Dec. Update: Christmas Season - Tis the Season to Glorify God!

As we are now into the "official" Christmas season, let me update you first on November. The highlight of November was "Thanksgiving Day." We couldn't get to Atlanta for the holiday to spend with our children/grandchildren due to my working retail before and after Thanksgiving (yes, Black Friday).

But we were blessed that one daughter and 4 grandchildren came for 2 1/2 days. It was a fun time seeing them all and the kids loved our dog Rusty, and he loved having them around. We have 2 more grandchildren on the way!

Now, we are in December and it will be our busiest month in retail so I won't have time for much else. We also won't make it to our family in Atlanta for Christmas.
The earliest we can get there is some time in January :-/
These are the rest of grandchildren and daughter.



It seems quite amazing that this time a year ago I was in Lagos, Nigeria, Africa, for 6 weeks of preaching. What a great and memorable experience!

For the last 6 months I haven't preached in a pulpit - that is the longest time without preaching in over 5 years. That DOES NOT mean I have not been sharing Christ - that can happen 24/7 and I need no pulpit to do that.

I continue to write devotions and am starting plans for an online verse by verse study of I John or Galatians. Also, in 2011 my main study will be studying verse by verse in Romans for my own personal study and for my next ministry opportunity in pulpit or Bible School instructor.

With December, we have had some cold weather come in but nothing like Kane, PA.

I'm really loving Charlotte and the weather.

This year is coming to a quick end, less than 4 weeks to a new year.

Celebrate Christ this year and don't get wrapped up in all the commercialization of Christmas.

This is another day to serve Christ, and also a good time to share Christ as people seem less resistant to the gospel at this time of year, so use that to your advantage and tell others about Jesus.

Have a Jesus blessed Christmas and New Year!

Jim (biblefood.org)

P.S. Please let others know about this blog AND click on "join" in the right column to follow me.

Also, let others know of my devotional blog at: http://www.biblefood.blogspot.com/

Whats been happening since August - Job, birthdays, anniversary, pool ministry and more!

I'm excited to be blogging here again. I was surprised that so much time has passed since the last blog.

Shortly (days) after the last blog, I got a job at a Christian bookstore in a huge mall close to where I live (20 mins.). It's not that great paying, but it's usually quite rewarding, directing people to their first Bible, a new Bible or to a good Christian book relating to their situation. The only negative is an older register and standing on a hard surface all day at work (never sitting down). I've worked outside in the past, and I have decided that mother earth gives a lot more cushion and support than paper thin carpet over concrete. My legs killed me every day until lately, now they hurt some but only after a long shift.

Also, in late August I was able to visit my daughter in Atlanta (4 1/2 hours from Charlotte) for her 26th birthday. I cannot remember the last time I actually saw her ON her birthday.

That brings us to September which was Joyce's birthday, my birthday, our anniversary and just a wonderful month.

October 1st - 3rd started with another trip to Atlanta, this time to work at a pool/billiards event (pro and amatuers)in the http://www.gospeltrickshot.org/ and http://www.bobbleball.com/ booth, and I also was able to represent my organization http://www.christianpoolplayers.com/.christianpoolplayers.com/

Thousands attended this event giving us quite a chance to minister to many.

I had the added blessing of my son being with me for one of the days of the event. He was excited to get many pro players' signatures and to get to talk to some of them. As for our booth, we had only free Christian material (except for the Bobbleball) set up in our booth and let the Lord use us in ministering to the pool world. Besides our material and gospel shows, and the Bobbleball tournament (huge success), I believe we were a good testimony of Christian unity as THREE Christian ministries worked as ONE.

Also, while there in Atlanta, I briefly was able to see our kids and grandchildren. : - )

For the last couple weeks we have enjoyed the most beautiful weather one could hope or dream for.

Rusty (our Golden Retriever) picture from one year ago. No exercise, never ran, just laid around ALL the time.

NOW - Rusty and I go for bike rides with special attachment with leash attached to the bike. He loves it and is up to 1.5 miles per ride, he's losing his extra weight and is in the best shape he's been in in years. He never knew what it was to run until our bike rides.

As we move out of October (shortly) and into November and December, my job will be busier with the holidays. I'll miss not making another trip to Africa or India this year. Once the financial breakthrough comes, I would like to do more worldwide travel. Just today, I was invited to another part of India, and have opportunities to go to Africa, Pakistan, and likely Philippines, all in 2011 or 2012 as God provides the finances for such. My ministry website is www.goproclaim.com. Please check it out.

These are exciting times we live in!!! Please keep us in prayer for our finances, and family (especially my grown daughter Christine with lupus).

God reigns in ALL our circumstances, and we shall be victorious through it all!!!

I can't wait until the next blog to share what our Lord is doing in our lives which has yet to happen : - )

* My other sites/links:

http://www.biblefood.org/ and http://www.biblefood.blogspot.com/ (Short Bible teachings)

http://www.goproclaim.com/ (My overall ministry page - links)

http://www.christianpoolplayers.com/ (Ministry to Pool Players and Nationwide network of Christians)

www.facebook.com/jim.mazzulla (best place to keep up to date with me daily)

www.twitter.com/jimmazzulla (share scriptures, good sites and short thoughts)

Settling in Charlotte, NC - Challenges abound, Jesus reigns over it all!

While I’m not a student (except of the Lord – everyday), I am looking forward to school starting, especially UNCC which is very close to where I live. I am praying for a door or doors of ministry to open to reach out to the youth at UNCC. I had been working on get contacts at the university in various departments, and am now getting in touch with my contacts regarding campus ministry through my ministries (http://www.christianpoolplayers.com/ and www.meetup.com/College-Students-Changed-by-Christ) - your prayers are needed. One of my callings is to somehow make a difference with a few or many students now that we are in Charlotte, NC.

We are finally starting to get settled. We have our NC licenses and cars registered (NC plates). I have a church home (actually working with a church plant) here in Charlotte. I didn’t plan to be part of a church plant, but I guess the Lord had other plans, we’ll see. Also, I have found a pool hall that I consider my home base for pool. It’s 30 minutes outside of Charlotte – “150 N Out” in Mooresville, NC. It’s a very nice pool room. Prayerfully God will use me there, too. May the pool table become the tool God uses in my reaching out to pool players with the good news of Jesus Christ.

As we have settled into Charlotte, NC, I have not done any preaching. That has been hard. Pray the Lord will open doors of ministry to preach both locally and nationwide/worldwide.

I have also been looking for work. It is hard and at times very frustrating. I have to remember the words of 1 Peter 1:7 " These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold--though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world". To be honest, I feel my calling is to be a full-time minister, but until that happens I need to be responsible and get a secular job. Please, please keep that in your prayers and that our Lord would open the right job soon! Once I am working, that will take time (like 40+ hours a week) from my schedule. I believe I will have more peace knowing that I am doing my part as provider in my family. In God’s time full-time ministry will come :-)

We were excited to be able to go to Atlanta a couple weekends ago (only 4 ½ hours away) for one of the grandson’s birthday. This was his 6th birthday and the first one we had the opportunity to be there for.

Outside of the job situation (lack of employment), I love being in Charlotte, NC. (and near family in Atlanta) and hope the Lord has us stay here a long time as our home and base for ministry.

Thanks to all of you who have been my encouragers and prayer warriors.

I would like to close this out with a video song by Casting Crowns one of my favorite Christian groups. It is “Praise You In The Storm”, this song has ministered to me and I pray it will minister to you too.

The month of May was a whirlwind of change - All good!

As I share a little about what’s been happening I would encourage you to open the many links (ministries) included in this update. We were down in Charlotte, NC. , into May and then back to Kane, PA, to sell our house which sold almost immediately upon our return (sold to first person to look at it), then off to Las Vegas, NV, to minister with Gospel Trick Shot Ministries (www.gospeltrickshot.org) from May 12-22, then back to Kane for less than one day and then down to Charlotte, NC, to rent the home (where we are now), and then shortly back to Kane to move all our belongs to our home in Charlotte in mid June.

God has blessed us in selling our house almost immediately upon arriving back in Kane, PA, after a 5-week stay in Charlotte, NC. We not only sold our house quickly, and for our asking price, but we believe we are leaving our house with the right buyer.

Since that was accomplished, it freed me up for a trip to Las Vegas to work in the Gospel Trick Shoot booth for approximately 10 days. It was a great time of ministry (sowing seeds). We started each day with a 45-minute Bible Study (approx. 10-15 of us gathered – What a great way to start a day of ministry). During the day, we gave out a lot of Bibles (mostly Gospel of John), books, pamphlets, tracts, salvation bracelets, etc. Most days had two gospel trick shot shows and free challenge matches with a new pool game called “Bobble Ball” www.bobbleball.com. The nice thing with Bobble Ball is that it is made to be played by pool players (quite challenging) and also by non-pool players (easier game - no cue stick required).

Our team working in the booth was what I call our “dream team.” In the 9 years that I have worked in the booth, we have always had great teams, but this was the dream team (in my opinion). It was made up of Steve Lillis, Jason Lynch, Mike Hewitt, Stan Black, Rob Peacock, Steve Geller, and myself.

As an outcome of this and other things happening in pool ministries in the past year, we see many new opportunities to reach out to those in the pool world with the Good News of Jesus Christ.

We had five ministries working with the GTS booth this year:
1. Gospel Trick Shot (www.gospeltrickshot.org)
2. Christian Pool Players Assoc. (www.christianpoolplayers.com)
3. Cue4Christ.com (www.cue4christ.com)
4. Recreational Ambassadors for Christ (http://www.drcuepromotions.com/ministry/RACK.html)
5. Bobble Ball (www.bobbleball.com)

Billiard Education Foundation (BEF) Challenge the Stars
(No connection directly to our ministry, but a good cause)

Now back in Charlotte we have got a lease for the house we wanted – PTL!

Now back to Kane to move our belongings down to Charlotte.

We also have been able to visit with Joyce’s family in Waxhaw, NC, at JAARS (www.jaars.org)
JAARS is such a peaceful place it is a great ministry reaching out through missions around the world.

This weekend (Saturday), I will briefly get to see part of the Pro women tournament play at: 150 N Out Billards and Darts, ‎539 East Plaza Drive, Mooresville, NC 28115 Phone (704) 660-5363‎ before heading back to Pennsylvania for the last time.

Then Charlotte will be our home as of June 19th!!!

That’s all for now!

Jim

Month of May - Exciting ministry trip to Las Vegas - Permanent move in June to Charlotte!

Since my last blog, we’ve been getting settled in Charlotte, NC. It has been very nice - we love it.

My daily routine has included some reading, a lot of job hunting, a little training, and networking with people in and outside of the church.
As in this pic to the left, this is the Summit Cafe in Davidson, NC (outside Charlotte) where I did much of my internet work (nice place and a college hangout).

Job market unemployment rate (NC) is 11% so jobs are scarce.

I’m looking for work as a trainer of software, customer service or as a speaker for a company product, or doing work with engineering or manufacturing as “Document Control Coordinator.” Your prayers and input are appreciated. I can travel anywhere (if required) for work, but my home base must be Charlotte, NC.

Ultimately, I believe God has called me to preach the word (Bible) full-time around the country for Go Proclaim Ministries (and Christian Pool Players – CPPA), but this involves supporters and love offerings and a demand for my preaching.

Subjects that burn in my heart are messages that will bring America to their knees, repentance and personal and, prayerfully, national revival. Worldwide I feel called to spiritually educate the Christians and to get them grounded in the Doctrines of Grace.

As to the Body of Christ, I feel we need to pull together, but without compromise and without allowing wolves into our pulpits in the name of unity (false unity).

Joyce and I went Geocaching for the first time in Davidson, NC. It was good exercise, a good nature walk and FUN. Since back in Kane, PA, we have done 6 more Geocaches. You're allowed at some locations to leave an small item or take an item. We took our first item a "MountainBikerGal" chip :-) We don’t have a GPS unit (due to cost), but with satellite pics of locations and clues, we were able to find the ones we were looking for :-)

We just returned to PA for the next month to sell our house and ask for your prayers that God will sell our home in PA so we can get 100% set-up in Charlotte. We already have a church we are a part of there. We also have a P.O. Box for the ministry set up in Charlotte “Go Proclaim Ministries & CPPA” and a Charlotte phone number so we are getting transitioned down there :-)

Coming in May I also have a ministry trip to Las Vegas (May 12-22) working with GTS in their booth to share Christ in the pool world. Something I always look forward to – Getting to share Christ one-to-one with people and also gathering with my brother and sisters in Christ – It is our yearly West Coast reunion. I hope my CPPA friends and members will stop by.

As I close, these are rough times economically, in many areas Christianity is under attack, and I hear MANY Christians saying they are going through rough times in many areas.

I believe, dear Christian brother or sister, we need to push in toward Christ like never before.

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Phil 3:13, 14

God is good AND moving in mighty ways! Don’t be left out of what God is doing – AMEN!

To end today's blog

Remix of "That's My King"

Great Words, Video, Music

All is well in Charlotte!!! America may be another story?

Today is a beautiful day (in the 70’s).

We (Joyce and I) are in Charlotte, NC, and learning how to get around (thank God for GPS). I am in culture shock in a few ways.

One it seems so strange (but good) to see people from all different races in one place. When in Kane, PA, (last 5 years) it was almost all white, with a few exceptions (like George a black man in our church). This is one thing that has always been in my heart-to minister to all races. Charlotte will give me that opportunity – PTL! Sure wish I had taken Spanish class more seriously 3+ decades ago in high school. Also, in the last couple or few years I have had an interest in prayerfully ministering to college students (people in their twenties). Here in Charlotte that can become a reality as we are near University of North Carolina (UNC) with a yearly enrollment of 25,000 students.

Second area of culture shock is the abundance of stores everywhere. I’m like a kid in a candy store (even though it is mostly looking not buying). But we will finally get to use our “Family Christian Bookstore” and “Barnes and Noble” gift cards we got at Christmas! Everything I need is 5-15 minutes away in most cases. Some stores are packed showing no sign of a “recession or depression.” Yet, in other areas of town the recession is evident with stores closed down, many houses for sale, and lots of foreclosures. Any item I need is here! That is quite a difference again from being in a town (Kane) of 3,500 for the past 5 years where we have to drive 45 minutes to get to the nearest WalMart, and nearest Home Depot is over an hour away.

Third the traffic is obviously an adjustment. Compared to Kane with our one traffic light, there is a lot of traffic, but it is much less than what I experienced in Atlanta, GA, where I lived for 12 years. Charlotte sort of reminds me of a smaller Atlanta.

A few areas of prayer are needed:

1. To sell our house in Kane, PA, quickly (at a profit).

2. To find employment in Charlotte. Job market here like everywhere else in the country is slow. So I need prayer that the Lord will open a good job for me.

3. To find a permanent home/apartment to rent here (we are currently staying with friends).

4. That God would use “Go Proclaim Ministries (www.goproclaim.com) and Christian Pool Players Assoc. (www.christianpoolplayers.com) for His glory as we regroup and get established here in Charlotte. We have a new ministry address: Go Proclaim Ministries, P.O. Box 480551, Charlotte, NC 28269 . Ministry cell stays the same (814-558-7600) as it is known by all and all over the ministry websites and blogs so we’re not changing it.

In closing, I won’t get into the politics of the situation, but my title mentioned America. So here’s my quick take on the matter. I do feel America is going through a time of judgment and purging. Has America seen its finest hour already (in the past)? In my opinion, likely yes.

How about the spiritual landscape of America? It is yet to be seen, but at present, we are in a spiritual decline, although there are signs of some reviving, especially among the 20 something group – PTL! Overall, people are statistically more ignorant concerning basic Bible truths and even the basic things that make for salvation (clue –it’s not of works – Eph. 2:8, 9). I will hit on this subject more at another time, but sufficient to say PRAY FOR AMERICA!

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord" - Psalm 33:12

It's March!!! Spring's around the corner - Really!?

I share "My Journey in Christ" in this blog. In my last blog I felt led to share one of my "BibleFood Devotions" (Part 1 of 2). If you would like to see Part 2 "True Conversion – Making your Salvation Sure!" Go to: www.biblefood.blogspot.com or www.biblefood.org

Back to our normal format in this blog.

We are already at the beginning March! Only 3 weeks until “spring.” It has been a typical, cold winter in Kane, PA (and it isn’t over here yet), but surprisingly it has been cold across much of the USA (so much for global warming).

Lately my mind has been occupied mostly with moving to Charlotte, North Carolina. I’ll be going down sometime late March (and Joyce will come with me or come down later). We still have a house to sell in PA, but won’t put that on the market until a little later in the Spring. As ministry is not able to support me at this time, I’m still looking for a church family or brother in Christ to give me a place to stay while I find a job and a house or apartment. Also, we need to discern where the Lord is leading to make our home church (often not listed as a high priority when people move, but a high priority for us). At this time, there are at least 3 churches we are looking into…I’m very pleased that we should be able to find a good Bible-believing church in the Charlotte area.

Besides everyday life, for the last few days I have been thinking a lot about memorizing scripture. I’m not the greatest at memorizing scriptures, but I have done it for the better part of almost 35 years. I do feel it is so important that we should do it throughout our lives. Yet, it takes a lot of discipline to keep at it, but it is necessary if we are to grow in Christ and glorify God. I have seen some people on the internet quote large passages from memory. I have known of others who have a vast amount of scripture memorized. I’m amazed that people can memorize so much of the scriptures. While I am amazed, I’m not impressed because if they are doing it and just getting head knowledge and not putting it deep into their hearts, what a shame. When you’re doing it for your own glory (saying "look at me") and not the Lord’s, it means nothing. I have personally known two people who knew vast amounts of scriptures, yet their spiritual lives had some major flaws. So showing off your ability to memorize large amounts of scripture does not impress me. On the other hand, if we do it from the right heart attitude (you might initially start with a wrong motive), then it will be very valuable to have God’s Word in our hearts. I always wonder hypothetically, what if we were stripped of our Bibles, how much would we be able to recall from our hearts? I hope the Bible hidden in my heart wouldn’t be too small. As Psalms 119:11 "Thy word have I hid (stored - ESV) in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee". This year I’m changing some of my memorization methods and seeing how it goes.

One new tool I’m using is found at:
http://simplycharlottemason.com/timesavers/memorysys/
I’m excited about this new tool in my memorization of scriptures.
I also recommend the following 47-minute message by John Piper on
“Scripture Memorization” at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOkLP6VHtWk

In the midst of packing, organizing and getting ready for the move to NC, I have made an effort to not neglect God’s Word and time spent in prayer. That is how we should live, that needs to be a way of life. As I hope to encourage all who read this, I ask for your prayers that I keep my focus and priorities on Him during this busy, transitional time in my life. I excitedly look forward to seeing God’s faithfulness as we move, in selling our home, and getting our ministry, finances, etc and lives settled in our new location (Charlotte, NC). Praise the LORD!

True Conversion - A must read!!!

Normally I share my everyday updates of my Journey in Christ,

but today is a rare exception as I share one of my devotions

that burns in my heart. I wanted to share it with you all.

Note: For more devotions(over 50) go to my blog or website:

http://www.biblefood.blogspot.com/ or http://www.biblefood.org/)

True Conversion – Making your Salvation Sure!

Note: Today's devotion was Inspired by a message I heard by Ray Comfort

The purpose of this teaching is NOT to scare you out of your salvation, but to help you have a clear presentation of the gospel and to give you an understanding that all who say they are “SAVED” may indeed not be saved, that’s why their lives have never changed. A life touched by Jesus is a changed life!

In all this I want the true believer to remember the keeping power of the LORD for His children.

John 10:28 (no one will snatch us out of His [God’s] hand)
Heb. 13:5 (I will NEVER leave you…)
Phil. 1:6 (…He has has begun a good work in you will complete it…)

Common Example: Someone said they were saved as a child, yet their lives never changed. Now they are living in the world with no intentions of changing, no conviction, no concern about their spiritual state . It can be false hope to think you are saved when you are not.
I’m not judging you, God’s Word does!!!

1. The purpose of the law (10 Commandments) in sharing the Gospel

This brings me to the first area of neglect that I feel is so important in ministering to the lost about Christ (I’m not saying it is the only way – but it is a scripture-based method). We need
to use the law (especially the 10 Commandments) to show people their need of Christ.
James 2:10 says that no one keeps the law, thus, guilty of ALL.Rom. 3:19 tells us the Law holds ALL accountable/guilty (see 10 Commandments – Exo. 20), even those who maybe haven’t heard the 10 commandments. ALL have the law in them (written on their hearts).
Rom. 2:14,15

We want to see people come to a saving knowledge of Christ, but we haven’t shown them how very guilty they are before a Holy God. How can a man repent if he doesn’t know he is a sinner (guilty)?

Some have experienced a false salvation, as we see in Matt. 7:18-23
18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth thewill of my Father which is in heaven.22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name havecast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you (in the Greek it means not even once – (thus, it is not talking about a backslider): depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Paul hadn’t know sin except the law. (Rom. 7:7) Earlier he said in Rom. 7:4 – “…Dead to the law through Christ.”

I believe without the preaching of the law (that shows us that we are guilty before a Holy God) we have produced a group of people, not just in the world, BUT IN THE CHURCH, who are not saved, but deceived into a false salvation; thus, our churches lack the fear of God (no reverence, no awe, no trembling before God).

My final thought on the LAW is found in Gal. 3:24-25 – The Law is our schoolmaster/tutor. It won’t save you but point you to your need for Christ.

I love the following quote:
“THE LAW CAN ONLY CHASE A MAN TO CALVARY, NO FURTHER” (law can’t save you!) – D.L. Moody

2. True salvation will bring forth repentance and be followed by good fruit

While salvation is not of works (Eph. 2:8,9 & Titus 3:5), the outcome of a true conversion will be repentance and fruit.

If there is no true repentance, then there is no true salvation – Acts 3:19, 26:20, Matt. 3:8
If there is no fruit , then there is no Salvation.See – John 15:5, 16; Rom. 6:20-22
Rom.7:4 – Dead to the law – married to another – Jesus Christ --->Fruit unto God

What is the fruit of a true believer (partial list, not all inclusive)?

1. Matt. 3:8, Acts 3:19 – Fruit of REPENTANCE.

2. Col. 1:10, Titus 2;11-14, 3:8 – Fruit of GOOD WORKS.

3. Heb. 13:15 – Fruit of THANKSGIVING.

4. Gal. 5:22,23 – Fruit of the SPIRIT (love, joy, peace…).

5. Phil. 1:11, James 3;17-18 – Fruit of RIGHTEOUSNESS (which results because of Christ in one’s life).

End with this short story:
It is said that years back two Russian guards rushed into a prayer meeting and said, “if you’re NOT ready to die for Christ, then get out of here, and half the church left. ” They did this as they themselves were Christians and wanted to separate the true Christians from the false.

CONCLUSION:

Examine yourself to see if you are in the faith!!! If not, and this message has touched you, repent and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Then, get grounded in a good Bible believing church – let me know if you don’t know the churches in your area, I’ll help you find one.

In a few days I will send out another message (part two at http://www.biblefood.blogspot.com/ ).
So if you are interested in my devotions go there or to my website: http://www.biblefood.org/

Audio of this complete message as preached in Nigeria, Africa, is available at: www.sermon.net/biblefood “True Conversion – Making your Salvation Sure!”

In the next blog I will share what's going on in My Journey in Christ since coming back to USA!

Please mark follow me on my blogs - Thanks!

Interesting things I experienced and learned on my missions church in Nigeria.

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 1:8

Today, I will continue to share about my Missions trip to Lagos, Nigeria, Africa. I hope this blog is interesting and insightful for you.

Most of my ministry was through The Redeemed Christian Church of God (headquarters is in Lagos). RCCG is a very large Nigerian based denomination with over 1,500,000 members worldwide. It is a very fast growing denomination with 1000’s of churches worldwide, and over 200 churches in the USA.

Christianity in Lagos, Nigeria: Christian excitement over the Gospel is unparalleled in comparison to the average church in the USA. The excitement I saw in the church was lived out by most 24/7 – AMEN!

Largest Meeting attended: Attended a service in one of largest auditoriums (known as Redemption Camp) in the world. Crowds were in the 100,000’s. Most believers I ever worshipped with. They top crowds of over 1 million in their large yearly convention in July.

Travel: All cars in Lagos are called Jeeps even though the most common cars for those who could afford it were Toyota, Honda, and Mercedes-Benz. Many walk and use taxis (which come in 4 forms) which are 3-wheeled small vehicles, motorcycles (lots of motorcycles, cars and vans.

Electricity: Government electricity is scarce and runs 6-8 hours a day, then those who can afford run their homes (and churches) on gas generators.

Sports: Soccer (they call football) is very popular in Nigeria.

Things I ate for first time: Goat’s head, Beaver, and large snail.

Cigarette Smoking: In all my travels and looking out the window of the car everywhere they took me, I only saw 3 people smoking a cigarette out of 1000’s in the City (not talking about in church). I asked about this and was told that smoking is not a thing Christians do, and it has effected Lagos to the point where it is not even popular among unbelievers.

Upon my return to USA: I visited my children and grandchildren in Atlanta, GA, and then visited Pastor Robert and his wife Liz for a few days. While there, I gave my first PowerPoint presentation of my trip to Nigeria.

On our way home (by car from GA to PA) we stopped in Columbia, SC, to visit The Misssionary Church International (TMCI). There we met Scott (who runs the office and much more), and Miss Judy (the late founder’s wife and now president) . We had a great time of fellowship. I have been part of this organization for 5 years.

Then we went to Redeemed Christian Church of God – Victory Temple (also in Columbia, SC) with Pastor Kwesi Ansah, Jr. We had a wonderful time of fellowship with him. It was my first experience in the USA of the RCCG, and it was wonderful. Then onward to continue our drive home to Kane, PA.

That brings us to our next blog that will be on what God is doing back here in USA in my life, and in touching people with Christ around the world. AMEN!

NOTE: This blog is not intended ordinarily for in depth teaching of the Word of God. For that please go visit my devotional site at: http://www.biblefood.org/ and my audio sermons at: http://www.sermon.net/ Search word: "biblefood"

Back in the USA after 6 exciting weeks in Nigeria, Africa!

Due to my 6-week missions trip and still not being home yet, this is the longest gap between blogs since I started this blog in 2007.

Lagos, Nigeria, Africa was an awesome 6-week trip (Nov. 25 - Jan 7)! Revival is happening in Lagos,Nigeria!

I preached 28 times in 3 denominations in approx. 8 different churches. It truly was an exciting time, and I can say the Southern Nigerian Christians are fired up for Jesus and experience much more revival than we do here in the USA. They are establishing mission churches to America!

Pastor Seyi of Livingstone Assembly, who invited me to Lagos, Nigeria, and housed me for six weeks. What a blessing he and his family were to me!

I also was able to go to one orphanage and support 2 orphanages. It was a glorious time.

I will share some of my audio messages from Africa on http://www.sermon.net/

When you go there, search under "biblefood" and you'll be able to listen to my sermons.

Also, I had time to build relationships with many ministers; they would like me to come back at the end of July (we'll see - but hope to).

Note: Meanwhile, we need to pray for Christians in Northern Nigeria (especially Jos) since there are deaths happening as the "Christians" and Muslims fight each other.
Upon leaving Nigeria, I flew back to Atlanta and spent a week with my family (who live in the Atlanta area), and now are currently in the Savannah area with a minister friend. I was able to preach and do a powerpoint presentation for the Sunday evening service about my trip to Nigeria.

We leave (driving) for Pennsylvania on Friday with stops in Columbia, SC, to visit the ministry that ordained me and possibly visit a church there and then to check out Charlotte, NC.

We are moving our ministry (www.goproclaim.com) to Charlotte, NC, in Spring 2010. We are excited about the move, we are not sure if we will pastor there or not, as we forsee much more travel in our ministry. Travel will be to churches and events in USA, as well as overseas (as the Lord provides). I am also seeking God's direction on full-time ministry or tentmaker.

Glad to be back blogging, writing devotions, chatting, etc.

Lots to share but this will have to do for now, in my next blog I'll share some of the unique things I learned while in Lagos :-)