From: Greg
To: Paul Cohen
Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2014 4:27 AM
Subject: Hi Paul, is the correspondence you received from Gary Huddlestone typical of what you have to deal with? He is one angry, threatened man.I have noticed that those who disagree with you rarely offer scriptural reasons for their views but seem to make it pe
From: Paul Cohen
To: Greg
Cc: Victor Hafichuk
Sent: Wednesday, April 02, 2014 9:10 PM
Subject: RE: Hi Paul, is the correspondence you received from Gary Huddlestone typical of what you have to deal with? He is one angry, threatened man.I have noticed that those who disagree with you rarely offer scriptural reasons for their views but seem to make it pe
Hi Greg,
We get many letters, a goodly amount contesting what we’ve published on our site, with some of those exhibiting Gary’s foul disposition. We also get neutral inquiries, and some letters expressing appreciation, like when you first contacted us.
This letter, by the way, was cut off in the Subject Line at “to make it pe,” which I suspect is “personal.” Was that it?
And that would be correct; those who offer no Scriptures or substance to their complaints have made it personal, because they’re serving themselves instead of seeking the Lord or speaking the Truth.
Paul
From: Greg
To: Paul Cohen
Sent: Monday, April 07, 2014 3:41 AM
Subject: Hi Paul.I have just read Holy Waters and need to write to say I believe that God indeed speaks through both of you.I am sick of running around the same mountain trying to do right and failing and would receive direction from you in whatever form it comes.I look forward to your reply. Greg.
From: Paul Cohen
To: Greg
Cc: Victor Hafichuk
Sent: Thursday, April 10, 2014 10:14 PM
Subject: Email of April 7th
Hi Greg,
Tell us more about what you’re specifically referring to regarding your struggles, to help us be more specific in return. As for trying and failing, I’m reminded of Victor’s testimony, where he experienced trying and failing to overcome his sins, but then asked the Lord to take over his life. This is Repentance, a gift from above.
We’d like to hear more your spiritual journey – how it began and how you got to where you are now. Also tell us about what you do for work, your family, and where you live in Australia. It would be good to know more about you.
Also, you’re welcome to come to our Sabbath meetings, where we visit in a chat room (text – not voice) with other believers from around the world. There you’ll receive live feedback, visiting and hearing from others who are finding their way on the path of truth with the Lord.
The meetings start at 12 noon (Mountain Time) on Saturday, which is 4 am Sunday morning in New South Wales, for example, and even earlier in Western Australia. The meetings do go for several hours (5 or more, usually), however, and you can enter the room at any time. If you’re interested, Sara will send you information on how to attend.
Keep reading and sharing with us as you go along, Greg. Things will come up and direction will be given by the Lord, one way or another, as He leads. Believe Him; put your trust in Him.
“For precept must be on precept, precept on precept; line on line, line on line; here a little, there a little” (Isaiah 28:10 MKJV).
Paul
From: Greg
To: Paul Cohen
Sent: Monday, April 14, 2014 4:05 AM
Subject: RE: Email of April 7th
Hi Paul.Thanks for your reply. I’ll happily provide the info you’ve asked for and will do so before the weekend.In the meantime, I reread Victors testimony and see many similarities.Many times have I knelt before God to confess my sin and ask Him to take control, but there is no real change.I would appreciate your thoughts on seeking God with my whole heart.Kind regards,Greg.
From: Paul Cohen
To: Greg
Cc: Victor Hafichuk
Sent: Wednesday, April 16, 2014 3:55 PM
Subject: Email of April 14th
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6 MKJV).
Hi Greg,
How does one seek God with the whole heart, you ask?
“And Moses took the tabernacle and pitched it outside the camp, afar off from the camp, and called it the tabernacle of the congregation. And it happened, everyone who sought the LORD went out to the tabernacle of the congregation, which was outside the camp” (Exodus 33:7 MKJV).
“Therefore Jesus also, so that He might sanctify the people through His Own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore let us go forth to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach” (Hebrews 13:12-13 MKJV).
You go without the support of men’s works.
“In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord. My hand was stretched out in the night, and didn’t get tired. My soul refused to be comforted” (Psalms 77:2 HNV).
You seek and don’t cease until you find Him, not stopping for anything else.
“And I set my face toward the Lord God, to seek by prayer and holy desires, with fasting, and sackcloth, and ashes” (Daniel 9:3 MKJV).
You humble yourself with prayer and fasting, denying yourself and your flesh in order for the Lord to be confirmed and glorified in your spirit.
“And you shall seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13 MKJV).
“All your heart” means “all your being.” The Lord makes it clear that following Him isn’t something you can do half-hearted or halfway.
Luke 14:28-33 MKJV
(28) For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he may have enough to finish it;
(29) lest perhaps, after he has laid the foundation and is not able to finish, all those seeing begin to mock him,
(30) saying, This man began to build and was not able to finish.
(31) Or what king, going to make war against another king, does not first sit down and consult whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand?
(32) Or else, while the other is still a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks conditions of peace.
(33) So then, everyone of you who does not forsake all his possessions, he cannot be My disciple.
All of these things are done by faith, the seeker motivated by what is unseen to the carnal eye, the Pearl of Great Price and Kingdom of Heaven. Read Hebrews 11, and let us know if you have other questions. We look forward to hearing more of your story.
By the way, we’ve been in the midst of a discussion amongst those who attend the Sabbath meetings about fasting. I’ll send you the emails, which you may find illuminating on this important matter the Lord had just brought up when you asked your question.
Paul
From: Greg
To: Paul Cohen
Sent: Thursday, April 17, 2014 9:39 PM
Subject: RE: Email of April 14th
Hi Paul,thanks for your reply to my question on seeking God.I’ll read Heb.11 in a new light.I’ve got a lot to learn and unlearn.
I was taught the catholic doctrines through all my school years but wandered away when I began my trade in 1971.I thought no more about God until 1989 when a friend who had recently been ” saved ” began to witness to me.He reminded me of some things I had learnt at school but also others I hadn’t heard before.I had reached a point in life where I felt there must be more than just the daily grind so I was more than pleased to listen.
We prayed the sinners prayer,joined the church and felt we had some direction.We attended as a family for about 3 years and learnt most of the diabolical doctrines you write about.A dispute arose with the pastor because I am a smoker,so I was anointed with oil,hands laid on and lots of prayer.When that didn’t work,I wasn’t exactly asked to leave but was encouraged to fix it before I could be included in the worship team as I had been.From there I tried to quit but had no success, so after a time we left without any fuss.
We then began to meet with a family who had just left the Uniting Church and we’re trying to build a fellowship at their home.It was good for a while until the do this and don’t do that began to pile up.I knew then that we have responsibility before God to do what know to do but there seemed no place for Him to work.Once again the smoking came up and I was out on my ear.That was 1996 or 7 and I’ve haven’t been to church since.
I came across the Tomorrow’s world and beyond today programs on the telly about 2years ago and have read their booklets and some of the teaching agrees with yours but a lot doesn’t as you would know.
As I said earlier I have a lot to learn but feel Jesus does speak thru you so I’ll keep reading and sharing with you.As for the rest, my wife and I have been married for 38 yrs.We have two girls 34 and 31 and a son 27.All are my best friends.We live about 200 miles north of Sydney on 2 acres about 30 minutes from the coast.Lovely place.I have a small joinery shop (kitchens etc) which is run from the workshop here.I enjoy my work as there’s something to show at the end of the day.I’ll leave it there but if you need anything further don’t hesitate to ask. Kind regards Greg.
From: Paul Cohen
To: Greg
Cc: Victor Hafichuk
Sent: Tuesday, April 22, 2014 2:36 PM
Subject: Background Story
Hi Greg,
Thanks for the report. It helps us knowing a little more about you.
I have a couple questions. Are you still smoking? If so, do you want to quit (or do you want to want to quit)? Men tried their hand with you, but have you tried your hand with the Lord? Have you sought Him on this matter, even with prayer and fasting?
Paul
From: Greg
To: Paul Cohen
Sent: Wednesday, April 23, 2014 4:26 AM
Subject: RE: Background Story
Hi Paul, thanks for your reply. I am still a smoker but would like to quit.Do you believe I would be better off to seek God for Who He is rather than just for the smoking?As I understand my position at the moment He isn’t in me yet and I am none of His.I would appreciate your thoughts.Kind regards,Greg.
From: Paul Cohen
To: Greg
Cc: Victor Hafichuk
Sent: Friday, April 25, 2014 9:08 PM
Subject: Seeking God
Hi Greg,
You seek God because you need Him. Doesn’t being unable to quit killing yourself with cigarettes show that you need Him? Haven’t you proven that? Don’t we all need Him to turn from our sins?
Why else did God become your Savior, except because you’ve been separated from Him and are totally incapable of saving yourself? So it’s all one package.
Forget analyzing your motives, which paralyzes faith. Go to Him to reveal what He would have for you, not just for smoking, but in making all things right. Don’t you want that? If not, ask Him to give you the desire. It’s certainly His will that all come to repentance, and if His will, He will grant it.
Read Holy Waters.
Paul