Way down South! - Discussions & Concerns South of the Mason-Dixon Line

[YP0534]

Folks, I'm going to be taking a few days haitus from around here and request prayers for whoever may end up in the path of a potentially dangerous hurricane Gustav.

I'm not making solid evacuation plans yet or anything but I've really got to try to get some extra stuff out of the way tomorrow and Friday (3rd anniversary of Katrina) like I'm not going to be able to do anything next week. Even if Gustav doesn't ultimately hit here, it might still disrupt things for a few days while everyone gets back from wherever they went.

I'll check back when I can but signing off for now...

YP0534

[finallyprettyokay]

YPO:

It doesn't sound like you'll have a chance to read this, but if you do --- know that we are praying for you, for your family, for everyone. Go with God, brother.

fpo

[djohnson]

Ya brah I'll definitely be praying for you!

[finallyprettyokay]

The news people are saying this may be the biggest hurricane ever, since records have been kept. I know we are all praying for that area, all the people, their homes, their pets, etc.

And all of you poster-friends :eek: down in that stormy area, check back in with us when you can. God be with you. All of you. Everyone.


fpo

PS -- CMW tells us to watch for something BIG. Yikes!!!



------------

[YP0534]

The public officials in my jurisdiction have now called for a mandatory evacuation and the survivalists will be subject to a harsh curfew if they remain.

The storm is too close and too strong to just ride it out foolishly and so I'll be evacuating shortly after first light this morning, headed east.

The main part of the city as well as my home will most likely survive with only light wind damage but a large part of the New Orleans metro area that was not flooded by Katrina's or Rita's storm surges is now targeted by Gustav's. Thus, it should not be quite the same scale as Katrina's devastation, but it is likely to be quite extensive.

I'll try to check in once I get the wireless Internet working in the hotel room.

Thank you for your continued prayers for our region.

[kisstheson]

Hello dear brother YP0534,

You surely have lots of very important matters to be concerned with. We are holidng you up in prayer, dear brother.

Check in with us when you can. From what we hear on the news, it sounds like Gustav largely spared New Orleans, for which we are very thankful. Cajun country in SW Louisiana did not fare as well. Surely they need our prayers.

We love you in Christ, dear brother.
"kisstheson"

[Steven]

I learned that YP is on his way back into the NO area today. All is apparently well, but he will likely be without power and internet into the weekend. He appreciates your prayers and concern.

[countmeworthy]

PS -- CMW tells us to watch for something BIG. Yikes!!!


That's not the 'BIG' news I had in mind FPO...more like the selected rootin-tootin VP McCain picked as his running mate ! ;) Now THAT'S big news. ;) :D

Bigger still is what might come to pass between now & January....and that's stretching it....My radar ears in my spirit are tuning in & keeping alert for end of Sept-Mid October.

We'll see.

I don't trust Vladimir Putin with a ten foot pole or M. Ahmadinijhad!!! :eek:

[SpeakersCorner]

I learned that YP is on his way back into the NO area today. All is apparently well, but he will likely be without power and internet into the weekend. He appreciates your prayers and concern.

How about Roger? Anyone heard from him?


SC

[YP0534]

I learned that YP is on his way back into the NO area today. All is apparently well, but he will likely be without power and internet into the weekend. He appreciates your prayers and concern.

Back but still busy.

I've got power but most stores are still closed.

We spent the morning picking up debris and taking down plywood. For lunch, I grilled some steaks that had gotten defrosted and re-frozen. Same thing for dinner, I'm afraid. Minimal storm damage to the house. Praise the Lord. My sister is still without power and a little grumpy about that. Gas stations are scarce right now so she's only running their generator at night. The sewerage system made progress today and they expect that we may be able to flush and bathe normally as soon as tomorrow!


For an adventure this afternoon, we tried to find a place to buy milk and eggs. Eggs were plentiful enough at the one open grocery we found. Milk, not so much. They had 6 half-gallons of whole milk left and I got one of them! It was like winning the lottery except that the check-out lines were 8 deep in 8 lanes in a tiny little grocery. They were also running very low on loaves of white bread, which is all they had left. No wheat, no hot dog or hamburger buns, really no baked goods at all, just about 20 loaves of white bread and I saw three get picked up while I merely glanced at the shelf. Sad. But there was only a 4-bag limit on 7-lb bags of ice, which didn't seem too bad.

Unbelievable, really, to be going through stuff like this again just three years after Katrina. But we should bounce back more quickly this time since we didn't have the levee failures and resultant flooding.

Looking forward to getting back to \apostolos\ and \ekklesia\ soon!

Grace to you all and thanks for the kind words and prayers. Please continue to remember the rest of Louisiana because, really, we got off easy this time around and we'll be helping them going forward...

[finallyprettyokay]

YPO -- Welcome Home!!!!

We will continue our prayers ---


fpo

[YP0534]

Here I was unpacking and trying to pick up where I left off and now an ugly-looking Ike is stretching out a finger that is currently pointing at us again. Hotel rooms are already booked as far north as Jackson, MS. I found one in Memphis this morning. Laundry and outside preparations today and back to work on Monday after an entire week of no work, with a wary eye towards the East for potential re-evacuation as soon as Wednesday...

[UntoHim]

YP0534,
so glad you made it through is one piece! We were so glad that NO was spared a direct hit this time. Hopefully this next one will fizzle out before it reaches land.

[YP0534]

And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. - Matt. 8:20

[Hope]

Dear Posters,

I enjoyed reading AndPeter, Steve, from Toronto regarding their experience after leaving the LSM. Out experience in NC has been very similar. We are so grateful that after the quarantine of the Great Lakes Area that we have been once again included in the fellowship with the precious saints and churches in that area.

I have included an invitation we have sent out to folks we know. From time to time we get together in NC to spend a more concentrated time in fellowship with one another and in the Word of God. The Lord has richly blessed.

Do not let your hearts be troubled. We are not the LSM or anything like that. Perhaps some would feel to attend and bless us with your presence and portion.

Your brother in Christ Jesus,
Don Rutledge
----------------------------------------------------------------------

April 18, 2009
Dear Brothers and Sisters,

The churches in Raleigh and Durham, NC, wish to invite you to a Memorial Day Weekend Conference on Saturday May 23nd and the Lord’s Day May 24th , 2009. The main meetings will be held at the Hampton Inn & Suites Raleigh-Durham Airport - Brier Creek.

We feel the Lord is leading us to have fellowship regarding:

Cultivating our inner life in Christ
For our daily life with Christ
Resulting in our church life expressing Christ

Although some of the details regarding the conference weekend are still being planned, this email is going out so that saints have adequate time to make their travel plans, as well as hospitality and any other arrangements they may need to make.
The meeting schedule for this conference is intended to be as follows:

FRIDAY May 22, 2009 Arrival by saints traveling from out-of-town
Dinner and fellowship in homes of local saints
SATURDAY May 23, 2009 Meeting 1 9:30 – 12:00 PM
Lunch 12:15 PM
Afternoon Fellowship time followed by dinner
Young saints fellowship ( details to be announced later)
Meeting 2 7:00 – 9:30 PM
LORD’S DAY May 24, 2009 Lord’s Table 9:00 – 9:30 AM
Meeting 3 9:30 – 12:00 PM
Lunch 12:15 PM
Afternoon Fellowship time and dinner
Meeting 4 7:00 – 9:30 PM

MONDAY May 25, 2009 Fellowship in homes of local saints
Travel by saints from out-of-town

Children will be cared for on-site in a suite nearby the meeting room.

HOSPITALITY: Will be offered by the churches to the extent possible. Please provide the requested information on the attached Registration Form. Saints may pre-arrange their own hospitality with saints they know, and provide us with that information on the Registration Form.

CONFERENCE HOTEL: Hampton Inn & Suites Raleigh-Durham Airport- Brier Creek.
** $99.00 (special rate $84.15 for early payment, no refund option) **
8021 Arco Corporate Drive (off US70-Glenwood Ave), Raleigh, NC 27617
Reservations: (919) 484-0500 (mention The church in Raleigh Group)

For more information, please contact either:
Rodney Hayselette (919) 529-1085 or (919) 761-4023 (cell) or Bill Dunleavy (919) 720-2332
Email: hayslettes@msn.com dunleavy@ncsu.edu

REGISTRATION FORM

Memorial Day Weekend Conference
Saturday May 23nd and the Lord’s Day May 24th , 2009

. Hampton Inn & Suites Raleigh-Durham Airport - Brier Creek
Raleigh, NC

Cultivating our inner life in Christ
For our daily life with Christ
Resulting in our church life expressing Christ


Names of those attending Brother/
from an Individual family Age Sister Anticipated arrival/Flight # and Time

1___________________________ ____ ______ _______________________________

2___________________________ ____ _______ ______________________________

3___________________________ ____ _______ _______________________________

4___________________________ ____ _______ _______________________________

Contact Name________________________________________

Phone Number and email, if available __________________________________________________ _____


REQUEST FOR HOSPITALITY

Please circle one: YES NO

If plans have already been made to stay with local saints, please identify:


If not requesting hospitality, will you be making reservations to stay at the Conference Hotel? YES NO

Hampton Inn & Suites Raleigh-Durham Airport- Brier Creek.
** $99.00 (special rate $84.15 for early payment, no refund option) **
8021 Arco Corporate Drive (off US70-Glenwood Ave), Raleigh, NC 27617
Reservations: (919) 484-0500 (mention the church in Raleigh Group)

PLEASE RETURN REGISTRATION FORM TO ARRIVE BY MONDAY MAY 4th

Email to either Rodney or Bill or mail to Rodney: Please call with any questions.

Rodney Hayselette (919) 529-1085 or (919) 761-4023 (cell) or Bill Dunleavy (919) 720-2332
13817 Bold Run Road dunleavy@ncsu.edu
Wake Forest, NC 27587
hayslettes@msn.com

[Hope]

Thank you all who may have prayed for our gathering this week-end.

Several saints appeared who we did not know but it was so wonderful how we were instantly one in our joy of our common Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

From the start all the guest were warmed and comforted and at home. During the first gathering, saint after saint stood, identified themselves as from some other city and spoke of their love for Christ.

During lunch I was speaking with one of the out of town guests and he remarked that it seemed that the majority of the attendance was from out of town. It sure did seem that way, as the out of town brothers and sisters did the vast majority of the sharing and testifying. I thought it was wonderful.

Last night we had our last gathering. We gathered at 7:00. We were still going strong in singing and testifying when one of the brothers interrupted and said it is now 10:30 and we need to leave as our official time to vacate was 9:30. Everyone was shocked that it was so late. The brother continued that the motel just needed to do their clean up and that we could sing the song that had been called and then we needed to scoot. (By the way the motel was not upset with us and forgave us the extra hour.)

But the saints really just moved the fellowship to the hallway and lobby. My wife and I finally left after 11:00 as she announced that she would fall asleep if we stayed longer. Thankfully, no one fell out of a window.


Your Brother in Christ Jesus,


Hope,

Yes, there is hope for us all.

[UntoHim]

..it was so wonderful how we were instantly one in our joy of our common Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ

THAT'S what I'm talkin bout! :hurray:


-

[kisstheson]

Dear ones, beloved of God,

My dear sister/wife and I were two of the out-of-town guests who attended the conference in Raleigh, NC. I can testify that all the things reported by dear brother Hope did in fact take place! There were dear brothers and sisters at the conference from at least ten different places, from various backgrounds and experiences, and yes, it was really wonderful how we were instantly one in our joy of our common Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! This oneness pervaded the entire weekend.

The speaking and testifying during the meetings, the fellowship at the restaurant and in the homes, the lingering after the meetings – everything had a fragrance of freshness and a fragrance of genuine brotherly love. Our dear heavenly Father’s heart of encouragement, compassion and love was expressed in so many ways.

I was so thankful to hear speaking from the Word which brought me back to the simplicity which we believers have in Christ. In addition, so much of the speaking was extremely practical in nature. I have to thank our dear Lord for recalibrating me in a big way during this conference.

If, in Christ, I may honor our dear brother Hope, I do have to testify that his speaking brought to light many points that have always been there in the Word, but which I have always overlooked. Dear brother Hope’s speaking brought us back to the real heart of our dear Lord Jesus while He was on this earth, and also brought us back to how much He desires to walk this earth again in His believers! Again and again, our dear brother stressed the rich provision God has provided for us which enables us to overcome all the obstacles that prevent Christ from walking the earth again in us.

It was really refreshing to me to hear testimonies after each message which were not simply rehashes of what had been just been spoken. The testifying after the messages by so many dear ones came out of the experiences these dear ones had gone through with their Lord. These testimonies really enriched and uplifted the meetings in a way that is hard to describe.

Thanks to all the dear ones in Raleigh/Durham, NC, for putting together this wonderful time in the Lord.

[UntoHim]

If there are any audio recordings of any of the conference sessions please let me know and we can get it posted here.

-

[kisstheson]

If there are any audio recordings of any of the conference sessions please let me know and we can get it posted here.
-


Dear brother UntoHim, beloved of God,

I for one really believe that many dear ones would benefit greatly from hearing the recordings of these sessions. There really is a beautifully simple vision put forth in these messages that will be so fresh and eye-opening to many. Of course, the decision to allow which portions of these recordings to be posted is one that must be made by the dear ones meeting in Raleigh and Durham, NC.

-

[Hope]

Dear brother UntoHim, beloved of God,

I for one really believe that many dear ones would benefit greatly from hearing the recordings of these sessions. There really is a beautifully simple vision put forth in these messages that will be so fresh and eye-opening to many. Of course, the decision to allow which portions of these recordings to be posted is one that must be made by the dear ones meeting in Raleigh and Durham, NC.

-

I will check with the saints if they would have the liberty to have the CDs posted. I am fine with it.

If so, please keep in mind that the sharing was not meant to be a series of lectures or systematic teachings. The sharing was more of a conversation between the Scriptures and the saints with a moderator. You could say it was fellowship over the Word of God seeking light and life for all and for each one individually who were in attendance.

Your brother in Christ Jesus,

Hope, Don Rutledge

In Christ Jesus there is hope for us all!

[kisstheson]

I will check with the saints if they would have the liberty to have the CDs posted. I am fine with it.

If so, please keep in mind that the sharing was not meant to be a series of lectures or systematic teachings. The sharing was more of a conversation between the Scriptures and the saints with a moderator. You could say it was fellowship over the Word of God seeking light and life for all and for each one individually who were in attendance.

Your brother in Christ Jesus,

Hope, Don Rutledge

In Christ Jesus there is hope for us all!

Amen, dear brother Hope. Either way that you and the dear saints decide to go with this, we will certainly honor your decision.

As for me and my house, we are simply grateful that we could be there in person this past weekend, participating in the wonderful conversation between the Scriptures and the saints.

[Hope]

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Here is a brief notice regarding a conference we are having. If you would feel to share it with any others please feel free to do so.
To understand God’s Administration, it is vital to realize that God is a covenant making God. God promises and supplies but His people also have responsibility. It is common to pick up the responsibility and miss the promises and supply. It is also common to pick up the wonderful promises of God and the richness of the supply and miss the responsibility of the Lord’s people both individually and corporately.
Brothers and Sisters in Christ in Raleigh and Durham NC will be gathering starting on Friday evening at 7:00 PM on November 27th, and will continue on Saturday at 9:30 AM and 7:00 PM and on the Lord’s Day Morning at 9:30. We will be fellowshipping and searching the Word of God regarding our Covenant Relationship with our God and Savior.
We are inviting whoever would be interested to join us. We will have hospitality available with the saints and have also made arrangements with the motel where we will be holding the meetings.
Please let us know if you would be lead by the Lord to join us. You can email me, Don Rutledge, at dfr144@aol.com or call at 919-572-5395.
Please feel free to share this notice with any who may be interested in joining us.

Your brother in Christ Jesus,

Don Rutledge

[Hope]

Dear Saints in Christ Jesus,

We will be having more fellowship next Saturday morning to continue to seek the Lord for our coming together Nov. 28-30.

At this point, we are clear to seek the Lord during those days regarding the Covenant relationship believers in Christ have with our Lord.

An excellent verse which addresses the three basic aspects of the New Covenant is Rom 4:16, For this reason it is by faith, that it might be in accordance with grace, in order that the promise may be certain to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all. NASB

Our responsibility is related to the “by faith.” We have an incredible supply for our responsibility that is, “in accordance with grace.” In the Scripture record, the vast bulk of the revelation is regarding the grace and the promise. For example consider Hebrews chapters 8-10. After detailed expounding on the New Covenant supply and promises then we come to our responsibility, Heb 10:22-25, Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near. NASB

Some fellowship has been around having the four meetings focus on (1) The principle of the Covenant being central to our relationship to the Lord and for our daily walk. (2) Our responsibility to pray. (3) Our responsibility to participate in the gospel going to unbelievers. (4) Our responsibility to fight the spiritual warfare.

We do not have the definite leading of the Lord as yet. Please stand with us that we may experience the Son of Man walking among the golden lampstands and that we may have an ear to hear the Spirit’s speaking.

In Christ Jesus,

[countmeworthy]

HOPE !
We want a most excellent report ok !?!

[kisstheson]

Hello dear ones,

My wife and I are very blessed to be here in Raleigh for the Conference during this holiday weekend. Tonight was the first Conference meeting.

The time of fellowship tonight was both very, very, encouraging, and very, very, sobering. The fellowship was centered around the marvelous phrase from the New Testament: "a new and living way" (as seen in Hebrews 10:19-20). We shared with one another verses containing precious promises of God and verses containing details of the surpassing riches of God's grace.

It is so encouraging and refreshing to see these two matters: God's promises and God's supply!! We went on to see that our response to God's promises and God's supply begins with faith and continues by faith. We then looked at some crucial warnings given to believers, and ended with the topic of God being real to each and every believer.

I appreciated that this was much more of a time of mutual fellowship based upon the Word of God, rather than a time where one "gifted member" speaks for 80-90 minutes based upon an outline full of fancy utterances. Receiving light by corporately digging into God's Word with so many dear brothers and sisters in Christ is a really precious experience!! We are overflowing with the joy of the Lord right now!!

Dear brother Steve Isitt is here! How wonderful to finally see dear brother Steve in person! Also, I have a message for dear brother manna-man and his father: Dear brother "Stan" from Ft. Lauderdale sends his greetings to both of you. He told me that I just needed to refer to him as "brother Stan from Fort Lauderdale" and you both would know who I mean.

All in all, tonight's meeting was a really encouraging, really enlightening, and really glorious beginning to the conference!

[awareness]

I have a message for dear brother manna-man and his father: Dear brother "Stan" from Ft. Lauderdale sends his greetings to both of you. He told me that I just needed to refer to him as "brother Stan from Fort Lauderdale" and you both would know who I mean.

Well I emailed this to both of them last night, and neither has responded. My guess is this is one of the elders that gave me the boot, Stan Ehrler (sp).

If this is the Stan I think it is, he's the only elder that was present at my royal booting, that apologized to me. Stan is a wonderful brother. Not just because he apologized to me, but because he's a humble brother that's real and honest. He was that way before becoming an elder, and that way afterwords. Being an elder didn't really fit him, at least not the type of elder to be under Mel Porter.

He was probably actually a real elder, because he doesn't but on airs. It's Mel Porter that shouldn't ever be in leadership. His only qualification was loyalty to Lee. Other than that, spiritually, Mel was an empty container...empty of all but ego. Lee chose him to be a a leading elder because birds of a feather flock together...and larceny calls to larceny.

[manna-man]

Amen! Stan is the man! And there were many other wonderful saints that lived in our locality too which blessed me. Blessings to Stan the Man and all the saints attending the conference! Give my regards to Rodney! Also Mae and Susie. As well as The Ash family.

manna-man

[kisstheson]

Thank you for your replies, dear brothers awareness and manna-man. My dear wife and I had a really good time of fellowship with dear brother Stan at lunch today. It is hard for me to express how much I enjoyed our time with Stan. It really was a precious time together in the Lord.

Dear brother Stan would love to hear from you brothers: awareness, hosepipe and manna-man. I have Stan's email address and I can send it to any one of you three who requests it via a Private Message.

Dear brother manna-man: I passed along your greetings to Rodney and Susie earlier today. I will seek out the others that you mentioned tomorrow morning in order to pass along your greetings to them as well.

[kisstheson]

Hello again dear ones,

This morning's meeting was another time of mutual fellowship based upon the Word of God. Continuing along the line of "a new and living way", we looked at our responsibility, as believers, to pray.

We first looked at Matthew 6:9-10 to see how much depends upon our prayers! The honoring of His Name, the coming of His kingdom, and the accomplishing of His will on the Earth all depend on our prayers.

There were some very good points shared from the Scriptures which give practical help to our prayers: Our prayers should be for the Plan and Purpose of God and they should be for specific - naming both specific persons and specific petitions. Prayers which contain specific petitions for specific persons is really the heart of intercession.

We saw that continual, specific prayer is the greatest help in knowing the Lord and His will, as this allows us from experience to learn God's ways. We also looked at Scriptural reasons for why our prayers may not be answered and we concluded with a look at some model prayers in the New Testament.

Overall, it was another time of very simple fellowship from the Scriptures which was full of light and full of encouragement.

[kisstheson]

Hello again dear ones, beloved of God,

Praise Him for a third time of very sweet mutual fellowship centered on His Word!

The burden in this third meeting was our responsibility, as believers, to proclaim the good news. I really appreciated the spirit of the fellowship in this meeting. The focus was still on "a new and living way"; as opposed to the old way of "dead letters". We were not putting each other under a legal requirement to preach the gospel; rather, our eyes were really opened to see the Power that comes with the speaking of God's Word! We saw clearly that our responsibility is to simply sow a simple seed of the Word of God with people, and then let the Power that is in the Word operate. Like the parable in the Gospel of Mark says, a man sowed some seed and then he went to lie down! When he arose, the seed had sprouted. How this sprouting took place, the man knew not. Dear ones, the Power is in the message, not in the messenger!!

By sharing just a little bit of the Word of God with others, the faith they lack actually comes with the message we speak! "So faith comes from hearing; and hearing by the word of Christ."

Without saying too much about dear brother Hope, I really do appreciate the humble, unassuming, way in which he moderates the fellowship. This has really helped to bring in such a sweet spirit of initimacy amongst all of us dear ones in the meetings! Hallejah!!

[awareness]

Amen bro KTS for the wonderful meetings. But tell me, is this an LSM sponsored conference, or a conference of those outside of LSM? Who's holding these meetings?

[manna-man]

http://localchurchdiscussions.com/vBulletin/showpost.php?p=6386&postcount=15

Brother Harold,

Click on that link. Brother Don Rutledge says this is nothing to do with LSM. Or you can scroll down to message 15

And I would love Stan~the~mans email address.

manna-man

[manna-man]

THAT'S what I'm talkin bout! :hurray:


-



:hurray:UntoHim!

I'm with you. The saints meeting together under the LORDSHIP of non other than JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF!

No lee, No lsm and no isms!

Maybe one day we can simulcast a conference over the web! :hurray:

[kisstheson]

Amen bro KTS for the wonderful meetings. But tell me, is this an LSM sponsored conference, or a conference of those outside of LSM? Who's holding these meetings?

Hello dear brother awareness,

I apologize if I was not clear. The conference which my wife and I attended this past weekend in Raleigh, NC, was most definitely NOT an LSM-sponsored conference! The "official" LSM International Thanksgiving Weekend Conference was held in Indianapolis, Indiana. The sweet, precious, time of fellowship centered around God's Word we attended in Raleigh, NC, was about as different from an LSM-sponsored conference as you can get!

Dear brother Steve Isitt was with us in Raleigh. Needless to say, he would not be welcome at an LSM-sponsored conference!

I am really not the right person to present the history, but I will try. The dear ones in Raleigh, NC, and Durham, NC, who hosted the gathering this past weekend are dear ones who tried very hard to address the obvious drifting away from the truth and the practice of the truth which were manifested in the LC back in the late 1980's. For their troubles, they were cast out of the LC "synagogue". They did not break away; rather, they were cast out. All of them became persona non grata to those in the LC.

In addition to the dear ones from Raleigh and Durham, there were a good number of outsiders in attendance who are also persona non grata to those in the LC. I have already mentioned dear brother Steve Isitt and dear brother Stan.

I hope this helps, dear brother awareness. I must say that you and dear brothers hosepipe and manna-man are well-known to many who attened the gathering in Raleigh. All three of you are very fondly remembered by so many dear brothers and sisters!

[kisstheson]

Hello once again, dear precious ones, beloved of God,

This post will be my last in this series, as it will cover the fourth, and last, conference meeting in Raleigh. I should state that in addition to the times of fellowship in the conference meetings, there was also a great deal of sweet fellowship both in the homes and during our meals together. To me, a real highlight of the weekend was the most enjoyable corporate lunch we had together on Saturday afternoon. We all ate together around several long tables at a marvelous Italian restaurant! That was some good food and some good fellowship! A real love feast!

The burden in this fourth meeting was our responsibility, as believers, to fight the spiritual warfare. This topic was covered in a very sober, balanced, way. We did not give undue credit and attention to Satan and his forces, and neither did we become paranoid, thinking that there is a demon lurking under every rock and around every corner. On the other hand, we allowed the Word of God to expose Satan's schemes against God's people, so that we would not be ignorant of his schemes (2 Cor. 2:11).

We saw that Satan has only a limited number of "plays" in his "playbook". His main scheme against us, of course, is to continually accuse us. Other schemes of his include causing his victims to become "enlightened" with a false enlightenment, and bringing about complications and befuddlements to lead us away from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.

We also looked at the schemes Satan uses to keep the people of this world blinded to the truth of Christ. We saw how important it is to fight the spiritual warfare when sharing the gospel with unbelievers.

We ended with some very practical fellowship from the Scriptures for fighting the spiritual warfare in our daily living.

I came away with a fresh appreciation for the victory which our Lord and King, Jesus Christ, has won for us, and for all His mighty provisions which equip us to fight the spiritual warfare. Hallelujah!

When we said good-bye to the dear saints in Raleigh yesterday, we definitely went on our way rejoicing!!

[manna-man]

Wow! Brother KTS!

Sounds like you all had a wonderful time rejoicing together! And with some dear saints to boot! I am encouraged that The LORD blessed you and all the saints there in Raleigh. I wish I could have been there! Was brother Mallon and John Ingalls there? If they were, I am really jealous now! LOL! I know brother Mallon was fond of many who were there.

Thank you so much for your reports and passing on our regards to the dear ones in the Carolinas!

Grace to you Brother,

manna-man

[Indiana]

The saints in Durham and Raleigh have brotherly love. They, as one Raleigh brother intimated, “have a little strength and have kept [the Lord’s word] and have not denied [His] name.”

www.Twoturmoils.com/ChurchofBrotherlyLove.pdf

[OBW]

The saints in Durham and Raleigh have brotherly love. They, as one Raleigh brother intimated, “have a little strength and have kept [the Lord’s word] and have not denied [His] name.”But who are the "saints in Durham and Raleigh"? And what is meant when the phrases "kept the Lord's word" and "not denied His name" are used?

Before anyone gets my meaning wrong, I am not suggesting that the statement does not aptly apply to those who were in attendance at the recent conference and those of the various fellowships which they represented. Be joyous about the teaching and fellowship received/engaged in. Overflow in abundance.

But don't presume it to mean something unique to your fellowship or to be favored by God.

The question is "is there anyone else who is a saint in Durham and Raleigh."

Is there a view that what it is to do those things that were mentioned indicates some special position?

Is it missed that even the church in Philadelphia was exhorted to "overcome"? Or is it missed that the church in Sardis was not a "defective" church (like the RCC views all of Protestantism) but one that faced obstacles. That there was nothing so outstandingly negative to be pointed out is not indicated as a feather in the cap of Philadelphia. And those in Thyatira were not encouraged to move to Philadelphia.

The purpose of this is not to raise anyone's view of any person or group, but to suggest that even when there is the appearance of Philadelphia, it is good not to think more highly of one's self than one ought. Neither to think more lowly of (or debase) one's self. And not to pitchfork the warning to Pergamum as not relevant to you who think you are in Philadelphia. Yes, the letter that was sent to Philadelphia was specifically to them. But it was also recorded in a common writing with the other six letters and seen by all. Why? Not so the others could gloat over not having those problems, but so that all would be alert to the reality of opposition from both without and within. And to expect that such would arise.

So. Who are the "saints in Durham and Raleigh"? I hope this is not another relic of the errors of the LC that designate certain ones more highly than others?

[Hope]

But who are the "saints in Durham and Raleigh"? And what is meant when the phrases "kept the Lord's word" and "not denied His name" are used?

Hello Mike,

Spiritual Pride is a real killer. Matt 5:3, Blessed are the poor in spirit. This verse is a good launching point for your thread on "the blessing."

I do not know what exactly the brother said who spoke with Indianna. But I would afirm that we do not have much strength. Our only boast in in Christ. We do aspire to keep His Word and to not deny His Name. We have a long long way to go.

If you desire to use the church in Philadelphia motif, then we must honor, respect and lift up all who have believed in our wonderful savior. Who knows how many saints are in Durham and Raleigh?

We work with and support others who have never been to any of our meetings and we do not have such an ambition to merely recruit.

Some among us have worked with Campus Crusaide, and other campus groups.

Others have worked with various rescue missions.

Others have financially supported missionaries from different denominations and free groups.

Some visit the sick and have an ongoing function of visiting them though they have never been to our meetings.

During the last few years, tens of thousands of dollars have been given to SAINTS who have never had anything to do with the LSM, the LC or support us in anyway.

Some are supporting needy people who are not believers as yet.

Being some type of loyal participant or holding to some set of doctrines is not a standard we hold for fellowship.

It does seem that we must bear the burden of having once been associated with WL etc. and with the assumption that whatever errors or faults were there may very well be ours today.

Numerous times after a period of very good fellowship or working together to share the gospel or meet the needs of others, I have been pulled aside by an onlooker and given the third degree regarding the past. It reminds me of the blacklisting during the early 50s of anyone who had once attended any kind of meeting of a group with some association with the communist party. Even those who were merely friends of people who had some obtuse relationship with the american communist party were blacklisted if they were not willing to publicly denounce their friend and give a list of all their associates.

We have had no association with the LSM for 20 years. I have not read their literature since 1987 nor attended any function they have sponsored. But some want me to wear the scarlet letters WL, LSM, LC.

Mike, please come and visit. You are welcome. You will be received as our dear brother and we would hope you would have the liberty to share what you have from the Lord be it a word of encouragement or rebuke.

A believer in Christ Jesus,


Hope

[OBW]

Don,

Great answer. And I expected no less from you. Surely we all fail at some level. Yet at some level we all succeed.

But I already knew about your general involvement beyond your own small gathering and your attitude toward the others. My question was to awaken any who have not challenged their notion that there is some special blessing (oh no; not "blessing" again) on certain ones that is not available to others. And when I see references to "the saints" in a less than open and inclusive way, it suggests to me at least a vestige of the old thinking.

I do not think that Steve (who said it) thinks it quite like he did before. But the habit of naming some in such a manner as being "saints" or "Philadelphia" and not others suggests a lingering thought that should be explored.

Are not we all saints? Do we not find ourselves sometimes in an experience of brotherly love when everything is AOK, then later find ourselves in a taxi riding through the slums of Laodicea or Smyrna?

I know your answer without hearing it. You have said these things before and I believe it fully. I am also pretty sure that the experience in the conference was very "Philadelphia" in nature. And you have told us before how very much like my place, IBC, your group (extending to those who are not in your actual assembly) is in moving from a purely theological, apologetic, evangelistic existence into one that expresses love to all the "neighbors," even the unsaved, often without making them endure a gospel message in return. How far we have come from the thought that "church" is not intended to be a public charity. It has been suggested that it was the abandonment of such charitable activities by the fundamental/evangelical branches of Christianity that has lead to much of the decline in society and the creation of the nanny state. (But to heck with them all. We're just here for Christ and the Church!!!!)

And that is the reason that I respond to you in this way. There should be no thought of "once associated always associated" as some have wanted to say. We should all hold our heads high and tell our brethren who still meet with the Church in Raleigh (there is one, right?) or the Church in Irving that we spent the past evening at a homeless shelter passing out food or blankets, or having a fellowship with some from various assemblies and we talked about grace and mercy, helped a friend with a hard personal issue, prayed about "low" things like our health and the direction of the country. And declare that Jesus really does changes lives as our change from what we were as members of the LCs should demonstrate.

I would love to have some way to come see you sometime. This holiday season is given to a trip to Baltimore for the wedding of our first to a lovely young lady from that area. They met here at the seminary and will become man and wife on December 30. Pray for them and rejoice with us all!

[Hope]

Tonight we are having a special event for our gospel friends, the Bhutanese refugees. We will have a Thanksgiving meal for them. There will be about 25-30 of the Bhutanese and about the same number of believers. We will have food that is American, East Indian, Chinese, and Bhutanese.

The sister who has arranged this is a German lady who spent three years in the refugee camps with these folks. She has secured a good facility at a Presbyterian church for the event. Her name is Frauke. She is fluent in their language and is truly a great blessing from the Lord to them. Another key player is Amar. He was an orphan in Nepal in a Christian orphanage. He came to Durham about 20 years ago. He is a strong believer. He speaks the language as his native language and has a heart for these people that is so big and caring. There are a few others such as Diana and Dave who spend hours every week caring for their needs and sharing the love of Christ and the good news with them. Through these believers it is so easy to see that truly God does so love the world.

I will give a very brief sharing on the story of Thanksgiving. The story is quite a stirring testimony of God’s work. I was inspired by what happen while I prepared. I will pass out the attached one page account. While we will not have a direct gospel message, we are praying that the facts of the testimony of the pilgrims will work in the hearts of our friends.

Hope

Here is the handout:
----------------------------------------------------------------

God’s New Covenant
Heb 8:10-12, This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more."

The Story of Thanksgiving

In England in the early 1600s, the Church of England was the official state religion. If you were born an Englishman you were born into the Church of England. A small group of believers in Jesus Christ in the city of Scrooby in Nottinghamshire, England desired to follow the New Covenant of the New Testament. That is they did not believe they needed the strict religious ceremonies of the Church of England and its special priest class but rather they could know God directly for themselves. They believed they could pray directly to God and that through Jesus Christ they were forgiven of their sins and did not need the ceremonies of the Church of England for their sins to be forgiven.
During the Hampton Court Conference, King James I had declared them and others to be undesirable, and, in 1607 Tobias Matthew, Archbishop of York, raided homes and imprisoned several members of the congregation. The congregation then left England and immigrated to the Netherlands, first to Amsterdam and then to Leiden, in 1609.

The Pilgrims were still not free from the persecutions of the English Crown; in 1618, English authorities came to Leiden to arrest one of their leaders William Brewster. Though Brewster escaped arrest, the events spurred the congregation to move even farther from England.
They secured a ship, the May Flower and after much delay they left on September 6, 1620 for the New World. There were around 120 persons in total. They had an agreement from a trading company to settle at the mouth of the Hudson River along the shore of what is now New Jersey. But due to bad weather the ship landed much further north in what is New England close to where Boston is now located. They landed on November 11, 1620.

They found an area where the forest had already been cleared, by whom they did not know. They built a few cabins but about half of their number died during the very hard winter. Then in the early spring they experienced a wonderful miracle. A single Indian named Squanto came to their little village. He could speak English. He was the only survivor of a tribe that had lived on the very spot they had settled.
Squanto as a young boy had been captured by English explorers and taken to England. He lived there for about 12 years and became a believer in Jesus Christ. The family for whom he worked in England arranged for him to be returned to his home in 1619. When he arrived, he learned that the entire tribe had died of a plague the year before.

Squanto taught the pilgrims how to farm in the new world and when to plant. As a result they harvested 20 acres of Indian corn that fall. Squanto also introduced the pilgrims to other Indian tribes and they thus had peace with the Indians for over 50 years. The pilgrims were so happy and joyful that God had saved them and provided for them in such a wonderful way that they called for a celebration of thanks. They invited their Indian friends and prepared a feast of both English and Indian food. They especially offered thanks to God for His care and provision for them and that they were now free to know and worship God as they desired.

[Hope]

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Tonight at my home we had a total of 28 gospel friends along with six saints and two of their children. Our living room was packed and people were gathered on the stairs.

We shared a brief message on Jesus the Savior from Matt 1:21-23.

May His word not return void.

Hope

[OBW]

Tonight at my home we had a total of 28 gospel friends along with six saints and two of their children. Our living room was packed and people were gathered on the stairs.I must presume that "gospel friend" means someone unsaved (as far as you know)? You've probably stated this before and I just missed it or forgot.

[Hope]

I must presume that "gospel friend" means someone unsaved (as far as you know)? You've probably stated this before and I just missed it or forgot.

A gospel friend is an unsaved or unbelieving person with whom you are cultivating a relationship and for whom you pray for their salvation. When you have a get together with several of the folks with whom you have a personal relationship and some of their acquaintances and everyone knows that during the time there will be some sharing on faith in Jesus Christ that is a gospel friends meeting. The focus is on treating them with warmth and respect and meeting their need at their level and readiness to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. Some Christian groups have what they call "A Seekers Meeting" which is for unbelievers who are interested in learning more about faith in Christ.

This approach is somewhat low key versus a pure gospel meeting or gospel campaign.

Good works and practical expressions of the love of Christ along with genuine interest in the people are the critical factors of a gospel friends work and meetings.


Hope

[OBW]

A gospel friend is an unsaved or unbelieving person with whom you are cultivating a relationship and for whom you pray for their salvation. When you have a get together with several of the folks with whom you have a personal relationship and some of their acquaintances and everyone knows that during the time there will be some sharing on faith in Jesus Christ that is a gospel friends meeting. The focus is on treating them with warmth and respect and meeting their need at their level and readiness to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. Some Christian groups have what they call "A Seekers Meeting" which is for unbelievers who are interested in learning more about faith in Christ.

This approach is somewhat low key versus a pure gospel meeting or gospel campaign.

Good works and practical expressions of the love of Christ along with genuine interest in the people are the critical factors of a gospel friends work and meetings.


HopeIn the other forum, someone complained that 1 Corinthians 13 was almost worthless. Here is the reason that it is so much more than the chapters surrounding it. For all the things Paul said in chapters 12 and 14 that can be made into legalism, chapter 13 shows the "more excellent way."

I'm so happy to see real love for neighbor in action. This is not so much an example of "how to" but of the attitude of Christ toward the fallen world around him as he ministered on earth. Many harsh words for the religious and nothing but love for the worst of the sinners.

[Hope]

Hello Friends and fellow believers,

We have a gospel friends meeting every other Lord's Day evening in our home. Tonight we had 26 guests including a new couple from Sri Lanka. They are Buddists.

After our meal, then singing and sharing, an entire family of four Hindu's asked to receive Christ. They declared they wanted to believe in Jesus. A cousin who had recieved the Lord asked them to kneel in the middle of the living room. They did so in front of all the others. I prayed, the cousin prayed and then a brother I have mentioned before who came from Nepal 20 years ago led them all to pray. They all prayed and were joyful to have received the Lord and to have made it public in front of the others. It may just have been me, but it seemed this demonstration of receiving Christ touched several others. Being able to go against the Hindu community has been a big barrier. Perhaps this will be the break through needed. Counting these four there are now ten among us from the Hindu community who have believed in Jesus Christ as the son of God and received Him as their Savior. Two others, who were saved last year, have moved to other places in the USA.

We are also gradually gaining more believers from various churches and denominations to join in various ways to labor in this gospel endeavor. It is trully wonderful to fellowship with believers regarding the spread of the good news of Jesus Christ without any motives of recruiting members for a religious organization or movement.

Several months ago we in Durham felt to have our Lord's Day morning gathering and breaking of bread in Durham. We began to meet in my home about six months ago.

I am amazed at what the Lord is doing. One couple, who is from China, has a Friday night Bible study in his home for Chinese speaking students etc. Several have received the Lord and been baptized. Two have become regular on the Lord's Day morning. Another Chinese sister comes fairly regularly. Five of the Butanese attend regularly. Two weeks ago there were 23 altogether in my great room. We have had up to 25 in the last few weeks.

This morning some were out of town or working and we had 16 total. Only Sheryl and I, my son and daughter-in-law and one brother were in the old LC that many of you were familar with.

There is a leading of the Lord for us to join with Raleigh for a week-end gathering on the week-end of Oct. 23rd. There has been some fellowship regarding "the Headship of Christ."

May the Lord bless you all.

Your brother in Christ,

Hope

[UntoHim]

Good news from Way down South!

When we read the New Testament and look back at history we should know that the Church should the true "melting pot". At the beginning in Acts 2 - "And how is it that we each hear them in our own language to which we were born? Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya around Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs, we hear them in our own tongues speaking of the mighty deeds of God." Then at the end we shall see the same - "and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation" (Revelation 5:9) So what is supposed to happen in the eons in between these two passages? I think this is exactly what brother Hope and those with him are experiencing. Praise God for this.

[countmeworthy]

EXCELLENT PRAISE REPORT brother Hope!

More jewels on your crown to God be the Glory !! :hurray:
Thanks for sharing !

Hello Friends and fellow believers,

We have a gospel friends meeting every other Lord's Day evening in our home. Tonight we had 26 guests including a new couple from Sri Lanka. They are Buddists.

After our meal, then singing and sharing, an entire family of four Hindu's asked to receive Christ.

[Igzy]

Wonderful news, Hope! Praise God!