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 !!!
Showing posts with label helps. Show all posts
Showing posts with label helps. Show all posts
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!!!
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