Crossbearer.net

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=110 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="084f0f21egerdp.jpg"> <div> <B><IMG SRC="042203c0.jpg" border=0 width="32" height="60" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B><FONT SIZE="6" COLOR="#66334C" FACE="Arial" ><B>Crossbearer.net</B><B>   </B></FONT><A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Newsletters"><U>Newsletters</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id143.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Current updates"><U>Current updates</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Studies on Cults and Religions"><U>Studies on Cults and Religions</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Me"><U>Contact Me</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Missionaries, crossbearers tools"><U>Missionaries, crossbearers & tools</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id24.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Christian links"><U>Christian links</U></A>   |   <A HREF="id69.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The Passion of the Christ"><U>The Passion of the Christ</U></A></div> <div>  <IMG SRC="https://members.tripod.com/bin/counter/index.htm?FF00FF" ALT="[Tripod Counter]">  </div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=210 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="083f2f02egerdp.jpg"> <div> <IMG SRC="058e9a20.jpg" border=0 width="233" height="162" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> The above photo was used as a tract at Mardi Gras one year by a Christian photographer.</div> <div> <IMG SRC="75ec8540.jpg" border=0 width="200" height="340" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> Preaching at River  Bend in Chattanooga, TN</div> <bR> <div> write me </div> <div> <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact Me"><U>e-mail</U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.biblegateway.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.biblegateway.com/"><U>Bible search</U></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#66334C" FACE="Arial" > click here to find a Bible verse. (open in New Window to retain this web page)</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=370 BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="086f0f03.jpg"> <div> <I>Crossbearer's Web Site - Home Page</I></div> <bR> <div> Crossbearer Brian O'Connell </div> <bR> <bR> <div>  <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7y2KsU_dhwI?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>  </div> <div> "180" movie - Ray Comfort</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" >I currently minister as the Associate Pastor at </FONT><A HREF="http://www.crystalriverassembly.org/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.crystalriverassembly.org/"><U>Crystal River Assembly of God</U></A> .<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#CC0000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" >Please come visit with us! </FONT></div> <bR> <div>   <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >   </FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id90.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Honduras 2008"><U>Photo Album</U></A><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >                          Honduras trip in 2008! </FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id303.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mardi Gras 2008"><U>Mardi Gras 2008</U></A> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >            Video</FONT></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="id263.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Honduras 06"><U>Honduras 2006</U></A></FONT>           <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FF0033" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT>          Notes and photos of Central America trip in June of '05 </div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Newsletters"><U>Past newsletters</U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >. </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >              You can read my notes from trips to Europe, United Kingdom and more at this link.</FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id305.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Newspaper articles"><U>Newspaper Articles</U></A>         <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Past Newspaper artciles</FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="https://crossbearer-brian.tripod.com/blog/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="https://crossbearer-brian.tripod.com/blog"><U>BLOG</U></A><A HREF="https://crossbearer-brian.tripod.com/blog/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="https://crossbearer-brian.tripod.com/blog"><U> </U></A>                <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >              </FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >You can join a blog discussion here.</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="75f1d630.jpg" border=0 width="285" height="355" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <bR> <div> This link contains my <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="#brian_s_testimony" TITLE="Crossbearer.net"><U>Testimony</U></A></FONT>, <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="#doctrinal_statement" TITLE="Crossbearer.net"><U>Doctrinal Statement</U></A></FONT>, and Bible Studies!</div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="540" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 249 ><NOBR><div> <A HREF="http://apod.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/image/0412/helix_hst_big.jpg" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://apod.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/image/041"><U><IMG SRC="59ceff30.jpg" border=0 width="239" height="243" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=TOP WIDTH="283"><div> Do you believe in God?</div> <bR> <div> The "Eye of God" also known as the Helix Nebula was photographed with the Hubble Space Telescope!  Click image for larger photo!  </div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#008080" FACE="Georgia" ><B>Rom 1:19-20</B></FONT>  (ISV) <I>For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God himself has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world his invisible attributes-his eternal power and divine nature-have been understood and observed by what he made, so that people are without excuse.</I></div> <bR> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.needhim.org/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.needhim.org/"><U>Need Him</U></A>                  </div> <div> <A HREF="http://wayofthemaster.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://wayofthemaster.com/"><U>wayofthemaster</U></A> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#111111" FACE="Arial" >        Interactive website</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div>  <A NAME="studies_2"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><B><U>Studies</U></B></FONT></div> <div> John 3:3   <I>  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be </I><I><B><U>born again</U></B></I><I>, he </I><I><B>cannot</B></I><I> see the kingdom of God</I>.</div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.godlife.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.godlife.com/"><U>Salvation </U></A>                         </div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.whoisjesus-really.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.whoisjesus-really.com"><U>Who is Jesus?</U></A><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >                          Are you a sceptic, or you have questions you need answered about Jesus and  the Bible. This site gives answers to tough questions!</FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="http://whojesusis.com/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://whojesusis.com/"><U>Who is Jesus?</U></A>                 <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Another web site about Jesus with a short video.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id180.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jewish Tract"><U>Jewish Tract</U></A>                                                <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Tract for Jews with Old Testament scriptures pointing to a "New Covenant" which is in Christ!</FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id179.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="17 prophecies of Christ"><U>17 Prophecies of the coming Messiah (Christ)</U></A>    <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Comparison of Old and New Testament prophecies about Christ!</FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Catholic Catechism reviewed"><U>Catholic Catechism reviewed</U></A> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >                  </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >The Idolatrous church that has forsaken the gospel!</FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id26.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Freemasonry and Shriners"><U>Freemasonry and Shriners</U></A> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >   </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >                              Masonic Lodge   -    The enemy is within the Christian Church!</FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id205.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jehovahs Witnesses"><U>Jehovah's Witnesses</U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >                                 </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Watchtower - Deciever and AntiChrist!   A study on their false doctrines!</FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id47.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Mormon"><U>Mormon</U></A> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >                                                      </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >They think they will one day become gods!</FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id45.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Muslim, Islam"><U>Muslim, Islam</U></A> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >                                             </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > Idolatry - the worship of a foriegn god! Fulfilling the Mark of the Beast! </FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id258.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="101 Bible Contradictions answered"><U>Bible Contradictions answered</U></A><A HREF="id258.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="101 Bible Contradictions answered"><U> </U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="id258.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="101 Bible Contradictions answered"><U> </U></A>               </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >answers to the Muslims, "101 Bible Contradictions"</FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id50.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Seventh Day Adventist"><U>Seventh Day Adventist</U></A> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >                               </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Bound by the Law!</FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id63.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Jesus Only vs Trinity"><U>Jesus Only - vs Trinity</U></A> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >                                 </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Is Jesus the Father, or the Son?         </FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id64.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Tongues"><U>Tongues</U></A><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >                                                                                    The gift of "Tongues"!  Must all believers speak in tongues as proof of their salvation?  </FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id159.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Hindu Testimony"><U>Hindu Testimony</U></A>                                           <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Testimony of a Hindu who found Jesus Christ!</FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id91.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Christian Apologetics"><U>More Cults</U></A> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >                                                   </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Can't find what you wish to investigate here? Click this link to other sites that review many other cults not listed here. </FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id166.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Evolution vs Creation"><U>Evolution vs. Creation</U></A><A HREF="id166.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Evolution vs Creation"><U> </U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >                                 </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Link to "Back to Genesis", a scientific approach for proof of Creation. Great site for the children. </FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSByCxGXXeM" TARGET="_top" TITLE="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSByCxGX"><U>Rock and Roll</U></A><A HREF="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSByCxGXXeM" TARGET="_top" TITLE="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSByCxGX"><U> </U></A>                   <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >                                        Youtube 5 part VIDEO series exposing the dangers of Rock N' Roll  (this link will take you to Part 1)</FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.watchman.org/sci/index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.watchman.org/sci/index.htm"><U>Scientology</U></A><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >                                                                            Actors Tom Cruise & John Travolta promoting L.Ron Hubbard's modern day form of Buddhism and Hinduism!</FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>Other False Teachings:</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id59.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Pretribulation vs. Posttribulation Raptu"><U>Pre-tribulation vs. Post-tribulation Rapture</U></A>        <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Scriptural outline of the rapture with a Post-Tribulational, Pre-Wrath view!</FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id60.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Once Saved, Always Saved?"><U>Once Saved, Always Saved?</U></A>                              <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >This doctrine has caused many to stumble, and some to perish!</FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id210.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Predestination"><U>Predestination</U></A>       <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >                                                                        Did God create each person with a predistined future in heaven or hell? I think not!</FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id157.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="PROSPERITY, the message of covetousness"><U>Prosperity, the message of Covetousness!</U></A>       <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Fleecing the sheep! </FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id229.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Musical Instruments in the church"><U>Musical Instruments in the Church</U></A><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >                                  Do the Scriptures forbid the use of Musical Instruments in Church worship?</FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id231.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="KJV controversy"><U>The King James Only Controversy</U></A>                     <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Are the KJV "Only" authors giving you all the facts without bias?</FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id233.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="The name Jesus or Yeshua"><U>The Name Jesus or Yeshua</U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#CC0000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >                               </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Should we call Jesus Yeshua, or Jesus?</FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>Other items of interest</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id244.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Homosexuality and the Bible"><U>Homosexuality and the Bible</U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#CC0000" FACE="Arial" ><I>                             </I></FONT><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >Scriptures dealing with Homosexuality </FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id230.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Origin of Mardi Gras"><U>The Origin of Mardi Gras</U></A>                                   <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#003300" FACE="Arial" >What did Mardi Gras originate from? Here are some answers</FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="id198.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Origins of the Roman Catholic Church"><U>The Origin of the Roman Catholic Church</U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >       </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > Did the "Roman" Catholic church begin with Christ, or Constantine?</FONT></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div>                                                            <B><U> <A NAME="brian_s_testimony"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B><B><U>Brian's Testimony</U></B></div> <bR> <bR> <div>       In 1980, I graduated from Florida State University with a double major in Insurance and Real Estate. After a short work with an independent insurance agency in Tampa, FL, I then went to work as a stock broker. My Father and I opened our own financial planning firm in 1984. I also learned to fly airplanes and received my IFR rating. I had religion, but I did NOT have a relationship with the living God! I was a hypocrate, which means, an actor! I pretended to be Christian, going to church so that other people would think that I was a good man. But in my heart, and private life, I was a very sinful man.</div> <div>      In 1988, I moved into an apartment complex in Crystal River. I owned a house in a prestigious neighborhood at the time, but had rented it as I tried to start a second office in Tampa, which failed. As a new resident of the apartment complex, I went next door to introduce myself to my neighbors, Tim and Jody Hines, who took the time to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with me. For the first time in my 30 years of life, I clearly understood the Gospel. That night I went to church with Tim and Jody and after the service I asked the Pastor "you people are always speaking about being <B>'Born Again'</B>. What do you mean by this?" He read <B>Romans 10:9-10</B> to me and explained my need to be saved and asked me if I would pray with him and ask Jesus into my heart. I acknowledged and that night I prayed to Jesus to enter my heart and wash me of my sins by His blood. </div> <bR> <div>     <I>Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be </I><I><B><U>born again</U></B></I><I>, he cannot see (understand) the kingdom of God.   </I>John 3:3 </div> <bR> <div>   <I>  That if thou shalt </I><I><B>confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus,</B></I><I> and shalt </I><I><B>believe in thine heart</B></I><I> that God hath raised him from the dead, </I><I><B>thou shalt be saved</B></I><I>. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and </I><I><B>with the mouth confession is made unto salvation</B></I><I>. </I>Romans 10:9-10 </div> <bR> <div>      I was truly transformed by the Holy Spirit that now, at the age of 30, was finally living inside of me. I was sickened by my sinful life and chose to change forever. Starting that same day, I returned home and trashed my pornography, called the cable company to shut off the TV, and when Friday night came, instead of going to the bar to drink and pick up a one night stand, I stayed home and talked to Jesus. My drinking and fornicating days had come to an end. The Lord Jesus and I fellowshiped together that entire night. I could feel the presence of the Lord as I told him my whole life's story. I knew He was listening and understood me like no one ever has. The days following my salvation, were different. They had come alive in a new way, and I realized how dead I really was prior to surrendering to Christ as I could literally feel the new life that had begun! My past was forgiven, my future had a NEW destiny, I was a new man! As time progressed after my salvation experience, I would often sit under the starlit night and commune with the living God. I began a daily ritual of waking early in the morning, and finding a peaceful place where I could commune with God and watch the blackness of the night turn to light as I watched the beauty of the sun rising with the birds waking with their songs of praise! Spending the first few hours of the day with the Lord, was the strength that made each day so wonderful. If you have never been "born again", you will not understand the glorious joy of feeling the presence of Almighty God and a new life! Prayer is no longer a bourdon, but a pleasure and joy! Whenever I prayed, I felt like I was being lifted up, out of my body, and being held in the arms of God!</div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >    </FONT><I>... and truly our </I><I><B>fellowship</B></I><I> is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.</I>  1 John 1:3 </div> <bR> <div> I realize that these experiences are foolishness to the unsaved reader, but then, God's word declares that Spiritual things are foolishness to those who are "natural, carnal, unsaved"! Yet, in your heart, if you will be honest with yourself, you too wish you could have a "New Life" experience with the living God, which you can, if you would truly repent and call on the name of Jesus Christ!</div> <bR> <div>     <I>But the </I><I><B>natural man</B></I><I> receiveth not the things of the </I><I><B>Spirit </B></I><I>of God: for they are </I><I><B>foolishness</B></I><I> unto him: neither can he know them, </I><I><B>because they are spiritually discerned</B></I>.    1 Cor. 2:14   </div> <bR> <div> In the months ahead, I became consumed with Jesus and His Holy Word, the Bible. Jesus became everything to me! I was no longer ashamed of him or his word. His word became my daily bread of life. I read it through the night until daybreak, learning things I had never known about the Lord. The errors I was taught in my own denomination in which I grew up in, were being washed away with the truth I found in God's Word! It was liberating me, making me free! I would ask Him questions and He would speak to my heart and answer me. I played the Bible on cassette tapes throughout the night, and the Lord would supernaturally wake me up to hear the exact Word from the Scriptures which would answer my question. He was teaching me by His Spirit and His Word!</div> <bR> <div>     <I>But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, </I><I><B>he shall teach you all things</B></I><I>, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.</I> John 14:26 </div> <bR> <div> <I>    Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, </I><I><B>If ye continue in my word</B></I><I>, then are ye my disciples indeed; [32] A</I><I><B>nd ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free</B></I><I>.</I> John 8:31-32 </div> <bR> <div>      On several occasions, the Lord would speak to me audibly with a voice that sounded like another person was in the room speaking to me. On one occasion, He foretold something that actually took place 3 days later.  It brought great rejoicing to me as it was an answer to prayer.</div> <bR> <div>      I began receiving visions of the Lord. One day, after a Jewish woman rejected the Gospel telling me that Jesus was "Just a good Jewish boy" I returned home and for the next 6 hours, the Lord let me see, <B>in a vision</B>, the scene where Jesus was standing before the judges, and a guard lifting the back end of the spear, would hit Jesus with an undercut under the chin. His weakened body would then fall to the ground and a voice spoke to me saying "Just a good Jewish boy!"  Then the vision would repeat itself. I wept bitterly as I witnessed the one whom I had fallen in love with, being struck, falling to the ground, and the words "Just a good Jewish boy!" repeat itself for 6 hours.</div> <bR> <div>     <I>And it shall come to pass in the </I><I><B>last days</B></I><I>, saith God,I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and </I><I><B>your young men shall see visions</B></I><I>, and your old men shall dream dreams:</I> Acts 2:17 </div> <bR> <div>      One day, I had been fasting and crying out to the Lord from the depths of my innermost being that He would manifest Himself to me. That night, after hours of worship and crying out to the Lord Jesus, as I lay on my face in my room, the presence of the Lord filled my room. It was heavy, like the presure you feel when you are at the bottom of a swimming pool, and what felt like an electrical current of energy was filling the room. Then, at that moment, I knew there was someone else in my room. <B>He stood at the foot of my bed and I knew it was Jesus</B>. I was filled with Holy fear as the King of the Universe stood there before me. In the next moment, He was no longer at the foot of the bed, but was now standing right in front of me. I spoke to Him and said "<B>Jesus</B>, I am afraid to open my eyes as I know that if I do, <B>I would be looking at your feet</B>." At that moment, I don't know how to explain it, but I knew He was looking right through me, like a transparent glass, and saw the child that He formed in my Mother's womb. He looked right past my sinful, wicked life and loved that child He formed. Then, I felt Him lay His right hand on my left shoulder. A feeling, like oil, mint fresh, hot and cold, like you experience when you swallow an ice cube and you feel the coolness as it goes down to your stomach, the minty oil like feeling oozed from the top of my head and slowly moved down my inner body until it reached my feet. It was as if I had been washed. I must have spent the rest of the night there on the floor, as I never wanted this presence to leave.</div> <bR> <div> <I>    He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, </I><I><B>he it is that loveth me</B></I><I>: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and </I><I><B>will manifest (reveal) myself to him</B></I><I>.</I> John 14:21 </div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >    </FONT><I>And ye shall seek me, </I><I><B>and find me</B></I><I>, when ye shall search for me with </I><I><B>all your heart</B></I><I>. </I>Jeremiah 29:13 </div> <bR> <div> <I>    Then will I sprinkle </I><I><B>clean water</B></I><I> upon you, and </I><I><B>ye shall be clean:</B></I><I> from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, </I><I><B>will I cleanse you</B></I><I>. [26] A new heart also will I give you, and </I><I><B>a new spirit will I put within you</B></I><I>: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. [27] And I will put my spirit within you, and </I><I><B>cause you to walk in my statutes</B></I><I>, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. </I>Ezekiel 36:25-27 </div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> Many more experiences took place, of which I could write a book.</div> <bR> <div>      I went to<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#444444" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="id127.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Christ for the Nations"><U>Christ for the Nations Bible Institute</U></A></FONT> in Dallas Texas and graduated in 1992. I was later ordained into the ministry.  In 1993, I traveled to Honduras on 2 occasions for short, 10 day mission trips. A year later in 1994, during a short term mission trip to Trinidad, the Lord spoke to my heart to return to<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#444444" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#330000" FACE="Arial" >Honduras</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#444444" FACE="Arial" > </FONT>and live there helping <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://swiftsword.org/Frank.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://swiftsword.org/Frank.htm"><U>Frank Monterroso</U></A><A HREF="http://swiftsword.org/Frank.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://swiftsword.org/Frank.htm"><U>,</U></A></FONT> another missionary who lives in the Moskito Coast. So I returned. </div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >     Between 1994 -1996  I made 3 more trips and spent 14 months in Honduras, carrying the cross, teaching at the Bible Institute, preaching in churches and physically laboring with Frank. On one occasion we journyed into Guatemala passing out tracts. In 1995, during an interim between trip to Honduras, I also worked 8 months  as Assistant Pastor at </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#444444" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="id129.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="New Life Christian Center"><U> </U></A></FONT><A HREF="id129.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="New Life Christian Center"><U>New Life Christian Center</U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#444444" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >in Crystal River, FL.  In August of 2000, I returned  to </FONT><A HREF="id181.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Honduras 00"><U>Honduras</U></A> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > including visiting the island of Roatan, staying 2 months carrying the cross and distributing some 8,000 tracts throughout the country.  I have returned to Honduras in </FONT> <A HREF="id207.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Honduras 03"><U>2003</U></A>,  <A HREF="id241.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Honduras 05"><U>2005</U></A>, <A HREF="id263.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Honduras 06"><U>2006</U></A> , & <A HREF="id308.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Honduras 08"><U>2008</U></A></div> <bR> <div> I  began carrying the cross in 1991 in my hometown of Crystal River, Florida and since then, have traveled my hometown streets with the cross possibly hundreds of times.  </div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >When I returned from Honduras in 1996-7, I teamed up with</FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#555555" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><A HREF="id121.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Lance Rowe"><U>Lance Rowe</U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#444444" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >carrying the cross through southern Louisiana on  Hwy. 90. In 1998 and 1999 I traveled with </FONT><A HREF="id120.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Michael Siemer "><U>Michael Siemer</U></A><A HREF="id120.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Michael Siemer "><U> </U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" >carrying the cross through Eastern United states and into Canada.  In May of the year 2000, Michael and  I  flew to Europe landing in Barcelona, Spain and traveled through France to Rome, Italy, carrying the cross and passing out tracts. You can read my journal notes at </FONT><A HREF="id153.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Europe in 00"><U> </U></A><A HREF="id153.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Europe in 00"><U>Europe trip</U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="id153.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Europe in 00"><U>.</U></A></FONT></div> <bR> <div> In May of 2001, Michael Siemer and I traveled to Ireland and walked the cross in 11 cities through Ireland, North Ireland, Scotland and England. To read of my trip, go to <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000CC" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="id156.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Ireland UK 01"><U>Ireland</U></A></FONT>.</div> <bR> <div> I have, on occasions, traveled with other crossbearers. On my web site you will find links to each of these "<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Missionaries, crossbearers tools"><U>crossbearers</U></A></FONT>."</div> <bR> <div> Since 1990, the Lord has taken me to preach at Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Fantasy Fest in Key West & Riverbend in Chattanooga annually.    </div> <bR> <div> On May 8th, <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000CC" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="id232.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Year 2004"><U>2004</U></A></FONT>, in Dayton, Tennessee, Michael and I were both arrested and charged while attempting to carry the cross during a Gay Day festival. The city later compensated us for the false arrest, the charges were dropped and expunged (removed from our records), and we received a letter of apology from the arresting officer (the Chief of Police)!</div> <bR> <div> I currently  work with the <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000CC" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.sanctuarymission.org/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.sanctuarymission.org/"><U>Sanctuary Mission</U></A></FONT> as a Bible Instructor, & as Associate Pastor at the Crystal River <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000CC" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.crystalriverassembly.org/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.crystalriverassembly.org/"><U>First Assembly of God</U></A></FONT>.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> Since my salvation in 1988, hundreds of thousands of tracts have been distributed and I've had the joy of praying with innumerable numbers of people for salvation and ministry. </div> <bR> <div> A WITNESS OF OUR LORD and GOD, JESUS CHRIST (Acts 1:8, John 20:28),</div> <bR> <div> Brian   O'Connell    </div> <div>   "crossbearer"</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U> <A NAME="doctrinal_statement"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></U></B><B><U>Doctrinal Statement</U></B></div> <bR> <div> <B>1. The Scriptures</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> The divine inspiration of the Bible, which is inerrant in the original writings, and that, it is of supreme and final authority in faith and practice.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <B>2. The Godhead</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> One God, eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <B>3. Man, his Fall and Redemption</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> The creation of man in the divine image, man's subsequent fall through sin, resulting in universal guilt and total depravity; and the necessity, therefore, of redemption and restoration.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <B>4. The Deity of Jesus Christ</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> The deity of Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, perfect life, redeeming death, bodily resurrection, heavenly intercession, and His personal return.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <B>5. The Holy Spirit</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> The personality of the Holy Spirit by Whose regenerative work, sinful man is born again, and by Whose indwelling regenerate man is enabled to live a godly life.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <B>6. Resurrection</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> The bodily resurrection of the just and the unjust, the everlasting blessedness of the saved and the everlasting punishment of the lost.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> <B>7. The Body of Christ</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> The spiritual unity of all believers as comprising the true Church, which has the duty to preach the Gospel to every creature.<FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <I> </I></div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>If you wish to support this ministry you can use pay pal</I></div> <bR> <div>  <form action="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr" method="post"> <input type="hidden" name="cmd" value="_s-xclick"> <input type="image" src="https://www.paypal.com/en_US/i/btn/x-click-but04.gif" border="0" name="submit" alt="Make payments with PayPal - it's fast, free and secure!"> <input type="hidden" name="encrypted" value="-----BEGIN PKCS7-----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-----END PKCS7----- "> </form>  </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>The following are some Christian search engine links (They will take you outside of my website - open in new window to return here)</I></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.afr.net/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.afr.net/"><U><U><IMG SRC="5a5c03c0.gif" border=0 width="448" height="60" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <I>  <A HREF="http://search.crossdaily.com/vote.php3?sid=43058" TARGET="New"><IMG SRC="http://img.crossdaily.com/acsvote100.gif" WIDTH="100" HEIGHT="60" ALT="CrossDaily.com"></A><P>   </I></div> <bR> <div> <I> <a href='http://www.agapesearch.com/cgi-bin/search/in.cgi?id=1075' target='_blank'><b>Agape Christian Search and Directory</b></a>  </I></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.wespreadtheword.net/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.wespreadtheword.net/"><U><I>http://www.wespreadtheword.net/</I></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <I> <a href="http://www.christiansunite.com/"><img src="http://www.christiansunite.com/cfl_anim.gif" width="108" height="68"></a>  </I></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.amazingbible.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.amazingbible.org"><U><I>www.amazingbible.org</I></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.ourchurch.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.ourchurch.com"><U><I>www.ourchurch.com</I></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <I> <a style="text-decoration: none" target="_blank" href="http://webnet77.com/cgi-bin/BillX/engine.pl?action=vote&id=3703">Vote</a> for this site.  </I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus Jesus</I></div> <bR> <div> <I>Updated 6-6-2018</I></div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>