"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free...."  Gal 5:1

Last updated:  07/08/08

Jer 19:4 Because the people have forsaken me and have profaned this place by making offerings in it to other gods whom neither they nor their fathers nor the kings of Judah have known; and because they have filled this place with the blood of innocents,

Jer 19:5 and have built the high places of Baal to burn their sons in the fire as burnt offerings to Baal, which I did not command or decree, nor did it come into my mind--

Jer 19:6 therefore, behold, days are coming, declares the LORD, when this place shall no more be called Topheth, or the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, but the Valley of Slaughter.

Jer 19:7 And in this place I will make void the plans of Judah and Jerusalem, and will cause their people to fall by the sword before their enemies, and by the hand of those who seek their life. I will give their dead bodies for food to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the earth.

(ESV)

Just for Fun.  Here is a geeks view of PC World's 100 Best Products of 2008.  I hit the highlights of the list with what I consider to be hits or misses of the top 100 tech products of the year.  A link to the source article is included.

Urgent:  Call to Repent!

America's Discipline

I'm highlighting this study again that I put together a couple of years ago.  With the spiritual climate in this land and rapidly unfolding current events, it seems that this sort of call for repentance is desperately needed.

Call To Repentance    Most of you may have heard of the Pew Survey on faith and religion in America as it was headline news recently.  Here is one news report, and here is a link to a Yahoo! News and Time news report that contains this disturbing highlight: 

"The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life last year surveyed 35,000 American, and found that 70% of respondents agreed with the statement "Many religions can lead to eternal life." Even more remarkable was the fact that 57% of Evangelical Christians were willing to accept that theirs might not be the only path to salvation, since most Christians historically have embraced the words of Jesus, in the Gospel of John, that "no one comes to the Father except through me." reports on the survey." 

Most disturbing is the realization just how many are falling away from The One True Living God who is Christ Jesus.  All I can really think to say at this time is that this is a time for repentance.  I know that I am repenting for the areas where I have compromised Biblical Truth.  It just seems as such a time as this to let God's Word speak on His behalf:

Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father but by Me.  (KJV)

• Joh 8:24 Therefore I said to you that you shall die in your sins, for if you do not believe that I AM, you shall die in your sins.   (KJV) 

Joh 15:6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered. And they gather and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.  (KJV)

Gal 1:6 I marvel that you so soon are being moved away from Him who called you into the grace of Christ, to another gospel,

Gal 1:7 which is not another, but some are troubling you, and desiring to pervert the gospel of Christ.

Gal 1:8 But even if we or an angel from Heaven preach a gospel to you beside what we preached to you, let him be accursed.

Gal 1:9 As we said before, and now I say again, If anyone preaches a gospel to you beside what you have received, let him be accursed.

Gal 1:10 For now do I persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

Gal 1:11 And, brothers, I make known to you the gospel which was preached by me, that it is not according to man.

Gal 1:12 For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it except by a revelation of Jesus Christ.   (KJV)

"Just for Fun"  In the interest of fun, I think I'm going to add a page to this site that will be just for fun.  This will not change the content or direction of this webpage.  I just think that it will be fun to have a page to highlight things that are of interest to me.  The page will likely be titled "Just for Fun," and I will likely cover tech topics and sports and all things geek.  Who knows, other things such as books or movies might make it onto the page.  So, check back often.  Maybe, just maybe, something informative will find it's way onto the "Just for Fun" page.

Self-Control in Worship.    This exhortation calls on those associated with the charismatic movement to examine the scriptures for the guide in what is appropriate in worship when the local congregation meets.  There appears to be need for this sort of examination considering the talk of a revival in Lakeland, Florida that seems rooted in much of the current charismatic/pentecostal movement.  There is no point by point critique here of the so called Lakeland revival.  Rather, this article addresses some of the broader issues of which Lakeland is a part.

Prophetic Update:

added by Brandon Burton 24 Apr 08

1Ki 18:17 When Ahab saw Elijah, Ahab said to him, "Is it you, you troubler of Israel?"
1Ki 18:18 And he answered, "I have not troubled Israel, but you have, and your father's house, because you have abandoned the commandments of the LORD and followed the Baals.
1Ki 18:19 Now therefore send and gather all Israel to me at Mount Carmel, and the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table."
1Ki 18:20 So Ahab sent to all the people of Israel and gathered the prophets together at Mount Carmel.
1Ki 18:21 And Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you go limping between two different opinions? If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." And the people did not answer him a word.
(ESV)

Upon hearing of the recent earthquake in the midwest that hit near a town called Mount Carmel, I felt led to the scriptures that mention Mount Carmel. In the time of the prophets Elijah and Elisha, Mount Carmel was featured prominently. The above scripture shows the situation of the prophets of Baal being set up for a confrontation by Elijah and the power of The Living God. It seems to me that the message that God proclaimed through His prophet Elijah in the days of old is still a message to which God is trying to awaken people to this day. It is clear in this scripture that the people were in rebellion to The Living God by following after false gods as in this case of Baal. This is the message God is trying to reach this land with today: how long will you seek after other gods? How long will you seek after created things rather than The Creator? How long will you continue in your rebellion? Just as in the days of old when Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal, so is this generation being warned of it's idolatry and rebellion. When the people say nothing and do not side with The Living God, The Holy Spirit Fire is about to be revealed. Those prophets of Baal and spirit of Jezebel will have their acts of worship and objects of worship exposed and laid bare for all to see by the power of The Holy Spirit Fire. Jezebel and those prophets of Baal will be removed from those positions of authority so that they can no longer lead the people astray. In that day, do not blame the prophets nor the Lord thy God for the trouble in the land. For it will be those who have abandoned the commandments of the LORD that will have troubled the land in which you live.

Sharing About Disability

Brandon Burton

26 Mar 08

One of the directions that GraceToFreedom.com is taking is to begin to reach out to others who may be suffering with disabilities. As I have briefly begun to discuss, disability is something that has greatly impacted my life. Since this is something that I have struggled with for a few years now, I'd like to take some time to reach out to others who may be struggling with disabilities or suffering in general. One of the main goals is to offer encouragement to others who may be suffering and/or struggling.

 
Often, encouragement is offered in the institutional church for those who might be dealing with the day to day stresses of life. While it is good that the church attempts to connect with those who are dealing with the day to day stresses of life, I can attest to the reality that there are people, Christians, who are slipping through the cracks of the church. Sadly, it is so many of these people that are in desperate need of fellowship, encouragement, and support from the church. Although I might be limited physically and by geographic proximity, I want to turn to this tool of the internet to reach out to others who may be suffering.

Let me state that if you are suffering and feeling isolated, you are not alone. While the devil would like for you to believe that you are abandoned and alone, God wants you to know that you are not alone. God has not abandoned you. God has not turned His back on you. Joshua 1:9 declares the truth to you, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."” (ESV). So while it may seem that you are alone, I want to encourage you with a reminder that the devil is a liar. More importantly, 1st John 4:4 reminds us, “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."

Feelings of abandonment is one of the difficult aspects in dealing with affliction. With disability and affliction, it is most common to experience limited mobility. That limited physical movement adds to the inability to be able to function in so many aspects of “normal” life. With this decrease in function, it may seem that people and life are moving on without you. I contend that the disabled and afflicted are some of the forgotten people of the church. The limited functioning makes it difficult to participate in activities in church. This speaks to issues with the church failing fellow brothers and sisters. The continued activity of the church while lacking the deep spiritual growth and maturity is something the church as a whole would benefit from much seeking God and repentance. All of that to say, God has not forgotten you. While many in the church may have forgotten you, God has not! Additionally, not all in the body of believers have forgotten you. I write this with a prayer that these words would be found and received as fellowship and encouragement.
In the spirit of these words, please do not hesitate to email. I will gladly pray for and fellowship with you.  

Added Info:  11 Apr 08

Common ways disability effects people:

Decreased functioning, with this decreased functioning comes decrease in social supports.  These along with physical ailments typically contribute to anxiety and depression.   Here are some symptoms:

Feelings of helplessness & hopelessness

Change in sleep

Change in appetite

excessive feelings of guilt

Lack of pleasure and enjoyment in activities you once enjoyed

Difficulty concentrating

Decreased energy

Tearfulness, and just feeling sad and depressed.

In some cases, thoughts of suicide.  Please seek help if you experience thoughts of suicide

Once again, I encourage any who might struggle with these matters to keep close to God in prayer and scripture reading.  Please remember that He has not forsaken you!  Allow others to bless and minister to you. 

 Kids Church Activities and Tools  Tim and his son Michael have done some incredible work in putting together a large collection of skits for use in ministering and educating kids.  Here are a few words from Tim about these excellent skits:

The following skits are written such that they can be used for
teaching Biblical principals to a wide range of children from ages
three to ten. The themes and dialogue have been kept simple to help
younger children better follow and understand the skit. In addition,
each skit is composed of two or three short scenes (instead of one
long scene) so that each scene can be discussed during an intermission
before going onto the next scene. God has blessed us through the use
of these skits at our local church (newlife4me.com). I hope these
skits bring glory to God in your church or home setting.

These skits are for you to be able to use free of charge. 

--More skits added 17 Nov 07!

New Word of Encouragement:  He Upholds Us

New!  Prophetic Bible Study:  Giants on the Earth by Brandon Burton.  This Bible topic has a strong prophetic edge.  Some questions that this paper will address is:  Did giants actually exist on the Earth in ancient history?  Does the Bible say anything about giants on the Earth in the future?  Check out this much needed discussion about about giants that are also known as nephilim.  

New Word of Encouragement:  Spirit of Him who raised Jesus

Sharing Our Lives  by Brandon Burton  How many brokenhearted people attend church each week?  How many people are silently suffering from the wounds of life?  How many people feel alone even though they may be surrounded by people?  This is an exhortation for the people of the American church to share their lives with fellow believers who desperately need love, support, encouragement, and ministry.  Sadly this is something that the church is lacking, and I believe the church needs to repent of neglecting the wounded and brokenhearted.

Follow up to Jacob's Trouble  by Brandon Burton  This is a follow up to the prophetic word "Entering Jacob's Trouble."

Call to Repentance!  Serving God or Serving Money?  by Brandon Burton  This hard hitting paper with a prophetic edge addresses the topic of the love of money from a Biblical perspective. This paper specifically confronts the sin of greed that has infected the American church.

Prophetic Word!  Entering Jacob's Trouble by Brandon Burton  This is a prophetic word that speaks to the time in history that we are entering.  I believe that we are now entering the time of "Jacob's Trouble."  Central to this prophetic word is the promise of deliverance for Israel, and the promise of deliverance from bondage for those who seek Christ. 

Am I a Good Person?  by Tim Madorma  This is another well done study by Tim on the nature of man and God's view of our condition.  This study is insightful and thought provoking. 

Focus:  Abortion  Early Christian Leader, Tertullian, addresses abortion almost 2000 years ago!  Lest anyone think that abortion is a modern issue, let's see what a early church father had to say about this murder of babies shortly after the time of Christ when Tertullian states:

"In our case, murder being once for all forbidden, we may not destroy even the fetus in the womb, while as yet the human being derives blood from others parts of the body for its sustenance.  To hinder a birth is merely a speedier man-killing; nor does it matter whether you take away a life that is born, or destroy one that is coming to the birth.  That is a man which is going to be one; you have the fruit already in its seed."

Source:  Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary

New Section added:  Bible Topics!  The first article to be added is:  Salvation, Baptism, and The Holy Spirit by Tim Madorma.  This is a well done in-depth discussion of the aforementioned foundational Christian issues.  

I hope you will find encouragement and sound Biblical insights on this page.  A strong prophetic edge will be involved.  It is hoped that Christ's love will be communicated in such a way that will impact your life and your current circumstances.  As always, the purpose is to glorify the risen God and make Him known to all the world.

Please come back often!  It is planned that this site will be updated on a regular basis.

Please feel free to email me with questions or comments.

Prayer requests are welcomed.

Email web page developer & writer Brandon: 

May God Bless you!