July 31, 2006 (David Cloud, Fundamental Baptist Information Service, P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061, 866-295-4143, fbns@wayoflife.org; for instructions about subscribing and unsubscribing or changing addresses, see the information paragraph at the end of the article) –

From time to time, I publish some of the goodies from my interesting mailbox, and many people have told me that they enjoy reading these things. Following are some items from the last couple of months:

THEY LIKE MY PREACHING

“Thank you Brother Cloud for contending for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints! I agree 100% in that we must obey the Word of God and make it our only standard in faith and practice. So sad that many today let the world determine what obedience to God truly is!  Way of Life Literature has been a blessing for my wife and I and we really enjoy your Friday Church News! God bless you Brother!”

“As a new Christian, I feel God is pointing me towards the best fundamentalist resources and teachers, and Brother Cloud is superb.  May God continue to bless your ministry!”

“I am writing to say thank you for your great points in your recent posting ‘SHOULD BIBLE BELIEVING CHURCHES REQUIRE ABSTINENCE FROM ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES?’ It was very helpful to me, and was the best presentation on the subject that I have seen. Your answers are biblical and solid and convincing. Having been misled by the modernist arguments for years, your argument brought me back to a firm biblical position on the subject. I thank God for your ministry.”

“Dear Bro. Cloud, I just wanted to write to say thank you for a few things; thank you for your online church directory. I used your directory to find a church and was saved shortly after I started to attend. I don't know where I would be otherwise. Secondly, thank you for your preaching. It has been a real blessing to me during my short Christian life, and also thank you for your website, which has helped me to find the truth on a lot of important issues. I will be keeping you in my prayers before God.”

“Hello. I am an associate pastor in Georgia and I just wanted to let you know that I truly appreciate the way God has used you to write so much wonderful FUNDAMENTAL and BIBLICALLY SOUND material. I love good teaching and preaching, and yours has been a help to me. Thanks for standing strong and earnestly contending for the faith in these last days.”

“This article was excellent [“Quick Prayerism or Bible Evangelism.”].  I go soul-winning several times a week and I want so much to do it the right way.  Over the last 4 years I have seen the error of this ‘quick prayerism’ and have repented of my shallow evangelism that I did before that. Through your articles and several other periodicals, God is helping me understand this better, however I still see this ‘monster’ want to surface from time to time in my ministry. God has used you to help me stay on the right path of Biblical evangelism.”

“I sure appreciate your comments concerning so-called ‘legalists.’ I recently shared with a gal at church on how I used to get uncomfortable around a gal in our old New Evangelical church who wore long dresses and long hair. I was taught that those types were legalistic. Of course, this eased my ‘uncomfortableness.’ Now I realize my ‘uncomfortableness’ was really conviction. Labeling such a one as legalistic eases ones conscious from conviction. Now, rather than adorning myself with  ‘so-called’ Christian t-shirts, WWJD jewelry and crosses to let others know I'm a Christian, I humbly adorn myself with long skirts and hair to honor my holy Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Through it, may the Lord bring conviction among others where He desires.”

“Dear Brother Cloud, I received your teaching tapes on the seven periods of church history.  It was an eye opener. It is sad to see how people can be so deceived by Satan and persecute true believers and put many to death and think they are doing the work of God. I might be wrong but I see history repeating itself in the near future. I’m thankful that I will be raptured away before that happens. Thank you for standing for the truth. I will keep you in my prayers.”

“Thank you for your masterful, scholarly and well researched sermons and teachings on the issue of music.  I have heard some teaching on music but never anything so thorough.  Thank you for your love and courage in this and all other matters.”

“Thanks for all the good stuff you send out. You help me half a dozen times a week.”

“Thank you so much for publishing ‘HELPFUL MUSIC RESOURCES’ and for all the beautiful music you recommended. They are such a blessing -- in an age of such ungodly ‘Christian’ music. Thank you again for all of your inspired articles and for allowing God to use you completely for His work. May He bless you accordingly.”

“I cannot thank you enough for the Fundamental Baptist Library CD. I have used it (in addition to my KJV) to fill in the large gaps in my own knowledge. I know that there are those that oppose the fundamental, scriptural viewpoint but everyone should own a copy to help with their study of God’s word. I have had the CD for two months now, and it is invaluable in my studies -- it is of immeasurable worth. Thank you for sharing your hard work.”

“Keep preaching, Brother Cloud! I am learning so much from your preaching DVDs... ammunition with which to contend for the faith!”

“Thanks for all the work you have done to point misguided believers to the truth of the contemporary music and how to discern which is right. You have been such a mighty warrior in this effort. How needed all this information has been. God bless you!”

“I always glean encouraging & applicable truths from your efforts dear brother, thank you for your faithful service to our LORD.”

“Thank you for this article. Me and my wife are in the process of leaving Adventism. Praise God for the security and freedom we found in Christ.”

“I read from Azusa to Pensacola and I just want to say thank you for exposing the Pentecostal movement for what it is. The reason that I know you are right is I am in it but will be getting out! If anyone ever puts you down for telling the truth about the apostasy in various churches just remember: you along with other faithful few have helped this Pentecostal preacher realize what I am really into! ... Thank you a million times over!”

“I just finished your book on New Evangelicalism. Thank you. It is greatly needed. When I was a young preacher, you couldn’t attend a preachers’ fellowship in central Indiana without hearing a strong sermon against neo-evangelicalism. Today, most of those fellowships are neo-evangelical. May God give your book a wide distribution.” (Dr. Phil Stringer)

“I have been meaning to write you for a very long time, but I want to tell you how much I appreciate O Timothy and the stand that is reflected in that excellent magazine.  I appreciate, in a special way, how the articles are not gossip-mills but are well documented articles.  The theological articles are also outstanding with unassailable biblical arguments.  I regularly encourage the members of my church to subscribe to this magazine.  I am grateful that God has raised up someone who had the insight and research skills to keep Baptist people informed as to their heritage and those great issues about which we must be well-studied.  Keep up the good work.  You have a friend in me, in my church, and in the seminary of which I am president.” (Dr. J. Michael Bates)

“Thank you for your courageous stand. I believe you are the one showing Catholics love by telling them the truth that will save them from eternity in hell. Keep up the good work!”

“I really enjoy Bro. Cloud's web site. It has taught me a lot and I am glad there are a few preachers who are not going for the new seeker sensitive, Rome compromising, consumer driven apostasy.”

“I thank God for your ministry. I found it at a time when I was being blown about by the winds of false doctrine, and was really unsure of what to believe. I was raised Pentecostal and when I grew up became a preacher and evangelist. Then I got some books and started seeing that the things I was preaching and teaching did not stand up under the scrutiny of God's Word. I am still being renewed in my mind, and God is using ministries like yours to help. Thank you for standing up in these apostate days and sounding the trumpet of God's infallible word.”

“I just wanted to say a huge thank you to you and to your ministry. ... I live in China and I spend hours reading your messages, database, reading your books and newsletters, etc. and you have caused me to continually seek the truth and go to the Word and have the truth revealed to me over and over again. I have only been saved 4 years....but oh how my life has changed and I am eager to follow the Lord and I want to acknowledge Him in all ways and you help me do that. I may be whacky to my ecumenical friends, but I know I have things right where it counts, with my Saviour. ... Due to your sound Biblical teachings and clear instruction, I am now in a wonderful, sound fellowship. I also feel I have grown so much in my walk and that too is in no small part due to your teachings and timely reminders to stand on the Word and to test and know what is true. I wanted you to know that through the Word of God I have learnt to study methodically as I follow your Bible studies and use my concordance and the KJV. “Things hard to be understood” is marvellous. I learn so much from your books. ... I can triumphantly report that a dear young girl in my workplace, after a year of prayer and my standing and gaining encouragement from your database etc and of giving of the Word ... praise God, she came to me 2 days ago and wept as she told me she accepted Christ as her personal Saviour and has repented of her sinfulness and her false worship in the catholic church. She is reborn, knows it and feels it and is a changed girl, wanting to share the truth and horrified at the catholic deception!! ... When she told me it was my integrity and unwavering commitment to the Word that made her question her faith and how I was the first person who ever suggested to her that catholics were in a false church and were not saved, I gave thanks to God and Rev. Cloud!”

“Just read: How to Avoid False Professions. You are so unique and refreshing! Honest Bible interpretation, No Agenda, Independent Thinking, No Worry About What Anyone May Think or Say..... What an example you are of what every honest student of the Bible should be! It is an honor to reap the benefits of your labor though the reading of your material. God Bless You and Your ministry!”

“How I thank the Lord that he led me to the FBIS News Service. When you want the gospel, and if you will humbly ask God to lead, he most definitely will. He drew me to listen to Bro. Cloud and for that I thank him daily. Bro. Cloud has been a blessing to my entire family. When a man teaches truth to your children, it is a great blessing.”

“Way of Life continues to be a source of great blessing to me and indeed to a small circle of friends who greatly appreciate the copy articles which I produce for their further prayerful consideration! In physical terms, there is a great distance between 'me and thee' but spiritually speaking, we are most definitely on the same 'wave-length'!! May our gracious Lord continue to use and support you in your special ministry on His behalf.”

“I want to thank you for your dedicated research, the wisdom you exercise, and the boldness you exhibit in the ministry God has given you. Your zeal is an encouragement to me!!!”

“Dear Bro Cloud, I appreciate your stand and courage.”

“With being in the charismatic movement for 10 years, I found your book on the Pentecostal-Charismatic Movement to explain things very well--it explains things right on target.  I was in the Vineyard movement and it was most helpful to have you explain about John Wimber’s false teachings and what you said about it is exactly what was taught and thankful for your clarity in refuting with scripture.”

“I've just read a couple of the articles you have on your web site. I am impressed by the fair mindedness and humility that stands out in them, and the many Bible verses you use to back up your comments. Thank you.”

“I am 28, pastoring my first church in Texas. I have been Independent Fundamental Baptist all my life and I have never found heard an IFB preacher make as much PRACTICAL sense as you have, on the church, bible, standards, Catholicism. Thanks, don’t quit.”

UNLESS I AM MISTAKEN, THESE DON’T LIKE MY PREACHING

“Your site is absolute trash!!!!”

“David, it is so good to see you guys taking a stand on issues today. What a brilliant divisive trick the enemy has done to use you and yours. I grew up in this phariseeism and I know you will take that as a compliment and feel like your being persecuted for the end times and all that garbage. I have watched as churches split over your incredibly arrogant view and it makes me sick to my stomach as I watched preachers burned at the stake for not siding with you.” [Note from Brother Cloud: This man, who claims to be a pastor, is possibly mentally ill, since he thinks he has witnessed preachers burned at the stake for not siding with me. There are some strange ones out there!]

“You people are insane, but entertaining.”

“Your webpage (http://www.wayoflife.org/fbns/melgibson-thepassionofthechrist/melgibsons-film.html) is full of hate. May God forgive you your sins. Gospa of Medjugorje came to rescue our world by a call to prayer, fasting and conversion. If you love Gospa you love Christ. May Chirst forgive you for your sins.”

“You are blindly on your way to hell! I pray you will turn from your evil ways and turn to the saving grace of Jesu Christ. You are typical of those who do not walk in the Spirit and set themselves up as judges for the rest of God's children who are not afraid to step out and walk in the Spirit of God.”

“David Cloud, on your opinion of POD. I ask you...is it better to try and convey a Christian message, which you think is done poorly, or not convey one at all. Who says that Christian music has to be on certain way? If anything, I would think your organization would praise them for try to reach out to kids that may not be exposed to Christianity. This is a new world...a new society and did you ever stop to think that maybe God is using this as another tool to reach kids? Fear. You live in a world of fear. Open your eyes, sir.”

“everything you have on your sham of a site is a bunch of judgeing and lies Cloud  I know your not going to heaven for sure cause your a false christan and I am going to expose you to EVERYONE.”

“If you are the individual who wrote this article, then you are an idiot.

“I just happened across this article. I couldn't stop laughing at your self-righteousness long enough to finish the article. ... Get over yourself.  Do some homework before you get so pious next time. ... You are being very silly.  Think before you write again. ... The purpose of the Commission is to Go and Reach and Seek. NOT repel by playing old, tired and boring music.”

“Being, you are a Fundamental Baptist, I see your problem with Chuck Swindoll. Your problem is self explanatory. YOU are a disgrace to the baptist faith. There is NO other doctrine that is more false, than, Fundamental Baptist. Your nothing more than a religious Club. ... I'll pray for your Club and the club members to be Enlightened. I'll pray your Club can come to know Christ as your Lord of Lords, King of Kings.”

“Wow! Talk about trying to bring someone down. This type of holier than thou attitude is the very reason why people turn their back on Christian beliefs and values. If you want to attack something or someone.........I'm sure you can find something much more evil than Bill Gaither. This was actually comical, thanks for giving me a laugh today.”

“Please look into what the Lord is truly doing through Christian Rock music. Take a step out of your self-righteous legalistic box and understand God's love and grace, please.   This article has reminded me why so many people look at Christians as self-righteous and judgemental people. Please take this article off your webpage.”

“Regarding your page on the ‘immorality of John Lennon,” you people are sick and stupid.”

“I read most of the comments posted on your web-site about contemporary Christian music. ... God touched my life through secular music as well as Christian music. What you write reminds me of the mentality that the Pharisees had during the time of Jesus' ministry, they would focus on all that could not be done and never on God's presence, on the other hand Jesus always focused on God's presence not on restrictions and new laws.”

“I stumbled across your website today and I was curious if this website is a parody or a satire, a caricature of fundamentalist evangelicals?  As I read the website I am amazed at the complete lack of charity and the intense, obscurely substantiated judgementalism.  For example, while I agree that infant baptism is not biblical...how can we go so far as to say it is heresy?  ... Are these serious accusations?  If this is serious I think that you guys have a major problem with the well spring of your life being pharisaical legalism, not the streams of living waters.”

A LITTLE FARTHER OUT

“I’m writing this e-mail to tell this guy off for writing a pointless article in 1999 on the retarted attempt to attack the death metal community. This artile made me furious. I listen to death metal, and have been for years and i have no impulse to spill the blood of the innocent, or burn down churches, or become a cannibal. I have written countless papers on metal and musical effects on others. The people who commit these vile acts dont do it because they are infulenced to do so because they listen to SATANIC music. ... You focus on the groups that ‘bash bibles’ and talk down about religion because it is our beliefs. We have ours you have yours so ********* up and take it ********* and stop complaining. This is our way of life and you ********** have been trying to kill it for decades.”

“You shall be destroyed for your own blindness. Your country and false religion (and sexual repression) shall perish and be replaced by a sacred sense that respects every one and not promote hate.”

“your a freak and i think you belong in hell.” [This was in response to my article about Dan Lucarini’s book “Why I Left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement: Confessions of a Former Worship Leader.”]

“Your article [‘How to Keep Your Kids out of the Trench Coat Mafia’] has inspired me to hate Christians! You’re an ignorant ---------, get over yourself.”

“Mr. Cloud, I was reading your article entitled THE CHARISMATIC MOVEMENT AND VISIONS OF MARY. When referring to the VISIONS OF MARY IN MEDJUGORJE, YUGOSLAVIA, why did you fail to mention that Lt. Scott O'Grady was shot down in his F-16 by Mt. Krizevac and he himself saw the Virgin Mother during his ordeal? ... remember there is two stairways leading to heaven and the one that is held by the Mother of God is much shorter. Go to Mary with your problems, she will intercede to the Father for you.”