((((<<<EARTH SHAKING NEWS>>>))))))))UPC Evangelist......

[Sister Alvear]

Tarra if you are reading this thread we love you so much and your folks and I am so sorry things like this are discussed on a public forum. You are a wonderful person and I admire you very much. We often pray for you and the children. I do read Christian's blogs sometimes and weep for his soul. Blessings to you and the children. Your Friend : Sister Alvear

[Thad]

Originally Posted by AtlantaBishop

Thad - I know MANY men that begged him - pleaded with him through great tears to not preach it - but he was determined that it was HIS LEGACY to preach it. It so saddens me - I weep every time I think about it. What an incredible loss - when I think of him - I think of that message about Satan's Trophy's.
I so want to be in the will of God. I want to be real. I want to be right. This month has been a month of intense personal inspection for me. I want to make it. I want to know God in a greater dimension than ever before. I am weeping day and night - every time I am in the pulpit - I am weeping. I preached in a major church tonight to hundreds of people and it was taped for TV and I could not hold back the tears - I wept and sobbed with compassion for people. I pray that I can get back to the old burden I carried that took me around the world preaching. I think the anointing was stronger on me tonight than in many years. I just want to make it - This thing with this Christian Garrett has really affected me. To think of a man that was so great in the Kingdom could preach this stuff - It absolutely sickened me until I had to turn it off - I could not take it. I weep for his soul. I weep for the family he has devastated. It is a horrible thing and more horrible than any of us can imagine. I just want to be saved and to see my family saved. Sorry for all the emotion tonight - I better go to bed - I am wet from sobbing at the computer.

AB, we are witnessing a shaking and it's from the Lord. I will say for the record, I don't believe it's isolated just to the Charismatics either. If we who are still in the UPC/Apostolic tradition are honest, we too are seeing things we've never witnessed before spiritually. Sometimes it is Frieghtening what is going on. I find myself asking "Lord, what in the world is going on? how long will things be as they are now? will the church be revived?".
just be thankful that you are still sensitive enough to weep in his presence and be broken before God. many have gone to a point where they fell no conviction whatsoever. that's a dangerous place to be.

I think a lot of people will be touched by your post tomorrow

[Coffee99]

Originally Posted by bcarolb

I can only say THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for sharing. You are right and right again. Every word. As I read your first comment and then this one that followed I felt your intensity. I felt the hurt and gammet of emotions. We have known for several months now and although it is not any more acceptable, you just begin to breathe easier. You know, without the crushing weight. Then one day it is not your first and seemingly only thought of the day and soon it is not your constant thought, until, you can go maybe 2 or 3 days at a time without thinking about it so much. What helps us is that Christian is truly repentant about the deception of the years. He apologizes everytime we talk. You have given me hope.

And, one day you will go to bed and realize you haven't though of it for a couple of months, and then you will find yourself saying, "I haven't thought about that in longer than I can remember." And that is a good place.

If it can help you, your daughter, your grandchildren, your family - then some good came from our situation. I wish these words could take away your pain right now, but I know they cannot. One day, you will pass your words from this experience to another who needs them.

In the meantime, spend time with God as He truly is a strong shelter. As a family, continue to do what you are doing - love each other dearly. Find something funny each day to have a good belly laugh - even if it is something silly. And it's ok to grieve about what is lost and what could have been if only... and it's ok to get mad about it. Just don't let yourself, your daughter or your grandchildren become bitter. I had to learn the hard way that bitterness was nothing more than me "drinking the poison hoping he would die." It, more than what your son-in-law did, does the most harm.

Give your grandchildren a hug for me - they don't need to know why. I will keep your family in my prayers.

[Coffee99]

Originally Posted by Thad

I stand corrected coffee you had the right to express what you did. Sorry to upset you. I guess everyone has a different perspective. in other words, everyone is not as candid about immediate family issues. the most important thing, you offered sister carol encouragment. that is to commended.

Thank you, Thad. And, I wasn't upset. This just happens to be a topic that brings forth a very strong emotion from within me. I learned long ago that I can't hide from it and I can't run from it. So hopefully it can be used to maybe help someone else.

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

Tarra if you are reading this thread we love you so much and your folks and I am so sorry things like this are discussed on a public forum. You are a wonderful person and I admire you very much. We often pray for you and the children. I do read Christian's blogs sometimes and weep for his soul. Blessings to you and the children. Your Friend : Sister Alvear

SISTER ALVEAR!!!! WHAT A BLESSING TO "HEAR YOUR VOICE". This is Sister Barber. Tarah will be so touched to know you took the time to send this to her and her babies. We do covet your prayers. There are so many tragedies and heartaches attached to this situation. We talk to Christian constantly, He and Tarah talk several times a week. He always does the calling. He has been trying so hard to reverse the damage he inflicted on his family during the last few years. He has decided his kids are better off if they don't see him too much. It is all very sad. Again, thank you. We love you folks dearly.

Originally Posted by Coffee99

And, one day you will go to bed and realize you haven't though of it for a couple of months, and then you will find yourself saying, "I haven't thought about that in longer than I can remember." And that is a good place.

If it can help you, your daughter, your grandchildren, your family - then some good came from our situation. I wish these words could take away your pain right now, but I know they cannot. One day, you will pass your words from this experience to another who needs them.

In the meantime, spend time with God as He truly is a strong shelter. As a family, continue to do what you are doing - love each other dearly. Find something funny each day to have a good belly laugh - even if it is something silly. And it's ok to grieve about what is lost and what could have been if only... and it's ok to get mad about it. Just don't let yourself, your daughter or your grandchildren become bitter. I had to learn the hard way that bitterness was nothing more than me "drinking the poison hoping he would die." It, more than what your son-in-law did, does the most harm.

Give your grandchildren a hug for me - they don't need to know why. I will keep your family in my prayers.

I want to holler in my loudest voice, THANK YOU. You are completely correct. So many people think they cannot be mad or grieve but this is a death situation. If you do not go through a grieving process then bitterness WILL spring up. So many just try to jump to the "I have to forgive them" stage and don't realize that some things are actually unforgivable acts. In cases where that is true, you have to let your loss lead you through a process of grieving that iwhen done correctly will lead you to a place in Jesus where you can put it under the Blood and move on...once again whole. To try to hurry up and forgive and forget is to set yourself up for later disaster. It helps if the person you need to forgive is repentant. Then the Grace of God has control and can work effectively. Chistian, although I do not agree with any of his new doctrine (and believe me he knows this) has tried very hard to repent to all of us, especially Tarah, of course. It is ironic, when he was in our circles he was so mean and hard to tolerate. Now that he is "free from years of deception" he is much easier to talk to because his defenses are down and his demeanor is a lot easier to deal with. Maybe that is the Grace of God working in me to be there if Christian ever gets a chance to be restored. I don't know.. it is too hard to figure it all out but don't we grasp??? I do know this, God is faithful and he has promised to be a father to the fatherless. We stand on His promises everyday and it has been an enormous blessing to hear from you and know we can survive. God is no respecter of persons and he brought your family through, he'll bring ours through as well. Thanks for the renewed hope.

Originally Posted by Joseph Miller

Well, he claims he is makeing a movie. That is very scary because hollywood never makes up us look good.

the movie he is referring to is by a friend of his that is not a big Hollywood movie mogul. I think it will be more like a documentary that will be largely circulated through the gay community to encourage them to not kill themselves just because they have been rejected by their families and churches and old friends. That they can find him and his friends and find love and don't have to end it all. And he will of course, share with them the love of Jesus as he now sees it. I am sure there will be some bashing of the religious world because there is not a religion that accepts homosexuality unless it is a reformend one. We will see, if it ever happens of course. It may just be talk, who knows. And btw, we have never looked good to Hollywood and they certainly don't look good to us. Have you ever been to Hollywood? Talk about a lost city!!!! The very air in that city is suffocating.

[Steve Epley]

Originally Posted by AtlantaBishop

Carlton and I preached a Ministers Conference in Washington, DC about 3 years ago. I preached first to over 2000 Pastors, Bishops, Priests and the Power of God hit the place and many of them were filled with the Holy Ghost instantly as we preached and ministered the Word of God. Catholic Priest were shaking and weeping under the power of God. Lutherans, Presbyterians, Episcopals and many others were filled as the Power of God fell.

After my session - Carlton had a session and really went out of his way to commend me and say he had at one time - shared the same values and anointing that I have - but then started talking all that Universalism mess and that there is no hell and everyone is saved - He went on for about an hour - no amens, no response (though he tried to get some to respond) and over 1500 got up and walked out on him.

I asked him to meet with me and about 15 of the young preachers that are under our covering and he graciously consented. I told him in front of them that he had been a forerunner in opening up the TV ministry for many black preachers and those of us who minister in predominately black congregations. I applauded him for his past ministry of Higher Dimensions and the Asuza Conference. Then I asked him to share with our group for about 5 minutes if he could change anything in his life - what would he change. He said - I would not be so selfish and self-centered. I would be kinder to people and I would pray more and work less at becoming what people wanted me to be.
I felt his soul and dropped on my knees and wept and begged him - as I write this tears are rolling down my face - I felt it was such a loss and I BEGGED him to recant this horrible doctrine of Inclusion. I pointed to these young men and said to him - Carlton - if you persuade ONE of them to go your way - you will be tormented forever and ever for the deception you have brought to people that trusted you. I said even if you believe this - I BEG of you - Do not preach it. I pleaded with great tears in front of my young men please Carlton - for your sake, for the sake of your family, for the sake of these young men, for the sake of the Kingdom - do not do this. He said - Thank you - but no thank you - I must live this life and preach this doctrine.

I turned and said to my men - I have never said this about anyone in my life - but don't ever forget - you have just seen a man - turned over to a reprobate mind. He had the real, genuine, Power of the Holy Ghost and he got into showmanship and entertainment and he lost out with God.

It so saddens me - it grieves me - He was great at one time - He blessed a lot of people - but now he is a reprobate.

This may shock folks but at one time I thought Carlton was sincere. He used to preach and stay at Dad's house before and after he got married. So I had more than one occasion to visit with him on a personal level. We discussed doctrine. He showed me the greatest respect. My Dad really like him. Later Dad told me that Carlton was really saying some strange stuff.

Originally Posted by Thad

she's writing a book about all of this ??

Yes she is. My daughters both work in the Gifts of the Spirit and have had quite a life. They both have so much to tell it is hard to narrow it down. I am anxious to read it and I know it will help others.

Originally Posted by Steve Epley

This may shock folks but at one time I thought Carlton was sincere. He used to preach and stay at Dad's house before and after he got married. So I had more than one occasion to visit with him on a personal level. We discussed doctrine. He showed me the greatest respect. My Dad really like him. Later Dad told me that Carlton was really saying some strange stuff.

Well, of course he was and still is sincere. People all the time are sincere, just sincerely wrong. Sincerity and intensity of heart are great qualities to have but they don't make us correct. There is only one standard for that..The Word of God (RIGHTLY DIVIDED!!!!). People's sincerity is the tool that is often the reason they can reach so many people and get them to change their lives. Jim Jones was sincere. Malcolm X, Hitler....on and on...they were simply sincerely wrong!! Should this be a new thread? =]