Believers know we cannot hide from YHWH. It is a pointless exercise. Non-believers assume they can hide their thoughts and actions. They believe there are no repercussions, just get what you can and do what you want while you are here. Which is sad. If they understood He exists and even a small amount of what He sees and does, they may have less resistance to having a relationship with the Creator of the universe.
For the believers, the Lord provides little hidden gems to find that help us gain wisdom and understanding. They connect us directly to Him as the source of all good things.
My desire is for readers to watch the videos and review the links. My words would never be able to have the impact they provide. I have provided some commentary to link personal history and context. I have provided personal connections and small stories where applicable.
However, I need to be clear. There is a greater purpose to these stories. America was not founded and organized to be what we have become. It has been attacked by forces far more sinister than believed by the average citizen. This fight is in the hearts of mankind and it is way past time for We the People to wake up and fight back in the only way that will ensure victory over evil.
We are going to go “there” with my stories very soon. The foundation needs completed first. I confess unapologetically that I am an evangelical Christian. That is my world view if you have not yet figured me out. I chose to become evangelical as a middle aged adult through life experiences and the work of the Savior. So do not think it was a family, denominational or cultural thing that drove it. Jesus Christ means everything to me, he changed everything about me. If that turns you off, I hope you will reconsider and read this anyway because your nation needs you to understand a few things.
In no chronological order, let’s warm up with this.
Chris Tomlin
I like this collaboration as Hillary Scott has begun to develop her own Christian music career.
In typical Goober Gump fashion, I met Chris Tomlin and his band a year or so after they first began touring twenty plus years ago. They were the worship band for three years at the UMC Holston Conference’s Resurrection conference event that has been held for thousands of youth annually in this region every winter for over 40 years. Wifey and I worked and mentored in the youth area of our congregation for a half dozen years, which led to many sleepless nights chaperoning and facilitating Bible study during the weekends of the events. Our church’s youth minister, who went on to become an evangelist in his own right, was the event’s leader for years and introduced me to Chris. Cool guy who obviously had a plan for his career as well as the fledgling Contemporary Christian Music industry in which he is now considered an icon and most importantly, sincere influencer for Christ. He possesses a Grammy, countless Dove awards, a couple of Billboard awards, is prolific as a songwriter and one of the best worship leaders ever.
He is a family man who gives back to help humanity with initiatives relating to poverty, medical needs and to stop human trafficking worldwide. The real deal.
For what it is worth, Chris told me not to buy his first album, that it was not very good. He was still in that career stage of hawking his CDs and T-shirts at events and conferences, which was about to end with a record deal signing. He said he was proud of several songs on Not To Us and that he had high hopes for his Arriving album that would be coming out the next year in 2004, which later went platinum. It was Arriving that shot him to the top along with the other albums that followed. His songs have been performed countless numbers of times by church worship bands worldwide over the ensuing years. Millions have been influenced and inspired to receive and worship the Lord as a result.
He is a perfect illustration of how you never know what will happen in your life when you sell out to Jesus. At the time he went to college it was to go into a different occupation; physical therapy. He continued his music and worship leading while in school, answered the Lord’s calling, and the rest is history.
Meeting and worshipping with him became a hidden gem I found in my personal move away from secular rock and pop music to CCM that was first kindled by the music of Big Tent Revival and Rich Mullins, the latter of which I am distantly related. The connection with Chris helped that to grow and increase my faith and willingness to share publicly.
Howard Sears
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/cincinnati/name/howard-sears-obituary?id=48312007
Thousands saved that have now witnessed to millions worldwide through the efforts of congregation members, numerous pastors from his tree, countless revivals held from coast to coast, students who went to their Christian school, and so on. This was my home church pastor, the man who led me and many, many others to Christ. His autobiography is still available on Amazon and is titled Sears and the Hand of Providence. One of the truly great men of Christ. From the autobiography I learned what our limited family records could not tell me, the year I was saved (1962). It happened on one of the most memorable days of the Holy Spirit’s movement in the church’s history, a day Dr. Sears remembered well and documented per the book. It was a day I will never forget.
As Dr. Sears delivered the altar call, the entire congregation was clamoring and shouting when the town’s wild living, larger than life businessman and real estate developer came forward to give his life to Jesus along with young me and many others. The same wild man later became a trusted church staff member, leader for a major physical move of the church to a more prominent and expansive location, and the inspiration and leader of the church’s decision to provide and administer a K-12 Christian school on campus. His was a 180 degree turnaround from a life of selfishness and sin to one of selfless service for the work of the church and his fellow man in the community and around the world.
I had been studying my Bible and going to Sunday School class. I waited until I knew. It was as if the Spirit lifted me from my seat and carried me forward that day. I never had any doubts about what was happening along with the decision and was baptized a week later.
Dr. Sears and his wife, Ethel, were married for over 72 years. She was the light of his life and very active in the ministry doing the things she felt led to do that were unrelated to the traditional role of a pastor’s wife. They had a son who sang in a traveling gospel quartet, daughter-in-law, four grandchildren and a slew of great grandchildren.
Ethel passed away two months before my father when Dr. Sears was 92 years old. My parents had backslid from the church over time with just an occasional visit from an associate pastor to their home or a visit by one of them to a worship service every few years. Yet, there Dr. Sears was as faithful as ever, conducting my father’s funeral and burial service. He drove himself everywhere and needed no assistance. He had good conversations with my two pastor friends from TN that came and spent time with the many people who paid their respects. He honored me with a personal request I faithfully kept until he passed a few years later, which was to pray for him to be at peace as well as to go home soon to be with his beloved wife. He was a gem and our connection changed my life forever.
After he spoke, Pastor Sears quietly left the funeral home when the Masonic part of Dad’s funeral service began that my mother made happen, which Dad did not want. Some really weird stuff. He returned to the gravesite the next day to speak at his burial service, which was also conducted with military honors.
The following hymn was one of Dr. Sears’ favorites along with the lyrics that he recited as a poem from the pulpit on occasion. The music in this video is from a different congregation unrelated to Grace, but would be similar to what happened there BIMD.
Despite his quiet, introspective, kind manner in personal discussions with individuals, Dr. Sears would bring the house down with his fiery, well researched, Biblically based sermons that tore into the souls of those in attendance. He would become so excited he could not stay in the pulpit as he would pace the aisles, looking his flock in the eyes while preaching The Word of God. He was also liable to break into song and frequently ended his sermons with a poem before the altar call. The problem was he did not have an internal clock in his head. When you went to his worship services it was best not to be on a tight timeline. 🤣
Billy Graham
Other than local church attendance, the first major impactor of my faith experience came from the same man who moved millions worldwide, Billy Graham. There is not much that needs said. Our family watched his revivals on TV every time they came on and I read a number of his books years later. In my past I’ve had discussions with people who were assistants and musicians in his ministry as well as meeting his daughter, Anne Graham Lotz, when she spoke at a church function about her AnGeL Ministries. Without exception they all said he was the real deal and were honored to have spent time with him.
Dr. Graham was not hidden, but was a gem for all who paid attention.
One of my favorite Zach Williams songs includes an excerpt from the man himself.
Adrian Rogers
Over the course of thirty years or so it was Dr. Adrian Rogers who provided a strong boost to my understanding and faith experiences as I posted recently. His Love Worth Finding television ministry shot from where he served as Senior Pastor of Bellevue Baptist Church in the Memphis area brought his unique delivery of straight talk. On many Sundays, Wifey and I would come home from our local church and immediately turn on his program to learn more and grow. We both loved it. Having met and talked with him personally in the early 1980s, including attending worship service at Bellevue when in the area and attending a marriage ceremony he performed for friends who were members there, I had a trust and connection that drew me in even more. This continued as a participant in the Promise Keepers conferences in the 1990s. I knew I was conversing with and listening to a friend of God. Had there been a modern day group of Apostles, in my opinion he would have been selected for it by the Lord Himself.
He was the three time President of the Southern Baptist Convention, drafted by his peers for the role, who would much rather have been preaching than leading that organization. Even with the prominence, he was one of the most sincere and humble men of God I have ever met. There are many other things I could spend time telling you more about him, his wife (Joyce), their relationship, etc. But the one of interest that is in theme with this story is that unlike many at that time, he stated the church better be involved with influencing government toward Biblical truths or else we would lose our country. This guy would probably agree with him.
In BIMD/Civilized War I have made the point consistently that America was founded and dedicated to God and His principles for living. Others believe that to be true as well. As I prepared for this story I decided to go to Youtube to see what they had from Dr. Rogers. The first two videos there I have linked below. I had not watched them previously. Your first impression may be that I am not telling the truth about that if you read my related stories.
God knows I had no idea as to their content previously, as He is who orchestrated it. That is one of the ways that hidden gems and connections are found and revealed. These videos are gems as were my experiences with Dr. Rogers. They connected me to him and led me into a deeper relationship with the Lord as a result. I will see Dr. Rogers in Heaven and tell him just how much he meant to me and my people.
When we discover these gems, they are faith affirming and defining. The videos will be well worth your time investment as a human being, believer and an American citizen.
The first will take a little over 25 minutes.
For those who read the last Civilized War story, remember the part about changing your citizenship? In the video above Dr. Rogers apologized to Jews for people who represented themselves as Christians who then went on to commit atrocities against them. He could not do that in truth if he did recognize that Christians received new citizenship in Heaven upon being saved and born again, that they are not of this world any longer. However, what we do represents the condition of our hearts and souls. Anybody can claim to be saved and a believer in Christ, but their words and actions indicate the reality.
Which leads to the second video below that is about 40 minutes long. Again, realize that both are from decades ago. Dr. Rogers died in 2005 with my father dying less than a year later. It was a double blow to me that later led to greater understanding about how the Lord works in the lives of believers through gems and connections.
Please watch this, it is also well worth it. You will feel that you just saw or heard news of current events.
Many of his words mirror mine about America and Christianity. What we are seeing now started long ago and has continued to grow because the hedge of protection has been removed.
Once again, I have never heard either sermon linked above before this day as I write this.
Which is how He works in the minds and hearts of His people. He placed something in my mind and heart to write to you weeks and months previous to today. He confirmed it with a wonderful past connection from decades ago as we now see. He has his ways and reasons, but I believe one would be to test me to see if I would listen to Him and communicate what He placed in my mind and heart. We are not robots, we have been given the choice to obey or not. It now falls to you the reader. Will you be faithful or not?
We share the understanding of His truth. It is not ours to keep and hide. He provides the gem to us, many times without our knowledge or understanding it is coming. When it arrives it is ageless and timeless. And nothing in this world is more satisfying than to be in sync with the Lord and do His will.
Conclusion
Believer or non-believer, every reader and participant on the QTree knows the hedge of protection around America has been lifted, just as Dr. Rogers predicted many years ago. He was not the only one who has shared that message through the years.
There are some hopeful signs that millions of people are waking up and taking actions to turn their hearts and minds to the Lord. Perhaps He will choose to restore our nation to Him as the Hebrews experienced many times when the surviving remnant would remain faithful and rebuild. Only He knows.
In remaining faithful, I have modified the direction of BIMD/Civilized War. With Joe Lange and our own Gail Combs work, it is no longer necessary to go there. They are delivering well researched truths that all should read to understand. I will provide a personal time lined review of my related gems and connections over the nearly seven decades of my existence down the road. Many of you would be able to do the same with time and introspection. There is much truth to be learned from one another and especially from the Lord that could be shared.
My next story will be spent exploring some books that were enlightening and led to more gems and connections. A couple shattered my previous belief “system” that I finally understood was partially based on church traditions. In so doing more truths were revealed. Praise God!
I pray you will enter into His peace and pay attention. He has something He wants you to know. He is moving in the hearts and minds of His people.
A most excellent read, thank you for putting it all together – very uplifting!
YW – just trying to be faithful. Thanks for reading!
Thank you for your witness!
YW, friend. Be blessed today and always!
Perfect timing, I have an unexpected afternoon off, and so have time to read and listen. Thank you!
Thank you for spending time with it, Happy. We will take another big step next time.
These are definitely trying times we’re currently living in. My personal perspective, we’re starring good v evil in the face. Those of us who believe in God understand that. Hopefully.
The difference between believing in God and having a personal relationship with Him is very different.
Always look forward to your post.
Thank you, Brave, and 100% agree. Too much religion, too little relationship.
We will get a little deeper into that relationship part next time. 😀
This song also has a brief cameo of Billy Graham’s words, around 3:20
Thank you for sharing further from your inspiring testimony. I relate to a number of your experiences though I came to Christ while a young pre-school child. I also made a journey from a more traditional style of worship to more contemporary while still in my parents’ home. This ultimately included involvement in several different churches in 5 different communities over my nearly 6 decades of life.
I’ve felt a degree of heartbreak about how it seems that some “worship” is now seemingly more fixed on celebrating what God has done for us or how He makes us feel versus Who He is. Perhaps it’s partly the difference between praise & worship. Whatever it is, it’s something I wrestle with most times when I attend services. It makes me feel sad, like something vital is missing & worship is a shadow now of what it used to be, not because of the difference in forms but more due a seeming difference in substance…It is possible that the difference is more in me than in the settings & practices that seem more foreign…
One interesting aspect of being the wife of a Christian rocker is the many opportunities to interface with a number of different people in many different congregations & Christian fellowship settings. A beautiful side of that is the sense of us all being a part of the family of God, so there is a degree of “familiarity” in almost any setting from Christian Bikers to more traditional church environments. We all serve the same Lord so in that sense even unfamiliar settings can still somewhat feel like “home”.
God Bless you, brother. Thanks for encouraging us by the word of your testimony! 😇
Thanks for reading as well as sharing your thoughts and observations.
As long as the worship is authentic, the Lord knows our intent and hearts.
May he continue to bless you and yours, sister.
The next one changed things for me, redirected my focus for good.
Looking forward to whatever you choose to share. BTW did you read that long 8 part tweet that DP linked to in her Friday opener? It made reference to some dirty dealing in Arkansas in the Clintoon era. I thought you might have some ground level insights to share on some of that too 🙂
I have not yet read it – will do so. Thanks for letting me know. I have shared some, not all, of what happened there. Words cannot fully describe just how dirty, deceptive, manipulative, criminal and evil that bunch was.
Have now read it and other posts from DawsonSFields. This poster is doing work.
My comment is – business as usual with the Arky mafia and many interconnected criminals from BIMD. The interconnections with northeastern, Chicago and left coast US politicians were/are extensive. BIMD all roads led eventually to Teddy Kennedy and his “system”, although I know there were many above him of the globalists who truly control the world. The Clintons were puppets whose only requirements for use were they would get theirs and not get screwed out of money, image or power in the process. The criminals behind the criminals were/are who were/are the most dangerous.
To get out you had to be deemed crazy, without insider knowledge, useless garbage that could not cause trouble to them, or be high profile – unworthy of using assets to “neutralize”. I did the first three and had higher profile locally back then to make it safely thus far, along with a heavy dependence on the Savior to clear the mines from my path.
As an example, my “messenger” was a car dealer crony of theirs who I was buying a car from as my divorce was in process. I was told to keep my mouth shut and not do anything stupid. They would let me move away without repercussions. My decision to divorce came quickly to get out of there to return to “my” people and area. They did not have time to set me up for a fall or elimination. I was of little value or threat after I moved away. I had become a useless Jesus freak in their minds.
Their kryptonite is true faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and not religion. They use religion to help achieve their ends, not unlike the Pharisees and scribes of their day. Their participation in religion, patriotism, legit social causes, sports, education, etc. are covers to camouflage what is really happening underneath the covers and behind the scenes.
Anything involving the Clintons seems steeped in darkness, deception, AND depravity–demons! 🙁
I have always felt lonely and left out in every church I’ve attended, and I am no longer trying to find one to attend. The fellowship here at this tree is the most true I’ve ever experienced, and the offerings are the most helpful. Bakocarl is my Sunday service and Duchess is my daily devotional. I’m just a little baby Christian learning to walk and talk 😊 so I appreciate you and TB2 more than you know.
I did, however, have the opportunity to attend a Billy Graham event in the Baltimore Orioles stadium when I was 12. I wanted so much to answer the call at the end, only I was with my great grampa and he was afraid I would get lost in the stadium.
Oh Happy I get where you’re coming from regarding church…& it’s been that way for me for Many years now. I wrote a comment on Friday’s daily where I alluded to us being The Church, apart from being in A church 🙂
What a precious memory to have been to a Billy Graham crusade & to have felt the tug of the Lord on your heart there. I’ve only seen his stuff on TV &/or video but have felt how powerful the “Just As I Am” hymn is/was in that context..
Wow you were with a Great Grandparent when you were 12!!! That’s amazing. I knew my dad’s mom’s parents for a short season but they were both gone before I hit age 6. My hubby knew None of his grandparents so is struggling w/ his recent bump into grandfatherhood, for he has no frame of reference personally. His chosen GP name is “Grizz” but I keep making reference to him as Grandpa Grizz LOL as I’m fine w/ being Grandma 🙂
Thanks for this! WOW.
I absolutely love hearing Adrian Rogers on the radio – but I *only* recognize his voice. I never actually thought about him as anything but a friendly and smart voice on the radio. I didn’t even know that he had passed on. I never considered that he was a real pastor with a real flock somewhere.
You were very lucky to have met the man! Good for you!
I’ve probably listened to hundreds of hours of his sermons as I was driving. Amazing. I never even thought about it, but I have listened to more of his teaching than perhaps ANY pastor, preacher, minister or priest.
Kinda funny. Adrian Rogers was a hidden gem for me, too. I never even realized.
I am so glad to hear this, Wolf!!! You have chosen to spend time listening to one of the very best. We share a common bond of understanding gained from his insights.
Much larger than life in person. He would step on your toes and you would like him while he was doing it. His wife, Joyce, had a similar, more feminine manner of doing the same thing. She and he were so intertwined it was the proverbial becoming as one. You knew you were seeing what a marriage was meant to be. He did not even attempt to dominate the relationship, she could hold her own gently and firmly. They had great trust with each other. Last I checked she was still alive, participating in church and family matters, and would be in her early 90s.
When I went to the wedding ceremony of our friends you could feel the Holy Spirit in the church and knew the marriage was blessed. That couple went through a period of Biblically based pre-marriage counseling over months that he required of all couples he married. Yup, they remained married and flourished while their friends (us) who did not go to church there or get married there were divorced a few years later.
He was preaching on his deathbed in his hospital room until the vent and pain meds shut him down. Don’t know, but his weakness may have been inattention to health matters, he went quickly after the colon cancer diagnosis. It was a very sad event for me, but thankful for the experiences.