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114. Dear Dony (and anyone else who reads this), Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus. Thank you and your wife again for being such great emotional supporters. I just wanted you to know that I support the missionary things you do, also. I came across some Scripture that made me think of you, so I share my thoughts about God's Words to you. If we're going to make your mark in the world, we're going to have to be selfless. "After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. This is the passage where Jesus was sending His disciples on a short-term missions trip. They weren't moving out to the mission field for their whole life, they were just going on a short trip. He was sending them out, and He knew they were coming back in just a few weeks. God bless you and Sheri. Your brother in Chirst, Bob xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
115. Dear Alisa (and anyone else who read this), Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus. Thank you for sharing your words and the scriptures God is leading you to check out. This email is a continuation of the last one I sent you (in NLT). I am responding to the 2nd issue you shared and then see how far I get to finish the 13 issues identified. As I am reading His Words, I am being enlightened as I hope you and others might be. Hi Bob, 1. We were created by God and in created in HIS image and HE had a plan Gen. 1:26 "Then God said, 'Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves. They will be masters over all life--the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the livestock, wild animals, and small animals.'", vs27 "So God created people in his own image; God patterned them after himself; male and female he created them." , Gen. 5:1"This is the history of the descendants of Adam. When God created people, he made them in the likeness of God." ,9:6"Yes, you must execute anyone who murders another person, for to kill a person is to kill a living being made in God's image." , I Co. 11:7 "A man should not wear anything on his head when worshiping, for man is God's glory, made in God's own image, but woman is the glory of man." , Jam.3:9"Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God." and gave him dominion over the natural world...Gen. 1;26 "Then God said, 'Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves. They will be masters over all life--the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the livestock, wild animals, and small animals.'" , 9:2 "All the wild animals, large and small, and all the birds and fish will be afraid of you. I have placed them in your power.", Ps. 8:6 "You put us in charge of everything you made, giving us authority over all things--", He. 2:8 "You gave him authority over all things.", Jam. 3:7 "People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish,"
10But although the world was made through him, the world didn't recognize him when he came. 11Even in his own land and among his own people, he was not accepted. 12But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. 13They are reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan--this rebirth comes from God. 14So the Word became human and lived here on earth among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the only Son of the Father." The same power that created the universe is available to create a new life from our shattered hopes. The light of life that expose and drives away the darkness of the human race is the same light that brightens the dark corners of our world. This source of all life and true light of the world is the source of all recovery and life changing experiences. Eternal life and true recovery are ours when we believe what God says, renounce our tendency to do things our way, and receive the one whom God sent to help us. He is my model and I never desired anything more than to be a disciple of Christ. I pray that God gives me the wisdom to act just like Jesus did. ,vs. 16,18 "We have all benefited from the rich blessings he brought to us--one gracious blessing after another. ... 18No one has ever seen God. But his only Son, who is himself God, is near to the Father's heart; he has told us about him." The true light of the world became a human being known to us as Jesus Christ, who was full of God's unfailing love and faithfulness. Through Jesus, who was both fully God and fully human, we can know what God is like and enjoy a relationship with Him. Jesus Christ came to bring us God's unfailing love and forgiveness and to reveal God's faithfulness to us. God's forgiving grace says, "I forgive you for your wrongs: I love and accept you freely for the person you are." His faithfulness says, "I will follow through on all I have promised." Therefore, I will follow through with all He shows me to do, no matter what the challenges. His rewards are coming into my life and they will come into all of ours as we follow His will for each of us. The Divinity of Christ.The plainest reason why the Son of God is called the Word, seems to be, that as our words explain our minds to others, so was the Son of God sent in order to reveal his Father's mind to the world. What the evangelist says of Christ proves that he is God. He asserts, His existence in the beginning; His coexistence with the Father. The Word was with God. All things were made by him, and not as an instrument. Without him was not any thing made that was made, from the highest angel to the meanest worm. This shows how well qualified he was for the work of our redemption and salvation. The light of reason, as well as the life of sense, is derived from him, and depends upon him. This eternal Word, this true Light shines, but the darkness comprehends it not. Let us pray without ceasing, that our eyes may be opened to behold this Light, that we may walk in it; and thus be made wise unto salvation, by faith in Jesus Christ. God is never surprised. Some scriptures I have been led to review: 1 Timothy 2:5 Numbers 15:3 I will review issue 3 and the remaining in future parts. Thank you for reading God's Words and what He is putting in my heart. God bless you and Acachia. Your brother in Christ, Bob xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
116. Dear Alisa (and anyone else who read this), Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus. Thank you for considering me as you spend your time writing the Word of God. It reminds me of Salomon's Proverb that "iron sharpens iron" and you are helping me see things better in the spiritual world. Thank you for sharing your words and the scriptures God is leading you to check out. So, I have reviewed the scriptures and am being led to share some commentary as I see them as I read this. If any of my words appear to be self-centered and not from God, please let me know so I might look at ways I might correct my behavior. I appreciate your feedback. I hope you do not mind me sharing these words with others who might be also inspired by those words. The model I have used is inserting the Words that are in the New Living Translation (just one I happen to like most and seems to be easily understood by others). I did consider using the Message translation because it is even easier, but for now, I hope this version is okay with you. Then I placed the Words in the scripture next to the letter you wrote me. This way I am able to see exactly what God may want me to see at the appropriate time as you were writing the letter to me. Let me know how this works for you as a response. I then shared some commentary as I believe God was showing how it could be used in a recovery or significant life changing experience after each verse or as I seemed to be led. Since this letter is so long, and I have already spent about 12 hours just to respond to the first issue, I have decided to break the letter down in pieces, so it is not so long. This, then, is the response to the first issue. Other responses will follow. Last year, I had a Life Recovery Ministry through another church, which was a Bible study in my home, at restaurants, on the beach, and in churches that did not seem to hold the attention of many others. So, God seems to show me that these email responses might be another way to share the Word of God. Maybe the words aren't meant for you, maybe they are just meant for me, but maybe someone else who reads these words might be able to share something similar to someone else they know who is experiencing a similar concern. Thank you for sharing the message. Hi Bob, Thank you for considering me in your thoughts. Thank you for your 2 cents worth, but I think they are worth much more. I am spending hours meditating and studying and praying about what God wants me to share back to you. Thank you for inspiring me to continually focus on God's will and His Words for my life. As you, my behavior shows me I am still married to Him. Don't seem to have time to think about any other kind of relationship, except that which He allows me to serve. The book of Genesis is a book of beginnings. It records how the world began and how God created it to be good. It tells us about the first people and about the beginning of sin. But it makes it clear that our real selves are in the image of God, spirit, not this carnal world. We, in our distorted cultural and social upbringing seem to have taught us lies about who we might be, all about the self-satisfaction and ego centered needs. Nothing about God. This book reminds us we are in the image of God, the spirit of the Lord. Possessing all the power God has, but we are trapping ourself in this world we call the natural world, not God's world. The real world He created for us. Only a distorted perception we see today. Thank God He has given us free choice to come back to Him and do things in accordance with His will, not our own ego's will. As we follow His will, the Word promises, we will gain a world beyond this human perception. Praise the Lord. If we have lived in bondage to our compulsive behaviors for a while, we probably see more bad than good inside us. Many of us tend to see life in terms of all or nothing. As a result, we probably think we are all bad. But in recovery and life changing experiences, we need a balanced understanding of ourself. We need to see that along with our bad points we have also been gifted with strengths. It;s not an either/or proposition. A balance view of ourself will help us better understand our shortcomings while also giving us greater hope in our potential. At the end of the fifth day of creation God had made everything except the first people. The Bible tells us that when He looked at what He had made so far, "God saw that it was good."Then God created the the first man and woman. "So God created people in His own image; God patterned them after Himself: ... God blessed them and told them, 'multiply and fill the earth and subdue it. Be masters over the fish and birds and all the animals.' ... Then God looked over all He had made, and He saw that it was excellent in every way." God distinguished between the human race and the rest of creation. He made us in His very image, with capacities far beyond those of mere animals. God was (and is) excited about us! He gave us abilities and responsibilities to reflect His own nature in all of creation. When He created us, He was proud of what He had made! Although we have a sinful nature that came as a result of the Fall, we also must remember that we were created in the likeness of God. There are excellence and dignity inherent in being human that should cause us to ponder our potential for good as well as for bad. , Gen. 5:1 "This is the history of the descendants of Adam. When God created people, he made them in the likeness of God." This chapter has often been called the obituary column. Its recurring refrain is "He died .. he died ... he died." Although physical death did not come to Adam and Eve on the day they sinned, it did eventually come. They had reestablished their relationship with God, but the physical consequences of their sin could not be avoided forever. We may hope that after reestablishing our relationship with God, our troubles will be over. But a relationship with God rarely frees us from the consequences of past sins. The consequences usually catch up with us sooner or later. But if we suffer for past mistakes, we can know that God will be with us each step of the way. ,9:6 "Yes, you must execute anyone who murders another person, for to kill a person is to kill a living being made in God's image." Interesting. What does this say to you? But verses 15 to 23 show me something about the right to marry and the need to have food provided for them, especially one who ministers to others. , I Co. 11:7 "A man should not wear anything on his head when worshiping, for man is God's glory, made in God's own image, but woman is the glory of man." Instructions for public worship after Paul says we should follow his example, just as he followed Christ's. Paul not only preached such doctrine as they ought to believe, but led such a life as they ought to live. Yet Christ being our perfect example, the actions and conduct of men, as related in the Scriptures, should be followed only so far as they are like to his. This is instructing me to keep an eye on what I do as I write these words and feed the homeless. I must be sure to ensure my actions equal my words. , Jam.3:9 "Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God." The tongue is difficult to control, but what it does is extremely important. Like a rudder that steers a ship or a bit that directs a house, our tongue does much to control and shape our life. Our speech may have destroyed our relationships, which caused us great pain. Our tongue may be out of control, enslaved to our destructive dependency. If this is so, our recovery must include yielding our tongue to God's control. Even when we feel powerless to control our destructive words, God can still tame our tongue. As He transforms our heart, our words will soon begin to reflect this change. God can then use our words to heal our relationships and encourage others in the recovery process and significant life changes. and gave him dominion over the natural world...Gen. 1;26 "Then God said, 'Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves. They will be masters over all life--the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the livestock, wild animals, and small animals.'" Pretty clear. Are we good stewards? , 9:2 "All the wild animals, large and small, and all the birds and fish will be afraid of you. I have placed them in your power.", Noah and his family were the only people left after the Flood. The comforts of civilization had been washed away. They had to start all over again. God gave Noah his special blessing and instituted a program that, if followed, would result in a healthy society. God has given us His Word, which contains the ultimate blueprint for healthy living. And just as God gave the human race a new start with Noah, He can give each of us a new start, too. Ps. 8:6 "You put us in charge of everything you made, giving us authority over all things--", We develop our sense of self-perception by noticing how the important people in our life see us. If we grew up in a dysfunctional family, their skewed view of us probably warped our ability to see ourself as we truly are in God's eyes. Understanding how God sees us and the value He has placed on us can help us overcome th negative self-perception that many of us have developed. King David was amazed as he thought about how much God valued him. He said, "What mortals that you should think of us, mere humans that you should care for us? For you make us only a little lower than God, and you crowned us with glory and honor. You put us in charge of everything you made, giving us authority over all things." (Psalm 8:4-6) "How precious are your thoughts about me, O God! They are innumerable! I can't even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up in the morning, you are still with me!" (Psalm 139:17-18). God wants us to realize how precious we are to him and to see ourselves in the light of His love. Consider this: If God considered us worthy of giving up the most precious thing He had (His only Son), what does that say about how valuable we are to Him? Many of our problems are tooted in our low self-esteem. Perhaps we were never listened to as children. Or maybe we were abused by people who had authority over us. Whatever the roots of our problems, we are now probably overly sensitive to the attacks of others. We see here that God has made us to be fantastic beings with great honor and authority. We should never sell ourselves short. Self-esteem should be based on what God thinks of us - not on what others say about us. He. 2:8 "You gave him authority over all things.", The writer of Hebrews, probably a follower of Paul, used Psalm 8:4-6 most likely because of its reference to the "Son of Man." In Psalm 8 itself it is not obvious that these verses are messianic (referring to Christ); they seem to refer to humanity's status: "lower than the angels," yet having "authority over all things." The writer of Hebrews adds a new twist by applying these verses to Christ. As the Son of Man, Christ was lower than the angels for a time, but now is exalted to a position of authority over all things. He went before us and now gives us hope for our future. No matter how difficult things are for us now, our eternal destiny is to rule in heaven with Christ if we believe in Him. Jam. 3:7 "People can tame all kinds of animals and birds and reptiles and fish," How are we in taming our own mouth? In addition the following reinforce the image of God: Colossians 1:15 These verses describe God in Jesus Christ, our higher power. As the Creator of our world, He has the means to rebuild our life, no matter how broken it is. In fact, the entire universe would dissolve if He stopped holding it together. Even people who seem to have things under control could not exist a moment longer if it weren't for the power of God extended on their half. We all need God and His power, whether we admit it or not. God is our infinite power source, and He can provide all the power we need to pursue recovery and significant life changing experiences. Praise the Lord. Isaiah 40:18 When we doubt God's power, we need to remember that He is the Creator and will "rule with awesome strength." He has perfect wisdom and is greater than any person or nation. When we doubt that God can really help us overcome our dependency, we need to remember that He is bigger and more powerful than anything on earth. And this God is also compassionate and loving. He will carry us (His lambs) in His arms and "gently lead" us down the road to recovery and through significant life changing experiences because He loves us. I will address this issue and others in future as time becomes available. All 13 issues will be addressed because I think God may speaking through you to take a look at His Words in this order. Thank you for sharing your time with me. At this time I must make burritos, sandwiches, sweet rolls, lemonaide and stuff for about 80 or more homeless and poor who live and work on Waikiki Beach. God bless you and Acachia. Your brother in Christ, Bob xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
117. God bless you Sister Laura as always (and to anyone else who might read this letter), Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus. Thank you for your message. I was so pleasantly surprised. I have missed your words. You always inspire me. You are helping me understand the prophecies you have shared with me and the different levels of understanding in my relationship with God. Praise His precious name. Praise the Lord! How great thou art! God has been blessing the Waikiki Beach Outreach Ministry in so many ways in which I have been sharing with you in previous emails that I have sent you. I hope you have been reading them, because I respect your feedback. I really do miss you. As you (or God) have led me to Acts chapter 8, I am led to share with you what I am perceiving. Some time last year, as I was in a board of directors meeting for a church, someone made a motion to nominate me as an evangelist and an immediate second was made. Many agreed that it was justifiable because of how God was leading me to carry the Good News in the Waikiki Beach Outreach Ministry. I was kind of shocked, for it was the first time anyone suggested that I might be an evangelist. God was only showing me to be a pastor until then. But, as I was reading Acts chapter 8 today, I no longer have to wrestle with that word. Whether out of fear, intimidation, ignorance or indifference, many followers of Jesus choose to declare themselves "silent witnesses" of God's work in their lives. Some who carry on the work of evangelism may end up offending listeners with an in-your-face, occasionally even rude, approach. Others may squeeze the life out of a living relationship with Christ by keeping matters entirely on an intellectual level. Phillip illustrates the Biblical method of evangelism. He was, quite simply, a Christian who was on fire for the Lord, as you and I are. He had been summoned into Samaria, an area shunned by the Jews for racial and religious reasons, where he spread the Good News about Jesus Christ. And the results were incredible! God confirmed Phillip's office among the Samaritans by performing many miracles through him (Acts 8:6-7). Phillip's approach to evangelism was neither vague nor rude nor mute. Phillip was sensitive to God's leading. Here he was in the midst of an exciting crusade in Samaria witnessing all sorts of right new beginnings and hundreds of lives being changed - excitement that could only be generated if God was in that revival. But God called him out to the middle of a desert wasteland - and Phillip had the sensitivity to go where God led. You see, effective witnesses don't just suddenly arrive at the scene; they're led there as they meet regularly with God and seek His guidance and counsel. Phillip possessed this discipline, and the Spirit of God moved in him when the time was right. I guess that is what God is doing to me. Phillip was available. He left immediately. If we are to be available, we must be sensitive. We can't have one without the other. Phillip did not know for sure where he was going, any more than I knew where I was going 21 months ago. But God did. He was sending his evangelist out to meet an Ethiopian official at the precise moment of that man's greatest need. Phillip was proactive. At the Spirit's leading he took the initiative and ran up to this man's chariot, not knowing what he would find. And here was this guy reading aloud from Isaiah 53. I never know what to expect as I share food to 80 to 120 people and speak to many others. God knows what he's doing! Philip was tactful. When Philip greeted the Ethiopian official, he didn't hit him with 17 theological positions on the 12 approaches of study to the text of Isaiah. He undoubtedly could have run intellectual circles around that politician at that moment, but his initial question was gentile and gracious; "Do you understand what you are reading?" (8:30). Then he waited for the man to answer, "How can I ... unless someone explains it to me?" (8:31). Phillip simply waited for an invitation. Then he came along side and shared the Good News. That is how the Waikiki Beach Outreach Ministry began sharing the Good News, about 6 months after regularly feeding the homeless and waiting to see what they wanted. When they believed that maybe God was leading me, instead of my own ego (like most of them had expected), they began asking for fellowship, Bibles, intercessory prayer, Good News, services, spontaneous preaching, and you know the rest. Sometimes, lately, I sometimes am not so tactful. I still need significant work in this area as I sometimes think I am doing too much by myself (not enough helpers). Philip was explicit and exact in his message. Philip told this politician about Jesus, plain and simple. He didn't talk about the work in Samaria, the financial conditions in Ethiopia, or anything els. He simply presented the story of Jesus to this man who was hungry to learn more about it. There are a few men and women who ask for more information about Jesus who live on the beach of Waikiki. Philip was decisive. Look at what happened as the story unfolds: "As thy traveled along the road, they came to some water" (8:36). The eunuch, being of a religious background, saw water and must have thought to himself, "That's what I need, I need to be baptized." Philip saw the sincerity of the man's commitment, ordered the chariot to come to a stop and baptized him right on the spot. The Lord is in the business of bringing people into His family by means of human mouths, human hands, human lives - imperfect though we are - in order to introduce lost people to the greatest Person they could ever meet - the Lord Jesus Christ. There is no more exciting Book in all the world than the Bible. Until I picked up the Bible 21 months ago, I had read 13 of Steven King's novels in the previous months, and thought they were interesting. As I started to read the Bible again, I realized that that was what I needed and haven't picked up another novel since. The Bible contains the most relevant, beautiful message that humanity could ever hear! It is alive with power and with truth. And its missionary vision is as vital and exciting today in the Waikiki Beach Outreach Ministry as it was in the days of Philip and the early church. Philip had preached boldly to the Samaritans, whom the Jews considered no better than Gentiles because of the Samaritans' mixed ancestry. The Samaritans responded to the gospel message in great numbers, and many were baptized. Hearing about the successful ministry there, Peter and John joined Philip and prayed for the Samaritan believers to receive the Holy Spirit. The Good News of salvation in Christ was not just for the Jews - it was for all people, including the Samaritans. The Good News of Jesus Christ is for us, too, no matter who we are or what we have done. None of the constituents of the Waikiki Beach Outreach Ministry has asked for baptism in water, yet. But, maybe the ministry needs another pastor who is more led to guide them. Maybe I need to share that message about baptism by water in this months message. Christmas day would be an appropriate day to suggest as Jesus was born, we can be born again, symbolized by the baptism of water, as Jesus had done himself. This is the message for me. When Simon the sorcerer saw the ministry of Peter and John, he offered to buy the secret of their power. This showed Peter that Simon did not understand his relationship with God; he only sought God for what he might get out of the relationship. Perhaps he wanted to gain back the prestige he had lost when Philip came to town (8:9-13). Peter warned Simon that he needed to examine himself and repent. This problem of impure motives also applies to recover and life changing experiences. If we are in recovery just to look good, we are in it for the wrong reason. When we look to God for help, we are making His will our own. We succeed in recovery only as we submit completely to God's will for our life. Thank you for sharing the Word of God to me. Thank you for touching my heart. God bless you and your family. Tell me about what you are doing about your house in TX now. Your friend and brother in Christ, Bob GOD BLESS you BROTHER BOB as always, and may GOD BLE$$ you with the abundance of more than what is nessecary to carry out HIS WILL for the WAKIKI OUTREACH MINISTRY to those IN NEED, and let them feel and see THE LOVE OF GOD working in their life, and that they will BE SO TOUCHED TO CARRY ON in HIS PRECIOUS NAME for others all the days of their lives as well. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
118. Dear Everyone I Know,
Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus. Randolph Amen, who is the manager of legal affairs for the Waikiki Beach Outreach Ministry, published the following newsletter for Thanksgiving, and I thought it was important enough to share.
Other directors are presently airing commercials on The Fish 95.5 FM and 760 AM requesting for volunteers to support the Waikiki Beach Outreach Ministry. I have asked several other supporters to begin writing newspapers to express their concerns about how Hawaii treats the homeless. Jesus and Paul were homeless as defined by our society. Our government leaders must recognize that the United States was started by a bunch of homeless folks, many of them were ex cons. They were important to start this great country, maybe it is time to realize that they are still important. Homeless were allowed to sleep anytime they wanted on public property. After all, God requires man to sleep, but the police in Waikiki do not allow the homeless to sleep; they ticket them or put them in jail. One of the homeless died on Monday morning because he could not sleep properly. Another died a few weeks earlier. Nobody in society is getting the word. Maybe we need to band together and start letting our leaders know that these same people paid for their wages at one time in their lives, can't they give them some respect when they are having difficulties. Governor Wallace treated the blacks better in Alabama better than Hawaii treats the homeless in Waikiki; at least in Alabama the blacks knew where they could sit, eat and take a dump. Anyways, that is another story for another time.
I hope you enjoy Randy's literary style. I hope he continues to write the leaders of our great state and he and others start writing editorials for the newspapers so more understand that equal rights are not provided to the homeless and poor in Waikiki.
We will be having a Christmas meal, ham and stuff, and services on the beach at the snack shop near the Aquarium on Saturday Christmas day, don't know what time yet. We will also have services and a good meal on the last Thursday of December and every month at 7 PM. Hope to see some of you there.
Merry Christmas and as Jesus was born, maybe we can all be born again in Christ. God bless you and your family.
Your brother in Christ, Bob Erb
The daily homeless A Newspaper for the Homeless -- A Service of the Waikiki Beach Outreach Ministry www.waikikibeachoutreach.org and boberb@hotmail.com Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 2004, Volume I, Issue 2
EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT! THANKSGIVING MESSAGE FROM THE UNDERGROUND
"BOBURBIA" SEIZES WAIKIKI!" Satire by Randolph J. Amen on Thanksgiving Day
The provisional revolutionary government of "Boburbia", speaking for the population of its 150 "landlord-free citizens", proclaimed today the seizure of all territory, bounded in Waikiki from Lewers to the Aquarium and Kuhio to Kalakaua, as being within its "jurisdiction" and levying immediately a 1% sales tax on all commercial enterprises in the "territory" so as, the announcement said, to provide a fund for which free housing can be obtained for its "citizens". Pastor Bob Erb (known on the street as "The Boberman" and his cohort, Randolph J. Amen (a.k.a. "The Midnight Lawyer", because he helps the homeless with legal problems, "The Suspender Man" because he wears suspenders and is suspended from the practice of law, and "Castro", no doubt because of his revolutionary-style beard) have notified President Bush and Governor Lingle that their army of ragtag revolutionaries, armed with only stale food to throw at the police, are prepared to fight to the finish for the rights of the poor. Observers say that the US Army may be called out to quell the riot while "Castro" claims that if "tanks appear on the streets of Waikiki, Boburbia will respond in kind with leis and hula skirts being provided to tourists at no charge." Apparently Boburbias arsenal consists of seized tourist trinkets from ships at bay since, reminiscent of the Boston Tea Party, the revolutionaries dressed in Hawaiian native costumes, have unlawfully boarded boats at harbor "in the name of the people", but instead of dumping tea, they drank it, along with eating pupus they found on board! President Bush has declared a national emergency and Governor Lingle has called out the National Guard to "restore order" but it would appear that Boburbias forces control the beach and most of the dumpsters in the vicinity, claiming them to be "free, demilitarized zones" or the "DMZ" and "liberated territory". President Bush called it "domestic terrorism at its worst". The tourists, however, do not seem to be terrified, but rather amused. They are now getting their trinkets and souvenirs at half price which appears to have created a "new boom in the economy of the state", Transportation Department officials said. "Since the revolution began, airline and hotel reservations, particularly from Japan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran and France have gone up 100%!". Businesses too are celebrating the lowering of their sales tax from 4% to 1% with property tax abolished as Linda Lingle is reportedly in therapy. Mayor Jeremy Harris has abdicated and was last seen in Cuba and then Iran, where he is seeking political asylum, amid reports that indicate that his outgoing administration, mired by charges of campaign fraud and a bombardment of criticism during his gubernatorial bid, may have ordered the police to "stand down" during the crucial first steps of the take over of the Boburbia government. Some say he is in exile, waiting in the wings, to take command if the rebels take complete control. In related news, Osama bin Laden has endorsed the take over and pledges to declare peace on America if the revolt succeeds. Middle Eastern oil prices have plummeted amid reports that the New York Stock Exchange and Wall Street are experiencing an unusually high bull market of buyers, apparently taking advantage of the probable temporary fortune to be made in the tourism boost to America. Angry, apparently due to the diverting of attention from the battles of Fallujah in Iraq, President Bush claims that American military forces at Pearl Harbor are prepared to "storm the beach at Waikiki" to "eradicate" the "weapons of mass amusement-- before it is too late". In what appeared to be a hastily prepared statement from a surprised and disheveled Bush, being interrupted from a nap while playing golf, he declared, "Americas arsenal of nuclear tipped missiles are on Deathcom III in case Honolulu itself must be nuked!" Local police have reported being pelted with flowers, food and trinkets, causing some minor injuries to the face and arms of at least one patrolman now that Jeremy Harris has abdicated and the new Chief of Police has called him a "traitor". In a late night report from "Sherwood Forrest" and another report from the "Bat Cave", Radio Free Hawaii announced, "Victory is at hand", saying that tourists and businesses have rallied to their cause, but that pockets of landlords, trapped in the penthouses of their high rise hotels are still resisting, despite the reported increase in hotel reservations. A spokesperson for the "Reactionary Landlord Resistance Squad" said, "These mangy homeless characters think they have a right to housing at reasonable rent prices when it is a sellers market in Hawaii. We of the elite gentry representing the Landlord Association (known on the streets as "L-Ass") wish to tell the world that the Republican Party and the right wing Christian churches (fundamentalist, Baptist, Word of Life and Evangelican) are in this war to liberate our beaches, our property rights, and our air from the smell of these scoundrels." More liberal Christian denominations including the Methodists, Presbyterians, New Hope and Catholics, however, appear to support Pastor Bobs revolt. A spokesperson for "Democracy is Theology" (known on the street as "the mullahs") have proclaimed that "Pastor Bob Erbs take over constitutes an amalgamation of church and state (as opposed to "separation"). Speaking for "all Christians of the world to unite", it said, in a prepared statement, "We have no king but Jehovah." Faith based President Bush, concerned about this split in Christianity objects to both groups, claiming that "God has no business running the government of Waikiki, since like in Las Vegas, vice or so-called unlimited recreation is Hawaiis main attraction and Americas heritage." A University of Hawaii history professor, who asked to remain anonymous, chimed in that "Although the country was founded by a brewer (Sam Adams in Boston) and a tobacco merchant (Sir Walter Raleigh in Virginia) and thus exported a form of addictive vice for a generation to enrich the coffers of the citizens and the nations treasury, free speakers like Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin sought to put a curb on the excesses of vice by instituting a justification for revolution (when the governed do not consent to arbitrary rule), a checks and balance system, and a separation of church and state, although most of the Founding Fathers agreed that Christianity and at least a belief in God, was an inspiration for the morality of the nation. However, Jefferson was discounted as impractical when he actually believed that the nation would expand someday to the Pacific and Benjamin Franklin became a laughing stock as being senile, when he suggested that the nation would some day harness this new thing called "electricity". Franklin also thought that the national bird should be the turkey since it looked so much like King George III and that we should overthrow King George by celebrating the last Thursday of November each year, by giving thanks, through eating one of them." At various Thanksgiving dinners for the homeless throughout the state, hordes of the hungry threw their support behind Boburbia and called Mufi, Linda and the "new King George" "turkeys" and promptly, dutifully, ate them. In reports from the Northshore, cranberry sauce was seen to have been splattered on some landlord residences while residents of the Island Hostel joined forces with the rebel army demanding that their rent be reduced from $20 to $1 per day and that Island Hostel be required to fix the toilets there. In other developments, the provisional revolutionary government of Boburbia proclaimed a temporary curfew of 8PM daily throughout Waikiki so that weaker members of the community might not slip and fall on the food being cascaded down from some of the high rises onto the sidewalks, where some of the tourists joined forces with the landlords in the penthouses in an attempt to join the melee and pelt the innocent for singing revolutionary songs. It was reported that in some places even turkey legs, breasts, and even stuffing was thrown from the windows onto onlookers in the street. As night fell on Thanksgiving Day in this most beautiful place in the world, most counterterrorist experts agreed that this "newest protest" of "the alliance of the willing" will go down in the annals of American history as either "the landlord free revolution" if it succeeds, or "the homeless last stand" if fate has it that it fails. Although the persecuted may call America, not "the land of the free and the home of the brave" but "the land of the aggrieved and the home of the knave," still we are thankful that free speech and satire are civil liberties they have not been taken away from us yet, despite the fear of terrorism on our shores, and we uphold that great aspect of the American tradition that allows Americans to make fun of everyone and everything (particularly the authorities) as the "turkey man" himself, Benjamin Franklin, did, when he said, "Those turkeys who would trade freedom for security deserve neither." Thank you, those of you who feed us. Thank you, those of you who house us. Thank you God, America and Benjamin Franklin for making this day of remembrance, humor, good will and devotion a day for a better tomorrow.
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119, Dear Everyone I Know, Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus. Thank you for being my friend or assisting me at some time. I just wanted to tell each of you, and I hope I have the opportunity to do it in person, that I love you and wish you a very Merry Christmas, ASAP. Always Say A Prayer. God bless you and your family. Your brother in Christ, Bob Thinking of you! Please send this on ASAP!!! Ever wonder about the abbreviation A.S.A.P.? Generally we think of it in terms of even more hurry and stress in our lives. Maybe if we think of this abbreviation in a different manner, we will begin to find a new way to deal with those rough days along the way. MUCH LOVE -- In the tiny petal of a tiny flower xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 120. Dear Everyone I know, Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus. Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts as I read the Word of God. Today, He seems to have led me into the first five books of the Bible written by Moses. Leviticus is a book of rules, regulations, strange sacrifices - what could the God who requires such things be like? What relevance could these ancient laws possibly have for us? As we look closely at this lengthy list of rules and regulations, some comforting truths about our God and how He relates to us comes through. The book of Leviticus portrays a God who is awesome and holy; He is pure, clean, sinless, perfect. The numerous regulations given to the Israelites confirm this truth. The people needed to humbly obey God if they wanted to live in close fellowship with Him (just as we must today). But despite His holiness, God reaches out to broken, sinful people. He provided a way - even though a difficult one - for the Israelites to recover from their past failures through a system of laws and sacrifices. As we know that "a picture is worth a thousand words," Leviticus is filled with powerful images - pictures that show us both God's gracious character and the terrible consequences of sin. Could there be a more striking reminder of God's grace than the realization that God allowed a suffering, sacrificial animal to take our place? Could there be a more powerful way for us to visualize the consequences of sin than to watch the bloody death of that animal, suffering on our behalf? The laws and sacrifices in Leviticus help us understand God's character; He is holy but gracious and forgiving. These sacrifices also foreshadow God's later provision of the perfect sacrifice - Jesus Christ! God calls us to obedience, but because He knows that we are far from perfect, He has provided the means for recovery and cleansing through the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. Because of Jesus, we no longer need animal sacrifices to atone for our sins. Instead, it is through our believing in God's loving forgiveness and in Christ's power over sin and death that we are saved. As I continue to read to the end of the book, I realize that we need to ensure we give something back to God, to remind ourselves, because He gives us everything. I am reminded of the book of Malachi as Leviticus specifically tells us to tithe at least 10% of everything we own. Without getting into all the 16 times the Bible reminds of us to tithe, I am reminded of our responsibilities. A lady on the street today expressed how proud she was that she gave $500 per year to help the poor. I was shocked that could even say such words in a way that it seemed to her that she was good because she gave so much. I think the lady earns more than $5000 per year in social security alone, much less any other pension she may be getting in order for her to visit Hawaii. She was seemed like a lady who did not love to tithe. And, that is okay by me, but, maybe not okay to God. Love to Tithe! Lev. 27:28,30 (NLT) 28"However, anything specially set apart by the LORD--whether a person, an animal, or an inherited field--must never be sold or redeemed. Anything devoted in this way has been set apart for the LORD as holy. ...... 30A tenth of the produce of the land, whether grain or fruit, belongs to the LORD and must be set apart to him as holy". Today, I give about 50% of the money God gives me from a pension I earned and almost all of my waking hours to Him. God has shown me that I can have more than what any money could possibly give me just by giving it all away. If I counted the value of all the stuff in my apartment that I did not even look for (God just gave the stuff to me), and not even counting all of the stuff that I have already given away, I could not have bought all of the stuff I have here with the money that I have spent in food instead. In other words, God has given me more value in the world (and more so in the spirit), that what I could have bought if I used all the money I spent on food instead for the stuff I have now. Miracles do happen. They are happening every day in my life. I praise God for all He give me, especially the opportunity to serve Him. What a blessing I have. I wished I knew many years ago what I know now. But, I had to go through what I went through to get to where I am now. Maybe you understand this too. If we're not experiencing the kind of supernatural increase the Bible says belongs to a tither, then we need to check our attitudes. Check our hearts. When our heart is right, we'll have a hard time not getting excited about it! We'll want to jump and shout and praise God every time we think about it. We won't begrudge God His ten percent. We'll thank Him for letting it flow through our hands. We'll just love to tithe! God bless you and your family. Your brother in Christ, Bob xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
121. Hi Monique, Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus. Thank you for your consideration in helping others, especially the 200 constituents of the Waikiki Beach Outreach Ministry. Thank you for coming up with new ideas. Thank you for considering a contribution in addition to volunteering your time. To respond to you about your relationship with your husband, I can only guide you to what the scriptures say. The making of woman, The Divine institution of marriage.Genesis 2:24 (NLT) 24"This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one." Power over the creatures was given to man, and as a proof of this he named them all. It also shows his insight into the works of God. But though he was lord of the creatures, yet nothing in this world was a help meet for man. From God are all our helpers. If we rest in God, He will work all for good. God caused deep sleep to fall on Adam; while he knows no sin, God will take care that he shall feel no pain. God, as her Father, brought the woman to the man, as his second self, and a help meet for him. That wife, who is of God's making by special grace, and of God's bringing by special providence, is likely to prove a help meet for a man. See what need there is, both of prudence and prayer in the choice of this relation, which is so near and so lasting. That had need to be well done, which is to be done for life. Our first parents needed no clothes for covering against cold or heat, for neither could hurt them: they needed none for ornament. Thus easy, thus happy, was man in his state of innocence. How good was God to him! How many favors did He load him with! How easy were the laws given to him! Yet man, being in honor, understood not his own interest, but soon became as the beasts that perish. Ephesians 5 (New Living Translation)Spirit-Guided Relationships: Wives and Husbands21"And further, you will submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. 22You wives will submit to your husbands as you do to the Lord. 23For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of his body, the church; he gave his life to be her Savior. 24As the church submits to Christ, so you wives must submit to your husbands in everything. 25"And you husbands must love your wives with the same love Christ showed the church. He gave up his life for her 26to make her holy and clean, washed by baptism and God's word.[a] 27He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. 28In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man is actually loving himself when he loves his wife. 29No one hates his own body but lovingly cares for it, just as Christ cares for his body, which is the church. 30And we are his body. 31"As the Scriptures say, 'A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.' 32This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. 33So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband." We dont give ourselves to others or consider them valuable if we dont first of all consider ourselves worthy. Our own insecurities cause us to be constantly preoccupied with ourselves. Love draws on the resourcefulness of ones own esteem in order to have a sufficient supply to release it to someone else. It takes personal security to be able to do that.
Proverbs 5:18-23 (New Living Translation) 18Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. 19She is a loving doe, a graceful deer. Let her breasts satisfy you always. May you always be captivated by her love. 20Why be captivated, my son, with an immoral woman, or embrace the breasts of an adulterous woman? 21For the LORD sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes. 22An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him. 23He will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his incredible folly. As I read these words, I tend to see how they might apply to life recovery ministry, or significant life changing experiences. When our life is out of control, family tensions and conflict are common. Paul tells us that the home should be a place where love and mutual respect are shown. Husbands and wives should love each other and be sensitive to each others needs, showing the same love Christ showed the church. The painful consequences of our addiction and life changing experiences are felt most deeply by our family. By selfishly seeking to meet our own needs through addictive behavior, we have neglected and hurt the people it was our responsibility to love and support. Rebuilding family relationships is one of the most important tasks we face in recovery. As we admit the nature of our wrongs and seek to make amends to our loved ones, we can begin to reestablish a family atmosphere of love and mutual respect. Maybe you dont have any issues like this with your husband, but maybe someone you know may need to have this information. Somehow, as I grabbed a NIV Womans Devotional Bible, and God led me to immediately open it up to the prayer that I have written below. Maybe this might help also. Prayer for The Good Days of Marriage: Dear Lord, Thank you for the good days of marriage. The days when we wake up pleased with each other, our jobs, our children, our home and ourselves. Thank you for our communication - - the times when we can work together at projects we both enjoy. Or work in our separate fields and yet have that sense of sharing that can only come when two persons lives have merged in so many ways for so long. Thank you that we dont feel cut off from each other, no matter how divergent the things we do. Thank you for our times of privacy. Our times of freedom. Our relaxed sense of personal trust. Thank you that we dont have to clutch and stifle each other, that we have learned to respect ourselves enough to respect the others individuality. Thank you, Lord, that despite the many storms of marriage we have reached these particular shores. Help us to remember them. Help us to hold fast to them, Lord. Amen
I hope these words are helpful to you and I think I may share them with others if you dont mind. Thank you for inspiring me to study His Word and to consider how they might affect my life and the lives of others He has led me to communicate with. Thank you for your willingness to help. And, I do hope your husband sees the benefits of your efforts. God bless you and your family.
Your brother in Christ, Bob >Hi, > >I'm glad that you are open to new ideas and that you have microwaves and a >couple of refrigerators. I need to bring up this cooking idea with my >husband. Pray that he will be open to me buying food with some of our money >we set aside for giving to the Lord, that he would be agreeable to buying a >vac-u-seal machine and that he would approve of me spending 10-12 hours per >week cooking food. I am totally into it, but spouses sometimes get in the >way of what an individual wants to do. I will wait for the right time to >bring it up. My husband thinks that I'm too zany and get into everything >without "thinking things through first". He thinks he has to edit my >decisions so I don't get into trouble. This of course is the most >chauvanistic attitude in the world, but I have to put up with it. I'll get >back to you when I know what he thinks. Trust me, if I were earning my own >money right now, I would go ahead and do it, but we're living off of his >income right now and that means that he has a lot of say so. > > Hi Monique, > > Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus. Thank you for your timely >response. Thank you for your suggestions. Thank you for considering to >help the Waikiki Beach Outreach Ministry and the 200 poor and homeless >constituents it helps. > > I will consider any possiblity that would give the homeless new meals and >help me save some time. Keep making suggestions and tell me what you can do >and what I need to do. I am willing to make any changes or experiment with >anything. I have several microwaves, but no oven yet. Someone just donated >a chest freezer and another frig; I already have two frigs. Make your plans >and let me know what I need to do. Please get back with me as soon as you >can. Let's work together. > > God bless you and your family. > > Your brother in Christ, > > Bob
> >Date: Tue, 7 Dec 2004 13:29:37 -1000 > > > >Hi Bob, > > > >Well, cooking at home on the weekends is a possibility. I need to >discuss > >this with my husband. Have you considered having someone cook food and >then > >vaccum/freeze it for you to store on your premisis when you need it? If >you > >had a separate fridge for storage it could save you from cooking quite a > >bit. You would just need to boil individual meal packets in water to >heat > >them up. You could also microwave them. I would suggest heating up > >prepared homemade frozen food at home, then placing the pouches into heat > >containing bags and bring your disposable tableware and a pair of >scissors > >with you to the beach. You could just cut open the pouches and pour the > >meal onto plates or bowls. > > > >I'll let you know what my husband says. > > > >Monique Fisher > > > > > > Dear Monique, > > > > Greetings in the name of Christ Jesus. Thank you for your willingness >to > >volunteer. Thank you for desiring to volunteer to assist the Waikiki >Beach > >Outreach Ministry. > > > > The Waikiki Beach Outreach Ministry is a spiritually motivated >hawaiian > >domestic non-profit corporation with by-laws structured as a church under > >the sky of Waikiki. That may sound like a faith based organization, but >we > >help the homeless and poor, no matter what their faith might be. > > > > Because my son is in town I cannot determine if I will have any >weekend > >work available because it is a function of if he can see me. He will be >in > >town until January 7, 2005. Since I do not have any other reliable > >volunteers or pastors who will walk the streets to feed the homeless, I >do > >not cook on the weekend unless I am available to walk the street. > >Therefore, unless you are willing to learn the route and the cooking and >be > >able to do it on your own on the weekends, I cannot help you until next > >year. But I can use volunteers Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday > >forever. > > > > You may call me to discuss other options at 808-497-6920 or write me >here > >or at boberb2@yahoo.com . Thank you for offering and I do hope we might > >meet. God bless you and your family. > > > > Your brother in Christ, > > > > Bob Erb > > > > >Date: Mon, 6 Dec 2004 06:02:21 -1000 > > > > > >Hi Bob, > > > > > >My name is Monique and I am a Christian who agrees with your > >belief > > >statement page. I am currently involved with Americorps, which is a > > >government sponsored volunteer program. Because of President Bush, >we > >are > > >no allowed to work with faith-based organizations. I need to >complete a > > >certain amount of volunteer hours before Sept. 31st of 2005. I am > >looking > > >to volunteer about 10 hours a week. I'm available on the weekends, >if > >you > > >need help all day on one weekend day, that would work for me. Please >let > >me > > >know if you need help with direct services to the clients such as >cooking > >or > > >some other form of aid. > > > > > >Thank you, > > > > > >Monique Fisher xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx |
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