I Met a Homeless Guy and He Changed My Life

I never knew any homeless people in the small town in which I was raised. There were poor people, but they all had some kind of home, however small or decrepit. But one day I met a homeless guy, and as I got to know him, he changed my life, and how I look at homeless people today.

Every person we meet has a story, and his story is truly extraordinary. His life is a testimony to how the power of God can work through one human life, even when all the cards seemed to be stacked against him. His life expressed many paradoxes. Conceived out of wedlock and raised in a backwater small town, he never had any formal education, yet seemed very articulate and well spoken.

Although he was poor and never seemed to own anything more than the clothes on his back, he behaved as if he was the richest man in the world. Women were attracted to him, although he did not marry. He never had any kids, although he loved children, and they loved him. He did have a bunch of guys that he hung around with.

Being around him, I felt more alive than I have ever felt before, because he had an extraordinary presence, and I felt like I was somehow experiencing eternity. Even though I just met him, he seemed to know me at the very depths of my soul. He brought a peace and joy to those around him that was just profound, and attracted people from far and wide. There were even reports of his feeding thousands of people, and performing healings and deliverance from demonic spirits.

He radiated an absolute strength underneath the surface, and showed tremendous love and compassion to those around him. He also castigated the religious leaders of the day for their hypocrisy, corruption, and enslavement of the people with their false religious traditions.

Other than helping his stepfather, he never held a real job, Then in his early thirties, his life finally began to gel. When the wine was running low at a wedding feast in Cana, his mother persuaded him to intervene. That’s when Jesus – you guessed it – performed His first miracle.

He turned water into wine, launching His three-year career on earth that culminated in his crucifixion and resurrection. And all who received Him as Savior and Lord became set free from the bondage of sin and the power of death, our ultimate enemies. We can now encounter Jesus through His Word, which will delight us, terrify us, instruct us, and shape us.

Jesus, the Son of God, changed history forever (that’s why it is called HISTORY – HIS STORY). So the next time you meet a homeless person, just remember that he (or she) has a story. Ask him about his story, and you can tell him yours, and His Story. You might change his life, and he might change yours.

To God be the Glory

Mansions of the Lord –

A Memorial Day Observance

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. The hymn “Mansions of the Lord” expresses of our deep appreciation and respect to them and to all who have served our country in our military. The hymn:

“To fallen soldiers let us sing, where no rockets fly nor bullets wing; our broken brothers let us bring to the mansions of the Lord.

No more bleeding, no more fight, no prayers pleading through the night; just divine embrace, eternal light in the mansions of the Lord.

Where no mothers cry and no children weep, we will stand and guard through the angels sleep; all through the ages safely keep, the mansions of the Lord.”

The 2002 movie “We Were Soldiers” and the 2004 funeral of President Ronald Reagan featured this hymn. It was based on the Gospel of John, Chapter 14:

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.” John 14:1-3

You can see the Mansions of the Lord hymn performed by the West Point Band and West Point Glee Club in an extraordinary performance by clicking here. (Youtube: “Mansions of the Lord” from We Were Soldiers | West Point Band and West Point Glee Club)

To God be the glory

Lifeinthespirit.net

Incredible Short Video and the Story of the RMS Titanic

Sometimes the most profound/compelling messages are communicated without words. A great example is the Youtube video developed by a Navy veteran: “This is Not a Drill”, which speaks about our nation and the war that is coming to our shores. “It took my breath away and brought tears to my eyes,” states author Glynda Lomax after reviewing this short video.

While that video speaks about our nation, “Icy Waters – the Story of the RMS Titanic” speaks about the tragedy of the sinking of the Titanic and how it relates to our lives on a personal basis. You won’t want to miss it.

Icy Waters – the Story of the RMS Titanic Download

Life in the Spirit blog is for the remnant Bride of Christ and all who seek The Truth. As in all things, question everything, test it against His Word, and take it to the Lord for confirmation. We were created to live at this time and be a witness to our Lord to all who He brings across our path. So let us be bold, be strong, be courageous, and walk with our Lord.

Have a blessed day, and always remember Who is really in charge.

Mark

Mark Peterson, Ph.D.

Mene, Mene PART III – How to Prepare

Our nation – the U.S. – is on the cusp of an extraordinary change – an economic crash that may also be the largest wealth transfer in the history of the world. The Word of God admonishes us to understand the times we are in (Matthew 16:1-4), and to be good stewards of the resources in our care.

This series addresses the coming crash of the U.S. dollar. PART I, “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin – America, You Have Been Weighed in the Balances and Found Wanting”, featured messages from several watchmen and women that absent major repentance of our people, our economy will crash. Mene, Mene PART II described the Crash of the U.S. Dollar and how this is most likely to come about, as the BRICS nations plus many more nations stop using the U.S. dollar for international financial transactions. This PART III of this series will explore the implications of this for our lives and how we can best prepare.

Mene Mene PART III Download

Life in the Spirit blog is for the remnant Bride of Christ and all who seek The Truth. As in all things, question everything, test it against His Word, and take it to the Lord for confirmation. We were created to live at this time and be a witness to our Lord to all who He brings across our path. So let us be bold, be strong, be courageous, and walk with our Lord.

Have a blessed day, and always remember Who is really in charge.

Mark

Mark Peterson, Ph.D.

P.S. One aspect of preparation deals with finances. To gain a glimpse of the impact of the crash of a currency, take a look at this article, which just came out a few days ago.

Mene, Mene PART II – The Crash of the U.S. Dollar

Our nation – the U.S. – is on the cusp of an extraordinary change – an economic crash that may also be the largest wealth transfer in the history of the world. It is important to understand that it is not merely an economic crash, but a change in how nations and corporations do business in the global economy. And it will affect you and me, our lifestyles, our financial assets, and how we live.

PART I, “Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin – America, You Have Been Weighed in the Balances and Found Wanting”, featured messages from several watchmen and women that absent major repentance of our people, our economy will crash. PART II will focus on the crash of the U.S. dollar and how this is most likely to come about. You can see it here:

Mene Mene PART II Download

From the background section, we will learn how the strength of the U.S. dollar, our economy, our military, and our superpower status all rest on the foundation of the petro-dollar agreement with Saudi Arabia. Next, we will see how that agreement is now being undermined as Saudi Arabia is abandoning that agreement. Those chickens (and trillions of dollars) will soon be coming home to roost, with drastic impacts on our lives.

PART III of this series will explore the implications of this for our lives and how we can best prepare. It will be coming soon and you won’t want to miss it.

Have a blessed day, and always remember Who is really in charge.

Mark

Mark Peterson, Ph.D.

Hearing the Voice of Our Lord – A Matter of Life and Death, Part I

Dear Friends and Family:

Our nation is facing World War III, hyperinflation, famine, and pestilence like none of us have ever experienced in our lives. We are entering the End Times prophesied in the Bible, and soon dramatic, life-changing events will take place in America and other nations.

So it is more critical than ever to draw close to the Lord for His comfort, guidance, and direction. It may save your life or mine, as we will see in Parts I and II of this issue of Life in the Spirit. Just as the Holy Spirit warned, comforted, and guided the apostles through treacherous times and situations, He will do the same for us if we will seek Him in total humility. Here is “Hearing the Voice of Our Lord – A Matter of Life and Death, Part I”. Part II will be coming soon.

0-HEAR~I Download

This blog is for the remnant Bride of Christ and all who seek the Truth. As in all things, question everything and take it to the Lord for confirmation.

Always remember – we were created to live at this time, to be a witness to our Lord to all who He brings across our path. And that the safest place to be is in the center of our Lord’s will.

Have a blessed day, and always remember Who is really in charge.

Mark

Mark Peterson, Ph.D.

God is at Work in Ukraine – Reports from the Front Lines

We have all seen horrific images of the war in Ukraine, how people’s lives and communities have been severely damaged or destroyed. But those don’t tell the full story. The people of God are shining forth as lights in the brutal darkness of war, providing for the physical and spiritual needs of the Ukrainian people.

The suffering and carnage are real, but what is rarely reported in the Western media are stories of compassion and care extended to people in need by Christians, and even supernatural deliverance. In accounts that read like Old Testament stories, during the first days of the invasion, Christians in L’viv reported seeing Russian missiles disappear in mid-air and Russian columns getting lost.

Stories abound of the Lord working through His people. One group of people, including a Christian, took cover in a two-story building. During the bombing, he prayed for protection. A rocket broke through the house, exited through the wall and landed in the yard without exploding. No one lost their life.

In the first days of the war, before international agencies arrived, churches all across Ukraine responded to the cry for help. Within 48 hours after the war began, they were transformed into refugee centers, bomb shelters and warehouses for food and medicines. Vans and buses were mobilized on evacuation missions, driven by church volunteers.

Those seeking help were welcomed into churches, where they experienced genuine care among Ukraine’s Christians. Unseen before the war, an unprecedented collaboration arose among various denominations. Receiving the physical aid they needed, refugees developed a hunger for the Gospel. In countries where the refugees have arrived, the gospel is spreading, certain proof that God can work all things together for good. Small prayer groups and bible studies are growing at an explosive rate as people’s hearts are opening to hear about how to have a relationship with God.

In his sovereignty, God allows man to sin and to war against each other. Christ didn’t come to eliminate suffering; He came to fill it with His presence. The task ahead to rebuild lives is monumental, but it becomes feasible when we know that God is at work through His church. Even in the midst of war, His love overpowers the rage of Satan. Let us go forth to minister to those in need, knowing that the light of Christ always shines most brightly in the darkness.

Source: Dennis and Anya Melnichuk, missionaries in eastern Europe

To God be the Glory