Dear Fellow Believers,

Here is a classic lesson on the Potter and the Clay, understood by not a single Christian. But we understand it, thank God, and it comforts us more than anything else. Such a simple teaching. How can it not be believed by so many billions? Human pride is stronger, in the Christian mind, than even the Word of God.

In the first show I talk about a painting by my ex-friend Denise Telep of Grace Cafe, who inexplicably (literally) won't talk to me anymore. But anyway, while she was my friend, I got to go to one of her art exhibits and she exhibited an amazing painting of clay vessels shaping themselves. You have to see it to believe it—and you will see it in this video. It's a piece illustrating the ludicrous idea that an inert lump of clay COULD fashion itself according to ITS will. You and I laugh at such an outrageous concept, but this is precisely what Christians think happens: human beings make themselves into what they want, apart from any influence from God. What Christians think happens with humans, Denise translates to the Potter and Clay example to effectively demonstrate the hideous impossibility of it.

I like one of my quotes in the second show, "There's only one thing worse than His hand being on you, and that is His hand being off you.” Also in the second show, I discuss the difference between "Creator" and "Former." "Creator" speaks of power, "Former" speaks of relationship. This is a great revelation.

Once again, Rodney Paris picks out a classic MZTV to tag at the end. You're gonna love it. It's MZTV 239 from August 2019, titled, "Demolishing Free Will; God is Not a Gentleman." In this video, I reference the previous video, in which I talk about a discussion I had with my friend Janet's pastor in Lima, Peru, whose name is "Marie." I don't want you to confuse "Pastor Marie" from Peru with my wife Maria from Peru. My wife from Peru is much smarter than Pastor Marie from Peru, who completely buys into human free will.

Thank you one and all for all your encouragement and support, especially since my surgery. Last week's shows were a vast struggle. The pain is constantly nagging and my mouth still feels like it's got a giant rubber dog toy in it. It's hard to talk; it's hard to concentrate. But God comes through for me every time I hit the button to record. It helps that you have been so encouraging. I can't thank you enough for that. My strength is in Christ and in God, but it also comes from your marvelous cheerleading. Truly, you are my best friends in this world.

With much appreciation from the peninsula,

Martin