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Some of you may remember the play we did in our dinner theater in 2012 thru 2014.  It was called, “Revelation 2020:Do You Hear What I Hear?”

The setting was a Ghetto where all the Christians were contained, or at least the Christians who posed a threat to the Government.  These were the ones who kept their faith in the Only true living God and His Son, Jesus Christ; they held fast to HIS Word and they loved not their lives unto death.

These Christians were identified by wearing a Purple Triangle.  This concept wasn’t  birthed from the author’s imagination; it was a fact birthed from Hitler’s Nazi Germany.

As the Ghetto was being policed, the guards would never hear words of fear being spoken, but they would hear things like: “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the Power of God unto Salvation to everyone that believes”, or “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?  Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  NO, in all these things we are more than conquerors through HIM that loved us.”

These 100% sold out Christians are the only ones who will ever threaten the devil or anyone doing his bidding  by serving up a lukewarm, politically correct Gospel.

As I look back over 2020, 2021 and look ahead to 2022,  I can’t help but think of this play that was written ten years ago.  As I hear and see on the news and experience for myself the great amount of shortages that are in the stores, I have to wonder about the future, especially if we haven’t learned anything from the past.

The only thing we are not running out of is the list of excuses we are hearing explaining all of the shortages.

But no one is talking about the most important shortage that is lurking in our future. It can be found in HIS Word, Amos 8:12-13,

“Behold the days come , says the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, they shall run to and fro to seek the Word of the Lord and shall not find it.”

Now that my dear friend is not only powerful, it is true and it is coming.  And most importantly it can be found in His Holy Unchangeable Word.  Just look around at all of the Christian persecution throughout this entire world.  Don’t be naïve and don’t be foolish; it is coming to our Country, simply open your eyes. I will quote from His Wonderful Word once again, from the Book of Ephesians, “Wake Up!”

If there was ever a time to prepare, it is now!  If there was ever a time to get serious with Jesus, it is now!  There is one thing you will never be able to do and that is to schedule a play date with Jesus.  Jesus wants and deserves sincerity.

So, close the door to your cupboards and pantries and take a good look at the pantry of your heart.  How much of His Word do you have stored?

If you are going to hoard anything in this lifetime, then please allow me to make one suggestion; Hoard the Word of God in your hearts.  That is the only thing you are going to be able to take with you.

In conclusion, I would like to quote some of the lyrics from one of the songs we used in this play,  “Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?  Does Anybody Really Care?”

What is happening in this world of ours?  I have heard that question asked so many times in these last few months, with various answers given.  Regardless of the answers given, all people have one thing in common; they want peace and assurance.  We know for a fact the answer cannot be given by anyone in this world.  The world’s landscape and this country’s landscape are rapidly changing beyond recognition.

In 2012 and 2013 we featured a play in our Dinner Theater entitled, “Revelation 2020.”  It took place in a Christian Ghetto, with the residents of the Ghetto identified by wearing a Purple Triangle.  Every Christian who held to his/her convictions and loyalty to God was placed in this ghetto.

The play revolved around two women, their families, and a very hateful guard working for the government.  The play was not written based upon anyone’s imagination, but it was written based upon history and current events.  I remember so vividly how one woman, Purple Triangle 1971, clung to and protected her Bible. There were very few Bibles left in the land because the government had gathered all of them up and replaced them with its version, The Word of Gods (to make their word more inclusive).

Wait a minute, didn’t Hitler use Purple Triangles to identify the Christians?  Wait another minute, didn’t Hitler have all of the Bibles taken out of the land and replaced with Hitler’s Bible?  The answer is yes to both of these questions.

The Scriptures constantly warn Christians to Wake UP!  I wonder why that is?  Perhaps Jesus knew that with all of our comforts and false sense of securities we would just simply fall asleep at the wheel.  Please know, this life is about more than you and your family. If you truly know the Lord, then He wants you to think about your neighbor.  Perhaps you are rejoicing in the light while your neighbor is blindly living in darkness. Reach out and please take someone to safety with you.

Eighty years ago a song was written by J.B. Coates entitled, “Where Could I Go, but to the Lord.”  I think we all can agree eighty years later that the song still rings very true.  But, I would like to add a verse:  “Reach into the darkness and bring someone into the light; for we are all intended to be children of the day and not children of the night.”

My advice to anyone is simply this (always taken from His Word), “Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts you double-minded.”

Dear Jesus, please give us all a greater burden for lost souls.
In Jesus’s Name we pray, Amen.

Knowing that BibleWalk’s thirty-fourth anniversary is around the corner has certainly given me a reason for reflection. Also, knowing that I became Director when I was 34 years old and am now 68 years old, I am faced with the fact that I have been Director of BibleWalk for half of my life.

The inspiration for BibleWalk was given to Rev. Richard Diamond and his wife Alwilda.  The inspiration was given in the early 1970’s and work began in 1985.  The Living Bible Museum first opened its doors on Saturday, August 13, 1987.  I can remember that day as if it were yesterday.  Bill and Gail Warren took the first tour guided by Roland Jessee.  It took exactly one hour to go through seven scenes of the Old Testament and twelve scenes of the New Testament, all consisting of museum quality fiberglass figures.

So, what has happened these past 34 years?  Thank You Jesus, we have been so grateful to witness people being born again, making rededications, and receiving healings.  Remember, the only reason there is the wonderful Power of the Holy Spirit at BibleWalk is because BibleWalk is the “Word of God.”  And, God honors His Word.

How has BibleWalk grown these past 34 years?  We now have over 100 scenes consisting of 325 life-size wax figures,  in addition to eight one-of-a-kind exhibits, a Dinner Theater, and a Woodcarving Museum! Yes, a Woodcarving Museum!

BibleWalk will be celebrating it’s Thirty-fourth Anniversary with the opening of The Museum of Woodcarving.  This world famous Museum of Woodcarving, formerly located in Shell Lake, Wisconsin is the largest collection of woodcarvings carved by one man.  It took woodcarver Joseph Barta 30 years to research and carve his vision of Bible stories into 100 life-sized wooden figures.  What an Anniversary gift!

I Thank God for calling me into this ministry and allowing me to be Director for these past 34 years and  for the years to come. It is the greatest honor and pleasure of my life.

There is absolutely nothing greater I would have wanted to do with my life.  I found my purpose, and that purpose has given me great, great joy.

I thank Rev. Diamond for his constant obedience in following the Holy Spirit so that BibleWalk was able to grow beyond any of our imaginations.

Thank You to all of the countless volunteers from Diamond Hill Cathedral who built BibleWalk and constantly keep it running by their dedication to God and His Work.

And, to all of my friends who have stood with me through all of my ups and downs,  I would have never made it to the point where I could write this letter without you and Jesus.

And, a HUGE THANK YOU to all of our visitors.  We love and appreciate you without measure and our greatest joy is sharing God’s

Holy Powerful Word with you.

To be completely honest, I am now wondering what Jesus has in store for our Thirty-fifth Anniversary, only Heaven knows!

Last week I celebrated  my 50th birthday in Jesus and in His Kingdom.  I was born again on February 19, 1971.  I remember that time as if it just happened seconds ago.  My friend Jeff and I were walking down Brinkerhoff Avenue in front of South Park.  After quoting what seemed like the entire Bible to me, he looked at me and asked, “Julie, don’t you know that Jesus loves you”?  And I can honestly say in that moment, I did know it beyond a shadow of a doubt. I didn’t know how I knew it, but I did.

He went on to tell me that I could be born again and have a new start at life. At 17 years old, I was very, very old due to my  life style and a new start sounded wonderful, but at the same time impossible and unattainable.

But, could it really be true?  I remember asking Jeff, “You mean to tell me I don’t have to be me anymore”?

He looked right at me and said, “Julie, you don’t have to be you anymore.”  You will be a new creature in Jesus.  Within an hour I accepted Jesus into my heart and was born again.

So as I look back over these 50 years, I am greatly, greatly aware of His great love for me and His great mercy that He has shown me.

Has it all been sunny days, days without storms, easy roads and smooth sailing?   The answer is No!  Have I made mistakes?  The answer is Yes.  Have I been discouraged, broken hearted and dismayed?  The answer, again, is Yes.

But this is what I  have learned: Jesus Christ is Faithful  and His Word is true.  And 18,250 days later, I am still standing in Him. In the Bible there is a Scripture in the Book of Jude that I have literally clung to my entire Christian life:  “Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless, before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy…”

That is the only reason I am still standing.  The only reason I am still here is because He has kept me.  I am a kept woman.  I am kept by my Heavenly Father. I am kept by Jesus who is seated on the right hand of my Heavenly Father praying for me.  I am kept by the comfort, counsel and enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.

And, I am kept by the miraculous Word of God, my Heritage.

The song that will always speak best for me is, “You Gave Me Love,” by B.J. Thomas:

“You gave me time when no one gave me time of day,
You looked deep inside while the rest of the world looked away,
You smiled at me when there were just frowns everywhere,
You gave me love when nobody gave me a prayer.

“That’s why I call You Savior….that’s why I call You Friend,
You touched my heart….You touched my soul,
And helped me start all over again,
That’s why I love You, Jesus…that’s why I will always care,
You gave me love when nobody gave me a prayer.”

I always said,  “If I was a horse, no one would have ever bet on me.”

One time when I was giving my testimony, as soon as  I heard myself say that, Jesus spoke to my heart and said, “It never was about the horse, but it’s about the owner.”   Once again my life changed, because I knew in that moment in time, again, beyond a shadow of a doubt, through all the crazy years, no matter what anyone had ever thought about me, I was loved by my owner.

So 50 years later, this is what I know for certain:  He loves me and I love Him, and His Word is the greatest treasure and love of my life.

Oh, and one more thing, I also know this for certain, beyond a shadow of a doubt,  HE LOVES YOU!

I remember it was in the afternoon. I heard the front door open and I knew it was my sister Toni coming home from school. I was in the kitchen with my Mom, but as soon as I heard that door open, I ran into the living room to see my sister. Toni wasn’t there she had already run into her bedroom. And there it was just sitting on an end table where my sister tossed it.

I carefully picked it up, for me it was love at first sight. I just held it not knowing what it was, just standing there looking at it, totally amazed. Little did I know as a 5 year old girl what I was holding in my hands would have the greatest  influence on my entire life. I took it into the kitchen to show my Mom. I very carefully held it up and simply asked my Mom, “What is this?” She nonchalantly replied, “Oh, the Gideons must have been at Toni’s school today.”

That much anticipated answer did not help me one bit. I didn’t know who the Gideons were and I still didn’t know what I was holding in my hand. “But what is this,” I asked again. The once again nonchalant voice answered, “Oh, that is a Bible.”“What is a Bible?” There was nothing nonchalant about my voice or question.

Now, my Mom a bit frustrated answered, “Julie Beth, you are too young for that; just go put it away.” I ran into my sister’s bedroom held it up and asked, “Do you want this?” I was so happy when I heard her say “NO.” “Can I have it,” I quickly replied. “I don’t care,” she said. I left her room the happiest little girl in the entire world. I had a Gideon Bible. I begged my Mom to read it to me. But she held firm to the fact that I was too young. I didn’t read much but I could sound out words. So, with determination and a great love for this little book, I began to discover His Word.

Four years later I was in fourth grade. The Gideons were no longer allowed to pass out Bibles in the Public Schools. I was sad about that but very grateful that I had mine. I read that little Bible on and off until I was 14 years old. Then I pushed it aside giving way to other interests. At 17 years old, this little hippie girl was born again.

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which lives and abides forever.” 1 Peter 1:23.

Thank You Jesus, the seeds that had been planted in in me as I read the Gideon Bible in my childhood had taken root and were breaking through the soil of my heart. And when that happened on February 19, 1971 I was born again. I got out my Gideon Bible once again. Since that time I have moved on to other Bibles but His Word has always remained in my hands and in my heart.

That little 5 year old girl is now a 66 year old woman who grew up to be Director of BibleWalk.

My sister and mother both were born again and also fell in love with His Word. Thank You Gideons for giving that Bible to my sister. Thank You Toni for giving your sister your Bible, because it has been and will be the greatest love of my life. Jesus the Word made Flesh.

I truly want to write something for the New Year that will inspire and give people hope.  No matter what happens with Covid-19, vaccines and distribution of the vaccines, or who occupies the White House, I do believe hope and peace can exist in a world of turmoil.  I believe this because it is written in God’s Word.   But, what is the formula?

As much as I thought about it and as much as I prayed about it, only one thing kept coming to my mind.  But, there was a slight problem with what was coming to mind; it had already been written, and not by me.  It was written in 1922 by Helen Lemmel.  But, actually, someone had already written about it before she took her pen to the page.

Helen Lemmel was inspired by a gospel tract she had picked up that was written by Lilias Trotter, a missionary to Algeria.  In her missionary duties,  Miss Trotter was having great difficulty keeping her focus on Jesus.  She wrote the tract with the following encouragement, not only to give others advice, but also as a reminder to herself to follow her own advice.  “Turn full your soul’s vision to Jesus, and look and look at Him, and a strange dimness will come over all that is apart from Him…”

This wonderful tract birthed the song, “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,” with the lyrics, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.”  This is true and it is a guaranteed formula for success.  You can be and will be successfully full of joy, peace, hope and light in a very dark world.

I once heard Miss Kathryn Kuhlman teach on 2 Corinthians 4:6.  I can still hear her today, as if it was just yesterday, reading, “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”  Then, she taught this most remarkable truth as she simply said, “The face of Jesus Christ is the Word of God.”

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face.”  All you need to do is open your Bible to read and receive everything you desire and more, as written on those wonderful pages.  His Word was spoken and written.  We need to allow the Holy Spirit to write His Word on our hearts daily and we need to speak His Word from our lips; and,  from the very depths of our soul, we need to love His Word.  Trust me, if you allow the Holy Spirit to do this work in you, the things of this world will grow strangely dim as you continue to LOOK UPON HIM.

We constantly are hearing the shouts, “Black Lives Matter.” Then, another  shout pierces through the first shout, “All Lives Matter.” Then, another shout pierces through the second shout, “The Unborn Baby’s Life Matters.” Then,
another shout, and another pierce, and another, and another, and another.

Now, it is my turn. I haven’t taken to the streets yet, but that is not to my credit, but to my shame. I need to take to the streets and I need to begin to shout, to shout loud, and after that louder still, “His Life Matters,” and after that louder still, “HIS LIFE MATTERS!”

His life certainly mattered as He was born in a manger. His life mattered so much that an Angel announced it to country shepherds abiding in a field. Then, the Angel with the multitude of the heavenly host began to praise God, saying,
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”

His life certainly mattered as He went about all the cities and villages teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the Kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

His life mattered as He spoke with Nicodemus telling him, “You must be born again.”

His life mattered when He shed His Royal Blood upon the Cross of Calvary. That act of love matters to us all: all that have accepted Jesus as our Savior and now know God, not only as our Creator, but also as our Heavenly Father, and
have been reinstated in His Kingdom.

His life mattered when He came out of the tomb, walked the Emmaus Road, and Ascended to His Father.

His life mattered when He sent us the great promise of the Holy Spirit.

Now, I will ask you this one question, “Does His life matter to you?” If you answer “yes,” then please continue reading. If you answer “no,” then please stop reading.

Now, I will ask you a second question, “Are we going to be like William Dawes or Paul Revere?” If you are wondering who is William Dawes, you have already proven my point. Paul Revere and William Dawes both set out to warn the
colonies, “The British Are Coming.”

There was no difference in the urgent message and there was no difference in the length of the ride. Since there was no difference, then why were the people along Paul Revere’s route properly warned and prepared, and on William Dawes’s route, no one was properly warned, and no one was prepared?

Even though they were both fellow revolutionaries, the difference was in the man. The same message, two different men. Only one man was full of urgency, conviction, and passion. And, only one man has history remembered.
Who do you think that man was and who do you want to emulate?

We as Christians have a much greater urgent message to carry to this crazy, darkening world, and someone greater to emulate.

The British are no longer coming, but “JESUS IS COMING!”

That is our message and He wants His people to be properly warned and properly prepared. If His Life really does matter to you, you will be full of Love, which will produce Conviction, Urgency, Passion, and a Burden for lost souls. If His life really doesn’t matter to you, then you are a lukewarm soldier in the Service of our Lord.

It is my choice and it is your choice. I have made my choice, now please make yours. Perhaps, one day we will not only meet at BibleWalk, but we will also meet in the streets shouting, “His Life Does Matter and Jesus is Coming Soon!”

We are rapidly  approaching our Holiday Season with the celebrations upon us of Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Eve and New Year’s Day.  I honestly cannot think of a better way to celebrate then by keeping Jesus in the center of all our activities.

We are Thankful for Him and to Him. What is Christmas without Jesus?  And after the year we have all just lived through (2020), we all know how dependent we are upon Him for a Happy 2021.

We at BibleWalk want to help and we want you to come Home for the Holidays, come, see and experience the Nativity.  Beginning November 27th and ending December 31st we will be offering the Life of Christ tour Free with the purchase of another tour.  Due to the hardship the Corona Virus has placed upon many families we will also continue to honor our 10% discount on all admissions and children 10 and under will continue to tour Free.

**UPDATE**
Since Richland County has been downgraded from Purple to Red, we are pleased to extend our Home For The Holidays Special throughout the month of January. The Life of Christ tour is Free with purchase of an additional tour.   Jan and Feb we will be open Saturdays only from 11:00am until 4:00pm. If you have a group you would like to schedule during the week please call for special arrangements.  You may call with questions or to schedule a tour Mon – Fri 8:00am – 4:00pm and Sat 11:00am – 4:00pm.

December 31, 2019
Happy New Year

Recently, I was watching the morning news. After the news commentator finished with the headlines, she simply looked into the camera and said, “Boy, I will be glad when this year is over.” And, everyone at the table eagerly agreed with her.

As I sat at the table drinking my morning coffee, I started to think back to this past New Year’s Eve. No matter where you were, at some point you wished someone, or perhaps even yourself, a Happy New Year. You not only wished it, you believed it, that it would be a better year than the year before. And, if you had big enough dreams and goals, perhaps it would be the best New Year of your life!

I do not need to describe to you what this year has brought, not only to America, but also to the world. As Happy New Year was being spoken around the world in different languages, no one could have anticipated the future we are living. In fact, if I had to describe it, I think at this time words would fail me.

We have had shut downs, loss of jobs, food shortages, isolation, social distancing, face coverings and death, all as a result of a pandemic. We have had chaos and violence in the streets, pulling down of historic and religious statues, and public burnings of the Bible, God’s Holy Word. And, we have had the devastation of tornadoes and hurricanes and watched as entire communities were being uprooted. You may want to accuse me at this time of painting a very grim picture, but that has been 2020. And, let us not forget the upcoming election.

Thinking back again, I remember the excitement and anticipation of coming into this new decade. The phrase, “2020 Perfect Vision for the Future,” was constantly being used.

We can’t control the future, but we can control our vision. We do it every day of our lives. I do it every morning. As soon as I wake up, I reach for my glasses. My glasses only come off when I am ready to put in my contacts. I have perfect vision because I, like so many other people, wear glasses and/or contacts specially prescribed for me. If anyone else would wear what gives me clear vision, it would probably give them blurred vision.

So it is today, we need perfect vision. We need perfect vision for the future—that can only be found as we look through the lens of God’s Holy Word; that can only be found as we look through the lens of the Bible, a lens perfectly prescribed for you. The ironic thing is that people throughout this nation are cursing and burning their only help, God’s Word.

What can God’s Word provide for you? Or better asked, who can God’s Word provide for you? The answer is Jesus. Jesus not only is the answer to the previously asked question, but He also is the answer to all questions. Remember, “Jesus is the Word made flesh.” His Word will not only give you perfect vision for the future, it will give you perfect vision for your future. His Word will also give you the strength, comfort and peace for whatever the future holds.

PLEASE DO NOT BURN THE BIBLE, BUT AS YOU READ THE BIBLE, ALLOW IT TO CREATE IN YOU A BURNING HEART FOR JESUS.

And, on this coming New Year’s Eve, you will know without a shadow of doubt, no matter what 2021 brings, it will be a Happy New Year.

We all remember the statement, “Desperate Times require Desperate Measures.” This saying originated with the Greek physician Hippocrates.

The actual translation is, “For extreme diseases, extreme methods of cure, as to restriction, are most suitable.”

I am sure that we not only agree with this but are also seeing the reality of both of these statements today. But let me please add something or better said let me add someone.

“Desperate Times require a Desperate Love for Jesus and a Desperate Love for one another.”

This my dear friends will make the difference.