CRUSHED GRAPES MINISTRY |
Frank B. Smith, Director, PO Box 3009, Vista, CA. 92085-3009 |
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Blessed friends and loved ones, children of transition into the Kingdom of God, Life and Death/Life My younger brother, Bob died three weeks ago. He was 76 and had suffered from several diseases. The worst was an encroaching dementia of 12+ years that imprisoned him in a cell of isolation. He went from a sub-standard existence into true LIFE – Life with Jesus Whom Bob loved and served for many years. Another close family member, Monica (my son’s sister-in-law,) died a few days earlier. She was only 43. She had walked away from a distinguished career in radio, to care for hundreds of foster children, adopting several as her own. She went from a very fruitful life into the true fullness of life. For believers we never go from life to death. Death no longer has dominion over us. It was defeated by Jesus, and though it remains our final enemy to be overcome, the TRUTH said, “He who lives and believes in Me will never die.” Hallelujah! Mexico Our oft-postponed Mexico trip finally got under way August 13. My role is usually as a help and assistant to Rick Hohn. (see: spiritwheelsministry.com). Rick was, as always, phenomenal, but I got into the act a little more than usual, as did my daughter Debby and grandsons Jesse and Sam. During one of our home visits the Spirit came on me and said to ordain Jose Luis and dedicate his house as a meeting place for a church (illegal in Mexico.) His Pastor was with us and agreed as did Rick, so I doused him with oil recognizing the call and ministry in which he had been walking. He then blessed and anointed us all from the ample amount of oil running down his face and head. Hannibal, a brother who made many of the arrangements for the trip, has been serving in an apostolic ministry for years. He had investigated ordination or “getting papers” to legitimize his ministry. He found it would cost him $500.00. The night before leaving, we anointed him with oil and recognized the call of God on him. The “papers” are on their way to him now, and I am rejoicing that Jesus continues using me in acknowledging, encouraging, and confirming His servants. What a privilege! Baptisms We got back Thursday night, and Friday I picked up Brandon, another grandson, for the week-end. I was scheduled to baptize one of the men from my re-hab class at Brother Benno’s in Oceanside last Sunday morning. Brandon was going with me to join in the act of dying with Jesus and rising to a new life in the waters of the Pacific. We met up with the men at an AA meeting in Buccaneer Park where Michael was waiting for us. Will and Derek also wanted to join in the radical baptismal call of a new life. And then there was my dear friend Dennis. Dennis met Jesus at the young age of 8, but over the years the effects of his life of addiction, the harsh judgmentalism from Christians, failed marriage, and several prison terms caused him to reject Christianity. He became a Buddhist. His heart was moved towards serving the poor, and I often told him I thought he was really an undercover Christian. Yet he persisted in Buddhism and the “many roads to God.” Sunday he asked to be baptized with the brothers and officially become a Christian. HALLELUJAH! I was so moved by Brandon, Dennis, and the others that I also went into the cold water to be a part of it. My spiritual “high” was so far off the charts the water seemed warm. I experienced the reality of heaven on earth, and asked, as I do more often now, “Is this it, Father? Have I finished the work? Is there more for me after these experiences in Mexico and Buccaneer Beach?” He overwhelms me with the sensing of my part in this time of transition deeper into the seventh millennium of rest. This will become more pronounced in my letters and teachings, especially once I get more oriented technologically and the failed video’s I promised are finally released. In the meantime, be strong and courageous. Do not trust your own thinking and understanding. It is always wrong, even if it is correct. Learn to trust Christ, and His witness within you. You are His literal body on the earth. He is the tree of life. All the fruit from the knowledge of good and evil is the way of the world, and we are no more to partake of that “religious” knowledge than Adam and Eve were to eat it for the first time. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Prov.3:5,6. With much love and blessings, Frank
PS. Praise God, daughter Sarah is pregnant. Pray for her and baby. Also, I got a good report from the heart doctor. Pray that nothing hinders His work. |