Busy Ministry House

Wow, I can’t believe how busy this ministry house has become … a dozen or more a day, every day!  I’ve actually brought in enough donations/sales the past couple weeks to not only order more supplies for my store, but also pay my electric bill!   I’m certainly praying that this place will break even by summer.   I’ve been so busy, I haven’t even been able to write down all that’s going on or even write what I’m learning from the Word.  The past few Mondays I’ve been going to Neil’s painting class and am actually painting some cool things (and learning a few things).  Last week, Jhona and her kids came in; I got them busy doing something, then Jhona and I painting a picture she had posted to facebook – that of a shadow she captured on her wall – it was so cool, I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to explore a new way of painting.

One of the things I order that came in this week was the clay tools – I got the clay out on Tuesday, and o boy is that popular.  Now all I need is a potter’s wheel (I don’t have room for a kiln, so I go to someone who does).  I’ve got a load of things to take in to get fired.  Another thing I got was plaster of paris … I’m experimenting with 3-D canvas painting AND found some plastic to use for molds, so I got my various files out (originally, these files were for metal work), and I’m experimenting with carving bits of plaster for sculptures.  This place is exploding with ideas and interest is growing!

William and I have been learning and growing spiritually … we get into awesome discussions, especially after we’ve listened to a sermon (we go to sermonindex.com and other places) – the most recent was by Zak Poonen – awesome stuff on discipline.   When God sent us here, He said He wanted us to learn discipline.  At first we weren’t sure what that looked like, but we are gaining greater understanding.  In Ez. 16:49, the sin of Sodom wasn’t homosexuality like many preach on; rather, it was the sin of “pride, fullness of food, and abundance of idleness, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy.”  Arrogance, abundance, laziness, and not caring for the poor!  Doesn’t that sound just like us as Americans now!

Luke 17:24-30 – in Lot’s day, in Noah’s day, same thing!  We are on the threshold of the greatest revival ever and 2^nd coming!  In a few days, will be the first of 4 blood moons on very important Jewish festival days – very important signs in the heavens (as foretold) – big-time warnings to us!   Phil. 3:15-19 speaks of how we should live vs how many do live.  God’s people vs the enemies of God – for many, their god is their stomach, money, sex, etc and etc.  That is why it is so important for believers to fast!  It is to discipline the body of it’s cravings!  1 Cor. 9:27 – as it says, to punish or train the body – discipline!  Luke 5:33-35, Daniel 9, Ez. 14:11-14 – self-denial, die to self, to go from ‘Babylon’ to full devotion to God ‘Jerusalem’ – you cannot live there (in Jerusalem) in the ‘natural man’; but rather, in the spiritual man.  Babylon (in Revelations) is where many times Christians try to live and operate (do ministry) like the world (or Babylon) and money is their god.  The true church (Jerusalem in Revelations) stand true to God and will not compromise (like Daniel) no matter what happens.  

As with the blood moons (http://www.signsofthebloodmoon.com/?hop=prophecy70)  that are coming up, these are the signs of the times – we are in the LAST DAYS people, and we have to discipline our lives through fasting and prayer – they go hand-in-hand, especially in these times!  We have to deny ourselves in many of the ‘normal’ American ways – over indulgence, laziness, arrogance, and we have to quit ignoring the poor and needy!