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Friday, April 30, 2010


Jeremiah 29:11 (New International Version)
11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.


The most activity at this site takes place on Tuesdays at 8:00 at night.

This information was compiled over the last 20 months.

The most activity for a month took place last September.

So now you know...


Version 2



A church for young people
In Matthew 18:18 Jesus said, "Whatsoever ye bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."
In an article on "Binding and loosing," by Christian Research Institute, founded by Dr. Walter Martin the power to bind or loose was reduced to the hiring or firing of people. The article argued that Mt. 18:18 was limited only to the subject of church discipline and that Christians are in no way authorized anywhere in Scripture to bind demons. The article claims that we as Christians can only resist the devil in our own personal lives.

I see major problems with that concept of spiritual warfare. Any Christian that is active in anyway with intercessory prayer for the loosing of loved ones from the grip of Satan will understand my position. We do not merely resist the devil, we overcome him. Revelation 12:11 proclaims, "And they overcame him (the devil) by the blood of the lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." Not only did they resist the devil in their own lives, but they aggressively overcame him for the lives of others.

The CRI article made heavy reference to ‘context - context – context’ claiming the context of Mt 18:18 deals with binding or loosing people, not demons. A careful examination of the verse will reveal that Jesus said whatsoever, not whosoever - "Whatsoever ye bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven."

Mark 3:27 "No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house." In context, the strong man is Satan. There are several verses in Mathew 12 and Mark chapter three where Jesus himself teaches on binding and casting out Satan.

We must put everything to the test of Holy Scripture. Do as the Bereans in Acts 17:11, "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so." Don’t believe any person or even an angel of light that tries telling you that you have no power over the devil. Jude 1:3 "Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.

I exhort you in the Lord to be mighty through God, 2 Corinthians 10:4 "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds." In Luke 10, Jesus gave the disciples power over unclean spirits to cast them out, and in Mark 16 he gave that same power to all who believe. Luke 10:19 "Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." Mark 16:17 "And these signs shall follow them that believe: in my name shall they cast out devils, they shall speak with new tongues." Notice, ‘in my name’. That is the key to understanding Jude 1:9 when Michael the archangel was contending with the devil. He did not rebuke the devil by his own power, but said," The Lord rebuke thee." It is only by the blood of the lamb and by the word of our testimony that we can also say, ‘The Lord rebuke thee Satan’. Always keep in mind that the battle belongs to the Lord, apart from Him we can do nothing. It is in His name that we bind the work of the enemy. Philippians 4:13 promises, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Pastor Tilson

A CLASH OF SPIRIT

What happens when you as a Christian meet someone that smiles and says all the right things but leaves you feeling rejected?

That is a clash of spirit and it will linger upon your heart until you have either fully discerned it or foolishly rationalized it away. If you try to pass it off as a mistake on your part and think you misread them, you may be allowing Satan to undermine your spiritual discernment causing you to doubt yourself in the Lord.

In the natural, we are all subject to making mistakes, but when your spirit becomes troubled, it is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit protecting you from something that lurks ahead and we should not ignore it. When we are in fellowship with the Lord, we are in the pursuit of truth and nothing can hide from us. No persons smile can hide the rejection we are feeling.

When we walk into an empty church sanctuary and feel the presence of the Lord but when we encounter the leaders of that church we become grieved, it is a clash of spirit.

The Holy Spirit is showing us Gods willingness to pour out His Spirit and also revealing to us through the gift of discernment that the work of His Spirit has been quenched.

When this happens, it is important that you receive the full measure of Gods presence that He had intended for the people to receive. You evaporate the presence of God where He is being grieved and then God uses you in pouring it out on those who are willing to receive.

Like a sponge soaks up water so it can be dispensed elsewhere.

When the glory of the Lord has departed from one place, it will rest upon another. It never dies. The river of God’s living water will always continue to flow.

Jesus said, "If any man thirst let him come unto me and drink." This is the constant refilling process of the Holy Ghost. As people freely receive the Spirit of God, they must freely give of the Spirit of God. Rivers of living water come upon us so it can flow out to others. If someone obstructs that flow, the river will bypass that person and flow around Him.

Living water will always take the path of least resistance. The more we yield to the Spirit of God, the more of His Spirit He will pour out through us.

Pastor Tilson Shumate
Shekinah Fellowship

2 Timothy 3:1This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
Luke 21:11And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

Jesus is coming soon...

There are ramifications to messing with the earth's magnetic atmosphere. All the metalic particles being introduced into the ionosphere and the microwaves being released are having side effects.

http://www.haarp.alaska.edu/

HAARP Boils the Upper Atmosphere HAARP and will zap the upper atmosphere with a focused and steerable electromagnetic beam. It is an advanced model of an "ionospheric heater." (The ionosphere is the electrically-charged sphere surrounding Earth's upper atmosphere. It ranges between 40 to 60 miles above the surface of the Earth.)
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Put simply, the apparatus for HAARP is a reversal of a radio telescope; antenna send out signals instead of receiving. HAARP is the test run for a super-powerful radiowave-beaming technology that lifts areas of the ionosphere by focusing a beam and heating those areas. Electromagnetic waves then bounce back onto earth and penetrate everything -- living and dead.

HAARP publicity gives the impression that the High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program is mainly an academic project with the goal of changing the ionosphere to improve communications for our own good. However, other U.S. military documents put it more clearly -- HAARP aims to learn how to "exploit the ionosphere for Department of Defense purposes." Communicating with submarines is only one of those purposes.


Press releases and other information from the military on HAARP continually downplay what it could do. Publicity documents insist that the HAARP project is no different than other ionospheric heaters operating safely throughout the world in places such as Arecibo, Puerto Rico, Tromso, Norway, and the former Soviet Union. However, a 1990 government document indicates that the radio-frequency (RF) power zap will drive the ionosphere to unnatural activities.

" ... at the highest HF powers available in the West, the instabilities commonly studied are approaching their maximum RF energy dissipative capability, beyond which the plasma processes will 'runaway' until the next limiting factor is reached."

If the military, in cooperation with the University of Alaska Fairbanks, can show that this new ground-based "Star Wars" technology is sound, they both win. The military has a relatively-inexpensive defense shield and the University can brag about the most dramatic geophysical manipulation since atmospheric explosions of nuclear bombs. After successful testing, they would have the military megaprojects of the future and huge markets for Alaska's North Slope natural gas.

The military says the HAARP system could:
Give the military a tool to replace the electromagnetic pulse effect of atmospheric thermonuclear devices (still considered a viable option by the military through at least 1986)

Replace the huge Extremely Low Frequency (ELF) submarine communication system operating in Michigan and Wisconsin with a new and more compact technology

Be used to replace the over-the-horizon radar system that was once planned for the current location of HAARP, with a more flexible and accurate system

Provide a way to wipe out communications over an extremely large area, while keeping the military's own communications systems working

Provide a wide area earth-penetrating tomography which, if combined with the computing abilities of EMASS and Cray computers, would make it possible to verify many parts of nuclear nonproliferation and peace agreements

Be a tool for geophysical probing to find oil, gas and mineral deposits over a large area

Be used to detect incoming low-level planes and cruise missiles, making other technologies obsolete


The above abilities seem like a good idea to all who believe in sound national defense, and to those concerned about cost-cutting. However, the possible uses which the HAARP records do not explain, and which can only be found in Air Force, Army, Navy and other federal agency records, are alarming. Moreover, effects from the reckless use of these power levels in our natural shield -- the ionosphere -- could be cataclysmic according to some scientists.

Two Alaskans put it bluntly. A founder of the NO HAARP movement, Clare Zickuhr, says "The military is going to give the ionosphere a big kick and see what happens."The military failed to tell the public that they do not know what exactly will happen, but a Penn State science article brags about that uncertainty.

Macho science? The HAARP project uses the largest energy levels yet played with by what Begich and Manning call "the big boys with their new toys." HAARP is an experiment in the sky, and experiments are done to find out something not already known. Independent scientists told Begich and Manning that a HAARP-type "skybuster" with its unforeseen effects could be an act of global vandalism.


One of the most recent undesirable side effects made public can be seen in this excellent article:


http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/12/081217-solar-breaches.html

Elizabeth Rauscher has a Ph.D., a long and impressive career in high-energy physics, and has been published in prestigious science journals and books. Rauscher commented on HAARP. "You're pumping tremendous energy into an extremely delicate molecular configuration that comprises these multi-layers we call the ionosphere.""The ionosphere is prone to catalytic reactions," she explained, "if a small part is changed, a major change in the ionosphere can happen."
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In describing the ionosphere as a delicately balanced system, Dr. Rauscher shared her mental picture of it -- a soap-bubble-like sphere surrounding Earth's atmosphere, with movements swirling over the surface of the bubble. If a big enough hole is punched through it, she predicts, it could pop.
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Slicing the Ionosphere.
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Physicist Daniel Winter, Ph.D., of Waynesville, North Carolina, says, "HAARP high-frequency emissions can couple with longwave (extremely-low-frequency, or ELF) pulses the Earth grid uses to distribute information as vibrations to synchronize dances of life in the biosphere." Dan terms this geomagnetic action 'Earth's information bloodstream,' and says it is likely that coupling of HAARP HF (high-frequency) with natural ELF can cause unplanned, unsuspected side effects.
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David Yarrow of Albany, New York, is a researcher with a background in electronics. He described possible interactions of HAARP radiation with the ionosphere and Earth's magnetic grid: "HAARP will not burn holes in the ionosphere. That is a dangerous understatement of what HAARP's giant gigawatt beam will do. Earth is spinning relative to thin electric shells of the multilayer membrane of ion-o-speres that absorb and shield Earth's surface from intense solar radiation, including charged particle storms in solar winds erupting from the sun. Earth's axial spin means that HAARP -- in a burst lasting more than a few minutes -- will slice through the ionosphere like a microwave knife. This produces not a hole but a long tear -- an incision."
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Among other researchers quoted is Paul Schaefer of Kansas City. His degree is in electrical engineering and he spent four years building nuclear weapons. "But most of the theories that we have been taught by scientists to believe in seem to be falling apart," he says. He talks about imbalances already caused by the industrial and atomic age, especially by radiation of large numbers of tiny, high-velocity particles "like very small spinning tops" into our environment. The unnatural level of motion of highly-energetic particles in the atmosphere and in radiation belts surrounding Earth is the villain in the weather disruptions, according to this model, which describes an Earth discharging its buildup of heat, relieving stress and regaining a balanced condition through earthquakes and volcanic action.
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Feverish Earth
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"One might compare the abnormal energetic state of the Earth and its atmosphere to a car battery which has become overcharged with the normal flow of energy jammed up, resulting in hot spots, electrical arcing, physical cracks and general turbulence as the pent-up energy tries to find some place to go."
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In a second analogy, Schaefer says "Unless we desire the death of our planet, we must end the production of unstable particles which are generating the earth's fever. A first priority to prevent this disaster would be to shut down all nuclear power plants and end the testing of atomic weapons, electronic warfare and 'Star Wars'." Meanwhile, the military builds its biggest ionospheric heater yet, to deliberately create more instabilities in a huge plasma layer -- the ionosphere -- and to rev up the energy level of charged particles.
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Could They Short-Circuit Earth?
Earth as a spherical electrical system is a fairly well-accepted model. However, those experimenters who want to make unnatural power connections between parts of this system might not be thinking of possible consequences. Electrical motors and generators can be caused to wobble when their circuits are affected. Could human activities cause a significant change in a planet's electrical circuit or electrical field?
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Only Time Will Tell...
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Not really related but in the same file:
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"The upper reaches of Earth's atmosphere are much lower than expected, a US Air Force satellite has found. Currently, the ionosphere — a layer of charged particles that envelopes the planet — is at an altitude of about 420km, some 200km lower than expected. The behaviour of the ionosphere is important because disturbances in its structure can upset satellite communications and radar."
"....though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." The apostle Paul has, in this and a few prior verses in the chapter, been referring to the trials and suffering that he and those like him must endure as a servant of Jesus Christ in order to effectively minister the Gospel, in its purity, to others- in this case, the Corinthians. The lengths to which God will go in bringing us to the place where He wants us spiritually may be very intense and extreme, and yet it is well worth all of it to the apostle Paul. It must be worth it to today's believers as well, if we are to have any real spiritual power.

"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you" (2 Corinthians 4:8-12).

Every single believer will face this in his or her life, in exactly the way that God chooses to bring it about in the individuals life. It has been called the way of the cross, it has been referred to as death to self...It is very real. It is painful- and is ultimately beneficial to both the one enduring the trial, and those to whom he or she will eventually minister.....

Kathryn Kuhlman has been quoted as saying, "You cannot give anybody else that which you yourself have not received." Even a brief look at her life will indicate that she knew- from experience- exactly what Paul meant in these verses. This cannot be faked. You cannot effectively communicate the love, the compassion, the faithfulness, the majesty of our God until and unless you've experienced them. They do not come from a textbook, or from hearsay- they come only from a life spent in His Presence, and that, beloved, is His will and plan for you. "...though our outward man perish..."- In the original Greek, the word translated 'perish' here means destroyed, or decaying, or corrupted. This is what happens to your self-confidence, your self-pride, your self-reliance when the Lord deals with you. You learn through difficulties, pain, and sorrow to cease trusting in yourself, and to more fully trust in the One Who made you, Who knows you fully, Who loves you unconditionally, Who has only your highest good in mind, and Who, through all of it, COMFORTS you. "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. " (2 Corinthians 1:3&4)......

I sometimes think of the 'outward man perishing' as my own mortal body as it slowly ages and is able to do less, and with more strain, than in my youth, and as it requires more effort to function. I tire more easily than in my younger years, my bones and joints pop, and I looked a lot better as a kid than I do now. But I didn't know the Lord in my twenties like I know Him today, and I wouldn't trade that for all of the youth, strength, or hair in the world!....

Miss Kuhlman said something else that I've never forgotten, as she reflected on her age, and how fatigue inevitably increased as she got older, "Wonderful Jesus, why didn't you give me this ministry when I was younger, when I never grew weary in body?" Then God spoke to her heart, "If I would have given it to you then, you would have blown it." She understood. She knew Him.....

Is He your everything? Do you desire to bless others? Will you allow Him to pour you out like a drink offering? Will you trust Him in your pain, in the protracted waiting, when it all looks so impossible and hopeless? Will you imitate the example of the apostle Paul? You will be blessed beyond measure!

En Agape,
Jim Ewing

A Very Powerful Video!

Thursday, April 29, 2010

No...911 was a real incident...yeah.

There are various accounts of Shekinah Fellowship floating around. Here is one account that I trust to be accurate, first because it was written by a member of the ministry and second because it was written much closer to the actual events then anything that would have been written in more recent times. The memory of what took place some thirty years later may not be as clear as the memory of someone young, an on site eyewitness, writing just a few short years after the events had taken place. Also this writing was approved by Pastor Brant Baker himself prior to publication in the Shekinah Magazine.
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So here I present to you:
The "official" version of the history of Shekinah Fellowship of Long Beach California, as told in the spring of 1975 by assistant Pastor Joe Dallas who was under Pastor Brant Baker's watch at Shekinah Fellowship .

During the summer of 1971 the Jesus People Movement was at it's peak. Evangelism pulsated in every major southern California city. Churches were shocked, baffled or delighted to find hundreds of thousands of young people interested in attending worship services. Magazines were printing feature articles from various viewpoints of the phenomenal revival of Christianity among the youth.

As the Jesus People Movement increased, home Bible study groups began to spring up. Having forsaken old habits and acquaintances, many of the kids who had given their lives to Jesus found themselves friendless. There was a need for intimate fellowship coupled with the desire for thorough Biblical training. Informal meetings where believers could worship and learn the Word of God together became common.

One such group was meeting in Long Beach. Each of the Long Beach high schools had been exposed to the preaching of the Gospel through MARANATHA concert guest speakers during school assemblies, or personal witnessing from the students within the schools. Many students responded to the call of Christ.

Every conceivable type of background was represented- drug pushers, athletes, actors, cheerleaders, gang leaders, band leaders, boy chasers, homosexuals, doctor's sons, un-wed mothers, the "somebodies" and the "nobodies" from Long Beach gathered together in Jesus name.

Without fear of exaggeration it could have been described as a melting pot made up of every human circumstance and need. Backgrounds were generally forgotten and it was agreed that,"If any man be in Christ he is a new creation." So on this basis, the concept of Christian fellowship was introduced and established.

Leading the group was twenty-three year old Brant Baker. Brant had forsaken a chaotic Hollywood existence after re-dedicating his life to Jesus.Why certain men are chosen and others are not remains God's business. However, a brief view of Brant's former way of living helps to understand his compassion for young people. Being the son of a wealthy business woman and of a father active in politics, Brant was well acquainted with the affluent society. He was raised with religious convictions but the lack of fundamental Biblical training left him without proper spiritual nourishment. He received Jesus Christ at the age of sixteen, while attending a Billy Graham Crusade in San Diego CA, but the relationship between him and his Lord never really progressed.

While still young, Brant accepted a job working for Desilu Studios in Hollywood. He was brought into regular contact with some of the top celebrities of that time and life, as Brant described it, seemed to consist of a series of parties and engagements that never stopped.

Tired of it all, he returned to his home in Newport Beach CA where he and his mother opened a men's clothing store on Seventeenth Street in Costa Mesa CA. During this time, a small church in Costa Mesa was beginning to experience an unusual growth in attendance. It was recommended to Brant and soon it became his regular church home. There he fervently studied to learn the Word of God.

This small church, Calvary Chapel, soon became not only Brant's church home, but also a place of regular worship for over three thousand young Christians.
Under the ministry of Pastor Chuck Smith, Brant became thoroughly versed in the basic teachings of the Bible. The teachings would later serve as a foundation for his own ministry.Along with learning the scriptures, Brant was beginning to acquire a deep hunger to serve. His goal was to be used of God. It inspired him into a deeper study of the Word and the things of God.

Personal acquaintances with several of the leading ministers enabled Brant to be exposed to the workings of the ministry. The call to full time service became more apparent to him and his desire increased to respond to that call. An opportunity to teach a small group opened up at one of the churches in Long Beach.

At this time, Brant acquired a close friend and spiritual companion, Linda Torre. Together he and Linda drove from Costa Mesa to minister in Long Beach.Things did not work out though. As more and more personal and financial problems developed, it was obvious that Brant was to wait a little longer. During this time of waiting he learned the meaning of the Lord's instruction to, "Let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me."

A most difficult trial arose when Brant's grandmother suffered a serious stroke and was hospitalized. Brant knew the shock and sense of personal loss both he and his family would suffer if she died. He began to pray for her healing.Then one evening, while alone with her in the intensive care unit of the hospital, Brant laid his hands on her and began interceding. What he now describes as the Shekinah glory filled the room and his grandmother's miraculous healing began!

Her recovery is still a mystery to several of the attending doctors. An opportunity to teach in Long Beach again opened up, in the home of one of Brant's previous acquaintances.
Each Saturday evening a handful of teenagers gathered to hear Brant teach lengthy Bible studies. A time of worship followed and special prayer was made for those desiring healing or baptism in the Holy Spirit. Miraculous recoveries from a variety of illnesses became a common part of these meetings.

As the group expanded, new facilities were set up in a local church's Sunday School room. There, the name "Shekinah Fellowship" was conceived.Emphasis had always been placed upon the presence of God at each gathering. So the name "Shekinah," the presence and glory of God seemed appropriate.The growth continued and shortly another move was made to a larger church where Brant continued to minister for over a year. It was during this time that he was ordained by the State of California as a licensed minister of the Gospel, and Shekinah Fellowship was incorporated by the State as a recognized church organization.

Services were held Saturday night, Sunday afternoon, to avoid conflicts with other church services, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings.Approximately two hundred young people were a regular part of Shekinah Fellowship, so it became necessary to appoint elders and deacons to assist Brant in the feeding of the flock.

As other young men began to take the responsibility of spiritual oversight, an amazing thing began to happen. Several of the "kids," who were regularly attending Shekinah, were now becoming involved as ministers. No one had attended a seminary or received a degree, yet somehow teenagers, who had previously known next to nothing about spiritual matters, were now vital instruments in the hands of God. Singers, musicians, evangelists, teachers, counselors and an infinite variety of personal ministries were being developed. This has been the case ever since.

The attendance on Saturday evenings had increased until Shekinah had again outgrown it's meeting place. So the decision was made to build a sanctuary with whatever materials God provided.

The sanctuary was provided in the form of a vacated health spa in the middle of a Long Beach shopping center. After acquiring the building, Shekinah was faced with the problem of reconstruction and interior decoration. There was little experience in such areas but prayers were said and work began.

Help came, seemingly, from the far ends of the earth. It came in strange forms; a thousand dollar check in the offering, volunteer assistance from a licensed carpenter and donated building materials which could have cost hundreds of dollars. No individual could take the credit because everyone was involved. As the members of Shekinah Fellowship built their own sanctuary, they found themselves also building a bond of fellowship and partnership which would endure for years to come.

Growth increased and the Saturday night services were becoming more structured, as people from various age groups, and back grounds, began to attend. The healing service, which by itself lasted an hour, became an increasingly amazing part of the ministry. Originally, conditions such as minor colds, back problems and even sunburns characterized the heeling's which occurred. As the attendance increased, so did the miracles.

Through the gift of the word of knowledge, Brant would begin calling out the names of various illnesses which were present in the congregation. Those were either healed or in need of healing would begin to come forward for prayer and then would testify to the miracle God had performed in their body.Instant recoveries of arthritis, deafness, and crippling diseases were reported during the time of testimonies.

The building, which had been reconstructed in October, 1972, held a maximum capacity of three hundred. By December, it was overcrowded. Legally, services could no longer be held there because it was too hazardous.A hugh Foursquare Church existed only a few blocks away from Shekinah's building. It was obvious that growth was going to continue, so the next building used for services should logically be one with ample room for expansion.

On several occasions, ministers from Shekinah would drive by the large, white, Foursquare sanctuary and consider possibilities, but it all seemed too fantastic to even consider. The pastor of the church had never attended a Shekinah service and perhaps knew nothing of them.The need was pressing, so finally a meeting was arranged between Steven Boyd, Shekinah's associate pastor, and Rev. Billy Adams, pastor of the Long Beach Neighborhood Foursquare Church.

Rev. Adams had been personally acquainted with Aimee Semple Mcpherson, founder of the Foursquare denomination. He had preached to capacity crowds at Angelus Temple, headquarters of the Foursquare organization, and had traveled around the world as an evangelist and missionary. Thousands attended his meetings in cities throughout the United States.To the suprise of perhaps every church in Long Beach, Pastor Adams gave Shekinah permission to use his sanctuary for weekly services. It had the capacity to seat a thousand people. So in January 1973, Shekinah Fellowship met at the Foursquare Church and continues to do so.(Editors Note: this was written in 1975)

The Expansion
Once the move to the Foursquare Church was made, expansion took on almost unbelievable proportions. Pastor Adams had a fatherly concern for the young ministers of Shekinah fellowship and his guidance and advice proved to be the very thing needed for the ministry's growth.The month of June marked two important steps for Shekinah- the very first outreach service was held in San Diego and the beginning of a weekly radio program, "The Shekinah Fellowship Hour."

Meanwhile, the services in Long Beach continued to grow. As the ministry became more widely known, new opportunities to minister in various churches developed.The next city Shekinah began to visit was Bakersfield. It was at this time that the first television program was produced. "Shekinah Fellowship Presents A Very Special Special" was taped in Santa Ana and has been shown in cities both on the east and west coasts. The radio program also increased in scope and popularity. "The Shekinah Fellowship Hour" was now being heard in various states such as Washington and Arizona.

By December 1973, the Saturday night meetings in the Long Beach Foursquare Church were filled to capacity. Eleven months had passed since Brant Baker had begun services in the new facilities and approximately one thousand people attended each week. A 90 voice choir became a part of the ministry, along with an orchestra and two singing groups. Miracles of healing had increased tremendously, with some cases of cancer, blindness and similarly hopeless diseases and conditions being cured instantly during the meetings.

A vision of unity among the many members of the Body of Christ inspired the members of Shekinah Fellowship. As more people from nearly every church denomination continued to attend, it was soon evident that Shekinah Fellowship was a meeting ground in which any man or woman, naming the name of Christ, would be welcomed.

A show of hands revealed the various denominations as Brant called them out. A surprising number of Catholics, Baptists and Presbyterians were seated in the midst of Pentecostals and Full Gospel believers. Clearly, it was understood that they had come to Shekinah, not the organisation, but literally, "the presence of God," who knows no denominational boundary.

The Easter Gathering
The next major step the ministry took occurred in April, 1974. A few months earlier, Brant announced a plan which he felt God had laid upon his heart- a four-day series of Easter services to be held in the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium. The auditorium seated over three thousand people, requiring more ushers and assisting ministers than Shekinah had.

The real test of faith was the cost. Over fifteen thousand dollars would be needed for expenses.There is a motto both common and dear to Shekinah, "When God guides, God provides." So plans for the Shekinah Fellowship Easter In gathering began.The Fellowship wasn't really that well known and word-of-mouth would not have been sufficient.

Advertisements were placed in various newspapers and periodicals. Television spots were scheduled. Radio commercials were recorded and played on several stations. Young artists produced hugh posters which the Long Beach Public Transportation System carried throughout the main streets of the city spreading the word that a divine healing service was to be held downtown.

The interior of the Municipal Auditorium was bleak and dingy. It was hardly suitable for the joyous services to be conducted there. Decorations were clearly needed, yet it was impossible to purchase expensive decorative objects. Hugh flowers were constructed out of cardboard and tin foil, flanked with multicolored petals and leaves. Signs were designed to be placed at strategic points to encourage those who read them to "Look to Jesus."

The support from the local churches was essential for success of the in gathering. Untold personal sacrifices had to be made by each individual and no man was without his particular difficulty. Long hours, last minute changes and personal conflicts combined to force each minister to seriously consider his willingness to fulfill his calling.The valuable lessons learned during the months of planning and preparation made it all worthwhile.

True to His word, God blessed the services. The first night special guests, Dino Kartsonakis and Madame Bilquis Sheikh, appeared. Dino, world famous pianist with the Kathryn Kuhlman ministry, performed for a half hour giving brief testimonies and comments between numbers. Madame Sheikh, former assistant to the President of Pakistan, gave her glorious testimony. She told of her conversion from the Moslem faith to Christianity.

On Friday evening a special musical presentation, "Glory To God," was presented by the choir, orchestra and various soloists. The Saturday evening meeting drew the largest crowd and a divine healing service highlighted the evening. Sunday afternoon the final service was conducted. Rev. Billy Adams testimony had become indescribably dear to the hearts of all those involved with Shekinah Fellowship who had come to know him so well. He represented the fatherly care and concern which every young person so desperately needed.

The exposure the ministry received during the Ingathering opened new doors in several southern California cities. Regular services began in Canoga Park, Palm Springs and Escondido. More television shows were also produced and shown on major network stations. Services in the Long Beach Municipal Auditorium continued to be held monthly. However, the auditorium was scheduled for reconstruction within a few months and no other Long Beach building was adequate for the monthly Shekinah Fellowship services. But, God had a blessing in store for Shekinah.

Angelus Temple
It came when Dr. Rolf McPhearson and the Board of Directors invited Brant and the ministry to conduct the evening service at Angelus Temple on the Fourth of July. The invitation was a direct fulfillment of the promise God had made to Brant a year earlier when he had visited AngelusTemple.

When he had come down to the front platform after the service, suddenly, he had a portend that someday, somehow, he would be ministering on the very platform.Along with the excitment of ministering at Angelus Temple, there arose an interest in the background of the Foursquare denomination and it's founder, Aimee Semple McPhearson. Several of the ministers of Shekinah, including Brant, began reading the accounts of Mrs. McPhearson's campaigns. It became more evident then ever that revival was desperately needed.

The night before the Fourth of July service was to be held, a special service was conducted in Long Beach. Brant read aloud to the entire congregation excerpts from Mrs. McPhearson's book, "This is That." Then a lengthy prayer meeting was conducted. The entire ministry and congregation of Shekinah Fellowship beseeched God for an outpouring of His Spirit and power such as the world had never seen.

On July 4, 1974, the all-day Holy Ghost Rally at Angelus Temple was concluded with a divine healing service conducted by Rev. Baker and Shekinah Fellowship. The same group which had began two years earlier in a living room was now ministering in the headquaters of the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel.

The evening was glourious! Within weeks it was decided that Shekinah should begin holding monthly services at the temple.Monthly services are being held at Angelus Temple. The support and co-operation of the Angelus Temple Board of Directors, along with Pastor Holland and Dr. and Mrs. Rolf McPherson, have been of great help to the ministry.

In Long Beach, the services in the Foursquare Church draw capacity crowds every Saturday night. Oftentimes, the building located next to the santuary serves as an overflow room. Those who are unable to find a seat in the main building watch the service over closed circuit television.
Four days of almost every week are spent traveling. Shekinah holds monthly services in Los Angelus, San Marcos, Riverside and semi-regular services in San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, Santa Monica, Burbank and Brea.

New churches are visited nearly every week. You may find a Shekinah Fellowship service in a municipal auditorium or a church building which seats a little over a hundred. Services are now being held in Catholic santuaries, Baptist seminaries, three thousand saet Temples, bowling alleys or dining rooms. It is Brant's firm conviction that God is equally present in each place. The Shekinah Fellowship television program is now seen weekly on KCOP Channel 13 Sunday morning at 7:30 and Sunday afternoon at 1200, in addition to broadcast at various times over UHF stations. The ministry's radio program currently airs over countless numbers of stations throughout the country.

In Long Beach, Bible classes are available, without cost, Monday through Friday from 1:00-4:00 PM. Every night of the week Bible studies are given during a time of intimate, informal worship.Since Shekinah Fellowship's beginning in 1971, eight young men have been ordained as licensed ministers of the Gospel. The ministry is composed of up to two hundred young people who perform their specific functions simultaneously during the services.

The choir consists of 125 members. Over fifty workers assist Brant during the healing service by ministering to and praying for those who come seeking healing. Ushers, counselors, technicians and many other areas of ministry are available to anyone desiring to donate his service.The Vision.

In the Old Testament days, it was common for God to send prophets to heathen nations predicting their doom if they failed to repent. He also sent prophets to His own people pointing out their failures and warning them not to continue in rebellion or indiffrence toward their God. Shekinah Fellowship feels the burden for souls, especially in these evil days. Their is a special commision to awaken the Church, the entire Body of Christ.

It does not take a great deal of insight to notice the contrast between the early Church of the New Testament days and the present Church. The commision to preach the Gospel seems to have either been forgotten or ignored.

What would be the effect if churches everywhere united their efforts to seek for the salvation of souls? Within the Body of Christ, is there not enough material, finance, manpower and energy to turn the world upside down?

Whenever Shekinah begins holding services in a new city, the support and co-operation of the churches in that area, regardless of denomination, is enlisted. Hopefully, such offer of assistance will encourage the churches of that town to work together on a regular basis, whether Shekinah is there or not.

The aim is to bring people into an awareness of the love and nearness of Jesus, while encouraging them to bring others into that same awareness. The world has yet to see what can be done along these lines.

When Brant began to realize the call of God and the plans He had for him, he was deeply concerned with the need for more people to respond to this call. The opportunities to minister with Shekinah are numerous. But more than that, the exhortations to "Give yourself to God and let Him do with you as He pleases," are constant.

This is Brant's continual plea- that all those who have been "born again" into the family of God would realize the anointing and power they have as a Christian.
(End of story. Or is it?)
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I just wanted to say that I was awakened at three this morning (Sunday AM). I sensed an urgency to put this here as soon as possible. So in my own two finger hen ~pecking way I did my best to plow through the task of typing the data. I didn't get the task completed until after 7:00 AM, at which time I uploaded it to here.

I honestly think that someone needed to read this. And that God is urging this reader to move forward in ministry. I believe there is a call upon this person's life to accept the task at hand.

God has been calling you to something that is bigger then your own vision, something that has nothing whatsoever to do with your resources. Yield and trust while believing that God has all that you need to fullfill your calling.

Realize that God never calls the capable, He makes people whom He calls capable...
He is faithful. He is the rock of our salvation upon which we stand. A nail driven in a sure place to hang upon.

The Master Creator has called you to service. I bless you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Assistant Pastor David Sloane
Shekinah Fellowship
http://www.noahsarksearch.net/eng/

Wednesday, April 28, 2010


http://www.bibletruths.net/Archives/BTAR178.htm

http://members.iglide.net/jdurr/ProphecyNewsContent/Articles/2007/Jesus-Tomb.html

http://www.urbana.org/_articles.cfm?RecordId=226

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/Sermons/ByDate/1990/736_Jesus_Name_Made_This_Man_Strong/

http://bible.crosswalk.com/

http://www.jesuswalk.com/

http://www.e-sword.net/

The trinity of modern day Christianity best suited to their emphasis could be described as Father, Son, and Holy Bible. A personal relationship with the Holy Ghost as a person is almost never talked about and in most cases is subtly discouraged by church leaders. When on occasion, they do teach on the Holy Spirit, the vocabulary is radically redefined.

The revolutions that have occurred in culture which have taken place in the vocabularies of technology, psychology, medicine, politics and religion have little regard for biblical truth. The terminology used in teaching on the Holy Spirit has been retranslated into a language that is foreign to that of the Holy Scriptures.

It is therefore possible for evangelical theologians to use the terminology of the Bible and historic theology, but in an entirely different sense from that intended by the writers of Scripture.

A personal encounter with the Holy Ghost has been radically redefined to diminish the expectancy of new believers to a possible warm sensation or a slightly detectable energy field.

Biblical terms that refer to the work of the Holy Spirit in Historic Christianity are redesigned in a theological framework but in direct variance with the historically accepted meanings of the terms.

A church that rejects the Holy Spirit encounter may sound as if they are in perfect agreement with those who receive the power of the Holy Ghost, while in reality they are miles apart. This language barrier of terminology has a way of replacing the manifested presence of God by establishing a false sense of unity.

The fellowship becomes nominal and frustrating because the vocabulary is in agreement but the definitions are not. Non-charismatic religion that shuns the ministry of the Holy Ghost may give the appearance of agreeing with nearly every statement the Spirit filled Christian makes but at the same time young Christians in their church’s are not taught to seek the baptism of the Holy Spirit. They don’t even know that such an encounter with God exists.

Religion may talk of God as trinity, but their concept of God is divine principles – Life, Truth and Love. Many devout Christians have a form of godliness but deny the power of God. They may be very sincere in their mental ability to serve God, but yielding to the Holy Spirit is more than surrendering ones mental concepts of serving God for reevaluation. It is to receive a baptism from heaven.

Pastor Tilson Shumate
Shekinah Fellowship
We here at Shekinah have received a number of comments over the last 3 years or so, both from actual former Shekinah Fellowship members, and from simple observers of this website, concerning the attention that Pastors Tilson Shumate, David Sloane and myself have given to the memory of the late Rev. R. Brant Baker, Original pastor of Shekinah Fellowship.

Some feel that we have put Brant on a pedestal, that we give him undo attention on this website, that we in affect are attempting to 'bring him back', as it were (as if we could), rather than moving on with our lives and living in the present. Despite a few attempts on our part to ease these concerns, we still get the occasional comment (usually as a complaint) with regards to our mention and treatment of Shekinah's first pastor.......

I want to try and straighten a few things out as best as I can here. Now, I've spoken with pastor David about this, and we're in agreement, so here goes. We have basically gone out of our way to keep a proper and balanced perspective on Brant Baker's history, from the beginning of his ministry (and even a bit before) to it's demise, including his own death.....

If you were fortunate enough to have watched Brant minister, you noticed that he was an unusually gifted man. His teaching was eminently biblical and involving, genuine (and confirmed) healings took place as he ministered in the gift of Word of Knowledge, and he consistently presented the risen Savior to his audience, regardless of where he preached. Something else occurred during the services that you'll remember- the Presence of God was so great that you could actually see as well as feel it. It was as if God had made a pact with Brant, "You go out there and give them My Word and present the reality of My Son, and I will go out there with you every time you minister". It was truly something to behold.......

You will have noticed some other things, too. Brant had a somewhat flamboyant personality, a hilarious sense of humor, and some glaring deficiencies. He was by no means a perfect servant of the Most High, nor did he pretend to be. He had tremendous struggles in his life, the most obvious being with homosexuality. Had he let these struggles interfere with his calling though, we would never have been blessed by the manner in which God chose to use him. He was tormented with his numerous frailties, yet he always presented Christ, rather than point to your shortcomings (or his own, for that matter), and maybe this is the issue here....

We here at Shekinah did not admire Brant's lifestyle in the flesh. It was not his well groomed hair, the puffy-sleeved shirts (which later gave way to the perfectly taylored suits), his manner of speaking or his engaging personality that we were drawn to, either. Please pay attention here- It was God's anointing of the man Brant Baker that we were so enamoured with. How does one 'move on' from the Glorious Presence of the Living God? How does one 'leave yesterday behind' when we remember how we would glow with the Glory of God after the services? Or how we couldn't wait for the next service?.....

Did you really forget? Weren't you there?

Don't you long for His (Jesus Christ) Presence today as you once did? Who did you think we were adulating all this time? Did you really think that it was a frail, effeminate man?

Listen, God's Presence and anointing don't die with His servant!

This ministry of the Holy Spirit is as necessary today as it was yesterday, and we will most certainly see it again! .......

We're thankful to Almighty God for the manner in which He used Brant Baker, and we're thankful to Brant for being a yielded vessel (yielded, not perfect) through which the Holy Spirit so mightily moved.

Sincerely,
Pastor Jim Ewing

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD.” Deut 6:4

How do we find our way back to a shared community that is one, living with a sense of wholeness and togetherness, celebrating our differences yet working together? How do we find a way past our differences to His church?

Romans 12:4For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

Romans 12:5So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

1 Corinthians 10:17For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

1 Corinthians 12:13For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

1 Corinthians 12:14For the body is not one member, but many.

1 Corinthians 12:25That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

Ephesians 4:4There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

Colossians 3:15And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
1 Peter 2:5Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
What we looked like in 1995:
What Phoenix Preacher looked like:
http://wonder-tonic.com/geocitiesizer/content.php?theme=1&music=4&url=http://phoenixpreacher.net/

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

http://www.noahsarksearch.com/
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/2949640/Noahs-Ark-found-in-Turkey.html
Amos 8:11
11Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:

Millions have been spent on evangelistic enterprises since I first accepted Christ so long ago. There are hundreds of gospel messages on radio, television and the internet daily. Book shelves are full of Xthian materials telling every sort of angle point imaginable of how to do this and how to do that to increase your Xthian experience. Wonderfully eloquent preachers are everywhere. There are large prosperous Xthian organizations all across our nation.

But where are those who can propheticly bring to us the Word of God? Where are the prophets? There is a vacuum in Christianity today. There are missing persons...
Prophetic ministry is the recovery of God's full purpose and thoughts towards His people.

A handfull of men and women turned their world upside down as they proclaimed the Lordship and Saviourhood of Jesus Christ. The book of Acts shows a people working together with a sense of purpose, not organizations with missionary enterprises throwing money and people around while the world is still not evangelized.
The institutionalism, ecclesiasticism, commercialism, organizationalism has not been able to do the work and purpose of God.

In the year that Paul the apostle died there were churches in Jerusalem, Nazareth, Caesarea, Antioch and all Syria; Galatia; Sardis, Laodicea, Ephesus and all the towns on the West coast throughout lesser Asis; in Philippi, Thessalonica, Athens, Corinth, and chief cities of the islands and the mainland of Greece; Rome, and the Western Roman Colonies; and in Alexandria.

How did a few unknown men and women, looked upon as poor and ignorant, associated with one 'Jesus of Nazareth'-which very designation was despicable in the minds of all reputable and influential people, accomplish so much?

With all that we have today, why can't we produce the same fruit?

The Word of God says...He gave some...prophets. People with a special function and faculty among God's people. Voices of interpretation and explanation, voices that interpret the mind of God to people.

Prophets bring a declaration and a pronouncement of God's mind to the course and drift of things to God's people. They bring about a clear view of the thoughts of God against the prevailing course of things. God's purpose has to be reached in God's way and by God's means. Not by man's methods, ideas, programs and schemes.
God could have said to Moses, "build Me a tabernacle, ok? I leave it to you how you do it, what you use, for you know what I am after. But God didn't do it that way. God did not leave a single detail up to Moses. Every peg, stitch and thread was dictated by God.

God sends His prophets where needed to bring about detailed knowledge of God's purposes and intentions. Only the Holy Spirit of God is acquainted with all the thoughts of God and He alone can speak and work and bring things about in true consistency with Divine principles.

The Church is the Body of Christ- a heavenly thing. Not an earthly thing. It is related to Christ in Heaven, Christ the head.

The mind of God comes to us through the Holy Spirit. He is in charge, not man. Therefore there is knowledge that is imparted to us by means of revelation and the Word of God.

With this knowledge we can be in conformity to God's thoughts.
So it is that often God uses people to remind us of His thoughts, eternal counsel and vision brought to us.

Those who are among us that God will use to speak His Words through, get our attention. We react to what they bring to us. We respond towards heaven. We, as the Bride of Christ are uplifted to see Jesus our beloved. We are brought into relationship with Christ.

Where are the prophets? There is a famine in the land for the Word of the Lord!
"....though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." The apostle Paul has, in this and a few prior verses in the chapter, been referring to the trials and suffering that he and those like him must endure as a servant of Jesus Christ in order to effectively minister the Gospel, in its purity, to others- in this case, the Corinthians. The lengths to which God will go in bringing us to the place where He wants us spiritually may be very intense and extreme, and yet it is well worth all of it to the apostle Paul. It must be worth it to today's believers as well, if we are to have any real spiritual power.

"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you" (2 Corinthians 4:8-12).

Every single believer will face this in his or her life, in exactly the way that God chooses to bring it about in the individuals life. It has been called the way of the cross, it has been referred to as death to self...It is very real. It is painful- and is ultimately beneficial to both the one enduring the trial, and those to whom he or she will eventually minister.....

Kathryn Kuhlman has been quoted as saying, "You cannot give anybody else that which you yourself have not received." Even a brief look at her life will indicate that she knew- from experience- exactly what Paul meant in these verses. This cannot be faked. You cannot effectively communicate the love, the compassion, the faithfulness, the majesty of our God until and unless you've experienced them. They do not come from a textbook, or from hearsay- they come only from a life spent in His Presence, and that, beloved, is His will and plan for you. "...though our outward man perish..."- In the original Greek, the word translated 'perish' here means destroyed, or decaying, or corrupted. This is what happens to your self-confidence, your self-pride, your self-reliance when the Lord deals with you. You learn through difficulties, pain, and sorrow to cease trusting in yourself, and to more fully trust in the One Who made you, Who knows you fully, Who loves you unconditionally, Who has only your highest good in mind, and Who, through all of it, COMFORTS you. "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. " (2 Corinthians 1:3&4)......

I sometimes think of the 'outward man perishing' as my own mortal body as it slowly ages and is able to do less, and with more strain, than in my youth, and as it requires more effort to function. I tire more easily than in my younger years, my bones and joints pop, and I looked a lot better as a kid than I do now. But I didn't know the Lord in my twenties like I know Him today, and I wouldn't trade that for all of the youth, strength, or hair in the world!....

Miss Kuhlman said something else that I've never forgotten, as she reflected on her age, and how fatigue inevitably increased as she got older, "Wonderful Jesus, why didn't you give me this ministry when I was younger, when I never grew weary in body?" Then God spoke to her heart, "If I would have given it to you then, you would have blown it." She understood. She knew Him.....

Is He your everything? Do you desire to bless others? Will you allow Him to pour you out like a drink offering? Will you trust Him in your pain, in the protracted waiting, when it all looks so impossible and hopeless? Will you imitate the example of the apostle Paul? You will be blessed beyond measure!

En Agape,
Jim Ewing


Psalm 51:10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

What does David mean by a 'right spirit'?

I just drove all the way to Fry's Electronics and back. I purchased the Nero 8 Ultra Edition for $100.00 plus tax. I wanted to start burning some Shekinah DVD's for some friends.

So I get home all excited to get started on the project. As I pick up the Nero box I notice that the circular cellophane tape that usually seals these boxes is crumpled, my spirit sank, sure enough someone has broken into the box at the store and stolen the program CD and the serial number along with it.

As you might imagine I was irritated and bummed big time. I knew that Fry's would never believe me and allow me another Nero package. How could I convince them that I had just purchased an empty box and that I am not trying to scam them? My natural man was angry at the circumstances and at myself for being so dumb as to not check on the seal of the box before going up to the cash register...I thought about that thief...

Ok, I knew that I had to 'sky~down' and take a deep breath and give it up to the Lord and ask for a 'right spirit' in this current trial.

No, I didn't call down fire from heaven on the thief or call out the bears, although I did think about it for a second or two.

I gave up my thoughts on calling fire down from heaven so my heart would be clean and I gave up my irritation and got before the Lord for a right spirit. In a few minutes I was ok.

Now I am going to spend all that time to go back to Fry's and let them at least know what happened to me. I don't expect them to do anything, after all, how can anyone prove that they got an empty software box?

I will let you know how it turns out when I return home.

David

Update:

Just got back home from Fry's Electronics. Prayed before going in. Told the two young men at the counter that I had just purchased the empty box. Without any interrogation type of questioning that I had figured would take place, these young men simply said, "We will go and talk with the software department manager." A few minutes later they come back and give me the Nero CD from another box. I signed a green paper after giving them my phone number, and walked away with the problem solved.

So, had I decided to cop an attitude of a wrong spirit, this may not have taken place. Who knows. All I know is I got a handle on my feelings and my response to the situation. Then I set out on what I knew was a tough call for anyone. I simply left it in the Lord's hands and was ready to accept whatever happened. If they declined to help me, I was fully prepared to go and buy the software again, thusly having to pay double.

I am greatful that Fry's values me as a customer and treated me so respectfully. They never once made me feel like I was a suspect or trying to pull a scam on them. They put the customer first in one of the hardest calls to make. I am a happy camper today.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

I can remember Brant Baker stating on many occasions, "I can't do a thing- I'm completely dependent on the Holy Spirit..." It was usually with regard to the healing service and his desire that nobody misunderstand from whence the Glorious Presence and Power came, and he meant it when he said it.

What does it mean to us, to be dependent on the Holy Spirit? Do we even see the need, or do we feel that as long as we're doing a good job, God will bless our own efforts? To what extent do we feel that we depend on God's Spirit in our daily, moment-by-moment lives?

As believers, it's very important that we understand our utter helplessness, and that we recognize that we need the Lord's direction in every single thing that concerns us. This is difficult for some to believe, but, yes- the condition of sinful, lost man is such that, without the Lord draw ing us to Him and His ways, we have no hope of loving or following Him at all, and none of our own efforts can please Him one bit. He is not interested in fixing up, or in any way repairing the 'old man'...the sentence on that 'old man' is DEATH, and only by reckoning him dead, and looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), will we see our lives in the proper perspective.......

Brant Baker trusted that the Lord would show up at those services and move mightily. It wasn't a presumptuous faith, nor was it a 'rub the magic Genie and get what I want' kind of thing. Brant was called by Almighty God to his particular place in the Body of Christ, and he had to trust that God would do His part. Brant stated a number of times, in a number of ways, that it was like 'stepping out into the Red Sea and expecting that God would part the waters' every time he ministered. That takes a lot of trust, but Brant knew that his Lord was worthy of that trust.
Do we?

Even as Brant was called to his place in the Body, so were you. In whatever capacity that may be, do you trust that God will indeed do His part? Over and over and over again? I've heard it said that you cannot do God's part, and He WILL NOT do yours. Once you've assertained God's place and purpose for your life, and have allowed Him to work out the timing, then take what He has given you and run with it!

Use your gift(s) as they were meant to be used- to minister to the Body of Christ and to bring people into His eternal kingdom! God wants you to believe Him, and He desires your complete and constant trust. He is certainly worthy of it- Are you willing? God's richest blessings are upon you!

En Agape,
Jim Ewing