VCM, in need of your assistance...

  Praise the LORD!!!

    I pray that all are well and walking in relationship with the LORD today! VCM is in need of your assistance, but before I go on, I'd like you to pray for the LORD to open your eyes and hearts to what HE would have you to do!!!

    Many of you that are reading this know of me and the ministry, if not, please follow the links to find out more. I have been striving to do that which the LORD has been leading me to daily and have been making great strides in accomplishing it all. Programs are beginning to take shape and I am beginning to gather a list of suppliers and equipment that will be needed to continue building the ministry. There are many, many great needs that are mounting each day that I continue to strive to fulfill the LORD's calling upon this ministry and my life.

    There is the need to reach out and have the word spread about the ministry! I've been networking numerous of the social networks to increase the attention the ministry is getting online. There is the need to have this ministry before the eyes of as many as possible. With the hurricane season approaching, there is the chance that we will have works to do, helping people recover from that which nature has inflicted upon them. With as many as possible knowing about the ministry and the LORD's calling for us, to be there to assist in this process, it will help us to show the love of JESUS to many people. It would be awesome to have as many people out there telling their friends and neighbors, church family and coworkers about this ministry as possible. This can be done in many ways and takes very little effort to do, just a few words referencing the ministry and what the intents of it are. Maybe even giving them information that will lead them to one of our sites. All these will help to boost the visits to these sites, thus increasing it's search engine standings.

   Next on the list, is our need for improve computing capacity. I've currently only one old ( '01') computer and it is greatly lacking in processing power. Due to it's age and limitations for expansion, it's not worth investing money into improving it. This was a great blessing to the ministry, because I had to leave my '04' system back in Ohio when I left on foot on this trip (details can be found on one of our sites.)  I'm currently having to cleanup, defragment, both the hard drives and registry several times a week, just to keep it functioning online to some degree of efficiency. Anyone that has an old computer laying around, desktop or laptop we need several of each, we could truly use them to fulfill the LORD's calling. I'm currently restricted greatly from that which I can do, because of this system's problems handling graphics content of any degree. I've even problems when typing in blogs or any written material longer then a simple comment. If led to donate a system, please follow the LORD's leading, for it will help us truly make a difference in someone's life. There is no need to contact me, though a short email would be nice, just send it off. The mailing address will be posted later along in this posting.

   Next, we're in need of people to volunteer their services in any way led. This could be to help us spread the word about the ministry, enlisting as a prayer warrior for our email prayer system, or even those that will want to volunteer in some other manor. These can be online or on foot, however you're led to. Though Kingsville is limited in it's areas of employment available, Corpus Christi (less then a half hours drive) isn't. Life here in Kingsville is enjoyable, though limited in the amenities, there is great room for growth. If any would be led to move to the area, I do believe you'll enjoy it's relaxed atmosphere and slower lifestyle. We've a population of just under 25,000 and I've yet to meet any that weren't friendly. There are numerous churches of varying denominations, so I'm sure you could find one to fellowship in. For more information on the area, just check into the Chamber of Commerce websites for the cities in the area, I'm sure these will give you more then enough information. Eventually plans for on site housing will be taken care of and we'll be able to house both temporary and full time volunteers at one of them eventually. You see, VCM is going to operate on the lines of the first century church, where we'll be more of a family, then a group of people just working together. Updates on this will be coming later as things begin to take shape.

   Next, would be our need for tools and equipment. These cover a very large spectrum and it is hard to know where to start. Every sort of construction tool (power or hand), office supplies of all sorts, to Bibles and Christian literature (CD's and DVD's ). Considering the nature of the ministry and it's disaster relief operational plans, these could be filled by anything from a screwdriver to a piece of heavy equipment. Nothing imaginable would be turned down, unless it were in really bad shape. I've always stressed the fact that we as Christians are representing the LORD in that which we do, this includes what we donate to help others. When I first got out of the halfway house after prison, I was given some cookware, that I'd not feed a dog out of! They were trash and should of been treated as such, instead of being given to one trying to start life over again. That is why VCM will not give something to someone, that we wouldn't use ourselves.

   Last on the list is the one I've not ever wanted to ask for and that is the monetary donation. I'll not promise, like so many do, that GOD will bless you greatly if you give "$99.95" to this ministry. Yes, GOD does bless those that bless others, but this is HIS choice and HIS alone!!! If you take a look at the programs that VCM has in it's plans and then start looking around at the cost of the materials to accomplish such feats, you'll see why we've this need. GOD has given me a vision of a Christian helps ministry, unlike anything ever before assembled. There are going to be branches of this ministry eventually reaching around the globe, covering many fields of work. All these will take time to accomplish and a great amount of funding and labor. But what the LORD has shown me is that it will happen and that the glory won't be ours, but HIS alone. Yes, people will know about us and all that we do, but they'll also know that we fully operate by and for the glory of the greatest ONE alive, JESUS!!!

    Any physical donations can be sent to the following address:

Vine of CHRIST Ministries

c/o Rev. Marshall Barth

204 Otis St.

Kingsville, TX.,78363

    Email inquiries and other contacts, please use:

contacts@vineofchrist.org

    I must stress this again, I ask that whomever takes this under consideration, to please first pray and ask the LORD to lead you in how HE and HE alone wants you to assist this ministry of HIS. The ministry is not mine at all, everything that is in plans for it, has been given to me, as a servant to all, by HIS leading alone. I want no glory for myself, but want all that ever is done by this ministry to bring nothing but glory to the precious name of JESUS. If I am to work this by myself, until I take my last breath here on earth, so be it, for I accept it as HIS will. But I do not believe at all, that HE has given me these great visions and filled my heart with such compassion, as to let it be expended on the little that I've been able to accomplish. If you want to see that which I've been doing so far, do a search of my name or one of my user names (revbarth, hisson1, hisson7, hisson33, Rev. Marshall Barth, Vine of CHRIST Ministries or Vine Ministerial Network International), and I'm sure you will find enough to let you know I am sold out to this calling.

   I want to thank you for your time, if you've read this far and thank you for even considering helping me to achieve that which the LORD has set before me. May GOD bless you and guide you in these matters and may you listen to HIS still quiet voice and do as HE leads!!!

    GOD bless and good day,

    Rev. Marshall Barth

    Vine of CHRIST Ministries

    Vine Ministerial Network International

   p.s. If any of you are in need of prayer, please email your request to:

prayers@vineofchrist.org

"Notes from the Vine" March 2010 VCM Newsletter

A message of warning!!!

 

Praise the LORD!!!

   I pray that all are well and growing in their faith. For truly I am greatly concerned, for the many that claim faith in JESUS CHRIST. For there are many out there that would enlist you to follow their words and teaching and not that of the MASTER!!! I’ve been spending a lot of time online as of late; due to the weather here is south Texas. I’ve over five hundred follower/friends on the two largest social networks and they all know that I’m a Christian and proud of this fact. If you’re reading this, there is a high likelihood that you’ve come here from knowledge of me or the ministry at one of these sites. Then again it could be from one of the other dozen or so that I visit and post on also.


   I have a good number of people that request I enlist them as friends, which usually I will do, after just briefly checking out their personal sites. With the current state of the ministry’s computer, I’m limited to the sites I can visit, due to the graphics content of them. Not that it’s pornographic or of a violent nature, but the amount of graphics on them. This system doesn’t handle a lot of graphics well and begins to slow down greatly or freeze completely up. Si, I will take a very brief glance at the wording of their speech and symbolism that the site contains. If it shows anything resembling a Christian nature I will allow them in as friends. Then it is up to them to remain on the site by not falling outside the bounds of decency and good moral judgment. To date, I’ve but knocked off two people that have joined as friends. The LORD has blessed me here greatly!

   Now to the point of this article: I have met more people that are preaching false doctrines then I’ve ever met before. There are those that believe in the redeeming sacrifice of JESUS, but not HIS teachings. Grouping the WORDS of JESUS and the apostle’s as only being applied to the Hebrews and no one else. They believe that the apostle Paul’s teaching are the only thing that gentile Christians should follow. These people start from the fact of errors within the translation of the Bible from the original text, which there are a good number of, but then they use their own slightly different wording to adapt it to their own beliefs. The basis of this is that all are saved by CHRIST crucifixion alone and there is no need of a person’s confession, repentance or acceptance of anything else. I other words, you are saved whether you want to be or not, no matter what kinds of heinous sins you’ve committed, you are guaranteed salvation and a place in heaven.


   There is another group that follow after a man that claims to of received direct revelations from GOD and still does to this very day in all aspects of the Christian faith and the soon return and judgment of the LORD upon all others beliefs. Now this is a fairly small group at this time, but there are many that have grown tired of fodder that is preached in mainstream Christian churches and are seeking after a quick return of the LORD. In this school of thought, they’re taking scripture, mostly prophetic, and adding more words to it to make matters seem more grave and judgmental.


   Another of these groups consists of the new apostles and prophets, preaching out of the Book of Enoch. These follow along the lines of basic Christianity and the doctrines of the church, yet say that if one doesn’t follow after the teachings of their ‘apostolic governance’ and authority they’re condemned and completely forsaken by GOD. These utter long lines of their apostle’s teaching and adhere to all that they teach and preach for fear of falling out of grace with GOD. Their words are luxurious and finely tempered with scripture, but with many words added within to draw new mean from within it. According to these, every denomination out there is wrong in their beliefs and we should all turn and follow their apostles and prophets. They will take any scripture that one places before them and use it right back against the person with but a few words added or subtracted.

   There other groups that I could go into, but for brevity I will keep it to these. Two things that all of these groups are very potent in, is their understanding of that which they follow and the understanding of scripture as taught by the Bible. Not just our Bible, but those that they claim to be better then ours. I have talked with members of all thee groups and seen firsthand how they can take scripture placed before them and twisted it, or disprove it to suit their whim. This is a very sure sign of a cult and one that all Christians should be aware of.

   I am a firm believer in the fact that we as Christians should be well versed in the Bible. We should not just read it, but dive deeply into every knock and cranny of it to understand it to the great depth possible. In other words, we should study to find ourselves approved. Being able to stand strong against any that try to change that which we believe, and also being able to disprove the errors of their teachings. This is a big task, especially considering the amount of time these kinds of groups have enlisted to studying their beliefs. I have found that some of these have great piles of ‘teaching’ lying at their side, ready to find the needed information to stand against whatever you’ve placed before them. I’ve even gone as far to find their sources and read massive quantities of these myself, so as to better understand what they insist is the truth.


  I will now ask of all those that read this, to start honing your skills in the apologetics of our faith. Start diving deeper into scripture then you ever have before. Doing all this with the leading and guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT and not depending upon your own wits or intelligence. There is a very well trained enemy out there, one that can weaken the faith of all but the most astute scholar, let alone one depending on their own strengths and not that of the LORD. So, pick up your sword and sharpen it well, honing it’s edge to the finest it can be and prepare yourself, for the battle for true Christianity has begun and many are those against us. Our swords must be sharpened and our armor polished, for the battle will be great. Though we know the outcome and we fight the battle well, there may be many that fall at the wayside if we don’t lead them into a fuller and more perfect understanding of what it means to be a CHRISTian!!!
 
 

This month in ministry

 

   In the last month, there has been a lot of work done online and due to the weather this alone. The weather on the coastal bend of south Texas has been cold and wet. Not like a lot of the country, but as to the normal for the area. This has kept me mostly inside doing that which I can out of this old computer. The headers here posted, are one of the gleanings from this work. It is a colorization and improvement of the original which was drawn for me while in prison. I would like to thank J. Conrad for his artistic help to me at that time, for without our logo would not be today.


   There has also been other graphics works being worked on, some are posted around our sites and at other places online and others yet completed. The current daily devotional has been going well, with a post for almost every day in the last month. Thank YOU LORD, for it is only by HIS grace that this was accomplished. There has been few blogs other wise from me, though there has been several posted or re posted.

   We now have a new member on board with the ministry. Donna Duncan has come on board to assist with the email prayer line. Though she lives out of state we’ve set up a means of her praying for those that enlist us for their prayer needs. Thank you Donna and welcome on board.


   The greatest amount of time has been spent on organizing our international branches. Team Liberia has had phenomenal growth this past month. We now have over twenty members, a board of trustees and several of these are ordained ministers willing to add to their calling for the LORD’s work through them. Thank you all and may GOD continue to bless this movement to win hearts and souls for the KINGDOM of GOD in the name of JESUS CHRIST!!!

   There have been several changes to the website; several slide shows have been added to pages. The work isn’t the best and this is due to several factors: 1 my personal inabilities in graphics, layout and design; 2. the computer system’s inability to render graphics well; 3. the need for an improved web service, whether a better package ($) through Office Live or a different service provider altogether or maybe just someone that has a better knowledge of this system of programming.


   One thing is for certain, Vine of CHRIST Ministries is growing, but there is a long way still to go and until others begin to catch the vision, this will not happen. So I ask you, please pray for the LORD to open your eyes about the truths behind this ministry and to that which HE would have you do to help in its growth. There are many great needs that can only be met when others from the KINGDOM of GOD here on earth catch the vision of sharing the love of CHRIST to those in need!!! If you feel the LORD calling you to help, don’t ask me or another person, just do it. Take the risk and just step out of the boat and trust the LORD to fully take care of you in the works that HE has called you to!!!

About my FATHER's works...

Praise the LORD!!!
   In the last several weeks I've been enlisting many new friends online in the social networks. One thing that I've seen a lot of is the focusing on prophecy. Don't get me wrong, prophecy is great, but truly it isn't that which we are called forth to concentrate upon.

   We are told in scripture to know the signs of the times and to be watchful, yet we are also told to be about our daily routine. Our daily routine as Christians is the spread of the GOSPEL and showing the love of CHRIST to all of mankind. How can we be focusing on spreading the GOSPEL when all that comes from our lips is about our dreams and visions, the prophecies that we have receive or those of another? We can't, plain and simply put we can't! We are to busy reading, listening to, researching and praying on that which we already know to be coming. Truly, what does it matter if all these were to happen tomorrow or even today? Nothing at all for the believing Christian, but to the millions of people out there that aren't saved. It means a whole lot! The difference between an eternity of suffering compared to an eternity in heavenly bliss.

   Many of us out there have friends and family members that are not saved. From our closest loved ones to people we may never meet in person, are all in need of knowing the saving grace offered through JESUS CHRIST. If we are pondering the great calamities that are soon to come upon this earth and not worried about leading someone else into the family of GOD, are we truly being about our FATHER's work? No we are not!

   The "Great Commission" was given us to fulfill and we as believers must be about it. We must pick up our Bibles and pray for the LORD to grace each of us with another person to plant a seed within. We must ask for the guidance and wisdom needed to know those that have seeds planted, but need a little nurturing to bring forth a harvest. We need to truly be about that which is to be our focus and not that we know is going to happen. Trust me, it is going to happen, just as it is written and no different. There are thousands of thousands of people reaching out to those that offer the slightest bit of relief to their lives and that which they're grasping hold of are but the lies of the adversary. This is because there are not enough workers in the harvest field with their eyes open and their eyes attuned to GOD's leading. They're too busy worrying about those things that they can't change, instead of that which they should be about.

   I enlist all of you that read this, to tell another believer about it, but not to stop there alone. Reach out and touch the heart of someone else that doesn't know JESUS as their personal LORD and SAVIOR. Or show someone the love that CHRIST has for all of mankind by showing HIS love for you through your works. Let us stop allowing false preacher and prophets to lead others away from the truth. Stand up and speak out the WORD of GOD as it is written in the Bible. Stop allow others to fall prey to those that would deceive them into believing something that is not true. Stand as a beacon of LIGHT to all those around you. Let that LIGHT shine forth like never before and let the world know JESUS CHRIST is the only way to salvation and eternal life. Let our voices rise above the noise of the world and let everyone hear the truth about JESUS CHRIST. The Way, the Truth and the Life, the ONE and ONLY Way to eternal LIFE!!!!!!!

A turning from the past...

Praise the LORD!!!
   In the last several day I've been sick, down with a bit of the 'bug.' This time, though most of it spent resting, was not to be considered waste. For the LORD, in HIS still quiet voice and ways, was working through this. I became aware that in recent weeks I've been spending more and more time away from that which the LORD wills for me. I've turned my attentions to more worldly endeavors, not a complete turning away, but still a turning.

   Some of these have been towards my personal needs. I've been single now for several years and looking for a helpmate has come into focus. Though allowing the LORD to be the guide in these, I've allowed it to take on a more prominent role in my day. Seeking less from the LORD and more on my action in doing the searching. I've gone to several dating sites and networked sites seeking out a helpmate more on my own searching for, instead of the LORD's provisions in such. It isn't unusual that a single person should seek out another for companionship, but doing so totally on their own is outsides the bounds GOD has for this action. It brought me into an area where I opened myself up to hurt at the hands of another. There are many out there that are trying to scam people whom are seeking to find love and I venture to say that I found several of these. Offering all kinds of physical delights, if only I could do them this great service for them first. The old Nigerian "419" scam. 'We'll give you this, but first you must do this for us,' scam! It just about had me in it's grip when the LORD opened my eyes to it and I searched out the means to identify it. This started with  searching out federal agencies that deal with this sort of problems. Then there were several, literally laid in my lap, through a Christian friend that had recently suffered at these people's hands. These will be cut out!

   A growing amount of my time has been given to the 'apps' on several of the sites that I've been using to network the ministry on. You may be familiar with them if you're reading this, because these sites were instrumental in my starting the blogs and daily devotional. It is from these, that the LORD led me to begin these two undertakings, giving others places to seek out GOD and HIS guidance on the internet. But in doings so, I've begun to fall prey to the many other 'apps' at them and spending to much time playing them. I'm sure you may be familiar with some of these, almost every social network has them. The little gifts and prizes offered for your spending a little time with them doesn't seem like much, but add it all together and you'll see hours have gone astray. These I will be cutting out!

   Where am I going with this, you may ask? Right here. Wherever I spend my time and attentions is where my life is focused. If I'm spending it on searching for a mate, or in some game or other 'app,' it isn't being spent on the LORD. My life has been totally given to serving the LORD and all that I do should be in pursuit of this goal and only this goal. So this is where my intentions shall be from now on. Not on being social and seeking out a loved one or joining in the 'apps', but in searching out the internet to bring glory to the name of JESUS. HE has set forth for me a ministry, Vine of CHRIST Ministries and Vine Ministerial Network International, and in the broadcasting of these and HIS actions within my life will I bring notice unto HIS glorious works within my life. Not that I'm saying that these other things don't have their places in my life, but that they'll not have center focus within it any more. My intentions are to bring glory to JESUS' most holy and precious name and doing anything but this, isn't life to me. My intentions are clear and the goal in clear sight, JESUS in all and all for JESUS!!!

   You will be able to find me on the internet with easy, but staying up with me will be harder to do, because all will be concentrated on serving JESUS and HIS ministries for me. So If you look for me and can't find me, you are not looking in the right places:)!!!

The appalling state of the American social system...

Praise the LORD!!!

   The appalling state of the American social services system that allows events such as the following to take place within our border. It is tragic to say the least, that Americans can die as we spend millions to bailout other countries around the globe. Isn't it about time that all people, not just those that live on 'main street USA' get the attention they're supposed to. The native American has been getting the shaft for hundreds of years and this is just another case of 'out of sight, out of mind!'



Date: 1/28/2010 4:41:13 AM
Subject: EMERGENCY AT PINE RIDGE - PLEASE REPOST


A State of Emergency has been declared on the Pine Ridge Lakota "Sioux"
Indian Reservation. People have died. Many more people are at risk of
freezing to death. Another cold front is coming in, yet where is the
national media coverage?

Does the 'Lacreek Electric Company' - a non-Indian utility often thought
to be prejudiced, care that people are suffering, since they are pulling
meters every day? (which is illegal throughout the rest of the u.s. during
the winter months).

What will Obama and the federal government do about this? While they dig
out Haitians, indigenous people right here may freeze to death. What are
we going to do about it?

Help put this message out for help. The children and families of the Pine
Ridge Indian Reservation need our help now. It is urgent that all 40,000
residents of the Oglala Nation have electricity and propane.

Call LaCreek toll free at 800-655-9324 or (605)685-6581 to see how you can
help pay into a customer’s account, example $5 into ten customers would
require a $50 donation by you. Tell LaCreek to make sure tanks are full
for ALL area residents between the months of November to March – and to
collect any delinquent payments between April and October.

Also, check out this non-profit to see if it is appropriate for you:
Arlene Catches The Enemy 605-867-5771 Ext 13.
Tax Deductable, Non-Profit (501-c-3). She can take credit cards over the
phone: Pine Ridge Emergency Fund, C/O Economic Development Administration
PO Box 669, Pine Ridge, SD 57770-0669

And call Lakota Plains Propane at 605-867-5199 and find out what homes have
elderly or children and if they need money put down on their account to be
able to have a warm home tonight.

*..***************

List to assist Elders at Pine RidgeShare

Below are several Elders in the Kyle Community of Pine Ridge that are in
immediate need of assistance. The contact information has been confirmed
and permission has been granted to share their information with you.

There are several ways I will mention where assistance is needed and I'll
share here before I begin the information for where you can assist in
paying for Propane for those who need it or to contact a local grocery
store to pay for food for families who need this. Other ways of assisting
the individual families will be listed with their contact information
below.

To pay for propane for any individuals listed below use the information
here and be sure to make your payment to the account of the individual(s)
you choose to help. The propane company requires a minimum order of $120
of fuel before they will make a delivery to the individual. You can also
pay for a persons propane and they will credit the individuals account so
that when they do run out of any fuel they may have at the moment they can
simply call and the company will deliver more.

Lakota Plains Propane (will take credit card)
Highway 407
Pine Ridge, SD 57770
605-867-5199
Be sure to request a receipt and use the contact for the person you are
helping to call and followup to be certain they received the help you paid
for.

Kyle Grocery (will take credit card)
Owner: Liz May
605-455-2824
Again be sure to follow up with the person you make a donation for to be
sure they received the appropriate credit for purchasing food.

Elders in need are as follows:

Adolph Bull Bear
605-454-2190
He remains in need of continued assistance for propane, his son who is
disabled lives with him and he is in need of food assistance which you can
contact Kyle grocery (above) to make a donation for food. He will also
need help with his electric bill.

Arlene Talks (age 72)
605-407-8243
She has a daughter and a granddaughter (age 7) who lives with her and is
in need of propane and food assistance and you can contact the propane and
grocery above to assist. You could also contact her for mailing address to
send items for her granddaughter such as clothes, etc.

Janice One Feather (age 61)
605-455-2889
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 44, Kyle SD 57752
For Propane Delivery give House # 307
She has two grandsons living with her. Asa Steele age 7 and Dillon
Westover age 9. You can mail donations for the two boys to the mailing
address above for her and if you mail by fedex, UPS, etc use the house
#307 Kyle SD 57752. She is in desperate need of food assistance and
propane and you can use the info for propane and grocery companies above
to pay for those items.

Donna Garnette
605-455-2527
605-441-7541
She has two grandchildren (Boy and girl), you can contact her for an
address to offer assistance in clothes, etc for the children. She is in
need of Propane and food assistance and you can use the info above for
both companies to assist them with that.

Lilly Mae Red Eagle (age 88)
605-455-2612
Mailing address: P.O. Box 2, Kyle SD 57752
For propane delivery give House #HC2
She is in need of Propane and food assistance. You can use the info above
for both companies to assist them with that. For deliveries by fedex, ups,
etc use the house #HC2 Kyle SD 57752

Perlene Yellow Wolf (age 65 approx)
605-455-1458
She is in need of propane and food assistance. She lives with her daughter
Crystal and three children. You can use the info above for both companies
to assist them with that. They have a lot of problems with pipes freezing
so if anyone in the immediate area could help with this that would be
greatly appreciated.

May you be richly blessed for sharing your blessings with these elders and
ensuring some relief to their suffering. Please help now as the need is
immediate but please remember to help again in the future if you are able
to as their needs are continual. Thank you in advance for sharing your
love and helping these elders.

May GOD forgive those that are responsible for these events even beginning to happen and may HE judge those that continue to allow it!!!

GOD bless and good day,
Rev. Marshall Barth
Vine of CHRIST Ministries
Vine Ministerial network International 
p.s. if it sounds like I'm a little stoked, its because I am!!!!!!!

A re-post with a reason

Praise the LORD!!! 

          *** I am led to re-post this previous blog. I can imagine why, considering all the disasters that have taken place in the last month or so. From the earthquake in Japan, to the civil unrest in the Middle East, not to forget the great devastation from storms here in the U.S.. All these events have on thing in common, all the people effected by them, are our neighbors and we're called to love them as ourselves!!!  ***

"A Modern Day Parable"

A certain man was traveling on foot for a great distance, to start a ministry for the LORD.

He’d already traveled a good distance and met some fine people. Even housed and feed for several weeks by one couple, not even church goers. This being just up the street from a church. Yet during his stay there, he’d never had anyone from the church stop in to visit. Though he’d gone to several services and even talked to the minister for a good while after-wards, none ever stopped into check on him.

He was helping this couple prepare an old house for sale, since he was a carpenter and the ministry was helping people with such needs. When one afternoon the LORD inspired him to make a cross out of an old carpet tube. He then was led to place this cross, about six foot tall, on the fence surrounding their pool. For three days the cross stood tall and straight though there were some strong winds blowing. On the fourth day showers came in for most of the day, for the fifth and sixth also. With the sixth’s being quite strong and windy. The next morning the cross was bent over backwards, yet in the form of another cross. This stirred questions in his heart, so he prayed, “LORD, what is YOUR message in this for me?” The answer wasn’t long in coming. ‘This is my church, as it stands today, the first three days is how my church should stand. When adversities come, today’s church wilts and falters under the pressure. Not as it should be.’

He kept this message in his heart and finished the work. After leaving here several days later he befell some misfortune. Somehow he broke several toes on his right foot. It felt like a small cloven hoof had stepped on them, the middle three toes only. Though in pain he continued on, praying, praising and walking. After several miles on one of their rest stops, because his dog let him know she was tired also, a young couple offered him some food and refreshments. Later this turned into a shower, some cash and a ride of around thirty miles. This couple, Christians yet they seldom went to church, lived a fairly devoted life. Helping many that came by their way, such as he did. They dropped him off at a campground, after seeing if he could stay, due to their not having a tent or sleeping bag. They went on their way after exchanging “GOD bless you-s”.He spent two nights in the campground free, another unchurched believer owned it.

Six more days of walking followed, foot swollen and bruised now, he met numerous others that helped him along his way. Some unchurched and a few church goers had helped. He spent two days in a motel, during a particularly stormy period, run by a generous Muslim. He made a turning point in the trip, now instead of heading southwest, he was going almost due south, a more direct path to his goal. When more misfortune came his way. This time his left knee popped out of joint. After prayer and resetting it, it’d happened before so he knew how, they continued walking. After several miles, all while in intense pain, his dog decided it was time for another break, this time in the shade. He found the perfect place, a stump in a roadside ditch which had a root coming off one side, which made the perfect seat, arm rest and all. Cutoff several feet above the ground he set his duffel bag on top. This put his reflective vest, with foot tall cross, in a very visible position. He decided to take a long break, so broke out his Bible and began praying and reading. It was still early 9:30 AM on a Sunday, he figured it’d be a good time for an hour long break. They’d already covered about eleven miles that morning, probably three with the knee problem. With his knee hurting like it was, he prayed that the LORD would provide what he needed. He thought this would be in the form of a ride and assistance. His dog and he ate the last of their food and drank part of their water, since it was early and only five miles to the next town. After reading some more, he sent another round of prayers heavenward.

It was now afternoon and though many cars had gone by, no one had slowed down in the least .In many of these cars were well dressed people, like those going to church. He decided it was time to carry on, so he stood up and got his duffel on, but the knee wouldn’t allow him to put it under pressure. He could barely put any weight on it at all. At this point he began to wonder, what the LORD was trying to teach him. For he’d learned that when times such as these came his way, a lesson in his walk with the LORD was coming soon afterward. Here they were, several miles from the next town, a sixty pound plus duffel bag, a year old wolf-shepherd dog and a broken down stranger, stranded in a rain ditch, out in the middle of no where.

Time continued to pass, finally at 3:30 PM an older couple stopped. They let him know that they’d seen him several times already and thought that something may be wrong, so they’d called 911. They left them several bottles of water and said they’d pray for him and went on their way. At this he began to worry a bit and called for a rescue mission from his family, over three hundred miles away. They had to roundup the money, having to borrow it, but did. He gave them directions and told them where to meet him, plus made plans just in case he wasn’t there. This was a gas station near where they’d started walking from in the morning. Hopefully whomever came to check on them would drive them back to this point. At 5:30 PM a police officer showed up. After running his ID he loaded them into his car and drove them back to the station. He thanked the officer greatly before he drove off.

Since it would be several hours before his family could get there, he bought them some sandwiches, dog food and drinks. They ate and relaxed the best that he could, still wondering what this lesson was. As it began to get late and was near closing time he bought more food and drinks. Praying his family would make it there soon enough to gas up and head back north before closing time. They got there just fifteen minutes before closing, he’d no known it but had crossed a time line. The girls in the store were very helpful and even made coffee after cleaning up for the night.

After a long ride, it was about 3:30 AM when they pulled in the yard. After hopping into the house, he fell asleep quickly on the couch. It felt awesome, especially after not sleeping in a bed, under a roof for nearly two months. As usual he awoke early, around sunrise and prayed. Soon the family awoke and made breakfast. He enjoyed coffee, eggs, sausage and pancakes. All of which he hadn’t had in sometime. Thanking his sister and brother in law for picking him up and feeding him like they did, they settled in for some small talk about events of the trip.

Sounds like something out of the Bible doesn’t it? Almost like the parable of the “Good Samaritan.” Let me tell you, it wasn’t. I know, because this is what happened to me. I’m the Rev. Marshall T. Barth and I was headed to Kingsville TX., to set up Vine of CHRIST Ministries disaster relief branch. My dog, Maryann and I had left Utopia OH. the morning before Easter. The rescue mission took place on the thirtieth of May, a month and a half later. For the most part I’d seen more charity from non-believers and believers that didn’t go to church often, if at all, then from those that attended church on a regular basis.

During my extended stay in the little town in KY., when I was put up in the house being readied for sale. I was given plenty of food, had a bathroom, laundry service and everything one needed. The couple believed in GOD, but hadn’t gone to church for many years. She was “born again”, he wasn’t. I did a lot of work for them and didn’t want paid, their hospitality was more than enough. Yet before I left, they gave me several hundred dollars and took me shopping for things for the trip.

While there, I’d been puzzled about the actions of those in the church. The story of the cross gave me the answer, because this did happen, the whole story is true. The LORD isn’t happy with what is to be called HIS Church! They carry the name, but none of the actions. Like that “cardboard cross” they have the form, they dress the part, have the bumper stickers and pins, talk the talk and go to church several times a week. Yet they do nothing that a Christian is supposed too! The “goats” in Matt. 25:31-46. They’ve all the looks and words of Christian’s, but lack the love of the “sheep.” Just like that cross, it stood fine until the storms of life came along, but then lacked the strength to stand after-wards. Not able to show it’s true glory when it was really needed. This pertains not just to those of that little church, but too all those that had passed me by along the roadside. Not just while in need, but all of the time.

We as true Christians, the sheep, are supposed to show CHRIST to the world, not by our dress, our words, or even by how many scripture verses we know. We’re to show them by our love for them and our works in their times of need. Feeding the hungry, giving drinks to those athirst , clothing the naked, housing the homeless , caring for those that are sick and visiting those that are in prison! This is far from what I saw on this trip. Actually it was what I saw from those that didn’t go to church.. From what I gathered from them in conversation, I wasn’t the first one that most of them had helped. They made a regular practice out of helping others in need. I ask you, “What is wrong with this picture?”

It should be plain to see that there’s a problem within the Christian community. When we overlook those that are needy, because of a worldly outlook on life. Our hearts tell us to help this person, or at least stop and see if they need anything, yet the worldly view tells us “to keep going, this person is trouble.” Who do we trust? CHRIST, that tells us “to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matt. 19:19(but one of many places))”, or the world, that says “live for yourself and the hell with them.” This is not just a contemporary problem, for it was the basis for the “Good Samaritan” parable to the Jews of the first century. It is expounded in numerous places within the epistles also. So this isn’t a new problem within the Christian community or the world. Why though, haven’t we overcome this defect in our humanity? Our Christian community? Our own lives? I’d have to say it comes down to but one word, “SIN.” If you carry this farther, the center of sin is “I” or the self, pride. Our self-worth, our self-protecting, our selfish needs. Where this sin originated, the original sin, none are fully sure of. Whether it was with Lucifer or it was in the garden with Eve. Wherever it stems from, it is the center of the downfall of mankind, all our evils emanates from it.

There are many sermons that could come from this experience and someday I shall preach them, but for now, let me leave you with the WORDS of our MASTER, JESUS CHRIST, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Mt 25:45 

        Pray and meditate on this verse, then think about what CHRIST would of expected you to of done had you run across the man in this modern day parable. An if by chance you see another person in need, what will you do? 

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


Prayer request can be sent to: prayers@vineofchrist.org

We also now have a daily devotional at: http://vinegleanings.blogspot.com

Praise the LORD!!!

Praise the LORD!!!
   Today while running my networked sites, well those I use to network, one recurring fact hit me. There are hundreds of Christians out there that are crying out because times are hard and they're suffering. I began thinking on this and the LORD laid upon my heart something I believe many should think about. For forty years the Israelite nation trekked around the desert, constantly grumbling about all that they were suffering. GOD wasn't very pleased then, what do you think HE thinks about this same thing happening today?
   If you've followed me or come across anything I've written, you notice that I always start it by praising GOD. Why, you may ask? It's very simple. I shouldn't even be alive today and if not for my mother's faith in GOD, I wouldn't be. My mother had slipped on the ice while carrying me, yet born, and the doctors recommended that she abort me and save her life. Now this was early 55 before abortion became so prevalent, yet she told them that if it came to a choice of her life or mine, it was to be her's given for mine!
   This though isn't the only occasion where my life came close to ending, if it weren't for the call of GOD upon my life. Numerous car wrecks and accidents of other sources tried to take it. Several came very close, yet I'm still here working for the LORD's glory. As late as 97, when I had a heart attack, where  the doctors had me planned for a very major surgery. One where they were going to stop my heart, remove it and preform 5 major procedures on me, all before replacing it and jump starting me.
   As I see it, each breath I take and every beat of my heart is a blessing from GOD and I acknowledge HIS hand in my life for each and every detail. Right now, I'm sitting in a host families house, working on a donated nine year old computer, with only enough clothes to fill a large backpack to my name. I am still going to praise GOD for it all. No matter how bad my health gets or any other situation in life befalls me, I'll continue to praise the LORD!!!
   Take a go long look around you, listen to the evening news or radio. Do you really think you've truly that much to complain about? Sure, you may be sick, out of work or fearing the lose of your house, but you've a heart beat and you're breathing! How many died in Haiti this last weekend? You could be one of those poor and suffering people, or maybe not suffering, some died quickly.
   Start taking an inventory of all that GOD has blessed you with and then let HIM know exactly how thankful you are that you've been blessed by HIM so abundantly. Even be thankful that right now you're reading this, you've a computer and internet connection, even the ability to read. There are truly many little things that we overlook daily in life, that if it weren't for GOD's blessings upon us, we would not have them. Take stock in all these things and lift your voice in abundant praises to GOD. For HE is the one that truly has given more then we can ever imagine!!!