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| I have given them the glory that you gave me, so that they may be one, just as we are one. I am in them, and you are in me. May they be completely one, so that the world may know that you sent me and that you have loved them as you loved me. John 17:22 & 23 |
MORE Stateside highlights, links and miracles!
Soon the time came to get going. I had lost the use of my failed notebook
computer so some of my itinerary suffered with that loss. Still I managed to
visit Rick Joyner's new site in the former Heritage Village. The Morningstar
Outpouring, imported from Lakeland Florida was a bit too commercial and
"lets have fun with God," for my taste...still I enjoyed the music and peripheral
fellowship. The best part of that stop was living on Joey Taylor's floor for a few
days and getting to know some of the people involved in Lou Engle's, "The
Cause." There was a sense of purpose living in their midst that I loved. I had
not been so impressed with the imported outpouring and had ambivalent
thoughts about going to Lakeland. I don't want to miss a real revival and
chance to be refreshed in the Lord, but...next stop Millbrook Alabama.
In Alabama I stayed with my very hospitable friends, Tom and Larissa Benz,
and visited the Bridgestone Campgrounds for the first time. I visited them
twice as I left my notebook computer with a friend of theirs for repair after its
nose dive in Virginia. Later after visiting Florida I purchased a new notebook
on credit in a Wal-Mart in Hinesville GA when I heard my old Compac was
irreparably broken. Back in Alabama I stayed at Bridgestone. Tom took me to
a church in the country who helped enough to keep me in ga$oline. I helped a
young man move old air conditioners from the camp to a dumping ground and
helped a volleyball court get net poles. The Alabama believers were very
friendly and Larissa’s cooking was outstanding.
OK what about Lakeland? Todd Bentley was not just like on TV. He was
worse. He claimed people were raised from the dead when it was not that at
all. The whole thing seemed to be a big media show. I worked in advertising
for a while years ago and know hype when I see it, not that it was so hard to
spot. I hung in through two meetings and left. Was God there? He is
everywhere. Was I impressed with the, “Lakeland Healing Outpouring?” Not
really. The GPS really helped me navigate in Florida. I stayed with Lou and
Thelma Gosleth in Kissimee and drove over to Lakeland from there. They
actually blessed me more than the, “outpouring.” Thanks for the CD’s
Thelma. I am not at all through chasing God, but honestly I have much more
confidence in Him than I do in Christian media, which ties His mighty works up
in marketing packages for the professional Christians who seem to be using
God to fund their high roller lifestyle. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Soon the time came to get going. I had lost the use of my failed notebook
computer so some of my itinerary suffered with that loss. Still I managed to
visit Rick Joyner's new site in the former Heritage Village. The Morningstar
Outpouring, imported from Lakeland Florida was a bit too commercial and
"lets have fun with God," for my taste...still I enjoyed the music and peripheral
fellowship. The best part of that stop was living on Joey Taylor's floor for a few
days and getting to know some of the people involved in Lou Engle's, "The
Cause." There was a sense of purpose living in their midst that I loved. I had
not been so impressed with the imported outpouring and had ambivalent
thoughts about going to Lakeland. I don't want to miss a real revival and
chance to be refreshed in the Lord, but...next stop Millbrook Alabama.
In Alabama I stayed with my very hospitable friends, Tom and Larissa Benz,
and visited the Bridgestone Campgrounds for the first time. I visited them
twice as I left my notebook computer with a friend of theirs for repair after its
nose dive in Virginia. Later after visiting Florida I purchased a new notebook
on credit in a Wal-Mart in Hinesville GA when I heard my old Compac was
irreparably broken. Back in Alabama I stayed at Bridgestone. Tom took me to
a church in the country who helped enough to keep me in ga$oline. I helped a
young man move old air conditioners from the camp to a dumping ground and
helped a volleyball court get net poles. The Alabama believers were very
friendly and Larissa’s cooking was outstanding.
OK what about Lakeland? Todd Bentley was not just like on TV. He was
worse. He claimed people were raised from the dead when it was not that at
all. The whole thing seemed to be a big media show. I worked in advertising
for a while years ago and know hype when I see it, not that it was so hard to
spot. I hung in through two meetings and left. Was God there? He is
everywhere. Was I impressed with the, “Lakeland Healing Outpouring?” Not
really. The GPS really helped me navigate in Florida. I stayed with Lou and
Thelma Gosleth in Kissimee and drove over to Lakeland from there. They
actually blessed me more than the, “outpouring.” Thanks for the CD’s
Thelma. I am not at all through chasing God, but honestly I have much more
confidence in Him than I do in Christian media, which ties His mighty works up
in marketing packages for the professional Christians who seem to be using
God to fund their high roller lifestyle. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Next stop after that zig up to Alabama was Fort Worth Texas. Coming in through
lanes n huge pickups, cutting me off with force, was one of the most faith trying
experiences of my life. I rested from the ordeal with the very welcoming and
hospitable Archie and Barbara Haire twice….going West and coming back East
too. It was good to see Dale Jernigan, visit my old friends at Lighthouse
Christian Fellowship, especially the Richardsons, and Jack and Jeanie Watson,
also the Christiansens and Cathy Collier, Janet Gant and to make some new
friends. Rodney Howard Brown was in town on the return visit. It was another
disappointing meeting. How many multi-hour offering sermons do I have to
endure? Well there is always the door option. I took it eventually.
TRANSPORTATION MIRACLES
The car ran like a top and got 33 miles to the gallon. I failed to check its oil
often and it almost ran out of oil before I got back to Virginia. It must have been
the Dr. Slide additive that Inventor John Knapp poured into my oil in Southern
California that saved the engine. Mysteriously the engine didn’t smoke or drip oil
so it is hard to say how it used so much of it.
Two things happened during road travels that I will never forget. The first one
was when a state trouper in Arizona stopped me. For the very first time in my life
I was let off with a warning! I got so happy I told the trouper. I feel like
something new is happening in my life. THANK YOU LORD.
GOD SPEAKS IN A VERY MYSTERIOUS WAY!
Secondly, after a noon departure I was driving to Leitchfield Kentucky from
Texas. It was already 2 in the morning as I entered Kentucky. I suddenly
remembered that Western Kentucky is miles of forest with a few small towns that
don't stay up late. My gas gauge was pushing empty. I prayed. After I got on the
Purchase Parkway, Exit 1 had one gas station on the interstate exit info sign. I
took the exit. Coming up to the Stop the GPS chirped, “Turn Left!” I saw the
closed BP station over left. I was thinking, “What’s the use?” Again the GPS
chimed, “Turn Left!” I took the turn and came up level with the station to my left.
I could see it was indeed closed. The GPS said, Turn Left!” Either it was stuck
or something strange was happening. I turned left and it immediately said, “Turn
right!’ That maneuver brought me up to the gas pump. I idled and looked into
the dark, closed station. Not a creature was stirring. Then I looked straight
ahead. In a handwritten scrawl was written, “Pumps work 24 hours!” I stopped
the motor, got out and using my credit card, pumped gas in a closed station for
the first time in my life! Later I learned that pumping gas this way is not unusual
now, but how did the little Garvin GPS know I was out of gas and needed help?
God must have spoken through it!
But that was on the way home. In California I stayed at my official home, lately
that has been wherever mother lives. It was good to see my sister Beth and her
husband Gordon who actually own that home and visit with their family all living
nearby, to do 4th of July with them and to see their daughter Kristen who is
home from her mission in a sensitive country. I wish I could tell you more about
my brave niece.
My son Michael’s wedding was scheduled for the 12th of July. While we waited I
went to visit John Knapp who had travelled to Mexico City with me on my first
missionary journey right after High School. John invited me to Upland. I had a
good time sleeping in his living room full of musical instruments. John is a genius
photographer, musician and inventor. He reminds me somewhat of that crazy
scientist in, ‘Back to the Future.’ Sorry John, not THAT you are crazy. I was
happy to pray for and with John and his wife.
Then mother and I drove to Michael’s wedding. I was happy to reconnect with
the rest of my family there. I am always happy to reconnect with sons and
daughters who are following the Lord. Matthew has taken on the responsibility
of fatherhood very well. Jennifer is doing an amazing job raising her children to
excel. Laura brought her daughter Melissa and I was so happy to see them both
after a long hiatus. And now Michael is starting a family. It makes me happy to
see him grown. I bless Michael and Desiree for every happiness and many
children.
I visited Ken Nixon, an old Palmdale high school friend and his wife Cindy. Ken
is retired from the fire department. We had a good visit, a meal and prayer
together and he contributed to our needs.
Earlier I had thought to visit friends in Illinois and Ohio but now I felt to get
started back quickly. I drove back to Texas then up to Dr. Charles and Claudia
Day’s in Leitchfield and their Highlands Christian Fellowship in Leitchfield. I
hope to connect Dr. Day with a certain mad scientist right here in SImferopol for
development of some cancer and other cures he has devised. The Days and
their church helped out with generous gifts.
I knew when I was planning this trip that the cost of driving around the USA
would offset any donations I garnered along the way. I hope the re-establishing
of old contacts will make a positive difference in our prayer support and monthly
financial support however. Then in Kentucky I somehow had lost my telephone
numbers for all but our American Mission Teams mission HQ in Illinois. I drove
to Norris City just in time for a mission conference. They renewed my ordination
and made it permanent. Thank You Dr. Thompson.
Then I made a Beeline for Virginia and got there just before the Saturn ran out
of oil. The Martin’s welcomed me back and showed me around George
Washington country, Mt Vernon itself was a revelation. I learned that President
Washington was an Episcopalian, grew wheat and tobacco, made whisky and
freed his 300 slaves from his death bed! I had a fun swim with the kids too and
began to appreciate what a project adopting a little one from Ukraine can be as
I saw Samantha try her new parent’s patience. I met two more interesting
Virginia pastors, Dan Davis of the Woodbridge Vineyard and Rich Newbauer of
Arlington Assembly of God. Both pastors have some interest in Ukraine.
Then early in the morning of July 20th Vernon Martin took me to Washington
Dulles Airport and I flew to New York Kennedy Airport where another surprise
awaited me.
I met mother at the gate. We had arranged to fly across the Atlantic seated
across the aisle from each other. Instead we were upgraded to first class! We
were greeted at the airport by the Administrator of Barnabas Foundation in Kiev
who took us to their base for a rest before taking us to meet our train and set
off for Simferopol that evening.
I regret that I missed visiting with anyone in Louisville or my friends James and
Sheila Mills or Al Hartman in Ohio and David Mile's daughter Amy Durbin in
Illinois. Maybe next year?
The trip taught me that my plans are secondary to God’s plans and his plans
involve miracles and new friends and possibilities. I am in debt to the many
loving friends who keep us in your prayers. Hope to see more of you next time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
lanes n huge pickups, cutting me off with force, was one of the most faith trying
experiences of my life. I rested from the ordeal with the very welcoming and
hospitable Archie and Barbara Haire twice….going West and coming back East
too. It was good to see Dale Jernigan, visit my old friends at Lighthouse
Christian Fellowship, especially the Richardsons, and Jack and Jeanie Watson,
also the Christiansens and Cathy Collier, Janet Gant and to make some new
friends. Rodney Howard Brown was in town on the return visit. It was another
disappointing meeting. How many multi-hour offering sermons do I have to
endure? Well there is always the door option. I took it eventually.
TRANSPORTATION MIRACLES
The car ran like a top and got 33 miles to the gallon. I failed to check its oil
often and it almost ran out of oil before I got back to Virginia. It must have been
the Dr. Slide additive that Inventor John Knapp poured into my oil in Southern
California that saved the engine. Mysteriously the engine didn’t smoke or drip oil
so it is hard to say how it used so much of it.
Two things happened during road travels that I will never forget. The first one
was when a state trouper in Arizona stopped me. For the very first time in my life
I was let off with a warning! I got so happy I told the trouper. I feel like
something new is happening in my life. THANK YOU LORD.
GOD SPEAKS IN A VERY MYSTERIOUS WAY!
Secondly, after a noon departure I was driving to Leitchfield Kentucky from
Texas. It was already 2 in the morning as I entered Kentucky. I suddenly
remembered that Western Kentucky is miles of forest with a few small towns that
don't stay up late. My gas gauge was pushing empty. I prayed. After I got on the
Purchase Parkway, Exit 1 had one gas station on the interstate exit info sign. I
took the exit. Coming up to the Stop the GPS chirped, “Turn Left!” I saw the
closed BP station over left. I was thinking, “What’s the use?” Again the GPS
chimed, “Turn Left!” I took the turn and came up level with the station to my left.
I could see it was indeed closed. The GPS said, Turn Left!” Either it was stuck
or something strange was happening. I turned left and it immediately said, “Turn
right!’ That maneuver brought me up to the gas pump. I idled and looked into
the dark, closed station. Not a creature was stirring. Then I looked straight
ahead. In a handwritten scrawl was written, “Pumps work 24 hours!” I stopped
the motor, got out and using my credit card, pumped gas in a closed station for
the first time in my life! Later I learned that pumping gas this way is not unusual
now, but how did the little Garvin GPS know I was out of gas and needed help?
God must have spoken through it!
But that was on the way home. In California I stayed at my official home, lately
that has been wherever mother lives. It was good to see my sister Beth and her
husband Gordon who actually own that home and visit with their family all living
nearby, to do 4th of July with them and to see their daughter Kristen who is
home from her mission in a sensitive country. I wish I could tell you more about
my brave niece.
My son Michael’s wedding was scheduled for the 12th of July. While we waited I
went to visit John Knapp who had travelled to Mexico City with me on my first
missionary journey right after High School. John invited me to Upland. I had a
good time sleeping in his living room full of musical instruments. John is a genius
photographer, musician and inventor. He reminds me somewhat of that crazy
scientist in, ‘Back to the Future.’ Sorry John, not THAT you are crazy. I was
happy to pray for and with John and his wife.
Then mother and I drove to Michael’s wedding. I was happy to reconnect with
the rest of my family there. I am always happy to reconnect with sons and
daughters who are following the Lord. Matthew has taken on the responsibility
of fatherhood very well. Jennifer is doing an amazing job raising her children to
excel. Laura brought her daughter Melissa and I was so happy to see them both
after a long hiatus. And now Michael is starting a family. It makes me happy to
see him grown. I bless Michael and Desiree for every happiness and many
children.
I visited Ken Nixon, an old Palmdale high school friend and his wife Cindy. Ken
is retired from the fire department. We had a good visit, a meal and prayer
together and he contributed to our needs.
Earlier I had thought to visit friends in Illinois and Ohio but now I felt to get
started back quickly. I drove back to Texas then up to Dr. Charles and Claudia
Day’s in Leitchfield and their Highlands Christian Fellowship in Leitchfield. I
hope to connect Dr. Day with a certain mad scientist right here in SImferopol for
development of some cancer and other cures he has devised. The Days and
their church helped out with generous gifts.
I knew when I was planning this trip that the cost of driving around the USA
would offset any donations I garnered along the way. I hope the re-establishing
of old contacts will make a positive difference in our prayer support and monthly
financial support however. Then in Kentucky I somehow had lost my telephone
numbers for all but our American Mission Teams mission HQ in Illinois. I drove
to Norris City just in time for a mission conference. They renewed my ordination
and made it permanent. Thank You Dr. Thompson.
Then I made a Beeline for Virginia and got there just before the Saturn ran out
of oil. The Martin’s welcomed me back and showed me around George
Washington country, Mt Vernon itself was a revelation. I learned that President
Washington was an Episcopalian, grew wheat and tobacco, made whisky and
freed his 300 slaves from his death bed! I had a fun swim with the kids too and
began to appreciate what a project adopting a little one from Ukraine can be as
I saw Samantha try her new parent’s patience. I met two more interesting
Virginia pastors, Dan Davis of the Woodbridge Vineyard and Rich Newbauer of
Arlington Assembly of God. Both pastors have some interest in Ukraine.
Then early in the morning of July 20th Vernon Martin took me to Washington
Dulles Airport and I flew to New York Kennedy Airport where another surprise
awaited me.
I met mother at the gate. We had arranged to fly across the Atlantic seated
across the aisle from each other. Instead we were upgraded to first class! We
were greeted at the airport by the Administrator of Barnabas Foundation in Kiev
who took us to their base for a rest before taking us to meet our train and set
off for Simferopol that evening.
I regret that I missed visiting with anyone in Louisville or my friends James and
Sheila Mills or Al Hartman in Ohio and David Mile's daughter Amy Durbin in
Illinois. Maybe next year?
The trip taught me that my plans are secondary to God’s plans and his plans
involve miracles and new friends and possibilities. I am in debt to the many
loving friends who keep us in your prayers. Hope to see more of you next time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
David speaks to the Potomac Royal
Rangers. "I recalled my own RR leader
experience and my call to the mission field."
Rangers. "I recalled my own RR leader
experience and my call to the mission field."
Sunrise at Heritage Village Pond. A little later a
well known prophet took a walk around the water!
well known prophet took a walk around the water!
I trust the marriage will be long and loving
My sister Elisabeth and her son, daughter in-law
and grandchildren await the 4th of July fireworks
display at Antelope Valley fairgrounds.
and grandchildren await the 4th of July fireworks
display at Antelope Valley fairgrounds.
Maybe I am just too old fashioned but TV cameras
zooming around the room on poles and crowd control
techniques that were down to a science just left me flat.
I remember that "where the spirit of the Lord is there is
liberty." How can there be any real liberty when TV
reigns supreme? What spirit is it then? Perhaps the
spirit of commerce, or show business. I have been
something of a fan of Rick Joyner's for years and read
many issues of the Morning Star Journal. But this
second trip to his neck of the woods had more hype and
less freshness of the Holy Spirit than I wanted to see. I
hoped to come away refreshed. I came away hungry.
Dear God where is the REAL DEAL?
zooming around the room on poles and crowd control
techniques that were down to a science just left me flat.
I remember that "where the spirit of the Lord is there is
liberty." How can there be any real liberty when TV
reigns supreme? What spirit is it then? Perhaps the
spirit of commerce, or show business. I have been
something of a fan of Rick Joyner's for years and read
many issues of the Morning Star Journal. But this
second trip to his neck of the woods had more hype and
less freshness of the Holy Spirit than I wanted to see. I
hoped to come away refreshed. I came away hungry.
Dear God where is the REAL DEAL?
This is the first time since I left for Ukraine that I
have been able to get all my kids and mother and
go Michael!
have been able to get all my kids and mother and
go Michael!
this huge Tulip
Poplar the sign said
was planted by George
Washington in 1785.
Poplar the sign said
was planted by George
Washington in 1785.