Praise the LORD!!!
As of yesterday, I'm being led to start another new branch for the ministry. This one will be international in scope. Vine Ministerial Network International (V.M.N.I.) will be its name. It will be multifunctional in actions. There will be evangelism outreaches to many countries around the globe, discipleship training schools, along with the standard disaster relief operations.
This has me a bit stifled. Because currently I'm living in a host family's home, with a backpack full of clothes, a few hand tools and this ancient computer system (that freezes up typing emails:)) You can count on the fact that I've been talking a great deal with the LORD over this matter and the answer keeps coming back, 'trust in ME!' If there is one thing that I truly do, that is trust GOD!!! All the things HE's done throughout my life are amazing, it boggles my mind to think I waited so long to turn the controls over to HIM! I was 39 and had lived 26 of it in heavy drug use and all sorts of sinful behavior. More details on this can be found in my book "Out of the LIGHT" at the ministry's website, so I'll not go into it all here. To say the least, I wasn't one that you'd think would ever be successful, let alone running an international Christian helps ministry. GOD can surely amaze us at times.
Since the LORD opened my eyes to HIS calling in '95' I've totally given HIM the control over what I do. The results can be seen by doing a online search of my name or that of the ministry. Ever little detail of it has been at the LORD's leading, even the prayers and the few games I play to relax. Now I'm no computer guru, not even close, but I've been highly blessed to produce the ministry's website, all by myself. To date almost everything I've done has been 100% done by these hands and feet that the LORD has blessed me with. All moneys, well 98% of, have come from my own pockets through work that I've done outside the ministry.
Yet with all this being said and done, there are three people at this moment working on translating my book into a foreign tongue. I've been asked to come to two nations, Liberia and India, to preach and evangelize. Through one of these two men has come the formulation of this branch of the ministry, to open the door for it by having it legalized before his government. Now the fact that VCM was going to be a world reaching ministry isn't new to me, but when I've not even yet begun to break ground on that part of it here in the states!
There are hundreds of details that have yet to be taken care of here, let alone those that will come with the addition of an international branch.I spent several hours today, walking around the house talking with GOD, bearing my soul to HIM (there's no one home but me.) I talk to GOD like I would my earthly father, with respect and straight from the heart. If something has distressed me, I let HIM know it and this has me a bit stirred up. As I said though, the answers keep coming back the same, "Trust in ME." There is truly only one that I trust anymore, for I don't even trust myself, that is GOD and GOD alone. So I guess what I'm saying is, Vine of CHRIST Ministries is going international, with it's branch Vine Ministerial Network International !!!
Monday, December 28, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Something to think about during CHRISTmas!
Praise the LORD!!!
I've not been blogging much in the last week because GOD has laid upon my heart a little side job. It is a little something we as Christians should think about during out CHRISTmas. If anyone has been keeping track of my activity on Facebook or several of the other sites that I frequent, its likely they'll know these subjects. Homelessness and Human Trafficking.
Recently I've started posting bookmarks to several sites and articles that have been working on or focused on the elimination of or at least the knocking down of the statistics relating to these two topics. Since the beginning of time we've had both of these around and at times had began to get them under control. In the last part of the 20th century, with the advent of the internet, investigations into both of these began to expose some startling figures and practices. As the world has become more civilized, or supposed to of, we have more and more people becoming trapped in one or both of these webs of indecency.
We as Christian are supposed to look out for and if possible supply the needs of those in need. Yet it seems that we forget this, especially during the CHRISTmas season. That time of year when we celebrate the birth of our LORD. This year I ask that while you're preparing for this festive celebration, that you think about one or both of these groups. These people are our neighbors, as pointed out in the parable of the 'Good Samaritan.' We should not look down upon them with disgust, but lift them up with love and compassion. Trying to figure out a way to improve their lives and possibly lead them to a saving relationship with JESUS. Could a few leftovers be gathered up and taken to some homeless person? Or maybe a young prostitute plying her trade on the streets? We don't know the conditions that brought these people to either of these lifestyles and shouldn't stand in judgment. What we should do is our best to bring about a change within them, not through a gospel tract or preaching to them, but through a compassionate and loving spirit.
There are so many ways we can change peoples lives, if we but take those first steps to actually do something. You've obviously a computer, or you'd not be reading this, so do a little research into these topics. Swing by the local homeless shelter or soup kitchen. Maybe even lending them a hand or supplying them with the needed provisions. Pray for them, but also pray for the LORD to open your eyes and heart to what HE wants you to do and then go and do it! Believe me, there is no greater feeling than seeing the smile on someone's face or hearing a thank you from someone that you've just blessed in some way by showing them the love CHRIST has for all of mankind!!!
GOD bless all and may you have a Merry CHRISTmas and a happy New Year. Better yet, may you bless someone else with these same blessings!!!
I've not been blogging much in the last week because GOD has laid upon my heart a little side job. It is a little something we as Christians should think about during out CHRISTmas. If anyone has been keeping track of my activity on Facebook or several of the other sites that I frequent, its likely they'll know these subjects. Homelessness and Human Trafficking.
Recently I've started posting bookmarks to several sites and articles that have been working on or focused on the elimination of or at least the knocking down of the statistics relating to these two topics. Since the beginning of time we've had both of these around and at times had began to get them under control. In the last part of the 20th century, with the advent of the internet, investigations into both of these began to expose some startling figures and practices. As the world has become more civilized, or supposed to of, we have more and more people becoming trapped in one or both of these webs of indecency.
We as Christian are supposed to look out for and if possible supply the needs of those in need. Yet it seems that we forget this, especially during the CHRISTmas season. That time of year when we celebrate the birth of our LORD. This year I ask that while you're preparing for this festive celebration, that you think about one or both of these groups. These people are our neighbors, as pointed out in the parable of the 'Good Samaritan.' We should not look down upon them with disgust, but lift them up with love and compassion. Trying to figure out a way to improve their lives and possibly lead them to a saving relationship with JESUS. Could a few leftovers be gathered up and taken to some homeless person? Or maybe a young prostitute plying her trade on the streets? We don't know the conditions that brought these people to either of these lifestyles and shouldn't stand in judgment. What we should do is our best to bring about a change within them, not through a gospel tract or preaching to them, but through a compassionate and loving spirit.
There are so many ways we can change peoples lives, if we but take those first steps to actually do something. You've obviously a computer, or you'd not be reading this, so do a little research into these topics. Swing by the local homeless shelter or soup kitchen. Maybe even lending them a hand or supplying them with the needed provisions. Pray for them, but also pray for the LORD to open your eyes and heart to what HE wants you to do and then go and do it! Believe me, there is no greater feeling than seeing the smile on someone's face or hearing a thank you from someone that you've just blessed in some way by showing them the love CHRIST has for all of mankind!!!
GOD bless all and may you have a Merry CHRISTmas and a happy New Year. Better yet, may you bless someone else with these same blessings!!!
Monday, December 14, 2009
May the LORD meet our needs!!!
Praise the LORD!!!
With this being the CHRISTmas season, things are tough all around. Many have had to focus on personal needs only with the current state of the economy. With the relocation and reformation of VCM beginning just months ago. This has become a very tight time within our budget. With the ministry's state of currently being funded only through my income, it has been extremely hard. Especially with all the new increases in 'branches' to it's operational umbrella.
You see, for all of the twelve years of this ministry's existence, it has been almost totally dependent on the works of my hands alone. There were those that made donations of clothing and food items when I first set it up in Springfield, MO. But after I made a move to another section of town, this even disappeared and it was all out of pocket. Then with the move to Louisiana this became even more so a truth. With relocation to MS. after being hit by the hurricanes of '05', this became a greater reality. All the works done in the ministry's name, and CHRIST's, were totally out of pocket. Even though while there, for almost two full years, I worked on over two hundred homes, some from the ground up, others just renovations and repairs of existent structures.
I don't know the reason for the ministry not receiving acceptance from the Church and public in general and really don't care. The LORD has called me to this ministry and I'll work it until the day I die, alone if need be, but whatever happens through it's name will be in the name of JESUS!!! I've promised to not make pleas for donations. This being a personal dislike of mine, because when I've watched or listened to Christian programming, it seems as if this is most of what you see and hear. So I've promised the LORD, this will not come out of my mouth.
What I will ask for, are your heart felt prayers!!! I know the power of prayer firsthand and trust that if the needs of this ministry are going to be met, this is the way that it's going to happen and this way alone. I've totally placed my life and the life of this ministry in JESUS' hands, as of April this year. When I started to walk from Utopia, Ohio to Kingsville, Texas on foot. (You can find out details on this at the ministry's website, in the November newsletter (of sorts.))
Since making it to Kingsville, I've been hosted by two marvelous families. One even setting me up with a donated computer and the internet, this is where this is being entered from at this time. With the LORD's blessing upon this old ('01') computer, I've been blessed to do far more then I thought possible. Even though I've fought 'tooth and nail' at times to keep it from freezing up, by running only one program at any time. Though progress has been slow, the ministry's web presence has grown, now being tied to numerous Christian and social sites online. One just has to do a search of the ministry's name or mine to find this out. This all has come about because the LORD has blessed me with a great faith and perseverance to put in twelve to fourteen hours a day in doing thus. If I have to, I'll continue this way until my last breath, but I truly don't believe the LORD wants it to come to these ends.
I'd tell y'all the full vision of the ministry, what the LORD has shown me, but you would call me 'nuts', because believe me this isn't just a little one man operation. I'll say this, that if you took the world's top ten helps organizations, ball them all up together, the combined mass wouldn't hold up to a part of VCM. I can hear some of you now, 'this guy is nuts!' or 'he's totally lost it.' Well if I am in this state, let me say it clearly, JESUS has been in my life to such a great extent and changed the man that I used to be to such an extent, that I'm crazy for JESUS and have given my life totally to HIS glory and HIS alone!!!
As I said earlier, I just want your heart felt prayers on these matters. If the LORD effects your heart to help in other ways, so be it, but all I want is for the prayers of the saints to fill heaven with prayers for this HIS ministry through me, and this alone!!!
With this being the CHRISTmas season, things are tough all around. Many have had to focus on personal needs only with the current state of the economy. With the relocation and reformation of VCM beginning just months ago. This has become a very tight time within our budget. With the ministry's state of currently being funded only through my income, it has been extremely hard. Especially with all the new increases in 'branches' to it's operational umbrella.
You see, for all of the twelve years of this ministry's existence, it has been almost totally dependent on the works of my hands alone. There were those that made donations of clothing and food items when I first set it up in Springfield, MO. But after I made a move to another section of town, this even disappeared and it was all out of pocket. Then with the move to Louisiana this became even more so a truth. With relocation to MS. after being hit by the hurricanes of '05', this became a greater reality. All the works done in the ministry's name, and CHRIST's, were totally out of pocket. Even though while there, for almost two full years, I worked on over two hundred homes, some from the ground up, others just renovations and repairs of existent structures.
I don't know the reason for the ministry not receiving acceptance from the Church and public in general and really don't care. The LORD has called me to this ministry and I'll work it until the day I die, alone if need be, but whatever happens through it's name will be in the name of JESUS!!! I've promised to not make pleas for donations. This being a personal dislike of mine, because when I've watched or listened to Christian programming, it seems as if this is most of what you see and hear. So I've promised the LORD, this will not come out of my mouth.
What I will ask for, are your heart felt prayers!!! I know the power of prayer firsthand and trust that if the needs of this ministry are going to be met, this is the way that it's going to happen and this way alone. I've totally placed my life and the life of this ministry in JESUS' hands, as of April this year. When I started to walk from Utopia, Ohio to Kingsville, Texas on foot. (You can find out details on this at the ministry's website, in the November newsletter (of sorts.))
Since making it to Kingsville, I've been hosted by two marvelous families. One even setting me up with a donated computer and the internet, this is where this is being entered from at this time. With the LORD's blessing upon this old ('01') computer, I've been blessed to do far more then I thought possible. Even though I've fought 'tooth and nail' at times to keep it from freezing up, by running only one program at any time. Though progress has been slow, the ministry's web presence has grown, now being tied to numerous Christian and social sites online. One just has to do a search of the ministry's name or mine to find this out. This all has come about because the LORD has blessed me with a great faith and perseverance to put in twelve to fourteen hours a day in doing thus. If I have to, I'll continue this way until my last breath, but I truly don't believe the LORD wants it to come to these ends.
I'd tell y'all the full vision of the ministry, what the LORD has shown me, but you would call me 'nuts', because believe me this isn't just a little one man operation. I'll say this, that if you took the world's top ten helps organizations, ball them all up together, the combined mass wouldn't hold up to a part of VCM. I can hear some of you now, 'this guy is nuts!' or 'he's totally lost it.' Well if I am in this state, let me say it clearly, JESUS has been in my life to such a great extent and changed the man that I used to be to such an extent, that I'm crazy for JESUS and have given my life totally to HIS glory and HIS alone!!!
As I said earlier, I just want your heart felt prayers on these matters. If the LORD effects your heart to help in other ways, so be it, but all I want is for the prayers of the saints to fill heaven with prayers for this HIS ministry through me, and this alone!!!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Close to home...
Praise the LORD!!!
I just finished reading an article at Change.org on the homeless. This one hit an area close to my heart. It was on the homeless that have come from the confines of our prison systems. You see, before the LORD found me I had just been arrested and saw that I had totally messed up my life. This is when I was blessed to accept salvation, thus my life took a 360 and has never been the same. But this isn't about me, it's about those that have served their time in prison, sans the LORD, and been released into a 'new world.' For no matter the length of sentence, their world as they'd known it has changed.
These changes range from their no longer being accepted by society as one having the rights of the normal person. They've become a lower than life form of being. No longer fit to be employed. Unable to receive many of the governments social programs. Like the young lady in this story, they become homeless, outcast of society. This even if they've changed their lifestyle or not. Many may resort to any means possible to survive. This woman chose 'pan handling', but many others will turn to illegal means to survive. This too, isn't the reason for this blog.
What is the problem with a system that takes people into it and then just turns them out without caring about whether or not it had benefited the person? Our prison systems turn out possibly thousands like this each month. Many not able to support themselves by legal means, end up right back in the system that was meant to correct their problem in the first place.There are many programs in prison to improve oneself, but no guarantee that a person will take advantage of them, let alone complete them. At one time prisons were meant to adjust a person's behavior to that of the norms of society, but that is no longer the case. Now it is more of a money game, just meant to take them out of society for a while and later on run them through again. This too is not the reason for this blog!
How is it that we as a "Christian" nation can sit back and allow our fellow man to be put through such treatment? It is bad enough that we allow a system that is truly flawed to continue to operate in such manor. Greater still that we can turn our backs on our 'neighbor' when they are treated in such manor. How is it that we as Christians can continue to vote in politicians that won't address these problems straight on, no matter what the repercussions to their political futures? How is it that we can call ourselves Christians when we allow our fellow man to be treated more like an animal then a human and not speak up or reach out to them with a hand of compassion? Have we lost sight of the very principles which made this country so great? Worse yet, have we lost sight, and touch, with the GOD that we call our LORD and SAVIOR?
I just finished reading an article at Change.org on the homeless. This one hit an area close to my heart. It was on the homeless that have come from the confines of our prison systems. You see, before the LORD found me I had just been arrested and saw that I had totally messed up my life. This is when I was blessed to accept salvation, thus my life took a 360 and has never been the same. But this isn't about me, it's about those that have served their time in prison, sans the LORD, and been released into a 'new world.' For no matter the length of sentence, their world as they'd known it has changed.
These changes range from their no longer being accepted by society as one having the rights of the normal person. They've become a lower than life form of being. No longer fit to be employed. Unable to receive many of the governments social programs. Like the young lady in this story, they become homeless, outcast of society. This even if they've changed their lifestyle or not. Many may resort to any means possible to survive. This woman chose 'pan handling', but many others will turn to illegal means to survive. This too, isn't the reason for this blog.
What is the problem with a system that takes people into it and then just turns them out without caring about whether or not it had benefited the person? Our prison systems turn out possibly thousands like this each month. Many not able to support themselves by legal means, end up right back in the system that was meant to correct their problem in the first place.There are many programs in prison to improve oneself, but no guarantee that a person will take advantage of them, let alone complete them. At one time prisons were meant to adjust a person's behavior to that of the norms of society, but that is no longer the case. Now it is more of a money game, just meant to take them out of society for a while and later on run them through again. This too is not the reason for this blog!
How is it that we as a "Christian" nation can sit back and allow our fellow man to be put through such treatment? It is bad enough that we allow a system that is truly flawed to continue to operate in such manor. Greater still that we can turn our backs on our 'neighbor' when they are treated in such manor. How is it that we as Christians can continue to vote in politicians that won't address these problems straight on, no matter what the repercussions to their political futures? How is it that we can call ourselves Christians when we allow our fellow man to be treated more like an animal then a human and not speak up or reach out to them with a hand of compassion? Have we lost sight of the very principles which made this country so great? Worse yet, have we lost sight, and touch, with the GOD that we call our LORD and SAVIOR?
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Doing whatever I can...
Praise the LORD!!!
Though not able to help at this time, due to lack of funding, I'm doing whatever I can to help those in need, both physically and spiritually. Truly this should be the stance of all those that call JESUS both LORD and SAVIOR! There are thousands of organizations out there that are crying out for help. Whether through donations or physical assistance. Why is this?
Even though I can't help through donations or physically going to help, I am spending my time online drawing as much attention to their causes as possible. Through blogging, clipping and amplifying, starting up fundraisers, whatever, I'm putting the time and effort into doing it. I could be spending my time playing games or watching videos, or maybe just reading or listening to music. But I'm not!
As CHRIST is my LORD and SAVIOR I just can't sit back and watch the world go by. I've got to do something. I've been working on VCM now for twelve years now and am still doing it all by myself. Not one person has caught the dream and vision of a Christian helps ministry that truly brings the glory of CHRIST to the front of all they do. Not just a "self' named ministry, like so many today, but one that has CHRIST at its heart and in the center of all that it does and represents.
Years back when I first brought VCM to the internet, I began asking the big 'self' named ministries tor assistance in any way possible. Of about thirty that I contacted, only one responded with any substantial action. This ministry responded with over $300 worth of their books and teaching tapes. Not that much, but better than the rest and I'm very thankful for them, though they've been lost by the wayside through my travels. Most of the others, though considered "Mega" ministries, just offered up their prayers for the ministry and me. If I could run my Bible programs and enter this at the same time I'd give you the verses that call this a sin before GOD, but I can't. Look it up, if you even have to, but it isn't right when we can help others when they ask and don't.
In VCM's first newsletter, last months, the 'Modern day Parable' was a true story. This happened to me on my first attempted trip down here. All the events show that the church and Christians of today focus more on their own needs instead of those needs of their 'neighbors.' In the name of JESUS this has to stop!!!
Though not able to help at this time, due to lack of funding, I'm doing whatever I can to help those in need, both physically and spiritually. Truly this should be the stance of all those that call JESUS both LORD and SAVIOR! There are thousands of organizations out there that are crying out for help. Whether through donations or physical assistance. Why is this?
Even though I can't help through donations or physically going to help, I am spending my time online drawing as much attention to their causes as possible. Through blogging, clipping and amplifying, starting up fundraisers, whatever, I'm putting the time and effort into doing it. I could be spending my time playing games or watching videos, or maybe just reading or listening to music. But I'm not!
As CHRIST is my LORD and SAVIOR I just can't sit back and watch the world go by. I've got to do something. I've been working on VCM now for twelve years now and am still doing it all by myself. Not one person has caught the dream and vision of a Christian helps ministry that truly brings the glory of CHRIST to the front of all they do. Not just a "self' named ministry, like so many today, but one that has CHRIST at its heart and in the center of all that it does and represents.
Years back when I first brought VCM to the internet, I began asking the big 'self' named ministries tor assistance in any way possible. Of about thirty that I contacted, only one responded with any substantial action. This ministry responded with over $300 worth of their books and teaching tapes. Not that much, but better than the rest and I'm very thankful for them, though they've been lost by the wayside through my travels. Most of the others, though considered "Mega" ministries, just offered up their prayers for the ministry and me. If I could run my Bible programs and enter this at the same time I'd give you the verses that call this a sin before GOD, but I can't. Look it up, if you even have to, but it isn't right when we can help others when they ask and don't.
In VCM's first newsletter, last months, the 'Modern day Parable' was a true story. This happened to me on my first attempted trip down here. All the events show that the church and Christians of today focus more on their own needs instead of those needs of their 'neighbors.' In the name of JESUS this has to stop!!!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Christian helps?
Praise the LORD!!!
Christian helps? Christian helps ministry? What exactly do these two mean? To start out we as Christian are told to "love our neighbors as we love ourselves" and "that the world will know us by our works." As Christians we are called to show the love of CHRIST to others by show them our for them, to them. How can we show a person we love them? In the same way that we show love for ourselves, by the way we take care of them. Do we place them before ourselves and aid them in their lives struggles and we would pray that others would reach out to us? Do we take the time to lend a listening ear when they've something burdening their soul? Do we give to them as we'd wish someone would give to us when we are down and out? Boy, that sure is a lot of questions isn't it?
Vine of CHRIST Ministries is trying to fulfill all of these questions in every second of the ministry's existence. During the '05' hurricane season, I had one family that was displaced by hurricane Katrina living with us, when Rita began to bear down on us (we lived at the time in Iowa, LA.) As the storm began to draw nearer to the coast, I decided to ship my friends and these people off to the north, to stay behind and ride out the storm with my dog. You see, we had a seven person van and there was five of us, plus my 100 lb. dog, and the two of them and their cat. With all the needed supplies and people, all of us going would not of worked out, so off they all went and I battened down the hatches on the little farm shanty that we were renting.
To say the least it was a very, very exciting ride! 165 to 185 mile per hour winds, torrential rain and so many tornadoes that they couldn't be counted. After nearly 24 hours of being housebound I was finally able to go outside. A once over on the shanty and off I went to survey the damage to my neighbors homes and the local infrastructure. I commandeered my neighbors riding lawnmower and off I went (I knew this would be fine, because I used it to mow theirs and our yards all the time.) There was no one else around within a half mile of the house. A good amount of structural damage to a number of the houses and a lot of tree damage. All the power was out in the area, but we were blessed to have a working city water system still functioning.
There wasn't much that could be done at the moment, so I returned to work on weatherizing our place. It was missing several metal roof panels and half of the shingles on the back side of the hose. I covered these the best I could with plastic and moved as much of the personal belongs out of harms way. At this I began to formulate a plan as to all the supplies available to me and how to ration them in the best possible manor. No one else was in the area at this time, but I began to reckon how to help anyone else that would show up.
It wasn't until the third day that neighbors began to return to their homes and this was because there were police barricades on the major roads into the area. I had marked the house with spray paint before the storm, so officials would know how many had stayed behind. It wasn't until this third day that I saw any of the local police or emergency workers, but I was managing fine. As neighbors began to show up, I'd stop in and check on them, telling them that I was available when they needed any help and at all. Things began to progress quickly, trees that had fallen were cut up and moved. Debris was piled up out of the way and anything that was displaced was either returned to its location or put where it could be found.
Shortly people began to venture out towards Lake Charles, working to find needed supplies of whatever kind they could. One day we had 580 lbs. of some fine Cajun smoked sausage given to us, because it had been in a local store's fridges which had lost power, so it couldn't be sold. I was riding around still on the mower giving out trash bags full of this stuff, it didn't need refrigeration, so it could be cooked or eaten anyway you could think of. The people in this area pulled together and though the damage was widespread they worked together to help out each other until the job was done and everyone's lives return something close to normal.
In this most of those questions were answered. Christian helps and a helps ministry gets out there and does whatever it takes to help people in their time of need. It doesn't matter if its a major storm like these, or just an everyday problem. Its Christians reaching out to others to show that the care about them and love them as CHRIST loves us!!!
Christian helps? Christian helps ministry? What exactly do these two mean? To start out we as Christian are told to "love our neighbors as we love ourselves" and "that the world will know us by our works." As Christians we are called to show the love of CHRIST to others by show them our for them, to them. How can we show a person we love them? In the same way that we show love for ourselves, by the way we take care of them. Do we place them before ourselves and aid them in their lives struggles and we would pray that others would reach out to us? Do we take the time to lend a listening ear when they've something burdening their soul? Do we give to them as we'd wish someone would give to us when we are down and out? Boy, that sure is a lot of questions isn't it?
Vine of CHRIST Ministries is trying to fulfill all of these questions in every second of the ministry's existence. During the '05' hurricane season, I had one family that was displaced by hurricane Katrina living with us, when Rita began to bear down on us (we lived at the time in Iowa, LA.) As the storm began to draw nearer to the coast, I decided to ship my friends and these people off to the north, to stay behind and ride out the storm with my dog. You see, we had a seven person van and there was five of us, plus my 100 lb. dog, and the two of them and their cat. With all the needed supplies and people, all of us going would not of worked out, so off they all went and I battened down the hatches on the little farm shanty that we were renting.
To say the least it was a very, very exciting ride! 165 to 185 mile per hour winds, torrential rain and so many tornadoes that they couldn't be counted. After nearly 24 hours of being housebound I was finally able to go outside. A once over on the shanty and off I went to survey the damage to my neighbors homes and the local infrastructure. I commandeered my neighbors riding lawnmower and off I went (I knew this would be fine, because I used it to mow theirs and our yards all the time.) There was no one else around within a half mile of the house. A good amount of structural damage to a number of the houses and a lot of tree damage. All the power was out in the area, but we were blessed to have a working city water system still functioning.
There wasn't much that could be done at the moment, so I returned to work on weatherizing our place. It was missing several metal roof panels and half of the shingles on the back side of the hose. I covered these the best I could with plastic and moved as much of the personal belongs out of harms way. At this I began to formulate a plan as to all the supplies available to me and how to ration them in the best possible manor. No one else was in the area at this time, but I began to reckon how to help anyone else that would show up.
It wasn't until the third day that neighbors began to return to their homes and this was because there were police barricades on the major roads into the area. I had marked the house with spray paint before the storm, so officials would know how many had stayed behind. It wasn't until this third day that I saw any of the local police or emergency workers, but I was managing fine. As neighbors began to show up, I'd stop in and check on them, telling them that I was available when they needed any help and at all. Things began to progress quickly, trees that had fallen were cut up and moved. Debris was piled up out of the way and anything that was displaced was either returned to its location or put where it could be found.
Shortly people began to venture out towards Lake Charles, working to find needed supplies of whatever kind they could. One day we had 580 lbs. of some fine Cajun smoked sausage given to us, because it had been in a local store's fridges which had lost power, so it couldn't be sold. I was riding around still on the mower giving out trash bags full of this stuff, it didn't need refrigeration, so it could be cooked or eaten anyway you could think of. The people in this area pulled together and though the damage was widespread they worked together to help out each other until the job was done and everyone's lives return something close to normal.
In this most of those questions were answered. Christian helps and a helps ministry gets out there and does whatever it takes to help people in their time of need. It doesn't matter if its a major storm like these, or just an everyday problem. Its Christians reaching out to others to show that the care about them and love them as CHRIST loves us!!!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
I've read today...
Praise the LORD!!!
I've just finished reading today's news release from FEMA. In it they talk about giving gifts of preparedness for Christmas. Though this may sound corny, it isn't. For there are probably more disasters during the holiday season then at any other time of year. I don't know the stats on this, but from experience, I'd say its a safe bet to say so. Sure they may not be of major proportion, but they still are emergencies in someone's life.
There is never a time that one should not be prepared for whatever may happen. In today's society, we've become far to complacent. "That couldn't happen to me" or "that's why we have emergency services." Come on people! Each and everyone of us needs to be prepared for whatever could and may happen within our lives. It's truly not that hard to set up a plan and gather the things that could really prosper you in and emergency!
There was a time in my life when you could of called me a crazy survivalist and not been that far off! (this was before CHRIST found me) I'd grown up as a Boy Scout, with the motto of "Be Prepared, " and it had carried over into my early adulthood. I begun to see that society was in sad shape and really couldn't be trusted to look after my personal well being, at anytime, let alone an emergency. I'd witnessed first hand several floods in the general area in which I had grownup and witnessed how emergency services were greatly lacking in that which they could do to protect everyone in any given area. Though these services have greatly improved, they're still lacking when it comes to the quick and efficient deployment of emergency services into every area which faces a sudden need. Most likely, they never will be, there are just to many variables that need to be covered and they're far under staffed and funded!
This is why each one of us has a duty to be prepared to help ourselves when the need arises. If we've a family, this becomes even more important and should be examined in greater detail. It really doesn't take much thinking to realize these facts are true and something that needs to be considered by every adult in the nation.
Check out the links page at our website and use these sites to start with, but investigate a plan of action and the needed items that it would take to be prepared for most emergencies. It is recommended that you build these for a 72 hr. period, but truthfully I like to extend this to a full week! Remember, I rode through an almost direct hit by Rita in '05' and it was almost a full week before any relief became available. If you never use these plans and supplies, count it a blessing, but if you do ever need them you'll call them an even bigger blessing!!!
I've just finished reading today's news release from FEMA. In it they talk about giving gifts of preparedness for Christmas. Though this may sound corny, it isn't. For there are probably more disasters during the holiday season then at any other time of year. I don't know the stats on this, but from experience, I'd say its a safe bet to say so. Sure they may not be of major proportion, but they still are emergencies in someone's life.
There is never a time that one should not be prepared for whatever may happen. In today's society, we've become far to complacent. "That couldn't happen to me" or "that's why we have emergency services." Come on people! Each and everyone of us needs to be prepared for whatever could and may happen within our lives. It's truly not that hard to set up a plan and gather the things that could really prosper you in and emergency!
There was a time in my life when you could of called me a crazy survivalist and not been that far off! (this was before CHRIST found me) I'd grown up as a Boy Scout, with the motto of "Be Prepared, " and it had carried over into my early adulthood. I begun to see that society was in sad shape and really couldn't be trusted to look after my personal well being, at anytime, let alone an emergency. I'd witnessed first hand several floods in the general area in which I had grownup and witnessed how emergency services were greatly lacking in that which they could do to protect everyone in any given area. Though these services have greatly improved, they're still lacking when it comes to the quick and efficient deployment of emergency services into every area which faces a sudden need. Most likely, they never will be, there are just to many variables that need to be covered and they're far under staffed and funded!
This is why each one of us has a duty to be prepared to help ourselves when the need arises. If we've a family, this becomes even more important and should be examined in greater detail. It really doesn't take much thinking to realize these facts are true and something that needs to be considered by every adult in the nation.
Check out the links page at our website and use these sites to start with, but investigate a plan of action and the needed items that it would take to be prepared for most emergencies. It is recommended that you build these for a 72 hr. period, but truthfully I like to extend this to a full week! Remember, I rode through an almost direct hit by Rita in '05' and it was almost a full week before any relief became available. If you never use these plans and supplies, count it a blessing, but if you do ever need them you'll call them an even bigger blessing!!!
Sunday, December 6, 2009
In all things...
Praise the LORD!!! For any of you that are familiar with me, you will know that I always offer up thanks and praises to GOD before anything else is done. You may wonder, especially with hearing of some of the recent events, how I can maintain such a stance. It goes back to when GOD first began to allow the HOLY SPIRIT to convict my heart of my need for a deep personal relationship with HIM. If you’ve read my book, “Out of the LIGHT”, you’ll know exactly the reason for this. If not, I’ll fill you in briefly. After being arrested for a armed bank robbery that I took part in, the LORD brought into my hands a book called “From Prison to Praise”, by Merlin Carothers. Without going into to much detail, the foundational principle of his teachings are that no matter what happens within our lives, GOD has a reason for it. I’ve followed this principle pretty closely to this day and it has brought me through many trying situations to say the least.
During this last week, I’ve been working intently on new phases of the ministry and have had a constant battle within each and every detail of it. My computer system was constantly freezing up, many times after a good bit of time in entering information. Or I’d lose internet connection in the middle of an upload, thus losing all that had been transferred. This whole of the last week had been this way, time and time again something would happen, causing me to redo or rethink that which I’d been doing. All through all of this my attitude was one of thankfulness and praise!
Paul in 1 Thes. 5:18 tells us, “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is GOD’s will for you in CHRIST JESUS.” (NIV) and again in Eph. 5:20, “always giving thanks to GOD the FATHER for everything, in the name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.” These are but two of the places in scripture where this thought is conveyed, I could give you more, but these give you the idea. Another verse that I’ll give you at this time is Romans 8:28, but I’ll leave this one for you to look up. The point of the matter is that, no matter what kind of trial or tribulation we find ourselves in, GOD has an ultimate purpose for our being subjected to it and HE has principles set up for us to follow.
We are in a battle with the powers of darkness and everything that we do to reveal the light of JESUS CHRIST to the world through our lives is a threat to their kingdom. Herein we bring on a conflict with them and they will do their best, through problems within and without, to stay our progress of bringing light into a darken world. The greatest way to bring defeat to them is through our offering up praise and thanksgiving unto GOD in the name of JESUS CHRIST!!! Just once though is not a cure all, because numerous time, and more likely than not, it’ll bring on a greater wave of problems (they aren’t a weak bunch and have many means to trouble us!) If you are going to practice this principle within your walk with CHRIST, you had better be ready. For all hell will come against you and most likely those around you. I’ve witnessed this numerous times and LORD willing, will continue to use this against all those that stand against the progression of the KINGDOM of GOD on earth.
I’ve come a long way since I was a trembling man, seeing all that my life had been, dissolve right before my eyes, to where I am today. I’ve spent many an hour reading and studying scripture. Many an hour on my knees in passionate prayers, often in great sobbing tears, crying out to the LORD for HIS grace to strengthen me to withstand the assaults of the enemy. I’ll tell you the truth, I’d not exchange one moment of it for times of peace and comfort. For I know, to the depths of my being, that it is the greatest way to do harm to the kingdom of darkness and it’s minions!!! So let me conclude with this, praise the LORD JESUS and may the gates of hell tremble!!!
During this last week, I’ve been working intently on new phases of the ministry and have had a constant battle within each and every detail of it. My computer system was constantly freezing up, many times after a good bit of time in entering information. Or I’d lose internet connection in the middle of an upload, thus losing all that had been transferred. This whole of the last week had been this way, time and time again something would happen, causing me to redo or rethink that which I’d been doing. All through all of this my attitude was one of thankfulness and praise!
Paul in 1 Thes. 5:18 tells us, “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is GOD’s will for you in CHRIST JESUS.” (NIV) and again in Eph. 5:20, “always giving thanks to GOD the FATHER for everything, in the name of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.” These are but two of the places in scripture where this thought is conveyed, I could give you more, but these give you the idea. Another verse that I’ll give you at this time is Romans 8:28, but I’ll leave this one for you to look up. The point of the matter is that, no matter what kind of trial or tribulation we find ourselves in, GOD has an ultimate purpose for our being subjected to it and HE has principles set up for us to follow.
We are in a battle with the powers of darkness and everything that we do to reveal the light of JESUS CHRIST to the world through our lives is a threat to their kingdom. Herein we bring on a conflict with them and they will do their best, through problems within and without, to stay our progress of bringing light into a darken world. The greatest way to bring defeat to them is through our offering up praise and thanksgiving unto GOD in the name of JESUS CHRIST!!! Just once though is not a cure all, because numerous time, and more likely than not, it’ll bring on a greater wave of problems (they aren’t a weak bunch and have many means to trouble us!) If you are going to practice this principle within your walk with CHRIST, you had better be ready. For all hell will come against you and most likely those around you. I’ve witnessed this numerous times and LORD willing, will continue to use this against all those that stand against the progression of the KINGDOM of GOD on earth.
I’ve come a long way since I was a trembling man, seeing all that my life had been, dissolve right before my eyes, to where I am today. I’ve spent many an hour reading and studying scripture. Many an hour on my knees in passionate prayers, often in great sobbing tears, crying out to the LORD for HIS grace to strengthen me to withstand the assaults of the enemy. I’ll tell you the truth, I’d not exchange one moment of it for times of peace and comfort. For I know, to the depths of my being, that it is the greatest way to do harm to the kingdom of darkness and it’s minions!!! So let me conclude with this, praise the LORD JESUS and may the gates of hell tremble!!!
Saturday, November 28, 2009
In all things...
Praise the LORD!!!
In all things, are we told to sing praises to the LORD! How often do we actually do this? Do we praise HIS name when there are troubles at our doorway? Do we praise HIM when sitting in traffic waiting to do some ‘Black Friday’ shopping? Or when someone dishonors us and our beliefs? Let us look at this deeply, for in it lies many of the problems within our walks and our churches this day! GOD has given us this directive for a reason and a very good one. It shows where our heart truly is.
When we can offer up praises in the most ungodly of situations, we are telling HIM that we trust HIM completely. We may not fully understand HIS reasoning for our difficulties, but we acknowledge that HE has a reason for allowing us to go through them. Many times it may be for our strengthening, so we can help others in such times of need. It may be that we’ve lost focus on who GOD truly is and its for our reassurance. It maybe that we’ve lost sight of who our neighbor truly is and how we’re commanded to love them as we love ourselves. Or maybe, just maybe it is so we can see the hand of GOD working miracles within our lives.
The point of the matter is that we are told to sings praise of thanksgiving and worship to our GOD, and to be obedient to this, we must lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving to a most loving and omnipotent GOD. HE that knows us better than we know ourselves. HE that has plans for this world and all those that call upon HIS name. HE that has created the heavens and the earth and all that is within them.
So, lift your voices this day, above all that has come upon you and sing praises and thanksgivings, unto the one and only GOD who loves your more then you can imagine!!!
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
http://vineofchrist.org
In all things, are we told to sing praises to the LORD! How often do we actually do this? Do we praise HIS name when there are troubles at our doorway? Do we praise HIM when sitting in traffic waiting to do some ‘Black Friday’ shopping? Or when someone dishonors us and our beliefs? Let us look at this deeply, for in it lies many of the problems within our walks and our churches this day! GOD has given us this directive for a reason and a very good one. It shows where our heart truly is.
When we can offer up praises in the most ungodly of situations, we are telling HIM that we trust HIM completely. We may not fully understand HIS reasoning for our difficulties, but we acknowledge that HE has a reason for allowing us to go through them. Many times it may be for our strengthening, so we can help others in such times of need. It may be that we’ve lost focus on who GOD truly is and its for our reassurance. It maybe that we’ve lost sight of who our neighbor truly is and how we’re commanded to love them as we love ourselves. Or maybe, just maybe it is so we can see the hand of GOD working miracles within our lives.
The point of the matter is that we are told to sings praise of thanksgiving and worship to our GOD, and to be obedient to this, we must lift our voices in praise and thanksgiving to a most loving and omnipotent GOD. HE that knows us better than we know ourselves. HE that has plans for this world and all those that call upon HIS name. HE that has created the heavens and the earth and all that is within them.
So, lift your voices this day, above all that has come upon you and sing praises and thanksgivings, unto the one and only GOD who loves your more then you can imagine!!!
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
http://vineofchrist.org
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Most of the reason I'm online...
Praise the LORD!!!
Most of the reason I’m online and at so many differing site is to bring attention to the ministry that the LORD has graced me with. Vine of CHRIST Ministries is this ministry. It is a non denominational Christian helps ministry with many branches, or it will have. It is currently in the ‘sprout’ stage, where it is putting out roots into the surrounding soil. The soil at this time is Kingsville Texas, for this is where the LORD has led me to set up it’s first fully functional ‘Disaster Relief Operational Center(DROC) and it’s first fully time office complex.
Kingsville is located about 20 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico, in a semi tropical area. The weather is warm to hot for most of the year, just the way I like it. There will be three DROC’s eventually. This one, one in Mississippi and another in southern Florida. Each being around 24 hrs. driving time apart. This will form the beginning of a covering zone that will one day reach across the continental United States. Eventually spreading out into foreign lands or wherever we’re needed.
Though the LORD had shown me this branch of the ministry back in ‘97’, it began to take shape in 2005, when I was blessed to sit through hurricanes Katrina and Rita while living in southwestern Louisiana. In the little town of Iowa, that is ten miles east of Lake Charles. Katrina didn’t bother us to badly, but Rita was a different story. I sat through 165+ mph. winds, torrential rains and 15 tornadoes (these I counted) in a little farm shanty out in the middle of an open field. The house stood up under the pressure for the most part, but the infra structure suffered much. We were without power for nearly 3 weeks and if any of you are familiar with the summer heat and humidity of the area, you know it was hot!
It was a week after the storm when we got our first attention from outsiders. a little church from Rocky Mount, N.C., brought in a bunch of pre-packaged meals. A week later we were blessed by the National Guard and FEMA bringing in ice and MRE’s. A week later the Salvation Army and the next week the Red Cross. Everyone was very thankful for the help, but wondered what took everyone so long, especially considering the fact that most of these had large scale operations set up 180 miles away in New Orleans! Here in lies the reason for VCM. LORD willing we will be on site of major disaster in around 24 hrs.. We won’t of been sitting around waiting for them to occur, we will of already have started moving personnel and materials into the projected areas. Once the we’re able to go into these areas we’ll be setting up operational bases to disperse food and emergency supplies to those in need and providing all the direct assistance we can. There is a lot of work and training to fore go to get to this state, but LORD willing it won’t take that long.
There is a great deal to be done and much that is needed, but as I promised the LORD twelve years ago when HE first showed me HIS ministry for me, I’ll not ask people to give. It is HIS ministry, I’m just the hands and the feet of it, and HE’ll be the one that leads people to volunteer and donated the time, money and materials that are needed by it. My job is just to do the work that HE sets forth for me. Organizing the operations, overseeing the building and set up of each of the programs and preaching HIS most precious gospel to those that will hear me. So to all that read this, pray about what the LORD would have you do concerning this HIS ministry and follow your heart. Hopefully someday soon I’ll be hearing from you in some way, shape of form!!!
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
http://vineofchrist.org
Most of the reason I’m online and at so many differing site is to bring attention to the ministry that the LORD has graced me with. Vine of CHRIST Ministries is this ministry. It is a non denominational Christian helps ministry with many branches, or it will have. It is currently in the ‘sprout’ stage, where it is putting out roots into the surrounding soil. The soil at this time is Kingsville Texas, for this is where the LORD has led me to set up it’s first fully functional ‘Disaster Relief Operational Center(DROC) and it’s first fully time office complex.
Kingsville is located about 20 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico, in a semi tropical area. The weather is warm to hot for most of the year, just the way I like it. There will be three DROC’s eventually. This one, one in Mississippi and another in southern Florida. Each being around 24 hrs. driving time apart. This will form the beginning of a covering zone that will one day reach across the continental United States. Eventually spreading out into foreign lands or wherever we’re needed.
Though the LORD had shown me this branch of the ministry back in ‘97’, it began to take shape in 2005, when I was blessed to sit through hurricanes Katrina and Rita while living in southwestern Louisiana. In the little town of Iowa, that is ten miles east of Lake Charles. Katrina didn’t bother us to badly, but Rita was a different story. I sat through 165+ mph. winds, torrential rains and 15 tornadoes (these I counted) in a little farm shanty out in the middle of an open field. The house stood up under the pressure for the most part, but the infra structure suffered much. We were without power for nearly 3 weeks and if any of you are familiar with the summer heat and humidity of the area, you know it was hot!
It was a week after the storm when we got our first attention from outsiders. a little church from Rocky Mount, N.C., brought in a bunch of pre-packaged meals. A week later we were blessed by the National Guard and FEMA bringing in ice and MRE’s. A week later the Salvation Army and the next week the Red Cross. Everyone was very thankful for the help, but wondered what took everyone so long, especially considering the fact that most of these had large scale operations set up 180 miles away in New Orleans! Here in lies the reason for VCM. LORD willing we will be on site of major disaster in around 24 hrs.. We won’t of been sitting around waiting for them to occur, we will of already have started moving personnel and materials into the projected areas. Once the we’re able to go into these areas we’ll be setting up operational bases to disperse food and emergency supplies to those in need and providing all the direct assistance we can. There is a lot of work and training to fore go to get to this state, but LORD willing it won’t take that long.
There is a great deal to be done and much that is needed, but as I promised the LORD twelve years ago when HE first showed me HIS ministry for me, I’ll not ask people to give. It is HIS ministry, I’m just the hands and the feet of it, and HE’ll be the one that leads people to volunteer and donated the time, money and materials that are needed by it. My job is just to do the work that HE sets forth for me. Organizing the operations, overseeing the building and set up of each of the programs and preaching HIS most precious gospel to those that will hear me. So to all that read this, pray about what the LORD would have you do concerning this HIS ministry and follow your heart. Hopefully someday soon I’ll be hearing from you in some way, shape of form!!!
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
http://vineofchrist.org
Monday, November 9, 2009
A quickie on the 'Emergent Church,' a must read to stay strong in our faith!
Praise the LORD!!!
***I'm republishing this since the topic has come up again !!!
Here is a quickie for everyone who calls themselves a Christian. There is a lot to read, but it's very important that we have our eyes opened to the lies that are taking place within our faith. Checkout this link(and those contained within it):http://crossroad.to/News/Church/emergent.html
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
http://vineofchrist.org
***I'm republishing this since the topic has come up again !!!
Here is a quickie for everyone who calls themselves a Christian. There is a lot to read, but it's very important that we have our eyes opened to the lies that are taking place within our faith. Checkout this link(and those contained within it):http://crossroad.to/News/Church/emergent.html
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
http://vineofchrist.org
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Its time...
Praise the LORD!!!
It is time that Christians, those that truly show CHRIST through their lives, begin to move and effect the world CHRIST! No longer should they be sitting back in their easy chairs and letting others do the works, but getting up and out of their comfort zones and broadcasting the love of GOD to their fellow man. Get up and get out, move for the LORD, let all of mankind hear the name of JESUS from the lips of ones that truly believe in that which HE has done for us. All HIS precious promises are still working today as they were in the first century. Nothing about CHRIST has changed. Miracles still happen these days as they did then. GOD blesses those that praise HIS name today just as HE did then.
There is a world of hurting people out there just waiting to hear the gospel in some way, shape or form. Will you be the one to tell them? Or will it be from the world around them? Those that doubt and belittle that which CHRIST has done for mankind. If you truly believe in the wondrous, loving power of GOD that works and changes peoples live today as it did in the first century, tell someone about HIM. Show HIS love for them through you actions. Let the world see JESUS in and through ever action, word and deed that is a representation of HE that gave HIS life so freely for yours. Glorify the name of JESUS today. Move and let HIM move the world through you. Let the precious name of JESUS come to be heard, known and believed by every person upon this planet. You can do it, you just have to make take the first step and let JESUS do the rest through you!
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
http://vineofchrist.org
It is time that Christians, those that truly show CHRIST through their lives, begin to move and effect the world CHRIST! No longer should they be sitting back in their easy chairs and letting others do the works, but getting up and out of their comfort zones and broadcasting the love of GOD to their fellow man. Get up and get out, move for the LORD, let all of mankind hear the name of JESUS from the lips of ones that truly believe in that which HE has done for us. All HIS precious promises are still working today as they were in the first century. Nothing about CHRIST has changed. Miracles still happen these days as they did then. GOD blesses those that praise HIS name today just as HE did then.
There is a world of hurting people out there just waiting to hear the gospel in some way, shape or form. Will you be the one to tell them? Or will it be from the world around them? Those that doubt and belittle that which CHRIST has done for mankind. If you truly believe in the wondrous, loving power of GOD that works and changes peoples live today as it did in the first century, tell someone about HIM. Show HIS love for them through you actions. Let the world see JESUS in and through ever action, word and deed that is a representation of HE that gave HIS life so freely for yours. Glorify the name of JESUS today. Move and let HIM move the world through you. Let the precious name of JESUS come to be heard, known and believed by every person upon this planet. You can do it, you just have to make take the first step and let JESUS do the rest through you!
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
http://vineofchrist.org
Thursday, October 29, 2009
We've a newsletter now!
Praise the LORD!!!
VCM now has a newsletter. “Notes from the Vine” for November is our/my first attempt at one, so please keep that in mind. Truthfully I’d love all the comments I can get on it. There is always room for improvement. It is basically about my first attempt to walk to Kingsville Texas and the trials and tribulations that I underwent. Then there is a short ‘Current events’ posting, talking about that which I’ve been doing since getting here. I hope you enjoy and please remember I want your comments. I’m working this ministry totally by myself at the moment and I’m not the brightest when it comes to such things. This ministry is for real, though many may not think so. My life is totally sold out to doing the will of the LORD. Who else would try walking from southern Ohio to southeast Texas without having any information or connections to depend on but the LORD?
VCM now has a newsletter. “Notes from the Vine” for November is our/my first attempt at one, so please keep that in mind. Truthfully I’d love all the comments I can get on it. There is always room for improvement. It is basically about my first attempt to walk to Kingsville Texas and the trials and tribulations that I underwent. Then there is a short ‘Current events’ posting, talking about that which I’ve been doing since getting here. I hope you enjoy and please remember I want your comments. I’m working this ministry totally by myself at the moment and I’m not the brightest when it comes to such things. This ministry is for real, though many may not think so. My life is totally sold out to doing the will of the LORD. Who else would try walking from southern Ohio to southeast Texas without having any information or connections to depend on but the LORD?
Monday, October 19, 2009
Why is it called ministries?
Praise the LORD!!!
Why is Vine of CHRIST Ministries called what it is? Ministries and not ministry, for it isn’t one distinct ministry, but a compilation of multiple ministries. As stated on our website, it started out to concentrate on prison inmates and their families. Since the LORD originally impressed it upon my heart, HE’s shown me much, much more.
It has multiple branches, not unlike a vine, covering numerous ministries under one roof. Ranging from food ministries to supply food to the needy in many ways. Soup kitchens to feed the homeless, food pantries to provide food to those with homes. Daycare for those that can’t afford the cost of regular centers and prenatal care centers. A library with books, tapes and videos, all Christian oriented. A youth ministry with sports and activities, tutoring and counseling, not to mention the normal Christian areas of Bible study and fellowship. Then there are temporary shelters, a mobile medical center (with dental) and housing renovation for those unable to afford these themselves. Also, call in prayer lines and online ones also. Plus a substance abuse and aftercare program.
Now we come to the reason I’m in Texas at this time. The disaster relief program, which will eventually have a dog training center. Which will train service dogs, search and rescue and cadaver dogs. All these on top of all the other things you’d associate with a ministry. Such as Bible studies, daily devotional, news letters and the like.
Now can you see why it’s called ministries and not ministry!
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
http://vineofchrist.org
Why is Vine of CHRIST Ministries called what it is? Ministries and not ministry, for it isn’t one distinct ministry, but a compilation of multiple ministries. As stated on our website, it started out to concentrate on prison inmates and their families. Since the LORD originally impressed it upon my heart, HE’s shown me much, much more.
It has multiple branches, not unlike a vine, covering numerous ministries under one roof. Ranging from food ministries to supply food to the needy in many ways. Soup kitchens to feed the homeless, food pantries to provide food to those with homes. Daycare for those that can’t afford the cost of regular centers and prenatal care centers. A library with books, tapes and videos, all Christian oriented. A youth ministry with sports and activities, tutoring and counseling, not to mention the normal Christian areas of Bible study and fellowship. Then there are temporary shelters, a mobile medical center (with dental) and housing renovation for those unable to afford these themselves. Also, call in prayer lines and online ones also. Plus a substance abuse and aftercare program.
Now we come to the reason I’m in Texas at this time. The disaster relief program, which will eventually have a dog training center. Which will train service dogs, search and rescue and cadaver dogs. All these on top of all the other things you’d associate with a ministry. Such as Bible studies, daily devotional, news letters and the like.
Now can you see why it’s called ministries and not ministry!
GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
http://vineofchrist.org
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