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Letters
Letter From the Editor
Letter From the Editor
Hello again and welcome to Volume 2.2 of Morning Star!

In this issue we bring you a variety of stories and articles
from pastors, ministers and evangelists from across the United
States. A real "potpourri" of ideas and topics!

Speaking of topics ... we are in need of material for the
Feature areas of Volumes 2.4 and 2.5.

Volume 2.4 is our Christian Men's Issue. We are looking for
articles and stories that reflect the concerns of Christian men
in the 1990's. These can be stories about family,
relationships, careers, personal stories of faith, overcoming
sin - you name it! What do you say brothers? Take an hour of
your time one night, write down what's on your mind and in your
heart and send it in!

Volume 2.5 is our Messianic Studies issue. One thing we will be
doing in this issue is to publish a list of Messianic
congregations across the U.S. (and abroad), as well as a list of
Messianic book publishers and sources of Messianic music. You
can help by sending the following information to us:

Name of Congregation, publisher or music company
Address with zip code
Telephone number
Pastor, rabbi, or other person to contact
Days and times of services

We will be deciding on Feature themes for Volumes 2.6 through
2.9 in the next few weeks. The exact lineup will be published
in next month's Morning Star.

Your help is needed here as well! Some of the ideas we are
pondering for themes are:

Spiritual Warfare
Unity of believers in Jesus
Revival
Christians in the workplace
Christians in the schools
Music
Parenting
Prophecy
Faith and Works

These are just a few ideas being tossed around at this point.
What we REALLY need are people to say, "I think 'such and such'
is a good idea for a theme - AND - I've got an article or two
that you could use for it."

Whatever ideas get the most support will be selected. (And you
thought the elections were over with!)

So, please ponder the list above as well as any of your own
ideas and send in an article, story or testimony that we can
publish. All articles should have the title with the author's
name, city and state at the beginning, and should be single
spaced with no indentation.

Remember - we do not have a writing staff. We depend on you,
our readers, to send us material to keep us going strong.

The Lord continues to do His part. More and more electronic
bulletin board systems around the world are carrying Morning
Star every month. The readership is growing tenfold ... now if
we could only see such an increase in helpers.

Put it to prayer and grab a pen and paper!


In service to Jesus the Messiah,
Toby Trudel
Commentary
Commentary
THE "LONE RANGERS"
Pastor Geoff Kragen


"A fiery horse with the speed of light, a cloud of dust, and a
hearty 'Hi-Ho Silver.' The Lone Ranger." - "Return with us now
to those thrilling days of yesteryear. From out of the past come
the thundering hoofbeats of the great horse Silver. The Lone
Ranger rides again..." (From the opening of the Lone Ranger
radio show.)

The troop of Texas Rangers rode into the trap. The Butch
Cavendish gang killed them all. Or so they thought. But, one of
the Rangers survived. He was nursed back to health by the Indian
Tonto. While the Ranger was recovering, he captured and trained
a great white stallion, which he named Silver. To protect his
identity, he put on a black mask. And so was born the Lone
Ranger.

"With his faithful Indian companion Tonto, the daring and
resourceful masked rider of the plains led the fight for law and
order in the early western United States. Nowhere in the pages
of history can one find a greater champion of justice." (From
the opening of the Lone Ranger radio show.)

************************************************

Who are today's Lone Rangers? Unfortunately, it is often we
pastors. While it sounds exciting to be the lone champion of
truth, riding the pulpit, preaching orthodoxy and salvation
throughout the unsaved world, it isn't. It's dangerous.
Without intending to, we frequently fall into this role. And
"fall" may be the operative word. Over the last few years, major
names in the pastoral world have succumbed to moral failure
within their own lives. Part of the problem may well be the
Lone Ranger Syndrome.

My concern here isn't to explore the reasons for the sins of
specific pastors. Rather let this be a warning to all of us who
are now serving as ministers. We are in grave danger. Too many
of us play the role of the Lone Ranger, sometimes by choice, and
sometimes because of perceived need. This is neither biblical
nor wise.

There are several reasons we find ourselves isolated in
ministry. Many churches frequently have lost sight of the
biblical model for church government. The head of the church IS
NOT the pastor. The head of the church is Jesus Christ.

The people to whom Christ gave the responsibility of overseeing
His body are the elders, (or whatever your local body calls this
group). The church is to be cared for by a plurality of elders,
not an individual pastor. Paul notes that the pastor/teacher is
to be a part of this leadership. "The elders who direct the
affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor,
especially those whose work is preaching and teaching" (1
Timothy 5:17).

There should be, among the elders, at least one individual with
the gift of pastor/teacher. "It was he who gave some to be
apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some
to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of
service, so that the body of Christ may be built up" (Ephesians
4:11-12). The pastor is to be one of the elders. Although he
is the most visible member of the leadership group, he isn't to
be personally in control of the whole church.

Sometimes small churches lack mature men, so the pastor is
forced to carry out the leadership role individually. This is
not the way it should be, but extreme circumstances may require
it for a short time. Make sure that this role is unavoidable at
all costs. Don't choose it simply because it is easier to do
everything yourself. Don't withhold the responsibility from
other men the Lord can use, simply because you think they don't
measure up to your standards. Remember: The Lord desires a
plural leadership and will use the best people available. He
will provide the men who should lead, even if they are not as
mature as they should ideally be.

Also, maturity is not necessarily synonymous with advanced age.
Remember: Paul gave Timothy significant responsibility in the
early church. Some people felt he was too young for that
responsibility. But, Paul told him, "Don't let anyone look down
on you because you are young, but set an example for the
believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity"
(1 Timothy 4:12).

Pastors can refuse to accept the Lone Ranger role. If you have
mature men in your body, you must place yourselves under their
authority, caring for the church together. We shouldn't take
responsibility for the whole show ourselves. Scripture doesn't
give us that authority.

We can stop "riding the plains" alone. Pastors must come to
recognize their need for accountability. I'm not talking about
accountability to a board, as noted above, but accountability to
another man of God. We can't hang out there alone. Remember,
even the Lone Ranger had Tonto and Dan Reed.

Find another man, or men with whom you can meet on a consistent
basis. Be open and honest, sharing struggles and needs. Pray
for one another. If that can't be done safely within the
context of your church, find someone outside. But don't try to
walk alone before the Lord. Christ has given us His body (the
local church) to be a caring environment, especially for pastors.

We must take off the black mask. We must refuse to submit to
parishioners' unrealistic, non-biblical demands. Yes, we do
need to meet that qualifications of an elder. But, we also need
to be human. We have to get off the pedestal of perfectionism,
whether we have put ourselves there or let someone else do it to
us. Let your people see you working with the Lord in your own
life. Help them understand that you too are part of the
maturing process.

Additionally, it would be very wise if pastors in a common
geographical area met to form their own support group. They
don't have to agree on every theological nuance, just the basics
of orthodox Christianity. In the Sacramento, California area,
there are at least two groups of pastors that are currently
meeting: The Independent Fundamentalist Churches of America
(IFCA), and the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE).
Pastors need to be caring for each other. We are men who love
the Lord. We all desire to be fully used by Him.

It is vital that if we find ourselves in trouble we get help
immediately. Pastors are constantly under extreme stress. We
are attacked by the world. We are attacked by the Devil. And
we are attacked by the flesh. It gets lonely out here on the
prairie.

When we're tired, or lonely and filled with self doubts, we can
get depressed. We can lose perspective in the midst of trials.
And when this happens, if we don't have a support system, we are
vulnerable to every attack and a serious fall.

If you look at your life and think it is out of control, don't
be afraid to ask for help. It may not be safe, or for that
matter, appropriate to go to someone in your body. Because of
your position as a pastor both your job and you reputation could
suffer if you talk to the wrong person in the church. Instead
find a Christian counselor, or another pastor, or a Christian
psychologist whom you can trust. But above all, never fall into
the trap of saying, "It can never happen to me," or "I will work
this out by myself." God demands we have our needs met within
the Christian community. Isolation is contrary to Scripture.
If anyone in your Parish were in trouble you would counsel them
to get help. You MUST do the same yourself.

Finally, remember that your wife is one of the best resources
the Lord has provided. Don't feel you must protect her from
your struggles. Instead, look to her for clarity, help and
support in the process.

The concept behind the Lone Ranger saga never quite made sense.
It made for exciting stories, but was illogical. When his posse
was wiped out by the Butch Cavendish mob, what the Ranger should
have done was to go back to headquarters. He should have
gathered another group of men and gone with them after the gang.

We need to get off our white horse, take off the mask, and
gather a group of Rangers around us. Maybe the Lone Ranger
syndrome worked in the Old West, but it was never God's intent
for the Church. Pastors, come in out of the wilderness and into
the Christian community. This is where we are called to
shepherd and care for the flock. But never forget, we too are
Christ's sheep. We too need to be part of that flock, cared for
and strengthened by Jesus, our Good Shepherd.
Staff List
Morning Star Staff

MORNING STAR STAFF

EDITOR IN CHIEF
Toby Trudel - Nashua, NH

SENIOR EDITOR - Biblical Department
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SENIOR EDITOR - Christian Life Department
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SENIOR LITERARY EDITOR
Al Murillo III - El Paso, TX

FEATURES EDITOR
Dale Strand - Dublin, CA

ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Jerry Johnson - Modesto, CA
Clark Stephens - Huntington Beach, CA
J.C. Trudel - Naples Park, FL
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Dr. Charles Wootten - Matoaca, VA

SENIOR PUBLISHER - DOS and WINDOWS Editions
Steve Paulovich - Derry, NH


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___________________________________________________


MORNING STAR is produced and published monthly, by a staff of
born again believers in Jesus, located across the United States
of America. Correspondence to MORNING STAR may be sent via the
U.S. Postal Service or one of several computer networks.

POSTAL ADDRESS:
P.O. Box 7755
Nashua, NH - USA
03060-7755

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FIDONET: 1:2260/50

Features
How to Live a Christian Life
How to Live a Christian Life by Finis Jennings Dake
HOW TO LIVE A CHRISTIAN LIFE
By Finis Jennings Dake
From Dake's Annotated Reference Bible


Were a Pastor or Minister to have a "job description," one of
the key expectations outlined therein would be the ability to
explain to people HOW to live a Christian life once they have
committed their lives to Christ. And while there are countless
"how to" books outlining the many things one has to consider
when addressing this question, none have captured the real
essence quite as well as the notes contained in Dake's Reference
Bible (available from Dake Bible Inc., P.O. Box 1050,
Lawrenceville, GA 30246).


1. BELIEVE THE GOSPEL and the entire Word of God at all times,
and walk in the light as you receive it (1 John 1:7).

2. WALK BY FAITH in newness of life, not by sight or by
feelings, for "the just shall live by faith, but if any man draw
back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him" (Hebrews 10:23-39).

3. READ THE BIBLE daily. Search it. Meditate on it day and
night to feed and nurture the spiritual life (Psalm 1:1-3).

4. PRAY TO GOD daily as your heavenly Father, in the Name of
Jesus Christ, casting all your care upon Him, for He careth for
you (1 John 16:23-26; 1 Peter 5:7).

5. CLAIM ALL THE BENEFITS of the promises of God and
appropriate by faith all that He has promised (2 Peter 1:1-4).

6. KEEP YOUR MIND stayed upon God (Isaiah 26:3) and grow in
grace, in all the virtues of grace and of God (Philippians 4:8).

7. RECOGNIZE at all times your own weaknesses as well as God's
strength and keeping power (1 Corinthians 10:12-13). Faith is
the victory that overcomes the world (1 John 5:1-4).

8. CONFESS the Lord Jesus Christ frequently and daily as your
personal Savior (Matthew 10:32-33). Be busy at soul-winning and
keep occupied in all phases of Christian work possible (Proverbs
11:30; Daniel 12:3).

9. AVOID TEMPTATIONS and shun evil companions (Psalm 1). Resist
sin and Satan (James 4:7). Make friends with God's people, and
strive to be a blessing to them and all others (Romans 12).

10. ATTEND CHURCH REGULARLY (Hebrews 10:25), cooperating with
the pastor in all of his many labors (Matthew 28:19-20). [Ed
Note: Do we hear an incredible wave of "amens" from the
pastors?]

11. SEEK GOD CONSTANTLY for the full anointing of the Holy
Spirit, the fruit and gifts of the Spirit, and yield to and obey
the Holy Spirit in all things (Luke 11:13; 24:49).


Editor's Note: There really is no magic "formula" for
successfully living for God. It really is a by-product that just
"happens" when you fall in love with Jesus! Remember when you
were "courting" ? You'd do anything and everything, regardless
of the cost or time involved, to please the object of your
affections. The same is true in the Christian life. We become
willing to do everything possible to please our Savior. The
"steps" above are certainly a vital part of making it happen,
but nothing can take the place of a genuine commitment to Christ
from which comes a natural outflow of love and desire to know
Him and to please Him in all things.
Unlikely Pastoral Candidates
Unlikely Pastoral Candidates from the Bible
UNLIKELY PASTORAL CANDIDATES FROM THE BIBLE
(From the JEWS FOR JESUS NEWSLETTER)


If we could turn back time and send a church committee to
investigate a number of Bible heroes for the position of pastor,
every one of them might be disqualified. The report would
probably go something like this:

The committee regrets to report that the candidates in question
have failed to meet our qualifications.

NOAH - Even though he has preached for 120 years, he has no
converts. This indicates a credibility gap. Besides, a certain
account (we refer to Genesis 9:21) seems to indicate that he has
a drinking problem.

ABRAM/ABRAHAM - We find it odd that he has two names. Is he
using an alias? And if so, why? Also, we learned that he has
stooped to bending the truth when it suits his purposes.
Another matter we must question is whether he is the head of his
own household. His wife laughs while he converses with God and
she also likes to take charge of a matter before God acts on it.
If Abram and his wife would agree to take some personal
counseling, and also some marriage counseling, he might work out
at some later time.

MOSES - We were impressed with Moses, except for two severe
problems. He has been known to lose his temper once in a while.
Furthermore, while he seems to have the necessary perseverance
for preaching, his stuttering and stammering would defy all
speech therapy.

DAVID - So far as David is concerned, he seems rather talented
in writing music and poetry but we don't know if he can preach.
Worse yet, he has had a few moral lapses. We could not have him
as pastor, but perhaps at a later date when the church can
afford it, he could be considered for a position as minister of
music.

SOLOMON - Like David, he spends too much of his time writing.
And besides, he has such a lavish lifestyle and so many
dependents that our church could not pay him enough salary.

ELIJAH - Regarding Elijah, no one can doubt that he is a
powerful preacher. Nevertheless, is the sarcasm he sometimes
employs necessary in this day and age? Also, we cannot overlook
the fact that he has a tendency toward self-pity.

ISAIAH - Now there's a person who is well thought of, but there
seems to be a serious PR problem. Can you imagine a preacher
who upon meeting God, instead of addressing Him politely says,
"Woe is me"? If Isaiah greeted people in church that way, no
one would ever feel welcome.

JEREMIAH - We need an upbeat preacher for our church-one who can
make people happy. We feel unanimously that Jeremiah would be
too depressing in any church position.

MATTHEW - His background is finance, not religion. He would
probably preach like an accountant and we would get too many
sermons on stewardship.

LUKE - Again, his background is not in religion. He was a
physician. It seems strange that he would leave such a
lucrative profession unless something unsavory had occurred in
his practice of medicine.

JOHN THE BAPTIST - He's certainly a good preacher and he gets
good results, but he dresses very strangely. And worse than
this lack of pulpit decorum, he eats very strangely. What if he
brought a honey-dipped insect casserole to one of our
covered-dish suppers?

PETER - Peter seems to show leadership, but the last thing we
need is a preacher who carries a sword around, is likely to take
off and go fishing at the drop of a hat and smells like fish
most of the time! We could not have him as pastor, but maybe we
could undertake his partial support as a part-time missionary to
seafarers.

PAUL - Paul is reputed to be a great preacher, but he is very
moving. That is, he is always moving here and moving there. So
how could he keep his mind on ministry when he always wants to
be somewhere else?

Which all goes to show that we can find fault with almost anyone
if we consider only the negative aspects. Maybe we should start
a new therapy group in the church called "Fault Finders
Anonymous!"
Changing the World God's Way
Changing the World God's Way by Rev. Vernon Nepstad
CHANGING THE WORLD GOD'S WAY
By Rev. Vernon Nepstad
Pastor Emeritus, Victory Temple
Oakland, California


It seems that the church, more often than not in recent times,
has expressed the gospel of social action rather than preached
the gospel of individual change. It has failed to realize the
gospel is always spiritual in nature, and always social in
impact.

If you study history from the first century up to the present
day, you'll find that behind the establishment of hospitals,
colleges, universities, orphanages, the care of the elderly, and
the abolishment of slavery, was the pressure and power of
Christian people.

Behind ALL of these social movements was the pressure and power
of Christian people. God's program of social change always
begins with the proclamation and implementation of the Gospel of
Jesus Christ.

In Acts 3, we see God's program of social change. Notice verse
2 - a man crippled from birth; and chapter 4, verse 22 tells us
he had been this way for over 40 years. He was carried each day
to the temple gate called, "Beautiful," where he was placed to
beg for his living. He was now a professional beggar.

Beggars knew where to beg. There were three "best" spots. One
was in front of a rich man's house. Another was on a highway
where people were leaving the city. And the third was at the
gate of the temple. The Pharisees were such that they wanted to
parade their piety before the people.

One Jewish historian described the gate called, "Beautiful", as
being 80 feet tall, 65 feet wide, made of Corinthian brass
overlaid with gold. It took 20 men to open and close those
gates. But this elegant surrounding did not improve the man's
condition.

We need more than just parks and lakes and beautiful scenery to
meet man's real needs. But this beggar is symbolic of the
crippled people in our world today. It is a very sick world we
live in. Society needs more than a few paltry coins of social
progress and self improvement to achieve its pressing goals.

Jesus said in Matthew 15, that out of the heart, out of the
inside of man, comes evil thoughts, murder, adultery, thievery
and sexual immorality. Jesus said that all the things that make
life ugly, find their origin in the heart of man. Man's heart
needs to be changed.

Albert Einstein, in a speech during World War II, said, "I do
not fear the explosive power of the atomic bomb, but the
explosive power of evil of the human heart."

What is the answer to drug addiction, alcoholism, soaring
divorce and suicide rates? How can we deal with the rising tide
of violence in our inner cities?

The answers have to begin within man. E. Stanley Williams wrote,
"You'll never read a story titled, 'The Plans and Objectives of
the Apostles', because success comes from acting on our desires,
not just thinking about or making plans about them."

Look at the varying cultures within America. They are growing at
an alarming rate. Their number has not remained constant because
they are mostly made up and created by activists.

The world today needs things that money cannot buy. It wasn't
the silver or gold that set that beggar free but the precious
blood of Jesus Christ.

Someone said:

Money will buy you a bed but not sleep.
Money will buy you books but not wisdom.
Money will buy you fine clothes but not beauty.
Money will buy you a house but not a home.
Money will buy you a church but not heaven.

A recent poll indicates the unchurched in 1992 are more
religious than they were ten years ago. The bottom line is that
people are saying, "We thought money could buy happiness and we
were wrong." Yes, they were wrong, because there is a hunger in
the heart of man for more than just material things. Proverbs
11:4 says wealth is worthless in the day of wrath.

Peter and John gave this beggar something money could not buy -
a relationship with God and a new lease on life.

God's power coupled with our availability can make miracles
happen. God is looking for people like Peter and John through
whom He can lift crippled people and a crippled world and lead
them into new life in Him.

Will YOU be one He chooses and uses?
Melted Down for His Service
Melted Down for His Service by Denny L. Strand
MELTED DOWN FOR HIS SERVICE
By Denny L. Strand
Bothell, Washington

Scripture Reference: Acts 8:1-4 and 11:19-21
Key verse 11:21: "... preaching the Lord Jesus."

The British Government began to run low on silver for their
coins during the reign of his Lordship Oliver Cromwell. There
was an investigation of the local churches to locate some of the
precious metal. The report came back that the only silver
available was in the statues of saints standing in the corner
of the church buildings. Oliver Cromwell's reply was, "Melt down
the saints and put them into circulation!"

Authentic Christianity has never been rows of silver,
highly-polished, frequently dusted, saints--but rather
melted-down saints, circulating through the mainstream of
humanity, bringing worth and value to God's kingdom through
their Christian lifestyle and sincere witness.

* Deception comes easy. Many professing Christians think
they've done a great work for God because they are in church
twice on Sunday.

* Being among the saints is no sacrifice--rather it is a
  privilege.

* The cost factor is revealed on Monday through Friday when we
  are melted down and placed into circulation for Jesus Christ.

* It's the daily, acid grind that either discolors the saint,
  or makes him/her shine in a dark and hostile environment.

* It's not the "rhinestone cowboy" who thinks he's done God a
  favor by showing up on an occasional Sunday, who furthers the
  Kingdom, but the person who is melted-down in the wilderness of
  difficulty where spiritual welfare calls for sweat, energy,
  strategy, determination and the right kind of ammunition--one
  who refuses to surrender even when the enemy is "stepping on
  their air hose".

This, then, is what separates "convenience believers" from true
BELIEVERS!

Now, if you keep your own score, you can always look good to
yourself. But the important question is, is God pleased with
your "efforts"?

You dressed up, drove to church, walked two blocks in the rain,
got a seat, sat quietly, sang each song, smiled, gave a $2
offering, listened to the sermon, prayed, looked pious, shook
hands, walked out and--quickly forgot that a world out there is
heading for eternity without Jesus. But at least we were
polished, shining and contented on Sunday.

There are so many "touch-me-not, ask-me-not, silver-tarnished
saints" out there that God is calling for an investigation of
the whole church. Any professing Christian sitting on the fence
has already chosen what side of the fence they are on.

Some people may be born again, but they haven't learned to be
spiritual (they're unwilling to commit totally to and live for
God). The only people who know what God thinks are spiritual
people. They know God's viewpoint and understand His
perspective. "Let this mind be in you--we have the mind of
Christ" (Philippians 2:5, 1 Corinthians 2:16). If you don't
have the mind of Christ, all you have is your own mind, without
divine understanding. As such you can only provide band
aids--not solutions, to life's difficult problems.

We will be in service to someone every day of our lives. God has
an agenda planned for our lives. Our agenda is only important as
it conforms to HIS agenda. And that is a total melt-down for His
service.

Are you melted-down and ready for His Majesty's service?


Editor's Note: Denny Strand traveled the world for 12 years as
a singing evangelist and recording artist and song writer. He
has since pastored a church, served as Chaplain of a police
force and is now Field Rep for the Salvation Army in Washington.
His insight into God's Word comes from a powerful personal
experience that has often driven him to his knees to bury his
face in the Word as he searched out the truth from God's holy
writ.
Brokenness - A Key to Renewal
Brokenness - A Key to Renewal by Jay Comiskey
BROKENNESS - A KEY TO RENEWAL
By Jay Comiskey
From "The Banner"
Pinecrest Bible Training Center
Salisbury Center, New York


"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a
contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise" (Psalm 51:17).

"Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that
He may exalt you in due time" (I Peter 5:6).

The wellspring of our heart is motivated either by brokenness,
or by pride. Our Lord's attitude toward us is affected by both.

Brokenness is a quality of character that insures against the
violation of God's Glory by human arrogance. It is the opposite
of the great sin of the universe - pride. Brokenness portrays a
humility which has been birthed and developed deep within us
through the chastening hand of the Lord.

It is best to view brokenness from God's perspective. He does
not provide "Seven steps on how to be broken", but rather,
sovereignly arranges the affairs of our life to weave humility
and brokenness into the fabric of our being. During these
periods of God-ordained crises, the Lord desires to deposit a
spirit of brokenness within us.

Jonah's experience is a prime example of how the Lord is able to
arrange circumstances to deal with arrogance and bring a spirit
of repentance. God, in His mercy, met Jonah in the fury of the
storm, and in the belly of the great fish. He now had Jonah's
undivided attention. Even today, Jonah signifies God's ability
to meet us in the midst of distressing circumstances to resolve
a controversy.

The sins of pride, lukewarmness, and apathy quickly captivate an
unbroken heart. Unless God boxes us in through difficult
circumstances, we may refuse to acknowledge our stubbornness and
the futility of our own ways. Unfortunately, apart from God's
corrective rod, we seldom experience any real change.

In Matthew 12:40, Jesus compared Jonah's three days and three
nights spent in the belly of the fish to the three days and
nights He would spend in the grave following His crucifixion.
We are confronted with Calvary and the way of the Cross at every
turn, yet in our cultural obsession with "excellence" and
success-oriented formulae, we have developed an aversion to the
Cross. For some, the way of the Cross seems to be a step
backwards. This obsession with "progress" is due to an
ignorance of God's "ways." Until we are broken and our carnal
ways exposed to us, our goals are little more than an object for
boasting. Divine purpose flows from a humble and contrite
spirit that can tremble at God's Word.

True, the School of the Holy Spirit is sometimes painful! There
was nothing even remotely pleasant about three days and three
nights in the belly of a whale. It may seem that our whole
world has fallen apart and everything we cherish is in jeopardy.
This is the time to stop looking for scapegoats and embrace the
Cross.

Brokenness is only found at the foot of the Cross. If we do not
despise the hand of God that is upon us, but humble ourselves
and acknowledge that His ways are perfect, out of death and
brokenness, in due season, will burst forth resurrection life.
Paraphrase of Psalm 91
Paraphrase of Psalm 91 by Dale E. Strand
PARAPHRASE OF PSALM 91
By Dale E. Strand
Dublin, California


One of the most exciting methods of bible study I've discovered
recently is taking a portion of scripture and asking the Holy
Spirit to reveal its depth of meaning to my heart. God's Word
is so marvelous that it can meet each of us at our point of need
and many times even the same, identical verse can speak deep
insight to different people for different needs. Here, then, is
my understanding of what God is saying in Psalm 91. (Try this
during your next study. You'll be amazed at how "the Word get's
into you!

1: I am protected by God's sovereign power as long as I get into
and remain in His personal, intimate presence.

2: I will repeat again and again that God is MY personal God.
He is an always available Refuge to Whom I can run. He is also
a mighty walled Fortress Who protects me from harm and evil. I
feel totally comfortable and at ease trusting Him completely.

3: He, with certainty, delivers me, not only from snares set by
the enemy to entice me, but also from subtle erosion or hidden
diseases that try to come against my body, heart, mind and soul.

4: He builds a shield of protection all around me so that I feel
totally dependent upon His provision and sustenance. His truth
precedes me, making my way clear and my direction sure.

5: Circumstances that cause others mortal fear in time of
darkness, or problems that constantly try to trouble me
throughout the day, will not cause me to fear.

6: Neither will deadly plague-causing bacteria, lurking in the
darkness, or potential devastation that happens suddenly during
the day, bring fear to my heart or spirit.

7: Though a thousand people fall on one side of me and ten times
that many fall on the other side of me, the source of their
falling shall not even have ACCESS to me, because I am carefully
protected by The Most High.

8: And I am more motivated than ever to live in righteousness
because God reveals to me the utter calamity and terrible fate
of those who fight against God.

9: When I dwell and find refuge in the presence of my Lord, The
Most High,

10: He prevents evil from touching me and redirects plagues so
that they can't even come near me.

11: God has assigned His angels the responsibility of watching
over me, protecting me and keeping me safe wherever I may go
and whatever I may do, as I continually abide in His presence.

12: God's assigned angels reach down to steady and support me so
that I don't walk in places where pain and danger threaten me.

13: I triumph over unexpected danger and am victorious over
Satan's attempts to fool me into yielding to sin's enticements.

14: The Lord has promised that, because my living proves my love
for Him, He brings me deliverance. Because I know Him and the
power of His Name, He puts me in places of honor.

15: Whenever I call on the Lord, He answers me. He is right
there with me to deliver me whenever trouble comes my way. He
honors me with His best blessings.

16: He grants to me a long and satisfying life and each day He
reveals more of His glory and the joy of His salvation.
First Petro Chapel
First Petro Chapel by Bruce Prestidge
FIRST PETRO CHAPEL
By Bruce Prestidge
Executive Director
Transport for Christ Intl.


(Editor's Note: The following feature story tells about the
brand new Chapel being established at the Rochelle Petro Travel
Plaza in Rochelle, Illinois. This dream became a reality due to
the interest and involvement of a group of individuals in
Illinois. We pray that this Chapel (and many more in the
future) will "make a difference" to over eight and a half
million truck drivers in North America. Ministers, volunteers,
and faithful supporters are needed in every area. See the
Testimony and Ministry Profile in this issue of Morning Star.)


About two years ago, I received a phone call from a Mr. Burt
Johnson who said he had just heard about Transport for Christ on
Dr. James Dobson's Focus on the Family radio program.

Burt was in the process, along with several other investors, of
doing all the ground work for building a Petro Travel Plaza in
Rochelle, Illinois. He was asking if we (TFC) would consider
placing a chapel at this new facility if things should work out
to build it. I said, "Certainly!"

About the time Burt called we also received a call from a pastor
near Rochelle saying he had a man in his church who would make a
great TFC Chaplain. Since that time Jay and Karen LeRette have
raised their financial support and are ready to go to work at
this new Petro. (You'll read about Jay in the testimony area of
this issue.) A temporary Chapel was placed (until the funds are
raised for a Permanent Chapel) at the Petro Rochelle Travel
Plaza all because God has worked His usual work to bring
something into existence that did not exist.

We are excited about the possibilities of ministering to
thousands of drivers every year at this new and strategic
location. Our desire is to raise the funds needed to build a
Permanent Chapel for this location by the end of this year.


BURT JOHNSON'S TRUCKSTOP MADE FOR TFC

This all began in 1989, when Burt Johnson sold his successful
gear manufacturing business and set out to take life easier.
One year later, he found himself involved in a truckstop
"adventure" in Rochelle.

When Burt got involved, he helped to get the investors together
and told them they needed to find someone to run the show. They
all turned and pointed to him. He had selected a very good
group of investors, many of whom were Christians. They knew
from the beginning what kind of environment they wanted to have
at the truckstop. It was going to be clean, drug-free and there
was going to be a TFC permanent Chapel on the property.

When questioned about what motivated this group to place a
Chapel for the drivers, Burt replied, "Any way to bring more
people to the Lord-that's number 1. It's a good way to reach
the truckers who are on the road and can't really have a church
home. I try to greet them and say, 'How are you, how's your day
going?' I can see the pain and trouble on their faces."

Burt was always taken to church when he was growing up in
Michigan, but his parents never attended. Burt came down to
Illinois to make more money so he could further his education.
In 1962 he discovered he needed the Lord and he has been growing
with Him ever since.

His faith has been carrying him through his marriage, the birth
of two sons and now two grandsons. "I have been very blessed
throughout the years and God gets all the credit. I start out
everyday in the Book and with devotions. I came into this
truckstop needing all the help I could get. I couldn't make it
through the day without Him."

Burt has not been keeping the Chapel a secret. He has spent
time speaking to the local town people and organizations. Why
all this effort? - "To be able to serve the truckers more, not
for monetary reasons, but only to further the Kingdom of God."

We praise God for men like Burt Johnson and his group of
investors who share our vision of reaching truck drivers for
Jesus Christ. We are thankful for men like Jay LeRette who
respond to the call of God on their lives and want to give
themselves to ministering to the needs of drivers on our roads.
Establishing chapels at new locations to reach as many truck
drivers as possible depends on God raising up faithful
supporters who will join with us. We need to find more
truckstop owners who have this kind loving concern for the lost
around them.


ROLLING INTO ROCHELLE

They say that you never get a second chance to make a first
impression. At the new Petro Rochelle Travel Plaza, they don't
need a second chance. Rochelle was the dream of two Illinois
farmers seven years ago. The time of planning was not wasted.
From the beautiful landscape to a superb meal in the restaurant,
the commitment to excellence shows.

As you roll through the Illinois corn fields traveling west from
Chicago on routes 64, 88 or 30, you will intersect Interstate
39. As you approach the junction of 88 and 39 you will see
rising from the cornstalks the Petro high-rise sign.

The first thing that catches your eye is how clean everything
is. The landscape with its lush grass growing is a sight for
sore eyes when you have been staring at pavement all day. (You
might want to consider bringing golf clubs.) In between the
trees and shrubs are 120 parking places for cars and RVs.
Trucks can find refuge at over 150 parking locations, with more
coming soon.

The truckstop spreads out over 16 acres with an additional 16
acres available for expansion. You will find a four bay shop,
platform scales, large fuel islands, with a truckers store close
at hand, and the main truckstop. The total facility consists of
30,000 square feet under roof, with a truckwash scheduled for
next spring.

As you enter from the front, you immediately see a bank teller
machine waiting to meet your cash needs. The 175 seat,
full-service restaurant with its truckers' seating and buffet,
waits for you on the right and the truckers store with its
selection of boots, clothing, electronics and other driver
accessories sits on your left.

If you need to get cleaned up first, you will find nine spacious
private showers available along with washers and dryers for your
laundry. When you're through, you can spend a little time in
the game room or get your boots shined or just pull up a chair
in front of the projection TV.

Your communications needs are covered by plenty of telephones, a
load board, a postal machine and all of the assorted mail drop
boxes.

What about areas you don't see? The owners have done things
they were not required to do to keep the environment as clean as
possible. Ground-water run-off is a sensitive issue for farmers
so they made sure that there were oil separators and skimmers in
place to
keep the water from becoming contaminated by fuel and oil.

There are maintenance men constantly walking the lot to insure
that the trash gets picked up quickly. One day, a driver dumped
his garbage out on the parking lot and the maintenance man came
over, picked it up and commented to the driver, "Thanks, that's
job security." The driver later apologized and bought the man a
coffee and donut. At night, there is armed security patrolling
to insure that the drivers get a good uninterrupted night's rest.

From start to finish, the Rochelle Travel Plaza has made it a
point to provide the driver with a "home-away-from-home." Now,
with the TFC Chapel, this truckstop is not missing a thing!


Bruce Prestidge is also an ordained minister with the First
Christian Church. He has pastored several churches before
becoming the Executive Director of TFC.

Used with permission:
Transport for Christ International
Bruce Prestidge, Executive Director
P.O. Box 303
Denver, Pennsylvania 17517-0303
Phone [phone]  FAX [phone]

Biblical Department
New In Christ
New In Christ
"New in Christ" is a regular MORNING STAR column written
primarily for people who wish to learn more about the basic
teachings of Biblical Christianity. The editorial staff at
MORNING STAR encourages all readers to freely use this
information to help new Christians grow in their walk with the
Lord.

In this issue, we continue the "Letters From God" series, by
Pastor Dale Strand of Dublin, California.


LETTERS FROM GOD
(#2 - For People Who Fall Asleep In Church)


Dear People on Earth:

Isn't mathematics a marvelous science?

I used it in forming the Universe. Did you ever stop to think
how absolutely precise the timing of your world is? The sun's
rising and setting is absolutely predictable. The in and
outflow of the tides is intricately timed. The rotation of the
Earth is totally exacting. The distance of the sun from the
Earth is protectively measured. I have carefully detailed every
phase of what you know as your world, for your protection and
enjoyment.

After all, you're My children (whether you want to admit it or
not).

When the Americans prepared their first moon shot, they didn't
aim at where the moon was at the time of lift-off. They aimed
where the moon would be when their space vehicle got there.
They KNEW they could depend on the absolute timing of the
Universe.

I designed it that way.

You wouldn't try to explain high mathematical formulas to a
child in kindergarten. They couldn't begin to comprehend them
because your explanations, however simple, would be far beyond
their level of understanding.

They would first need to work through the foundations of basic
math toward building a higher level of understanding.

The same is true in the spiritual dimension. (There really is a
dimension beyond the "3-D" height, width, and depth dimensions
you understand, accept and take for granted.). And this 4th
"Spirit Dimension" is the one in which I operate.
Unfortunately, it is also the dimension in which evil spirits
also operate. But we'll talk more about that in a future letter.

I am a Spirit. And You are body, soul and spirit. Spiritual
things (not "religion") just can not be understood by those who
live on a level that does not acknowledge or involve spiritual
things.

I reveal Myself and My ways to those who, of their own free
will, open their hearts to Me. I don't expect you to understand
everything. People don't understand all the intricate workings
of electricity, but they still flip on the switch and take
advantage of the light.

I know you because I made you. And I'd love for you to get to
know Me. Why don't you "flip on the switch" and take advantage
of My "Light".

When you're ready - I'll be here. Waiting.
Bible Study
Bible Study
This issue features the second in a series on the Epistle of 1st
John. Future studies will include Psalms, and books from both
the Old and New Covenants.

"Law Versus Love?"

1 John 2:3-11

There is currently a major focus within the Christian community
on God's grace. He loved us and died for us while we were still
sinners. Because our sins are forgiven, we should never have any
reason to feel guilt for our actions.

John had written this letter to counteract erroneous doctrines
of false teachers. One of the teachings he was correcting was
the misunderstanding of God's expectations. This teaching led to
the false conclusion that how one lived had nothing to do with
one's relationship with Christ.

I have had a believer come to me and say, "I've left my husband
and am getting a divorce. I will remarry this other believer. I
know that God hates divorce, but I also know He will forgive
me." This person believed God would ignore her willful
disobedience. Another individual said, "Since God desires my
happiness, God will overlook the choices I must make to get it."

Somewhere along the line people claiming to be believers see no
correlation between their lifestyle and claim of salvation. This
is frequently a product of being self-centered, and/or receiving
in accurate teaching.

This is the problem John speaks to in this next section of his
first epistle. This position, no correlation between faith and
life-style, had moved from being disobedience in the believer,
to a theological position taught by false teachers. Even in the
early church, there was a movement to excuse sin by rewriting
the teachings of Scripture and the words of Christ and the
Apostles.

Let us examine the passage, and then we will see just how we
have to apply it to our own lives. Here we will strive to make
the distinction between the law and love. We need to make sure
that we don't confuse obedience with legalism. We don't want to
fall into the trap of using works to confirm someone as a
believer. But, we do need to recognize that works are proof of
the quality the believer's walk. Remember, we are called to
judge spiritual maturity, not whether a person is saved or not.

2:3 John starts this portion of his letter by identifying
himself with fellow believers, "We know...". Note that John
shows his salvation not by the fact he knew Jesus. He showed it
by the reality of God's presence in his own life.

No one has ever been reconciled to God based on personal merit.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, could never have been saved unless
she accepted her Son's death for her sin. In the same way we
must also accept His words. "I am the way and the truth and the
life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you
really knew me, you would know my Father as well" (John 14:6-7).

John's salvation wasn't based on his earthly relationship with
Jesus. It was a product of having accepted Christ's shed blood
as payment for sin. As a result, John does not use his Apostolic
position to stand above other believers. Instead, he identifies
with the recipients of this letter.

The proof of salvation isn't a verbal testimony, but a life
committed to Christ. The child of God obeys the commands of
Christ. What were Christ's commands? "...'Love the Lord your God
with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your
mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the
second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law
and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew
22:37-40).

The proof of salvation isn't dependent on a perfect
demonstration of love. Calvin stated it this way: "he (John)
does not mean that those who wholly satisfy the Law keep His
commandments (and no such instance can be found the world), but
those who strive, according to the capacity of human infirmity,
to from their life in obedience to God." 1 In other words, the
reality of God's presence in our lives is demonstrated by God's
love manifested in our lives...

2:4-6 Many people claim to be believers. John says though, if
there is no demonstration of a desire to obey Christ that these
people are liars. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,'
will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will
of my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).

Conversely, obedience shows the manifestation of God's love.
Therefore, the reality of salvation is shown by the obedient
life. This verse reinforces the fact that when John is
discussing obedience to God, his primary concern is that we love
God and love each other. Obedience is a loving life, and loving
is proof of obedience. The desire to love, as God loves, is
proof of salvation.

Note that the love is proof of salvation, not the basis of
salvation. It is God's love for us, shown through the
incarnation, the crucifixion, and the resurrection that is the
source of our salvation.

2:7-8 John makes it clear that what he says isn't new. Remember
that the commands of love are Christ's summary of the Ten
Commandments. This is why John said he isn't talking about
anything new.

On the other hand, it is new because the focus has shifted from
the Law and the Sacrifice to the Law of love. We are obedient,
not out of fear of punishment, but because God first loved us.
"We love because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19). We desire to
be obedient because we love God and want to please Him.

2:9-11 John provides a specific illustration of his theoretical
position. If an individual says that he is a believer, and hates
his brother, he's a liar. Considering the context of the letter,
here the term brother can be understood as a fellow believer in
the local body. Someone who obeys God loves, and this is visible
to all. You can't be a believer and hate.

John isn't talking about the fact that all of us sometimes sin
by hating. His concern is a life-style typified by hatred. This
doesn't mean that because at some point in his life the
aforementioned individual feels hatred towards his brother he
isn't a believer. But, if he knows that he shouldn't hate, and
is unwilling to depend on the Lord to release that hatred, then
John says he isn't in the light.

The one who loves his brother is the one who lives in God's
light. God's light can be described as the presence of purity
and righteousness. And of course by living in God's light we
walk safely and won't fall.

The saddest result of disobedience is that unbelievers who walk
in darkness, stumble around blindly. They are lost and can't
even see it. This truth is clear because we see the hatred in
their lives.

John has answered the claim that living in the light means
having knowledge of God. But this false knowledge has no
relationship to moral obedience to God's commands. For example
the following is found in the Corpus Hermetica 10.5-6:

"Not yet are we able to open the eyes of the mind and to behold
the beauty, the imperishable, inconceivable beauty, of the Good.
For you will see it when you cannot say anything about it. For
the knowledge of it is divine silence and annihilation of all
senses... Irradiating the whole mind, it shines upon the soul
and draws it up from the body, and changes it all into divine
essence" (cited in Dood, Johannine Epistles, p.30). 2

John said that if an individual really lives in God's light he
will live in moral obedience to God. He was calling the false
teachers liars who dwelt in darkness. 3 Walking in the light is
not an exercise in mysticism, but a life lived in conformity to
God's commands.

Application: Much of today's teaching muddles the differences
between the relationship of works to salvation, and obedience to
fellowship with God. Even here some commentators believe John,
when speaking of knowing God, refers to salvation. Conversely,
others understand him to be dealing with the issue of quality of
relationship with God. There seem to be elements of both
present, and certainly there are truths tied to both views.

Let us get one point clear. We are not to judge whether or not
someone is saved. This assumes that they are clear in their
understanding of the basis of salvation. If their testimony is
orthodox, then we must deal with them from the position that
they are brothers. "The servants asked him, 'Do you want us to
go and pull them up?' 'No,' he answered, 'because while you are
pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them'"
(Matthew 13:28-29).

On the other hand we are called to judge works. Some will quote
Christ where He said, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged"
(Matthew 7:1). But, the purpose of this verse is to warn against
a judgmental spirit, not against judging. What we can judge is
the obedience of a believer, and therefore by implication, the
quality of his relationship with the Lord.

The reality of obedience in our lives gives testimony of our
salvation. "What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to
have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? In the
same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action,
is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds."
Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith
by what I do" (James 2:14, 17-18). Where the problem arises is
when we lose sight of the basis of our works. First, they are
the product of salvation, not the source of salvation.

"A new command I give you; Love one another. As I have loved
you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know
that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John
13:34-35). James says we show faith by works. Christ says faith
is shown by love.

So how do we reconcile these two proofs? Simple, our works must
flow from the love of God manifested in our lives. The Jewish
leaders carried out works. The problem was that this was done in
a spirit of legalism, not love.

"Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: "The
teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you
must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do
what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They
tie up heavy loads and put them on men's shoulders, but they
themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their
phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they
love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats
in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces
and to have men call them 'Rabbi'" (Matthew 23:1-7).

As we claim to be believers, we must depend on the Holy Spirit.
He will motivate and empower us to live out our testimony in
works. If we have something against a brother or sister, we must
go to them and strive to restore fellowship. If we have sinned
against a member of the body, we must be willing to go and ask
forgiveness. Finally, we must encourage one another to live in
the love that is the fulfillment of Christ's commands for His
body. This is the way we will show the truth of John's words: It
does matter how we live, if we claim to be in the light. This is
how the world will see that Christ is in our midst.



1. Stott, John R. W., THE EPISTLES OF JOHN, William B. Eerdmans
Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI., 1983, p. 90.

2. Baker, Glenn W., THE EXPOSITOR'S BIBLE COMMENTARY, Vol. 12,
1, 2, 3 John, Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, MI,
1981, p.315.

3. Stott. p.94.
Special Studies
Special Studies
The Bible is an account of God's relationship to man, a covenant
relationship. We find this from the day of creation to the
eternal relationship we can have with the Messiah. This is the
sixth in a series of articles detailing the individual covenants
found within the Scripture.

HE IS REVEALED IN THE DAVIDIC COVENANT
by Dr. Charles A. Wootten
Whole Counsel Ministries, Inc.
Matoaca, Virginia

The last major covenant in the Old Testament is the Davidic
Covenant. This covenant was made with David and his house
through Nathan. It was conditioned, like all the others, upon
obedience and faith. It also is an everlasting covenant.

The Abrahamic Covenant and the Mosaic Covenant are reviewed,
amplified, and reconfirmed in the Davidic Covenant. What is new
is that the promise of the revelation of kingship is now
substantiated. This promise actually is fulfilled in the New
Covenant in that Jesus Christ would rule over the house, throne,
and kingdom of David forever and of "the increase of His
government there would be no end" (Isaiah 9:7a). The prophet
Isaiah declared, "For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is
given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His
name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His
government and peace there will be no end, Upon the throne of
David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with
judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever"
(Isaiah 9:6-7 NKJV). (See Luke 1:30-33; Matthew 1:1; II Samuel
7; Psalms 132; I Chronicles 17; Psalm 89). So is created a
theocratic monarchy.

An understanding of the linking promises in these covenants
reveals that it was God's will that Israel have a theocratic
monarchy to establish them as a nation and kingdom. Through the
probation covenants Israel had a theocratic monarchy through the
time of Samuel. Judges 17-21 shows that Israel wandered away
from the Lord into idolatry, immorality, violence, rebellion,
and anarchy when there was no king to lead them.

When Samuel anointed Saul 40 years early (cf. Numbers 13, 14) it
was the wrong man at the wrong time from the wrong tribe. Notice
that forty years after Saul's anointing that God made His
covenant with David.

JEHOVAH had the plans for the house of God. He gave the plans to
the father and the privilege of building the house to the son.
David is a type of the Father, in relation to building the house
of God. The words and details of the covenant were not given
until David was anointed king over all Israel. ". . .as the Lord
has sworn to him--to transfer the kingdom from the house of
Saul, and set up the throne of David over Israel and over Judah,
from Dan to Beersheba" (II Samuel 3: 9b,10 NKJV). (See also II
Samuel 7; I Chronicles 17; Psalms 89, 132; Jeremiah 33.)

The promises of blessing were to be fulfilled in the appointed
land. They included victory over enemies, and were to be carried
out through the ruling dynasty. "Moreover I will appoint a
place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may
dwell in a place of their own and move no more; nor shall the
sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously, since
that time that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel,
and have caused you to rest from all your enemies. Also the Lord
tells you that He will make you a house. When your days are
fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your
seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will
establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I
will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his
Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will
chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons
of men. But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it
from Saul, whom I removed from before you. Your throne shall be
established forever" (II Samuel 7:10-16 NKJV). (See also I
Chronicles 17:9-15). Included in Nathan's prophecy, God granted
His sure mercies, the Promise of the Messianic Seed, and the
promise of the house, or the Temple.

As with other redemptive covenants, this covenant had a blood
sacrifice as the seal. "So they brought the ark of the Lord,
and set it in its place in the midst of the tabernacle that
David had erected for it. Then David offered burnt offerings and
peace offerings before the Lord. And when David had finished
offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the
people in the name of the Lord of hosts" (II Samuel 6:17,18
NKJV). (See also I Chronicles 16:1-3, Leviticus 1,3).

Voluntary burnt offerings and peace offerings were presented to
the Lord. These offerings involved the shedding of blood. The
kingly authority was to be based on blood atonement.

Additionally, the spiritual sacrifices of praise and
thanksgiving were offered, thus providing a model for New
Testament Church offerings to God. "Therefore by Him let us
continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the
fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget
to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well
pleased" ( Hebrews 13:15,16 NKJV). See also Psalms 27:6; 141:1;
16:17-19; I Peter 2:5).

The signs of the Solaric Covenant were given as a seal of the
Davidic Covenant. "My covenant I will not break, Nor alter the
word that has gone out of My lips. Once I have sworn by My
holiness; I will not lie to David: His seed shall endure
forever, And his throne as the sun before Me; It shall be
established forever like the moon, Even like the faithful
witness in the sky" (Psalm 89:34-37 NKJV). (See also Jeremiah
32:35-37; 33:19-26).

The sun, moon, and stars were to be for signs, seasons, days,
and years. The throne of David continues to exist because these
heavenly signs are still functioning. This revelation of God is
seen in that He, the Lord God and the Lamb, are the light and
glory of the eternal city (Revelation 19:16; 21:1-27; 22:1-5).

The primary chapters of Scripture that contain elements of the
Davidic Covenant are II Samuel 7; I Chronicles 17; Psalm 89;
Psalm 132 and Jeremiah 33.

Under the Abrahamic Covenant God chose a nation (Israel) and
from the nation He chose a tribe (Judah). Under the Davidic
Covenant He chose a family (David of Jesse) from the tribe of
Judah (Genesis 17:6, 16; 49:8-12; Psalms 78:67-72; 89:3,4). This
promise finds its fulfillment in the unbroken dynasty of Davidic
kings from Solomon to Zedekiah in the promised land. (A closer
scrutiny will show that none of the Kings of the House of Israel
were of the Davidic Seed.)

Zedekiah was the last Davidic king to reign over the House of
Judah in the land of Canaan. His reign ended with the
destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, the captivity of Judah
to Babylon, and the death of the royal sons. Yet the natural
line continued through Jesus Himself. The seed of David finds
its fulfillment ultimately in the Lord Jesus Christ. He was
David's Lord and Root as to His Divinity but was David's son and
offspring as to His humanity. (See II Samuel 7:14 with Hebrews
1:5).

It was David's desire to build a house for God that prompted the
giving of the Davidic Covenant according to II Samuel 7 and I
Chronicles 17. Though David wanted to build God's house, God
promised that He would build David a house by raising up his
seed as an enduring dynasty. He would, however, allow David's
son to build a house for His name. This house became known as
the Temple of Solomon and prefigured to Christ and His Church.

The order of service of the Tabernacle of Moses was
characterized by continual animal sacrifices and holy place
ministrations without the Ark of God. The order of the
Tabernacle of David was characterized by continual sacrifices of
singing of praise with instruments of worship in Zion which God
chose for His eternal habitation. The fulfillment of the latter
is found in Christ and the Church.

Both Testaments show that Christ would sit in the Tabernacle of
David. The writer to the Hebrews reveals that, after the Cross,
the believer is no longer under the Tabernacle of Moses of Sinai
or the Mosaic Covenant with its Aaronic Priesthood and animal
sacrifices, but is under the Tabernacle of David of Zion and the
New Covenant with its Melchisedek priesthood and spiritual
sacrifices being offered to God through Christ.

Christ Himself is the ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic
Covenant. In Him David finds both His Lord (as to His Divinity)
and his Son (as to His Humanity). He will return the second time
without sin unto salvation and reign over all His redeemed
Israel, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The Kingdom shall be
His and of the increase of His government and peace there shall
be no end. He shall order it and establish it because the zeal
of the Lord of Hosts has spoken it and will perform it. (Isaiah
9:6-9).
Messianic Studies
Messianic Studies
THE PROPHET DANIEL
By Harold A. Sevener
(From THE CHOSEN PEOPLE magazine)


Editor's note: From time to time, Rev. Sevener refers to
passages in the book of Maccabees. You will not, however, find
Maccabees in most Bibles. First and Second Maccabees are two of
the 12 books that make up the Apocrypha. The Apocrypha is not
recognized as canonized Scripture in Protestant churches, but
used in individual study.

The Books of Maccabees are historical records covering the
period of 175-134 B.C. "Maccabaeus" is the Greek spelling of
Judas ben Mattathias' name. Mattathias and his sons led a revolt
against the Syrians in and around Jerusalem in the second
century B.C. Mattathias' third son, Judas Maccabaeus, led the
rededication of the Temple in 165 B.C., which is celebrated now
as the Feast of Dedication or Hanukkah.
_________________________________________________________________

The dedication of the altar by the Maccabees is still celebrated
on 25 Kislev by Jewish people. It is called Hanukkah, the Feast
of Dedication, or the Festival of Lights. It is celebrated for
eight days, just as the Maccabees established.

Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication, is only mentioned once in the
Scriptures-in John 10:22. It is a most interesting reference:
"Then came the Feast of Dedication [Hanukkah] at Jerusalem. It
was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in
Solomon's Colonnade" (Jn. 10:22-23).

Yeshua (Jesus) had been ministering in the Temple. (This Temple,
called Herod's Temple, was an enlarged version of the Temple
cleansed and rededicated to God by the Maccabees.) The Jewish
leaders came to Yeshua asking Him if He was indeed the Messiah.
Yeshua responded that they should know He was the Messiah by the
miracles He had performed in His Father's name. He then told
them that He and the Father were one. Upon hearing Yeshua's
declaration that He and His Father were one, the Jewish leaders
picked up stones to stone Him (cf. Jn. 10:24-33).

The significance of this incident not only involves Yeshua's
declaration that He was equal to and one with the Father, but
the Jewish leaders' reaction: They were going to stone Him for
blasphemy. Three questions come to mind: (1) Why did Yeshua wait
until this particular festival, Hanukkah, to declare His deity?
(2) Why did He make this declaration in the Temple? (3) What
stones did the Jewish leaders use in their attempt to stone Him?

The Return of God's Glory

God had promised that His glory would return to His Temple in
Jerusalem. Yeshua was the visible manifestation of God's glory.
John wrote, "We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and
only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth"
(Jn. 1:14). Yeshua chose to declare His deity in the Temple on
Hanukkah so the Jewish leaders would know that He was the Son of
God and that God's glory had returned. Sadly, however, religious
tradition and the sin of unbelief had so blinded the hearts of
the Jewish leaders that they refused to listen to his message.
They refused to accept Him as the Messiah, the Prophet like unto
Moses, whom they were to listen to and obey (cf. Deut.
18:14-20). So, when Yeshua declared Himself to be equal with
God, they picked up stones to stone Him.

When the Maccabees were cleansing the Temple, which had been
desecrated by the Hellenistic priests of Antiochus, the workers
pulled down the altar and put all the stones aside. The account
in 1 Maccabees stated, "... wherefore they pulled it [the altar]
down, and laid up the stones in the mountain of the temple in a
convenient place, until there should come a prophet to show what
should be done with them" (lMacc. 4:45, 46).

I believe that the very stones they picked up were the stones
which had been set aside by the Maccabees, awaiting the Prophet
who was to tell them what should be done with them. The Prophet
came, but they would not listen to Him. Such is the blindness
which sin brings to the heart. God's glory was rejected once
again, and the priests and the people who were celebrating
Hanukkah, the festival honoring the cleansing of the Temple,
celebrated in a defiled sanctuary.

Only a few short years later, in A.D. 70, the army of Titus
marched into the city of Jerusalem, destroying the Temple and
scattering the priests and the people to the far-flung regions
of the then-known world.

Both Daniel and Yeshua prophesied that the Temple standing
during the Tribulation would also be defiled by an "abomination
of desolation" (cf. Dan. 9:27; Mt. 24:15). Both Daniel and John
in the Revelation addressed the issue of the duration of this
"desolation," which they said would last, ironically, three and
one-half years, approximately the same length of time that
Antiochus defiled the sanctuary (cf. Dan. 12.11; Rev. 11:1, 2).

God's Word is accurate. It is authoritative. It is infallible.
What God speaks, He brings to pass. His Word is a reliable guide
for everyone. Believing His Word brings life. Rejecting His Word
brings death and judgment.

It is interesting to note that when God gave Daniel the vision
of the little horn (Dan. 8:9-12), He did not refer to the Roman
Empire as well. We have already discussed that this vision was
fulfilled by Antiochus Epiphanes when he polluted the Temple and
trampled the sanctuary underfoot. And these historical actions
of Antiochus Epiphanes actually prefigure the activities of the
Beast (anti-Christ) during the Tribulation. In other words, the
vision in Daniel 8:9-12 had dual prophetic significance and
fulfillment: it spoke of a tribulation as well as to the
Tribulation.

Such a long-term future fulfillment of the Daniel 8:9-12
prophecy became clear as Daniel's vision continued. He was told,
"and I heard a man's voice from the Ulai calling, 'Gabriel, tell
this man the meaning of the vision.' As he came near the place
where I was standing, I was terrified and fell prostrate. 'Son
of man,' he said to me, 'understand that the vision concerns the
time of the end'" (Dan. 8:16,17). Recall that Daniel was
standing by the Ulai canal when he first received this vision
(Dan. 8:2) and that he evidently had not moved.

The Vision Interpreted

The fulfillment of this vision spans the corridor of time and
holds great significance for Israel's future. Because of this
significance, God sent Gabriel to interpret the vision. The name
Gabriel means "strong man of God," and it is the name of an
angel or messenger from God. The angel Gabriel stands in the
very presence of God (Lk. 1:19). Gabriel is mentioned only four
times in Scripture: twice in Daniel (Dan. 8:16; 9:21) and twice
in Luke (1:19, 26).

Gabriel's name also appears in the non-canonical writings of
Enoch. He is referred to as one of the four archangels in Enoch
9:1. He is called the holy angel who presides of Ikisat, over
paradise, and over the cherubim (cf. Enoch 20:7).* He is also
referred to as one of the four "presences," the one presiding
over all that is powerful (cf. Enoch 40:3-9).

It was Gabriel who gave Daniel the interpretation of the vision
as recorded in Daniel 8 and 9 (the latter vision concerned the
70 weeks). It was also Gabriel who announced the birth of
Messiah, Yeshua, to Mary and Joseph. Thus Gabriel was sent to
reveal God's program of judgment as well as His program of
redemption.

God's program of judgment for Israel certainly did not end when
Antiochus defiled the Temple in 168 B.C. The intervention of the
angel Gabriel at that point in time indicates that this vision
has great future significance. And indeed it does. Note "The
time of the end" (verse 17); "I am going to tell you what will
happen later in the time of wrath, because the vision concerns
the appointed time of the end" (verse 19); and "The vision of
the evenings and mornings that has been given you is true, but
seal up the vision, for it concerns the distant future" (verse
26).

In other words, a specific revelation by a specific messenger of
God carries with it special significance and often has a near
fulfillment and a future fulfillment. As we discussed, the
vision given to Daniel had an immediate fulfillment as well as a
future. fulfillment. Daniel was being shown not only what was to
take place historically when the little horn (Antiochus
Epiphanes) would come upon the scene of history, but also that
the actions of this historical person were to foreshadow what
would ultimately take place during the Tribulation. Likewise,
the coming of the Messiah, Yeshua, did not complete the
prophecies of His coming. There is to be more. He is to return
to establish His Kingdom and to judge the world.

* Ikisat appears to be a proper name. In another edition, this
word is translated "the serpents."
Anee M'Amin
Anee M'Amin
EXAMINING THE EVIDENCE
The testimony of Craig Hatman

(From ISRAEL MY GLORY magazine)


I was born of Jewish parents and have spent much of my life
among Jewish people. I grew up in a typical contemporary Jewish
home in which God and our heritage were, unfortunately, not the
most important parts of our lives. We did, however, observe the
holidays and were taught to be proud of being Jewish, and I had
a bar mitzvah when I was 13 years old.

As I grew older, I became a self-proclaimed philosopher. I was
very idealistic and wanted to do my part, in some small way, to
make the world a better place for the sake of humanity. I fought
for truth and for what I thought was right in everything I did.
I loved to debate with anyone about anything, and I often
pondered the deeper things of life, always asking why.

As I observed life and the world around me, I became convinced
that God either did not exist or was not all the wonderful
things that some people claimed. I was extremely frustrated with
the many so-called religious people I met from various faiths,
all of whom I considered to be hypocrites, and so I remained
content with the theory of evolution and happy with my views. I
became antagonistic toward religious matters and was quite
persuasive in arguing the logic behind my beliefs.

I entered college as an accounting major, but in a break from
traditional business philosophy I used a number of my electives
to take English literature courses because of my interest in
that area-after all I was a philosopher. In some of those
courses I bean to notice subtle references to Bible characters
and Bible stories, and I resolved to someday read the Bible to
better appreciate "good literature." I shared these thoughts
with my girl friend Lauri (who later became my wife), and she
agreed to join me in my study.

After completing college, I went on to law school where my love
for arguing and my debating skills became stronger and more
refined. My law school years further strengthened the
convictions I had already developed. Now, as I look back, I can
see that the Lord was preparing me for things to come.

In 1985, Lauri and I were married. Although she was not very
religious, she believed in God, so we decided that we would
raise our children in her religion. We did agree, however, that
it was our obligation as parents to educate ourselves about
religion so that we could pass the information on to our
children and teach them accurately about their heritage. We
wanted our children to be able to come to us for answers in this
regard.

Shortly before the birth of our son, Grant Zakarias, I met a
Christian named Mark in the Manhattan office where I worked. At
first, I avoided Mark because I thought he was a religious
fanatic, and I had already made my own conclusions about
religious people. In even mundane conversations, he always
brought things back to God and the Bible, which I found quite
annoying to say the least. Eventually we were assigned to the
same office and, after getting to know Mark, I realized that he
was genuine and different from the other religious people I had
known. Here, then, was my opportunity to learn something about
religion.

Mark was very knowledgeable about the Bible and taught me much
about my own Judaism from the Old Testament. In the evenings, I
would share with Lauri the things Mark and I had discussed
during the day, and this led me on a personal search for
knowledge that lasted for a year and a half.

Often accompanied by my wife, I attended a regular Bible study
and personally read and studied the Bible, analyzing its claims.
I also read other literature and compared the doctrines of many
religions. I even studied archaeological findings. I was
fascinated at how different the Bible was from what I had
expected and how reliable, truthful and accurate it was.

I soon saw that there was a real likelihood that God did exist,
that He had created the world and man, and that He had revealed
Himself to us in the Bible. I also realized that the theory of
evolution was just a myth and could easily be disproved. It took
more faith to believe in the absence of God than in the Creator.

As I continued to study, I discovered that, from God's
perspective, we are all sinners, and-although I was
uncomfortable with the idea-I too was a sinner in need of
forgiveness. I further understood that my ancestors in the Old
Testament taught of a Messiah who would provide for my need. But
the biblical teachings often differed from what I remembered of
the rabbinic teachings of my youth.

In my study of the New Testament, I was particularly intrigued
by the conversion of Saul of Tarsus, but the nagging question
that remained was, What about this Jesus of Nazareth? I then
began to focus my study more intently on the claims of Jesus as
the Messiah. I was somewhat cautious at first because, although
I was not raised in a religious environment, I had been taught
at an early age that Jesus was not for the Jews. I especially
examined Jesus' final proof that He was Messiah-His
resurrection. Again, I studied a wide range of material. Coming
from a legal background, I subjected all that I examined to
strict tests of evidence. I had to be convinced. It had to be
proven to me!

I was slow in making a decision as I let other matters take my
attention away from spiritual things. Then one day Mark
challenged me, saying that I had already gathered and examined
more than enough evidence and that it was time I made a
decision. He was right. The next day, I again worked through all
that I had been taught and read, and, after weighing all the
evidence, the conclusion was clear: Jesus of Nazareth was God's
sacrifice to pay the penalty for my sins. He is the Lamb of God.
The certainty of His resurrection assures me of the certainty of
His offer to forgive my sins and give me eternal life. He is the
Hebrew Messiah who was sacrificed for all nations. On that
October day in 1989, I got down on my knees and asked Jesus to
forgive me and become my personal Lord and Savior. Three months
later, the Lord saved Lauri and shortly thereafter we were
baptized together.

Now that I am walking with the Lord, I understand the meaning of
life and see the world in a much clearer and more definite way.
I no longer ask why. Things that once puzzled me have become
obvious, and I have a greater compassion for others. I know the
truth, and the truth has set me free. I believe that anyone who
approaches God with an open mind will see the truth in God's
revelation; history has proven this. True Christianity is not a
blind leap in the dark but a trusting, heartfelt acceptance of
the historical facts about the Messiah.

I am thankful to be a Jew who believes that the Messiah has
come. Although I do not deserve it, I am in God's family, where
all are welcome. Please pray with me for the peace of Jerusalem.
Praise the Lord!
The WORD for Today
The WORD for Today
Before this last Easter (1992), many churches across the country
were involved in The Chapel of the Air's "Fifty-Day Spiritual
Adventure." This program was designed to help local churches
become "The Family God Wants Us To Be." The material provided
focused on dysfunctional behavior found in families and brought
into the church. The article presented here is the sixth of
seven messages given by Pastor Geoff Kragen. They were presented
at Foothill Bible Church in Lincoln California as part of that
church's involvement with the program.

"The Ultimate Crime"
Galatians 6:1-5

One of my major responsibilities as Budget Manager at a major
San Francisco Hospital, was the annual budget presentation for
the Board of Directors. My assistant and I had a week to put
together all the data gathered over a two-month period. We
prepared both the financial reports and all of the related text
material to be presented. And if I do say so myself, we made a
pretty good job of it.

Having completed all fifty pages of the budget package, we had
to send it to my boss, the Director of Financial Services. Then
we would sit back and wait for: THE CALL. For, no matter how
good the report was, he would always have a problem with it.
He'd find a comma he didn't think was in the right place. He
wouldn't like a word or phrase we had chosen. If the report
wasn't perfect (and from his perspective it never was), then
he'd throw it back at us to fix.

John (not his real name), also, could never accept mistakes made
by his other managers. For him, the ultimate sin was to commit
an error. We all had to be perfect, and if we weren't, he made
sure we knew it. I always suspected the real issue was his
concern that any errors we made would reflect negatively on him.

As you might expect, the problem with this approach to life is
that nobody, other than Christ, is perfect. The demand for
perfectionism is a dysfunctional and destructive behavior. This
is true whether the problem is within the family unit, or the
local church. This behavior is destructive to the individual who
practices it. Furthermore, it is devastating to the victim of
the perfectionist's demands.

We can see this behavior acted out in the church by "church
hoppers." They are always looking for perfection. Of course they
never find it. Because they don't find perfection, they move on,
looking for the next church, hoping it will be better.
Unfortunately, they lose the blessing of being part of a church
family. And if by some miracle they would ever find the perfect
church and join, then it will no longer be perfect, because
they'll be part of it.

Before we discuss the problem of perfectionism in the church,
let's note how the dysfunctional family lives it out. As we've
already noted (see previous articles), the dysfunctional family
spends inordinate amounts of time trying to maintain a perfect
image. The appearance of being perfect is all-important. Sadly,
these families live as if it were possible to meet these
impossibly high standards. Understand that the truly
dysfunctional person believes only he is a failure. Everyone
else outside the family has their act together. Perfection is
possible for everyone but him and/or his family. The
perfectionist typifies denial and delusion. He denies that
perfection is an impossibility because he lives under the
delusion that others are perfect.

For the perfectionist, making mistakes is unthinkable. When the
perfectionist is in a leadership position within the church, he
can't let anyone do a job but himself. They might make a
mistake, which is sin. But the real sin is preventing members of
the church from doing the work of the church.

By demanding perfection from himself and others, the
perfectionist sets himself up for failure and this results in an
overwhelming sense of disappointment. He carries around immense
guilt related to his behaviors. He is judgmental with others.
Finally, he has extreme difficulty forgiving himself and, as a
result, forgiving others.

What does Scripture say about our need to forgive? "Then Peter
came and said to Him, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin
against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to
him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy
times seven'" (Matthew 18:21-22 NAS). God constantly forgives us
based on the work of Christ on the cross. But, if we believe
that our sin is so offensive that God can't forgive us, is it
surprising we can't forgive others?

In contrast, the healthy family is satisfied with consistent
adequacy. David Mains writes is the HEALING THE DYSFUNCTIONAL
CHURCH FAMILY: "What a freeing term this is "consistently
adequate." Raising a healthy family is not an easy task. But
certainly the inevitable problems faced by families today are
handled more easily when they don't have to worry about being
perfect." *

As the healthy family unit is satisfied by consistent adequacy,
so it should be within the healthy church. This doesn't mean
that we shouldn't strive for excellence. After all, we are God's
representatives here on earth. However, we must recognize that
perfection is only obtainable in eternity. We are in a constant
growth process, striving to become more Christlike. "For those
God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness
of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers"
(Romans 8:29).

Paul gives recognition to this truth in Galatians 6:1-5.
"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual
should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may
be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will
fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when
he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own
actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing
himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own
load."

Paul gives instructions for dealing with the believer caught in
sin. Don't be shocked or surprised, and more importantly, don't
be condemning. Paul's demand is that we are to work toward
restoring fallen brothers or sisters.

Keep in mind that what Paul expects here is behavior that flows
out of the fruit of the Spirit. (See the preceding verses.) We
are only able to care for one another when we allow the Holy
Spirit to move through us. The evidence of genuine spirituality
is our willingness to be used in restoring the sinners
relationship to God.

Remember: The perfectionist is going to be harsh and
judgmental. Since the perfectionist is dysfunctional, he hasn't
dealt with the sin in his own life. But he has no problem seeing
and judging sin in the lives of others. This is the reality that
caused Christ to say, "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust
in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your
own eye?" (Matthew 7:3). Frequently, testimony to a believer's
lack of maturity is a harsh and judgmental spirit.

Contrast this with the healthy response that Paul is calling
for. He not only tells us to restore the sinner, but gives us
instruction on the approach we should take. He says to restore
gently. You don't prune a delicate orchid with a chainsaw!
Doesn't this require love and a willingness to accept the person
unconditionally? Again, lest I be misunderstood, I don't mean
that we are to excuse sin, for Paul is calling for correction
here. But, we are talking about restoring a brother or sister in
the Lord. This means that we must never lose sight of the need
to love them and hold them accountable because we love them.
This is the model that God established when the author of
Hebrews said, "...because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son" (Hebrews 12:6).

Paul warns that we need to be careful when we try to restore one
another that we don't find ourselves falling into sin. This
could mean that we may be tempted by the same sin. Or it could
mean we must be careful that we don't fall into sin by dealing
with our brother or sister with the wrong attitude.

Paul makes it clear that the attitude within the church is not
to be perfectionist. The church is to be a place where
Christians can share their burdens safely. We are to create an
environment where we can be open with our struggles. We should
not have to fear condemnation. Instead, we should receive the
love, comfort and help to move away from sin, and towards
obedience to God.

We must operate from the assumption that if someone is coming to
church that they realize the importance of having God in their
lives. If they present themselves as believers and they seem to
understand what it is to be saved, we have to accept them as
such. Therefore, we can lovingly hold them accountable, and
encourage them to repent and be saved.

We are to carry each other's burdens, but simultaneously to
provide teaching that will allow each person to stand on their
own before the Lord. Paul notes that each of us must be able to
test our own actions. And what is the model we are to test
against? We have Scripture and Christ's example as the basis for
comparison with our own actions.

This also means we must remember that our own behavior is not
the standard against which we test the actions of others. Even
more importantly, we are not to test others against the
standards we set for ourselves.

I am constantly amazed to find how often the person who is the
harshest judge of others has the most problems himself. If we
think perfection is possible, not only are we wrong, but we are
more disappointed and judgmental than anyone when someone fails
our standard.

Frequently, we find the perfectionist has a "direct line" to
God. This person claims to have a "word of the Lord" for you.
God has told him personally, or he knows from his understanding
of Scripture, why your choices are sinful. Yet when you look at
these people's lives, they don't have one log in their eye--they
have enough lumber to build a complete housing development.

Paul says that pride should not come from the fact I can find
someone who is in worse shape than me. This allows me to feel
good about myself. Instead, he refers to the pride which comes
from a sense of satisfaction and joy in shouldering the burden
God has given us to carry for ourselves.

In response to Paul's words, let us pray about the following two
issues. First, that the Lord would help us see our own blind
spots where we are judging ourselves and others by our own
standards, not the Lord's. Frequently, we are harder on
ourselves than God is. Conversely, we often have the ability to
be more tolerant in the areas that really matter, loving God
and loving one another.

If we want to be in a church committed to ministry, then we had
better be prepared to have our boundaries stretched. I remember
when I was in that old church I discussed in the last issue. It
is easy to take shots at these people for some of their negative
behaviors. But they were risk takers.

It was the time of the flower child era fall-out in San
Francisco. We decided to have a meal Sunday afternoon for those
in need. The hope was that people would come for the meal and
stay for the service. And for a while, it did happen.

Anyway, you might not believe the kind of people who showed up.
These weren't just street people, but they were hippies,
druggies, the dregs of society. I remember one couple. The
husband had a full beard, long hair, and a wardrobe that was
certainly strange. The wife wore a long granny dress and
rim-framed glasses. They appeared to be typical hippies . And
they were sitting in someone else's pew. But the members of the
church had decided to take risks, and this was the result. Over
the years this family accepted Christ, and the day came when the
husband became a deacon. "The Lord does not look at the things
man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord
looks at the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).

The second point I would like us to consider praying about is
risky, but it is a fulfillment of God's call to go out and make
disciples. Let us pray that the Lord will give us the courage to
reach out to a fallen world, being willing to take the risk that
entails. Keep in mind: it is the Lord's will to provide the
needed resources. The only question is, Are we willing to reach
out? Let us be willing to be uncomfortable, even in our own
body, if that discomfort allows others to come to know the Lord
and His love. Let us be willing to be uncomfortable, if it means
we can truly love and care for one another.

Let us be willing to fulfill the call of Paul to "Carry each
other's burdens, and in this way (we) will fulfill the law of
Christ" (Galatians 6:2). And what is the law of Christ? "A new
command I give you; Love one another. As I have loved you, so
you must love one another. By this all men will know that you
are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-35).

Only by being willing to be constantly adequate can we take
risks, loving the unlovable, and forgiving the unforgivable. And
in risking we will truly be able to experience the miraculous
love and mercy of God. If we never take risks, we will lessen
the danger of being hurt and disappointed. But we also reduce
the opportunity to see the living God working in the lives of
fallen human beings.

* David Mains, HEALING THE DYSFUNCTIONAL CHURCH FAMILY, Victor
Books, Wheaton, IL, 1992, p. 106.
Prayer Guidelines
Prayer and Wisdom by Michael Wilkinson
Prayer and Wisdom
Article 9 of the "Prayer and..." Series
by Michael Wilkinson



"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to
all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him"
(James 1:5).

Although we Christians may know many things about God and have
an understanding of spiritual things, we sometimes need to ask
God for wisdom to deal with the problems we face in life.

Wisdom is insight into the way life should be lived in order to
please God. Wisdom includes knowledge, discretion and
understanding. "For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge
will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and
understanding will guard you" (Proverbs 2:10-11).

Although natural men can attain some knowledge on their own,
true wisdom can only be gained by coming to the Lord. "He
provided redemption for His people; He ordained His covenant
forever. Holy and awesome is His name. The fear of the Lord is
the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good
understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise" (Psalm 111:9-10).
"The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that
come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him,
and he cannot understand them, for they are spiritually
discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things,
but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment. For who
has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him? But we
have the mind of Christ" (1 Corinthians 2:14-16).

Thus it is necessary for a person to accept Christ as Lord in
order to benefit from God's wisdom. "...but to those whom God
has called, both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles), Christ is the power
of God and the wisdom of God" (1 Corinthians 1:24).

The apostle James wrote his letter to believers who were
suffering trials and temptations. They were persecuted as Jews
and persecuted as Christians. Some were poor. Some were tempted
to give up on their faith. Some were having trouble saying no
to evil temptations. In the midst of this, James tells them
that they should seek wisdom from God.

They needed wisdom to know how to respond to those who were
persecuting them. There is an excellent account in Acts 4. Here
Peter and John, "unschooled ordinary men", were able to give a
wise answer to the religious leaders who wanted them to stop
preaching in the name of Christ. God gave Peter and John the
wisdom they needed. As a result the leaders who threatened them
had to let them go.

People also need to pray for wisdom to know how to live
righteous lives in a world that does not tolerate or understand
Christian purity. "For this reason we also since the day we
heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may
be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and
spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord,
fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and
increasing in the knowledge of God" (Colossians 1:9-10). "Teach
me good judgment and knowledge, For I believe Your commandments"
(Psalm 119:66).

And we also need wisdom to keep walking with the Lord if we are
ever tempted to give up or depart from the plan He has for our
lives. "Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my
enemies; Make Your way straight before my face" (Psalm 5:8).
"Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my
heart to fear Your name" (Psalm 86:11).

How do we receive wisdom from the Lord? When Solomon became
king over Israel, he asked for wisdom to lead the nation. God
was pleased with this request and granted Solomon a gift of
wisdom which seems to have stayed with him most of his life.
When two women were fighting over one living child (see 1 Kings
3:16-28), Solomon simply knew how to discover which was the
child's real mother. Solomon's wisdom was a special gift, but
God can also give us wisdom in that same way.

More frequently He will reveal His wisdom through study of the
Bible (prayer and scripture should always be the first means of
finding God's will). He may also speak to us when we seek
advice from Christian elders or parents, especially those who
have already suffered the things we are now suffering. "Praise
be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all
our troubles, SO THAT we can comfort those in any trouble with
the comfort we ourselves have received from God" (1 Corinthians
1:3-4).

In conclusion, please consider the following verses:

"Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains
understanding; For her proceeds are better than the profits of
silver, And her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than
rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with
her. Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand
riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her
paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold
of her, And happy are all who retain her" (Proverbs 3:13-18).
SCUD Warnings
SCUD Warnings by Jerry Johnson
S piritual
 C ounterfeits
  U ndermining
   D octrine

W A R N I N G S

By Jerry Johnson
------------------------------------------------------------------

(The previously scheduled SCUD, Gracebusters, has been postponed
until the next issue)

This (fictitious) want ad was (not) published in the New York
Times on February 30, 1992:

HELP WANTED: "Take charge" person needed to direct young,
growing company. Must be skilled in public presentation,
interpersonal communications, financial planning and
administration. Additional typing, electrical, layout,
carpentry and artistic bends a plus. Must be able to spearhead
programs without alienating sensitive co-workers. Must be able
to work 80 to 100 hour work weeks, be available 24 hours a day,
family man preferred but family must NOT take precedent over
company concerns. Pay is low, benefits poor and must be able to
deal with continual criticism. If interested in this management
position, call Prestodyne Electronics [phone].


Any takers?

I guarantee you, I can change that last line, without changing
the pay or perks, and make it a job that hundreds, maybe even
thousands of people would clamor after.

"I'll believe it when I see it!"

The new last line?

If interested in this pastoral position, call First Church of
Burpton [phone].

Suddenly it's "ministry".

Suddenly the oppressive conditions are simply a gift offered for
the Kingdom of God.

Suddenly it's OK.

Or is it?

Back in Genesis is the account of when God asked Abraham to
offer his son, Isaac, as a sacrifice. When Abraham and Isaac
headed up onto the mountain he told his staff to wait because
they would both be back. Most theologians believe that Abraham
felt that God would make sure that this would be true.

It was.

God provided a ram for the actual sacrifice. Now, how do you
suppose God would have felt if, after spotting the ram and being
told by God to use the ram instead of Isaac, Abraham would have
gone ahead and killed Isaac?

I agree. I don't think it would have made God's day.

Sad thing is, there are a lot of Isaacs being killed by a lot of
Abrahams out there.

"Could you please state that in a somewhat less obscure manner?"

Certainly. There are many people who, in the name of "the
ministry" (paid or lay), sacrifice their families. I've known
quite a few PK's (preacher's kids) and MK's (missionary's kids)
over the years and some have been cared for, loved and valued.
Others have not been so fortunate... they didn't come back off
the mountain.

Those are usually the PK's that you hear the horror stories
about. You know, the kid who introduced the entire youth choir
to pot or is known by every juvenile probation officer in the
county or is the behavioral nightmare of every Sunday school
teacher and secretary in the church.

Granted, there can be many reasons that they act this way, but I
believe it is because, most commonly, they were sacrificed to
"the ministry". When it was between them and the choir or the
distraught person on the phone or the building committee or the
guest speaking engagement in a nearby town, they lost the toss
of the coin nearly every time.

And let's not forget pastor's wives, who have as big, if not
bigger, a job description than their hubbies... and they don't
even get paid. Biggest trouble is, part of the job description
is "bite the bullet and NEVER acknowledge your loneliness or
frustrations, because you are the pastor's wife and pastor's
wives don't do that. Also, if you don't fulfill your job
description, we'll blame your husband".

You see, we as Christians tend to engage in an oppressive
activity to a greater extent than probably any other group in
existence:

Expectation.

We know that we are to live our lives in as Christlike a manner
as possible. We know how often, and sometimes spectacularly, we
fail, but heaven forbid if our pastor doesn't meet every
expectation we have.

Combine that with unrealistic expectations that the pastor may
hold for him/herself and in order to meet all these
expectations, something has to give. And that "something" is
frequently time and emotional energy for family.

"But Luke 14:26 says that if people don't hate their father,
mother and family they can't be Christ's disciple."

Every pastor and theologian I know understands this to be a
hyperbole, an exaggeration to drive home a point. We are to
love God so much that the intense love we have for our family
pales in comparison with our love for God.

"But still, the Lord's work should be of paramount importance,
shouldn't it?"

I agree wholeheartedly, but let's examine what "the Lord's work"
is. Sometimes the strongest lessons in the Bible are the one's
that are obvious, but not overtly stated, such as "something
innocent had to die because of sin" or "God goes to a lot of
trouble to stay involved in the lives of his people".

In my opinion "the Lord's work" includes one of those obvious,
but not overtly stated lessons: "family is MAJORLY important to
God."

I agree that's no great surprise, but neither were the other two
lessons. I told you they were obvious.

Let's start in the Old Testament. In Numbers 11:11-13 Moses
places God in the mother's role; Psalm 68:5 says that God is
father to the fatherless; Isaiah 64:8 calls God our father and
there are countless other references that infer or directly talk
about a familial relationship between God and his people.

In the New Testament God is not just our father, but our Abba
(papa), Jesus is our brother and Christ is the bridegroom and
Christians the bride.

For thousands of years God has defined his relationship to us as
family, one could conclude that he was kind of fond of the
concept of family.

In I Timothy 5:8 Paul says that if anyone does not provide for
his immediate family "he has denied the faith and is worse than
an unbeliever". We would be assuming God was one dimensional if
we honestly believed that this verse referred exclusively to
housing and clothes. Remember, we are being conformed to the
image of Christ. Does he only care about our physical needs?

Not by a long shot.

"But if the ministers do less in order to be with their
families, who'll do their jobs?"

Us.

Look at Acts 2:44-47, it really is pretty clear. A church is
not made up of a minister and a congregation. It's made up of a
congregation of ministers. If a church doesn't live up to that
description it is probably because the EXPECTATION was that the
pastor would do it all.

Congregation: Romans 12 states that we have been equipped to
minister, we just need to kick the gift into gear. And as we
minister to our pastors, I believe it is the congregation's
obligation to make sure they have time to be spouse and parent.

Pastors and committed lay-workers: I honestly believe God wants
you to put your family after Him, but before "the ministry".
One of the prerequisites for being a deacon or elder was that
the family was well managed. Have you ever seen a well managed
company where the manager was gone the vast majority of the time?

The same is true of a family. Spouses grow lonely and, unless
they are truly saintly, resentful if left to raise a family
alone. Children will look wherever they can for identity and
acceptance if it is not offered (frequently) in their home. And
the church would tend to be a last choice. After all, would you
want to be trained by the mechanic that ruined your car? "The
ministry" is the competition, not the ally.

I have a friend who is a caring, loving, fun PK. She readily
admits that her pastor father was always busy with "the
ministry" and her mother was frazzled trying to raise a family
alone and be a good preacher's wife". She states that, for the
most part, she raised herself.

She did a good job.

But it was her parents' job, not hers. These are not cruel,
uncaring people who were looking for an excuse to ignore their
daughter. They were godly people who didn't
know/realize/understand that the first priority of "the
ministry" is to those that, through marriage and birth, God
covenanted into their care.

And this applies equally to anyone whose job comes before their
family.

I am married and have two young, adorable daughters. If I were
an ideal husband and father (and I'm not) I would relate just
the way God relates to me. And you know what? He doesn't
ignore me nearly as much as I'd like... in fact he doesn't
ignore me at all.


Next time: the belated "Gracebusters"
Bible Quiz
Bible Quiz
BIBLE QUIZ

Match the disciple in the first part with the statement in the
second part which best fits him.

1.  James
2.  Philip
3.  Peter
4.  Simon
5.  Thomas
6.  Thaddeus
7.  Nathanael
8.  Matthew
9.  Andrew
10. John

a) He sat under a fig tree (John 1:48)
b) He walked on water (Matthew 14:29)
c) He was the "Disciple of love" (1 John 4:7)
d) He was a tax collector (Luke 5:27-28)
e) He brought Nathanael to Jesus (John 1:45)
f) He was a doubter (John 20:24-25)
g) He called Lebbaeus (Matthew 26:14-16)
h) He was the first to die (Acts 12:2)
i) He was Peter's brother (Mark 1:16)
j) He was called "the Zealot" (Acts 1:13)

Christian Life Department
People Profile
People Profile - Pastor Jeffrey Johnson
Morning Star Senior Editor, Teresa Giordanengo, conducted this
interview with Pastor Jeffrey Johnson of the North Ten Mile
Baptist Church in Amity, Pennsylvania. Pastor Johnson holds a
B.A. degree in Psychology and a B.A. degree in Prelaw Philosophy.


Teresa: Pastor Johnson, you were interested in the Lord's work
at an early age. How did this come about?

Pastor Johnson: I was born in 1964 in Westmoreland County,
Pennsylvania, being one of six children. I never knew a time
that I did not go to church. I came from a Catholic family, but
I, myself, attended a Baptist church down the street from my
home. I spent all my growing-up years at this particular
Baptist church just because it was at the end of our street and
I was not allowed to cross to the other side.

This was also the church where I discovered at the age of five,
my calling to the ministry. I can remember going to that church
with my grandmother, because she was the only member of the
family who attended with me. I recall saying to her during the
service that I believed I wanted to be that man standing up
there on that platform. She asked if I felt that God had called
me and I told her that I didn't know about this calling thing
but I felt it was better to talk for thirty minutes than to
listen. But in that early experience, God began to shape my
life. Even at that very young age, God began to work in a very
definite way.

Then at the age of twelve, a pastor came to our church. My
parents had been divorced since I was about three and a half.
This pastor took me into his home, and for all intents and
purposes, raised me. At this time, I began to make a commitment
to the ministry. At fourteen I preached my first sermon. At
sixteen I began to travel and preach at different churches. At
sixteen and a half I became the first boy elder, of my age, in
our church.


Teresa: What happened that was very special to you when you
were preparing to go to college?

Pastor Johnson: One of the marvelous ways I have seen God's hand
at work is when I made plans to go down to West Virginia to
study. I found that all my financial aid had fallen through.
The college had called me and suggested that I call here and go
there seeking loans. I felt that God has the provisions to meet
our need. This was truly a need in my life to be there and pay
the way, and that God would see to it, as my Heavenly Father, to
meet those needs.

I was speaking in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, at a gathering of
several hundred people, most of whom I had never met before.
After I had finished speaking a woman came up to me and said,
"The Lord has just impressed upon me to give you a gift for
college." I told her that I would be running all afternoon but
that I would be home sometime later in the evening when she
could reach me. I got home about 4:00 PM and about 4:05 PM the
phone rang and she said she had gone home and called her brother
in Texas. He had picked up the phone and said, "How much do you
want me to write the check for?" Together they gave me
$2,000.00.

I called the college to confirm that I had money now to come to
school, but did not know how much it would be. I wanted to know
how much it would be for me to study there for one semester,
because I knew that my financial aid would take care of the
second semester. Also since I had grown up in a crowded house
with six children, I wanted to have my own room. I asked how
much it would cost me. He calculated the figures and came back
and said, "You will need exactly $2000.00." God is so faithful;
I have seen it so evident in my life and in the life of others.
I feel that I am so blessed!


Teresa: What happened at school that changed your life again?

Pastor Johnson: At eighteen I went to a college in southern West
Virginia and due to an accident I stayed only one year. It was
the last day of school and I fell from a second story window and
was paralyzed on my left side. About a year later God gave me
total absolute healing. I had been working for the college on
one of the professor's homes when the ladder slid away from the
wall of the house. I tried to throw myself from it but I got
caught up in the ladder. It came down and severed and crushed
the main nerves in my shoulder, my hip and my arm.

I went through massive amounts of rehabilitation at several
hospitals. Just when the therapists were ready to give up and
said that there was no use in continuing this, it was the very
next day when I began to see movements. Overnight all the
feeling, all the movements, and mobility came back, and still
continues today. I have no arthritis in those areas and no
damage. Even the extensive scars from reconstructive surgery
are not even evident. God did tremendous work.

I decided then to go to Waynesburg College where I began to
study for a Christian Education degree. After my first
semester, the program was cancelled and I transferred to a
psychology degree for the next two years at Waynesburg. Then I
transferred to the California University of Pennsylvania where I
got my Bachelor degree in Psychology and Bachelor degree in
PreLaw Philosophy.

It was during my first year at Waynesburg that I was asked to
pastor a very small Christian Church at the age of twenty. I
pastored this church for two years. I was ordained on the basis
of life experience in my denomination.


Teresa: Tell us about the church you are pastoring now?

Pastor Johnson: I am the Pastor of the North Ten Mile Baptist
Church, the oldest church in Washington County, founded in 1773.
We have the original documents of the church which are actually
older than our nation's constitution. I have been the Pastor
here for six years.

This church that I pastor is unique in that I grew up with about
a third of my membership in summer camp. They are my age and
older and having families. I stayed at their homes and palled
around with them. The older people in my church are the parents
of these friends of mine. It is great seeing all these families
worshipping together for years.

Our church is a very concentrated church on Christian education
and growing in the Word. The extent of that is far-reaching;
beside our regular Sunday School and church service we offer a
number of cottage meetings and Bible studies. These are
flexible as to the time of the people involved such as Monday
evening, Tuesday morning, and Thursday evening. We have a youth
group Bible study on Sunday night.


Teresa: What type of outreach do you have in the community?

Pastor Johnson: Our church is active in the community in several
areas. Most of our interest in the community is through
financial support of Habitat for Humanity, The Washington City
Mission, Hospice etc. The Habitat for Humanity is an
interdenominational ministry that builds and refurbishes homes
for the underemployed and those below the poverty level. The
Washington City Mission is a homeless shelter for the County.

The focus of our church's ministry is concentrated on a
Christian camp that we operate. It is located in the Laurel
Highlands near Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania. Many of our members take
a very active part in the camp and are also on the Board of
Directors. The name of the camp is "Camp Carmel Baptist Camp."


Teresa: How do you get involved with the community around the
Thanksgiving/Christmas Season of the year?

Pastor Johnson: During this Thanksgiving Season, we have an
Interdenominational Thanksgiving Service where we bring together
all the different churches of this rural area that we are in.
We get together for the purpose of fellowshipping as a
collective body of believers, praising God for the things He has
done for us. Then we go a step beyond that and give something
back to the community.

This month we will kick-off our annual Christmas Food Bank
Program, where we help to feed approximately 70 families
throughout the Christmas season. We will have fruit and
vegetables, meats and canned goods. This is culminated about a
week before Christmas. Thanksgiving time is that reflection
upon what God has done for us this past year and symbolically
bringing in the harvest of praise as well as the harvest of
first fruits. We begin by collecting those items for a few
weeks and then distribute them.


Teresa: You met someone very special at one of your revival
meetings. Who did you meet?

Pastor Johnson: I met my wife at an evangelistic revival, and we
have been married for three years. I have conducted about forty
of these revivals in the last eight years.


Teresa: Why do you have a great burden for some of the
church-going people?

Pastor Johnson: One of the areas where I have a great burden for
people, is the religious unsaved. My heart breaks for them
because I was one of them. I went along thinking that because I
was attending church and because I was doing my thing, that's
what counted; and that when God would count it up, I would have
more pluses than minuses. Then I came to discover that it is
not a matter of how good you are, it is the matter of the fact
that HE is God and died for me.

It was that experience that really has been a burden on my heart
and the Lord has moved me into areas of revival ministries in
churches to those people who are probably one of those most
difficult groups to reach because they have heard the truth and
their hearts have even been hardened to it by the devil who has
allowed them to think that just because they go through the
motions, that's all there is; that's it; that's enough! And
really what it is, is that one to one personal relationship
through Jesus Christ, made possible because He died for us. I
want to reach out to those who don't have that experience with
Christ, but have a head knowledge but not a heart knowledge.


Teresa: What would you say to the young people today?

Pastor Johnson: I would tell a young person today in the words
of Ecclesiastes. Remember now Thy Creator, in the days of your
youth. Because I find that when I talk to the older people they
say to me, "I wish I knew the Lord when I was younger." I would
have served Him more, I would have had more energy, more
commitment, more time. Young people, I believe, are given a
unique opportunity, by God, to live for HIM now and they won't
have to regret it later. I would encourage the young people
that if they are looking for fulfillment, a purpose, in a world
that is empty and shallow, then find it in the Lord, because you
won't find it anywhere else. I'm friends with millionaires; I'm
friends with entertainers; I'm friends with people who would in
the eyes of the world be considered a great success. Yet the
thing that they are a great success in is not their business,
not their profession, and not in the amount of money they make,
but in their personal commitment to Jesus Christ. That's what
makes them great.


Teresa: How should we live today in this time of economic as
well as political change?

Pastor Johnson: What people need to begin to get a grasp on and
a handle on is those things that don't change. If I look around
me seasons change, the value of the dollar changes, employers
change, people change, everything changes but one thing; and
that's God and God Alone! So the first thing people need to do,
is give up emotionally if you will, the hold they have on so
many changing things. They need to get a hold of God who does
not change. In our world today we try to handle all these
problems ourselves, but our arms are not long enough and our
hands are just not large enough. What we need to do is use our
hands for the purpose they were made for, and that is to grab
onto God and let him get a handle on everything else. It is He
who puts things in order.

The reality is that we are living in the last days and that was
never more evident, in any other time in human history. Things
are beginning to decline, morals are beginning to erode, and
it's all the signs of the times. Just because the signs are
evident, doesn't mean that we have to be changing with them. We
can remain steadfast and true like the prophets of old. Even if
we are all alone, in the midst of this world that is against us,
and not in favor of us, we must remember that we and God make a
majority. We will always be able to stand the test.


Teresa: How can the older folks be an inspiration to us?

Pastor Johnson: My wife has a real burden for the older folks.
We have discovered that the older people have such a rich
history to share. And we who are younger should do what the
scripture says and that is to sit and listen to these older
folks. Because if there is nothing else they can teach us, we
can know one thing, that God has seen these people through 80,
90 and 100 years of living. If He has seen them through it, He
can see us through it.

What an encouragement to see people who don't just read about
history but have lived it, and to be able to testify. It must
have been a great blessing in the old testament to talk to
people who lived to be 600, 700, and 800 years old, and to be
able to share how God had been faithful to them for all those
years. We often forget in our lives that God saw us through
yesterday, and is seeing us through today and will see us
through tomorrow. We often are in a trial or trouble and soon
forget what God did for us yesterday or what God did for us in
the past. But yet if we would just pause and realize that God
remains the same.


Teresa: What thoughts do you have concerning our Nation?

Pastor Johnson: I believe that the decline of our nation is also
the decline of our school system. It all parallels the fact
that God has a diminishing part of our lives. The less we give
to God of our lives the less Godliness there will be in our
world. And the two go hand in hand. Statistics prove it out,
that the day prayer was taken out of school, social problems
began to rise at an astronomical rate.

The same is true in our individual lives. The more we take God
out of our individual lives and the less control we give Him
over our own lives, the more sin rises. The more God has a hold
of us, the less hold sin will have. People need to get back to
the basics of life: the family, the Word. God instituted three
institutions; the family, the church and the government. He
created them so that they would have certain authority and
structure and responsibility. We have really messed things up
by taking God out of most of those.


Teresa: What final thought would you like to leave our readers?

Pastor Johnson: I think of my faith in these terms: If I spent
all of my life believing in God and trusting in His grace and
died and found out that there is no heaven, there is no hell,
there is no after-life, there is no condemnation, or
commendation, I have lost nothing, because I have lived a
wonderful life. I have been blessed by friends and fellowship
and a faith.

But if I lived my whole life as if there was no God; If I lived
my whole life as if there was no hell or heaven, and I died and
found out there was, I would have lost everything!


Pastor Jeffrey Johnson
North Ten Mile Baptist Church
RD 2 Box 17
Amity Pa 15311
[phone]
Ministry Profile
Ministry Profile
TRANSPORT FOR CHRIST INTERNATIONAL
Bruce Prestidge
Executive Director


When Jesus told us to pray, He was undeniably clear that we
should pray for LABORERS ... THE NEED OF THE HOUR! He didn't
say, "Pray for opportunities." Opportunities to proclaim Christ
face each of us boldly every day.

Our purpose in Transport For Christ (TFC) is to, "Win Truck
Drivers to Jesus Christ and Establish Them in Their Faith."

Dr. Ralph Winter said that the eight and one-half million truck
drivers in North America represent one of the largest groups of
unreached people in the world today. Almost every day we meet
men and women who have no religious background, who know nothing
about the Bible and yet, have a hunger for spiritual truth.
Transport For Christ is committed to meeting that need. Over
1,000 men and women receive Christ each year through the
personal ministry of Transport For Christ.

Transport For Christ was primarily a mobile ministry going from
truckstop to truckstop from 1951 to 1986. In 1986 only two of
six Mobile Chapels were in operation; an average of fifty to
sixty coming to Christ on each Chapel per year. In 1986 the
first Mobile Chapel located permanently, at the request of a
truckstop owner in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. That year one
hundred fifty truck drivers trusted Christ on that one Chapel.
The costs drastically reduced and many local people got involved
in the ministry as volunteers.

In 1987 we began recruiting new staff, asking them to raise
their own support. In 1989, from just four Chapels, over eight
hundred men and women trusted Christ and an average of three to
four thousand drivers visited each Chapel. They came in for
counseling, encouragement and worship services. TFC became a
member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability
(ECFA) in 1990. We ended the year 1991 with nine permanent
Chapels; six in the United States of America, and three in
Canada. There are twenty-five men committed to TFC; some are
full-time and others are still raising their own support.

Presently, TFC has opened six new Chapels this year. In
September alone, we opened three Chapels with one more by the
end of the year. That will give us a total of sixteen Chapels.
We thank God for each and every one of them. Think how many men
and women we will be able to reach out to this year alone!

Our goal is to place one hundred permanent Chapels by the year
2000. It cost nearly $100,000.00 to build, staff and administer
a Chapel the first year. One hundred Chapels will allow us to
minister to between 300,000 and 400,000 drivers each year and
see between 10,000 and 15,000 trust Christ as their Savior. We
are now getting invitations by truckstop owners who are willing
to underwrite a significant part of the construction cost,
provide meals for the Chaplains and cover the liability
insurance. All other expenses are covered by individual
contributions.

The Highway News and Good News magazine has a current
circulation of 40,000 per month. It is a sixteen page
publication distributed to truckers free of charge. In the
first six months of 1992 alone, over seventy sent in decision
slips indicating a first time commitment to Christ through the
magazine.

It is the desire of Transport For Christ to form a partnership
with the local church. We anticipate having several hundred
Affiliate Churches working hand in hand with TFC, joined to the
common purpose, "To Win Truck Drivers to Jesus Christ and
Establish Them in Their Faith."

TRANSPORT FOR CHRIST AND YOU

What can the local church do to begin to reach out to the
millions of truck drivers who travel the highways of North
America? The task may sound impossible but to God "... all
things are possible."

Within this partnership between Transport For Christ and the
Affiliate Church is an open exchange of needs and ideas. We
both are joining together for one common purpose, "Winning Truck
Drivers to Jesus Christ and Establishing Them in Their Faith."

CURRENT NEEDS:

STAFF SUPPORT - Our Staff Chaplains each raise their own
support. They must each go out among their friends and local
churches, sharing their vision and their needs. A Chaplain must
have 70% of his finances raised before he can go on staff full
time.

MOBILE CHAPEL FUND - This fund is used to cover the cost of
construction and maintenance of our Mobile Chapels along with
furnishing it with Bibles and follow-up material.

INTERNATIONAL OFFICE SUPPORT - The International Office is in
need of funds to enable the Executive Director to visit various
Bible Schools and Seminary campuses to recruit future staff from
among the older graduating students. Staff training, follow-up
correspondence, and developing relationships with truckstop
owners are but a few of the needs for which resources need to be
developed. Currently, TFC has more opportunities to place
Chapels than we have staff for the Chapels. Laborers is still
the crying need in TFC as well as throughout the Body of Christ.

CHURCH VOLUNTEERS - It is our intention to have two full-time
Chaplains on staff at each of our locations. They will work
seven days on and seven days off. At this current time, most of
our Chapels only have one full-time Chaplain. We are in great
need for that second full-time staff Chaplain. In the meantime,
we need volunteers to step forward and give some time on the
Chapel to give our staff the time off that they need to be with
their own families.

WHAT ELSE CAN THE LOCAL CHURCH DO?

Your church may not be in an area that is close to a TFC Chapel
but there is a truckstop nearby. You have truck drivers in your
congregation and you would like to minister to them. The
following is a list of different things that churches are now
doing throughout the country to meet the needs of their local
drivers:

1. Hold a service somewhere drivers congregate (truckstops, rest
areas, truck terminals or loading areas, etc.).

2. Minister one on one with drivers whenever possible.

3. Provide tracts and the Highway News and Good News magazine
where drivers can pick them up.

4. Provide your Sunday services on cassette to the drivers. (One
church makes 20 copies a week and gives them away at a local
truckstop.)

5. Provide transportation to your church services from the
truckstops.

6. Have someone on call to pray with, counsel, and help truckers
in need.

7. Develop a ministry to the families of local drivers, helping
them in emergencies when dad is miles away.

8. Help the truckstop deal with stranded motorists and homeless.
This will develop a good relationship with the truckstop
management and employees; they need the Lord as well. (A good
relationship between church and truckstop can help keep
pornography and gambling out of your community.)

These are just a few ideas. Your group may develop others as
they get involved and listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit.

If your church will begin an outreach just to the drivers that
live in or drive through your community, then we can begin to
have an impact on the 8 1/2 million drivers in North America.
It can only be done if each one of us begins to do our part.
Will you let your church join with TFC to begin to reach this
dynamic industry for the Lord?

This kind of ministry can: turn the focus of your church
"outward" toward a lost world outside the doors, help fulfill
the Great Commission, create a setting by which church members
can respond to God's call into full-time ministry, give every
person the opportunity to be involved in evangelism, provide a
platform for mission's teaching to the church, and bring God's
blessing to an "evangelistic" church.

I would like to ask you to prayerfully consider Transport For
Christ as worthy of your financial investment through your
missions program. Your support will assist us greatly as we
seek to give ourselves fully to "Winning Truck Drivers to Jesus
Christ."

I trust this glimpse into Transport For Christ is helpful.
Thank you for considering Transport For Christ in your budget.
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to
contact me personally.


(Editors note: For more information about TFC, please see the
Testimony and Feature areas of this issue of Morning Star.)

Transport for Christ International
Bruce Prestidge, Executive Director
P.O. Box 303
Denver, Pennsylvania 17517-0303
Phone [phone] FAX [phone]

Canada Address:
Box 2321
Clearbrook, BC V2T 4X2
Phone (Canada) [phone]
Education
Education
THE BATTLE OVER VALUES IN SCHOOL

The following is from the Christian School Comment newsletter
written by Dr. Paul A. Kienel, Executive Director of the
Association of Christian schools International based in La
Mirada, California.

We, in Christian school education, should not gloat over the
struggle public school educators are having with moral values.
They have a problem we do not have. They are caught in a system
without a moral base and have no moral "bottom line." The
"moral ozone" is depleting all around them but unless laws are
changed at the state and federal level they cannot appropriate,
study, or otherwise defer to moral absolutes as defined by God
in the Bible. Officially and legally these educators are
restrained from utilizing biblical morality. They are
restricted to synthetic man-made morality which inevitably leads
to squabbles about which man's (or woman's) morality will
prevail. Quite frankly, my heart goes out to them because they
are trapped in a moral "black hole" with no way out. Short of a
national spiritual awakening where lawmakers change laws and
lift the ban on Bible-based morality in the public schools,
there is no hope. They need our prayers. The spiritual well
being of 41 million students is at stake!

Thankfully, a growing number of public school educators and
education professors realize there is a problem but their focus,
regretfully, is NOT on the Word of God as the solution.

Gary Adams, a writer for The Los Angeles Times, reported the
following:

This month Boston College education professor William K.
Kilpatrick will issue a manifesto calling for widespread
teaching of character education, mainly by using great works of
literature from various cultures as vehicles for moral
instruction.

Citing a variety of sources, Kilpatrick notes that each year,
nearly 3 million crimes are committed on or near school
property, about 135,000 students carry guns to school and that
21% of all secondary school students avoid using school
restrooms because they fear harm or intimidation.

Thomas Lickona, an education professor at the State University
of New York and author of last year's "Educating for Character,"
notes that within the last three to four years "virtually every
state education department" has issued recommendations that
schools teach character education.

But Lickona is skeptical that reading great books alone can
build great character.

"I just consulted with a school this week where the kids are
reading all the great literature and they're robbing each other
blind," he says. 1

As the moral dilemma of the public schools deepens more and
more, articles documenting the problem are appearing in major
publications. The following statement appeared recently in a
full-page article in The Wall Street Journal:

In the 1960s, many educators decided that teaching clear moral
lessons was strong. Values, they said, were relative and
personal. Instead of being taught right from wrong, children
should go through "values clarification" exercises that helped
them understand their values, no matter what they were.
Aspiring to be either a saint or an ax murderer was all right,
as long as you knew what your values were.

... teachers were told that all values were relative and
personal. Many texts with moral messages of right and wrong
were supplanted by values-neutered texts. One commonly used
textbook described the Pilgrims not as seekers of religious
freedom but as "people who take long trips."

"Schools didn't want to indoctrinate children," says University
of Illinois values education expert Edward A. Wynne.

Instead, schools turned to "values clarification" - often
exercises that tried to get children to figure out and embrace
their own values, no matter what they were.

Typical were exercises where children were told that World War
III was beginning, and only six of ten individuals, whose
personality traits were described, could enter the fallout
shelter. If the child said the ax murderer should live and the
nun should die, that was fine. Some teachers, notes Gary
Edwards of the Ethics Resource Center, began questioning, "What
would we say to the little Charlie Manson who clarified his
values?"

"Teachers have recognized that they have to do something, or not
live through their classes. Pluralistic societies need common
values or tribalism takes over," he warns. 2

In the 1960s public school educators drifted into "values
clarification" because they were misled by nonbiblical thinkers
who convinced them that mankind, including children, comes into
the world with a human nature that is basically good. Since
Johnny's nature is already good, they said, who are we as
parents and educators trying to impose our values on a child who
is already good and on his or her way to getting better and
better.

Dale Stringer, associate superintendent of schools in Clovis,
California said recently, "Values are the underpinning of
everything we do."3 Clearly, the public school community is
backing away from their "no values" position to acknowledging
the need for values in education, but the federal ban on the
Bible as a moral base for values leaves them in a quagmire of
whose values are to be taught.

Let their dilemma be a lesson to us in Christian school
education. One of the oldest traditional values of our country
is a high regard for the Holy Scriptures. Dr. Kenneth O. Gangel
provides the following illustration:

During pioneer days, the American west kept in touch with the
established portion of the country through the Pony Express, a
1900-mile trail from St. Joseph, Missouri to Sacramento,
California. Forty men, each riding fifty miles a day, utilized
500 of the best horses in the west to make the journey in ten
days. Their clothing was light - their saddles thin. The horses
wore small shoes or none at all. Yet each man carried a
full-sized Bible presented to him when he joined the Pony
Express team. 4

The public school community cannot use the Bible as their moral
point of reference but we can. Let's not shrink for one moment
from our mission to provide our students with a strong academic
program which is fully integrated with Bible-based morality.
Our 26th president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt,
said it best, "To educate a person in mind and not in morals is
to educate a menace to society."

1. Gary Adams, "Building Better Characters," The Los Angeles
   Times, October 1, 1992, P. 2.

2. Sonia L. Nazario, "Right and Wrong," The Wall Street Journal,
   September 11, 1992, B-6.

3. Ibid.

4. Kenneth O. Gangel, (Forward) Handbook for Christian Living,
   Thomas Nelson publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 1991.
Testimony
Testimony
WHY THE MINISTRY WORKS

Transport for Christ is in the mainstream of a trucker's life.
Trained and dedicated Chaplains are on duty at the Mobile Chapel
24 hours a day - 365 days a year. They provide counseling,
encouragement and worship services for truck drivers.


Testimonies of a few truck drivers are as follows:

KEN:
"I ran into this church on wheels by accident when I decided to
pull into this truck stop in Elkton, Maryland. When I realized
it was a church, I walked in just to get some answers from the
Chaplain on why I have been running from myself for such a long
time," said Ken Faircloth, of Maryland. Today, Ken is free from
a 15-year drug addiction and has given his habit and life to
Christ.

SHELBY:
"It's a long, lonely road out there and driving truck is
challenging," said Shelby Stone of North Carolina. "Transport
for Christ understands - they're right there with you. The
Chaplain was also a former truck driver and he knew exactly what
I was going through," she said. For many years, Shelby had been
trying to pick up the pieces after an alcoholic spouse shattered
their marriage. TFC made a difference by understanding, which
helped her to accept Christ and give her burdens to Him.

BOB:
"I'm very involved in the ministry of Transport for Christ and I
can tell you it is greatly needed," confirmed Bob Stevenson,
Ontario, Canada. "My personal thanks to TFC for all you are to
the truck driver." Many Christian drivers spend days and weeks
away from home, family and church. The ministry of Transport
for Christ helps to encourage and strengthen the Christian
trucker while they are on the road.


Following are a few excerpts from recent logs kept by the TFC
Chaplains:

BRIAN:
I was going around the parking lot inviting drivers into the
Chapel.
I stopped to talk with Brian. He had several questions
concerning the Bible. I answered them the best I could. He had
more questions about what it meant to be a real Christian. I
presented the plan of salvation from the Bible. Brian said yes
to Jesus and invited Him into his heart. He joined us later for
services in the Chapel - truly changed. He said he would be
seeing us again soon.

FRANK:
Frank came into the chapel around 9:15 at night. He said that
he was very mixed up - depressed and stressed out. We talked
until late. We talked about many things - about his childhood,
how his mother was very difficult to talk to. He had much anger
in his life. He and his brothers don't talk to each other.
He's having problems with his dispatcher at the company he works
with. He lives in a pick-up truck camper. I listened while he
talked. Frank is a believer - so I shared with him that he
needs to forgive his family for their failures and make sure
that his relationship with God is right. Pray for Frank.

GENE:
Gene came in with much heaviness and anger. He is experiencing
real difficulties in his marriage and feels like people are just
using him. After much discussion and sharing, I showed Gene the
plan of salvation
from the Bible. Gene prayed and felt a great release with much
joy and tears as he left for his next destination. Thanks be to
God for ministering to so many hurting people on the roads.

LAWRENCE:
Lawrence came into the Chapel about midnight after a rather
quiet day. I first met Lawrence about two years ago when he
came to a chapel in a desperate state. I saw him twice after
that time but had not seen him in about a year. I recently
wrote him a letter to let him know that I was thinking about him
and to encourage him. He came into the Chapel to thank me for
the letter and to let me know that we had pretty much saved his
life two years ago. We talked 'til 2:00 in the morning. It is
so encouraging to see how Jesus can deliver lives. Thank you
Lord.


(Editor's note: The following testimony is from a man who has
felt the love of God in his life and is willing to share it with
others. He was led by the Lord to minister to the truck
drivers.)


HOW FAR DOES GOD'S LOVE REACH?

By Chaplain Jay LeRette


How far does God's love reach? For me it took six years in
jails, prisons and mental institutions to quit trying to live
life on my own and to submit my life to God's love.

I had one month to go and I knew that the way I was living was a
complete waste. I reached down to a little Gideon New
Testament and I read where Christ died for me while I was still
a sinner. It really spoke to my heart to know that I had such a
loving Father who loved me so much even with the condition I was
in.

Can it be true? Did God really love me as rotten as I was?
Even in that jail cell, God heard my prayer. Lord Jesus, I ask
you to forgive me for living life on my own and I just pray that
you will forgive me and cleanse me and set me free. Since that
prayer, I have been free by the power of Jesus Christ.

In that jail cell, I could feel the glory of God and His love
and I could feel His forgiveness. I knew He was a merciful God
and I knew He had a plan for my life.

After my release from jail, I began to work at a local factory
in northern Illinois. While there, I met my wife Karen, and
began to share my faith with others and led a local Bible study.
I also began to minister at the local jail and nursing home.
But I was still looking for God to do something special in my
life.

Shortly after this time, I was hurt in an industrial accident.
The company terminated me after this point because of my back
condition. Now I found myself with a wife and three children
out on the street with nothing. It was really a time that we
had to put our trust in Jesus.

God provided me a backhoe and a truck and I began to do some
dirt work in the area. It was an odd job here and a little
carpentry there and it all led to the business I have to this
day. But God still had more for me.

A couple of men from my church heard about Transport for Christ
from the Focus on the Family radio program and felt that TFC was
the place for me. So the church got together and sent me to
Pennsylvania to take a closer look at TFC. I went out, but I
really wasn't interested. I'm not a trucker and I didn't
understand the things that drivers go through. How could I
minister to them?

It didn't take me long to learn. I finally made it to bed that
first night on the Chapel at 2:00 A.M. I was worn out but I
didn't want to leave. I was afraid I might miss something
special, several drivers had already come to the Lord. As I was
lying there, I began to weep at the prospect that God would use
someone like myself to see men and women come to the saving
knowledge of Jesus Christ.

I am so happy to share with others, what Jesus has done in my
life. I love people so much because I am so glad that someone
loved me enough to share Jesus Christ with me. It is an extreme
privilege for me to go out and do the same thing.

It has been two years now and I am ready to go to work full-time
at the new Chapel at the Rochelle Petro, near Chicago, Illinois.
Please continue to pray for me and my family. God bless you
all!

(Editor's note: For more information on Transport for Christ,
please see the Ministry Profile and the Feature area in this
issue of Morning Star.)

Transport for Christ International
c/o Jay LeRette
P.O. Box 303
Denver, Pennsylvania 17517-0303
Praise and Prayer
Praise and Prayer
PRAISE AND PRAYER is our international prayer link column. Send
your praise report or prayer request to MORNING STAR for
publication in our next issue. Call on your brothers and
sisters worldwide and together we will call on God!


PRAISE REPORTS:

Pastor John of New York thanks all the Brothers and Sisters and
most importantly, God Almighty, for answered prayers in the
family. Please keep his parents and nephew's wife in prayer for
their salvation.

Thank the Lord that Richard of PA has recovered completely from
the infection he had following surgery of a gangrenous gall
bladder.

Karen Kay offers praise to the Lord for her pastor who went to
India for 3 weeks. Many people were healed, and many have
accepted Jesus as Lord!

William thanks the Lord for providing financial help to his
school.

Bonnie thanks the Lord for the job that has been provided for
her daughter.

Diane in Texas praises the Lord for a friend who has recommited
her life to the Lord.


PRAYER REQUESTS:

Churches in Ft. Worth, Texas, have scheduled retreats for men on
Nov. 6 & 7th, 1992. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will raise
up our men, in our churches, and our nation to take their
Biblical place of holiness, leadership and honor.

Pray for Walter in Texas for wisdom and tact in dealing with a
circumstance on the job. Pray that a new Chief will be chosen
in his department so that Walter can return to his regular job.

Pray for Wanda's nephew Billy in Florida. Pray that the Lord
will lead and protect him in every way.

Pray for Lyle's father in California who is dying of cancer.

Pray for J. L. Garland who is dying of cancer and Barbara A. who
is undergoing chemo for cancer after surgery.

Pray for "N's" sister in Florida who is pregnant. She needs a
healing touch from the Lord, both physical and spiritual.

Pray for Betty's sister in Maryland who is going through a
serious crisis now and needs prayer. Pray also for Betty's
friend who started drinking again after 3 1/2 yrs of being
alcohol free.

Thomas from N.C. asks for prayer concerning the affect the Media
has on our society.

Pray for Jane of CA. for her physical and spiritual needs.

Pray for Don, Alice and Dominic who need jobs in California.

Pray for Pastor Geoff Kragen. The church board, at their
meeting this week, will be discussing bringing him on full time.
This will allow him to give up his part time job allowing him to
have more administrative time as well as more time for his
message preparation and work on Morning Star. They also want to
add a support group for adult victims of childhood sexual abuse
and this will allow him to do that too.

Rob asks for prayer. He and his wife have been apart for 9
months but the Lord has kept her from getting a divorce, and she
is seeking His will. He covets all the prayers they can get for
intercession and submission to His will.

Steven asks for prayer for trouble he is having at work right
now. He needs the Lord to change some bad habits that he has
and needs HIM also to change some people at work. He also
requests help for his future housing as he is in the process of
selling his house of five years in a very tough market.

Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem (Psalm 122:6).
CFI Reports
CFI Reports
CFI REPORTS is our monthly column dedicated to the ministries of
CHRISTIAN FRIENDS OF ISRAEL in Jerusalem. Our October 1991
issue of MORNING STAR (Volume 1.1) presented a summary of the
various CFI ministries and explained the foundational principles
and objectives of CFI.

In this issue, we feature the monthly WATCHMAN'S PRAYER LETTER
from Jerusalem as well as a wonderful video and T-shirt offer
from CFI.

-------------------------

WATCHMAN'S PRAYER LETTER - OCTOBER 1992


As Watchmen on the walls for the nation of Israel, we have been
given an opportunity to step into the breach for Israel through
our prayers. True, earnest prayer can change circumstances. Its
clear characteristic is that it is persistent and earnest
because an effective intercessor keeps a focus in mind and does
not give up quickly. Effective prayer costs time and strength.
"... to pray correctly means to keep on praying until God
answers". (Praying Hyde). This is the Jewish New Year of 5753.
In home ceremonies around Israel the following theme will be
emphasized according to the Rabbinic forum of the United Jewish
Appeal, "Awake, sleepers from your sleep, arise slumberers from
your slumber". An awakening is being prayed for this year. Won't
you join in persevering prayer with the Jewish people at this
time? An hour of true intercession for Israel will call us away
from all worldly cares, bidding us to the Father's throne in
petition to Him on behalf of His beloved Israel. As you take
your station waiting upon the Lord, may your spirit burn within
to see Israel return and awaken.


Freezing home building in Judea, Samaria and Gaza seems a major
commitment the new Government of Israel is determined to keep.
Promises of only partial withdrawal without additional promises
of towns and villages not having to be abandoned have not yet
been made. Difficult and arduous "peace talks" continue with
Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk Shara reiterating a traditional
Syrian demand for complete Israeli withdrawal from the whole of
the Golan. He has yet to mention that the purpose of the peace
talks is for a "peace treaty" with Israel.

INTERCEDE for the inhabitants in the villages on the Golan to
look to God for help in this difficult time. "At that day shall
a man look to His Maker, and his eyes shall have respect to the
Holy One of Israel" (Isaiah 17:7).

PRAY that Israeli outposts watching Damascus will not be caught
off guard by any surprise attack from Syria. The Golan is
traversable in one hour and missiles would reach Israel in
seconds if launched. Pray for Israeli soldiers to know that God
is their true Defense. "Unto thee, O My Strength, will I sing:
for God is my Defense ...". (Psalm 59:17).

LAY HOLD on God's promises for the people of Israel to possess
the Land which God gave as an ongoing possession. May the
Counsels of God be acknowledged. "For all the Land which thou
seest, to thee (Abraham) will I (God) give it (Israel) and to
thy seed (the Jewish people) forever. (Genesis 13:15; Amos
9:14-15).

PRAY EARNESTLY that Israel will not be deceived by Syria's
delegates to the "peace talks". Smirks have been exchanged for
smiles, cold rudeness to affable handshakes (butter & oil) when
no actual change in the Syrian position of "withdrawal from all
occupied territories" has been made. "The words of his mouth
were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart, his words
were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords." (Psalm 55:
21) .

PLEAD GOD'S MERCY for a halt to the feverish pace of the
Damascus arms build-up of nuclear weapons which indicates (by
its deeds) that it is preparing for Israel's destruction. Read
Isaiah 17:1.

Immigration also has a direct influence on the peace process as
it has shattered the Arab illusion that Israel was a temporary
phenomenon that would disappear from the region in the future.

STAND BOLDLY against lies and spreading of misinformation such
as that the immigrants are settled in Judea and Samaria when
truthfully only one percent live in the territories. "But the
king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall
glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped."
(Psalm 63:11)

INTERCEDE for the 250 Bosnian Jews with whom the Jewish Agency
has lost contact. Pray that they will be found. There are 300
Ashkenazi Jews in Sukhumi who are in danger and 180,000 Jews
living in Moslem dominated republics of the former Soviet Union
who need to get to Israel. May they safely reach their borders.
"And there is hope in thine end, saith the Lord, that thy
children shall come again to their own border." (Jeremiah 31:17).

Should a sudden tidal wave of immigration from the former Soviet
Union take place, please pray that ministries such as Christian
Friends of Israel and others will be prepared to help meet the
tremendous challenges that the new immigrants will face once
they arrive. Pray we will help to get them home and help them
once they are here. "... I will lift up mine hand to the
Gentiles ... and they shall bring thy sons in their arms, and
thy daughters will be carried upon their shoulders." (Isaiah
49:22). "And the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls
...". (Isaiah 60:10).

PREVAIL WITH GOD for an increase in numbers of Jewish people
living in the nations to leave lives of ease and comfort to obey
the call from the Lord to "come home". When they hear the "inner
whistle in the heart", may they obey. "And He will lift up an
ensign to the nations from far, and will hiss unto them from the
end of the earth: and, behold, they shall come with speed
swiftly." (Isaiah 5:26).

In Israel, many have turned from the God of Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob and the Rock of their Strength and Salvation. Because of
this, Israel is facing widespread drug dealing, addiction, waves
of thefts, robberies and greed. Words of concern from the Prime
Minister of Israel has recently said: "...in the
once-compassionate Jewish heart, I find too much
argumentativeness and too little concern for one's fellow man.
What has happened to us?". This statement expresses a real need
for sincere prayer.

PRAY SINCERELY for "every man to speak truth to his neighbor,
and to execute the judgment of truth and desire peace in his
gates." (Zechariah 8:16).

EARNESTLY PRESS THROUGH IN PRAYER for the Jewish people to
respond to the sounds of the shofar (Joel 2:1) by meeting their
responsibility to the God of Israel humbling themselves (as we
all need to do), turning from their wicked was so that God can
heal their Land. "If my people, which are called by my name,
shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn
from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will
forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (II Chronicles
7:14).

THE ROSH HASHANAH 5753 HOME CEREMONY READS AS SUCH:

"For centuries Jews have been awakened by the yearly call of the
shofar, which arouses in us our sense of responsibility to G-d,
the Torah and the Nation of Israel ... we are awakened by the
sound of history, a sound as loud and piercing as the Tekiah,
Shevarim and Teruah ..."

Tekiah: The sound of the redemption of Ethiopian Jewry as the
last remnants are being brought to Israel.

Shevarim: The sound of more than 350,000 Jews from the C.I.S.
who have been ingathered during the past three years.

Teruah: In spite of the threatening sounds of anti-semitism, we
are hearing new sound of Jewish vitality in centers throughout
Eastern Europe. May these sounds lead to a spiritual awakening ..

In Messiahs Love,
Sharon Sanders, Jerusalem


Please copy and disseminate this prayer material as far and wide
as possible to the Body of Christ for prayer purposes. For
further information on building the Wall of Prayer, Write to
CFI.

Street Address:
P O Box 1813
Jerusalem 91015 ISRAEL
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

_________________________________________________________________

Christian Friends of Israel presents ...

STANDING WITH ISRAEL


We are pleased to announce the completion of a 41-minute video
on the ministry of CFI in Israel. This project has been under
consideration for some time awaiting God's clear confirmation.
The Lord made provision for the undertaking and we believe this
video's impact will awaken many believers to the opportunity of
blessing Israel.

The ministry of CFI has grown substantially during the past
three years and it seemed to us a video was the best medium to
communicate the many facets of the work. We have attempted to
portray the heart of the ministry through interviews with
Russian and Ethiopian immigrants, Holocaust survivors and
Israelis who have received assistance through CFI. The
Distribution Center and Ministry Office are both featured along
with interviews of staff and volunteers whom the Lord have
called to Israel to minister His unconditional love for the
people of the Land.

We encourage you to purchase this video for sharing with those
who have a heart for Israel and the Jewish people. The cost is
$15 US or Foreign Currency Equivalent, which includes postage.
Please complete the order form below and return to our Jerusalem
office.


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your Jewish friends in your home town? To order one, write to us
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and short sleeves available in beautiful powder blue with the
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Music Column
Music Column
SONGS OF PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING
By Teresa Giordanengo


"Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts
with praise; be thankful unto Him, and bless His name. For the
Lord is good; His mercy is everlasting: and His truth endureth
to all generations" (Psalm 100:4-5).

Thanksgiving is the name of a day set aside each year to remind
our nation how much we owe our Maker. From the very first
Thanksgiving celebration, when the Pilgrims settled in America,
there was much to be thankful for. One of Charles Wesley's
hymns wishes for a "thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer's
praise." We should at least use the one we have, to the best of
our ability!

A thankful spirit, both for the good and the difficult, is one
of the important indicators of a believer's spiritual condition.
A grateful person is a happy one. As August Ludwig Storm
wrote, in his first stanza of "Thanks To God For My Redeemer":

Thanks, O God, for boundless mercy from Thy gracious throne
above; thanks for ev'ry need provided from the fullness of Thy
love! Thanks for daily toil and labor and for rest when shadows
fall; thanks for love of friend and neighbor and Thy goodness
unto all!

I like the traditional hymn that children love to sing in Sunday
school. Their faces are beaming with huge smiles and sparkling
eyes as they sing and clap their hands to "Praise Him". The
song says to Praise Him, Praise Him ... Praise Him in the
morning, Praise Him at the noon-time. Praise Him, Praise Him
... Praise Him when the sun goes down. The additional verses
are, Love Him ... Serve Him ... and Thank Him.

Yes, I believe that singing warms the heart and smiles are
contagious.

We SHOULD be happy ... we have much to be thankful for and we
know that we have been redeemed and that Heaven is our future
home. I am sure we all remember the chorus, "Thank you, Lord"
by Seth and Bessie Sykes. Let's sing it together ... :

Thank You, Lord, for saving my soul; Thank You, Lord, for making
me whole; Thank You, Lord, for giving to me ... Thy great
salvation so rich and free.

How about this one! "I Love You, Lord" by Laurie Klein. When
was the last time we told the Lord that we loved Him? Here are
the words to this lovely chorus:

I love you, Lord, ... and I lift my voice ... To worship You; O
my soul, rejoice! Take joy, my King ... in what You hear: ...
May it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear.

No Thanksgiving Day service seems to be complete without the
singing of this traditional Dutch hymn, whose author is unknown.
I am sure you remember these words to the hymn, "We Gather
Together":

We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing, He chastens and
hastens His will to make known; The wicked oppressing now cease
from distressing, Sing praises to His name-He forgets not His
own.

An excellent way to memorize scripture is by setting the words
to music. I have many favorites, but the one that comes to mind
concerning thanksgiving is this one, taken from I Thessalonians
5:16-18:

In everything give thanks, this is the will of God. In
everything give thanks, this is the will of God. In everything
give thanks, this is the will of God, In Christ Jesus,
concerning you.

The words go on to say that we should pray without ceasing and
that we should rejoice evermore in Christ Jesus!

J.S. Bach said that the aim and final reason for all music
should be nothing else but the glory of God and the refreshment
of the spirit. To give glory to God should be the greatest
desire of every Christian. This reminds me of the beautiful
hymn, "To God be the Glory", written by Fanny J. Crosby. One of
the stanzas is:

To God be the glory-great things He has done! So loved He the
world that He gave us His Son, Who yielded His life an atonement
for sin,
And opened the lifegate that all may go in.

Chorus: Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, let the earth hear His
voice! Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, let the people
rejoice! O come to the Father thru Jesus the Son, and give Him
the glory-great things He hath done!

There are many aspects of our life and world that we take for
granted at times. It could be our health, family, friends,
home, our country, and even life itself. The hymn "For the
Beauty of the Earth" written by Folliott S. Pierpoint, lists
some of God's blessings to us, as in the first stanza:

For the beauty of the earth, For the glory of the skies, For the
love which from our birth, Over and around us lies. Lord of
all, to thee we raise, This our hymn of grateful praise.

Throughout the Bible, singing is often spoken of as a "sacrifice
of joy" or a "sacrifice of praise". Hebrews 13:15 says that "By
him (Jesus Christ) therefore let us offer the sacrifice of
praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving
thanks to his name." The last stanza of "For the Beauty of the
Earth" reminds me of this scripture verse:

For Thy Church that evermore, Lifteth holy hands above, Offering
up on every shore, Her pure sacrifice of love. Lord of all, to
Thee we raise, This our hymn of grateful praise.

A beautiful hymn, that reminds us to be thankful in whatever
situation we find ourselves, was written by Lanny Wolfe; "In
Everything Give Thanks":

In everything, give Him thanks, give Him thanks; ... In
everything give Him thanks; ... In the good times, praise His
name, In the bad times, do the same; ... In everything, give the
King of Kings all the thanks!

We thank the Lord for the many blessings that are ours. Most of
all we thank God for sending Jesus. Thank you Jesus for being
willing to come to earth and die on the cross to redeem us. We
know that where you are, someday we will be also. Thank you for
sticking closer than a brother, for your word says that you will
never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

We are grateful to God for this privilege of proclaiming His
message. May this be a time when we all truly pause to remember
and to thank God for the enormous blessings we have received in
this land. May we commit ourselves afresh and anew to a
spiritual revival in America!
Chef's Corner
Chef's Corner
A TRADITIONAL HARVEST FEAST

THANKSGIVING just wouldn't be the same without the turkey - it's
been an American tradition ever since the first Thanksgiving at
Plymouth colony. The following recipes will serve six people.
To prepare, wash a 12 to 14-pound turkey in cold running water.
Pat the inside dry with paper toweling; leave the outside moist.
Sprinkle the inside cavities with salt and pepper. In a large
saucepan, heat 1 cup butter or margarine. Add 1 cup chopped
onion and cook until onion is tender but not brown. Add 4 cups
water, 1 cup orange juice, 3 tablespoons grated orange rind, 4
cups chopped celery, 2 tablespoons salt, and 1 teaspoon poultry
seasoning. Bring to a boil and stir in 5 1/3 cups packaged
precooked rice. Cover and remove from heat. Let stand for 5
minutes. Add 1/2 cup chopped parsley. Fluff with fork. Stuff
rice mixture in neck and body cavities of turkey. Fasten neck
skin to body with skewer. Place turkey, breast side up, on rack
in shallow open roasting pan. Cover with a loose tent of
aluminum foil if desired. Bake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit for 4
hours and 30 minutes of cooking time. If you wish, gravy may be
prepared from turkey drippings. If you plan your cooking
schedule so that the turkey has 15 to 20 minutes to set after
being removed from oven, carving will be much easier.

To prepare BAKED TANGERINES, make eight vertical cuts in the
tangerine skin from blossom end to about one inch from the
bottom. Pull peel down; turn pointed ends in. Remove white
membrane from fruit. Loosen sections at center; pull apart
slightly. Place in baking pan. Fill center of each tangerine
with 1 teaspoon sugar and dot with 1 teaspoon butter. Pour 2/3
cup orange juice over tangerines. Bake in 325-degree oven for
30 minutes. Spoon a small amount of Orange-Cranberry Relish in
center of each and serve with turkey.

ORANGE-CRANBERRY RELISH is good, not only with Baked Tangerines,
but by itself as a side dish. It can be prepared several weeks
before your dinner. Quarter two oranges and remove seeds.
Force orange with peel and 4 cups fresh cranberries through food
chopper. Add 2 cups sugar and mix well. Chill in refrigerator
for several hours before serving. Relish will keep in
refrigerator for several weeks.

BRUSSEL SPROUTS ROYAL combines the flavors of water chestnuts
and brussel sprouts into an exciting vegetable dish. Halve the
larger sprouts of two 10-ounce packages frozen brussel sprouts.
Drain one 5-ounce can of water chestnuts, reserving liquid.
Dice chestnuts. Add enough water to chestnut juice to make 1
cup liquid. Pour liquid into saucepan. Add 2 teaspoons salt, 1
teaspoon sugar, and 1/2 cup snipped parsley. Bring to a boil.
Add brussel sprouts. Simmer, covered, for 8 to 10 minutes.
Drain off liquid; toss in 1/4 cup butter and diced chestnuts.
Simply delicious!

Another great flavor combination is CAULIFLOWER WITH ALMONDS.
To prepare, steam one large cauliflower for 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, saute 1/2 cup slivered almonds, 1 cup soft bread
crumbs, and one minced garlic clove in 4 tablespoons butter
until almonds are golden and crumbs crisp. Serve the sauce over
cauliflower.

PUMPKIN CHIFFON PIE is the traditional Thanksgiving favorite.
Beat 3 egg yolks and 1/2 cup sugar until thick. Add 1 1/4 cups
canned pumpkin, 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon
ginger, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg. Cook in
double boiler until thick. Then add one envelope unflavored
gelatin softened in 1/4 cup cold water. Stir until gelatin
dissolves. Beat 3 egg whites with 1/2 cup sugar until stiff.
Add to pumpkin mixture. Pour into a 9-inch pie shell. Chill
until set. If desired, top with sweetened whipped cream before
serving.

ORANGE CREPES are sure to please everyone! Beat three eggs and
two egg yolks together. Add 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup orange juice,
2 tablespoons salad oil, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 3/4 teaspoon
salt, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1 teaspoon grated orange rind.
Beat until smooth. Let stand at room temperature for at least
one hour. Then brush a hot 7 or 8-inch skillet lightly with
salad oil. Pour 2 tablespoons batter onto skillet. Tip skillet
so that mixture covers the bottom evenly. Batter will set
immediately into a thin, lacy pancake. Cook for about 15 to 20
seconds until brown. Loosen with spatula and flip over. Brown
other side and turn crepe out onto foil or waxed paper. Repeat
until all batter is used.

To prepare the ORANGE SAUCE that gives these crepes their
delightful flavor and texture, cream 1/2 cup soft butter with
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar and 1 tablespoon grated orange
rind. Gradually blend in 3 tablespoons grenadine. Spread about
1/2 teaspoon of this mixture over each crepe, spreading it on
the last-browned side. Roll up crepes so that the side first
browned - the most attractive side - shows. Place the rest of
the butter mixture in a large chafing dish. Add 1/3 cup orange
juice. Heat in dish until bubbly. Add rolled crepes and heat,
spooning sauce over top. Add 1 cup orange sections, and heat
for two or three minutes longer.

LEFTOVER TURKEY DELIGHT features the flavors of Italian cooking
in a certain-to-please dish. Combine one 1-pound 12-ounce can
tomatoes, and 2 1/4 cups tomato juice, 1/4 cup cooking oil, 1/4
cup chopped onion, 1/4 cup chopped green pepper, 1 teaspoon
salt, and 1 teaspoon garlic salt in a large saucepan. Stir in 1
cup long grain rice. Cover and bring to a boil. Add two
9-ounce packages frozen artichoke hearts -thawed- 3 to 4 cups
diced cooked turkey, and 1/2 cup sliced stuffed green olives.
Turn into a 3-quart casserole dish or into two small casserole
dishes. Cover and bake, stirring occasionally, in a 350-degree
oven for 1 hour and 25 minutes or until rice is tender. Garnish
with stuffed green olives. (NOTE: This dish may be frozen after
baking and served later, if desired.)

MINCEMEAT CAKE may be prepared weeks in advance, wrapped in
foil, and refrigerated. Combine 1 cup mincemeat, 1 cup chopped
walnuts or pecans, 1 teaspoon orange juice and 1 teaspoon
vanilla. In a separate bowl, blend 1 cup mayonnaise with 1 1/2
cups buttermilk. Into this mixture sift 3 1/4 cups sifted
flour, 1 1/2 cups sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and 3/4 teaspoon soda.
Add the grated rind of one orange and mix well. Stir in
mincemeat mixture. Pour into tube cake pan lined with heavy
brown paper. Bake at 325 degrees for two hours. Cool on wire
racks. Frost with your favorite fruit-flavored butter frosting.
Potpourri
Potpourri
ENCOURAGE YOUR PASTOR

If you like the pastor's sermon,
Why not stop and tell him so?
It will give him inspiration -
More than you will ever know.
If you like the work he is doing,
Do not be afraid to say;
It will give him added courage,
For the burden of the day.
If you think he's being partial
To some members of his flock,
He is merely being friendly -
Do not start a lot of talk!
Just remember he has trials,
Just the same as you and I;
Though he can't please all the people,
Neither could our Lord on high.
If you have a word of kindness -
Not a lot of flowery praise -
You should let your pastor know it;
It will brighten up his days.

-Anonymous



NEVER ENDING

I sat down to count my blessings,
And how numerous they be,
Since I gave my life to Jesus,
And started the path to eternity.

I remember in the beginning,
The love that burned within my heart.
That gave me a love for others,
And gave my life a brand new start.

I began to know the Savior,
Who was only a story before.
I grew to know Him intimately,
To know His love more and more.

I began to delve into His book,
to learn the wisdom of all ages.
And started to seek His perfect will,
That I found throughout its pages.

I have stood upon His promises,
Through trial after trial and through tests.
And have proved with understanding,
That our loving God knows best.

I have seen the times when I said I can't,
And His word said, yes you can.
So I believed what I read and proved I could,
And overcame again and again.

I have seen miracle after miracle,
In things both great and small.
And found everything was mine for the asking,
As humbly on my Savior I called.

I have learned He is my source of provision,
Constantly providing in every way.
No good thing has He withheld,
He has showered blessings day by day.

I've faced onslaughts of the enemy,
With severe attacks of the mind.
But I learned the battle was the Lord's,
And through Him, great peace I did find.

I recall the many times I did not know,
The way in which I should go,
Jesus whispered, "My child, be still,
The road you should take, you will know."

I know everything has worked for good,
Though at times I could not see,
The plan He was working out for my life,
He's known what was best for me.

I've found Him to be my comfort,
In the loss of my mate, so dear.
All the day long and in the night seasons,
God's presence has been lovingly near.

I find His blessings too great to number,
In a volume of a book.
But just thank Him and give Him praise,
As over the years I look.

I press on with Him, forgetting all behind,
To the prize awaiting for me.
Looking toward the portals of Heaven,
Where Jesus, face to face, I'll see.

By Liz Kidder



(A BIBLE GAME)
CAN YOU FIND 16 BOOKS OF THE BIBLE?

I once made a remark about the hidden books of the Bible. It
was a lulu, kept people looking so hard for facts and for others
it was a revelation. Some were in a jam, especially since the
name of the books were not capitalized, but the truth finally
struck home to numbers of readers. To others, it was a real
job. We want it to be a most fascinating few moments for you.
YES, THERE WILL BE SOME REALLY EASY ONES TO SPOT. Others may
require judges to help them. I will quickly admit it usually
takes a minister to find one of them, and there will be loud
lamentations when it is found. A little lady says she brews a
cup of tea, so she can concentrate better. See how well you can
compete. Relax now for there are really sixteen names of books
of the Bible in this story.

(Editor's note: The paragraph above contains the names of 16
books of the Bible. Some of the books can be found by
connecting parts of words in succession. One preacher found 15
books in 20 minutes ... but it took him 3 weeks to find the
sixteenth one.)



FROM THE MOUTHS OF BABES!

A father asked his two year old son to recite to his dinner
guests John 3:16. The little lad said, "For God so loved the
world, that He gave His only forgotten Son, ..." "That's
begotten Son, not forgotten son" the father declared. But on
second thought maybe we are in the mess we are in, in the world
today, because we have forgotten God's Son, Jesus Christ! When
we get discouraged, angry, extremely lonely or overwhelmed with
the world's problems we have a tendency to lose perspective and
forget who Jesus is.

Resource Area
Book Reviews
Book Reviews
THE OPEN CHURCH
by James H. Rutz
The SeedSowers, Auburn, MA, 1992

UNLEASHING THE CHURCH
by Frank R. Tillapaugh
Regal Books, Ventura California, 1982
(Review reprinted from Mornings Star, Volume 1 Number 5)

WELL-INTENTIONED DRAGONS
Marshall Shelley
Word Book Publishers, Waco, TX, 1985

Books on churches and pastoral roles jam the shelves of
Christian bookstores. They include everything from church growth
manuals to books on how to be a better pastor/administrator.
Many are helpful. But, many reflect the tendency of the world's
methods moving into the church...

Some are of mixed benefit. THE OPEN CHURCH may be one of these.
James Rutz recognizes a major problem in the contemporary
American Church. Since the early days of Christianity, there has
been a steady drift toward assigning ministries to the
"professional" rather than the lay Christian. The rise of the
use of the terms laity and clergy is symbolic of this movement.
Today in many churches the laity has come to the conclusion that
only clergy are equipped to carry out the work of the ministry.

Lay men and women are not necessary for the church to function.
Or, so they believe. This certainly isn't the way God intended
the church to operate. Rutz uses a very systematic approach to
show the problem. In Part I of the book, he identifies what is
the current view of the church. The problem within the
contemporary church can be related to the end of persecution and
the church's official recognition in 313 A.D. by Emperor
Constantine I. The Church was no longer a home-based movement.
Instead, it became building-bound.

Part II of the book focuses on the change of believers from
participants to spectators. Rutz identifies the rise of the
clergy versus laity situation. He notes that Luther successfully
rescued Christianity from the damage done by Roman Orthodoxy.
Rutz proposes that Luther stopped too soon. Luther continued to
perpetuate the division between lay people and leadership.

Part III gives various examples of how to encourage the local
church to become an "Open Church". This is the term Rutz uses to
describe the local church where the people are the ones involved
in ministry. The Open Church is described as follows:

"In an open ministry church, the Holy Spirit is free to tap you
on the shoulder and say, for instance, "Take a look at all those
men living in cardboard boxes on South Main. I want you to start
a soup kitchen for them." You're then allowed to stand during
the sharing time on Sunday morning and say, 'I have a burden for
a soup kitchen. Does anyone else care to join me in starting
one?" You're encouraged to then go before the leaders and say,
"Six of us want to set up and operate a soup kitchen. Will you
back us up?" The leaders then pray and seek God's face about the
project. If they approve, the may commit to you the support of
the congregation, moral and financial" (p. 29).

Part IV includes examples of how specific churches have put the
open church concept into practice. The examples include articles
by Ray Stedman about Peninsula Bible Church, Tommy Barnett and
Leo Godzich at Phoenix First Assembly of God, and an account of
Bread of Life Ministries.

Much of THE OPEN CHURCH is excellent. One problem, found in many
similar books, is a tendency to see the early church in Acts as
normative for today. The author looks with nostalgia on the
first century church and would like to take the church back
there. This is neither necessary nor appropriate.

As is frequently the case, when discussing the problem of clergy
versus laity, there is a danger of throwing out the baby with
the bath water. Nevertheless, when James Rutz calls for a return
of ministry to all Christians, he demands what God desires. THE
OPEN CHURCH deals with an important subject which all Christians
must face. This book is well worth reading. However, if you only
read one book on the subject of the importance of lay ministry,
I recommend Frank Tillapuagh's UNLEASHING THE CHURCH.

Tillapaugh's concern is the need for believers to advance the
kingdom into the community. UNLEASHING THE CHURCH speaks to a
concern for outreach. It also describes some of the ways Bear
Valley Baptist Church in Denver has met these needs.

The focus of this book is directed to the leaders of the local
church. They are the ones who should be creating a climate in
which the church is simply a "base of operations." From this
base, the individual believer serves the Lord in the community,
as directed by the Holy Spirit. Every believer must serve the
Lord, consistent with the opportunity and gifts He has provided.

Tillapaugh isn't saying Christians are to serve the community
with a hidden agenda of making converts. Instead, believers are
to work with the purpose of living out the reality of the Love
of God. This is done by caring for those around them. Not
surprisingly, where believers practice agape, souls will be
saved.

This book is highly recommended. Christians must develop the
aggressive mentality of ambassadors for Christ in a fallen
world. This book will give some clear direction in fulfilling
the "Great Commission." UNLEASHING THE CHURCH should be read by
both clergy and laity.

While the pastor is struggling to open up his church, he still
has to survive in ministry. As has been said, -The job would be
easy except for the people.+ Marshall Shelley's speaks to this
problem in WELL-INTENTIONED DRAGONS.

The dust jacket describes well-intentioned dragons as "the
sincere, well-meaning saints who leave ulcers, strained
relationships, and hard feelings in their wake. They don't
intend to be difficult; they don't consciously plot destruction.
But for some reason, they undermine the ministry of the church
and make pastors question their calling."

This book is a record of some of the battles between pastors and
their dragons. Some are humorous and some are frightening. But
the purpose of the book is to help us identify our dragons.
Pastors can learn to survive dragon attacks and deal with the
resulting spiritual and emotional effects.

Marshall gives examples of how pastors have kept their jobs in
the midst of the attack. He shows how they found ways to
minister to even these individuals. Remember, the focus of this
book is on the "well-intentioned" saint. These are people who
are committed to having the pastor "committed." These people
drive the pastor nuts, with the best of intentions.

The pastor must not only survive, but, if possible, care for and
correct the dragons. The pastor isn't called to slay dragons,
but in dependency on the Lord, tame them. Finally, Shelley calls
the pastor to be aware that hard as it may be to believe, the
dragons may be right. Even though the dragons are trying to
incinerate the pastor, he shouldn't reject the concerns
expressed by these parishioners.

Every pastor finds himself fighting dragons. Therefore, every
pastor should read WELL-INTENTIONED DRAGONS, a book in Word's
Leadership Library.
NewsDesk
Morning Star NewsDesk
MORNING STAR NEWSDESK - November 1992

EC TO RENEW ECONOMIC TIES WITH ISRAEL

European Commission President Jacques Delors told Israeli
Foreign Minister Shimon Peres that the EC would renew its
economic accord with Israel to improve ties and support Middle
East regional cooperation. He said that political developments
toward regional cooperation and industrial changes in Israel
meant the 1975 accord needed to be updated.

"It is the duty of the Community, both politically and in terms
of friendship, to take these new realities into account," Delors
said in a rare joint appearance with a foreign leader. Peres
added that Israel had sought the updating of the agreement to
get better access to Community markets and to help correct
Israel's trade deficit with the Community. The Israeli minister
also stated that the EC could contribute to the Middle East
peace process by trying to get all sides together in
multilateral talks on regional issues such as water supplies, a
key economic and environmental problem in the area. (JERUSALEM
POST)


SYRIA'S CONTINUED "PEACE MANEUVERS"

Another North Korean ship load with missiles is on its way to
the Middle East. U.S. intelligence reports that the vessel,
carrying as many as 100 of the latest models of Scud
ground-to-ground missiles, left North Korea in late October and
is expected to dock at the Persian Gulf port of Bandar Abbas in
Iran by the end of November. Half of the cargo is bound for the
Iranian military and the other half will be shipped to Syria.
(US NEWS & WORLD REPORT)


JERUSALEM - THE TREMBLING CUP

The Anglican Church in Jerusalem has joined with a world Islamic
body to call for an international conference on the situation of
Christians in the Holy Land. Uri Mor, director of the
department for Christian Communities of the Religious Affairs
Ministry, called the move a "gross attempt to interfere in
political issues." (JERUSALEM POST)


KNOW WHO THE ENEMY IS

The U.S. State Department was more concerned about nuclear arms
development by Israel than by Iraq in 1986. Documents uncovered
during a recent House of Representatives investigation into
pre-Gulf War U.S. policy on Iraq show that the State Department
blocked the sale to Israel of a computer, Safari, which can be
used for nuclear development, because Israel had not signed the
nuclear non-proliferation treaty. Iraq, which had, was allowed
to buy Safari. (THE JERUSALEM REPORT)


AND MANY SHALL TRAVEL TO AND FRO

Increasing congestion at Europe's busy airports has led to the
European Parliament calling for a new supra-national Civil
Aviation Authority, able to take wide-ranging planning decisions
on air traffic control. There was a 60% jump in the number of
flights across Europe's skies between 1986 and 1990, and an even
bigger increase is expected by the end of the century as the
countries of Central and Eastern Europe forge closer links with
the Community.

Transport committee spokesman, Enrique Sapena Granell believes
the current systems are insufficient and that member states must
agree to a coordinated planned strategy leading to a single
system by the end of the decade in order to keep pace with
projected traffic flows. (EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT - EP NEWS)


THE EC TO THE RESCUE

Following a public hearing involving economists, Russian
political leaders and EC specialists concerned with the economic
management of the former Soviet Union, Parliament called for a
renewed effort from the international community and, in
particular, the EC member states to step up economic assistance
to the region.

Sir Fred Catherwood, one of the prime movers in organizing the
hearing, told the House it was now clear that the CIS states
were facing a grave economic crisis with the prospect of soaring
inflation and a huge jump in unemployment. The consensus
emerging from the hearing was that what was needed was a free
trade agreement with the European Community, which in itself
would act as a catalyst to the revival of free trade between the
republics and a rouble stabilization fund. (EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
- EP NEWS)


GAINING GROUND IN THE OLD SOVIET UNION

Southern Baptist evangelist Sammy Tippit got a warm reception
when he preached in stadiums in three cities in the Krasnoyarsk
region of Siberia last month. More than 15,000 people
registered professions of faith in Christ in five days of
meetings, said an official of the San Antonio-based Tippit
ministry. In the city of Achinsk, about 1,000 people exited the
stadium in a huff when Tippit gave his altar call, but 90% of
the remaining 5,000 locals responded publicly to the invitation,
the aide said. Moldavian students from Baptist Seminary in
Oradea Romania, stayed behind to conduct follow-up Bible studies
for the new converts, he added. (NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
RELIGION REPORT)


LOSING GROUND AS WELL

Egypt and some Gulf states will spend $50 million to build 10
Islamic centers in the newly independent Muslim republics of the
former Soviet Union, the Cairo daily newspaper Al-Ahram
reported. It quoted Egypt's minister of religious affairs as
saying each center will include a section to teach the Koran, a
school, a mosque, a library and a hospital. The paper did not
say which Gulf states will put up money or how much Egypt's
share is. Conservative Sunni-rules Arab countries like Egypt
and Saudi Arabia are competing with fundamentalist Shi'ite Iran
for influence in the former Soviet republics. (NATIONAL &
INTERNATIONAL RELIGION REPORT)


CLOSER AND CLOSER TO REVELATION 13

The debit card - which makes an instant payment from your
checking account - is finally spreading to supermarkets,
convenience stores and fast food restaurants, and consumers are
catching on. Vermont National Bank in Brattleboro, for example,
has 1,800 new Visa "Checkers' Card" members this year, tripling
the number of its debit card holders. The bank charges a
tempting $1 a month flat fee for unlimited use of the card.

The cards are becoming more popular in part because bank charges
for handling debit card sales are down. They used to be 2% to
3% but are now often less than 1% - a decline greased by fierce
competition between the new Visa Interlink and Mastercard
Maestro debit clearing networks. Both expect enormous growth in
the number of locations honoring debit cards, both here and
abroad.

Customers and merchants also like the extra protection from
fraud. To make a Maestro or Interlink purchase - whether in
Utah or Utrecht - you need only key in a code on a pad at the
checkout counter to prove your identity and show you have funds
to cover your purchase. The money is transferred instantly -
which prevents you from buying Wednesday's groceries with
Friday's paycheck. (KIPLINGER'S PERSONAL FINANCE MAGAZINE)
Ministry and Product Info
Ministry and Product Info
MINISTRY INFORMATION GUIDE

The MINISTRY INFORMATION guide is for the benefit of all
believers. MORNING STAR does not charge for these advertisements.


AMMI MINISTRY
P.O. Box 27576
Philadelphia PA. 19118
[phone]

BILL RUDGE MINISTRIES
(An international outreach challenging believers
to reach their maximum potential in Christ.)
220 North Buhl Farm Drive
Hermitage, PA 16148-1718
[phone]

CAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRIST INTERNATIONAL
Arrowhead Springs
San Bernardino, CA 92414
[phone]

CHOSEN PEOPLE MINISTRIES Inc.
1300 Cross Beam Drive - Charlotte, NC 28217-2834
[phone]
CANADA: Box 4400, Sta. D - Hamilton, Ont. L8V4L8
[phone]

CHRISTIAN FRIENDS OF ISRAEL
P.O. Box 1813
Jerusalem 91015 Israel
tel: [phone] / 894-187
fax: [phone]
NOTE: The Editor in Chief of MORNING STAR is a U.S. distributor
of material for CFI. Write to MORNING STAR for more
information.
America Online contact: MStarMAC INTERNET: [e-mail].

DAVID'S MIGHTY MEN, INC.
(A Bible Study Group)
P.O. Box 5093
Beaumont, TX 77726
[phone]

EXODUS INTERNATIONAL
(Global ex-gay Ministry - Write for free information)
PO Box 2121
San Rafael, CA 94912
[phone]

FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN PEACE OFFICERS, USA
P.O. Box 11547
Chattanooga, Tennessee 3740l-2547
[phone]

FRIENDS OF ISRAEL GOSPEL MINISTRY
PO BOX 908
Bellwawr, NJ 08099
1-800-257-7843
(Publishers of "Israel My Glory" magazine - $8 per year.
Sponsor of the Institute of Biblical Studies.)

INTERNATIONAL PRISON MINISTRY
P.O. BOX 63
Dallas TX 75221

JESUS CARES MINISTRIES
(Ministering to those in crisis pregnancy)
P.O. Box 371
Chandler, Arizona
85244
[phone]

JESUS FILM PROJECT
30012 Ivy Glenn Drive
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
FAX: [phone]

JESUS PEOPLE USA
4707 N. Malden
Chicago, IL 60640
Editorial office: [phone]
(An excellent resource for tips and techniques on witnessing and
ministering to specific groups of people.)

JEWISH VOICE BROADCASTS INC.
P.O. Box 6
Phoenix, Arizona 85001
(Publishers of "Jewish Voice Prophetic Magazine". (Annual cost
$20, published monthly) Producers of JEWISH VOICE television
program seen on cable networks CBN, LBN, and PTL as well as many
network stations.)

JEWS FOR JESUS
60 Haight St.
San Francisco CA.
94102-5895
(Publishers of "The Jews for Jesus Newsletter" - no charge)
Canadian Office: P.O Box 487, Station Z
Toronto, ON M5N2Z6

JOHN ANKERBERG MINISTRY
P.O. Box 8977
Chattanooga, TN 37441

LEDERER MESSIANIC MINISTRIES
6204 Park Heights Ave.
Baltimore MD 21215
(Publishers of the "Jewish New Testament" by David Stern)

MESSIANIC JEWISH ALLIANCE OF AMERICA (MJAA)
P.O. Box 417
Wynnewood, PA 19096
[phone]
(Serving American Messianic Jewry since 1915. A main resource
for ministering and witnessing to Jewish people everywhere. Call
for more information.)

MINIRTH-MEIER COUNSELING CLINICS
(Christian Mental Health Professionals)
Western Region 1-800-877-HOPE
Eastern Region 1-800-486-4673
Midwest Region 1-800-848-8872
Southern Region 1-800-229-3000

MOMS IN TOUCH INTERNATIONAL
(Calling moms to pray for our public schools)
P.O. Box 1120
Poway, CA 92074-1120
[phone]

NITELITE MINISTRIES
(Building the faith of the youth through
the Gospel of Jesus Christ using music)
16 Crockett Street
Irvine, CA 92720
[phone]

PARDONED MINISTRIES
(Ministry to jails and prisons)
PO BOX 50746-433
Phoenix AZ 85076

POINT MAN INTERNATIONAL
(Christian outreach for veterans by veterans)
820 Wayne St.
Washington PA 15301
[phone]

PRISON FELLOWSHIP
PO BOX 17500
Washington DC 20041-0500
[phone]

PROJECT LETTERS OF LOVE
(Building bonds of friendship between
Christians and Israelis via letter-writing)
P.O. Box 1813
Jerusalem, 91015 Israel
Phone [phone]

RESOURCES FOR CHRISTIAN COUNSELLING
Word DMS - PO Box 10853
Des Moines IA 50336-0853

SEPHER MINISTRIES
(A church-based counseling/discipleship ministry)
C/O Foothill Bible Church
P. O. Box 236
Lincoln, CA 95648
American OnLine contact: Pastor1

TEEN CHALLENGE TRAINING CENTER INC.
P.O. Box 98
Rehrersburg, PA 19550
[phone]

TRANSPORT FOR CHRIST INTERNATIONAL
(Winning truck drivers to Jesus Christ and
establishing them in their faith)
P.O. Box 303
Denver, Pennsylvania 17517-0303
Phone [phone]
FAX [phone]
Canadian Address:
Box 2321
Clearbrook, BC V2T 4X2
Phone (Canada) [phone]

WHOLE COUNSEL MINISTRIES INC.
6113 River Road
Matoaca, VA 23803-8047
America Online contact: Listener1
CompuServe contact: 76476,1556

ZION'S TRUMPET
(A FAX-on-demand system)
A FAX-ministry dedicated to bringing accurate news reports and
prayer needs from Israel to Christians around the world.
The following numbers will be in effect as of 12/1/92:
Seattle Washington: 206-562-1163
Haines Alaska: 907-338-6346
For more information contact Larry Baker
Home FAX: [phone]
Address: P.O. Box 1033 - Haines, Alaska, 99827.

ZOLA LEVITT MINISTRIES INC.
P.O. Box 12268
Dallas Texas 75225
(Publishers of the "Levitt Letter" (no charge) Producers of
"Zola Levitt Presents" television show)