10/03/2008

ALL HALLOWS' EVE... or halloween ???

REDEEMING THE TIME... for CHRIST JESUS our LORD !
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ALL HALLOWS' EVE is coming at the end of this month. Known as “halloween” to most of us, it has become a demon’s gleeful celebration the night before the Church remembered all the martyrs and confessors in Christian history.

[Confessors, by the way, are those who were imprisoned and usually tortured in some way and/or had their goods plundered for NOT DENYING the Name of CHRIST JESUS before men. The only difference between the martyrs and confessors is that the confessors did not die (immediately) from their tortures.

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Many of them were sent home… barely alive… and died at home from their wounds for the name of CHRIST, a few years afterwards, never recovering sufficiently. Some made it through, like Brother Yun, but carried the scars, and some, the handicap of being crippled or blind or some such life-limiting handicap the rest of their natural lives.]

In the process of time, the Church began to remember these saints, these martyrs and confessors on November 1 every year. It was a day for those Christians who remained to give thanks, think soberly upon life, and re-affirm their steadfastness to STAND for CHRIST in this wicked world.

The old English name for saints was hallows… those who were hallowed. Thus, the reprobate world who loves to mock the Kingdom of GOD made a spite-filled, demonic “holy-day” [ i.e., holiday] to commemorate their dishonorable ones and their deeds of tormenting and torturing those WHO WOULD NOT DENY CHRIST.

In the demonic commemoration, uncomfortable tricks and pranks were pulled on others by people in costumes, imitating demonic pranksters… unless the victims paid off the pranksters with a treat; hence the phrase: “trick or treat!”

As children, most of us enjoyed dressing up in foolish costumes. We enjoyed getting candy from relatives and friends. We enjoyed hollering “trikkertreet”… not knowing what we were alluding to… and most of us would not have even thought of pulling a serious prank on our friends or neighbors, with or without a treat.
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If you see a church group having a halloween party for the children, avoid it. It simply teaches the youngsters to disrespect the real hallowed ones, the true saints, who laid down their lives for The LORD JESUS CHRIST. That church is not spiritually-minded but thinking on things of this world, how the "church" can entertain the youngsters instead of converting them to SERIOUS CHRISTIANITY.
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If you belong to a church or group which simply "must" do something for the young people over halloween, then why not FOCUS on stories, movies, books, and activities--- including serious discussions led by spiritually-minded Christian adults-- about the CHRISTIAN MARTYRS through the ages? Let there be a focus on martyrdom and NOT denying CHRIST. Lead the young people in the various ways of going to the cross NOW... turning the other cheek NOW... not denying CHRIST NOW, in the face of their peers who are not at church. This will redeem the time and be better for them than silly parties and pranks and masks.
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Of course, the adults must set the example first.


Yes, ALL HALLOWS’ DAY (All Saints’ Day) is coming, as well as the eve before it. As Christians… and especially, those of us who have children or work with them in some way… let’s be prepared to paint the Blood of the Passover Lamb over the lintels and doorposts of our house. Let’s remain inside, under the covering of the Holy Blood of The LORD JESUS CHRIST, that we may be found to be well-pleasing unto HIM+.

Going one step further.....
let’s consecrate BOTH the eve before and the next day as a holy day unto Our LORD with some kind of fasting, some kind of reading about the apostles and ancient (and modern) Christians who loved not their lives unto the death. Read these accounts to your children. Read Hebrews chapter 11. Offer up some special prayers …NOT TO THE SAINTS… but rather, for ourselves unto CHRIST JESUS the LORD, that we may learn never, never to deny CHRIST before men, not even in little ways.

Let’s remember the blood of the martyrs and confessors is indeed the seed of the church. Let’s pray that we may be accounted worthy, also.





9/24/2008

THE HEAD COVERING... part 2




The Head Covering ….. part 2
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We are continuing on the Head-Covering Teaching from 1 Corinthians 11, picking up from where we stopped. In review, the first 3 verses establish the Godly governing order in the Christian home and church: man is the head of woman, CHRIST JESUS is the head of man: GOD is the head of CHRIST.

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Every man praying or prophesying,
having his head covered,
dishonoreth his head.
1 Cor.11:4
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Verse 4 today is straightforward and easy to understand… in the KJV. Some modern scholars, however, dislike this rendition BECAUSE the Greek text literally says… “Every man praying or prophesying having down over the head dishonors his head”.
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Upon careful reading, WHAT is “hanging down over the head” is missing in the Greek text. It is grammatically an “understood” element [according to the classic Greek New Testament Lexicon, BADG, p. 405, under kata.]
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It is understood to be a cloth covering and has so been understood in the Early Christian writings of the first 200 years as well as by all the Christian church up to the last few decades!
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Tertullian, a well-known Christian apologist, wrote (circa 211 A.D.) about a soldier who was somehow a Christian. He would not put the Roman laurel band or wreath as a crown on his head because he was Christian. He was martyred because he wouldn’t deny CHRIST before men. Keeping in mind 1 Cor. 11 regarding the head covering issue for both men and women, let us hear what Tertullian said to the church when he gave instruction as to wearing a “band” or crown, as awarded by the Roman government for various government honors:
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Much less may the Christian [man] put the service of idolatry on his own head — nay, I might have said, upon Christ, since Christ is the Head of the Christian man — (for his head) is as free as even Christ is, under no obligation to wear a covering, not to say a band.
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But even the head which is bound to have the veil, I mean woman’s, as already taken possession of by this very thing, is not open also to a [laurel] band. She has the burden of her own humility to bear. If she ought not to appear with her head uncovered on account of the angels, much more with a crown on it will she offend those (elders) who perhaps are then wearing crowns above.
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For what is a crown on the head of a woman, but beauty made seductive, but mark of utter wantonness, — a notable casting away of modesty, a setting temptation on fire? Therefore a woman, taking counsel from the apostles’ foresight, will not too elaborately adorn herself, that she may not either be crowned with any exquisite arrangement of her hair.
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What sort of garland, however, I pray you, did He who is the Head of the man and the glory of the woman, Christ Jesus, the Husband of the church, submit to in behalf of both sexes? Of thorns, I think, and thistles, — a figure of the sins which the soil of the flesh brought forth for us, but which the power of the cross removed, blunting, in its endurance by the head of our Lord, death’s every sting.
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Yes, and besides the figure, there is contumely [contempt] with ready lip, and dishonor, and infamy, and the ferocity involved in the cruel things which then disfigured and lacerated the temples of the LORD+, that you may now be crowned with laurel, and myrtle, and olive, and any famous branch, and which is of more use, with hundred-leaved roses too, culled from the garden of Midas, and with both kinds of lily, and with violets of all sorts, perhaps also with gems and gold, so as even to rival that crown of Christ which He afterwards obtained.
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For it was after the gall HE+ tasted the honeycomb, and HE+ was not greeted as King of Glory in heavenly places till HE+ had been condemned to the cross as King of the Jews, having first been made by the FATHER for a time a little less than the angels, and so crowned with glory and honor. If for these things, you owe your own head to HIM+, repay it if you can, such as HE+ presented HIS+ for yours; or be not crowned with flowers at all, if you cannot be with thorns, because you may not be with flowers.
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Ante-Nicene Fathers, VOL 3. TERTULLIAN, PART FIRST, SECTION 4, entitled: The Chaplet or De Corona (Of the Crown), Chapter 14, pg. 102
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But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth
with her head uncovered dishonoreth her head:
for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
For if the woman be not covered,
let her also be shorn:
but if it be a shame
for a woman to be shorn or shaven,
let her be covered.
1 Cor.11:5-6
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No woman I know is happy about going bald or being bald, as some dear ones have endured with chemotherapy treatments. Every woman who has had to endure baldness has gone to great lengths via wigs or hair-pieces or scarves or hats to avoid looking freakish. It is a great sorrow to her.
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The Apostle here is teaching the church that BEFORE GOD, a woman praying or prophesying unveiled is as outlandish TO HIM+ as a bald woman is to normal society. If she refuses to cover her head properly, then she is to be made bald. It’s a good antidote. She’ll cover her head then, and without a struggle, no doubt!
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There are some teachings out there that affirm the head covering IS hair. That cannot be because substituting “hair” in the above verses for covering makes the entire verses of no sense.
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Next blog on this topic will show WHY … the Biblical reasons… WHY The LORD governs the home and church this way.

9/19/2008

TESTIMONY from a NEW CREATURE... in CHRIST...

Testimony from the eMail Fellowship...



"…my story…
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At age 17 I married a wonderful Christian farm boy :) I have been married 20 years. I have 3 grown children ages 20,19,18. We sold our farm 10 years ago and went into a family business.
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I was adopted and raised in the Mennonite faith. With parents that kept the faith but lost the plainness.. head covering,…etc. My siblings don't even practice the Mennonite way of life anymore. I was always convicted but never really took the time to search the scriptures on it, which looking back, is really sad. I became of this world, turning into wanting material things like cars, etc.
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Here is where my life changing story begins :)
Last year, God was working on my heart to change my materialistic ways, in the midst of it all. Our family business was buying homes and fixing them and reselling them. We were stuck with 2 houses that would not sell when the housing market collapsed. Now we were in trouble…big debt, etc.
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Then Aug 17th of last year, I woke up with extreme external bleeding and we had no insurance… so I let it go. Two days later I was almost gone. I went to the bathroom and fell over, going in and out of coma.
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I realized what matters in life are not the things of this world. My husband was there with me and I said to myself, If God brings me out of this, things will change. I was in the hospital and they discovered I had a tumor that grew so large it tore one of my organs.
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Praise God!!! He saved my life. Within the week of recovering, we sold everything!!
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I mean everything… house, truck, all earthly material that was not useful We moved in a small home that I made into a farmette, I have garden, chickens and am living the Titus 2 life.
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Now, I have a testimony for The LORD. Women that knew me before do not understand why I am so happy. God has filled me with his love… [of Him instead of worldly things.]
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At times It is hard because my earthly siblings don't understand my peace. I feel so compelled to share my story, People need to wake up before it is too late !I felt a stream of peace looking at your website. I too now do not feel alone.
Blessings, Teresa "
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Thank you, Teresa, for sharing your testimony. May The LORD bless you as you draw closer and closer every day to the ONE+ Who+ ALONE is Life... and that, for all Eternity.
Sister Judith Hannah

9/13/2008

A MATTER for REJOICING !




Herein is a Matter for Rejoicing!


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We know a sixteen-year-old Christian girl, raised in a Christian home, who gives the heart a matter for rejoicing!

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This dear young friend of ours has a Christian heart for the poor... to be more exact, for the poor young orphans and babies who have been thrown away by parents or relatives..






O,that I had been so filled with CHRIST'S love for the little castaways on this earth when I was 16... or 26... or 36.. even.



This young daughter of the KING+ knows exactly what she wants to do with her life, however many years granted her by The LORD. Although young, her maturity is peeking through and is so very winsome.


Would that all 16-year-old Christian youth would march into adulthood like this! May The LORD bless this dear Gracie and lead her on in her work for the Kingdom+, unfailingly into the arms of her Savior, The LORD JESUS CHRIST.

For a blessing, read her refreshing blogspot at:



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9/12/2008

LAWS of NATURE...






The Laws of Nature


Established by GOD;
…Kept by GOD


GOD does not cross the laws of nature.

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In the natural scheme of events, we cannot willfully leap over a cliff and hope that HE+ will keep us from a bad landing. UNLESS HE+ SUSPENDS THE LAW OF GRAVITY JUST FOR US, we will land with a crash and likely be killed.

Yes, HE+ could send His+ angel to keep us, but we remember the Words of our LORD: Thou shalt not tempt the LORD Thy GOD.

Simply put, this law of nature means we cannot eat pizzas constantly and have The LORD lower our cholesterol! We cannot refuse to exercise our bodies and expect The LORD to make them work well. We cannot neglect to put gasoline and oil in our vehicle and expect The LORD to make it run for us.

We cannot ignore bad behavior out of our children and expect The LORD to give them a good character. Likewise, we cannot ignore sowing to the Spirit and expect The LORD to grant us closeness unto HIM+.

Now, this is NOT to discount miraculous deliveries from such things as come upon us, but in the normal run of events, the laws of nature are simply not suspended for human beings, including Christians.

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Why is this ?

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The LORD loves discipline… not punishment… but a discipline in our walk. This may come as a great surprise to most Christians; it certainly did to me! This disciplined walk functions as our training ground for spiritual things like: steadfastness, maturity, and spiritual warfare.

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Why is discipline important ?

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We have been raised to indulge our every desire, whim, and taste bud.


Our flesh demands to be served, both by the Adamic nature we inherited as humans and by the worldly culture we have inhaled.


Furthermore, this is true for every person on this earth NO MATTER how sophisticated or UNsophisticated his society may be.




Why should we be surprised? One reason is that we have been taught, in one way or another, that we are free in CHRIST… therefore, we don’t have to “DO” anything… just believe.

Yes, we are free in CHRIST: free to worship HIM+ without fear of the devil snatching us away … although we CAN WILLFULLY walk away of our own free will.

We are free from being defeated by the devil … if we hold fast to Truth in the inner man, agreeing with The Word in all things. We are free in CHRIST IF we walk in the Spirit, instead of our flesh. Our FATHER’S+ ears will not be deaf to our cry

We are free to deny ourselves, knowing CHRIST loves us… thus we are freed of self-indulging ourselves to make up for lost love which we feel we have missed.

We are free to walk away from the temporal pleasure of sin, knowing His+ Blessed HOLY SPIRIT will help us to live sin-free, victoriously.

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But…
we are NOT free from training ourselves

to follow HIM+ more closely,

more precisely,

and more fully.

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This personal training, this personal discipline, is what is missing in this current church age.

This is NOT keeping the Mosaic Law, as talked about in Galatians. This is NOT earning or working to enter into His+ Salvation.

It is being trained, as any child is trained in the ways of its parents, in order to grow into productive, fruitful, and happy maturity.
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It is a sad commentary that the military can train its personnel with more discipline than the church trains its soldiers for spiritual warfare.

It is sad that schools, colleges, and technical centers train their students to have more discipline, to pass the tests and achieve that certification, to work more skillfully on that job, than the church trains its newborns.

It is sad that high school and college bands and football teams demand more rigorous hours of rigorous training…. some, including diet and exercise workouts… than do the churches of the LIVING GOD.

Even Little League Baseball teams require training and practice by the youngsters before any baseball game gets played… not to mention the hours some of us have sat our little selves on the piano bench, training ourselves to please our parents!
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Why then does the church think
it can omit the training and discipline
for its most serious
and most purposeful warfare?
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Now, simply learning about training is NOT the same thing
as embracing the training itself.
Learning about how to do the Psalms,
how to pray,
or how to set aside time for The LORD,
is NOT THE SAME THING
as denying yourself your “free” time and
actually DOING the Psalms,
the prayer time,
the times of undistracted Quietness
before The LORD.
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None of the ungodly armies of this world put a machine gun into the hands of untrained soldiers and send them into battle and expect effective warfare… else they likely will do more harm than the enemy.
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We Christians must be trained
to use the spiritual weapons
of our warfare, also.

How and where
do we get this training?
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We seek the LORD, first, as always we do.
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Then, we let HIM+ show us how to discipline ourselves, what pleases HIM+.
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HE+ will…. if we want it.

Next, we must be trained to discipline our own flesh, by the HOLY SPIRIT. This will involve giving The LORD SOVERIEGNTY over our time, our “pet” indulgences, our entertainments, our eating, and for some, even our sleeping.

Then, HE+ will put the spiritual weapons into our hands with the instructions of how to use them.

Right now, though, the majority of us are UNtrained and a number of us could NOT even be counted as “soldiers” in the Kingdom of GOD. We will fall at the beginning of a battle and at the rumblings of persecution.

Let us pick up HIS+ yoke;
it is easy and light.

HE+ is on the other side
of the double-tree yoke,
pulling it along with us.

The Apostle’s words from 1 Corinthians 9: 24-27:
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Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

The Apostle’s words from Hebrews 1:21 :

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us…
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Therefore, with angels and archangels,
and with all the company of Heaven,
we laud and magnify Thy Glorious Name,
Evermore praising THEE+ and saying:

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY,
LORD GOD OF HOSTS,
HEAVEN AND EARTH
ARE FULL OF THY GLORY.

GLORY BE TO THEE+ ,
O LORD MOST HIGH !

Our training is to help us worship
the LORD OUR GOD
with a heart full of... HIMSELF+!

Sister Judith Hannah
+ + +

9/05/2008

A LABOR-DAY SERMON Never Preached..RESPONSE REQUESTED

Dear READERS...
you are invited to RESPOND TO THIS VERSE.
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Please write a comment and share:
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1) what this verse SAYS TO YOU; and
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2)how we are to apply it to our lives.
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The Labor-Day Sermon Never Preached…

Labor not for the meat which perisheth,

but for that meat which endureth
unto Everlasting Life,

which the Son of Man+
shall give unto you:

for HIM+
hath GOD The FATHER sealed.

The Words of The LORD JESUS CHRIST,
recorded in John 6:27
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.Yours in CHRIST,
Sister Judith Hannah

8/31/2008

><(((> eMAIL Fellowship Prayer schedule

><(((> For the eMail Fellowship <(((><
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A SCHEDULE of RETURNS
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It is imperative that we start to train ourselves in CHRIST. This training will help us to abide in HIM+ throughout the day. Our training will bring forth growth, a closeness to CHRIST JESUS our LORD.
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This training is called discipline. NO... we do not "spank" ourselves! It is the discipline of training our bodies, our souls, and our spirits to SUBMIT UNTO THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD. It yields TREMENDOUS spiritual fruit when we do this.
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So, to begin, we will start with a SCHEDULE to help us RETURN TO GOD EVERY 3 HOURS, in an orderly way.
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Now DO NOT PANIC! :) There are many a times I have missed my "return." When I miss a prayer stop or a RETURN unto The LORD, I am regretful and sorry... and I pick up my Self and RETURN UNTO HIM+ ...immediately... forthwith... lickety-split!
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The RETURNS are NOT long. We can all fit them nicely into our work and responsibility schedules. Most of the prayer stops or RETURNS can be done in 5 minutes, through the day. The LENGTH IS NOT IMPORTANT: stopping your day to RETURN to HIM+ IS crucial.
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Here is what we do at the Order of the GOOD SHEPHERD+ hermitage:


1. Individual Morning Vigil...
We start our day by reading and praying , usually with our cup of morning drink in our hand! We do this individually, quietly, and privately. We start thanking the LORD, lifting up our hearts to HIM+ as soon as our feet touch the floor... sometimes before our head comes off of the pillow.

2. We do morning prayer together...
Morning prayer may be long or short, depending upon our needs. At the very least, we return thanks together and the LORD'S Prayer that HE+ taught HIS+ disciples. Usually we also include a Psalm, a short reading from the Gospel and one from the Epistle. We may sing or recite the Gloria or Doxology. Sometimes we follow the Anglican Book of Common Prayer, but not always.

3. STOP OUR DAY at 9 a.m...
when The LORD was crucified. We thank HIM+. We may read Psalm 51 or do something else to show HIM+ we remember HIS+ great sacrifice for us miserable sinners, that we may enter into Life Eternal. We repent for ignoring HIM+ for so many years and even now, for ignoring HIM+ so many times... turning a deaf ear to HIS+ call to us.
HE+ heard the shofar blow at the time of the Morning Sacrifice in the Temple... knowing full well that HE+ was the Sacrificed LAMB+ of GOD.

4. At noon,
we STOP OUR DAY...
and return to The LORD, to thank HIM+ for enduring hanging on the cross for us. AT noontime, the sky was darkened across the earth on the day HE+ was crucified. We repent for our whinining and murmuring and impatience when things do not go our way.We ask HIM+ to help us to endure like HE+, our Example+, endured.
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5. At 3 p.m., we STOP OUR DAY...
and thank HIM+ again, for HE+ said, "It is finished, FATHER. Into Thy hands I commit my spirit." We thank HIM+ for winning the victory... and granting to us that same victory over death, hell, and the grave. We repent that we so easily yield to doubts and fears of this present life, instead of keeping our eyes on the Victory HE+ gained for us. We rejoice in HIS+ victory, our victory which HE+ has laid up for us, ...
and the Truth in the WORD of GOD that tells us so!
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6. We do evening prayer together...
This is usually a sufficient worship time, with Scripture readings, canticles, praises, thanksgivings, repentences, intercessions. We oftentimes follow the Anglican Prayer Book, with some modifications.
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7. Before bed, we do a short compline...
(completion of the day) prayer, with thanksgiving and asking for a safe and healthy keeping through the night, that HE+ may wake us up to HIS+ morning Light.
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This is the Schedule of RETURNS that we will use in the eMail Fellowship. If you cannot do ALL of them, then do one... but do it every day. Read a Psalm if you do not have a prayer book. RETURN thanks to HIM+. RETURN praise to HIM+. RETURN worship to HIM+. RETURN and repent as often as HE+ brings things to mind. This is our goal.
You will find yourself moving through your daily chores faster, easier, with more peace, than ever before... for HE+ blesses this kind of discipline... this kind of sowing to the Spirit. Our purpose is to TRAIN ourselves to continually sow to the Spirit.
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Enter in and let us see what The LORD will do!
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In the name of The FATHER, HIS Holy and
Beloved SON JESUS CHRIST our LORD,
and the Blessed HOLY SPIRIT,
both now and forever. Amen.
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Sister Judith Hannah
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8/29/2008

Our FATHER'S POWER...and GREEN BEANS!


The Application of GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY
Seen through the eyes of a child...
And those detestable GREEN BEANS!
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Recently, I have come across Brethren who were dealing with the issue of GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY. Yes, we all know that HE is sovereign over all the world and its men. But… why don’t we see HIS+ sovereignty being applied now? There certainly is enough evil running rampant on both the high and low levels of every society, every culture.

So… how does the SOVEREIGN, ALL-MIGHTY LORD apply HIS power?

To see how it works, here’s an example:

Dad was sovereign in our home when I was a little girl. I didn’t like green beans, so I wouldn’t eat them. We lived on a farm and grew our own food and green beans were a staple on our supper table. Dad wanted me to eat those green beans, so he would fuss at me… but I still refused to eat them.

Now, Dad was BIG enough to sit on me and STRONG enough to shove those green beans down my throat… but he didn’t do that.

He was ABLE to remove all my other food and ONLY give me green beans to eat… but he didn’t do that, either.

Neither did Daddy send me to my room with no supper at all when I wouldn’t eat the green beans. Dad just told me again and again what he wanted me to do, pointing out the goodness of the beans… and sighed and let me go on eating the rest of my supper.
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Our Heavenly FATHER is like that, is he not?
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HE’S BIG and STRONG, too. HE provides the BREAD+ of Life for all of mankind, but HE doesn’t make any of us eat it.
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And I, if I be lifted up, I will draw all (men) unto ME+.
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Who said this? Is it true?
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For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior;
Who WILL HAVE ALL MEN TO BE SAVED,
and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. (1 Tim. 2:3.4)

Who said this? Is it true also?
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It is our Heavenly FATHER’S WILL and Our SAVIOR’S WILL that all will be saved; the True MANNA+ from Heaven is available to all, no matter how rich or poor, educated or uneducated, sick or well… all are invited to His+ Table. It is HIS+ will that ALL COME.
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In the matter of invitation, ALL have received HIS marvelous, free, loving, and kind invitation to partake of Eternal Life in HIS SON+.


We don’t see that ALL come, though, do we? Neither did The LORD. That is why HE+ sent for those UNinvited ones in the highways and byways to come… to have His+ table full… whosoever would come.

ALL are invited to the Wedding Supper of the LAMB+. If one refuses to don the wedding garment, however, he is tossed out INTO OUTER DARKNESS. Mt. 22:1-14.

Some haven’t come because we the church haven’t gone to invite them in.

Some haven’t come because they don’t want HIM+.

Some haven’t come because they like HIM+ well enough…. but NOT well enough to RULE their own lives.

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It is NOT HIS fault;
HE has done HIS part to invite,
to provide the BREAD+,
and even to supply the wedding garment
to cover our nakedness.
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In spite of HIS Divine Will towards ALL and HIS heart of love towards ALL, not ALL come.

Some have to inspect a field, see about a cow, or marry a wife… Luke 14:16-24
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HE+ doesn’t make us choose HIM+.
Luke 14:26-35.

HE
DIDN’T EVEN MAKE HIS OWN ANGELS CHOOSE HIM!
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But, those who DO choose HIM+...
HE elects to keep at the supper table with HIM+!

Those who DO love HIM+ enough to have HIM+ rule over their lives, ...
HE+ elects to save.

Those who ACKNOWLEDGE HIM+ before men...
HE+ elects to acknowledge them before HIS+ FATHER!
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Alas… the opposite is likewise TRUE of the above 3 promises.

The sovereign LORD has foreknowledge; HE knows the thoughts and intents of our hearts… before a word is even on our lips, HE knows it… HE+ knows what is in the heart of man.

Even though Our LORD KNOWS ahead of time what we will say and think, we are still accountable for the usage of our tongues and the lusts of our hearts.

HE is not the author of our evil, even though HE knows in advance what we are going to do. Nor, does HE stop us from doing evil, if we so will.
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The sovereignty issue is really an issue of perception:
How do we see GOD apply His+ great power ?
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However, we ALL will see HIS sovereignty close at hand, hopefully sooner rather than later. When HE comes the SECOND time to govern this world with a rod of iron, HE will disarm ALL the armies, throw out ALL the man-made “---CRACIES”, and establish His Own, Lone, Sovereign THEOCRACY over all the earth. Some will see it as a Great Day of Doom; His+ own will see it as a Day of Great Joy.

And when that happens, there will be food for all and a good life for all who are left.

Even so, after 1,000 years of THEOCRACY, some will rally around the one loosed from the pit and turn against GOD again!
[Rebellion, however, will be short-lived this time, thankfully.]

The sovereign LORD will reign openly and sovereignly forever and ever. And furthermore, HIS+ saints that have made a sacrifice will reign with HIM+ also.
HalleluJah!


Sister Judith Hannah
+ + +

PS… Oh yes, I did learn to love eating those green beans when I found myself away from home as an older teenager… and green beans were the ONLY thing I recognized on my cafeteria tray.
Dad won.

8/25/2008

WHY WE WEAR A HEAD COVERING...

Let us look closely at the Word of GOD
to find out why we are wearing the head covering.

The instructions are found in 1 Corinthians 11: 1-16 and are given by The Apostle Paul to the Church gathered in Corinth… a wildly pagan Greek city of commerce, trafficking in everything, including the bodies and the souls of men.

Brazen women… bald-headed, shaven and shorn and uncovered… walked the streets openly, since one of the “temples” of pagan worship to Venus (basically, prostitution) was located in Corinth. To make matters worse, Rome ruled it, so the Roman soldiers were there, adding to the open debauchery.

In the midst of this environment, the Apostle Paul was sent. A church developed. Here is what the Apostle wrote to the young church.
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<(((><

11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

11:2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.
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Yes, the Apostle Paul delivered his instructions to the brothers, not to the sisters. Brothers were always in leadership positions in the Early Church. The brothers received these Apostolic ordinances and instructed the church in these ordinances.
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<(((><

11:3 But I would have you know,
that the head of every man is CHRIST;
and the head of the woman is the man;
and the head of CHRIST is GOD.
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This next verse establishes the Spiritual foundation of Christian order, specifically, the order in the Christian church and home. The “one in charge” of every man is Our LORD JESUS CHRIST. That means that all men must answer to CHRIST our LORD. The governing authority of the woman is the man. And, the governing authority of CHRIST is GOD.

There is nothing complicated about this governing order. The complicated part comes about because our churches and homes are out of order.
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. They are culturally and socially oriented instead of focused on CHRIST.
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In other words, our homes and many of the modern churches are fleshly and worldly, doing things the “world’s way.” Their values are entrenched deeper in this world, deeper in this culture, than they are in CHRIST’S ways. Politically and socially correct values are emphasized rather than the Apostle's instructions for the Church.
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Because of that, another problem exists. We sisters discover we have fathers, husbands, and pastors who simply are not submitted to CHRIST as their governing head. IN THIS CASE, a sister must seek the LORD and wait patiently and quietly before HIM+ to hear His+ leading on this.
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It is hard to be a single sister, working and supporting yourself, and at the same time, trying to find a Christian pastor or Godly couple (as in a prayer group) in order to be under a governing authority. [It is wiser to meet or talk with a couple, rather than 1-to-1 with a brother.]
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It is also hard to be a married sister, submitting to a husband who is not as concerned about Spiritual things as his wife.
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Now…. having said that, we sisters do NOT need to get under a burden nor stress about this issue.
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The LORD knows the opposition facing us. HE+ knows the dysfunctional families, disinterested husbands, and nonchalant pastors.
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It is HARD for some of us to “find” a covering husband, father, pastor, or prayer-meeting couple in order to obey the Apostle’s ordinance here.
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The LORD WILL NOT DESTROY someone who simply cannot find someone appropriately to function as a human “covering.” Again, go slowly and quietly before The LORD in this matter, covering yourself in prayer.
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DO NOT DISPAIR,
BUT RATHER LOOK UNTO CHRIST,
THE AUTHOR
AND FINISHER OF OUR FAITH.
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Since HE+ is the author, all authority comes from HIM+. As our Author, HE+ will provide everything needed for whosoever comes under His+ Wing… for the orphan who takes refuge in HIM+, for the single sister, for the widow, and for the married wife whose husband is not Spiritually-minded.
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Our LORD leads the willing soul and protects whosoever comes under His+ Shelter. HE+ will become your over-covering and governing authority until HE+ sees fit to change your circumstances.
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Remember:
HE+ is able…
HE+ doeth all things well….
and, HE+ is in charge.

<(((><
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There is yet another danger that exists which has come up recently. This danger is coming from inside the flock of GOD….
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“Head” does NOT mean “source of life” instead of governing authority in these verses or in ANY verse in the New Testament.
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There is a popular movement afoot in the theological circles that is promoting this teaching. It has NO language support in Hebrew, Latin, Greek, nor English, as I have discovered. This particular teaching is taken from pagan Greek philosophers. The older, standard reference books all state HEAD means “governing authority” or one in charge. Some of the newer ones are putting out that HEAD means “source of life.” This is false.
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The purpose of this false teaching is to nullify the governing order. that will weaken the church... and it does NOT NEED TO BE WEAKENED any further!
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Yes, The LORD is the source of our life… but these verses are NOT ADDRESSING THAT ISSUE; they are addressing the governing order in the Christian home and church.
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Indeed, it is the governing order for men and women everywhere, but only Christians recognize CHRIST as their HEAD; others, alas, will be accountable if they have heard of CHRIST and yet reject HIM+. Likewise, Christian men and women will also be in trouble who reject the governing order in the church and home.
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<(((><.
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We who are members of the Underground Church in America (regardless of whatever church or denomination we may or may not attend ) seek to follow the Apostle’s ordinances written in the Word.
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It is delivered to us to keep us safe. May The LORD add His+ blessing to us all, as we seek to do His+ Will. His+ will is not mysterious; in many instances, it is plainly written for all to see. Some simply do not want it.
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But thanks be to GOD... there's an Underground... an Underground Church full of unregistered, unorganized members rising up quietly who ARE determined to do His+ will to the best of their knowledge, to the best of their ability... regardless of their affiliation or non-affiliation with an institutional church.
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That is the One, Holy, and Apostolic Church that exists without spots and blemish, that exists without schisms, that follows their CAPTAIN+ withersoever HE+ leads them... even to following the Apostle's ordinances which the mainline denominations have discarded. These include the head covering for sisters and the Christian governing order, for all.

[ to be continued ]






8/16/2008

The LONG and SHORT of it... VEILING for CHRISTIAN Sisters




Long Veils ....




Some sisters are simply NOT AFRAID ... they are not afraid of what anyone thinks of them... their head(s) belong to CHRIST. (This is what the good sister at www.freetocover.blogspot.com says.)



They are not afraid to make a statement to this dead and dying world that JESUS CHRIST IS ALIVE AND WELL...

...AND READY TO COME BACK!



The exciting thing about wearing a head covering is the opportunities, the doors, it opens for the one wearing it... both literal doors and spiritual doors for witnessing.

And short veils...

My eyes fill with TEARS when I am asked by a stranger, seeing me in a store, to pray for him/her. One young woman came up and poured out her heart to me in the middle of a store... she was desparate to find a church where PERSONAL DISCIPLESHIP was available. She was hungry, and she wanted to grow... and couldn't find a place to be mentored.



Why couldn't she find a place? The normal MODERN CHURCH does not promote actual, personal, discipleship. It just does sermons, songs, and activities.



It is impossible to grow deeper in CHRIST JESUS without personal discipleship... and that lady knew it. She was nearly in tears.

What could I say? I simply re-directed her back to JESUS. The church will be accountable for not feeding the hungry, for the lack of discipleship.

We are NOT SAVED to get a good job, a good education, a good career so that we can support the church institutuion.

We ARE SAVED to begin our walk with The LORD... closer and closer every day, closer and closer in every way, forsaking the world's ways and looks and taking Our LORD'S WORDS AT FACE VALUE: HE+ MEANS EVERY WORD HE+ SAYS.

If Our LORD is calling you to a deeper sacrifice, a deeper committment, a deeper discipleship... go there with HIM+.

I can guarantee that you will walk alone, even in the midst of a church... but it will be with HIM+. You will not BE by yourself, however, because you will have joined THE UNDERGROUND CHURCH... in America, and in each and every land.

Sisters, cover your heads. Cover your daughters' heads. Cover your husband and family in prayer. Cover your elders and your church in prayer. Cover your neighborhood in prayer.

You will be amazed at the order, peace, and strength in The LORD that will descend upon you. You will be a light NOT SET under a basket. The LORD Himself+ will draw others to you for mutual strengthening, for witnessing, for fellowship, and then... for ministry.

Walk! Walk! Walk!

+ + +

In the Name of the FATHER, the SON+, and the HOLY SPIRIT,

both now and forever. Amen.

...

(A note for Tracy: thank you for your email.)

SISTERS: Always include your email address if you want a reply. If you don't, I cannot respond to your comments personally. The comments program on the blogspot always has "no reply" as the return address.

Sister Judith Hannah


Train up a child in the way he (she) should go...

...and when she is old, she will not depart the path.