The Birds and Me

Three kinds of birds are in my life talking to me these days.

I've been a birdwatcher since I was very small. Bird-lister, they call folks like me. The sport involves finding a new species somewhere, anywhere, adding him to your list, and going on to the next one. Pretty simple stuff. My list only amounts to about 230 after all this time. But the memories that go with having found a particular bird, the people who were with me, the place where I was visiting, it's a nice way to tie a life together.

There's a year-round cardinal (redbird to some of you) in my back yard who literally gives me "cheer" in the winter, reminds me he is a "birdie" other times, and seems to welcome me back when I've been away for awhile. God has used him as the "lifter of my head" on more than one occasion.

But there are other birds. For four years there were large mechanical birds that grumbled and growled as they passed over my house. They mocked me and told me I'd never fly like they do. One day I called their bluff. Now they hum on their transit. They call me to get on board with a smile.It seems they are all heading toward the northeastern parts of Asia... Maybe my imagination...

Then the other ones. Oh my. I told you about them before. Remember the "birds of Yanji", residents of that Chinese town near North Korea's border?

This bird has been nicknamed by some kotjebi, the "flower-swallow". In actuality, he's a child. But "child" does not really describe him. He lives in North Korea and surrounding areas. He flits from eating place to eating place, simply trying to survive. No parents. No care at all unless arrested and placed in institutions, "cages". There he is often slowly starved, out of sight of any who can do anything about it. If he gets out of the cage, he is a nuisance, and despised. He becomes a thief. But he's just hungry... Sounds like a bird to me. Couldn't be human.

The birdwatcher in me is stirred. Here is a species I have never seen. But one who only lists birds, what can he do? Unless, of course, the Caretaker of all earth's creatures happens to come along.

Kotjebi! Don't despair! You are loved after all!

Look for Bob Faulkner's home page on http://sermonaudio.com There you will find a combination of love for the Scriptures and a desire for North Korean believers to have their needs met. There are nearly 300 blogs, over 200 Bible teaching MP3's, lists of resources, NK picture albums, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together! Contact me any time at diakonos3@gmail.com

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. Would love to fellowship with believers who respond .

Evangelism Now-Reaching Without Preaching

It seems evangelism has become too difficult in the minds of many Christians and too religious in the minds of everyone else. I regularly hear dedicated Christians describe our mission as if it requires a professional presentation and a degree to share the love of Jesus with someone. Churches have even gotten into the act by having professional tracts, church events and DVDs produced to "make it easier" for regular Christians but this implies, unintentionally, that regular Christians can't do this without such help and tools. Nothing is further from the truth. All anyone needs, to be a witness for Jesus, is natural, real, living faith and genuine concern for the other person.

Natural Christian Outreach: I had the same misconceptions as everyone else at my first ministry post. So, I started a door-to-door program that had pretty good success because we were taking prayer requests, rather than preaching at people. Later, I found we had better success turning the church parking lot into a flea market one Saturday a year, so we could meet our neighbors under more natural circumstances. Finally, after trying evangelism the traditional way for over 10 years, I've come to the realization that most people have their guard up before our second sentence is finished. Here in the USA, everybody is bombarded from every direction by thousands of Christians. All of these approaches have one thing in common...they are as systematic and impersonal as a cheap sales pitch. I'm now getting evangelistic junk email because some poor misguided souls feel they're serving God by irritating strangers with messages they didn't ask for. So, when we approach a loved one with the message of Jesus, it's easy for them to think they know what we're going to say, and reject it without listening. Natural Christian outreach starts with a person who is seeking a solution to one of life's problems. When people discover Jesus as a solution to their problems, He has value to them and they're far more receptive to the message. After all, Jesus healed and fed people...He didn't just preach at them.

Be A Witness Without Witnessing: Another thing that puts people off and negates our evangelistic efforts is "The Presentation." Let me be straight with you, no one wants a canned God. Canned God has been sold to people their whole lives. They don't like how He tastes, how He smells, His mushy texture. The next time someone comes into your group selling the latest in canned God materials, boil up a can of peas for him and ask him if this is the way he likes his vegetables. Serve him some stale bread on the side. The only way to serve God is fresh. If you don't have a fresh relationship with God daily then don't try to serve Him to others. Jesus didn't say to go witnessing, He said to be a witness. It's the nature of a genuine Christian that reaches others for Jesus, not the use of flashy witnessing materials. Jesus is living water that wells up in you to overflowing...but He's got to be flowing in you first.

Have The Bible In You, Not On You: This point is very much like the last. It seems many religious people carry a Bible when they "go witnessing." You may have noticed from this and others of my articles, I speak and write the message from the Bible without quoting it chapter and verse. You and I know the Bible is a highly valuable book...God's Word to us. We use it to guide our lives and often quote it to each other. To those we're trying to reach...it's just a book. You don't need to carry it, quote from it, open it and show people what it says...you just need to live it.

One of my fellow students in Bible College told me about his "street-witnessing" experience the night before. He finally got someone cornered, opened his Bible and started down "The Roman Road" with him. The man interrupted and started disagreeing. It ended with the man running away while the student yelled, "You're going to hell." I'll never forget what my student friend told me next. He said, "At least I planted a seed." What kind of seed? What kind of crop? Will anyone be able to talk about Jesus again with that poor man?

If you have the Bible in you, it will come out in your actions and your words without you even trying. The Holy Spirit will remind you of everything you need to say and do. You'll care more about the person you're talking to than yourself. Leave the Bible on your desk at home, where you can keep putting it in your life, then it will shine through your life in how you treat others.

Share Faith In Jesus, Not The Gospel: Many people share "the gospel" out of a sense of duty, in response to a preacher or book they read or to be active in the latest program their church has to "reach the lost." These people are not acting in the right motivations, and worse, not acting in faith. Faith says Jesus doesn't want anyone to die and that everyone who comes to Him will be drawn by the Holy Spirit. If we're acting in faith, we can leave it up to God to provide valid opportunities to share Him and we can leave the results to Him, as well. If our faith is in Jesus, we don't need to share the gospel, but to live the Good News. We don't need to tell the people they have sinned, that's the Holy Spirit's job. We don't need to judge them, Jesus will do that at the end of time. All we need to do is live the love Jesus has given us and let Him love and help others through us...and believe in Him for the rest. Nothing can be easier than sharing faith, because faith says there is no way to fail.

Glen Williams is an Ordained Minister, Founder and CEO of E-Home Fellowship (EHF), Inc. and Webmaster for http://www.web-church.com. He has been active in ministry since 1989. You can comment on his articles at Web-Church Christian Forums.

Saint Jude Patron Saint of Desperate Cases and Lost Cases

St Jude is considered the Patron Saint of Lost Cases and Desperate Causes Situation in the Catholic religion. St Jude is depicted wearing a green robe which symbolizes life and Hope, as well as a flame above his head were he received the Holy Spirit after Pentecost.

Often time he is depicted with a club, axe or carpenters rulers, the axe or a similar item because this is the weapon that was used to kill him.

The Calendar of Saints is way that the Catholic Church associates one or several Saints with the days of year. These day associated with the saints are called Feast Day, the Feast Day for St Jude is October 28th. Often times local churches will festival and special masses around these date to pay tribute to the Saint on that day.

Legend tells us that he spread the words of the Gospel in Judea, Samaria, Idumaea, Syria, Mesopotamia, and Lybia. Later in life he returned to Jerusalem around the year 62, and aided the election of his brother, St. Simeon, as Bishop of Jerusalem. We know that St Jude was born Jewish in Paneas, and that his mother and father opted into Christianity. His father Clopas is said to have been murder for his devotion and outspoken ways towards Christianity.

St Jude at the Last Supper with Jesus and is said to have asked Jesus why he did not reveal himself to the world after his resurrection. A devoted Apostle that is said to have traveled to Iran, Beirut and Edessa carry the word and message of Jesus. St. Jude Thaddaues is some time confused for Jude Iscariot who betrayed Jesus to Roman.

Iscariot contacts the Chief Priest and ask what will you give me if I deliver him to you? And so legend tells is that he sold Jesus to the Romans and assist them in the crucifixion.

It is important to understand and know the distinction between the two Judes because St Jude Thaddaeus played a very important and positive part as an Apostle. St Jude Thaddaeus mother was the Virgin Marys cousin and therefore there is a direct connection with Jesus.

In you most desperate situation, when you find yourself completely lost St. Jude is the saint you direct yourself to. He is the Patron Saint of Desperate Cases and lost Causes therefore you evoke prayers and offering to him to assist you in moment of need.

One way to initiate prayers to St Jude is to begin a Novena. A Novena is a prayer that you repeat for nine continuous days and ask for assistance or relief with your suffering. You can also use a prayer book, a Rosary or a 3 day candle.

For More Detailed Information please visit www.novenastjude.com.

Lue Amil

Bible Studies For Women

In difficult times, studying the Bible is more important than ever. Following Jesus with whole-hearted devotion means clinging to Him day by day. And this means really digging into the Bible. As a wife, mother, professional, homeschooling parent, student, or young teenager--whatever life stage you're in-Bible studies for women can help you rise above difficulties, discover new joy, and fall in love with the Savior.

But these times are also busy times, so how do we create the space to do Bible studies for women? Here are some ideas that might inspire you:

1) Read the Bible during meals. We need God's Word as much or more than eating! Develop a reading plan that follows chapter by chapter in each different type of book in the Bible, like historical, wisdom literature, prophets, gospels, letters, etc. If this is too much planning for you find some kind of Bible studies for women and use the verses as a devotional.

2) Read a Psalm from The Message right before you go to sleep at night. Choose a short passage that strikes a chord deep in your heart, memorize it, and make it your mission for the next day. Remember and pray about it even before you get out of bed.

3) Find a woman's small group and get encouragement for Bible study. Many Bible studies for women are online.

4) Search for a mentor that will help you study the Bible for yourself.

5) Use a One Year Bible or the reading plan in the back of a study Bible.

6) Aim to spend time with Jesus first thing in the morning, even if it's just for five minutes! Spending time with Jesus and doing Bible studies for women is not meant to be a burden or another item you check off on your to-do list, but a source of true joy! Whether we acknowledge it or not, we need Him moment by moment, day by day.

7) Practice the presence of Jesus. Imagine Him there with you throughout the day. What is He doing? Where is He? What is He saying? What is His facial expression?

Bible studies for women is not about "cranking the blanks" and getting all the right answers. It's about deepening your relationship with Christ, for you to grow, and for you to become a more fruitful vessel, an instrument of God!

For more inspiration, including a newly published Bible study for women called Becoming God's Bride, go to http://www.angelartswebstore.com/books.html

You will be inspired to cling to Jesus and walk with Him in whole-hearted devotion, in difficult times and good times alike!

The Uncompromising Truth

We have seen many people in the past and also today, that wanted the masses to believe that they knew when the world would come to and end. They were wrong and anyone that says that they know, is a lier and the truth is not in them. There are also many that say, not to be involved or concerned by prophecy, for we can't stop the end anyway, so why bother learning? I am not here to say when the end will come, because I don't know, the thing I want to express is the Uncompromising Truth about the signs of the end days.

Mat 13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. Matthew tells us that not only the Gospel was a thing to be desired but also the fulfillment of prophecy and the continuance of future prophecy. We cannot ignore the happenings of the past 2,000 years, it would be a terrible mistake on our part.

The whole truth is what we seek. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Israel today, is under attack by the Palestinians, Islamic Militants, Hezbollah, Hamas and the Lebanese, threats have been made by Iran, Egypt and Syria. Russia and China have expressed the concern that Israel is at fault for the trouble in the middle east and should be stopped. Every nation on this earth, with the exception of the United States, has condemned Israel for one reason or another.

Dan 9:25 Know therefore and understand, that from the going forth of the commandment to restore and to build Jerusalem unto the Messiah the Prince shall be seven weeks, and threescore and two weeks: the street shall be built again, and the wall, even in troublous times. Why are all of these things happening? 1. Land. Land is the most important thing in the minds of Israels enemies.

Israel is beginning to prosper, according to prophecy, Iran, Iraq, Russia, China and the other militant nations see an opportunity to gain wealth by the destruction of Israel, remember that the Soviet Union went broke in 1998, and China on the other hand is spending money like its going out of style, building a kingdom with no inhabitants. Here we see, in the end days, Israel will bloom again, desert to green fields, dry ground into a spring of clear water.

The Jezreel Valley (east of the 'hill of Megiddo/Armageddon'), is surrounding by Mt. Carmel and its Shephelah (Lowland) on the west, the hills of Samaria to the south, faulted mountains (including Mt. Gilboa) and valleys on the east and the ridges of Lower Galilee to the north.

See map at; www.bibback.com/Land-RSM5.html. Isa 51:3 For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody. Rev 16:13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. Rev 16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

A political, and military agreement between all Islamic and militant nations will take place, with the goal of destroying Israel once and for all. The main goal of all militants today is the securing of Jerusalem for Islam, killing all Jews and Christians alike, removing their influence on the City of David, and forcing the world to accept Islam as the one world religion. The anti-Christ will have other ideas. Rev 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.

(Many say that this is the verse confirming the rapture.) Rev 16:16 And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon. The following information comes from BibArch.

The oval-shaped valley, also known as the Plain of Esdraelon, is now commonly known as the Valley of Jezreel. Revelation states that it is Satan's demons, through influencing key political and military leaders, who are responsible for inciting this concentration of forces (Revelation 16:13-16). Absent the intervention of God, in the clash between these two great protagonists, the destruction of all living things would occur, presumably, in a final nuclear holocaust and its aftermath Math.24:22. Western leaders concentrate their combined forces at Armageddon apparently planning to engage eastern forces by a land invasion. The immediate objective appears to be the taking of the rich petroleum fields to the east.

The focal point of the battle is the Valley of Jehoshaphat (Joel 3:2, 3:12), also called the Valley of Decision (Joe 3:1-3. For, behold, in those days, and in that time(This is the time that God has preordained for this war to happen.), when I (God has declared that Israel and Jerusalem, shall be held captive again, all except those that escape Jerusalem thru the mountains per prophecy.) shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, (Judah is the Southern Kingdom which includes the City of Jerusalem.)I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat(The Kidron Valley.), and will plead with them there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land. And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink.) (Joel 3:14) situated between the Old City of Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives, now known as the Kidron Valley after the brook Kidron passing through it.

This valley is a deep ravine having very steep sides. Jehoshaphat means "Judgment of YHWH". Here the Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, and his supernatural force will engage both eastern and western forces engaged in battle when he returns and stands, just east of the old city, on the Mount of Olives (Zechariah 14:1-4). A description of the battle is given in Revelation 19:11-21. The West bank is north of Jerusalem, Judah and the Gaza Strip is south west of Judah. Jesus stated that;I am, the Way, The Truth and the Life. If we believe Jesus, then we must believe His words of Prophecy. Jesus foretold of many an action against Israel and also told Israel how and when to escape, the coming destruction in chapter 24 of Matthew.

Mat 24:25 Behold, I have told you before. We all know that Jesus was Truth, we know that this times of great tribulation is almost certainly upon us. We are without excuse, in not knowing what is happening and about to happen. ars

Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries A.R.Smith Ministries http://www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/

God Speaks Prophetically About Todd Bentley

I am the same God of Moses. I am the Father of nations and if you are a Christian I am your eternal Father. My church it seems is in the wilderness with only a partial anointing of My Spirit. Signs and wonders are not commonplace in the West. So many voices cry out in unbelief.

So many negative voices speak about Todd Bentley, so many people in unbelief rise up in judgment of MY outpouring in Florida. So many people making a name for themselves with what they write about Him.

I delight in Todd and I send my angels to his crusades and my Holy Spirit turns up with power and with the anointing. And yes he has tattoos and he says "Bam" when he lays hands on people. So many people are saying negative things about him and he is my son coming with power.

Nothing has changed. There were mockers of Moses and mockers of John the Baptist and mockers of My Son Jesus. In each generation there are Pharisees people with a form of the religion of Christ, but denying the power of the gospel.

Isn't it enough that I heal through Todd's gift? Does he have to provide doctors letters to confirm healings have taken place? What does he have to do to silence the critics?

He can do nothing!

The mockers will always exist. Ever willing to speak bad of a person that my anointing rests on. You'll remember my Son said to "beware when all men speak well of you."

I am the God of Todd Bentley and He is my anointed healer. He isn't healing in his own name and most of the time he isn't even laying hands of people for them to be healed, My Holy Spirit is healing them.

You can mock my anointed healer. In years to come there are going to be even more weirder prophets and healing evangelists.

Have you ever wanted to see a clairvoyant but the Bible forbids it? Did you know that there are people in churches with a gift of prophecy that can get a message off God for you? You can ask questions of them and they can take the questions to God for you. Eighty percent of the church don't use these people as they don't think the gift of prophecy exists anymore but the people that do use them get tremendously blessed.If you are not a Christian just say that in your email and the prophet will be more sensitive to you. Come and request a free personal prophecy today at http://www.personal-prophecy-free.net

Eating the Sweet Word of God

How wonderful to hear a good sermon. And greater still, how fascinating to dig deeply into the Scriptures and discover for one's self the truths hidden there.

In Revelation 10, the apostle John was told to take a book out of an angel's hand, and to eat it. Oh how sweet the Word was! How enjoyable! But he was warned that after the sweetness had faded away, the bitterness would come. In connection with that bitterness, the angel declares that John would be sharing his message with many nations.

John was very old. I am not aware of a tradition that has John traveling around the world after this imprisonment on Patmos. The general consensus is that John's work, his revelation, committed to a scroll and the publishers of all time, would take that journey without him.

Why is such publishing success considered bitterness? For one thing, the treasures enclosed in that prophecy of John was in part the reason for his own death. It has caused the death of many other witnesses, martyrs. It has been rejected and hated as well as honored and loved. Men have scoffed and ridiculed and largely ignored the writings of what they might call a first century ascetic, or perhaps madman.

Authoring of any kind is a painful business. But bringing forth God's very words on a planet that hates Him is not a way to become accepted and promoted by the masses. The prophet Ezekiel had a similar experience in his day, as well as Jeremiah in his. Jesus, the living Word of God proclaimed by Heaven's publishers, was sent to a garbage dump and left to perish.

Yes, the wonder and fascination of that good word from God have a price tag attached. When the words that have come into the mind, come out of the mouth or the pen, trouble follows. Wonder at the Word is re-directed to the wonder of man's hardness. Fascination is now focused on the many devices the children of men have to reject and isolate.

Every layer of truth is rejected by one class of mankind or the other. Simple truth like the creation is viciously assaulted on college campuses by atheistic professors and their professing Christian counterparts.

Similarly assailed are the cardinal doctrines of our faith. And those who have been born and bred in one denomination will see Scriptures only through their group's eyes and oppose and persecute those who dare to see it differently.

Those who have found every Word of God to be sweet and pure will find themselves ridiculed and set aside in many churches. They will be called legalistic or divisive, the perpetrators not realizing that the bad kind of division is caused by error, not by truth. Jesus promised the other kind of division, the kind that divides light from darkness. He not only sees it coming, He encourages it.

In North Korea, and many other places in this day, everything is risked when one discovers just how sweet God's Word is, whether by owning one's own rare copy of the Bible, or by secretly meeting in out of the way places with others who enjoy the same food.

Point made. The Word is sweet until it is shared. Then one must prepare for a backlash. John enjoyed the revelations he was receiving, as did Paul, but the thorn that followed caused both men, and all of us today in a similar place, to cry out for and receive God's sufficient grace.

http://chosunhouse.com is a website I put together a few months back to get the word out to believers that they need to pray for North Korea. I have created over 200 blogs and the site features a live news feed , lists of resources, picture essays, and ways to respond to the overwhelming need in North Korea. Let's love Chosun together! Contact me any time at diakonos5@yahoo.com

And who am I? A man found of God over 50 years ago, called to the ministry, serving the Lord as needed in my world. Married, member of a local church in the Chicago area, with full time work in public education. I love to write Scriptural works. Who are you? Would love to fellowship with believers who respond.