For the last month I’ve been working on networking the ministry online at several social networks. You most likely know the names of these, so there is no need to say more.  For this whole time I’ve had to nurse this computer system through the whole thing. What you may say? Let me fill you in on the details. The ministry’s current computer is an ‘01’ Dell Dimension 2100, a 1.1 processor, running a big 256 M of RAM which is shared. I don’t know how familiar or knowledgeable you are about computers, but for just the simple chores that I’m performing at this time, it greatly underpowered. When I run into a site that is high in graphics content, forward motion slows to a crawl, sometimes completely freezing up the system. Forcing me to reboot the system , so far I’ve been blessed not to lose any important information or documents.

   Now this is happening just with the minor chores that I’ve been doing. What is going to happen when I really begin to do major works for the LORD? Even with just typing this in, I’ve had problems when another program, such as the spelling correction in this program itself, has gone to work. Slowing typing to a snails pace or completely shutting it down for a short while. All this is happening while the ministry’s foundations are being set. A lot of paper work is being read, which truly doesn’t bother it much. Until it comes time to change articles or something else that may be memory intensive.  

   I’ve  several sticks of RAM ordered, which will max out the system to it’s 512 M limit and a PCI card to upgrade the USB’s . These will be but minor fixes, for a system that should be left to data entry or some other simple task! Well why you may ask don’t I upgrade the system? One major factor, its called funding. Most of the funding to date has come from out of pocket, not that which has been donated by outsiders. This is the seventh computer system I’ve had for the ministry, the first to be donated and not part of the big one that was new. In the twelve years of ministry’s existence, it would be a fair bet that I’ve invested over $100,000 into doing that which the LORD has shown me. In this time there may have been $5,000 in cash donated by outsiders and another $30,000 in materials and tools.

   Now don’t get me wrong, I ‘m very thankful for everything that GOD has blessed me with to put to use in this HIS ministry. There comes a time though when others need to take note of the LORD’s leading and begin to supply the needs of others through this ministry. I’ve to date not drawn attention to the works this ministry has done through any other means then the internet and this being only through the ministry’s websites. The current one, Vine of CHRIST Ministries (a dot org site), and two other far smaller ones, basically just web pages. The current site is truly the only one that can be called a website. This has been the workings of my hands alone and only through the LORD’s leading has it become that which it is today. It is still far from what it should be, but I’m no website designer and lack a great deal of the expertise that it takes to build an awesome website.

   I’ve not to date ever asked anyone for money or anything else to be a matter of fact. This is something that I’ve promised the LORD, I’ll refrain from doing. For to many of the ministries today, this is almost all they do, pander the public for money. I’ve always had a great dislike for these ministries, they try to ply the WORD of GOD for their gain and I believe this is wrong in many ways. LORD willing I’ll not ever sink this low. I’ve great faith, thanks to the LORD and I firmly believe that this ministry, which HE has started in me, HE will provide for and bring completely through to abundant fruition. How HE’ll do this I’ve no idea, but what I do know is that HE has promised to complete the good works that HE has begun in me and to provide all of my needs to richness of HIS glory. When this will happen, I’ve no idea, but I do know that it will come to pass and all will be to HIS glory and not that of myself or any other man!!!

   There are many more needs of this ministry at this time and they can be found on the current needs pages here at the website. As I've always done, I'm not asking for donations, but that you pray to the LORD and ask HIM what HE would have you do and then just to be obedient and follow through upon HIS leading.

GOD bless all and may this holiday season be a special one for you and your families!!!

   An added note(Dec. 2, 09)

  

   Due to the translation efforts of fellow Christians, there has been a request for my traveling and evangelizing to several countries. These include Liberia, Africa and Pakistan. As most who have visited this site and read my book should know, I'm a convicted felon. This makes it next to impossible for me to obtain a passport to travel outside the U.S.. As we all know as Christians, "nothing is impossible for GOD!" Please this aspect of the ministry in your prayers, for if it is the LORD's will that this happens it will and as many as possible need to stand in agreement on this matter. It will take a 'Presidential Pardon' for this to happen and this would also open the door of the Federal Prison System to me, which I'm currently restricted from going into. Which all of you should know is at the heart of the ministry. Again, please keep these matters in your prayers.

 

   Also anyone that lives outside the U.S. and would like to translate my book into their native tongue or others, please use the contacts email address to do so and I'll get you a copy of the file (PDF) so you can do so!!!

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November '09'

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A Modern Day Parable

A certain man was traveling on foot for a great distance, to start a ministry for the LORD.

He’d already traveled a good distance and met some fine people. Even housed and feed for several weeks by one couple, not even church goers. This being just up the street from a church. Yet during his stay there, he’d never had anyone from the church stop in to visit. Though he’d gone to several services and even talked to the minister for a good while after-wards, none ever stopped into check on him.

He was helping this couple prepare an old house for sale, since he was a carpenter and the ministry was helping people with such needs. When one afternoon the LORD inspired him to make a cross out of an old carpet tube. He then was led to place this cross, about six foot tall, on the fence surrounding their pool. For three days the cross stood tall and straight though there were some strong winds blowing. On the fourth day showers came in for most of the day, for the fifth and sixth also. With the sixth’s being quite strong and windy. The next morning the cross was bent over backwards, yet in the form of another cross. This stirred questions in his heart, so he prayed, “LORD, what is YOUR message in this for me?” The answer wasn’t long in coming. ‘This is my church, as it stands today, the first three days is how my church should stand. When adversities come, today’s church wilts and falters under the pressure. Not as it should be.’

He kept this message in his heart and finished the work. After leaving here several days later he befell some misfortune. Somehow he broke several toes on his right foot. It felt like a small cloven hoof had stepped on them, the middle three toes only. Though in pain he continued on, praying, praising and walking. After several miles on one of their rest stops, because his dog let him know she was tired also, a young couple offered him some food and refreshments. Later this turned into a shower, some cash and a ride of around thirty miles. This couple, Christians yet they seldom went to church, lived a fairly devoted life. Helping many that came by their way, such as he did. They dropped him off at a campground, after seeing if he could stay, due to their not having a tent or sleeping bag. They went on their way after exchanging “GOD bless you-s”.He spent two nights in the campground free, another unchurched believer owned it.

Six more days of walking followed, foot swollen and bruised now, he met numerous others that helped him along his way. Some unchurched and a few church goers had helped. He spent two days in a motel, during a particularly stormy period, run by a generous Muslim. He made a turning point in the trip, now instead of heading southwest, he was going almost due south, a more direct path to his goal. When more misfortune came his way. This time his left knee popped out of joint. After prayer and resetting it, it’d happened before so he knew how, they continued walking. After several miles, all while in intense pain, his dog decided it was time for another break, this time in the shade. He found the perfect place, a stump in a roadside ditch which had a root coming off one side, which made the perfect seat, arm rest and all. Cutoff several feet above the ground he set his duffel bag on top. This put his reflective vest, with foot tall cross, in a very visible position. He decided to take a long break, so broke out his Bible and began praying and reading. It was still early 9:30 AM on a Sunday, he figured it’d be a good time for an hour long break. They’d already covered about eleven miles that morning, probably three with the knee problem. With his knee hurting like it was, he prayed that the LORD would provide what he needed. He thought this would be in the form of a ride and assistance. His dog and he ate the last of their food and drank part of their water, since it was early and only five miles to the next town. After reading some more, he sent another round of prayers heavenward.

It was now afternoon and though many cars had gone by, no one had slowed down in the least .In many of these cars were well dressed people, like those going to church. He decided it was time to carry on, so he stood up and got his duffel on, but the knee wouldn’t allow him to put it under pressure. He could barely put any weight on it at all. At this point he began to wonder, what the LORD was trying to teach him. For he’d learned that when times such as these came his way, a lesson in his walk with the LORD was coming soon afterward. Here they were, several miles from the next town, a sixty pound plus duffel bag, a year old wolf-shepherd dog and a broken down stranger, stranded in a rain ditch, out in the middle of no where.

Time continued to pass, finally at 3:30 PM an older couple stopped. They let him know that they’d seen him several times already and thought that something may be wrong, so they’d called 911. They left them several bottles of water and said they’d pray for him and went on their way. At this he began to worry a bit and called for a rescue mission from his family, over three hundred miles away. They had to roundup the money, having to borrow it, but did. He gave them directions and told them where to meet him, plus made plans just in case he wasn’t there. This was a gas station near where they’d started walking from in the morning. Hopefully whomever came to check on them would drive them back to this point. At 5:30 PM a police officer showed up. After running his ID he loaded them into his car and drove them back to the station. He thanked the officer greatly before he drove off.

Since it would be several hours before his family could get there, he bought them some sandwiches, dog food and drinks. They ate and relaxed the best that he could, still wondering what this lesson was. As it began to get late and was near closing time he bought more food and drinks. Praying his family would make it there soon enough to gas up and head back north before closing time. They got there just fifteen minutes before closing, he’d no known it but had crossed a time line. The girls in the store were very helpful and even made coffee after cleaning up for the night.

After a long ride, it was about 3:30 AM when they pulled in the yard. After hopping into the house, he fell asleep quickly on the couch. It felt awesome, especially after not sleeping in a bed, under a roof for nearly two months. As usual he awoke early, around sunrise and prayed. Soon the family awoke and made breakfast. He enjoyed coffee, eggs, sausage and pancakes. All of which he hadn’t had in sometime. Thanking his sister and brother in law for picking him up and feeding him like they did, they settled in for some small talk about events of the trip.

Sounds like something out of the Bible doesn’t it? Almost like the parable of the “Good Samaritan.” Let me tell you, it wasn’t. I know, because this is what happened to me. I’m the Rev. Marshall T. Barth and I was headed to Kingsville TX., to set up Vine of CHRIST Ministries disaster relief branch. My dog, Maryann and I had left Utopia OH. the morning before Easter. The rescue mission took place on the thirtieth of May, a month and a half later. For the most part I’d seen more charity from non-believers and believers that didn’t go to church often, if at all.

During my extended stay in the little town in KY., when I was put up in the house being readied for sale. I was given plenty of food, had a bathroom, laundry service and everything one needed. The couple believed in GOD, but hadn’t gone to church for many years. She was “born again”, he wasn’t. I did a lot of work for them and didn’t want paid, their hospitality was more than enough. Yet before I left, they gave me several hundred dollars and took me shopping for things for the trip.

While there, I’d been puzzled about the actions of those in the church. The story of the cross gave me the answer, because this did happen, the whole story is true. The LORD isn’t happy with what is to be called HIS Church! They carry the name, but none of the actions. Like that “cardboard cross” they have the form, they dress the part, have the bumper stickers and pins, talk the talk and go to church several times a week. Yet they do nothing that a Christian is supposed too! The “goats” in Matt. 25:31-46. They’ve all the looks and words of Christian’s, but lack the love of the “sheep.” Just like that cross, it stood fine until the storms of life came along, but then lacked the strength to stand after-wards. Not able to show it’s true glory when it was really needed. This pertains not just to those of that little church, but too all those that had passed me by along the roadside. Not just while in need, but all of the time.

We as true Christians, the sheep, are supposed to show CHRIST to the world, not by our dress, our words, or even by how many scripture verses we know. We’re to show them by our love for them and our works in their times of need. Feeding the hungry, giving drinks to those athirst , clothing the naked, housing the homeless , caring for those that are sick and visiting those that are in prison! This is far from what I saw on this trip. Actually it was what I saw from those that didn’t go to church.. From what I gathered from them in conversation, I wasn’t the first one that most of them had helped. They made a regular practice out of helping others in need. I ask you, “What is wrong with this picture?”

It should be plain to see that there’s a problem within the Christian community. When we overlook those that are needy, because of a worldly outlook on life. Our hearts tell us to help this person, or at least stop and see if they need anything, yet the worldly view tells us “to keep going, this person is trouble.” Who do we trust? CHRIST, that tells us “to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matt. 19:19(but one of many places))”, or the world, that says “live for yourself and the hell with them.” This is not just a contemporary problem, for it was the basis for the “Good Samaritan” parable to the Jews of the first century. It is expounded in numerous places within the epistles also. So this isn’t a new problem within the Christian community or the world. Why though, haven’t we overcome this defect in our humanity? Our Christian community? Our own lives? I’d have to say it comes down to but one word, “SIN.” If you carry this farther, the center of sin is “I” or the self, pride. Our self-worth, our self-protecting, our selfish needs. Where this sin originated, the original sin, none are fully sure of. Whether it was with Lucifer or it was in the garden with Eve. Wherever it stems from, it is the center of the downfall of mankind, all our evils emanates from it.

There are many sermons that could come from this experience and someday I shall preach them, but for now, let me leave you with the WORDS of our MASTER, JESUS CHRIST, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids : Zondervan, 1996, c1984, S. Mt 25:45

                                                                                                                                           Pray and meditate on this verse, then think about what CHRIST would of expected you to of done had you run across the man in this modern day parable. An if by chance you see another person in need, what will you do? 

May GOD bless you and guide you,                                                            

   Rev. Marshall T. Barth Jr.                                                                            

Current harvest:
   Being new to the area things are a bit slow. I've done some work for the local church that assisted me when I first  arrived in Kingsville, Bay Area Fellowship. Some minor construction work, floor stripping and finishing and a little painting. I was also enlisted to install a laminate wood floor, molding and some painting for a young couple at the church. Now I'm in the middle of painting an elderly couple's house, where the original contractor left them hanging.
   I have made a little money to purchase tools and a few personal items, but making money isn't why I'm here. I'm here to set up the LORD's ministry for me. I'm currently being hosted by a Christian family from BAF, the second one I've been blessed with. These are some good folks down here and I'm very thankful the LORD has brought me here to set up the ministry. From the 'Modern day Parable', which was the first attempt to make it here, you can tell that this endeavor hasn't always been this good. Even on the second trip there fun times. I've had blisters on top of blisters, spent night and rainy days under bridges or in vacant buildings. Battles with cell phones, a long story in it's self, but all in all I count every second of lIfe as a blessing from GOD. Trying my best not to waste a moment of it. If you've read my book you'll know the reason for this.
   At this time the ministry is made up of the LORD and myself. HE supplies the ideas and I do the works. Whatever funds I'm blessed with get put to use in the manor HE leads me to. Thus far it has only been a little bit, but I've managed to purchase some basic hand tools and some needed personal items. I've managed to operate the ministry mostly out of pocket for ten years now, with very little help from others. If this is the way the LORD wills for it to be for another ten, I'll still be doing it to the best of my ability until then! Few people can understand why I've continued on in this way. All I can tell them is "that if the LORD had blessed you in as many ways as HE has me, you'd be doing it too."
   This is my first attempt at a newsletter, so please forgive me for it roughness. If you've any ideas of how to improve it, please contact me at one of my emails. Better yet, enlist in VCM and give me a hand growing this ministry for GOD the way it should be. This would mean relocating and providing your own needs until the ministry is functioning better. Is it worth it? Praise the LORD, I think it is!!!
 

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 Vine of CHRIST Ministries,( V.O.C.M. and V.C.M.), and Vine Ministerial Network International (V.M.N.I.)are registered names for these ministry's and it's affiliates.All rights reserved.