively slashing short-term interest rates to stave off recession. By eventually reducing rates to a historically low 1%, the Fed reinflated the economy. But this cheap money sparked a new wave of risk taking.

Homeowners, armed with easy credit, snapped up properties as if they were playing Monopoly. As prices soared, buyers were able to afford ever-larger properties only by taking out risky mortgages that lenders were happily approving with little documentation or money down.

At the same time, Wall Street investment banks got a brilliant idea: bundle the riskiest of these mortgages, then slice and dice these portfolios into tradable bonds to be sold to other banks and investors. Amazingly, bond-rating agencies slapped their highest ratings on the "best" of this debt.

This house of cards came down when subprime borrowers began defaulting on their mortgages. That sent housing prices tumbling, unleashing a domino effect on mortgage-backed securities. (At this point the banks should have worked with the homeowners on going to interest-only payments instead of letting these people, in droves, go into default and therefore REDUCING the value of real estate in those neighborhoods- the banks could have lessened the blow to their problems!!) Banks and brokerages that had borrowed money to boost the impact of those investments had to race to raise capital.

Some, like Merrill Lynch, were forced to sell. Others, like Lehman Brothers, weren't so lucky. "What we always tell investors is beware of too much leverage in a company," says Brian Rogers, chairman and portfolio manager for T. Rowe Price. "Leverage is the enemy of the investor."

Sure, everyone from former Fed chairman Alan Greenspan to your friends and neighbors played a role in stoking this casino culture. But troubled banks and brokerages can't pass the blame. "These firms closed their eyes and made very bad bets on risky securities that they didn't truly understand," says Jeremy Siegel, finance professor at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton business school. "Investments that they did not have to make led to their demise."

How bad could the economy get?
Before the meltdown, economists fell into two camps: those who thought the economy had already slipped into recession and those who thought a recession could still be avoided.

While forecasters still differ on the timing and severity of a downturn, "the consensus view is that we're headed for recession and will be in one until next year," says Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody's Economy.com.

Corporate profits are already on the verge of falling for a fifth straight quarter, according to Thomson Financial. The next shoe to drop will be consumer spending. "Two years ago, people were using their homes as ATMs, pumping out cash," says Robert Arnott, chairman of the investment consulting firm Research Affiliates in Pasadena. "As banks continue to tighten their lending, that spending is disappearing."

But softer profits and slower spending haven't translated into widespread layoffs yet. "This is the strongest recessionary job market in 40 years," says James Paulsen, chief investment strategist of Wells Capital Management. A jump in unemployment could still be coming, especially given bank and brokerage failures and mergers. But outside of finance and housing, much of the rest of the economy is strong, he says.

The weak dollar is boosting demand for our goods abroad, and lower gas prices are making Americans feel more flush. Add in the cash that the Fed has been hosing into the banking system and we are bound to see growth in 2009. "If all this stimulus has no effect on the economy, that would be a rarity indeed," says Paulsen.

Standard & Poor's chief economist David Wyss expects a mild recession that ends next spring. "Gradually we will regain confidence in the market. Lower oil prices and a falling trade deficit will help," he says. "This is a financial panic, not an economic one."

Of course, that could change if the financial panic doesn't abate soon. If banks remain too scared or broke to lend, would-be home buyers will be frozen out of the market. If that happens, home values could fall even more, crimping confidence and putting the brakes on the economy's greatest engine: the consumer. We at Maven Holdings are working with a Bank to create a HUGE answer to this problem. The Lord downloaded a plan to me years ago and I shelved it until about nine months ago when He started to remind me of it and I felt like the time was now we roll it out! Months before the credit crash!! G-d always has a plan for His kids! I was prophecied to be a "Joseph" and I can see it coming to pass! Hallelulia!

Does all this mean I'll pay higher taxes?
Yes. "Taxes will rise regardless of who wins the Presidency," predicts Greg Valliere, chief political strategist for Stanford Group Co.

It's impossible to say what the final bill for rescuing Wall Street will be. Even before the bill to buy $700 billion of unwanted mortgage-backed debt, the government had already signed on for nearly $365 billion in loan guarantees and other costs.

The eventual price tag will depend in part on the housing market- so banks... STOP DEFAULTING ON LOANS FOR HOUSING AND WORK WITH PEOPLE TO STAY IN THOSE HOMES AND NOT FLOOD THE MARKET WITH "DISCOUNTED_PRICED" HOMES. If it recovers by 2010, the value of mortgage-backed securities could rise, minimizing the tab for taxpayers.

"On the other hand," Bethune adds, "if the economy continues to tank into a deeper recession, dragging the housing market along with it, then the costs to the taxpayers easily could escalate to several hundred billions of dollars."

Under Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson's original debt-buyback proposal, some economists predicted the federal deficit could soar to $900 billion in 2009. Even without a bailout, the federal budget was expected to hit $482 billion next year. If government aid pads that figure by $200 billion, the deficit will be back to where it stood in the 1980s - around 5% of GDP. At the very least, that will make it hard for a future President to keep tax-cut promises.

But we who live "in the Kingdom of Heaven" and not under the economies of this earth will always rise above those who choose to live in "America" and not seek Him for wisdom and solutions. Pray for us as we build the infrastructure and raise the capital for our new venture! We have been hit from all sides, as you can imagine, but we are victorious. G-d is good all the time.

A Guy Named Joseph

Imagine having your own family beat you, throw you into a pit and leave you to die. They do have a change of heart and come back but only to sell you into slavery. You spend years in prison. Wouldn't you lose heart? I would. I don't know how you wouldn't sit there and nurse resentment. But Joseph didn't- and if he did, he didn't do it for too long! His courage and faith in G-d kept him and enabled him to do great things.

Joseph was the 11th child of Jacob and the first child of Rachel, Jacob’s second wife. Joseph’s half-brothers and sister were the children of Leah, Rachel’s elder sister. Joseph was the favorite child of Jacob; something Joseph’s elder brothers resented. “And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.” (Genesis 37:4 KJV) Parent's, heed this warning as an example of the fate of your children when you show favoritism.

Joseph didn’t handle his favored position very diplomatically, either. Proving that knowledge of young men, without the wisdom of the old is potentially dangerous. But look closely and see how G-d used this narcissistic “character flaw” to thrust Joseph into the greatest story of deliverance and survival for the people of Israel. Thought- did Joseph need that character "flaw" of strength and self confidence to run the largest nation in the known world? Did G-d will for this to happen to Joseph as a way to save the people of Israel? Think about it.

When he had a series of dreams that showed in symbols his brothers and parents bowing down to him, he hastened to let them know about it. This arrogance inflamed his brothers further. (Genesis 37:11)

Joseph was sent by his father to see how his brothers who were tending flocks were doing. His brothers seized the opportunity to do away with this younger and arrogant sibling. They threw him into a pit and intended to leave him and tell their father that he was attacked by some beast and killed. However, Judah talked them out of this plan and they sold Joseph into slavery instead. (Genesis 37:18-28) Judah was being "led of G-d" and didn't even realize it!

Joseph is taken to Egypt where he is sold to a wealthy man named Potiphar. Joseph is put in charge of all of Potiphar’s holdings and increases his master’s wealth. But, Potiphar’s wife takes a liking to Joseph and tries to seduce him. Joseph tells her that to do as she suggests would be a sin against G-d. She pursues him nonetheless and finally Joseph has to run from her to get away. She accuses him of trying to rape her and he is put in jail. (Genesis 39:1-20)

By this time, I think I would be stewing with resentment. I would be angry for the turn my life had taken. Most of us would react this way, I think. Yet, Joseph takes it all in stride and even in jail finds favor with the jailer and elevates his station. Throughout this series of adventures, the Bible records that Yahweh was with Joseph. So He is with us. In our trials, Yahweh is with us. Joseph shows courage and accepts his situations gracefully and finds favor in G-d’s eyes. This is how G-d would like for us to respond to the trials of life, gracefully and with unwavering trust because of who He is and what he has done in the past! Rather than rant against the situation (guilty, your honor!), He wants us to make the best of our situations and rely on Him to care for us.

While Joseph languished in prison, two chief servants from Pharaoh’s house were imprisoned with him. These servants both had dreams that they could not understand. Joseph heard of it and told them that the interpretations of dreams belonged to G-d. They told their dreams to Joseph and G-d gave him their interpretations. One of the servants was restored to the house of Pharaoh. Joseph had asked this servant to tell Pharaoh about him but the servant did not. Joseph spends another two years in prison.

Here was another opportunity for resentment and bitterness to form, but Joseph did not let them. He continued in trusting and waited on G-d. It’s difficult to keep focused on G-d when you feel passed over, overlooked or unappreciated. Yet, it is these times in particular that we must stay focused on G-d and trust that He will provide for us. “Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and G-d feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?” (Luke 12:24 KJV)

One night, Pharaoh has a dream he doesn’t understand and it alarms him. His servant tells him about Joseph and Joseph is brought to the palace and interprets the dream. G-d reveals to Joseph that Pharaoh’s dream is a prophecy of the next seven years. The kingdom will experience seven plentiful harvests followed by seven years of famine. Joseph advises Pharaoh to store grain from the plentiful harvests to be used during the famine. Pharaoh agrees and puts Joseph in a position of power. (Genesis 42:1-36)

The storehouses are filled through the seven prosperous years and then when the famine comes, people from all around begin coming into Egypt to try and buy corn. Among those who came in search of grain were Joseph’s elder brothers. Joseph is now in a position of power and could gain revenge for the way his brothers had treated him. He does cause them some fear, but in the end is able to spare his brothers and his father from suffering the famine as a result of his position. (Genesis 43-47)

Though his brothers had meant him harm, G-d meant good things for Joseph. It probably didn’t look that way to Joseph sometimes, but he persevered through his hardships and learned humility. Joseph faced his challenges courageously.

So, what then are the elements of courage that Joseph displayed? Grace under pressure, making the best of his situation and remaining faithful to G-d despite any evidence he may have had that G-d had forgotten him. The evidence of his courage is in his behavior, doing right even when he was wronged or in danger. He learned to wait patiently on G-d and to look to G-d for everything. It takes tremendous courage to look away from circumstance and look instead to G-d. A good part of trusting G-d is having the courage to believe despite all that we see.

Joseph did retaliate, sue, get revenge, felt like he was “owed” something or hate. Oh, let’s be honest here- I am sure he was hurt, angry and resentful at times, but he knew the heart and mind of his father’s G-d well enough to move ahead. He obviously was driven and was a leader. He also was a recipient of the covenant promised to his great-grandfather Abraham! It makes a big difference when you know who you are and where you are going!

When Joseph came into power, his courage continued. The easy thing to do would be to punish his brothers for the way that they treated him. He doesn’t though. Instead, he realizes the work that G-d has done in him and the opportunity G-d has given him to spare his family from the famine. He understands through wisdom from Heaven that he has received a blessing out of the situation that his brothers put him in and he is grateful to G-d instead of resentful of his brothers. Wow, his temporary pain saved his people!

It’s seldom easy to do the right thing. It takes courage and trust in G-d to stand up when the world (and some of your brothers and sisters, including family) would beat you down. In all things, G-d is there to hold us up when we rely on Him for support. If hard times, bitterness, resentment or anger are things that you are struggling with, read Joseph’s story and learn from his courage. G-d probably has a blessing waiting for you at the end of your trials, too. As a matter of fact, I know He does. Next read Jeremiah 29:11.

Personal Note: Please write us here and let us know how you have overcome bitterness, anger and resentment when you have been hurt, stolen from, abused or used. It will help so many people who are struggling. I have been through more than most the last couple of years but my calling and purpose is secure! Be encouraged.