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Sept 2, 2004
Dear Friends and fellow servants of Jesus,
This morning Betty and I were reading from John, chapters five and
six. (What a rich and wonderful experience to read and pray together.) We
began discussing and asking what it meant to eat Jesus' flesh and drink His
blood. Is this communion? No, it's more than that. Is this, "You are what
you eat?" Sort of.
As we were grappling to get a handle on it, I noticed the newspaper
under the Bible, open to the Sports Page with a picture of a baseball player
swinging his bat. His muscular arms and body testified that this was a real
athlete. The Lord then zapped me with one of His instant revelations: "This
man eats, sleeps, and drinks baseball." That's it! Eat my flesh and drink my
blood means to eat, sleep, and drink Jesus.
What is the all-consuming passion of your life? What do you eat,
sleep, and drink? Your job? Your free time? Your television viewing? Your
children? The news? Politics? Your church fellowship? Your computer? Your
sport specialty like an Olympian? Your Lord and Master, Jesus the Christ?
"I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and
drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks
my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my
flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and
drinks my blood remains in me and I in him." John 6:53 - 56.
On September 13, we are leaving on a trip up the west coast to Auburn
Washington for the Unity Conference spearheaded by Steve Anderson. If you'd
like to check this out, go to,
www.answerthecallministries.org. We will make stops on the way up in San
Francisco and Red Bluff, California and Salem, Oregon. After the conference
we hope to stop in Vantage and Spokane Washington, and Twin Falls, Idaho,
and then meander back to Omaha where we expect to arrive around the first of
October. If anyone would like to still join us for this journey, let me know
right away.
Omaha is changing. Chris Fraker has been shepherding the "hood" flock
since neighbors started receiving the Lord. After almost two years, God is
releasing him from Omaha and sending him to Colorado Springs in mid
November. Kevin Smith, who was with us for several months, has moved into
his own apartment. He is doing very well with a profession (not just a job)
at the Red Cross. This leaves Robert McMurray and me, when I am not in
California or traveling elsewhere.
Unless God causes some significant changes in this configuration, I
would like to get out from under the burden of the house. It needs at least
three residents to cover the expenses, and the ministry income is not enough
to cover the shortfall. Repairs and upkeep have been neglected. As I spend
more time in California, I know I am not released from Omaha, but perhaps I
can be released from being a homeowner in the "hood." Any suggestions or
counsel would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for the prayers and support. I am grateful to God that He
supplies all our needs through His people who love Him and us. If any others
would like to support Crushed Grapes anonymously, you can direct deposit to
US Bank account number 165100654921.
God bless you and glorify His name through you as you eat, sleep, and
drink, Jesus, the only legitimate ruler of heaven and earth.
Love in Christ,
Frank Smith
Ps:
Hungersite.com is
an advertising website that feeds the hungry. Every
“hit” sends a meal to a hungry person in a third world country. Check it out
and if you feel it’s worthwhile, put it on your favorite sites. It is an easy
and convenient way to help the hungry and a good reminder to pray.
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