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July-August 2011“I have no greater joy than to hear that my childrenwalk in truth.” III John 4
<strong>No</strong> <strong>Greater</strong> <strong>Joy</strong>Have you discovered our daily Bird’s Eye View on<strong>No</strong><strong>Greater</strong><strong>Joy</strong>.org? Our photographer slips around tryingto catch our staff in odd moments. If you ever wondered“who, what, when, or where” about us; wonder no more.Check out <strong>the</strong> Bird’s Eye calendar for past postings.Bird’s Eye is, hands-down, our most visited venue.Visitors are welcome. www.nogreaterjoy.org/dailyContentsPhoto: Elizabeth Stewart<strong>No</strong> <strong>Greater</strong> <strong>Joy</strong> is a bimonthly publication by <strong>No</strong> <strong>Greater</strong><strong>Joy</strong> <strong>Ministries</strong>, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to <strong>the</strong>advancement of <strong>the</strong> gospel of Jesus Christ in America and in thosecountries where Christ is least known. A free subscription is availableby writing to <strong>the</strong> address below or by visiting our website.Your questions and comments are welcomed. Please send <strong>the</strong>m to<strong>the</strong> address below. All correspondence to <strong>No</strong> <strong>Greater</strong> <strong>Joy</strong> becomes<strong>the</strong> property of <strong>No</strong> <strong>Greater</strong> <strong>Joy</strong> and is available for publicationunless <strong>the</strong> writer expressly requests that it not be published.This material is copyrighted by Michael and Debi Pearl.Permission for <strong>the</strong> reprint of single articles is granted based on <strong>the</strong>following conditions:1. The article must be printed in its entirety.2. <strong>No</strong> more than one article per publication.3. Complete recognition must be given as to <strong>the</strong> source.4. Every reprint must include sufficient information for <strong>the</strong> readerto subscribe to <strong>No</strong> <strong>Greater</strong> <strong>Joy</strong>.5. <strong>No</strong> copyright privileges are conveyed by reprinting any portionof this publication.Family3 Old Tom5 Apprenticeship6 Throwing Anger in <strong>the</strong>Garbage8 We Say Good Morning10 NGJ KidsMinistry12 Mirror of Our Reflexion13 Good and Evil Episode 116 Go Love Yourself22 Power of a Story26 Functioning CommunityCatalog30 NGJ ProductsOn <strong>the</strong> Cover3Old Tom6. This license to reprint may be revoked from anyone abusingthis privilege to reprint.7. This license is in force until <strong>the</strong> printing of a public statemento<strong>the</strong>rwise.All Scripture taken from <strong>the</strong> Authorized Version (King James)Holy Bible.<strong>No</strong> <strong>Greater</strong> <strong>Joy</strong> <strong>Ministries</strong>, Inc.1000 Pearl Road • Pleasantville, TN 37033www.nogreaterjoy.orgJuly-August 2011Volume 17 | Number 4Printed in <strong>the</strong> USAEditors in ChiefMichael and Debi PearlStaff PHotographerElizabeth StewartContributingWritersShoshanna Easling,Shalom BrandCOVER PHOTOTom SlaymanArt DirectorLynne Hopwood
Old TomBy Michael PearlWhy does a child training magazine containa picture of an old goat like that?Photo: Elizabeth StewartTom is a sheep, not agoat, although he was a goatwhen I met him 22 yearsago. <strong>No</strong> <strong>Greater</strong> <strong>Joy</strong> mightnot exist today if it were notfor Tom and his wife Kathy.When we moved toCane Creek twenty-threeyears ago, I discovered <strong>the</strong>Slayman family living on afew acres in a little valleybeside a creek. They were<strong>the</strong> hippies that never gaveup. It took about two years of weeklyBible studies for Tom and Kathy and<strong>the</strong>ir four children to come to faith inJesus Christ. Tom continued his studyof <strong>the</strong> Word and grew into a faithfulsoul winner for Christ, becoming mybest friend.About four years later, I wrote ToTrain Up A Child, not even dreamingthat in just a few short years it wouldopen up an international ministry, reachingpeople with <strong>the</strong> message of Christ inabout 40 languages.Tom’s Witnessing TipsFrom <strong>the</strong> beginning,Tom believed in <strong>the</strong> bookand he began to plan forits success. From a smallad in a magazine, ordersbegan to pour in. Mondaythrough Friday for<strong>the</strong> next two years, Tomand his wife Kathy filledthose orders as volunteers,receiving no pay. Tominsisted we needed an office,so he commandeeredthree untrained teenagers and employed<strong>the</strong>m in <strong>the</strong> construction of ourfirst office and warehouse.When he was fifty-two years old<strong>the</strong>y went to Thailand as missionaries,but that is a whole different story.Tom and Kathy’s story will beposted on our Bird’s Eye View on June15th. Anytime after <strong>the</strong> 15th it will bein <strong>the</strong> Bird’s Eye calendar. Come read<strong>the</strong> rest of his story. ☺• See everyone as an eternal soul, bound for Heaven or Hell.• Test to see if people are open by asking, “Hey, where are you from?” If <strong>the</strong>ylook away or ignore you, <strong>the</strong>y’re not open. If <strong>the</strong>y talk with you, <strong>the</strong>y’re open.• Give <strong>the</strong>m your testimony. Witnessing tools (See p. 35 for products)• Give books to interested youth. • God Made Jesus To Be Sin Tracts• Give out a tract.• Good and Evil with a tract insidewww.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936 3
ApprenticeshipBy Michael PearlLittle AdultsPhoto: Elizabeth StewartIIt may be <strong>the</strong> experience of yearsthat causes me to view all childrenas little adults. They will matureso quickly. The stumbling, foolishten-year-old will be an adult in justten years. In twenty years it will beobvious to him and o<strong>the</strong>rs whe<strong>the</strong>rhis life is a success or a failure. Willthis little guy or gal running around<strong>the</strong> church yard think of me favorablyten years from now? What will be hismemories of me? Will he rememberme as a grumpy old man that spoiledall his fun, or as someone who tookinterest in his life and was a friend ashe was growing up? Will he come tome for counsel or say, “He is <strong>the</strong> lastperson I want to talk to”?I feel <strong>the</strong> need to address allchildren as people of worth, as soulssoaking up <strong>the</strong>ir surroundings andforming worldviews with every experience.Each of us is a vital part of <strong>the</strong>mold that forms eternal souls. It is agrave responsibility.I still have unpleasant memoriesof several adults, dating back as earlyas four years old—some brief wordspoken in passing, a slight or dismissal,a rebuke I felt was not warranted.Uncles, cousins, church leaders,school teachers, ministers, friends of<strong>the</strong> family, <strong>the</strong>y knew not that in oneevent <strong>the</strong>y left an impression by which<strong>the</strong>y are still judged today.The disciples felt <strong>the</strong>re were toomany children crowding Jesus, preventingadult conversation, no doubtmaking too much noise, not appreciating<strong>the</strong> gravity of <strong>the</strong> moment, so<strong>the</strong>y rebuked <strong>the</strong> adults for allowing<strong>the</strong>ir children to press in upon Jesus.“But when Jesus saw it, he was muchdispleased, and said unto <strong>the</strong>m, Suffer<strong>the</strong> little children to come unto me,and forbid <strong>the</strong>m not: for of such is <strong>the</strong>kingdom of God” (Mark 10:14).If we ignore <strong>the</strong> children until<strong>the</strong>ir untoward behavior demands ourattention, we are foolishly wasting humanresources. Better to bind what isnot yet broken than to try to repair <strong>the</strong>shattered and wasted lives of adults.Go love a child today; see <strong>the</strong>adult in <strong>the</strong>m and plant seeds that willbear fruit long after you are gone. ☺www.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936 5
Throwing AngerIn <strong>the</strong> GarbageBy Shalom BrandLaila was becoming more and more frustrated and it has led to her beingangry. Her frustration was due to Gracie teasing her, or me being busy andnot responding to her right away. She became conditioned to getting attentionby whining, crying, or getting mad. Then I would react and she would get introuble for <strong>the</strong> whining or for being mad. It just made her madder.OOvertime I could see that herresponse had become a habit that wehad created. The first step was to takeaway things that were frustrating her,at least as much as we could. I talkedto Gracie (big sister) about <strong>the</strong> problemand we agreed to do all we couldto help Laila.The second step was to figure outhow to break <strong>the</strong> angry response thatshe had learned to use to get attention.I knew that spanking her ando<strong>the</strong>r types of discipline would not beproductive. I asked God for wisdomto help my little girl to learn to controlher emotional reactions of anger. Thenext time Laila got angry I set her on<strong>the</strong> couch and told her that anger was abad thing. I explained that anger madelittle girls not be sweet and that angerPhoto: Elizabeth Stewart6 www.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936
wanted to hurt her and be mean to her.I told her that Mama wanted to getthat anger and throw it in <strong>the</strong> garbagewhere it belonged, so that it could nothurt my sweet girl anymore. I toldLaila that we could tickle it out of her,or kiss it out, or spank it out, dependingon how much anger was <strong>the</strong>re. Thewhole concept caught her imagination.She told me that she thought weshould tickle it out of her. I agreed.She was smiling and I was laughing by<strong>No</strong>w three weeks later <strong>the</strong>reis less and less anger and shetells me that anger cannothurt her any more.<strong>the</strong> time I started tickling while chanting,“Anger, Anger, go away, do notcome back to hurt Laila any day, youmean old ugly anger.”Gracie knew I had been thinkingabout what to do about Laila’s angerso when she walked in she quicklyfollowed my lead by running to hidein <strong>the</strong> closet. I asked Laila, “Where doyou think <strong>the</strong> anger is? Do you haveanger still in your heart?”“<strong>No</strong>,” she said, “it is in <strong>the</strong> closet.”So I grabbed my switch and off to<strong>the</strong> closet we ran. Out jumped Gracie,screaming like she was angry. Iproceeded to chase her through <strong>the</strong>house with Laila right behind me.We chanted, “Let’s get that anger andthrow it away.” We caught Gracie andtickled her to <strong>the</strong> ground. It was allgreat fun.The next day Laila shut her fingerin <strong>the</strong> door. She ran to <strong>the</strong> couch andsat down with her arms crossed likeshe was mad. To my shame I wascooking and not paying attentionagain. She looked up and said, “MamaI think you need to spank <strong>the</strong> angerthat is in my heart and make it runaway.” She was so sincere, it was socute. I stopped cooking and asked her,“Do you have anger in your heart?”She said, “Yes.”I grinned at her as I said, “Then Iwill kiss it out of you.” I started kissingand hugging her and she startedlaughing while trying to talk, “Myanger is gone. I think it jumped into<strong>the</strong> garbage can.”We have been chasing and kissingand tickling and even at times when<strong>the</strong> anger is really awful and it willnot run away I have to spank it out.<strong>No</strong>w, three weeks later, <strong>the</strong>re is lessand less anger and she tells me thatanger cannot hurt her anymore. Somedays when I see frustration begin tobuild in her I catch her in my armsand spin in circles while saying, “Goaway anger and leave my little girlalone.” She knows my heart is tobless her and make her life better,so she responses to that caring call.There have been several times nowthat I have seen an angry responsecoming and told her, “Remember,anger wants to hurt you; do not letit grab you. Ask Mama for help andpush that anger away.” Over and overI have seen her gain control of hernegative emotions. She is learningself control. This training will followher all her life. She will be healthier,happier and a greater blessing to o<strong>the</strong>rsfor learning self control. ☺TipsRead <strong>the</strong>se articles atwww.<strong>No</strong><strong>Greater</strong><strong>Joy</strong>.org:• The Will to Dominate• ESP Training-Explain,Show, Practice• My Little Knuckle-head• Poor Little Fat Girlwww.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936 7
We Say Good MorningBy Michael Pearl and Jeremiah James EaslingFFive-year-old Jeremiah stayedwith us for four days while his parentsattended a funeral out of state.He is a very sound sleeper. <strong>No</strong>thingwakes him once he goes out. Just tellhim to lie down and in one minutehe goes bye bye. But he sometimeswets his bed during <strong>the</strong> night, so hismo<strong>the</strong>r has him sleep in an absorbentgarment made for older kids who wet<strong>the</strong>mselves.The first morning as he got upand was stepping out of his pull updiaper I said, “Did youwet yourself?” As hepushed his absorbentgarment to <strong>the</strong> floor hesaid, “Na” and walkedoff. But <strong>the</strong>n I smelledsomething awful. Pickingit up I said, “Yea,you peed on yourself;better go wash up.”Something similartook place <strong>the</strong> next twomornings as well. On <strong>the</strong>fourth morning, he gotup without me noticingand was coming from <strong>the</strong>bathroom. I said, “Didyou wash yourself off?”“Yeah, I washed mybutt.”“Well, your butt isnot enough; you need towash all over.”“Naah, that’s enough.”“You need to wash<strong>the</strong> front too; I can smellyou.”Live and learn.“It’s okay; it doesn’t stink.”“You might not be able to smell itbut I can, and it stinks.”And <strong>the</strong>n he said, “At my housewe say good morning.”At first I thought he had changed<strong>the</strong> subject, and <strong>the</strong>n it dawned on methat he was rebuking me for not beginning<strong>the</strong> day with good fellowshipas his parents do at home. Apparently<strong>the</strong>y don’t rag him about his bed wetting.Wow! Shut my mouth! Live andlearn. ☺8 www.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936
June 22011NO GREATER JOYFrom <strong>the</strong> MailboxSee page 35This copy of Good and Evil is being donated toa homeless shelter in Los Angeles’ Skid Row area.Thank you and we hope to order more in <strong>the</strong> future.God bless you! – CaliforniaHi! I just read “Yes, I Am <strong>No</strong>rmal”. Lovedit! I am that girl too - raised in a spankinghappening-but-loved-like-crazyhome. I was homeschooled as well. I can't even count <strong>the</strong> times I haveheard people comment on how I could possibly comefrom such an oppressive home like that and come out sounsca<strong>the</strong>d. I usually have to say that that's why I AMso unsca<strong>the</strong>d. How blessed we truly are that our parentswere wiser than <strong>the</strong> culture and confident in <strong>the</strong> Wordof God ra<strong>the</strong>r than our pop psychologists. I may have totake this article around with me and hand out copies...June 22011NO GREATER JOYMay-June 2011“Yes! I Am <strong>No</strong>rmal”“I have no greater joy than to hear that mychildren walk in truth.”III John 4it will save my breath! Many thanks and giggles as I read this! :O)Thank you for what you do! - P. Smith, Lexington, VAI would like to show my appreciationtoward your ministry and extend my deepestsympathy in regards to <strong>the</strong> humanistic slander thathas been spreading around. This, I’m sure, has beenJune 22011NO GREATER JOYa true test of faith. I encourage you to hold fast to <strong>the</strong> things of Godand persevere to <strong>the</strong> end. For in our trials is when we can be closestto our Saviour. The Devil is at work, but God always comes out winning.Our day is so corrupt, but you are a light in which He shallgreatly reward. Even through <strong>the</strong> darkest moments we shall findjoy. <strong>Joy</strong> in <strong>the</strong> Saviour and abiding in His truth. May God shineHis many mercies apon you and give you rest and peace in a darkenedworld. - In Christ, K. HansonWant To Help? Support NGJ by going on placeslike Amazon and post your comments. Don’t let <strong>the</strong> devil’screw be <strong>the</strong> only voice !www.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936 9
DTruthMy name is Gracie,and I am six years old now.I love to drive my mom’s golfcart. One day when I was drivingwith my little sister and mycousin Jeremiah, I did not payattention. The o<strong>the</strong>r two jumped off,fell, and got hurt. I knew that if <strong>the</strong>ytold my mom, I would get in bigtrouble. So I did a bad thing: Itold <strong>the</strong>m not to tell Mama.Later that day MamaPearl asked me, “Whydoes Jeremiah have abruise on his knee?”I told Mama Pearland my mama whathad happened andthat I had asked mysister and Jeremiah not to tell. Mamaexplained to me that not telling isAbove All ThingsBy Gracie, with a little help from Mama<strong>the</strong> same as lying; it is called beingdeceitful and dishonest. She said thatwhen I hide something from her, itis just as wrong as lying and sometimeseven worse! The Bible says inJeremiah 17:9-10 that “The heart isdeceitful above all things, and desperatelywicked: who can know it?I <strong>the</strong> Lord search <strong>the</strong> heart, I try <strong>the</strong>reins, even to give every manaccording to his ways, andaccording to <strong>the</strong> fruit ofhis doings.”So when my heartis deceitful, God is <strong>the</strong>one that I will be introuble with. He can seeinto my heart, and he is alot bigger than Mama!Read <strong>the</strong> rest of Gracie’s storyon page 22, The Power of a Story!Photo:.Elizabeth StewartLyingTruthBruiseGolf cartDeceitfulHeartA purple spot on <strong>the</strong> skin that hurts.Covering up a lie and pretending it is true.The hidden part of a person that God watches.Telling what actually happened.A vehicle that drives like a car.Match up <strong>the</strong> wordswith <strong>the</strong> definition.One is already done foryou. Give it a try!The story you make up to avoid <strong>the</strong> truth.10 www.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936
Art Contest!1 stMay-June contest winners!FIRST PLACEEthan MacKenzie,Age 8, Carver, MASECOND PLACEAlvina GrigoryevaAge 9Salem, ORTHIRD PLACEEmma WestAge 8Crimora, VAEthan MacKenzie2 nd 3 rdAlvina GrigoryevaEmma WestView all art at YellandTellbooks.com/contest.See page 32 for Sept-Oct contest rules.www.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936 11
Mirror of Our ReflectionBy Shoshanna EaslingLook at your reflection and smile. It is a two way mirror.From <strong>the</strong> time Jeremiah was ababy, <strong>the</strong> moment he wakes I cheerfullysay, “Good morning swee<strong>the</strong>art!”He always smiles back indelight, and I go on to talk to himabout <strong>the</strong> wonderful day ahead. Thissets <strong>the</strong> tone for <strong>the</strong> day, and everyday is a good day. Happy, confident,aggressive, as a toddler and <strong>the</strong>n asmall child, he knew his mama lovedhim. He has grown up so much. <strong>No</strong>whe is five and I say to him, “Do youknow you are <strong>the</strong> best kid ever?”“Yes!” he says. “I know, Mama. Doyou know you are <strong>the</strong> best Mamaever?” We laugh and hug. I havefound I am raising my reflection.<strong>No</strong>w Penelope Jane has joined ourplay. She is eight months old anddelights in her bro<strong>the</strong>r as he does inher. I see my son starting his sister’sday off with a smile as he talks withher and delights in her.12 www.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936My children reflect everything Ido. The way I greet and talk to Daddy;<strong>the</strong> way I treat o<strong>the</strong>rs; <strong>the</strong> way Ilive life; everything I do, everything Isay, <strong>the</strong>y look at me and learn. By <strong>the</strong>time a child is five years old his brainis 90 percent developed—and his soulis 90 percent developed as well. Theheart is well on its way to learningempathy, love, kindness, goodness,gentleness, courage, strength, andsteadfastness—or anger, laziness,pouting, envy, greed, and lust.I look around and I see parentseverywhere raising <strong>the</strong>ir reflections.Each child is unique, but still reflectswho is raising him. I look at myselfand I ask, am I what I want my kidsto be? “More is caught than taught,”my daddy always says. Your childrenare your reflection. Look at yourreflection and smile. It is a two waymirror.☺Photo: Laura Newman - lauranewmanphotography.blogspot.com
Good and EvilEpisode One Complete!The NGJ Video TeamAAs many of you know, <strong>the</strong> Goodand Evil graphic novel is being madeinto an animated series. The goal ofthis project is not to create entertainmentfor Western Christians. It is atool missionaries will use to teach <strong>the</strong>Bible chronologically to those whoknow little or nothing about God.People must understand who God isbefore <strong>the</strong>y can understand <strong>the</strong> gospel.This often takes months of teaching,especially in foreign cultures differentfrom our own. Using <strong>the</strong> Good andEvil DVD will shorten <strong>the</strong> teachingtime to about four and one half hoursof viewing. We are spending extratime and money to produce it in layers,allowing adjustments to be madewhen it is translated into o<strong>the</strong>r languages.The language can be changedwhile maintaining <strong>the</strong> sound effectsand <strong>the</strong> originalmusical scoring.It has been a monumental project,involving dozens of people, many of<strong>the</strong>m professionals who have ei<strong>the</strong>rvolunteered <strong>the</strong>ir time or worked fora very low rate. We had to produce<strong>the</strong> voices of over 650 characters withabout 30 actors, each one changing hisor her voice to match several charactersin <strong>the</strong> book. Auditions were held, andpeople from all over <strong>the</strong> Nashville areatried out. The carefully selected crewworked long hours for more than aweek in a professional studio in Nashville.The producer, director, and audiotechnicians worked about 16 hours aday to get all <strong>the</strong> recordings done. Eventhough most of <strong>the</strong> people working on<strong>the</strong> project were Christians, a few of<strong>the</strong> men kept proclaiming, “The Biblesays WHAT?!” Then <strong>the</strong>y looked up<strong>the</strong> references found in Good and Eviland were amazed when <strong>the</strong>y read what<strong>the</strong> Bible actually says.The film will be separated into13 chapters, each about 22 minuteslong. The chapters can be shown over<strong>the</strong> course of days or weeks, with<strong>the</strong> missionary taking extra time toelaborate on <strong>the</strong> stories. People allaround <strong>the</strong> world will come to know<strong>the</strong> Bible’s central <strong>the</strong>me of sin and redemptionfrom Genesis to Revelation.The first chapter is now complete!It is available as a FREEdownload to eNGJ Email Subscribers.If you are not a subscriber go to<strong>No</strong><strong>Greater</strong><strong>Joy</strong>.org and subscribe. See<strong>the</strong> sign-up instructions on page 25.www.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936 13
MissionsAno<strong>the</strong>r Kind of MissionSeveral teams of Cane Creek volunteers took time out of <strong>the</strong>ir busy schedulesto help out some of <strong>the</strong> people devastated by <strong>the</strong> Alabama tornados. They wereable to make significant contacts with <strong>the</strong> people <strong>the</strong>y helped.“Where do we go from here?” With nothing left, many residents hit by <strong>the</strong> tornadohad to begin life all over again, many in <strong>the</strong>ir 60’s and 70’s with little to live on.s Some of <strong>the</strong> men tookheavy equipment which reallyhelped alot.Two of <strong>the</strong> ladies served2000 meals in one day. Alldonated (as it was needed)and cooked on a grill.PHOTOS: Lynne Hopwood14 www.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936
Victims seemed dazed and didn’t know where to start.Once a neighborhood. <strong>No</strong>w it looks like a landfill.Some from Cane Creek Plain community always volunteer.Read more online: www.<strong>No</strong><strong>Greater</strong><strong>Joy</strong>.org/ministrypagewww.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936 15
“Go Love Yourself?”By Michael and Debi PearlDear Pearls,My wife and I are on different pages. The only thing that is keepingus toge<strong>the</strong>r is <strong>the</strong> common goal of wanting <strong>the</strong> best for our fantasticdaughter. When she leaves for university I intend to leave my wife.Am I wrong? Here is <strong>the</strong> situation:1) I save; she squanders thousands.2) I have been faithful. Yet for most of our 20 years of marriageshe has pushed me away sexually and tells me repeatedly to go to <strong>the</strong>bathroom for release.3) She claims I cannot be trusted and have to earn her respect.4) She does not work. I make a six figure income. We are comfortable,but cannot afford <strong>the</strong> lifestyle she expects.5) After work I am expected to help with housework, meals, andlaundry, which I do. But <strong>the</strong> house is always a mess. She is a hoarder.There is a room of junk you cannot even get into.6) Once she said she was going to report me as being abusive. Itold her I would be glad to call <strong>the</strong> police on myself or report myself to<strong>the</strong> church. She said to call <strong>the</strong> church. I did. The church leaders knew<strong>the</strong> charge was bogus and said <strong>the</strong>y wanted to stay out of <strong>the</strong> matter.When my daughter goes to university I intend to give my wife 75percent of <strong>the</strong> assets, walk away, and put my daughter through university.Is that reasonable?- JohnPhoto:.Elizabeth Stewart16 www.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936
Michael Answers:Since I am hearing only one sideof <strong>the</strong> story, it is impossible to judge in<strong>the</strong> whole matter, but you have givenme enough information to ask somepertinent questions of you and to makea factual observation concerning yourwife. The most glaring revelation asto <strong>the</strong> root of your problem is yourstatement that, “She claims I cannot betrusted and have to earn her respect.”She reveals that lack of trust andrespect, in brushing off your advancesand suggesting a disgusting alternative.Her desire to “report you forabuse” suggest she wants outsiders —<strong>the</strong> government or <strong>the</strong> church—toacknowledge something she cannotget you to acknowledge: that you havehurt her. Her hoarding suggests she isinsecure in her future, although thatcould be <strong>the</strong> leftovers of an impoverishedyouth. Her failure to clean <strong>the</strong>house indicates a lack of self-respectas well as thanklessness for your lavishprovision all <strong>the</strong>se years. It is aslap in your face.Your wife is deeply pained, brokenas a human being, unfulfilled as awoman and very lonely. She blamesyou. She may not think you are <strong>the</strong>source of her problems, but, at <strong>the</strong>very least, she blames you for not being<strong>the</strong> cure.Understand that this is not a questionof who is right and who is wrong.It is a question of what you can do toheal her of deep hurts and fears. It isobvious that you have been makingsacrifices for <strong>the</strong> sake of your daughter,but are unwilling to make <strong>the</strong> samesacrifices for your wife. I understandthat she has affronted your masculinityand you just want to get away from <strong>the</strong>hurt. Try to understand her pain and itwill invoke compassion in you.It is very clear that your wifethinks you are duplicitous in your lifeand commitment to her. You werecareful to say, “I have been faithful…for almost 20 years of marriage.” I amassuming that 20 years represents <strong>the</strong>entire marriage and not just <strong>the</strong> lengthof time you have gone without fur<strong>the</strong>runfaithfulness. Your characterizationof her is typical of a woman that haslived with <strong>the</strong> shame of being rejectedfor ano<strong>the</strong>r woman, or of a womanwhose husband has molested his child,or is into pornography.So far, your entire approach, asexpressed in your letter, is to beconcerned with your own needsand how you can meet <strong>the</strong>m.If none of <strong>the</strong>se are true, <strong>the</strong> nextthing I would consider is, did youcreate guilt in her by engaging inpremarital sex? It is often <strong>the</strong> casethat a highly principled virgin whosurrenders to her passions and engagesin shameful sex before marriagetakes that guilt into <strong>the</strong> marriage andcomes to identify all sex with shameand guilt. The association is missedbecause <strong>the</strong> inhibitions are not manifestedimmediately after marriage. Itusually takes several weeks or monthsfor <strong>the</strong> passion to subside and someadditional factor of little consequenceto trigger <strong>the</strong> guilt and cause it tooverride <strong>the</strong> passion. Once <strong>the</strong> guiltthreshold is met, <strong>the</strong> only thing thatwill remove it is complete confessionto each o<strong>the</strong>r and expressions ofshame and repentance. If she sees youashamed of your sin, confessing youwere wrong, her trust can be restored,knowing that hypocrisy no longer livesin you.Whe<strong>the</strong>r I have tagged <strong>the</strong> root ornot, <strong>the</strong> key is to get her to open upand express to you why she is angry,hurt, and bitter. She will be reluctant towww.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936 17
open up to someone she doesn’t trust,and you can only restore that trust bybecoming transparent yourself. Shemust become convinced that you areno longer <strong>the</strong> man that hurt her, thatyou are approachable, that you will notcondemn her or shut her out, that youare interested in her as a person, notjust for physical intimacy.So far your entire approach, asexpressed in your letter, is to be concernedwith your own needs and howyou can meet <strong>the</strong>m. You are self-centered,and insensitive. I understandhow years of rejection can work ona man, but getting divorced is notgoing to meet your needs. Your needis in your heart, and you will takethat with you wherever you go. Youneed to listen to my messages “Sin<strong>No</strong> More,” listen to <strong>the</strong> audio “OnlyMen,” and watch <strong>the</strong> DVD “MarriageGod’s Way.”Debi answers:Dear John,You are a wimp, and even in yourthreat of parting you are not doingwhat is good for your wife, but whatmakes you LOOK like <strong>the</strong> honorablevictim. My advice is practical. Itinvolves simple life changes. But untilyou repent, begin to seek God, studyhis Word and honor him <strong>the</strong>re will notbe a soul change. True joy comes frompeace with God.Your wife doesn’t respect you becauseyou don’t respect yourself. Shesays you “cannot be trusted and haveto earn her respect.” I couldn’t respecta man that made love to himself in<strong>the</strong> bathroom ei<strong>the</strong>r. Fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, shedoesn’t like herself any better. Sheis depressed. Both of you are at faultfor <strong>the</strong> lousy marriage. You are heirstoge<strong>the</strong>r in this life, and toge<strong>the</strong>r youshare <strong>the</strong> blame. As <strong>the</strong> man, it is yourresponsibility to save your wife fromher fear, guilt, and hang-ups. Whena man leads his wife in love andgoodwill, she usually knows it is inher best interest to follow. On rare occasion,a man’s wife is a harlot or fullof bitterness and <strong>the</strong>re is not much <strong>the</strong>man can do about it, but that is not <strong>the</strong>issue here.You neglected to lead! You haveallowed a no-win situation to continuePhoto: iStockphoto.com18 www.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936
for 20 years. From <strong>the</strong> beginning,you should have helped her grow as aperson by putting her in <strong>the</strong> position ofhaving to learn self-restraint, accountability,and work ethic. These lessonsare best learned by being a HELPER.In a good marriage a wife is a helpmeet—a suitable helper. She is busyhelping her husband in his business,trying to save for a joint vision, andbasically being his indispensable righthandwoman. Your wife has had noneof <strong>the</strong> above. She was given a position(wife) and never given <strong>the</strong> gloriousvictory of helping you become a success.It is enough to take <strong>the</strong> hope andaccountability right out of a lady.You will need to artificially jumpstar<strong>the</strong>r idle drive. But this is onlyto re-set <strong>the</strong> situation. After she getsmotivated, you will need to makeroom in your life for her to be a verynecessary HELP to you in all areas ofyour life.At this point you just want out ofyour miserable marriage, so I knowit is hard for you to believe, but, asmany have proven, relationships are somuch richer and more satisfying whenrestored. Once “<strong>the</strong> grace of life” rulesin your marriage, you and your wifewill look back a thousand times andgive thanks that you chose to fightfor your marriage. Both of you willbe thankful for <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r and for <strong>the</strong>forgiveness that you have toward <strong>the</strong>o<strong>the</strong>r. It will not be easy, but it is worth<strong>the</strong> effort. At first it will cause hardfeelings, but if you show dignity andhonor she will come to see that whatyou are doing is out of good will andis best for her and your marriage.My radical answer is a responseto <strong>the</strong> radical direction you say youare headed—divorce. Your wife needsto learn what she should have learnedyears ago. You have enabled her to bedisrespectful by tolerating her abhor-rent behavior, which is probably dueto your own guilt of knowing she isreacting to your sin. Sin begets sin.My radical answer is aresponse to <strong>the</strong> radicaldirections you say you areheaded--divorce.First, you need to deal with yourown sin. She needs to see you areseeking to walk in truth before Godand man. Openly admit you have beenwrong and are seeking to set right<strong>the</strong> things you have blotched. Makesure she hears you listening to Sin<strong>No</strong> More. After a few months of yourchanging she will begin to believe youare seeking to honor God; <strong>the</strong>n shewill not fight you when <strong>the</strong> correctionto your marriage begins to affect her.Take her out to eat one evening toa nice place. While <strong>the</strong>re, explain toher that you know that your sin of notwalking in truth and not being a leaderhas not been good for her. Tell heryou sought advice and have diligentlybeen seeking to honor God in all thatyou do. Tell her you were advised todo several things; some of which willaffect her.Tell her you have closed all yourcredit card accounts and are now paying<strong>the</strong>m off. If she wants a credit cardit will be in her name only. Tell her toestablish a bank account in her nameso she can pay off her own card as itcomes due. Ask her how much moneyshe thinks you should put in her accountmonthly. Explain that <strong>the</strong> agreedamount will be set in stone. You aredoing this for two reasons. The firstis to help you get control of your badhabit of looking over her shoulder andnitpicking at what she is spending.The second is so she can learn to livewithin her means. If during <strong>the</strong> comingwww.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936 19
months she needs more allowance,<strong>the</strong>n suggest that she get a part-timejob. Remind her how smart and capableshe is. She will need to see youhave her good in mind.So don’t think of quitting butinstead start planning on howyou can bring your lady alongsideyou and keep her <strong>the</strong>re.The evening of your talk concerning<strong>the</strong> money, bring up <strong>the</strong>housekeeping issue. Tell her a messyhouse really disturbs you and whenyou come home from working allday you are just too tired to cleanit. Talk about <strong>the</strong> idea of hiring ahousekeeper two days a week. If <strong>the</strong>housekeeper idea doesn’t work, youmight have to set up an area of <strong>the</strong>house that is yours.For twenty years, your wife hasfelt that she is a loser. And in fact, sheis. So are you. As heirs toge<strong>the</strong>r in<strong>the</strong> grace of life, <strong>the</strong> only living signei<strong>the</strong>r of you have succeeded is yourdaughter. You think your daughter willnot need her mama and daddy after20 www.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936she goes to college, but you are wrong.Her world is about to expand and morethan ever she will need both of you asa compass. A broken compass alwayspoints in <strong>the</strong> wrong direction.You think you can just divorce <strong>the</strong>“loser” and marry again and everythingwill be just wonderful, but thatis not true. You are half <strong>the</strong> problem,and as such you will always be thatsame problem, only with a differentlady who has o<strong>the</strong>r problems. Sadly,you can’t divorce yourself. It is muchbetter to face <strong>the</strong>se hard issues head-onand deal with all <strong>the</strong> emotional turmoiland fighting that will occur until <strong>the</strong>two of you grow up.Your wife will find all this changedisturbing yet stimulating. She mightstep up and decide she likes beingmarried and start acting like she is awife with a man who is, after all, a realman. With a few nice compliments anda little encouragement she might do<strong>the</strong> right thing. I suspect she has goodwilltoward you, but she appears tobe a little lazy and self-centered. Thisfault can easily be fixed with somemotivation and should have been fixedlong ago. So don’t think of quitting,Photo: iStockphoto.com
ut instead start planning how youcan bring your lady alongside you andkeep her <strong>the</strong>re.The two of you are heirs toge<strong>the</strong>r.Is it grace you are inheriting ordefeat? Your daughter is a direct heirof <strong>the</strong> life you and your wife createtoge<strong>the</strong>r. What will she take into hermarriage? Will it make her a betterwife? Will she be a happier personbecause of <strong>the</strong> love she has seen inher parents? It is past time to do <strong>the</strong>right thing.The suggestions I have made areonly a beginning, a hint at <strong>the</strong> directionyou should take. There will besurprises and adjustment required.Don’t stop here. Get your wife involvedin your life, your work, yourinterests. Find her an exercise class;study health and herbs toge<strong>the</strong>r;encourage her to volunteer with <strong>the</strong>elderly or teach Sunday School. Ifshe is handy with crafts <strong>the</strong>n talk withher about helping in a preschool artResourcesclass. See if she is interested in goingto back to school to study somethingthat would help you in a side business,<strong>the</strong>n start a business. Be sure to havea hobby toge<strong>the</strong>r. Plan a mission tripabroad to change your life’s vision andbe heirs toge<strong>the</strong>r in <strong>the</strong> grace of life.Life is too short to miss a single day.Your daughter is a direct heir of<strong>the</strong> life you and your wife createtoge<strong>the</strong>r. What will she take intoher marriage?Let her know that she is in fact,<strong>the</strong> love of your life. You need her.You bless <strong>the</strong> day she came to you.You think she is beautiful. You areamazed how feminine she is after all<strong>the</strong>se years. Mush, mush, and moremush. Women love it if <strong>the</strong>y can onlybelieve you mean what you say. Everywoman longs to be cherished, andevery loved woman wants to blessher man. ☺• Pray for your spouse’s wisdom, peace of mindand that <strong>the</strong>ir heart would be set on <strong>the</strong> Lord.• Read:- 1 Corinthians 13- Ephesians 5:25-33• Watch:- Marriage God’sWay DVD• Listen:- Sin <strong>No</strong> More- Only Men• Buy:- RosesSee page 31, 32, and 34 for product informationwww.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936 21
The Power of a StoryBy Debi Pearl and Shalom BrandTelling stories is an important tool in a parent’s child training kit. And<strong>the</strong> most potent story is one involving personal experience when you were achild. (This is <strong>the</strong> rest of Gracie’s story about <strong>the</strong> golf cart, so if you didn’t readher confession on <strong>the</strong> children’s page 10 you might want to glance back beforereading fur<strong>the</strong>r.)TThe evening after <strong>the</strong> golf cartincident <strong>the</strong> repentant Gracie askedme, “Mama, did you ever do anythingdeceitful when you were a little girl?”I had thought it through, so I wasready with a story of deceitfulnessand truth. “Well, I remember oncewhen we were little girls Shoshannawas very deceitful. She let everyonebelieve a lie for two weeks.” I’ll tellyou <strong>the</strong> story.One hot summer day, MamaPearl had all five of us children helpingshuck and cut sweet corn. It is along, tiring job. Shoshanna was onlyfive years old at <strong>the</strong> time, two yearsyounger than I was, and she was notmuch of a worker. She quickly grew22 For more letters, go to <strong>No</strong><strong>Greater</strong><strong>Joy</strong>.orgweary of <strong>the</strong> hot job. She said toMama Pearl, “I’m too tired and hot towork. Can I quit?” Mama Pearl toldher she was free to go in <strong>the</strong> houseand take a nap.When <strong>the</strong> corn was finished, wewent to <strong>the</strong> creek to wash <strong>the</strong> stickycorn off as we took a refreshing swim.Mama Pearl went in <strong>the</strong> house to tellShoshanna she could go, but surprisinglyShoshanna was still fast asleep.It was <strong>the</strong>n that Mama Pearlnoticed that <strong>the</strong> large red wall hangingthat hung over where Shoshannaslept was cut all <strong>the</strong> way across <strong>the</strong>bottom. Ugly gashes from some kindof large pair of scissors had ruined <strong>the</strong>beautiful blanket. Mama Pearl won-Photo: Elizabeth Stewart
dered, “Who could have done such athing? And why?” At first it seemedtoo hard a job for such a small girl asShoshanna, and where could she havefound scissors? Mama Pearl said sheconsidered all <strong>the</strong> different peoplewho had been to <strong>the</strong>ir house that day.Who could have done <strong>the</strong> bad deed ifnot little Shoshanna?Mama Pearl waited until everyonewas toge<strong>the</strong>r at <strong>the</strong> dinner tablethat evening before mentioning <strong>the</strong> redwall hanging. “Did you see that <strong>the</strong>red blanket was cut today? Who couldhave done such a destructive thing?”I jumped to my feet and racedout of <strong>the</strong> room to see. Shoshannafollowed me. I couldn’t believe howawful it was, and wondered whocould have done such a naughty thing.Shoshanna was loudly agreeing.Mama Pearl told me later that shewas almost sure it was Shoshannawho cut <strong>the</strong> blanket, but she knewthat it was possible <strong>the</strong> blanket hadbeen cut for several days and no onenoticed it. If that was <strong>the</strong> case, itcould have been someone else. Shedecided to wait until Shoshanna told<strong>the</strong> truth. Every day Mama Pearl toldus a story about how important it wasto walk in truth. She told us Biblestories and stories about <strong>the</strong> time shelied about flying in a helicopter whenshe was six years old.I knew she was trying to helpShoshanna know how important it isto walk in truth. Cutting <strong>the</strong> blanketwas bad, but becoming a liar wasmuch worse. Every day Shoshannawould carry on about being afraid totake a nap in <strong>the</strong> room in case <strong>the</strong> badperson who cut <strong>the</strong> blanket came backwhile she slept. All us kids startedto almost believe that maybe someonedid come in and cut <strong>the</strong> blanket,because Shoshanna seemed so sincereand truthful when she talked about it.Who could lie that well?One week passed, <strong>the</strong>n ano<strong>the</strong>r,and still Shoshanna worried about <strong>the</strong>bad guy coming in <strong>the</strong> while she slept.I could see that even Mama Pearl wasbeginning to wonder if someone elsehad cut <strong>the</strong> blanket. But why wouldanyone do anything so silly and meanas cut a wall hanging?Every day Mama Pearl told usa story about how importantit was to walk in truth.Then one evening Shoshannaclimbed up into Mama Pearl’slap. Mama Pearl hugged her tightand started scratching her head asshe hummed a song. Even thoughShoshanna was big, she was still <strong>the</strong>youngest kid and she really likedsitting in Mama’s lap. I saw whenShoshanna turned her head and heardher whisper in Mama’s ear, “Mama, Icut it.”Finally, after more than twoweeks she had admitted <strong>the</strong> truth.What a convincing liar she had become!All us kids thought about howshe lied to us and we did not like it.How would we believe her next time?Who can trust a liar?Mama Pearl was glad Shoshannahad finally told <strong>the</strong> truth, but sheknew Shoshanna needed to be chastenedfor being so great a deceiver.I heard Mama Pearl whisper toShoshanna, “I’m glad you finallytold <strong>the</strong> truth. Being a liar is a terriblething, much worse than cutting<strong>the</strong> blanket. But even though I amglad you told <strong>the</strong> truth, you must bespanked for destroying <strong>the</strong> hangingand for lying all <strong>the</strong>se days.”Mama took <strong>the</strong> hidden scissorsand put <strong>the</strong>m away. They were largeand very sharp. Mama Pearl explainedto Shoshanna how dangerous <strong>the</strong>ywere and how glad she was that shewww.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936 23
had not cut herself. It was good thatshe had finally told <strong>the</strong> truth.So Shoshanna got a spankingevery day for two weeks—<strong>the</strong> numberof days she had lied. And every dayMama Pearl reminded her how morethan anything we wanted her to walkin truth. And that’s <strong>the</strong> story of why itis important to tell <strong>the</strong> truth.Gracie might not rememberan admonition, scolding, oreven a spanking, but she willremember <strong>the</strong> story of <strong>the</strong>red blanket.My simple story of <strong>the</strong> red blanketmade a grave impact on Gracieand Jeremiah. They both related to<strong>the</strong> child, Shoshanna, who harboreddeceit for two long weeks. They bothfelt <strong>the</strong> burden of sin weighing downon <strong>the</strong>m. I could see Gracie was gladshe had come clean about <strong>the</strong> golfcart so soon. In <strong>the</strong> future this incidentmight cause both children to becautious ra<strong>the</strong>r than foolish when <strong>the</strong>ystart driving vehicles. They learnedthat <strong>the</strong>re are consequences in life.There are consequences for deceit.Wisdom gained young is so muchbetter than regret suffered later.God chose storytelling to teach usabout himself. The Old Testament isa storybook. It teaches us who God isby <strong>the</strong> things he did with <strong>the</strong> Israelitepeople. It teaches <strong>the</strong> consequencesof sin and <strong>the</strong> blessings of obedience.Stories are powerful tools for parentsto instill wisdom.Gracie will always remember <strong>the</strong>story of <strong>the</strong> red blanket. A story likethat will cause children to value whatyou value. It will help <strong>the</strong>m see thatGod highly values truth. Many timesas parents we skim over a child’slies, but each lie molds evil into <strong>the</strong>soul. Each truth builds <strong>the</strong> soul injustice, honor, and honesty. Habits oflying are instilled early, as are habitsof truthfulness and honesty. Graciemight not remember an admonition,scolding, or even a spanking, but shewill remember <strong>the</strong> story of <strong>the</strong> redblanket. When tempted to deceive,she will reflect on <strong>the</strong> stories, and <strong>the</strong>knowledge of truthfulness will helpher be a wise girl.☺Storytelling Tips• Tell <strong>the</strong> stories that happened whenyou were young.• Read Good and Evil to your children• Farmer Johnny’s kids love The Pond stories.www.lifeat<strong>the</strong>pond.comLet ano<strong>the</strong>r man praise <strong>the</strong>e, and not thine own mouth; a stranger,and not thine own lips. Proverbs 27:224 www.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936
Announcing Our NEWE-NGJ Magazine, coming this July!NEW!What does THAT mean? The regular <strong>No</strong> <strong>Greater</strong> <strong>Joy</strong> Magazineis printed in January, March, May, July, September and <strong>No</strong>vember.NGJ Magazine is costly due to printing and mailing, so we do notsend it out every month. Beginning July 15, we will publish 12magazines a year, with every o<strong>the</strong>r being available in digitalformat only.” The new E-NGJ Mag will be like <strong>the</strong> hard copyNGJ Magazine with new articles and pictures, but it will ALSOinclude links to short video clips with Mike and Debi or one of <strong>the</strong>irchildren answering your questions. The link to <strong>the</strong> E-NGJ Mag willbe automatically e-mailed to all our E-Partners starting July 15th,and every o<strong>the</strong>r month <strong>the</strong>reafter. Got it?<strong>No</strong>t an E-Partner? <strong>No</strong> Problem!To become an E-Partner, go to <strong>No</strong><strong>Greater</strong><strong>Joy</strong>.org. Enteryour e-mail address in <strong>the</strong> box that says “Join our e-mail List.”Once you subscribe, you will receive a confirmation e-mailwith a link. You must click this link to activate your subscription.Then you will automatically receive an email saying youare an E-Partner along with <strong>the</strong> link to <strong>the</strong> current E-NGJ Mag.Congratulations! Each Friday you will receive an NGJ E-blastand, starting July 15th, you will receive <strong>the</strong> bimonthly E-Mag.(For <strong>the</strong> automatic email response)You’re an E-Partner now! Your E-NGJ Magazine Subscriptionhas been activated. Here is <strong>the</strong> link to <strong>the</strong> current E-NGJ Mag(link). You will also receive weekly specials every Friday. –Enjoy!E-Partners can download <strong>the</strong> Good and Evil EpisodeOne for FREE and get our new E-NGJ Magazine!www.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936 25
Functioning CommunityNewly Happy-weds!By Michael Pearl<strong>No</strong> doubt about it: effectively training up children inthis current society is <strong>the</strong> toughest job you’ll ever have.Their growing up is inevitable,but growing into righteous, emotionallystable, productive human beingsis a miracle that requires extraordinarysacrifice, commitment, and wisdom on<strong>the</strong> part of parents. There was a timewhen <strong>the</strong>re were small, close-knit communitiescomposed of extended familyand friends, where <strong>the</strong> church andschool reflected and enforced Christianvalues, where children just naturallygrew up to be stable and well-trained.<strong>No</strong> more. Those times are gone forever.Every government agency, form of entertainment,electronic device, and educationalentity is now designed to moldchildren into <strong>the</strong> image of hedonistichea<strong>the</strong>ns with self-gratification as <strong>the</strong>chief end of life. Trying to shield yourchildren from exposure to evil is liketrying to sandbag your house against<strong>the</strong> rising flood waters of <strong>the</strong> MississippiRiver. You have to teach yourchildren to swim against <strong>the</strong> risingonslaught of pollution and not swallowany of <strong>the</strong> putrid water in <strong>the</strong> process,because <strong>the</strong> world will definitely seepin on your children.I have now lived long enough tohave observed <strong>the</strong> entire process andcan document <strong>the</strong> results of variousproffered solutions to <strong>the</strong> problem ofraising up righteous, overcoming children.One panicky approach that hasfailed miserably is retreat and isolation.It illustrates a dilemma: children mustPhoto: istockphoto.com26 www.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936
e raised in a functioning community,but community is generally depraved.If we retreat and throw up barriers to<strong>the</strong> world, our community may becomeso small as to cause <strong>the</strong> children to feeltrapped and deprived, resulting in <strong>the</strong>irlongingly looking beyond <strong>the</strong> artificialwalls to <strong>the</strong> exciting world beyond.They must feel that all of <strong>the</strong>ir needswill be met within <strong>the</strong>ir community—spouse, home, work, entertainment,worship, entrepreneurship, individualexpression, education, etc.I have observed too many isolatedfamilies produce angry, resentfulchildren that flee into <strong>the</strong> arms of <strong>the</strong>world at <strong>the</strong> first opportunity.One of <strong>the</strong> outstanding marks of<strong>the</strong> family that isolates itself and criticizesthose on <strong>the</strong> outside is that <strong>the</strong>children fail to get married. They willhave eight children, half of <strong>the</strong>m over25, with several still living at home.The girls, more than <strong>the</strong> boys, getbypassed for marriage. The guys areprone to take flight and satisfy <strong>the</strong>irhormonal urges, but <strong>the</strong> girls just waitand wait and wait for that miracle tohappen—but <strong>the</strong> prospective groomsare just not shopping at <strong>the</strong>ir littleboutique. Even when <strong>the</strong> girls ventureout into <strong>the</strong> light of day where guyswill see <strong>the</strong>m, <strong>the</strong>y are often bypassed.I have asked <strong>the</strong> young men why <strong>the</strong>yare not interested in such a lovely,disciplined, hardworking young lady,and <strong>the</strong>y just shrug and try to put <strong>the</strong>irthought into words, and <strong>the</strong>n I realizeagain that <strong>the</strong>y have no thoughts regarding<strong>the</strong> young lady, no opinion, nointerest—she just isn’t <strong>the</strong>re. She lackspersonality, vivaciousness, charm, attractiveness.She reflects <strong>the</strong> small, dullworld in which she was cloistered. Sheis a nun fresh from <strong>the</strong> convent.I have observed that it is not altoge<strong>the</strong>r<strong>the</strong> isolation that causes rebellionin <strong>the</strong> boys and discontent in <strong>the</strong> girlsas much as <strong>the</strong> attitude of <strong>the</strong> parents.When children are raised in remoteareas, like on a horse ranch in Montana,or <strong>the</strong> outback of Alaska, <strong>the</strong>y are notas likely to jump ship and reject <strong>the</strong>irfamilies. They do not take <strong>the</strong>ir family’sisolation to be self-imposed, as if <strong>the</strong>irparents are deliberately depriving <strong>the</strong>mof <strong>the</strong>ir due. They are more likely to beneeded as working members of <strong>the</strong> unit,sharing <strong>the</strong> struggles and <strong>the</strong> joys of <strong>the</strong>family business.The attitude difference betweendeliberately cloisteredchildren and incidentally isolatedchildren is <strong>the</strong> attitudeconveyed by <strong>the</strong> parents.When <strong>the</strong>se isolated kids come outof <strong>the</strong> mountains or off <strong>the</strong> farm to <strong>the</strong>big city, <strong>the</strong>y may be a little awkwardand ill at ease at first, but <strong>the</strong>y are neverdull. They possess confidence andpoise in <strong>the</strong>ir body language and interestand curiosity in <strong>the</strong>ir eyes. Theyare likely to excite <strong>the</strong> interest of <strong>the</strong>opposite sex because <strong>the</strong>y have a depthto <strong>the</strong>m that <strong>the</strong> deliberately isolated donot have. Even as <strong>the</strong>y may leave <strong>the</strong>old life behind and seek broader opportunitiesin <strong>the</strong> larger world, <strong>the</strong>y aremore likely to cherish <strong>the</strong>ir upbringingand appreciate <strong>the</strong>ir parents.The attitude difference betweendeliberately cloistered children andincidentally isolated children is <strong>the</strong>attitude conveyed by <strong>the</strong> parents. In afenced-in home where <strong>the</strong> parents areparanoid about <strong>the</strong> world beyond andalways criticizing those on <strong>the</strong> outsideas a means of keeping <strong>the</strong>m fromaccepting o<strong>the</strong>r influences, childrengrow up with small souls, and when<strong>the</strong>y discover that outsiders are notso bad, <strong>the</strong>ir parents try to build <strong>the</strong>fences even higher, warning <strong>the</strong>magainst opening up to <strong>the</strong> evil without.The children, already suspicious ofwww.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936 27
<strong>the</strong> world, grow bitter at <strong>the</strong>ir parentsand find <strong>the</strong>mselves alone and lonelyin a world that has passed <strong>the</strong>m by, or<strong>the</strong>y plunge into a social circle with noskills to survive and are consumed byforces <strong>the</strong>y do not understand.Sacrifice everything, includingyour comfortable way of makinga living, to create a wholesomecontext in which to raise yourchildren.Again, <strong>the</strong> dilemma: do I isolatemy children from <strong>the</strong> evil without andface <strong>the</strong> possibility of <strong>the</strong>m becomingdysfunctional in <strong>the</strong> world and unfulfilledin love, or do I allow <strong>the</strong>m tofreely socialize and risk <strong>the</strong>ir developinga hedonistic perspective? I appreciate<strong>the</strong> complexity of <strong>the</strong> problem youface. There is a way to victory, even inthis present world.Foremost, before you give attentionto training and guiding your children,give <strong>the</strong>m what <strong>the</strong>y most need—parentswho love each o<strong>the</strong>r and enjoylife toge<strong>the</strong>r. Most parents who cloister<strong>the</strong>ir children are <strong>the</strong>mselves unhappyand fearful. If you are not in harmonywith your spouse, you will create insecurity.I know young people who say<strong>the</strong>y do not want to be married because<strong>the</strong>ir parents marriage was so painfuland contentious, but <strong>the</strong>y do want sex.Lady, read Created To Be His HelpMeet and believe it this time. Put it intopractice. Mister, stop trying to rule yourwife like she is your slave and start loving“her as Christ loved <strong>the</strong> church, andgave himself for it.” Delight in yourspouse and your spouse will delight inyou, and your children will delight inbeing a part of <strong>the</strong> family.After making <strong>the</strong> family a funlove factory, adopt <strong>the</strong> world withoutas your project. When you live in fearand are in retreat, you have stoppedtrying to convert <strong>the</strong> world to Christand have forfeited <strong>the</strong> opportunity tomake a difference. In short, you arefearful and selfish—not good groundto raise children. Instead of retreating,start meeting <strong>the</strong> needs of o<strong>the</strong>rs. Giveyour children meaning by doing thingsoutside <strong>the</strong> home that are meaningful.Touch <strong>the</strong> lives of those in need. Share<strong>the</strong> gospel with <strong>the</strong> lost.Then you need to join yourself andyour family to a fellowship of believersthat share your goals and perspective.Build community. This takes ondifferent forms to different families,and I cannot tell you exactly how thisshould occur in your unique circumstances.But you must have a circle ofdaily acquaintances with whom youcan share your life.Know for a certainty, when Christiansform an intimate circle, <strong>the</strong>re willalways be a family that pushes <strong>the</strong>ir wayinto your life that will bring <strong>the</strong> worldand all its ugliness into <strong>the</strong> inner sanctum.You must be vigilant as a parentand be prepared to hurt someone’s feelingsif necessary. It is one thing to takeyour children without <strong>the</strong> camp to ministerto <strong>the</strong> needy, but is quite ano<strong>the</strong>rto allow sin into <strong>the</strong> camp where yourguard is down. So many parents haveruled over <strong>the</strong> damnation of <strong>the</strong>ir childrenthrough <strong>the</strong>ir forgiving hearts with<strong>the</strong> excuse, “Well, shouldn’t we ministerto <strong>the</strong>m as well?” Ministry takes placewhen you put on <strong>the</strong> whole armour tostand against <strong>the</strong> wiles of <strong>the</strong> devil.Never allow your children to play withkids that were not raised in <strong>the</strong> Spirit asare yours. Think of <strong>the</strong> darkness in o<strong>the</strong>rchildren as ten times as powerful as <strong>the</strong>light in yours, and you will stand a betterchance of <strong>the</strong>m not being exposed topornographic images or talk.You must create community that isprotected and sanctified while ministeringto <strong>the</strong> world without. Two orthree families does not a community28 www.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936
You must create community that is protected and sanctified whileministering to <strong>the</strong> world without.make. Arrange your job, <strong>the</strong> locationof your residence, your church life, <strong>the</strong>schooling of your children, and yoursocial engagements so as to maximizerighteous community for your children.If you send your children to public orChristian school, you have relinquishedall control and allowed <strong>the</strong>m to formcommunity without you. Their schoolmatesare <strong>the</strong>ir community and will be<strong>the</strong> determining factor in <strong>the</strong>ir development.You have placed <strong>the</strong>ir souls in <strong>the</strong>hands of o<strong>the</strong>r children.In our church, every familyhomeschools. If someone came into<strong>the</strong> church whose children go to orhave gone to public schools or churchschools, <strong>the</strong>ir younger children wouldnever be allowed into <strong>the</strong> inner socialcircle with our kids. There would bezero fraternization, even on <strong>the</strong> churchgrounds after meetings. We have builtcommunity and will not allow it tobe corrupted. The stakes are too high.But we readily reach out to o<strong>the</strong>rs andreceive every stripe of sinner who repentstoward God and believes on <strong>the</strong>Lord Jesus Christ.Most parents don’t have <strong>the</strong> guts toform community and protect it. Before<strong>the</strong>y will take a painful stand, <strong>the</strong>y willsacrifice <strong>the</strong>ir children on <strong>the</strong> altar ofsocial politeness.There is enough evil arising in<strong>the</strong> hearts of our own children; we donot need to accelerate <strong>the</strong> process byunguarded association with childrenthat have been prematurely immersedin <strong>the</strong> Devil’s culture.Older kids—sixteen to seventeenyears old—who have been to publicschool and have demonstrated trueconversion and commitment to Christmay enjoy full acceptance by <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>rkids, for by <strong>the</strong> time our young peopleget into <strong>the</strong>ir middle teens, most of<strong>the</strong>m are quite capable of standing firmagainst temptation.More than ever, I encourage youto create community. Sacrifice everything,including your comfortable wayof making a living, to create a wholesomecontext in which to raise yourchildren. The greatest day of your lifeis <strong>the</strong> day you come home from a weddingwith one fewer kid, knowing thatyou completed your task; you plantedano<strong>the</strong>r godly family in this sin cursedworld. The greatest achievement inlife is to “train up a child in <strong>the</strong> way heshould go” so that “when he is old hewill not depart from it.”Reread Jumping Ship. Give a copyto a friend in need. ☺Photo: istockphoto.comwww.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936 29
The Happy FamilyFamily ResourcesFamily BooksCreated To Be His Help MeetWhat God is doing through thisbook is amazing! We are receivingthousands of letters from peoplegiving testimony to marriages restoredand old loves rekindled.296-pg. Book $14.95Box of 24 books $215.28, a 40% discount9 CDs $34.95 $9.95 • 1 MP3 $12.95Creada Para Ser Su Ayuda Idónea(Spanish Created To Be His Help Meet)Book $14.95Russian Book - 296-pg. Book $14.95Holy SexMichael Pearl takes his readers througha refreshing journey of biblical textsshowing that God designed marriage tobe in <strong>the</strong> context of erotic pleasure.82-pg. Book $7.958 or more copies ea. $4.77, a 40% discountSexto SantoSpanish Holy Sex Book $7.958 or more copies ea. $4.77Jumping ShipLearn how to keep your childrenfrom jumping ship too early.106-pg. Book $7.958 or more copies ea. $4.77, a 40% discountJumping Ship DVD - 1 DVD $12.95Abandonando el barco(Spanish Jumping Ship Book) $7.958 or more copies ea. $4.77, a 40% discount<strong>No</strong> <strong>Greater</strong> <strong>Joy</strong> - Vol. 1Reprints of <strong>the</strong> first two years of<strong>No</strong> <strong>Greater</strong> <strong>Joy</strong> articles. Covers <strong>the</strong>subjects of sibling rivalry, pouting,bad attitudes, and much more.Book $7.958 or more copies ea. $4.77, a 40% discount<strong>No</strong> <strong>Greater</strong> <strong>Joy</strong> - Vol. 2Covers <strong>the</strong> subjects of rowdy boys,homeschooling, grief, and much more.Book $7.958 or more copies ea. $4.77<strong>No</strong> <strong>Greater</strong> <strong>Joy</strong> - Vol. 3Covers <strong>the</strong> subjects of marriage relationshipsand how <strong>the</strong>y affectchildren, joy, and much more.Book $7.95;8 or more copies ea. $4.77, a 40% discountPreparing To Be A Help MeetBeing a good help meet starts longbefore marriage. It is a mindset, alearned habit, a way of life establishedas a young unmarried girl—a perfectstudy guide for small groups.296-pg. Book $19.95Box of 24 books $287.28, a 40% discountAudiobook - 1 MP3 $12.95 NEW!Spanish Book - 296-pg. Book $19.95Box of 24 books $287.28, a 40% discountThe Help Meet’s JourneyThe Journey is a 184-page yearlongcompanion workbook/journalfor Created To Be His Help Meet.There are extra pages for your stories,doodlings, and studies.Workbook $10.95Box of 24 books $157.68, a 40% discountTo Train Up A ChildOver 650,000 copies sold in English,translated into many languages.From successful parents, learnhow to train your children before<strong>the</strong> need to discipline arises.Book $7.958 or more copies ea. $4.77, a 40% discount1 MP3 $12.9530 For More detailed descriptions, go to <strong>No</strong><strong>Greater</strong><strong>Joy</strong>.org
Para entrenar a un niño(Spanish To Train Up A Child) Book $7.958 or more copies ea. $4.77, a 40% discountSpanish Audio 5 CDs $21.95Kids BooksListen To My DreamA beautifully illustrated children’sbook about <strong>the</strong> work of Dr. MartinLu<strong>the</strong>r King, Jr. that inspireschildren to make a difference.40-pg. Book $6.958 or more copies ea. $5.21, a 25% discount25 or more copies ea. $4.17, a 40% discountSamuel Learns toYell & TellA child predator loses his power whenhe loses his cover. This beautifully illustratedchildren’s book will arm parentsand children against predators.48-pg. Book $9.9512+ Books $5.97 ea, a 40% discountSara Sue Learns to Yell & TellDebi’s second book in Yell & Tell series!Join Sara Sue and her little sister as <strong>the</strong>ycontinue to teach children to yell and tell.48-pg. Book $9.9512+ Books $5.97 ea, a 40% discountFamily AudioAlabama SeminarTwo hours of Michael Pearl speakingon child training. These aregeared toward <strong>the</strong> fa<strong>the</strong>r’s role in <strong>the</strong>family. Tales of Mike and his sons’wild adventures. Boys love it!1 MP3 $12.95Becoming a ManThis message is for parents concernedabout raising <strong>the</strong>ir boys upto be men and it is for fa<strong>the</strong>rs whonever learned to be real men.1 CD $6.95Best Homeschooling IdeasDebi discusses her best homeschoolingideas. 20-plus years of accumulatedwisdom. A best-seller!1 CD $6.95Only MenMichael Pearl speaks directlyand frankly to men about <strong>the</strong>ir responsibilitiesas husbands.1 CD $6.95Solo Hombres (Span. Only Men) CD $6.95Starting OverThe basic message: “Okay, I knowI’ve messed up in child training;now what do I do?”1 CD $6.95When Children DieWhere is my stillborn baby, <strong>the</strong> miscarriedfetus, or <strong>the</strong> two year old childwho died? Do children who die prior toreaching accountability go to heaven?What about <strong>the</strong> children of unsavedparents? You will be thrilled with whatGod has in store for your departed child.1 CD $6.95Young Adults & MarriageThis message is <strong>the</strong> story of all fiveof our children finding <strong>the</strong>ir mates.1 CD $6.95Family DVDsBalanced PatriarchWhen do children cease to be underparental authority?1 DVD $12.95Becoming Tempered SteelJoshua Steele talks to young men aboutbeing a man and a minister of <strong>the</strong> Gospel.Highly recommended by Michael Pearl.1 DVD $12.95 NEW!CHILD TRAINING 101If you want to introduce childtrainingprinciples to a friend, thisis <strong>the</strong> one DVD to give <strong>the</strong>m.1 DVD $12.95Herbs with Shoshanna Vol. 1– Making Herbs Simple DVD JoinShoshanna and friends as <strong>the</strong>y teachyou how to identify and use herbsgrowing in your own back yard, makepoultices, tinctures, and herbal hairtreatments, and much more! Includeswww.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936 31
a full-color, 20-page companionguidebook for helpful reference.78 minutes. 1 DVD $24.95Herbs with Shoshanna Vol. 2Making Herbs Simple Vol. 2 is a handson DVD about herbs. Shoshanna will takeyou into <strong>the</strong> wild, where you can identifyherbs, learn what <strong>the</strong>y are good for, andhow to make a remedy out of <strong>the</strong>m.75 minutes. 1 DVD $24.95Homesteading forbeginners Part ITeaches you basic country-life skillslike gardening, raising and butcheringchickens, cutting firewood, bakingbread, making cheese, and muchmore. Children love this DVD!1 DVD $19.95Homesteading forbeginners Part IILearn all about making maplesyrup, soda bread, vinegar, yogurt,and a variety of homesteadingskills. Geared more for adults.1 DVD $19.95Homesteading forbeginners Part IIIMore homesteading tips from <strong>the</strong> formercity slickers, including meat preparation.Excellent step by step instructionsfor <strong>the</strong> novice homesteader.1 DVD $19.95Knife & TomahawkThrowing For FunMichael Pearl demonstrates and teachesknife and tomahawk throwing.1 DVD $16.95Marriage God’s WayHusbands, learn how to sanctifyyour wife and cleanse her ofspots, wrinkles, and blemishes.Wives, learn <strong>the</strong> freedom of honoringand ministering to your man.2 DVDs $19.95Movers & ShakersMichael encourages parents totrain <strong>the</strong>ir children to be tomorrow’smovers and shakers.1 DVD $12.95Teaching ResponsibilityIn this seminar, Michael Pearluses humorous stories and practicalexamples to illustrate <strong>the</strong> simpleprocess of training your childrento work without complaint.2 DVDs $19.95The <strong>Joy</strong> of TrainingMichael and Debi Pearl tell how <strong>the</strong>ysuccessfully trained up <strong>the</strong>ir five childrenwith love, humor, and <strong>the</strong> rod.2 DVDs $24.95Contest participants can receive a 25% discount couponcode for <strong>the</strong> NGJ webstore. Restrictions apply.To be a part of <strong>the</strong> contest, follow <strong>the</strong>se instructions:Step 1: Go to: YellandTellbooks.com/contestStep 2: Choose one of <strong>the</strong> coloring pages for July-August.Step 3: Print page.ART CONTESTRULES!Step 4: Create your art by using a creative medium of your choice (crayons, paint,markers, colored pencils, or o<strong>the</strong>r.)Step 5: Write your first and last name and age on <strong>the</strong> back of your artwork.Step 6: Mail art into NGJ ART Contest, 1000 Pearl Road, Pleasantville, TN 37033.Art will be judge in age-appropriate categories. The winners will be printed in <strong>the</strong>September-October 2011 issue and posted on <strong>the</strong> web.*Terms: Art submissions MUST be received by July 5, 2011. Due to <strong>the</strong> GREAT number ofsubmissions, we are not able to return original artwork. Coloring pages are only available online.If you do not have internet, your local library can download it for you. Please do not call <strong>the</strong>order-line regarding <strong>the</strong> art contest.32 For More detailed descriptions, go to <strong>No</strong><strong>Greater</strong><strong>Joy</strong>.org
BIBLEBible TeachingAudio Verse by VerseBooks of <strong>the</strong> BibleMat<strong>the</strong>wMichael Pearl describes this book as<strong>the</strong> last book in <strong>the</strong> old covenant.A grasp of <strong>the</strong> book of Mat<strong>the</strong>w isessential to a proper understandingof <strong>the</strong> New Testament.1 MP3 CD $12.95MarkMichael teaches through <strong>the</strong>book of Mark verse by verse.1 MP3 CD $12.95LukeComing Soon!1 MP3 CD $12.95JohnEvery verse is discussed, every criticalword examined. Here is doctrinal andpractical teaching to enrich your life.1 MP3 CD $12.95ActsThe book of Acts is a thrilling dramaof <strong>the</strong> missionary activities of <strong>the</strong>early church. From gifts of <strong>the</strong> Spirit toshipwreck, stoning to death and deadlysnake bites to angels opening prisonhouse doors; this is <strong>the</strong> story of <strong>the</strong> menwho built <strong>the</strong> church Christ promised.1 MP3 CD $12.95RomansUntil you know <strong>the</strong> book of Romansyou don’t know <strong>the</strong> Bible. If you havenever listened to any Bible teachingby Michael Pearl, this is <strong>the</strong> placeto start. We continually receive testimoniesof lives changed and soulssaved through listening to this greatestof all New Testament Books.1 MP3 CD $12.95(See Romans Commentary in Books)GalatiansMany professing Christians who don’thave a personal relationship with Christare seeking meaning in Rabbinical Judaism,keeping feast days and Sabbaths,and resorting to using Hebrew words forGod and Jesus. Many are “falling fromgrace” in <strong>the</strong>ir attempt to give <strong>the</strong> law ofMoses a place in <strong>the</strong>ir daily lives. Godgave us <strong>the</strong> book of Galatians to answerthis ancient and now modern heresy.1 MP3 CD $12.95EphesiansPractical and Scriptural Bible teachingto encourage <strong>the</strong> believer. Includesteaching on husbands and wives.1 MP3 CD $12.951 & 2 ThessaloniansThe Apostle Paul writes to his favoritechurch, <strong>the</strong> one that hadbeen faithful under persecution.1 MP3 CD $12.951 Corinthians & Colossians1 Corinthians is a book of radical answersfor radical times. If you enjoyedRomans, you need to hear Colossians.Learn about your spiritual circumcision.Two books on one MP3 CD.MP3 1 CD $12.95HebrewsThis is a book that will bless youlike no o<strong>the</strong>r. As you study <strong>the</strong> bookof Hebrews, you will not only learnabout faith, you will actually have faithbuilt into you by <strong>the</strong> Word of God.1 MP3 CD $12.951 & 2 PeterThirteen messages totaling overnine hours of teaching.1 MP3 CD $12.95www.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936 33
Goodand EvilFor those who havenever heard.Photo: istockphoto.com1, 2, 3 John, & JudeThe epistle of 1 John is <strong>the</strong> scariestbook in <strong>the</strong> Bible. He that isborn of God sinneth not! Why did<strong>the</strong> devil try to carry off <strong>the</strong> body ofMoses? Who is antichrist, and whydoes he deny that Jesus came in <strong>the</strong>flesh? What is <strong>the</strong> sin unto death?1 MP3 CD $12.95Bible Topics MP3s & CDs2 Steps to HeavenThis is <strong>the</strong> simplest, clearest, easiestto understand gospel message. It isespecially suited for those who havedoubts or who are trusting in a confusingmixture of faith and works.1 CD $6.9550 SinsYour sins are found in this list.1 MP3 CD $12.95A-B-C Bible Verse SongsSmall children love this! Beka and someof <strong>the</strong> kids in <strong>the</strong> church sing <strong>the</strong> A-B-CBible verse songs that her mo<strong>the</strong>r taugh<strong>the</strong>r when she was growing up. Your littleones will want to listen to this day andnight, and by doing so <strong>the</strong>y will learn26 Bible verses with <strong>the</strong> references.1 CD $6.95Am I Saved?Three message set: Born Again,Am I Saved? and Repent, discusses<strong>the</strong> nature of repentance andfaith as it pertains to salvation.1 MP3 $12.95Authority PrayingMichael preaches on <strong>the</strong> believer’s positionin Christ and how prayer is basedon <strong>the</strong> authority that is ours in Christ.1 CD $6.95If by Grace/God’s Chosen PeopleTwo messages on one CD: Salvationis completely by grace without<strong>the</strong> deeds of <strong>the</strong> law. Israelremains God’s chosen people.1 MP3 CD $12.95PLAIN TALKIn <strong>the</strong> Fall of 2010 Mike spoke to250 Amish and Mennonite peopleon <strong>the</strong> subjects pertinent to <strong>the</strong>m.1 MP3 CD $12.95Repentance, True and False“Repent of your sins” is not found in<strong>the</strong> Bible even one time. What does<strong>the</strong> Bible teach regarding repentance?1 CD $6.95RighteousnessFour messages on salvation:The ManChrist Jesus, The Blood, ImputedRighteousness, Saving Righteousness.1 MP3 CD $12.95Sin <strong>No</strong> More & SanctificationAre you still a “Romans 7 Christian?”I assure you, God not only saves hischildren from <strong>the</strong> penalty of sin bu<strong>the</strong> saves <strong>the</strong>m from its power as well.34 For More detailed descriptions, go to <strong>No</strong><strong>Greater</strong><strong>Joy</strong>.org
Two sets of messages on one MP3 CD.1 MP3 CD $12.95Sinful NatureThese messages answer some of <strong>the</strong>ridiculous teachings of an ancient heresysometimes called “Calvinism.”For too long, Reformed <strong>the</strong>ology hasrobbed <strong>the</strong> church of <strong>the</strong> power of God.1 MP3 CD $12.95Sons of God and GiantsThe Jews have taught it for 3,500 years.The church fa<strong>the</strong>rs believed it and wroteof it, but it is too radical for our presentgeneration. They will ridicule you if youbelieve it. But what does <strong>the</strong> Bible say?1 CD $6.95Bible Questions DVDs50/50 DVDUnscripted and spontaneous, followMike around <strong>the</strong> farm as he answersyour Bible questions. Varied questionsand answers in a changing contextmakes this series most captivating.1 DVD $12.95 NEW!BooksBy Divine DesignIf you are philosophically minded,this book will appeal to you. It addresses<strong>the</strong> question, “Why, God,did you let this happen?”85-pg. Book $7.958+ copies each $4.77, a 40% discountEight KingdomsUnderstand <strong>the</strong> Bible by discovering<strong>the</strong> differences between <strong>the</strong> kingdomof God and <strong>the</strong> kingdom of Heaven.Book $12.95,Box of 34 $265.00, a 40% discountGood and EvilA 320 page, award-winning graphic noveldepicting <strong>the</strong> Bible stories from Genesisto Revelation, written by Michael Pearland featuring spectacular artwork byMarvel Comic artist Danny Bulanadi.English Book $24.95Box of 26 $389.22El Bien y El Mal - Spanish Book - $24.95Box of 26 $389.22, a 40% discountChinese Book $24.95,Box of 26 $389.22, a 40% discountGood and Evil Comic BooksOur popular book, Good and Evil,has been printed in one-chaptercomic books. Kids will beg you for<strong>the</strong> next chapter. 6 1/2” x 10 1/4” 28pages each, soft cover, full color.English Parts 1-3 $2.99 each25+ copies $2.00 each, a 33% discount3-pk $4.50, a 50% discountSpanish Parts 1-5 $2.9925+ copies $2.00 each, a 33% discount5-pk. $7.50, a 50% discountGood and Evil -Kids’ Coloring BooksBased on <strong>the</strong> popular Good and Evilbook. Sold separately or in a 4-Book Set.Books 1-4, $2.00 each25+ copies each $1.50, a 25% discount4-Book Set $4.00, a 50% discountRepentanceWhen <strong>the</strong> Bible warns a sinnerto repent, what is <strong>the</strong> nature ofthat repentance? Michael Pearlexamines all 112 uses of “repent”.44-pg. Book $4.508+ copies ea. $3.15, a 30% discountRevelation Poster & HandbookThis poster is a print of an originalpainting done by Michael Pearl whichshows <strong>the</strong> events of Revelation inchronological order. It is 40”x 19” onheavy, glossy paper. The handbookwhich accompanies it is filled with OldTestament references and commentaryto <strong>the</strong> events in Revelation.Poster $12.95Romans ch. 1-8 CommentaryThis popular commentary is a carefulword-for-word examination of <strong>the</strong> mostimportant book in <strong>the</strong> Bible, addressing<strong>the</strong> hard <strong>the</strong>ological issues that havebeen <strong>the</strong> foundation of <strong>the</strong> Christianfaith down through <strong>the</strong> centuries.222-pg. Book $8.95www.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936 35
Booklets1 John 1:9 <strong>the</strong> ProtestantConfessionalMust a Christian confess his sins in orderto be forgiven? <strong>No</strong>t on your eternal life.3-pg. Booklet $1.50Baptism in Jesus’ NameIs water baptism made validby <strong>the</strong> preacher uttering <strong>the</strong>words “in Jesus’ name”?17-pg. Booklet $1.50In Defense of BiblicalChastisementMichael brings clear understanding backinto <strong>the</strong> confusing and often misunderstoodsubject of corporal chastisement.29-pg. Booklet $1.50Justification and <strong>the</strong> bookof JamesJames clearly teaches that works justifya man while Paul teaches that aman is not justified by works. Are<strong>the</strong>y contradicting each o<strong>the</strong>r?26-pg. Booklet $1.50LEARNING FROM THE ATHEISTSMike tackles <strong>the</strong> arguments for <strong>the</strong>faith by taking <strong>the</strong> a<strong>the</strong>ists’ ownlogic to prove Jesus Christ is God.32-pg. Booklet $1.50Pornography, Road to HellMichael addresses <strong>the</strong> deadly scourgeof pornography head-on. He shows howrepentance toward God and <strong>the</strong> powerof <strong>the</strong> gospel of Jesus Christ can break<strong>the</strong> bondage of this wicked perversion.12-pg. Booklet $1.50Spanish Pornography Booklet $1.50The Gap FactThe Bible clearly declares that <strong>the</strong>Earth existed before <strong>the</strong> six-day creation.Don’t let well-meaning creationscientists cloud this Biblicaltruth for you. Study it for yourself.30-pg. Booklet $1.50To Betroth or <strong>No</strong>tto BetrothThe dangers of <strong>the</strong> betrothal systemare exposed with <strong>the</strong> light of biblicaltruth, bringing objectivity backto an often-misunderstood subject.28-pg. Booklet $1.50O<strong>the</strong>r Books by PearlsRebekah’s DiaryRebekah Pearl (now Rebekah Anast),daughter of Michael and Debi Pearl,tells <strong>the</strong> awesome story of God’sguidance and protection as she, a22-year-old girl, all alone whereno white person had ever been,adapted to a primitive culture.106-pg. Book $7.958+ copies ea. $4.77, a 40% discountThe VisionWhat do you get when Islamic terroristsand White Supremacists goup against a small group of Biblebelievers in <strong>the</strong> hills of East Tennessee?Get your hands on a copy of thisintensely exciting, informative novel!338-pg. Book $14.95Books by O<strong>the</strong>r AuthorsArchaic Words and <strong>the</strong>Authorized Version606 pages of archaic—or so called—words defined and discussed in ascholary and well researched manner.Gain fresh insights into <strong>the</strong> languageof <strong>the</strong> King James Bible.606-pg. Book $29.95FIVE POINTS of CalvinismGeorge BrysonEach of <strong>the</strong> much-touted five points ofCalvinism is carefully compared with<strong>the</strong> clear teaching of God’s holy andinfallible Word, providing both seriousScriptural challenge and correctionto <strong>the</strong> extremes of Calvinism.125-pg. Book $5.95A prudent man foreseeth <strong>the</strong> evil, and hideth himself: but <strong>the</strong> simplepass on, and are punished. Proverbs 22:336 For More detailed descriptions, go to <strong>No</strong><strong>Greater</strong><strong>Joy</strong>.org
The 2006 Geneva Bible –The Trojan HorseDr. Samuel GippThis is Dr. Gipp’s answer to <strong>the</strong> all<strong>the</strong> hoopla surrounding <strong>the</strong>“Geneva” Bible.104-pg. Book $5.95The Answer BookDr. Samuel GippContains answers to 62 often-askedquestions concerning Bible translationissues and <strong>the</strong> preservation of <strong>the</strong>Bible in <strong>the</strong> Authorized Version. It isscrupulously researched and beautifullywritten—a pleasure to read.165-pg. Book $6.95Why <strong>the</strong> King James Bible is<strong>the</strong> Perfect Word of GodGary MillerToday, hundreds of books call <strong>the</strong>mselvesBibles. In this book you will seewhy <strong>the</strong>y cannot all be <strong>the</strong> words ofGod and why only <strong>the</strong> 1611 KJVis God’s perfectly preservedWord in English.48-pg. Book $3.99Hazardous MaterialsDr. Gail RiplingerMichael Pearl says, “By <strong>the</strong> time Ifinished reading <strong>the</strong> 45 page introductionto this 1200 page book I knew <strong>the</strong>final definitive work had been writtenon <strong>the</strong> issue of Bible translations.”1214-pg. Book $29.95King James, His Bible,and Its TranslatorsLawrence M. VanceThis collection of essays on <strong>the</strong> subjectsof King James, his Bible, andits translators is <strong>the</strong> result of painstaking,original research, with anemphasis on primary resources.Book $8.95New Age Bible VersionsDr. Gail RiplingerThis book is <strong>the</strong> result of an exhaustivesix-year collation of new Bible versions,<strong>the</strong>ir underlying Greek manuscripts,editions and editors. It objectively andmethodically documents <strong>the</strong> hidden alliancebetween new versions and <strong>the</strong> NewAge Movement’s One World Religion.700-pg. Book $16.95The Hidden HistoryOf The English ScripturesDr. Gail RiplingerContains original research into <strong>the</strong>manuscripts and languages from whichall nations and tongues have derived<strong>the</strong>ir Bibles. There is nothing else likeit in print except a 1200 page book by<strong>the</strong> same author—In Awe of thy Word.70-pg. Book $7.95The O<strong>the</strong>r Side of CalvinismLaurence M. Vance, Ph.D.This book presents <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r side to<strong>the</strong> over 400-year-old debate of <strong>the</strong>doctrines of Calvinism. Mike Pearlstates, “This is <strong>the</strong> best book exposing<strong>the</strong> heresies of Calvinism. If you are aBible believer concerned about TRUTH,this is a must-read.” Hard bound book.788-pg. Book $29.95SoftwareSwordsearcher SoftwareThis is an easy program to use.Includes over 70 study referencessuch as <strong>the</strong> KJV, KJV 1611, earlytranslations by Tyndale and Wycliffe,commentaries and much more!PC only Software CD $34.95Dear Michael and Debi,I just have to tell you thatmy nine year old son cannot put<strong>the</strong> Good and Evil book down!<strong>No</strong>t only that but he wants toknow everything <strong>the</strong>re is to knowabout it and is constantly askinghis dad and me questions.THANK YOU! WOW! We are accomplishing<strong>the</strong> most importantthing in our children’s lives andwe cannot thank you enough foryour ministry! - A. O.www.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936 37
Good andEvil UpdateBy Chuck <strong>Joy</strong>ner, Asst. Gen. ManagerPTo God Be <strong>the</strong> Glory!Nearly all of <strong>the</strong> 12,000 copies of <strong>the</strong>Hindi Good and Evil are spoken for to bedistributed by missionaries and nationalsin India. Punjabi and Urdu, both of Pakistan,are only a few weeks behind Hindiin beginning distribution. A fragile peaceexists between <strong>the</strong> countries of India andPakistan but <strong>the</strong> message of <strong>the</strong> peaceof God through Jesus Christ will nowbe presented to Indians and Pakistanisthrough <strong>the</strong> distribution of Good and Evilin <strong>the</strong> language of millions. Thank youfor your prayers and support in makingthis a reality.The following demonstrates howyour input is instrumental in <strong>the</strong> completionand distribution of <strong>the</strong> many languagesof Good and Evil. “Thought thatyou’d all like to know that <strong>the</strong> ChichewaGood and Evil has arrived safely in <strong>the</strong>country Malawi. We are working withabout 10 different missionaries to get <strong>the</strong>books distributed. Most of <strong>the</strong>se missionariescontacted us after you put ourstory in your newsletter. We’re setting upa date where <strong>the</strong>y can all come at once topick up <strong>the</strong>ir books from our translatorpartner.” - Sincerely, Kyle FelmleyContacts have been made with individualsthat are interested in helping withtranslation of Italian and Creole (Haiti)that we hope will brea<strong>the</strong> new life into<strong>the</strong> work on <strong>the</strong>se languages.If you or someone you know isbilingual and willing to help with <strong>the</strong>Good and Evil Translation Project pleasesend <strong>the</strong> contact information to NGJ at:cjoyner@nogreaterjoy.org38 www.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936Good and Evil Printing ReportGood and Evil has been printed in:BurmeseCebuanoChinese(Simplified)EnglishFalam ChinHawa NagaHmongJinghpaw(Kachin)Karen(S’gaw Karen)KhmerKorean(South Korea)LaoLisuLithuanianMongolianNepaliRussian (color)Spanish(LatinAmerican,Mexican)ThaiUkrainianVietnameseWaZaiwaRawangAt <strong>the</strong> Printer <strong>No</strong>w:Hindi, Punjabi (Pakistan), Urdu (Pakistan)In Final Proofing:AfrikaansBahasa MalaysiaCastellanoJapaneseRomanianFinished/ Looking for proof-readers:Catalan, Tibetan, ShanPortions Printed: Mongolian, Sotho, Tsonga,TswanaIn Progress:AhkaAnungBislamaChin, HakhaDaiCzechDutchDzonkha(Bhutan)FinnishFinuntuk(Philippines)FrenchFrench Creole(Creole, Haiti)GeorgianGuji Oromo(Burma, China)Russian(black & white)Mongolian(complete,revision)HebrewHungarianItalianIndonesianKhmuKyrgyzLahuLiang tuLuoMaruMongul (China)Ngochang<strong>No</strong>rwegianPidgin (TokPisin, PNG)PolishPortugueseRomanian2 or More Printings:Burmese ChineseCebuano (Simplified)English KhmerTswana (completebook)SamoanSichlaSinhaleseSlovakSotho(complete book)SwedishSwahiliTagalogTeluguTetunTonganTurkishUrdu (India)Zande(Africa)SpanishThaiVietnameseNew Languages: Amharic, BengaliNegotiating with translators: Oriya, TigrinyaPlease see <strong>the</strong> order form for donation to <strong>the</strong> Good and Evil project.
Become an NGJ DistributorWhat better way is <strong>the</strong>re to teachyour children about business principlesthan to start your own familybusiness as a NGJ Distributor?Being a Distributor can also open upministry opportunities for your family.It can be a business, it can be aministry, or both! Start your childrenon a road to entrepreneurship andministry to o<strong>the</strong>rs and watch <strong>the</strong>mgrow into <strong>the</strong> business leaders andministers of tomorrow. Check it outtoday our link below and be one of<strong>the</strong> NGJ “elite”.After reviewing our website,call Mel Cohen at 931-593-2484 oremail at mcohen@nogreaterjoy.orgto answer your questions or to signup for <strong>the</strong> program.By Chuck <strong>Joy</strong>ner, Asst. Gen. Mgr.Existing DistributorsAvailable upon request:• Your complete contact informationon our website. You provide <strong>the</strong> textand NGJ will do <strong>the</strong> rest.• A listing of homeschool conventionsin your area. Homeschool conventionsare usually from Februaryto August each year.• Images and product descriptionsfor you to use on your website oradvertising.• Ten FREE Reports.• Advance notification on newproducts and special discounts fordistributors only.New or existing Distributors:To get advance notices on new products and distributor-only discounts, signup at www.nogreaterjoy.org/business-in-a-box/distributor-info/#c1871.The discounts are over and above your standard discount, so be sure to signup ASAP.Photo: istockphoto.com** Attention Distributors! Send us a good quality photo of yourfamily, your contact information and we will feature you here!www.nogreaterjoy.org | 1-866-292-9936 39
july-aug 2011<strong>No</strong> <strong>Greater</strong> <strong>Joy</strong> <strong>Ministries</strong>, Inc.1000 Pearl RoadPleasantville, TN 37033ELECTRONIC SERVICE REQUESTEDNON-PROFITUS. POSTAGEPAIDNO GREATER JOYMINISTRIESJuly-August SpecialsSpecials good July 1 throughAugust 31, 2011(4) TTUAC books,(1) The <strong>Joy</strong> of Training DVD set.REG. $56.75 / NOW $33.95##2008-05 SAVE OVER 40%!Alabama Seminar MP3,Knife & Tomahawk Throwing DVD,Coloring Book setREG. $37.90 / NOW $22.50#8342-05 SAVE OVER 40%!Only Men CD,Created To Be His Help Meet book,Marriage God’s Way DVDREG. $41.85 / NOW $24.95#4030-05 SAVE OVER 40%!Ready! Aim! Fire! (Bow made from <strong>the</strong> herbHorsetail from Mama Pearl’s garden.Photo: Elizabeth Stewart