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OH SARATOGA!

 

Saints storm the gates in Sarasota Springs, NY
Saints storm the gates in Sarasota Springs, NY

 OH SARATOGA!

AUGUST 17-21 REPORT

Sunday, August 17th

Fr Francis and Rev. Benham led the Solemn Assembly after a good time of praise and worship unto our God.

The world's problem is with the truth and the one who is truth = JESUS. The whole world is accountable to God. God sent Jesus to save the world, not condemn it (John 3:16-17) BUT ... this is the judgment: "they loved the dark and not the light" (John 16). Conviction of sin is judgment unto righteousness. Biblical love is the opposite of tolerance.

We must get the plank out of our own eye before we get the speck in our brother's eye (Matt. 7). We, the Church, are the ones most responsible for the sins in our nation (abortion, homosexuality, etc.) If we don't fight these battles, they will come to us. If we don't do it now, our children and grandchildren will have a harder time than we will. We broke into groups at the end to repent and pray in preparation for the week coming up. Judgment begins in the house of the Lord.

Monday, August 18th

We had early morning devotions breakfast. Then we were off on foot to Saratoga Hospital ... where little babies are killed by abortions. We were escorted by police in cars and on bikes. The Saratoga Police were great. We had about fifty moms, dads, children, and grandparents out in front of the hospital with signs. Like in the times of Nehemiah, we must rebuild the walls with our families. This is a family ministry. We teach our children to stand against evil and to what is right in the eyes of the Lord. A young Mom, five months pregnant came and talked to us. She needed encouragement and got it. Her name was Katie, please pray for her. She was kicked out of her house and on her own. I think she was around nineteen years old. She took some literature and our phone number. We had some songs and Flip preached

We went to Saratoga center in the afternoon and passed out many invitations to the camp meeting and gospel tracts.

After great praise and worship music from Heart of Worship, Rev. Benham preached an awesome message. In 1 Samuel 13 & 14 we see how King Saul was hiding under the pomegranate tree as Jonathan went after the Philistines to fight. Saul's troops were hiding in fear, like most of the Church today. They sang praises to God, but did not obey Him. If we want to see God's hand move, we must move. In Mark 4 we see how Jesus crossed the water to pick a fight with the Baal worshippers. He did not hide, He went to them to confront the sin. Jesus is our example. In 1 Kings 18 Elijah confronted Ahab. They called Elijah a "troublemaker" just like they call us. Elijah wasn't the problem, their sin was the problem. Like when we go to the mill, we are not the problem, killing the babies is the problem! Abandoning the Lord's command is the problem!

Tuesday, August 19th

After morning devotions we were off to Schenectady Planned Parenthood. Fr Francis had a sound permit as the praises of God's people filled the air. There was one "turnaway". One of the escorts did not like it that clients were taking the prolife literature so she grabbed it from Carmen as she was giving some to another Mom and threw it on the ground. The police did not want to hear about it. Also they tried to tell us we could not go on a certain part of the sidewalk -- which is not legal for them to do. It is a public sidewalk. We will see what happens.

In the afternoon we went to the park in the center of town and the kids did awesome passing out more invitations and tracts than the adults. Cori did the most with 55, Mila gave out 50, and Colbi 35. Us adults trailed behind them. We did have a few people each night that did come from the invites.

Deacon Larry shared at the evening service after good praise and worship songs filled the air.

Wednesday, August 20th

This morning after devotions we were off to Glen Falls PP. A Mom going in for "prenatal care" did not go in. She did not know that Planned Parenthood did abortions. Carmen got to share with her in length and detail. Another incident happened when the clinic worker took the literature away from a client that received the info from Carmen. I guess they are really NOT "pro-choice" like they claim to be.

Fr Francis asked Carmen and I to do a little "sidewalk counseling" seminar after lunch. It went pretty good, lots of questions were answered and we were able to share our experiences out on the streets for the past thirteen years.

"Heart of Worship" led the praise for the night. It was great. Pastor Ed Martin apologized to the younger generation for not doing enough to end abortion in our nation. He warned the Church of it's sin (Ezekiel 3:20). When a righteous man is in sin, it must be exposed.

Thursday Aug. 21st

After devotions and a delicious breakfast we were off to the Saratoga Battlefield for our final get together. Fr Francis led the ceremony with some help from Pastor Ed. Fr Francis shared battle hymns all week that he wrote and sang on the guitar. Now we can't get them out of our heads :-) We can't wait to see the commemorative Battlefield book to be published soon from Oh Saratoga! 2003. Order you copies from Fr Francis. Overall we had a great week, and look forward to next year's Oh Saratoga! Mark your calendars August 15-19th, 2004.

"Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders, and the sin that easily entangles us, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and protector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Hebrews 12:1-3

In the Battle for LIfe,
Marilyn Carroll