Christmas Greetings 2008 from the Migner Family

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Christmas Greetings 2008 from the Migner Family

Dear Friends,



I just wanted to take 12 minutes of your time to Wish ( pray) you a Merry Christmas at this special season of the year. This month we are completing 9 full years of ministry at Emmanuel in Virginia and will soon be moving to Deland, Florida to pastor.

Becky continues to do home school, etc, etc, etc, Chelsea is getting ready to pick a college for the fall of 2009, Rayna is doing well and taking violin lessons, Newman is taller than his older brother and loves soccer, Levi is a joy and loves swimming and baseball, Brigette is a hoot and started soccer as well. Peter continues to pastor as well as run his business in selling technology services and the cat and dog are getting ready for a shocking 680 mile drive to FL.

Below is a talking picture video presentation to share some of the moments of our lives in 2008. It's about 11 minutes long so you got to really love us to watch this video. I wrapped up 12 months into less than 12 minutes. See presentation here <><........

Before you slip away from this e/v-mail please email me back if there is a prayer request that we can talk to Jesus about on your behalf. We would consider it pure joy to lift up your request before our risen Savior this week and into the new year.

Once again Merry Christmas and God Bless you


Our new Mailing address as of January 2nd is:

908 E. Rich Ave
Deland, Florida 32724

Click here to see some pictures of our new home and ministry center.

With His Love,

Peter, Becky, Chelsea, Rayna , Levi, Newman and Brigette

P.S.

We realize that not everyone we send this greeting too, knows or believes in Jesus as we do, but since we have lived our entire adult lives serving our risen Savior and God whom we know and love, please consider our greetings as our very life purpose and message to you. We know that without Jesus as our Savior we are lost and without eternal hope. Thank God He still saves and forgives from sin. If you do not have a saving knowledge of Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior we hope you will discover the meaning of life in Jesus Christ the Savior of the world this week. If you have not read the true meaning of Christmas in sometime please read the true story as noted below of His miraculous Birth.

To follow us all year long please visit www.pastorpeterlive.com ( my blog )

The Birth of Jesus Luke 2: 8-15 In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) and everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Matthew 1:18-25

The Birth of Jesus Christ This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: "The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" --which means, "God with us." When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he had no union with her until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
The Shepherds and the Angels And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Jesus Presented in the Temple On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, "Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord" ),and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: "a pair of doves or two young pigeons."Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."

Whose Image is on you?

New Ministry! As I begin to pack after 9 years of life and ministry in Virginia a lot of things have changed. Sometimes it takes a major change to realize the implications of changes around us. For instance when I moved here I had 4 children all under age 8. Now I have 5 children under age 17 and the youngest is 6. My youngest 2 children do not know what moving is yet. The other day when I brought a bunches of boxes home, my six year old daughter said, why do we need so many boxes? Great question huh? I said, "because when you move you have to put ALL your stuff in boxes to get it on the truck". I've been down that road enough, but she never has. So moving with a six year old is actaully pretty fun. I can't wait to see her face when she sees her new home and bedroom. She has always had the same room for six years. Should be interesting! I am Not real crazy about moving the dog though. He can barely survive a trip to the vet let alonge 700 miles. :(

However, this Church called Emmanuel in Madison Heights will always be home to our kids as the majority of their childhoods were lived out here. As I tried to comfort my teens toward the adjustment I am reminding them of the things they have now that teens did not have 9 years ago when families moved. Even though they are getting excited about a new home, new church, new community, they are also realizing they will still miss their current friends and I do understand that indeed as I am sure we all would.

I reminding them that now they have cell phones, text messaging, facebook, video email and video instant messaging to stay close to their family and friends lives. I have not even told them about twitter yet, and how with twitter you can stay on top on the passing minutes each day with multiple friends with instant messaging.

Anyway, lots of changes are happening. Even moving has changed since 9 years ago. We just so happen to have the same moving guy and the same moving truck which itself is a miracle, but now when it comes to getting rid of stuff instead of just yard sales and Goodwill, there is E-Bay, Amazon, Craigslist and now FreeCycle. So now the idea of a crummy yard sale or Goodwill is not the only options. To me the yardsale is history this time around. If you just want to sell it or give it away then the internet is the way to go in web savvy opinion. Freecycle is a yahoo group, but it is a great way to give away stuff verses filling the landfill.

I've got 28 days to the load um up and move it out. With the internet now it makes life easier to review the community you are moving to as well. I have already looked at the streets, the government, the neighborhood, the schools and the area churches to varying degrees. I already joined about 3 yahoo groups with affinity groups that we indentify with like autism and home schooling and I have already started building some internet based relationships by email with families and people who live in the area outside of our new local church family. It is prêtty amazing how much the internet and technology can shape differences in our lives. The list I am sure could go on and on from just these few things.

There is however a number of things that are staying the same. Boxes still need to be packed and furniture still has to be lifted and moved. Grunt work still exists! I still have to haul my family 700 miles south with a cat and a dog. I still have to forward my mail to another address. I still have to transfer my tags, get new car insurance, drivers licenses and a few other licenses I am sure. I think there is a license to get sun tanned now! :)

Well, all this reminds me of our relationship with God. Technology allows a lot of changes in the way we deal with our spiritual journey as well, We can look up ministries online before we talk or meet anyone. (Not sure that is always so good, but it is what it is). We can now research tons of information about the word of God without having to buy a ton of books. The bible is even at our finger tips online. But spiritual disciplines still remain the same and of course the Savior is still the same. We still need time alone with the Savior in prayer, we still need to listen or read the Word of God and let it transform our minds and hearts. We still need to gather together to worship Him in community. We still need to preach the gospel in person and as well of course transmit to those who cannot come.

In the midst of moving and change I was reminded by God's Word today whose I am and why I am moving. It is because of His image and inscription on my life and hopefully yours as well that we go and do the will of God.

I would like to close this entry today with a scripture lesson and a point of view I had not seen before today. When Jesus was teaching in the temple he was questions by pretenders trying to trip him up so they could GET HIM.

Luke 20:20-26 [ Read Chapter

20 Keeping a close watch on him, they sent spies, who pretended to be honest. They hoped to catch Jesus in something he said so that they might hand him over to the power and authority of the governor. 21 So the spies questioned him: "Teacher, we know that you speak and teach what is right, and that you do not show partiality but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. 22 Is it right for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" 23 He saw through their duplicity and said to them, 24 "Show me a denarius. Whose portrait and inscription are on it?" 25 "Caesar's," they replied. He said to them, "Then give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's." 26 They were unable to trap him in what he had said there in public. And astonished by his answer, they became silent.



I was thinking about this verse as it relates to whose we are. They were trying to trick Jesus assuming he would say something either yes or no to their question. But instead of answering their question, He took their question and returned it with another question from that question. Brilliant huh? The answer was Caesar's picture , portrait or image was on the government’s coin (creation of currency). So if that is the image and inscription then whose is it? It's belongs to Caesar. But what about giving to God what is God's? I thought about his double question. Whose image and inscription is impressed on man? It's God's Image!

Ge 1:27 - Read Chapter So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.

So even to this today we are His creation with His image created on us or in us. Which means, regardless of changes in technology or modern day inventions we will always be God's creation and will always have His image and inscription pressed into our being and therefore each human creation should be rendering unto God what is His. ( ourselves in faithful servant hood) We may always be required to pay taxes back to governments, but it is equally expected of us to render or give back to the creator what is His and we should render unto God ourselves in service and loyalty as Him creations.

In our move to Florida to minister to another church and community we are rendering the call upon our lives to Him and the inscription He writes upon our hearts. Even though it is difficult at times to makes changes and adjust to the changes in society we must be reminded that we are not our own, but are purchased with a price (the Blood of Jesus) and we are His creation made in His image and for His purposes. He is forever inscribing a new direction, a new word, a new call into our lives as He sees fit as our creator to give him the honor and glory He is worthy of.

Col 3:10 - Read Chapter and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

2Co 3:18 - Read Chapter And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

If only those spies could had caught that truth that day. They were looking into the face of their creator when he was saying render me your lives as my image is inscribed on your very being and render back to Caesar his coinage. What a great God we serve and what a great day we live in. Will you render your lives a living sacrifice back unto to God?

Pastor Peter

Demons for the Holidays

Happy Thanksgiving! I received a text message from a friend on my phone last night that was simply stating this: "Have a Happy Thanksgiving from" ............ I thought it was really nice to get a text message on my personal cell phone that I carry with me most of the time. So I thought I would do the same to others. So I literally sent out about 100 text messages to friends and family with a similar message for about 10 minutes. I got back about 15 text greetings. It felt good to have to have so many friends. One of those people called me about a prayer request and challenge. It was the most meaningful reply I got, because it gave me the opportunity to share Jesus and pray for someone that had I not sent out a greeting I might not had gotten the call so I could pray with them.

Now it is Thanksgiving morning and I started off the day early with prayer and seeking the Lord and then moved to checking some of emails as I ran across the following about Demons. It reminded me of how busy everyone seems to get over the next 4 weeks. People will be so busy that I wonder how many will miss the blessings of prayer, giving grace and peace to others. One gentleman I spoke with 2 nights ago that I had not seen in months told me he was really, really, really busy all the time. It's not like I am not busy too with 5 children and preparing to move from our home after 9 years, but I refuse to be so busy that I do not take the time to share Jesus. I know a few years ago I was the busiest I had ever been when the Lord slowed me down. I mean I was way over focused on things and missing life and family. I was falling into the demon trap myself. But things have changed and God broke through and I am thankful the Demon convention lost out on success with me. Now I just must protect this precious relationship with Jesus.

I am Thankful for the many blessings in my life and I could share a zillion of them as well. Today with is a great day! I started off with prayer and now off to racking and burning leaves for a few hours while Becky cooks and the kids watch the parades. Then off to grandma’s house we go for dinner. Then in the evening we will have a bigger gathering of 21 people for fellowship and giving thanks in Roanoke, VA. Next year will be different. Next year we will be living in Florida and probably traveling north for our holiday.

As blessed you are please take time for Jesus and don't let the Demon's of hell grab your heart from hearing the still small voice of God. I am Thankful for a relationship with a Mighty God are you? If so, protect it this season and throughout the year.

In these last days Christians need to be aware of the enemy of God.

Satan called a worldwide convention of demons.


In his opening address he said,
“We can’t keep Christians from going to church.”
“We can’t keep them from reading their Bibles and knowing the truth.”
“We can’t even keep them from forming an intimate relationship with their Savior.”
“Once they gain their connection with Jesus, our power over them is broken.’
“So Let them go to their churches; let them have their covered dish dinners, but steal their time, so they don’t have time to develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.”
“This is what I want you to do,” said the devil:
“Distract them from gaining hold of their Savior and maintaining that vital connection throughout their day!”
“How shall we do this?” his demons shouted.
“Keep them busy in the non-essentials of life and invent innumerable schemes to occupy their minds,’ he answered.
“Tempt them to spend, spend, spend, and borrow, borrow, borrow.”
“Persuade the wives to go to work for long hours and the husbands to work 6-7 days each week, 10-12 hours a day, so they can afford their empty lifestyles.’
“Keep them from spending time with their children.’
“As their families fragment, soon, their homes will offer no escape from the pressures of work!”
“Over-Stimulate their minds so that they cannot hear that still, small voice.”
“Entice them to play the radio or cassette player, CDs, MP3 whenever they drive.’
“To keep the TV, VCR, Cds and their PCs going constantly in their home and see to it that every store and restaurant in the world plays non-biblical music constantly.”
“This will jam their mind and break that union Christ.’
“Fill the coffee tables with magazines and newspapers.’
‘Pound their minds with the news 24 hours a day.”
“Invade their diving moments with billboards.”
“Flood their mailboxes with junk mail, mail offer catalogs, sweepstakes, and every kind of newsletter and promotional offering free-products, services and false hopes.”
“Keep skinny, beautiful models on the magazines and TV so their husbands will believe that outward beauty is what’s important, and they’ll become dissatisfied with their wives.
“Give them Santa Claus to distract them from teaching their children the real meaning of Christmas.”
“Give them as Easter bunny so they won’t talk about His resurrection and power over sin and death.’
“Even in their recreation, let them be excessive.’
‘Have them return from their recreation exhausted.”
“Keep them too busy to go out in nature and reflect on God’s creation. Send them to amusement parks, sporting events, plays concerts, and Movies instead.’
“Keep them busy, busy, busy!’
“And when they meet for spiritual fellowship, involve them in gossip and small talk so that they have troubled consciences”
“Crowd their lives with so many good causes they have no time to seek power from Jesus.’
“Soon they will be working in their own strength, sacrificing their health and family for the good of the cause.”
“It will work!” It was quite a plan!
The Demons went eagerly to their assignments causing Christians everywhere to get busier and more rushed, going here and there having little time for their God or their families.

Having no time to tell others about the power of Jesus to change lives.
I guess the question is, has the devil been successful in his schemes?
You be the Judge.!!!!!!

A Fall Vacation from the U.S. Capitol to Bogart, Georgia to the Blue Ridge Parkway

Vacations are wonderful and this past year far too rare. We spent more time on the road then probably most would want to do. But here is a summary of what and where and when.

Wednesday Nov 5th: Maymont Park Richmond Va ( 4 hours round trip)

Thursday Nov 6th: Trip onto the Blue Ridge parkway and then Pack, rest and pack.

Friday Nov 7th: Patrick Henry College and National Zoo in Northern Virginia and Washington D.C. (4 hours)

Saturday Nov 8th: Business meeting for Peter in Annapolis for 3 hours and then shopping for the girls and kids then off to Washington D.C. for visits to the capital, memorials and library of Congress ( 1 hour)


Sunday Nov. 9th : Church at Bel Air Church of the Nazarene with friends. Heard the ENC Choir and then off to the Steelman farm for the day in Darlington, MD.Night Nov 9th: (4 hour drive home) our own beds again

Monday Nov 10th: Heading to Bogart, Ga at Snows Mill Guesthouse. (7.5 hours driving)

Tuesday Nov 11th: Girls went shopping and the kids and Peter hung out and rested. Becky and I went out to Dinner in town to celebrate out 19th Anniversary.

Wednesday Nov 12th: hung out at the guesthouse. Then we went walking, resting and then into Athens to the Bear Hallow Memorial Park to explore and enjoy the local animals.

Thursday Nov 13th: To be continued!

An all Saints Day to Remember Forever!

Columbus Day with Sarah Palin in Richmond Virginia

What a fun way to celebrate the holiday. As a family we loaded up the van and headed to Richmond. When we finally got to the exit we waited 1 hour for 3 miles bumper to bumper ride to the Speedway to get into the rally. It was allot of fun and great inspiration. I also spoke with the vendors while there and learned allot more about the inside track of our political landscape. The kids all got a picture and meet former Governor Gilmore (who is the senator candidate this fall) .It was a very interesting day and I learned how close the race really is regardless of the polls and the media slant . We were probably among the last ones to leave before heading out to eat and some more fun with the gang of kids.

Save Now

McCain Palin Tradition by Hank Williams Jr.

Emmanuel Nazarene Church Centennial Celebration in Central Virginia

What a joy to share good news in a world of bad news. This past Sunday October 5th 2008 Emmanuel Church of the Nazarene in it's 16 year history celebrated along with Nazarene members around the world 100 years of Holiness. Emmanuel had the opportunity and previledge to host missionaries Ramon and Blanca Sierra from Mexico City, Mexico as part of the Celebration day. We had a great of day of emphasis on the history of holiness followed by dinner on the grounds, birthday cake and Pinata explosion of candy with the Children.

See A Greeting video here

War on God in America

Get Involved! It's not too late if enough people respond and pray! Below is what i will be sending to my congressman and senators. Hope my idea inspire and help you to so the same.

Dear Congressman ,

I realize there are allot of pressing issues that you deal with in Washington on behalf of the citizens on Virginia. Currently the bailout controversy is among them. But this issue of removing reference to God and other spiritual and biblical references is a very important issue for me and many other Christian biblical Americans. Please help shut down the new Capital visitors center until the history is corrected. Please review this video by Wall builders as to what I am referring too. Since $554 million has been ear marked to create this center with my tax dollars I expect all historical references of God to be included to properly and accurately represent the past history of America. Also the mint creating the new presidential dollar coins without "in God we trust" on them. This is another area of my protest and displeasure with the Federal government and it's action to remove references of God from our country and culture. Please take action to have those coins recalled. In the meantime I refuse to receive one and spend one if it were given to me. Thanks for your willingness your staff's time and ability to respond to me asto your position on these concerns and what you will do to represent me.

Sincerely,


Will you Join me in calling and writing ? Review the video and email your congressman and call good ole Nancy P. and the Switchboard in D.C. the numbers listed below. It's one thing to agree and feel the pain of our culture, but a step of true care is when we respond with a call of action.

americanvoices@mail.house.gov

speaker Pelosi's 202-225--0100

capital switchboard 202-224-3121

News Flash! The Wedding Smoker Blew It!

The wedding I attended last weekend was actually polluted by the young and careless wedding smoker of Newport News. See video for Wedding Party testimonies and consider others the next time you attend a wedding if indeed you smoke.

A Weekend Wedding to Remember on Cow Neck Blvd

Here was one very interesting wedding experience. It went late, great and was a blast. The wedding was the rehersal since it was dark when everyone finally arrived the night before. The ocean was perfect and everyone had a blast. Here is a just a very few pictures from the weekend. One of my favorites was the haunted house part for the wedding party. It was not really hanuted, but everyone thought it ought to be. Praise God for a great day. The next morning we visited www.Crosswalk.cc in Williamsburg for Church and had a great worship away experience with our family too.

Where are the Mr. Rogers of this Decade?

This clip reflects a great day of values, love and sincerely. Let's return our government to days like this. We need a Mr. Rogers style of grace to season our world again. Gentle and strong and persistant. What do you think? Did you ever watch Mr. Rogers?

The Shack Reviewed

The Shack By William P. Young Reviewed by Kenny Gatlin

Since the release of the book The Shack and its overwhelming rise in popularity among many Christians, and since internationally known ministers are selling it on their television programs and websites, I have been asked by both pastors and local church believers for my opinion of the book. The following review is a list of just a few things that caught my attention in the book and the corresponding Bible verses regarding them that should be considered before reading this book, or recommending it to others.

ONE – The first thing that caught my eye was the ringing endorsement by Eugene Peterson on the front cover of the book. In January of 2008 I spent several weeks in concentrated study of the various translations and paraphrases of the Bible, including Eugene Peterson’s The Message. First of all, The Message is not a Bible translation at all. Peterson in an interview with Christianity Today (October 2002) stated that he was trying to put his own “take” on the Bible. In this article he admits that he does “take considerable liberties” with the text. When Peterson was asked if The Message would be suitable to use in church worship services he replied as follows: “When I’m in a congregation where somebody uses it [The Message] in the scripture reading, it makes me a little uneasy. I would never recommend it to be used as saying, ‘Hear the Word of God from The Message.’ But it surprises me how many people do.” Peterson’s The Message clearly struggles with the deity of Christ and focuses continually on His humanity. The reason this information is so significant to this review is that the representation of the God-head in The Shack and the theology represented within it comes overwhelmingly from Peterson’s The Message and not the Holy Scriptures.

TWO – Young reveals God to his readers as “Papa,” something Peterson does in The Message as well. But when Young introduces us to Papa we find him to be a woman. In the same chapter we are introduced to Young’s take on the Holy Spirit and we find him to be a woman as well. In all of the Holy Scriptures there isn’t a single verse from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 where the Father, Son and Holy Ghost are ever revealed as a female. One can only wonder why Young thought it necessary to change two members of the God-head into women and why he would want to keep hammering on that point throughout the book. Young’s “Papa” states to the character Mack that we need to get out of our “religious mindsets” about God. But if our mindset about God being a “HE” is formed by the Holy Scriptures it is not a “religious” mindset at all. It appeared to me that Young was trying to get his readers to renounce their Biblical mindset about who God is and adopt the mindset that he is introducing. In every place in the Bible the members of the God-head are always referred to as “HE.” However, there are some gender neutral perversions of the Bible available today that are designed to make God into whoever and whatever you perceive him (or her) to be. This “revelation” of the God-head that Young provides to his readers is also in agreement with Ophrah Winfrey’s new age guru, Eckhart Tolle who teaches that God is whoever or whatever you want “it, him or her” to be. But this is never, ever found in the Bible. See Genesis 1:5, 10, 16, 27, 31 where the Bible first reveals God the Father to us as “He.” Then look at John 16:13-15 and see how many times the Holy Spirit is referred to as “He” in these three verses alone.

THREE – When Young introduces us to Jesus we find him to at least be a male. Beyond that I found few similarities between the Jesus of The Shack and the Jesus of the Holy Bible. Young, like Peterson does in The Message chooses to steer clear of the deity of Christ and instead focus entirely on Jesus’, and interestingly and unbiblically, the rest of the God-head’s humanity. Jesus Christ the Son of God didn’t take on human flesh to be more like us, which is what Young seems to be indicating. He became flesh in order to be the “second Adam” who would pay the price for our eternal redemption through His shed blood. He did this to make us like Him. Young portrays the God-head in a way where God is trying to be more like us, even listening to rock music on his iPod. That’s absurd! Young’s version of Jesus tells the character Mack that he doesn’t need him or others to go out making people into Christians. He says, “I’m not a Christian.” But the Jesus of the Bible is Jesus CHRIST. A Christian is a “Christ-like one.” Furthermore, to become a Christian you must become born again, something else never mentioned in The Shack. Clearly Young is introducing us to a Jesus that doesn’t believe in getting people born again which is what a Christian is, a born again believer. The Bible refers to the Church, the Body of Christ, which are His disciples as Christians. The Jesus of The Shack is obviously not the Jesus Christ as found in the Holy Bible. Just after the Jesus of The Shack tells Mack not to get people to become Christians, he tells him that he has people who love him in all walks of life. He lists Buddhists, Mormons and several other cults as examples of this. The obvious inference is that as long as you “love” the Lord, (whatever Young means by that), it really doesn’t matter if you are a Christian or a Mormon or anything else. Be whatever you want to be is the clear message. King Agrippa said to Paul that he almost persuaded him to become a Christian. Had the Apostle Paul known the Jesus in The Shack he would have never even tried. Again, the Jesus of The Shack does not at all resemble the Jesus of the Bible.
See John 1:1-3, 12; John 3:3, 5-6; 1 Corinthians 15:45-49;
1 John 2:29; Acts 11:26; Acts 26:28.

FOUR – In addition to the heretical things I have described above, I also found some vitally important things completely left out of The Shack. For example, the devil, demons and the kingdom of darkness are never brought up even once. Why is that important? Because the character Mack has had his daughter murdered and is struggling with God over the issue. It appears as though the purpose of the book is how the God of The Shack explains things to Mack to heal his hurts. So instead of “Papa” revealing to Mack that the thief, satan, comes to steal, kill and destroy, he instead talks about his (Papa’s) goodness. And because of our inability to understand his goodness (which appears to also include evil) we can never totally grasp his goodness, especially when evil things like having a child murdered happen. The point is The Shack by conveniently eliminating the kingdom of darkness has placed all evil and all good solely into the hands of God to dispense as He sees fit. But once again, this false doctrine is not found in the Bible. In fact, to overlook this point is to ignore the entire theme of the Bible, our redemption from the hand of the enemy through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. See Genesis 3:15; Psalm 107:2; John 10:10; Acts 10:38; 1 Peter 1:18-19; 1 John 3:8

FIVE – Based upon statements made by the God of The Shack he doesn’t seem to mind if we have devotions or not, read or Bibles or not, or even if we attend church or not. A hit-or-miss lifestyle is okay with him, no need to get religious about it. Not only is that teaching dangerous, it completely contradicts the Holy Scriptures and the God-head revealed to us in the Bible. See Psalm 72:15; Proverbs 8:34; Jeremiah 3:15; Luke 9:23; Acts 2:46; Acts 5:42; Acts 17:11; Ephesians 4:11-14; Hebrews 3:13; Hebrews 10:25 In reviewing this book I found far more things that would hurt and confuse Christians than I did that would help them. Not only can I not recommend this book to others, I would strongly urge believers not to purchase or read The Shack. Kenny Gatlin 1 Review of The Shack

Last Days and the need for real Revival

My Associate Pastor Sent this out yesterday and indeed it is a challenge to us all in these last days!!!

Dear Emmanuel Family,

As your Associate Pastor, friend, fellow worshipper, and children's quiz coach, I have felt an urgency for us as a church. Not only do I believe our revival is crucial to our future as a church but I'm deeply concerned that it will be vital to our future as Christians! We are living, by all evidences, in the worst time of deception the world has yet known. I'd venture that 99% of America's population is quite satisfied with that because if a deception is sucessful, the people don't even know they're deceived. Many of the great priorities and principles of our once godly culture have been turned upside down in the last 80-90 years. I'd estimate 95% of the population of our churches are very comfortable with the status quo as well. Many "successful" churches provide a club-like atmosphere with status and entertainment; but, how little they resemble biblical Christianity!
Friends, in the culture of the freest nation in the world, we find it acceptable to spend only one or two hours a week when it's convenient in church. That, in and of itself, says God and His Church are a very low priority out of a 168-hour week. There are members of cults out there who give 18+ hours per day to their false leaders. The New Testament church met daily! Each day! Would you call a person who shows up two hours per week with his unit a good soldier? How about a mom or dad who only spends one or two hours per week for their family? Would a good professional fireman or policeman give only one hour per week? NOT!
But, at least our revival is five services in four days...a minor attempt at New Testament Christianity for our day. Furthermore, it's been four years since our church has been able to provide revival services for our spiritial and eternal good.
Urgent! Desperate appeal! Sometimes, in less than a day, Satan easily snatches away the seed (Matthew 13:19-21) that we pick up on Sunday. Thus, it's very difficult to establish a spiritual, biblical foundation for maturity in our lives; and, with deception the worldwide norm, we seldom, if ever, realize the crucial nature of these issues.
Folks, like the ultimate terrorist, Satan has no concern for us or our eternal spirits. In fact, he'll do anything to assure that we miss God's full will and, thus, spend an eternity in the unimaginable torment of the lake of fire!! (Rev. 20)
We desperately need more spiritual time, study of God's Word, and Christian-focused fellowship. Thus, revival is only one opportunity....but a vital one. You can expect maximum and surprise demands on your schedule this week because Satan doesn't want you to have even one chance at Christian revival in any form. My plant told us Wednesday we'd be working twenty straight days---first time in 13 years. Fortunately, I'd scheduled vacation for this week of revival. These scheduling conflict issues are not actually from your job or family or extra activities; but, the enemy of our souls is trying to marginalize revival. Resist! Fight! "Stand firm" is the frequent admonition of scripture to us! In eternity it will seem such an infinitesimal thing to put God first for these five services. Yet, they could be the key to our deeper spiritual lives and, thus, assuring heaven!
Anticipating revival with you..............Pastor Galen

Sarah Palin and First Dude storm back to Alaska

Who could imgaine that Sarah Palin out of a far away land called "Alaska" could win the hearts of so many Americans? People that were on the fence are now hip on Alaska and Palin and her first Dude family. I sense that her faith in God along with her intergity ,life experience and political experience makes her the most refreshing person to enter politics in my life time. When McCain was first selected as the nomination pick of the party I said I would not vote for him. However, in time, as I learned more about him and his stands and life history the more I realized how little I knew about him. I truly feel that this ticket is the best biblical hope of American.

How has Palin added to the ticket effected your position if at all?

Governor Sarah Palin - Spirit Filled and Passionate!

Sarah Palin is Saved , Baptized and running for V.President!

Govenor Sarah Palin speaking prophetically over Alasaka. A Spirit Filled Governor who now goes before the nation. Let us support Sarah Palin over the next two months.

God Bless American and Palin for her standards!

Labor Day! Yeah Right!

Ok, so the American way is to celebrate a Holiday called Labor Day where people take a day off. If only that were as true across the board as it was intended to be. Labor Day weekend is really a reflection on hard working Blue Collar workers across American. It is not a spiritual holiday as such, but I would like to draw the word Labor out of the weekend and push it into our lives as it relates to laboring for the Lord.

In the N.T. in the NIV version there is 13 references to Labor. note them below:

Mt 6:28 -"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.
Lu 12:27 -"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.
Joh 4:38 -I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor."
1Co 3:8 -The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.
1Co 15:58 - Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Ga 4:27 -For it is written: "Be glad, O barren woman, who bears no children; break forth and cry aloud, you who have no labor pains; because more are the children of the desolate woman than of her who has a husband."
Php 1:22 - If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!
Php 2:16 -as you hold out the word of life - in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.
Col 1:29 - To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.
1Th 1:3 -We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

1Th 5:3 - While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.
1Ti 4:10 - (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.
Re 14:13 - Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."

When I think of the word labor it just sounds like hard work. The biggest physical labor I usually have each fall is racking and dealing with a zillion leaves or building something on a missions trip. Laboring for the Lord however is not suppose to a burdensome like how it feels when labor out of duty or survival. When I have to rack the yard for 10 hours at some point, it feels like Labor even before I pick up the rack.

This past year I labored in helping roof our youth building that needed volunteer labor. It felt good when it was all done. I also helped labor some one day the following week to help another church in the community that also needed help volunteer labor on their roof. Since I was recently experienced at roofing I felt inclined to help. It was interesting how it seemed more of a LABOR to do our church roof ( probably because as pastor I knew it HAD to be done) then someone elses. That experience helped reminded me that serving the Lord and laboring for Him is suppose to be a Joy verses an obligation and a duty.

When we serve anyone including the Lord out of duty and obligation we shift from away from doing things for the glory of God to doing things as labors of works. We certainly do not want to get caught up in a book of James situation where we serve from works instead of by grace.

The difference between secular labor and spiritual Labor for the Lord is who gets the glory. When I roofed another brothers church roof and he thanked me, it made me feel good, but it really was giving God the glory. Since we are Gods servants out love then God should always get the Glory in all that we do. When God gets the glory our Labor for the Lord is a joy regardless of what the task is or how painful it might become to accomplish.

However, when we labor for others or God out of duty and obligation of payback mentality then we shift our from doing it out of Love and then it becomes burdensome. I am not sure how to get those forthcoming leaves up this fall out of love, but I will work on it.LOL! If you are inclined to come rack out of the Love of God I am ready to cheer you on.

Of all the verses noted above please pay special attention to this verse below. We are to Work by Faith leading to action by Love. The key to our serving Him is always Love and Faith. If we allow our reasons to serve Him to discinergrate into anything less, then we rob God of the glory and end up feeling burdened down. So on this labor day weekend reflect on what you do for God and re visit how you can labor for the Glory of God this fall and beyond.

1Th 1:3 -
We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Enlist today as a Laborer for the Lord and you will live to enjoy the internal benefits as God receives all the external glory.

Pastor Peter

A Testimony of Attending Waiting Schools

I thought I should put into words (even though I am the “Video Preacher”) what God has been doing in my life and our ministry in Virginia? As a result of being apart of several Waiting Schools ( www.waitingschool.org ) God has stirred me and moved in our hearts. As I look back I can clearly see that as a pastor I was losing steam and confidence of what God was going to do in our adverse circumstance. Each Waiting School has been a progressive working of God’s power and grace. God also mightly used the spoken testimonies of His people at Waiting Schools in my heart too. In revelation 12:11 it says ,"And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony; and they loved not their life even unto death". Truly God uses the Testimony of the saints more than I believe many give consideration to anymore. People need to testify or others will miss out on what God is doing. So in light of that, here is at least my written testimony for the record.The turning point was Waiting School 6 in Florida in the spring of 2008 which I sensed His Spirit calling me back to the lifestyle of fasting and pray. I had basically abandoned fasting from years earlier. I sensed of the Lord to once again fast and pray for 40 days for God to move in our church, revivals in Maine and other Waiting Schools meetings and for my own personal discipline to make changes in life. Within a few weeks through a series of events I had compromised from that 40 day call to fasting to just two days a week instead. When I arrived at Waiting School 7 I had another turning point as I listened to 3 people specifically that God used to inspire me to fast and pray for 40 days that God had placed in my heart to do before Waiting School 7 in May 2008.I attended a workshop By Rev. Cecil Jones and Rev. Richard Waller, who taught on fasting. After listening to their testimonies of fasting and prayer and specifically for 40 day periods I knew I had to listen to God and trust Him to do this again. Then at the Sunday Morning closing service at WS7 when Pastor Bob from Alaska shared his story I was compelled by the Spirit to testify myself (for the first time at any waiting School) what I was trusting God to do in our ministry and my journey.The Lord has blessed since and provided in some very unusual and wonderful ways over these last 40 plus days now since WS7. Our churched entered the summer doing a series on the generous life from June 1st through July 10th. It as during this period I felt was a perfect time to accompany the special period with 40 days of prayer and fasting as well. Since Waiting School 6 we have had 3 men and 1 women sanctified wholly and filled with the Spirit of God and 1 new attending women saved at our altars. Two of those sanctified were board members who prayed through at Wednesday night prayer times. Truly God is working in our midst! Financially God has provided at just the right time. In late June we had the largest attendance of 2008 with 70 people at our church A.M. worship service. God is moving and stirring people and this pastor once again. This was the largest attendance we have had all year and even more than any other holy day in the past 12 months. Here it is summer and the bills are paid, attendance for the summer is higher than usual, people are getting saved and sanctified and people are visiting our church from out of nowhere. For this rural church that usually sees decreases in many areas during the summer this is hugh God thing.We have often gone months on end without new faces visiting our rural church, but just in the last 30-60 days we have had 7 new families visit our church and donations and giving has stayed the course as we are experiencing God's favor and grace even in what has often been referred to as," the SUMMER SLUMP MONTHS of Ministry". Our God is faithful and He is working in our midst and I give Him the glory for what he has done. I trust Him to continue to do more amazing things as well. It's all about Him and changed Lives. Thank God for Waiting School where the rubber meets the road and Holiness is preached, taught and testified too and caught, all to the Glory of God!He Rules!!

Special Birthday Wish to a Special Women

~Happy Birthday Wish to Marie Migner on her 89th Birthday~

From Peter Migner and family filmed on location

in Lynchburg, Virginia

Happy Birthday Marie Migner on your 89th

Grant Writing session 1 of 5 parts

Click on picture for video teaching

29 minute session

This session 1 of a part part series on grant writing.

Mr. Buddy Strickland was very generous with his time and talent to teach on how to write grants for non-profits. www.buddystrickland.com Please use the following outline to help you in the beginning of how to write your own grant proposals.

GRANT PROCUREMENT SEMINAR
INTRODUCTION:

STAGE 1: Evaluate your idea and your ability to implement it.

STAGE 2: Finding a likely funding source.

STAGE 3: Gathering internal and external support

STAGE 4: Drafting, revising and submitting your proposal

WRITE THE PROPOSAL

·
Emphasize why MACEA is the best qualified organization to solve the problem.

·
Support your proposal with concrete and specific documentation, but don’t overdo it.

·
Present your strongest arguments and most compelling documentation first.

·
Anticipate the reviewers’ questions in articulating your rationale.

·
Concentrate on what you think is the weakest part of your proposal. Often this is the budget.

·
Be consistent in style and format throughout your proposal.

·
Make sure your proposal is complete, free of errors and attractively presented. Visual aids such as charts, graphs and tables are generally appreciated by readers.

Notes
GRANT PROCUREMENT SEMINAR
INTRODUCTION:
·
The only thing you have to do is write a good proposal: Right?
· Wrong! · Misleading – “Writing a proposal!” We should be using such words as: planning. . .orchestrating. . .implementing. . . · The best proposals are done with a team on which every members shares in the planning. . .orchestrating. . .and implementing.
· Whether you are applying to the:
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. . .
A PRIVATE FOUNDATION. . .
A CORPORATION
Writing the proposal is only one step in a lengthy process.
For convenience we can divide the process into 4 stages. . .
. . .let me say 5 stages because when you get a grant the work has
only just begun. . .

STAGE 1: Evaluate your idea and your ability to implement it.
·
Assess the value of your idea.
· Is there a need? What is the need?
· Does it solve an important problem? What is the problem?
· Is it timely unique and innovative?
· Can you realistically follow through on what you are proposing?
From the “Chronicle of Higher Education” (Jan. 14,1987)
FOUNDATIONS GENERALLY BASE THEIR
DECISION TO FINANCE A PROJECT ON FIVE CRITERIA:
1.
The quality of the people involved.
2. The significance of the problem
3. The importance of the solution to the problem (or idea being proposed)
4. The stature of the sponsoring institution
5. The reasonableness of the price.
Question: How does your idea measure up to these criteria?

STAGE 2: Finding a likely funding source. The first mistake: Many grant proposals are denied simply because they are submitted to the wrong agency. 1. Read first very carefully a prospective grant maker’s guidelines, eligibility requirements and evaluation criteria. Inquire by phone, brief letter or e-mail to see if a granting agency has any interest in your project.
2. Request a list of previously financed projects. 3. You might even want to ask for guidance and advice on how to develop your proposal. (Many professional grant-proposal writers will tell you that involving the agency’s staff at this stage can created interest in your project. )

STAGE 3: Gathering internal and external support
GET PEOPLE INVOLVED! 1. Go inside and outside your organization to get people who will support your request.
2. Make sure you have the dedicated personnel to carry out your project.
3. Find out if they are committed to your idea. 4. Assemble a working board of researchers and advisors to guide the entire project.
Solicit letter of support from well know authorities.

STAGE 4:
Drafting, revising and submitting your proposal Always, always, always, structure your proposal according to the guidelines provided by the granting agency.
If no form or guidelines are provided, follow this standard 10 part format:
Title
Summary or abstract
Introduction
Description of the problem
Proposed solution and anticipated outcomes
Methods or rational
Personnel and facilities
Project evaluation
Budget

GRANT PROCUREMENT SEMINAR
Outline
INTRODUCTION:
STAGE 1:

Evaluate your idea and your ability to implement it.
From the “Chronicle of Higher Education” (Jan. 14,1987)
FOUNDATIONS GENERALLY BASE THEIR
DECISION TO FINANCE A PROJECT ON FIVE CRITERIA:
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Question: How does your idea measure up to these criteria?
STAGE 2:

Finding a likely funding source. The first mistake: Many grant proposals are denied simply because they are submitted to the wrong agency. 1. 2. 3. (Many professional grant-proposal writers will tell you that involving the agency’s staff at this stage can created interest in your project. )
STAGE 3:

Gathering internal and external support
GET PEOPLE INVOLVED! 1. 2. 3. 4.
STAGE 4:

Drafting, revising and submitting your proposal Always, always, always, structure your proposal according to the guidelines provided by the granting agency.
If no form or guidelines are provided, follow this standard 10 part format: