Some may say...

 Praise the LORD!!!

    Some may say! Some may say what? Some may be saying that I've a bit of an attitude about the church and it's sickly condition!!! I've got to agree, yes I agree 100%!!!

   Let me give you the basis for this bad attitude and you may see exactly why I've such a standing against the BODY to which I'm a member. I've not come to this on my own at all, it has all come about by the hands of the LORD. Anyone that has a true understanding of GOD's sovereign control over all events in our lives, will understand this statement, but I will go into detail to kind of connect the dots:)))

   As most of you know, I'm the one that starts all my comments and articles online with a "PTL!!!" This because, I realize that every little detail within my life has, and will continue to be, been controlled by GOD HIMself, for HIS purpose in fulfilling HIS perfect will for my life and mankind!!! I know this is a bit of a controversial topic, I'll not argue it, but it is my understanding and one that is set in stone(the ROCK!!!) Over the last couple of years, I've been led on a great adventure, one that led me to head for Kingsville, Texas from Utopia, Ohio on foot. Details of this walk can be found online in many places, so I'll not go into details here.

   On the first attempt, was it an attempt or GOD's purpose directly:), I had contact with many Christians and for the most part, they were those that didn't attend church on a regular basis. Most of these told me directly that they had closely the same opinions about the churches (not only those buildings they attended, but the Christian body itself), they'd been in contact with over the years. Most of these, were not new converts to the Christian faith, but those seasoned souls that had been members of the BODY for years. Now when you have people such as this, tell you things, it is best to listen, for they've garnered things based on a 'mature' understanding of what Christianity is truly supposed to be about.

   Too much hypocrisy, too much gossip, too much arguing, all about money, too large of a focus on accepting the world and it ways-instead of separation from it and a focus on 'themselves'( the building, the programs, their own membership) and not reaching out to the un-churched and those in need around them. Now, this may be a lot to chew on, but this is what the LORD has been feeding me on for most of the ministry!!! These things were not new to me, they'd been being laid on my heart for years. I've lived in numerous areas over the years, I've been in many a church and even considered as part of numerous of them and I've seen these exact 'problems' in many of them. Some, only in part and in others the whole lot of these. What the LORD's purpose for me in taking part, and gathering this witness, in all this, I don't know, but I do know, HE does have purpose for it and it will come to fruition someday.

   Now, here is the point where I sit on the roadside for 6 1/2 hr. on a Sunday morning, with three broken toes on one foot and the knee on my other leg blown out. Watching as hundreds of people are on their way to church, returning from church and out and about on their Sabbath day.  Now, most of you know what people going to church look like, or those little signs that are displayed on Christian's vehicles. Imagine now, being in need of assistance and  just watching all this brothers and sisters in CHRIST just passing you by, looking your way, but just speeding on their own ways, forsaking the very Christian principles that are supposed to bind us together as one united BODY!!! A bit disheartening, to say the least.

   Now, let's move on to the more present times. In mid May, while reporting local storm warnings, part of the ministry, the ministry's computer suffered a lightening strike. Thank GOD, it only resulted in a partial meltdown, taking out the graphics card and disabling other details of the motherboard's operating systems. All of which I've no idea about, but was blessed to barely manage to keep the system online, though at a very limited extent. I broadcast this message, one of the ministry being in need of a replacement for this computer. Those that have followed V.CM. for any extent of time know, this ministry doesn't ask for donations, but ask that you pray over our needs and then do that which the LORD lays upon your heart. Here is where the difficulty with this matter lies. The LORD comforted my heart, by letting me know HE'd laid all of these needs upon the hearts of others and that now this matter was in the hands of those that call upon HIS name as LORD and SAVIOR.

   Here it, the second week of August, I'm on a computer that was moth-balled because of age and complete lack of expandability. (The other system, having burnt up at the beginning of the last week.) I have received several promises for computers; one a thrift store donation, another a hand me down when they replace their current system and one where a Christian sister put out a plea and promised $50 to start with. As I said I'm currently on a moth-balled system, so you should be able to know what has come of these. I am thankful for these people's efforts, but yes it is disheartening that nothing has yet to come into fruition!

   I've made it not secret that I totally depend upon the LORD's provisions and HE has met all of my needs completely, at least those of keeping me feed, clothed, in an apartment and online(just met this last night, with money from the works of my hands). I've entered every contest giving away computer systems. I'd like you to really think about that last sentence, a Christian minister, trying to run a ministry, having to depend on those of the 'WAYS of the WORLD' to meet their needs!!! Where is the BODY of CHRIST in all of this??? Where is that Christian charity, that so permeated the first century church??? What has happened to the CHURCH, that is to love it's other members, as it loves itself??? I've recently witnessed a woman, whose dog was bite by a rattlesnake, receive $1800 for the dogs care and these were all 'worldly' people. What has happened to the once great church, that reached out and provided the needs of others???

   Now, this is what I'm led to get you to see!!! If I've this attitude, with my being only of flesh and bone, how do you think the LORD views these circumstances???

  

How long???

Praise the LORD!!!

    This is being laid upon my heart this day and I must be obedient and post it!!!

   How long must I contend with you? You call yourself the BODY, yet you act as if only a bunch of members of it!!! You act upon that which brings yourselves acclaim and not on that which I have commanded you!!! I have set before you many, that truly seek to do all that I've commanded them, wholeheartedly and without questioning, yet you ignore them all. You are a hand, while another is a foot, yet you worry about a manicure, instead of putting shoes upon a foot that is in so great of need!!! You worry about fine jewelry, to adorn your fingers, while those I've called walk upon blistering streets, barefooted!!! You call yourself a ministry for the LORD, yet you only seek your own good!!! I've set before you many, many that are in greater need then yourselves, yet you turn blind eyes upon them!!! Building greater and greater buildings, larger and larger systems, all for your own glory!!! Shall I pull my hands back from blessing you??? Shall I open the windows and doors of heaven and pour out my blessings upon those that truly seek the glory of MY KINGDOM and not that of some earthly building???

   The time is near, you just need to look around to see this!!! I AM about to move as never before!!! That which has used my provisions for their own glorification shall be laid low and those that have only sought after MY glory, shall I lift up!!! It is your call, as to what I shall do with these blessings that I've stored up for such a time as this which is about to come to be!!! You can either broadcast it to those in great need, or you can keep it for yourself, if you do, these will be your rewards and my hands shall come upon those that only seek my glory!!! The time of my contenting with you is over and it shall be MY KINGDOM that will receive the glory!!!!!!!

A forward, for you enjoyment, but something to consider!

 Praise the LORD!!!

    This is a little something that was forwarded to me, but something that should be considered during our current national problems!!! Enjoy, but consider it, as well. For it could be a fix for one of our nation's problem systems!!!

 

 

A Texan's answer to Welfare

 

TOUCHE!!!

 

This was in the Waco Tribune Herald, Waco , TX Nov 18, 2010

 

Put me in charge . . .

 

Put  me in charge of food stamps. I'd get rid of Lone Star cards; no Cash for Ding Dongs or Ho Ho's, just money for  50-pound bags of rice and beans, blocks of cheese and all the powdered  milk you can haul away. If you want steak and frozen pizza, then get a job.

 

Put me in charge of Medicaid.  We'll test recipients for drugs, alcohol, and nicotine and document all tattoos and piercings.  If you want use drugs, alcohol, smoke or get tats and piercings, then get a job.

 

Put me in charge of government housing. Ever live in a military barracks?  You will maintain our property in a clean and  good state of repair. Your "home" will be subject to inspections anytime and possessions will be inventoried.  If you want a plasma TV or Xbox 360, then get a job and your own place. In addition, you will either present a check stub from a job each week or you will report to a "government" job.  It may be cleaning the roadways of trash, painting and repairing public housing, whatever we find for you.  We will sell your 22 inch rims and low profile tires and your blasting stereo and speakers and put that money toward the “common good.”

 

Before you write that I've violated someone's rights, realize that all of the  above is voluntary.  If you want our money, accept our rules. Before you say that this would be "demeaning" and ruin their "self esteem," consider that it wasn't that long ago that taking someone else's money for doing absolutely nothing was demeaning and lowered self esteem.

 

If we are expected to pay for other people's mistakes we should at least attempt to make them learn from their bad choices. The current system rewards them for continuing to make bad choices.

 

AND while you are on Gov’t subsistence, you no longer can VOTE!  Yes that is correct. For you to vote would be a conflict of interest. You will voluntarily remove yourself from voting while you are receiving a Gov’t welfare check.  If you want to vote, then get a job.

IN GOD WE TRUST/ U.S. Postal Tip

 Praise the LORD!!!

    This is an email that I received and was asked to forward, but I feel it is of more important status than just my emails, so I'm blogging it for as many as possible to read!!!!!!!




US POSTAL TIP - IMPORTANT

Payback is fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WRITE IT ON THE BACK OF YOUR ENVELOPES or front

WE THINK THIS IS A GREAT IDEA. WE'LL START WRITING IT ON THE FRONT OF OUR ENVELOPES, TOO!

Including Bills

You may have heard in the news that a couple of Post Offices in Texas have been forced to take down small posters that say

'IN GOD WE TRUST ,'

The law, they say, is being violated..

Anyway, we heard proposed on a radio station show, that we should all write

' IN GOD WE TRUST'
on the back of all our mail.

After all, that's our National Motto, and -----all the money we use to buy stamps.

We think it's a wonderful idea.

We must take back our nation from all the people who think that anything that offends them should be removed.

If you like this idea, please pass it on and DO IT. The idea of writing or stamping............
'IN GOD WE TRUST '

on our envelopes sounds good to us
....

SOME PEOPLE ARE HAVING A RUBBER STAMP MADE TO ENSURE IT IS SEEN........

lets use it as our signature on e-mails,
too!

It's been reported that 86% of Americans
believe in God. Therefore, we have a very hard time understanding why there's such
a mess about having '

'In God We Trust!'

on our money and having God in the pledge of Allegiance.

Could it be that WE just need to take
action and tell the 14% to 'sit down, shut up OR move on'?

If you agree, pass this on.

REMEMBER IF YOU DELETE THIS,

that's one reason why this world is
in the mess we're in now

WE SIT BACK & LET IT HAPPEN!!

"IN GOD WE TRUST"

VINEnotes July 2011

 Praise the LORD!!!

(Due to the current computer problems, I'm unable to post this to the website itself, so this is it, along with those sites that these post are linked too!!!)

   There hasn't been a newsletter for several months and since the social sites seem so inactive today, I'm led to post a bit of what is happening!

   Work at the Brothers' house is continuing as they're returning from vacation and Arron's graduation in Florida. When they left the roof was almost completed, but now is. I've started on the painting of the exterior, working on the sections where the new siding was installed. There are sections that won't be painted, as to the fact that there are still several sections that will be getting several windows replaced in time. I've one end of the house almost completed and will finish that Monday, this is a second coating on a large section of it's gable end.

   Still being blessed to stay online with this damaged computer, which I'm highly thankful for. Most computers when struck by lightening wouldn't even be running, but I've been blessed that it not only runs, but can get online with it and though only able to have a 'single tab' open at once, am able to continue  spreading the GOSPEL and the news of the ministry!!! These are great blessings, especially considering that this computer was a 'frozen' donation in the first place and one that should of been recycled instead of used(an '04' 1.8G single core dinosaur.) Though having several offers(3), none having come to fruition, so I'll continue my daily task of every several hours doing a system cleaning.

   If you've been following me on Facebook or Twitter today, you'll know that I'm having a bit of an 'Elijah' moment. One of feeling totally alone and of no use to the KINGDOM of GOD on earth!!! Hey, what can I say, it happens. Though you'll seldom hear it from the lips of those whom run the 'mega' ministries. Those that put on an air of spiritual superiority, those that are so much above the rest of us 'trench fighters.' Yet it is these, that seem to prosper so well. These that have the draw of thousands of followers and contributors. Yet it is these very ministries that are leading many down paths that even angels know better to tread. Those paths that lead only to a life centered around self and the world and not on the KINGDOM of GOD on earth and it's benefits to all of mankind.

   There is certainly a big problem with that which is called the BODY of CHRIST, the CHURCH, but these will wait for another posting. GOD has revealed much to me over the last several years worth of travel, on these problems. An though some has begun to appear online, as of late, it is far from time for all to come to the surface. In HIS time, I know it will and with my being a worthless, but obedient servant, await HIS timing to divulge it!!!

SLAP!!!

Praise the LORD!!!

    What I'm about to write, can be called nothing else, but a "SLAP!" Why, you may ask? The only reason that comes to heart, is that it is a reflection of the church and the heart of the BODY of CHRIST. This reflection, is marred and truly not as it should be.

   Most likely any of you that are reading this, are familiar with my ministry, my life and all the recent events within these. If not, a little research online can reveal all these, for I'm totally transparent about these.The truth is, this isn't about me and my walk with the LORD, for though this does reflect upon my works for the LORD, it isn't my lack that is being brought to the forefront.

   Since the inception of the ministry, back in June of '99', I've always put out notice of the intents of the ministry and the needs. Not asking for donations, but asking that you pray over these needs and do as the LORD leads and that only. From the beginning there seemed to develop a trend and this is that which this blog is about! This trend has greatly been revealed to me over the last several years, through the events that the LORD has walked me through. All these can be found, either at the ministry's website(in the newsletters) or in one of my blogs, or at one of the social sites that I frequent.

   What is this trend, you may be asking? The trend that more non church going Christians reveal Christian charity and faith, then those that regularly attend church!!! Some of you may be saying, "hold on now, I give my tithes at church and I regularly take part in the churches outreaches." Yes, this may be true, but how often do you reach outside of these? How often do you go the "extra mile" JESUS spoke of us going?(Matt. 5:39-42) How often do you play the part of the "good Samaritan," assisting one along the 'roadside' of your walk through life?(Luke 10:30-37)

   If these questions have stirred deep thought within your heart, you've been 'slapped,' but not by me, but by the LORD. For it is a sad statement, but one I'm thankful for, when anyone can say "they've received more compassion from those outside of the church, then they have from those within!!!"

   Most ministries at this time would enlist your tithes, but not mine! I ask you to pray, ask the LORD to reveal the truths of these matters. Then and only then, ask HIM what you can and should do about these and then do them!!!!!!!

   If you need prayer, you can use our email prayer line: prayers@vineofchrist.org

 May GOD richly bless you and guide you and may you hear HIS calling unto you!!!
 Rev. Marshall Barth
 Vine of CHRIST Ministries

It all started...

Praise the LORD!!!

   It all started, or I should say "in the free world," back in June of 1999. What started you may ask? The formation of "Vine of CHRIST Ministries," in the free world. For it had originally begun while I was incarcerated and though I'd been out of prison for some months, it took a while to get things started. Most of these first months after my incarceration were spent in a halfway house, so my ministry works were greatly restricted to their rules.

   Shortly afterwards though I began collecting the needed information and contacts. I'd already found a church home, so I soon enlisted their help also and it was on quickly after release from the halfway house. I rented a two bedroom house with a full basement and the basement was ideal for collection and storage needs. Soon I was gathering far more than it was possible for me, with the current limited connections, to pass along. I began donating  in mass, items that I was being given, to other local ministries. Some times passing on over 500 items of clothing and food products for their dispersal to people in great need. Most of these went to non denominational groups, because they didn't have the "affiliated" requirements that the denominational ministries did.

   Even though it's been almost twelve years of working by myself, I'll continue another twelve alone if that's the LORD's will. I've personally had my hands involved in almost every area of operation that the ministry will have. Yet still, due to my lack of business "smarts", I've not been able to get the ministry recognized as a 501.3 c non profit. I've gotten most of the needed paperwork required, but just don't have the kowledge to bring it all together. Does this bother me? In a small way, yes! But GOD didn't call me as HE has, because of my business smarts. HE's called me because I listen and no matter "crazy" an idea sounds, I go with it, wholeheartedly, giving it my all and fearing nothing!!!

   Sure, I'm on the verge of homelessness, but it's not the first time:) I'm working on a disabled computer, that's not the first time either! It boils down to the fact that I trust GOD with my future, completely, no doubts and no regrets. What tomorrow holds, only HE knows for sure and I trust that it will be for HIS glory and not mine. For I am but flesh and bone, shaped in HIS likeness, graced to bring HIM glory with every breath that I take!!!

May GOD bless you and guide you,
 Rev. Marshall Barth
 Vine of CHRIST Ministries