Tammy Faye Was A Hope Broker

Tammy Faye Was A Hope Broker

By Anonymous author...

Tammy Faye was a hope broker. She is a hero and a role model for me. I can only dream that I could help as many people as she has with her (to quote the Charlotte Observer obituary) "can-do Christian cheer."

A lot of Christians made her life miserable and left her when she was down. But she seemed to move right past it. It was interesting to me that when she died her family contacted Larry King. He had an awful lot of respect for her and let her talk freely about anything she wanted to talk about.

I have to admit that at one time I almost became a Tammy Faye detractor myself, until it occurred to me that I WAS Tammy Faye. Male perhaps, but Tammy Faye nevertheless. It also occurred to me that it wouldn't be hard to imagine having someone like Tammy Faye as part of your own family. I'm willing to go out on a limb and say most families have someone like Tammy Faye in their extended circle. Somebody that speaks their mind, but embraces all people. Somebody that is brash but loves everybody and loves them all the same. Somebody that wears outrageous clothes, hairdos and styles. Somebody that loves to laugh and goes to the extremes. Somebody that loves life and lived it!

A few years ago I read an interview with Tammy's son Jamie (who goes by Jay,) who heads up a wild ministry to folks on the extreme edge. Jamie is on the edge himself (videos are not working). At the time his mom was involved in some pretty peculiar work for the former wife of one of television's best known evangelists. She was on the WB reality show "The Surreal Life" with Vanilla Ice and former adult porn star Ron Jeremy. Her son Jamie - who was embarrassed by his mom - told of trying to convince her that people were watching the show and laughing at her. She told him she didn't care, that she loved these people, that they were her friends, and that Jesus loved them and she wanted to be the one to tell them. Jamie Bakker said after listening to his mom explain it all to him she went from being an embarrassment to him to being his hero. That's when she became a hero to me as well.

Around the same time and after the release of the documentary "The Eyes of Tammy Faye" which chronicled her life, she became a sensation in the gay community. That raised my eyebrows, so I started to read about what her role was there. Turns out they were inviting her to preach! But mostly she just loved on them. She preached at AIDS events and became loved by gay men across the nation. I read one of her sermons to these gatherings and it could have just as easily come across Billy Graham's pulpit. She reinforced how much she loved these guys, how much Jesus loved them, how much God despised sin, and how she was pleased to give a kiss and a motherly pull on the cheek to everyone of them. You go girl! I cried after reading the accounts and asked God to help me love everybody as much as Tammy Faye did. Maybe someday I'll love people with the fervency Tammy Faye had for people. Maybe someday. Maybe.

Tammy Faye grew up in northern Michigan in a family of eight kids in a house without running water. Her and Jim were Assembly of God kids that met in Bible College and wanted to share the message of Jesus far and wide. They started out doing puppets, which they eventually did for a budding television program that would become known as the 700 Club. They started out small and grew huge.

It might be fair to say that success became their downfall, except that they didn't stay down. Both Tammy Faye and Jim bounced back with a love for people and a message of hope for the ordinary person.

I had the privilege of meeting Jim Bakker a few years ago right after he got out of jail and wrote a book called, "I Was Wrong." He was broken, sincere, kind, gentle and had all the time in the world for me. I was embarrassed, humiliated and felt a degree of self-scorn for not being a person that had the same outflow of love as he had. I wish I would have met Tammy Faye.
Tammy Faye was at one of the local casinos not too long ago making an appearance and signing her book. She did an interview with a local radio station, they loved it and said she was a blast, and the local newspaper made it sound like a not to be missed event. Lots of hugs, people thanking her, lots of tears, lots of encouragement, lots of talk about Jesus. People loved her and she loved people.

Tammy Faye was a hope broker. People with broken lives were drawn to her. Gay men listened as she spoke about sin. Larry King leaned over and listened to her every word over and over. After almost every Tammy Faye interview, he would say, "Amazing!" She was a hero to her son. A broken lady that loved Jesus and moved through every difficulty in her life, while she continued to try and draw people closer to God.

If at the end of your life the Charlotte Observer - which was harsh to the Bakkers at many junctures in their life - says of you that you carried a message of "can-do Christian cheer" than we'll be able to say that was a life well lived. You go sis! I love you and am proud to be your brother!!

P.S. I am so glad I didn't do post number 100 on the midnight release of the new Harry Potter book - which I originally planned to do. This is SO much more important than Harry Potter could ever hope to be!

Cool slide show of her life click here

Watch her on Larry King by clicking here

New Testament Details Of Events Day Six

Day Six
The Illegal Trial Of Jesus Christ
New Testament Details Of Events

Location:

People's Court

Shekinah Fellowship

Room 101

Ms Suzy, Jurist in this court room:

On Thursday night, following Palm Sunday, Jesus had finished the "Last Supper" with His disciples in the upper chamber, in celebration of the great Feast of the Passover. From there we copy the New Testament account of what took place, from the time of the arrest of Jesus until the occasion when Pilate released Him to the mob to be crucified:

"He went forth with His disciples over the brook Cedron, where He entered, and His disciples. Judas also, which betrayed Him, knew the place; for Jesus oft-times resorted thither with His disciples.

Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

Jesus, therefore, knowing all things that should come unto Him, went forth, and said unto them: Whom do ye seek? They answered Him: Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus said unto them: I am He. And Judas also, which betrayed Him, stood with them.

As soon as He had said unto them, I am He, they all went backward, and fell to the ground.

Then asked He them again: Whom seek ye? And they said: Jesus of Nazareth.

Jesus answered: I have told you that I am He. If, therefore, ye seek Me, let these go their way.

Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malcus.

Then Jesus said unto Peter: Put up thy sword into the sheath. The cup which My Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it? Then the band and the captain and the officers of the Jews took Jesus and bound Him.

And they led Him away to Annas first; for he was father-in-law of Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.

Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. That disciple was known unto the high priest, and went with Jesus into the palace of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known to the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.

Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter: Art not thou one of this man’s disciples? He saith: I am not.

And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold; and they warmed themselves; and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself,

They said therefore unto him: Art not thou also one of His disciples? He denied it and said: I am not.

One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, said: Did not I see thee in the garden with Him? Peter denied again, and immediately the cock crew,

And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him: Before the cock crow, thou shalt denie Me thrice. And he went out and wept bitterly.

The high priest (Caiaphas) then asked Jesus of His disciples and His doctrine. Jesus answered: I spake openly to the world; I even taught in the synagogues, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why ask Me? Ask them which heard Me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I have said.

And when He had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying: Answereth Thou the high priest so?

Jesus answered him: If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil; but if well, why smitest Me?

Now the chief priest, and elders, and all the council, sought false witnesses against Jesus, to put Him to death; but found none, though many false witnesses came, yet found they none. At last came two false witnesses, and said: This fellow said: I am able to destroy the temple of God, and to build it in three days.

And the high priest arose, saying unto Him: Answereth Thou nothing? What is it which theses witnesses say against Thee? But Jesus held His peace.

And the high priest said unto Him: I adjure Thee by the Living God, that Thou tell us whether Thou be the Christ, the Son of God.

Jesus saith unto him: "Thou has said: neverthe less, I say unto you, hereafter ye shall see the Son of God sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of Heaven."

Then the high priest rent his clothes, saying: He hath spoken blasphemy; what futher need have we of witnesses? Behold, now ye have heard His blasphemy. What think ye? They answered and said: He is guilty of death.

Then did they spit in His face, and buffeted Him; saying: Prophesy unto us, Thou Christ, who is he that smote Thee?

And straightway in the morning the chief priest held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus and carried Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate.

Pilate went out unto them and said: What accusations bring ye against this Man? They answered and said unto him: If He were not a malfactor, we would not have delivered Him up unto thee. Then said Pilate: Take ye Him and judge Him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him: It is not lawful for us to put any man to death.

And they began to accuse Him, saying: We found this fellow perverting the Nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that He Himself is Christ a king.

And when He was accused of the chief priest and elders, He answered nothing. Then said Pilate unto Him; Hearest Thou not how many things they witness against Thee? And He answered him no to never a word; insomuch that the Governor marvelled greatly.

Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto Him: Art Thou the King of Jews?

Jesus answered: Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of Me?

Pilate answered: Am I a Jew? Thine own Nation and the chief priest have delivered Thee unto me. What hast Thou done?

Jesus answered him: My kingdom is not of this world, then would My servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is My kingdom not from hence.

Pilate therefore said unto Him: Art Thou a king then? Jesus answered: Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice. Pilate said unto Him: What is truth?

When he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them: I find in Him no fault at all.

And they were the more fierce, saying: He stirreth the people, teaching throughout all Jewery, beginning from Galilee to this place.

When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the Man was a Galilean. And as soon as he knew that He belonged unto Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.

And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he was desirous to see Him of a long season, because he had heard many things of Him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by Him.

Then he questioned Him with many words; but He answered him nothing.

And the chief priest and scribes stood and vhemently accused Him.

And Herod with his men of war set Him at nought, and mocked Him, and arrayed Him in a gorgeous robe, and sent Him again to Pilate.

And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.

And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, said unto them: Ye have brought this Man unto me, as One that perverted the people; and, behold, I have examined Him before you, have found no fault in this Man touching those things whereof ye accuse Him. No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto Him. I will, therefore, chastise Him, and release Him.

The chief priest and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

And they cried out all at once, saying: Away with this Man, release unto us Barabbas.

Pilate said unto them: What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ: They all said unto him: Let Him be crucified.

When Pilate sat down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying: Have nothing to do with that just Man; for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of Him.

When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but rather a tulmult was made, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying: I am innocent of the blood of this just Person; see ye to it.

Then answered all the people: His blood be on us, and on our children.

Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged Him. And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe, and said: Hail King of the Jews! And they smote Him with their hands.

Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them: Behold, I bring Him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in Him.

Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them: Behold the Man!

When the chief priests therefore and officers saw Him, they cried out, saying: Crucify Him! Crucify Him! Pilate saith unto them: Take ye Him, and crucify Him; for I find no fault in Him.

The Jews answered him: We have a law, and by our law He ought to die, because He made Himself the Son of God.

When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was more afraid; and went again to the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus: Whence art Thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.

Then saith Pilate unto Him: Speakest Thou not to me?

Knowest Thou not that I have power to crucify Thee? And have power to release Thee?

Jesus answered him: Thou couldest have no power at all against Me, except it were given thee from above; therefore he that delivered Me unto thee hath the greater sin.

And from hence forth Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying: If thou let Him go, thou art not Caesar’s friend. Whosoever maketh Himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in Hebrew, Gabbatha.

And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour; and he said unto the Jews; Behold your king.

But they cried out: Away with Him, away with Him. Crucify Him! Pilate saith unto them: Shall I crucify your king? The chief priests answered: We have no king but Caesar.

Then delivered he Him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led Him away.

And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired."

…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

Sidebar:

The above record of events, now more than two thousand years old, has stood the test of time and criticism. No one, however brilliant, in all the whole world, has been able to successfully impeach that record and that testimony. And now it is the universally accepted truth, save a very few exceptions- those who, either because of training, religious teachings, or hard-headedness, refuse to believe the New Testament as being the inspired Word of God. We of the Christian faith can have no doubts respecting the authenticity of each and every word so faithfully, logically and truthfully recorded by those eye witnesses, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John!

The Center of the Bible

What is the shortest chapter in the Bible? Answer - Psalms 117

What is the longest chapter in the Bible? Answer - Psalms 119

Which chapter is in the center of the Bible? Answer - Psalms 118

Fact: There are 594 chapters before Psalms 118.

Fact: There are 594 chapters after Psalms 118.

Add these numbers up and you get 1188

What is the center verse in the Bible?Answer - Psalms 118:8

Does this verse say something significant about God's perfect will for our lives?

The next time someone says they would like to find God's perfect will for their lives and that they want to be in the center of His will, just send them to the center of His Word! Psalms 118:8

(NKJV) "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."

The Cruel Mob Which Crucified The Christ

Day Five (Continues)
The Illegal Trial Of Jesus Christ
The Cruel Mob Which Crucified The Christ

Location:

People's Court

Shekinah Fellowship

Room 101

Ms Suzy, Jurist in this court room:

Until one becomes familiar with the great turmoil and unrest which permeated the atmosphere in all Judea, during the greatest hours of the earthly life of Jesus, it would seem strange and hard to understand that, on Palm Sunday, the streets of Jerusalem were deeply lined with multitudes proclaiming: "Blessed is He that cometh in the Name of the Lord," and then to witness, on the same street, of that same City, on the following Friday morning, those identical voices, enveloped in hatred and anger, shouting: "Away with Him, Crucify Him, Crucify Him!"

One would naturally make this inquiry: "Why the sudden and great change of attitudes? Why, in a matter of a few fleeting hours, did this throng permit hatred and ill-will to take place of admiration and love?"

Because the enemies of Jesus had conspired to bring about just such a change in conditions in Judea. Those delirious shouts of acclamation for the Master convinced His enemies that, ere long, unless stopped, the whole world would be following Him. And then, to be sure, the Pharisees and Sadducees, with their pityful and narrow versions of shallow, superficial creeds, would fade into the catacombs of complete oblivion-forever lost to the memory of men!

Thus we find that Caiaphas and his father-in-law, Annas, complete the deal with Judas Iscariot to betray his benefactor and friend, the Lowly Nazarene. Then they incite the people to the realization that, as Jesus had so often said, He did not come to establish an earthly kingdom- therefore, they were following the wrong course if their dreams of an earthly king were to be materialize.

And so, they leave the Master all alone!

Let us now take a glance at the unruly, unholy mob, as they gloat over their captive Prisoner on that Friday morning, on the road leading up Calvary's hill:

To be sure, there was Annas, the disreputable, political boss of Judea, leaning heavily upon the arm of his corrupt son-in-law, the high priest, Caiaphas. Those two were leading the frenzied multitude to the place designated for the cruel crucifixion. Immediately behind, we see the cowardly members of the discredited Sanhedrin, chatting amid the smiles of the Sadducees and Pharisees; and ignoring, of course, the groans of the Savior as He tries, in vain, to shift the heavy burden of the rugged cross to another position upon His sore and bleeding shoulder!

Yes, they were finally headed toward Golgotha- a place of the skull- a place hallowed by the fact that, in all the world, since the beginning of time, nowhere else can one find better or more convincing proof of Divine love for a lost world, and humble devotion to a Father's will! Other places would appear more beautiful- but none as sacred!

And oh, what a motley crowd it was which made up the multitude, on that occasion. There they were- Jews of every size and age; priests, scribes and Levities; then the heartless Roman soldiers, being led by the coward, Pontius Pilate- the man who claimed to have washed his hands of the innocent blood. Following closely behind, we see, in a small minority, a few of His friends, their faces filled with greif and fear. Then, with greater courage, but broken hearts can be seen the disciple, John, with his arms about the shoulders of the mother of Jesus, as he tried to console that grief-stricken woman, whose eyes are filled with tears!

After Jesus falters, because of the great weight of His burden, along comes Simon, who was very probably a member of the colored race. He leans downward, as he undertakes to help the prostrate Christ back to His feet; clutches a portion of the heavy cross so as to lighten, to some degree, the awful weight which pressed against the bleeding body of Jesus. This was done without a halt, in order that the procession of evil men might continue their steady march to the place of murder!

As the crest of Calvary is reached, the Roman soldiers, under the directions of Annas and Caiaphas, begin the nailing of his hands and feet to the cross, as it is lying flat upon the ground. Then, with their brute strength, He is lifted up into an upright position, between the two theives.

But there was one character missing from the unholy scene- Judas Iscariot! He was not privileged to see the culmination of his treachery, because, by now, he is a suicide, buried in potter's feild, purchased by the high preists with the same filthy silver which was used to effect the betrayal.

It might be said that, officially, the crowd was not in the trial, nor active participants in the subsequent crucifixion; but, by their presence, they became the thoughtless puppets of these unscrupulous leaders- Annas, Caiaphas, Pilate- and therefore, they shared the guilt of what had happened.

To say the least, they rendered a disservice to Christianity, and helped place a blot of shame and disgrace upon the sordid names of those who did take active parts. Also, they willingly joined their voices with the mighty crowd who were demanding the release of Barabbas, a confessed murderer, instead of the sinless Nazarene! Binded and inflamed by the dire echoes of their own voices, they found themselves clamoring for the innocent blood of Him who had done no wrong. Then came the consciousness of wrongdoing, for many were heard to say: "His blood be upon us, and our children!"

And while they might have then thought that they were victorious by the enactment of that drama at Calvary, they later learned, with deep regrets, that they had gone through the darkest and most dismal hours of their lives. Because the real and permanent victory was won by the victim of their vile deeds-Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God!

This needs to be added to the picture:

Immediately after the dying Christ announced that it was finished, and He commended His precious Spirit into the hands of His Heavenly Father, there was darkness over the land for three hours; and His Heavenly Father then took charge, causing the veil of the temple to be rent in two from top to bottom and made the earth around them quake, and the rocks to be rent- and then, one of the evil men in the mob, a Roman soldier, filled with horror and trembling, spoke for all present, and said:

"Truly this Man was the Son of God!"

Not all "Christians" are Christians.

Not all "Christians" are Christians.

BANQUETE, Texas — Arrest warrants have been issued for two officials at a Christian boot camp accused of dragging a 15-year-old girl behind a van after she ...

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,292910,00.html

God's Summer of Love Tour

God's Summer of Love Tour

Hi David,

This email was sent to me and I thought it might be of interest to you and those who come to your site. God is working in this hour, no doubt about it. Don't know if you are familiar with Shawn Bolz but having seen him minister in person, I have seen the annointing on his life and know the Lord is working through him. Hallelujah!!!

God bless,
Joan

The Cause USA

Almost 200 young people are on the streets of San Francisco right now, interceding for the city, worshipping Jesus on street corners, praying with lonely people, and witnessing with boldness...

This city is under a prayer siege!Reinforcements have arrived, after months of intense intercession by the small team at the Justice House of Prayer in San Francisco just a stone's throw from the famous Haight-Ashbury intersection.

We've had outreaches at Berkley University, drum circles at Hippie Hill, nightly prayer "strikes" and evening meetings with Shawn Bolz, Jill Austen, Arthur Blessit, Cindy McGills and Che Ahn.(For videos of the God's Summer of Love Tour go to http://www.thecauseusa.com )

All of this is building towards Saturday, August 11 when we converge on Golden Gate Park in SF, site of the original 'summer of love' gatherings forty years ago! At 10 am there will be a procession with Arthur Blessit (the man who walks thousands of miles carrying a cross) from the Panhandle to Hippie Hill.

Then from 12 - 5 PM we will be gathering thousands of passionate Jesus people in Sharon Meadows in Golden Gate Park. We will have seven worship bands from around the nation with key leaders who will be speaking and space for artists to draw, paint and displaytheir work.

We will spend the day worshipping, praying and proclaiming the Love of God. An all day permit has been secured for the field, which can hold up to 10,000 people. The first part of the day will be spent in prayer and worship with nationally recognized leaders, before we fan out later in the day to do special outreaches.

If you are within driving distance of the city, we really urge you to come and join us and help shift this city! It's time for another Jesus Movement to erupt once again!

For more information go to http://www.thecauseusa.com/