The following message was sent by one of our customers in Nigeria:

Dear Friends,

On 10th Sept around 10 pm we set off from Abuja to LKagos with the popular Night bus. I had an appointment in Lagos the following money. I went for the first Project management conference in Abuja where I took an exhibition stand to sell my books. These days everty opportunity to sell matters in order to pay our mounting bills to our publishers who we represent.

After 2 hours, the bus broke down at around 12 midnight. We were about 20 mins away from Lokoja. This area was bush and forest! after working on the bus for about 20 mins, the announcement came that we should all get down and hike a ride with any other bus that comes around. 2 busses came and of course people rushed them. I could not be carried because of my luggage. Now, with the benefit of hind sight I should have requested to pay for the load!

About 10 of us were left. Another Ekeson bus came around loaded with pasengers for Onitsha. The driver opted to help his stranded colleague. For about 15 mins they were trying to fix the car when all of a sudden we heard gun shots and we left our luggage and ran into the forest.

The aremed robbers pursued us into the forest and we just kept running until I found a"safe place under a thick coverin of bush and decided to lie down motionless.

After 15 mins, the armed robbers came. I could see them but they could not see me. Aparently because of the bush and maybe God answered my prayers to blind their eyes! I heard them say " they are all gone, captain let us go back to the road". I remained in the forest till 6am when it was daylight and came out to the road. I was met with 4 others.

That was how God delivered us.

Lesson:

1. NEVER travel late. The roads are bad, visibility poor and armed bandits are all over.

2. Plan your journey well ahead of time. No matter the appointment always take safety first.

3. When in Danger dont panic but depend on Gods ability to save and deliver.

 
I will be doing a thanksgiving last sunday of september in my church. Please join me to thank God for deliverance.

Tony Akpokene

submitted by Christian Hollenkamp.

My name is Christian Hollenkamp. I am a 35 year old resident of Carlyle, IL. I love to wear your t-shirts. It is great to see people take that "second glance". I am starting to wear them at work. At first, I was hesitant; not because I was afraid of consequences (we promote a christian environment), but because I work in a pretty dirty job. I am starting to wear them anyway, because it lets people know that they are dealing with a christian. If you are an atheist, you still like dealing with someone with a christian attitude. It also doubles the amount of people that I expose to Jesus. Even if it is only a glimpse at a t-shirt, people get exposed. That's what it is all about anyway, right? I look forward to adding more shirts to my collection. Thank you all for not being afraid to stand up for what we believe in. It helps empower me to do the same. God bless you all.

submitted by Vito Sawtell

 

Here around Kerusso headquarters there was a great ice storm that came upon us on the 26th of Jan. 1"-3" of ice - but even more than that in devastation. Pretty much closed us down for a week. Some of my co-workers still do not have electricity. I myself went for 6 days without. God can get your attention whenever He wants. Your priorities can be changed in a heartbeat. I picked the Reborn T-shirt because it refers to the real Resource, an eternal one, one that never runs out. When you are sitting in your living room with no heat, under blankets, no radio, no TV doing nothing but listening to a battery powered clock tick – it is easy to give attention to God. What did it take for Him to get it? What does it take for you in your everyday life? [With electricity and everyday luxuries.] One thought as I sat there, was about the word resource. Electricity was the resource that was no more. My family depended on it. Why would anyone build or be content to have an electric only house?? Could no one predict any problems with this set up?? Some may think they are fine – they have a generator. But as I found out – that resource also fails. Would you invest in a bank that you knew would lose money and deplete what you put in?? What are you investing in here on earth? How about it, what are your true resources on earth? Do you only turn to God when your resources are out? Are you wasting time that you should be growing Spritually with your Lord?? Are you putting off serving? Giving your best for an Eternal cause?? Do you show that an Eternal Source - Lights up your life? I can tell you from recent experience. That light will draw people and attention. They may not have known but now they know they want it!

submitted by Rusty Dycus, Vice President of Sales

 

If you can’t say Something Nice…. 

 

Why are some people more successful than others?  Why do some people make more money, live happier lives and accomplish much more in the same number of years than the majority of others?  Why are some people successful at witnessing to others or sharing their faith when others are not? 

 

I have spent a lot of time reading books and articles on these questions.  I have listened to sermons and ministers on similar topics.    Most of my best conclusions have come from watching these people as they live.  I listen to what they say and how they say it.  Here is what I have come up with so far…

 

Everything YOU say has an impact on someone!  Really think on this for awhile.

 

So – If EVERYTHING you say will impact someone else… why not make that impact for good?  Why not plant a seed that might inspire someone to do something good, change the world, or who knows what other great things might come from what you say.

 

If you truly have a heart to help other people… consider the words that you speak!  Make a difference!

 

This shirt is a great reminder to everyone, to speak good things… be a world changer by speaking good things instead of “cruel things”

submitted by Vito

Often it seems to me in today's world people are isolated unto themselves & by their choice. We don't disturb a persons 'private bubble' space.   We don't know if a person is talking to us, speaking into their bluetooth or singing to their Ipod.  That makes it all the more important that today people know where you are tuned.  I was just reading in the book of Daniel, where it was made law that  if anyone asks a favor of God or man – except from the King –shall be thrown to the lions. This was set up by the enemies of Daniel.  Why?  Because everyone knew, and it was no secret that Daniel worshipped his God, prayed with his windows open. [Daniel 6:10] 

How and when do you pray? Do you shy at being seen or heard praying?  Don't be afraid to let people see your focus.  Let the joy and music, that Jesus puts in your heart, out for the world to see. What do people hear from you?  Psalm 147:1 "We give praise to You, Lord!  For it is good to sing praises to You, our God, Because praise is pleasant and beautiful."

 

Praise Report from Kyle Sweatman - Kerusso Sales Representative

Romans 8:28

We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.

The Lord has kept this verse at the forefront of my mind this week. This verse can change your perspective because if you love God, you know that no matter how bad a situation you are in, that specific hardship is for the good of you. I don’t know about you, but I love the Lord and this verse is very exciting to me. 

I recently took a trip out of state and out of my comfort zone. This last week I flew to Gatlinburg, TN. When I landed the only thing that the rental car company had was a CARGO VAN! As I was driving this HUGE cargo van (that did not have windows on the side) through Gatlinburg, I wondered, how is God going to work this out for good? When I returned the van, the manager that I dropped off the van with apologized and let me know that he was NOT GOING to charge me a dime for my time with the van. PRAISE GOD!

God chose to bless me by reveal to me one way that he worked this situation out for the good in my life. If you believe the Word of God, then please know that even if you do not see the Lord work a situation out for the good, He still is! It is great that the Lord Divinely Intervenes in our life’s for our Good! It is a Divine Intervention.

 

Posted by Vito (Kerusso sales representative)

Indeed, let me tell you, to Pick Jesus is great --- But do you make music with Jesus?  Do you 'perform' together?  Do people hear anything, do they come to listen?

Is it enough to just have a guitar pick?  Do you not need to develop the skills to use that pick?  Do you just carry Jesus in your pocket?    

What good are you to others?  Do you invest, practice, work at skills to improve?  Learn to play – make music.  How often and how hard do you try?  Or do you just expect your 'playing skills' to come naturally or as a gift?  Do musicians do it that way?  When called to the stage to perform, have they not spent countless hours of work practicing alone & concentrated on their guitar?  Will that show?  
   

The more you invest, the better you get – the better music you get – the better music you make. People like and are attracted to music. Get good with God.  He will Bless you and it will show.

A Tee-Devotional from Vito (Kerusso Sales Representative)
 
--What you care about - - Who you love   --  What you are invested in.  

What you spend your time & money on.    If you think, there are signs, and it really is obvious to the looker.

Like eating out --   "Check Please!"  [Reality check for you]  Just what did you order?  Like at a restaurant – but for your life----

What have you bought?  What have you spent your time and money on? Just what have you invested in?  Godly pursuits or worldly ? Where you are invested in makes a Big difference.  Let me tell you.  The banks, real estate, the stock market?? Is alone time with God & His Word – devotions even on the list?  How much of your time spent talking do you spend speaking of God?  

It shows to the world what you are interested in – like a tattoo on your upper arm in a muscle tee. Like with a bank, where you invest, it will grow and be your greatest resource.  If you don't put $ in the bank you will nave none to withdraw!  

Let me tell you from experience-  what you invest in God, here & now, the returns on that are not doubled or tripled but 100 x 100 fold.  That is here on earth – not even counting heaven. I dare you – test this theory.  Invest in God & proudly show it.  See what happens.