SERIOUS BUSINESS

Matthew 10: 7, 9-10 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.

Matthew 10: 21-23 And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another:

Matthew 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 10:36, 37, 40 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

Luke 22: 35 And he said unto them, When I sent you without purse, and scrip, and shoes, lacked ye any thing? And they said, Nothing.

DISCIPLE: professed follower of Jesus

You probably know these scriptures. You’ve probably heard them preached on. Have you ever considered that they were spoken to you as well as the disciples? Isn’t that what you are if you follow Jesus and His teachings?

How serious are you about your calling; your “walk” with the Lord? We’ve heard the story of the sixteen year old girl from Columbine, who, when asked if she believed in Jesus, said YES, knowing the outcome would be the end of her life on earth. We all think we could do the same. I mean, after all, when our life here is over don’t we go to be with Him anyway? What will happen when there is a twist on the issue? Put yourself in the position of the sixteen year old with one variation; the gun is pointed to your parents; your child; your siblings; your friend. If it was THEIR life you were talking about, could you still, would you still say YES, I BELIEVE IN JESUS? This makes it a bit harder doesn’t it? We have a very dear friend who, when discussing this subject with her children, asked them the question point blank; “What should I do, if someone were to point a gun at you and tell me they will kill you if I don’t deny Jesus?” Her children all said “Mom, you have to let them kill us.” WOW!!!

What if it has nothing to do with a gunman and the taking of a life as we consider life. What if it had to do with God talking to you and asking you to leave your family, friends, financial security; to go to the unknown? Could you still follow Jesus as did the disciples of the New Testament? In Matthew 10: 7-10 He commanded the disciples to do just that. Matthew 10:37: He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. When God gave Moses the ten commandments, did you ever wonder why He said, “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me”? We think of gods as “Buddha”, “Mohammad” the various “idols/gods” you see in astrology, such as the “goddess of..”; the “god of…” But we don’t realize that ANYTHING that keeps us from obeying and serving JEHOVAH GOD, is a “god”, an “idol”. That is the “before Me” part. We put things/people ahead of God on a daily basis and we think we’re “OK”.

We personally have heard of God calling one to move to a different state for ministry purposes; yet they chose to stay in their comfort zone, not believing God would provide. Another instance of a pastor commanded by God to leave his current pastorate and go in a different direction. His concern was a bank account in which he felt financially stable. Not thinking that maybe, just maybe God provided the bank account in order that he could GO in the new direction. Yet again, not trusting God’s provision. Psalm 37:25 says, I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. Charles and I can testify to that fact.

There comes a time in the life of a follower of Jesus, in which we are “tested” to see how serious we are about the walk we are placed in. This doesn’t only pertain to “pastors”; “evangelists”; etc. This also pertains to the “layman” in the discipleship. Your only call may be to be a representative of God in your neighborhood; maybe even only for 30 days; as you have possibly read in regards to our move to Morristown for 30 days. I am not “tooting” our horn here, nor patting us on the back. This is just to let you know that we have experience in these matters.

There is scripture also concerning “bloody hands”. If you read Ezekiel chapter 33 you will find it. Likewise, scripture concerning “dusty feet” found in Matthew 9. When you read these scriptures, you will see the importance not only for those you come into contact with but for yourselves as well.

We have personally been in the situation of Matthew 9. We have gone to those who rejected us and the message God had for them outright. For those people we have shaken the dust from our feet and will not return to those in question. To do so would bring down the wrath of God on us. Just as Jesus said in the verses in Matthew chapter 10 mentioned earlier.

You may think we are strange; maybe even heartless; but we choose to follow after God. Many may think “I can serve God without turning away from family, friends, and financial security. But can you really? Jesus also said in, Matthew 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

How often have we heard, “God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called”? Does that only refer to “ability” to speak; to sing; to lead? Equipment also refers to finances. Charles and I have only one source of income; that is his social security. God has taken care of our every need. We even carry no medical or life insurance. Sure, satan tries to whisper words of doubt into us; he even uses other people to try and tell us how crazy we are. Do we believe the whispers, or do we trust God? There’s really only one option. WE TRUST GOD…in ALL things.

When God says leave all and follow Me, could we really leave all if we couldn’t do as Jesus said in Matthew chapter 10; He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.? We trained our children to follow Jesus and God regardless of the cost. Yet if we can’t do the same, how can we teach them? They have the same free will; the ability to choose as we did and still do. This writing is reflective of several others we have written. But it all boils down to the simple fact that the time for playing games is over. The time for blaming other people for our choices is over. When we stand before God in judgement, we will stand alone.

We have had the luxury of living in a country where we could read the Bible and not be killed for it. Other countries don’t have that blessing; yet still they will stand for God knowing they will be killed. Soon you will see the same thing in this country, nay the entire world.

Serious business. The world has talked often of the Holocaust in which the Jews, among others were tortured and killed because of “who” they were; and we think that God’s people won’t be persecuted now or in the tribulation. WHO DO WE THINK WE ARE? God’s chosen people from the beginning have been persecuted. Satan has tried to stop them/us in order to “prove” that he is more powerful, that if we ARE persecuted, we will turn from God. Christians were beheaded in Paul’s day. Nero had Christians burned alive as torches for his garden party. Those Christians followed God more closely than we do today. Why do we think we could get by virtually without a scratch? It was said by a pastor we know personally, when asked for scripture references that show the Christian will be raptured out BEFORE the tribulation, “there isn’t any. We just believe that God loves us so much He wouldn’t allow us to suffer like that.” HOGWASH!!! The Hebrews in Moses’ day were no more disobedient; in fact not AS disobedient as we are today and look what happened to them. Does God love us more than He did them? Does God have “favorites”? Could He be a righteous God if that were the case?

When push comes to shove, what will YOUR answer be? The tribulation is fast approaching, thus the reason for the title of this “talk”. It’s time to get REAL. It’s time to get SERIOUS. Will you stand faithful when it’s time for your ultimate decision?

PREPARE, THE TIME IS AT HAND.

© 08/24/2009 Maxine Branthoover

 I THINK OF GOD

 When I think of God as Father,

I become the little girl waiting for Daddy to say,

“Come to Me, My child.”

Then I climb up on His knee

and feel His love for His children.

When I think of God as El Shaddai,

I become the servant kneeling at His feet

in humble spirit to hear the words, “Well done”,

and feel the pride in His heart for the

faithfulness of His servants.

When I think of God as Comforter,

as the trials of this world seem to overtake me, and I feel lost and alone;

I call out to Him and He meets me in my secret place, wraps His arms

gently around me and whispers those words I know, yet still long to hear,

“It’s alright, My Child, I’m here and you will NEVER be alone.”

When I think of God as Creator,

I have to step back in awe as I consider the magnitude of

Who He is and am left speechless

as He spreads forth His hand to reveal things

as yet unseen by these mortal eyes.

　When I think of God as Protector and Provider,

I look to Him when the pressures of the

evil one attempt to ensnare me.

And I feel the safety and security of the One Who says,

“I am here, My child. Be at peace and know that all is well.”

I think often of God and know that whatever I need He will provide.

And the cares of this life will fade into oblivion when I climb up,

kneel down, call out, step back, and look up.

I think of God as my Father.

I think of God as Almighty.

I think of God as my Comforter.

I think of God as my Creator.

I think of God as my Protector and Provider.

I think of God as ALL I need

and know that all is well.

© 08/14/2009 F. Maxine Branthoover

LUCK:  a four-letter word!

Definitions:

luck :        1.  that which happens to a person, as if by chance, in the course of events:   to have good luck.

              2.  good fortune ; advantage or success considered as the result of chance; to wish one luck.

              3.  some object on which good fortune is supposed to depend.

fortune:      5.  chance: luck

              6.  that which falls or is to fall to one as his portion in life or in any particular proceeding.

              7.  lot; destiny.

              8.  chance personified, commonly regarded as a goddess distributing arbitrarily or capriciously the lots of life.

chance:      1.  the absence of any known reason why an event should turn out one way rather than another; spoken as if it were a real agency; chance governs all.

             2.  fortune, fate, luck.                                                                      (definitions from The American College Dictionary by © Random House—New York)

Luck—a four letter word used commonly in daily living by so many and yet, by its many definitions, a word that is tied to chance and fortune so strongly that they are used interchangeably.

It is very interesting to find that the word luck and the word fortune do not appear in the Holy Bible (reference the 1611 King James Version) and the word chance only appears 6 times—5 of which use it in reference to “it just happened” and the 6th is used when the Philistine priests and “diviners” talked of the Holy Ark and “God and chance causing the outcome”. It is apparent to me that by their very definitions, the words come from the dark side; the occult; sorcery; witchcraft; or whatever label you choose to put on “the other side”.

Why then are the words so frequently used by Christians? Examples I have heard: “We prayed to God to spare us from the tornado—we were so lucky to survive.” “We escaped with our lives, we had luck on our side.” “The car just missed us—luck was with us.”

I was personally involved in a situation where a dear friend asked for prayer for a particular desperate situation. A few days later, I asked how things were. The response I received was, “We were so lucky; it turned out OK.”

I know in my heart God answered the prayer only to be denied by those blessed. Is it not a slap in the face of Jehovah God to plead with Him from an anguished heart for His mercy—only to attribute the results to luck?

Have you ever done it? Have you found a four-leaf clover and felt “blessed” that it would bring you good luck? Isn’t there a hypocrisy in that thought?

Think back, if you will, to a time in your life when you were especially blessed and you attributed it to luck. Now, I ask you—why would God continue to bless and bless and bless only to be denied the praise for the blessing? He will you know, even as He did throughout the ages—but!!!

Every time—EVERY TIME the word luck is used, the very use of it denies the existence of Almighty God! Think about it! Dwell on it! Its very use in our language habits is another subtle deception of the enemy satan. I am reminded of the analogy—”tell a lie often enough and people will believe it.”  Look at the situation the world is in today.

Think on these things and the next time you use the four-letter word luck, picture the hurt in the Father’s eyes. Amen, Amen, Amen

© 7/11/09 Charles E. Branthoover 

Windsor Gardens: WOW!!!

A word I don’t use often but Charles uses almost daily…WOW!!! What a glorious, God-blessed time we had with the staff and residents of the Windsor Gardens Assisted Living Home. WOW! Charles giggles when I use the word because it’s so out of character for me. When I see the moving of God, it’s something I expect to happen, so “WOW” rarely comes into play for me. But there are those exceptional times when nothing but WOW will do. This was one of those times. We knew God had something special planned due to the severe attacks from the enemy, satan all week.

We arrived at Windsor Gardens a bit earlier than planned due to another engagement that was scheduled “short notice”. (Grandview asked us back when they found we would be in the area.) This though, allowed us time to relax for a while between times. We’d begun our day at 6:30 AM, needing to be in Campbellsville by 11:00 their time but 10:00 for us; and we left home at 8:30 CST. (Campbellsville is on eastern standard time; what in this area is called “fast” time.) Our muscles reminded us of their age rather quickly, loading and unloading our sound equipment 3 times throughout the day. But God is faithful and enables us to do this. We did have some help at both places with unloading which was a blessing. Charles says “don’t get old, old hurts.” But even youngsters will hurt sometimes, especially if they “over do it”. So I really don’t know that age is the problem, more like inactivity around the house. Needless to say, after over 12 hours of travel, ministry and such, we were tired folk when we got home. I love it when your tiredness comes more from “spiritual” tired rather than physical tired. It’s those times when you can feel, “job well done.” When you hear people respond to you with, “Now I know why you’re here.” “I’ve never seen anyone show true love from God the way you do…you can FEEL it.” Yet they know beyond the shadow of a doubt, it’s not us they are seeing, but our Father.

We did have a few comical moments as well. We were doing one of our popular songs, “Somebody Say Amen”, and as usual we try to get the “audience” to participate; yes even in nursing homes and assisted living they love it. I went over to one gentleman to let him shout “AMEN” over the mike when we got to the proper spot. You can imagine my surprise when he shouted, not AMEN, but “HOLLYWOOD’S WAITING ON YOU”!!!; it blew my mind to say the least. A comment made to Charles by one of the lady residents after we were done: “I always wanted to sing alto in the heavenly choir when I get there, but after hearing you two, I think now I’m going to sing tenor.” LOL Charles told her, “But I’m a bass.” She then said, “Yeah but you sang some good tenor.”

Such a joyous time we had. God allowed for good weather, and a bit cooler temperatures. We’d had really bad storms all week, tornadoes, strong gusty winds, heavy rain, thunderstorms, high humidity…all of it. We were assured the night before that it would be a beautiful day. We knew it meant a “spiritually” beautiful day but it was weather-wise as well. It did rain with some lightening while we were singing at the Grandview, but it wasn’t bad and was all cleared up and sunny by the time we were ready to move on. The rain in this instance dropped the humidity and the temperatures, making it a beautiful day all the way around. When we got to Windsor Gardens, we elected to wait a bit before unloading and setting up as we were early; so we sat on the “front porch” with the breeze blowing and the fragrance of the flowers waifting past; so peaceful and just what we needed for the “break” the Father planned. I could easily have fallen asleep.

We found out we must have been listening to the “inner voice” about not getting unloaded because a piano truck pulled in and had come to switch out the grand piano for an upright. The grand it seems was in need of some sort of repair. Had we unloaded and set our stuff up, it would have been in the way for them to change out the pianos. See how it works when you listen to the voice of God? He knows what’s gonna happen in the next few minutes; the next few hours; days; etc.,etc. and He will prepare you for it if you listen and obey HIS voice.

This didn’t start out to be a long a synopsis, but I trust that the Father is telling me what to say as I type. He’s One I can take dictation from.

Bless you all. Maxine.

GRANDVIEW AND WINDSOR GARDENS

Have you thought about how your “action” always causes a “reaction” from either you or someone else? Well Flames of Love are no strangers to that line of thinking. If you have read our articles about moving here and becoming acquainted with FC and Edna Parrish, you have also read how we were invited, through them, to sing at the Campbellsville Church of the Nazarene. This in turn led us to meet Karen Reed, who invited us to participate in the Nursing Home Week; in which we sang at the Grandview Nursing Home and also the Windsor Gardens. With this, we met Paula. I don’t know her last name but that isn’t important. I’m just letting you know how the actions and reactions work…especially when God is involved. He knows who He wants you to meet. He knows the purpose they will have in your life and in His plan for not only you but others as well. I said all that to give you an example of how God works.

We had a truly blessed time with the people at both Grandview and Windsor Gardens. Everyone seemed to enjoy the music and while we didn’t have much conversation with the “seniors” we were able to chat some with the dedicated workers.

Many may think ” why would you bother going to those places to “minister; they probably didn’t even know you were there?” I beg to differ with you on that line of thinking. You should try it for yourself sometime. Many of these folk seem to have been forgotten by family and friends. They are lonely. And while it may seem they are forgotten by relatives and others, they have NOT been forgotten by God. Those who were His when their bodies and minds were strong, still remain His, and deserve to hear from Him in the way we minister. Some may not know who we are, but I dare say most with strong clarity of thinking don’t either. Yet at the same time, to witness the bright smiles on those faces when you sing about our Lord God is priceless. It’s true that in these situations, you may not know whether or not you’ve “touched” someone due to the seeming lack of response. But we’ve learned in our various venues, not to judge by outward expressions. To give you a “for instance”, we had been invited to sing at a community event through the suggestion of a family member. While we were singing, we watched the crowd, looking to see how we were received. We looked at our family and noticed they were “sinking” deeper and deeper into their seats. Charles began to think, “we must not be coming across very well” and thought we should pack up and go home. Later when we talked with the family about it, we found out they were so “absorbed, and so enjoying the music that they were just “leaning back” to absorb even more; take it ALL in. Another time we were in concert at a church and a man came in a bit late; came about 1/2 way down the aisle and sat down. He proceeded to fold his arms and had the “look” about him as if to say, “Bless me if you can, I DARE you”. Part way through the concert I went down the aisle while singing, took his hand and noticed tears tracking down his face. Absolutely we remember “you can’t judge a book by it’s cover”. So while we may not accurately “read” our audience, we wait and see what happens later; and trust that we were able to give them a few moments of joy from the Father while at the same time witness with the dedicated staff. We met some wonderful people on staff and enjoyed very much our time with them and the “seniors”.

The folk at the Windsor Gardens Assisted Living facility, have been asking Paula, “When are you going to have Flames of Love back?”. Paula called and scheduled us for visits in June and July. So much for US not knowing how we were received. The proof comes back to us in what we hear from others later. The Father often, after concerts in which we feel we’ve failed due to “lack of response”, tells us “You touched more than you know. Wait and see comes of it.” It’s not about being asked back, it’s about the phone calls; the notes; the later conversations that tell us we’ve been the blessing God sent us there to be.

There are evidences of this posted on a few of the pages that tell us what has transpired with the folk after we left but due to God sending us there.

I would suggest that you find the time to go visit those in the nursing and assisted living facilities. You might discover that YOU are the one blessed. Things are not always as they seem. Find out what reaction YOUR action causes. (An added note here, inaction can cause reactions as well.)

God bless those in these facilities and the staff who serve them.

‘Til next time, Maxine

FEAR! MAGIC? MIRACLES!!!

***FEAR: a painful feeling of the impending danger, evil or trouble; the feeling or condition of being afraid; in order to avoid or prevent. reverential awe, as of God; to have a reverential awe of.

***MAGIC: The pretended art of producing effects beyond the natural human power by supernatural agencies or through command of occult forces in nature.

***MIRACLE: An effect in the physical world which surpasses all known human or natural powers and is therefore ascribed to supernatural agency: a wonderful thing: a marvel.

I have been concerned a bit lately. I may even pose it to you as a question. Why is it that people fear God and the things of God, when He simply wants to love them and have them love Him in return; yet at the same time, they welcome with open arms the things of satan, when all he wants to do is destroy everything. We welcome in our home through the means of television, books, computers, games, etc., things that include witchcraft, demons, fortune tellers and all that go with it…then get upset because of the evil we see in our homes, towns, schools and yes even our churches. Let us dare not forget WE INVITED THEM…anytime we have bought them; rented them, we have invited them in and even pay for their continuance. Yet we leave our Bible sitting on the shelf, gathering dust. Some of us leave it at the church on our pew, lest we forget to bring it the next time we come. What are we gonna read when we are home; the likes of “harry potter” “chronicles of narnia” “the lion the witch and the wardrobe“? There are no such things as “good” witches or “good” demons. Some think it’s OK just because the “good” seems to win in the end. WRONG!!! Just as there are no big or little sins, there is no “good” and “bad” devils, witches or any of the like. Anything that teaches different from the Holy Word of God is bad. In God’s eyes all sins and evils are the same.

Isn’t it odd, we will pay money to go see a “magic” show, yet we will not give to the church for the furtherance of God’s work. Just in case you are wondering, didn’t God give them the ability to perform these “magic” feats; the answer would be “everything comes from God…in the beginning. (I believe these things are from the fallen angels who chose to leave God’s world for one of their own.) Yet if you have paid attention to scripture, when magicians were called in, they were limited in their ability; the man of God was unlimited….when Pharaoh’s magicians tried to duplicate what Moses did, they repeated SOME of his acts, but they could not do them all. With the interpretation of dreams for the kings and such of the old testament, the magicians and “seers” who were in the kings court, could not speak the interpretation and even the magicians told the king to call for the prophet of God. I recently read of a story in the Old Testament involving a king who had called for his magicians, seers, whatever you want to call them, before he went into battle to see if he would win. He didn’t want to call the prophet of God, his words were “but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. He didn’t want the truth, much as we don’t want it today. So, he didn’t want to hear what God had to say…Instead he went on with what the “false” prophets had to say…in fact the prophet of God told the king he would be killed…the king chose to go into battle “disguised” so they wouldn’t know him and hopefully he would spare his own life. Yet he sent in a “friend” in his place…knowing his friend could possibly be killed in his place…but God was faithful to Jehoshaphat, and the enemy saw that Jehoshaphat was not the king of Israel, and didn’t kill him but the king of Israel was killed.

(Story is 1Kings 22)

Isn’t it the same today, we want to know what the future is, yet when the man of God tells us, we don’t like what he has to say. Therefore, we will go where they say what we want to hear, and expect everything will work out alright.

We are led to believe, in order to deceive us into thinking they are harmless, that the “white witches/white magic” is good because they only cast “good” spells. Any time you “cast a spell” over someone, good or bad, it takes away their free will; a precious gift from God. In fact, “free will” is the #1 gift from God. It allows us to freely love Him rather than force us to love Him. God, Himself will not take our free will away, so anything that would, be it “good” or bad cannot be from God. The curses and the spells brought upon many by the “good” or bad evil is in direct conflict with what Jehovah God has planned for you. Yes, He could stop it. But that would take away His love gift of free will. Our most prized possession. You may think that salvation is the greatest gift, but without the ability to CHOOSE, it would be a forced thing. It would be one in which we didn’t freely accept. This is why I believe free will is a greater gift than salvation…salvation is free but it is a choice to take it or not. Even with this free will, it allowed Lucifer to choose to be opposite of God. God knew what he would do, but didn’t stop it because even the angels have free will.

I seem to have gotten off course here, let me see if I can find my way back.

We go to churches where there is a Holy atmosphere; people may shout, may lift their hands, may weep, may tremble. When we don’t understand, we fear it. But it seems to be only the “holy” things that we fear. Could that be a reflection on the condition of our own spirit? Those who belong to Jehovah God may, be a little “uneasy”, when things of the Holy Spirit are manifested, but not to the point of rejecting those who are USED by the Holy Spirit. We are told in the Bible to “try the spirits”; Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 1 John 4:1

What would the word “try” in this instance mean? Prove? experience it for your self? Check it out and see what the purpose is for it? When your spirit and heart are right with God, then you can look at what surrounds the things of the spirit, question in your heart what is happening, and you will KNOW beyond the shadow of a doubt which is true.

I must tell you that God isn’t in the business of working “magic”, HE PERFORMS MIRACLES. No one can accomplish or duplicate the miracles of God. When God works, you know it was God not some “magic” from the other side. This will be part of the deception the antichrist will expect us to fall for during the tribulation. This is how he will make us believe he is Christ. But be warned THIS DAY, during the tribulation, which is set about to separate the chaff from the wheat, the children of God from the children of Baal, it will not be the same. The secret of the emery is to “copy” the miracles of God from the Old Testament…but don’t fall for it. As the old saying goes, you catch more flies with honey than you do vinegar….and that’s the purpose of the “miracles/magic” of the antichrist….to catch you away.

This will be of utmost importance to all during the time of tribulation. Many false christs will appear, many will come deceiving the peoples of the earth. You must stand faithful; watch and see, try those who come in the name of Christ and see if the spirit within them is of Jehovah God. Deception comes in many ways….usually in the ways that would seem “natural”, “easy to understand” even “pleasant”. The old adage from the 60s and 70s, “If it feels good, do it” will not and does not apply. We look for it to “feel good” in the flesh. That is wrong. When your heart is pure toward God and it “feels good” in your heart and soul, then you will know it is right. God allows you free will yes, but when His spirit dwells in you, it is as though what you do is being guided by Him. If your heart is NOT pure toward the Father, then satan and his evil hordes will direct you. Your spirit knows the things of God and will follow after them…IF your flesh will submit to your spirit, not the other way around.

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28

We are taught to “fear” God. Yet at the same time, we are to “love” God. So many of us fear God to the point that we are “afraid” of Him. There is a difference in the words you know. Just as many words have several different meanings, so does the word “fear”. You can fear God due to an “awe” in knowing how powerful He is; how magnificent He is….or you can fear Him to the point you are afraid to breathe because you may not do it the way He would want you to. Charles was taught to fear God in the second way….”If you mess up, God’s gonna squash you like a bug”. I thought that was a northern teaching until I met those in the south who believed the same thing. They even used the story of Samson to back them up….saying God killed Samson, for his disobedience. PARDON ME??? God didn’t kill Samson. Samson was ashamed of what he had done and what they had done to him because of his weakness….he could be termed as the first “suicide bomber”. He knew what he was doing…and he asked God to give him his strength one last time so he could recompense for what had happened. God did not kill Samson. Charles later learned that God is a loving Father. AMEN!!!!!!!! He takes HIS children when they err, and lets them know they’ve messed up, and if they ask, He will forgive them, and He will put His arms around them and say, I love you. Notice I said HIS children. He forgives, but where the most of us get messed up is in thinking He takes away the consequences for the wrong….He doesn’t do that…He leaves that for the learning….if we had no scars from wounding, we wouldn’t know “not to do that again”. We would have no reminder that “that was wrong, I shouldn’t have done that; it hurt me and others the last time I did that.” That’s what consequences are for…that’s what scars are for.

When we study about the “fear of the Lord” we learn that it is wisdom, that it is clean. Psalm 33:8..The eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him… That doesn’t mean, “you’d better look out, God’s watching you”. It means that those who fear Him, He knows love Him and they are under His protection. Surely his salvation is nigh them that fear him; Psalm 85:9 No place are we told to be “afraid” of God, but to “fear” Him.

You have a fear of electricity….you know what power it has…..yet you are not afraid to turn on the light switch….it’s more what I choose to call “a healthy respect” for it. You know the hazards it carries, yet you know if you treat it right, the benefits far outweigh the bad thing that could happen; it’s not gonna hurt you if you use it in the right way, but try to cross some wires and see what happens. You know better…..I see that as similar fear we should have for the Father.

The sad thing about all of this is, when we have the wrong fear of our heavenly Father, we miss out on such tremendous blessings. Things we fear in this way, we tend to stay away from so we don’t get hurt. At least that’s what we think. Then when things turn out bad, who do we blame? We blame God when He was right there all the time saying, “Come to ME, don’t fall for the things of the enemy.” We want Him to protect us, to fix our mistakes. Why should He when we’ve traded Him so many times for things of the enemy and things He has told us is wrong all along. And we still expect Him to bring us home to Him in heaven. This is further reason why the “christian” must go through the tribulation. He knows, but He wants to make sure WE know, where our hearts are. Will they follow Him regardless, or will we succumb to the “magic” of the antichrist and the hordes of satan?

Just a note here of something I heard on TV the other day: “The art of ‘magic’ is deception.” We all know magic is pure deception, “slight of hand”, illusion. I for one don’t like being deceived. And we all know where deception comes from. It should create in us a fear of satan and his hordes, not the Father who brings us truth, evidenced by what we see and know beyond any doubt. Put your faith in miracles of God. Direct yours fear to the enemy and his deception. The miracles of God are pure and true, NOT the ‘magic’ of satan.

Isn’t it funny, we embrace lies and deception and reject and shun the truth?

***Definitions from the American Collegiate Dictionary

All Scripture is KJV

Maxine Branthoover 3/21/2008

TAKE A MOMENT!

Pause a moment to take a deep breath;

and…..Take a moment to look around you;

Take a moment to reflect on some one you love;

Take a moment to reflect on some one who loves you.

Take a moment in your mind to see

a special child;

a pretty flower;

a gentle embrace;

a silly moment;

a cute puppy;

a giggle.

Now take a moment from your busy day and

reflect on how much God truly loves you.

If you followed these simple instructions,

you have used a mere 12 moments or seconds

if you will of your busy day….

And yet you found the time to smile

and thank God for the blessing.

Have a great day and may God

bless each and every one!

© Charles E. Branthoover

SUPPLY AND DEMAND

OR

APPETIZERS BEFORE DINNER

There are times when God just flat out amazes me. I probably should say us. You have probably been following the “news and happenings” topic in which we have told you about the graciousness of the Garry Polston Family, by inviting us to share in their concert; and most recently how the Father had us sing at the Lewis and Lewis concert. We are getting to be known in these parts in ways most wouldn’t think of. The Father does things in ways that make you wonder. I remember when I was working in retail, people would come in asking for a particular product that was “brand new”; but hadn’t made it to the stores yet. It had been advertised for weeks, but hadn’t been put out there for purchase. When I questioned why this was, I was told that good “marketing” creates a demand for a product before they issue the supply. Somehow I feel this is the Father’s plan for us right now.

He had told us in prayer that “you will be singing very much very shortly”. No, He didn’t mean 2 songs at someone else’s concert. But He has chosen to, and I hate to use words like these but they do convey what I need to say, hand out “appetizers” before the meal; create a demand, before sending out the supply. A simple case, as it were, of supply and demand. We are still getting ready for the door to burst wide open, honing our skills by learning new songs, learning our way around the area, and meeting various peoples.

We have sang at several places since being in Glasgow, and even though it may seem like “small potatoes”, people are getting to know us, “create a demand”: they like what they hear by the sampling—”appetizers” through the graciousness of others.

This past Thursday we got a call from Edna Parrish: you’ve read about her and F.C. here recently, she was very excited. She says, “I got you someplace to sing!  GLORY!!!”  Giving us as much detail as she could, she put us in touch with the pastor of Campbellsville Church of the Nazarene. Edna had spoken to him about us being the special music for the Sunday morning service. They were having a special day of celebration. Seems the pastors wife was having a birthday on Monday, and the church was throwing her a party of sorts after the worship service.

Upon speaking with Pastor Cliff, we were to sing two songs…maybe more, he says “we’ll play it by ear.” He is taking the word of Edna and F.C. about our ability, and I’m sure he figured a couple songs wouldn’t be too bad. We took our sound system for the service and left early Sunday morning. Campbellsville is on Eastern Standard Time which is an hour ahead of us. We arrived, set up, did the sound check and the service began. We were called up to sing our two songs before the offertory, and during the offertory, the pastor came over and asked for another song. We ended up doing three total. He now says he’ll be calling us for a regular concert in the next 3-4 weeks. “Create a demand” then supply the need. It may sound a little facetious here but isn’t that similar to salvation…first we realize we have a need for it; that creates a demand; then the Father lovingly supplies the demand. WOW…I hadn’t even thought about that until just this very minute. WOW…

We had a wonderful time. On the way home we stopped into the radio station we mentioned a few weeks ago, WAIN in Columbia. Delmo has been playing our music and when we stopped in said, when we come to the area for our concert, stop by and he’d do an interview with us “live–on air”. Things are working out just as the Father planned and said they would. I love the fact that I can sit back and watch it all come to pass, knowing I trust Him to do what He said. I don’t need details, I just need to be that obedient child, expecting “DADDY” to take care of everything. At this point, I’m reminded of a verse of scripture in Job 36:11 “If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.” Many will ask, why aren’t you wealthy then, if you are as obedient as you say you are? I will tell you now, my treasures are laid up where thieves cannot break through and steal; where moth and rust cannot corrupt*. We have everything we need and most things we want. The reason I say “most things we want”, instead of EVERYTHING, is we want you to know the Father as we do. We and the Father are working toward that goal, but it is a free-will thing. No one, not even the Father, will force you to have the kind of relationship with Him that He so longs for. It has to be your choice, else it would have no meaning. When that is done, and we are all at home with Him, then and only then, will we have EVERYTHING we want. This gives us something to look forward to. THE BEST IS YET TO COME. Patience is truly a virtue. I believe that is why it is so hard to come by.

Look for us out there SOON!!!

If you would like “Flames of Love” for your church service, concert or function, as you can see, short notices are good. Just give us a call to work out the details. (270-678-9298)  God bless, Maxine.

*Matthew 6:19, 20 All scripture is KJV

BLESSINGS OF FRIENDS

Would you rather watch God bless someone else or bless you? Personally, I like to watch others get blessed, because that does bless me. I don’t know if I could separate the two. What’s even better, is when God blesses someone else through something I’ve said or done; knowing all the while that I am simply an instrument in His hands.

 I said all of that to relay some blessings to you. In these stories many were blessed and all through the simple act of obedience.

 You’ve read how we so enjoyed the “Garry Polston Family” a couple months back; and how Garry, being used by the Father to bless us, invited us up to sing during their concert at Taylor’s Chapel. How gracious of him to do so. Knowing Garry, we know he serves Jehovah God and listens to Him. All things are part of God’s plan, and this was no exception. I believe it is one of the ways God has chosen to make “Flames of Love” known in this region. How blessed we were to sing that night.

 During the course of our time here in Glasgow thus far, we came into contact with and became friends with a wonderfully delightful couple in their late 70’s: F.C. and Edna Parrish.

 We learned that F.C had been baritone singer for some great quartets. None as notable as the Cathedrals or Gold City, but some of you may remember “Skyline Quartet” or “New Direction”. F.C. is also a distant relative of Horrace Parrish of the Rebels Quartet.

 F.C. Came off the road about 10 years ago, thinking he would never sing to an audience again. During the course of these past 10 years, he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Many of you may remember Jake Hess’s battle with this disease, yet gracefully took the stage with the Homecoming Friends. Edna has had her own battles, dealing with cancer. But in 2008 she was made cancer free. With this bit of background information, I’ll tell you that music is what F.C. lives for. “He’d rather sing than eat” as Edna puts it.

 We learned that the “Garry Polston Family” was going to be near again and invited F.C. and Edna to go with us. It would be wonderful to see Garry and them again, especially since he’d had to undergo “knee replacement” surgery during the holiday season.

 Our friends were anxious to go. We hadn’t told Garry we were coming, this was to be a surprise to him. We figured we’d go and enjoy the concert.

 Upon arriving, we looked Garry up and he was pleased we were there. I told him I wanted to introduce him to our new friends, but before we got to do that, seems the pastor from Hogard’s Chapel had heard us sing at Taylor’s Chapel months before and asked Garry to have us sing. Good thing the Father has told us to ALWAYS be prepared. We don’t always know what He has in mind, but we must, and I believe we are, prepared for what comes.

 When Garry came over, he introduced himself to F.C. and Edna, telling them it was an honor to meet them. Then the concert began.

 A short while before their break, Garry did something tremendous…He formed an “impromptu” quartet; using three people from the audience: a tenor and a lead singer with whom he’d sang in years gone by, and then he calls F.C. up to sing baritone. (F.C. knew nothing about this, it was a total surprise to him) Keeping his own bass, David, he has his quartet. F.C. Had told us previously that since he’d left the road, he would get nervous, and wasn’t sure he could remember the words to the songs. But Garry pulled out a couple of songs that anyone would be hard pressed to forget… “What A Day That Will Be” and “Just A Little Talk with Jesus”. F.C. was truly blessed, and Edna was so proud watching her husband once again doing what he loved.

 Charles and I had been encouraging F.C. with his singing since day one, and the Father used Garry to show F.C. He ain’t done with him yet. What a wonderful time that was, and we were totally blessed. Charles sat back with tears in his eyes watching the blessing on our friends, not just F.C. and Edna, but Garry as well.

 I e-mailed Garry afterward, thanking him for blessing F.C. And just as I knew it would be, Garry was blessed, knowing he’d blessed someone else. Ain’t God good? See, it has a snowball effect.

 I know you’re wondering by now, and I’ll tell you, Yes, we did sing a couple songs after the break. This opened other doors for “Flames of Love”. Several people at the Hogard’s Chapel were also at Taylor’s Chapel. One gentleman put us in touch with a radio station and we are now waiting on the results of that.

 We were “future” blessed by being at Hogard’s Chapel; we learned of a concert in the area with “Lewis and Lewis”, people we have longed for over a year to see and meet. Even with these folk in concert, God opened yet another door. The gentleman who made the Lewis and Lewis announcement, after hearing us say we’d longed to see them, said he’d have us sing a couple at this venue should we come. Lewis and Lewis were at Fairview Baptist Church, just a week after the Hogard’s Chapel concert. Excitedly, we went to see the Lewis’ and were again blessed to sing a couple songs. We are now booked at the Fairview Baptist Church for January 31, 2010. Yes, that is a whole year away, but it was the first opening they had. It gives us a promising look into the future. Each place we have gone, folks have remembered us from another place and want to hear more.

 We thank the servants of God for being obedient to Him by serving others. It puts them in a category with Jesus, who became a servant; even showing this by washing the feet of the disciples. No job for God is small or meaningless. If you are a nursery worker; janitor; if you mow the lawn, open the doors for services, or simply answer the phone, your job is as important in God’s eyes as the pastor or music director. Some times it could be even more so. God sees no little “I’s” or big “you’s”. God sees the purity of heart with which you serve. 1Corinthians 10:31: Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. Colossians 3:17: And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Colossians 3:23: And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 2 Corinthians 8:5And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

 Know that God looks on the intent of the heart, not the works themselves.

 Ephesians 6:6  Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

Caught up until next time,

Blessings–Maxine