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		<title>Gods Friends Discussion Board - All Forums</title>
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		<description>Gods Friends Discussion Board - http://www.godsfriends.net/forum</description>
		<pubDate>Mon, 05 Jan 2009 18:09:37 -0700</pubDate>
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			<title>&quot;In God we trust&quot;</title>
			<link>http://www.godsfriends.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=16</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 14 Oct 2008 08:30:03 -0600</pubDate>
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			<description><![CDATA[In March 2007, the words: “In God we trust” were intentionally omitted from the new 2007 United States Presidential &#36;1 Coins. Few months later, The United States Mint explains on a statement that “Due to a quality control problem, a number of the new coins were issued without any edge lettering at all. The "In God We Trust" phrase was not present on these coins and this may have caused some people to believe that the omission was a deliberate act. However, the omission was a result of a problem during the manufacturing process and was in no way intentional. The new coins do not omit "In God We Trust". Instead, the motto has simply been moved to the coin's edge”. It is still very hard for me to believe how our government allowed this to happen since they also stated to take those words “In God we trust” seriously and that the quality control of their coins is a high priority.

Even a small child will see this situation as another way to take our God out of the spotlight once again. The removal of the Bible from public places, and the removal of prayer to our Holy God from public assemblies just show the determination some people have in our government to see God out of the picture.    

What is the future of this nation? For many years, a lot of nations have put their trust in this Nation because, as a nation, we have also put our trust in God. But now, the global markets are looking for other alternatives as the yen and the European euro have a more stable system to make business with. 

HOW DID WE GET OUR MOTTO: “IN GOD WE TRUST”? 
The motto IN GOD WE TRUST was placed on United States coins largely because of the increased religious sentiment existing during the Civil War. Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase received many appeals from devout persons throughout the country, urging that the United States recognize the Deity on United States coins. From Treasury Department records, it appears that the first such appeal came in a letter dated November 13, 1861. It was written to Secretary Chase by Rev. M. R. Watkinson, Minister of the Gospel from Ridleyville, Pennsylvania, and read:
“Dear Sir: You are about to submit your annual report to the Congress respecting the affairs of the national finances. One fact touching our currency has hitherto been seriously overlooked. I mean the recognition of the Almighty God in some form on our coins.  You are probably a Christian. What if our Republic were not shattered beyond reconstruction? Would not the antiquaries of succeeding centuries rightly reason from our past that we were a heathen nation? What I propose is that instead of the goddess of liberty we shall have next inside the 13 stars a ring inscribed with the words PERPETUAL UNION; within the ring the allseeing eye, crowned with a halo; beneath this eye the American flag, bearing in its field stars equal to the number of the States united; in the folds of the bars the words GOD, LIBERTY, LAW. This would make a beautiful coin, to which no possible citizen could object. This would relieve us from the ignominy of heathenism. This would place us openly under the Divine protection we have personally claimed. From my hearth I have felt our national shame in disowning God as not the least of our present national disasters. To you first I address a subject that must be agitated.” 

As a result, Secretary Chase instructed James Pollock, Director of the Mint at Philadelphia, to prepare a motto, in a letter dated November 20, 1861: Dear Sir: No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense. The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins. 

In a letter to the Mint Director on December 9, 1863, Secretary Chase stated: 
“I approve your mottoes, only suggesting that on that with the Washington obverse the motto should begin with the word OUR, so as to read OUR GOD AND OUR COUNTRY. And on that with the shield, it should be changed so as to read: IN GOD WE TRUST.” The Congress passed the Act of April 22, 1864. This legislation changed the composition of the one-cent coin and authorized the minting of the two-cent coin. The Mint Director was directed to develop the designs for these coins for final approval of the Secretary. IN GOD WE TRUST first appeared on the 1864 two-cent coin.

Can you see how far our hearts have gone away from God? Can you smell more heavy rain coming our way? Is our new President going to change things around? NO! He will just add more heat to the furnace. Why? Because people are still putting their confidence and trust on earthly vessels that promise changes and new beginnings! Our next leader will be selected not because of biblical principles but because of popular demand. This nation hasn’t been able to capture the whole picture yet. We haven’t learned to seek God with all of our hearts – it seems like we continue looking for Him only when we face crisis. Stop playing church. Everyone is blaming everyone else. By what I hear in the streets, some are blaming all the money we have spent at our present war, others blame the big banks, and many others blame our spending habits and the lack of savings. Stop blaming others but ourselves. God is permitting this chaos so we can get back to our roots. Are we going to listen to what the Spirit of the Lord is saying any time soon? Unfortunately, not yet! Many more people will loose their jobs before they learn to depend on God (trust in God). Children are my main concern because they learn what they see. They see a fearful father, they will grow in fear. They see a father who makes his business away from God, his children will follow the same steps. What are we passing to our next generation? The answer: We have learned how to blame others so we may feel freedom from guilt. I think this big problem is helping people to hit it almost right: ”Accountability” and spiritual responsibility to answer to a Holy God who made this country free. Don’t be afraid to stand for true principles. There is a promise of God that says: “And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” (Matthew 11:6). Did people get offended when the reading of the Holy Scriptures took place in public places? Did people get offended by displaying honor to God in our coins, public institutions and schools?  
Closing: Our Lord Jesus declared: “I have come in my father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him.” John 5:43
My translation: God has sent His only Son to save you and bring you to a place of protection, safety, peace, and abundance; but you don’t want to hear anything He has to say, you have no time for Him. His principles are not for you and you cannot accept to have simple faith in Him as it is the beginning of all the answers you need. BUT….someone else comes with new ideas, more proposals, and new changes; although you know very little about him (because he is coming in his own name), and you accept him. 
Lord, I study your Scriptures and I am always amazed at your Living Words. You spoke them thousands of years before and they are still true, alive, and valid.  How can I doubt you? I can only surrender to your Mighty Hand and abide under your shadow. My dependence is totally in you. I can truly say that I am honored to call you my true friend because you called me Your Friend even before I met you.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[In March 2007, the words: “In God we trust” were intentionally omitted from the new 2007 United States Presidential &#36;1 Coins. Few months later, The United States Mint explains on a statement that “Due to a quality control problem, a number of the new coins were issued without any edge lettering at all. The "In God We Trust" phrase was not present on these coins and this may have caused some people to believe that the omission was a deliberate act. However, the omission was a result of a problem during the manufacturing process and was in no way intentional. The new coins do not omit "In God We Trust". Instead, the motto has simply been moved to the coin's edge”. It is still very hard for me to believe how our government allowed this to happen since they also stated to take those words “In God we trust” seriously and that the quality control of their coins is a high priority.

Even a small child will see this situation as another way to take our God out of the spotlight once again. The removal of the Bible from public places, and the removal of prayer to our Holy God from public assemblies just show the determination some people have in our government to see God out of the picture.    

What is the future of this nation? For many years, a lot of nations have put their trust in this Nation because, as a nation, we have also put our trust in God. But now, the global markets are looking for other alternatives as the yen and the European euro have a more stable system to make business with. 

HOW DID WE GET OUR MOTTO: “IN GOD WE TRUST”? 
The motto IN GOD WE TRUST was placed on United States coins largely because of the increased religious sentiment existing during the Civil War. Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase received many appeals from devout persons throughout the country, urging that the United States recognize the Deity on United States coins. From Treasury Department records, it appears that the first such appeal came in a letter dated November 13, 1861. It was written to Secretary Chase by Rev. M. R. Watkinson, Minister of the Gospel from Ridleyville, Pennsylvania, and read:
“Dear Sir: You are about to submit your annual report to the Congress respecting the affairs of the national finances. One fact touching our currency has hitherto been seriously overlooked. I mean the recognition of the Almighty God in some form on our coins.  You are probably a Christian. What if our Republic were not shattered beyond reconstruction? Would not the antiquaries of succeeding centuries rightly reason from our past that we were a heathen nation? What I propose is that instead of the goddess of liberty we shall have next inside the 13 stars a ring inscribed with the words PERPETUAL UNION; within the ring the allseeing eye, crowned with a halo; beneath this eye the American flag, bearing in its field stars equal to the number of the States united; in the folds of the bars the words GOD, LIBERTY, LAW. This would make a beautiful coin, to which no possible citizen could object. This would relieve us from the ignominy of heathenism. This would place us openly under the Divine protection we have personally claimed. From my hearth I have felt our national shame in disowning God as not the least of our present national disasters. To you first I address a subject that must be agitated.” 

As a result, Secretary Chase instructed James Pollock, Director of the Mint at Philadelphia, to prepare a motto, in a letter dated November 20, 1861: Dear Sir: No nation can be strong except in the strength of God, or safe except in His defense. The trust of our people in God should be declared on our national coins. 

In a letter to the Mint Director on December 9, 1863, Secretary Chase stated: 
“I approve your mottoes, only suggesting that on that with the Washington obverse the motto should begin with the word OUR, so as to read OUR GOD AND OUR COUNTRY. And on that with the shield, it should be changed so as to read: IN GOD WE TRUST.” The Congress passed the Act of April 22, 1864. This legislation changed the composition of the one-cent coin and authorized the minting of the two-cent coin. The Mint Director was directed to develop the designs for these coins for final approval of the Secretary. IN GOD WE TRUST first appeared on the 1864 two-cent coin.

Can you see how far our hearts have gone away from God? Can you smell more heavy rain coming our way? Is our new President going to change things around? NO! He will just add more heat to the furnace. Why? Because people are still putting their confidence and trust on earthly vessels that promise changes and new beginnings! Our next leader will be selected not because of biblical principles but because of popular demand. This nation hasn’t been able to capture the whole picture yet. We haven’t learned to seek God with all of our hearts – it seems like we continue looking for Him only when we face crisis. Stop playing church. Everyone is blaming everyone else. By what I hear in the streets, some are blaming all the money we have spent at our present war, others blame the big banks, and many others blame our spending habits and the lack of savings. Stop blaming others but ourselves. God is permitting this chaos so we can get back to our roots. Are we going to listen to what the Spirit of the Lord is saying any time soon? Unfortunately, not yet! Many more people will loose their jobs before they learn to depend on God (trust in God). Children are my main concern because they learn what they see. They see a fearful father, they will grow in fear. They see a father who makes his business away from God, his children will follow the same steps. What are we passing to our next generation? The answer: We have learned how to blame others so we may feel freedom from guilt. I think this big problem is helping people to hit it almost right: ”Accountability” and spiritual responsibility to answer to a Holy God who made this country free. Don’t be afraid to stand for true principles. There is a promise of God that says: “And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.” (Matthew 11:6). Did people get offended when the reading of the Holy Scriptures took place in public places? Did people get offended by displaying honor to God in our coins, public institutions and schools?  
Closing: Our Lord Jesus declared: “I have come in my father’s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him.” John 5:43
My translation: God has sent His only Son to save you and bring you to a place of protection, safety, peace, and abundance; but you don’t want to hear anything He has to say, you have no time for Him. His principles are not for you and you cannot accept to have simple faith in Him as it is the beginning of all the answers you need. BUT….someone else comes with new ideas, more proposals, and new changes; although you know very little about him (because he is coming in his own name), and you accept him. 
Lord, I study your Scriptures and I am always amazed at your Living Words. You spoke them thousands of years before and they are still true, alive, and valid.  How can I doubt you? I can only surrender to your Mighty Hand and abide under your shadow. My dependence is totally in you. I can truly say that I am honored to call you my true friend because you called me Your Friend even before I met you.]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
			<title>Who is Hiram?</title>
			<link>http://www.godsfriends.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=13</link>
			<pubDate>Sat, 22 Mar 2008 19:00:19 -0600</pubDate>
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			<description><![CDATA[Sunday, March 23, 2008

Dear Friends and visitors, 

Who is *“Hiram”? 
I want to share my life with you even though it can be easily misunderstood by people that are close to me (family members, coworkers, and friends). My heart has been dealing with this idea for a very long time. I want to be transparent and available to all the people that my Father God brings into my life. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 2 Corinthians 1:3,4 
I hope the story of my life can help you relate whatever circumstances you may be going thru with the struggles in my own life; and know that your struggles are only for a season and with a divine reason. I am not an Apostle, Prophet, *Pastor, *Teacher, or an *Evangelist. Although I have helped some churches in the past by filing one or two of those *roles, until they were able to get the right people. I have not been anointed (by the laying of hands) to be in the five fold ministry.
I will give you my life-story in a general context. I don’t want to bore you death. And I will share it with the purpose to give honor and glory to my Lord Jesus Christ; and again, hopefully you can identify yourself and see that I was there too (in similar circumstances). May my life-story speak how God can use ordinary people to make extraordinary things (He has been transforming an ordinary man, into an extraordinary prayer warrior). 
I was born in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. The tales from my mother about my infancy are very inspiring. The moments right after my birth, were kind of chilly and cold since the hospital where she gave birth didn’t have the proper accommodations for their patients. She remembers being in a very cold room with a broken window during a very cold winter season. I was born in December 06, 1963 at 0600 hrs. Few years after my birth, I suffered from very severe burns after playing a game with my brothers (we’re acting as Indians against Cowboys). I didn’t notice a bucket full of boiling water on top of an old kerosene heater when we were running all over the house. That boiling water fell all over my body and burned my whole back. I was rushed into the hospital and the doctors did their best after seeing my little muscle tissues all the way into my tiny bones. Few years after that, I experienced another trauma. I had measles and few months after that I was again fighting for my life with bronchopneumonia at the hospital. My infancy was not full of health problems, I remember enjoying my childhood with marbles of different colors playing on the dirt and with little soldier figurines too. Few years after, while my school friends were living a very comfortable lifestyle, I started working at a very young age and still attending school when I was only 12 years old. I remember “hitch-hiking” my way to and from work, even during rainy days. The need for me to work was very significant, sometimes we would go to sleep with only a cup of black coffee (no cream) and a single piece of white bread in our stomachs. My first paycheck was not from a regular salary but from only tips of coins that would make 3 dollars per day (if we had a good day). At a very early age, I also experienced the destructive consequences of domestic abuse. I tried to avoid hearing all of that screaming and crying by going to my very special place, a dark corner at my room, and placing my hands on my ears (covering them) and closing myself to reality. During those many years, I never understood what my father did behind closed doors at very late hours of the night (after midnight), but my sister was also having a lot of ugly mightmares, our German Shepherd Dog was always howling in a very scary manner, and sounds of things as if they were being moved on top of our house were very audible. I can share many stories about these years, but one of my greatest blessings (I have too many to count) was when my father received our Lord Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior (many years later) and the transformation on my dad was like from midnight to noon day. My parents didn’t stayed together, after several years from their divorce they got married again to different people. My mother met a man from United States who later she married. She immigrated later to the United States with him. My father also met another lady and lived together. After my family moved to United States, I lived with my sister, who was already married. I was very quiet and shy during my childhood and teenage years; many people believed that I had to visit a counselor to dig out issues in my heart. People were concerned and wanted to see me more talkative. Because of my shyness, my sister’s brother-in-law exposed me to different prostitute's places, when I was only 15 years old, trying to make a man out of me. This is a devastative mistake that many "macho" fathers make, specially in third world countries. They want to promote their masculinity in their children (boys) with wrong ideas (by exposing them to drinking, swearing, cursing, fighting, etc) and to give their children a taste of what manhood is all about; but these unhealthy experiences will only lead their children to more aggressive behaviors and the wrong image of what God calls men to be. But in every culture, rich or poor, if God is not the center of any home, fathers will not know how to lead their children. God and His Word are the only true sources for knowledge to raise a good home. 
I joined my family in the United States few months after that. I began to learn that things in the big city (Los Angeles, CA) were not as beautiful as I used to see them in the movies. As a teenager, I began to be part of a big movement. I felt that I had to be part of that movement if I wanted to survive: a movement of different gangs, different drugs, alcohol, surfing at the beach, Rock n Roll, low-riders, homeboys, heavy metal music, fast cars, etc. These were just some of the things I was getting exposed to. At this same time, my mother was struggling again with another domestic abuse. 
One of my brothers had moved back with my father because of this insecurity at our home. I joined the United States Marine Corps right after High School and my youngest brother was playing the drums with a rock n roll group (but I never knew what they called themselves). They practiced so often to be the opening band for different groups like Motley Crue (back in the early 80s) at Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, CA.
Even though I was being serious about building myself in a military career, I was fighting within my heart for the acceptance from my own father. I thought I was never going to be able to measure up to my other brother (from my father's previous marriage), a very dear son to my father. Now, I understand how children have the need to feel the acceptance of their own fathers. It is like if we are always looking for their blessings. This brother and my father spent hours and long hours sharing different ideas together. Even now, I still admire him (my brother) very much. These were the most difficult years of my life. I was already in the military when I received a very crucial phone call at 1:00 in the morning. My sister was devastated when she called to inform me that one of my brothers had just committed a suicide. 
It was during my brother’s burial that a stranger approached me to give me the good news. I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior on the same day I was burring my own brother. Few months after that, I met a very beautiful lady, at a church I used to visit with my family. This precious lady who later became my wife has been a blessing from my Heavenly Father. After marrying my wife, we have been in many places together (because of military orders). I remember the special day when I asked for her hand. I did it over the phone because since the year we met, she has been away from her parents (but not because of her personal choice). They still live in a very far away country. After 22 years of marriage, I still haven’t being blessed in meeting her parents (personally). 
During a tour in the military, my wife and I became the Youth Pastors of a church we were attending, but later we had to leave that same church because of more military orders. We went to Japan and then 20 months later we came back to United States (North Carolina). It was there, at North Carolina, when my daughter was born, another blessing from God Almighty. She was a miracle because my wife couldn't have children. Because of this serious medical problem, my wife had major complications when giving birth to our daughter. She had lost so much blood during the delivery of our daughter that right after giving birth, doctors had to transfer my wife to a bigger and more modern Hospital. That state-of-the-art Hospital was 3 hours away from home. We spent 2 weeks away from our new born baby and it was tough. I was still in the military and there was no room for me at that hospital or on base. I had to sleep in my own car for the first few nights. It was a very cold winter. My daughter was born in January and the cold nights at Virginia were very unpleasant for me. During all that time, our daughter was under the care of our Pastor, Dr. Daniel Williams. A man after God’s own heart who showed me a lot of things during the few years we were there. It was during my last years in the military (at North Carolina) when I got introduce to the teachings of Dr. Kelley Varner too. I remember working as a waiter, and still being in the military, so I could have extra money and buy some of the books written by Dr. Kelley Varner.
After leaving the military, we moved to the same city where my wife and I were working as Youth Pastors. The un-experience helped us to think we had a divine call for that church, but we lasted only 6 months in their ministry. Although this church was not in the United States (but in Mexico), we were giving our hearts to the people. I wanted to touch the hearts of the poor as much as the ones with more comfortable life styles; but gossip started to get spread out like wild fire. People with political influences were accusing us of bringing division to their church; they even went to the house we were renting and accused us of thieves and false teachers. To make a big story short, we left that place with our hearts broken and we didn’t have a place to go.
We collected and spent all of our savings to move close to my family at El Paso, TX. Since I was not ready for this big change and there were no jobs available, I had to work three different part-time jobs to support my small family. During our staying at El Paso, TX while we were close to family, I lost three members of my own family (on that same night). It was during that time when my own father lost his fight against cancer, and my brother with my grandmother lost their lives at a fatal car accident. The phone calls came on minute after the other. It was the worst night for my mother and my sisters. We almost buried all the three of them on the same day. 
After applying to so many jobs, I got accepted to become a Law Enforcement Officer in a Federal Agency. As a Federal Officer, I have seen a clearer picture about all the drug trafficking, money laundry, illegal immigration, terrorism, etc., etc. 
I believe God was blessing us with this great job because of our obedience (my wife’s and mine) of years and months before I got hired as a Federal Officer. But my heart started to feel inconsolable again. I was seeing how my brother was suffering with alcohol addiction, how my own nephew was involved in drug trafficking, how my sister was fighting with breast cancer, and how my own habits were leading astray from God because of my constant visits to night clubs where exotic dancers are used to entertain the public (thanks be to God that these visits didn't happen for a whole year). I guess many Law Enforcement Officers and members of the Armed Forces can relate to this kind of distraction; because I lived it, I can say it too. Or were these visits just a seed that was in my heart since I had been exposed to this kind of entertainment before (when I was only 15 yrs old)? Soon before you know, the visits to these night clubs can also turn (for anyone) into browsing the Internet at the wrong sites and creating habits that will destroy your marriage and manhood. It is an affair of the mind and the intimate relationship with your wife is damaged. I only praise and give all the honor to my Lord Jesus because He was the One who rescued me from all and any chains, any lust, or whatever desires of the flesh I could have had; and kept my marriage alive. But I have seen men loosing everything after so many years of marriage because of these affairs. 
God has blessed me with a virtuous and honorable woman. My perfect helper and a blessing from God! I would have to write another long story to say why she is very special to me. She is and has always been a true Woman of God. "Men, let me tell you: Our Father God knows what we need, treasure it". I was so much unfair to my wife during my years in the military (moving in and out), as a Federal Officer (differents work-shifts and leaving home at a moment's notice), when I lost my father because of cancer, when I had to work three different part-time jobs, when my daughter was born, and the list can still get big, but she has been always there for me. And how easy we, men, can forget all of those times when our spouses go the extra mile for us; and how they give their best to our children. How easily we, men, can take our special ladies for granted. 
The emptiness in my heart was very obvious but I didn’t want to stop everything that was happening to deal with it (I didn't want to make time for that). It wasn’t until I saw my brother’s own life making a big change. Very few believed in his change. It was a complete turn around from alcohol. He had spent many times in jail in the past because of the alcohol problems, he was blessed not to loose his own life after the many accidents he had while driving under the influence of alcohol. Being aware of my brother's radical transformation was not only an inspiration (motivation) but a challenge to my own life. My sister, who was fighting with cancer, was also searching for God in a very real way, and my other sister was already so blessed with her own family. Was this a wake up call for me too? I felt like I had a life with no purpose or no vision to live or die for. I began to ask God for a vision for my life. A lot of questions were popping up in my mind: "What have I done with my life that my precious daughter can take with her if I die?" "Where is my life heading to if I have no direction from God?" "If I tried so many things, why do I end up feeling empty again and again?" "Have I given my best to my wife, just like Jesus did for His church?" "Why do I always argue with people and still feel like I didn't get anywhere" I think in a lapse of one hour, I had already asked myself 25 tough life-questions without getting a good answer.  
This website was born out of that need. The need to know why I let things get out of hand; the need to help other people that have gone or are going thru the same circumstances I went thru; the need to know why my life was bearing no fruit; the need to know if God had created me for a purpose and with a purpose; the need to know Him in a real way. 
I am not claiming that I have finally achieved perfection nor I am an important Man of God (in the five fold Ministry) who preaches and declares the Word of God. I am just an ordinary person just like you are. I am only a common man who is in pursuit of God’s own heart. BUT..If David was very special to God, If Abraham was known as a Friend of God, if John was very dear to our Lord Jesus, if Moses was used by God, and if Elijah spoke from the heart of God, why is it hard for us to experience these things again? Because of these real questions, I am making prayer a ministry/burden/mission/goal to see God's hand/God's presence/God's intervention move in our lives again.
This world is not getting any easier. Children are killing each other; husbands are loosing their important leadership role in the family, leaders are not leading; our nation is loosing its values; our prayers are lacking substance and persistence (after we have learned to live a lifestyle of fast service and in a culture of easy comfort). During my first years of my Christian Faith, I asked God for a Mentor, a father figure, a person that I could learn from and ask the toughest questions of life. He kept silence! He was allowing me to pray for something He was already doing Himself, And He was teaching me!  It is amazing the way He teaches, He comfort us, He reveals Himself, He works in the mist of us, He loves to move all the pieces as a well orchestrate concert (or like a chess game). It is amazing the way HE LOVES US! Now, I can’t pray for a mentor anymore. I want children. I want to pour myself into people. I want to bear much fruit. I want to be trasparent. I want to be used by God. I want to pass a legacy to the next generation. Many preachers say that this is the last generation before our Lord Jesus returns. Don't get me wrong, I am eagerly waiting for His return, but what if they were wrong? What Can we do for the next generation? Don't stop dreaming for your tomorrow's; live today as if tomorrow there is still hope. Because of my job in the law enforcement field, I see a future generation that knows very little about politeness, humility, gratitude, a servant’s heart, peace, loving, unselfishness, purity, self-control, generosity, respect, fear for God, integrity, service, uncommon virtues, etc. 
Now, my prayers and my words are with the purpose and a deep desire that you and everyone will know and experience the power of His Presence, the healing power of His Presence, His forgiveness, His comfort, His peace, His victory, His faithfulness, and His justice. Praise Him! Enter into praise and worship for they are the passage to His glory and yours! 
Please know that I will always be here for you. Although I am not a bible scholar to have all the answers, and the wisdom to uncode all the secrets of His Word (The Holy Bible), my deep desire is to go after my Abba Father’s own heart. My own struggles, failures, and disappointments have taught me to completely surrender and learn from Him. Even though I am still part of this Federal Agency and a part time warrior in the military, I will seek His presence anywhere He takes me to (thru the wilderness, thru the valleys, on top of the hills, at sunrise or at sunset, or at the bottom of the sea). I guess my secular jobs only reflect that I have always been very patriotic with a courageous heart (I enjoy being in uniform too) who loves to serve and protect, but I also want to remain as a humbled vessel, as one of His servants, and a slave who loves Him so much, one who yearns to learn everything about Him, from Him, of Him, and with Him. 
God is with you.


To faithfully serve,

Hiram   
*the author of this website       
Godsfriends.net  

I want to thank God for the following people, because at one point or another during my life, they were used by God. It is not in any order of priority, but as they come to mind: To my very precious wife and daughter (they are treasures in my heart and blessings from above), to Dr. Daniel Williams, Dr. Kelley Varner, Pastor Rex Holt ans his wife, Pastor Dolly Salinas, and her Co-Pastor Rosi Otero, a very dear friend Rick Gonzalez, my brothers who I love so much Ely and Raul, my very dear sisters Paty, Norma, and Yolanda, the stranger who led me to Jesus, my very dear spiritual family Maggie Salinas and Mr. Salinas. but to the one who help God bring this miracle to earth (you are a miracle too), to my mother, a very special love-giving woman, who always has been there for my brother, sisters, me and her late husbands. and to my father, who in his little knowledge, tried to give me his best during my childhood (it wasn't until almost at the end of his life, when he received Jesus, he was able to achieve milestones with his radical transformation). I love you and I am very thankful to you. You are in my prayers. I will continue on this divine race in which you have helped me so much.
hiram@godsfriends.net]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Sunday, March 23, 2008

Dear Friends and visitors, 

Who is *“Hiram”? 
I want to share my life with you even though it can be easily misunderstood by people that are close to me (family members, coworkers, and friends). My heart has been dealing with this idea for a very long time. I want to be transparent and available to all the people that my Father God brings into my life. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." 2 Corinthians 1:3,4 
I hope the story of my life can help you relate whatever circumstances you may be going thru with the struggles in my own life; and know that your struggles are only for a season and with a divine reason. I am not an Apostle, Prophet, *Pastor, *Teacher, or an *Evangelist. Although I have helped some churches in the past by filing one or two of those *roles, until they were able to get the right people. I have not been anointed (by the laying of hands) to be in the five fold ministry.
I will give you my life-story in a general context. I don’t want to bore you death. And I will share it with the purpose to give honor and glory to my Lord Jesus Christ; and again, hopefully you can identify yourself and see that I was there too (in similar circumstances). May my life-story speak how God can use ordinary people to make extraordinary things (He has been transforming an ordinary man, into an extraordinary prayer warrior). 
I was born in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. The tales from my mother about my infancy are very inspiring. The moments right after my birth, were kind of chilly and cold since the hospital where she gave birth didn’t have the proper accommodations for their patients. She remembers being in a very cold room with a broken window during a very cold winter season. I was born in December 06, 1963 at 0600 hrs. Few years after my birth, I suffered from very severe burns after playing a game with my brothers (we’re acting as Indians against Cowboys). I didn’t notice a bucket full of boiling water on top of an old kerosene heater when we were running all over the house. That boiling water fell all over my body and burned my whole back. I was rushed into the hospital and the doctors did their best after seeing my little muscle tissues all the way into my tiny bones. Few years after that, I experienced another trauma. I had measles and few months after that I was again fighting for my life with bronchopneumonia at the hospital. My infancy was not full of health problems, I remember enjoying my childhood with marbles of different colors playing on the dirt and with little soldier figurines too. Few years after, while my school friends were living a very comfortable lifestyle, I started working at a very young age and still attending school when I was only 12 years old. I remember “hitch-hiking” my way to and from work, even during rainy days. The need for me to work was very significant, sometimes we would go to sleep with only a cup of black coffee (no cream) and a single piece of white bread in our stomachs. My first paycheck was not from a regular salary but from only tips of coins that would make 3 dollars per day (if we had a good day). At a very early age, I also experienced the destructive consequences of domestic abuse. I tried to avoid hearing all of that screaming and crying by going to my very special place, a dark corner at my room, and placing my hands on my ears (covering them) and closing myself to reality. During those many years, I never understood what my father did behind closed doors at very late hours of the night (after midnight), but my sister was also having a lot of ugly mightmares, our German Shepherd Dog was always howling in a very scary manner, and sounds of things as if they were being moved on top of our house were very audible. I can share many stories about these years, but one of my greatest blessings (I have too many to count) was when my father received our Lord Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior (many years later) and the transformation on my dad was like from midnight to noon day. My parents didn’t stayed together, after several years from their divorce they got married again to different people. My mother met a man from United States who later she married. She immigrated later to the United States with him. My father also met another lady and lived together. After my family moved to United States, I lived with my sister, who was already married. I was very quiet and shy during my childhood and teenage years; many people believed that I had to visit a counselor to dig out issues in my heart. People were concerned and wanted to see me more talkative. Because of my shyness, my sister’s brother-in-law exposed me to different prostitute's places, when I was only 15 years old, trying to make a man out of me. This is a devastative mistake that many "macho" fathers make, specially in third world countries. They want to promote their masculinity in their children (boys) with wrong ideas (by exposing them to drinking, swearing, cursing, fighting, etc) and to give their children a taste of what manhood is all about; but these unhealthy experiences will only lead their children to more aggressive behaviors and the wrong image of what God calls men to be. But in every culture, rich or poor, if God is not the center of any home, fathers will not know how to lead their children. God and His Word are the only true sources for knowledge to raise a good home. 
I joined my family in the United States few months after that. I began to learn that things in the big city (Los Angeles, CA) were not as beautiful as I used to see them in the movies. As a teenager, I began to be part of a big movement. I felt that I had to be part of that movement if I wanted to survive: a movement of different gangs, different drugs, alcohol, surfing at the beach, Rock n Roll, low-riders, homeboys, heavy metal music, fast cars, etc. These were just some of the things I was getting exposed to. At this same time, my mother was struggling again with another domestic abuse. 
One of my brothers had moved back with my father because of this insecurity at our home. I joined the United States Marine Corps right after High School and my youngest brother was playing the drums with a rock n roll group (but I never knew what they called themselves). They practiced so often to be the opening band for different groups like Motley Crue (back in the early 80s) at Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, CA.
Even though I was being serious about building myself in a military career, I was fighting within my heart for the acceptance from my own father. I thought I was never going to be able to measure up to my other brother (from my father's previous marriage), a very dear son to my father. Now, I understand how children have the need to feel the acceptance of their own fathers. It is like if we are always looking for their blessings. This brother and my father spent hours and long hours sharing different ideas together. Even now, I still admire him (my brother) very much. These were the most difficult years of my life. I was already in the military when I received a very crucial phone call at 1:00 in the morning. My sister was devastated when she called to inform me that one of my brothers had just committed a suicide. 
It was during my brother’s burial that a stranger approached me to give me the good news. I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior on the same day I was burring my own brother. Few months after that, I met a very beautiful lady, at a church I used to visit with my family. This precious lady who later became my wife has been a blessing from my Heavenly Father. After marrying my wife, we have been in many places together (because of military orders). I remember the special day when I asked for her hand. I did it over the phone because since the year we met, she has been away from her parents (but not because of her personal choice). They still live in a very far away country. After 22 years of marriage, I still haven’t being blessed in meeting her parents (personally). 
During a tour in the military, my wife and I became the Youth Pastors of a church we were attending, but later we had to leave that same church because of more military orders. We went to Japan and then 20 months later we came back to United States (North Carolina). It was there, at North Carolina, when my daughter was born, another blessing from God Almighty. She was a miracle because my wife couldn't have children. Because of this serious medical problem, my wife had major complications when giving birth to our daughter. She had lost so much blood during the delivery of our daughter that right after giving birth, doctors had to transfer my wife to a bigger and more modern Hospital. That state-of-the-art Hospital was 3 hours away from home. We spent 2 weeks away from our new born baby and it was tough. I was still in the military and there was no room for me at that hospital or on base. I had to sleep in my own car for the first few nights. It was a very cold winter. My daughter was born in January and the cold nights at Virginia were very unpleasant for me. During all that time, our daughter was under the care of our Pastor, Dr. Daniel Williams. A man after God’s own heart who showed me a lot of things during the few years we were there. It was during my last years in the military (at North Carolina) when I got introduce to the teachings of Dr. Kelley Varner too. I remember working as a waiter, and still being in the military, so I could have extra money and buy some of the books written by Dr. Kelley Varner.
After leaving the military, we moved to the same city where my wife and I were working as Youth Pastors. The un-experience helped us to think we had a divine call for that church, but we lasted only 6 months in their ministry. Although this church was not in the United States (but in Mexico), we were giving our hearts to the people. I wanted to touch the hearts of the poor as much as the ones with more comfortable life styles; but gossip started to get spread out like wild fire. People with political influences were accusing us of bringing division to their church; they even went to the house we were renting and accused us of thieves and false teachers. To make a big story short, we left that place with our hearts broken and we didn’t have a place to go.
We collected and spent all of our savings to move close to my family at El Paso, TX. Since I was not ready for this big change and there were no jobs available, I had to work three different part-time jobs to support my small family. During our staying at El Paso, TX while we were close to family, I lost three members of my own family (on that same night). It was during that time when my own father lost his fight against cancer, and my brother with my grandmother lost their lives at a fatal car accident. The phone calls came on minute after the other. It was the worst night for my mother and my sisters. We almost buried all the three of them on the same day. 
After applying to so many jobs, I got accepted to become a Law Enforcement Officer in a Federal Agency. As a Federal Officer, I have seen a clearer picture about all the drug trafficking, money laundry, illegal immigration, terrorism, etc., etc. 
I believe God was blessing us with this great job because of our obedience (my wife’s and mine) of years and months before I got hired as a Federal Officer. But my heart started to feel inconsolable again. I was seeing how my brother was suffering with alcohol addiction, how my own nephew was involved in drug trafficking, how my sister was fighting with breast cancer, and how my own habits were leading astray from God because of my constant visits to night clubs where exotic dancers are used to entertain the public (thanks be to God that these visits didn't happen for a whole year). I guess many Law Enforcement Officers and members of the Armed Forces can relate to this kind of distraction; because I lived it, I can say it too. Or were these visits just a seed that was in my heart since I had been exposed to this kind of entertainment before (when I was only 15 yrs old)? Soon before you know, the visits to these night clubs can also turn (for anyone) into browsing the Internet at the wrong sites and creating habits that will destroy your marriage and manhood. It is an affair of the mind and the intimate relationship with your wife is damaged. I only praise and give all the honor to my Lord Jesus because He was the One who rescued me from all and any chains, any lust, or whatever desires of the flesh I could have had; and kept my marriage alive. But I have seen men loosing everything after so many years of marriage because of these affairs. 
God has blessed me with a virtuous and honorable woman. My perfect helper and a blessing from God! I would have to write another long story to say why she is very special to me. She is and has always been a true Woman of God. "Men, let me tell you: Our Father God knows what we need, treasure it". I was so much unfair to my wife during my years in the military (moving in and out), as a Federal Officer (differents work-shifts and leaving home at a moment's notice), when I lost my father because of cancer, when I had to work three different part-time jobs, when my daughter was born, and the list can still get big, but she has been always there for me. And how easy we, men, can forget all of those times when our spouses go the extra mile for us; and how they give their best to our children. How easily we, men, can take our special ladies for granted. 
The emptiness in my heart was very obvious but I didn’t want to stop everything that was happening to deal with it (I didn't want to make time for that). It wasn’t until I saw my brother’s own life making a big change. Very few believed in his change. It was a complete turn around from alcohol. He had spent many times in jail in the past because of the alcohol problems, he was blessed not to loose his own life after the many accidents he had while driving under the influence of alcohol. Being aware of my brother's radical transformation was not only an inspiration (motivation) but a challenge to my own life. My sister, who was fighting with cancer, was also searching for God in a very real way, and my other sister was already so blessed with her own family. Was this a wake up call for me too? I felt like I had a life with no purpose or no vision to live or die for. I began to ask God for a vision for my life. A lot of questions were popping up in my mind: "What have I done with my life that my precious daughter can take with her if I die?" "Where is my life heading to if I have no direction from God?" "If I tried so many things, why do I end up feeling empty again and again?" "Have I given my best to my wife, just like Jesus did for His church?" "Why do I always argue with people and still feel like I didn't get anywhere" I think in a lapse of one hour, I had already asked myself 25 tough life-questions without getting a good answer.  
This website was born out of that need. The need to know why I let things get out of hand; the need to help other people that have gone or are going thru the same circumstances I went thru; the need to know why my life was bearing no fruit; the need to know if God had created me for a purpose and with a purpose; the need to know Him in a real way. 
I am not claiming that I have finally achieved perfection nor I am an important Man of God (in the five fold Ministry) who preaches and declares the Word of God. I am just an ordinary person just like you are. I am only a common man who is in pursuit of God’s own heart. BUT..If David was very special to God, If Abraham was known as a Friend of God, if John was very dear to our Lord Jesus, if Moses was used by God, and if Elijah spoke from the heart of God, why is it hard for us to experience these things again? Because of these real questions, I am making prayer a ministry/burden/mission/goal to see God's hand/God's presence/God's intervention move in our lives again.
This world is not getting any easier. Children are killing each other; husbands are loosing their important leadership role in the family, leaders are not leading; our nation is loosing its values; our prayers are lacking substance and persistence (after we have learned to live a lifestyle of fast service and in a culture of easy comfort). During my first years of my Christian Faith, I asked God for a Mentor, a father figure, a person that I could learn from and ask the toughest questions of life. He kept silence! He was allowing me to pray for something He was already doing Himself, And He was teaching me!  It is amazing the way He teaches, He comfort us, He reveals Himself, He works in the mist of us, He loves to move all the pieces as a well orchestrate concert (or like a chess game). It is amazing the way HE LOVES US! Now, I can’t pray for a mentor anymore. I want children. I want to pour myself into people. I want to bear much fruit. I want to be trasparent. I want to be used by God. I want to pass a legacy to the next generation. Many preachers say that this is the last generation before our Lord Jesus returns. Don't get me wrong, I am eagerly waiting for His return, but what if they were wrong? What Can we do for the next generation? Don't stop dreaming for your tomorrow's; live today as if tomorrow there is still hope. Because of my job in the law enforcement field, I see a future generation that knows very little about politeness, humility, gratitude, a servant’s heart, peace, loving, unselfishness, purity, self-control, generosity, respect, fear for God, integrity, service, uncommon virtues, etc. 
Now, my prayers and my words are with the purpose and a deep desire that you and everyone will know and experience the power of His Presence, the healing power of His Presence, His forgiveness, His comfort, His peace, His victory, His faithfulness, and His justice. Praise Him! Enter into praise and worship for they are the passage to His glory and yours! 
Please know that I will always be here for you. Although I am not a bible scholar to have all the answers, and the wisdom to uncode all the secrets of His Word (The Holy Bible), my deep desire is to go after my Abba Father’s own heart. My own struggles, failures, and disappointments have taught me to completely surrender and learn from Him. Even though I am still part of this Federal Agency and a part time warrior in the military, I will seek His presence anywhere He takes me to (thru the wilderness, thru the valleys, on top of the hills, at sunrise or at sunset, or at the bottom of the sea). I guess my secular jobs only reflect that I have always been very patriotic with a courageous heart (I enjoy being in uniform too) who loves to serve and protect, but I also want to remain as a humbled vessel, as one of His servants, and a slave who loves Him so much, one who yearns to learn everything about Him, from Him, of Him, and with Him. 
God is with you.


To faithfully serve,

Hiram   
*the author of this website       
Godsfriends.net  

I want to thank God for the following people, because at one point or another during my life, they were used by God. It is not in any order of priority, but as they come to mind: To my very precious wife and daughter (they are treasures in my heart and blessings from above), to Dr. Daniel Williams, Dr. Kelley Varner, Pastor Rex Holt ans his wife, Pastor Dolly Salinas, and her Co-Pastor Rosi Otero, a very dear friend Rick Gonzalez, my brothers who I love so much Ely and Raul, my very dear sisters Paty, Norma, and Yolanda, the stranger who led me to Jesus, my very dear spiritual family Maggie Salinas and Mr. Salinas. but to the one who help God bring this miracle to earth (you are a miracle too), to my mother, a very special love-giving woman, who always has been there for my brother, sisters, me and her late husbands. and to my father, who in his little knowledge, tried to give me his best during my childhood (it wasn't until almost at the end of his life, when he received Jesus, he was able to achieve milestones with his radical transformation). I love you and I am very thankful to you. You are in my prayers. I will continue on this divine race in which you have helped me so much.
hiram@godsfriends.net]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>A Friend of God from Indonesia, 2001</title>
			<link>http://www.godsfriends.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=11</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:56:18 -0700</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.godsfriends.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=11</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[In 2001, a Friend of God from Indonesia, Mila Wenno is a forty-three year old Christian nurse. She and her husband, Stefanus, were on their way to church on their motorbike over the same route they had taken for twenty years without incident. But on January 21, a group of twenty radical and angry Muslims were blocking the road. The mob had been brought to the island where the Wennos lived from another island, so that they could not be easily identified. Each member of the mob was armed with either a rifle or machete. Seeing the mob of Muslims ahead, Stefanus believed the best way to avoid trouble was to continue through them without stopping. But it was no use. One of the Muslims swung the end of his rifle like a baseball bat and struck Mila in the head nearly knocking her from the bike, and forcing her to grab her husband to keep from falling. While Stefanus was trying to keep the motorbike under control to get away from the now shouting and chanting Muslims, another man swung his machete at Mila and sliced through the muscle and bone of her right arm just above the elbow, leaving the arm hanging from her shoulders by a few inches of flesh. Although Mila’s arm was saved, she no longer has any feeling in her hand and forearm because of the severed nerves, and the arm is virtually useless. 
Amazingly, Mila’s attitude is not one of sadness and bitterness because of the prosecution, but rather one of joy. When questioned about the incident, Mila smiled joyously and said, “At first I felt terrible and sad, but this was God’s will. It has drawn me closer to Him, and I know He will bless me and my family.” Mila and her husband Stefanus were among 876 Christian families left homeless that terrible day after radical Muslims burned most of their village. Many of the villagers – 3,493 people – sought refuge in the jungle nearby, where they have constructed temporary homes and shelters and will live until they fell it is safe to return to their permanent homes. When that will be, or it if ever will be, they have no way of knowing. But they continue to pray and hold steady in their faith in Christ.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[In 2001, a Friend of God from Indonesia, Mila Wenno is a forty-three year old Christian nurse. She and her husband, Stefanus, were on their way to church on their motorbike over the same route they had taken for twenty years without incident. But on January 21, a group of twenty radical and angry Muslims were blocking the road. The mob had been brought to the island where the Wennos lived from another island, so that they could not be easily identified. Each member of the mob was armed with either a rifle or machete. Seeing the mob of Muslims ahead, Stefanus believed the best way to avoid trouble was to continue through them without stopping. But it was no use. One of the Muslims swung the end of his rifle like a baseball bat and struck Mila in the head nearly knocking her from the bike, and forcing her to grab her husband to keep from falling. While Stefanus was trying to keep the motorbike under control to get away from the now shouting and chanting Muslims, another man swung his machete at Mila and sliced through the muscle and bone of her right arm just above the elbow, leaving the arm hanging from her shoulders by a few inches of flesh. Although Mila’s arm was saved, she no longer has any feeling in her hand and forearm because of the severed nerves, and the arm is virtually useless. 
Amazingly, Mila’s attitude is not one of sadness and bitterness because of the prosecution, but rather one of joy. When questioned about the incident, Mila smiled joyously and said, “At first I felt terrible and sad, but this was God’s will. It has drawn me closer to Him, and I know He will bless me and my family.” Mila and her husband Stefanus were among 876 Christian families left homeless that terrible day after radical Muslims burned most of their village. Many of the villagers – 3,493 people – sought refuge in the jungle nearby, where they have constructed temporary homes and shelters and will live until they fell it is safe to return to their permanent homes. When that will be, or it if ever will be, they have no way of knowing. But they continue to pray and hold steady in their faith in Christ.]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>A Friend of God from Pakistan, 1999</title>
			<link>http://www.godsfriends.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=10</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:54:35 -0700</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.godsfriends.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=10</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[In 1999, a Friend of God from Pakistan, Sharif Masih and his family lived in a small house that he rented on a farm where he worked for a yearly salary of only &#36;100. Each year he was forced to borrow money from his employers just to provide enough food to feed his family. This amounts to a form of legal slavery, for the loans ensure employers that their workers have to work for them for years without end, because they can never repay any of the principle on the loans. The only other recompense he received for a year’s work was &#36;50. worth of grain a year.
Sharif has only two daughters. His youngest, Zeba, who was 12 at that time, was a Christian. To help with the family income, Zeba agreed to take a job as a servant girl with a local Muslim family. 
Because she is a beautiful and sweet-spirit girl, Zeba’s employers thought she might make a good wife for one of their young Muslim men. In an attempt to convert Zeba to the Muslim faith, her employer began trying to teach her Koranic verses, demanding that she memorize them. She refused. 
Enraged at her refusal, her employer and other servants beat her with sticks and their fists, kicked her, and spat upon her. They even had her arrested for alleged crimes against the state, which were dismissed for lack of proof. 
When Zeba’s parents learned of the cruelty inflicted on her twelve-year-old daughter by her employers, Mrs. Masih immediately went to the home to ask why they would harm her little girl. Mrs. Maish was beaten by Zeba’s employers and their Muslim servants. Then she was doused with gasoline and set on fire. Although rushed to the hospital by others who saw the incident, she didn’t survive. 
But that was not the end of the tragedy. Zeba’s oldest sister, Aseema, was unable to bear the grief and hopelessness that had descended upon her family, and went into shock and never recovered. She literally died of a broken heart not many weeks after her mother. 
In Pakistan, Christians are less than the lowest class of citizens, and need daily prayers of their brothers and sisters in Christ all overt he world. Since this senseless tragedy occurred, concerned Christians have arranged to have Zeba trained in English, in tailoring, and in basic business training, so that she will never again be forced to work as a servant girl in a Muslim household. In addition, money was contributed in year 2001, to pay off her father’s debt to his employer so that he can find better employment for a higher wage.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[In 1999, a Friend of God from Pakistan, Sharif Masih and his family lived in a small house that he rented on a farm where he worked for a yearly salary of only &#36;100. Each year he was forced to borrow money from his employers just to provide enough food to feed his family. This amounts to a form of legal slavery, for the loans ensure employers that their workers have to work for them for years without end, because they can never repay any of the principle on the loans. The only other recompense he received for a year’s work was &#36;50. worth of grain a year.
Sharif has only two daughters. His youngest, Zeba, who was 12 at that time, was a Christian. To help with the family income, Zeba agreed to take a job as a servant girl with a local Muslim family. 
Because she is a beautiful and sweet-spirit girl, Zeba’s employers thought she might make a good wife for one of their young Muslim men. In an attempt to convert Zeba to the Muslim faith, her employer began trying to teach her Koranic verses, demanding that she memorize them. She refused. 
Enraged at her refusal, her employer and other servants beat her with sticks and their fists, kicked her, and spat upon her. They even had her arrested for alleged crimes against the state, which were dismissed for lack of proof. 
When Zeba’s parents learned of the cruelty inflicted on her twelve-year-old daughter by her employers, Mrs. Masih immediately went to the home to ask why they would harm her little girl. Mrs. Maish was beaten by Zeba’s employers and their Muslim servants. Then she was doused with gasoline and set on fire. Although rushed to the hospital by others who saw the incident, she didn’t survive. 
But that was not the end of the tragedy. Zeba’s oldest sister, Aseema, was unable to bear the grief and hopelessness that had descended upon her family, and went into shock and never recovered. She literally died of a broken heart not many weeks after her mother. 
In Pakistan, Christians are less than the lowest class of citizens, and need daily prayers of their brothers and sisters in Christ all overt he world. Since this senseless tragedy occurred, concerned Christians have arranged to have Zeba trained in English, in tailoring, and in basic business training, so that she will never again be forced to work as a servant girl in a Muslim household. In addition, money was contributed in year 2001, to pay off her father’s debt to his employer so that he can find better employment for a higher wage.]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>A Friend of God from Sudan, 1998</title>
			<link>http://www.godsfriends.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=9</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 11 Dec 2007 00:52:19 -0700</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.godsfriends.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=9</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[In 1998, a Friend of God from Sudan, Nine year old James Jeda [/font]watched as Islamic soldiers killed his father, mother, and four brothers and sisters. They did not kill him, but took him as prisoner. He thought they were going to make him a slave to them, which was a common practice. So that evening when they told him to gather wood for a fire, he assumed they were getting ready to cook something for their supper. 
When the fire was burning at its highest, the soldiers asked James if he had seen or knew of any rebel soldiers in the area. He told them he did not. Then they told him that he must become a Muslim and accept Mohammed as God’s prophet and bow down to Allah. 
Still in shock from seeing his parents and brothers and sisters killed, James told them with all the courage that he could muster that he couldn’t do that. “I am a Christian”, he said, with his voice trembling.
Enraged, the soldiers picked him up and threw him violently into the fire for which he had gathered wood. They watched him for a few moments as the flames engulfed him, and when they did not see him moving they thought he had been knocked unconscious or was already dead and packed up their weapons and left.
James wasn’t dead, however, somehow he withstood the terrible pain for a few moments, and when the flames roared up around him he rolled out of them away from the soldiers and ran off into the bush before they could see him.
The front of James’s stomach is terribly scarred where he laid in the flames for those few moments, and his right arm is partially deformed due to the heat of the fire. You can easily see the places on his body where the doctors grafted skin over his third-degree burns. 
He still grieves over the death of his parents and brothers and sisters, and still feels the pain of his loss, and of being all alone in the world. When you look into his eyes you can see a young boy who has suffered things that most children never imagine even in their worst nightmares.
Yet he has a ready, joyous, smile. Especially when he proudly proclaims, “I am a Christian.”]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[In 1998, a Friend of God from Sudan, Nine year old James Jeda [/font]watched as Islamic soldiers killed his father, mother, and four brothers and sisters. They did not kill him, but took him as prisoner. He thought they were going to make him a slave to them, which was a common practice. So that evening when they told him to gather wood for a fire, he assumed they were getting ready to cook something for their supper. 
When the fire was burning at its highest, the soldiers asked James if he had seen or knew of any rebel soldiers in the area. He told them he did not. Then they told him that he must become a Muslim and accept Mohammed as God’s prophet and bow down to Allah. 
Still in shock from seeing his parents and brothers and sisters killed, James told them with all the courage that he could muster that he couldn’t do that. “I am a Christian”, he said, with his voice trembling.
Enraged, the soldiers picked him up and threw him violently into the fire for which he had gathered wood. They watched him for a few moments as the flames engulfed him, and when they did not see him moving they thought he had been knocked unconscious or was already dead and packed up their weapons and left.
James wasn’t dead, however, somehow he withstood the terrible pain for a few moments, and when the flames roared up around him he rolled out of them away from the soldiers and ran off into the bush before they could see him.
The front of James’s stomach is terribly scarred where he laid in the flames for those few moments, and his right arm is partially deformed due to the heat of the fire. You can easily see the places on his body where the doctors grafted skin over his third-degree burns. 
He still grieves over the death of his parents and brothers and sisters, and still feels the pain of his loss, and of being all alone in the world. When you look into his eyes you can see a young boy who has suffered things that most children never imagine even in their worst nightmares.
Yet he has a ready, joyous, smile. Especially when he proudly proclaims, “I am a Christian.”]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Are you ok? or Are you Nuts?</title>
			<link>http://www.godsfriends.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=8</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 17 Sep 2007 11:37:44 -0600</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.godsfriends.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=8</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[Dear Friends,
Have you broken any barriers? Or are you still intimidated by whatever your world may think of you? A relationship with Jesus will put you in a situation/place that will make people wonder if you are for real or not. But a religious heart for Jesus will always keep you in the comfort zone .…Boring! Has there been any excitement in your life?
Believe it or not, God too finds religion boring – extremely boring. In fact, He often finds it annoying. Has it occurred to you that He might be interested in many other subjects? He is! His range of interest just might be even wider than yours. He is the creator! He likes to participate in various sports, arts, writing, music – and jokes. Loosen up! Start by inviting Him in everything you do! And although some would be shocked to hear it, He enjoys theater and dancing immensely. Hasn’t your spirit rejoiced when the anointing flows in a specific song, in a dance, with a piece of art, a movie, or as a simple walk at sunset on the beach sand, or etc? So why is it so hard to believe that God enjoys it too! Why not? If you recall, He is the Inventor, the Creator. He also happens to be very fond of animals, or haven’t you noticed all the rare species? Oh yes; He is an incurable bird watcher and sparrows are some of His favorites. Geography and astronomy never cease to interest Him, and He also delights in chemistry and micro-biology. He is much more real than a book at the library, or a picture in a museum. Yet, like yourself, He is repelled by meaningless rituals and routines. He thinks the realm of organized religion is very dull and drab! The goals and interests of religion are mostly unrelated to Him. If He attends a religious event, He does so strictly from a sense of duty – you can be sure of that. Doesn’t this ever happen, that you neither, like to attend boring events? He makes it a policy to attend only if He is invited, so, as you can surmise, He rarely goes at all. By that I mean His Heart is not in it! In one sense it would be impossible for Him not to be there. Perhaps that is what might be called one of the less fortunate aspects of being omnipresent?      
He has more in common with us than what we think! Or isn’t it better to say: We have so much in common (we were created in His own image)! He is our Father! He finds flowery speeches a bore, a tradition tedious and he hates religiosity. But He does love people!! Don’t you? That is why he can’t just simply give up on the Church. But isn’t that the way love is? Love doesn’t have an “off and on” switch. At least His kind never has!!
Besides, when he thinks of the Church, He thinks of His family. In His view, the religious rat race is a universe removed from what the Church is really about. Would you share with us an experience that when it happened, you made everyone wonder if you were for real or not? At that moment you were breaking some barriers (racial, religious, social, etc.)! You probably made people think: “How could you talk to that sinner?” “Why did he give so much money?” “Why is he eating with those people?” Didn’t Jesus do the same (breaking barriers of religion and walls of separation)? Are you living a real relationship with Jesus or a meaningless and bored religion? What’s so far the most excited experience you have to contribute?  I do have some… let me share them with you soon! Listen to the video and grasp the whole idea about our relationship with Jesus!

http://www.mychurch.org/blog/30635/coolest-video-ever

God is with you!      ]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Dear Friends,
Have you broken any barriers? Or are you still intimidated by whatever your world may think of you? A relationship with Jesus will put you in a situation/place that will make people wonder if you are for real or not. But a religious heart for Jesus will always keep you in the comfort zone .…Boring! Has there been any excitement in your life?
Believe it or not, God too finds religion boring – extremely boring. In fact, He often finds it annoying. Has it occurred to you that He might be interested in many other subjects? He is! His range of interest just might be even wider than yours. He is the creator! He likes to participate in various sports, arts, writing, music – and jokes. Loosen up! Start by inviting Him in everything you do! And although some would be shocked to hear it, He enjoys theater and dancing immensely. Hasn’t your spirit rejoiced when the anointing flows in a specific song, in a dance, with a piece of art, a movie, or as a simple walk at sunset on the beach sand, or etc? So why is it so hard to believe that God enjoys it too! Why not? If you recall, He is the Inventor, the Creator. He also happens to be very fond of animals, or haven’t you noticed all the rare species? Oh yes; He is an incurable bird watcher and sparrows are some of His favorites. Geography and astronomy never cease to interest Him, and He also delights in chemistry and micro-biology. He is much more real than a book at the library, or a picture in a museum. Yet, like yourself, He is repelled by meaningless rituals and routines. He thinks the realm of organized religion is very dull and drab! The goals and interests of religion are mostly unrelated to Him. If He attends a religious event, He does so strictly from a sense of duty – you can be sure of that. Doesn’t this ever happen, that you neither, like to attend boring events? He makes it a policy to attend only if He is invited, so, as you can surmise, He rarely goes at all. By that I mean His Heart is not in it! In one sense it would be impossible for Him not to be there. Perhaps that is what might be called one of the less fortunate aspects of being omnipresent?      
He has more in common with us than what we think! Or isn’t it better to say: We have so much in common (we were created in His own image)! He is our Father! He finds flowery speeches a bore, a tradition tedious and he hates religiosity. But He does love people!! Don’t you? That is why he can’t just simply give up on the Church. But isn’t that the way love is? Love doesn’t have an “off and on” switch. At least His kind never has!!
Besides, when he thinks of the Church, He thinks of His family. In His view, the religious rat race is a universe removed from what the Church is really about. Would you share with us an experience that when it happened, you made everyone wonder if you were for real or not? At that moment you were breaking some barriers (racial, religious, social, etc.)! You probably made people think: “How could you talk to that sinner?” “Why did he give so much money?” “Why is he eating with those people?” Didn’t Jesus do the same (breaking barriers of religion and walls of separation)? Are you living a real relationship with Jesus or a meaningless and bored religion? What’s so far the most excited experience you have to contribute?  I do have some… let me share them with you soon! Listen to the video and grasp the whole idea about our relationship with Jesus!

http://www.mychurch.org/blog/30635/coolest-video-ever

God is with you!      ]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Are You Ready?</title>
			<link>http://www.godsfriends.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=7</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 23 Aug 2007 10:42:16 -0600</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.godsfriends.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=7</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[Dear Friends and guests,

In answer to many questions of how a loving God can allow there to be a hell, consider this: heaven and hell are conditions of the heart before they can ever be anything else, and a man conditions his heart for his final destiny by his own habitual choices. It is choice that constructs character, fashioning it for either everlasting joy or endless torment. Thus, every decision a man makes, whether great or small, to some degree affects his destiny. It is the law of cause and effect – the way reality is bound to work and will always work. Every choice contributes to the design, disposition and final fixation of the inner self. YES! Choice is the chisel by which the character is carved. My Friend, Our Father God banishes no one! And neither does He assigns men and women to heaven or hell. All are designed for their destinies by their own repeated choices. There can be no heaven for the soul conditioned for hell. Streets of gold would burn the feet of a greedy and miserly man far more than the flames of outer darkness. But the grateful and generous-hearted will see heaven in the worst of hells. It is written, “Light will arise in the blackest night for the man of integrity and love”.
Heaven would be the worst of hells for the soul unprepared for its environment. If a man has repeatedly refused the joys of heaven offered him in earthly life, how could h desire them in the life to come? He would have actually grown to prefer the perverted “joys” of hell. A woman who had learned to enjoy self-pity and complaining would never feel at home in a realm of thanksgiving and praise. A man consumed with ambition could find no pleasure in a land of love and submission. Lust, at any cost, whether for pleasure or power or possessions, eventually erodes everything worth having. When a man’s lust becomes his idol, it literally destroys his capacity to make a righteous choice. Such a man would never recognize God if he saw God – nor would he ever want God if he did. Everyday presents fresh opportunities to choose life or death, love or hate, heaven or hell. So now do you see why the Spirit of God keeps talking about the importance of thanksgiving, love and forgiveness? If you practice choosing these you will find yourself already in the habit of heaven.   


Please go to the following link so you can appreciate more this thread. Make sure that you turn up the volume.  My only video in this library is “Final Days”. Enjoy it!

http://www.youtube.com/K9DUCE]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Dear Friends and guests,

In answer to many questions of how a loving God can allow there to be a hell, consider this: heaven and hell are conditions of the heart before they can ever be anything else, and a man conditions his heart for his final destiny by his own habitual choices. It is choice that constructs character, fashioning it for either everlasting joy or endless torment. Thus, every decision a man makes, whether great or small, to some degree affects his destiny. It is the law of cause and effect – the way reality is bound to work and will always work. Every choice contributes to the design, disposition and final fixation of the inner self. YES! Choice is the chisel by which the character is carved. My Friend, Our Father God banishes no one! And neither does He assigns men and women to heaven or hell. All are designed for their destinies by their own repeated choices. There can be no heaven for the soul conditioned for hell. Streets of gold would burn the feet of a greedy and miserly man far more than the flames of outer darkness. But the grateful and generous-hearted will see heaven in the worst of hells. It is written, “Light will arise in the blackest night for the man of integrity and love”.
Heaven would be the worst of hells for the soul unprepared for its environment. If a man has repeatedly refused the joys of heaven offered him in earthly life, how could h desire them in the life to come? He would have actually grown to prefer the perverted “joys” of hell. A woman who had learned to enjoy self-pity and complaining would never feel at home in a realm of thanksgiving and praise. A man consumed with ambition could find no pleasure in a land of love and submission. Lust, at any cost, whether for pleasure or power or possessions, eventually erodes everything worth having. When a man’s lust becomes his idol, it literally destroys his capacity to make a righteous choice. Such a man would never recognize God if he saw God – nor would he ever want God if he did. Everyday presents fresh opportunities to choose life or death, love or hate, heaven or hell. So now do you see why the Spirit of God keeps talking about the importance of thanksgiving, love and forgiveness? If you practice choosing these you will find yourself already in the habit of heaven.   


Please go to the following link so you can appreciate more this thread. Make sure that you turn up the volume.  My only video in this library is “Final Days”. Enjoy it!

http://www.youtube.com/K9DUCE]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Where do you stand?</title>
			<link>http://www.godsfriends.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=6</link>
			<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jul 2007 09:59:19 -0600</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.godsfriends.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=6</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[I think the war in Iraq has brought a lot of controversy :(. I am not submitting this thread to make new enemies :). This war has brought Republicans against Democrats. Liberals against Traditionalists, Bush’s sympathizers vs. Bush’s opponents, family members against each other. What happened to us as a country? :( I remember after “911” how we humbled ourselves because of that major tragedy and our prayers went to God for our country to be healed. Have we forgotten too soon? I am not blaming other countries for the “911”. I am blaming ourselves because we have been separating our God from our country. A nation cannot stand strong if it is not united. What are you answering to your family when they’re asking you if this war is ok? Where do you stand when the majority of your coworkers and friends are blaming politics and our present government for these decisions to continue/stop the war? If God is behind this, are you with God or against God? If God is not behind this, are you familiar with the end of times? Do you agree with the majority or with the minority? Is your faith strong enough to stand for what you believe?
I hope you can open the following link before you submit your reply.
http://www.youtube.com/v/ervaMPt4Ha0&autoplay=1
If you agree or disagree with this war, please don't forsake your duty to pray for our Marines, soldiers, airmen, sailors and their families, and the rest of the different employees deployed to that region to assist them . Thanks. Semper Fi,]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[I think the war in Iraq has brought a lot of controversy :(. I am not submitting this thread to make new enemies :). This war has brought Republicans against Democrats. Liberals against Traditionalists, Bush’s sympathizers vs. Bush’s opponents, family members against each other. What happened to us as a country? :( I remember after “911” how we humbled ourselves because of that major tragedy and our prayers went to God for our country to be healed. Have we forgotten too soon? I am not blaming other countries for the “911”. I am blaming ourselves because we have been separating our God from our country. A nation cannot stand strong if it is not united. What are you answering to your family when they’re asking you if this war is ok? Where do you stand when the majority of your coworkers and friends are blaming politics and our present government for these decisions to continue/stop the war? If God is behind this, are you with God or against God? If God is not behind this, are you familiar with the end of times? Do you agree with the majority or with the minority? Is your faith strong enough to stand for what you believe?
I hope you can open the following link before you submit your reply.
http://www.youtube.com/v/ervaMPt4Ha0&autoplay=1
If you agree or disagree with this war, please don't forsake your duty to pray for our Marines, soldiers, airmen, sailors and their families, and the rest of the different employees deployed to that region to assist them . Thanks. Semper Fi,]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Food for Thought</title>
			<link>http://www.godsfriends.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=5</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jul 2007 20:43:15 -0600</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.godsfriends.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=5</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[Some comforting thoughts for all:

God does not reveal His plan, He reveals Himself.
He comes to us as:
warmth when we are cold,
fellowship when we are alone, 
strength when we are weak,
peace when we are troubled,
courage when we are afraid,
songs when we are sad,
and bread when we are hungry...

I believe that it would be of great inspirition for all the members to share their story of how the came to know our Father...or Daddy as I like to call Him...
If anyone is interested in my tesitmony...I will be more than happy to share it...in the end our greatest witnessing tool is our testimony...

Thanks
my name is Sergio...but here I would like to be known as Rein...]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Some comforting thoughts for all:

God does not reveal His plan, He reveals Himself.
He comes to us as:
warmth when we are cold,
fellowship when we are alone, 
strength when we are weak,
peace when we are troubled,
courage when we are afraid,
songs when we are sad,
and bread when we are hungry...

I believe that it would be of great inspirition for all the members to share their story of how the came to know our Father...or Daddy as I like to call Him...
If anyone is interested in my tesitmony...I will be more than happy to share it...in the end our greatest witnessing tool is our testimony...

Thanks
my name is Sergio...but here I would like to be known as Rein...]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Is Harry Potter harmless?</title>
			<link>http://www.godsfriends.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=4</link>
			<pubDate>Sun, 22 Jul 2007 12:49:42 -0600</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.godsfriends.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=4</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[With the crazy phenomenon known as “Harry Potter”, have you considered the reality behind these books.   I don’t think people fully realize what they’re dealing with.  Anyone who knows about spiritual warfare knows that these books can open the door to spiritual bondage.  It is clear that the Harry Potter movies and books  promote interest in magic and the occult.  Some children  and some young adults are fascinated with the kind of power that Harry possess.  According to the author JK Rowling young Harry practices white majic in order to battle against Lord Voldemort  and the black arts.
Well in my opinion, white majic or black majic, it’s all the same.  It’s still witchcraft.  What do you think?]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[With the crazy phenomenon known as “Harry Potter”, have you considered the reality behind these books.   I don’t think people fully realize what they’re dealing with.  Anyone who knows about spiritual warfare knows that these books can open the door to spiritual bondage.  It is clear that the Harry Potter movies and books  promote interest in magic and the occult.  Some children  and some young adults are fascinated with the kind of power that Harry possess.  According to the author JK Rowling young Harry practices white majic in order to battle against Lord Voldemort  and the black arts.
Well in my opinion, white majic or black majic, it’s all the same.  It’s still witchcraft.  What do you think?]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>Pleasing the LORD</title>
			<link>http://www.godsfriends.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=3</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 19 Jul 2007 17:49:39 -0600</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.godsfriends.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=3</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[Here's something to keep in mind....

How can I please the Lord?

But Samuel replied [to Saul], "What is more pleasing to the Lord, your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. Listening to him is much better than offering the fat of rams. Rebelling is as bad as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as bad as worshiping idols. 

1 Samuel 15:22-23 NLT

If you love me, obey my commandments.… You are my friends if you obey me. 
John 14:15; 15:14 NLT

True Friends of Jesus Obey Him

How do we demonstrate our friendship with Jesus? Quite simply, we do what he says. If we refuse, we have no right to call ourselves his friends. 

In 1 Samuel 15 the Bible tells how King Saul disobeyed the Lord's command to completely destroy the enemies and their livestock. When Samuel asked the king why he heard the bleating of sheep and the lowing of cattle, Saul basically replied, "Oh, right, thanks for reminding me. We're saving those to offer to the Lord later!" 

Samuel recognized a lie when he heard one and replied, "To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams." (1 Samuel 15:22 NIV). God wants the same from us, not some great annual recommitment that we soon break. He wants consistency. Regularity. Faithfulness. He wants our obedience.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Here's something to keep in mind....

How can I please the Lord?

But Samuel replied [to Saul], "What is more pleasing to the Lord, your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Obedience is far better than sacrifice. Listening to him is much better than offering the fat of rams. Rebelling is as bad as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as bad as worshiping idols. 

1 Samuel 15:22-23 NLT

If you love me, obey my commandments.… You are my friends if you obey me. 
John 14:15; 15:14 NLT

True Friends of Jesus Obey Him

How do we demonstrate our friendship with Jesus? Quite simply, we do what he says. If we refuse, we have no right to call ourselves his friends. 

In 1 Samuel 15 the Bible tells how King Saul disobeyed the Lord's command to completely destroy the enemies and their livestock. When Samuel asked the king why he heard the bleating of sheep and the lowing of cattle, Saul basically replied, "Oh, right, thanks for reminding me. We're saving those to offer to the Lord later!" 

Samuel recognized a lie when he heard one and replied, "To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams." (1 Samuel 15:22 NIV). God wants the same from us, not some great annual recommitment that we soon break. He wants consistency. Regularity. Faithfulness. He wants our obedience.]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>HOMESICK!!!!</title>
			<link>http://www.godsfriends.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2</link>
			<pubDate>Thu, 19 Jul 2007 17:30:48 -0600</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.godsfriends.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=2</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[Here's some food for thought....


Homesick for God  
 
The woman left her water jar beside the well and went back to the village and told everyone, "Come and meet a man who told me everything I ever did! Can this be the Messiah?" So the people came streaming from the village to see him.   John 4:28-30 NLT 
 
How many people have you made homesick for God?   
 
Spread the good news :D
The Samaritan woman was so amazed by Jesus and his revelations about who he was and about the secrets of her heart and life that she forgot her water jar—the very reason she'd come to the well—and rushed back to the village to tell others about the "man" she had met. Up and down the streets she shared the good news about Jesus, for she had seen the Lord, the Messiah! Having received the living water, a perpetual spring within her that gave her eternal life (v. 14), she wanted others to know him too. So the people began streaming from the village to see him, eager to meet this incredible man who told people the secrets of their hearts. 
Sharing with others what Jesus had done in us and for us stirs up interest in those who don't know him. His revelation in our lives draws to him people who desire to have him work in their lives as he does in ours. With whom could you share the Good News today? Ask the Lord to make you sensitive to his working in the lives of others, and be ready to share the hope that's within you.]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[Here's some food for thought....


Homesick for God  
 
The woman left her water jar beside the well and went back to the village and told everyone, "Come and meet a man who told me everything I ever did! Can this be the Messiah?" So the people came streaming from the village to see him.   John 4:28-30 NLT 
 
How many people have you made homesick for God?   
 
Spread the good news :D
The Samaritan woman was so amazed by Jesus and his revelations about who he was and about the secrets of her heart and life that she forgot her water jar—the very reason she'd come to the well—and rushed back to the village to tell others about the "man" she had met. Up and down the streets she shared the good news about Jesus, for she had seen the Lord, the Messiah! Having received the living water, a perpetual spring within her that gave her eternal life (v. 14), she wanted others to know him too. So the people began streaming from the village to see him, eager to meet this incredible man who told people the secrets of their hearts. 
Sharing with others what Jesus had done in us and for us stirs up interest in those who don't know him. His revelation in our lives draws to him people who desire to have him work in their lives as he does in ours. With whom could you share the Good News today? Ask the Lord to make you sensitive to his working in the lives of others, and be ready to share the hope that's within you.]]></content:encoded>
		</item>
		<item>
			<title>I'm a believer...are you?</title>
			<link>http://www.godsfriends.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=1</link>
			<pubDate>Mon, 16 Jul 2007 20:24:12 -0600</pubDate>
			<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.godsfriends.net/forum/showthread.php?tid=1</guid>
			<description><![CDATA[This is my first time on this web page.  It appears to be of intrest, but it also appears to be new.  I usually sufer the net in search of information regarding God and his awesome power.  This page came past my screen so I decided to check it out.  Allow me to introduce myself.  I'm an old hippie from the 60's who recently came to know the Lord.  I don't have a church I can call my own.  I don't really know many people, but  I do travel from place to place and have met some real intresting people.  I'm intrested in getting to know other believers if there are any out there.:cool:]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[This is my first time on this web page.  It appears to be of intrest, but it also appears to be new.  I usually sufer the net in search of information regarding God and his awesome power.  This page came past my screen so I decided to check it out.  Allow me to introduce myself.  I'm an old hippie from the 60's who recently came to know the Lord.  I don't have a church I can call my own.  I don't really know many people, but  I do travel from place to place and have met some real intresting people.  I'm intrested in getting to know other believers if there are any out there.:cool:]]></content:encoded>
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	</channel>
</rss><br />
<b>Fatal error</b>:  Cannot redeclare class databaseEngine in <b>/usr/home/hid843/public_html/forum/inc/db_mysqli.php</b> on line <b>13</b><br />
