VoyForums
[ Show ]
Support VoyForums
[ Shrink ]
VoyForums Announcement: Programming and providing support for this service has been a labor of love since 1997. We are one of the few services online who values our users' privacy, and have never sold your information. We have even fought hard to defend your privacy in legal cases; however, we've done it with almost no financial support -- paying out of pocket to continue providing the service. Due to the issues imposed on us by advertisers, we also stopped hosting most ads on the forums many years ago. We hope you appreciate our efforts.

Show your support by donating any amount. (Note: We are still technically a for-profit company, so your contribution is not tax-deductible.) PayPal Acct: Feedback:

Donate to VoyForums (PayPal):

[ Login ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, 2, 3, [4] ]

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

Date Posted: 08:18:24 09/17/05 Sat
Author: Rev. Mark McManus
Author Host/IP: 67.5.61.241
Subject: TAKING THAT WHICH WAS MEANT FOR EVIL

Greetings all*

It has been some times since posting. The Lord has been taking me on a learning field trip if you will. In putting closure on some things, and moving into Gods next steps, I needed to share some things that you may share in praising our Mighty God.

As many of you know, I was shot a couple months ago while assisting police in pursuing a man who robbed a convenience store. Of all the things that later passed through my mind, i.e I have this to do yet for the Lord, etc.(Thanking the Lord by his grace I am given that time) I found that regarding the question through the ages, "If you were to die today, would you go to heaven".

In that total explosive look into eternity in those seconds of being shot, I found such a great peace, in knowing, that I know, that I know, that I know, that if this was the last moment, I would be home with the Father. On this side of eternity I found myself with a renewed commitment to live life for the Lord in full tilt.

Within working through some of the post issues, I found that issues of the flesh. You know those same things for all of us that Paul spoke of..the things I would do I don't The things I wouldn't I do? In the heat and fire of Gods cleansing touch, all these things come to bare, much like Dross that yucky stuff that boils to the top, as the sivler smith is "purifying" the silver.

The Lord is doing the same. As we press in to His presence, into the Holy fire of His spirit, many times He will bring us through yet another purifying process. We have already been justified and saved, but this is a place where the extra bagage of the flesh has built up and it's time for a cleansing fire. Why? To prepare us for the next chapter he would have for us. God is more concerned with our Character than our comfort. Yet guess what? In His grace and love He comforts us as He builds our Godly Character.

The final testimony of the Cororners Inquest ended yesterday. In my testifying of the shooting and being allowed to stay to hear other testimony, many questions where answered. (I was rushed to the hospital after being shot, so I never got the "rest of the story" kind of like being yanked out of a movie in the middle") Thus to Gods glory, I found out that after the Sherffis deputy had killed the armed robber, they found 2 full clips of amunition, and a bag of 40 round of bullets, some with hollow point. (hollow bullets so as to expland on impact)

In closing, the Lord had defined even more an area of ministry to which he would have me serve. I am now working more with the Police department, and military in PTSD. and will be serving on the volunteer Police Chaplain team, ministering to Police, and victims of crime and crisis.

If I now go "back" in time to almost a year ago, I was a man who loved the Lord, knew he was called to ministry, yet seeking God in direction. In my prayerful search. The Lord lead me to UCMI.

Had Rev. Steve Smethers stepped out on the Lords calling in building this Institute and all its many training, and support ministries, I would not be where I am today in ministry. So in closing, I have found as well a deep and renewed love and apreciation for my fellow ministers, brothers and sisters in Christ.

Thank you brother Steve for all your prayers, encouragement and friendship in passing through the refiners fire on this.

It's good to be back and time to get back in the move.

God bless
Rev. Mark McManus
Integrity-Unity-Passion

[ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]
Forum timezone: GMT-6
VF Version: 3.00b, ConfDB:
Before posting please read our privacy policy.
VoyForums(tm) is a Free Service from Voyager Info-Systems.
Copyright © 1998-2019 Voyager Info-Systems. All Rights Reserved.