The last several weeks...

Praise the LORD!!!
   For we've been blessed with the beginning of another year, but truly, as of yet, it is but only one day. So many seek to plan out that which "they'll accomplish" within the bounds of this new year. Yet, they've no more of an idea as to if they will be blessed with any of it.

   The last several weeks, I've been away. Not physically, but spiritually!!! My mind and heart have been totally upon that which the LORD has set forth for me. HIS ministry thru me.

   Most all others though, have been living it up. After all, this is the holiday season. Christmas and New Years all wrapped up conveniently together. To me, these are but days, another day within those I've been blessed with. Another day to glorify the LORD within all that I do.

   Now, let's return to these last several weeks, in which I was seldom here(online.) I was here the whole time, but I was only led to partake in a very limited manor. Sharing a little here and a little there, but not the usual bombardment of WORD into other's lives!!!

   The reason for this, is that another phase of my life for the LORD is about to take place. And there was the need to form up the guidelines and knowledge base needed to step into it.Like all good foundations, they're solidly set. Solidly set upon the ROCK JESUS CHRIST.

   Though I've been led to go back to "a means" of earning an income for the ministry and self, my feet are still firmly planted upon all that the LORD has led me to understand. Yes, you heard me right, "that the LORD has led me to understand." For, that which I post online and live out in my life, are not my own understandings. Not in the least.

   Sure, I've read thousands of pages of scripture, thousands of pages of books written by men and listened to thousands of hours worth of teachings. Still, not one jot or tittle is that of my own understanding. You may wonder how this is possible!?! Simple, for I am dead. I am dead to this world and all it's ways. I'm dead to the flesh. The flesh that so strives against anything that even closely resembles holiness. A flesh, that would rather pleasure in one moment of pleasure, even if it meant an eternity of suffering and separation from GOD.

   This goes back to the moment of my salvation. Where I gave the LORD everything. Sure, mine was a "prison conversion," but far from that of most. For it wasn't one of those "Lord, I give you my life, if you'll but get me out of this mess," types of conversions. No, it was the wholehearted, "LORD, this life that is within me, it is YOUR's and YOUR's alone. All that I have, all that I am, or ever will be, are YOUR's. Do as YOU will, lead and I'll follow." Hopefully, you can see that there is a determination within my life. Not to live for self, but to live that life which HE has set before me. Not for my purposes or gain, but for HIS glory alone!!!

   Now, back to the direction this entry was intended to head in. I know not the reasons, or even dwell on the possibilities of why, people(yes, y'all) fail to see, hear or take note of that which the LORD has had me working on for years. Whatever it may be, doesn't really matter, it is my task to continue on doing as I'm led. Those other matters, are between each person and their LORD/lord(yes, those spellings are correct(think about it.))  

   I've been blessed in the last several weeks, with not being able to work. It's hard for a carpenter to work, when they can barely walk around, it's a very mobile profession. In this time, I've consumed more scripture and scriptural writings than most will in this coming year. Along with this, I've crammed hours worth of study in photography and post processing. Everything I could read or watch to become proficient in the art and business of photography. A part of my life for many years, long ago. But Oh, how things have changed since those days, not in "myself" alone, but the technology behind the art. These things, they've all been devoured and stockpiled, ready for usage, when the time comes.

   Now, comes a time of questions. Questions, which I truly don't expect answers from, because I've learned that people don't answer my questions anyway.
Have I not been among you for these many years, constantly(well almost) set before you a mass of scripture and related writings??? Can you not see, that there is a wholehearted devotion for the LORD in this life of mine??? Have not your tables been blessed with food to feed your spirits??? Why then do you shun this ministry and it has to survive on only that which I'm blessed to provide???

   This ministry was set forth during a time when ministers and their cohorts, have battered down your doors, to gain your tithe, that they deem they deserve. Yet, a fresh air ministry that doesn't follow in like manor, is shunned or maybe just forgotten. This ministry is not alone though. For there are numerous others, where the minister takes from their own plates to set before those in need. Many may not consider many, if not most of these, as not being true ministries. In all actuality, these are truer ministries than most of the others. For they give and give, not expecting earthly rewards or fame, but to but once hear their LORD and SAVIOR say "well done"!!!

*** As usual, I've no idea the reasoning behind this post. Except for the fact that I was led to do so. I received the leading and have done as led, the rest, as with all things in my life, are in the LORD's hands !!! GOD bless :{)))

Almost there...

Praise the LORD!!!

   Well folks, we're almost there. At the end of another year and the beginning of a new one. And like every other year's end, we've tons of "ministries" and "organizations" asking for donations!!!

   If you're anything like me, you've subscribed to numerous "Christian" groups/newsletters and the such. So your email boxes are crammed with pleas for "end of year" donations to their prospective needs.

   That is one thing you'll not see coming from this ministry, and one of the greatest differences between this ministry and many others. That is it's means of obtaining funding for operations. Most, you'll see very little difference between them and those of the world(non CHRIST centered.) They will boast of the many "works" they've done over the year(s), they'll take about all that they've "grown" and talk about all that they "could" do, if they receive the "needed" funding to do so.

   Here I am, running this ministry "out of pocket(that which I've been blessed to earn);"  off from work, going on three weeks now; and still leaving the matter of "if this ministry will survive another day," totally in the hands of GOD alone!!!

   A life of serving GOD with your all is tough. You grow used to "trials and tribulations" within your daily life. You go at things totally different than most. You face them head on and deal with them moment by moment. For there is no tomorrow that we're promised. Sure, we've a ton of blessings we're promised. Tons of them, that can "fall into our laps," at any given moment. But the truth is, these are all dependent on the matter of what GOD holds in store for tomorrow and whether or not HE is going to bless you with a tomorrow !?!

February/March '12' VineNotes>An open Plea

Praise the LORD!!!

    Good day and may GOD be blessing you this day. That is a bit of a redundant statement, if you think about it. For the fact is, if you're reading this in the first place, GOD has truly blessed you already :{))) Think about this. HE has blessed you with another day of life!!! HE has blessed you with the ability to see, read, you've and internet connection, functioning computer(to use it) and many other blessings on top of these. But, my greeting still stands, stands for the reason of you taking note of all that the LORD truly has blessed you with. :{)))

   It has been some time since I've written a newsletter(VineNotes) for the ministry, so this will be a little out of sorts. I'm currently on a borrowed computer, an old lap top, living with a friend who is in the process of finishing renovations and in prep to move. I was cast into this situation(a blessing) due to the fact that the move to Louisiana didn't pan out, being brought back to the starting area(Kingsville, TX.) the future home of Vine of CHRIST Ministries first office and D.R.O.C.(Disaster Relief Operational Center.)

   Yes folks, I'm still going to go at this with my all, though, once again having hit the bottom. I'm living out of boxes and my backpack. Being blessed to have a roof over my head and a couch to sleep on for the moment. I've plenty of food, that which I took with me to LA., that which they(in LA.) blessed me with and that which my friend has been adding to this list:{))) The problem is, this can't continue!!!

   I came here to TX. to begin setting up what will be one of, if not the, biggest Christian disaster relief operations in existence!!! That's right folks, the visions the LORD revealed to me while I was still in prison, showed me a ministry that would absolutely boggle the mind(it has mine, for years.)  Over the years, since '96-97', I've been receiving more and more revelations on top of the original week's worth of visions. All these adding to and 'cementing in' the fact that this ministry is of GOD and that which HE has raised me up for from the beginning!!! Folks, GOD has had each and everyone of us in mind, and at heart, since the creation. Every little detail of our existence has been laid out and set in stone before any of that which we see around us ever existed!!! We are GOD's crowning glory in creation and HE has an exact purpose for each and everyone of us and every single detail within our lives. Yes folks, every detail, even those which have seemed to be bad (Romans 8:28)

   This though, isn't the reason for my producing this newsletter(of sorts :{))) ), but the reason is to put forth a request. One of a type that I've never have before. This is an open request for others to assist in this ministry. This assistance can take any form, prayer(the greatest), monetary and or of your own hands in some manor!!! As most of you that have followed me for any length of time, or visited the website know, all that has been accomplished over the years has been completely by my own hands and out of pocket. Well folks, it is time this stopped. One man does not a ministry make, for even the apostles had others walking by their sides. Assisting them with that which the LORD had laid upon their shoulders(their crosses.) It is time that this ministry takes on the next step in it's growth, that of reaching out and assisting others to a greater degree, while not having to wonder if projects will get completed or not. Plus having the ability to take on more projects, having the materials and equipment to preform all task to a degree that is worthy of the LORD's name being placed upon it(doing all things as if unto the LORD) and in a timely manor.

   For this to happen, as I'm being led, starting slowly at first and building up to greater and greater involvement in the community(works for the LORD,) it will accumulate monthly expenses up to about $5000 per month on a continuous basis. This would enable the ministry to reach out and begin helping more and more people around the community, without placing the total expense upon my shoulders alone.(which has been the practice up unto this time, though not to this expanded extent.(one man is limited, very limited by only being able to do so much, while providing all the cost also.) It is here where the hands of others would be beneficial, adding to the overall effectiveness of these out reaches!!! That which one man can do is little, while that which two or more greatly increases this, adding to it's effectiveness and reach!!!

   Sure, I've currently not a 501.c 3 non profit rating by the I.R.S., then again I've not had one since the beginning and it's not deterred me from reaching out to others. I've helped others throughout the years even though it has placed me in debt for most of it. This hasn't mattered to me though, for this is my calling and I'll give until it hurts and then give even more if this is what it takes to accomplish the LORD's ministry for me !!! This has come about by the fact that this morning the LORD led me to read Matt. 7:7,8. Two verses which in many study Bibles is captioned under the title "Ask, Seek and Knock." For years, I've asked only the LORD in prayer for these things to be added to HIS daily provisions for me. I've prayed until I was exhausted and crying. I've been led over the years, to only place notice of the ministry's needs online and out before others, but this morning was different and this is the results. An open plea for your prayers and assistance in whatever manor you're led to. For now, as always, I enlist you to first pray and petition the LORD as to the method in which you respond to this. If it is prayer alone, praise the LORD. If in your making a donation to the ministry, praise the LORD also. Or if, you're led to in some other manor help the ministry, another praise is offered up. For truthfully folks, I see all these alike. To me there is no difference in your prayers, your money or your efforts. Any assistance will be appreciated, prayed over and I will thank the LORD for them all. The choices are yours, ask the LORD in prayer, in what manor HE wills for you to effect this ministry and do it or not. It's that simple. I'm not going to enlist the methods of the prosperity preachers, for in part they're the exact reason this ministry is set up in the manor in which it has been. Far too many seek riches through their ministries for the LORD. Far too many use scripture to reap benefits for themselves and not for that of others. GOD does promise to bless those that bless others, but truthfully, this is between the person themselves and GOD. It is HIS call and not mine and I'll not use deceptive means to garner a profit from others. I love my LORD and SAVIOR far to much to bring disgrace upon HIS holy and oh so precious name !!!!!!! !!!!!!! :{)))))))

GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall T. Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
204 Otis
Kingsville, TX., 78363  

  

How often...

 Praise the LORD, for HE has blessed us with another day, one bringing to and end a week of toil and gracing us with several days of down time !!!

    How often..., oh this could lead in many directions :))), but for this day the LORD has only one in mind. How often do we go out into the world, wearing, let's say a Christian t shirt or pin, or drive around with a Christian bumper sticker ??? If you're like me, this is a constant, for I'm either wearing a Christian t shirt when out and about on personal chores or wearing a ministry related one when out doing the LORD's work !!!

   If you're familiar with my writings, you'll know, that they all are multifaceted, many times taking in a whole score of differing issues :))) Believe me, this isn't my doing, but the LORD's, for I am but a simple man when it comes to things, but the LORD, HE deals with things on multiple levels of detail. (Just take into account nature and it's many levels of interaction, all weaved together into a perfectly operating system !!!) Opps, point proven, I'd say :))) Back to that at hand.

   Here we are, out taking care of business, either personal or pertaining to our livelihoods. We're sporting the latest in Christian fashions, letting all whom come across us know we're a Christian. When suddenly we tend to forget this fact of life and are moving around totally unaware of that which we're doing and those around us. Let's say, we're shopping in the local market, and anything could fit here. We're moving around, maybe shopping list in hand, child in tow (or maybe not), oblivious to everything else. We may cut off a person with our shopping cart, not being forgetful to excuse ourselves, yet speedily we continue moving along. Item after item we add to our carts, until the list is fulfilled and it's off to the checkout line. Here, we find line after line of people, all seeking the same thing, to finish our shopping and get on with our day.

   OK, here's where things get interesting, let's take a look at all that has just happened, and compare it with that which we're representing in life(remember that t shirt, hoodie or pin :))) and it doesn't even need to be any of these, just those around us, that know the fact that we're a Christian will suffice.) We've sped thru the store, unaware of those around us- would JESUS of done so ??? We've interacted with people in an inexcusable manor(for even though we excused our actions, is it really CHRIST-like to place ourselves before others???) These are just two things that may of happened, there truly could of been many more. The issue here, is the fact, that in all that we do, whether we announce the fact that we're a Christian or not, we "ARE" representing JESUS 100% of the time,or are supposed to be. Whether at work, in the store or wherever, we represent JESUS in all that we do and say !!! A truly important fact, especially in this fast paced world of ours, where it seems as if everyone is out for themselves, caring little or none at all for the welfare of others around them !!!

   Though JESUS, being GOD in the flesh, HE had a much keener incite into the needs and emotions of people(while here on earth), it doesn't take a 'rocket scientist' to know something about a person, without asking. If one is truly going thru life as we should, shouldn't we be caring about all those around us, to a higher degree then ourselves??? Shouldn't we be looking into people's eyes, the windows of their souls, and getting an incite into the intensity of that which they're going thru??? How often do we also forget, that while out in the world, others that see us, even from a distance, who may know we're a Christian or know from that which we're wearing that we are, are watching !!! Watching and learning, just to what extent we truly are that which we proclaim to be !!! So, the next time you're out and about among the world, think about just "How often", you, as a Christian, are truly representing JESUS !!!!!!!


 GOD bless and good day,
 Rev. Marshall Barth
 Vine of CHRIST Ministries

*** please don;t forget, if you've a prayer need, the ministry has an email account to which you can send your request to : prayers@vineofchrist.org 

Ministry Update

 Praise the LORD!!!

    I've been blessed to be doing the LORD's works for me over the last several weeks and currently have a day off from the physical aspects of it. Today, I'm taking a little time to handle some of the updates to the ministry's web site, as to the recent projects, and taking a little time to relax and draw closer to the LORD.

   The basic form of the updates, were the addition of several photos, provided by the home owner herself. These came as a surprise to me in an email from her. I'd tried to use my $20 digital to take them, but for some reason, it just wouldn't capture and hold them. Maybe this was due to my inexperience with it, or a malfunction of the camera itself, but the LORD has blessed me with them, through the hands of one thankful for the work rendered. I'm very thankful to the LORD and her for them and post them so others can see that which I'm blessed to accomplish!

   Why, do I say "blessed to accomplish?" Well if you knew the shape my body is in, you'd realize these simple jobs are a large blessing. I've a herniated disc in my lower back, thanks to working with a "storm chaser(rip off contractors who follow storms)" and knees that have gone through hell and back. There are many currently on SSDI that suffer less pain in a week, then I do in a day, but I go on in the power of the LORD. I draw each day a bounty of blessings from the LORD and most are one's most take for granted. The simple fact that I'm alive and breathing is one of them. Another is that I can actually do the things I do and continue to carry onwards and upwards.

   Tomorrow, though I know I'm not guaranteed it, I'll be continuing onto others works (these posted  on web site(current business page)). All the while, counting my blessings and praising the LORD for each and everyone of them!!!

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!!!