Where have I been?
Been awhile, been busy beating the bushes for Disciples to serve the most high God. Today is Halloween and I am just regaining my energy from my last 4 days in Prison Ministry. I was able to minister to a very violent man who is ready to max out after 23 years inside. I was able to Minister to a semi - retarded ( no disrespect but I feel that it is an appropriate word) and 2 Muslim men plus another 20 inmates.
The Violent man found peace in Christ, I believe everlasting peace. The mentally handicapped man found Brothers who would care for him, Pray with him, protect him, and the Muslims? Well there were 2. Scott might not come to Christ but he for the first time in his life encountered the Holy Spirit and the rush of peace and love that comes from that. He is a changed man, If he stays a Muslim, well OK but he is our brother non the less.
Muslim #2 When I was praying for men in the prayer Chapel, We men received a prayer request from him that was in reality a curse. calling on condemnation of Christians through a semi Egyptian deity. Holding that prayer request was like handling a snake. Bile rose up and I cast it down and denounced it in the name of the most High God and his son Jesus the Christ.
Dramatic? Not if you had been there, It was Evil. Thank our God that the other 24 men in Prison for various crimes were filled with the Holy Spirit, and I do not use that term Lightly.
As a whole the 4 day Prison Keryx ( Cursillo) went great, many men either came to Christ or renewed there commitment in a loving relationship with Adonai.
As a carpenter and having to earn my bread I, in my spare time have been meeting with ministers in northern Michigan to see If I can talk at there church services to the collective Church to enlist men and women to minister in the state prisons. It seems that the ELCA Lutherans are way to bust to Evangelize, Maybe it should be the LCA?? Cause they are light on the E!
I have some invitations to talk at an LCMS and an Assembly of God church which I shall take up late December or January because I have already been in 2 prisons this fall and have to lock down again mid November.
As a conservative Christian I have always hated convicts and was for the death penalty, Now? It seems that when you are to do those things you do not want to do that God is behind the seen moving us into his kingdom. Ministering to men who have nothing has been the very best of ministries, most men I serve with when we get out are both elated to go home and depressed for being taken away from that holy ground where the holy Spirit is so alive ,,,,,It seems that you left a piece of you inside.
God has been good, We are most certainly blessed. Today my Grand Daughter who is 2 years old had surgery where they gave her Anesthesia. My Prayer partners across the country were praying for our little Katey. God is most certainly good, All the time
May Jehovah Bless you and keep you and yours
Rick
Out
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Saturday, August 11, 2007
A Gay time in Chicago
As a Christian who was raised in the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod till we move to the U.P. and now a ELCA Christian since 1963, I am now concerned what will become of the Lutheran Church since this past week when in the ELCA Convention in Chicago, The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) passed a resolution at its annual assembly urging bishops to refrain from disciplining pastors who are in "faithful committed same-gender relationships."
This passed by a vote of 538-431, What does this mean for the church? what does it mean for my church and what does it mean for me?
At Zion Lutheran here in St.Ignace our Church council president is a gay woman living in a committed relationship with another woman. I really like both women though only one of them attend church. I suppose that this vote will mean nothing physically to Zion Lutheran. Things will continue to go on as it has before.
I Imagine after the CORE convention Sept 28 some church's will split from the ELCA, how many will remain to be seen but I wonder if it will be 431 churches.
Core http://www.commonconfession.net/index2.html
What of me? I have 1 1/2 year of Lay School , I am deeply committed in a multi-Denominational Ministry in 4 prisons and have a hunger for the word of God.
Well, I will not attend a church that has a gay minister. I will still believe that what the Bible says that Homosexuality is a sin. Not so much because of scripture says verbatim but for the fact that A homosexual relationship is all about that person, And for thousands of years millenniums upon millenniums God has made it a HARD point to say it is NOT ABOUT YOU, It is about your relationship with Yahweh. So homosexuality is in defiance of Living for God and God alone.
For that Gay Community it is not only all about me, It seems they want to jam there lifestyle down our throats.
This call for Prayer, It calls for loving our gay brothers and sisters, But it also calls to God for Faithfulness.
In Messiah
Rick
This passed by a vote of 538-431, What does this mean for the church? what does it mean for my church and what does it mean for me?
At Zion Lutheran here in St.Ignace our Church council president is a gay woman living in a committed relationship with another woman. I really like both women though only one of them attend church. I suppose that this vote will mean nothing physically to Zion Lutheran. Things will continue to go on as it has before.
I Imagine after the CORE convention Sept 28 some church's will split from the ELCA, how many will remain to be seen but I wonder if it will be 431 churches.
Core http://www.commonconfession.net/index2.html
What of me? I have 1 1/2 year of Lay School , I am deeply committed in a multi-Denominational Ministry in 4 prisons and have a hunger for the word of God.
Well, I will not attend a church that has a gay minister. I will still believe that what the Bible says that Homosexuality is a sin. Not so much because of scripture says verbatim but for the fact that A homosexual relationship is all about that person, And for thousands of years millenniums upon millenniums God has made it a HARD point to say it is NOT ABOUT YOU, It is about your relationship with Yahweh. So homosexuality is in defiance of Living for God and God alone.
For that Gay Community it is not only all about me, It seems they want to jam there lifestyle down our throats.
This call for Prayer, It calls for loving our gay brothers and sisters, But it also calls to God for Faithfulness.
In Messiah
Rick
Sunday, August 5, 2007
Saved by Grace
Today was our Monthly Prison reunion / Bible Study at Newberry Correctional Facility. We had 5 inmates come and we discussed scripture in great detail, I ,Yellow highlighted many passages that I found great for teaching, Teaching me.
It's funny but when you talk to saved people about scripture outside in the world so to speak they either blow you off or change the subject. In Prison those men hunger for the word. And they are joyful that we come to see them, us men who have so much, are so blessed, who evangelize to those with so little. In the end it is we that are blessed.
On our Thursday night Bible study's at the Pike Unit inside Chippewa Correctional Facility we have been beating sin over the head vigorously. For three weeks we have been discussing, 1. How do you know if Holy Spirit in indwelt inside you. AND If you have been Baptized in the Holy Spirit and you keep sinning is Holy Spirit in you or are you misunderstanding Holy Spirit?
Will sin drive the Spirit out of you? If you have the fruits of the Holy Spirit can you still not be saved?
Well I sure am a sinner, It does not take that attractive of a girl/woman to catch my eye and even though I do not generally have lustful thoughts I sure do enjoy the beauty of the feminine form. SO If I do not covet and I do not lust, is it sin, Or are we getting to fundamentalist? and are splitting frog hairs of sin? Are we becoming Pharisees?
Sure Paul said he did what he did not want to do, and I guess that can be a scapegoat. But If We are working hard for the furtherance of Gods Kingdom If we truly love God and do works as a pleasing offering of sacrifice because we love out Father in Heaven, then can we be so damned? or are we still in Grace?
Grace, There it is. there can be no further discussion we are saved by grace and even all men's works are dirty linens to our God.
So I try to please God, I am covered in Grace, and as I do my best for our Jesus in the end we are all sinners, non better non worse.
May our God Adonai and his son Jesus Bless you this day.
It's funny but when you talk to saved people about scripture outside in the world so to speak they either blow you off or change the subject. In Prison those men hunger for the word. And they are joyful that we come to see them, us men who have so much, are so blessed, who evangelize to those with so little. In the end it is we that are blessed.
On our Thursday night Bible study's at the Pike Unit inside Chippewa Correctional Facility we have been beating sin over the head vigorously. For three weeks we have been discussing, 1. How do you know if Holy Spirit in indwelt inside you. AND If you have been Baptized in the Holy Spirit and you keep sinning is Holy Spirit in you or are you misunderstanding Holy Spirit?
Will sin drive the Spirit out of you? If you have the fruits of the Holy Spirit can you still not be saved?
Well I sure am a sinner, It does not take that attractive of a girl/woman to catch my eye and even though I do not generally have lustful thoughts I sure do enjoy the beauty of the feminine form. SO If I do not covet and I do not lust, is it sin, Or are we getting to fundamentalist? and are splitting frog hairs of sin? Are we becoming Pharisees?
Sure Paul said he did what he did not want to do, and I guess that can be a scapegoat. But If We are working hard for the furtherance of Gods Kingdom If we truly love God and do works as a pleasing offering of sacrifice because we love out Father in Heaven, then can we be so damned? or are we still in Grace?
Grace, There it is. there can be no further discussion we are saved by grace and even all men's works are dirty linens to our God.
So I try to please God, I am covered in Grace, and as I do my best for our Jesus in the end we are all sinners, non better non worse.
May our God Adonai and his son Jesus Bless you this day.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
"Simul iustus et peccator"
So this months concerns, Can we truly be saved and a follower of the Christ if we continue to sin the same sins again and again? Some of my more fundamentalist friends have me guessing that. As a sinner of some renown I certainly can grasp "Simul iustus et peccator" / Simultaneously Saint and Sinner. I know how Paul felt, I do what I don't want to do. and sometimes I don't do what I want to do.
One must not make the assumption lightly that he or she is a true Christian. A false conclusion at this point is tragic and fatal. Therefore I want to set before you four strands of the Bible's answer to the question,
"What is a biblical Christian?"1. According to the Bible, a Christian is a person who has faced realistically the problem of his own personal sin.2. A biblical Christian is one who has seriously considered the divine remedy for sin.
(a) First of all, God's remedy for sin is bound up in a Person. The divine remedy for sin is bound up in a Person, and that Person is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ -the eternal Word who became man,
(b) Secondly, God's remedy for sin is center in the cross upon which Jesus Christ died.
(c) Thirdly, God's remedy for sin is adequate for all men, and it is offered to all men without discrimination.
3. A biblical Christian is one who has wholeheartedly complied with the terms for obtaining God 's provision for sin.The divine terms are two: repent and believe.
4 A biblical Christian is a person who manifests in his life that his claims to repentance and faith are real.
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, "Jesus said, "but he who does the will of my Father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).
In Hebrews 5:9 we read, "He be came the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him."
1 John 2:4 says, "He who says, 'I know him,' and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him".Do you repent and believe? And if you profess to repent and believe, can you make that profession stick - not by a life of perfection, but by a life of purposeful obedience to Jesus Christ?
May the God of our Faith Bless you all
One must not make the assumption lightly that he or she is a true Christian. A false conclusion at this point is tragic and fatal. Therefore I want to set before you four strands of the Bible's answer to the question,
"What is a biblical Christian?"1. According to the Bible, a Christian is a person who has faced realistically the problem of his own personal sin.2. A biblical Christian is one who has seriously considered the divine remedy for sin.
(a) First of all, God's remedy for sin is bound up in a Person. The divine remedy for sin is bound up in a Person, and that Person is none other than our Lord Jesus Christ -the eternal Word who became man,
(b) Secondly, God's remedy for sin is center in the cross upon which Jesus Christ died.
(c) Thirdly, God's remedy for sin is adequate for all men, and it is offered to all men without discrimination.
3. A biblical Christian is one who has wholeheartedly complied with the terms for obtaining God 's provision for sin.The divine terms are two: repent and believe.
4 A biblical Christian is a person who manifests in his life that his claims to repentance and faith are real.
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, "Jesus said, "but he who does the will of my Father in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).
In Hebrews 5:9 we read, "He be came the author of eternal salvation to all who obey him."
1 John 2:4 says, "He who says, 'I know him,' and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him".Do you repent and believe? And if you profess to repent and believe, can you make that profession stick - not by a life of perfection, but by a life of purposeful obedience to Jesus Christ?
May the God of our Faith Bless you all
Thursday, June 21, 2007
On Judgment Day they'll be mighty sorry
Bible Study tonight at Chippewa Correctional Facility was, as always great. As a politically conservative man I firmly believe that you do the crime you do the time. Yet these men are paying for there sins in such a way that many do not. especially those who attend church regularly and have broken many laws or hurt people legally. It reminds me that God is watching. Always vigilant.
Of all the scripture we studied this was to me the most profound in only that the Message Bible said it so well. These men will get out someday, it will be so hard, they will be ostracized by family and friends, potential employers and even church members.
THE NIV
Mathew 10: 11"Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. 15 tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. 16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17"Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
The Message:
"When you enter a town or village, don't insist on staying in a luxury inn. Get a modest place with some modest people, and be content there until you leave. "When you knock on a door, be courteous in your greeting.
If they welcome you, be gentle in your conversation. If they don't welcome you, quietly withdraw. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way.
You can be sure that on Judgment Day they'll be mighty sorry--but it's no concern of yours now.
"Stay alert. This is hazardous work I'm assigning you. You're going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don't call attention to yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove.
"Don't be naive. Some people will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation--just because you believe in me.
Don't be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they've done you--and me--a favor, given you a platform for preaching the kingdom news!
And don't worry about what you'll say or how you'll say it. The right words will be there; the Spirit of your Father will supply the words.
God is watching, This life we live is no game, And yet 99% of all church goers think it is a game, and have yet to turn away from self and hold onto Jesus for there salvation.
If you died tomorrow where will you wake up? Are you sure?
Of all the scripture we studied this was to me the most profound in only that the Message Bible said it so well. These men will get out someday, it will be so hard, they will be ostracized by family and friends, potential employers and even church members.
THE NIV
Mathew 10: 11"Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting. 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. 15 tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. 16 I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17"Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues. 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
The Message:
"When you enter a town or village, don't insist on staying in a luxury inn. Get a modest place with some modest people, and be content there until you leave. "When you knock on a door, be courteous in your greeting.
If they welcome you, be gentle in your conversation. If they don't welcome you, quietly withdraw. Don't make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and be on your way.
You can be sure that on Judgment Day they'll be mighty sorry--but it's no concern of yours now.
"Stay alert. This is hazardous work I'm assigning you. You're going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don't call attention to yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove.
"Don't be naive. Some people will impugn your motives, others will smear your reputation--just because you believe in me.
Don't be upset when they haul you before the civil authorities. Without knowing it, they've done you--and me--a favor, given you a platform for preaching the kingdom news!
And don't worry about what you'll say or how you'll say it. The right words will be there; the Spirit of your Father will supply the words.
God is watching, This life we live is no game, And yet 99% of all church goers think it is a game, and have yet to turn away from self and hold onto Jesus for there salvation.
If you died tomorrow where will you wake up? Are you sure?
Watchman Nee
It's been awhile
I have been to busy, as a carpenter we need to make hay while the sun shines, Bible study's up in the Prison on Thursday nights have been so rewarding, I go there to be the hands of Christ and so who gets taught? :) me, It's so GREAT the exchanges of Ideas and Theology. I am reading a book by Watchman Nee The Breaking of the Outer Man and the Release of the Spirit.
When Watchman Nee was 17 years old (1920), and still a student, he went to hear an evangelist by the name of Dora Yu, who charged the people to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, a call that Watchman Nee accepted. From that day on, he consecrated himself completely to Jesus Christ and to the preaching of the Gospel in China. In the period between 1923-1949, more than 700 local churches arose with an attendance of more than 70,000. These were called House Churches. In 1952, Watchman Nee was imprisoned by the Chinese government for his faith. He remained in prison until his death twenty years later.
It's funny that I have always believed that God breaks you to use you. Watchman confirms this thought.
I probably will read the latest of the left Behind Series before tackling any more of study books such as Woodrow Krolls book " Taking back the Good Book."
Something we have been looking hard at in Prison is,,,,,Your Relationship with God our Father, Where are you? How is Your?
I have been to busy, as a carpenter we need to make hay while the sun shines, Bible study's up in the Prison on Thursday nights have been so rewarding, I go there to be the hands of Christ and so who gets taught? :) me, It's so GREAT the exchanges of Ideas and Theology. I am reading a book by Watchman Nee The Breaking of the Outer Man and the Release of the Spirit.
When Watchman Nee was 17 years old (1920), and still a student, he went to hear an evangelist by the name of Dora Yu, who charged the people to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, a call that Watchman Nee accepted. From that day on, he consecrated himself completely to Jesus Christ and to the preaching of the Gospel in China. In the period between 1923-1949, more than 700 local churches arose with an attendance of more than 70,000. These were called House Churches. In 1952, Watchman Nee was imprisoned by the Chinese government for his faith. He remained in prison until his death twenty years later.
It's funny that I have always believed that God breaks you to use you. Watchman confirms this thought.
I probably will read the latest of the left Behind Series before tackling any more of study books such as Woodrow Krolls book " Taking back the Good Book."
Something we have been looking hard at in Prison is,,,,,Your Relationship with God our Father, Where are you? How is Your?
My Life For You!
Brother Eric over der in Minisnowta who resides at The Heart of a Pastor Asked me what I thought are five things you dig about Jesus.
So this is not very deep or mind opening but here is what I said:
He was wounded for our iniquity's, he suffered and was killed for us, for me. He loves us so very much.
There is nothing I can do to make him love me any less, Sure I can run away but he is always there to pick me up and put me on the path.
He is waiting for us, to come to him and we shall spend eternity with him.
In the Darkest night of my soul he was there, When no one else was there he is there,
He is my rock and my salvation, to whom shall I go? Jesus has the words of eternal life.
Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit.
/////////////////
So what to say about he who is our all and all? It's funny how soon we forget about the Holy Spirit washing through us like warmth on a cool day, We forget Actual Miracles we have witnessed. We forget how in those really bad times Jesus carried us.
Like Trashcan man said in Steven Kings THE STAND,,,,,,,MY LIFE FOR YOU!
So this is not very deep or mind opening but here is what I said:
He was wounded for our iniquity's, he suffered and was killed for us, for me. He loves us so very much.
There is nothing I can do to make him love me any less, Sure I can run away but he is always there to pick me up and put me on the path.
He is waiting for us, to come to him and we shall spend eternity with him.
In the Darkest night of my soul he was there, When no one else was there he is there,
He is my rock and my salvation, to whom shall I go? Jesus has the words of eternal life.
Jesus sent us the Holy Spirit.
/////////////////
So what to say about he who is our all and all? It's funny how soon we forget about the Holy Spirit washing through us like warmth on a cool day, We forget Actual Miracles we have witnessed. We forget how in those really bad times Jesus carried us.
Like Trashcan man said in Steven Kings THE STAND,,,,,,,MY LIFE FOR YOU!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Well, I am out of Prison for a while, These 4 day lock downs are very tiring BUT It was very profitable, of the 39 candidates they all accepted Jesus as there savior. Some things happened that opened the door to a whole lot of healing, you could see God's hand in it as it unfolded, I'll Get more into this latter.
Tonight I go into Chippewa Correctional for our Thursday night Bible Study and Saturday Morning I am heading to northern Canada to fish for fish instead of men, BUT ya never know of the 10 men we fish with while me and Canada Bob read scripture, maybe, just maybe, they will also hunger for his Word.
Hope to elaborate more on the Straits weekend, It was sooooo Cool
God Bless
Rick
Tonight I go into Chippewa Correctional for our Thursday night Bible Study and Saturday Morning I am heading to northern Canada to fish for fish instead of men, BUT ya never know of the 10 men we fish with while me and Canada Bob read scripture, maybe, just maybe, they will also hunger for his Word.
Hope to elaborate more on the Straits weekend, It was sooooo Cool
God Bless
Rick
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Prison was Profitable
Chippewa Prison was good,
We had 22 out of 24 men come to Christ. Will they stick? Will they be Pilgrims on the WAY? or will they fall? I have seen the weak become strong and the strong become weak. I have seen Miracles where men who had no one working for there release men who had years yet to serve, I have seen them released within 2 years of accepting Jesus as there savior. I have seen men, who suicide was attractive find a reason to not only live but to work hard for him who gave his all to us. I have seen cold hard killers cry with gratitude for the love that only God can give. For that Peace that is worth more than gold.
The two that did not accept Jesus one was a Jew who might have been manic, the other was a Muslim who certainly did smile a lot. We blessed them and told them we loved them. And we meant that!
We are a Spiritual SWAT TEAM, we come in show them the love of Christ,read to them the way of salvation and we go, we come back every month and we attend weekly Bible study's with these men in Prisons. It does not matter what they did, Only that Salvation comes through Jesus. Only that we never die but live forever either with our Father or in Hell. Hell being "without God"
Tomorrow night I will be in another Prison, The Pike Unit (level 1 ) sharing the Gospel with men who will be released inside of a year, They have done there time and will be paroled, These guys when they hit the street will at least know that Jesus Loves them, Will be watching them, and will be judging them. As for me. I am the beggar that showed other where to find bread, that bread of life.
God Bless
Rick
We had 22 out of 24 men come to Christ. Will they stick? Will they be Pilgrims on the WAY? or will they fall? I have seen the weak become strong and the strong become weak. I have seen Miracles where men who had no one working for there release men who had years yet to serve, I have seen them released within 2 years of accepting Jesus as there savior. I have seen men, who suicide was attractive find a reason to not only live but to work hard for him who gave his all to us. I have seen cold hard killers cry with gratitude for the love that only God can give. For that Peace that is worth more than gold.
The two that did not accept Jesus one was a Jew who might have been manic, the other was a Muslim who certainly did smile a lot. We blessed them and told them we loved them. And we meant that!
We are a Spiritual SWAT TEAM, we come in show them the love of Christ,read to them the way of salvation and we go, we come back every month and we attend weekly Bible study's with these men in Prisons. It does not matter what they did, Only that Salvation comes through Jesus. Only that we never die but live forever either with our Father or in Hell. Hell being "without God"
Tomorrow night I will be in another Prison, The Pike Unit (level 1 ) sharing the Gospel with men who will be released inside of a year, They have done there time and will be paroled, These guys when they hit the street will at least know that Jesus Loves them, Will be watching them, and will be judging them. As for me. I am the beggar that showed other where to find bread, that bread of life.
God Bless
Rick
Saturday, April 28, 2007
I am Tired, but happy
It's 12:16 AM, Friday night.
This is the weekend for the spring KERYX Prison Ministry at the Chippewa Facility, which is a level 3 with level 4 inmates., We spend 4 days locked inside Prisons for 15 hours a day, Bringing the word of Christ to Men in chains. I should be sleeping on my cot at the Assembly of God church in Kinross Michigan or discussing Theology with my Brethren right now, But instead I am printing out Agape Gifts for the Inmates. The Prison notified us that we can no longer take team photos of the outside volunteer's with the Inmates, so I am making a word doc as a remembrance of who was there that has all of our names and what our tasks were that weekend. Seeing that some men travel Hundreds of miles to be the hands of Christ and I am only 35 miles from the Prison that I was asked to do this task. So I drove home at 9:00 and here I are, AND I am pleased to do that.
At Chippewa Correctional this is our 26th weekend bring men to a personal relationship with God through Christ. That's 650 men, some don't stay with God, most do, in the general population the recidivism rate is around 68% ours is around 25%. Though we are not there to get them out, our make their lives a subject of Movies. It is to proclaim the word of God for 4 days and them we are gone, and then come back for weekly Bible study's and monthly Group sharing.
I am Tired and have 4 days to go.
We men of Chippewa Area Keryx do this right now in 4 Prisons, There are other groups in Michigan that also minister to 5 other Prisons.
The Miracles I have seen.
God is good
May God, Bless you
Rick
This is the weekend for the spring KERYX Prison Ministry at the Chippewa Facility, which is a level 3 with level 4 inmates., We spend 4 days locked inside Prisons for 15 hours a day, Bringing the word of Christ to Men in chains. I should be sleeping on my cot at the Assembly of God church in Kinross Michigan or discussing Theology with my Brethren right now, But instead I am printing out Agape Gifts for the Inmates. The Prison notified us that we can no longer take team photos of the outside volunteer's with the Inmates, so I am making a word doc as a remembrance of who was there that has all of our names and what our tasks were that weekend. Seeing that some men travel Hundreds of miles to be the hands of Christ and I am only 35 miles from the Prison that I was asked to do this task. So I drove home at 9:00 and here I are, AND I am pleased to do that.
At Chippewa Correctional this is our 26th weekend bring men to a personal relationship with God through Christ. That's 650 men, some don't stay with God, most do, in the general population the recidivism rate is around 68% ours is around 25%. Though we are not there to get them out, our make their lives a subject of Movies. It is to proclaim the word of God for 4 days and them we are gone, and then come back for weekly Bible study's and monthly Group sharing.
I am Tired and have 4 days to go.
We men of Chippewa Area Keryx do this right now in 4 Prisons, There are other groups in Michigan that also minister to 5 other Prisons.
The Miracles I have seen.
God is good
May God, Bless you
Rick
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
When Love comes to town
It has been a week, The Killings at Virginia Tech has rocked us all, There is so much stuff being said and is any of it relevant? I am a Christian, I follow Christ, and even though I have studied in Lay School how and who wrote the Bible, I believe without a doubt the words of Jesus. And so if there were Demons and evil spirits when Jesus walked, then did they disappear? or are they still here. Can they multiply or is the number of demons a fixed number?
Yes I believe in mental Illness and I also believe that some people are evil, and possessed. Separate and apart from Mental illness. So what to do? Trust in the Lord. Stuff will happen, always did, It's the free will thing. But in Prayer God sooths the storm or sooths the child.
This is not our home, we are just burning embers here, We are to register experiences for Gods own good, and we are to love our brothers and sisters to bring them to Christ Jesus. Mr. Cho, My God have mercy on his soul, and may he bless his family.
Evil was let loosed upon that campus, but love is the greater power, tears the healing balm, Come Holy Spirit, Bring us revival, through Christ.
Yes I believe in mental Illness and I also believe that some people are evil, and possessed. Separate and apart from Mental illness. So what to do? Trust in the Lord. Stuff will happen, always did, It's the free will thing. But in Prayer God sooths the storm or sooths the child.
This is not our home, we are just burning embers here, We are to register experiences for Gods own good, and we are to love our brothers and sisters to bring them to Christ Jesus. Mr. Cho, My God have mercy on his soul, and may he bless his family.
Evil was let loosed upon that campus, but love is the greater power, tears the healing balm, Come Holy Spirit, Bring us revival, through Christ.
Monday, April 9, 2007
The Pasion of the Christ
I awoke Easter Morning at 4 AM, It was dark and overcast here in Northern Michigan. I let the dogs out and went down to the rec room and searched for my copy of the Passion of the Christ. Went back up stairs let the dogs back in settled into my recliner wrapped up in a cuddle blanket and was immediately in the Garden of Gethsemane. The house was quiet like a tomb, It was dark and tears fell as they abused our Savior.
Tears, Gratitude and love. What Jesus offers to us all. But then again these things are offered but what is required of us?
Mathew 7: 15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 21"Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
Revelations 3: 14 These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, `I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
To many People who call themselves Christian feel they only need to Love and be good, They discard the requirements of Salvation and of works in the name of Jesus for our Father out of Love and Obedience.
Fear God, Means just that, Fear God. And in Reverence, Love, Obedience and Respect we serve him. Adonai Our God.
As the sky lightened I noticed it was the color of dirty water, Kind of depressing, and as I thought about the Worships in Preparation for Easter, Maundy Thursday, The Easter Vigil, The Saturday night service and Easter, My heart lightened, God is near, God is here, His Spirit is everywhere.
May God Bless You
Rick
Tears, Gratitude and love. What Jesus offers to us all. But then again these things are offered but what is required of us?
Mathew 7: 15"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 21"Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
Revelations 3: 14 These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, `I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
To many People who call themselves Christian feel they only need to Love and be good, They discard the requirements of Salvation and of works in the name of Jesus for our Father out of Love and Obedience.
Fear God, Means just that, Fear God. And in Reverence, Love, Obedience and Respect we serve him. Adonai Our God.
As the sky lightened I noticed it was the color of dirty water, Kind of depressing, and as I thought about the Worships in Preparation for Easter, Maundy Thursday, The Easter Vigil, The Saturday night service and Easter, My heart lightened, God is near, God is here, His Spirit is everywhere.
May God Bless You
Rick
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Lutheran Liturgy, is a Balm to my soul
I was born a LUTHERAN, I remember as a child of nine leaving church and having this warm feeling rush over me, tingling, Did not know it then that was the Holy Spirit, But I had a thought that it was. And through my life worshiping with my grandmother Helen. I loved sitting with her and reciting the Liturgy. I love Lutheran Liturgy, and now we have the NEW Red book ( My Pastor refuses to call it red, she calls it Cranberry) I think I might like the red book as long as it isn't Blasphemy. We cant de-gender the Creeds and the Lords Prayer.
I have thought deeply of quitting Luther, and joining the Baptist or even the Evangelical Free Church. I desire worshiping in a church where there are absolutes. Good/Evil, Salvation/damnation. I want to go to a church where I can hear that Salvation is a gift from God and that through his son alone we find Heaven. I want to worship in a Christian Church and not a inclusive bastardization of whatever feels good now.
I love singing contemporary hymns, I love raising my arms high in Praise, I love shouting," Praise Jesus," "Amen," and "Thank you God" during service,
You see, I have seen behind the curtain, I have worshiped with my brothers at many multi Denominational services. The men I worship with, from all different churches from all over Michigan, are my family. We Minister in Prisons together, over 50 of us. God is Good, All the time, All the time, God is good. I love those guys.
But I'll stay Lutheran, Why? The Liturgy.
And now I know something else. I know that in the coming years I can become a voter during Synod Assembly, and I Pray that I can help Keep the ELCA from becoming a non Christian church.
Salem
Rick
I have thought deeply of quitting Luther, and joining the Baptist or even the Evangelical Free Church. I desire worshiping in a church where there are absolutes. Good/Evil, Salvation/damnation. I want to go to a church where I can hear that Salvation is a gift from God and that through his son alone we find Heaven. I want to worship in a Christian Church and not a inclusive bastardization of whatever feels good now.
I love singing contemporary hymns, I love raising my arms high in Praise, I love shouting," Praise Jesus," "Amen," and "Thank you God" during service,
You see, I have seen behind the curtain, I have worshiped with my brothers at many multi Denominational services. The men I worship with, from all different churches from all over Michigan, are my family. We Minister in Prisons together, over 50 of us. God is Good, All the time, All the time, God is good. I love those guys.
But I'll stay Lutheran, Why? The Liturgy.
And now I know something else. I know that in the coming years I can become a voter during Synod Assembly, and I Pray that I can help Keep the ELCA from becoming a non Christian church.
Salem
Rick
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Rescue Shop near Hell
A quote I really like is from C.T. Studd who during the first of this century was a missionary in China, Africa, and India. He said
"Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell."
A rescue shop within a yard of Hell! Imagine that! Waiting for the dammed to arrive, I have waited for the dammed to arrive, and after forgiveness and love are given along with the gospel, I have seen salvation for the dammed. It is most gratifying to be used by the Holy Spirit.
So Who is Saved and who aint? A man on a blog once asked me If I have saved souls, (It was a trick) And so I said the truth, It really does set you free, I said that " The Holy Spirit saves, God save, Jesus saves, I am nothing, a person of no importance, BUT the Holy Spirit uses us to be the hands and feet of Christ in this world.
Ephesians 1:
11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.
This is definitely a Lutheran thing, Both Luther and Calvin believed in Predestination, Tons of Christians do not, The misinterpret Free will and all that. We profess that God's grace saves. It saves perfectly on the basis of the work of Christ, I am saying that if God's grace saves, then ...God chooses to save certain individuals."
John 15:
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
I believe that God chooses you. God certainly choose me, I tried to run, It did not work. God Opens doors for his good works and all we really need to do is fall through.
I have to say this about Predestination though, Do not believe anything I say, Nothing I say. The Bible is near go and read it, Go and find the truth that God will reveal to you.
God Bless
Rick
"Some want to live within the sound of church or chapel bell; I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell."
A rescue shop within a yard of Hell! Imagine that! Waiting for the dammed to arrive, I have waited for the dammed to arrive, and after forgiveness and love are given along with the gospel, I have seen salvation for the dammed. It is most gratifying to be used by the Holy Spirit.
So Who is Saved and who aint? A man on a blog once asked me If I have saved souls, (It was a trick) And so I said the truth, It really does set you free, I said that " The Holy Spirit saves, God save, Jesus saves, I am nothing, a person of no importance, BUT the Holy Spirit uses us to be the hands and feet of Christ in this world.
Ephesians 1:
11 In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession--to the praise of his glory.
This is definitely a Lutheran thing, Both Luther and Calvin believed in Predestination, Tons of Christians do not, The misinterpret Free will and all that. We profess that God's grace saves. It saves perfectly on the basis of the work of Christ, I am saying that if God's grace saves, then ...God chooses to save certain individuals."
John 15:
16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
I believe that God chooses you. God certainly choose me, I tried to run, It did not work. God Opens doors for his good works and all we really need to do is fall through.
I have to say this about Predestination though, Do not believe anything I say, Nothing I say. The Bible is near go and read it, Go and find the truth that God will reveal to you.
God Bless
Rick
Monday, April 2, 2007
Who is Saved
It's Raining,
I like it, I cannot see rain and not think of Gods Grace,
The Grace that God extends to all. As I look out over lake Michigan, the sky and lake melding as one on the horizon in a gray blue haze, I am also reminded that the Religious community today has melded together with the secular world to make Christianity a pot of luke warm spit.
It is vogue in many churches to chastise Believing or Confessing Christians as non-Inclusive Bigots and to be reprimanded as not fallowing the walk of Jesus. Imagine that a church that doesn't believe or preach salvation saying your not showing the Love of Jesus!
As a Saved Christian who loves Lutheran Liturgy, I get a little excited when people call them selves Christians and yet do not take the whole of Christ. They accuse us of cherry picking scripture as they cherry pick scripture. :) And yet
What of the new to Christ believers? what of them? DO we scare them off with the HARD TRUTH? or do we nurse them along weaning them from the secular world and into discipleship?
Who is saved and who is condemned?
Is a baptized Lutheran who recites the creeds and believes them but who runs out of church and never does good works, Is he/she saved?
OR is it a baptized Lutheran who recites the creeds and believes them and does good works out of love for the Father Is he saved?
Or is it the Christian who lives the creed, Lives for Christ Jesus and follows the WAY and yet stumbles into sin occasionally, Is he saved?
What do you think?
I like it, I cannot see rain and not think of Gods Grace,
The Grace that God extends to all. As I look out over lake Michigan, the sky and lake melding as one on the horizon in a gray blue haze, I am also reminded that the Religious community today has melded together with the secular world to make Christianity a pot of luke warm spit.
It is vogue in many churches to chastise Believing or Confessing Christians as non-Inclusive Bigots and to be reprimanded as not fallowing the walk of Jesus. Imagine that a church that doesn't believe or preach salvation saying your not showing the Love of Jesus!
As a Saved Christian who loves Lutheran Liturgy, I get a little excited when people call them selves Christians and yet do not take the whole of Christ. They accuse us of cherry picking scripture as they cherry pick scripture. :) And yet
What of the new to Christ believers? what of them? DO we scare them off with the HARD TRUTH? or do we nurse them along weaning them from the secular world and into discipleship?
Who is saved and who is condemned?
Is a baptized Lutheran who recites the creeds and believes them but who runs out of church and never does good works, Is he/she saved?
OR is it a baptized Lutheran who recites the creeds and believes them and does good works out of love for the Father Is he saved?
Or is it the Christian who lives the creed, Lives for Christ Jesus and follows the WAY and yet stumbles into sin occasionally, Is he saved?
What do you think?
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Wheres the meat
I find it wrong, the latest Quiznos commercial, the two pretty girls at the end of the commercial allude to a sexual connotation. If your old enough to remember the old Wendy's commercial where the grandmother yells, " Where's the BEEF!" I guess some folks really want to know, where is the Meat!
That is what I see in the Lutheran Church, Where's the Meat. We certainly have filler, Pastors following the path of not preaching the Gospel because it might make someone not feel accepted.
We have lard, Pastors preaching Social injustice, Environment, or Sexual ordination rather than Salvation, Condemnation, Forgiveness, or what I see as the most important task in the church today,,,,,,Teaching
"A Relationship with God."
The Church today forgets what they are on earth for. To bring people to God, Through Christ Jesus.
To Proclaim Salvation, to literally save souls.
If your Lutheran I want to ask you, Is there a Bible in your pews? Do you or your congregation believe in hell, and if so what are you doing to Work Out Your Salvation? Do you worship God, or do you worship Luther?
And If your a Pastor, When you die, and are walking into heaven will you look down at the souls you recognize in hell from your life, and what will you do when they scream out, " Why did you not tell us about the requirements for salvation?" Ezekiel 3 chapter.
Maranatha
Rick Weiss
That is what I see in the Lutheran Church, Where's the Meat. We certainly have filler, Pastors following the path of not preaching the Gospel because it might make someone not feel accepted.
We have lard, Pastors preaching Social injustice, Environment, or Sexual ordination rather than Salvation, Condemnation, Forgiveness, or what I see as the most important task in the church today,,,,,,Teaching
"A Relationship with God."
The Church today forgets what they are on earth for. To bring people to God, Through Christ Jesus.
To Proclaim Salvation, to literally save souls.
If your Lutheran I want to ask you, Is there a Bible in your pews? Do you or your congregation believe in hell, and if so what are you doing to Work Out Your Salvation? Do you worship God, or do you worship Luther?
And If your a Pastor, When you die, and are walking into heaven will you look down at the souls you recognize in hell from your life, and what will you do when they scream out, " Why did you not tell us about the requirements for salvation?" Ezekiel 3 chapter.
Maranatha
Rick Weiss
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