Just received a phone call that my son Ezra, his wife, and their four kids were on a boat on the Amazon that caught fire, exploded, and sank. They escaped with only their lives and the clothes on their backs. Not everyone on the boat made it. They are now without passports and paperwork. Praise for deliverance. Prayers for provision.
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Riverboat update. Ezra and family lost phones, tablets, wallets, clothes, and vital documents. They were halfway to Benjamin Constant from Manaus (five-day trip) when an explosion occurred on the boat. They are now on a military boat taking them back to Manaus. They expect it will take two months or more to replace their documentation, passports, etc. If interested in donation information, please connect with me at leebrainard@soothkeep.info.
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This miracle of salvation by grace through faith in Christ, is freely available to ALL, just as it was when Peter stood up on that first day of Pentecost and taught this life~changing truth. The miracle of salvation is a free gift to ALL who believe. Salvation costs us nothing. But NEVER forget what it cost God to give His dearly beloved Son, to hang on the Cross as the sacrifice for sin, and NEVER forget what it cost the Lord Jesus to go to the Cross on behalf of you and me.
Carli • Saved by Grace
Carli • Saved by Grace
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Riverboat deliverance update.
We are still only getting snippets of information. We had heard that they were on a military boat taking Ezra, Joanna, and the kids to Manaus, but the military boat dropped the not seriously wounded off in the town at Uarini, AM, Brazil and continued on their journey with those who had significant medical needs. The townspeople gave them shelter, clothes, and food. Here is their temporary shelter in Uarini.
We are expecting that Joanna will be able to call her mom some time today and give her the full storie. Most details are still lacking.
We are still only getting snippets of information. We had heard that they were on a military boat taking Ezra, Joanna, and the kids to Manaus, but the military boat dropped the not seriously wounded off in the town at Uarini, AM, Brazil and continued on their journey with those who had significant medical needs. The townspeople gave them shelter, clothes, and food. Here is their temporary shelter in Uarini.
We are expecting that Joanna will be able to call her mom some time today and give her the full storie. Most details are still lacking.
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A common expression today in some prophecy-loving circles runs down the path of "The Holy Spirit continues to send new revelation today." If taken literally, this is heresy. The only revelation today is the Bible. The Bible is the only "thus saith the Lord." Men do receive illumination and providential direction in a thousand amazing ways, but all who have discernment know the difference between revelation and illumination. The former is equal to the word of God that we have. It is truly the word of God. The latter is to be tested by the word of God.
Hopefully, when folks say things like "the Holy Spirit still sends revelation," they are just operating with theological sloppiness, and they only mean further illumination as men mix absolute confidence in the historical-grammatical hermeneutic with the leading of the Spirit into all truth—-"thy word is truth."
I have observed that the more committed men are to using the term "revelation" to describe the teaching they supposedly learn from the Holy Spirit, the more frustrated they get when men encourage them to be more consistent with the historical-grammatical hermeneutic. They cast shade on the historical-grammatical hermeneutic with the claim that they are spiritual men taught by the Holy Spirit, while evangelicals are hindered because they trust a dead hermeneutic and the dead letter. This, too, is a heretical approach to the word of God. The word of God is spirit and truth. The word of God is powerful and living. The word of God is God's perfect revelation to man designed to fully equip the saints for holy living and right understanding. The Holy Spirit doesn't take men on a path independent from the word of God. He takes them deep into the word of God. He strengthens their trust in the word of God and the literal interpretation of the same.
Hopefully, when folks say things like "the Holy Spirit still sends revelation," they are just operating with theological sloppiness, and they only mean further illumination as men mix absolute confidence in the historical-grammatical hermeneutic with the leading of the Spirit into all truth—-"thy word is truth."
I have observed that the more committed men are to using the term "revelation" to describe the teaching they supposedly learn from the Holy Spirit, the more frustrated they get when men encourage them to be more consistent with the historical-grammatical hermeneutic. They cast shade on the historical-grammatical hermeneutic with the claim that they are spiritual men taught by the Holy Spirit, while evangelicals are hindered because they trust a dead hermeneutic and the dead letter. This, too, is a heretical approach to the word of God. The word of God is spirit and truth. The word of God is powerful and living. The word of God is God's perfect revelation to man designed to fully equip the saints for holy living and right understanding. The Holy Spirit doesn't take men on a path independent from the word of God. He takes them deep into the word of God. He strengthens their trust in the word of God and the literal interpretation of the same.
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Riverboat update sent by Joanna's mom. A fuller update will come out later.
"I just got off the phone with Joanna. It was a COMPLETE miracle! They and passengers jumped from the burning boat and survived. They are WELL right now. The gospel has been going out. I am going to transcribe what Joey told me and it will be a bit jumbled but it is just the work of the Lord that they are alive. Thanks so much for your prayers.
Everyone has a story Joanna said, but people are singling them out because they had the largest family and the youngest baby. Joanna said she was preaching the gospel on the shore and didn’t know where Eric was or Ezra."
"I just got off the phone with Joanna. It was a COMPLETE miracle! They and passengers jumped from the burning boat and survived. They are WELL right now. The gospel has been going out. I am going to transcribe what Joey told me and it will be a bit jumbled but it is just the work of the Lord that they are alive. Thanks so much for your prayers.
Everyone has a story Joanna said, but people are singling them out because they had the largest family and the youngest baby. Joanna said she was preaching the gospel on the shore and didn’t know where Eric was or Ezra."
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RIVERBOAT UPDATE —- Part 1
(from Joanna's mom who talked to Joanna today)
Brainards’ boat rescue
I am just trying to write everything Joanna shared ... Typing this as if I am telling you what Joanna said to me, this is the order she told me the details. She will use this later and revise/correct, Lord willing. Some repetition of details and things that are ambiguous, but all the Brainards were rescued.
Last we heard there were 3 fatalities and 9 missing. Joanna thinks less than 150 people on board.
To God be the glory. - Debbie (Joanna’s mom).
=======================================
Henrietta should not be alive.
The rescue was from burning boat, to water, to private canoes of passers-by, to land, to canoes, to military ship, to 2 hour speed boat to village of Uarini, to car, to school gymnasium.
(Joanna repeated “we should not be alive” many times throughout telling the details, which she shared like she was giving directions to someone’s house. Not that she was unemotional, but with much evidence of God’s grace in her life)
They were on the edge of the boat waiting. It was daylight. Fire started in the back of the boat. They were on the top deck. They went down to the main deck, people lowered the children down, Joanna almost fell (would have broken her leg, less able in the water). The boat was heading towards the shore as it burned, probably deliberately to make rescue easier, but then started moving away. That was when Ezra said for them to jump (because boat was moving away from shore).
Ezra wore lifejacket and had Andrew (life jacket) and Henrietta. Joanna had Philip, her lifejacket was small and not strapped on all the way.
Before they jumped, a girl with a lifejacket offered to take Erik with her. Joanna gave Erik to the girl and to the Lord.
Henrietta (who loves to go in the water with her own swim floatie when they would go for fun) got separated, and had no life jacket. People later said they would see her and push her up out of the water, several people did, and she was later pulled into a canoe and seems to have had no water inhalation, praise God. I (Debbie) could hear her talking and crying and Joanna put her on so I sang a favorite funny song to her, (hard for me to do for not crying). God is so good.
There had been an event in a nearby village, near to where the boat caught fire, so there were local people in canoes going to or from that event. They were first responders.
Joanna lost her glasses during the whole ordeal, and she has very poor vision without them. Joanna with her (child) kept above water, another lady with a baby was grabbing on to Joanna. So they must have made it to a canoe, which I am sure was hard to do with everything.
From the water, Ezra brought (kids) to (a canoe) and continued out in the water to help bring more people. He said as he was swimming around, not knowing where the rest of the family was, he recalled getting a text from Roger (from our church, also a missionary) that morning, saying he was praying for their safety on the boat. That was a great comfort to him.
Joanna was on the shore without Ezra or Erik, She figured Erik was too little to be scared, if he didn’t make it. She saw the desperation of people who were getting out of the water, many making vows, and she realized she need to help them the only way she could, so she began sharing the gospel with them, using the amazing fact that any of them survived to point them to God’s mercy to them. She also sang. She said her mouth was sore from all the Portuguese.
Eventually, the lady who took Erik made it to shore. It had been a miracle, she had to keep ensuring Erik’s face was above water.
The military boat arrived and picked up Ezra, and (I think) relayed to him that his wife and kids were all safe.
(from Joanna's mom who talked to Joanna today)
Brainards’ boat rescue
I am just trying to write everything Joanna shared ... Typing this as if I am telling you what Joanna said to me, this is the order she told me the details. She will use this later and revise/correct, Lord willing. Some repetition of details and things that are ambiguous, but all the Brainards were rescued.
Last we heard there were 3 fatalities and 9 missing. Joanna thinks less than 150 people on board.
To God be the glory. - Debbie (Joanna’s mom).
=======================================
Henrietta should not be alive.
The rescue was from burning boat, to water, to private canoes of passers-by, to land, to canoes, to military ship, to 2 hour speed boat to village of Uarini, to car, to school gymnasium.
(Joanna repeated “we should not be alive” many times throughout telling the details, which she shared like she was giving directions to someone’s house. Not that she was unemotional, but with much evidence of God’s grace in her life)
They were on the edge of the boat waiting. It was daylight. Fire started in the back of the boat. They were on the top deck. They went down to the main deck, people lowered the children down, Joanna almost fell (would have broken her leg, less able in the water). The boat was heading towards the shore as it burned, probably deliberately to make rescue easier, but then started moving away. That was when Ezra said for them to jump (because boat was moving away from shore).
Ezra wore lifejacket and had Andrew (life jacket) and Henrietta. Joanna had Philip, her lifejacket was small and not strapped on all the way.
Before they jumped, a girl with a lifejacket offered to take Erik with her. Joanna gave Erik to the girl and to the Lord.
Henrietta (who loves to go in the water with her own swim floatie when they would go for fun) got separated, and had no life jacket. People later said they would see her and push her up out of the water, several people did, and she was later pulled into a canoe and seems to have had no water inhalation, praise God. I (Debbie) could hear her talking and crying and Joanna put her on so I sang a favorite funny song to her, (hard for me to do for not crying). God is so good.
There had been an event in a nearby village, near to where the boat caught fire, so there were local people in canoes going to or from that event. They were first responders.
Joanna lost her glasses during the whole ordeal, and she has very poor vision without them. Joanna with her (child) kept above water, another lady with a baby was grabbing on to Joanna. So they must have made it to a canoe, which I am sure was hard to do with everything.
From the water, Ezra brought (kids) to (a canoe) and continued out in the water to help bring more people. He said as he was swimming around, not knowing where the rest of the family was, he recalled getting a text from Roger (from our church, also a missionary) that morning, saying he was praying for their safety on the boat. That was a great comfort to him.
Joanna was on the shore without Ezra or Erik, She figured Erik was too little to be scared, if he didn’t make it. She saw the desperation of people who were getting out of the water, many making vows, and she realized she need to help them the only way she could, so she began sharing the gospel with them, using the amazing fact that any of them survived to point them to God’s mercy to them. She also sang. She said her mouth was sore from all the Portuguese.
Eventually, the lady who took Erik made it to shore. It had been a miracle, she had to keep ensuring Erik’s face was above water.
The military boat arrived and picked up Ezra, and (I think) relayed to him that his wife and kids were all safe.
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RIVERBOAT UPDATE —- Part 2
(from Joanna's mom who talked to Joanna today)
People think the fire started in the motor or the kitchen. (They have not seen the kitchen lady, but Joanna said there are two places where the passengers are staying.) The boat had tons of fireworks on board. The boat had no children’s life jackets, the wooden life boats were so difficult to access, not sure if they were able to use any of them.
Henrietta had some burns, but many others had much worse burns than her. She was covered in oil, and said she was really dirty, not something she enjoys.
The family was reunited (didn’t get details of all that) and taken to a military boat for medical attention. That was when Joanna called Jess in Benjamin. Joanna had her apple watch and batt was low, but she could get some contacts off of it. She wanted folks in Brazil to hear they survived, because it would be big news in Brazil and folks knew they were on that boat.
After they were on the military boat, they took smaller speed boats for 2 hour trip to a nearby village. By now it was dark, and it was very scary for the passengers. They were given juice and crackers. All very hungry.
When they landed at the village, cars were waiting to take them to a school gymnasium. People lined the streets clapping as they drove by. The people and store ownders have been so generous with any physical need. All new or used clothes for everyone. They have been able to keep their own family together since then. Everyone has been so happy to help the passengers.
People lost babies and parents. Joanna kept wondering if she was dreaming.
Joanna said that before they left on the boat, Sarah (her sister) had sent her a song by Celtic Thunder, which ends:
Thank you, Lord, you have brought us
Safe to shore
Be our strength and protection
Ever more
[...]
Joanna said everyone has their story of rescue, but people have been singling them out because they are the largest family and have the youngest baby and all survived. Last night, a woman who lost a child came by and was just staring at Andrew, and Joanna got to hug her and talk with her and pray with her, and tell her that her child was safe in heaven, but she needed salvation, etc.
[...]
Ezra had his wallet on him, and Joanna has her Brazilian ID number memorized. Also, Ezra has photos of all their papers on icloud, when they can access that again. Authorities are interviewing everyone because all need documents replaced.
Joanna wrote down contacts from her apple watch.
Locals have brought toys and they asked for crayons and paper, and they have that. Henrietta made a lego boat “I made a boat on fire”. The kids all saw the burned up boat and understand about that.
Joanna told Andrew “Today we walked through the valley of the shadow of death”. Andrew understood and agreed!
Joanna said it is not a big town but everyone has been so generous.
Joanna said they think the crew jumped off, and passengers were handing out life jackets (I am thinking that the crew might have had to, if they were nearest the fire.
Passengers were all covered in oil when they got out of the water.
She said they had no game plan, had no idea what they would do, she said it was as dramatic as you could imagine.
Joanna had oil and clay in her hair. Someone came to wash it, they washed it three times. She thought the person was joking about being a hairdresser, but they said “I really am a hairdresser”. That is why her hair was in a towel in the photo.
People were saying Ezra was a hero, he had Philip and Andrew and put them on a boat and kept looking, but he wanted to save Joanna and Erik and Henrietta but couldn’t! Henrietta (is safe, no water inhaled it seems) was said to have been floating around solo, and people would push her up out of the water, nobody able to just take her, until she was pulled into a boat! She should not be alive.
Some of these details might be corrected later. But they are all safe.
They expect to be on a ship going back to Manaus, but don’t know when that will be.
(from Joanna's mom who talked to Joanna today)
People think the fire started in the motor or the kitchen. (They have not seen the kitchen lady, but Joanna said there are two places where the passengers are staying.) The boat had tons of fireworks on board. The boat had no children’s life jackets, the wooden life boats were so difficult to access, not sure if they were able to use any of them.
Henrietta had some burns, but many others had much worse burns than her. She was covered in oil, and said she was really dirty, not something she enjoys.
The family was reunited (didn’t get details of all that) and taken to a military boat for medical attention. That was when Joanna called Jess in Benjamin. Joanna had her apple watch and batt was low, but she could get some contacts off of it. She wanted folks in Brazil to hear they survived, because it would be big news in Brazil and folks knew they were on that boat.
After they were on the military boat, they took smaller speed boats for 2 hour trip to a nearby village. By now it was dark, and it was very scary for the passengers. They were given juice and crackers. All very hungry.
When they landed at the village, cars were waiting to take them to a school gymnasium. People lined the streets clapping as they drove by. The people and store ownders have been so generous with any physical need. All new or used clothes for everyone. They have been able to keep their own family together since then. Everyone has been so happy to help the passengers.
People lost babies and parents. Joanna kept wondering if she was dreaming.
Joanna said that before they left on the boat, Sarah (her sister) had sent her a song by Celtic Thunder, which ends:
Thank you, Lord, you have brought us
Safe to shore
Be our strength and protection
Ever more
[...]
Joanna said everyone has their story of rescue, but people have been singling them out because they are the largest family and have the youngest baby and all survived. Last night, a woman who lost a child came by and was just staring at Andrew, and Joanna got to hug her and talk with her and pray with her, and tell her that her child was safe in heaven, but she needed salvation, etc.
[...]
Ezra had his wallet on him, and Joanna has her Brazilian ID number memorized. Also, Ezra has photos of all their papers on icloud, when they can access that again. Authorities are interviewing everyone because all need documents replaced.
Joanna wrote down contacts from her apple watch.
Locals have brought toys and they asked for crayons and paper, and they have that. Henrietta made a lego boat “I made a boat on fire”. The kids all saw the burned up boat and understand about that.
Joanna told Andrew “Today we walked through the valley of the shadow of death”. Andrew understood and agreed!
Joanna said it is not a big town but everyone has been so generous.
Joanna said they think the crew jumped off, and passengers were handing out life jackets (I am thinking that the crew might have had to, if they were nearest the fire.
Passengers were all covered in oil when they got out of the water.
She said they had no game plan, had no idea what they would do, she said it was as dramatic as you could imagine.
Joanna had oil and clay in her hair. Someone came to wash it, they washed it three times. She thought the person was joking about being a hairdresser, but they said “I really am a hairdresser”. That is why her hair was in a towel in the photo.
People were saying Ezra was a hero, he had Philip and Andrew and put them on a boat and kept looking, but he wanted to save Joanna and Erik and Henrietta but couldn’t! Henrietta (is safe, no water inhaled it seems) was said to have been floating around solo, and people would push her up out of the water, nobody able to just take her, until she was pulled into a boat! She should not be alive.
Some of these details might be corrected later. But they are all safe.
They expect to be on a ship going back to Manaus, but don’t know when that will be.
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Join JB Hixson & Lee this Friday night at 7pm CST
https://www.youtube.com/live/-yMCKvqaFXQ?si=9QGUM_q93eLTCmSe
https://www.youtube.com/live/-yMCKvqaFXQ?si=9QGUM_q93eLTCmSe
YouTube
Project Blue Beam
Hi Friends! J.B. Hixson and I will be addressing Project Blue Beam. What it is. What it's purpose was and is. How it has changed. How it affects believers now. How it will affect believers in the tribulation.
For more information about Soothkeep, use the…
For more information about Soothkeep, use the…
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Riverboat Update
Henrietta, who is two and a half years old, said matter-of-factly after she was reunited with her mom, "The boat all burned up, but I swimmed and I floated."
Henrietta, who is two and a half years old, said matter-of-factly after she was reunited with her mom, "The boat all burned up, but I swimmed and I floated."
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God in His wisdom knows that a path that is free from troubles does not develop in us the faith that matures and pleases God. Although God does not cause the problems and pain we go through, He permits difficulties and dangers, sorrows and sicknesses, anxieties and afflictions, pain and persecution, in order to perfect our faith in Him.
God allows all the troubles and tribulations of life to work together for good... to those that love the Lord and for the eternal glory of His holy name. Our brokenness is permitted, so that we may grow in grace, mature in the faith, and day by day become increasingly conformed into the image and likeness of our heavenly Saviour ~ so that we may shine as lights in a darkened place as we share the good news of salvation to a lost and dying world.
Carli • Saved by Grace
God allows all the troubles and tribulations of life to work together for good... to those that love the Lord and for the eternal glory of His holy name. Our brokenness is permitted, so that we may grow in grace, mature in the faith, and day by day become increasingly conformed into the image and likeness of our heavenly Saviour ~ so that we may shine as lights in a darkened place as we share the good news of salvation to a lost and dying world.
Carli • Saved by Grace
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Posted on my YouTube channel comments:
"What?!! Pete Garcia criticizing the right?! He loves to criticize the left but crickets on the right, even when our rights will be violated if T takes office. It's only when Israel is involved does he speak up. shameful"
My reply:
I would rather risk having rights taken away by Trump than face rights taken away by the extreme left that now dominates the Democrat party. The party of killing infants, forcing Christians to kowtow to the Alphabet movement, forcing DEI upon America, taking away guns and the 2nd amendment, ad nauseum. We don't really have any REAL options between the two parties. Ross Perot was the last legit third option. I think the America-first road to the New World Order is better for American Christians than the death-to-America road to the New World Order.
"What?!! Pete Garcia criticizing the right?! He loves to criticize the left but crickets on the right, even when our rights will be violated if T takes office. It's only when Israel is involved does he speak up. shameful"
My reply:
I would rather risk having rights taken away by Trump than face rights taken away by the extreme left that now dominates the Democrat party. The party of killing infants, forcing Christians to kowtow to the Alphabet movement, forcing DEI upon America, taking away guns and the 2nd amendment, ad nauseum. We don't really have any REAL options between the two parties. Ross Perot was the last legit third option. I think the America-first road to the New World Order is better for American Christians than the death-to-America road to the New World Order.
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Turkey is threatening to invade Israel.
Iran is threatening Israel.
Iran's proxies are threatening Israel.
Russia is siding with Iran against Israel.
Nothing to see here.
Nothing resembles Gog and Magog.
🤥🤪
Iran is threatening Israel.
Iran's proxies are threatening Israel.
Russia is siding with Iran against Israel.
Nothing to see here.
Nothing resembles Gog and Magog.
🤥🤪
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Riverboat Update:
Ezra and Joanna have received temporary papers so they can travel to Manaus. They are leaving by fast boat tomorrow and have about a twelve hour journey. With a borrowed phone, they started the online paperwork to replace passports and a few other necessary documents.
Ezra and Joanna have received temporary papers so they can travel to Manaus. They are leaving by fast boat tomorrow and have about a twelve hour journey. With a borrowed phone, they started the online paperwork to replace passports and a few other necessary documents.
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Error, whether on a major point or a minor point, always finds itself compelled to deal dishonestly with the data (the Bible, history, grammar, etc.) to defend its point. Error always seems to encourage some degree of dishonesty, but there is a blindness in this. They are so convinced of the starting assumption that they feel obligated to search for an alternative understanding of the data. It is unthinkable that the starting assumption might be wrong.
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Not only were the physical eyes of this blind man opened but we discover his open defiance of the Pharisees resulted in a deeper, spiritual awakening in his inner soul for he was later to pronounce: “Lord I believe, that You are the Son of Man, the Messiah of Israel and Saviour of the world”. This is a true story but it is also beautiful picture of developing faith.. a simple childlike trust in the Lord Jesus which gave birth to the salvation of the soul for the forgiveness of sins, life everlasting and spiritual growth.
Carli • Saved by Grace
Carli • Saved by Grace
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Some have complained to me that Joel Richardson should have contacted me privately instead of making a video challenging my understanding of the rapture passages in Ephraim the Syrian's writings. I don't agree. I presented my pretrib rapture passages in Ephraim to the public arena. Joel challenged my interpretation of them in the public arena. This is perfectly legit. The problem doesn't lie in the public debate over the issue. The problem doesn't lie in Joel challenging me and mentioning my name. The problem lies in the fact that the evidence—-when examined fully and weighed candidly—-overthrows Joel's handling. Personally, I believe the effort to shut down public debate by shaming would be challengers into silence is problematic.
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2 Thess. 2:8, "And then shall that wicked one be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming." So looking forward to this day. Bust out the fireworks. We are going to celebrate!
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