Category: Uncategorized

 

By Jim Torres “Towers”

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come…”

There is a conspiracy to lower our moral standards by men used of Satan to corrupt our nation. What used to be wrong is right, and what was right is now wrong. Without our Judeo Christian values we as a country are doomed. Without the Ten Commandments what is to be had but confusion, fear and hopelessness. God’s laws are anathema to those in power. Today there is no restraint on the reprobate mind. The world has gone mad.

Our political leaders have led the way. Their only concern seems to be for money and power. Their closets are full of sexual secrets, perversity and of dead men’s bones. The love of money and sex take preeminence over morality and the law. We are fast becoming no better than animals and the internet proves it. Social media is becoming rife with topics that were once taboo. Even the word “taboo” is fading from the English lexicon. Words like love, sin, honesty, chaste, lust, chivalry, virtue and dignity are dying out as well.

Nothing is sacred or forbidden anymore.

The huge gaping door leading to hell has been flung wide open in our country. The masses are giving themselves over to a reprobate mind and that, willingly. Sexual promiscuity abounds and pornography is in your face and out in the open, full force. Meanwhile, others have gone stark raving mad and walk about naked in broad daylight. Some are even going so far as to attack people on the street in the light of day. Parents are killing their children and children their parents like never before.

A man used to be proud of being a man and the same can be said of women. They each knew their place in life. Today, many a man or woman is unsure of their sexuality and station in life. Men act like women and women try to act like men.

Children and teenagers have been brought up in fatherless homes where the person who delegates and chastises and loves his children is missing. Where those who do have both parents usually one or the other is a step-parent who doesn’t care all that much about them. They do what they want, when they want, because mommy and daddy have better things to do. What can be more important than to mold a child into a loving and kind God fearing person? They are God’s gift to us. God even goes so far as to let us participate in the creative process through love of the opposite sex in a marital bond.

Speaking of love between the opposite sexes, where is the love and romance we once knew just a lifetime ago? Mankind isn’t satisfied with the way they are created anymore. They are looking for more and more drug, alcohol and sexual highs that stimulate the endorphins no end; and so delve into things best left alone. They have become lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God.

In the meantime, earthquakes continue to proliferate across the globe. Diseases such as Zika, Lyme, Cholera and brain eating Amoeba are on the increase as well.

There were over 225 drug overdoses in four adjoining states recently.

Killings in Chicago (a gun controlled state) and other metropolitan cities are over the top already this year.

Children are killing parents and grandparents. Adults are killing innocent children, not to mention the millions killed in the womb.

How long will God let humanity keep up this evil behavior before He’s seen enough?

Even in the church sin abounds. Some put on a pious face and meek demeanor without really having Christ in their lives. They are only fooling themselves; their self-righteous fruit stinks to high heaven. They are always learning but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. As a matter of fact, we already have homosexuals in the pulpits of America; what’s left to do to anger God even more?

Weep and wail America. Be sure your sins will find you out. God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap. If that be the case, then I’m afraid we as a country are doomed and will be crying out to God for mercy soon – but perhaps too late.

The only good news I have is that God is long suffering and not willing that any should perish. There is, however, a requirement and that is repentance. You must confess and forsake your sins and receive Christ Jesus into your life. No one is exempt from this requirement.

“If we confess our sins, God is willing to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” If a person has come to the end of his or her rope and wants to start anew, that person must have a change of heart, repent, and be born again. “You must be born again.”

The Insanity of God is the title of a documentary that played for just one night in one of our local theatres. I didn’t go to see it. I’ve seen too much of Islam’s demonic deeds on the internet and that’s what this documentary and forthcoming book are all about.

If you feel that calling to Muslims then the opportunity to do so are coming to you in droves and are already here with our open door policy. You won’t even have to leave the country. Obama is bringing them to you by the thousands.

As for me, I’ve shared the Gospel with three Muslims already and prayed with two of them, closing with – in Jesus Holy name… Amen.

YBIC

Jim Torres “Towers”

 

By Jim Towers

I was lying on the hospital bed when the phone rang. A man from the church asked if he could pray for me over the phone. I had suffered a heart attack, but I hadn’t panicked; as a matter of fact I was calmly ready to meet my maker, and have been for over forty years. I told the man that I’d prefer he didn’t. I had already cleared the table and made up my mind to let God’s will be done and I didn’t want this man, however good his intentions, to intervene on my behalf.

I was to have open heart surgery early the following morning and after I showered in preparation I laid there in the dark searching for any un-confessed sin, reaching back as far as I could remember. After taking care of that matter I wondered if God would be disappointed in me if I underwent the operation for lack of faith, faith that He could and would heal me, if only I would ask. At that point I almost got up to put my clothes and shoes on and walk home by faith. But it was about midnight and I lived about twenty miles away, so I was caught between a rock and a hard place.

Then Logic began to set in. This was no big deal, I told myself. I’ve been through worse, since heartache and heartbreak had plagued my life. “Piece of cake,” I thought to myself. This is a win-win situation. If I die on the operating table I’ll instantly be with the Lord, never to suffer again. However, if I pulled through I could maybe complete my film and finish my book.

It also occurred to me that since God created the human mind, surely a learned surgeon would put forth his best efforts in helping me recover, regardless of his motives.

As much as those two things mattered to me, I resigned myself to any eventuality. After all, I’d lived life to the full and overflowing the brim. There wasn’t anything I regretted and everything I’d accomplished worked out for the best in my rich and exciting existence.

I began thinking of all the blessings and miracles I’d seen God work out in my life. It was as if I had lived two lifetimes, during which I ran with the big dogs in society. I’ve done and experienced things other people only dream of.

Still, I find talking and sharing Christ and praying for others my greatest delight. Being the most interesting creatures on the planet, people have always been a treasure to me. I have prayed for the hurting, laughed with the happy and danced with the joyful – literally. If I died I would miss the give and take of conversation and the psychology of understanding a person’s innermost thoughts. With all our faults and idiosyncrasies what glorious beings people can be, especially when we have Christ living in us and through us.

Thoughts continued running through my mind causing laughter, tears and sighs and I finally went to sleep. What a life I’ve lived! Everything worked out. I’m still vibrantly alive and I continue to pursue my ever elusive objectives, and that is to reach as many people for Christ as possible before time runs out and we take flight out of here in the rapture.

As I look back on things I realize that there is a fine line between logic and faith. God gave us logic to be able to function as human beings and we should make good use of it. Nevertheless, there are times when logic doesn’t work. Sometimes, even tough-minded people come to the end of their rope, so to speak. Then what? Then we need to take stock of the situation looking at the problem or situation through spiritual eyes. In doing so we realize our limitations and cry out to our maker, God, HELP! After all, He asks us to do just that. “Call out to me in your time of trouble and I will hear and help you, and you will give me praise.”

We aren’t to be timid, shy or fearful as a result of human logic. Christians are called to live by faith and faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Fear of man is a dangerous trap and so we must use faith coupled with concern in dealing with non-believers.

Below, are some of my favorite scriptures which pertain to faith.

“God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind.”

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

“Without faith it is impossible to please God.”

“The just shall live by faith.”

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding.”

“You are saved by faith through grace and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God lest any man should boast.”

Use logic in every situation and determine how to proceed, always keeping God in the equation, that way you will be content with the outcome no matter how hard the trial. Use logic saturated by faith and give it a go, trusting that God is in control, knowing that “All things work together to those who love God and are the called unto His purpose.”

Catholics – Roma Downey and her husband have done it again, in spite of faulty doctrine they manage to produce quality movies. Although the critics panned it, I found the re-hashed movie Ben Hur quite entertaining. The stunts were terrific and most of it was life like. (I did a couple of stunts for my own movie trailer recently and injured both shoulders, but am recovering just fine.) There wasn’t an “F bomb” in the entire movie and no sex or full frontal nudity. Oh yes, and Jesus Christ was also in a couple of scenes. Perhaps that’s why the critics panned it.

YBIC

Jim Torres “Towers”

By Jim “Towers”

Oh, really? Then why does He allow bad things to happen to everyone, including His very own? I’m sure you’ve heard that retort before. I suspect we’ve all thought that at one time or another. I know I have, but that was years ago when I was still struggling with trying to make sense of my salvation and my relationship with God. Many times even trained pastors with degrees can’t answer that question. Some even take pride in being able to say that we can’t know why these adverse things happen to us all. But Jesus said, “In this life you will have trials and tribulation, but do not fear, for I have overcome the world.” You might ask, “So what does that have to do with me?” But if you look at the big picture you will realize that eternity is a long time, and this life is a practically insignificant seventy-five years for most of us (if we’re in good health), so our little difficulty is soon over with bliss directly ahead.

Today it’s all beginning to come together for me as I delve deeper into the truths of His Word. I know some of this answer will sound ethereal, but if God isn’t ethereal I don’t know who or what is.

God created us in His image and in His likeness by His Word; the Word (Jesus) who was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory as of the only begotten of the Father. Since we are created in His image and likeness we too are really spiritual beings encased in this spacesuit we call flesh. Since we are spirit, we never really die, we just step into another reality. Keep in mind that this life is but a blip in the eternal continuum.

Why did Jesus weep when He brought Lazarus back to life? Wasn’t it because He knew Lazarus would be disappointed in having to be brought back to this world of pain, sickness and toil? Lazarus must have been disappointed to be back in his old aching body again. No doubt he was enjoying the wonders, peace, beauty and serenity of paradise.

We all have our burdens and disappointments to live through. Sometimes it is these very things that drive us into the arms of God, our loving Father.

The just shall live by faith. When going through tough times the true Christian can draw strength from the Living Word. The Bible is chock full of promises and is like a goldmine encrusted with nuggets of truth and hope. Do yourself a favor and read it prayerfully. Get to know it like the palm of your hand, believe it and find strength for every adversity.

We must realize that we are mortal created beings and had nothing to do with our creation (as some would have us believe). That makes us answerable to our creator, a being we call God. This God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.

Time is running out for us all. That is why we must make the best of our short existence in the here and now. That’s why we must learn to love others to the exclusion of our egos or fear of man. I know for some this is a tall order. But Jesus said he would be there for us in the form of the Holy Spirit to be our strength as in “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Remember David? He’s the young man I prayed for in the isle at Home Depot recently. David works part time at Dunkin Donuts. At first he didn’t know what to make of me. I mean, when was the last time a person prayed for you in the isle of a store? You can’t blame him. Now he smiles and says “hi” to me when I wander in there for a cup of coffee. Soon, when I feel the prompting, I’ll share more with him.

I am working with three other people whom I believe are seekers at Home Depot, where I seem to be spending a lot of time lately. I bought three of them a New Testament and prayed with one of them. I always ask them if they would like for me to pray for them, and they never refuse. The door has been opened for me there.

Also on that same note, I was asked to sit with an elderly lady who was alone in the restaurant I went to for breakfast. It started with a conversation that went like this: “The coffee here is excellent,” I quipped as we ordered at the counter.

“I don’t drink coffee,” she replied.

“I’ve never met anyone who didn’t drink coffee.”

“I just drink tea and water.”

After a little more back and forth she asked me to sit with her. I jokingly replied, “What would your husband think about that?”

“Oh, he’ll never know.”

By this time I was thinking of a way to bow out, but I felt the Lord urging me on. Besides, she appeared harmless enough at eighty, so I sat across from her. I did what I always do in preparation to eat, I thanked God for my food and didn’t mumble, saying, “Thank you Heavenly Father for this beautiful day and for this food, in Jesus’ name amen.” I said it out loud as is always the case. At this, the old gal perked up and asked me what I thought of the state of the nation, and how everything was out of whack. I told her why I thought these evil things were happening, that it was due to turning our backs on God. Then she asked what I did in life. I told her and also mentioned the two Christian websites I write for. She was awestruck. Later it occurred to me that this encounter was a divine appointment set up by God.

Frankly, I enjoy being a radical Christian. I know without a doubt that there are many hurting people out there. They are desperate to tell someone their troubles or find someone who cares enough to pray for them anytime, anywhere. I don’t have a license or a degree in theology, but I feel for those who don’t have a relationship with the God of heaven and earth, and so I do what I can with my gift of gab.

Insofar as movies are concerned, I just viewed The 33 which is a true life story of the thirty-three guys in Chile who were trapped in a gold mine several hundred feet underground. They were trapped for 69 days with three days’ rations. All they could do was pray for deliverance. God sometimes answers prayers in the affirmative. This was a life affirming movie.

YBIC

Jim Torres “Towers”

 

By Jim Torres “Towers”

When was the last time you had someone offer an apology for something they did wrong to you or for something they failed to do, instead of blaming it on something or someone else? Now more than ever there is no shame, or apologies or even explanations for a wrongdoing in our culture.

When was the last time you saw someone blush with shame? In times past you could always find someone whose face would get red over a shameful thought or action which was usually followed by an apology. The horror of a life without shame is the inability to feel good and evil.

Nowadays many folks balk at the thought of apologizing for anything and will try to lie their way out of a situation. In politics there is yet another way out, “I stand on the fifth.” This, of course, is said when they can’t think fast enough to keep from blurting out the truth. Some might even go so far as to say, “I misspoke” or “I can’t remember.”

What these people are saying is that they don’t want to divulge the truth and have to pay for their actions. Our highest law officer in the nation lies and refuses to answer questions, or at best skirts the issue when grilled by a senator about alleged wrongdoing of a presidential candidate.

Career politicians have hijacked the United States of America through deceit, lies and sleight of hand.   We have let liars and wrongdoers occupy the highest offices in the nation. Politicians live in gated communities and in a cozy comfort zone with a retirement package and all the perks that go with high office. What a travesty we’ve incurred upon ourselves because of our apathy. We too have gotten all we need and live in relative comfort.

There are at least three new books out in the book stores exposing the Clintons and others in high office.

There was a time when a man’s word was his bond. (I wrote this line before Donald Trump’s wife was caught plagiarizing Michelle Obama’s speech.) In any case, truth is subjective today, and words such as virtue, morality, integrity and honesty have all but disappeared from the English lexicon.

We as a nation have been dumbed down by the likes of Freud and others like him who said that all things were relative and that no one was really wrong about anything! The Bible says about such people, “Thinking themselves to be wise, they became utter fools.”

Once when I was drowning in an old gravel pit in Michigan (my legs cramped up after diving too deep into the spring fed ice cold water), I knew beyond a doubt that I was going to die by drowning. My legs were like lead and drawing me down for the third and last time. Just as I was about to expire, I had an instantaneous review of my life play out in my head. The images ran together like a tape on fast forward. I really hadn’t forgotten a thing, and if I had it was all there on tape so there was no denying my life events up until that time! Could it be that we all have this “tape recorder in our brain” to instantly recall all our life events? So don’t be surprised when all of your past deeds flash before your eyes in the hereafter. “Be sure your sins will find you out.”

The sad truth is that it’s even happening in the church. I know from personal experience. The great falling away mentioned in the Bible is taking place with people leaving the church in ever increasing numbers, especially here in the United States. At least some of it is due to the charlatans that appear on television claiming to be servants of the Most High God, deceiving many with their worthless prognostications and promises in exchange for the almighty dollar.

Our nation and churches are in a state of flux, with people groping for answers as to why we are experiencing such lawlessness and twisted morality. Anything goes in today’s society. An extreme example of this is that a head of state is advocating sexual intercourse with children (overt and open pedophilia) even encouraging his culture to embrace such evil acts. This, while a highly educated “professor” is saying it’s alright to commit bestiality. At the same time Christians are being murdered and persecuted around the world. Lawlessness and just plain craziness is rampant. Men are dressing like women and even becoming a part of the ruling class. If these things aren’t a sign that we are living in the last days, I don’t know what is.

In the meantime, another amazing thing is happening in Kentucky. A replica of Noah’s Ark is on display. It’s supposed to be as big as the original. It’s almost as if God is showing us with this physical display that the coming of the Son of Man is nearer than we dare think. The Bible says this is what it will be like, “As it was in the days of Noah, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be, for they were eating and drinking and marrying and giving in marriage until that fateful day when all were swept away.”

On the other hand, God is not willing that any should perish and is slow to anger. Perhaps he is waiting for you to repent and call out to Him for forgiveness.

Just so you know, a Jewish Rabbi is saying that 2016 is the beginning year of the Messiah, whatever that means.

I am waiting to see the documentary Hillary’s America by Dinesh D’Sousa, which will be coming out next weekend. This film is about her wrongdoings and outright lies. D’Sousa was president of Kings College in New York City, a Christian college. Surprisingly, he also has a DVD coming out entitled Obama 2016. Notice that the year 2016 dominates. Is this the beginning of the end for America?

YBIC

Jim T. “Towers”          jt.filmmaker@yahoo.com and www.theprophecies2016movie.com

 

By Jim Torres “Towers”

I was going about my business while listening to the car radio. The news came on, and although I’m a news junkie, I wasn’t paying much attention to what was being said, but I did catch the end of the last sentence from the somber newsman. “Young people are dying in unprecedented numbers by drug overdose, suicide and death from despair.”

It seems our whole country has slipped into despair because belief in God is being taken away from us. All vestiges of God are being stripped away and the only time you hear the name Jesus Christ is when it is used as an expletive. Yet it is He through whom the world was made and is sustained. It is He who gives us peace in the midst of trouble. It is He who gives us words to live by. It is He who gives us eternal beings the hope for a wonderful future with Him.

The latest “victim of despair” is Sinead O’Connor, the celebrity singer who recently called home to Ireland to threaten suicide while in Chicago. She has fame and fortune but no peace of mind and is in a state of despair. Celebrities are human, just like the rest of us. They can’t rest until they know God in a personal way. I should know I’ve encountered dozens of them in the movie business.

Since we have all but eliminated God from our lives and culture, is it any wonder so many of us are wallowing in despair? Science doesn’t hold the answer for us having a sense of purpose or even optimism. Knowledge is good but can’t sustain us when dealing with deep spiritual matters. Some have even said, “The more I know, the more desperate I become.” We all want to know the ultimate answers to life and reason for being. The only book that can answer these questions is the Bible. Thank God for Jewish scribes who being lead by the Holy Spirit penned the life-giving words inspired by the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The Bible proclaims that the Word of God is Alive! The Holy Spirit through the Holy Scriptures is the revealer of all truth. All men are fallible liars, it’s in their genes. The best that can be said is that through a relationship with Christ some are more enlightened, while others just never get it. They just like playing church and the recognition that comes from doing so.

At the same time, an amazing thing has been happening in the lives of a few dedicated Christians who are gaining more spiritual discernment as time runs out for the human race. Believers with spiritual eyes can see what’s happening in our society and culture; judgment and despair – things that were becoming obvious to me years ago. Even so, most “Christians” still just yawn or roll their eyes when someone talks about the impending judgment facing our nation and the world. Many still fail to understand that repentance toward God is the cure for all that ails us. It’s as simple as that. That, of course, means that we have had a change of heart about how we have been living outside of God’s will.

Surprisingly, even pastors, some of whom should know better, are under the devil’s deception as well. Satan has crept into the church under the guise of political correctness and sympathy for the Devil and his henchmen, ISIS being the most visible. I urge you to be on the alert for his attacks, but don’t fear him. “If we fear God, we have nothing else to fear.” The Holy Spirit fills us with love, power, hope, joy and faith. Any man made philosophy, aside from the written Word of God must be taken with a grain of salt or discredited all together, and it may even prove to be a ploy of the Devil.

Even as I write this I can count on my fingers those I know who have this discernment.

Some in the ACLU are blaming Right Wing Christians for the mass murder that took place in Orlando! They are staring the enemy right in the face and can’t see him; the enemy being Satan. Nearly every culture acknowledges him yet he is still able to get away with murder. At the same time, the people in the United States are being blindsided by this powerful malevolent being by ignoring him and even denying his existence.

Satan is the father of lies, and in our country lying has become commonplace. Selfishness and narcissism are our characteristics. Selfies taken with our Smart phones are a preoccupation. Party goers, drug users, drunks and sports fanatics are distracted by the Evil One from things that really matter. We even go so far as to idolize sports stars, singing stars and movie stars, who are just as sinful and as needy as anyone else. We can appreciate their gifts and achievements but we should never put them on a pedestal.

The Deceiver is out there trying to destroy anyone he can with despair, and we don’t even acknowledge it. When was the last time you heard anything concerning the Devil from the pulpit? It’s as though he doesn’t exist anymore. But I can assure you that this is one of his best strategies. For if we knew it was him causing all the killing, confusion, hatred and war we would cry out to God to deliver us. Although Satan is much more powerful than we, God has him on a leash, as it were, and only He can hold him at bay. Today we have forgotten that Satan exists and try to fight spiritual battles in our own strength. The spiritual war we are in is very real, and Satan will do all he can to destroy mankind before Jesus Christ returns to restore order.

Some of Satan’s titles are: the father of lies, the corruptor, a murderer and a deceiver. The trouble is that secular man has no knowledge of him as revealed in Holy Scripture, and is trying to remedy these troubles by their own means and logic. It just won’t work. Do yourself a favor and arm yourself with the Word of God. It’s the only thing that will put Satan in his place. No incantations, no candles, no icons, no trinkets or beads will dispel his assaults.

By the way, a small “Christian” movie came and went without much notice. The Young Messiah is based on a fictional book by Ann Rice. This movie and book talk about Christ Jesus as a seven year old. Cyrus Nowrastch is the screen writer and director. In an interview I saw with him explaining how hard it was to make, he even broke down and choked back tears at all the setbacks and pain he had endured in making it. It was for the most part only fiction with no redeeming qualities!

YBIC

Jim Torres “Towers”             jt.filmmaker@yahoo.com and www.theprophecies2016movie.com

 

I recommend you read Joel Rosenberg’s analysis gleaned from the data of a study done by Dr. Duane Alexander Miller, a professor at St. Mary’s University in Texas, and Patrick Johnstone, the editor of Operation World. Joel Rosenberg Blog

From the blog “Their study, published 2015 in the Interdisciplinary Journal of Research on Religion (out of Baylor University) examined all the research that has been done on Muslim conversions to Christianity from 1960 to 2010. They carefully analyzed country-by-country data and tried to take special care to weed out double-counting, possible exaggerations, and a range of other issues and variables.”

After reading this I recommend you go here Miraculous Testimonies from an Underground Pastor in the Middle East and watch the interview Joel Richardson has with a pastor (Ali) on the ground and what he is witnessing in the Middle East.

When your done, think about what you just read.

Ask yourself, if Muslims can be shown the Gospel and converted what are you doing in Anytown USA?  We all have family we know are not saved, we all have friends we know are not saved yet we are too timid to share the Gospel to the them.  How weak are we? How small are we making God?  We don’t have a God who is a weakling, who is unable to perform miraculous things, who we should be put into a tiny box in our head.  We have a BIG God who wants us to be bold in our faith.  Many of us place God into a box in our mind, that fits what we want or think he can do, that is wrong.  We are the ones that are small, we need to step outside that box and realize how powerful we can be thru our faith.  The Bible has a multitude of stories about this, but the Book of Daniel comes to mind.

This brings up a secondary issue I see a lot of in some Christian circles,  the FEAR porn being spread around in videos and on some websites.  Its good to know whats going on in the world, that is healthy.  Its also good to know spiritually whats going on, we must be on guard.  What we should not do is fall into the trap of the world is falling and I need to go into my bunker type of mentality.  There world around Daniel was falling, he was taken captive and you know the rest of the story.  He had an attitude we should have, bold in faith.  He knew he had a Big GOD- and everything would be according to plan.  Let’s trust that today also, from politics, to war to disease to persecution.

The verse says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” –  It doesn’t say some things, it says ALL things.  Trust that.

 

 

 

 

It’s 3:59 in the morning and I wake up only to lie in bed and think of the Peruvian boy I met the day before.

David couldn’t be more than seventeen, a tall gangly kid with thin body and arms. When I arrived at the Home Depot he was standing outside next to a cart loaded down with very heavy bags of concrete waiting for the man who purchased the material to bring his pickup around to load it up. David was wearing the orange Home Depot apron so I recognized him as an employee right away. As he stood with his back next to the pillar in front of the loading area looking forlorn and talking to himself silently, his lips barely moving, I couldn’t help but think he was praying. He looked to be on the verge of tears or a mental breakdown. I would have stopped then and there but his co-worker stepped into the picture and broke the spell he had on me.

I was there for concrete myself and knew that the eighty pound bags were heavy. I was hand pouring a concrete patio at home, a big one. This was my sixth trip to the store for six bags at a time that I mixed and poured in sections.

I went to the restroom and found David there washing his dainty hands and long fingers. I sidled up to the sink next to his and began talking to him. “You look tired kid.”

“I am, I really am,” he replied in a shaky voice.

Just then a blustery middle-aged man barged in and saw me talking to the young man. He exclaimed, “Don’t listen to the old man, he’s full of crap!” to which I replied, “I’ve seen enough crap in my life to be able to help the young man find his way.”

The antagonist never even looked at me and I had never seen him before. Such aplomb, such gall for him to talk to a stranger like that! But I recognized it as a satanic attack. The man quickly left without washing his hands. I returned to our conversation.

In trying to comfort the young man I asked his name as we walked out of the bathroom together. By now he was practically in tears. I grasped his arm lightly and inquired where he was from. He was from Peru and this was his second job. He had already worked at the Dunkin Donuts today and was beat. David lived with his aunt and uncle and rode a bicycle a good distance to work at both places. He was sending money back to his parents and brothers and sisters in Peru and had to maintain two jobs just to stay alive to do so. His aunt and uncle were charging him rent, and from the look of his gangly body he wasn’t getting much to eat.

I ask him if he was a Christian, to which he replied, “I don’t know.” By now he was beginning to tear up. I told him I would be praying for him, but just then I stopped in my tracks and began praying for him right there and then, since I know how hollow such a statement can be. The feeling was that we so often tell people that and promptly forget it before we get home.

When I finished the short prayer David let out a sigh of relief and thanked me as he appeared to be infused with hope. I suspect he felt better just knowing somebody cared.

I once led a young man to Christ right on that same loading dock where I first saw David. Hopefully, I can do the same for David. He needs a friend like Jesus, “a very present help in times of trouble.” I’m going back to see David today and find out more about his situation. I’ve dealt with these sad situations before. If my hunch is right, I may have stumbled onto something sordid and wrong, something I can help to alleviate.

Years ago when hurricane Ivan struck the Pensacola coast I happened to be there. The house had sustained damage to the roof so I went down to the local greyhound bus station hoping to find some help. There were two young men, one from Guatamala and the other from Honduras who had just disembarked from the bus, looking for work. The very first thing they asked me was if I knew of a Baptist church nearby. I told them I was a practicing Christian and attended a Baptist church. They were Baptist Christians as well, and I took that as a “sign”.

I asked if they had eaten and they said they didn’t have a nickel between them. I took then to the Mc Donald’s directly across the street. I bought them the big breakfast and gave them an advance for willing to work for me. From there I took them to the Salvation Army where they could bed down for a few days and eat.

They worked for me for three weeks, which was long enough for them to find a place to stay. As a matter of fact I took them to the beach where we met up with another couple of fellows and the five of them were able to rent a house by pooling their money. In the meantime, I took them to the church I was attending and they fit right in. All this time I discipled them in the best way I knew how, by befriending them and sharing the Word of God with them since they were somewhat new to the faith.

Later on, other people that hired them often took advantage of them in one way or another, and I had to step in as an advocate for these uneducated men more than once. Finally, the work due to the hurricane petered out and everyone went their own way.

This was one of the most memorable periods of my adult life, and I’m sure they think of me once in a while just like I think of each one of them. For me, this is what the Christian life is all about.

By the way,

The rush of “Christian” movies has dwindled to nothing for the moment. In trying to figure out the reason why, I can only assume that either Christianity is on the wane since not as many people as expected have embraced them and conversions are slim or next to none.

Mel Gibson is busy co-writing a sequel to The Passion of the Christ with the man who helped him write it. This movie, the way I understand it, will be about the ascension of Christ and the Acts of the Apostles. Given that it is still in its inception it may take as many as two years to get it done and out in the public domain. As good as it sounds and as high as expectations are for it, it may be too little too late for some of us since we may soon be gone.

One final note: How can it be that an alcoholic Catholic is able to achieve such mastery of a delicate subject matter?

YBIC

Jim Torres “Towers”         jt.filmmaker@yahoo.com and www.theprophecies2016movie.com

This is a great poem that illustrates so much of what is going on around us.  Everyone has the right answer, and they love to tell you why.  This is common with ‘one verse” theology, where someone will quote one verse of the Bible and build an argument around it.  Never mind what the rest of the Bible says or even the rest of the same chapter!  Take heed friends and don’t be like the bind men below, use the whole council of God!

 

The Blind Men and The Elephant

 

It was six men of Indostan
To learning much inclined,
Who went to see the elephant
(Though all of them were blind),
That each by observation
Might satisfy his mind.
The First approached the elephant,
And, happening to fall
Against his broad and sturdy side,
At once began to bawl,
“God bless me! but the elephant
Is nothing but a wall!”
The Second, feeling of the tusk,
Cried: “Ho! What have we here
So very round and smooth and sharp?
To me ’tis mighty clear
This wonder of an elephant
Is very like a spear!”

The Third approached the animal,
And, happening to take
The squirming trunk within his hands,
Thus boldly up and spake:
“I see,” quoth he, “the elephant
Is very like a snake!”
The Fourth reached out his eager hand,
And felt about the knee:
“What most this wondrous beast is like
Is mighty plain,” quoth he
” ‘Tis clear enough the elephant
Is very like a tree.”
The Fifth, who chanced to touch the ear,
Said: “E’en the blindest man
Can tell what this resembles most;
Deny the fact who can,
This marvel of an elephant
Is very like a fan!”
The Sixth no sooner had begun
About the beast to grope,
Than, seizing on the swinging tail
That fell within his scope,
“I see,” quoth he, “the elephant
Is very like a rope!”
And so these men of Indostan
Disputed loud and long,
Each in his own opinion

Exceeding stiff and strong,
Though each was partly in the right,
And all were in the wrong!
So, oft in theologic wars
The disputants, I ween,
Rail on in utter ignorance
Of what each other mean,
And prate about an elephant
Not one of them has seen!

 
John Godfrey Saxe