NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE CHAIRMAN MARSHALL N. CARTER DONATES PLANE TO NORTH CAROLINAbS JAARS INC.

November 16th, 2007

NEWS RELEASE

This is a perfect example of inspiring giving. May God raise up more people like Marshall Carter. We depended upon the Jaars pilots for over 30 years of our time in Brazil, and we say halelujah for them!

NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE CHAIRMAN MARSHALL N. CARTER DONATES PLANE TO NORTH CAROLINAbS JAARS INC.

Rugged Multi-functional Pilatus PC-6 Aircraft Targeted for
Humanitarian Work in Indonesia

Waxhaw, N.C. November 15, 2007 - - JAARS Inc. of Waxhaw N.C. announced today that Marshall N. Carter and his wife Missy donated their personal Pilatus PC-6  aircraft to JAARS for its humanitarian purposes. Mr. Carter is chairman of the New York Stock Exchange and chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Boston Medical Center.

The Swiss aircraft received today by JAARS, a nonprofit organization devoted to serving minority language communities worldwide, is valued at $1.0 million.

JAARS President Jim Akovenko said, “We are very grateful for this timely gift from Mr. and Mrs. Carter.  The aircraft is a perfect match for the very short runways that are common in the field of operations. This aircraft will complement the current fleet and will be pressed into service immediately upon arrival.”

The turbo-prop PC-6, or Pilatus Porter, is well suited for medical evacuations and in assisting local people in literacy and other forms of community development through the efforts of JAARS partner, SIL International.  SIL is a nongovernmental, faith-based nonprofit language development organization working in over 1400 language communities worldwide.

Marshall Carter, a long-time seaplane pilot, has owned and used the aircraft for the last nine years.

“The Pilatus Porter is a wonderful aircraft and has brought a tremendous amount of joy to me and my family over the years,” Mr. Carter said. “With its donation to JAARS for humanitarian purposes, the aircraft will now take on its most important mission ever. JAARS should be commended for its great work and for putting donations such as this to work for people in need.”

The PC-6 can carry up to ten passengers, or more than three cubic meters of cargo. It will become a critical component of the JAARS organizationbs plan to replace its aging fleet of piston engine aircraft fueled by aviation gas with turbine aircraft in response to a worldwide shortage of aviation gas. Turbine aircraft burn jet fuel which is more readily available in places where JAARS aircraft are flown.

The PC-6 is ideal for the bush conditions in Indonesia as it can be flown in difficult mountain ranges, at higher elevations and faster speeds than other smaller aircraft, and can land on shorter airstrips than most aircraft with the same load capacity.

The aircraft will be operated by YAJASI, JAARS Indonesian counterpart and partner organization.

SIL Indonesia Director Mark Taber said, “The provision of this PC-6 is timely as we depend on our Indonesian partner, YAJASI, to provide us with safe, reliable air transportation to reach some of the remotest regions in eastern Indonesia. Our efforts to provide rural and isolated communities with literacy programs and various community development initiatives will be greatly enhanced by this aircraft.”

The JAARS aviation program operates flight programs in five countries, with operations in Asia, the Pacific and Africa. In addition, the Waxhaw aviation facility is used for training JAARS pilots in operation procedures for the overseas efforts.

JAARS provides more than aviation services.  Land and sea transportation services, computing and information technology, media services in the local or vernacular languages, and other vital logistical services for language programs worldwide are provided as well.

JAARS is motivated to serve the spiritual needs of language communities as well as the physical and social needs through its associations and in so doing assist in Bible translation efforts for the remaining language groups without Scripture in their heart language.

More information on the PC-6 can be found at www.pc-6.com and www.pilatus-aircraft.com. More information on JAARS can be found at www.jaars.org.

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The Power of Blessing

November 2nd, 2007

The Power of Blessing.
 

The son had never received affirmative words of blessing from his father. The more he strived to gain his father’s acceptance, the more he felt that he could never measure up to his dad’s expectations. Until finally he gave up trying. He left home, and went into business. He said, “I’ll show my dad what I can do.” But he held bitterness and unforgiveness in his heart until the day his father died. Then he felt guilt and shame because he had never been reconciled to his father, and now it was too late. He started playing on the worship team at his church, but on the side he was getting involved with girls and drugs. He was slowly sliding into the abyss of hell, and it only got worse when he got kicked off the worship team.
 

But one day his sister dragged him to an Ancient Paths Seminar. I was supposed to be the facilitator in his small group, but I had arrived late because we had hitched a ride from one city to another (in Brazil). When I arrived I noticed he sat angrily in his chair with his arms folded and a glare in his countenance as to say, “Don’t you dare mess with me.” After the first evening’s sessions he came up to me and said, “Who put me in this group? I want to change to another group. I know that kid who is assisting you and I don’t want him to minister to me.” I told him that we really don’t like to change the groups around once they have started, but he didn’t have to finish the seminar if he felt like he didn’t want to – he could do it another time. Then I prayed a brief prayer for the Lord to show him during the night if He wanted him to return tomorrow. It was already past midnight and I was tired from my trip.
 

The next morning, I looked around anxiously to see if he had returned and was relieved to see that he had. But during the first morning session he still sat there with his arms, legs, and heart crossed, and an angry glare on his face. He listened to the other young men in his group share, but he would not say a word. I was concerned, and was praying earnestly for the Lord to break through his shell. That afternoon while the video teaching part of the seminar was going on in the auditorium, each of the 15 ministry teams went to their rooms to pray together. As I and my team walked down to our classroom, my assistant asked me if I could translate a song into Portuguese for him. I said, “We really need to pray, but if it’s quick I can do it if there is a CD player in the room.” He told me there was, and I began to translate the song. It was a MorningStar CD and the song was a spontaneous “testimony song” about how the singer had been living a life in drugs, thinking about suicide until one night he heard a song on the radio: “What can wash away my sins, nothing but the blood of Jesus.” As I translated this song, suddenly all three of us were overwhelmed with a burden of intercession not only for each participant in our group, but also for this city, and the whole nation of Brazil. We were forced down onto the floor by the presence of a Holy God, and could not rise as weeping and wailing intercession came out of our lips. Then just as suddenly as that had come, there came an inexplicable joy, and our sorrow turned into laughter. Literally one second we were on the floor crying, and the next we were laughing uncontrollably. Then we could finally arise and return to the room where the other teams were meeting. When we shared what had just happened to us, the whole room was also suddenly down on their knees crying out to the Lord. Then the video in the next room ended, and the seminar participants started moving to their groups. I knew that something had happened in the spiritual realm, but had little idea what would happen next.
 

This time, our young man was the first to open up and he began unfold his story as I have started in the first paragraph. He felt such guilt because he had never received blessing from his father, and because he had never been able to go to him and ask for forgiveness before he died. I told him that he may not be able to ask forgivness of his father, but he can ask it of God, his Father. And he could release forgiveness to God for the offenses of his own father. So I asked him to pray a prayer like that, and he did. Then I asked him to ask Jesus how he saw him. Jesus began to show him a beautiful vision of himself as a warrior who had been stolen from, but now the King was about to bestow on him a new beginning. Then I told him, “Your father never was able to bless you, but your Heavenly Father has never stopped blessing you. Can I pray a prayer of blessing over you? I am not your father, but I believe God would have something to say to you.” He agreed, and I prayed a prayer blessing this young man, straight from the Father’s heart, through my voice into his heart. I cannot remember what I said that day, but I remember that the glare on his face, and his whole attitude changed that Saturday afternoon. And several years after that I heard report that it had totally transformed his life. He was free of his addictions, his suicidal tendancy, and he was back on the worship team, and now had a good job. He no longer had to strive for his father’s blessing, because he was receiving blessing from his Heavenly Father every day. And please note: All I ever did, was basically to lead this man to Jesus, the wonderful counselor. He did the rest, and I got to see it!
 

Perhaps you have had a story similar to this man’s. I would encourage you to go to an Ancient Paths seminar and allow the Lord to minister to you. We could tell countless other stories similar to this one of how the Lord has changed hearts to bring about a changed life. Check for a seminar in your area at www.familyfoundations.com

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Leadworship - Paul Baloche

October 24th, 2007

Here’s a great article by Paul Baloche on worship.

Rick R.

Leadworship - Paul Baloche

Blogged with Flock

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Sowing and Reaping?

October 22nd, 2007

We’ve heard it a million times – “Just sow into my ministry and you will reap a bountiful harvest; 30, 60 or 100 fold.” It is scriptural, isn’t it?! So why hasn’t it worked? Oh, maybe it has a time or two, but what is the key? Why doesn’t this perfectly scriptural principle of sowing and reaping work all the time for everyone?

One thing we can be sure of – it isn’t God’s fault! So where does the problem lie?

As we listened yesterday to a commentator bashing the sowing/reaping preachers, I began to mull this over and decided it was time to step up and put in my two cents worth.

We have actually experienced this principle of sowing and reaping in the financial arena many times. BUT not always. Hmm . . .

Before I start on what I think is at least a partial answer to this seeming contradiction, it’s important to remember that the Bible teaches us over and over that “truth” is what sets us free. Perhaps some of our famous Bible teachers and preachers haven’t been telling us the whole truth. Maybe they themselves don’t know about some other important principles that govern our finances and that need to be understood and instituted before the principle of sowing and reaping.

Almost 10 years ago we had the privilege of meeting Craig Hill, founder of Family Foundations International. We were impressed when we heard his appeal for the offering. Instead of appealing to emotion and laying on a “guilt trip” like so many preachers do, he simply stated what the offering was going to be used for and asked that we seek the direction of the Holy Spirit in what He wanted us to give. Not only that, but spouses were to seek the Lord together and come into agreement about what that amount was to be. Wow, this was a different message than we were hearing from others and it was in perfect alignment with what we already believed.

Later we had the privilege of translating Craig’s book, Wealth, Riches and Money into Portuguese. In that process, we learned that there is a sequence of principles in operation in the area of finances. Unless we understand and incorporate these principles into our financial lives, we will never see the 3rd or 5th or 6th principle fully operational in the way God intends it.

There are several principles, according to Craig Hill and co-author Earl Pitts that come before the principle of sowing and reaping in this sequence. The first is the principle of “sparrow faith” which has been taught in a few circles and is not a new concept. This principle can be summed up this way: “God is my source of provision and I don’t need to DO anything to twist His arm to provide for me.” Note: this does not mean I can just sit around and expect Him to drop provision from the heavens. Sparrows don’t need to worry about their provision; it is just there for them provided by their heavenly Father. The basis for this principle comes from Matthew 6:25-33.

Although God is the source, He opens up channels of provision. Those channels could be any number of things such as; job, parents, investments, dividends, gifts from others, odd jobs, etc. So our part in this “sparrow faith” principle is to trust in the Lord, seek Him about what channels He wants to use and do the work necessary to put feet to our faith.

The second principle that needs to be in place before that of sowing and reaping is the principle of the tithe. When we understand that the tithe is “holy” and that it belongs to the Lord and we are just administrators of it, we will never again touch the tithe for ourselves. You may wonder about my use of the word “holy” but all that means is simply “set apart” or “reserved” and it can be compared to a sign placed on a chair saying, “reserved for the organist”. It simply means that no one else can use that chair because it has been set apart for a specific purpose. That is what “holy” means. So the tithe is “set apart” or “reserved” for God’s use. The word, “tithe” literally means 10% so that is the amount of the tithe. Anything beyond that is “giving”. Craig Hill and Earl Pitts point out several very interesting things about the tithe.

First of all, although it is an Old Testament term, when it is mentioned in Malachi 3:6-10 it is prefaced by verse 6 which says, “For I am the Lord, I do not change . . .” This would imply that the tithe is an ancient path – one of the ways of God, a principle that is timeless and that was actually established by God before the Old Testament law. In fact, it was established about 430 years before the law. (See Hebrews 7:4-8) As such, there is no reason to imagine that the tithe would be any different under the New Testament.

The tithe according to Craig and Earl is an act of spiritual warfare. It is a declaration to the spirit of Mammon that we do not trust in money, but rather in the living God who provides our needs (the principle of sparrow faith).  By returning to God His portion (the tithe) we are saying to the Mammon spirit, “I don’t love you or serve you. I am taking 10% of what I use as a medium of exchange for buying and selling, and I am releasing it to God.”

In their book, Craig and Earl point out many other details about the tithe as well as going into great detail about how to be faithful stewards, how to establish and close your circle (your budget), taking responsibility for debt and becoming a spiritual eunuch in the financial arena. At the end of the book, the principle of sowing and reaping is finally explained. I will explore that aspect as well as others in future postings.

If you’d like a copy of Wealth, Riches and Money, you can purchase it through Family Foundations International or you can send an email and I can get it for you. Suggested donation cost is $15.00 plus shipping.

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Unfit to Worship God

October 16th, 2007

 

But the words that come out of your mouth come from your heart. And they are what make you unfit to worship God. Out of your heart come evil thoughts, murder, unfaithfulness in marriage, vulgar deeds, stealing, telling lies, and insulting others. These are what make you unclean. Eating without washing your hands will not make you unfit to worship God.

Matthew 15:18-20 CEV

When I saw this phrase, highlighted above, I was taken aback. I thought “Wait a minute, that’s not what other translations say!” so I checked and sure enough the word translated “unfit to worship” is normally translated “defiled” - unfit for worship, unclean, contaminated, dirty. So I came to the conclusion that these things make us unfit according to Old Testament standards.

So what are some of the things Jesus the son of God said that make us unfit?

  • Words that come out of your mouth which come from your heart.
  • Evil thoughts
  • murder
  • unfaithfulness in marriage (Adultery)
  • vulgar deeds (Sexual immorality)
  • stealing
  • telling lies
  • insulting others (Slander, complaining, dishonoring)

There are other lists in other places in the Bible, but I would like to just comment on these. I have seen others, and have been guilty myself of trying to enter into worship to the Lord Almighty with a defiled heart - unfit for worship. How many people sitting in pews, or even standing up in front are guilty of this? Perhaps 100 percent at one time or another. Thank God that He has given us the means by which we can be purified and undefiled, and FIT FOR WORSHIP:

The whole chapter of Hebrews 10 speaks of this. Look at these verses:

Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:19-25 NIV

Praise God it is through the once for all sacrifice of Jesus’ blood that we can be made able to approach the living God in worship. So if any of these issues cause you to feel guilt, please take care of them through Jesus’ help and blood, and go Worship the Lord FIT FOR WORSHIP!

Posted in Worship Lifestyles, Revival | 1 Comment »

Justice!

October 15th, 2007

Last week I had the experience of being called up for jury duty. It was my first time in my life that I have ever been in the states when summoned. I was surprised and shocked to be selected, for I was sitting on the back row and they had said that the twelve members would be selected starting at the begining rows. Even though I was only an alternate I had to sit through the whole week of testimony and deliberations.

While I can not go into details about the trial, I can say that it was a highly emotional, sad, and tragic criminal trial in which the defendant lost not only his family, but also his freedom for a long time to come. It was good to see our justice system in America in action, and to realize that our freedom is valuable only because of the system of checks and counterbalances which we have in place in our laws.

The minute those balances become overbalanced in any way - we risk losing more and more of our freedom. Think about it as we hear politicians vying for more and more power, and more and more government. Think about it as you go to the polls. Remember, in Texas, there are some important issues to vote on November 6. Early voting starts next week. While we will not be voting on any elected officials, there are some important Texas Constitutional changes that will be voted on. You can go to www.freemarket.org for a free non-partisan voter’s guide on these issues.

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What’s the Opposite of Holy?

September 28th, 2007

If you said “unholy” bzzzzz! Wrong Answer! One of my mentors, Craig Hill (http://www.familyfoundations.com/) has taught us that the opposite of “holy” is nothing less than “Common.” But God told Ezekiel that the priests must teach the people the difference between the holy and the common:They are to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean. Ezekiel 44:23 NIV

I suppose you and most people know that the literal meaning of “holy” is separated, set apart, dedicated, committed, etc. All these words are followed by a “to” or “unto”. We are “separated to” something, “dedicated to” something, “committed to” something. That “something” will really identify who we are. Craig uses a couple of illustrations:

  • Some churches have a specially marked pew  seat for the pianist so that she or he can sit close to the piano or organ. That seat is “holy” unto the pianist. If anyone else uses that seat it becomes “common” because that person has usurped the “holiness” of the one who should be sitting there - the pianist.
  • A husband is “holy” unto his wife, and a wife is “holy” unto her husband. If adultery occurs there is an “unholy” alliance with another. But the plan of God is for there to be a “holy” alliance, or covenant between spouses. The husband is wholly (homonym intended!) dedicated to his wife and vice versa. The “common” or unholy thing is for an adulterous affair to destroy that marriage.

 God commands us to “Be Holy just as I am Holy.” I was thinking about that one day. Usually we think of “holiness” as purity of thought and actions. I sometimes think of a “holy” man sitting in a monastery praying all day and not speaking to anyone else. Or you hear of so called “holy” men in India or the middle East who spout words of wisdom, and are very skinny. So what is the true God of the universe talking about here? If “Holy” means separated to, who is God “separated to”? As I thought about this, I came to the conclusion based upon my knowledge of the Word of God, that God is Holy unto me! Unto you, unto every lost soul.

So when or if we are “holy” what are we supposed to be “holy” unto? God, of course! If God is holy unto us then when we are holy unto God we will think twice before entering into any type of sinful activity. When we do we have just become common.

There is so much more on this topic, which I plan to write about in a future blog.

May God bless you and have a great day.

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This is Scary!

September 21st, 2007

After listening to this radio broadcast you may want to check out your 60’s bomb shelter.

http://www.christianworldviewnetwork.com/radio-show-episode.php?EpisodeID=2184

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New Podcast!

September 21st, 2007

OK, this is just a short test to see if my Gcast Podcast is working. I’ll try to put a real podcast up in the next few days. Just click on the top podcast play button - be sure the volume is turned up. The other podcast below this one is the CrusaderX podcast of my friend Eric Standlee.

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Adversity - the refining fire.

September 20th, 2007

Did you ever wonder why we have to put up with so much pain and suffering in this life? I can remember several times in my life when things looked so glum that they just had to get better. But the Bible is clear regarding adversity, trials, and tribulation: We Shall Have It!

Jesus said “In the world you shall have tribulation, but fear not, I have overcome the world.” Paul said, “Who can separate us from Christ’s love? Can trouble, distress, persecution, hunger, nakedness, danger, or a sword? As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being killed all day long. We are thought of as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through the one who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor anything above, nor anything below, nor anything else in all creation can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35-39 ISV

“Just come to Jesus Christ and everything will be ALL RIGHT.” has been the message many well meaning evangelists have told us. But the message Jesus gave us was “You are blessed even when men persecute you.” Peter said “On that day you will be glad, even if you have to go through many hard trials for a while. Your faith will be like gold that has been tested in a fire. And these trials will prove that your faith is worth much more than gold that can be destroyed. They will show that you will be given praise and honor and glory when Jesus Christ returns. You have never seen Jesus, and you don’t see him now. But still you love him and have faith in him, and no words can tell how glad and happy you are to be saved. That’s why you have faith.” 1 Peter 1:6-9 CEV

One of the reasons we have such adversity is so that we will learn how to resist. We learn how to engage in warfare by engaging in warfare. There is a principle found in Judges 3 which I believe carries through to our spiritual battle: “And the LORD had another reason for letting these enemies stay. The Israelites needed to learn how to fight in war, just as their ancestors had done. Each new generation would have to learn by fighting the Philistines and their five rulers, as well as the Canaanites, the Sidonians, … Moses had told the Israelites what the LORD had commanded them to do, and now the LORD was using these nations to find out if Israel would obey.” Judges 3:1-4 CEV.

So faith is increased through our adversity; we learn to do battle (I am talking about spiritual battle in this context here, although it is just as true in the physical realm - just ask any soldier who has been through one or more battles.); also our hope grows. Romans 5 says it best: “But that’s not all! We gladly suffer, because we know that suffering helps us to endure. And endurance builds character, which gives us a hope that will never disappoint us. All of this happens because God has given us the Holy Spirit, who fills our hearts with his love.” Romans 5:3-5 CEV

So if you are a Christian and you are going through trials, just rejoice, and trust God’s infinite wisdom. You will be strengthened for the next trial may be even more difficult than the one before and you will need that strength. It will get better - eventually!

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