FMH Children’s Club International –– A Company Of Prophets –– P.O. Box 640109 El Paso, TX 79904

The following letter-form was brought about as a means of teaching my children the Word of God through the mail. And of course, quite naturally so, that’s the reason I begin these letters with "Dear Children" and end them with "Love Dad". So for the rest of you who participate in these weekly messages, please keep their original intended purpose in mind.

27 July, 2003

Dear Children,

Boy, is it ever good to be back writing again; thank you Jesus for allowing me to speak! And would you even care to guess what I've been doing since our last sermonet of 5/5/02 - Is Jimmy Swaggart's Wife Frances Really Uncovered? Well would you believe me if I told you that I've been hanging out with the homeless? I mean it was on my return to El Paso, Texas, after having delivered that very outspoken message to the Swaggarts in Baton Rouge, Louisianna, that I actually found myself locked out of my apartment... permanently! What a wild and crazy trip this has been!

Now I fully realize that for most "normal folks" the realities of "living the life of a prophet" are pretty hard to come to grips with... but the fact of the matter is that what I'm about to tell you is nothing but the truth, the whole truth, so help me God. And of course the bottom line reason that I've experienced this very uncomfortable lifestyle is because of my obedience to the Father. In fact this thing about having to become "homeless for Jesus" was actually given to me during the adventures of our 3/10/02 sermonet entitled The Journey Of Fear! It was way back then that the Lord put me to the test to see if I was really willing to do it for Him, and to tell you the truth, my spirit was willing but my flesh was scared spitless! However, it wasn't until the 20th of May, 2002, that I finally found myself with no place to call "home".

So just how in the world do we start-off this long awaited sermonet? Well what do you say we first give it a title: "Pastor Charles Nieman's 'Abundant Living Faith' Is Dead!" Because, as you are about to see in this message, Father God is not at all pleased with the gospel that Pastor Nieman preaches at his "Abundant Living Faith Center" here in El Paso, Texas. I mean what the Almighty has to say about this "mega church" pastor will really blow you away!

However, before we get to God's chosen "issues with Pastor Nieman" we're gonna first of all fill in a few of the missing pieces concerning my fourteen (14) month absence from sermonet writing. In fact this sermonet is going to be the kick-off for "bringing to light" the "darkness" that I've been allowed to witness during my very long and lonely "homeless journey". In other words there's gonna be quite a few folks, who associate themselves with the homeless and likewise call themselves Christians, that are going to be exposed for not living up to the name they profess; the name of Jesus Christ.

But anyway, what do you say we go back to the time when I had a place that I called home - back to March of 2001 when the Good Lord told me to pay my apartment rent (5) months in advance...and He even told me to pay it with a cashier's check from the Bank Of America. That was what my Heavenly Father told me to do, and, believe you me, I didn't even have the foggiest idea as to why He was telling me to do it. I mean after all, March of 2001 was my two year anniversary without work... after having been fired from the Toro Company for exposing corruption within the company by speaking what "thus saith the Lord" to the "Christ professing" CEO of Toro, Mr. Ken Melrose (see sermonet Snakes in the Corporate Woodpile!). In fact seeing how we're on the subject of "those who call themselves Christian but really aren't willing to give their life for the Name of Jesus", please feel free to add Mr. Ken Melrose's name to that very long list!

So, getting back to my story, it was March of 2001, when I had no job and very little money, that the Lord told me to pay my apartment rent five (5) months in advance... and just do it even though it didn't make a whole lot of sense. That's what He told me to do and that's exactly what I did! And then it was March of 2002, when my apartment rent was due and I didn't have the money to pay it, that the Lord brought back to my memory what I had done one year earlier. Because you see the way the Lord explained it to me is that as a Christian everything that I own belongs to the Father, which even includes the rent money that I advanced the "Christ professing" owner of the Hercules Apartments, Mr. Lawrence (Larry) Boone of R & L Investments, 1700 Hawthorne Street, El Paso, TX 79902 (915-533-9108). And seeing how the Lord entrusted the "Christ professing" Mr. Boone with His money for five (5) whole months it was now time for Mr. Boone to trust the Lord for five (5) whole months concerning my rent. In fact when you get right down to it, even though I didn't understand it at the time, I was actually instructed by the Lord to move into the Hercules Apartments some fifty (50) months earlier (Janurary of 1997) just so that I could have the very pleasant (?) experience of putting Mr. Boone to "God's Divine Test". What a wild and crazy journey this has been!

And just how do you think Mr. Boone did on his "test of Christianity"? Would you believe he failed it miserably, with a big fat zero, and even though the test had only one simple question: "Should a Christian act as a Christian when it comes to his personal business; should a Christian ask God what to do in all his business decisions?" So having said that, would anyone care to guess the present-day status of Mr. Larry Boone? Well if you guessed that he's a "backslidden Christian slidding down the slippery slope into Hell" then you guessed right. Because you see it was my "God-called mission as prophet" to put Mr. Larry Boone to the test - to see if he could live up to what the Lord demanded of him - but he failed! And boy oh boy did he fail!!!

So now that you have the final results of Mr. Boone's pop quiz, please allow me to give you just a few more of the details of what I had to go through in order to give him that test:

March 21, 2002-
This was the appointed day that I was to make my first phone call to Mr. Boone explaining my situation of "no money for the rent". I was already twenty-one (21) days late, and to be honest with you, this thing about No Job, No Money, But God Will Provide! was driving me out of my mind. However, I knew that what I was "going through" was what I had to "endure" because that was what the Father had called me to do. So I made the call to Mr. Boone, introduced myself as a Christian, gave him a few details of the FMHCCI ministry, and then explained why I had paid the rent five (5) months in advance one year earlier; the Lord told me to do it so that he could be tested. Mr. Boone then preceded to tell me, in a grand and glorious sort of way, how he was not only a deacon in his full gospel church but also an elder. I was greatly moved and encouraged by his words! Surely this was a true man of God who would seek to do God's will at all cost! I mean it all sounded so very good to me... that is until I popped him that one little old question that the Lord had instructed me to ask: "What is your favorite Bible story?" An easy enough question for any Bible believing Christian, but Mr. Boone's response was "I don't have a favorite Bible story." That was his response, that revealed his lack of love and dedication to God's Word, that would likewise tell the rest of my story!

April 9, 2002-
Because it was a little more than two weeks later, at 1:20 in the afternoon to be exact, that Sylvia, the apartment manager, handed me the "eviction notice" as ordered by her boss Mr. Boone. And then it was a very short ten minutes later that I received a call from Mr. Boone explaining, in a longwinded manner I might add, that he had a business to run and non-paying tenants are just not good business. That was what he had to say, and then my ending comment was that "this entire late payment thing was to test his faith in God and not his faith in his business!"

May 9, 2002-
Then came the long-awaited date of the court hearing. I had been ordered by Mr. Boone to move out of his apartment, however the Lord had instructed me not to move but to let him take me to court... and that's what I did, asking for a jury trial at that. And it was right about here that what the Lord gave me in our sermonet Whatever It Takes! really came in handy. Because at the appointed time I stood before the jury and testified that God Almighty had sent me to test Mr. Boone's faith in God but Mr. Boone had regretfully failed the test. I told it "just like it was" and then the jury ruled against me. With nowhere to go I had only five (5) days to get out of Mr. Boone's apartment... and then came a Word from the Lord about the Rescue Mission of El Paso. So immediately after having heard from the Lord I went to the Rescue Mission and had a little prayer and talk with the Chaplain, Mark Domingue. Everything was now set for me to move into my new home. What a thrill!

May 15, 2002-
After having made an attempt to move some of my earthly belongings (stuff) to the Rescue Mission, the Lord informed me that nothing was going to get moved and that I was to leave everything as it was in the apartment. Then the fifth and final day came when I was told by the Father to write Mr. Boone one last letter informing him of his very dangerous condition with the Lord. Because you see it was the day after the court trial that one of the apartments (one down from mine) caught on fire. I smelt the smoke, I saw the fire, and likewise I was the one who called the fire department after a quick prayer. The Lord told me everything was going to be all right; the fire would be extinguished. However, this was just the beginning of Mr. Boone's business sorrows... and it was all due to his "not so" Christian behavior in his business. So after having delivered the note to Sylvia, I proceeded to head on out to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in order to deliver the sermonet Is Jimmy Swaggart's Wife Frances Really Uncovered? to Brother Swaggart. With only the bare essential items needed for my trip, I locked the door to my apartment, climbed into my truck, and left the rest of my cherished possessions (stuff) behind.

May 20, 2002-
Having met with Jimmy Swaggart, who likewise rejected our message, I returned to my apartment, after a very long and painful trip home, only to find that the locks had been changed. Mr. Boone had failed his test and I was now officially "homeless for Jesus".

So that was "in the beginning of my being homeless", and then it was some three (3) months later that the Lord told me to attend church services at the Abundant Living Faith Center with two of the homeless guys that I met at the Rescue Mission of El Paso. That was what the Father told me to do, and that's what I did.

Now this was the first time that I had ever set foot in Charles Nieman's church, even though I had seen him preaching quite a few times on the boob tube. As I walked into his church my first impression was that I was in a movie theater. The atmosphere was definitely more appropriate for entertaining than for worshipping the One and only God of the Universe... and that's about the way the rest of the service went.

The "praise and worship" was very plastic or unnatural to say the least, and then the Lord "dropped the bomb" when He gave me two specific Words concerning Pastor Nieman and his church:
#1 - The Abundant Living Faith Center is a "Church of Pergamos".
#2 - Pastor Charles Nieman is a "cult leader".

Now was that earth-shaking or what? Talk about a bomb of a Word! Well I took in what the Lord had given me and then sat back to watch the show. Because, without a doubt, what I saw for the rest of the service was a Pastor who was very good at manipulating his flock... so much so that God's Word concerning him being a "cult leader" became very easy for even me to understand.

And now that I've given you a brief overview of where we're headed with Pastor Nieman and his Abundant Living Faith Center, what do you say I give you just a sample of the sermon he preached so that we can do what the Father has intended for us to do. In other words, through Pastor Nieman's very own words we're going to expose the "darkness" that he calls "light" and the "death" that he calls "life"! Because, after all, Charles Nieman's "Abundant Living Faith" is dead!

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"Living On Purpose #2" by Charles Nieman (8/11/02)

What is the will of God for your life? I believe the will of God for your life and my life can be summorized in John 10:10 - Jesus said "I am come that you might have the God kind of life" or let me paraphrase it "I am come that you might have the life God wants you to have and have it more abundantly." All right, so the will of God for your life, if I, if you allow me to say it this way is this; God wants you to have a better life than you're having right now. I don't care how life your good your life may be it can get better. I don't care how good your income is it can get better. I don't care how well you're sleeping at night it can get better. All right, there is a better life, the life that God wants you to have and Jesus came to give it to you in abundance.

All right, now, Paul wrote and said that he wants us - listen to it again - number one to understand that that life is available and number two to firmly grasp it. All right, so what that says to me is that I not only need to understand that that life is available - guess what? - I can also put my hands on it and then I need to hold on to it; praise God. Amen, are you with me so far?

Now, what stops us? Huh? We know this abundant life is here, we know there's a better life out there, what stops us? I've been thinking about this a lot, huh. What stops God's children from possessing that better life? Well go with me first of all to the book of James. Let me show you something here. Still with me? James chapter one, James chapter one... go with me please to verse twenty-two: "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."

The word "hearers" there is better translated "understanding". So James has revealed to us by the Holy Spirit that there is a danger, a real danger, and that danger is, is that you can understand the Word of God - you can understand it - God will give you understanding. Now before you can do anything with the Word you've got to understand it, because you can't do what you don't understand. Amen.

But there's a danger here, James reveals to us that you and I can understand the Word of God, we can understand it, all right, he said but if you don't do it, see, understanding doesn't come just so our spiritual heads get bigger and bigger and fuller of more and more knowledge. All right, understanding comes so that you can take what you understand and apply it to your life. Now, he goes on and explains it in detail. Watch now. Verse 23: "For if any be an understander of the word and not a doer he's like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass", all right, "for he beholds himself."

All right, so he's saying here that the Word of God, when you look at the Word of God, and what I think he's saying is is that before you ever hear the Word, before you ever come in here, before, on your way to church, you need to decide on your way to church that what you understand at church you're going to apply to your life. See you need to decide that before you ever open the Book!

Now, what stops us from being doers of the Word, or what stops us from grasping - see remember that - firmly grasping the will of the Lord, what stops us from firmly grasping the will of the Lord, huh? And what stops us from receiving the will of God for our lives?

I've written down four things. Can I give them to you real quick? Huh? Four things that I've observed. Four things I've heard or seen in my walk with God. Number one. Are you happy you came today? Number one. All right, I hear people say this, huh. Now what stops you, what may be stopping you today? Number one. People think like this, they think "I've made mistakes, and now I have to pay." OK, I've made mistakes and now I have to pay. OK, now let's talk for a moment. The Bible does teach us, right, that we do reap what we sow. Amen. All right, we do reap, but you gotta be careful you see. Because what happens is, is that it's possible to come to church and understand the Word, know there's a better life for you, but you'll sit there, and you'll, that thought will get into your mind and you'll say "Hey man, you know, I could, I could have a, a, we could prosper but you know what my wife and I got crazy with the credit cards and we've got this big debt now, and now, you know, we're just going to have to let this thing work it's way out... you know we're just going to have to pay it off, we're just going to have to work it out."

Now you know what? Yeh, you are going to have to pay it off. Yeh, but listen. Just because you've made a mistake, hear me now, doesn't stop the promise of God from working in your life. Amen. And it doesn't stop the Word of God from producing fruit in youjr life, just because you've made a mistake. Huh, you say I've got to pay, I've got to pay my bills and I've got to pay my dues. All right, I know you do, but let me also remind you that the last thing Jesus said the day that He was crucified was "It's paid in full."

...He said "Think this way; forget the past, forget it!" Now how do you - pastor I can't forget it - you're right! Just trying to forget it's not enough! He didn't say just forget the past, He said forget the past and go to the future. Ah, you didn't catch it. Huh, see you didn't catch it. See if you don't have a future then all you'll go back to is your past, because it's the only thing you know. Right? But if you look to the future, and you say "you know what there's a better life out there for me", then you can forget the past. Huh! He said forget the past and go to the future. Come on now, huh. He said forget the past and go to the future. Go towards that better life, that high calling of God that is in Christ Jesus. Go towards that better life. But Pastor I don't know what's out there. It's better than where you've been. Huh? It's gotta be better.

All right, last verse. Buckle your seat belts. This is going to rush you. John the 4th chapter. Phew, boy have we covered some territory today. John the 4th chapter, see? Well Pastor, I see what you're saying, I see what you're saying. I see what you're saying. And you know Pastor, I, I really believe that by this time next year things will be looking up. OK, all I'm glad I got you that far, but I'm going to bring you better than that. Praise God!

John the 4th chapter, verse 35 - Jesus is speaking, don't you love it? - He says "Don't say, there are yet four months and then comes the harvest." Huh, He doesn't say, He says "Don't walk around saying sometime in the future my life's going to get better, someday by and by my life's going to get better, someday in the future things are going to look up, someday I'll have a better life, someday, all things, sometime in the future, maybe after Christmas things will be better. He said "Don't say that, don't even say that!" Jesus said "Don't even say that!" Why?

Well Pastor I thought that was faith? Naw, I'll show you faith. Huh? Watch what He says. He says "Behold I say unto you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields for they are already white to harvest." Huh? The harvest is already here! Ah, come on now. Huh? The harvest is already here! It's all around you. You live in a world filled with abundance. It's all around you. It's already here. You're healing isn't off somewhere, it's here. Your prosperity isn't off, it's here. Your better marriage, it's already here. Lift up your eyes. Quit walking around "Oh my problems!" Look around you - oooh! Huh? Already here, the harvest is already here, your harvest is already, your better life is already here. You've gotta take that car out of park, put that "P" in "D" for drag and get with the program!

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So what did you think about Pastor Nieman's message? Were you able to detect his "cult leader" mentality? Were you able to see the "Church of Pergamos" in his "Abundant Living Faith Center"?

Well to help you out, what do you say we start off with a definition of the word cult: "a formal religious veneration regarded as unorthodox or spurious." So did that help you out? What do you mean you don't care for those "high dollar" words? OK, what do you say I break them down into the nickel and dime variety? "Veneration" means "respect or awe inspired by the dignity, wisdom, dedication, or talent of a person", "unorthodoxed" means "not conforming to established doctrine", and "spurious" means "of "illegitimate birth; as in bastard!" Because when you put all that together you get God the Father's intended meaning of "Pastor Charles Nieman the cult leader": Abundant Living Faith Center is composed of a group of people who either knowingly or unknowingly are being led to believe the words of the very gifted and talented Charles Nieman instead of the Word of God!

Got it? Pastor Nieman is giving birth to a "new faith" which is actually a "bastard faith", and a very "dead faith" at that, because it's not of God's Spirit but of the very fleshly spirit of Charles Nieman. And having said all that, what do you say we read his sermon text, James 1:21-25, from the King James Bible: "Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth [therein], he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."

So what does it all mean? Is what Pastor Nieman says it means really what God is actually saying (?): "All right, so he's saying here that the Word of God, when you look at the Word of God, and what I think he's saying is is that before you ever hear the Word, before you ever come in here, before, on your way to church, you need to decide on your way to church that what you understand at church you're going to apply to your life. See you need to decide that before you ever open the Book!"

Well, the answer to that very important question - "Is what Pastor Nieman says it means really what God is actually saying?" - is No!, No!, No!, a thousand times No! Because you see what Mr. Cult Leader is trying to do is get his followers to believe that what "he says is God's Word" is actually "God's Word", and he even wants them to do it "blindly"... without ever having tested the spirits to see if what he's saying is actually from God! Because, without a doubt, I John 4:1 most certainly applies to Pastor Nieman: "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."

But getting back to his message, Pastor Nieman says that what James is talking about in chapter one is that in order to be "doers" of the Word - putting God's Word into action - one must understand the Word first. Well, without a doubt, this part is true, but then he goes on to say that a proper understanding will come about through hearing what thus saith Pastor Nieman at the Abundant Living Faith Center: "...before you ever hear the Word, before you ever come in here, before, on your way to church, you need to decide on your way to church that what you understand at church you're going to apply to your life."

Now just in case you haven't caught-on to what Pastor Nieman's "Abundant Living Faith" is all about, it's what's commonly know as "name it and claim it" or "gab it and grab it". It's all about telling God what you want for your life and then having the faith to get it. In fact this one point becomes very obvious in Pastor Nieman's interpretation of John the 4th chapter, verse 35:

"Jesus is speaking, don't you love it? - He says "Don't say, there are yet four months and then comes the harvest." Huh... Jesus said "Don't even say that!" Why?... The harvest is already here! It's all around you. You live in a world filled with abundance. It's all around you. It's already here. You're healing isn't off somewhere, it's here. Your prosperity isn't off, it's here. Your better marriage, it's already here. Lift up your eyes."

Now that's what Pastor Nieman says, but what is the real "harvest" that Jesus is speaking of? Well what do you say we read John 4:32-36 and see what it means for ourselves:

"But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that you know not of. Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him [ought] to eat? Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and [then] cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that repeateth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together."

So what is Jesus talking about harvesting? Is it all this "worldly stuff" that surrounds us? Is it our healing, our prosperity, or our better marriage? No, the harvest Jesus is talking about is "doing the will of Him that sends us!" It's called the "Great Commission" and it goes like this:

- Matthew 28:19-20 - "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you..."

- Mark 16:15-16 - "...Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."

- Luke 24:46-47 - "...Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations..."

So the "harvest" that Jesus is really talking about is actually "winning souls for the Kingdom of God". And likewise, as Christians, our "great reward" for being obedient to this "great commission" is the "abundant life" that comes about through our "dying to the flesh" and being "born in the Spirit": "He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."

In fact while we're on the subject of "abundant life", and likewise searching for God's intended true meaning of it, what do you say that we just read Matthew 11:34-39 in it's entirety:

"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set man at varience against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes [shall be] they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it."

Now does this "gospel of abundant life" sound anything like the gospel that Pastor Nieman preaches at the Abundant Living Faith Center? I don't think so! Because unlike what he preaches, the reality of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that obedience to the Word of God will cause all Hell to break loose in the obedient Christian's life! It's one of those guaranteed sort of things! It's called "pain and suffering for the cause of Christ"... but then again after the "death" comes the "resurrection and life everlasting" (...he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.).

And having said all that we can now go back to Pastor Nieman's Text and pick up on the real truth as spoken through James chapter one. Because you see the point that James is focusing on in his five (5) chapter book is that Christians should expect to suffer for the cause of Christ and be glad that the opportunity exists for them to do it (James 1:2-4): "My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing [this], that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have [her] perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing."

I mean, after all, that's exactly what the salvation experience is all about! Christianity is the process of dying to the sinful flesh and being re-born in the Spirit of Christ. In fact the path that the Father has laid out for each and every one of us is specifically designed to kill-off the sin nature in us so that we can be resurrected in His Spirit. It is a step by step process as the Spirit of God directs our walk into the "valley of the shadow of death". We must go where He tells us to go, and do what He tells us to do, and do it all without compromise! We must be willing to do Whatever It Takes! in order to be transformed into the likeness of Christ.

And that's exactly what the "wisdom from God" is all about. It's His direction for our lives - what we must do and say for the glory of God - and having once received it and understood it we must be willing to obey it at all cost (James 1:5-8): "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing waivering. For he that waivereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man [is] unstable in all his ways."

So you see if we hear God's wisdom, and come to an understanding of what He desires for our life, but yet aren't willing to do what He tells us to do, then we are "like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was." In other words once God exposes our sinful nature through His Word of wisdom, and we finally see that sinful sucker in the mirror, we must be anxious for the Father to get rid of it... and we do this by obeying that same Word of wisdom that has allowed us to see it.

And what better example of this than the one who wrote the book of James. Because you see James was the half-brother of Jesus Christ who was very familiar with the subject that he wrote on. He earnestly sought God's wisdom for his life through much prayer... in fact so much prayer that his knees look like a camel's; complete with large thick callus. And not only did he pray for God's wisdom, but he also obeyed God's Word whenever he received it and at whatever the cost. You see it was due to his faithfulness to the Father's Word that a few religious folks got pretty upset with him. And seeing how religious hatred is the worst kind, they did the unspeakable thing of pushing him off a very high point of the temple in Jerusalem. Now even though the fall did not kill him, he was finally beaten to death by his most holy religious attackers as he lay bruised and broken on the ground. Kinda reminds you of the Roman Catholic Church don't it? But anyway, throughout this very brutal ordeal God did get the glory... because James was praying for the salvation of his attackers the entire time he was being martyred. What an awesome man of God James was!

All right, so we've said all that to show you that Pastor Nieman's message was not really from the Lord. Pastor Nieman took God's Word and literally twisted it and distorted it until it said exactly what he wanted it to say. Charles Nieman is preaching "another gospel", which is not "The Gospel", and the lives of all those believing it are in serious danger! Charles Nieman's "Abundant Living Faith" is dead!

- Another Gospel -
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In fact this is probably as good a place as any to bring-up the real-life story that took place during our great adventure of Pastor Fred Steven And The Rejected Word From God! Because you see it was right about that time, during a job interview as "directed by the Father", that I met a lovely young lady named Monica who was a member of Charles Nieman's "Abundant Living Faith Center". Well, as it turned out, my reason for being there was not to get a job but to give Monica a "message from the Lord." And it was on 4/20/01 that, out of obedience to the Father, I gave her Matthew 20:13 along with the message that if she didn't leave the "Abundant Living Faith Center", and go wherever the Father would direct her to go, that she would lose her everlasting life. And would you care to guess what her reply was to me(?): "My husband is an usher and we can't leave the church!" In other words Monica loved Charles Nieman and his Abundant Living Faith Center more than she did God. (Read what God intended for Monica to receive from Matthew 20:13 at this sermonet's Post Post Script.)

So now that we've dealt with what the Father calls the "cult leader" of the "Abundant Living Faith Center", what do you say we check out how the "Church of Pergamos" fits into the scheme of things? Because reading from Revelation 2:12-16 we find: "And to the angel of the church of Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, [even] where Satan's seat [is]: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas [was] my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth."

Now according to what Jesus said in the book of Revelation, the Church of Pergamos is located at the "seat (throne) of Satan" which is in the city of Pergamos. And seeing how "God says" Abundant Living Faith Center is very similar to this Pergamos Church, that must mean the city of El Paso, Texas, where Abundant Living Faith is located, is also one of these thrones of Satan. So, having said that, just what do you figure makes any one city "Satan's throne"?

Well, looking back at Pergamos, the reason that it was such a powerful place for Satan to "call home" was because of it's religions... all of them! You see in Pergamos there were churches (temples) everywhere you looked, and most of them were dedicated to the worship of Satan's very own "little gods" such as Dionysus (god of wine), Athena (goddess of wisdom), Demeter (goddess of agriculture), Zeus (king of gods), Aphrodite (goddess of love and beauty), and Aesculapius (god of medicine). In addition to these gods of myth, there were also a few people - who were very much so "real" - that were likewise being worshiped as gods. Because you see Pergamos built three temples for worshiping three great men - the Emperors (the Emperor cult) - and the first temple that started the whole ugly mess was built for none other than Caesar Augustus.

Now when it comes to the city of El Paso, Texas, well, it's got quite a sampling of Satan's temples too. In fact, starting with the "mother" of all religions, it's got temples of Catholicism, Mormonism, Jehovah's Witness, Unity, Christian Science, and New Age just to name a few. And if that ain't bad enough, it's even got a few members from a church, that, without any pretense or cover-up, openly profess to worshipping the one and only "evil one" himself. It's called the Church of Satan! But that ain't even all! Because you see the City of El Paso does a little bit of this Emperor worship too. And to top it all off, just wait till you read our upcoming sermonet - The Demons Of Cristo Rey And The City Of El Paso, Texas! (1/25/04) - in which we describe the statue of Jesus Christ [idol] that overlooks the City of El Paso and the unbelievable evil that lurks behind it!

So the people of Pergamos loved to worship Satan's "little gods", and one of their favorites was the god of Aesculapius; the "snake on a pole". Now you tell me, does this one kinda like sound familiar? Well I can guarantee you that he's here in El Paso, Texas, because you see this "snake on a pole" was (and still is) Satan's "god of medicine". And even though Jesus is "The Healer" - has been and always will be - the Christian folks have sorta like found this "god of medicine" to be much more convenient to worship than the Almighty. I mean when it comes to taking care of the body's physical or mental ailments, Christians are putting their faith in the doctors and hospitals without even seeking their Lord "The Healer":

"Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess [your] faults one to another, and pray one for another that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." (James 5:14-16)

So, with all of Satan's "little gods" in mind, would anybody care to guess the reason why Jesus threatened the Church of Pergamos with "repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth"? Do you think it possible that, just maybe, with all those "gods of Satan" surrounding the Church of Pergamos some were being smuggled in?

Bingo! You hit the nail right on top of it's head! And seeing how you've figured out the fact that Christ Church of Pergamos was being "infiltrated" by the gods of Satan, just who do you think was responsible for bringing them all in?

Well by going back to the Scriptures we can pick up on a few pretty strong clues as to just who those low-life scoundrels really were (and still are):

Jude 1:4 - "For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ."

Ephesians 4:19 - "Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness."

II Corinthians 11:13-15 - "For such [are] false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore [it is] no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."

Now the key word in the preceding Scriptures that describes the "low-life scoundrels" who're responsible for bringing in the "gods of Satan" into Christ's Church is "lasciviousness". And just in case you're having a hard time pronouncing it, it's meaning is much easier to roll off the tip of your tongue: "Wantonness; readiness for all pleasure; one who acknowledges no restraints, who does whatever his caprice and unmanageable frowardness dictates."

So did you catch the spirit of that very evil word lasciviousness? Well in a nut-shell it means immorality that is practiced without shame, without any sense of conscience or decency, and it's all done at "the drop of a hat" so to speak. It's actually the promotion or partaking of that which tends to produce lewd emotions such as lustfulness and unchasity - anything tending to foster sex sin and lust. In fact what comes to mind with this word "lasciviousness" is what happens between a male and female dog when the female comes in "heat".

Wow! What do you think about that? And just to think that all this is being promoted and encouraged in Charles Nieman's "Church Of Pergamos", the Abundant Living Faith Center. Because you see the fact of the matter is that many worldly pleasures (Satan's little gods) must be avoided by the Christian at all cost in order for them not to commit lascivousness, but yet these worldly pleasures are exactly what Pastor Charles Nieman promises through his very own abundant living faith gospel: "God wants you to have a better life than you're having right now. I don't care how life your good your life may be it can get better. I don't care how good your income is it can get better...there is a better life, the life that God wants you to have and Jesus came to give it to you in abundance."

So now do you see why the Lord entitled this sermonet "Charles Nieman's Abundant Living Faith Is Dead!"? God Almighty has given the Christian a relatively short "lifetime" to crucify their sinful flesh and be born in the Spirit of Jesus, and this same crucifixion can only be accomplished by depriving the sinful flesh of it's sinful desires as directed by the Father instead of feeding it what it wants. Christians who put their faith in anything other than God's Salvation Plan for their lives - Jesus Christ and Him crucified (I Corinthians 2:2) - are in reality just like the Church of Pergamos worshipping the "little gods of Satan" instead of Christ.

Don't be fooled by the size of the church. Just because it's big doesn't mean the pastor is preaching the Truth. Read God's own prophetic warning concerning Charles Nieman's "Abundant Living Faith Center" in Saved...Don't Lose It! so that you too can keep on keeping the faith in Jesus!

Love,

Dad (Bruce Hallman)

P.S. - Just to give you one more real good example of worshipping the little gods of Satan, the following is a present-day religious system established solely for the worship of music...hiphop that is:

-Name: Temple Of Hiphop

-Belief: Knowledge reigns supreme

-Founded: In 2001 by KRS-One

-Required reading: The Science Of Rap, by KRS-One

-Dietary restrictions: No Beef

-Philosophy: The Temple encourages believers to adopt a hip hop state of mind, expressed through breaking; emceeing; graffiti; deejaying; beat-boxing; and street fashion, language, knowledge, and entrepreneuralism.

P.P.S - (9/10/04) - At the time of the writing of this sermonet - "Charles Nieman's Abundant Living Faith Is Dead!" - I had no earthly idea what the Scripture meant that the Lord had me give Monica back in 2001 (Matthew 20:13). I mean the Father didn't tell me so I didn't know! But then I received a very nice e-mail from another one of Charles Nieman's church members that demanded an understanding of that "Scripture for Monica". That's what she wanted and the Lord obliged. So the following is my Spirit-led answers to "Jetts" questions concerning Monica and Abundant Living Faith Center. Following my response is Jett's full uncut e-mail:

From: "bruce" bruce@fmh-child.org
To: "Jett Farrell" (eyes-of-fire.com)
Sent: Fri, 10 Sep 2004 15:21:24 -0700
Subject: Friend, I Do Thee No Wrong!

Dear Jett,

Thanks for acknowledging me concerning my request for phone time. I realize that you’re in an awkward situation, but then again I am too. You see at the present time I am not in the state of Texas. I’m living with a couple on the east coast who don’t particularly want it to become public knowledge that I’m living with them. After all, I am a prophet, and there are those who seek to do me harm (read our soon-to-be published sermonet Jesus Was An Outlaw...And So Am I!. So, unless something changes, it doesn’t look as though we will get to talk.

But anyway, you covered a lot of territory in your e-mail…in fact too much for me to address in one sitting. So as the Lord would have it, He focused my attention on the following paragraph for me to address:

“There's only one thing that you have said that I will admit kind of set my alarms off. I believe I know the young lady Monica that you speak of. I worked with her in the children's ministry I believe (though I could be wrong). I will outright say that you were in the wrong telling her that she could lose her salvation for staying at Abundant Living Faith Center. That is not for you to judge or decide, that is for the Father and the Father alone. If she has accepted Jesus Christ into her heart and made him the Lord of her life, repenting of her sins and accepting the sacrifice that was made for the atonement of our sins, the gal is going to heaven whether she's at ALFC or not. It is written that if we declare Christ's name to the world, He will declare our name to His Father. You are not in ANY position to be telling her otherwise. You say that God led you to fake getting a job interview to get you to Monica. God would not lead you to deceive... He's the same yesterday, today, and forever and He is not a respecter of persons. He doesn't lie, he wouldn't have you do it for Him. I'm sorry friend, but that wasn't God and you need to be careful before you hand out judgments. I am also curious just what Matthew 20:13 had to do with any of it, cause I'm not seeing the connection. I would like to hear your thoughts on these matters, if for nothing else then a better understanding of another person.”

Now the reason my Heavenly Father picked this part of your letter is because it covers all the bases of “Charles Nieman’s Abundant Living Faith Is Dead!” without actually recreating the entire sermonet. I mean I’ll admit that the Lord had me say some pretty harsh things in that sermonet, but they didn’t seem to bother you as much as what I said about Monica: “There's only one thing that you have said that I will admit kind of set my alarms off. I believe I know the young lady Monica…”

But before we start please allow me to clear up a very simple misunderstanding you have:

“You say that God led you to fake getting a job interview to get you to Monica. God would not lead you to deceive”

That’s what you said. However, what I really said was:

“Because you see it was right about that time, during a job interview as “directed by the Father”, that I met a lovely young lady named Monica who was a member of Charles Nieman’s Abundant Living Faith Center. Well, as it turned out, my reason for being there was not to get a job but to give Monica a “message from the Lord”.”

Now can you see the difference? It is our responsibility as followers of Christ to just “go” where the Father leads us and “say” what the Father gives us to say without questioning why we’re doing it. And it was when the Father directed me to interview for that “certain security job” that I met Monica. So did I know that I wouldn’t get the job when I went in for the interview? No! Did I know I would meet Monica? No! In fact even though I knew my jobless situation was to test my faith in God I was hoping that the Lord would allow me to get the job for a “season”. I went into the interview hoping for a job but the Almighty used it for an entirely different reason. I mean, after all, “they” were the ones who weren’t interested in hiring me.

So just why did the Father God give me Matthew 20:13 to give to Monica? Well being perfectly honest with you, I did not have the foggiest idea as to how God meant it to apply to Monica. You see most of the time He not only gives me the Scripture for the individual but also the understanding of how it applies in their lives…but not with Monica.

In fact it was because you asked me the meaning – “I am also curious just what Matthew 20:13 had to do with any of it, cause I'm not seeing the connection.” – that I once again asked the Almighty for discernment, but this time my request was granted.

However, before I give you the understanding of that Scripture let me help you see why you’re wrong in what you said about me:

“I will outright say that you were in the wrong telling her that she could lose her salvation for staying at Abundant Living Faith Center. That is not for you to judge or decide, that is for the Father and the Father alone.”

First of all, I did not choose this calling that God has put on me. He chose me as a prophet and I must follow His leading. Secondly, one of the main duties of the prophet is to warn people of the sins in their lives; the ones they’ve covered over so well that they don’t even know they exist. And last but not least, whatever I speak as a prophet is first given to me by the Father. He tells me what to say and I just say it. In fact what I’m told to speak doesn’t even have to make sense. My responsibility as a prophet is to hear from God and communicate what I hear. So whatever Word of judgment I might speak originates from the Judge Himself. In fact this is how Prophet Jesus did it too:

“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked. And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.” (Isaiah 11:1-5)

Now let’s move on to your statement of “If she has accepted Jesus Christ into her heart and made him the Lord of her life, repenting of her sins and accepting the sacrifice that was made for the atonement of our sins, the gal is going to heaven whether she's at ALFC or not.”

What you said is the absolute Truth, but do you really understand the depths of it’s meaning? I mean how easy is it for us to ignore the “prompting” of the Holy Spirit? How many times in my personal life has the Lord commanded me to do something that I didn’t want to do? I mean if I claim Him as Lord then I must be willing to treat Him as Lord by obeying His each and every command… because the consequences of not obeying God in all things can be pretty severe:

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Mat 7:21-23)

And having said that we can now move on in to understanding what Matthew 20:13 is all about:

“But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny?” (Matthew 20:13)

Now the way the Lord revealed His meaning of this Scripture (as it applies to Monica) was through two commentaries: Matthew Henry and John Darby’s Synopsis. As I read through these commentaries, and what they had to say on this "parable on the kingdom of Heaven" (Matthew 20:1-16), I highlighted what the Lord showed me (He quickened me)…and the following is what I found:

Matthew Henry Commentary:

“…the master of the house…in answer to this ill-natured surmise….This is the prerogative of the King of kings. Is there unrighteousness with God? The apostle startles at the thought of it; God forbid! Rom_3:5, Rom_3:6. His word should silence all our murmurings, that, whatever God does to us, or withholds from us, he does us no wrong…Note, It is good for us often to consider what it was that we agreed with God for. First, Carnal worldlings agree with God for their penny in this world; they choose their portion in this life (Psa_17:14); in these things they are willing to have their reward (Mat_6:2, Mat_6:5), their consolation (Luk_6:24), their good things (Luk_16:25); and with these they shall be put off, shall be cut off from spiritual and eternal blessings; and herein God does them no wrong; they have what they chose, the penny they agreed for; so shall their doom be, themselves have decided it; it is conclusive against them. Secondly, Obedient believers agree with God for their penny in the other world, and they must remember that they have so agreed… That they had reason to fear, lest they themselves should be found hypocrites at last; for many are called but few chosen…we should fear lest we be found but seeming Christians, and so should really come short; nay, lest we be found blemished Christians, and so should seem to come short, Heb 4:1.”

John Darby’s Synopsis:

“We may remark that, when the Lord answers Peter, it was the consequence of having left all for Christ upon His call. The motive was Christ Himself: therefore He says, "Ye which have followed me." He speaks also of those who had done it for His name's sake. This was the motive…The great point in the parable is that — confidence in the grace of the master of the vineyard, and grace as the ground of their action… He can bestow on those who will follow Him a share in His sufferings: everything else shall be given according to the counsels of the Father. But what real glory for Christ and perfection in Him, and what a privilege for us to have this motive only, and to partake in the Lord's sufferings! and what a purification of our carnal hearts is here proposed to us, in making us act only for a suffering Christ, sharing His cross, and committing ourselves to God for recompense!… The renunciation of all things, in order to depend confidingly on the grace of Him whom we serve, the consequent readiness to take the lowest place, and thus to be the servant of all — this should be the spirit of those who have part in the kingdom as now established by the rejected Lord. It is this that becomes His followers… The effect was to bring out how absolutely He had stripped Himself of everything. These are the principles of the heavenly kingdom: perfect self- renunciation, to be contented in thorough devotedness; this is the fruit of love that seeketh not her own — the yieldingness that flows from the absence of self-seeking; submission when despised; meekness and lowliness of heart.”

Now if you’d like the full uncut versions of these two commentaries just let me know and I’ll gladly send them. However, what little I sent of their comments should help you to see how this Scripture that the Lord chose for “Monica and her ALFC affiliation” – Matthew 20:13 – was right on target. It, in effect, is a “one line description” of what the Lord gave me in that longer version entitled “Charles Nieman’s Abundant Living Faith Is Dead!”

I mean just what does the term “kingdom of heaven” mean to you anyway? The “kingdom of heaven” is what Jesus made possible through His Perfect Sacrifice on the Cross; it’s the opportunity for Believers to have God reside in us. We actually become the kingdom of Heaven as the Spirit of God dwells in us.

However, until the time that Jesus cried out “It is finished!” there was no one who the Spirit of God could dwell in but Jesus…and likewise no one worthy to enter into Heaven. I mean every Believer who died before Jesus’ death on the Cross had to go to Hell first (Abraham’s Bosom) and wait for Jesus’ Victory to be accomplished. You see even though they were believing in Jesus, as the One Who would save them from their sin, they were not in their lifetime actually delivered from their sins. They all retained their sins unto death! In fact the only thing available to them at the time was the animal sacrifices which was only a picture of what was to come. So anyway, once Jesus did what He said He was going to do – defeated sin on the Cross – He was able to descend into Hell and likewise deliver the Believers from the sins that had held them captive for so long.

Now the benefit of living in the days of the “kingdom of Heaven” is that we can be made “new in Christ” as the “old man” – sinful flesh – is removed from our “temples” and the Holy Spirit takes it’s place.

But just how is this all accomplished? The best Scripture I know of that defines this process to a “T” is:

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2)

This, in a nutshell, is what abundant life (living) is all about! It’s the process of “sinful beings” being transformed into the image of God as we get out the sin and receive in His Holy Spirit. The “kingdom of Heaven” is not about living like kings. The kingdom of Heaven is not about having the things that we desire. The kingdom of Heaven is about dying to the flesh and being reborn in His Spirit.

And just how does the process work? It’s a work of obedience… just doing what the Lord has called us to do:

“All the commandments which I command thee this day shall ye observe to do, that ye may live, and multiply, and go in and possess the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers. And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live. Thy raiment waxed not old upon thee, neither did thy foot swell, these forty years. Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee. Therefore thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to fear him.” (Deuteronomy 8:1-6)

Obedience to God is the key to receiving the kingdom of God! So are the things that He commands us to do easy? No! In fact Jesus gave us just a hint of what to expect with his “flaming altar of sacrifice” in the following verses:

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. He that hath ear to hear, let him hear.” (Matthew 11:12-15)

“I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.” (Luke 12:49-53)

So you see, Jett, this is what the kingdom of God and “abundant life” is all about – suffering for Christ – and it has nothing to do with greed “for money” or “the finer things of life”. It’s all about a sincere desire to do whatever it takes to be transformed into the image of Christ…and Charles Nieman does not preach this at his Abundant Living Faith Center. In fact going back to the message I delivered to Monica…and her response:

“And it was on 4/20/01 that, out of obedience to the Father, I gave her Matthew 20:13 along with the message that if she didn’t leave “Abundant Living Faith Center”, and go wherever the Father would direct her to go, that she would lose her everlasting life. And would you care to guess what her reply was to me (?): “My husband is an usher and we can’t leave the church!” In other words Monica loved Charles Nieman and his Abundant Living Faith Center more than she did God.”

So did Monica say that what I gave her wasn’t from God? No! She merely made an excuse as to why she couldn’t do it. And what happens when we claim Jesus as our Lord but don’t obey the Father’s Word?

“And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.” (I John 2:3-6)

Now taking all this back to the parable on the kingdom of God – Matthew 20:13 – did the worker complaining about how much work (suffering) he had to do in order to earn his wages really sound like he was a child of God? Did this mummering and complaining man really sound like he had the love of Jesus in his life? I don’t think so!

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” (Philippians 2:12-15)

So what did I see in Monica when I spoke God’s command to her? Did I see someone willing to do whatever it takes to please God the Father, or did I see someone complaining about the suffering that would be encountered in obeying God’s Word?

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels.” (Luke 9:23-26)

Charles Nieman is a man who knows God’s Word but has decided to shape the Word into something more palatable for the people. Most folks don’t want to hear about all the suffering needed in order to enter into the kingdom of Heaven. Most folks (which even includes Monica) are looking for an easy gospel…and that’s just what Charles Nieman is giving them!

Sincerely pray about what I’ve written, and then let me know what the Lord tells you. Do I speak the Truth or a lie?

In the Lord Jesus,

Bruce (and Sandy)

From: "Jett Farrell" (eyes-of-fire.com)
To: bruce@fmh-child.org
Sent: Thu, 9 Sep 2004 00:31:53 -0700
Subject: A respectful letter in regard to one of your sermonets...

Dear Bruce,

I was searching through google when I tripped across your website. I can tell you're a man who loves God and Jesus Christ. We share this love and because of that, I speak to you respectfully as a brother in Christ and do not want you to read this as a condemnation. I am writing about your sermonet on Charles Nieman and Abundant Living Faith Center. While you may (may being the key word, I don't know what type of person you are other then the fact you seem to love God and kids) have already closed your mind to this letter as I said that, I ask that you read this with an open mind.

A little about who I am and where I'm coming from. I was raised under the influence of the Word of God, taught well by my parents, and was raised to make my own decisions by not just going on what people have told me but double checking things. While I don't believe in religion (in the context of ritual, tradition, and repetition), I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, God the Father, and the Holy Spirit. My fiancée and I run a ministry for college age students and youth that uses drama, film, and unconventional methods to teach God's word to anyone who wants to learn. Like yourself I also hear from God and speak to Him on a regular basis (hearing in the Spirit processed by the mind). I am working on a college degree in film production. I taught children's ministry at Pastor Nieman's church for six years and have listened to many of his teachings. I've also learned under other pastors including Tommy Barnett, Jesse Duplantis, John Bevere, Casey Treat, Benny Perez, Tim Storey, Dr. Frederick Price, Brian Houston, and Joyce Meyers. This is where I'm coming from... I'm not a theologian, I'm not a pulpit preacher, just a girl who loves God and does what He tells her.

I heard the controversy about Pastor Nieman in the past and didn't really trust what any person said about God cause no one could seem to agree. Checking what he said against the Word of God, I've come to realize He is an anointed teacher of God. You should check out his Kings and Priests series, its very interesting even if you're determined not to agree with it.

My concern is this... You say that God told you that Pastor Nieman is a cult leader. Okay, lets consider this as truth before proven false. I'm good friends with Pastor Nieman and have found Him to be a very down to earth, not at all reminiscient of a cult leader. Now from my own personal experience growing more sensitive to listening to God, I've had to come to grips with something... Not everything I hear that I think is God actually turns out to be God. How do you tell the difference between the voices? God's voice always lines up with His Word.

Abundant Living Faith Center has four services a week. Combining the children's, youth, and adult services I would say about 30-75 people get saved or get right with God a service (by accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior as explained in God's Word), that's anywhere from 120-300 people coming to Christ by whatever means. I know a man who got saved by a drunk in a bar. He's a coach at a Christian school and a Bible teacher now, man of God. God works through whoever He wants. So Pastor Nieman is at least doing something right. This also doesn't include the countless others that get saved under his ministry in other cities and countries. The Bible says it is a serious thing to attack anyone who is God's anointed (1 Samuel 24:6). Now I realize you do not consider Charles Nieman such. I'd like to suggest coming at it from this point of view that applies to all people:

1) We do not know everything. It is written the foolishness of God confounds the wise... I love this quote from the movie The Mothman Prophecies (just a reference for illustration not like its doctrine or anything) where one of the characters is asking why the Mothman doesn't try to explain himself to anyone who sees him since he is more advanced then us... the scholar he is speaking to replies that "You're more advanced then a cockroach, have you ever tried to explain yourself to one?" This is how I try to look at the Word of God and things I don't understand... maybe I don't know it all and there's more to understand that I haven't gotten to yet.

2) Lets say you're wrong and Charles Nieman is anointed by God to share the Word of God to as many people as possible. You're kind of in a bad position if you're wrong about that. While I don't agree with that particular section of your site, I see that you are a man who knows the Bible fairly decently and have some things of God that you need to share... attacking another of God's anointed (looking at it saying that you are also anointed for ministry yourself; I don't know, that's between you and God) is a bad place to be when you meet the Almighty face to face... Now, lets say you're right. Pastor Nieman is misleading people and needs to be stopped. Well, just like Saul, that's God's matter. It is written that vengeance is the Lord's. Instead of spending your valuable time transcribing messages and devoting your time to raising doubt about the man, do as Jesus said and pray for the man and his church... maybe even politely ask him after a service about your concerns. Don't pray that the church will fall apart but that God will speak to Him and get things right. Jesus said to pray for our enemies and clearly you consider Pastor Nieman an enemy. I don't know, maybe you're already doing that but that's definitely not the vibe I'm picking up. What I'm picking up is that you're going to skip a few beats when you get to heaven, run into Charles Nieman and say, "Goodness gracious, how did you get here?!"

3) It is written that even Satan can come as an angel of light. The whole Mormon church was founded on a man thinking that God told him something without double checking it (not to mention Joseph Smith was hanging out in a poppy field, lol; fun tidbit to know). All I'm saying is as vigilant Christians we need to consider everything we hear very carefully. The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist (The Usual Suspects, not very ethical but a well thought out movie, lol). Before you make a judgement on Charles Nieman based on one teaching and one statement heard by your Spirit processed by your mind (where things get jumbled up. I know I've been there. That's why I press being careful in the area) I think you need to find out more detailed what the man has to say. Listen to more of his teachings and consider all possibilities. I've been listening to the man for a few years now, I think I've only found him to be wrong in a statement like three times and two out of the three it was my own misunderstanding when I checked it out next to multiple scriptures.

4) You say that teaching the abundant life is wrong. Okay, why would Jesus have said he wants us to have life and life more abundantly if that's not the case? I believe you are misinterpreting Pastor Nieman. There's a difference between wants and needs and he does teach this. What we want is not always good for us. Fleshly desires, greed, and power hungriness don't fall into the abundant life arena. What Pastor Nieman teaches is that an abundant life is a thing of the heart. We are blessed to be a blessing. God increases our lives and through that increase we are able to bless others and the chain goes on and on. The abundant life isn't just about finances. Its about true joy... The joy that is a fruit of the Holy Spirit as written in the Bible. Joy that comes from living according to God's word, having a personal relationship with him, and living our purpose whether to be a king or a priest (a business person or in ministry). That's the abundant life that Charles Nieman teaches and it saddens me when people misinterpret this. You say that all hell will break loose in an obedient Christian's life. Okay I see where this is coming from. I've been in the position many times where as soon as things start going right, the devil attacks. Despite those attacks and despite opposition, God still wants us to have an abundant life, not wallow in the suffering and thank him for things that aren't of him. He's pointing out a fact of life, not pouring down a blessing when he warns us of this.

5) When it comes to name it and claim it, let me explain it like this. Water is turned into wine every day. Vineyards are planted, grapes are grown, picked, squished, fermented, and turned into wine. It’s a matter of time. God is not part of this universe, He created it. Time does not apply to Him. If He wants to skip time, he can do that and it makes sense. The same thing for healings... People are healed everyday through recovery, through medicine, through bodily processes... God can speed that up because time does not apply to Him. That is where "name it and claim it" kicks in. We ask in prayer and in faith. What is faith? Knowing without seeing... knowing that when we ask God for something he always answers. He answers "yes", "no", or "not yet". His answer is always right and is always for our betterment. Faith is confidence in God's ability. The substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. It is written that we are to come boldly to the throne room of God. When we claim something in prayer and in faith that has not happened, its having faith in the fact that time does not apply to God and that all things are possible through Him. He can do with time as he wishes. We don't know the difference we just see miracles What appears to be gab it and grab it is actually this: knowing that God is in control and that he has your back. If its not in line with God's will, He's not going to make it happen so no worries.

Now all this stuff I'm saying I say with love and with the hope of building a bridge rather then burning one. I don't consider you an evil person, your children's facility sounds like an important place. Rather I see a misunderstanding between multiple parties rooting back to age old doctrinal conflicts. There's only one thing that you have said that I will admit kind of set my alarms off. I believe I know the young lady Monica that you speak of. I worked with her in the children's ministry I believe (though I could be wrong). I will outright say that you were in the wrong telling her that she could lose her salvation for staying at Abundant Living Faith Center. That is not for you to judge or decide, that is for the Father and the Father alone. If she has accepted Jesus Christ into her heart and made him the Lord of her life, repenting of her sins and accepting the sacrifice that was made for the atonement of our sins, the gal is going to heaven whether she's at ALFC or not. It is written that if we declare Christ's name to the world, He will declare our name to His Father. You are not in ANY position to be telling her otherwise. You say that God led you to fake getting a job interview to get you to Monica. God would not lead you to deceive... He's the same yesterday, today, and forever and He is not a respecter of persons. He doesn't lie, he wouldn't have you do it for Him. I'm sorry friend, but that wasn't God and you need to be careful before you hand out judgments. I am also curious just what Matthew 20:13 had to do with any of it, cause I'm not seeing the connection.

I would like to hear your thoughts on these matters, if for nothing else then a better understanding of another person. I will pray for you, your family, and your children's ministry that God bless and prosper you all.

God bless,

Jett Farrell

Update (12/21/06):

From: Michael
To: bruce@fmh-child.org
Sent: Thu, 21 Dec 2006 23:21:20 GMT
Subject: I agree--of ALFC

Dear Bruce,

---I know it is three to four years late to respond to you, but better late than never. I agree with you. I read your article and all the valid points you had in speaking of Charles Nieman and his so-called church. Let me tell you, you haven't heard the worst of it.

My name is Michael D. Hinojo. My age is 27 and I live in El Paso, TX. I used to go attend Abundant Living Faith Center every Sunday from age zero to age 19. I am born again and believe that Jesus Christ is my Lord. Let me tell you the horrible things that went on in that church. Everything that I am telling you comes from my own experience. If one has doubts about my testimony, you can go see for yourself.

--First off, you are right on all of your points. It is not God's word that Charles isspeaking but his own. It is not God's will that he is preaching but our own desires. Problem with Charles is that he operates like the Devil. He preaches a lot of truth mixed in with clever lies. I would encourage you to speak out against this church, because there are sinister things going on that you haven't seen.

---Every Sunday the kids would be dismissed to the youth center. When I would go there were be body guards. These guys who looked like they were on the wrong side of the law and part of a motorcycle gang in two corners of the room. I felt intimidated and frightened. The service would begin and the pastor would tell sexual jokes. He would make jokes about certain youths calling them gay, and that they should come out of the closet. I forget the name of the pastor, since it was eight years ago. Anyways, there would be threats towards the youths who apparently used markers to decorate the bathroom walls. Now this isn't right for any kid to do, but the idea of a pastor telling the kids that he would "bash" their heads in if they ever did that again is a little uncalled for.

--- Charles Nieman's daughter would yell at the top her lungs. Don't ask me why. I guess it was her teaching method. Other so-called teachers would come in and yell at us. They would bring in a TV and show us a movie clip of the movie Jerry Maguire. There is a scene in which they showed us on where Tom Cruise tells his wife that he completes her. Their reasoning was that only God completes us, which is true. We all need God and I'm just looking at them like "what devil crawled up your soul" as they yelled at us like we were in the army. I came to words with them, because I did not like the way they were talking to me or anybody else.

--And I was a good kid that was never any trouble, but according to them we were the Devil's children.

--My friend and I would go to Christian concerts at their school across the street. Christian rappers would come on stage and start balling us out for no reason. There was this one black lady, a rapper who would, came out, and started yelling--very common at this church--and would say. "you Mother---f*&^*^##kers," you disrespect me and I'll disrespect you." Then they would take turns with their band saying things like I didn't come here to entertain you, I'm here to preach the word of God." They said all this while they were cussing. I tried to leave but they locked the doors and would not let any child out. Let me tell you, I wanted to leave but I was unable to. I looked for exits but they were all locked. Some of the youths started crying and hugging each other--lifting their hands in the air as if this was the best message they had ever heard. I finally got out of there, and never went back.

--I'll say one more thing. I don't trust Charles, not anymore. He is, I believe, a false prophet. He talks way too much about money and the bible warns about such preachers. Every Sunday, to this day, Charles takes offerings and says to his flock. "we have to do this. I know it is not your favorite part of church, but it is not different than going to a restaurant and paying the check." I know this because, some fo my family still goes to this church. When, in heaven, do I have to pay for church--to hear God's word? The whole point of giving is out of ones own heart, in sincerity, not because some pastor tells you to fork over the green.

I think you are right for calling this church out. It is and evil place. I remember God telling me to leave. He said, "Michael they don't care about you." God didn't come out of a cloud or nothing, I just believet that was what he was telling me in my heart.

God bless,

Michael

P.S. Don't take my word for it. Find out for yourself. Send a young 15 year old to chech out the youth center.

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