FROM BRO. CLOUD’S MAILBOX

Distributed by Way of Life Literature’s Fundamental Baptist Information Service. Copyright 2001.

These articles cannot be stored on BBS or Internet sites or sold or placed by themselves or with other material in any electronic format for sale, but may be distributed for free by e-mail or by print. They must be left intact and nothing removed or changed, including these informational headers. This is a listing for Fundamental Baptists and other fundamentalist, Bible-believing Christians. Our goal in this particular aspect of our ministry is not devotional but is TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO ASSIST PREACHERS IN THE PROTECTION OF THE CHURCHES IN THIS APOSTATE HOUR.

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Some of these articles are from O Timothy magazine. David W. Cloud, Editor. O Timothy is a monthly magazine in its 18th year of publication. Subscription is $20/yr. Way of Life publishes many helpful books. The catalog is located at the web site: http://www.wayoflife.org/.

Way of Life Literature,
P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061–0368.
1-866-295-4143 (toll free: USA & Canada),
519-652-2619 (voice), fbns@wayoflife.org (email)

January 15, 2008 (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

“Your materials have been an invaluable help to me as a pastor on issues that I could not adequately study on my own. I thank you for such a ministry as yours.”

“The impression I get when I read your articles is usually conviction that maybe I need to adjust an area in my life to conform more to the way God would have me to live. I take what you say as from a genuine heart of love of one of God's servants to another---as iron sharpening iron. I don't get the idea that you are coming from a position of any kind of self-proclaimed "perfection" or anything of the kind. I have come to value what you have to say, and I know I don't meet up in practice to everything you teach. We are all miserable sinners, as you put it, and far from perfect---certainly in need God's grace and mercy.”

“Thank you for the wealth of information made available on your website and through FBIS. It is priceless. I can search it whenever I have a question about something and sometimes just when I have a question about something, it will be the topic of an FBIS article.”

“God bless you for writing this information about Charity Ministries. I needed to know the truth about them. I always thought they were sooooo right and godly and have no wrongs, but after I went to the web-site that you listed it really showed me that they are very similar to a cult and would no longer be a group that I would long to join. Thank you and may God bless and your ministry.”

“I want to say thanks again for your e-mails, I look at them every day. I appreciate all the research you do for our benefit, to be informed of what is going on in this world, and things that the average man/woman would never know because they (trends etc.) creep in so subtly. We would be less equipped to deal with the world, from a solid foundation (God's pure Word), in these times if there was no one out there letting us know what was going on in this apostate world. God said there would be a great falling away, I believe his word is the truth and I want to be informed Biblically and in the state of the world, and what is truly going on from a Biblical perspective, so that I can, with God's help, stay on the narrow path. Without the calls from God's people to warn us, I am afraid we could slip off the path into doctrines that sound pretty good but are not Biblically sound.”

“I certainly appreciate your articles and the stand you take upon the Word of God.”

“This southern gospel music that has been a form of entertainment is no different than any type of secular music. It is more dangerous, I would say, since people think it has a ‘Christian’ label. I grew up in the south and have heard these gospel groups all of my life. I have heard stories of how some of these people lived. One guy told me he got out of it because of the wicked lifestyle of the guys in some of the groups he traveled with. I have witnessed smoking, drinking, drugs, and other wicked worldly acts in all types of so called Christian music. Think you, Brother Cloud, for telling the truth.”

“I am eighteen years old, and I just wanted to write and let you know how much your ministry has blessed our family. We have a copy of your book ‘Contemporary Christian Music Under the Spotlight’ and it has been such a big help to our family. I appreciate all the years of research that you put into it, and for the way it is so loving and gentle, not harsh and critical. Thank you for much for your willingness to stand in the gap (Ezekiel 22:30). You are making a difference in our culture.”

“I almost fell for it [Calvinism]. Freshly saved a little over a year, and a person who has always prided himself on rational, logical thought, I was easy prey for Calvinism and the arguments for the NASB and other modern versions (particularly the ESV). Fortunately, I had someone in my church who blessed me abundantly with many of Way of Life's materials, and the Lord used them to put me back on track by showing me the truth according to Scripture. I now have a much better understanding of the corruptness of the Critical Text and everything associated with the modern versions.  I also see the error in Calvinism, and have repented to the Lord for that. I understand that you are a busy man, and I do not expect a response.  I just wanted you to know that the Lord is using your ministry to bear fruit in people's lives, by standing uncompromisingly for the truth in this age of great error and apostasy. It is impossible to quantify how important that is. My hope and prayer is that the Lord continues to bless your ministry.”

“I thank you very much for your ministry. It is a blessing to be able to know that there is still objective truth to be told and defended. I have purchased other materials from the Advanced Bible study series, as well as the Encyclopedia and dictionary. These items have been a tremendous blessing, both personally and in my Sunday school teaching.”

“GREAT piece of writing [‘More Country Music Trash’]! Very well examined and explained. I have long told my wife and sons that Country music was perhaps more dangerous than all the open and blatant Rock and devil worshipping stuff because of this layer of supposed God and country lyrics. It promotes and glorifies an uneducated backward ‘simple’ lifestyle and you are right on the money when you discuss the acceptance of it by so many ‘country church Christians.’ I tried to bring this up when I spoke with folks that attended a country church when we lived in North Florida, but let me tell you, that was like hitting them in the toe with a hammer. That stuff is engrained in their lives and they will NOT give it up. I do NOT understand how they either CANnot or WILL not see it for what it really is!”

Great truthful, well written article!”

“You and your site have been a great blessing to me and for the glory of the Lord. A great witnessing tool. May God bless you so much for taking and standing on His Holy Word. I could say so much more although at this moment I am at a loss for words.”

“I can't thank you enough for the article you have posted on the Web regarding No Greater Joy Ministries. I was wooed by the Pearl's teachings about 5 years ago by a dear friend.  After reading several of their books and implementing their teachings God told my heart that I had been deceived by legalism. I realized I had become an angry mother (person) for the first time in my life. I had a placed a yoke on myself and my children that we could not bear. Perfection was the goal. Thank you Lord for speaking to my heart. I stopped reading their books but kept them on the shelf. ... I agree with you completely that homeschooling families (we are) have come to worship the Pearl's and that the Pearl's do almost nothing to prevent this. I see women worshiping Michael and just longing for their husband's to be more like him. This is horrible and devastating to men and their families. ... I have bookmarked your commentary on the Pearl's so that I can share this with families so they may know the truth and stop being deceived. I have made my opinion known for about 3 years now and it causes quite a commotion. I do it with love, but deception runs deep. Your commentary put into words everything and more that I've thought for years. Again, THANK YOU.”

“What CT* did is shameful! I, as a pastor of a small Ind. Baptist church in NH, greatly appreciate your articles. I applaud your research, investment of time, and your sincere desire to warn the Lord's churches who willingly subscribe to your O Timothy Magazine, Mailing List, and purchase your books. I print your Friday Church News and put it on the back table most Sundays, and our church members go back and read the articles and appreciate the warnings and exposure of individuals, books, philosophies that are currently influencing them. I appreciate your work, and admonish you to keep it up! Thank you!” [* He is referring to the Christianity Today article in August 2007 that took a cheap potshot at Way of Life Literature.]

“Praise the Lord, Brother Cloud! I believe I will preach a series of messages entitled ‘Christianity Today’ about the state of so-called ‘Christians’ in this age. God bless and keep barking!”

“Thank you so very much for this informative and warning article. I did not know the complete history of the New Evangelical Movement, but have long ago written off Christianity Today because of their liberal bias. This e-mail is much appreciated as is your web site. As seekers of Biblical truth, my husband and I are thankful to have access to FBIS News Service. May God continue to grant you wisdom and discernment in these last days.”

“I don’t read Christianity Today so I was unaware of the article but I think it is great that your ministry was targeted by such an apostate publication. It means that your ministry is having an effect.  A former employer of mine, who came under much criticism in his time used to say, ‘Nobody shoots at a dead duck.’ May the Lord continue to guide you and to bless your ministry.”

“Brother Cloud, I would like to start by thanking you for the article you published titled ‘Strange History of Pentecostalism.’ We attended Jimmy Swaggart’s church for several years and coming across your article ‘Strange History of Pentecostalism’ really opened our eyes to the deception that is involved with this movement. We have broken away from this demonic movement and are really growing in the Lord by leaps and bounds. Thank you for your faithfulness. We also enjoyed your new book on Pentecostalism.”

“Just writing to say how much I appreciate your ministry. I think your web site is a wealth of valuable information, a place to go to often and stay long. In these last days it seems like bold voices like yours are few; may God raise up more! I am a 28 year old missionary, so I guess that would put me in the ‘young fundamentalist’ crowd. It seems that there are frighteningly few Christians in my age group that are true separatist-fundamentalists like in previous generations. I hope that just means that the rapture is really close because I can't imagine what this world will be like in another 30 or 40 years! God bless.”

“I would like to voice, in some small way, my appreciation for what you do.  As a young college graduate working in Detroit, I heard many radio preachers during my commute.  I was distraught with the ever frequent, ‘A popular teacher on the radio teaches this false doctrine, whose name you would recognize if I told you.’ Withholding the name is like saying, ‘You're a sinner on your way to hell, but God made a way so you could be saved -- a way you'd follow if I told you.’  Your ministry has been a blessing to me, and especially your willingness to name the names. Thank you for serving the Lord in the way that is most helpful and most loving for those who encounter the winds of doctrine in our lives.”

“The untold hours of research you do, so that we who only want to live according to Biblical principles, is greatly appreciated.”

“How I thank the Lord for preachers who are not afraid to deliver the bad news along with the good!! Thank you, Bro. Cloud, for your faithfulness to God's Word, which cannot lie. Keep sounding the warning. Some, like me, will finally wake up and hear and be corrected and then rejoice that the Lord did not spare his rod. To God be the glory!”

“Praise God that CT feels that you are important enough for them to write such a long defaming article about you!  I for one would like to thank you for being such a faithful watchdog for the Truth. I pray daily for these men because the Truth stands on its own, and the final judgment is going to be horrible for these men if they do not get right with the Word.  ...  No wonder the New Evangelical churches are so large. These men are living 1 John 4:5, ‘They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.’ And it is no surprise that you antagonize them because you constantly and biblically point out their error. Yes, Fundamental Baptist churches tend to be smaller. I left a 1000 member, rapidly-growing New Evangelical Church, to attend a 110 member Fundamental Baptist church.  ... The attack on saints like you who stand firm on Biblical doctrine is really a counter attack and a defense of the lukewarm, Laodicean New Evangelical position. ... I enjoy hearing you speak and reading your writing.  I particularly enjoyed your response to Christianity Today because is so honest and to the point.”

“I am writing to Christianity Today re their slanderous article on Way of Life Literature.  I just want to say again how grateful I am for your ministry which has helped to make God's truths clear to me, given me a greater zeal for studying  His Word, and has helped me to understand what is happening today within our churches as a result of the New Evangelicalism. I have found your books and those which you have recommended to be extremely helpful in my walk with God.”

“Thank YOU for all the HELP in my Spiritual Growth.”

“Until two years ago, I was happily involved with an international para-church organisation, distributing copies of the NIV to all and sundry. Then I began reading some of Bro Cloud's articles on Way of Life website! My, was I astounded! Keeping matters brief, I came to a decision -- I must resign from the said organisation on the grounds that the distribution of Scripture other than the K J Authorised Version was unacceptable and a compromise. Well now, that brought forth a tirade, I can tell you -- from local branch, national and international levels! I suffered some name-calling too!”

“I greatly appreciate your ministry and have been blessed by your sermons available on-line. ... I purchased your Encyclopedia of the Bible and Christianity and continue to be blessed each time I open and read its contents. I thank you for your time and effort in providing a lot of important, sometimes hard to obtain information and presenting it to Christians in a well organized and easy to understand manner. I ordered your video on the History of the English Bible several weeks ago, and have been blessed by your presentation.”

“I really appreciate your ministry and how you have taught and encouraged me in God’s Word. The Lord has used you greatly in my life and in many others that I know. I am a subscriber to the FBIS and have also been blessed by your books. Most importantly, you have instructed me and strengthened my faith in God’s Word. May the Lord bless you and your staff greatly.”

“The Way of Life Encyclopedia is an in important, highly valued resource of information and growth for me.”

“I am VERY grateful for the website being back up and running. I thoroughly enjoyed the articles re. ‘A New Kind of Christian’ and the book offered by Dr. Sorenson about moral failures. We now more than ever need the power of God upon our lives and I believe your warnings will help in keeping us out of the world and the world out of the church.”

“I just want to thank you for your article on eternal security. It's one of the best I've come across in explaining everything with all scripture for proof.  My husband and I are born again, true believers in Christ. We have long known that faith without works is dead and have been studying this in detail. His parents (divorced) both claim to be saved and say that we don't have to worry about them but they have shown no works through their entire lives. No evidence of living in Christ, sadly. I know that their destination after this Life is Hell if they do not turn from their sin and live for Christ. Anyway I just had to write to tell you what a blessing it has been this morning to read and go through your writings on eternal security. I pray the Lord continues to bless you in your writings and sharing of the gospel.”

“I’ve been ordering and giving away many copies of ‘Repentance and Soul Winning.’ May God richly bless you for publishing this book. I have personally seen much fruit from it. I'm convinced that this book is one of the most important books published in the last 50 years, because the heresy it addresses is so widespread and destructive.”

“My first contact with the Bro. Cloud and the Way of Life Literature ministry was while attending a church in California. The preaching was absolutely challenging and even a sponge would have a hard time soaking up all of the info, details, and Scriptures given.”

“Hello, I just wanted to send a note to thank you for your article ‘7 Keys To Fruitful Church Membership.’ I felt that the article helped me very much at this particular time. May the Lord bless you more as you continue in your ministry.”

“I first would like to say that you and your ministry have been and continues to be a true blessing in mine and my wife’s life. I thank the Lord every day that there are still men like yourself that contend for the faith and share bring the truth to those that will hear. ... I also want to thank you for making so many of your sermons available on SermonAudio. Since I am restricted to total bed rest, 24/7, during this period, neither I nor my wife (who stays home to help with my needs) are able to attend services at our church. Your sermons have been a blessing to both of us. Your ministry is continually in our prayers.”

“Our people and others really enjoy the O Timothy. My mother-in-law’s views on Joel Olsteen, music, etc., have been ‘corrected. Thank you!”

“I admire and respect this guy, and I get his daily newsletter, and go to his FBIS website for up to date information on the ‘issues of the day.’ Important to know THE TRUTH in this day and age. I highly recommend heeding this man's wisdom. I know he’s just a man, and he knows it too, but it is clear to me that God has CALLED him to this ministry AS A LIGHTHOUSE to Christians who seek to stay true to God's word and not ‘be tossed about with every wind of doctrine.’ Please, if you haven’t already, sign up for his daily newsletter. The articles are SO eye opening and heart challenging. ... what he predicts will happen to people caught up in the lies of satan in these days, is EXACTLY what is happening to people I know and millions of other professing christians. It’s uncanny. It’s bible prophecy fulfilled. God is using this guy in a big way.......with those who truly want to follow Christ, and not their OWN designer ‘christianity.’ Of course, because of his bold stand for Bible truth, he is also despised by many. I pray I never get to the point where I despise God’s truths, no matter WHO the messenger is.”

“Thank you for making your information and teachings that the Lord has blessed you with freely available to the public. Most people would make others pay for this in books etc. You have truly demonstrated the ‘freely given freely give’ principle. Thank you again for making your information readily available to anyone who wants it.”

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

“You sir, are an idiot and a Pharisee! Saw the junk you wrote about Billy Graham and others not being ‘Christian’ enough for you. Are you an idiot?  You might want to read these Bible quotes to get some perspective: ‘Judge not least you be judged yourself.’ ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.’ Most of all: ‘Get you behind me Satan!’ You are a self-righteous fool, acting like the Pharisees, and sitting in false judgement over others. May God have mercy on you.”

“I just ‘Googled’ your website and read comments posted about Chuck Swindoll. You sound righteous and more pure and holy than myself and certainly Chuck Swindoll!!! Maybe, just maybe you need to consider what ‘True Grace is all about’????  ... Your words are shameful brother!!!! ... Your comments are so discouraging and harmful and totally unwarranted.  ... Let him go, and focus on YOUR life only and encouraging others. YOU have already brought division in the Body of the Lord. Do you consider that maybe you should repent? I sign this email off, as shocked by your writings. There is nothing in them that reflect Christ character too me. Maybe you see yourself as one high and mighty one that certainly knows more than Chuck and Len and of course is a Holy warrior!!! I just wonder how many crowns you gain or lose with the warnings you have given against a brother??? Wow!!!”

“Your right about one thing sir. We should study our bibles more, this way people won't be bombarded with heresis like your web page. P.S. Your greek is terrible just like your theology.”

“I am deeply saddened by your incredibly narrow view of life and outright hatred of people trying to make sense of God in the world we find ourselves in in 2007 - as expressed in your review of the above book [A New Kind of Christian by Brian McClaren].”

“It's good to know that people like you have remained blameless and free from sin since the day of your salvation. Or is it since you have become a minister? Maybe more people should become ministers. Then they can be like you and NEVER stumble in their walk with Christ. You should publish a book on reaching spiritual perfection for the rest of us to come up to your standing.”

“I read your 2005 critique of John Eldredge and his ministry teachings. With all due respect I think you have made the mistake of throwing the baby out with the bath water by trying to be too literal and legalistic in your interpretation. This was the mistake the Pharisees and Sadducees made during Jesus' time, they completely missed what He was saying, and you have too. ... God is love and how we love is his standard of measure, not how much we know, can quote or expound on the Bible.”

“You are of course entitled to your own interpretation of the bible--but honestly, why do you have to cast stones. Don't be so sure of YOURSELVES-neither individually nor as a group. Remember the first shall be last and the last shall be first. We do not have the right to judge! Only God knows. ... Seek within-seek God. And if you are so concerned about false prophets-Pray so that God can rectify the change-You are not authorised. Can't you just be loving to all our brothers and sisters-Jesus loved and certainly prayed for everyone-We are all God's children-Are you absolutely sure that YOU are going to heaven? ... All any of us can do is trust in God's judgment-do our very best to have a pure heart and do no harm-to LOVE our brothers and sisters-His children! Spread love -not fear and hate. ... There is an essence of truth in peace and love. Deep in every man's heart-it sounds. Please do not spread fear and hate and judgment- Pray and send love.

Not by judging others.”

“You are a sad, sad man. I doubt your mind has ever been outside the box that ‘fundamental Baptist’ thought has built around you. ‘Father wounds’ are real. As are ‘Baptist wounds’. Psychologists are smarter than Baptists because they know how to listen. Not talk and argue out of spiritual insecurity. Listen.”

“After reading much of Dr. Ruckman’s material and then reading your material I have come to the conclusion that you are not qualified to clean Dr. Ruckman’s toilet. You are a liar and by your own confession, you are an egotistical blabbermouth that worships his own brain.”

“You may go around pointing fingers at this person and pointing fingers at that person but you need to stop your journalist bull and realize that you are a sinner also now. P.O.D's rymes seem to be very knowledgeable and faithfull and to live a musician life and not sin is a hard road so get a life and concentrate on your walk with god and help others instead playing the fingerpointing game.”

“I just read a portion of you review of John Elderidge and I must say that people like you and your cohorts do more damage than good to the Body of Christ. People like you spend their time destroying great man of God like John Elderidge in an effort to make themselves like good and the other person bad. Your efforts have the opposite affect. People like you look like the asses that they really are. Man like you are angry at the world because they have not achieved what men like Elderidge have. Shame on you and your kind.”

“Who gives you the right to judge anything that Dr Ruckman is doing? The whole article makes you out to be a hateful, self serving individual who has rejected everything about Christ and his TRUE word. And yes, that would be the King James Bible.”

“I do have to say that you are so scaly eyed and brainwashed that you wouldn't recognize Jesus if you was on the road with them back then ... I have nothing against the Individual Fundamentalist (just fundamentalists mind set]. Although they seem to be very closed minded and think our Lord is cold hearted like the majority of them are, and they are totally looking for a definate reward, without giving true love and appreciation for the gifts that are Heavenly Father made available for us. To me they show very little genuine love especially towards there fellow human beings only towards themselves and only the ones that agree with them. I find them paranoid with everybody that doesn't go along with there mis-interpretation of the Bible, there legalistic christians with a small c. Why don't you realize that if it wasn't for the RCC that they would not have the Bible as we have it.”

“You continue to attack a Man of God [Peter Ruckman] who frankly knows more about God's Word in his little finger than you know in all of your Books, tapes and Sermons. How sad you are to continue to spew you lies and hate and for what to make $$$$$$$$$$?  I will now begin to post your lies and distortions on my Webpage and many other Bible Believing Websites to expose you and your hate for Men of God who truly love the Word of God. You are a fool and a total disgrace to the Body of Christ and to all His Children who loves His Pure Word. How sad you people are who have nothing better to do with their lives than to try and make $$$$$ by slandering and lying about Bible Believing Christians. I tried before to reason with you but I see now your kind can not be reasoned with. Your god is the Almighty $$$$$$$ and you will be marked accordingly.”

A LITTLE FARTHER OUT

“FUNDY'S ARE MENTAL. I have a fundemental church completely destroy a family. You all idiots in KJVO beleifs man controlling any care to take me on come on I challenge you on any point. Lets up for the challenge lets go. YOU ALL ARE IDIOTS Stupid little robots for your churches. I can not beleive that a church would have a check off list to prove who is faithful and who is not. Care to respond Give it your best and I will fight you with the Word and beleive me I will win. Because you all are idiots.”

“The Bible is written in LETTER. It is written in Black and White. The Bible in Black and White is called the handwritten code or Covenant. The LETTER in Black and white covers the entire BIBLE and is the sealed Old Covenant to this day 2007. ... The  prophets were inspired to make utterances and were written in LETTER, but they did NOT have the REVELATION. The revelation was sealed from them. ... Are you cut off to be the bride of God? You can enter the Wedding chamber of New Covenant Bible Word by the help of the Holy Spirit teaching of the Bible in God’s knowledge and wisdom.”

“John Lennon was The Son of God.”

“I feel what you had to say about John Lennon was harsh and cruel. I believe you are looking and analyzing his lyrics and life too critically. If you step back and glance at them, you can see that he just wants us to rely on ourselves for happiness. Often times, religion causes people to not see that.  Religion causes separation between humans. It is unfortunate, but true. I think you need to reconsider your priorities in life sir or mam.”

Way of Life Literature. Copyright 1997-2001.
P.O. Box 610368, Port Huron, MI 48061–0368.
1-866-295-4143 (toll free: USA & Canada),
519-652-2619 (voice),
fbns@wayoflife.org (email)
http://www.wayoflife.org/(web site)

Canada: Bethel Baptist Church, 4212 Campbell St. N., London, Ont. N6P 1A6
1-866-295-4143 (toll free),
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