Police officer fires over 15 times into car while on hood in deadly shooting

A police officer in AR was on the hood of a moving car when he fired 15 times into the vehicle\'s windshield, killing the driver.

https://www.myselfdefensetraining.com/arkansas-police-officer-fires-at-least-15-times-into-car-while-on-hood-in-deadly-shooting-caught-on-video/

How to defeat an arm bar in the street.

It seems like every kid under 30 knows how to do an arm bar...and that\' OK because while their playing chess...we\'ll play checkers!

https://damianr.clickfunnels.com/self-defense-training-system-how-to-defeat-an-arm-bar-in-the-street

Illegal immigrant with criminal history arrested in CA woman's murder

Police in California have arrested an illegal immigrant with known gang ties and an extensive criminal history in the February killing of a San Jose woman.

https://www.myselfdefensetraining.com/illegal-immigrant-with-criminal-history-arrested-in-california-womans-murder/

"O Say, Can You See . . .?"

                                     “O Say, Can You See . . . ?”

            This story ran in a California newspaper.  An airplane was on a layover.  All passengers had disembarked except one.  He was a regular on this flight and well known to the flight crew.  The Captain was getting off and asked the passenger if he could help the passenger off.  The passenger, you see, was completely blind.   The passenger told him, “Thank you, Captain, but I’m fine.  However, my dog could probably use a walk and a patch of grass.”  The Captain laughed as the passenger told the dog, “Go with him.”  The newspaper story was about the commotion stirred up when an airline Captain, in full uniform including mirrored sunglasses, walked through the concourse led by a seeing-eye dog.  The Captain had perfect vision, but people saw him as blind.

            We can have the same trouble with perception.  Recently a picture on Facebook went viral as people argued over the color of a dress.  It seemed to me that many people were looking at a different picture than I was.  Police officers get used to four witnesses seeing the same thing and telling four different stories.  I know a teacher who even used the idea in the law enforcement classes he taught.  A person would break into the classroom and, in full view of thirty police recruits, shoot the teacher three or four times.  Then the assailant left and the teacher regained control of the class.  The “witnesses” then had to write their statements about what they had seen.  The statements were collected and the differences were then shown and discussed.  The recruits learned that an aggressive person, or persons, can actually, change other people’s minds.  For this reason, investigators have to separate the witnesses to get their own statements, and not a statement colored by someone else’s story.

            Today’s discussion is centered on the Gospel of John 9:1-41.  This is a long passage discussing the ability to see and the ability to be blind.  Since it is long, I will not copy it here.  Please, read the passage before we go any further.  That will help you understand the things we will be discussing.

            Now, since you have read the passage,

let’s look at those who could see.                                          and those who could not see (blind)

Vs. 1 = Jesus saw the beggar                                                  Vs. 1 = Beggar blind from birth

Vs. 2 = Disciples saw the beggar                                           Vs.  2 = Disciples blind to cause

Vs. 7 = Beggar saw for the first time                                     Vs.  8-9 = Neighbors blind to beggar

Vs. 8 = Neighbors saw the beggar                                         Vs.  13-18 = Pharisees blind to truth

Vs. 15 = Pharisees saw the beggar                                        

Vs. 20 = Parents saw their son          

Vs. 30-34 = Beggar saw the truth

Vs. 38 = Beggar saw Jesus

            Woven through the passage is the Jewish idea that bad things happen to people who have sinned against God.  (This idea was discussed by Jesus in Luke 13: 1-5.)  Because of this belief, the disciples saw a man in sin.  Jesus saw an opportunity to show the power and the grace of God.  Two can look at the same thing and see things differently.

Don’t we all have challenges with perception sometime?  We all know about positive people seeing a glass half full while negative people see the same glass as half empty.  Where one can see an opportunity, another sees a problem.  In seminary, twelve students were assigned to write a sermon on the same short Bible passage.  Twelve different sermons were written.  Some of these contained ideas missed by the rest of the group.  Each student had a difficult time understanding why the others did not see the same thing they had seen. 

            The Pharisees, also, believed that everybody should see things as they saw them.  They were the leaders of the Temple and the law keepers.  Many, like the parents and the neighbors, were afraid to argue with the Pharisees.  Taking on authority takes more courage than most people have.  However, on this strange day, the Pharisees found two that refused to see things as they did.

            The beggar told them, “This one thing I know, I once was blind but now I see.  If this man were not from God, he would not be able to do anything like this.”  The Pharisees threw the beggar out of the Temple.  Later, the Pharisees called the beggar back.  After giving him another opportunity to say what they wanted to hear, the Pharisees threw him out again.

            Let’s look at the beggar some more.  Jesus caked his face with mud, and sent him away to wash.  When he could see, Jesus was not around.  The beggar did not see Jesus until after the hearings with the Pharisees.  He did, however, testify about Jesus because of his experience.  He still testifies today.

            Jesus sought the beggar out after that second hearing.  The beggar did not recognize him, because he had never before seen Jesus.  Jesus asked him, “Do you believe in the Son of God (Man)”?  “Who is he Sir?  Tell me that I may believe.”  The beggar saw and believed.

            Later, Jesus told the Pharisees, “You believe you can see, but you are blind.  If you were blind, you would have no sin.  Since you say you can see, you cannot escape your guilt.”  “Since you say you can see, you cannot escape your guilt.”   What do you think this means?  Please consider this statement from Jesus.  We will discuss it again in the next blog.

            Believing was easy for the beggar.  He knew he was blind.  When he could see, there was a difference.  It is more difficult to believe for those who are blind but think they can see.  They will not notice a difference until they acknowledge their blindness.  As long as those blind say, as did the Pharisees, “You don’t know me.  I am not blind.  I am above you in spirituality” nothing will change in their lives or their thinking.

            Have you found your sight?  Have you SEEN Jesus?    John 20:29 tells us, “Because you have seen me you have believed.  Blessed are those that have not seen me, and have believed.”

            How is your vision?  O say, can YOU see . . .?  We’ll talk more next time.

God loves you and so do we.

Bishop Dr. O. K. and Rev. Jane Neal, M.Ed. (May 2015)

 HEARING FROM GOD

 

John 10:25-27 (NRSV)

25   Jesus answered, "I have told you, and you do not believe.  The works that I do   in my Father's name testify to me;

26   but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep.

27   My sheep hear my voice.  I know them, and they follow me.

 

 

          I was listening to News Radio the other day.  I heard a report from the Scientific American (May 2009) about a study that showed “Americans are offended by body odor.”  I spent the next several minutes wandering why someone, probably us, spent money on a question that has such an obvious answer.  Then, I wandered who was the one leading such a study.  Where did they find subjects to study to discover this amazing fact?  Then it dawned on me.  If they had not done this study, Americans would not know “Americans are offended by body odor.

          Pastors are constantly being asked questions such as, “How do I know God’s will for my life,” “How do I hear from God” or “How do I know if it is God?”  There can be several answers to these questions.  Let us look at a few.

 

YOU MUST STUDY THE SCRIPTURE

 

Hebrews 13:8-9 (NRSV)

8   Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

9   Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings;

 

          As people study, they learn God has already said all there is to be said on many topics.  No stealing means just that.  Thou shalt not steal property, money, spouses, children, innocence . . . nothing.  If it does not belong to you, leave it alone.

 

          Sex outside of marriage is always wrong.  Everybody is to honor his or her father and his or her mother.  We are to love God and love others as we love ourselves.  We are not to repay offense for offense.  We are to forgive, as Jesus forgives us. 

 

          Many pastors are surprised the largest numbers of pastoral counseling opportunities are about questions to which they already know the answer.  “God told both of us we have married the wrong person.  He wants us to divorce our spouses and marry each other.”  The answer has been the same since Moses brought the law down the mountain.  Those that want the pastor’s approval for their sin will say, “Well, that was a long time ago.  Things are different now.  We have really prayed about it and God wants us kill the doctor because he is pro-choice.”  

 

          Finally, if the Bible has already answered it, do not ask for clarification and do not argue.  If you want to walk a different road, go ahead.  Do not try to convince other people, or God, that you are right.  Be like Adam and Eve.  Look Jesus in the eye and tell Him, “I do not care what you say.  I am going to do what I want to do.”  Unlike Adam and Eve who blamed everybody else, have the class to admit your mistake and accept your consequences.

 

THE SPIRIT SPEAKS TO OUR SPIRIT

 

John 14:26-27 (NRSV)

26  But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.

 

          Have you ever done something that you knew was wrong?  I have.  I tossed and turned, but sleep would not come.  I was miserable.  I hope you were, too.  Many call this “Conscience” and speak of our conscience being “guilty.”  Many Christians believe, however, what some call conscience is really the Holy Spirit that comes to live with us when we accept Christ.

 

          Christ promised He would give us PEACE.  After he experienced this promised peace, St. Paul called it, “The peace that passes understanding.”  He, also, listed peace as one of the nine Fruits of the Spirit.  While writing the peace that passes understanding, Paul was in prison in Rome.  He was waiting for the order to behead him.  Yet he was peaceful. 

 

          Do you believe you have received word from the Lord?  Are you at peace with the decision you have made, or are you conflicted?   Jesus gives us the peace that passes understanding.  If He is leading, we will be at peace.  One way you can know, lack of peace never comes from God.  Sometimes I argue with myself, do you?  If you argue with yourself, it is a good indication that you are considering the wrong path.

 

          While we are discussing the conscience, we need to understand that our conscience, or the Holy Spirit speaking to our spirit, can be seared over or scarred.  If you keep trying, you will be able to do what your heart says you should not.  At the strongest point, St. Paul would say of this, Romans 1:28 (NRSV)

28  And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind and to things that should not be done.  I hope you never reach that end.  However, remember that having to fight hard to obtain peace might lead you to the false peace of a seared conscience.

 

CHRISTIAN AUTHORITY

 

          Sometimes other Christians believe God has given someone a message through them.  This may be called prophecy or a word of knowledge.  God will do this on occasion.  Along this same line, the Bible states the word will be established through two or three witnesses.  There is one hard and fast rule that must be followed in these situations.  The word must follow the scriptures and the Holy Spirit.  Even if the word is presented through religious leaders, pastors, priests, prophets, apostles, prayer warriors, etc., the word from the Lord cannot go against the scriptures.  If it does, it cannot be from God.

 

AND, FINALLY

 

          Psalm 119:103-105 (NRSV)

103  How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104  Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

105  Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.       

 

          The words of God are sweet like honey.  I study the Word of God through which I receive understanding.  Since I understand God’s Word, I hate everything that is not His word.  Can it be any clearer? 

 

          I will leave you with one last thought.  “Your word is a lamp to my feet.”  Many times the answer we receive from God is only the next step.  This is where we get the saying, “Step out in faith.”  Abram was told to, “ . . . pack everything and go where I will show you.”  (Genesis Chapter 12)  He did as directed.  This may be all you receive at first.  You may have simply a light for your path, not a destination.

 

          However, that being said, there is another possibility.  God gave Joseph two dreams.  (Genesis Chapter 37)  The dreams told of the destination.  They told that Joseph would be a great leader and his entire family would bow down to him.  God did not tell Joseph about the beating and the pit.  He did not tell of Joseph’s brothers selling him into slavery.  He said nothing of the false charges and years of prison.  You may receive a destination with no path.  As Joseph did, trust God.  Praise Him and learn patience.

 

Dr. O. K. Neal, M.Div., Th.D

D.A.A.E.T.S., B.C.E.T.S

Personal Miracle

A Personal Miracle

Check us out at www.opendoorstochrist.org and www.actsministry.org andwww.motleycountychristiancommunity.com

I know I am "preaching to the choir" but I may reach someone that has never believed . . . yet.

Jane and I have more than tithed the years we have been together.  Both of us more than tithed before we met.

Most of you have heard that 2012 came in to some medical challenges for me.  What you may not know is, I am unable to get medical insurance because of my thirty-plus years of service in law enforcement.  God has seen fit to give me health in my organs, but my frame is "pre-existing condition."

When I went to the retina surgeon we told her we are self-insured.  We asked for any help she could give us.  She charged us what she would medicare.  (I am too young).

Then we went to check in at the hospital.  When we told them we are self pay, lights, bells and sirens went off everywhere.  The young lady quit typing and called for help.  "I have a self-pay here."  The boss-lady came from her office to tell us, "For self-pay we require the total amount in advance.  For this (emergency) surgery the total is (more than $17,000.00)  just for the hospital, not counting surgeon, anesthetist, etc."  She must have expected the shock on our faces because she quickly added, "If you will pay cash, we give you 50% off."  (circa $8,500)

I immediately got out my checkbook before they changed their minds.  Then the boss said, "Wait, don't write that yet.  Our drawers are already closed out for the day.  Maybe we can do a little better.  I'll talk to you tomorrow."  

Tomorrow came and the same lady told us, "I was able to do a little better.  (circa) $3,400.00 is your total bottom line."  From 17 to 3!!!!!!!

If any of you are feeling I am bragging, or saying, "Hey, look at me." please do not.  I can brag on nothing but Jesus Christ and him crucified.  However, many people do not understand Malachi.  Yes, we are under grace and not law.  However, we are, also, under YHWH and his son, Yeshua.  God told us to test Him.  He will not fail you.  You cannot out give God.  I can go on, but we have all heard to platitudes regarding giving.  "Give, and it will be given unto you good measure, pressed down, shaken together and over flowing will men put into your bosom." (Luke 6:38)  All you have to do is test Him.

As we start this new year, please allow me to make a suggestion.  When your money arrives, pay your tithe first.  Pay this to you local church.  Then, pay additional to a ministry you like Acts Ministry if they credential you, or you use their FB page.  You REALLY cannot out give God.

I hope this is the best year you have ever had.

Bishop O. K. and Rev. Jane Neal

-- 

A Sister Hates Her Brother????

A Sister Hates her Brother?

Check us out at www.opendoorstochrist.org and www.actsministry.org and www.motleycountychristiancommunity.com

Matt 6:12 “Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”    Gal 6:7 “Whatever you sow, you will also reap”

Before I get started, let me say that I know both of these people.  However, we could be talking about two women, two men or a man and woman with the situation reversed.  It does not matter.  People, even religious people, get confused sometimes and play into Satan’s game.

This is a story of a sister, and her older brother.  Several years ago the family was torn apart by strife.  As Richard Boone said in the movie Big Jake, “Your fault, my fault, nobody’s fault, it doesn’t matter.”  The strife destroyed the family.  These two siblings both attend church.  They claim to believe.  However, the sister refused to forgive or reconcile.  She swore never to speak to her brother again.  However, she did not swear not to talk ABOUT him.  She runs him down to anyone that will listen.  Her church going friends, instead of rebuking her, listen, encourage her and carry her gossip; sometimes back to her brother. 

The sister and her group actually hope and pray that the brother will fail so they can laugh, deride and feel superior.  They do not believe the two scriptures at the beginning at the top of this page.

The brother left town and tried to leave the trouble behind.  He is called or written occasionally and told, “You will not believe what she says about you now.”  We will talk about that later.

The brother is a successful man in his profession.  He has been blessed abundantly by God.  He prays daily that God will bless his sister and her group MORE than God blesses him.  He loves his sister and prays for her joy, health and forgiveness.  The sister tells everyone her brother is going “right straight to Hell” and she will laugh when it happens.  Every day, in church, she prays the “Lord’s Prayer.”  She does not even understand the words.  If she did, I am quite certain she would NOT want God to forgive her the way she forgives her brother.  She wants and expects grace she is not willing to give her brother.  However, the scripture is very plain.  It cannot happen.  I am certain that her religious friends do not want God to forgive them the same way they forgive her brother.  Neither do any of these want to reap and feast on the hate, bitterness and resentment they have sown.

Paul tells us, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control; against such there is no law. (Gal 5:22).  In which of these does the action of the sister belong?  Of the two rulers, which one is honored by wanting a sibling to go to Hell?  I dare you to say “God is honored when I want a brother to go to Hell.”  You cannot.  Neither can these that wait for the brother’s failure.  They would never say that, but continue to spew hate and venom. 

To those that would carry the tales to the brother, or anybody else, I say “Stop.”  Why would you cause pain?  “Oh, I do not want to cause him pain.  He NEEDS to know what is being said / done against him.”  What he NEEDS is to continue in the joy, love, etc of the Holy Spirit.  Satan hates that and will even use you to get the brother off track. 

We are to love and pray for our enemies (Mat 5:43-44).

We are to love our enemies and to do good to them that hate us (Lk 6:27)

God will forgive us THE SAME WAY we forgive others (Mt 6:12, Mt 18:21-35)

And wanting a brother to go “right straight to Hell” . . . ??????????

Forgive them, Father, for they know not what they are doing.