The past 14 months have been an absolute blast, as debi & I have
traveled throughout the U.S., Europe, & Israel.   We connected with
old friends, made lots of new friends, established new contacts in the
realms of ministry and art, worked on our latest book, and ministered
in home fellowships and churches.  During that entire time, we prayed
for the Lord to lead us to where He would like to establish us for the
next chapter of our lives and ministry.  In just the past few weeks,
His plan has become quite clear.  It seems our work in Colorado is not
yet finished.  On November 7th, we move into our new ministry property
in Monument, CO.  What's cool is that we will be just two miles from
Jesse & Carla.  debi & I are excited to see what the Lord has
in store for us.   As debi is fond of saying, God always saves the best
for last.

        

debi & I finally got the opportunity to watch Ben Stein's fantastic
film, "Expelled." You have to see it & encourage all of your friends
to do the same. Especially now, with so much at stake with our
elections. It is the absolute best, and most intriguing & informative
documentary, I have ever seen. Believe it or not, Ben Stein clearly
relates how Darwinism has adversely affected this nation and undermined
Christian values & beliefs. This is an absolute "must-see" by every
Christian, who believes in the sanctity of life. "Expelled" can be
rented from any video store.

        

"And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the
rulers and the people, Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me,
as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him
before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things
whereof ye accuse him: No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and,
lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him. I will therefore chastise
him, and release him (For of necessity he must release one unto them at
the feast.) And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man,
and release unto us Barabbas: (Who for a certain sedition made in the
city, and for murder, was cast into prison.) Pilate therefore, willing
to release Jesus, spake again to them. But they cried, saying, Crucify
him, crucify him. And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil
hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore
chastise him, and let him go. And they were instant with loud voices,
requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the
chief priests prevailed. And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as
they required. And he released unto them him that for sedition and
murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered
Jesus to their will." (Luke 23:13 - 25).


It was the chief priests, rulers, and their headstrong followers, who
cried out for the blood of the innocent Jesus and instead demanded the
release of a known murderer. Jesus always did good, and He always spoke
the truth in love, regardless of his audience. However, in so doing, He
was the bad guy. Barabbas, on the other hand, was embraced by the mob,
which included religious people. It is the same today. Let a person live
for the Lord, lift up the Word of God, and speak the truth to everyone,
and watch them be rejected by religious leaders, nominal Christians, and
others, who instead prefer the company of scurrilous, vile characters.

I see it everywhere I go. Many, who I thought were Christians, will
reject godly counsel and the clear Word of God, in order to embrace
apostates, reprobates, and so-called believers living in open, gross
sin. I, and others like me, become the bad guys, because we love God
with all of our hearts, choose to stand on God's word, and strive to
"...press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in
Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14). Sinners will be sinners. They will
behave as such. When those people, who call themselves spiritual, or
even Christian, reject Truth and instead embrace lies, deceit, and
abject wickedness, they reveal themselves to be in a worse state than
the simple sinner.

We see it in our electoral process. A mother, who happily chose to give
birth, knowing beforehand that her son would have birth defects, is
reviled as one of the most wicked people on earth. Just look at the
position of most left-leaning, ultra-liberals - abortion of innocent
babies is absolutely embraced as a good thing, but the execution of
hardened, convicted murderers is a bad thing. That makes absolutely no
sense, whatsoever. Such a position reveals the utter depravity of the
minds, hearts, and spirits of those, who preach such garbage.

Who are you embracing today...Jesus or Barabbas?

        

debi & I are excited to see what God has in store for us, as we pray
about where to establish ourselves for the next chapter of our lives and
ministry. We know the future includes preaching & teaching, authoring
more books, creating more art, radio programs, supporting missionary
friends, and putting together a team. If you know of a property
available for ministry purposes, or if you would like to be part of our
team, please do not hesitate to contact us.

        

The Daily Citizen
September 28, 2008

The Temple of the Hills

Church's mural depicts scene from Jerusalem's worship center

By Warren Watkins

FLOYD - Worship in the Ozark foothills southwest of Searcy is more inspiring for members and guests of one church after a monumental mural has been painted on its front sanctuary wall.

The mural at Floyd Assembly of God depicts six massive columns, two with capitals and the others topped with potted plants. Immense stones are depicted eight-high running the width of the sanctuary and an arch draws the eye to the painting at the back of the baptistry, a waterfall framed by fern-covered rocks and fog-draped cedars.

"It's a peaceful scene, with the water flowing, and you can think about being baptized or fish in there," said Leon Johnson, a church member who uses the mural to aid his meditation and worship. "It's just pretty, period."

The mural was created in only one week by sisters debi Story Maddox and Diannia Story Crum. Maddox prefers to spell her name with a small "d" as a form of artistic expression.

"About a year ago I had a dream that my sister and I were painting the mural," Maddox said. "I didn't see exactly what we were painting but just that we were at the church and painting the mural."

Maddox said she and her sister sat in church together side by side and developed the concept. After presenting a rough sketch to Pastor Winfield Piker and getting unanimous permission from the church on a Sunday, work began Monday morning.

"I didn't know the wheels could turn that fast," Maddox said. "It was pretty cool because we had absolute 100 percent cooperation from everyone in the church. There was a real spirit of cooperation and unity about the church entering into artwork in a special way."

An unseen hand guided the artists as the brush strokes began, and their parents, Haston Story and Betty Birch, were supportive and were at the church during the mural's birth.

"A lot of it was spontaneous," Maddox said. "It just came to us as we started working.  Not everything we do is already planned out. We left some of it to inspiration and spontaneity and creative liberty as we were working on it."

The depiction of a temple-style wall came from a recent experience. "My husband and I had just this past year been on a trip the Holy Land, so I wanted it to resemble something from ancient temples or something from a spiritual heritage of Christianity," Maddox said. "I guess that's where a lot of the inspiration came from."

The baptistry waterfall is the colorful and creative center of the mural. "My sister had everything to do with that piece," Maddox said. "Her feeling was that the center where the light was coming from over the waterfall was the magnificent light of God."

Creating the giant painting was hard work, with the sisters spending 60 hours from one Sunday to the next Sunday.

"I've always considered my artwork, since I became a Christian, a visible expression of my worship towards God, so it was appropriate that we did the mural inside a church sanctuary," Maddox said. "Not everyone's worship can be seen but an artist's is kind of visual."

For more information on Maddox, also a poet, illustrator, jewelry designer, fashion designer and art director, go to StoryMaddoxGallery.com.

 
debi Story Maddox, Pastor Winfield Piker, & Dian Crum

        

I continue to be amazed at how gullible most believers are, when it
comes to welcoming absolute reprobates and apostates into their homes
and fellowships. The Bible clearly teaches us we should have no
fellowship with the ungodly, those who once walked in godliness but are
now living in direct opposition to Christ's teachings.

I once warned a brother not to allow a reprobate fellow into his home,
but he didn't listen. That reprobate convinced the brother's wife of heresies,
convinced her to divorce her Christian husband, and stole her away to be
his own wife. That reprobate is still welcomed into believer's homes.
Unbelievable!

What is it about professing Christians, who want to have
anything to do with such obvious wolves in sheep's clothing? I don't
get it. Jesus laid out His teachings so clearly, there is no doubting
His meaning. Don't you think the Apostles Paul & John knew a few
things about this faith of ours? It would do us well to follow the
teachings of Christ and His apostles.

But you say that apostate, or reprobate, has repented.  If a person repents, they turn from their sin, make restitution, get out of their adulterous relationships, and show proof of their repentance. 

"Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:  And think not to
say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you,
that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore
every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down,
and cast into the fire"  (Matthew 3:8-10).

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in
heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy
name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I
never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 7:21-23).

"Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth
adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband
committeth adultery" (Luke 16:18). Hey, I didn't write these passages in
Luke, or the ones in Mark 10:11-12, and Matthew 5:32 & 19:9). Jesus
taught this stuff. Remember Him?

"But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is
called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a
railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to
eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not
ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth.
Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person"(1
Corinthians 5:11-13).

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For
men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural
affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers
of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of
pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but
denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are
they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with
sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come
to the knowledge of the truth". (2 Timothy 3:1-7).

"A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition
reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being
condemned of himself" (Titus 3:10-11).  If you reject something, you
no longer have anything to do with it. 

"For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and
if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the
gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the
ungodly and the sinner appear?" (1 Peter 4:17-18). Two categories of
disobedient people: ungodly - those who once were godly, but now walk in
direct opposition to Christ's teachings; and plain 'ol sinners.

"He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I
will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess
his name before my Father, and before his angels" (Revelation 3:5).
Check it out, folks. Yes, it is possible that once your name has been
written in the book of life, it can later be blotted out. Argue with
the Apostle John. He's the one, who quoted Jesus.

If you want to be an overcomer, I would strongly suggest you fellowship
with other overcomers, and not with reprobates, apostates, and the
ungodly.

        

debi & I were talking last night about how interesting it is that the
government is now overseeing the mortgage business. If the wrong people
write the new rules, they could easily state that in order to qualify
for a mortgage, or keep your existing mortgage, you have to get a
"security chip" installed in your hand. Imagine...every homeowner in
America would be faced with the choice of getting the mark or losing
their home. What do you think most homeowners will do?

        

Acts 1:8  But ye shall receive POWER, after that the Holy Ghost is come
upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in
all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Acts 26:18  To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to
light, and from the POWER of Satan unto God, that they may receive
forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by
faith that is in me.

        

For 36 years, God has wonderfully employed debi & her amazing artistic talents in His work.   Last week, working from early each morning until late each night, debi & her sister, Dian, painted a breath-taking, 60' (L) by 16' (H) mural at an Assembly of God Church in AR.  

They completely transformed the sanctuary into a spiritual art gallery. Turned out spectacular, complete with numerous, gigantic Roman columns, a gorgeous rock archway, and lush greenery.   The baptistry backdrop is replete with a  powerful river, with unique trees and beautiful plants on both banks.   A  picturesque waterfall cascades into the baptismal tank  

Tomorrow, the (Little Rock) Arkansas Democrat Gazette comes out with the story.   On Thursday, the Beebe News will run their own story.   On September 28, the Searcy Daily Citizen will publish an article on the artists' amazing accomplishment.  Already, the church has realized an increase in attendance and visitors. 

debi & Dian loved every minute of the process of creating that mural.  To them, it was a time of worship, showing their abounding love for the Lord.  

        

"Also, thou son of man, the children of thy people still are talking
against thee by the walls and in the doors of the houses, and speak one
to another, every one to his brother, saying, Come, I pray you, and
hear what is the word that cometh forth from the LORD.  And they come
unto thee as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people,
and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their
mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their
covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one
that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for
they hear thy words, but they do them not.  And when this cometh to
pass, (lo, it will come,) then shall they know that a prophet hath been
among them" (Ezekiel 33:30-33).



"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own
selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like
unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:  For he beholdeth
himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of
man he was.  But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and
continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the
work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.  If any man among you seem
to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own
heart, this man's religion is vain.  Pure religion and undefiled before
God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their
affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world" (James
1:22-27). 



"Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy
faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also
believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith
without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works,
when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith
wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the
scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was
imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of
God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith
only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when
she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For
as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead
also" (James 2:18-26).