[Updated on: Sun, 27 April 2008 02:13]

Boy, are your discussions interesting! By the way, hi, Michael--just saw your post re my intro. I'm looking the site over and trying to decide how to come at things...I do have a story and a half--my life wasn't quiet in FA, and it hasn't been quiet outside. I can honestly say if I didn't learn what I did at FA, I'd not have made it till now. I'm not ready to tell that yet, but I've got to start somewhere, so I'm going to take a deep breath and wade in, ok, dive in... . (Maybe tomorrow I'll post what I told someone else recently that I learned at FA...). But back to the subject at hand, Hombre said:

...then there's the matter of attending a 'church' where the people believe that the way that they have established is 110% right, and regardless of whether the official position is 'freedom', tell me how long a woman is going to last in there without a doily, or wearing feminine 'trousers'....and how long exactly until one realizes that they really aren't a part of 'it' until they become like one of 'them'?

This point really concerns me. It seems to me too many specifics regarding dress (and other areas in FA and elsewhere) can open doors toward (though I really believe that's absolutely not intended) legalism and hot on its heels, a battle with spiritual pride. I think that tendency is not Faith Assembly per se, but a temptation to everyone, and I wonder how the balance of their personal conviction re dress God wants for everyone and freedom for others to grow in that conviction (or not) can be maintained with respect from and for those on both sides of the issue. The deeper issue that flows from this one, however, is that whichever side of that (or another) fence I'm on, I think it's a very real temptation for me as a human being to discount "the other side's" views on everything, and thus not allow "iron to sharpen iron" by letting other living stones rub off on me. I have a ready-made excuse--they don't have light here (I think) so I don't have to listen there...besides, I can't listen and deeply consider what is being said because I might get deceived... . I pray that God call me on these things any time I'm thinking that way.

That's peer pressure in a nutshell.

It is, brother, and I believe it tries to estrange us from our brothers and sisters. Something to consider here: Who is building the church? - My Bible says Jesus builds His church (Mt 16:16-18). Also, who convicts the world (and the church) of sin, righteousness, and judgment - and all other issues? My Bible says that is the work of the Holy Spirit (Jn 16:8,12-14). One day the Lord convicted me that I was taking His place. He asked me what my relationship to other Christians was, and I answered, "sister." He said, "That's right. You're not Me, and you're not the Holy Spirit, and unless I make it absolutely clear that you need to speak up on any particular issue, if you step in, you are usurping My role. You are not Father, and if you try to speak without being called on and without My wisdom (which will help people not polarize according to the fruits ascribed to it in James 3:17-18), you are hindering rather than helping My work."

IMO.....as long as people continue to legislate or 'infer' by way of declaration ( whatever Rolling Eyes ) what 'the right way is' with reference to anything other than moral issues, there will be 'peer pressure' and little ingrown societies that develop.

Yes. Does this not also tend to take away freedom to think and hear the Lord for oneself? If I know what answer (and proof text) I'd best come up with to be considered credible and spiritual, I'm not likely to rock the boat. (On the other hand, if I tended to like rocking boats, I might use the occasion for a good fight!) I don't see how either of those attitudes is more godly than the other--both are rooted in flesh and preferences, and have nothing to do with God or the fruit of the Spirit.

My mentality used to be, "Don't sweat the small stuff." But is it "small stuff" if I really don't think one of these things is something God is asking of me (though the principle always remains intact)? Am I not being dishonest to "just go along, just submit?" Further, could it ever be sin against the Lord and His body to follow something that is not a conviction of mine? I would say it depends on what the Lord is doing. I could be being picky, or depending on what the Lord was aiming for, I could be robbing the whole body of a chance to seek God, deny flesh and in the process stretch, grow and receive a new revelation of Him. IMO, not all conflict is bad if our aim is to let it draw us closer to the Lord's mind and heart... .

..before I end this... , I would like to add also that the idea of separation from the world can become a powerful medium of abuse in estranging people from reality. For example, I'm not stupid, I can read a newspaper or watch TV and recognize editorial content, and even learn from it. I don't need a leader to do that for me...or to tell me that it's wrong....

While our family was at Faith Assembly for six years (1979-1985), we had a "media blackout." Those were some of the best years of my life in some ways. During that time I learned to love silence (in this world it is an acquired taste!), learned to listen for God, learned to hear His voice. It was certainly time well spent. Our boys learned that there were plenty of things to do without "electronics," and they were saved from the worldly lusts "ministered" through ads and fashions slanted to appeal to them. Their lives were uncluttered. Their lives bear some of the fruits of that time in the values they carry today as adults.

However, since we left Faith Assembly over the years we added some media gradually, very carefully back in; the image I had when we left was that we were like deep sea divers--if we came up from the depths too quickly, we would get the bends, ie "culture-shock;" if "the world" was allowed to rush in too fast, we could lose all the advantages that experience had gained for us.

In retrospect, I do think there have been a few trade offs that I'm not always happy with--a little less separation from the world than I'd like, and there have been temptations to overuse the media. I am not always convinced I like the results of that, but I also know for my life I need to hear and know and pray about some events and trends. But it took me a very long time to catch up on things. For quite some time I felt as though I'd been caught in a time-warp. Concerning our guys, I honestly believe I would have hindered God's purpose for them had I not been obedient and taken the time to carefully under controlled conditions spent hours of time teaching them about the world and discussing what we saw, diligently comparing it with the Bible. If I'd just exposed them to the media with no guidance, I think I would have been throwing them to the wolves with a "sink or swim" attitude, and if I'd not exposed them carefully, they wouldn't have been prepared to deal with what they encountered as we came out of our "cocoon."

Well, I think I've said plenty...

[Updated on: Sun, 27 April 2008 17:42]

Hi all. I'm off today so I'm meandering more (my guys are tempted to think I'm "off" all the time but that's another subject). --BTW is there any way to start a post here and save it as a draft??? It might have saved me some late nights...but then again I want to write while the inspiration is flowing... .

I would like to bring up Faith Assembly again. Let me say right now, I am absolutely 100% not wanting to "bash Faith Assembly!" How could I want to when I received so much there? I also fully believe that today they are trying awfully hard to hold to what they perceive God wants them to hold to, while at the same time trying to bring a balance to some past issues - not doctrinal issues, but application issues. I will be the first to say that's like trying to walk a tightrope - one false move in any direction and it's a long tumble!

Personally, as I pray over the FA body, I really believe God has commissioned them to plant themselves and not budge on these truths that were of Him, including many aspects of the extreme separation from the world. In my own life, though I believe God led me out of that extreme separation, I honestly know what I got from it--and to be totally honest, I wouldn't put it past God to call at least some of us to total separation from media again if the battle gets hot and heavy enough. I also believe if Faith Assembly can't hold their ground, that something very valuable will be lost to the body of Christ.

Someone might ask, "What does it matter if they stand or fall now; we got what we needed, and besides, they aren't a big enough group at this point to make much of a difference?" I would reply, "Since when does God need big numbers...Joshua against Jericho (they didn't even fight!), David (and God!) against Goliath, Gideon's Army...we all know God delights in doing the unlikely thing to confound His enemies." I believe one reason He would have them stand as a body is to stand for the truths of the Word entrusted to them. You might say, "Yes, but there are the tapes. Let people learn from them. Also, we know those truths and walk in them. Aren't we standing?" Yes, but as far as I can tell, we are standing as individuals. Small in number though they be, they are standing as a body. They exist to "demonstrate the tapes/truths in action. When I personally stand, I am using and encouraging those truths, but that is part of my message. They seem near as I can tell to be custodians of the message, and I wonder if their job isn't to bring those truths to other parts of the body of Christ that are part of the remnant and don't know it yet. The difference between my using what I learned at FA and their proclaiming and using it is the difference between my using my tools (hammer, saw, etc) and their demonstrating, explaining and sharing the tools and their use as their main focus and equipping the rest God calls to learn what we did.

Brothers and sisters, if what I am saying has even a grain of truth, is it any wonder that all hell (I mean that literally) has tried to obliterate them by using any and all weapons at its disposal? The enemy knows what it will mean to his camp to have people in bodies who are trained, healed, holy. and as a result powerful move against him.

Let me speak of a couple of the weapons I think he's used with great success to this point--first let's talk about us. I think the enemy has worked awfully hard to keep us from appreciating them (as custodian of the message) and the role that God used them to play in our lives to the point where we would be willing to go to war for them. Yes, we appreciate, but how much? One might say to me, "But it doesn't seem as if they appreciate us !" That may be, but whoever sees it first is the one Scripture would say should respond. - I have things to say regarding them, but not until I deal with my own logs.

Why would we not battle for them? NOTE: I am not saying "correct them, show them where they are wrong. No, because they must know our love and respect and know the sincerity of our prayers before they can hear anything else. Then if they have 'specks' in their eyes, God might convict them... . One possible reason we haven't (including me) been ready to battle for them is that we haven't totally done our homework. Some of us don't see we have any homework to do, and some don't know how to do it so that we are set free to walk in what we've been taught (including the fruit of love towards them, etc) and that disqualifies us so we can't go back and help/war for them. - Children are supposed to honor our parents--isn't this one way to honor our "parent body?"

I think some of us (I do not know who--and it is not my place to try to decide who is in this category) "out here" have jettisoned some things in our past. That in itself isn't wrong if we are still grateful and if we do it out of conviction that this is how God is dealing with us in this time. However, some of us have jettisoned things less out of conviction and more out of a sense of failure or hurt, perhaps because we think there is no way to live the Word of God without condemnation if we feel like we can't cut it, or if we've had bad experiences, we'll do anything (including not wrestle with the Word) so that we don't become like "those people" who have hurt us. Then again, if we have anger, we could jettison some things out of rebellion...I think there are as many possible reactions to our past as there are people. I further think in our re-thinking, re-praying over things (and how can we not do that if we've come from FA?) very few of us could have had perfectly balanced reactions all the time, even if we've tried to "hold fast."

I am not trying to put condemnation anywhere--I am just looking at possible attitudes/fears that could prevent us from coming to the aid of Faith Assembly. Also, if I don't see my, logs, when I see their 'specks' I might say, "If they're so smart they don't need [or deserve] my help." If I am going to look at FA, I need to have a clear heart myself or I won't be able to see past what God says is the log in my own eye to with a clear conscience, a right heart and motives and a gentle spirit pray and war for and (if God ever gave opportunity minister to) them rightly.

Now very briefly to Faith Assembly. Do they think they need others to war for and with them? Doesn't sound like it from their blog. But why should that stop us? I didn't think I needed any help when people were praying like crazy for my salvation! Do they have anything they are holding to that isn't God, or at least isn't God for everybody, even if it is God for those in their body? Yes, I think so, but they won't be convinced by reasoning or debate. They, like me, will only be convinced by God's work in their heart. Do they have a battle with blindness or pride?--No more than I do! So, I believe God asks you, brothers and sisters who are just about healed enough--do you find it in your hearts to go to war for them instead of just seeing what you pick up on their blog? - And brothers and sisters who haven't yet come to healing enough, God isn't asking this of you. What He's asking you is if you knew how to do the things needed step by step to get your healing (and it is different for each person because God is a very individual God) - would you be willing to do it? See, each of us is being asked something--with no condemnation--just a chance to grow to the next step. What are we going to say?

One of our first tests-what Joe said in the blog Thursday, May 1, 2008. Is it at all troubling? Is it something to shake my head over or to start praying that God reveal any imbalances to them and any truths to me? Lord, I pray You take any criticism and judgment out of my heart. Where it has not even occurred to me to pray, please forgive my sin against You and against them. Teach me your heart and what You want my attitude to be toward my "parent church." I would like you to work in me such that I desire as much to see them established as I do myself. Please, Lord, help us all come into what You desire, and thank You so very much for Your longsuffering. I know to whom much is given much is required, and that does not just apply in the area of gifts, but fruit. To be those You've called us to be, we need to have Your vision and heart. In regards to Faith Assembly, please give us both Your vision and heart, and Your grace to obey. I ask this in the wonderful name of my Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You!

[Updated on: Fri, 02 May 2008 21:20]

Hi, all! Thank you for replying, William--it gives me an opportunity both to "come to balance" and/or to say what I mean (hopefully) a little more clearly. I didn't mean to touch off any red flags, but I understand how this post easily could have.

Speaking of, I sincerely apologize to all ! I had some red flags about the May 1, 2008 FA blog which I see upon second prayerful reading provoked by your comments, William, didn't hold water! I had taken some things differently than the way I see they were meant. I too agree in the main with it. I also deeply apologize to Joe Brenneman and Faith Assembly if anyone from there by any chance reads this for not reading it at least twice before commenting. By God's grace I will not do that again! Thanks for the heads-up there, brother!

Now-I operate by trying to "describe what I see." When I do, it almost always needs to be refined, and I can't do that in a void, so I have to prayerfully "put it out there" so brothers and sisters can challenge me, and that is often where the refinement comes, both in words (saying more clearly) and in balance. One of my friends says she gets quiet to "process" things. I do also to an extent. But she says after my quiet, the second thing I do to process is verbalize. That is what I'm doing here...but on another point, me lopsided and needing balance? Never! Hah! - if you believe that I have a bridge to sell you...its in Brooklyn!! Anyway, onward. Note: I will not be able to comment on all you said in reply in one post, so I'll start here, and more to follow, . A request, brothers and sisters--please think of my last post as a starting place and please hear me out...online communication can be difficult in some ways and take time--in a face-to-face I could correct what I said right away--can't here. Thank you, and may God bless you for your patience with me. Also, I am going to try to reply to all of William's points before I go to any others (if there are any others) since his post was first.

You said: but I'm not willing to just sweep things under the rug either and ignore some of the areas where I believe we were dead wrong. We've explored a lot of those areas over the last few years and while I'm not sure we are all at the same place (and maybe you are right in your assessment that it is because we all are standing pretty much as individuals and not as a unified body.

Nor am I willing to sweep things under the rug, brother. I just know that without diligent prayer neither side has a prayer, literally, of learning anything from the other, (both sides keep running into their own walls of hurts, strongholds, etc and find it hard to hear (that's what affected my "hearing right" the FA blog entry I referred to above) and if we are just talking to each other without serious (not lip-service) prayer (or not talking at all), we are leaving out the One who can change us, the One who for some reason wants our cooperation in prayer (this is a principle-not targeted particularly at FA).

To finish the last part of your quote: I do think we've moved on in our walk with God.
I'm sure, to some extent we outside FA and those inside FA have moved on. None of us are "frozen in time," since none of us are dead! But I question as I did in the last post, what would God say is my responsibility to our "parent body," the one that He used to birth in my heart the Biblical message that has given me such life? Don't I need to first be thankful, then forgive and pray for their welfare? Don't I need to pray if they are off balance in any area that the Lord would bless them with His wisdom and guide them? To me, if I don't or can't do those things, I haven't completed the process described in the following statement: "Maturity requires the integration, not the amputation of what we have received through our conception and birth, our infancy and schooling." --Eugene Peterson Things have to come full circle, at least for me, or I haven't fully moved on... . Besides, regardless of how our "parents" regard us (yes, I admit to great irony, brother), are we to regard them that way? - I liken it to being divorced - it doesn't matter who started it, it doesn't matter even if there's repentance on the other side (it takes two). I'm still called to forgive and pray as God leads or I'm in disobedience (and brother, I'm putting my money where my mouth is here and seeing interesting results...).

You said: Custodians of "the message” or custodians of the message of the Bible? We are all called to walk in the truths presented in the Bible and in that sense we are all called to be custodians.

Let me try again. I mean I firmly believe there is the possibility God wants them (the current body attached to the Faith Assembly website) to be custodians as in proclaimers of the full throttle "trust God for everything" message running throughout the Bible. Anyway, by way of illustration of the distinctions between the function of a body and the function and limitations of individual Christians I'm trying to make here, let me ask you a question, William and everyone else who is healed and walking in the full message of the Bible with God's help and led to go to a local church: Do you admit your body doesn't have what we as a body had? I thought I've picked that up from your posts, William and a few others. If that's so, do you proclaim (as opposed to demonstrate and mainly-there are exceptions-proclaim when your walk inspires questions) the whole ball of wax constantly in relation to the Christians you know within that body? (Hombre and those like you, I address you about five paragraphs below! )

Maybe you do loudly proclaim on top of demonstration whether asked or not, and if so, that's great if God's leading you (but from what I've observed people like Hombre don't last long at bodies that aren't prepared by God for them!). On the contrary, however, from what I've seen of other "out here" healed FA brethren, that's not the usual pattern. Speaking of myself as an individual, I am to be a custodian also, but more in the sense of using the tool in a specific arena, rather than proclaiming it in all its ramifications as a body can do. They, like me, have not been too vocal; you can't be if you are sent to the "system" for very long. And let me say that this is not compromise! It is God using a different "tool;" not everything needs a slash and burn approach (but some things do!). - I've had to be content with the way God has worked through me till now: people come to me because they are hurt, and God gives me specific things through words of knowledge etc to dislodge their "logjams." Now regarding application I tell them to go to God with what I said in order to ask Him and listen to what He says about what I said, and then to do exactly what He says, not to just follow my advice.

My "counseling" is always, always to strengthen people's relationship with the Lord, not make people dependent on me. Their point of need has been a doorway into exploring rudimentary faith. I also point them towards total surrender, but I don't spend hours sharing it for reasons I explain below, and because that's not the emphasis God's given me at this point. My God-given emphasis is at this point to help them get free of the emotional things that would keep them from following God in an effectual, practical, abandoned to God faith walk.

-I haven't been able to go any farther than that, partly because there hasn't been enough of a climate of consistent teaching and demonstration by the pastor to provide a frame of reference for people to relate to. Up till very recently I couldn't do more because of what God had not dealt with in the body; my making it an issue (instead of just praying fervently) would have disturbed the work God was doing to get us ready for what He is doing now.

While God has built that frame of reference in us as individuals through FA and scattered us, up till now it hasn't been present for the most part in the bodies I've encountered, but let me say here, I believe He is tilling the ground in places out here, judging from my small group meeting last night so that message can be received by more bodies (not just individuals) even if He has to level them first by the proclamation of the message.

Important aside: No, Hombre, I'm not asking you! Seriously, I know other "slash and burn" Christians - my prayer partner is anointed for that. Because I have "a kinder gentler anointing," so to speak I almost want to put 'anointed' here in quotes, but honestly, I have learned as led by the Spirit it is a tremendous gift and people such as yourself are used as "sharp threshing instruments" and get results the rest of us aren't anointed to get in places angels fear to tread.

Faith Assembly, on the other hand, because it is a body charged with that message proclaims as well as demonstrates the whole ball of wax constantly. She as a body has truths of application which if others understood could save many a Christian many a heartache (and possible deception as stated in the May 1, 2008 blog) from wandering from one place to another to receive their healing, etc. What FA knows in this area (one of many) and could effectually proclaim more and more as the need for it is growing, could definitely if "caught" by other Christians be a stabilizing factor in the body of Christ, if you will, part of that "sharp threshing instrument" that will help prepare and keep the remnant on track in the days to come. In conclusion of this part, that is why I believe and really want (and even more believe that God really wants) to see a humble, seasoned by years of adversity and trial body proclaiming and demonstrating these truths...and I hope there are others with as much experience and testing and sifting and sorting as FA has to do so, but I honestly don't know them... .

Okay, I am now going to have to stop. (I reread this post Sunday and aside from moving a sentence or two, and rounding out the last paragraph above, decided it was okay for now.) I will read your replies, pick up later and keep posting to William's (I'm sure it will include consideration of others' replies too.) I'm not sure why, but I feel this is a hugely important issue, both for us if we are healed enough, and for FA. Have a good day everyone!

[Updated on: Sun, 04 May 2008 11:38]

Good morning, all!

Y'all said (getting into Southern mode :
Capturedbygrace.............Question ?
Why couldn't Moulder be the Custodian.......I think he has All or most of the Tapes of Bro Freeman; or could any good come
out of Alabama (smile) Sorry James, dont mean to rub ya the wrong way now......you southern folks can be little touchy
at times.

Capturedbygrace:......Question ?

What about you an others on this board ? Are we just dead meat or could all of us be part of that Remnant also ?

If that be true:

What ! are we a Remnant of ? Faith Assembly or Truth taught from The Word of God ?

I love these questions - I won't answer the specific one about Alabama - I could be treading on dangerous territory--that would be dumb--and we know I'm not dumb...right?...I'm not hearing anything...

William could be "custodian" in the way FA is meant to be a) by going back and identifying with her or b) if he'd been led to raise up another body with that specific focus--to demonstrate God is faithful in every detail of life. It sounds like he (and you all) try to demonstrate that now, but I understand he was not led at least to this point to start a body for that specific purpose with that specific call... you are in a church "out here" now, right William?

For the record, I don't think any of us are dead meat. And I do believe all who believe and are doing their best to embrace the message God gave are a remnant, not of Faith Assembly, but of Truth taught from the Word of God. I think that viewing ourselves, as you rightly pointed out, as "a remnant of Faith Assembly" is part of that "elitist mentality chaff." For that matter, I also believe others that we don't know of yet will prove by their life and walk that they also are part of the remnant of the Word of God, and that is why I'm so very against idolizing FA. Making an idol of it twists the truth and tries to make it ineffective. If any of us (including me) is holding on to anything but Jesus, we are already in error. That includes Faith Assembly--if they are "proud to be keepers of the flame," I believe that's definitely "chaff."

Acknowledging that very emphatically, I'm going back to what I'm seeing. Faith Assembly sees her calling as a body as a "keeper of the good Word of God we were taught" (even though her sight at present is mixed with chaff). Everybody, I have a question for you - are you in a body where all of those truths are proclaimed and taught all the time, and where people have been wrestling and trying to live them for over 30 years? If so, you also are "keepers of the truth of the Word of God" in the same way they are (as I said of William), which means on both an individual level and on a body level. True, Joe Brenneman as pastor has not been there that long, but he's been there since 1988 and pastored there for 14 years...and others have been there much longer... . I believe with all my heart there is something God wants to do with that group that we out here as individuals cannot do. I also really cannot say fully what that is because I only have an inkling...but I think it's very important (but not in that twisted, elitist sense!)--and it can't happen unless the chaff is seen and removed through repentance by that body.

I believe we too are part of the remnant taught the Word of God. We too have a specific unique place as part of the "scattered remnant of the truths of God's Word" if we aren't called to be with her. We have a call that Faith Assembly as a body cannot do "out here." (Individuals can squeeze into places and influence things in a way a body can't and vice versa.) In the future I wouldn't put it past God even to draw some back to Faith Assembly if He has a purpose for her (and if He drew some of you, you would then be a keeper of the Word in the way they are called to be)--but if He ever did, I think He would have finished the mighty work of removing the chaff from her first, so that the only thing ever acknowledged would be that the body stood by the grace of God (though they already acknowledge that and are partly broken), and no one would ever think in that elitist manner that they had to be a "guardian of the truth." (If you are a "guardian of the truth" in the flesh, your own strength, you can get paranoid and all sorts of other things that don't produce God's fruit.) Let me make it clear: I believe they are standing in the integrity of their heart, but they are operating with an elitist mentality that is crippling them -and they can't see it even if someone were to point it out.

The thing is, the enemy will try and twist our attitudes if he can't cause us to disbelieve the Word of God. I know what I'm talking about--six years before my husband divorced me, I told him one day that we (at that point) served two different G(g)ods. He got very angry at first, but the next day came back and said I was right. - He served a task-master god whom he was always afraid to displease. He used the truths of positive confession, etc to not have to deal with things. But he thought I was compromising and serving a different god! Now, there was a point in time where I served a false, distorted god. Just as he couldn't see his view was distorted, I couldn't see mine was. (But by the time I said he and I served different G(g)ods, God had convicted me and turned me on my ear. He said I had used faith to keep from having to deal with life...that I was afraid of life and tried to use God and His Word as a "magic wand" to avoid problems. That is why we then served two different G(g)ods. I had repented.)

Faith Assembly's elitist chaff, unbeknownst to them is crippling them just like my chaff had crippled me. I've grown by leaps and bounds since repenting of it (that doesn't mean that there isn't more to go...). Her chaff is a little different at this point in time. Her chaff blocks her from seeing any use for the rest of us, and the rest of the body of Christ. It keeps her cloistered (I don't care if they for example, feel led to dress a certain way, not look at media, ... --they should have their faith toward God--but the chaff is what causes them to, so to speak, hold it over my head (even though they wrestle against it and work very hard to try not to--the fact that there is any work to it at all means there is some chaff). She can't come into her own as the body God wants and have the influence He wants her to have till He gets rid of what's holding her back.

Is any of this making sense? Well, before I go I have a prayer request. Twice since January (second time was last evening) the enemy has (first time ever) tried to give me some mini-stroke symptoms. God is my healer, and I'm just trusting for His wisdom--I'm holding that He knows my body, He knows how to deal with it and me. I receive His healing in Jesus' name, and I can do everything (Eph 2:10 works) He has planned for my life. No weapon formed against me shall prosper, and I don't go to join Him till His perfect time. Would you join me in prayer? Also, the timing of things: it started just before I started "googling" Faith Assembly. The areas the enemy tried to attack are speech, my writing/typing and my mind (thinking clearly). Thank you, friends...

[Updated on: Tue, 06 May 2008 13:57]

Okay, quickie--splitting Lake Michigan in half--has potential. Just think what you could do with that, Hombre! --You might say it could profit the prophet. I just wanted you to know I saw this, and hope some of today's comments (which I put out before I saw this) address at least some of these concerns, and some of what I'm definitely not saying as well as what I am saying.

[Updated on: Tue, 06 May 2008 14:00]

[Updated on: Tue, 06 May 2008 17:16]

Thank you, dear sister, and from my little corner, welcome! I figured if anyone could stand with me it is those who've been doing their best to walk the message God has given us. It is a privilege to have your prayer. God bless your day, sis!

[Updated on: Wed, 07 May 2008 12:06]

Thank you, brother. You seem to have the lineup in good order, but judging from what I've already seen this morning we may need to add at least one more to the list... God is at work... It could happen. God bless your day, brother, and I appreciate you as well.

[Updated on: Wed, 07 May 2008 12:17]

God's coffee cup...I like that (seriously)...you mean inside the heart of a person with a "slash and burn anointing" there can be the soul of a poet? My son has the "slash and burn anointing" - we've been talking about it since it came up here...while he's not got the soul of a poet (unique poetic imagery, I'll admit), he's a neat guy...

[Updated on: Wed, 07 May 2008 17:16]

Okay--you'll appreciate (maybe) what my "slash and burn" son did in Indiana's primary--he did a write-in vote for Mike Huckabee...I said, "But he isn't running." He said, "Well if enough people would write him in you bet he would... ." He doesn't quite think like FA taught me about voting--speaking of, that's an area I'm not entirely comfortable with...I vote only after I've prayed if the Lord tells me to...sounds different, but I wasn't a political science major, and I have very little understanding of all the ins and outs of politics--so I figure if God tells me who to vote for (won't be either of the two democrats this time...) it won't be a mistake.

When Mr. Clinton was running first time, God said, "Go on record as opposed to him; it won't do any good, but do it anyway... ." That was the year I got some lessons in storms and clouds...inky black things riding across the sky...I sensed violence in them and asked God what I could do...He had me ride all around the small town I lived in at the time with warfare music (Integrity/Hosanna warfare sampler) wafting reasonably quietly out my windows, and said that what I was sensing was the demons riding to Washington (they've never left...). They wanted to break out in mischief on the way, and God said as I aligned with the worship on the tape I would be agreeing with their anointing and not be warring alone. I could pray protection over my town, but no rebuking--He was permitting this. --Now you know I'm even stranger than you suspected...

I agree with your wife who said: ...' isn't it odd that in this time of increased information becoming available to us, and all of the alternate sources of information that we have to learn from, that it seems as though people are actually becoming more ignorant rather than more informed? '.... Yes...but people today don't scratch below the surface...takes too much effort...their favorite TV show is coming on... .

Oh! (Note: this is poking fun at me, not your system.) I just noticed I got "upgraded." Thank you. I wondered if I had to behave myself for a year first (impossible!), but then decided to just be myself, and I would either get upgraded to regular member eventually or kicked out! Glad this happened first.

[Updated on: Wed, 07 May 2008 20:22]

Yup! Hombre, you are one sensitive guy! You are offering all those who want to beat you up an opportunity to "get right with God" and to grow in character! How's that for sensitivity??

Maybe you would appreciate the viewpoint of my "slash and burn" son (the one who, when I told him I had tried all those years to "civilize" him said, "Mom, you compromised me! ) as evidenced from a quote from his blog:

There are a lot of guys out there who have lost touch with what being a guy is all about. ...For instance, a guy can use a hair brush but he should never "brush" his hair. He can use the "brush" to comb his hair. ...One of my biggest pet peeves is hearing the word cute or pretty in reference to me or something I own! ...This vulgar use of words must not continue!! We must demand that "rugged" or "handsome" or even "ruggedly handsome" replace the obscene use of these other aforementioned words. ...

Ah, well, I'll get on with things

But look out, your "poetic soul" is showing again, and I quote you:

...and don't forks in the road also serve as tape measures of the soul?

Yes they do. One time when God was delivering me out of a tough situation, every time I went to make a decision for a whole six months He said, "This is what so and so decided at this point--now what is your choice?" (The good news is that so and so is getting a wonderful new opportunity--and I pray the person make choices that "go with God" this time...)

[Updated on: Thu, 08 May 2008 13:17]

Hey all! I don't want to give a wrong impression (though I don't think you took it that way, Hombre). In regards to my son's comment about my having compromised him while I was trying to civilize him, let me make it clear--I was only trying to teach my son wisdom in when to use "slash and burn" and when not to, (his slash and burn started early...) like: "Don't go (when you're 14) to the pastor and tell him all that's wrong with the church - he was right - unless the Lord says - if you aren't led to but just want to you are stepping out of the Lord's protection - He's showing you to teach you discernment and prayer... ."

I did not even get or allow any of our guys to get a brush to "comb" their hair ...there were no purposeful feminizing tendencies...in fact, since I was a single mother much of the time, I really prayed for good masculine role models... I am very thankful they all are true men (not one of them reads "O"!!) who love God and respect and appreciate who God made them and women (one is married, while the other two are still unmarried, though they've prayed for the Lord's choice for wives or the grace to remain single).

What you're saying about society/TV today is right...I can't even look at "Queer..." because the title bothers me so much. The first time I turned on "Will and Grace" it lasted only long enough to see the focus...okay, I confess I like HGTV (but I am a woman)...but there are also other anti-God things like (I didn't even try to watch one episode here) "Sex and the City," and what about "Friends"--not the kind I think of... . The TV execs are trying to "program" our nation through entertainment and they seem to be doing a pretty good job for the most part... .

[Updated on: Thu, 08 May 2008 18:51]