Is That Gold Dust Real?

Twenty years ago I made my first visit to Calvary Campground in Ashland, Virginia. One of the speakers for their Winter Campmeeting was a Brazilian named Silvania Machado. After standing on the platform for about twenty minutes during praise and worship, Sister Silvania brushed gold dust out of her short blonde hair plus had oil flow from her hands. I didn’t dismiss these signs but questioned the purpose of them. A few people in the congregation later testified of being healed.

I’ve seen gold manifestations at other places. The year before during a church service in Oklahoma, the fillings in my mouth changed from black to a whitish-gold color. Other people supernaturally received gold teeth (I later met a man in Germany who received four of them). I’ve also seen gold dust appear on ministers such as Joshua Mills while they are preaching.

Although I don’t seek after signs like this, gold dust has shown up on my face and in my Bible. One time with the latter, I found some while looking up Hebrews 13:2 about entertaining angels. I believe the Lord used that as a reminder to look to Him as my source instead of a job I considered pursuing. Other friends of mine have seen manifestations of gems and angel feathers. During a house meeting in North Carolina, the host showed me manna that just appeared on her carpet.

Religious critics will mock these manifestations by asking, “Where is that in the Bible?” Manna appeared for the Israelites while they wandered in the wilderness. Why wouldn’t God do something like that today? I’ve been to Kaye Beyer meetings where manna suddenly showed up on her Bible and later disappeared. I didn’t notice anything that indicated this was fake. 

Unless you are close-minded to the supernatural, a better question to ask is “Does this sign point people to Jesus?” I remember hearing the late Bob Shattles testify of gold dust manifesting on himself in public. He used that as a witnessing tool and led many people to salvation. Jesus said in Matthew 7:20, “Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”

It’s true people can fabricate some of these things. Charisma magazine recently published an article suggesting the oil flowing from a Bible during revival meetings in Georgia could have been a hoax. Still, we shouldn’t reject real signs and wonders. Nor should Christians worry about deception as long as they keep their eyes on Jesus. John Arnott often says, “We have to have more faith in God’s ability to bless us than in Satan’s ability to deceive us.”

Always remember: Signs follow believers but believers shouldn’t follow after signs.

“Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” - Isaiah 43:19

The Ministry of Church Security

Photo courtesy of 2wayradiodirect.com

Last Sunday afternoon while riding with a pastor to his church, we got to talking about ministers hiring security personnel for protection. My friend told me of a Messianic pastor he knows who has bodyguards because of death threats. Little did we know a mass shooting had just taken place at a church in Texas. A lone gunman killed twenty-six people plus wounded twenty others at First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs. Two men then chased after the killer who was eventually killed himself.

Ever since 9/11, many places in America have implemented increased security including churches. Occasionally, I’ve been asked to have my backpack examined, which I use to carry my laptop for taking notes during services. This used to annoy me. Then last year at a church leadership conference, I attended a workshop taught by the man in charge of security there. The information he shared gave me a greater appreciation for what they do. One thing he pointed out was his team look at their jobs as a ministry.

After learning of the attack in Sutherland Springs, I thought of what Jesus said in Matthew 16:18, “…and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” The Body of Christ should never cower in fear but stay on the offensive by fulfilling the Great Commission. Don’t forget we also have God’s angels for protection (see Psalm 91:11). Once I heard John Hagee talk about a time when a gunman came up to him during a service and fired six shots point blank. Not a single bullet hit Pastor Hagee. Nevertheless, John has security men stationed near him while he preaches to discourage future assailants. 

One shouldn’t be critical of First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs for not doing enough to prevent this tragedy. A generation ago, something like this would have been unthinkable in America. Satan is now exerting great wrath knowing he has a short time left (Revelation 12:12). Two years ago, a white supremacist killed nine African-American worshipers at a Bible study in Charleston, South Carolina. Eight years before that, a megachurch in Colorado Springs was attacked by a gunman who killed two people. That death toll might have been higher if a member of the church’s safety team hadn’t carried a licensed firearm. 

In these last days, every believer needs to be alert naturally and spiritually. Pastors can do their part by keeping their congregations covered in prayer and (if the Lord leads them to) step up security at their church.

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” - 1 Peter 5:8

Kundalini Chaos

Some Christians are quick to demonize Holy Spirit manifestations unfamiliar to them such as people shaking. A few of these watchdogs accuse certain ministers of allowing a Kundalini spirit at their meetings. Kundalini is a yoga term whose origin is the Sanskrit word for snake. One dictionary defines Kundalini as “latent female energy believed to lie coiled at the base of the spine” and “a system of meditation directed toward the release of kundalini energy.”

In response to a YouTube video posted to “expose” one well-known evangelist/pastor, I pointed out these Kundalini hunters don’t know how to test the spirits. 1 John 4:2 says, “By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God.” The minister in question has altar calls for salvation that include leading newborn believers to say, “I confess Jesus Christ has come in the flesh.”

One critic responded, “So did Jim Jones. What does that prove?” I replied by asking him to provide proof of that but he refused (possibly because he didn’t have any and simply repeated what somebody else said). Would a minister supposedly under the influence of a demonic spirit preach that Jesus is the only way to the Father? Would he encourage newborn believers to attend a Bible-believing church, read the Word of God for themselves, and go out to win souls?

It’s true demons tremble in the presence of God (James 2:19) but that doesn’t mean all supernatural shaking is of demonic origin. In Matthew 28:4 following the resurrection, “…the guards shook for fear of him [the angel of the Lord], and became like dead men.” Hosea 11:10 says, “They shall walk after the Lord. He will roar like a lion. When He roars, then His sons shall come trembling from the west.”

People respond differently when God’s power manifests. During my early years as a street evangelist, I had returned from one outing when my fellow soul winners gathered in the church lobby to pray. Someone laid hands on me and I fell to the floor shaking uncontrollably. Despite forgiving those who had hurt me in the past, deep wounds still festered in my soul. God needed to perform “spiritual surgery” on me so I would be a more effective minister.

All the Kundalini warnings against certain preachers is reminiscent of how the Pharisees often accused Jesus of having a demon. Instead of focusing on outward manifestations like shaking or falling, one should look at the results of those manifestations. Often you'll find people healed and more at peace.

“You will know them by their fruits.” - Matthew 7:16

Natural and Supernatural Dentistry

As a full-time missionary, my needs are often met through non-monetary means such as hospitality offers and people giving me things without asking for them. On rare occasions, I have sought assistance from (mostly Christian) organizations. In November 2011, a filling came out while staying with friends in Minneapolis. Soon I heard about a ministry in St. Paul called the Union Gospel Mission, which provided free dental care for people considered “low income.” My first checkup there revealed other cavities in my mouth. I had those filled as well.

Since then I’ve returned to the Union Gospel Mission after two more fillings came out. The most recent happened just over a year ago. It was discovered the cavity in that tooth had grown to where another filling could not be put in permanently. The dentist advised me to either get a root canal (which I would have to pay for) or have the tooth extracted. Apart from the expense, I didn’t want a root canal after reading negative reports from people who had gotten one. I also wasn’t fond of having my tooth pulled. 

While researching alternative forms of dental care, I learned about oil pulling. Swishing a tablespoon of organic coconut oil in my mouth every day for 20 minutes can remove toxins and even reverse tooth decay. I went through a couple of jars of coconut oil without any noticeable problems with my tooth. I figured it was healed.

Then last Monday while chewing on a piece of licorice, I suddenly felt a throbbing sensation in my tooth that became very uncomfortable. For the next couple of days, I hardly slept at all. I called the Union Gospel Mission to schedule an extraction. The soonest they could get me in was the following Monday. 

In the meantime, I continued oil pulling and tried other natural remedies while praying for my tooth to be healed. God had done a miracle in my mouth before. In 1999 during a church service in Oklahoma, all my amalgam fillings suddenly turned into a whitish-gold color. I’ve also met people who experienced supernatural dentistry such as gold fillings and new teeth manifesting. However, my jaw started swelling and I decided to take immediate action. An abscessed tooth left untreated can cause serious health problems...even death! 

On Friday morning I walked into another clinic that provides discounted dental care on a sliding fee scale. The receptionist told me an X-ray plus an extraction would require a payment that day of around $200, which I didn’t have on me. Another customer who overheard my conversation mentioned a local government agency that could help me receive free health care right away. I didn’t have peace about pursuing that.

Instead, I went to a coffee shop until knowing what to do next. From there I emailed a friend who works in the medical field. The night before when I asked for her prayers, she offered to search for another place to possibly get my tooth pulled at no cost. To my surprise, my friend replied to my latest email urging me to go back to that dental clinic and offered to pay the bill with her credit card.

After X-rays were taken, the dentist warned excruciating pain might result if I got an extraction before taking antibiotics for a few days. I decided to go ahead with the extraction and silently asked the Holy Spirit to be my anesthesia but still had a novocaine injection. The extraction wasn’t painful at all. The dentist then removed the pus built up in my jaw and prescribed penicillin to eliminate any remaining infection. At the time of this writing, the swelling has almost totally disappeared.

While it’s God’s best for us to walk in divine health, sometimes He will guide us to see a physician. Many well-known evangelists labeled as “faith healers” also endorse natural medicine. Benny Hinn occasionally has doctors as guests on his TV program “This Is Your Day.” During one episode, Benny made a statement I’ve never forgotten: “Do what you can in the natural and God will move in the supernatural.”

Tooth problems can be painful but they don’t compare to the everlasting torment people will experience if they die without knowing the Great Physician.

“And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” - Matthew 25:30

Toking the Ghost Revisited

Back in February 2007, a fellow missionary I was traveling with started talking about “smoking the weed from heaven.” He would pretend to have a joint of marijuana between his fingers and have “smoke breaks with Jesus.” He also encouraged other believers to take “hits.” I was a bit uncomfortable with this idea but didn't contest it.

Then in October of that year, I heard John Crowder preach on “toking the Ghost” at a church in my hometown of Fargo, North Dakota. I was inspired to make a video with John to share with my missionary friend. During the filming, I experienced much laughter. I decided to make the video public figuring other people might enjoy it also.

Two weeks later at a church in Minnesota, I heard Benjamin Dunn share testimonies of people getting healed from “toking the Ghost.” This was just before he and John Crowder started ministering together. I believed this was God confirming His word in the mouth of two or three witnesses. 

Many people were blessed by my “Tokin' the Ghost” video including those who got saved out of the drug culture. However, numerous individuals took issue with it. One woman emailed me saying she couldn’t find basis for it in Scripture, where there are plenty of references to the Holy Spirit being like wine. 

In response, I referred to the leaves from the tree of life mentioned in Revelation 22:2. Evangelist Jesse Duplantis testifies in his book “Close Encounters of the God Kind” that when he went to heaven in 1988, he saw people smell leaves for healing or when they felt weak. I suggested that has a similar effect as “toking the Ghost”, which is breathing in the presence of God.

This same woman also asked if I thought John Crowder and Benjamin Dunn have a genuine reverence for God. Only God knows their hearts. James 1:27 says, “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” John’s ministry is involved with taking care of orphans and “loving the lepers.”

Two years ago I decided to remove the “Tokin’ the Ghost” video from YouTube. In recent years, I’ve seen John teach things I thought were inaccurate and unscriptural. Therefore, I no longer endorse John’s ministry but still consider him a friend and brother in the Lord.

As far as I know, both John Crowder and Benjamin Dunn have stopped promoting “Toking the Ghost.” Their like-titled electronica CD is now out of print. Nevertheless, they continue to receive flak for preaching that. One man emailed me wanting to use my “Tokin’ the Ghost” video as part of an exposé on John Crowder’s ministry. I refused his request because I don’t want to give heresy hunters additional ammunition.

I used to get drunk on alcohol before becoming a Christian and yet “drinking of the Spirit” initially offended me. Since then I’ve embraced that just like “toking the Ghost.” Both of which are prophetic acts that I now rarely do in public. Even things clearly encouraged in the Bible such as speaking in tongues can be detrimental if done with the wrong motive or at the wrong time.

 “Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside.” - Colossians 4:5

I've Fallen and I Can't Get Up

Critical Christians who don’t regularly experience supernatural encounters with the Lord will sometimes nitpick the craziest things.  This past week I watched a YouTube video in which a minister I know was labeled an “apostate” because of certain manifestations occurring at his meetings.  One of which is people falling backward when touched by the Holy Spirit.  The producer of this video claimed, “Only the enemies of God fall backwards.”  Other like-minded critics point to Scriptures where men of God “fell on their faces” during worship.

Having grown up in a mainline denominational church, I was somewhat cynical when I first saw people “slain in the Spirit.”  Since then I’ve fallen backward many times when receiving ministry in a prayer line.  After one such incident while lying on the floor doing “carpet time”, I was healed of a nasal defect I had since childhood.  Does that sound demonic to you?  It shouldn’t since Jesus is the healer. 

Some criticize the manifestation of being slain in the Spirit because of men being used as catchers.  Another minister I know once explained the reason he has catchers is to reduce the possibility of people getting hurt and then filing lawsuits against the church.  This same minister and others have testified of being supernaturally stuck to the floor.  It reminds me of that old catchphrase, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!”

So if you sincerely desire a touch from heaven, don’t be fearful if you find yourself on the floor.  God may want to perform “spiritual surgery” to heal your soul from past hurts.  If you happen to fall backward, that won’t make you God’s enemy.  That simply means you couldn’t continue standing up.

“When Jesus said to them, I am He, they went backwards (drew back, lurched backward) and fell to the ground.”  - John 18:6 (Amplified Bible)