Discovering the Magic of Christmas – Susan McCarson

I vividly remember the first time I saw poverty. I was 6 years old. It was from that moment that I understood why Mama separated items we took to the garbage dump. I now understood why Daddy saved scraps from the meat he butchered at his small grocery store and gave them to certain people. I also understood why my daddy spent extra time with the volunteer fire department at Christmas time.

And I also began to understand why some children at school did not enjoy making Christmas Tree ornaments with shell macaroni or a Santa Claus with a  beard  made of cotton balls.

What was a magical time of the year for me was a time of grim reality for others. How could a child be excited about sitting on Santa’s lap when he didn’t bring a gift last year — or the year before. Was it even right to hope that this year might be different? How do parents explain to a young child that Santa will not come?

Fifty years ago I saw poverty for the first time. In February of 2010, I witnessed a different kind of poverty. This one was far worse than I could even imagine. Malnourished children living in dumpsites, under a bridge, in squatter areas or on the streets  exist in an environment not meant for humans, much less children.

How do these children of the Philippines celebrate the birth of Jesus? When there is not even enough money for food, how does this time of year become magical?

This year Ras Robinson announced that Fullness in Christ Ministry will sponsor a Christmas party for the sponsored children and their families. Due to the economy and decrease in donations, the ministry did not send gifts last year. This year, that is not an option.

I had parents with giving hearts who modeled for me. We were far from rich in monetary terms, but we were wealthy in ways I grew to understand. This year my family members will receive a special gift. Each will receive a card that states that a donation has been made in their honor — a donation to light up the eyes of a Filipino child.

Let us join together in good and bad times to model a giving heart. No amount is too small to make a big difference in the life of a child.

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To help give the best Christmas ever to our kids and their families, send your gift before Thanksgiving.  Please be generous.  You will be blessed in return.  Go to Christmas for Kids

Baptism with Fire and the Holy Spirit – A Word from Ras Robinson… October 10, 2010

Baptism with Fire and the Holy Spirit

Want to get baptized with the Holy Spirit and with Fire?  May I share my testimony with you?

Many have been filled with the Holy Spirit.  Others are praying for that infilling.  In times of awakening there is a crying out in desperation, “Lord, fill me, and consume me.”  The prophet John told us about this marvelous phenomenon:  Matthew 3:11 (NASB) “John said Jesus would baptize us with fire:  As for me, I baptize you with water for repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, and I am not fit to remove His sandals; He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

I recall the day and the hour of my own desperation being finally and partially satisfied as I was gloriously filled with the Holy Spirit.  I had no idea about the baptism of fire that would follow.  My whole spiritual world lit up like the noon day.  God changed everything about me and mine.  After all these years since that encounter, I am still testifying.

God showed me I was asleep in regards to receiving more than salvation:  Ephesians 5:13-14 (NASB) “But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light. For this reason it says, ‘Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.'”  No one every told me there was more to salvation than simply getting saved.

For me, the fire brought with it an anointing to minister the gospel with power.  The gifts of the Holy Spirit manifested beautifully.  Joy flooded my soul.

Subsequently, I got baptized with the fire of persecution for my “more.”  No one seemed to understand.  Mostly, I walked alone except for my wife.  She joined with me and I joined in with her.  But no matter the fire, God sustained us and grew us.  But more than anything, He kept increasing the hunger for Him.

Are you hungry for Him?  He has this huge banquet table set with everything you need.  He is right now extending an invitation to you that you join Him at the table.  Will you come?

“Catch the Fire” – A Word from Ras Robinson – October 9, 2010

Catch the Fire
My rear end turned numb yesterday at the Toronto Airport terminal.  Our flight to DFW was to depart at 3:15 p.m. but instead we finally boarded our flight for home at 5:20 p.m.  Very frustrating.

Waiting has never been my strength.  Our two children took “forever” to be born, it seemed to me.  To me, nine months was nine year if you follow my trail here.  It took two eternities for our first church plant to reach over 100 members, to see over 2,000 saved through rice evangelism in Chiclayo, Peru and then our sponsoring children in Philippines to grow from the first eight to now all but 500.

But the worst and best is yet to be told.  In 1974, God told me pure and simply in Hunt, TX that He would start bonfires of revival effectively all over the world, I would be a part of it and I would live to see the Holy Spirit fire sweep America and the world.  We resigned my executive job, sold ranch, farm animals and equipment along with most everything we owned in order to “catch fire” of revival.  We’ve seen some fires in Fort Worth, TX, Memphis, TN, Groton, CT,  Lakeland, FL, Baytown, TX, Toronto, Canada, Granbury, TX, and more.

I’m desperately hungry for God as never before in my life.  When John and Carol Arnot tell me that over 4,000,000 people came through Toronto Airport Christian Fellowship (now “Catch the Fire”) so far in their continuing revival, I both get excited and impatient.  The Sunday morning service there at Catch the Fire sees over 3200 in attendance.

Seeing almost 300 Partners in Harvest couples come this week to Toronto from all over the world and five continents, I am humbled and frankly envious.

I’m impatient!  Lord, do it in Fort Worth, TX.  Catch the fire here!  Then multiply it across Texas, the Southwest and across America and eventually the world.

The really, really good news is that I think Third Great Awakening has begun and is already happening in its most early stages.  If we will only believe and walk in what we see and hear obediently, it will happen.  It is time.

“Fullness in the River!” Imagine!!!