A Story A Week
By Gayle Erwin
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Podcast Description
Gayle is a premier teller of true stories. These stories are handles to help you grasp and understand the Nature of Jesus. That Nature is best defined in several statements Jesus made about himself in response to apostolic arguments about what it meant to be greatest in the kingdom. That list has captured our lives and is the main focus of what we do and what this page is all about, which is why we consider ourselves under contract with God to give you this information. We now give you this list, formed from the Gospels and Philippians 2:5-11, as well as some other lists that have come out of the understanding of the Nature of Jesus -- The Nature of Jesus: 1. Servant 2. Not Lord It over Others 3. Lead by Example 4. Humble 5. As A Child 6. As the Younger 7. As the Least 8. Last 9. Used No Force on Us 10. Was Not Driven by Selfish Ambition 11. Made Himself of No Reputation 12. Was Fully Human 13. Obedient 14. Unto Death -- Everything we say, publish or do, we try to conform to this list. When we fail, forgive us, but at least know what our goal is. This list is also the core of the book, The Jesus Style. Knowing this about Jesus opened our eyes to the incredible Grace of the Father, since Jesus said that when you had seen Him you had seen the Father. This initiated a search for the ways the Father had tried to reveal himself, just as Jesus did in the "Greatest in the Kingdom" teachings. What we found sent us into an orbit of joy and became the basis for the second book, The Father Style. We now give you God the Father's description of himself as found in Exodus 34:6 -- The Nature of God the Father: 1. Compassionate 2. Gracious 3. Slow to Anger 4. Abounding in Mercy 5. Abounding in Faithfulness 6. Maintaining Love to Thousands 7. Forgiving Wickedness, Rebellion and Sin 8. Punishing Only Those Who Hate Him -- Since this awesome Nature of God the Father and the Son breathes grace and mercy, it only follows that the Holy Spirit would follow in the same pattern. Our research put us in permanent orbit as we discovered that the executive action of the Holy Spirit totally fulfilled the prophecies and Nature of Jesus. In fact, the lists of the action of the Holy Spirit seemed to explode with all the Father and Son were and became the core of the third book, The Spirit Style. We give those lists to you here -- Prophecies of Jesus about the Holy Spirit: 1. Comforter 2. Abide, live with us forever 3. Spirit of Truth 4. Dwell in Us 5. Teacher 6. Testify of Jesus 7. Convict World of Sin 8. Convict World of Righteousness 9. Convict World of Judgment 10. Guide Us into All Truth 11. Not Speak of Himself 12. Show Us Things to Come 13. Glorify Jesus -- The Anointing of the Spirit: 1. Preach Good News to the Poor 2. Heal the Brokenhearted 3. Proclaim Freedom for the Captives 4. Release from Darkness for Prisoners 5. Proclaim the Season of God's Favor 6. Day of Vengeance of our God 7. Comfort All Who Mourn 8. Provide for Those Who Grieve 9. Beauty for Ashes 10. Oil of Joy for Mourning 11. Garment of Praise for the Spirit of Heaviness 12. Trees of Righteousness, the Planting of the Lord -- The Fruit of the Spirit: 1. Love 2. Joy 3. Peace 4. Patience 5. Kindness 6. Goodness 7. Faithfulness 8. Gentleness 9. Self-control -- The Giftings of God: 1. Wisdom 2. Knowledge 3. Faith 4. Healing 5. Miracles 6. Prophecy 7. Discernment 8. Speaking in Tongues 9. Interpretation of Tongues 10. Apostles 11. Prophets 12. Evangelists 13. Pastors 14. Teachers 15. Helpers 16. Service 17. Encouraging 18. Contributing 19. Leadership 20. Mercy -- If you choose not to look at any other pages of our Web site, http://servant.org/, we strongly urge you to download this page, http://servant.org/contract.htm, and get a fresh view of the awesome grace and mercy of our God and revel in the joy of knowledge of Him and relationship with Him. -- Gayle D. Erwin
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CleanTwo Poems | -- | 12/5/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanLet's Talk About Forgiveness | -- | 11/28/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanSome Short Letters | -- | 11/21/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanIf People Matter | One thing I have discerned: God loves people! If I understand that, then all my actions and leanings change. God does not have love for buildings. God is not impressed with governments. God is not intimidated by nations. He loves people! Since that is true, the questions follow: What am I doing that indicates my love for people? What am I doing that would indicate I love buildings and governments better? What political positions have I taken that indicate greater love for things and money and positions than people? (By the way, when was the last time you felt a politician did what was right rather than go for the money of lobbyists?) What racial and ethnic feelings do I have that do not match God's love for people? What missions support do I give that indicates that I love people? In my love of prosperity, do I approve oppression? How important is my position to me? Would I be jealous if someone else had it? Am I sold on my system? Is it "my denomination, my party, right or wrong"? Do I ever pray, "Lord give me the same love for people that you have"? These questions coursing through my mind cause me to take note of some situations where people are more important than anything else. For instance: When church buildings are simply designed to serve people rather than honor the designer. When churches send their best to other places to minister. When giving is dedicated to going rather than the horrible mortgages of "If you build it, they will come." I observe my favorite missions organization, Gospel for Asia, whose approach is to get the Gospel to as many people as possible as quickly as possible. This view moves them to support native missionaries, ten to twenty of whom can be sent for the cost of one missionary we traditionally send from the USA. More than 2000 people are trained at once in more than 20 schools to go and start churches in places where there are none. This method forces evaluation of more expensive, sometimes less-effective approaches of some organizations. But the approach of Gospel for Asia fulfills its goal with unrivaled effectiveness and at a cost far less than anything else I have observed. On the other hand, I marvel at the story of a 23-year-old from the USA who felt called to an African country. Seeking the counsel of a missions organization in the USA which had a small work in that country, he received every negative argument possible. Relentlessly, they belittled and discouraged him. Finally he packed his bags and called a nearby pastor whom he knew to be solid and asked that he come and rescue him from the discouraging tirade. With nothing but his desire to obey God and with minimal sponsorship, he journeyed to this small, highly troubled, country taking his new wife into the most dangerous of circumstances. Faithfulness (attached to the high drama of narrow escapes) enabled him in just a short time to reach an amazing number of people and start several churches. I protect his identity here for several reasons, but marvel that his love for people gave him what my old football coach called "reckless abandon." Since people mattered, he threw himself on the call and grace of God. That was enough. I have seen many other people gladly live in deprivation just to start a church or go to a foreign country for God. No pictures on TIME, no Academy Awards, no Nobel prizes come to them, here, but I await their incredible honor some day. With increasing prosperity in our country (except for the current moment!), the natural tug is to do two things: First, to make sure we stay close to home and enjoy all the fruit of our ease and ease of our fruit. Second, we tend to look for ways to keep more of what we have. The supernatural tug is to rejoice that our fruitfulness opens more doors to go for the glory of God and, second, to make sure that our giving exceeds our prosperity since we have long-since made enough to meet our needs . Without question, we will ch | 11/7/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanA Letter From Pelican Bay | You made it simple to understand the nature of Jesus. We were honored and humbled at the same time, as you ministered to us in person; being busy and with crowded agenda, you took time to come and visit us in prison. Many of our families have not spent as much time loving us and ministering to us as you, a perfect stranger, did. With many of us stinking of cigarette smoke, bad breath, state soap, and common knowledge that disease is rampant in prisons, you shook our hands, hugged us, stood next to us and spoke with us as though we were like any good friend. Your videos brought our textbook to life concerning the application of scriptural principles, and your visit demonstrated firsthand, "by example." Your effect on our lives will be remembered and cherished as one of the high points of our walk in understanding. Pelican's Nest Chapel Pelican Bay State Prison, CA | 10/30/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanA Letter From A Friend | -- | 10/23/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanIdealism | I love the idealistic world of a child. I live there to this day. A pain I have borne as a father is to watch my children discover that the world outside is not a loving, caring, honest world. To see my own children cheated or bullied causes me as much grief as it does them. I hate the process of disillusionment, but I know it to be necessary. Disillusionment is the loss of hope and trust in those things that promise but cannot deliver. I propose that maturity is being disillusioned and reacting properly. Idealism is the belief that all things or people are, or can be, good and right. Idealism, fragile at best, is a dozen eggs facing a steamroller. Dreams and expectations die so easily. Visions fade. A horrible thing called cynicism sets in. Cynicism is disillusionment with the total loss of idealism. Maturity is being disillusioned by those things that ought to disillusion but retaining hope in those things that ought to foster hope. But what are the "oughts"? I am a disillusioned man filled with idealism. Mature? Not yet. Maybe when I am 80. Idealistic? Incurably so. Perhaps disillusioned and idealistic sound like mutually exclusive terms. So, I offer explanation. Hope Deferred There was a time when I thought traditions offered hope. They seem to foster such stability and, often, beauty. Then I discovered that traditions are not intelligently begun nor are they formed for common good. They are for some smaller groups convenience, or protection, or else they accidentally happen. Does politics deliver? I seriously considered, at the urging of some friends, a run for public office. Then I realized that politics is basically the decline and fall of anyone who chooses to get involved. Could I withstand the powerful pull of money and power? Could I maintain a true choice of what is good and best, or would I be just another slave of the self-interests of a political party or wealthy company? I knew that my flesh was too weak. In the heat of political campaigns, as I watch and decry religious identification with certain parties, people often ask me, "Then just who do you like?" I tell them that I have yet to see a president that I thought deserved my vote. By the time you reach the top, corruption is a given. Amazing isn't it how we are so readily fooled into thinking that political parties and politicians are truly interested in our ethics and goals. The gates of all capital cities should post this rule of politics: "Get in power. Stay in power. Increase your power." Then, over all of it should be the sign that reads "Power corrupts." There was a time when I thought a religious system/denomination was the source of all truth. As I moved deeper into its inner workings, I discovered that it operated with the same rules and corruptions of power and money as the world systems. By that point, I was much quicker in spotting hopelessness and giving up on those things I considered hopeless. At one point, I felt that scientific knowledge and intellectual development would ease the tortured path of mankind, but it seems only to develop gadgets we can live without and instruments to kill more people at once than ever before. The Rescue How, then, can I maintain any sort of idealism? The answer is simple: Hope and Grace. I live with the constant hope that Jesus will soon return and the government will then be upon his shoulders. Scandals and corruption will end. I revel in the hope that more and more people will come to know Jesus and by that become men of good will. I live also understanding that this messed-up humanity, by its degradation, nominates itself for Grace. I live realizing that Grace exists for no one unless we are its conduits. So, one can live idealistically and realistically at the same time, recognizing the hope we have and not being fooled by the world's actions that come from its hopelessness and at the same time, acting toward the world with Grace as if we were ambassadors for Christ. | 10/16/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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Clean"Guilt," By Pat Black, Worship pastor for Broadway Christian Church in Ft. Wayne, IN. | Guilt is an effective motivator. If you make me feel bad enough, I'm liable to do almost anything. The only problem is I'll probably resent it later. I'll operate out of compulsion, not willingness. My resulting actions may be noble, but I'll operate on my own guilty initiative. Don't be surprised if the results of my labors are lacking in spiritual power. How many of the "calls for action" Christians hear are guilt-inspiring or obligation-ridden? How much of our volunteerism and "ministry" both demonstrate and propagate a miserable, joyless lifestyle? How many Christians have such a satisfying relationship with God that they actually want to share Him with others? Even better, what can make the Christian lifestyle of sacrifice and service satisfying and contagious over the long haul? The answers are simple, but not simplistic. The place to begin is to look deeply at our lives. What is our motivation? The Lord longs that we would love and serve Him from a sense of gratitude, not guilt. But what can inspire the kind of gratitude that transforms our motivation? Consider the following: If you have received Jesus Christ by faith, then your guilt was nailed to the cross with Jesus Christ. The power and penalty of that legitimate guilt was shattered when He rose from the grave. There is now no condemnation -- or "guilt" -- for those who are in Christ Jesus. Nothing you can do, could do, will do, or won't do has any power whatsoever over your standing with God. He loves you unconditionally and accepts you utterly in Christ. At your worst, God loves you most. Does this sound too good to be true? That's why they call it good news! You are now justified by faith in Jesus Christ. You no longer have to justify yourself. God has pronounced you forgiven and fundamentally OK in Christ. You have nothing to run from, hide from, or protect yourself from. There is no punishment you have to inflict upon yourself, no quota you have to meet. Your heavenly Father is not someone you can never please, or someone you have to work for, or distinguish yourself in front of to merit His attention or affection. Do you remember the prodigal son? He reasoned that since he was not worthy to be his father's son anymore, he would ask to be hired as his servant. Do you remember what happened? The prodigal didn't get the job. Instead he was irrationally welcomed back as a treasured son in good standing with nothing to prove or repay. You are that son or daughter and God is that Father. Don't ask God to hire you. Don't perform for Him. Receive His love and respond in gratitude. If you think long and hard about this new relationship with God and allow it to grip your soul, the whole basis of your motivation will change. But, really, isn't that the point? When our Father's true character and intentions are uppermost in our minds, everything is different! When He's filling us with His living water and satisfying the deepest longings of our heart for love and relationship, we are free to love and serve others out of gratitude, not guilt. Guilt motivation means that I'm serving out of my emptiness. My job, ministry, or area of service becomes my means of finding "life" instead of my means of sharing the source of life that I've found in Christ. It's wrong for me to work for God in dependence upon myself to relieve a burden I feel about me. Our loving Lord desires that we would serve only in dependence upon Him because we share a burden that He feels about others. Until we allow God to meet us at the point of our longings, we are prisoners of our passions. We even do "Christian" things with a desperation to meet our own needs, instead of doing the will of God from overflowing hearts. We serve to fill our empty hearts, instead of from the overflow of our satisfied hearts. Do you serve to fill your emptiness or serve to share your fullness? There is a world of difference. | 10/8/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanChoosing A Pastor | Gentlemen: Understanding your pulpit is vacant, I should like to apply for the position. I have many qualifications. I've been a preacher with much success and also have had some success as a writer. Some say I'm a good organizer. I have been a leader most places I've been. I'm over 50 years of age and have never preached in one place for more than three years. In some places, I have left town after my work caused riots and disturbances. I must admit I have been in jail three or four times, but not because of any real wrongdoing. My health is not too good, though I still accomplish a great deal. The churches I have preached in have been small, though located in several large cities. I've not gotten along well with religious leaders in the towns where I have preached. In fact, some have threatened me and even attacked me physically. I am not too good at keeping records. I have been known to forget whom I have baptized. However, if you can use me, I promise to do my best for you. — The Apostle Paul. | 9/26/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNamesake | When hospitals and schools are named, how many are named in honor of false gods? I can't think of a one. However, I lost count of the schools, hospitals and other institutions that somehow incorporate His name. Why would they do that? Only because false gods do not inspire such benevolence. But Jesus does. He wins again. I confess to inner pain at the abuse of His Name. I want to stop mouths or present an argument at best or invoke fire from Heaven at worst. I realize that some will never believe. Some will always mock. But as I sit at his feet, listening and watching, to my eternal gratitude, I know who He is in my life. He is the winner. So, go ahead and misuse His Name if your heart is turned that way. The only damage will be to yourself and perhaps sensitive souls around you. But if you think you are damaging Jesus, don't get proud. Check the scoreboard. | 9/15/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanBigger Than Jesus? | The Beatles, great singing group of the last century, declared themselves to be bigger than Jesus. Apparently, that did not upset Jesus. You don't need to confront pride; you only need to let it have its way. Pride doesn't have to be attacked. It collapses from its own weight. Now, the Beatles' last gasp is considerably less than messianic. On a plane that had a stop in Las Vegas, I noticed that it was made up of a tour group and had become a party plane. For some reason, they took up with me, so I whooped with them. After they had settled down, I walked toward the back of the plane. The ringleader of the group called me over and asked me, "Hey, mister. What do you do for a living?" "I have more fun than anybody," I told him. "I believe you, " he responded. "I go all over the world teaching on the Nature of Jesus," I continued. His hand slapped his forehead as he exclaimed, "Oh my god! You just ruined my weekend." "What did I do?" I asked. "You said that name, Jesus. I am on my way to Las Vegas looking for women and you had to say that name, Jesus. Now I have to think about this again." Just the Name was all it took to reach something deep in this man. Recently, a movie called "The Last Temptation of Christ" drew heavy negative response from the church with people even picketing the producer and carrying hostile signs. Our response guaranteed the financial success of what wasn't a very good movie anyway. Reviewers called it a dud, but our advertising sent flocks to see it. Were people fooled? No! They knew this was not true about Jesus. However, it caused His name to be brought up before the people. A friend of mine was asked by a Jewish friend to go with her to see it and explain where it was wrong about Jesus. Jesus wins. The media is trying hard to remove the name of Jesus from Christmas, though it is His own season. They want to merely refer to it as a "holiday." Holiday is short for "holy day." Holy? Who is holy? Jesus still wins. Every automobile that drives on this continent and in many other places carries a simple witness to Jesus. They all contain a date, i.e., 1995, 2000, 2008. That is 2008 AD! AD! In the year of our Lord! Who is our Lord from whom this date comes and whose birth it marks? Jesus wins again. Incidentally now, in deference to the Jewish people, we call it "in the Common Era." What made it the common era? Here we go, Jesus again. When people curse, they do not choose to yell, "Buddha" or "Krishna" or "Allah." No, the name of our Lord comes out. Aha! Even in blasphemy, He wins. | 9/6/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanJust Preach | Peter and John plunked an item of great value into the can of a beggar when they invited him, "In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." The ensuing charade brought a warning from the authorities. It was not a warning about healing people. The problem was the Name. "Don't use it," they warned. Jesus was winning. Paul, in a statement far beyond my own maturity, relates that some preach Christ for selfish ambition, some to make trouble for Paul, some for envy and rivalry, some insincerely and with false motives. Yet he glories in the simple fact that Christ is preached. Amazing. Perhaps he knew from his own experience that simply hearing that name over and over produces victory. After the televangelist scandals of the last decade, in a radio interview I was asked if I thought their actions had damaged the kingdom. I responded, "No. First of all, they, by manifesting their humanity, purified the kingdom. Second, beyond all the shame and embarrassment, these men spoke of Jesus, the one who forgives people who do such bad things. I don't believe the connection was lost in the minds of people. Third, any who came to know the Lord because of them would have no trouble separating what they did from the Truth of their Savior. Jesus always wins!" The European atheists of a few centuries ago blasted Jesus and the Bible every chance they could. Now, the house of one of them is used to print Bibles. Their attacks merely served to keep His name before the people. | 8/31/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanAnd The Winner Is... | Brave mockers try through the centuries. Modern media suppresses. Every attempt is made to paint Jesus in a bad light. Some truly succeed, but their success simply guarantees that they all fail. No matter how you speak of Jesus, the simple fact that you speak of him causes him to win. In the rock opera "Jesus Christ Superstar," the writers viewed Jesus through the eyes of Judas. This focus caused many inaccuracies and misrepresentations, however I am convinced that this rock opera was a major contributor to that revival we call "The Jesus Movement." However you speak of Jesus, He wins. The movie made of that musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" closes with the theatrical crew leaving the desert set and pausing, each one of them, to look back in deep thought at the three crosses still standing as part of their set. That scene alone was enough to grip all but the hardest of hearts. However we portray him, something reaches the depths of our being and yells, "He is Truth." His Truth overpowers even in His silence. On trial before the governor named Pilate, Jesus had no defense lawyers. The prosecution had it all with many witnesses. All the witnesses in that trial gave negative reports about Jesus. Though they conflicted in their accounts, they were unanimous in their hostility. Yet, after viewing all these terrible pictures of Jesus, Pilate's declaration matches the cry of my own heart, "I find in Him no fault at all." The result of all the negatives was "no fault." Two thieves hanging beside Jesus joined the crowds in mockery of him until one, overcome by reality, declares the innocence of Jesus and asks for forgiveness. What changed the mind of the thief? Perhaps his own repeated blasphemy sunk the Name into his heart. Jesus won. | 8/25/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanGreat Expectations | Only followers of Jesus face expectations of a righteous lifestyle. If the leader of a Buddhist, Hindu or Moslem group is caught in less than inspiring circumstances, it is little more than expected. No one, especially the press, bothers to give it a line of attention, unless, as in the case of the leader of the Moonies, it involves the breaking of US laws. Why are we held to such higher standards? It is simple. Because righteousness is what we are all about. Unfortunately, people hold us to certain personally-oriented standards that often have little to do with actual righteousness. Often we are most embarrassed by a slip of our tongue or a failure to fit into local clothing standards. However, the righteousness that God invites us to has to do with how we are relating to and treating other people. I know of nothing that has come along to improve on the Golden Rule. No law or church policy exceeds Jesus ' call to love each other as he has loved us. In each case, the subject matter is not the fulfilling of personal ritual, but the fulfillment of others-centered living. This is why actions in the world like adultery are so devastating among Christians. It represents violation of the strongest contract we have on this earth short of salvation itself. This is why honesty (in short supply in the world) is considered basic in following the Lord. Honesty has to do with how you treat people. Nothing that I have found in Scripture permits us to take advantage of another person. This is why greed is deadly to the Christian. The world worships it, but to the Christian, greed violates the very nature of Jesus who was a giver. This is why generosity is the natural product of the redeemed heart. We, who received so much, find stinginess unthinkable. Those who beg for money from Christians are not tapping into generosity, they are trying to overcome our natural resistance to fraud. That is why we forgive. When we pray, the commands of Jesus call us to the same kind of forgiveness He extended to us. Living with freedom and without torment calls us to forgiveness. Yes, the world expects more from us because, frankly, we have more. I am not complaining. I am grateful for His gifts. | 8/16/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanThe High And The Mighty | We always seem relieved when someone who believes as we do finally rises to a position of prominence or power. We sigh in relief, grateful that recognition has occurred for the character and intelligence that, of course, represents us all. When someone of prominence (Read that as "fame.") becomes a Christian, we quickly make use of that knowledge as proof that we must be on the right track, just look at who else is on our side. Problems tumble down on us like child's blocks in these areas of fame and power. When the famous become Christians, their very fame then exposes them to the media. They are bombarded with questions beyond the scope of their knowledge of the Bible. Further, their lives are observed with an intensity that even maturer Christians might not be willing to allow. Consequently, some have abandoned their faith unable to live successfully in the heat of this new spotlight. Only a few of the famous have been kept from the spotlight long enough to be discipled. The problem of the mighty in politics has much greater implications than mere fame because of the number of people involved. Look at this scenario: Politicians louse things up. Ethical or religious grass roots movement begins. Charismatic leader becomes spokesman for the movement. General anger toward government causes many to join the movement whether their hearts join or not. By deft use of the political system, the movement gains power beyond its actual numbers. Politicians begin to bow at the altar of the movement, not because their hearts are there but because the votes seem to be there. Charismatic leader of the movement feels the power and begins to corrupt in the following ways: a. Becoming bedfellows of those not truly with the movement. b. Becoming careful to maintain the power achieved. c. Feeling that the struggle is power rather than ethics. Being welcomed into the halls of the mighty, the leader learns that working in this new system requires one to compromise and learn to play by their rules. This seems logical since using the political rules enabled the movement to gain power. Fear creeps in that the movement might win the battle and lose the war since the embracing of the movement's demands might make a candidate unelectable. The worst horror is that the current power structure might remain because of the unelectability of the movement's candidate. Suddenly, a new and very electable candidate moves onto the scene who does not support your basic agenda. The problem has now become power, therefore the movement must remain in power even if it costs dearly. Other candidates bowed to the movement. Now it must bow to the new power person in order to keep in power. That is just the way it works. Compromise keeps the movement in the middle of the power halls though it now owes a political debt rather than having one owed to it. Other politicians observe that the movement was willing to join the "politics as usual" gang and that it became the tail, not the head. In future battles the movement is despised by the power centers and the backlash of anger at having been used by someone, who themselves corrupted, bodes poorly for the movement. People assume that "all" Christians are like that. Freedoms and privileges fall away quickly and Christians become the enemy. Persecution begins in intensity. Passions of the public are inflamed. Church attendance rapidly falls because of the persecution as those who saw church as a club are not willing to lose status any longer by affiliation. Those who love the Lord become stronger and more evangelistic. Christianity grows (typical of persecution) but church buildings are empty. The government begins to realize that the Church is now stronger than it has ever been. Persecution intensifies for fear of a revolution. Jesus returns. Justice finally arrives. Luke 16:15 haunts me: "The things that are esteemed of men are an abomination in God's sight. | 8/9/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanStrange Fire | Torch runs exploded into our consciousness with the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles. With the torch runners passed through many United States towns and cities. Everyone wants to carry the torch for at least a few yards. I served a church on the eastern edge of Los Angeles County. The torch run was scheduled to come right by our church Sunday night, so we encouraged folks to bring snacks and hang around after service. Our location, perfect for viewing the run when it came by, created its own excitement. However, before we found our positions for observation, I reminded the congregation that what we would be looking at was what the Bible would call "Strange Fire." This torch had been lit on Mount Olympus, the temple of the mythical Greek gods, not from the fire of the Tabernacle or Temple of the True God. The Games were dedicated to Zeus. Now, I know that we do not in our minds honor the Greek gods. This is merely keeping a tradition since the Olympics began in Greece. But, with all the excitement, we can see just how easy it would be to introduce strange fire into the worship of Israel. As I write this, we are in another Olympic year for the United States. The torch is coming by and all of America is bowing before strange fire. When the games begin, the opening ceremony builds to the exciting moment of lighting the Olympic torch that steadily burns to oversee the games. Strange fire! And we don't even give it a second thought. However, the fire of God was never designed to oversee mere games. Perhaps that is the contrast. The best false gods can do is have an athletic event. When the Olympics end, much money will have been spent and made, many well-trained genetically-fortunate bodies will sport gold, silver and bronze medals, and, hopefully, the press will give us rest from the blare and glare of those five trademarked "rings." But the fire of God, that John the Baptist predicted Jesus would baptize with, accomplishes much more--it changes lives. God's fire oversees reality, not games. Come to think of it, I believe I do want to carry the torch- -the real one lit by God. Now that is a torch run to see! Line up! | 8/2/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanTwo Jokes And A Story | -- | 7/25/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanSecurity | Get in line. May I see your identification. Your luggage is too heavy. New rules. That will be $75 extra. Take your luggage over to Security. Step away. This is not the line. Don’t touch the counter or your boxes. We will have to open this. The boxes contain only books and tapes. We don’t care. We have to open it. Can’t you X-ray it? The box is wrapped to protect it. If you open it, that will destroy the wrapping. Do you want to speak to a supervisor? Yes! What’s the problem? Why can’t you just X-ray the box rather than open it? What is wrong with opening it? I just explained that. OK. We will X-ray it. Now we have to open it. Why? There is something shadowy in it. Those are books. Open the boxes! Rip! Shuffle-shuffle. Did you write these books? Yes. Are these tapes of yours? Yes. The contents are described there on the outside. I come through here every week. That doesn’t matter. I am a 2-million-mile flyer and a top customer for twenty years of the airline right beside you. That doesn’t matter. Tape-tape. You can go now. Walk-walk. New line for security. Identification and boarding pass please. You need to go through this other line. Why? You have been chosen for extra inspection. Why? It’s probably random. Take off your coat. Take off your shoes. Put your computer in this tray. Take out of your pockets anything metal and put in this other tray. Why am I having to go through this different line? Random. Extra security. Take out coins and put in case. Put cell phone in case. Just put your case on this ramp to go through the X-ray. You ought to take off those suspenders. Sorry. I forgot. Snap-snap. Clatter-clatter. Hold trousers. Walk through the detector. Stand here on this mat. Hold your arms straight out. (Great pain because of rotator-cuff tear.) Beep-beep. Turn around. Beep-beep. Sit down here. Stick your feet out. Beep-beep. Why did you pick me out? I don’t fit any profile! I am an old man, an Irishman and a Christian as well as a 2-million-mile flyer. What does it take to prove that I am safe? This is random. That makes no sense to me. What is this little 85-year-old lady doing in this same line? She is terrified. Random. Is this your computer? Yes. We need to do another test. OK. Rub-rub. Pass. Can I open your computer? Why? You won’t let me open it? You can, but you have already X-rayed and inspected it. That makes it turn on and I have to deal with it and waste battery life. Snap. Boot up. OK, you can have it back. Is this your case? Put it here on this counter and step back. If you will tell me what you are looking for I might can help you. I can’t do that. Zip-zip. Snap-snap. Shuffle-shuffle. Aha! Scissors! Those are small nose-hair scissors with a blunt tip. You are not supposed to have scissors. But they told me here last week that they were OK. I will ask the supervisor. Nod-nod. Zip-zip. OK, you can go now. Put on shoes. Put on suspenders. Put computer back in case. Put on coat. Re-attach cases for pulling. Do you have everything? Everything but my dignity. Walk-walk. May I see your identification? You have known me for 16 years! Those are the rules. May I see your boarding pass? Sorry, but your flight has been canceled. Hello God. May I talk to you? Sure! Do you need to see my identification? I know you. Do you need anything else? No. That’s it? Yes, let’s talk. You can go anywhere you want to with me. I have now reduced my flying by 60%. I have increased my praying by more than that. | 7/19/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanFitzgerald | The night before Easter, in the quiet comfort of his living room, David Fitzgerald of St. Louis choked back tears as he told me his story. His only memory, dim at best, of his dad, who left the family in St. Louis when Dave was three, came from age five when his mother refused to let his drunken dad enter the house for a visit. In 1975, while living in California, Dave went through a devastating time in his own life so bad that he teetered on the brink of a lifestyle like his father. At that time, a friend invited him to church. He accepted, and there, for the first time, he heard the Gospel, responded, and gave his life to the Lord—a deep commitment that resulted in a life of ministry. It happened to be a Memorial Day which is also the holiday when he met his wife, Carol, and is the holiday on which I am writing this story. In 1984, Dave moved back to St. Louis to start the church he now serves. At that time, he felt a strong urge to try to find his dad. His mother gave him the phone number of a buddy of his dad. Alas, his dad’s friend had moved out of state. Dave looked through the phone book and contacted his father’s brother, John, whom Dave had never known. He informed Dave that his father had died in a Salvation Army shelter in the seventies. Dave reasoned that this was a logical end to the story of his alcoholic father. About a year and a half later, the lost friend of his father called Dave. He told this buddy what his Uncle John had related about his father’s death and shared that he was not surprised that his dad ended up this way because of the life he had lived. This friend, with surprised voice, said, “You don’t know the full story, do you? Your father wasn’t a resident of the shelter. He worked for the Salvation Army! He got religion in the seventies, ended up sober and worked at this shelter for the Salvation Army the last years of his life.” The Lord reminded Dave that his dad died at about the same time that he became a Christian and placed in his heart that his dad spent his last years praying for the salvation of the son he never knew. At the point in Dave’s life, when he could easily have chosen the same path of his dad, his newfound-by-God dad interceded for him. | 7/12/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanWhen You Give Up | Have you ever said, “I give up. I can’t do it.”? Most everyone, at some point in their life, spouts that statement. Usually it results from despair and failure, which actually is not a bad starting point. So, what’s the secret of changing directions and finding success? Let me share two biblical principles of phenomenal grace. First, when Jacob landed in his famous moment, away from his family and wealth and awaiting death at the hand of Esau, an angel (obviously a pre-fleshly appearance of Jesus) appeared and challenged him to a wrestling match. In spite of this strange encounter, Jacob, ever the competitor, took him on, and on, and on. After a night of fight, a draw was the best he could achieve. No victory. Then, Jacob, recognizing who his opponent was, did the smartest thing available to him—he gave up. “You must not leave here until you bless me.” You miss this moment if you don’t understand contests in that ancient world. Then, since the winner was the stronger, he gave a gift to the loser. Gift-giving was a show of strength! So, then, if you had a case filled with trophies, you would merely show how often you lost. When Jacob demanded to be blessed, he was calling himself the loser. God’s response? You get a new name, Israel, because you wrestled with God and won. Whoa! He just gave up. How could he win? Ah, that is where the secret kicks in. When you want to win with God, give up. So, examine your wrestling. What wears you out? Could you be wrestling with God? Then give up and ask him to bless you! Second, Paul reveals the most glorious provision for us in 2 Corinthians 3:17,18: Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. NIV Here we are offered the opportunity to become God’s problem rather than our own. This is the process: We rip the veil off by believing in Jesus, thus exposing ourselves (face to face) to God. This could also be called immediate confession of sin or need. Then God shines His glory (mercy, grace, compassion, forgiveness; see The Father Style) on us and He transforms us. Please note that “are being transformed” means that it is an on-going process happening as often as needed and happening to us. We are not doing it, God is. Furthermore, not mere transformation, but “into His likeness.” So, if I keep my state of being instantly before him, I become God’s problem which He accepts and does the changing. Whoopee! | 7/3/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNames | Being one of a somewhat strange name, names fascinate me. I attended high school with a girl named Penny Nickles who lived in Money, Mississippi. Little twin boys name Melt and Felt attended a church I once served. If you think Gayle is tough for a man, (In an interview years ago with Johnny Cash, we discussed, with humor my name and his song “A Boy Named Sue.”) a man who attended another church I served was named Hyacinth. Someone in each case was thinking originally. Maybe some of these names were eventually changed. I don’t know. Some names, otherwise not strange, fall into disuse for obvious reasons; Benedict and Judas, for instance. Osama might stay within distant borders. These names carry images too negative to burden a human being today. In Old Testament (and somewhat New Testament) days, names tended to have true meaning, often actually describing the person. If you knew the person’s name and the meaning of the name, you knew the person. As I have often shared, (Shall we count the times?) God defined his name to Moses as “Compassionate, Gracious, Slow to Anger, Abounding in Mercy and Faithfulness, Mercy to Thousands, Forgiving Wickedness, Rebellion and Sin.” I hang on to that for dear life. In Bible days, names were sometimes changed to indicate significant events or conversions or growth. God changed Abram’s name to Abraham—from father of many to father of nations. God changed Jacob’s name to Israel—from deceiver to Prince of God. Moses changed Othea’s name to Joshua and later to Jehoshua. Perhaps Moses knew that Joshua (Yahshua) belonged eventually to the Messiah so he tweaked Joshua’s name. Interesting, too, that during the time of Nehemiah, it was changed again to Yeshua, the name currently used. One interesting name refusal occurs in the Old Testament. The prophet Nathan instructed David and Bathsheba to name their son Jedediah. They named him Solomon instead. In the New Testament, name changing continues unabated. Everyone knows the name Peter as the Jesus-given change from Simon. Seems almost to be an oxymoron to describe that man as Rocky, but Jesus knew what he would become. Levi, the hated tax collector, became Matthew, writer of the first Gospel. Saul, fire-breathing persecutor and killer of Christians, celebrates, with his spectacular conversion, the new name Paul. The Early Church, caught up in this tradition changed one leader’s name to a far more accurate description of his personality-Joses to Barnabas. Barnabas means “son of consolation” or “encourager.” What a great affirmation. All of this brings us to a great realization and application. First, the realization—we are informed in Revelation that we each have been given new names known only to us. How wonderful that God should so carefully express his love toward us in such an unusual and creative way. Definitely in keeping with his nature. Now the application. What name would you give to your brothers and sisters in the Lord? Would there be an Encourager? Would there be a Faithful? Would there be a Worker? If so, what might it mean to them if you told them the name you would give them? Worth a try. And what kind of name would you like to have people give to you? Worth a want. Let me see…if I were to change my name “Gayle” to something more meaningful…uh, let’s not go there. | 6/26/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanLetters | -- | 6/20/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanClones | With all the buzz about cloning, I miss my old friend Bill McGowan, an orthopedic surgeon who lived in Zimbabwe and with whom I had numerous animated discussions about medical ethics. Since he is having those discussions now with the Lord, and probably losing the debate, um kaff, as he always did with me, let me discuss it with you. Scientists think they have truly accomplished something when they clone a sheep or a rat (give me a break!) or a cat (something to run the rat), and perhaps they have. They say cloning helps with medical research by having identical subjects to experiment upon. Nonetheless, they still haven't built one from dust, so I will hold my applause for a while. However, the ultimate goal of every such scientist is to clone human beings. I'm not clapping yet, but I sure am laughing. Who will they clone? Nothing reeks of egotism like that choice! I understand that candidates are lined up, money in hand, to be the first. Narcicism lives! Sometimes when people seek to get on my schedule and my being one person with limited time prohibits it, they will say, "You need a clone." I laugh at that and respond, "The world cannot survive two of us." That did cause me to ponder, "What would happen if I were cloned?" All you would have is a genetic copy of me-a short, fat, bald, wearer of suspenders. What else? A terrifying thought! Would my clone follow the Lord from his childhood? Who could know? If not, the ability for that clone to do damage to the world is enormous. Even now, as I ponder the effects of different politics and technologies, thoughts occur as to how they can be used that scare me and make me ecstatic that I am a believer and not assisting the pagan world. A purely genetic clone of me could be a deadly sinner. But what if he chooses to follow the Lord? Would he go through the tragedies that have formed my understanding of God's undergirding power? Would he love the Bible and see it as enough? Would he be disillusioned without becoming bitter and, instead, let it cause him to rest only in God? Would he have a sense of humor that lightens the heart of everyone? Would he love children? Would he find a faithful wife who would share his love of God? Would he have a calling from God and a purpose that consumes his life? I would have to be God to know. Aha! Insight! That is the unstated goal of the cloners-they want to be God. Well, they are not wired for that! | 6/12/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanCritters | At one retreat where I shared, I took photos of each of the men and listened to some of their stories for a Christian "Hall of Fame" series I had in mind. If they lined up in a row and you did not know they were Christians, you would tremble in your boots. However, the incredible grace and power of God moved more mightily than did their Harleys as they rode off. As I speak at different places, I take note that governors and senators seem remarkably absent. Jokingly I often ask, "Who are you? I was promised a quality crowd." Indeed, Paul describes us in 1 Corinthians 1 as "not many mighty or noble, but weak and foolish, instead." Amazing. Why is it that we never name our churches in accordance with that description? "First" church rubs our egos far more than "Weak and Foolish" church. Revival movements often drink their poison by desiring to prove to the world that they are actually somebody. One movement, formed by those rejected and despised by mainline churches, somehow needed to prove something to themselves and the world by building the finest buildings in town-a far cry from their storefront beginnings. No "weak and foolish" there. I wonder why Isaiah described Jesus as having "no form or beauty that we should desire him." This was even before they beat him beyond recognition. In this politicized age, we know that homely never gets elected, not even to a pulpit. If television is your goal, you certainly need a good head of hair or a reasonable facsimile. I wonder why the "common people heard him gladly." Common people never get invited to President's Prayer Breakfasts. If you are not a person of power able to command significant votes, forget it. In this issue is a letter thanking me for telling of my son's comment that our judging of human beauty was probably a result of the fall of mankind, because, to God, everyone is beautiful. In fact, even the ugliest merited the highest purchase price ever paid in the history of the universe. Maybe, when Jesus said to permit children to come to him, he established a value principle. Just maybe. Maybe, the fact that the writers of the Gospels failed to describe Jesus physically might have been to give him a break. Just maybe. Maybe the motley crew of street-level men he called Apostles composed of zealots and tax collectors, aggressives and recessives establishes his value of people and view of The Church. Just maybe. I wonder who might be hiding out in the "highways and byways" who need compelling since they certainly were not the first choice of guests. Maybe they are the subjects of another great revival if Jesus tarries. Just maybe. Maybe, in the meantime, we should disappear into the shadows and busily do the work of the Kingdom and hope that a politician or person of power never notices us. Just maybe. | 6/6/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanHeaven On Earth | The promise of finding our lives carries a greater message than we usually understand. This is the promise of achieving what all people seek. Everyone wants to improve his life, to "find" some place of satisfaction, some happiness, some rest. An English poet named Pope described the human situation: "Hope springs eternal in the human breast. Man never is, but always to be, blessed." The constant hunt for "life" goes on. Even the founders of the USA recognized the reach was beyond our grasp when they declared that we all have the right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." They knew happiness was only a pursuit. However, he who made us knows how we work. Whenever you take a car or truck to a mechanic to have him tune it up, you want to make sure that they have a manufacturer's manual so they will have the right specifications. If he looks at your car and says, "Wow, I have never seen one of these before. Just leave it here and I will play with it," you would be out of there as fast as possible. To our great benefit, he who made us, our manufacturer, wrote a manufacturer's manual, the Bible, so we would have the specifications to truly run right, to "find our lives." We were not designed by the creator for selfishness, for wickedness, but, instead, for servanthood and holiness. Any other use than servanthood is like sand in place of oil in the engine-we are destined for destruction and run poorly and temporarily in the meantime. Jesus came, not to mess up our lives as the park guide in Hawaii wanted us to believe, but to give us life and more of it than we ever imagined. The problem to the natural me is that the only way to achieve that life (and joy and happiness) is through giving to others. The benefit of the deal is that as I give I achieve more of life as a simple fringe benefit. Years ago, I happened upon a journal which reported the results of a study of happiness. Now, happiness is hard to study. You cannot quantify it-put numbers on it. You cannot say, "I would like a pound of happiness please," or, "Could I have $5 worth of happiness?" A group of psychologists studied happiness in a way I thought was very clever. They interviewed a large number of people and asked them if they knew anyone who was happy. If they said, "Yes," they would ask additional questions, some standardized and others to free them to describe. When they had a statistically significant number, they began to tabulate the data and discovered that one trait seemed to be true of all happy people-they were "constantly doing benevolent things for other people." I could have saved them a lot of time and trouble with the words of Jesus, "If you want to find your life, lose it for my sake." This is what the kingdom, the church, the life is all about. This is the foundation, the stone that keeps us unmovable. Anything else is sand. | 5/29/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanThe Cheating Heart | Every religion of the earth places burdens or expectations on mankind that, try as he might, overwhelms him. Each religion demands certain forms of "good" to be done in order to achieve some form of salvation or heaven. Often, the "good" reduces to strange rituals or great sacrifice. After the rituals and sacrifice, the person remains no better or better off than before. Modern complaints about the missionaries changing native Hawaiians away from their native religions ignore the whole story. On a boat tour of one Hawaiian harbor, the guide pointed out a fine home on a coveted shore and identified it as the home of a grandson of a missionary. His hostile comment followed: "As you can see, they came to do good and did well." I have no idea what brought about the prosperity of this grandson, (No such hostile comment would be made about a politician or a criminal.) but the guide totally avoided the real story. On another trip, my wife and I were part of a group being guided through a state park in Hawaii. The guide, a young woman, constantly threw barbs at Christians for how they had changed the customs of the Islands. As she told the story of Old Hawaiian kings being buried in a secret place by his closest associate who would return to the village and make a sacrifice, I could no longer hold back. I asked, "What kind of sacrifice would he make?" Her answer: "A significant sacrifice." "OK," I pursued, "Just how significant a sacrifice?" "Well, a human sacrifice," she admitted. I pressed further: "What kind of human sacrifice?" Again, she was forced to admit something she never normally told those she guided, "The one who buried the king would return and kill all his friends and family." That was all I needed. "Do you realize that this human sacrifice would continue were it not for the missionaries? Do you realize that you might have been killed by now even as a young lady? Do you also realize that in their culture, you, as a woman, would never be permitted to guide such a group as ours today? Be thankful the missionaries came. Be thankful." Speechless now, she only nodded reluctant agreement toward the truth. What a price people pay when they follow some path other than Jesus himself. On a recent trip to Nepal, I discovered a most interesting revelation about Buddhism. Buddhists of today, though they revere Buddha and build multitudes of statues of him, have thoroughly rejected his teachings even using almost obscene words to describe his way compared to modern Buddhism with its "sacred use of sex and drugs." So long denial, hello flesh! The wonder of following Jesus is that more is demanded of us than of any other system, yet we are the only ones whose leader occupies us and actually meets the unmeetable requirements in us. Any other teaching is a reduction of the words of Jesus. | 5/20/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanChad | Little Chad was a shy, quiet young fellow. One day, he came home and told his mother that he would like to make a valentine for everyone in his class. Her heart sank. She thought, "I wish he wouldn't do that!" because she had watched the children when they walked home from school. Her Chad was always behind them. They laughed and hung on to each other and talked to each other But Chad was never included. Nevertheless, she decided she would go along with her son. So she purchased the paper and glue and crayons. For three whole weeks, night after night, Chad painstakingly made thirty-five valentines. Valentine's Day dawned, and Chad was beside himself with excitement! He carefully stacked them up, put them in a bag and bolted out the door. His mom decided to bake him his favorite cookies and serve them up warm and nice with a cool glass of milk when he came home from school. She just knew he would be disappointed. Maybe that would ease the pain a little. It hurt her to think that he wouldn't get many valentines... maybe none at all. That afternoon, she had the cookies and milk on the table. When she heard the children outside, she looked out the window. Sure enough, here they came, laughing and having the best time. And, as always, there was Chad in the rear. He walked a little faster than usual. She fully expected him to burst into tears as soon as he got inside. His arms were empty, she noticed, and when the door opened, she choked back tears. "Mommy has some warm cookies and milk for you." But he hardly heard her words. He just marched right on by, his face aglow, and all he could say was : "Not a one. Not a one." Her heart sank. And then he added, "I didn't forget a one, not a single one!" | 5/8/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanStraight To The Goal, By Bill Popejoy | "Straight To The Goal" This article was written in 1975 by Bill Popejoy, an outstanding teacher who died just a few years later. His writing is worthy and I will occasionally quote from him. Few expressions are sadder than the bland admission, "I know I'm not living exactly as I should, but..." It really makes no difference how the sentence is finished, the introductory phrase tells it all. And it condemns completely! All the extenuating circumstances in the world cannot mitigate the admitted guilt: "I know I'm not..." We simply can't afford to waver--even a little--from the known path of right. For, you see, we are not creatures of time, but of eternity. Nothing can be measured by the now; we are going to live forever. And any veering from conscious truth can and will be ultimately disastrous. I was looking at an old college textbook on astronomy when this truth was made especially real. A picture of the Cepheids in the Andromeda nebula caught my attention. Then I noticed their distance--1,500,000 light-years away! (A light-year is the distance light travels in one year at 186,282 miles per second: nearly six trillion miles.) The Item read: At that distance, a degree is subtended by a length of about 30,000 light-years." Wow! If I am one degree off in my calculations, I would miss the Cepheids by 180,000,000,000,000,000 miles! If I miscalculated only one-millionth of a degree, I would still come no nearer than eighteen trillion miles to the Cepheids! Such vastness nearly blows the mind. Yet it is nothing in comparison with eternity--and that's where we're going! Now do you see why we can't afford to waver from the known path of right? Now do you see the awfulness of the confession, "I know I'm not living exactly as I should, but....?" John wrote, "For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then we have confidence toward God." (1 John 3:20,21) And Paul Preached, "And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men." (Acts 24:16) "But," some might protest, "how can we know what is absolute truth? Look at the churches for instance. They all claim to be showing the way to heaven, but they can't even get together on that! So what is the right way' into eternity? If the path is so ambiguous, who can find it?" I'm so glad you asked. You say, "Look at the churches, for instance." No, don't look at the churches, for instance! In fact you should make a wide circle around any church which asks for your attention. Churches exist to point men to Christ, no more, no less. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John each painted a slightly different picture than the other, yet each point a lost world to Jesus Christ who died on Calvary for a fallen race. The Bible tells us to "run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith." (Hebrews 12:1,2) Keep your eyes upon Him, and you can't waver. The Living Bible has a beautiful and powerful paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. Read it carefully. "In a race everyone runs but only one person gets first prize. So run your race to win. To win the contest you must deny yourselves many things that would keep you from doing your best. An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or silver cup, but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win. I'm not just shadow-boxing or playing around. Like an athlete I punish my body, treating it roughly, training it to do what it should, not what it wants to. Otherwise I fear that after enlisting others for the race, I myself might be declared unfit and ordered to stand aside." You don't have to make a total about-face in order to miss heaven. Just angle a little either to the right or the left. Make something else important besides Jesus--it doesn't have to be instead of Him | 5/2/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanSentimental Journey | Thirty years had elapsed since I last visited the town of my high school days. Memories of pain and pleasure flooded as Ada and I drove around to the places she had never seen. Much of what I had known ceased to exist. Many old shops that I frequented stared empty or boarded. The Post Office, where I once sold newspapers on the corner, now housed a school-administration center. The Episcopal Church managed to maintain its downtown location. The high school where, frankly, some world-class teaching occurred has been replaced. Cotton has been demoted from king to prince. Over-all the town I knew waited on relatives like me to come and see it before it died. I lived in two houses during separate sojourns in that city. Only one (the smaller) remains. Both were next to churches which remain though the brand name has changed. The smaller of the two housed many guests, was home to my first inclination that I might be a preacher and was home when I was baptized in water. The neighborhood is much nicer than when I lived there. The brick church next-door greatly exceeds the barely-standing structure of my memories. The house, much improved, still stands, reminding me of the decisions made there: of dedication, of growth; of friends made there and guests housed, of neighbors who named a child after me, of playing baseball in a lot still vacant but much smaller than my memory held it. In this house I began to discover that the world lied a lot, that trust was routinely violated and value systems differed greatly. I remember the nausea that I felt when I discovered that some people I knew lived promiscuously. They were tender years learning hard lessons. Mode and Mary Ada and I drove to Choctaw Ridge. Perhaps you remember the song that contained the line, "And Billy Joe McAlester jumped off the Tallahatchie River. If Billy Joe jumped off the bridge, he might have sprained an ankle! That song also speaks of Choctaw Ridge, a place of great and warm memories. My family faced deprivation one winter, not knowing how we would get food. A "hillbilly"on Choctaw Ridge named Mode Corter heard of our plight and told us that if we were willing to pick them, he had enough beans in his hills for us to eat. We were willing. Mode and Mary Corter became a joyous part of our lives. Mode was 72 years old and could not read or write. He told me that he had gone to school two days in his life. The first day he learned how to court; the second day he learned how to fight; that was all he needed to know, so he quit. His stories were a delight, but his actions were hilarious. About every six months, he would don his best clothes (he never wore shoes unless he came to town or church) and head into town for a day. He loved the dime store. He would find a place to sit and simply watch people and the store all day long. Some who came in thought him to be a salesman or the manager of the store. He duly explained different items to help people make decisions though he knew nothing about what he was doing. Job hunters would see him and, assuming him to be the manager, apply for a job. He would listen, ask certain questions, then tell them they were just who he was looking for and to report to work on Monday. Chaos! Of course, by Monday he was safely back up on the Ridge. One story might have been true, but stretched my ability to believe just a bit. Mary was only twelve when he married her and could not cook. Mode reports that he bought a month's supply of cooking materials, locked her in the kitchen and told her not to come out until she could cook. If she failed with a batch on her wood stove, she was to throw it out the window to the hogs and start again. Whether that happened or not, Mary was a world-class cook. I wanted to take their picture with my rudimentary, flashless camera so it had to be done outside. Mode called the hogs against the protest of Mary so they could be in the picture, too. "We are hillbillies, Mary, and the picture will | 4/26/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanA Commercial Appeal, by Bill and Wanda Thweatt | Wouldn't it be wonderful if there were people who thought you were wonderful no matter how you looked, sounded or smelled? Wouldn't it be wonderful if there was someone who liked your way of doing things, listened to every word, and bragged about you to everyone, even total strangers? Believe it or not, those people exist and have for centuries. The first man and woman to attain this wonderful position were husband and wife and suddenly reached this exalted state when he was 235 years old. This man and woman were Adam and Eve. It happened when their son Seth became a father for the first time. You guessed it! Grand parenthood suddenly issues a person into that super state that all children need. But that need is often blocked by at least one of the dreaded D's. The first D is death. My wonderful maternal grandfather died two years before I was born. The next D is distance. My paternal grandparents lived 400 miles away and I saw them only about five times in my life. Then D-1 claimed my paternal grandfather when I was eleven. The third D is divorce. By no choice of grandparents, they often lose contact with their grandchildren. The fourth D stands for dud. As wonderful as grandparents are, there are a few duds. Now, here is the commercial. If any of you kids are separated from your grandparents for any of the four D reasons or if you just want another set of grandparents, Wanda and I want to apply for the job. We promise to spoil you with the three F's, Food, Fun, and Foolishness! | 4/17/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanBetween Pitches, By Daniel Schantz | You can have the World Series. The crowds, the instant replays. The six-million-dollar contracts, the Hall of Fame. I had something better than all of these. I had a father who played catch with me. He wasn't much to look at, dressed in old torn slacks and a shirt that parted at the navel where a button was missing. On his left hand he wore a plain, flat ball glove that looked like it had been run over by a truck. His smiling face was crowned with shiny black hair combed straight back. But when my father played catch with me, he made me feel like the most important person in the world. After all, my father was a very busy man. Other people had to make appointments with him, but not me. My father taught me how to throw, but sometimes I got a little too creative. At least half my attempts sailed out of control. I was always embarrassed, but he never complained. He simply trotted across the street to rescue the ball. And when I got a pitch right down the middle, he always let me know I had done well. One side of his mouth would get a special grin that said, "Whitey Ford couldn't have done better." I glowed at the sight of that grin, and in my mind, I could hear the roar of the crowd in the stands. Some days I didn't feel like setting any records. I just wanted to be with my dad. As the ball glided back and forth between us, I felt very close to my father and found myself opening up to him. "Dad, why won't Mom let us ride motorcycles?" "Mothers have a nose for danger. Trust your mother." "Where do people go when they die?" "The apostle Paul says that to be absent from the body is to be at home with the Lord." His answers were brief phrases that escaped between pitches. Answers that forced me to think through the questions for myself. I don't think Dad even realized he was teaching me. "Here, rub some of this Neat's Foot Oil into your glove. It stinks a bit, but it will keep the sun from drying out the leather." "Don't leave the ball out in the rain; it will turn hard as a rock. A new one will cost you two dollars. Money doesn't grow on trees." Now that I'M grown up, I find myself practicing those side yard lessons right along with the Ten Commandments. When I get a little too creative in the classroom and my methods fizzle, I remember how many times Dad chased my overthrows until I learned to control the ball. I'VE learned its more important to spend time with my students just chatting or shooting baskets than it is to drive them to scholastic achievements that will fade with time. I try to take good care of my equipment. My car has 120,000 miles on it and it looks like new. Money still doesn't grow on trees. You might think my father's side yard coaching started me on a career in athletics, but it didn't. I "flunked out" of Little League. Too slow. Too awkward. I don't have a single ribbon or trophy for anything I ever did in sports. But down in the basement, above my workbench, I have a rusty can of Neat's Foot Oil, and every time I see it, I hold it tenderly and replay in my mind the happy hours I spent with my father out on the lawn. You see, I have something better than all the awards in the Baseball Hall of Fame. I have memories of a father who always had time to play catch with me. | 4/11/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanThe Race, By Delbert H. Groberg | "Quit! Give up, you're beaten!" They did shout and plead, "There's just too much against you now this time, you can't succeed." And as I start to hang my head in front of failure's face. My downward fall is broken by the memory of a face. And hope refills my weakened will as I recall that scene. For just the thought of that short race rejuvenates my being. A children's race, young boys, young men, now I remember well. Excitement, sure, but also fear; it wasn't hard to tell. They all lined up so full of hope, each thought to win that race. Or tie for first, or if not that, at least take second place. And fathers watched from off the side, each cheering for his son. And each boy hoped to show his dad that he would be the one. The whistle blew and off they went, young hearts and hopes of fire. To win, to be the hero, that was each young boy's desire. And one boy in particular, his dad was in the crowd. Was running near the head and thought, "My dad will be so proud." But as he speeded down the field across a shallow dip, The little boy who thought to win, lost his step and slipped. Trying hard to catch himself, his hands flew out to brace, And mid the laughter of the crowd, he fell flat on his face. So down he fell and with him hope. He couldn't win it now. Embarrassed, sad, he only wished to disappear somehow. But as he fell his dad stood up and showed his anxious face, Which to the boy so clearly said, "Get up and win the race!" He quickly rose, no damage done, behind a bit, that's all, And ran with all his mind and might to make up for his fall. So anxious to restore himself, to catch up and to win, His mind went faster than his legs, he slipped and fell again. He wished that he had quit before with only one disgrace. "I'm hopeless as a runner now, I shouldn't try to race." But in the laughing crowd he searched and found his father's face, That steady look that said again, "Get up and win the race". So he jumped up to try again ten yards behind the last. "If I'm to gain those yards," he thought, "I've got to run real fast." Exceeding everything he had, he regained eight or ten. But trying so hard to catch the lead, he slipped and fell again. Defeat! He lay there silently, a tear dropped from his eye. "There's no sense running anymore. Three strikes I'm out, why try?" The will to rise had disappeared, all hope had fled away. So far behind, so error prone, closer all the way. "I've lost, so what's the use?" he thought, "I'll live with my disgrace." But then he thought about his dad, who soon he'd have to face. "Get up!" an echo sounded low, "Get up and take your place!" "You were not meant for failure here, get up and win the race!" So far behind the others now, the most he'd ever been. Still he gave it all he had and ran as though to win. Three times he'd fallen stumbling, three times he'd rose again. Too far behind to hope to win, he still ran to the end. They cheered the winning runner as he crossed first place. Head high and proud and happy; no falling; no disgrace. But when the fallen youngster crossed the line, last place, The crowd gave him the greater cheer for finishing the race! And even though he came in last, with head bowed low, unproud; You would have thought he'd won the race to listen to the crowd. And to his dad he sadly said, "I didn't do so well." "To me you won," his father said, "You rose each time you fell." And when things seem dark and hard and difficult to face, The memory of that little boy helps me win my race. For all of life is like that race, with ups and downs and all, And all you have to do to win is rise each time you fall. "Quit! Give up, you're beaten!" they may shout in my face. But another voice within me says, "GET UP AND WIN THE RACE!" | 4/3/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanTwo Seas | There are two seas in Palestine. One is fresh, and fish are in it. Splashes of green adorn its banks. Trees spread their branches over it and stretch out their thirsty roots to sip of its healing waters. Along its shores the children play, as children played when He was there. He loved it. He could look across its silver surface when He spoke His parables. And on a rolling plain not far away He fed five thousand people. The River Jordan makes this sea with sparkling water from the hills. So it laughs in the sunshine. And men build their houses near to it, and birds their nests; and every kind of life is happier because it is there. The River Jordan flows on south into another sea. Here is no splash of fish, no fluttering leaf, no song of birds, no children's laughter. Travelers choose another route, unless on urgent business. The air hangs heavy above its water, and neither man nor beast nor fowl will drink. What makes this mighty difference in these neighbor seas? Not the river Jordan. It empties the same good water into both. Not the soil in which they lie not the country about. This is the difference. The Sea of Galilee receives but does not keep the Jordan. For every drop that flows into it another drop flows out. The giving and receiving go on in equal measure. The other sea is shrewder, hoarding its income jealously. It will not be tempted into any generous impulse. Every drop it gets, it keeps. The Sea of Galilee gives and lives. This other sea gives nothing. It is named The Dead. There are two kinds of people in the world. There are two seas in Palestine. | 3/27/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanThe Lifesaving Station | On a dangerous seacoast where shipwrecks often occur there was once a crude little lifesaving station. The building was just a hut, and there was only one boat, but the few devoted members kept a constant watch over the sea, and with no thought for themselves went out day and night tirelessly searching for the lost. Some of those who were saved, and various others in the surrounding area, wanted to become associated with the station and give of their time and money and effort for the support of its work. New boats were bought and new crews trained. The little lifesaving station grew. Some of the members of the lifesaving station were unhappy that the building was so crude and poorly equipped. They felt that a more comfortable place should be provided as the first refuge of those saved from the sea. They replaced the emergency cots with beds and put better furniture in the enlarged building. Now, the lifesaving station became a popular gathering place for its members, and they decorated it beautifully and furnished it exquisitely, because they used it as a sort of club. Fewer members were now interested in going to sea on lifesaving missions, so they hired lifeboat crews to do this work. The lifesaving motif still prevailed in this club's decoration, and there was a symbolic lifeboat in the room where the club initiations were held. About this time a large ship was wrecked off the coast, and the hired crews brought in boatloads of cold, wet and half-drowned people. They were dirty and sick and some of them had black skin and some had yellow skin. The beautiful new club was in chaos. So the property committee immediately had a shower house built outside the club where victims of shipwreck could be cleaned up before coming inside. At the next meeting, there was a split in the club membership. Most of the members wanted to stop the club's lifesaving activities as being unpleasant and a hindrance to the normal social life of the club. Some members insisted upon lifesaving as their primary purpose and pointed out that they were still called a lifesaving station. But they were finally voted down and told that if they wanted to save lives of all the various kinds of people who were shipwrecked in those waters, they could begin their own lifesaving station down the coast. They did. As the years went by, the new station experienced the same changes that had occurred in the old. It evolved into a club, and yet another lifesaving station was founded. History continued to repeat itself, and if you visit that sea coast today, you will find a number of exclusive clubs along that shore. Shipwrecks are frequent in those waters, but most of the people drown. | 3/21/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanSpecial Olympics, Author Unknown | The children in the Special Olympics had been training and preparing for months. The big event was finally here. Those in the sprinting competition were anxious and excited and ready. They'd had all that training time, they were very ready. The gun goes off, the race begins. In the course of running, one of the boys falls! Oh, the pain! The knees hit the track, hard! Shock goes through-out the body and the pain causes a cry to slip past his lips. Then, after the split-seconds of falling, registering the pain of the fall, emitting a cry from the pain -- he looks up and sees the other eight boys ahead! They are going for the finish line and he, he is back here on his knees! His pained knees! All that work! All that training! All that excitement! Over, gone in a fall! Not to be in the race he had trained so hard for. A bellow of anguish pours forth from his lips. Oh, the pain of the knees was there, but the agony of seeing all he had worked for disappearing was more than he could bear and not make a sound. The bellow filled the track area. The spectators in the stands hear it -- and look. The players on the field hear it -- and look. And the other eight runners hear it -- and look. Then, as a whole, the group walked back to the fallen boy. One child stoops to kiss the injured knee, saying, "I think that'll make it better." They help the fallen one to rise to his feet, then as a group they walk towards the finish line. As a group they cross the same. | 3/13/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanMemorandum | TO: Jesus, Son of Joseph Woodcrafter Carpenter Shop Nazareth FROM: Jordan Management Consultants Jerusalem Dear Sir: Thank you for submitting the resumes of the twelve men you have picked for management positions in your new organization. All of them have now taken our battery of tests; we have not only run the results through our computer, but also arranged personal interviews for each of them with our psychologist and vocational aptitude consultant. It is the staff opinion that most of your nominees are lacking in background, education and vocational aptitude for the type of enterprise you are undertaking. They do not have the team concept. We would recommend that you continue your search for persons of experience in managerial ability and proven capability. Simon Peter is emotionally unstable and given to fits of temper. Andrew has absolutely no qualities of leadership. The two brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee, place personal interest above company loyalty. Thomas demonstrates a questioning attitude that would tend to undermine morale. We feel that it is our duty to tell you that Matthew has been blacklisted by the Greater Jerusalem Better Business Bureau. James, the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus definitely have radical leanings, and they both registered a high score on the manic depressive scale. One of the candidates, however, shows great potential. He is a man of ability and resourcefulness, meets people well, has a keen business mind and has contacts in high places. He is highly motivated, ambitious and responsible. We recommend Judas Iscariot as your controller and right-hand man. All of the other profiles are self-explanatory. We wish you every success in your new venture. Sincerely yours, Jordan Management Consultants. | 3/6/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanHe Became Man And Dwelt Among Us, By Louis Cassells | Once upon a time, there was a man who looked upon Christmas as a lot of humbug. He wasn't a scrooge. He was a kind and decent person, generous to his family, upright in all his dealings with other men. But he didn't believe all that stuff about incarnation which churches proclaim at Christmas. And he was too honest to declare that he did. "I am truly sorry to distress you," he told his wife, who was a faithful churchgoer. "But I simply cannot understand this claim that God became man. It doesn't make any sense to me." On Christmas Eve, his wife and children went to church for the midnight service. He declined to accompany them. "I’d feel like a hypocrite," he explained. "I’d much rather stay at home. But I'll wait up for you." Shortly after his family drove away in the car, snow began to fall. He went to the window and watched the flurries getting heavier and heavier. "If we must have Christmas," he thought, "It's nice to have a white one." He went back to his chair by the fireside and began to read his newspaper. A few minutes later, he was startled by a thudding sound. It was quickly followed by another, then another. He thought that someone must be throwing snowballs at his livingroom window. When he went to the front door to investigate, he found a flock of birds huddled miserably in the snow. They'd had been caught in the storm, and in a desperate search for shelter had tried to fly through his window. "I can't let these poor creatures lie there and freeze," he thought. "But how can I help them?" Then he remembered the barn where the children's pony was stabled. It would provide a warm shelter. He put on his coat and galoshes and tramped through the deepening snow to the barn. He opened the doors wide and turned on a light. But the birds didn't come in. "Food will bring them in," he thought. So he hurried back to the house for bread crumbs, which he sprinkled on the snow to make a trail into the barn. To his dismay, the birds ignored the bread crumbs and continued to flop around helplessly in the snow. He tried shooing them in the barn by walking around and waving his arms. They scattered in every direction -- except into the warm, lighted barn. "They find me a strange and terrifying creature," he said to himself. "And I can't seem to think of any way to let them know they can trust me. If only I could be a bird myself for a few minutes, perhaps I could lead them to safety...." Just at that moment, the church bells began to ring. He stood silently for a while, listening to the bells pealing the glad tidings of Christmas. Then he sank to his knees in the snow. "Now I do understand," he whispered. "Now I see why you had to do it." | 2/28/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanGiving, By Lex Mathews | I had a professor in seminary who told us one day that there were four stages of giving, which he then proceeded to illustrate. "The first stage is like a man who stands up in church and says, 'Hey, everybody, look! I'm putting a hundred dollar bill in the offering!' The second stage is when the same man puts the hundred dollar bill in the offering but does not announce the fact. However, he makes it convenient somehow for someone to find out. The third stage is when he puts the hundred dollar bill in the offering and neither makes the announcement nor makes it convenient that someone find out. But he feels so righteous. With that the seminary professor changed the subject and started talking about something else. One of the students interrupted him, saying, "Now wait a minute, didn't you say that there were four stages of giving?" "That 's right," the professor replied, "Well then, what's the fourth stage?" "Who knows?" the teacher replied. | 2/22/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanWe Are Fearfully And Wonderfully Made | So far, scientists have identified a handful of genes--such as those that make insulin and interferon--and caused them to produce these products in bacteria. But researchers have barely scratched the surface: If each of the four building blocks--called nucleotides, which combine to form genes--were considered a letter and each gene a word, the genes in a single human cell would fill 13 sets of the Encyclopedia Britannica, says Dr. Victor A. McKusick, director of the department of medicine at Johns Hopkins Medical Institution. Business Week, Jan 23, 1984--"Biotech Comes of Age" p94 #2825 With the help of my son's research, I found out the average number of cells in the human body and then went to the library and measured the volume of a set of the Encyclopedia Britannicas. I multiplied that volume times 13 times the number of human cells. I found that each human body had enough information in it to cover the Los Angeles Basin 1/4 mile deep in Encyclopedias. Genetic information in all life is contained in coiled strands of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). DNA is organized into small units called genes, which are bundled into much larger units called chromosomes. Humans have about 100,000 genes in 23 pairs of chromosomes. DNA is composed of four distinct chemicals called bases. These bases are strung together sequentially to form genes and chromosomes in the same fashion that letters of the alphabet combine to form words, sentences and books. If the DNA in one human cell could be uncoiled and stretched out in a straight line, it would be about eight feet long. But if it were enlarged so that each base was the size of a letter in this article, the DNA would form a huge sentence 4,700 miles long, stretching from Los Angeles to Jacksonville, Florida, and back again. So far, researchers have sequenced about 12 million genes, about 19 miles worth. -- Shared by Gayle Erwin | 2/15/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanFrontier Theology, By Wes Seeliger | You can read "Frontier Theology" online at http://servant.org/pa_ft.htm | 2/7/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanThe Porcupine Debate, By Wes Seeliger | THE PORCUPINE DEBATE by Wes Seeliger Used by Permission Two porcupine friends named Willie and Bill, Were talking one day of porcupine ills. Said Willie to Bill, with a sorrowful moan, "Isn't it sad that we live all alone? "The animals shun us; I have not one friend. Please tell me, Bill, Oh, what is our sin?" Don't sweat it my friend," said porcupine Bill. It isn't your sin, it's just your sharp quills. "We live all alone; that's just how it goes, cause no one wants quills in the end of his nose." "I've got it," said Willie; "The answer I know. I'd rather have friends, so my quills have to go." But Bill exclaimed, "It doesn't make sense. Without your sharp quills you'll have no defense." Willie thought and he thought, but he couldn't decide -- should he give up his quills or save his own hide? And then in a flash he decided with glee; "I'll pull out my quills in the trunk of a tree." With all of his might he ran at the trunk, and into the bark went his quills with a thunk! His quills all came out in the trunk of the tree, and Willie exclaimed, "At last I am free!" "Free to be eaten," said Bill in disgust. "You'll find out real soon there's none you can trust." But Willie said firmly, "I must leave my cage. I'd rather risk friendship than die of old age." Far into the night they debated the matter; live safely alone or make someone fatter! The Porcupine question remains to this day. Is it outreach or safety? Which one do you say? | 1/31/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanBug Spray Number Five, By Wes Seeliger | BUG SPRAY #5 by WES SEELIGER Our wedding was on October 14, 1966. But our marriage began three weeks later. We were dressed up and on our way to the swankiest restaurant in town. We had saved all week for the big splurge. One problem--my bride was wearing the most horrible perfume ever manufactured. Smelled like a mixture of mustard gas, black pepper, and vaporized maple syrup. I still get queasy thinking about it. We had stopped at a railroad crossing. It was cold outside. The windows were up and the heater was on. My nose and lungs silently begged for mercy. But I didn't want to upset my bride with a comment about her perfume. I had decided the one perfect marriage in history would be ours. No conflicts...no harsh words...no hurt feelings...no tears...nothing negative. My wife had made a similar resolution. For three weeks we had walked on egg shells, protecting each other from the slightest unpleasantness. Dare I break the spell? Dare I be honest and open? She had soaked in that blasted stuff every day of our marriage. I knew I couldn't hold out forever. So I said in my sweetest, softest voice, "Honey, that perfume smells like bug spray." Silence! Like the silence that must have followed President Roosevelt's announcement that the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor. I stared straight ahead trying to concentrate on the steady metallic rhythm of the train cars rolling by. I glanced at my bride out of the corner of my eye. Her lower lip was quivering slightly. The way it still does when she's fighting a good cry. We drove on. After an eternity she mumbled softly, "I won't use that brand again." Any married person can finish the story. We choked down our gourmet dinner. Pouted. Went through the "It's all my fault, Honey" routine. Shed tears. And were finally reconciled, promising never to be cross with each other again. The whole episode is now part of our family lore. Our repertory of delightful "young and dumb" stories. But I still think our marriage began with my observation about the perfume. At that point we began to grow. We discovered marriage is a union stronger than emotions. We began to drop the foolishness about unruffled bliss. We took our first steps toward learning that one allimportant lesson, a lesson no one ever outgrows--love is a deathresurrection relationship. As for the perfume...I sprayed the rest on roaches. It worked! | 1/25/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanBake Sale, By Wes Seeliger | BAKE SALE By Wes Seeliger "Bake sale" said the sign over the door. Joe's mouth watered. He could imagine all the treats inside. He opened the door and walked in. Joe couldn't believe his eyes. As far as he could see in the building there were rows of tables with signs over each table to describe its specialty. Cakes, Cookies, Muffins, pies, tarts. Except ... there were no cakes, cookies, muffins, pies or tarts. You see, this was a "recipe" bake sale. Someone grabbed Joe's arm. "Coconut macaroons. Get the original!" "Not so. Our recipe is older than theirs," another table shouted. " Devil 's food cake. Accept no substitutes," a shifty hustler whispered in his ear. "Angel food cake! Just like grandmother made." "Who's grandmother?" A lady began to shove him toward a table of fruit tarts while another yanked on his arm to try a roll. Yelling arose from every table as red-faced salesmen hawked their recipes. Confusion ruled and brawls broke out between tables. Joe had taken all he could. He tore himself away and ran outside as fast as he could. As he breathed in the fresh air and walked away, he said, "That was no place for a hungry man." Adapted by Gayle Erwin, used by permission | 1/18/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanOatmeal And Fire, By Wes Seeliger | OATMEAL AND FIRE By Wes Seeliger Most people picture hell as a lake of fire, with the souls of the damned floating around, screaming in agony. A tough picture but with some Biblical accuracy. But let me give you a picture of another hell. Imagine a large bowl of oatmeal...cold oatmeal. With lots of lumps. Now picture the Atlantic as an ocean of cold oatmeal. Put yourself in the middle of this oatmeal ocean a mile below the surface. Get the picture? That's hell. Let's take an imaginary journey into this oatmeal abyss. We're in the middle of the Atlantic hovering over the point of entry. Down we go--plop! Squish, squish, squish, we're descending. The fathoms slowly ooze by--50, 100, 500. At 880 fathoms we reach a state of equilibrium. We rest with arms outstretched in the soft, pulpy mass. The nearest shore is a thousand miles away. We try to swim. Pfoosh, goes an arm. We sink another foot. We try to scream. But our passion of soul earns a mouth full of oatmeal. The years trudge by as we rest in the mire, thinking slow, lizard-like thoughts. Hell is cold oatmeal. It is life without passion or desire. Hell is numbness as well as pain. Hell is believing there is nothing worth getting excited about. Hell is a swamp of blandness. Our terror of death is not fear of the unknown. The unknown is exciting. Nor is it the threat of punishment or pain. what then do we fear? We fear looking over our shoulder and seeing what we could have become but didn't. The people we could have loved but didn't. The exciting ideas and challenges of the Word which were just too much for us. Hell is living in the endless ooze of all this nothingness. But if hell is oatmeal, what is heaven? How about Fire? "John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire." (Luke 3:16) Adapted by Gayle Erwin, Used by permission | 1/11/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanReincarnation, by Wallace McRae | Reincarnation, by Wallace McRae What is reincarnation? A cowboy asked his friend. It starts, his old pal told him, when your life comes to an end. They wash your neck and comb your hair and clean your fingernails, And put you in a padded box away from life’s travails. The box and you goes in a hole that’s been dug in the ground. Reincarnation starts in when you’re planted neath that mound. Them clods melt down, just like the box, and you who is inside. And that’s when you begin your transformation ride. And in a while the grass will grow upon your rendered mound, Until some day, upon that spot, a lonely flower is found. And then a horse may wander by and graze upon that flower That once was you, and now has become your vegetated bower. Now, the flower that the horse done eat, along with his other feed, Makes bone and fat and muscle essential to the steed. But there’s a part that he can’t use and so it passes through. And there it lies upon the ground, this thing that once was you. And if perchance, I should pass by and see this on the ground, I’ll stop awhile and ponder at this object that I’ve found. I’ll think about Reincarnation and life and death and such, And come away concludin’, why, you ain’t changed all that much. Printed by permission of Wallace McRae | 1/3/08 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (37) -- Heaven Before Heaven | -- | 12/10/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (36) -- First And Final | -- | 12/9/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (35) -- The Exact Likeness | -- | 12/8/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (34) -- The Remarkable Thread | -- | 12/8/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (33) -- The Poor You Have | -- | 12/6/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (32) -- Equality | -- | 12/5/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (31) -- Shepherds And Kings | -- | 12/4/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (30) -- Job | -- | 12/3/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (29) -- Mary | -- | 12/2/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (28) -- The Annointing | -- | 12/1/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (27) -- The Power Flow | -- | 11/30/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (26) -- A Heart For The Flawed | -- | 11/29/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (25) -- The Opening Parenthesis | -- | 11/28/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (24) -- Paul, The Great And The Gory | -- | 11/27/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (23) -- So, They Studied And Prayed | -- | 11/26/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (22) -- Hardened Apostolic Hearts | -- | 11/26/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (21) -- After Graduation | -- | 11/24/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (20) -- Peter, James and John, Inc - Failed Fishermen | -- | 11/23/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (19) -- Bondage | -- | 11/22/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (18) -- What? Me Understand? | -- | 11/21/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (17) -- Apostolic Baggage | -- | 11/20/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanThe Body Style (21) -- Supreme Duty | -- | 11/20/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (16) -- Flawed Apostles | -- | 11/19/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (15) -- David | -- | 11/18/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (14) -- Elijah, Failure Follows Fire | -- | 11/17/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (13) -- Balaam, A Donkey Of A Man | -- | 11/17/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (12) -- Samson, Blinded By A Woman | -- | 11/14/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (11) -- Gideon, The Lowest Of The Low | -- | 11/10/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (10) -- Moses, From Boss to Baaa | -- | 11/8/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (09) -- Joseph's Suprising Command | -- | 11/8/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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CleanNot Many Mighty (08) -- A Star Is Born | -- | 11/6/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
77 |
CleanNot Many Mighty (07) -- Joseph, The Favorite Son | -- | 11/5/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
78 |
CleanNot Many Mighty (06) -- Jacob | -- | 11/4/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
79 |
CleanNot Many Mighty (05) -- Isaac | -- | 11/3/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
80 |
CleanNot Many Mighty (04) -- Father Abraham Had Many Sons | -- | 11/2/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
81 |
CleanNot Many Mighty (03) -- Noah Booms And Busts | -- | 11/1/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
82 |
CleanNot Many Mighty (02) -- Flawed Patriarchs, Flawed Prophets | -- | 10/31/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
83 |
CleanNot Many Mighty (01) -- Introduction | If... You are a king, You are the president, Your are rich and famous, This might not be your book. If you wonder... Does God care about common people? Do the poor matter to God? Does God love people who are failures? Can God use me? This is your book! | 10/30/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
84 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (37) -- Observations | -- | 10/30/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
85 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (36) -- Tourist Or Teacher? | -- | 10/28/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
86 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (35) -- Applicational Bible Study Questions | -- | 10/27/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
87 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (34) -- Home Groups That Work | -- | 10/26/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
88 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (33) -- Everything You Need | -- | 10/25/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
89 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (32) -- Competition | -- | 10/24/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
90 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (31) -- Feelings | -- | 10/23/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
91 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (30) -- Fear | -- | 10/22/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
92 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (29) -- Worship In Spirit And Truth | -- | 10/21/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
93 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (28) -- Forgiveness | -- | 10/20/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
94 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (27) -- Freedom | -- | 10/19/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
95 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (26) -- Fundraising | -- | 10/19/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
96 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (25) -- The Kingdom Of God | -- | 10/18/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
97 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (24) -- The Kingdom Of The Church | -- | 10/16/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
98 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (23) -- Authority | -- | 10/15/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
99 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (22) -- Who God Uses | -- | 10/14/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
100 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (21) -- Politics And The Leaven Of Herod | -- | 10/13/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
101 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (20) -- Anger | -- | 10/12/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
102 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (19) -- Humor | -- | 10/11/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
103 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (18) -- Prayer | -- | 10/10/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
104 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (17) -- Communion | -- | 10/9/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
105 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (16) -- Defending Jesus | -- | 10/8/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
106 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (15) -- Perfect Overflow | -- | 10/7/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
107 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (14) -- Thanks | -- | 10/7/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
108 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (13) -- Servanthood And Emotions | -- | 10/5/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
109 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (12) -- Servanthood And Ethics | -- | 10/4/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
110 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (11) -- When Servanthood Fails | -- | 10/4/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
111 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (10) -- Servanthood And Self-Care | -- | 10/2/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
112 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (09) -- Warning Flags | -- | 10/1/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
113 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (08) -- Fear And Guilt | -- | 9/30/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
114 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (07) -- Needs Bind Us | -- | 9/29/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
115 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (06) -- Methods Of Jesus | -- | 9/28/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
116 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (05) -- Dealing With Manipulators | -- | 9/28/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
117 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (04) -- Grace | -- | 9/26/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
118 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (03) -- Blessing | -- | 9/26/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
119 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (02) -- What It's All About | -- | 9/24/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
120 |
CleanHandbook For Servants (01) -- The Great Pretender | Finally, answers to nagging questions for those who serve: Handling Manipulators Working with Authority Defending Jesus Fear Forgiveness Many more... | 9/23/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
121 |
CleanThe Body Style (40) -- The Church Complete | -- | 9/22/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
122 |
CleanThe Body Style (39) -- The Return | -- | 9/21/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
123 |
CleanThe Body Style (38) -- Judgement Deferred | -- | 9/20/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
124 |
CleanThe Body Style (37) -- Don't Worry, Be... | -- | 9/19/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
125 |
CleanThe Body Style (36) -- The Eternal Standard | -- | 9/18/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
126 |
CleanThe Body Style (35) -- Jesus Deserves The Best | -- | 9/17/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
127 |
CleanThe Body Style (34) -- Yeast And Bewares | -- | 9/16/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
128 |
CleanThe Body Style (33) -- Tares, Birds, Wolves | -- | 9/15/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
129 |
CleanThe Body Style (32) -- Showtime | -- | 9/14/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
130 |
CleanThe Body Style (31) -- Organization | -- | 9/13/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
131 |
CleanThe Body Style (30) -- Neighbors | -- | 9/12/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
132 |
CleanThe Body Style (29) -- Membership | -- | 9/11/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
133 |
CleanThe Body Style (28) -- Mothers And Brothers | -- | 9/10/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
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134 |
CleanThe Body Style (27) -- Driving Forces | -- | 9/10/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
135 |
CleanThe Body Style (26) -- Candidates | -- | 9/8/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
136 |
CleanThe Body Style (25) -- The Level Field | -- | 9/7/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
137 |
CleanThe Body Style (24) -- Simplicity | -- | 9/6/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
138 |
CleanThe Body Style (23) -- Hearing His Voice | -- | 9/5/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
139 |
CleanThe Body Style (22) -- The Sabbath | -- | 9/4/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
140 |
CleanThe Body Style (20) -- Communion | -- | 9/2/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
141 |
CleanThe Body Style (19) -- Light | -- | 9/1/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
142 |
CleanThe Body Style (18) -- Salt | -- | 8/31/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
143 |
CleanThe Body Style (17) -- Power | -- | 8/30/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
144 |
CleanThe Body Style (16) -- Worship | -- | 8/29/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
145 |
CleanThe Body Style (15) -- Freely, Freely | -- | 8/28/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
146 |
CleanThe Body Style (14) -- Justice, Mercy, Faith | -- | 8/27/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
147 |
CleanThe Body Style (13) -- Access To God | -- | 8/27/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
148 |
CleanThe Body Style (12) -- In The Name Of The Lord | -- | 8/25/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
149 |
CleanThe Body Style (11) -- Heaven On Earth | -- | 8/24/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
150 |
CleanThe Body Style (10) -- Find Your Life | -- | 8/23/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
151 |
CleanThe Body Style (09) -- The Core | -- | 8/22/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
152 |
CleanThe Body Style (08) -- Character | -- | 8/22/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
153 |
CleanThe Body Style (07) -- Heaven Bound | -- | 8/20/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
154 |
CleanThe Body Style (06) -- Keys To The Kingdom | -- | 8/19/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
155 |
CleanThe Body Style (05) -- Gates Of Hell | -- | 8/18/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
156 |
CleanThe Body Style (04) -- Entry Level | -- | 8/18/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
157 |
CleanThe Body Style (03) -- Foundation Stone | -- | 8/16/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
158 |
CleanThe Body Style (02) -- Starting Over | -- | 8/15/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
159 |
CleanThe Body Style (01) -- Introduction | Study the Church only through the instructions of Jesus. | 8/14/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
160 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (92) -- Fine Dining | -- | 8/13/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
161 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (91) -- RSVP | -- | 8/12/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
162 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (90) -- Inviting The Spirit | -- | 8/11/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
163 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (89) -- Leadership Qualification | -- | 8/11/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
164 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (88) -- Who Wins? | -- | 8/9/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
165 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (87) -- Clash Of The Giants | -- | 8/8/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
166 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (86) -- Gifts, More Or Less | -- | 8/7/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
167 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (85) -- Interpretation Of Tongues | -- | 8/7/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
168 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (84) -- Speaking In Tongues | -- | 8/4/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
169 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (83) -- Discernment | -- | 8/3/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
170 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (82) -- Prophecy | -- | 8/2/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
171 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (81) -- Miracles | -- | 8/1/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
172 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (80) -- Healing | -- | 7/31/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
173 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (79) -- Faith | -- | 7/30/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
174 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (78) -- Knowledge | -- | 7/29/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
175 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (77) -- Wisdom | -- | 7/28/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
176 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (76) -- The Gifts | -- | 7/27/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
177 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (75) -- Harvest Celebration | -- | 7/26/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
178 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (74) -- Self-Control, Going Upstream | -- | 7/25/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
179 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (73) -- Gentleness Made Obvious | -- | 7/24/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
180 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (72) -- The Faith Of The Faithful | -- | 7/23/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
181 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (71) -- Faithfulness, God's Ordinary | -- | 7/22/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
182 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (70) -- Goodness, A Divine Exclusive | -- | 7/21/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
183 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (69) -- Show The Kindness | -- | 7/20/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
184 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (68) -- Give Me Patience | -- | 7/19/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
185 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (67) -- Peace Like A River | -- | 7/18/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
186 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (66) -- Joy, Joy, Joy | -- | 7/17/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
187 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (65) -- Firstfruit, Love | -- | 7/16/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
188 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (64) -- The Fruit | -- | 7/15/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
189 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (63) -- The Evidence Of His Coming | -- | 7/14/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
190 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (62) -- Power And Witness | -- | 7/13/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
191 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (61) -- Power | -- | 7/12/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
192 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (60) -- Another Important Limitation | -- | 7/11/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
193 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (59) -- Great Works | -- | 7/10/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
194 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (58) -- Energy And Cleansing | -- | 7/9/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
195 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (57) -- The Promise | -- | 7/8/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
196 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (56) -- A Fury, A Launch | -- | 7/7/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
197 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (55) -- The Client | -- | 7/7/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
198 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (54) -- The Clue | -- | 7/5/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
199 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (53) -- Grace In A Rugged Package | -- | 7/5/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
200 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (52) -- Trees Of Righteousness | -- | 7/3/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
201 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (51) -- Garment Of Praise | -- | 7/2/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
202 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (50) -- Beauty For Ashes | -- | 7/1/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
203 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (49) -- Comfort All Who Mourn | -- | 6/30/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
204 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (48) -- Day Of Vengeance Of Our God | -- | 6/29/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
205 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (47) -- Proclaim The Season Of God's Favor | -- | 6/28/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
206 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (46) -- Release From Darkness For Prisoners | -- | 6/27/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
207 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (45) -- Proclaim Freedom For Captives | -- | 6/26/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
208 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (44) -- Heal The Brokenhearted | -- | 6/25/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
209 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (43) -- Preach Good News To The Poor | -- | 6/24/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
210 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (42) -- The Annointing | -- | 6/24/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
211 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (41) -- Resurrection | -- | 6/22/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
212 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (40) -- Crucifiction | -- | 6/21/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
213 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (39) -- Ministry | -- | 6/20/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
214 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (38) -- Annointing | -- | 6/19/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
215 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (37) -- Temptation | -- | 6/18/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
216 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (36) -- Baptism | -- | 6/17/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
217 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (35) -- Circumcision | -- | 6/17/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
218 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (34) -- Conception | -- | 6/15/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
219 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (33) -- Announcement | -- | 6/14/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
220 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (32) -- The Holy Spirit In The Life Of Jesus | -- | 6/13/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
221 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (31) -- Personal | -- | 6/12/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
222 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (30) -- Power | -- | 6/11/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
223 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (29) -- Achiever | -- | 6/10/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
224 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (28) -- Revealer | -- | 6/9/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
225 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (27) -- Promise | -- | 6/8/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
226 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (26) -- Verifying The Consistency | -- | 6/7/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
227 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (25) -- The Nature Of The Father | -- | 6/6/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
228 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (24) -- Stretching Farther Back | -- | 6/6/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
229 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (23) -- The New Speaks Of The Old | -- | 6/4/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
230 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (22) -- Stretching Back | -- | 6/3/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
231 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (21) -- Glorify Jesus | -- | 6/2/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
232 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (20) -- Show You Things To Come | -- | 6/1/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
233 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (19) -- Not Speak Of Himself | -- | 5/31/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
234 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (18) -- Guide Us Into All Truth | -- | 5/30/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
235 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (17) -- Convict World Of Judgement | -- | 5/29/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
236 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (16) -- Convict World Of Righteousness | -- | 5/28/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
237 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (15) -- Convict World Of Sin | -- | 5/27/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
238 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (14) -- Testify Of Jesus | -- | 5/26/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
239 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (13) -- Teacher | -- | 5/25/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
240 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (12) -- Dwell In Us | -- | 5/24/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
241 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (11) -- Spirit Of Truth | -- | 5/23/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
242 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (10) -- Abide | -- | 5/22/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
243 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (9) -- Comforter | -- | 5/21/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
244 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (8) -- Prophecies Of Jesus | -- | 5/20/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
245 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (7) -- The Achiever | -- | 5/19/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
246 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (6) -- The Quiet One | -- | 5/18/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
247 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (5) -- Setting The Limits | -- | 5/17/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
248 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (4) -- The Nature Of Jesus | -- | 5/16/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
249 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (3) -- I Have Told You Everything | -- | 5/15/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
250 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (2) -- The Landmark | -- | 5/14/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
251 |
CleanThe Spirit Style (1) -- Introduction | Looking at the Holy Spirit through the eyes and teaching of Jesus clarifies our understanding and resolves the controversies that swirl. It covers the work of the Spirit in both Old and New Testaments in ways that free you from all fear of Him. | 5/13/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
252 |
CleanThe Father Style (113) -- Winners Circle | -- | 5/12/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
253 |
CleanThe Father Style (112) -- No Mirrors In Heaven | -- | 5/12/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
254 |
CleanThe Father Style (111) -- Face Lift | -- | 5/9/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
255 |
CleanThe Father Style (110) -- Not A Flinch | -- | 5/8/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
256 |
CleanThe Father Style (109) -- Mercy! Out Front! Truth! Step Forward! | -- | 5/7/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
257 |
CleanThe Father Style (108) -- Restoration Theology | -- | 5/6/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
258 |
CleanThe Father Style (107) -- Fooling Satan | -- | 5/5/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
259 |
CleanThe Father Style (106) -- About Face! | -- | 5/4/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
260 |
CleanThe Father Style (105) -- Son Shine | -- | 5/3/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
261 |
CleanThe Father Style (104) -- Don't Try To Box With God | -- | 5/2/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
262 |
CleanThe Father Style (103) -- Bring Your Brother | -- | 5/1/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
263 |
CleanThe Father Style (102) -- I Saw God | -- | 4/30/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
264 |
CleanThe Father Style (101) -- The Face | -- | 4/29/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
265 |
CleanThe Father Style (100) -- Voiceprint Of God | -- | 4/28/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
266 |
CleanThe Father Style (99) -- Glory, Glory, Glory | -- | 4/27/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
267 |
CleanThe Father Style (98) -- Under The Spotlight | -- | 4/26/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
268 |
CleanThe Father Style (97) -- Mirror, Mirror | -- | 4/25/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
269 |
CleanThe Father Style (96) -- Now You See Him | -- | 4/24/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
270 |
CleanThe Father Style (95) -- Fleshing Out God | -- | 4/23/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
271 |
CleanThe Father Style (94) -- Flesh Party | -- | 4/22/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
272 |
CleanThe Father Style (93) -- Great Pretenders | -- | 4/22/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
273 |
CleanThe Father Style (92) -- What Do You See In The Clouds? | -- | 4/20/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
274 |
CleanThe Father Style (91) -- Idol Blues | -- | 4/19/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
275 |
CleanThe Father Style (90) -- Good-bye, Glory | -- | 4/18/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
276 |
CleanThe Father Style (89) -- Loud Speaker | -- | 4/17/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
277 |
CleanThe Father Style (88) -- Cloud Cover | -- | 4/16/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
278 |
CleanThe Father Style (87) -- Glory | -- | 4/15/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
279 |
CleanThe Father Style (86) -- Headlines | -- | 4/15/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
280 |
CleanThe Father Style (85) -- Passport Please | -- | 4/14/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
281 |
CleanThe Father Style (84) -- Doing It His Way | -- | 4/12/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
282 |
CleanThe Father Style (83) -- Top Name | -- | 4/11/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
283 |
CleanThe Father Style (82) -- Naming The Family | -- | 4/10/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
284 |
CleanThe Father Style (81) -- Strange Happiness | -- | 4/9/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
285 |
CleanThe Father Style (80) -- Poor But Powerful | -- | 4/8/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
286 |
CleanThe Father Style (79) -- Friendly Reminder | -- | 4/7/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
287 |
CleanThe Father Style (78) -- Only One Way | -- | 4/6/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
288 |
CleanThe Father Style (77) -- Lamb Chops | -- | 4/5/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
289 |
CleanThe Father Style (76) -- Speed Demons | -- | 4/4/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
290 |
CleanThe Father Style (75) -- Surprise, Surprise, Surprise | -- | 4/3/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
291 |
CleanThe Father Style (74) -- Fill It To The Brim | -- | 4/2/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
292 |
CleanThe Father Style (73) -- Name Droppers | -- | 4/1/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
293 |
CleanThe Father Style (72) -- Children Allowed | -- | 4/1/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
294 |
CleanThe Father Style (71) -- Who Does He Think He Is? | -- | 3/31/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
295 |
CleanThe Father Style (70) -- National Hope | -- | 3/29/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
296 |
CleanThe Father Style (69) -- Pick A Name | -- | 3/28/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
297 |
CleanThe Father Style (68) -- Cavorting Calves | -- | 3/27/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
298 |
CleanThe Father Style (67) -- Hall Of Fame | -- | 3/26/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
299 |
CleanThe Father Style (66) -- Shoulder To Shoulder | -- | 3/25/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
300 |
CleanThe Father Style (65) -- Lifeline | -- | 3/24/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
|
301 |
CleanThe Father Style (64) -- Broad-Shouldered Baby | -- | 3/23/07 | Free | View In iTunes |
| Total: 301 Episodes |
Customer Reviews
Master Story Teller goes iTunes
Having heard Gayle multiple times on board the Anastasis, we always looked forward to his return and his sharing. His masterful story telling dosed with humility and real life applications made him a crew favourite. Having left the Anastasis I am thrilled I can listen to short messages that are of the same great quality. Thanks for making the effort!
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