MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS

Darla and I wish you each of you the very 

best Christmas ever!

It's not just a saying, it is truth: 

 "Jesus IS the reason for the season" 

It's not the tree, lights, or the gifts -- it's the 

GIFT of Life that Jesus Christ came to bring us!

Bless you all!

A DATE THAT WILL LIVE IN INFAMY

Today, December 7, 2011, is the 70th Anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor (in Hawaii) by the Japanese.  On that Sunday morning, 70 years ago today, while the sailors and soldiers slept -  353 Japanese fighter planes attacked us in waves --- Eight (8) US Navy battleships were damaged, with four (4) being sunk.  The Japanese also sank or damaged three (3) cruisers, three (3) destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship, and one mine layer ship.  One hundred eighty-eight (188) US aircraft were destroyed.  Two thousand four hundred and two (2,402) Americans died that morning. One thousand two hundred eighty-two (1,282) Americans were wounded.  


I wasn't alive back then, but I can still remember the stories of survivors, family, and teachers who recounted what happened that day.  Hollywood has made documentaries and movies about this day. I've seen many of them. We remember the photos and the voices from the past.....

The sinking of the USS Arizona is commemorated in the port of Pearl Harbor to this day 

-- many Americans are buried at that site.

On the following day, President Franklin D. Roosevelt (on Monday, December 8, 1941) addressed the nation and the US Congress, and declared that the United States was now at war with Japan.  Later, we would declare war on Germany and Italy -- and thus, we entered World War II. Before the war would end in 1945 - over four hundred sixteen thousand American military personnel would die (416, 837). 


You can go the this link below and watch and hear a clip of President Roosevelt's speech before the nation, declaring war:

http://youtu.be/ufoUtoQLGQY

We have seen a lot of violence in our lifetime.  Jesus said the "wars and rumors of war" would be a sign that we are living in the "last days", prior to HIS return to earth.

As we remember Pearl Harbor Day - as we remember the tremendous sacrifice of the lives lost on that day, and the lives lost in ALL of the wars that Americans have been involved in, before 1941 and after 1941 - let's be thankful for our freedoms.

As I ponder these events and these heroic actions of others, I'm reminded of what the Scriptures say:

Romans 5:6-9 (NKJV)

"For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him."

ONE MAN DIED - SO THAT EVERYMAN COULD LIVE!

Think about it!

HEALED TO HEAL

"I Shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord." (Psalms 118:17) 

I want to share my testimony with you today.  I am the typical male, who really has never been sick in all my life (outside of colds, etc) - so when things started happening to me in 2005, I had no clue as to what it was .... and I didn't even have a Doctor with whom to consult.


I was traveling on the weekends, when able, to preach the Word -- living in Tallahassee, FL -- working at a funeral home during the week.  For several weeks, I noticed that after dinner, my heart would race, but, I just thought, "I'm tired and I need more rest".  Then I had a nose bleed -- very unusual for me -- and it wouldn't stop for 24 hours --- again, the fact it finally stopped still did not alarm me.  Next I had a gum bleed (now that's weird) - didn't know what that was -- still it finally stopped, and I didn't seriously think about it.  Finally, I had blurry vision -- my conclusion was I need some new glasses!  So, I went to the local mall, and got my eyes examined.  After quite some time, the  lady who did the examination, came into the room and told me I could not have new glasses at this point -- because I had bleeding behind both eyes -- she said -- "Get to the Doctor Now!"


Not having a Doctor -- my wife, who was quite persistent against my objections, took me to a Walk-In Clinic nearby.  The Doctor there drew some blood, gave me a pill, sent me home -- and said they would call with the blood report.


In less than 24 hours, they were calling  -- asking me how I was standing (frankly I was sitting down at the time) -- they said my hemoglobin (red cells) count was less than 4 -- and it was supposed to be 13.  They insisted I go the hospital NOW!


Again, being the persistent wife that she is, Darla took me to the Hospital.  (You know people can die in a place like that -- even as they wait for what seemed like eternity -- to see a Doc -- ha!)  I stayed in the ER all night -- late that night, they started me on some units of blood.  I humorous tell people that Job's comforters came that night --- well three doctors come, clip board in hand -- and each one said "I know it is _____, and it's not good" --- after three different "guesses" of how bad I was -- they left (Thank God).


I was admitted to the hospital the next day -- spent a week there -- had more blood, etc. given to me -- and the notorious "bone marrow test"  OUCH.


The following week, the Doctor called me to his office to tell me that I had "Waldenstroms" --- now I didn't know anything about this -- but he said it was CANCER -- and I might have 7-9 years to live!  He said there was no cure and basically it was so rare - no hope in sight.


On my way home, God spoke to me a promise  "You shall not die, but live"  (It's from Psalms 118:17).
I grabbed hold of that promise!


Yes, I had to go through a lot of chemotherapy -- and even a "stem cell transplant" (my own cells) -- and YES, I am healed by the power of God.  My last visit to the Doctor confirmed that all my blood tests are NORMAL!


God told me if I would tell this story -- giving God all the glory -- that people who read it, or hear it, would be healed too!  Why don't YOU right now believe God for your miracle healing?  


I've shared this "word" all over the world.  This past March, I shared it before a group numbering in the thousands at a giant Crusade in Nakuru, Kenya.  Watch the video clip of that service below:

I travel all over the US and to Kenya to preach this Gospel and Heal the Sick.  Already this year, in services here in the States, two people have gotten up out of wheelchairs, healed by the power of God!

I'm so excited to give God all the glory for what HE has done in my life.  I owe HIM everything. HE paid the price for my salvation and my healing at the Cross.  HE did that for YOU too!

I'm available to share this Word, and Heal the Sick, where ever HE leads me.

 

May God's richest blessing be on you today.  May HIS healing power come on you -- and may HIS grace bring you peace. 

My friend, "Be healed now, in Jesus name!"

DANCING FOR JOY

Watch this exciting clip of a couple of Maasai brothers, Daniel and Ole Toninio, who dance for the Lord with such joy and enthusiasm.


Back in March of this year (2011), I traveled to Nakuru, Kenya, with a large team of believers to minister to the people in that large city.  The outdoor Crusade and Pastor's conference was sponsored by ICCL (International Center for Christian Leadership).  We saw thousands of people come to know Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives.  We ministered to the inmates at both the men and women's prisons in town, seeing hundreds come to Christ.  Our team ministered God's grace on the streets, in orphanages, and even to the people living in the city dump.


Watch the clip below about the people living in the dump, which Metro Church, pastored by Mike Brawan, feeds and helps every week.




One of the highlights of this crusade was meeting Daniel and Ole -- these Maasai tribal men, who love Jesus, travel all over the world --- jumping, dancing, singing, and preaching the Good News of Jesus.
Man, can they jump!!!


Why shouldn't they jump for joy!  They been redeemed by the blood of Jesus -- they have been brought out of darkness, into the glorious light of God's love --- They are truly dancing for joy!


Now, I can't jump like they do -- everybody knows "white men can't jump" !! ha!  But the joy of Jesus is just a real to me .... Isn't that what Christmas is celebrating?  JOY to the World -- the LORD has come!


Why don't you get up and JUMP FOR JOY?  Go ahead and do it now!!!

DOES GOD STILL HEAL PEOPLE TODAY?

Watch this short video clip -- and tell me now -- Does God still heal people today?


This video was filmed just this past Sunday at Cross Point Church in Paola, KS, where my son, Rusty is Lead Pastor.  God is moving in a supernatural way in every service at this church (located just south of Kansas City).  For more information on this church go to their Web site (click link):  Cross Point


I've seen firsthand the mighty hand of a loving God heal people in Kenya -- blind eyes opened -- limp limbs restored -- crippled legs healed -- hearing restored -- yes !   I've seen two people, just this year, get up out of wheelchairs, here in the USA, in my services!  To God be all the glory!


In this age of skepticism, it's good to know that God still works "in mysterious ways, HIS wonders to perform...."


What healing do you need?  What miracle do you need?  Today could be your day.


In 2005, I was personally diagnosed with "Waldenstroms" -- a cancer of the blood ---  today, I am healed by the grace and power of God! Yes, I have walked through the "valley" -- but the Lord gave me a promise -- "I shall live, and not die, and declare the works of the Lord" (Psalm 118:17) -- I know HE lives -- and I know HE heals!


Let me pray for you right now - as you read this prayer -- release your faith for a "touch" from the Master:

"Father, in the name of Jesus Christ, Son of God, I pray right now for my friends who are reading this prayer and are believing YOU for a touch from your hand.  I take authority over every sickness and disease that plagues their body.  I rebuke the Devil in Jesus name, and command the healing to come forth in their body.  Sickness GO in Jesus name!  

Disease GO in Jesus name! 

Cancer, GO in Jesus name!

Be healed in Jesus name - NOW!"

Lift up your voice and begin to Praise the Lord!  You are healed in Jesus name!  


Let me know what God is doing in your life!  Be blessed!

CYBER MONDAY

A phenomenon that has really taken off in the business world since 2005, is this special day -- today -- "CYBER MONDAY" --the Monday after Thanksgiving.  Retailers are "banking" on millions, if not billions, of dollars of "on-line" sales to really boost their "bottom line."

Oh the wonders of computers !   When they work well, all is well -- when they don't --- well, you know how frustrating that is.....

In 2006 -- on-line sales on "Cyber Monday" were $610 million.

In 2007 - they were $730 million

In 2008 - they were $846 million

In 2009 - they were $887 million

In 2010 - they were $1 Billion, 28 Million

Now you see why so much attention is being given to sales for Christmas on this day.

Merchants are offering deep discounts, and free shipping.

Who wouldn't want to get a "deal" today?

I was thinking today about the spiritual significance of this phenomenon  - the computer age of commerce which they now call e-commerce, as it relates to our lives.

As great as the computer is -- and as great the wonder of technology - have you ever stopped to realize who really created this?   some say Steve Jobs or Bill Gates.

Who really has the creative power of information and technology?  You guessed it -- God

God can hear every prayer, prayed by every person on planet earth -- all at the same time - and yet HE gives personal attention to each petitioner.

God even knows what you need, before you ask.

HE delights in answering your requests, and loves to bless his children.

Somebody rightly said that God has three answers to prayers:

Yes

No

Wait

I have to admit, I like the "yes" answer --- sometimes HE says "no" because HE knows better for me.

Often HE tells me "wait" -- and that is hardest to do ... God is always ON TIME -- never late -- and I add, "seldom early" - Ha!

Seriously, spend time with God today in prayer.  Tell HIM what you think you need --- pour out your heart and soul to HIM -- HE is listening - and HE will answer you!

Oh yes -- all his answers are PAID FOR ---and there is always FREE SHIPPING !

BLACK FRIDAY

The Friday after Thanksgiving has been called "Black Friday" for a number of years now.  Originally the Philadelphia police nicknamed this day, due to the heavy traffic and pedestrian shoppers which caused great traffic jams in the city that day.

Later merchants began to call it "Black Friday" - because they believed that that day would bring their sales totals into "the black" (a bookkeeping term - when negative revenue was indicated as RED, and positive income was in BLACK)

So, today - Friday, November 25, 2011 - merchants both big and small across America are counting on such tremendous sales totals, that they will end the year in the "Black" - showing profit, not loss.

So today stores will open earlier than usual -- some all night before the day -- and will offer tremendous "deals" - all to entice us to spend, spend, spend-- so that they can profit, profit, profit!

How many of us, personally are living our lives like these merchants --- going all year long in the "RED", then hoping near the end of our life to finally get into the "BLACK"

We live so much of our lives for ourselves --- hoping that one day, we will become more dedicated to God, before the final check-out!

Many churches do the same thing --- go all year long with few people coming to know Christ as Lord and Savior -- then hoping that at the annual Christmas pageant that all the souls won, will make up the difference, and they will end up in the "BLACK" on their annual church report.

What a sad way to live.  What a sad way to conduct the Church!

Think about it!  Are you waiting for "BLACK FRIDAY" to turn your life around?

Are you waiting for that SOMEDAY, when you'll change the way your life, and become more profitable?

What happens if SOMEDAY doesn't come soon enough for you?

What happens if your "accounting day" comes sooner than you think?

Judgment Day (Accounting Day) is coming for each of us!

Think about it!