Author: Harvest of Faith Church
A Spirit led community following Jesus as Lord
Baja Kids
Some of the kids who come to play ,
Playground Sucess
hey,
yesterday, a Monday (usually I just loathe. me a Monday) but yesterday was really the bees knees, you guys.
Frank started out painting on the playground stuff as soon as the fog dried up and this day it drief early., about 7. No sooner than he was put there, kids started filing up the road.
Evidently, there was a miscommunication, because they were of the idea that the playground was open for business starting yesterday. They were so bummed out when he told them. , not yet.He explained that he was painted and going to using the skilsaw and it no place for them to be. There were about 20 of them of age 2 & up.
They were not to be deterred though and they all sat down behind the red tape that marks the do not enter boundary to watch the paint dry. By then I was down there with my paintbrush, too.
After an hour of working and being watched, neither of us could take it anymore.
Frank told the older ones they could help by spotting rocks and marking them with cal so he’d be able to see them in the weeds. (he still has to gather really big ones because the truck will only bring an assortment of mostly mediums) So he srmed Lucia, Pablo, and Javier with brushes and a small bucket of white wash. They took off in a flash looking for and slapping. white x’ s. on every big rock in a mile radius. The little kids on their own. started bringing every little rock they could carry which was hilarious because you can imagine how big of a rock a toddler can carry.
they wore themselves out and had to be fed. I wasn’t going to cook yesterday I wss going to paint but I ended up having Theo set up tables and I made a huge mess of pancakes and eggs. we figured they’d leave for sure after pancakes. Wrong. They sat down again to watch us paint.
At the same time about 12 , we couldnt handle their mopey faces sitting there. We looked at each other and said simultaneously, “What can it hurt if…” and we both busted out laughing. We agreed the merry go round was dry enough for a test run. We told them “one time.” and that they’d have to clean the dirt off after so I can take pics. It was like the day after thanksgiving at Macy’s my friends.
there was a stampede so bad that I split them into three groups and they got on. they didn’t know how it worked so Frank started them off in a good spin. It superceeded. my wildest imaginings. They laughed and laughed and. got dizzy and asked PLEASE ONE MORE TIME……
For them I guess it was like the teacup ride at Disneyland. It made my heart tight with joy to see them have so much fun and just on that one ride. Kids that I have never seen laugh were overjoyed. I had been a bit taken aback to pay $500 dollars to have the thing made but it was worth every penny.
The older kids that had the most fun, well they’ll be working and married next year. This was important for me to see them have fun……this was the WHY behind what had become a big project. …..Jesus was right in the midst of it.
After an hour of turns we had to stop them and go back to work. Lucia on her own got rags distributed and they wiped it down just like new. The lil guys fell aseep under the tree and some wandered on home but the bigger ones wanted to help. They stayed all day . Frank taught them how to use the drill. Boy were they proud of that. We literally had to run them off at 6pm……….
They’re back already though, so looks like we have “help” again.
That’s all for now……thank you to everyone who has contributed.
love sd
I took pics and am trying to send just a few later.
Miracles in Baja
Hey Everyone……………………
It seems that either thru my own ignorance of other interference most
everyone missed last weeks miracles. The original which I wrote on my
laptop has disappeared and it bums me out, because when I am truly writing
inspired things seem to come out so easily. Those of you who know me know
that I can only really write anything worth reading when I am in the
Presence. At times I pressure MYSELF to make things/whatever flows thru my
fingers to this keyboard ends up unreal and not really exact. d of story.
……………….I have to be in His Presence to write . End of story.
No other way. But when something so magnificent happens and I write it,
it is to encourage my brethren and I feel ripped off that it disappeared
into cyber-space. Usually , I’ll just sadly just let it go. But this was so
bizarre that I feel the need to attempt to re-create what I wrote on
Monday…which no-one received….I hope I can. Here I go.
Last Sunday, we had several of the indigenous men come here to the mission
and help with heavy work. Landscaping, planting , mixing cement and
generally banging on things, too. Forget sleeping till 5:30am, Pas. Frank
wanted to be ready so I set to making food for the coming workers.
Around 12ish, the men we never see but know their children started arriving
from their own regular jobs, and they set to mixing cement and planting
(they are best at planting it seems). So by about 2pm , the women folk,
wives upon wives started showing up. We had a 25lb hunk of frozen chicken
legs that I had marinated my way, but I turned it over to them. They, the
women and girls started gathering firewood and got a good fire
going.offering. Then put on the pollo and so very much lovely asparagus.
If we had bought the asparagus it would have cost at least $50 dollars, but
they are cutting the first fields so it was an offering. By 4pm serious
workers were laid out under the few trees we have , and on picnic tables
and just having a siesta. The women were laughing and admiring their
offspring. Had to of been maybe 60 people hanging around……
Out of nowhere I thought it was either a dying cat or a kitty wishing for
death. I looked down by the new playground under the miracle tree and
there was an old fellow banging on an instrument that looked like a mix
between a guitar and a banjo and a bizarre looking harp. (When he first
started playing it sounded like Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody……….I know I
sound totally nuts, okay…)but it did.It was something I’ve not been able
to find on Google. But this guy was banging away an banging fiercely on
this odd instrument.
Honestly, at first I was just overcome with laughter. (I know it sounds
irreverent) But hey, the noise was wild. But suddenly I felt a burning
need to SING in the Spirit. An d I did. The women looked and laughed
shyly, the men seemed cool with it. The many kids , well they thought it
was better than the tortilla. They were watching me and this old guy (at
least like 70?) just in the Presence. Within a few minutes I guess, I do
not really know, I started gathering the kids and whichever mamas that
wanted to follow. I had them rounded up and started praying for each one,
and I was praying for the Infilling, because I knew who had recognized
Yeshua as King.
Within say 30 minutes I’d touched their throats and sang (accompanied by
this great instrument man) for all of the kids. Now about 16 children
were singing in tongues. Some mothers, too.
Realize this was OUTSIDE at the mission, people wandered about eating
chicken legs and getting ministry. The neighbors saw and heard it all.
By about 6pm, as twilight set and people began to go their ways, I asked
Theo who the guitar man was. She responded that she had assumed he was our
“Tio”, (which to Mixtecs,means any man who is not your father or
husband….. In Spanish it means “Uncle”). I told her he waS NOT my Tio)
she said it wasn’t hers either. I lit out after the old guy. WHO WAS HE? I
was thinking “dang we can use him every week for worship. But as I ran
from dish duty under the Pila(cistern) asking, “Hey where’s that guy??”
People looked at me like , “What guy?” Your Tio?” I’m like NO YOUR TIO!.
In the end he was never found. The people who got filled with the Holy
Ghost recall him, those who just came to eat do not. In all I think I had
16 total either saved, or filled. They all recall him. But even tonite, he
is fading from my memory. I can’t really tell you what he looked like, how
tall or short he was. I just know he was here. It was one of the most
awesome times in Yahweh’s Presence i have ever experienced. I was pain free
from my torturous bladder for a whole day. PAIN FREE. Had a bit of a a holy
Ghost hangover, but not suicidal pain. I find that only being in the
Presence His anointing is when I am free.
All week we’ve had those kids a lot of new ones returning to watch the
work and listen to stories we tell;some about Noah, some about the Son and
the Father and their Spirit.
I keep looking out for that old guy. But he hasn’t come back. BUT HE WAS
HERE..
It was the best afternoon I have had in a long time. IT IS MOSTLY
INEXPLICABLE. I know if you only believe what you can see and touch you
won’t get it But I pray that whoever reads this WILL understand the
necessity of putting yourself in Yahweh’s Presence.
As you gather with the Ekleesia tomorrow or as you gather with your mate
or child at home, seek Him. He desires to be found.
The account I have now written is not close to the inspired Word I wrote
and lost, but you get the gist……………..
Love each other, in deed and word and appreciate the Presence, We love you
all so much in Christ,
Sis, Detra
Baja Report Sept 20 2014
Had no internet yesterday. The storms down in Los Cabos (#1 Odile and
now #2 Polo) are messing up my internet connection thru the Hughes
/Starband system I have.
It’s a mess down there. I mean a true cluster-mug. So far they have
evacuated 18,000
tourists/foreigners……the Army is in charge and they have such
antiquated equipment it is not even believable. Cell towers are down
all over and no-one can call relatives to verify they are okay or
where they are. The refugees are being transported in troop carriers
on that long long 2 lane highway 1, so u can imagine. Hotels have
been commandeered in TJ , Rosarito and even some here in Ensenada.
I feel bad for the folks but it still concerns me that people don’t
really understand that Mexico is really not all that advanced and they
don’t seem to get why they cant just pick up a phone or email somebody
and they get all worked out, which gets the Mexicans all worked out
and well it does no good. I am just praying that people have patience
and get home safe. I am growing weary of hearing idgits on the telly,
in high-pitched voices with bad comb overs (which after 5 day trips in
troop carriers on Highway 1 look more like a porcupine than a comb
over and I am not sure which is worst.) But I am tired seeing them
filmed by news crews in those tinny fear laden voices how “they damn
well wont be treated like THIS! Why the Australian Consulate will have
someone’s hide.”
In my experience threatening to call one’s Consulate (as if it is
their own mercenary group at beck and call 24/7) these threats really
piss Mexican authorities, especially the sort who carry guns,totally
off. Best just let it roll off your back like a duck or whatever rolls
off a duck . I forget.
So, Clinic went great. Dulce was out of town for like two weeks , so
I had another Doctora. come in. Her name is Delilah Kennedy Garcia
(and yes she is a Mexican) .
She is in her 50’s, not a
Christian (yet) and referred by Dr. Vasquez. It worked out well,
although it’ll be better when Dulce returns because the people really
have a relationship with her.
We had 10 patients. Two newborn (5 day old both) exams. Both were born
in a nearby camp, one I don’t think I’ve taken you to.it is down in
the riverbed and pretty big. 50 or so families. We’ve been reaching
out to them with food. and were blessed to give away 6 solar power
mp-3 New Testaments that we were given by a Wycliff Translation couple
who has been down in Guerrerro for 40 or so years. The mp-3’s are
neat because they require no batteries, and they can reach people in
their own dialect and no reading is required. They are also sturdy
little things that seem to resist water. I saw one lady listening to
hers as she washed clothes on her washboard yesterday. Water was
being flung willy-nilly and the guy just kept on doing his best “Paul the Apostle” which I must say, was pretty good. I need to procure some
more of
these little jewels.
Back to Clinic…………we had those two new babies in great shape,
we had 5 ear infections a PID in a younger girl (13) and one child
that just comes every time , like clock work, for vitamins. He is only 5, but
quite consumed with those chewables, not those new fangled
gummi-vites either, he prefers the
old Flintstone kind. The ones that taste like a sugary dirt substance
and leave your chopppers orange, purple or green with no apparent
correlation to whatever the color was of the little figure that you
ingested. (I am not big on vitamins for myself but part of the job as
pharmacy director requires that I actually must consume at least one
of each thing prescribed to each patient, just so I can be POSITIVE
they “get it.” (I learned this the first time I ever gave out a bottle
of ear drops that the mama put in the childs mouth instead. She kept
coming back saying “It isn’t working. It isn’t working.” I finally
figured it out and there was born a new procedure. I guess there is in
fact a reason for every little annoying thing we must learn in
elementary school afterall.
Back to VIta-muchacho (as I call the vitamin boy) I have to
practically scare the beejeezis out of him to make sure he
doesn’t just eat them like candy as soon as he is out of my sight.
He’s cute as a button and healthy as a horse, but has a sneaky-gene.
Whenever we have leftover tortillas after mealtime, he’ll get me by
myself and ask me for exactly 8 of them .’ OCHO, Hermana. GRACIAS
HERMANA!GRACIAS YAHWEH!” (ALL RUN TOGETHER LIKE ONE BIG WORD.) Then if I don”t give him a bag fast enough, he’ll roll em up and place them in
a back pocket and off down the hill he goes, dragging a milk crate on
wheels with 5 2 liter plastic bottles of water and his little sister
who hangs on for dear life (she’s about 18 months and he watches her
everyday) anyway she hangs on tight because he likes to push the milk
crate down the hill and let go and it goes pretty quick for an 18
month old. Not to mention it at times fails to make that sharp turn at
the bottom and upends everything requiring him another gruelling trip
back up the hill for band aids (he likes those too, the more the
better.)
I’ll try to video it. It is really like something out of a
Peanuts cartoon, the brother with that Pig-pen aura and the baby
girls crooked and tangled pigtails flying out behind her. (I keep
expecting Snoopy too sweep down in his bi-plane and pluck her up but
it hasn’t happened thus far. And I probably never will video it. It’s
one of those things you would have to set yourself up in the brush,
pestered by scorpions and snakes for hours only to find out he isn’t
coming that day. So maybe best just imagine it. It would probably be
more entertaining for you that way. Bosh that, “I picture paints a
thousand words, I’ve learned what you can imagine paints a jillion
things that probably did not even happen.
Jose has a great new job now, praise God. They have a black and white
tv, too. WE miss his help but he needs to support his family and I
think Theo is on baby # four , not SURE, but time will tell.
The playground is almost ready for me to send pictures. We have the
welder making the last two toys, a merry-go-round and two big teeter
totters. Things are being delivered and the kids just think we can’t
move fast enough. The big metal stand for clubhouse One is in the
front yard and has been for a while. When delivered it came wrapped in
plastic, well, somehow someone took it off. So yesterday evening I see
Ivan, age 7, but tiny and
Pablito same age but bigger. They have absconded from downstairs my
huge roll of saran wrap and in 35 mile an hour hot sandy winds are
trying to wrap the stand back up. At first I was ticked off because
they had my saran wrap (of which I consume a lot of) and where
attempting to rewrap this 12 foot metal stand . It was hilarious. I
didn’t let on that I was watching but just left them to their
methods.Now , see I have a fairly good idea of who unwrapped it in the
first place. Anyway, they went round and round that things with a
COSCO sized box of Saran Wrap and by twilight Pablito had enrolled
some help from his little friends and I HAD to go down their because
all they succeeded in doing was wrapping up Ivan in quite a think
layer of plastic. NONE was stuck to the stand. I acted all mad, and
tried to simultaneously wave a broom around in a menacing manner
while tears of laughter oozed out of me– and put them on rock
gathering duty today.
Thankfully for them, it only took two hours of brutal rock-searching
for the wheelbarrow tire to pop and they got off easy for now
anyway. Till Frank gets back today anyway. Wheelbarrow tires are super
expensivo down here and also pretty sturdy and also pretty
necessary right about now.
I’m sure they’ll get the moral of some story when Frank arrives,
although they’ve been rather scarce since they turned in their busted
barrow and about 8 medium sized rocks,
What else? What else? Oh,tomorrow about 5 of the men who work just
till noon on Sundays are coming to help with landscaping the
playground perimeter. I am shocked and amazed by this. It will also
leave room for a message and prayer.
Carlos (guy with broken leg) is doing nicely. He’s coming to spend
the night tonight. He is returning to his home,, he still can’t work
and so has no place to live. He has to be at the bus depot at 5:15am
and Frank is taking him. Sad to see him go, but glad he got some of
the Eternal Seed really implanted in him. I’ve held back one mp-3 New
Testament as a going away gift and Theo will make him food for the
3 day trip (at least) home.
For now, I’d better go. I am amazed the internet has stayed working
this long because the winds are whipping up dust devils and one of
my wicker chairs just got whisked off of the
porch……………………..
Love and Blessings to all,
Sis Detra
The Blood Covenant
THE BLOOD COVENANT
I n ancient times the blood covenant was common among
almost all of the people of the middle east. It was a way of
establishing a binding contract between two men. What we call the
Old and New Testaments could easily be called the Old and New
Covenants. The typical blood covenant contained nine parts, or steps.
These steps are as follows,
1) The two people exchange coats or robes. To a Hebrew, the
coat or robe represented the person himself; so when he offered the
other person his robe, he was offering himself; even his very life itself.
2) They take off their belt and offer it to the other person. The
belt, also called the girdle, was used to hold your sward, your knife,
and other fighting instruments. In this way you were saying to the
other person that you were offering him your protection. If someone
attacks you, they also have me to deal with. Your battles are my
battles.
3)”CUT THE COVENANT”. In this part, an animal is killed
and cut down the middle and the two halves are laid opposite each
other. The two parties to the covenant pass between the two halves
of the animal and are saying, “May God do so to me and more if I
break this covenant. This is a blood covenant, and can not be broken.
4) Raise the right arm and cut the palm of the hand and clasp
each other’s hand and mingle your blood. This is saying to the other
person, “We are becoming one with each other. To intermingle the
blood is to intermingle the very life of both people.
5) Exchange names. Each one takes part of the others name and
incorporates it into their own.
6) Make a scar or some identifying mark. The scar was the
outward evidence of the covenant that others could see and know
that the covenant was made. Some times they would rub the cut in
the hand to make the scar, then anyone who wanted to fight you
would know that he not only had to fight you but another as well.
7) Give terms of the covenant. Both parties to the covenant
stand before a witness and list all of their assets and liabilities, because
each one takes all of these upon the himself. You are saying, “Every
thing I have is yours and everything you have is mine. If something
happens to you, your covenant partner will see to it that your wife
and children are taken care of.
8) Eat the memorial meal. A loaf of bread is broken in half. Each feeds his half to the other saying, “This is my body, and I am now
giving it to you.” Then they take wine as a symbol of his blood and
says, “This is my blood which is now your blood.”
9) Plant a memorial tree. The two then plant a tree as a
memorial to the covenant and sprinkle it with the blood of the animal
that was killed for the covenant offering.
These nine steps do not have to take place in the same order
that they are listed here. There are a lot of covenants listed in the
Bible and there is not great detail about them because everyone is
familiar with the procedure and the writer assumes that we know
what was done.
In our Bible we have the old and new testament,(or covenant).
The old covenant was made with Abram and we have a record of it in
the Bible. We can look in on it starting in the fifteenth chapter of
Genesis. In verse one we read; “After these things the word of the
Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, `Do not fear, Abram, I
am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great.’.” Here we
see God offering His robe and belt to Abram. He offers to be his shield
and His rewards. He cuts the covenant in Genesis 15:7-21 “And He
said to him, `I am the Lord who brought you out of Ur of the
Caldeans, to give you this land to possess it.’ So He said to him,
`Bring Me a three year old heifer, and a three year old male
goat, and a three year old ram, and a turtle dove, and a young
pigeon.’ Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two,
and laid each half opposite the other; but he did not cut the
birds. And the birds of prey came down upon the carcasses,
and Abram drove them away. Now when the sun was going
down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, terror and
great darkness fell upon him.” And God said to Abram, `Know
for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land
that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed
four hundred years. But I will also judge the nation whom they
will serve; and afterward they will come out with many
possessions. And as for you, you shall go to your fathers in
piece; you shall be buried at a good old age. Then in the fourth
generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the
Amorite is not yet complete.’ And it came about when the sun
had set, that it was very dark, and behold, there appeared a
smoking oven and a flaming torch which passed between
these pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with
Abram, saying, `To your descendants I have given this land,
from the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river
Euphrates; the Kenite and the Kenizzite and the Kadmonite
and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Rephaim and the
Amorite and the Canaanite and the Girgashite and the
Jebusite.’.” Here God is giving the terms of the covenant to Abram.
But who are the ones passing between the pieces while Abram is in
the deep sleep? I submit to you that it is the pre-incarnate Christ. In
the Revelation 1:14-15 we see a description of Christ as
follows, “And His head and His hair were white like wool, like
snow, and His eyes were like a flame of fire; and His feet were
like burnished bronze, when it has been caused to glow in a
furnace, and His voice was like the sound of many waters,”
Here we see Christ, a descendant of Abram, standing in for Abram in
the covenant procession. In Genesis 17:4-5+15 we see the exchange of
names as follows, “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you,
and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No
longer shall your name be called Abram, But your name shall
be Abraham; for I will make you the father of a multitude of
nations….Then God said to Abraham, as for Sarai your wife,
you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name.”
In Hebrew, God was called YHWH. Here we see Him taking part of His
name and combining it with that of Abram and Sarai. From that time
on God was known as, “The God of Abraham”. Next we see the
making of a scar or symbol of the covenant. In Genesis 17:10-12 we
see, “This is My covenant, which you shall keep, between Me
and you and your descendants after you; every male among
you shall be circumcised. And you shall be circumcised in the
flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be the sign of the covenant
between Me and you. And every male among you who is eight
days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations, a
servant who is born in the house or who is bought with
money from any foreigner, who is not of your descendants.”
The scar of circumcision bears witness of the covenant. Abraham was
tested when God told him to sacrifice his only son Isaac on a small
mountain called mount Mariah near the town of Salem. Abraham
passed the test. Two thousand years ago, the other party to the
covenant was to sacrifice His only Son. The names had been changed
by then; Salem was then called Jerusalem, and Mariah had been
changed to Calvery, but the places were the same.
The new covenant took place in the same area of the world and
contained some of the same players. God was there, of course, and
Jesus; now incarnate, and the descendants of Abraham. This time
Jesus was not only the representative of Abraham’s descendants but
He was also the offering; the Lamb that was slain. This time it was
God’s only Son and not Abraham’s. Let us see how the new covenant
was completed in Christ.
1) EXCHANGE COATS OR ROBES. We come to this covenant
clothed in sin and unrighteousness. He comes clothed in holiness and
righteousness. We put on His righteousness. IICorinthians 5:21, “He
made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we
might become the righteousness of God in Him.” He takes our
sins upon Him and we take His holiness for ours. What an exchange!
2)TAKE OFF BELT: He protects us and provides us with
protection. Luke 10:19, “Behold, I have given you authority to
tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of
the enemy, and nothing shall injure you.” Ephesians 6:13-17
“Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be
able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to
stand firm. Stand firm therefore, having girded your loins with
truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and
having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of
peace; in addition to all, take up the shield of faith with which
you will be able to extinguish all the flaming missiles of the
evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sward of
the Spirit, which is the word of God.”
3)CUT THE COVENANT: Hebrews 10:14-18, “For by one
offering He has perfected for all time those who are
sanctified. And the Holy Spirit also bears witness to us; for
after saying, `This is the covenant that I will make with them
after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws upon their
heart, and upon their mind I will write them, And their sins
and their lawless deeds I will remember no more. Now where
there is forgiveness for these things, there is no longer any
offering for sin.” Jesus was not only the one making the covenant,
but he was also the sacrificial lamb.
4)RAISE RIGHT ARM & MIX BLOOD: Jesus was both man and
God. He was holy and also human. As we have the shed blood of
Jesus Christ applied to our hearts, His blood cleanses us from all sin
and we are also made holy. Our lives are forever intermingled with His. 5) EXCHANGE NAMES: Jesus took on the name, “Son of Man”
and we take on the name Christian. We are forever in the family of
God.
6) MAKE A SCAR: Jesus has the scars of the nails in His hands
and the feet and the spear in His side. We have the circumcision of the
heart. Romans 2:29, “But he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and
circumcision is that which is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by
the letter; and his praise is not from men, but from God.”
7) GIVE THE COVENANT TERMS: Jesus gives the terms of the
covenant in the whole Bible. It is our responsibility to know it so that
we can live by it.
8) EAT MEMORIAL MEAL: I Corinthians 11: 23-26, “For I
received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you, that
the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took
bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said,
`This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of
Me.’ In the same way He took the cup also, after supper,
saying, `This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as
often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.’ For as often as
you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.”
9) PLANT A MEMORIAL TREE: The cross that Jesus died on was
the tree that the blood of the sacrifice was sprinkled on and it still is a
memorial of His covenant with us to this day.
This is our covenant with the God of the universe. He will live up
to His end and He expects us to live up to ours.
Paul Ziegler
Victory in Baja
We had a good Meeting today. (Friday) . We have been bringing in a few new people from a work camp in Maneadero. They met us thru the Clinics that we have This one man heard about free medical care from some relative who lives over here in the local Cuarteria.
> >> The poor guy had broken his leg when he fell somehow attempting to cross the US border. It happened days prior to finally getting to the Clinic…..he had been gimping along in unimaginable pain until he showed up at the last clinic.
> He didn’t know his leg was broken….. just knew it hurt really bad and he had no money.
> The *coyotes* stole what money he had (plus obviously kept the $4000 his family was extorted up front) and left him for dead in the desert. So, he and his family are having a very hard time. They were so happy to get the beans, rice and other foods we give out. He was so hungry he was eating raw oatmeal as we passed out food. I’ve seen quite a few people adults and children alike, do this over the years, but it is always unsettling.
> They were so broken by the whole experience which had engulfed them, that their hearts were totally open and receptive to the Word. FRANK had laid hands on him at the last Clinic, but today he heard the Gospel of Resurection and got saved along with his 12 year old son. My belief honestly, is that had we just preached salvation and.not focused on Resurrection, this man would not have responded. For I see now, that his concern; at that moment was; his age and the condition of his body and what, if anything, ( besides chubby little Raphael-esque Cherubim angels floating lazily on a sea of puffy clouds, some playing instruments in the nude) which to people who are actively suffering and reaping abuse) seems superfluous and even possibly painful…. No, this man was wondering what for him, lay beyond.
> This boy , Carlos’s son, had actually gotten placed in a different group than his dad, (it is common practice with coyotes to know in advance that they are going to place certain people in a ‘bait group ‘or a ‘diversion group’ and usually they use the older people or weaker individuals for this purpose. ) Carlos is a very old version of 65 and thus an easy target for mistreatment by hid fellow man.
> The sad part is that even knowing this is a very real possibility, ( being used and abused) people will continue to pay coyotes and try, time and time again, to cross illegally ….nevermind horrifically daunting obstacles, because the allure of the American Dream is so strong.
>
> >> So , his son, a 12 year old boy, DID make it across ; all the way in to the USA, to the rondevoux point in L.A.. . Upon finding that his father did not succeed, he panicked , THANKFULLY escaped his ‘guides’, and returned to distant relatives in Maneadero, where, as the Lord would have it, he was was reunited with his father eventually.
> >> So, all of this, plus the broken and now infected leg had put them in a place of such humility,such a state that their hearts were opened to the idea that “some god” (Carlos’s words) was at work….FRANK explained it was the Great I AM.
> >> For a guy who has been through such a bitter experience, Carlos holds absolutely no bitterness against anyone! (and this humble acceptance of failure I find as a common denominator smong the Indians here )
> The Lord told him, thru Frank, that this attitude of humility,(not acceptance), is going to cause a huge blessing to come upon his entire family in addition to being healed. It was magnificent to see and hear. Yahweh is great. I was so amazed to find Carlos touched that we, being strangers expecting no return would GIVE him food and care…..it was so heartbreaking to be appreciated so much….I dont know if I can get across how happy and at the same turn broken, i felt, being in the presence of this man’s gratitude….its has had me weeping on and off all day.
> >> And not that God caused any of these bad things to happen to the man, for He did not, but it was a great showing of the Lord working all these things together for the Good, you know?
> I mean he COULD have died alone in the desert. He COULD have been separated from his son forever, and likewise his son could of fallen into yhe hands of every type of evil awaiying the innocent in Los Angeles, alone. The coyotes could have killed the son to make an example of what happens when families don’t or can’t pay the extravagant fees that they charge. Apny number of horrible alter- endings could have come to pass……
> But even as horrifying as the situation was, Yahweh was mercifully working every circumstance together for His Good. And ours. He remains Ever Faithful, Ever Loving, no matter how grave our circumstances appear, He will work it all out for our good, At times we just need to rest in Him and allow that.
>
> love and blessings, sis dee
>
> coyotes-
> ** people who make their livelihood charging huge sumd of cash to guide other individuals across the Mexico/ USA Border. Their services are wildly illegal and their motivation is greed. They are unequivocally dangerous and not to be trifled with & are usually affiliated with drug cartels.
>
Your Purpose, The Process, His Promise
Kent Simpson: Your Purpose, The Process, His Promise
Your Purpose and New Identity
When our Father’s abiding Word is working within you, you have found your purpose for your life, and this purpose becomes your identity. Too many Believers today do not know where they fit in the Kingdom of God. One of the very first acts of every Christian should be to find out what God’s purpose for them is in this life. Before we can begin to please God with our works we must first find out what His purpose is for us.
If we are not of this world then we should not be so concerned about where we fit in it. This short time we have on earth is a time of testing to see if we are loyal subjects who will serve our Father or serve the ruler of this world, the prince of darkness (see Ephesians 2:2). This life is training us to be prepared to endure the lengthy boot camp God has called us into.
Our Father has a three-part purpose for giving each and every one of us a prophetic word. It gives us direction on what we are called to do for His people. The word gives purpose by revealing to us how we are to go about fulfilling the work He has placed before us. He has a purpose for imparting into us a spiritual gift from the Holy Spirit so that we will be equipped to demonstrate His power, letting all know that we are His anointed ones for the job He has purposed us to do.
When most of us begin to think about what we could possibly do for the Kingdom of God we are limited in our thoughts to just a few duties found within the local congregation. You might consider being a pastor, a or praise and worship leader, a sound and technical person, a Sunday school teacher or one of the other smaller positions.
We cannot limit God and keep Him locked in the box of the Church’s making. Our Father is much more radical than what most people may think, so do not be surprised if His word to you sounds a bit unacceptable to the religious mindset today. (Photo via enwikipedia)
One of the most quoted verses of Scripture that most of us have either heard or have been falsely corrected by is found in Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
If you read this verse a couple of times you might see that there is a condition within this verse that is very important. It seems that every time things do not work out for one of our brothers or sisters we quote this verse as to say, “It’s okay. You love God, however, you are going to make mistakes or bad things are going to happen to you that’s just the way it is.”
Well, I have found that the part that makes all the difference is found in the last few words of this verse, “…called according to His purpose.” Now if you read this verse as it is written, then you will see that it is saying that: if you are in God’s purpose and do all things according to His word (your calling, commission and gifting) good things will come to you and the evil one cannot touch you.
Most people think that if they are doing good things for people then they are fulfilling God’s purpose, but that is simply not so. I counsel people almost every day. Many of them are doing good things in the sight of the religious bunch to impress one another and hopefully God too. But their good deeds can be dead works in the eyes of God leaving them an open target for satan to mess up their lives.
Now, if they are doing what our Father has commissioned them to do then the devil cannot touch them, “…he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him” (1 John 5:18b). Or do you believe that God has no power over the devil? Let’s get real here. God created ALL things and this includes satan who has a purpose, too; remember that “he comes to steal, kill and destroy” (John 10:10).
What is your purpose and what are you called, commissioned and equipped to do for our Master and Lord Jesus Christ and His Church?
The Process, Baptism of Fire
There is a process that everyone must go through before they can receive their promise. No one likes the process and some fail the test by doubting God and His word. That is why the verse says, “For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). Not everyone is able to hold on to His word through all the obstacle courses this boot camp has laid out to test their faith. To be in God’s Army you have to be fit to endure it all until you finally come to the place where all the pain and suffering just does not matter anymore.
Many make grand commitments to the Holy Spirit while standing in the midst of His Shekinah glory. It is easy to serve God when you feel as though Jesus has His hand on your shoulder. (Photo by Jennifer Page In His Presence via elijahshopper.com)
The real test comes when you are standing alone toe-to-toe with the devil and he is doing his best to get you to believe satan rather than God and beating you down with doubt and disbelief.
Remember these words when you are being tested in this manner: “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (John 4:4). Don’t doubt in darkness what you have committed to in the light. “Who among you fears the Lord? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord and rely upon his God” (Isaiah 50:10).
Everything will be all right, for when you have passed through the process you will reap what has been promised to you.
“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” Matthew 3:11b
Before David was placed upon the throne, he received a word from Prophet Samuel that he would, in fact, someday become the king (ref. 1 Samuel 16:1-13). Twenty years later that word came to pass because David kept that word in his fore thoughts; and every time he was challenged by whatever obstacles were thrown into his path he was reminded of his purpose.
During the process, David’s prophetic word was put to the test. He was challenged many times when he faced the lion in the woods. David could have died. His prophecy would not have come to pass except he was reminded of God’s word and promise. He could not die. He had power over the lion, because his word had not yet come to pass.
When David faced the bear, it was the same situation, but this time his faith was stronger because he survived the lion. When David took the five small stones to challenge the giant it was nothing, because his faith had already grown to the point where he knew the giant could not touch him. David was believing in the word of God and fulfilling the purpose in his life. (Photo via wikimedia)
Accountability for Leadership
“My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment.” James 3:1
There is greater accountability for those who are in leadership, because they are accountable to God Almighty for what they tell others to do. They are accountable for your soul. This is not a picnic or a party. The Church is not another club to join. It is becoming an entity issuing fatigues and bars and stripes. It is calling out those who will fight in this spiritual war.
Remember, what you do in this life will determine your rank and position for eternity. How you lead others in this life will determine where you are placed in His chain of command. Don’t let the devil give you an image of Heaven with you wearing a white gown sitting on a cloud strumming a harp. That is not the Kingdom of Heaven!
Those who have gone to the other side, those who died and returned, have said it is just like earth but much, much better. Sometimes we take this life far too seriously. In all reality we are too comfortable. When we begin to worship this life greater than the one to come, then our life becomes difficult to find peace or hear the Prince of Peace.
When you are called out by God and His word abides in you, you have chosen to come in agreement with His word. You have saluted and marched toward the call of God, and you cannot afford to look back. A person is not fit for the Kingdom of God if they put their hands to the plow and then look back.
“But Jesus said to him, ‘No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.'” Luke 9:62
Don’t look to the past and lament about how things used to be. We do not serve a God of the past. He is a God of today. He is not a God who died, gave us a book, and put us in charge. God is ruling and reigning from Heaven now. (Photo via wikimedia)
Every situation and every occurrence in your life has a meaning from Heaven above. In everything that happens in your life, there is a cause and effect. When unexpected things happen to you and you do not know why, you need to seek God and find out. You have a right to know and you can find out because Jesus is alive and speaking to everyone who will follow the sound of His voice.
His Promises Will Come to Pass IF…
The promises of God are very personal and are directly connected to you doing whatever He asks you to do. The more you do for Him the more He will do for you. It is like any relationship: you must be willing to give of yourself even at the most difficult of times. The devil will try and make you believe God just wants to take your life and make you a slave. Not so.
In fact, you will find that after you have served Him awhile and proved to Him you are loyal to do whatever He asks of you, He will trust you with more and more of His power, people and resources. It is a great thing when you have finally come to the place where God starts calling you His friend. To be a friend of God is to operate in a higher covenant with Him, and you find yourself in a relationship that is full of His promises.
Over the years, I have witnessed people trying all kinds of weird methods in an attempt to force the promises written in the Bible to come to pass for their needs. I have heard many preachers saying that we can have whatever we ask just by claiming it in the name of Jesus. The Bible is not like Aladdin’s lamp. We cannot just rub it three times chanting a few verses and receive whatever you are wishing for.
To have a true friend takes a lot of effort and years of bonding. With each battle you find yourself in; you know your Friend is always right behind you backing you up. You have to want to go the distance with Jesus in order to build this type of relationship. He desires us all to be His friend; that is what He created us for. Begin building your relationship with Jesus today by asking what you can do for Him; rather than telling Him what YOU want. This is the KEY that unlocks the door to the abundant life He promised you and me.
“Then He said to them, ‘Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.'” Mark 4:24
Kent Simpson, Prophetic Pastor
Prophetic Ministries Today
They Way the Mission Field Realy Is
Haven’t written because of craziness here . Frank had put me on bed rest yesterday morning. …… my mission: to nestle myself in the Word, get up for nothing, receive my healing, and cease this huge loss of blood.
But there was a slight interruption. Like when the satellite gets hinky due to wind or rain …..”your signal has been interrupted, try again later.” Its been a rather crazy two days.
We have had two visits. One from the nurse in Utah and she brought a big big group of people from a Long Beach church with her. They were really touched by the daily goings on here. They came to *help* feed. It was weird I didnt tell anybody they were coming and we’ve been having like 27 kids per meal but that day 60 people showed for lunch. The group was awed by the way the Lord extended the food as was I. Then the visitors set about helping clean up and having fun meeting our kids AND PLAYING with them……..
It was good for them to see how the people just come walking up the hill because they WANT to …..they said they have not been exposed to any ministry where the pastors were neighbors to the people they minister to. One girl felt like she *was in another world far from the USA* , most of them had come prepared to speak Spanish and were really shocked when they found out that our people didn’t speak it. That was funny and a bit humbling for them I think .
All in all it was good to make contact with new people. Theodoras faith was built when she asked Frank’s permission to offer her handmade jewelry for sale and the Americans bought all of it. Although i did have to step in and set prices. She was too shy and when i said , *give her whatever the Lord lays on your heart…* there was an immediate problem – i should have known better! They were offering her way too little for beadwork. Truly, for a split second i felt embarrassed to be white- come on, 3 quarters for a bracelet that an idjit could tell took 3 hours to make?? I could understand if they were paying in Mexican money , the conversion rate can be confusing. But this was just being cheap. Some people backed out when I said 2 bucks for the bracelets and 5 for the necklaces. …..but praise Jesus she ended up selling all of her goods. She told me afterwards , that she had been praying for money for her sons backpack and school supplies & having this happen really bumped up her Faith. Its fun to witness new believers being blessed so in a form so tangible. Anyway out of the rabbit hole and back to the path……….
They stayed several hours until all of the kids trickled home. I was peopled out.
So imagine my surprise when while snuggling into my nest with some cold coco water my old amplified Friend and a desire to get that healing i hear a commotion. I arose from the bed to see what was the matter and what did i see to my irritation but four 14 passenger vans full of easily identified bright eyed and bushy tailed short term missionary types. When the dust settled, without further adieu these hipster surfy looking young church people start to debark. They p appear to have suffered some type of *pre-mission-religious- briefing* because they immediately huddle up in a circle and speak to their higher power. This is the middle of our daily meal and the kids that are eating outside (big crowd again today) start to tslk amongst themselves excitedly. I start putting on my shoes, thinking they are lost but don’t know it. I think they were supposed to go somewhere else (koreans enter my mind) but hey they are now in our yard nowpq and walking up the stone stairs. Alls fair in love and short term missionary relations. They were from Santa Barbara. Anyway, they showed up, as I said as we were finishing feeding, things were wrapping up here… the women heading out to gather wood for the evenings fire and the kids needing to tote their water home……..but some of the children stayed and the visitors blessed the kids with some balls and games to play and that was really nice and appreciated…..but the kids were tired from the day before and generally went home pretty quickly. One funny thing happened immediately….lemme set the stage: first there is a Trique fellow about 21 years old who recently sold his sister (in a good way you know the traditional arranged marriages they practice) anyhow he came into all this money ($60, 000 pesos like $5, 000 dollars split between him & his 6 brothers ) but right now he’s living large and he has been drunk as a skunk for days. … me & Frank spotted him Sunday, running, literally running, in 90 degree high noon sun. Upon asking him where he was headed he says to the liquor store in Cantu- but he wad running in the wrong direction down the dirt road . So Frank suggests to him to buy beer instead of more hard stuff and drops him off back at home where he’ll be safe. So as I said the guy has been ten sheets to the wind for days but he likes Frank because he gave him a ride and my pozole must soothe his aching liver so he’s been coming to eat this week. He’s harmless really. Oh and his name is Jesus. So add to the mix this one very tall (think Debbie) tall blond woman, a septagenarian,I think . She is like one of the leaders of this group and she immediately starts showing off her abysmally mutilated Spanish version of *Jesus loves you, brother* topped off with a hug which if she’s at least 6 ft tall and your a 4 ft tall Oaxacan man that places your head squarely between a perilously pendulous pair of sweaty breasts. SEE WHERE WE’RE HEADED HERE? Hang on, as alas there is more.
*Jesus loves you brother is said like this- *Jesus te quiere hermano.*
This Amazon woman thinks she is saying that but in fact she is saying this *Jesus YO quiero, Hermano.* which unbeknownst to her means to him…..*Jesus I WANT you brother* , now mix that with the big tittiehug and the alcohol fogging his brain and the fact that she somehow knows his name and WANTS him and is openly professing it in an alarmingly shrill voice punctuated each time by her wagging a huge blond mess of hair over his face and you can pretty well see things go downhill real fast.
Lemme put it like this. Remember when Joy Paybody insisted on laying hands upon that 80 year old naked demon filled man holding a pick axe??
Similar outcome. Frank had to intervene. The poor little indian guy will be afraid of old blond Christian women for likely the remainder of his life. But hey just another day at the Red Pony Pacific Division.
So by now the pastor and his wife are huddled near the chicken coop in the futile effort of making their cell phone get a signal.
With little Jesus safely escorted back to the cuarteria by Theos husband …..and everyone slightly shaken up by the blond chicks bonejarring snuffles of indignation back by the vans…..it boils down to all of these strangers kind of stuck with me and Frank.
They started asking about how we came here and how we existed. The pastor I think was suspecting by now maybe he made a wrong turn somewhere on the map ,but couldn’t extricate himself gracefully so he just went with it.
I took every opportunity I had to be welcoming and to share the stories of faith that the Lord’s given us in our journey thus far in life. They had come to teach and evangelize they thought but suddenly the Lord turned their world on end and the anointing was becoming palpable. Its been a while since I had that feeling……like I was standing next to myself wondering gee what will i/she say next?? Like I was just listening to Jesus talk along with every body else. Maybe that’s how you feel when you get in IT, too? All I know is I started out pretty much testifying and wound up being a vessel for a type of Q&A with Jesus. So, I’m talking to a fairly big crowd…..28 college kids, with their pastor and his wife and about 10 teenagers. at first, just about random things and for whatever reason I said something about the new pope and Catholicism. I shared my views on the new pope (which must be shocking according to the reactions I saw, THE pastor was turning that telltale shade between purple and green indicating to me that he now knew for SURE he should have turned left not right) but I was just trying to make it clear that I love everybody in general. …when one guy challenged me. SO YOU THINK CATHOLICS ARE SAVED? IS THAT WHAT YOUR SAYING? (now this was weird because I had had an almost identical conversation with a girl the day prior.) But the Lord just really spoke through me and enabled me to teach on Yahweh’s Grace and how much Jesus wants us to love each other. and did they understand, but really get it , just how much Yahweh really loves us and how little really he wants back…I was really wound up good and preaching at this point it was really good what I recall of it. When I looked out next (like i say i was in and out ..weird but i think u get it) the same guy had big tears rolling down his face. He says, *So are you saying maybe my Dad is not in Hell? He died a Catholic. And and my grandma whose a Catholic can go to heaven??*
The bunch got so silent. The Pastor was pulling at his nose in a really painful fashion, but everybody else was still. In this moment I saw this young man as Jesus does and I got to love him literally AS Jesus…
He was hurting so bad and it hurt me. I asked him if his dad believed in Jesus and did his grandma believe in Jesus ? Did they believe that He is the resurrected Son of Almighty God? Yes, but what about……this and that…I asked him the same question. Yes he said. But he was full out crying now. Then i said it, but really it was Him saying it. Yes. Your daddy is NOT IN HELL. This is not about heaven and hell. He was standing right in front of me by now. ,in front of every body else. I lifted my hand up to put it on his head, i think I was going to pray for him and before i could touch him he flew back and I don’t know from where but Frank appeared and caught the guy before he hit the dirt. I was then instantly drunk I mean officially inebriated in the anointing and ready for more… but then I was talking about Resurrection Life and it was something I could tell by their faces, they had absolutely never heard. The Lord really explained what He had come and died for ……then the next thing you know i was asking who in the group wanted To ask Jesus be their King? (Remember these are all church people enough to go on a mission trip so one would assume they are already sure of their position in Christ.).but that was the question and font you know that. just short of everybody like 35 of them surged towards me!
At that point, it was, as they say, ON. I went down the line and every single one, UR, was laid out before I could make contact with them. I never touched them and the Power was so great I had to make an effort to keep MYSELF upright. We were outside under the balcony okay, but this warm wind with an incredibly sweet smell THAT I HAVE NEVER SMELLED just tunneled over us and hung there for a minute or two. It was supernatural. And the scene brfore me was nothing short of something you would see on tv With Benny Hinn back in the nineties. The only other time I’ve ever personally witnessed that many people melt like that, was in the prison here. They were like butter in a microwave. Wild pretty much sums it up.
Eventually, people started helping each other up . Some just sat in the dirt and wept. A couple of guys walked over by the chicken coop and layed down. Others just wandered about with no apparent destination. Me and Frank went upstairs and sat on the balcony. Suddenly i was tired. Exhilarated but tired. I guess an hour passed before their pastor got them all rounded up again and told them it was time to go. He did the parting circular Calvary Chapel prayer, and just like that they were gone .
Yahweh is good. That’s the bottom line. Hope you are equally as amazed as I. I for one remain glad I signed on for the duration……..
Love yall,
d.d
Testimony of Water Baptism
I have written this letter now 10 times it keeps disappearing. So I
assume it is important to someone…
Now I dont even recall how it started except that it related to
water baptism.
The year I was water baptized I was 13/14 years old. I was going
thru a really bad time in my life. My parents had announced their
divorce at Valentine’s Day. By Easter I had a new ‘mama” by 4th of
July , I had a newer one. I also had been introduced to the first of
a few new “dads.”
By the time in June, when I stepped foot on that plane in San
Francisco I was pretty much suicidally depressed. I had been flying
for many many years every summer alone. That one trip, the American
Airlines Stew sat with me on take -off and on seeing , what I guess
was my despair, she took off her own silver stewardess wings and
pinned them on me. She my silent tears and told me the LORD KNEW me
and was going to help me…………I still have those silver wings
with me in Mexico.
When I arrived at Memphis International, my grandmother and granddaddy
on my mom’s side picked me up. I felt loved but still very lost.
What I recall most of that fateful summer was that every day that
there was a Meeting of the Church,Uncle Richard and Aunt Pamela came
to get me. Even then, I knew it was a sacrifice for them to spend on
gas to get me to church. I remember lil Eowyn standing on the back
seat of the Rambler with skinny arms wrapped around her Daddy’s neck o
ethe highway tween Tunica and and Walls and me standing too, watching
Aunt Pamela lay hands on the dashboard and ask Jesus to give us gas to
get to church meetings.
We never missed one not ever.
I had turned 14 the day before I got baptized in the Holy Ghost. I
growing up in a house where no Bibles were ALLOWED WAS LIKE THAT GUY
IN ACTS……………..:I didn’t even know ther WAS a Holy Ghost!”
But be danged if I didn’t get Him. And He never left me.
I think partially due to the dramatic infilling I received, the next
Sunday was Water Baptism.
And I was READY! There were quite a few of us that got ready that
Sunday morning, black and white together eager to get the old
woman/man buried, and it was a turning point in my life. See I had
things that if I was to live I needed them to be put away or I’d
never survive. I went from a girl who’d done unmentionable things to
a new creation . See, Jesus had already recognized that, but for me
going under the water well it washed ME in my own eyes. That lost
party girl who’d done so many things I fear even now to tell you I
‘d had an abortion……….. MURDERED an innocent
child,…………..I was so old in sin before my years….and thank
you Jesus it changed my life.
Not immediately (which that idea messes lots of folks up) but as
time went on I was cleansed in my own eyes. And what folks thought
of me really no longer mattered as the Lord took me and enfolded me in
his Loving arms and loved me even more if that is possible that is
what I felt.
I encourage you not to take it as some “ticket to heaven” that gives
you a right not ever to attend church again but to really understand
what you are embarking upon..Water Baptism started the renewal of my
mind……………so I encourage you to see it for the NEW BIRTH
that it is, and was, for me………it’s a new start…. a public
notice that you now belong to Jesus Christ, that YOU ARE NEW, REBORN
and also and most importantly I think , as a promise to yourself to
never ever forget what our Lord Jesus did for us.
It has been a lot of doubt and tears revealing myself, but I pray it
will touch who it supposed to touch………..
We , here in Baja Mexico , love ya’ll so much. We appreciate your
faithfulness and look forward to news of your baptisms………….
Sister Detra and Pastor Frank
>
> Ro 6:4 therefore we have been buried with him through baptism into death,
> so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the father,
> so we too might walk in *newness of life.*
>
> Col 2:12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also
> raised up with him *through faith in the working of god, who raised him
> from the dead.*
>
> 1Pe 3:21 corresponding to that, baptism now saves you–not the removal of
> dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to god for *a good conscience*–through
> the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
Harvest of Faith 