Let's partner and make millions!

This story is one of the things that I respect most about my dad... His integrity. While so many in the late 70s fell prey to "prosperity" in the 80s and then failed.. He stood firm on his principles and died one of the wealthiest poor men alive.

There was a time, perhaps mid to late 70s, when things were going great... Good was pouring out his spirit and miracles left and right constantly. Everyone was riding this wave of goodness. Then came the test.

A well known big name preacher was at our house, probably for a series of teaching nights as was common then.  I do not know his name, but remember that he was very successful with a traveling world ministry. After a few nights, before he left, he made my dad an offer:

"Join my ministry... With my preaching and your gift of miracles and healing we can make millions!"

But you see... It had become "his ministry" and even though successful, that was a fatal flaw.  Ultimately dad turned him down. Good was not in it. Yes they would have reached millions of people, saved many, healed many, but... Wasnt gods will.  If god is not behind it... Don't do it. Simple.

So we stayed poor, struggling to get by  financially, but that one act planted my dad at a point of respect and authenticity that never faded. He was the real deal. That was a real offer, it would have worked. But... Dad said no because god was not in it.

Over the next decade many ministries failed with one scandal or another. Their heart had followed the money and they walked from God first. I do not judge then. Just relate what I observed. God pulled his protection from them when they pulled their heart from God first.

The moral here? Be real. Know that true success is not in cash or things, but in doing what god has for you. It's that simple, and that hard.

A most common miracle

Growing up I saw many many miracles.. Some I have described here. But one particular miracle of instant healing happens regularly, often, monthly and sometimes weekly.

It was simple... Back pain. Anyone complaining of back pain would receive this approach. I do not know where my dad saw or came up with this idea. But it worked 99% of the time.

He would have them sit straight in a hard chair. Like a folding chair. Tell then to relax. He would pick up both feet, holding then together, lightly pressing on the heels. Invariably the length of the legs would be of by an inch or more, one leg obviously longer. Then he would pray without moving. As he prayed, the short leg would instantly grow to the length of the other and within seconds be exactly the same. The person could then stand and find zero pain in their back.

Sometimes this was dramatic. Like a limp or a cripple healed instantly. Sometimes just s sore back. But it always worked, even to skeptics. Some tried to prove it was a scam, but were  ultimately healed against their expectations.

Scam? No. I personally watched this hundreds of times. I analyzed it as a skeptic, but no trickery here. Was it just relaxing muscles in the back that lengthened the leg? Probably... Was that a miracle? Definitely.  In the later years he didn't even pray, just pick up their feet, watch them grow to match, then thank Jesus for healing. He said as his own faith grew, god honored that in this way.

Simple, common, miraculous. Good care s about the little things!

Relearning old wisdom

Learning how to fight common diseases like colds and viruses is difficult, especially with so little wisdom still known. Yes, our society had majority "dumbded down" about simple healthcare over the last 2 to 3 generations and much wisdom has been lost. I remember a day when drs actually knew how to help s patient fight something without medicine. Today, drs are little more than pharmaceutical salesmen, matching a list of symptoms to medicine. It had been sad to watch the change.

There is huge advantage to relearning the old ways and wisdom, and with the internet and Facebook it is possible. Off in corners of the world are people that still know and are sharing wisdom that works. This wisdom strengthens there body with each attack instead of weakening it. In my case, I have gone from sick for a coupler weeks every month or two to sick for a day or two once out  twice a year. Sickness isn't nearly as deep nor as long. Is wonderful!

But how tempting it is in the thick of pain and suffering to just reach for that pill! Instant relief! But... It's all an illusion. Pulls do not remove the problem as much as hide symptoms. The symptoms are your body fighting the disease. So the pills largely stop your body's defenses! Anti biotics are s little different, but even they damage your immune system with each use. Making you more and more susceptible to disease.

Do yourself a favor, opt out of the crazy downward spiral of health caused by modern medicine. For major things... That's different. But for common ailments turn to the wisdom of old where health was a process, not a pill.

Ok, knock it down!

You spend minutes to hours building something...  A house of Cards,  string of dominoes,  blocks,  whatever...  And then "knock it down"  times comes with seconds of exhilarating destruction.  

Child's game

Human nature

Most adults still prefer to play this game,  but with real life.  The preference of human nature at all ages is to tear down over build up.  We tend to look for ways of tearing things down,  destroy,  in relationships,  society,  etc.  It's so much easier,  so much more fun to deal a blow and walk away.

I see this in politics....  So often we pass a law mandating a change in people's lives,  but don't follow through with then helping them actually build a new life.

I see this in the church....  Where sinners are scorned,  blamed,  complained about....  But little is done to actually lend a hand,  change lives,  build futures.

I see this in families....  Where members attack,  complain,  put down each other more often than help,  support,  love,  correct.

It's just more fun and easier to watch things fall.

The irony here is....  If we concentrated on building,  so much less destruction would be necessary.  In politics if we helped people see the light,  show them the benefits of a changed life,  teach them why and how,  there would be no need for laws against.  In families if we stopped complaining,  there would be less to complain about.  In church if we spread light instead of condemn the darkness,  there would be fewer sinners.

I say build.  Restore,  create.  That is our God,  our mission.  We are not made for destruction,  we are made to create.

Not by man but by god, so relax

http://bible.com/100/luk.12.11-12.nasb When they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not worry about how or what you are to speak in your defense, or what you are to say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say."


One of my favorite scriptures...

First  We will be given the opportunity to Speak in high places,  orchestrated by god himself. What many see as persecution is actually god given opportunity.

Second...  We will have the words to say in the moment,  if we trust.  The holy spirit will fill us with wisdom beyond ourself in the moment. 

Third...  Don't worry!  Don't fret over the exact words to say.  Don't memorize speeches,  don't plan.  Instead pray.  Don't lose sleep worrying,  instead relax and trust.  Therein is the secret of life.

Fourth...  Is not by our power nor wisdom we will succeed,  but by his.  Not by man's glory,  but by god.  Not by man's talent,  but by god.  Moses could not speak well but god intended him to speak to Pharoah.  We can speak if we pray and trust.

A major point here is one that my dad spoke of often...  Success is not add much about talent nor ability nor schooling at it is about gods actions.  Man tends to rely on man,  in ourself.  Wet think that we must improve to be successful,  that the power to do so is in our hands.  That is not true.  Sure we should strive to improve,  but realize that if god calls us to do something,  wet are also made able to do it.

An offshoot of this is...  This isn't about talent.  What gives more glory to God,  a person who naturally sings will that sings for God also,  or a person who can not sing well but when they sing for god,  lives change,  people are touched,  and compliments come.  The latter demonstrates god's power while the former is man's talent.

God will use the "Poor things of the earth"  to accomplish his will to show that it is him.  If you "can't do it"  but are called,  go.  He will give you the ability from his riches and you will succeed by his might,  not yours.