The Christmas Letter From Jesus

November 24th, 2009 at 4:52 pm by Pat

Now, I normally don’t like this kinda stuff. I is usually preachy in an annoying sort

Claudia Snaps Pic of Me in Midst of Worshiping

Claudia Snaps Pic of Me in Midst of Worshiping

 of way, so I usually just pass right on by this sort of stuff.

 

Having said that, I got the following from Bob Fraga. Bob and his wife, Patti, are dear friends and long time listeners of PBN. They actually live in the San Francisco Bay area, just a few miles from where our oldest daughter, the original “Possum” was born. Bob & Patti are grandparents and have shared their pictures with us, which Claudia and I love.

When I got the following from Bob, I KNEW I needed to read it.

It touched my heart, deeply, and gave me great insight. It is not the usual Letter From Jesus.

I hope you are blessed by it, as much as I was (I haven’t shared it with Claudia, yet.).

 

THE CHRISTMAS LETTER FROM JESUS

Dear Children,  

  It has come to my  attention that many of you are upset that folks  are 
  taking My name out of the season. Maybe  you’ve forgotten that I wasn’t 
  actually born  during this time of the year and that it was  some of your 
  predecessors who decided to  celebrate My birthday on what was                   actually a time of pagan festival. . . although I do  appreciate being                 remembered anytime.  

  
  How I personally  feel about this celebration can probably be most  easily 
  understood by those of you who have been  blessed with children of your       own. I don’t care  what you call the day. If you want to celebrate  My birth, 
  just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.  
  
  Now, having said  that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the  town in 
  which you live doesn’t allow a scene  depicting My birth, then just get rid of 
  a  couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small  Nativity scene on           your own front lawn. If all My  followers did that there wouldn’t be any need  
  for such a scene on the town square because  there would be many of them   all around town.  
  
  Stop worrying  about the fact that people are calling the tree  a holiday 
  tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It  was I who made all trees. You can 
  remember Me  anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine  if you wish:   I actually spoke of that one in a  teaching, explaining who I am in relation to 
  you  and what each of our tasks were. If you have  forgotten that one, look 
  up John 15: 1 – 8.  
  
  If you want to  give Me a present in remembrance of My birth  here is my 
  wish list. Choose something from it:  
  
  1. Instead of  writing protest letters objecting to the way My  birthday is 
  being celebrated, write letters of  love and hope to soldiers away from 
  home. They  are terribly afraid and lonely this time of  year. I know, they 
  tell Me all the time.  
  
  2. Visit someone  in a nursing home. Not just during Christmas  time, but 
  all through the year. You don’t have  to know them personally. They just         need to know  that someone cares about them.  
  
  3. Instead of  writing the president complaining about the  wording on the 
  cards his staff sends out this  year, why don’t you write and tell him that  
  you’ll be praying for him and his family? Then  follow up. It will be nice 
  hearing from you  again. 
  
  4. Instead of  giving your children a lot of gifts you can’t  afford and 
  they don’t need, spend time with  them. Tell them the story of My birth, and 
  why I  came to live with you down here. Hold them in  your arms and remind 
  them that I love them.  
  
  5. Pick someone  that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or  her. 
  
  6.. Did you know  that someone in your town will attempt to take  their own 
  life this season because they feel so  alone and hopeless?  Since you don’t 
  know  who that person is, try giving everyone you meet  a warm smile; it 
  could make the difference.  
  
  7. Instead of nit  picking about what the retailer in your town  calls the 
  holiday, be patient with the people  who work there. Give them a warm smile 
  and a  kind word. Even if they aren’t allowed to wish  you a “Merry 
  Christmas” that doesn’t keep you  from wishing them one. Then stop               shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn’t make so much  money on that     day they’d close and let their  employees spend the day at home with their     families 
  
  8. If you really  want to make a difference, support a  missionary– 
  especially one who takes My love  and Good News to those who have never   heard My name. 
  
  9. Here’s a good  one. There are individuals and whole families in  your 
  town who not only will have no “Christmas”  tree, but neither will they have 
  any presents to  give or receive. If you don’t know them, buy  some food         and a few gifts and give them to the  Salvation Army or some other charity     which believes in Me and they will make the delivery  for you. 
 
  10. Finally,  if you want to make a statement about your  belief in and 
  loyalty to Me, then  behave  like a Christian. Don’t do things in  secret that 
  you wouldn’t do in My presence. Let  people know by your actions and           words that you are one of mine.  
  
  Don’t forget; I am  God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me  and do 
  what I have told you to do. I’ll take  care of all the rest. Check out the 
  list above  and get to work; time is short. I’ll help you,  but the ball is 
  now in your court. And do have a  most blessed Christmas with all those         whom you  love and remember : 

  I LOVE YOU,  
  JESUS
 

Thought Provoking From Lindie Gibson

October 30th, 2009 at 3:00 pm by Pat
SLOSHED in THE SPIRIT – IT’s TIME TO GET SOBER
by J. Lee Grady
Getting “drunk in the Holy Spirit” has been a popular concept in
some churches. But is it biblical….?
A few years ago a traveling charismatic minister from the West
coast passed through Florida to conduct a series of renewal
meetings. I’d never heard of the guy, but the rumor was that he
carried a “special” anointing.  It was unique, that’s for sure -
especially when he took the microphone, slurred his words as if
intoxicated and leaned to the left of the pulpit as if he were about
to fall over. Then, in between some bizarre spasms, he would shout
what sounded like “Walla walla bing bang!”
His message didn’t make sense. But if he had just said “Ding Dong
Bell” or “Yabba Dabba Doo” over and over, some people in his
meetings would have run to the front of the room and swooned, even
though he never opened his Bible during his message. They wanted
what this man claimed to possess—an anointing to become “drunk
in the Spirit.”
“Let’s put the childish things behind us. It’s time for us to grow up
and sober up.”
Spiritual intoxication has been a trend in charismatic circles for a
while. Some respected preachers, citing Acts 2:13, defend the
concept that Christians might feel drunk when they are filled with
the Holy Spirit (because the early disciples were accused of being
drunk when they spoke in tongues). This teaching led to lots of
disorderly conduct in revival meetings—including nosebleeds,
bruises and more serious injuries.
Some people began to manifest what looked like seizures during
renewal services, and the bizarre behavior was defended as
“manifestations of the Spirit.” Some pastors even encouraged
wobbly saints to find “designated drivers” if they felt too drunk to
operate a vehicle when it was time to go home. Meanwhile, some
worship leaders introduced “Holy Ghost drinking songs” that
encouraged people to slosh around in the joy of the Lord while
uncorking more of His new wine.
The spiritual drunkenness craze led to other charismatic fads,
including an infatuation with angels, an obsession with golden dust
and the strange teachings of John Crowder—a confessed “new
mystic” who compares the infilling of the Holy Spirit to smoking marijuana.
Crowder, who is planting a church in Santa Cruz, Calif., this fall,
sometimes calls his meetings “sloshfests” and refers to himself as
a bartender for God. He teaches that God wants all Christians to
be continually drunk in the Holy Spirit—and he provides resources
to help you do just that, including an electronica recording that will
help you, in Crowder’s words, “trance out,” and a teaching that
encourages stigmata and levitation.
I’ll let the theologians sort out all the obvious reasons why Crowder
and other “new mystics” are treading on dangerous ground.
Meanwhile I have a less complicated concern. With all of this
emphasis on Holy Ghost intoxication, did anybody notice that the
Bible clearly commands us to be spiritually sober?
If soberness wasn’t mentioned in the New Testament, then I wouldn’t
be beating this drum so loudly. But I find numerous references, from
both Peter and Paul.  ”But you, be sober in all things,” is Paul’s
admonition to Timothy (2 Tim. 4:5, NASB). He tells the Thessalonians,
“But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the
breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation,”
Peter hammers the same point. He wrote, “Prepare your minds for
action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace
to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:13)
and “The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment
and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer” (1 Pet. 4:7).
The soberness here is not primarily a reference to abstaining from
alcohol (although it’s worth mentioning that believers who drink will
find it more difficult to obey these commands). To be sober can be
defined “to show self-control,” “to be sane or rational,” or “to be
free from excess or extravagance.” A sober Christian knows the
heights of God’s inexpressible joy, but he is never ruled by emotions,
passions, lust or any other category of temptation that has the
power to dull the spiritual senses.
When I look at the state of our nation today, and consider our
spiritual challenges, it’s obvious the last thing we need are Christians
who are so sloshed in emotional euphoria that they can’t pray
intelligently and work diligently.
This is not a time for God’s people to be incapacitated. We need to
be thinking, planning, strategizing, researching and building—all
using the Holy Spirit’s wisdom. Yes, we need to be filled with the
Holy Spirit like never before—but He is not going to fill us so we
can act like giddy freshmen at a frat house keg party. Let’s put
the childish things behind us. It’s time for us to grow up and sober up.
Lindie Gibson is a precious, precious friend, a Messianic Jew and a Woman of God. We look forward to her mailings, and encourage you to get them, too. When you contact her at ” Lindieann@aol.com “, tell her Pat & Claudia sent you. The mailings are free, and will bless you.
I thought this one was thought provoking. I encourage your feedback.
SLOSHED in THE SPIRIT – IT’s TIME TO GET SOBER
by J. Lee Grady
Getting “drunk in the Holy Spirit” has been a popular concept in
some churches. But is it biblical….?
A few years ago a traveling charismatic minister from the West
coast passed through Florida to conduct a series of renewal
meetings. I’d never heard of the guy, but the rumor was that he
carried a “special” anointing.  It was unique, that’s for sure -
especially when he took the microphone, slurred his words as if
intoxicated and leaned to the left of the pulpit as if he were about
to fall over. Then, in between some bizarre spasms, he would shout
what sounded like “Walla walla bing bang!”
His message didn’t make sense. But if he had just said “Ding Dong
Bell” or “Yabba Dabba Doo” over and over, some people in his
meetings would have run to the front of the room and swooned, even
though he never opened his Bible during his message. They wanted
what this man claimed to possess—an anointing to become “drunk
in the Spirit.”
“Let’s put the childish things behind us. It’s time for us to grow up
and sober up.”
Spiritual intoxication has been a trend in charismatic circles for a
while. Some respected preachers, citing Acts 2:13, defend the
concept that Christians might feel drunk when they are filled with
the Holy Spirit (because the early disciples were accused of being
drunk when they spoke in tongues). This teaching led to lots of
disorderly conduct in revival meetings—including nosebleeds,
bruises and more serious injuries.
Some people began to manifest what looked like seizures during
renewal services, and the bizarre behavior was defended as
“manifestations of the Spirit.” Some pastors even encouraged
wobbly saints to find “designated drivers” if they felt too drunk to
operate a vehicle when it was time to go home. Meanwhile, some
worship leaders introduced “Holy Ghost drinking songs” that
encouraged people to slosh around in the joy of the Lord while
uncorking more of His new wine.
The spiritual drunkenness craze led to other charismatic fads,
including an infatuation with angels, an obsession with golden dust
and the strange teachings of John Crowder—a confessed “new
mystic” who compares the infilling of the Holy Spirit to smoking marijuana.
Crowder, who is planting a church in Santa Cruz, Calif., this fall,
sometimes calls his meetings “sloshfests” and refers to himself as
a bartender for God. He teaches that God wants all Christians to
be continually drunk in the Holy Spirit—and he provides resources
to help you do just that, including an electronica recording that will
help you, in Crowder’s words, “trance out,” and a teaching that
encourages stigmata and levitation.
I’ll let the theologians sort out all the obvious reasons why Crowder
and other “new mystics” are treading on dangerous ground.
Meanwhile I have a less complicated concern. With all of this
emphasis on Holy Ghost intoxication, did anybody notice that the
Bible clearly commands us to be spiritually sober?
If soberness wasn’t mentioned in the New Testament, then I wouldn’t
be beating this drum so loudly. But I find numerous references, from
both Peter and Paul.  ”But you, be sober in all things,” is Paul’s
admonition to Timothy (2 Tim. 4:5, NASB). He tells the Thessalonians,
“But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the
breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation,”
Peter hammers the same point. He wrote, “Prepare your minds for
action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace
to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 1:13)
and “The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment
and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer” (1 Pet. 4:7).
The soberness here is not primarily a reference to abstaining from
alcohol (although it’s worth mentioning that believers who drink will
find it more difficult to obey these commands). To be sober can be
defined “to show self-control,” “to be sane or rational,” or “to be
free from excess or extravagance.” A sober Christian knows the
heights of God’s inexpressible joy, but he is never ruled by emotions,
passions, lust or any other category of temptation that has the
power to dull the spiritual senses.
When I look at the state of our nation today, and consider our
spiritual challenges, it’s obvious the last thing we need are Christians
who are so sloshed in emotional euphoria that they can’t pray
intelligently and work diligently.
This is not a time for God’s people to be incapacitated. We need to
be thinking, planning, strategizing, researching and building—all
using the Holy Spirit’s wisdom. Yes, we need to be filled with the
Holy Spirit like never before—but He is not going to fill us so we
can act like giddy freshmen at a frat house keg party. Let’s put
the childish things behind us. It’s time for us to grow up and sober up.

I Caught Casey On The Corner

October 14th, 2009 at 3:01 pm by Pat
Casey and the Cross On The Corner

Casey and the Cross On The Corner

I was headed to the studio yesterday, but thought I would go see Casey on the corner.

I had to hurry. It was quarter to 5pm. I caught Casey just leaving to come be with me On The Air at 5.

This picture is just down from the busiest corner in Asheboro: Hwy 64 and Cox St. Hwy 64 is one of the major back roads to Raleigh, and there is a lot of traffic heading toward Raleigh.

I hope you have heard Casey On the Air with us. He has some wonderful stories of the Cross on the Corner.

WOW… Another One

September 24th, 2009 at 12:08 pm by Pat

I love finding these things on YouTube and sharing them with you. Here is another that will bless you:

You HAVE To Listen To This

September 23rd, 2009 at 2:38 pm by Pat

WOW… WOW… WOW…

I was previewing a new song on YouTube by BB & CeCe Winans, and I came across this young lady, Kari Jobe.

I have already written her for her CDs, and they have replied they are on the way.

Be prepared to be blessed.

Casey on 34th & Broadway

September 12th, 2009 at 1:29 am by Pat

Through a precious donation from Jim Middleton in Florida. Ordered by PBNCIMG0784Ministries, and given out at 34th and Broadway, New York City. Hundreds of people from all over the world recieved Bibles. People from Russia, Germany, Haiti, France, Ethiopia, India, Korea, Italy and Austria; to name a few. It was so exciting how tourists wanted Bibles. Knowing that His precious Word would end up in a country on the other end of the world!

CIMG0786A man walks by in a nice suit, and I offer him a Bible. He responds, “Well, I guess it couldn’t hurt,” and he humbly takes one. A group of high school kids walk by, covered in tatooes and piercings. Amazingly, they all wanted a Bible. A constuction worker passes. I ask him, “Have you had breakfast today, the Bible, the breakfast of champions?” He smiles, and takes a Bible. The joy, to see desperate hunger in peoples eyes for God’s Word. I was heart broken, though, when a lady came to me, and asked for 2CIMG0796 Bibles for her children, and I had to tell her, “I’m sorry, I gave them all out.” I think if I had a million Bibles, I could give them out in a week.

Many people asked for prayer, (right there on the corner), and wanted biblical counsel on problems they were facing. Praise the Lord, the Bible gives practical wisdom, to every problem we face.

CIMG0792The power of the Word of God can change a life, as the Holy Spirit moves in a heart. One Bible can touch a nation, if received and lived out through a person. How exciting to know His eternal impact!

Thank you so much for your prayers. People are so ready for, “JESUS.”

To the King of Glory, be all the praise……………Love, Casey

God & Dog

August 26th, 2009 at 11:42 am by Pat

You have GOT to watch and listen to this by Wendy Francisco.

So simple, yet so true.

Darkness Shall Cover The Earth

August 19th, 2009 at 4:08 pm by Pat

I was sent the following from my son-in-law, Jeremy. I think it speaks for itself.

While we touch and encourage hearts with the Light and Healing of Jesus, DARKNESS spreads like a cancer.

THIS IS WHY CLAUDIA AND I NEED PRAYER!!!

View the pictures below and decide how you really feel about the future of the Western World. These pictures are of Muslims marching through the STREETS OF LONDON during their ‘Religion of Peace Demonstration.’

Why would anyone think that we should be at war with such nice, peaceful Muslims?! Muslims have stated that England will be the first country they take over!

These are pictures not shown on American TV or in American Newspapers, but were forwarded by a Canadian who thought All Christians ought to know!


BIBLES On the Streets of New York City

August 12th, 2009 at 11:57 am by Pat

I was sent this, this morning from Casey & Connie. The Bibles purchased by Jim in Miami, are being distributed on theBibles 01 streets of New York City.

THIS IS EXCITING!!!

Here’s Casey’s note to me:

Some wonderful responses, as the Bibles were passed out at 34th and Broadway, New York City.  A teenager came up, holding out his hand to take a Bible.  After taking one, he says ” I really need this!”

A mother walked up and asked for 3 Bibles.  She said, “I need a couple extra, so I can get my two boys to read their Bible every day.”  With joy, they took them and many said ”Thank You, Thank You!”

Bibles 02One lady took a Bible and placed it up to her heart, then kissed the Bible. It was sooo precious.  Children were asking their parents, ”Can I have one, mom?”

At least 50 people or more received a Bible, that personally never owned one.  Tourists from Egypt, China, South America, Italy, Canada, and many other countries, took Bibles.  Looking into their eyes, you could see their cry for answers.  Thank God, the Word brings His victorious help, to every area in our lives.

Jesus, we pray Song of Solomon 1:4. Draw us after You, andBibles 03 let us run together.  Lord we pray every Bible given, will draw many to You, Lord Jesus.  Let Your Love fall, like healing rain falling on all the world, as the Gospel goes forth.  Jesus You are worthy of all the Glory, all the Praise, and all the Honor.  Amen

Bless you abundantly……… from Casey, on the streets of New York City


FINALLY!!!

August 11th, 2009 at 11:18 am by Pat

I nearly fell out of my chair. FINALLY, a report by an independent group who is usually anti Israel in its bias, showing the horrors of Hamas, shooting rockets into Israel.