2/23/2008

The weather up on the Mesa's on the Hopi reservation is not very nice and everything here is covered with a serious layer of mud. Makes for some really messy times. We have been enjoying more fellowship with the Toews family and have even been blessed with our first traditional Hopi meal, a soup, some bread and some blue corn tortilla's that are very thin. The soup is something that they would typically make for their "bean dance" ceremony (the women that made it would not be participating as she has put these things behind her) and consisted of bean sprouts, hominy and some other vegetables. All of it was very good and it was a real blessing to receive all this provision.

We spent the day in fellowship, learning more about the Hopi people and getting to know some of the people on the reservation. Truly a blessing.

I went bouldering with Nathan (first real attempt in 13 years) and found that the weight and the age really have affected me.... : ) Also made the big mistake of taking my glasses off and leaving them to lay on a rock where we had our gear. Needless to say, they got broken. Really broken. Glad that I can see for the most part without them as there is not a glasses store anywhere near by (about 100 miles to the nearest shopping).

We spent the evening with a family praying through the house and asking God to provide His protection for this family as they had been feeling the attacks of the enemy. The Hopi people are probably the most spiritual of the native americans and the time of the bean festival which is happening right now is a strong time of spiritual activity. I had already prayed through our trailer on the first night that we were there as we were warned that the activity would be high. I'm not sure that I can describe their festivals, beliefs, and spiritism in writing and I'm not sure how much of it I am at liberty to discuss on the internet so, I will have to keep the information pretty vague, however, I can say that the battle is raging here and the souls of men are the prize. Pray that the Lamb that was Slain would truly receive the reward of His suffering from the Hopi people.

2/22/2008

We started the day in Grants, NM with the temperature about 34 degrees and the skies threatening to snow on us. Before we were too far up the road this was fully realized. Much of our travel today was slated to be on Indian reservation land and a good part of it was at high altitude which culminated with us going across a pass which was higher than 7,000 feet above sea level. Not exactly the way you want to travel when you have 7,000 pound of trailer stuck to your bumper but we really felt that we needed to keep going. As we proceeded into the Navajo reservation the weather didn't improve and by the time we reached the Hopi reservation we were experiencing near white out conditions at some points. The really interesting thing about traveling on the Hopi reservation is that they mostly live on Mesa's. If you have never seen a Mesa, they are high flat pieces of land which are almost like islands. They are really beautiful to look at from ground level but the idea of driving up them in blowing snow is not too appealing. To make matters a little worse, the people we were going to see, The Toews family (pronounced Taves), live on the 3rd mesa and yes, in order to get to the 3rd mesa you have to go up the first mesa, down the first mesa, up the second mesa, down the second mesa, up the third mesa.... Again, all in snowy conditions. When we arrived we found the church road to be quite muddy and we ended up getting the van and trailer stuck on the way up the driveway. Russ and his son Nathaniel hooked up their 4 wheel drive Suburban and pulled the Van and Camper far enough up the driveway that we were able to get the camper set up so that we could stay in it. It was quite an eventful day of travel. However, our time there became quite restful right away.

Upon arriving we were warmly greeted by the Toews family. The welcome and the warmth of their home was truly appreciated and we were immediately put at ease. I can't begin to praise God enough for the rest He brings in the home of those that love Him. We spent the rest of the day talking and getting to know one another and later that evening we were introduced to the Hayah family. This family is a real blessing from the Lord Jesus in so many ways. They are from the reservation and became Christians only about 4 years ago but God has been graciously growing them so abundantly! Their testimonies are a real joy to hear and it is even more of a joy to see that they are on a real solid path.

Colossians 1:3-6 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

More on our time here in the next couple of posts.

David

2/21/2008

We started out in Las Cruces, New Mexico and ended our day in Grants, NM. A total of 280 miles. Not exactly a hard days drive but the winds were horrible and we have a 32.5 foot trailer along with a 12 foot long van all stuck together with a very heavy duty hitch. In short we are pushed about like a sail on the sea.

For about 30 miles we actually traveled on the old Route 66. It was quite a desolate drive.

By the end of the day we discovered that the passes we had just driven through had either been closed due to high winds or there was a travel advisory issued against traveling in these passes (gusts of 55 mph). The Lord as been so merciful to us in protecting us.

It was our original intent to drive onto the Hopi Indian Reservation in North eastern Arizona to visit and encourage our friends there, but the winds slowed us down. We thought we should stop in Gallup, NM, for the night but were advised against it by our friends in Arizona as the neighboring Navajo Indian Reservation is a dry reservation (no alcohol / no liquor). The town of Gallop, NM is quit a wild place and can be dangerous to outsiders. (A town that definitely is not dependant on the tourist industry)

Please pray for our protection from the spirits throughout the reservations (there are many of them, spirits and reservations).

Lord, Please illuminate our path that we would have your sure footing. Psalms 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Robin




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I may be over spiritualizing things a bit but I have likened our trailer to being that of our flesh and our van as being that of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

They fight one against another and our driving when it is windy is often like that. So far the flesh has been bucking us the whole trip but the Spirit is overcoming! Glory!

Just a simple man with an eye on Jesus!

David

2/20/2008 Rockhounding!

Today was a trip to Rouckhound State Park in New Mexico. This park is know for its geodes. For those of you who don't know their rocks they are formed by valcanic activity. They look like large mud balls, but inside are crystal formations. We didn't find anything but had a nice day of digging.

Memories...

Robin

2/19/2008 Mexico

Today is a day that will not be forgotten…. Leaving the trailer at the KOA in Las Cruces, New Mexico we kind of back tracked a little and went to El Paso, Texas. Now I’m sure you are asking yourself “now why did they go back?” Well we went to Juarez, Mexico. We were only there for a few hours but what we saw will not soon be forgotten. We parked our van in a small lot just outside the immigration checkpoint and walked into a different world. By the way, the immigration checkpoint is surrounded by 8 foot fences topped with razor wire. David and I had no idea what we were walking into.

Most of the cars are taxis and looked like junk yard reject. There were people everywhere and within just a few minutes David noticed a man that he thought was following us…. This man would walk past us and then cross the street well in front of us and back down the opposite side of the street, cross the street behind us and pass us again…. We went around the corner and down the street towards to the Mercado (market), this man was never to be seen again. Again just down the street there was a space of about 15 to 20 feet between David and I and two men stepped out from a small street shop right behind David, one motioning to the other where David had his wallet. (which was in a pocket on the front of his pant leg) While maintaining the same distance one man turned to look over his shoulder and realized that David was not alone…. Perhaps my cover made them think I was a nun (the Catholic Church is a very ominous presents) helping this poor man with his children….. but both men stopped dead in their tracks and smiled at me while giving me a pleasant nod…. We were grateful for the protection our Lord gave us. While walking along the streets we all noticed a very high number of handicapped people and many of them were begging…. One woman with two small children sat on the sidewalk begging for money…. Lord please forgive my gluttony… we are a very fat country. We also found a street preacher in the square preaching the Lords word…. Bible and megaphone in hand. I am sure our friends at OPBBC would be delighted.

As you walk along the street many people will walk up to you trying to sell their wears… that could be anything from a balloon animal to razors to a blanket… but we encountered a woman selling small bags of assorted candy. Her name was Sylvia and she was a non-using heroin addict. She told us that she had been clean for 8 months and was selling candy to raise monies for the drug house she lives at. They are helped for free and in return are asked to make fund raising their job. The house gives them the bags of candy they just have to pay for the bags at the end of the day or turn in what she doesn’t sell. She also introduced us to her husband Thomas. They both say that God has helped them… but we don’t know to what extent they believe… (language barrier) Before we parted ways we prayed with them for protection and that they would seek everything from Him. Please pray for Sylvia and Thomas, the world is against them…

On our way back we walked back over the Rio Grande River and into the United States. As we walked over the bridge I saw below a man with a large paper cone. The man stood there with that cone yelling to the people crossing over the bridge. His yells were consistently the same “ Hey help, Hey help”. He wanted the people transversing that bridge to throw him money and he would catch it with the large paper cone.

I believe I have left a part of my heart with these people and in this city and would love to go back. God’s will be done. Please pray for this city and its people, they are shockingly poor and the Church here is only getting fatter. God help us!

Robin

2/18/2008

We got up and on the road with little effort. One note…. We have one for the Guiness record books, the smallest Walmart exists in Pacos, Texas. I have seen gas stations along the way that are bigger than the Walmart here.

Anyway, the day was uneventful…. We drove from Pecos, Texas, to Las Cruces, New Mexico. A total of 254 miles…. Not a lot of driving but a relaxing day.

We pulled into a very nice KOA and had dinner at a highly recommended Mexican restaurant. David and I both like Mexican food so this is a real treat. With bellies full we went back to the KOA and enjoyed a restful evening.


Robin

2/17/2008 "West of the Pecos"

Well with the tornado warnings behind us and the sun and a new day before us we were up bright and early to see, so to speak, two of our hero’s of the faith. In the town of Garden Valley, Texas, there is a small and humble cemetery where you will find the graves of both Keith Green and Leonard Ravenhill. Lord please allow us to make a mark for you as they did. On Leonard Ravenhill stone he asks all that visit a question that everyone should ponder. “Are the things you are living for worth Christ dying for?”

There were many very large estates in the area of the cemetery and farms. One of the estates we saw was the estate of David Wilkerson… (ever heard of the book The Cross and The Switchblade) We also got a good look at the local longhorn cattle that Texas is so famous for.

As we got back on the highway we say many things that I am sure the Lord is very grieved over. We came into the highway loop that surrounds the Dallas / Fort Worth area and saw two mega churches right off the bat. One with a large sign facing the highway that said “Your Tithes At Work”. With the starving and homeless people that exist everywhere I am sure Our Lord would have spent those tithes to feed the poor….

Lord, please forgive me / us for our perspective on money. Matthew 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

Our drive out of the Dallas / Fort Worth area opens into the desert and there you see a new world. It is not the moon scape of sand that I had expected. It is an environment with cactus, small green bushes, oil derricks, oil pumps, and off in the distance are mountains that are unimaginable. This is big oil country. This life blood of this country.

We finally ended our driving that day in a small town called Pecos, Texas, for a total of 617 miles driven and we will call Wal-Mart home for the night. When we first entered the town I really didn’t think too much of it but was soon enlightened. Have you ever heard the old cowboy movies say “there ain’t no law west of the Pecos”? Well this is the town…. We are now “West of the Pecos”.

Robin

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Our trip to see the graves of Keith Green and Leonard Ravenhill has to be one of my highlights from this trip so far. While I know that these spots are nothing, they do remind me of what God can do and wants to do with men. If you have never heard anything from either of these men of God then I would recommend you search them out on www.sermonindex.net and listen to some of their messages. They were truly men that had a message to the church for their day as well as ours. I would also strongly recommend that you watch the Keith Green Story (the link is shown in our favorites) and read the Biography of Keith Green, "No Compromise", written by his wife which is far more indepth into the life of this man. Truly humbling. You may not agree with the music but you can't deny what the Spirit of God was doing.

David

February 16, 2008 TORNADO!

Well, today has been an other adventure. We woke this morning in Pearl, MS to temperatures of about 55. Wasn't exactly Miami but there was no snow (just rain). We drove through Louisiana with little to speak of. It was generally overcast but was increasingly warm.... At one point we actually had the venting on in the van. We had a nice stop along the boarder of Louisiana and Texas to see the "big muddy" Mississippi River. It was quite impressive! Rumor has it that my Great Great..... (many time Great) Uncle is responsible for the discovery of the source of this great and mighty river. His name is Captain Willard Glazier and I have one of his books (he was quite a charactor). The source of the river is named after him, Lake Glazier.

Anyway, getting back on the road the skys continued to darken and after about an hour David asked me to check the National Weather Service for current weather conditions. (We have the ability to connect to internet while on the road and have GPS) After pulling up the weather service we discovered that we were right in the middle of TORNADO WARNINGS. We immediately headed for cover to a small town called Lindale, TX. We were about 25 miles out and came over the rise of a gentle hill and right into the face of a wall of rain and wind. Everyone came to a stop! We sat still for what seemed to be about 10 minutes. I gave the children instructions that if told they were to run from the van and into the ditch just outside the van... The rain began to ease slightly and David decided to start moving out of a fear that we were sitting ducks... As we progressed on the road we saw many police vehicles going in the other direction but nothing in our direction.... (perhaps that gave me a false sense of security) We weren't down the road very far and here on the median was a police car with a car that had apparently flipped over many times.... no driver visible. (we assume the driver was in the police car and ok.)

We are now in the camp ground in Lindale and the tornado warning will be lifted by 9:00pm. By the time we got here I was so scared I could hardly talk straight. The local weather man says the conditions are now wrong for a tornado to occur as it is only 44 degrees... Praise Jesus!!!! (Hey Laura, remember that dream about the tornado... thought I was going to see it come true.)

We drove 323 miles today.

Please pray for me as I have very little faith and much fear...

Matthew 14:28-31 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Robin

February 15, 2008

Well, we have had a couple of pretty eventful days specifically in the area of the trailer and getting it to perform correctly. First we had a problem with the electric brake system. We finally ran a new power wire to get that working - found the old one was broken about half way back. Then we had some pretty exciting problems with the hitch / sway controller configuration which made the handling really exciting, especially when tractor trailers went by. I think my forearms look like Popeye from trying to keep the van / trailer on the road a couple of times. : ) I believe we have this sorted out finally as well. Very glad about that.

After leaving Stuarts Draft, VA yesterday, we drove 357 miles to Lenoir City, Tennessee. We spent last night in a Walmart parking lot and things got pretty cold without running the furnace but everyone stayed really warm under the many down blankets. I think the temperature in the trailer dropped down to about 40 according to the thermometer.

Today we have driven approxamitely 680 miles and are now in Pearl, MS. (just on the banks of the Mississippi River)

Thinking about the last 2 days we could really find many things to complain about but in reality we are all very blessed. The Lord is showing us some things that we really need to work on as a family and is allowing us to be in a place were we can draw very close together. Additionally, He is showing us how to rejoice in times of trial and to still find joy when things are a bit rough. Due to our problems, specifically with the handling of the trailer, we have seen a great outbreak of spontaneous prayer. : )

I believe that we have our itenerary fairly nailed down as well. We are going to go to Texas first and see a couple of tourist sites there. Then hopefully visit with some bretheren there. Then to Mexico for a brief over-the-boarder visit. After that Arizona to visit Russ Toews and Jim Miller on the Hoppi Indian reservation for a few days. Out to CA for a multi-person visit including Robins Grandmother and hopefully some other brethren in LA. After that we may take a "quick" trip to British Columbia to see the brothers from "Christ Our Life" and hopefully Greg Gordon. Finally we are going to head back East to see Alan Martin and the brethren in Missouri. We decided to make MO our last stop as I am sure that we will need some rest and encouragment at that point. : )

Ok, time to rest....

February 11, 2008

Well, I (David) am now working remotely and things are going well. The work on the trailer is progressing nicely and we are hoping on a departure time for the West sometime around Wednesday or Thursday. Unfortunately Robin fell sick and ended up having to go to the ER on Sunday where she was diagnosed with Strep. My wife hardly ever gets sick and it was hard for me to see her in such pain / discomfort. She is a real blessing to the family and having her "out of commission" for a day was pretty difficult for me. Now that she is on medication she is getting better and should be recovered fully shortly. Please continue to pray for our health as a family as it seems like a period of sickness has been on our heels for some time.


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What started out to be a mild sore throat on Friday morning evolved into something unbelievable. (David arrived home on Saturday morning, Amen and Amen!) The pain in my throat and ears became unbearable by Sunday morning and I had about 2 hours of sleep. I am sure that that played into my teariness, but I was in pain that aside from childbirth I only recall from my childhood. After a trip into the ER the young resident doctor boldly announced that I did indeed have a strep infection and the start of a lovely ear infection in my right ear, but he was very quick to point out that the perscription he was giving me would "kill just about anything". He also told me that the infection in my throat was bad enough that I would probably not feel any relief for about 48 hours. He was just about right, it was 36 hours before I could swallow with the aid of motrin and aleve and not cry. Anyway..... this has started out as some trip...... please keep us in your prayers.

A verse I have been meditating on.

John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will him he heareth.

Think about this paradox and ask yourself "Does HE hear my prayers?" Any thoughts?

Robin

February 8, 2008

Well it started on Wednesday evening..... Emma announced that she didn't feel good sooo the organizing and repacking of the trailer has come to a screeching halt. The "I don't feel good" evolved into "I'm going to get sick" and then she did.... many times. Now yesterday I began to think that perhaps she was on the mend and Lee Anna started, (poor thing doesn't understand what her body is trying to do, she gets very scared) only to discover that Emma wasn't quite done. Yes folks that’s right they were both getting sick at the same time.... By this time Emma was telling me that her throat was hurting so we tried a little Tylenol which didn't set well, but I tried.... Anyway, by last night I began with a sore throat and by bed time last night my throat hurt so bad that if I were a betting woman I would have thought I had strep. That coupled with all over body aches I felt like I had been hit by a train. The children were in bed by 8:30pm and I was in bed by 9:00. None of us woke up until 8:00am this morning. I felt a little better this morning with the help of some Aleve and Motrin. This evening we are all back at it with sore throats and Emma and Lee Anna still have up-set stomachs..... Oh the joy.... We do have a friend that will come from Harrisonburg tomarrow to help me if needed, please pray that we are well and she does not need to come. David is still at Leadership meetings and I pray that the Lord fills him with much love, wisdom, and understanding. Also please pray for his safe travels back to us. Please pray that the Lord strengthens me so that I can be a good servent to the children. Please also pray that he give me patience...

Much Love!
Robin

February 5, 2008

Today is Lee Anna's 7th birthday. She's a child with many challanges and has the strength and determination of a giant. (she is my hero) What a beautiful blessing. The Lord chose to bless her and us with a beautiful day. We enjoyed temps in the 70's today and many friends to play with. She was blessed with a birthday song sung by Grandma and Grandpa G. and a very choppy phone call. She also got a phone call from her big sister Rachael. (what wonderful blessings) In addition to that we were blessed to share dinner and a birthday cake with many many friends including some of the Nesbitt family and Nathan and Marci Lapp and their children.....

On an another note I am still plugging away at trying to organize the trailer. I finally found the coffee at around 1:00pm and saw the floor before we left to go to Nathan and Marci's. The Lord is surely teaching me patience and diligents. Proverbs 6:6 Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:

Robin

February 3, 2008

After arriving at 8:30am, parking the trailer and lighting the furnace, David was kindly informed by the brothers here that they were leaving for the Leadership Meetings at 10:30am. Soooo he prompty began packing his belongings for a journey north.... After the car load of men hit the road it left Ben and Erin, their children and the Hardiski siblings. (Their journey north to the meetings began at 1:00pm). This left Missy Nesbitt along with some of her children and me and my children.... (a season of quiet). I began the daunting job of organizing the trailer, which by the way was a mess.... shoes, school books, pots and pans, groceries, clothes, bedding, two cats, and a dozen fish.... e i e i 00000. The first thing I did was make beds.

Robin

February 2, 2008

Well, Everything is packed into storage or our trailer and we are now on the road. (A day and a half later than planned.) We decided to travel east on the Rt 90 and pick up Rt 81 near Syracuse as that route is far smoother that Rt 15 south. (important given that we were pulling the trailer). It was about 3:30pm by the time we finally got on the road. Thank you to Don and Laura for storing our trailer for us. We would also ask that everyone keep our oldest, Rachael, in your prayers. She has dicided to stay in NY ..... After stopping for something to eat, we finally hit the NY / PA boarder around 8:30 pm. The first thing we noticed was that the price of gas was $2.99 per gallon. Once we got south of Scranton, PA, I realized why the Lord had us driving at night. The Ice storm we had on January 31, 2008 was still very evident (even in the dark). Most of the lovely white birch trees along Rt 81 were still bent to the ground and given that it was dark I am most confident that we didn't get the full picture of what it all looked like..... scarry! After stopping twice to rest, we arrived in Stuarts Draft, VA at about 8:30am. By the way the gas prices here are around $2.75, nice.

Thank you Lord for safe travel.
Robin

January 26, 2008 - Moving Day

Well, the move has begun officially. Today with the help of many brothers we were able to get all our large possessions loaded on the truck in short order. A huge blessing to us from those that we love. We were additionally blessed with the help of Doug and Chad as they continued on to help us unload in storage. I have posted a pictures of storage now that it is full that I took from my phone. So, the quality is not great but I think it will give you an idea of what it is beginning to look like. Now, it is on to moving the rest of the things over in boxes and trying to find the space for them all. : ) David

Robin's Testimony

I met Jesus in May 2005, and as the scales fell from my eyes and I did see…. Acts 9:18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. In May 2005, I became joint-heirs with Christ Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. I am no longer a child of Adam, through adoption I am now made joint-heirs with Christ. Amen! And Halleluiah!!

I was raised in a family that did not attend church or practice any particular religion. As a young girl of perhaps 8 or 9 I remember attending church with a little girl that lived down the street from us. On one occasion I recall a Sunday School worker say to me “You don’t want to go to hell do you?” And of course being the intelligent person that I am I said “noooooo”. The Sunday School worker promptly had me recite the “sinners prayer” and zap, I was saved. (I had no concept of sin or repentance, how could I possibly be saved.) IF YOU ARE A SUNDAY SCHOOL WORKER PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS TO THE CHILDREN YOU WORK WITH, there are NO scriptural references to children being saved, baptized, or filled with the Holy Spirit. As I stated earlier, my parents didn’t attend church so even if I had really been saved, there was no one to disciple me. Although I will say that I had a great hunger to have a bible and recall quite vividly that I memorized a bible verse to win my first bible. And believe it or not I had that very same bible until I was 34 years old…. By the time I put it to rest it was well read and very will worn (yes I even read my bible).

As I grew up I always had a sense of God and that there were things that people (including myself) did that God didn’t like. (I don’t recall really having the label “sin” to put on those things). When I was a young teen I became involved with a boy that attended church (only because it was what his family did, he was not born again). As a result I began attending with him and was asked at about the age of 17 if I had ever been baptized. (which I had not) Soooo I was baptized. Again, the church that I was now attending never discipled or taught me. (not that I was really saved). Just a side note, my parents had grave reservations about this young man and his family but I was a rebellious young lady and didn’t heed the warnings they offered me. Choices I made in regards to this relationship brought about much misery and woe, not only for me but for my parents, siblings and perhaps even my grandparents…. I pray that some day they can forgive me. Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Had I obeyed my parents and submitted myself to them, their life experience, and wisdom I would have avoided much hurt and suffering.

In my early 20’s I became involved again in a relationship that I knew was wrong in Gods sight and in the eyes of my parents, a relationship that would result in the birth of my first child, Rachael. Please know that as much as I regret the sin, I do not regret my child. I walked through her early life seeing the world for the first time, through her eyes. Again I do not recall the word sin being thought of in regards to these situations, I do however remember at one point in time being introduced to the phrase “ETERNAL SECURITY”. I stumbled through years of my life feeling as though there was a great lacking in my life. I can only describe it as if it were a great puzzle…. You get a big box puzzle and the first thing you do is put all the pieces face up. The second thing you do is look for all the pieces that have a flat side. (those are generally the sides of the puzzle, or the frame) Well, as far as I was concerned my puzzle frame was complete. I had a good job, a nice car, by the worlds standards I had nice friends….. I had it all. I can even recall praying and crying out to God to take away this emptiness…. John 9:31 Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will him he heareth. Yet the emptiness continued…. Something was missing and I could never quite put my finger on it. Over the years I tried (in my flesh) to fill that void. At times it was with sinful relationships, alcohol, drugs, the list goes on. I was a classic 1 Corinthians 6: 9-11. I never physically murdered anyone but I am confident that I murdered many with my tongue. All the while feeling the utmost confident that through eternal security God loved me because I was saved (after all, I had said the sinners prayer) and I would still go to heaven…..

In June 1996, I began to “date” the brother of my best friend. By October of that same year we were married and now were a family of three. Mt 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. By July 1997 David and I were expecting our second child. In January 1998 we saw an advertisement in our local town paper that a church was being built in our area, so we thought it a good idea to check them out. Shortly after we began attending David got saved / born again, but I continued to stager through life feeling that void. Our son David was born in April 1998, in September 1999, we had Emma, and in February 2001 we had Lee Anna.

Finally in May of 2005 David had gone out of town to see a very special friend in Vermont become ordained. (what a blessing) For weeks prior to this the Lord had been working on my heart in regards to my salvation (or lack thereof) and chose that weekend to bring it all to a head. I was still so confused about the teachings of eternal security and yet wondered how someone could openly and boldly sin and still go to heaven….. And as I sat at my kitchen table that day I became so overwhelmed with the realization that eternal security was a lie…. I realized that I could not just go through life as I had in the past, knowing that the love of this world makes me God’s enemy; James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. God also says; 1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. We can go through life telling ourselves that we know Him but unless He know us (unless there is a relationship with Him… a daily walking with Him as He and Enoch did… as He and Abraham did….) If He does not know us then He will tell us Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. I was overwhelmed with the realty that had I not sinned he would not have had to die for me, that I had killed Christ as surely as if I have hammered the nails. (I now realize what repentance meant)! Thank you God for loving me! John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Now as far as salvation and eternal security are concerned I do believe that we as the scripture says can not be “plucked from his hand”. John 10:28, 29 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I do however believe that we can throw our salvation away as stated in Provers 26:11, 2 Peter 2:22, and Luke 9:62 (that is, if we were truly saved / born again in the first place). Similar in nature to any gift, the gift giver says “I am giving you this gift, It can never be taken from you”. However that does not preclude me from casting that gift away.

I also realized that according to scripture People don’t remain the same after they meet Jesus, Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his folly,… 2 Peter 2:22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire,….. Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. People can’t remain the same after they truly meet Jesus. Mary Magdalene didn’t remain a harlot, Zacchaeus repented of being a publican and told Christ he would give half is belongings to the poor and that if he took anything falsely he would return it fourfold, Paul didn’t remain a murder and persecutor of Christians. People do not remain the same after they truly meet Christ. There was only one person that came to Christ and walked away disappointed and unchanged. It was the rich young ruler. He couldn’t bare to part with his worldly possessions. Luke 18:18-23

Gods word tells us that this life is but a vapor James 4:14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. But our souls, your soul is eternal. Ro 6:22. If I say nothing, then before God I will be held accountable. Ezekiel 3:18 – 19 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. 1 Corinthians 9:16 For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

For those of you who have known me for years, If I have ever done or said anything that has caused you to turn from Christ, I know that God is grieved and I ask for your forgiveness. Luke 17:2 It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. I also know that I can’t pick and choose what is truth and what is not, based on my likes and dislike… based on what I feel comfortable with… based on what the world now views as acceptable. (fornication, adultry, sodomy /homosexuality, effeminate, covetousness, drunkards, ....) 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 One MUST have faith that God Spoke the world into existence in 6 literal days Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.; in order to believe that one will inherit heaven Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: And if one believes in heaven then one must also believe in hell Matthew 13:50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. If you can’t get past Genesis in faith then how can you in faith believe that HE IS Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that HE IS, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

On the Judgment Day His word says that He will sift us as wheat…. The sheep on the right and the goats on the left. His sheep will inherit His Kingdom Matthew 25:34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: but the goats… (a picture allegory of the world and the people in it) He says Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:


Please think on these things….


I do pray that you will meet Jesus Christ as I have and as Jesus told Zacchaeus … Luke 19:9 And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham.

David's Testimony

Not sure how to begin with my testimony as some of the information that is part of my testimony can be somewhat sensitive and hurt some people so, I am certain that I will have to eliminate parts or limit them so that they can be appropriate for all audiences.

My life as a child was not always what you would desire for a child to have. I don't say this to bring excuses to the way I ended up living but to say that some of these things truly do bring forward fruit in the lives of our children.

When I was a young child, about 7, my parents ended up separating and later divorced. There was a time that I lived with my mother and things didn't go well in that situation due to a myriad of circumstances. My father determined that we needed a change and assumed the responsibility of raising my 3 sisters and I. Shortly after that determination was made my father remarried and our life was pretty normal. We moved to a great little town and actually lived on a farm with 10 acres of land, had farm work to do; grew and harvested hay, had 3 horses that I didn't like (my sisters - somehow I had the chore of cleaning stalls), and other chores. Also had much to do there including fishing in the creek right next to our house (salmon run every fall). Overall, it was a great place to grow up. However I determined that I was going to seek out trouble. Not sure why and I don't want to try to do the psychology that some might as I don't believe it is really relevant.

Following my fathers remarriage we became involved in an American Baptist Church. As I grew up in this church group I actually had a desire to know the Lord spring up within me but when I asked questions and wanted to know more I was told that I needed to be baptized. I was obedient but this brought about no change in my life. Ironically, and something I often forget to mention, I dated a girl when I was 14 whose parents got radically saved and I remember them witnessing to me quite extensively. I actually even went to their church one time and was convicted by the word that was brought forth. Not enough to do something about it or not enough that I understood what I needed to do but enough that I remember it.

In spite of my involvement with family and "church", I seemed to be bent on destruction. At a very young age I became involved in drugs, alcohol, womanizing and any other sin that you can think of. Sadly enough, I was able to maintain a fairly normal lifestyle. I did have some problems in 11th grade almost failing the whole year and eventually leaving home due to my sinful rebellion towards my father. However, even in that I ended up staying with a very nice family that allowed me to sow to my flesh as I desired. I did do a bit of recovery during my senior year of high-school and did well enough that I was able to enlist in the US Navy in Feb of 1985 for an enlistment start of June 1985. All went off uneventfully and I went into the Navy as scheduled.

My time in the military was a great blessing to me from the perspective of teaching me to grow up to be a man and learn to work diligently. I was able to earn perfect evaluations (4.0) throughout the 4 year term in the military and actually achieved the rank of E-5 in 3 years which is pretty significant. However, despite all this, I still found time to use drugs "recreationally". The fact that the military performed checks on their service members did keep me in check to a large degree but not completely. Sadly, I became exposed to a new drug, methamphetamine, which became the primary focus over the next 5 - 6 years of my life.

Following my time in the military I took a civilian job working for the military and became involved in a wonderful pastime, rock-climbing. This passion was something that required a great deal of practice and focus and so, much of my life became driven by that. However, many that I knew that climbed also partied very hard also using drugs. Sounds really crazy when you look at it but that is the facts of it. Not saying that all rock-climbers did, probably most did not, but the group that I was with did. The wild lifestyle seemed to be a continuation of who I was and added to my desire for thrill.

The desire that I gained for thrill became later enhanced as after several disastrous relationships, I found that I could get involved in the sale and distribution of drugs. The adrenaline and the power behind this was amazing and it really consumed me. I became a primary distributor of drugs to the area that I lived in and was even arrested for the distribution of the drugs. Charges were later dropped as I moved out of state and worked with a lawyer in NY to get the charges dropped. However, during that time I actually spent 3 days in jail and suffered the loss of all things. Maybe this was all preparation for what was later to come. Regardless, as things continue to go poorly I decided that I needed to leave this lifestyle and I eventually moved back to NY with the help of my father.

When I moved back to NY I moved in with my second oldest sister, Bonnie, and was very blessed as I was re-introduced to a woman that was a friend of hers from high school. Little did I know at that time that this woman would become my wife, Robin. My wife already had a beautiful daughter, Rachael, from a previous relationship. In 1996 we were married and in 1997 we became pregnant for our second child. The stirrings of what it means to be a parent were more and more becoming a reality to me and we discussed how it would be important to bring them up in a church setting, so the "good morals" could be instilled in them. This is what I was taught about church up until now. As God would have it though, we found a church that was building just down the road and so we went to visit them at their old building and I immediately knew that this group was different. Everyone, and I mean everyone, was carrying Bibles into the building. When the service started, the pastor actually got up and preached from the Bible. I was shocked. Immediately, the Lord started working on me. I knew that this man was speaking truth and that he was speaking in love for my soul. I knew I had to come back the next weekend. This time the message was the pure gospel and I was ready. I had been getting worked on all week by the Holy Spirit and when the call was given to give my life to the Lord, I jumped. My life was changed! I was one of those radically saved Christians. My world became NEW. Actually, isn't this the only way that one is reborn?

It wasn't long after this that we moved to a new home and it was there that the Lord really started to move in me. He had already given me a love for His Word and through that He started drawing me deeper and I believe called me to be prepared for His use, as He does with all of us. Through that He showed me that the Holy Spirit would teach me all things yet, being a good baptist boy, I decided that I needed to attend a Bible Institute. Through the next 4 - 5 years I attended Bible Institute regularly. It was only later that the encouraging message from a dear brother in Vermont to seek the Kingdom of God that the Lord brought me back to show me that I had received some erroneous teaching and that the Holy Spirit needed to teach me all things. I spent time in repentance and over the next several years I went through a reteaching of those things that pertain unto life and godliness. He indeed is able and will lead us into all truth. Through all this I have been led through pride, an attitude of being a Pharisee, condemnation and lack of hope unto a true walk with the Lord Jesus Christ. It is in Him that salvation is. It is in Him where we can find truth. It is in Him that we can find hope. It is in Him that we can find joy. Nowhere else. Nowhere! We need to get this through our hearts in a serious way and I am thankful that the Lord has found me faithful to receive it and to grow in it, even currently.

At this point in my life, I am continuing to live for Jesus Christ on a daily basis and learning more and more what it is to walk in the Spirit where we can fulfill the law (Rom 8:4) and bring forth glory to Him, who is worthy to receive all (Rom 11:36).

I do pray that if this is not the gospel that you have heard, to forsake all and follow Him, that you would search the Scriptures and see that they all point to one thing, a life lived wholly for the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no salvation anywhere else. Paul said that to KNOW HIM, in suffering and resurrection was his desire. Is that yours? I know that this will be mine until the day that He calls me home to be with Him.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other for there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.