Standing Shoulder To Shoulder Together As We Fight the Good Fight of Faith A personal letter of encouragement to You, written solely

to "lift up hands that hang down".

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"If the Church's agenda is not The Kingdom agenda, it's the wrong agenda, no matter how good it looks or how successful it appears." ---- T. Allen Robburts +=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+ Shoulder To Shoulder #600 ---- 6/8/09 Title: "Low Bridge! Everybody Down!"

My Dear Friend and Pilgrim Partner: Greetings today from Kingdom City, Missouri, as Jo Ann and I are enroute back home after nine days of travel through a five-state area. We will arrive back home this afternoon, weary but rested, and minds filled with great memories from seeing our Grandson, Sergey, graduate from high school, and visiting family, friends, and supporters along the way. The Authier's in Kansas City, family in St. Paul, the Kenworthy's in Viola, WI, a host of friends (the Lopp's, Jatho's, Simon's, Meeks', Vogel's, and Kathy Meronek) in Reedsburg, WI, the Mitchell's in Wisconsin Dells, WI, the Shafer's in Watertown, WI, and finally our youngest daughter and family in Galesburg, IL . . . they all provided us with fellowship, joy, and encouragement, and we're grateful to the Lord for them all. God has blessed us abundantly with special people who have enriched our lives and undergirded our ministry over the years. Noting that this is Number 600 . . . actually more like 650 . . . "Shoulders" letters that I've written since I began in December, 1997, I find it hard to fathom I've been doing this for eight years. And, my goodness, how God has blessed me through this discipline. One of my great joys each week is to share my thoughts with you. Thanks for letting me do that. You are a great blessing to me, and my heart's truest desire is that what I share will at least occasionally lift your weary hands and lighten your load at least a little.

Odds 'N' Ends: There are several important links for you to consider today . . . more than I like to include but feel necessary. So, don't rush through them. + Russia's Main Newspaper says America sliding into Marxism: (CNSNews.com) A commentary published in Pravda, the once-official newspaper of the Soviet Union, heralded Americas descent into Marxism, citing the United States takeover of General Motors, poor education standards, and the election of Barack Obama as president. Writer Stalinslav Mishin wrote that America is descending into Marxism, and it has been happening in three stages ---- the deterioration of our educational system based on politization, substandard quality, and a pop culture, the destruction of religion into nothing more than a Sunday circus, and the recent election of our current president. It is a powerful article worth reading. It begins with, "It must be said, that like the breaking of a great dam, the American decent into Marxism is happening with breath taking speed, against the back drop of a passive, hapless sheeple, excuse me dear reader, I meant people.

"True, the situation has been well prepared on and off for the past century, especially the past twenty years. The initial testing grounds was conducted upon our Holy Russia and a bloody test it was. But we Russians would not just roll over and give up our freedoms and our souls, no matter how much money Wall Street poured into the fists of the Marxists. "Those lessons were taken and used to properly prepare the American populace for the surrender of their freedoms and souls, to the whims of their elites and betters." It's final paragraph reads, "The proud American will go down into his slavery with out a fight, beating his chest and proclaiming to the world, how free he really is. The world will only snicker." The entire June 2nd article can be found at http://english.pravda.ru/opinion/columnists/107459-0/. It seems like everyone in the world except Americans sees what is really happening. + The July Zola Levitt Letter is now online in Adobe Acrobat format at http://www.levitt.com/newsletters/2009-07.pdf. Levitt's letters are always worth careful and thoughtful reading in their entirety. I hope you'll take the time to read this one. + Global is the New Local -- Becoming an International Congregation. More and more local churches are gaining a global and international approach to evangelism. Robert Wuthnow from Princeton University sees an upward trend in local churches becoming more global in their ministries. Take a look at http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009 /june/14.38.html for the whole encouraging story. + Further Indicators of a Move Toward a Socialistic Government: Several recent articles that have come across my desk seem to point to an increasing shift for the U.S. toward socialism. Take a look at the following links to read some of those articles by clicking on the underlined headlines. 1. Obama Administration Says Bank Bailout Law Gives It the Power to Take Ownership of General Motors White House (CNSNews.com) - The $700-billion financial industry bailout legislation approved by Congress last fall gave the Obama administration all the authority it needed to take ownership of General Motors this week, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told CNSNews.com. CNSNews.com asked Gibbs to explain why specifically the government should be able to take control of 60 percent of a company and put $30 billion in it without direct congressional authorization. 2. Treasury Secretary's Secret Talking Points Reveal That Banks Were Forced to Surrender Ownership Stakes to Government (CNSNews.com) - Last October, then-Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson ordered nine banks that the Treasury Department described as "healthy" financial institutions to surrender ownership interests to the government or else face regulatory action that would force them to surrender ownership interests to the government, according to an internal Treasury Department document. Paulson's extraordinary threat culminated in one of the most sweeping government intrusions into the free-enterprise system in the history of the United States. 3. Government Takeover of GM Just Short of Socialism, Economists Say Washington (CNSNews.com) Free-market economists and policy experts were highly critical of the government taking over majority ownership of General Motors, but they stopped short of calling the move socialism. I am much more concerned about what we might call state capitalism, said author and syndicated columnist Amity Shlaes, who described state capitalism as producing a lower growth trajectory than the U.S. is accustomed to having. Its a lower standard of living..." + David Barton on the Attack on Conscience: David Barton, founder of Wallbuilders, an organization devoted to restoring the Judeo Christian principles of America's roots, responded to recent Washington remarks concerning the role of man's conscience in decision making ---- things such as giving doctors the right to refuse to perform abortions because of conscience. Here's what Barton wrote in a recent Wallbuilders newsletter: "President Obama has announced that he will rescind the conscience protection for medical workers that currently provides them legal protection for refusing to violate their conscience by participating in abortions. "Significantly, the Bible makes the rights of conscience a repeated subject of emphasis, with thirty references in the New Testament alone. The warning is even issued that if an individual "wounds a weak conscience of another, you have sinned" (I Corinthians 8:12). Christians were therefore instructed to respect the differing rights of conscience (v. 13). (See also I Corinthians 10:27-29.) "The rights of conscience have long been a cherished characteristic of the American civil fabric, and America's Framers openly praised these protections: No provision in our Constitution ought to be dearer to man than that which protects the rights of conscience. THOMAS JEFFERSON, SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION

Consciences of men are not the objects of human legislation. WILLIAM LIVINGSTON, SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION Security under our Constitution is given to the rights of conscience. JOHN JAY, ORIGINAL CHIEF JUSTICE OF THE U. S. SUPREME COURT Government is instituted to protect property of every sort. . . . [and] conscience is the most sacred of all property. JAMES MADISON, SIGNER OF THE CONSTITUTION "Today, the safeguards for the rights of conscience now appear in forty-seven state constitutions. The President's decision to rescind these protections places him in direct opposition to four centuries of America's civic and religious leaders. "We have just finished a piece that addresses conscience protection from a Biblical and historic perspective. You can read this piece online, or download it . Please share this information with friends and encourage them to contact their elected officials, urging them to preserve conscience protection for medical workers. "Protection for the rights of conscience is just one more reason that Biblical Christianity is so beneficial to a culture and why its principles must be preserved in public policy." A similar supporting article worth reading was written by Guest Columnist Joe Coffman in the local newspaper in Holland, MI, at http://www.hollandsentinel.com/archive/x362992710/COLUMN-When-conscience-is-criminalized and then also at http://www.onenewsnow.com/Perspectives/Default.aspx?id=529674. Both Barton and Coffman expose another area in which American culture is unraveling and freedoms are being jeopardized or, in some cases, even lost. + Further Proof of Israel's Presence and Ownership of the Land: Archeologist Moshe Dann has written a convincing article in which he contends that archaeological findings continuously and conclusively prove that the contested land currently claimed by Israel belong to them, and also that the Jewish presence long preceded the Arab presence. Go to www.IsraelNN.com to read the article. You can also find it in the June issue of the Zola Levitt newsletter noted above. In addition, Aref Alwan, an Iraqi author and playwright who resides in London and is the author of 12 novels, stated that the Jews have an historic right to Palestine because their presence there preceded the Arab conquest and has continued to this day. You can read that article by again going to the Zola Levitt June 2009 newsletter. + Remembering D-Day and Its Heroes: At a time when members of our government are apologizing for America and blaming past administrations and generations for perceived wrongs done, it seems appropriate to me to remember that sixty-five years ago this past Saturday, Allied Forces stormed a fifty-mile long stretch of French coastland, launching the most massive amphibious landing in the history of the world. David Barton wrote an appropriate commentary of honor in a Saturday Wallbuilders newsletter which you can read on his website at www.walbuilders.com. Barton reminds the conscientious citizen that liberty is extremely costly but easily lost. He reminds us that on that day when 7,000 naval vessels and 13,000 aircraft were used in transporting more than 160,000 British, American, French, and Canadian warriors to crush the Nazi military machine, it cost more than 15,000 brave soldiers sacrificed their lives for not only our freedom, but truly the freedom of the world. It was an event that literally changed the course of history. When General Dwight David Eisenhower gave the command for the invasion to begin on a less than ideal day, he wished these warriors luck and said, "May we beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking." As word reached the ears of American citizens, the separation of church and state issue was thoroughly irrelevant as the packed houses of worship. Then President Franklin D. Roosevelt led a six and one-half minute prayer on national radio, imploring God to grant safety and success in the undertaking. You can hear a scratchy recording of that prayer by going to http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/fdr-prayer.htm. You can also read the entire speech there. Today I believe we find ourselves an another battle of equal or greater magnitude . . . another battle for our nation. Unlike the Second World War, this one has reached our shores, and is tragically being carried out within our own citizenry through a moral decay from within, fired by self-serving political strategies and cheered by onlookers from other parts of the world. So, as we honor the brave warriors of 65 years ago, let's also cry out to God for the spiritual rescue of our nation. It is our only hope.

LOW BRIDGE! Yesterday it was our privilege to attend services with our youngest daughter and her family where here husband, Jim,

serves as senior pastor in Knoxville, IL. Since he was teaching an adult Bible study prior to service, we opted to attend the SS class where he has been teaching on the parables of Jesus. During the course of the discussion, he posed the question as to how God gets your attention when you're not responding properly to His plan concerning your use of the "talents" He has given you. One of the women responded, "He hits you with a 2X4." Logically, the follow-up question was about what happens when you still don't respond. "Another 2X4." My mind being structured like a Mexican Jumping Bean, I immediately thought it might be more like bumping into a 2X6 ceiling joist as you walk down a hallway. I pictured another joist and another bump . . . and another . . . and another. And, for some reason beyond rational explanation, I remembered the refrain of an old slavery song . . . "Low bridge, everybody down. Low bridge, for we're coming to a town. . . " I was a green freshman in the college touring choir in Missouri, responsible for my singular moment in the spotlight by doing the solo spot on that song. I still vividly remember the words . . . I've got a mule, her name is Sal, 15 miles on the Erie Canal. She's a good old worker and a good old pal, 15 miles on the Erie Canal. We've hauled some barges in our day, filled with lumber, coal and hay, And we know every inch of the way from Albany to Buffalo. Chorus: Low bridge, everybody down Low bridge for we're coming to a town And you'll always know your neighbor, you'll always know your pal If you've ever navigated on the Erie Canal. We better get along on our way ol' gal, 15 miles on the Erie Canal 'Cause you bet your life I'd never part with Sal, 15 miles on the Erie Canal. Git up there mule, here comes a lock, We'll make Rome about 6 o'clock One more trip and back we'll go Right back home to Buffalo. So much for great spiritual insight! That one phrase, however, seems to accentuate a couple of truths . . . First, there are low bridges or "ceiling joists" that God puts in our lives to get our attention when we aren't paying it. Second, the only way to avoid the pain of a cracked head is to "get down". Here's what the Lord showed me yesterday morning as my son-in-law taught (it's nice that you can sometimes listen to one thing while pondering another) ---- God strategically places "ceiling joists" in our lives that are designed, it seems, to accomplish two simple things. First, they are there to get our attention when we get too "high minded" or when we begin to "think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think". Second, they are there to bring us back down to where we should be. The picture I had in my mind is that of a long and narrow room where the "ceiling joists" were at normal height to begin with but, as we walked through the room, the ceiling became lower and lower. Depending on our spiritual condition and the issue of independence, arrogance, and spiritual pride residing in our hearts, we eventually get whacked by a "ceiling joist". Our natural inclination, following a resounding "ouch!", is to duck and continue on, adjusting our posture slightly. The adjustment, however, is not sufficient to accommodate the next beam that is about to crack us again . . . and again . . . and again. But, why are the beams there in the first place? We easily forget that, not only are there "floor joists" of God's Word upon which we stand, but there are the "ceiling joists" of God's purpose. We rest securely on the authoritative truth of His Word,

but we must also submit to the practical expressions of obedience and conformity to His character and His purpose. Few of us struggle with the foundation of His Word, but most of us do battle with Him concerning His will and plan for us. What, then, is God's plan for us? Well, in some ways it is different for every person . . . but in one area it is the same for every follower of Christ. It is God's intent that we conform to Christlikeness at its maximum expression. Two passages from Paul's pen make this crystal clear ---First, . . . "Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Rom 5:1-5) Second, . . . "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified." (Rom 8:28-30) This idea automatically raises a legitimate question ---- "What does it mean to be Christlike, or to be conformed to the image of Christ?" Perhaps we can reduce it to its simplest terms by saying that it is God's intent to so work in our lives that we constantly manifest (Not demonstrate) the very nature, purpose, and power of Jesus Christ, and that we particularly do so when we crack our heads on a beam God has positioned just above the tops of our ears. In other words, God places these "ceiling joists" before us . . . in full view . . . so we can, first, be alert enough to voluntarily duck or bow beneath them. If we don't do it voluntarily, then we are forced to when the cranium meets the beam of God's purposes. He's very good at insisting that we be like His Son. So, remember that when you come face to face . . . or maybe "head on" . . . with God's intention that you be an expression of His Son's presence, an extension of His purposes, and an exhibition of His power, you'd best be prepared to lower your head. One way or another, you're going to bow.

EVERYBODY DOWN! God's intention, however, is more than that . . . much more than that. He wants more from you than a simple acknowledgement of His plan. Actually, He wants you on your face. That's why those "ceiling joists" progressively get lower and lower . . . until you're flat on your face, and His purposes are rubbing the hide off your back. Everybody, . . . down! You see, my friend, God resists the proud. At least three times that truth is declared in scripture . . . "Though He scoffs at the scoffers, Yet He gives grace to the afflicted." (Prov 3:34) "But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, 'God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble'." (James 4:6) ". . . for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (I Pet 5:5) Little is left to the imagination when trying to discover God's attitude toward pride, arrogance, independence, and self-sufficiency. He is your arch rival . . . and He always wins. Rejoice, though, that He gives a door out . . . humility. For in those same three passages, He promises grace . . . once for the afflicted, and twice for the humble.

So, then, just what is it that God is trying to get out of us when He keeps lowering the beams. If we continue walking the length of that vast room, we find ourselves not just ducking, but now stooping, . . . then crouching, . . . then scooting, . . . then crawling, . . . then creeping, . . . then prostrate . . . and stuck . . . dead in our tracks. Perfect! Just where He wants us.

NOW WHAT? He wants something from us. Just five simple things, as far as I can tell ---Total surrender, . . . Yielded humility, . . . Undistracted worship, . . . Servant spirit, . . . Unreserved obedience.

FINALLY: So, my friend . . . how is it with you and those "ceiling joists" you keep hitting? Could you, like me, be known as a real "knot head" because of all the bumps my strong will has created? Maybe it will occur to me someday that, while those beams will be there for my lifetime, I can avoid the cracks up against the side of the head . . . if I'll just pay attention. Perhaps you feel the same. Have a great week bobbing your head. Low bridge! Everybody! . . . DOWN! In His Bond, By His Grace, and For His Kingdom, Bob Tolliver -- Romans 1:11 Copyright June, 2009 Life Unlimited Ministries lifeunlimited@centurytel.net If this letter has blessed you, feel free to forward it, with proper credits, to any and all you wish. Please do NOT hit reply to this letter. This is an automated unmanned system. If you want to write Bob, send directly to lifeunlimited@centurytel.net. Replying to "Shoulder To Shoulder" mailer gets you nowhere.

REMEMBER ---- "Service before the Cross is what man can do for God; service after the Cross is what God can do through a man" ---- T. Allen Robburts

It's our desire to provide you links to helpful resources. However, the contents of these sites do not necessarily represent the views we personally hold. These are sites we have found helpful in the past for various topics, and want you to know about them. Use at your own discretion. Websites Crucial For Today:
Consider these special websites that are particularly important in light of world conditions.

Resources and News from balanced and Family Friendly Perspectives:

www.onenewsnow.com -- an excellent news website giving you more thorough news reporting. www.cnsnews.com for daily world news without a liberal, godless bias. http://www.wnd.com/ -- an excellent news website for news from a family-friendly Christian perspective containing news the liberal media will never report. http://www.leadershipletters.com/ -- an outstanding resource for anyone wanting to become or help raise up a great leader. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page -- excellent on-line encyclopedia on almost every topic, usually unbiased. http://prayercentral.net/baghdad/today -- to pray for troops in Iraq. www.wallbuilders.org -- Tools for understanding and responding to America's moral decay.

Resources on Middle East, Israel, Bible Prophecy:

http://www.aish.com/search/article_search_results.asp?article_author=Rabbi+Ken+Spiro&title_text=&date_amount=&date_option=year -- one of the most COMPREHENSIVE HISTORIES of Israel I've ever seen, written from a Jewish Perspective. A Profound resource for those interested. www.bible411.com/nationofmiracles/index.htm -- excellent website on Israel http://favorminded.com/pray/3300israel.html -- excellent website on Israel www.sidroth.org -- excellent website on Israel, especially evidences of God's supernatural intervention www.hallindsey.org -- current events as relating to Bible prophecy www.christiantrumpetsounding.com -- excellent source of articles on Israel and Bible prophecy and other topics www.levitt.com -- strategic newsletter, reports, resources, particularly on Bible Prophecy www.jewishsoftware.com excellent Jewish sources on Hebrew language, Jewish history, beliefs, practices. http://www.4922trust.org/ -- an excellent site on Christian relationship to Israel. http://www.ajhs.org/ American Jewish historical society. www.israeltoday.co.il Israel today news and resources. www.jpost.com Jerusalem Post newspaper. www.jewishvoice.com Jonathan Burness ministry with excellent info and resources www.jerusalemconnection.org good Jewish culture/beliefs source www.favorminded.com good source for those supporting Israel www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org exceptional sour of information on Israel, ancient and modern www.aish.com comprehensive site on Jewish history including famed "Crash Course In Jewish History" www.israelimages.com hundreds of excellent photos, old and new, of Israel and her people. www.jerusalemshots.com/en another great source of pictures. www.technorati.com/tag/antisemitism a sobering source of anti-Semitic photos. www.yadvashem.org martyrs and heroes of the Holocaust www.favorminded.org excellent historic and contemporary information on Israel

Helpful General Resources

www.biblos.com -- EXCELLENT Bible study tools and resources. www.bibletraining.com -- EXCELLENT pastoral training global opportunity source. www.dota.net -- AMAZING Bible training materials via PDF downloads and radio programs in several languages. http://www.impactapologetics.com/default.asp?cookiecheck=yes& -- Great source for information on Christian apologetics. www.sermonindex.net for access to over 3900 downloadable audio sermons. Exceptional site. www.bible.christianity.com an excellent general source for quality Bible study tools and other things. Links to other great sites. www.illustramedia.com a great site for video on creation and evolution. www.livinit.org a super source for Christian extreme sports witness to youth www.creationscience.net an excellent source for dealing with evolution and creation www.crosstv.com a great site for video on creation, evolution, and apologetics www.onechurchsource.com a good site with links for many resources. www.biblemaster.com for great Bible resources and downloads. Exceptional site. www.e-sword.net ---- one of the best free download Bible study sites I've ever seen! http://www.discipleshipdirect.com/ for new and fresh evangelism & discipleship materials. www.multilanguage.com -- a great source for resources for language ministries. http://www.answersingenesis.org/ ---- one of the best Creation websites I've ever seen. http://frangipane.org ---- for excellent brief words of encouragement from one of America's premier evangelical writers/thinkers. www.worldprayerteam.org ---- A world-wide network for praying together. www.watchword.org ---- excellent resources on revival, prayer, missions. www.waymakers.org ---- resources on prayer, evangelism, etc. www.missionvisionnetwork.org ---- resources on prayer & missions www.global-prayer-digest.org ---- resources on world-wide prayer http://www.nppn.org ---- "National Pastors' Prayer Network" newsletter. ~ email: phil@nppn.org. Register your PPG: http://www.nppn.org/ppg/ . www.LifeAction.org ---- "Life Action Outreach".

Valuable Resources on Islam: http://khanepedar.com ---- a NEW evangelistic website for Muslims. Please share this with others, especially those who know Muslims or have a ministry to Muslims.
www.muslimjourneytohope.org filled with testimonies and resources. http://bibleprobe.com/islamapostates.htm ---- fantastic website on ISLAM (amazing testimonies and excellent resources) www.johnankerburg.org ---- excellent resources of facts, testimonies, and tools http://cbw.strang.com/c.cgi?ProdID=8847&Source=CNSITE

www.elam.com ---- source of testimonies and resources www.ethnicharvest.org ---- resources www.answeringislam.de/main/farsi ---- resources www.persianchristianity.com ---www.farsibible.org ---- Bibles

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