CRUSHED GRAPES MINISTRY |
Frank B. Smith, Director, PO Box 3009, Vista, CA. 92085-3009 |
January 25, 2000 Dear Friends and Loved Ones, "Some men die in battle, and, some men die in flames. But most men die inch by inch, while playing little games" author unknown (but told to me by Chaplain Joe Woods, Tri-City Hospital) Beloved, if you are playing "little games" in these last moments of the age, for God's sake, STOP IT! Stop spending money on what is not bread; stop laboring for what does not satisfy. Stop all pretending and avoid every contaminated worldly pursuit that leads away from God's Kingdom. The two thousand year accumulation of the prayers of His people is about to be answered as His Kingdom Comes. TRIPS After two trips to Boulder, the assignment seems to be on hold for the immediate future. I feel no release from the burden for the Church of Boulder, but there is no leading to visit again soon. Besides, the labor here in Vista is so spiritually rewarding that I'm not in any hurry to be away. As well as the evangelistic blessings at the Ranch, many of the leaders of the Church of Vista have fallen in love with each other. We are now regularly praying together and awaiting the word from our King as we also seek to guard each other and the flock over which the Holy Spirit has made us overseers. The visit to Taiwan over Christmas was much different than the "earthquake interrupted" earlier visit. There was much more opportunity for ministry, and the Church that meets at Mike and Nico's house was inaugurated as a living part of the Church of Taichung. An upcoming trip includes a marathon counseling session at Elijah House the end of March in an attempt to recover childhood memories and find out what makes me tick. (Some may be shouting, "O Hallelujah! Finally!") Just 90 miles away in Lewiston, Idaho is a young man whose life and ministry has shouted to me through God to recognize and ordain. So, God-willing I will pick up a young Apostle in Portland and we will anoint and lay hands on brother Don Guzman. Also included are stops at San Quentin for a death row visit, and Auburn Washington for a week-end with Steve and Christi Anderson and the wonderful church that meets in their house. I was planning to extend the trip to other friends along the West Coast, but must return quickly to prepare for hip surgery. MY HIP On Sunday, February 6, during the service, I was holding a young child while standing in the doorway. I was twisted around with one foot on the sill and the other lower on the sidewalk. There was a sickening clunk and shift. I began to perspire profusely. The Mom saw I was in trouble and got her son. I began the impossible attempt to walk. The flow of the service took an abrupt turn. Some men got me to a chair in the center for prayer. I sat down and before the people gathered to pray, God intervened. One of the older Prophets heard the Lord say, "Watch what I do." There was a loud whack that echoed throughout the meeting hall and my hip was back in the socket even before they laid hands on me. For a few days the tissue around my hip was quite sore, but there was none of the awful pain. I made an appointment with the Orthopedic Surgeon who had done the last hip replacement thirteen years ago, but since my son Mike and his family were here from Taiwan, I postponed the appointment a few weeks. Well the fateful day came and the bad news was delivered. The cup which is cemented into the pelvis is broken or worn out. The cup was not replaced in 1986, so it has been in use for 23 years. The doctor said I needed surgery to replace the cup. I tried to minimize his warning that it would come out again and again. I pleaded with the Lord for healing, and heard Him say, "You need to do it." The elders prayed for me and I was told, "Frank, you're going to have to go through with it." So, God-willing, when I return on April 5, I will begin the weekly giving of a unit of my blood for three weeks, wait at least another week for the surgery which would then probably be done on May 1 or May 8. Services In December I began Sabbath Services at the Ranch at 10:00 AM, and turned over most of the Sunday gatherings to the "Dynamic Duo" of Rick Hohn and James Brown. Rick referenced this duo as a "seeming helpless cripple and an ex-con." This arrangement is wonderful. I get my "preacher itch" scratched in a much smaller and more intimate setting, and the Sunday meetings are blown off the charts spiritually as the dynamic duo team up like a spiritual tag team. GREEN OAK REVIVAL In the natural I could get easily discouraged and depressed, but the awesome work of God here at Green Oak Ranch prevents it. The angels continually rejoice over the new births taking place, and we are drawn by the Spirit into the heavenly celebrations. Besides re-dedications, there were 63 baptized in 1999; and already 10 in 2000. At one of the recent Chapel Services I mentioned how I had expected May of 1999 to be the mid-point of the tribulation, and that perhaps Jesus would come then. And then Rosh Hashanah last September was a time of great expectancy for me, but if Jesus had come then, many at the meeting would have been left behind. I starting naming some and one fifty year old stroke victim just two weeks old in the Lord teared up and said, "I wouldn't have gone with Him." May we redeem this time, however long it may be, by ushering many into the Kingdom. Whatever our specific assignment for these last moments before His return, drawing others into the Kingdom fits into any agenda. This is also one of the most exciting and rewarding things you could ever do. If you have not had the thrill of mid-wifing another into the Kingdom, I urge you to plead with God for the privilege before He comes. Ask Him for openings and courage to seize the opportunity. For divine appointments and anointing to bring about the birth from above. God bless you my beloved. Love in Christ, Frank
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