it’s amazing how much we can know “us.”

a friend of mine from Fuller was showing me some of the best guitarist in the world on YouTube tonight. after he went home, he posted a particular video of this Christian guy who he thought plays the guitar very well.

i watched the video, but it was so lacking in God at the beginning and end (although that wasn’t the point — the point was the guitarist ability — but how can you NOT be thinking about whether or not someone “singing for God” is actually singing for God?) that i couldn’t really watch it.

however, at about 3min in, the guy actually started singing his song, and i felt that familiar feeling of watching someone who had probably really experienced God back in the 60s or 70s in the charismatic movement (more hippy side of it). i have absolutely no idea what in particular about this section of the video made me feel that way b/c the whole thing was pretty “performance/concert-ish”, but i just did.

so, curious, i googled him, and sure enough, he was a druggie who lost his mother in the 70s and then turned to God. internet says he attended an AoG church in the beginning. unfortunately, he went the Christian rock route — perhaps even helped start it, wouldn’t be surprised.

the point is, even among all the garbage aspects of the video, i somehow knew. i think it’s incredible how much that happens. sometimes we’re surprised to find out someone has the HG, but i think that more often than not, we know our brothers and sisters, no matter what shape they may be in. that, for me, has always been such a big confirmation of the Truth concerning the [baptism of the holy ghost being] the New Birth.

Bekah

Hi John,

We have to learn to be thankful where Jesus has us — all of us. God is always right, and everything He does is for our safety.

In the OT, Israel had to follow a cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night, but there were many, many more days of just camping around the Tabernacle, in the order God wanted Israel to camp. If we know God, we are content where he has put us. When we understand it’s God who has put us in the body as it “pleased” him, then we can know who we are — just as Israel knew where they should camp around the tablenacle, tribe-by-tribe and tent-by-tent. There was order and not confusion; it was an effective, working community, and not strife — and God supplied the water and manna.

I’m sure it was sad for Israelites to watch their parents die in the wilderness, when the parents could have marched into Canaan’s land 40 years earlier, but God did give Israel freedom out of bondage from Egypt; they were a free people and God was with them throughout the wilderness wanderings. What was that worth?

If we can just see the Liberty that God gave us, and the food and water we are getting right now from you, and get our minds off ourselves, we will be a happy tribe. God has shown where each and and everyone of us is to camp, and it is exactly where God wants each and everyone of us. It is the best way to have flow (functioning) among us, and we need flow (to function).

Love always,
Billy

http://www.goingtojesus.com/site/php/homosexualityandthebible.html

The world has it so backwards. Homosexuality is being forced on people. If you speak out against it, you are told you are infringing on homosexuals’ rights. Yet no one wants to talk about the rights of people who don’t agree with homosexuality.

Years ago, when I refused to care for a homosexual couple having a baby, I was not only ridiculed, but some of the other nurses worked together to give me the toughest patient assignments for several days after the event. That night I ‘traded’ taking care of the homosexual couple for a couple that had just found out they’d lost their baby. I distinctly remember the comments of ‘she would rather care for all the dead babies, so let’s give them to her!’ It was a difficult time & even though it was emotionally draining, I’m glad I was with those grieving parents.

By the way, one nurse came up to me later in the night and let me know she felt the same way about caring for a homosexual couple but just couldn’t bring herself to say anything.

The feelings from that event made me ask myself (for the first time), ‘If homosexuals have rights, why do people who hate homosexuality NOT have rights?’ It only works one way in this world — for the ungodly. But in the next world, well, it only works one way as well, yet it’s for the righteous!

Amanda

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I believe the day is coming that any religious group that calls homosexuality a sin will be publically slammed, including us. Prepare yourselves. We are going to be persecuted by this world. The same thing is happening with Muslims. Just the other day, a well-known radio personality said that it makes him feel a little uncomfortable when he sees Muslims dressed in their garb on the same plane as him. He knows that Muslims are most likely to fly planes into buildings and are most likely to sacrifice their lives. He was being honest and it cost him his job on NPR and his firing is one of the biggest headlines today. The result is to accept or tolerate Muslims, homosexuals, etc., — or suffer the consequences. Satan was slick when he started this equality stuff.

Bob

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If the media powers fire one of their own, such as Jxxx Wxxx, who happens to have a reasonable thought and expresses it publicly, what in the world will they do to us? We have just had a taste of what it will be like for the men whom God anoints and raises up for the revival that is coming.

jdc

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Pastor John:

This entire topic keeps me awake nights. I have knots in my stomach from not being able to voice the truth about this, without vehement argument from others, mostly those whom I care for; most of whom need to hear the truth. I am so grieved by the young peoples’ blind attitudes, which they call “tolerance.” I’m not allowed to say anything “negative” or “judgmental” about my daughter’s acquaintances, even though several of them are pitiful, just pitiful. Many of them, on the other hand, though openly homosexual, are well-mannered and nice people, and talented, with great personalities, so my young daughter doesn’t comprehend their spiritual disease because the condition of their lives seems fine to her. They’re popular and they’re funny and witty. But—She is being used, and she doesn’t know it. They are taking advantage of her because they have needy personalities and she is too friendly to everyone. “Live and let live” is their philosophy.

This really outraged me:
Over two years ago, in my daughter’s senior year, the kids started a new “silent” day, a day of remembrance for gay prejudice and mistreatment. Any child who chose to participate was allowed to remain silent all day long, in classes. Of course , some students still answered questions when the teacher tried to teach the class, but many did not. WHEN DID STUDENTS BEGIN TO DICTATE BEHAVIOR LIKE THIS, without Administrative intervention?! The spineless cowards! I went into the office to speak with the principal but only got the vice-principal, who was embarrassed by my inquiry, and sheepishly admitted his hands were tied.

Why? I asked.

Because of the pressure from the students and (he implied) the Board of Education who apparently were pressured into observing this trend by the Gay activists.

It’s NUTS out there!!!

I was also going to visit a presentation by a track and field coach who was a guest speaker who was promoting —get this— transgender and transvestite athletes! In high school! My blood was boiling too much to actually attend because I would have asked him some real questions. Like, for starters —-“which locker room are these people going to use?!!!”

There is an inflammatory childishness, a temper-tantrum mentality, that accompanies these activists. I know, because I was once a supporter of that lifestyle as well, back in the 70’s and 80’s, and i recall MY blood pressure going up when “religious” people would confess the truth, and quote the Bible. When I was on the side of the gays, I had the same temperament. Remember the Anita Bryant fiasco? Well, unfortunately, her rigid Christianity made her an easy target, for she came across as a self-righteous Southern bigot. . . or so I thought. But I’ve watched old videos of her recently and I now realize she was quite rational & reasonable. Nowadays she’d be vilified even worse.

I appreciate what Bob said… Satan was slick when he started this equality/tolerance stuff. It is working, and working fast.

You know that out here in CA we have numerous lesbian ministers, (mostly Methodist and non-denominational) and some have been under pressure and have stepped down, but mostly they are continuing to be accepted and supported. So, Xn congregations are sitting under the preaching and teaching of an openly gay man or woman who claims to follow the Bible. What could be more insane that that? There is a huge trend of gay people going back to “church”, because as long as they remain blind to the scriptures and have no holy Spirit to answer to, and no government—-anything goes. They feel comfortable … and oh so spiritual. Ahhhhh.

Their resemblance to ostriches with their heads in the sand is not merely coincidental.

BC

I appreciate the boldness you display to those who have been taught erroneously. I have also faced this challenge, and although they can boast very strong faith in what they believe, and they are (for the most part) wonderful people, they have still been deceived. I suppose the worst thing about being deceived is that you are unaware of that deception, and convinced that you are not deceived.
One thing I have noticed in your writing… Although you disagree with them, you seem to do so in great love. It is only in love that a person can be brought to the truth, and not through argumentative behaviors. Press on friend.
Cheryl

Pastor John’s House Teaching Materials and Music Store

Pastor John,

I absolutely loved the message last night. Here lately I have been reading your book, Solomon’s Wisdom, and as Amy said last night in the meeting, it feels like I am just getting back to the basics here lately. So much of what I heard last night is what I have been reading about!! Seeing (and hearing) the testimonies in that room were precious to me. I value those testimonies. I value the words of their testimonies, but what makes it come alive is feeling the testimony and seeing them live it everyday and love it.

In Solomon’s Wisdom, you wrote:

Your Life is your own. Your choices and the results of them are yours alone. Wise men who show you the right path will not reap your reward from God if you walk in it, and fools who would lead you down a wrong path will not bear your judgment from God if you follow them. Your heart’s sorrows and joys are your own, so choose the kind of life that will bring you true and lasting happiness.”

Hearing the testimonies last night reminded me of this. Having the holy ghost, you can choose to chase after distractions and sin. You are free to do so. But, it is so very easy to see, the testimonies of the happy last night. They had the choice too. They chose to follow God no matter what.

Something that has been on my heart here lately is the message to the younger girls about seeking God instead of seeking worldly relationships. I know the hurt that comes from seeking worldly relationships. Eventually you find them, and sooner or later you will regret them, left with an empty hurting heart. I hope that the young girls value the wisdom that was given, and take it in, and choose the path that God has for them. Nothing is more important than getting to know Him. He will provide you with all you ever need.

Anyway, This all felt too good to keep to myself. Have a wonderful day.

B.  M.

http://pastorjohnshouse.blogspot.com/2010/10/true-forgiveness.html

Good afternoon bro. John.

I just got home from class and read the Pastor Johns House Blog on “True Forgiveness”. My heart goes out to God’s people who do not know when someone is not telling the truth. I remember, John, when I received the Holy Ghost, I was told that we are supposed to forgive everyone, no matter what they do to you. Or if they say, “I am sorry”. And that was supposed to make everything well and fine with them. But what they had done left some person just broken in pieces. Where was the making things right?

I remember the first time I found out Ronnie was doing me wrong. It seemed like my heart was broke. The church I was going to, that preacher, he had the Holy Ghost, and told me that if my husband was “pleased to dwell” with me then I was suppose to forgive him. Looking back now, John, I was a very ignorant — all because I was being taught my a man that did not have the truth, and (worst of all) I found out later, he had secret sins in his own life. That makes me wonder about the men who teach that “unconditional love” stuff, whether the reason they do it is because they have secret sins of their own, and they want to be forgiven without having to stop the sin.

Oh bro. John, if only God’s people could have a man of God like you teaching them, how many of family’s could be safe from all of the lies they are being told. So many wives in christian places are believing they have to but up with abuse, and many other bad things. I think about all of our children, how much they are cared for, and how much we are cared for my you being where God has put you. Bro John I am so thankful that Jesus rescued me and put me here with my real family.

These are some thoughts I was having reading the Blog.

See you soon. Love you all.

John, I just want to share some sweet feelings and thoughts Jesus allowed me to have and feel today.

Paul’s work has been slow. Today, as calls would come in, I would get off the phone saying, “Thank you, Jesus, for the call.” As I was doing this, it kinda turned into a song of praise (and I am not a singer), but it was going deep . I just started THANKING him for everything!! I was just telling him all my feelings and how I just want to know him and his wisdom!! I felt it was a prayer from him for me. I thought, “I don’t want to waste any time here.”

Well, God is good, and that’s all I have to say!!!

Jammie