A Prayer request

Over the course of the past nine months we have used our blog to share many things. We have used it to share with you where we have come from carnally (our testimonies), where we were at in our journeys(our trip out west), we have shared things of a spiritual mind and where we are at physically.

So now I come to explain where we are and ask for your help and prayers... God’s word tells us in the book of JAMES that "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." Hence my plea. We are currently all (all but me) sick with the stomach flu. David and Lee Anna are through with most of it, but now it is Emma and Dave's turn. Emma is young and resilient, Dave on the other hand is not doing well and on top of everything associated with the stomach flu he now has a fever.... So please pray in this regard for healing for everyone and that I will not get it. (Keep in mind that we are still in the camper)

Next... When we came back to NY we asked the LORD to be very clear with us. If HE wanted us here then HE had to give us a house. When we came back we looked at one house (It was a house that had much of what both of us was looking for) and made a non-contingent offer that was accepted. (The house had been on the market since May 2008) The people that are selling the house were attempting to purchase another home in Lockport, NY. Our closing date has now come and gone (should have been Sept. 23) and the sellers are still not ready. We have been told that there is now something that they need to "satisfy" with regards to the mortgage company they are using to purchase the house in Lockport. Here in lies the problem for us, (and again, keep in mind that we are still in the camper) The campground we are staying in as well as most of the campgrounds in the north east U.S. will close for the season on or around October 15, so we are running out of time. Tomorrow Dave will tell our attorney to give a "Time is of the Essence" Order, which means that the sellers will have 10 days to close or we retract our offer. This will put us at October 10th and give us 5 days to make a decision as to what we need to do. If this is the case please pray for us, pray that GOD will endow us with the Wisdom of Solomon.

The Lord has allowed for much improved communications with our oldest child Rachael and with my parents, and strangely I have received communication from Dave's biological Mother... (through no effort on our part) We also have very dear and precious friends and wish to be close to them as well. We want to be here! However if this is not where the LORD would have us then, as I am sure you will understand, we want to be in HIS will.

Please pray that the LORDS will be done. And peace!

Robin

Movie Review

Yes, I went to see a movie. At the theatre even. The movie we went to see as a family was called "Fireproof" (www.fireproofthemovie.com) and was the latest in the releases from the Kendrick brothers. We had seen the previews on the internet and were pretty excited as it deals with marriage which is in a sad state in the world and something that has become a huge problem in Christianity.

The writers and makers of the movie did a wonderful job presenting the problem and even better presenting the resolution. The best thing about all this was they dealt with another large issue directly, as a part of this movie which I won't give away as it is another cornerstone of the plot.

The real blessing to me about this movie was that there was a full theater (and I mean full - hardly a few seats empty) AND they presented the gospel relentlessly throughout the movie. The scene where the main character, Caleb, comes to Christ is such a beautiful portrayal of man that I was in awe. It truly was beautiful.

I would highly recommend people to see this movie, to support their efforts as long as they are glorifying Christ, and to encourage those that don't know the Lord to see this movie. You won't be disappointed.

David

Living water?

I have thought about this a good bit lately as this is a point that Jesus was sure to make on more than one occasion that there is living water available to us as His followers, that this living water will be available in bountiful supply and that it should be a fountain or a flow coming from within.

John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

In thinking about this the Lord pointed me to another point in Scripture, 1 John 2:6;

1 John 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

There is a key word in this verse and I believe more and more that this is the foundation of understanding 1 John, and that is the theme of abiding. The same holds true in the area of living water, as it has to come from a source and that source can only be found in the vine.

I think too often we explain away Scripture, say that is for the elite few, or that this is something that was only available for a certain time however, I hope that you would all agree with me that this is false. These are facts that Jesus was stating to all that would call on His name and follow Him.

I was reading this devotional from Oswald Chambers this morning and it really blessed as it touches on some things that the Lord has placed dearly in my heart. Please read as you see fit. http://www.myutmost.org/09/0907.html The important point that he makes is that this flow should be there and if not find out why. He also makes the point however that we may not always see it but "that it has started from the obscure, the unknown, the ignored, but the steadfastly true to Jesus Christ".

Let us covet to find ourselves in that place that when our Lord comes by He doesn't find a tree empty of fruit that should be laden with figs. Remember, He stated that if we are to abide in Him that we would bring forth much fruit and that without Him we could do nothing.

I ask the same question that brother Chambers asked, is there something hindering that today? Let us check the flow and see what that may be. More on this later.....

In the world?

I have been meditating on this for a while and I still believe I have much to learn about this, I do believe that the Lord has given me some thoughts to share on this, mainly in one area.

There are many today, I used to be one of them, who will not go certain places, or will be wary of allowing themselves to be exposed to certain things because they don't want to become defiled, or to be tempted. I don't know if that is the exact terms that they would use or if that is the way they would state things but, I believe I have the gist of it down. Again, I used to be one of them so, I believe I know the heart of it. Ultimately, this really sounds good. We want to be pure, we want to have our thoughts captive on Christ and not on the things of the world and if we can remove ourselves from the temptation then we are ultimately victorious in this area. Right? Wrong! This really is a handy trick of the devil. Consider the following verses;

John 17:15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.

John 17:16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.

John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

John 17:18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

John 17:19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.

So, based on what Jesus is saying, we can see that first of all He was not praying that we would be taken out of the world (yes, I know that the prayer wasn't directed at US yet but, He does pray that we ALL may be one, even as He and His Father are one...) but that the Father would keep us from the evil. He then boldly states that they (we too) are not of the world, EVEN AS HE IS NOT OF THE WORLD. If we are not of the world then why would it be an attraction to us? It shouldn't be.

He then goes on to pray for our sanctification and then desires that we would be sent out into the world. And it is in this verse 18, that I believe we come into most of the conflict with the philosophy described above (yes, philosophy, not theology: the one is man's reasoning the other is God's reasoning). You see, Jesus wasn't worried about us being in the world, His desire was for us to be sanctified, set apart in all manner of thinking, affection and action, i.e. that our conversation, our life and behavior, would be something that would be glorifying to Him at all times.

So, with all that being said, we shouldn't be worried when we go to the grocery store and there are magazines with half-naked women on them unless we aren't walking in the Spirit. We shouldn't be worried about being in a place where there is bad music on unless we are not walking in the Spirit. We shouldn't be afraid to go to the beach because people are going to be immodest there. My goodness, how in the world do you ever expect to witness to young women today unless you can walk in the Spirit and learn to deny your flesh. Are you going to put on blinders every time you walk out the door, and then put on earmuffs because you realize that isn't enough. How about this then, are you then going to eliminate the smelling from your nose so that you can't smell the food that you so enjoy? Where does it end. Living on a farm in the middle of nowhere so that you don't see anyone, don't hear from anyone, don't talk to anyone because they might affect you adversely.

You may find what I am about to say somewhat hard but since I really don't believe anyone reads this anyway I am going to write it. Can you imagine if Jesus wasn't walking in the Spirit, having a woman sit there and wash his feet with tears and then dry them with her hair. Many would say that to touch a woman is sin according to 1 Corinthians 7:1 and to think that Jesus was sitting there allowing her to wash His feet with her tears and dry His feet with her hair. There was obviously physical contact going on here. Let me ask honestly, would you be as the Pharisee that was sitting there, saying "if Jesus knew who that woman was" or would we say something like this "if Jesus knew that the Scripture says....". Either way, we are in the same boat.

So what is the difference, why is it that we are not like our Saviour Jesus Christ so often? I believe it is because we miss His heart. Jesus saw her as a soul and His love was perfect towards her in that His one and only desire towards her was that of reconciliation. Shouldn't that be our heart as well? If that is our heart, can't it allow us to overcome the temptations of this world and allow us to go out into it and be salt and light to those that are in need?

You see, we can't walk around with the idea of touch not, taste not, handle not...

Colossians 2:20-23 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

The world will never see Christ in all that. He didn't resurrect a people to go off and hide in the desert, He resurrected a people to be a mighty army, a city that can be set on a hill, a fountain for people to come to and drink.

Am I off in what I am saying? Please let me know if you think so. If not then consider what I am sharing.

May the Lord bless you!

David

Am I a soldier of the cross?

I stumbled across a tract I have from C.T. Studd called "Chocolate Soldiers" - http://www.wholesomewords.org/missions/msctserm.html - and decided to read it again yesterday. This tract is truly a blessing and should be read by all who name the name of Jesus Christ and we should consider whether we truly are laying our lives down and living for Him completely. It is a bit of a lengthy read but well worth it. I am including the last part for those who don't want to take the time and read the whole thing (again, please take the time).

From the tract:

"You sought in time past for Jesus to be king over you. NOW THEN DO IT! (Compare 1 Chronicles 12:8, 33, 38, and 2 Samuel 3:17-18). Shall we not reply, "We are Yours, Jesus, and on Your side. May God deal with me, be it ever so severely, if I do not do what the Father promised You on oath, and transfer the kingdom from the house of Satan and establish Your throne over all the world." (Compare 1 Chronicles 12:18, and 2 Samuel 3:9-10).

Come then, let us restore the 'lost chord' of Christianity - HEROISM - to the world, and the crown of the world to Christ. Christ Himself asks you, "Will you be a malingerer or a militant?"
To your knees, man! And to your Bible! Decide at once! Don't hedge! Time flies! Cease your insults to God. Quit consulting flesh and blood. Stop your lame lying and cowardly excuses.
Enlist! Here are your papers and oath of allegiance. Scratch out one side and sign the other in the presence of God and the recording angel. Mark God's endorsements underneath.

HENCEFORTH...
For me

To live is ChristTo die is gain

I'll be a militant or

A man of God

A gambler for Christ

A Hero

For me

Chocolate my name

Tepidity my temperature

A malingerer, I

A child of men

A self-excuser

A humbug

God's promises are sure in either case:

"I am with you always."

- or -
"I will spit you out of my mouth."

In the famous words of Isaac Watts;

Am I a soldier of the cross,

A follower of the Lamb,

And shall I fear to own His cause,

Or blush to speak His Name?

Must I be carried to the skies

On flowery beds of ease,

While others fought to win the prize,

And sailed through bloody seas?

Are there no foes for me to face?

Must I not stem the flood?

Is this vile world a friend to grace,

To help me on to God?

Sure I must fight if I would reign;

Increase my courage, Lord.

I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,

Supported by Thy Word.

Thy saints in all this glorious war

Shall conquer, though they die;

They see the triumph from afar,

By faith's discerning eye

When that illustrious day shall rise,

And all Thy armies shine

In robes of victory through skies,

The glory shall be Thine.

David

New Music from Saints in MO

There is a dear brother, Joe, who has recently been given a couple of new songs from the Lord. I would highly recommend listening to them if you get the chance. The link to the music is http://www.godlychristianmusic.com/group_artist.aspx?id=12&groups=0&name=Joe%20and%20Angela%20Garrity

Check out the songs titled "Desperation", "Feelings are feelings" and "Suffering first, then glory".

All downloads from this site are free. Enjoy and continue to worship the Lord Jesus Christ with all your heart, mind, soul and strength!

David

...but Jesus sent him away

Reading Luke 8:26 - 40 to the children tonight and this passage really jumped out at me.

Here we have this dear man tormented of devils and in bondage and finally healing and deliverance comes. People are amazed and in fear as he sits with Jesus "clothed and in his right mind". Then all the people beseech Jesus to leave the country because they were "taken with great fear". So as Jesus starts to leave, this beloved man who was now delivered beseeches Jesus that he might go with him, but instead of taking him into the number, Jesus sends him away.

In looking at this from our perspective it seems wrong. Really, who would tell someone that just came to Christ today to go away and stay with family that has just rejected Jesus Christ. This man was the only man in the whole country that got it. Everyone else was afraid of Jesus and they sent Jesus away. You would think that Jesus would have told the man, "Hey, come with me, I will get you established in your faith and teach you all the things you need to know so that you can go back and be an effective minister to those people back there". But no, that is not what He said. Notice that Jesus told him to "Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee." Is there any better foundation than that to tell anyone. We are always looking to find something better to tell people intead of just telling them the wonderful things that God has done for us. Sometimes I wonder if this is the case because God really hasn't wrought wonderful things in us. I don't say that to be harsh or critical. God knows. But we should desire reality with Christ and a reality of a changed life, something that people will take note of. This is to me that I ask these things but we should all consider them.

Consider finally, the work that this man does with just a testimony of a changed life. The Bible says that he "published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him". And what was there the next time Jesus came back? "And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were ALL WAITING for Him." Amazing!

Jesus knew the pefect plan for this man. He knew that His testimony would change the hearts of those people and He knew that if He removed him from his home, these people would still be afraid of Jesus. There are some many things to consider with this but let us just consider this one for tonight, that we can shine in a place where Jesus is not wanted and by showing forth the true testimony of a changed life we can help people come to the place where they too will be waiting for Jesus when He returns. And, hopefully it will be ALL of them that will be waiting.

David