CONTENTS

Showers of Blessing
From the Pastor's Desk
Status
Is U.S.A. Christian?
Newly Baptized
Rain Delays Building
Kingdom of Heaven Questions and Answers
Urinary Tract Cleanse

     God is still the weatherman. The Harvest Retreat in September was overflowing with rain. No, not just sprinkles of rain, but hard drenching rains that turned the creek into a roaring river and the trails into mud. Not a soul complained. Everyone just huddled around the camp fire and rejoiced in the knowledge of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth.

     Fifty to sixty people attended the five-day Retreat. Some had traveled halfway across America. John and Arlene Wesley traveled all the way from Nebraska with Heaven license plates.

     Between lectures, the newly-roofed kitchen was crowded with damp campers. We drank herb tea around the old fashioned wood cook stove. We were consoled by the scripture:

     We were blessed by the Word that came through the speakers. Gregory Williams burst the bubble on false ideas of Heaven and showed how the Bible describes Heaven in Heaven vs Heaven. Rick Sheppard, fresh from his jail experiences in Dallas, Texas, spoke on Who Makes the Law and showed through the scriptures that God is the only lawgiver and judge. Gordon of Yahweh explained the Eight Principles of Good Health. Pastor Paul Revere spoke on how the status of a citizen of Heaven differs from that of the heathen. Dome shelters and independent electrical systems were also discussed.

     Twelve-year-old Skye Revere demonstrated sourdough breadmaking and helped her Mom show how to grow garden greens and sprouts indoors.

     The meeting platform is covered only by a tarp. When the rain pounded against the tarp, it sounded like people clapping their hands. Apparently the Retreat speakers spoke with continuous applause!

     The Retreat started Wednesday and by Saturday morning, the sun finally broke through the clouds. Terry Shearer was baptized in the cold creek. Pastor Revere said if he would have known that baptizing would bring out the sun, he would have started baptizing a few days earlier.

     In the afternoon, the children were finally able to jump on the trampoline and enjoy the woods and meadows. While they played, they heard Pastor Revere calling together a meeting with music and singing. One of the girls remarked, "I don't want to go to another lecture. They are so boring." Another girl said, "Neither do I. Let's stay and jump."

     Seven year old James Williams (Gregory Williams' son) was horrified. "If you don't like his lectures, then you don't like God because he teaches about God."

     One of the girls said, "We never said that."

     James continued to defend God and His Kingdom as he quickly put on his shoes and ran down to the meeting. James was fascinated by some of the talks, especially when Pastor Revere spoke about the five regular solids. As Revere showed the brightly colored models of a tetrahedron, cube, octahedron, dodecahedron and icosahedron, he explained how these shapes form the basis for dome construction.

     James listened intently and was unaware that as he leaned forward, the water building up on the tarp above him periodically poured down his neck! Even though James was soaking wet, he had drawn a notebook full of basic geometric shapes.

     Newly baptized Terry had his first test as a newborn believer. The Washington State police arrested him near Chehalis, on his way home from the Retreat. Terry showed the arresting policeman his Kingdom of Heaven Passport and asked the officer to call his Embassy. When Trooper Sweet made contact, Pastor Revere had an opportunity to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom. Within the hour, Terry was released.

     We thank everyone who attended this year's Retreat for enduring until the end. We hope that at next year's Harvest Retreat, God's Word will bring showers of blessing - without the rain.

     Grace and Peace from our Lord Jesus Christ.

     My mind has been changed. For many years I have preached, "If they want a driver license, let's give them one. But this time, let's obtain one from the Kingdom of Heaven." I believe we are in error. When we are stopped by the police, we cause confusion when we present a Heaven license.

     Part of our persecution is because we do not understand their government. It turns out that the United States government does not require their citizens to carry traveling papers inside the borders. They freely move from State to State without passports. If you show no passport, it is presumed that you are a U.S. citizen. When stopped, their citizens are required to present State-issued licenses.

     What happens when you are stopped and you present a Heaven driver license? The policeman scratches his head and thinks, "Oh, boy, I've got a nut case. Why does this U.S. citizen have this strange looking document?"

     Then the officer says, "This isn't a State driver license. Where is your State driver license?" He is still presuming you are one of their citizens. He might wonder, "What is a U.S. citizen doing with this phony document?" Then sparks fly because he thinks you are in violation of the law. U.S. citizens are supposed to have their driving documents issued by one of the several States. It isn't long before he carts you off to jail.

     When you present a passport issued by the nation of God, it takes away the presumption that you are a U.S. citizen. Now law enforcement must deal with you as a foreigner, someone who is of another nationality. And they don't want to do that. As a non-U.S. citizen, you have to hurt someone to draw the policeman's attention. He cannot enforce all the local statutes on a foreigner.

     The whole issue when we were stopped in Alabama this summer was that they wanted us to recognize the United States of America and the State of Alabama. We told them we belonged to the nation of Heaven and we did not recognize their nation. They tried to intimidate us out of the nation of Heaven. The sheriff came by and said we were all crazy and should be jailed. Then he jumped in his car and drove away. Finally, when they realized that we could not be shaken, they left us alone.

     The Kingdom of Heaven Passport that we present makes it very clear that we are citizens of another nation. Inside the gold embossed vinyl cover are the words, "Peace to all whom this may concern: The Embassy of Heaven of the Kingdom of Heaven hereby requests that the citizen of Heaven named herein pass without delay or hindrance for the purpose of evangelizing upon the highways in the Kingdom of Heaven in obedience to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of our Heavenly Father."

     We offer our peace, just as Jesus and the apostles did. We declare who we are, whom we represent and our purpose for using the highways. On the facing page is our picture, the Embassy seal, and vital statistics. The next three pages contain IMPORTANT INFORMATION which is taken from the scriptures declaring that we are ambassadors, our authority, the supreme law of the land, the ownership of the highways, and rewards and warnings for those who receive or reject us.

     The Passport also contains 23 pages for acknowledgments. This is where foreign governments (including state and federal agencies) can put their stamp acknowledging our presence. Law enforcement officers scrutinize this information with a fine tooth comb and sometimes hearts are softened.

     When we were stopped in Idaho a few months ago, the police did not know how to deal with us. It was three in the morning and we had already been detained several hours. We were at a standoff. I was sitting beside Michael who was driving. I leaned over and said to the policeman, "Look, why don't you just cite him and turn us loose?" And the officer looked at me with fear in his eyes. "Oh no, we're not going to cite any of you guys. We don't want you coming back and defending the tickets in our courts." They finally sent us on our way without any citations.

     Can you imagine a policeman in the courtroom telling his story? "I asked the man for identification and he handed me a passport issued out of the Kingdom of Heaven. The Passport said he was an evangelist." Then the examining attorney asks, "Then why did you beat him up? Didn't you like an evangelist for the Kingdom of Heaven?"

     Our passport declares our citizenship. It states we are on the thoroughfares that Jesus Christ established for us to use. We have nothing that belongs to the State. Therefore, there is nothing for them to do except send us on our way.

     The next time a policeman approaches your car door, just hand him your Passport. You don't need to answer any of his questions. When you hand him your Passport, tell him you did not understand his question. You cannot possibly understand any of his questions because you are not part of his government.

     Inform the policeman that these are multi-jurisdictional thoroughfares. If you were on the highways in their State, you would be trespassing. But since you are traveling on the highways in the Kingdom of Heaven, there is no trespass.

     What about the Heaven Driver License? We will still use it for identification, but not on the highways. The Passport is the document that lets the police know we are foreigners. Once we make them aware that we neither recognize their State nor the United States of America, they have nothing to do with us. We are living in the Kingdom of Heaven and are in our own Home wherever we go.

     If you would like more information on our Passports, ask for our Passport brochure, which includes request forms.

Paul Revere, Pastor

     Adapted from a taped message delivered at the Harvest Retreat, September 28, 1995.

     This morning's topic is Status. Do you know what it is? It is your standing or position, your rank. If you and I were in a military organization and I held the rank of Private and you were a Colonel, there would be a marked difference in status between the two of us. A different rank means different duties, responsibilities and privileges.

     A Christian has a different status from a heathen. Many different statuses are listed in the New Testament: Adulterers. Thieves. Cowards. Sinners. Elders. Deacons. Ministers. Ambassadors.

     Is status real? To some people it is very real. Status is foundational. Based upon one's status, doors open or close. You can't enter the Kingdom of Heaven unless you have the proper status.

Founding Fathers

     Being a citizen of a nation is another form of status. Let's start with our founding fathers. What names come to your mind? How about George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and Patrick Henry? Those are the names most people in America would mention as founding fathers. Most Americans have been raised from their youth to believe that their foundation is the United States of America and its Constitution. And that is the foundation they build upon.

     We do not preach the United States of America and its Constitution. Nor do we preach any constitution or government of the kingdoms of this world. People may think we are traitors because we do not exalt the U.S. flag or its government. We also do not exalt Mexico or Canada or Italy.

     We represent only one government. It is known as the Kingdom of Heaven. Now what names come to your mind when I ask you to name a few of our founding fathers? How about Jesus Christ, Matthew, Luke and Barnabas.

     By studying history, you will notice great men acting in behalf of the Kingdom of Heaven. They might act in it, but very few recognize that the Kingdom of Heaven is a unique and separate Government from the kingdoms of the world.

     Our focus is on one form of status - citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven. As ambassadors of the Kingdom of Heaven, we must be about our Father's business. That means it is not our business to participate in the affairs of the United States or other foreign governments.

Government Controls and Restrains

     What is government? Government is what controls and restrains us. Government is everything that is between the ears. Government is a thing that you cannot see.

     The Kingdom of Heaven is the government within us that we are to conform to. It takes chaos and restrains it and gives direction to our lives.

     Jesus Christ said the Kingdom of Heaven cannot be seen or observed. It is not a place or a location, for it is within. "Within" means in the heart and the mind. Therefore, it is invisible. It is a form of government operating within us. What you do each and every day is part of your government. The thoughts you entertain, the words you speak, the way you treat your neighbor, are all part of your government. You conform to the standards of that government. You started when you were a babe. The first time your little fanny was spanked, you learned to modify your behavior to conform to government.

God's Government Now Available

     How do we know that the Kingdom of Heaven is truly a government? Where is the evidence that God established His Government known as the Kingdom of Heaven and that it is in place right now? The foundations are in the Scripture.

     After Jesus was tempted by the devil, he began His ministry with the words, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand." Most people have been deceived. They do not realize that Jesus is saying, "My Father's government is now available. Repent, change your life."

     Why does He want you to change? Because He wants your status right so that you can participate in the glorious liberty of the Kingdom of Heaven. Without the proper status, there is no true government for you. You are handed over to reprobate minds and will be ruled by tyrants.

     Once you have a change of heart, you realize you have been headed in the wrong direction. You need to start over. Become as a little child. Start relearning because most of what you thought you knew was a lie. Only by starting over, or being born again, can you see the Kingdom of Heaven (John 3:3).

     Once you are reborn, you have a new status. You are a citizen of Heaven, not a citizen of the world. You make no mention of the United States presidents or other foreign gods (Exodus 23:13). You are not worried about Congress wasting taxpayers' money. The U.S. is a foreign government to you. You recognize only one Ruler, the King of kings, and Lord of lords (1 Timothy 6:15). And there is only one Lawgiver and Judge (James 4:12). All who came before are thieves and robbers (John 10:8). No other foundation can be laid than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11).

     There is also proof in the scriptures that Jesus passed on the Kingdom of Heaven to his apostles. Jesus said, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." Then he commanded his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations and teach them to obey all that He had commanded them (Matthew 28:18-20).

     These men were sent to all nations by the authority of a King, to teach the people to obey the sovereign's commands. Doesn't this sound like the function of government?

Bestowing His Government

     Jesus conferred His government upon the apostles at the Last Supper before His crucifixion. The founding fathers of Christ's government were arguing among themselves who should be considered the greatest. They were arguing about their status. The issue was about government offices.

     In the midst of their rivalry, Jesus said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called 'benefactors.' But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves. But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." Luke22:24-30

     In the past, Jesus spoke in parables. He had been talking in ways that only certain people could understand. Now in this passage, he is plainly saying, "I give you my Father's Government," which is the Kingdom of Heaven or the Kingdom of God.

     Wouldn't it be grand if Satan could convince us that God did not give us a government? That we must all be ruled by the oppressive governments of the world? That is what I hear these days. So-called Christians say, "Well, we're supposed to obey the government, like it says in Romans 13." I say, which government are we to obey? Who are our overseers?

     People are quick to point us to the government of the United States of America and say that the law Congress makes is the law of the land. It is the law of the land for them because of their status. They are citizens of the United States. But for those of us who have been born again into the Kingdom of Heaven, the United States is not our government. We are citizens of Heaven. Our allegiance is to our Father's Government, the only authorized Government on the face of the earth. We are to submit to the authorities under the Church or ecclesia, the Body of Christ.

     Some people say the Kingdom of Heaven is some future state. Government is not future. A location might be future. Heaven possibly is a location. It is where Jesus sits on the right-hand side of the Father and rules. But the "Kingdom of Heaven" is not a place or a location. It is Government. And government is the unseen, the invisible, that which is within and between the ears or in the heart.

     Someone might say they are from the State of Florida. No matter where they are in the universe, they are in the State of Florida in the sense that the State of Florida is the government that fills their heart and mind. In everything they think and say and do, they conform to the State of Florida.

     The Scripture says, how many masters can you serve? (Matthew 6:24) Can you have multiple governments within you? I find it very confusing to have conflicting authorities directing my actions. If I have a screwdriver in one hand and a hammer in the other, I can only use one of them. I have to set the other one down. Government is the same way.

Government of True Liberty

     In Luke 22:29, Jesus plainly states that he is conferring a government or Kingdom upon the Apostles. He tells us what type of government it is. It is a government of service. It is not a government of lordship, but a government of service. When you come to the Embassy of Heaven for a retreat, we have a staff of people who are here to serve you. That is government in action. We are here to set you free from the walls in your mind so that you realize there is more than one government available. The Statists would love you to believe that State government, with its heavy burdens, is the only option.

     The Kingdom of Heaven was established upon the Cross and I believe the Kingdom of Heaven became ours at the moment Jesus said, "It is finished," and He gave up the ghost. He completed everything that was needed to establish the Kingdom of Heaven on the earth and He did it with His blood. I believe Jesus Christ gave us His Last Will and Testament and He was the Testator. He had to die so that we could inherit a Kingdom.

     Most people gain goods. They inherit cars, houses, clothing, artifacts, all the junk in the attic. They get all those stupid things. But we receive the Kingdom. There is no greater love than when a man lays His life down for his friends. That is what Jesus did for us. Through His death and resurrection, He gave us the most perfect government on earth. Check out the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew Chapters 5 through 7). It is the Constitution or Code of Conduct for citizens of Heaven.

     Let us begin at once to change our status. If we seek out the benefits of our Father in Heaven, then we are going to come under His rules and His protection. We will be citizens of His government. And scripture tells us the results. We will have true liberty. Therefore, we need not be part of the weak and dependent ones who have been snared by Satan. We must come to the realization that we are a holy nation, a peculiar people, His people. Then all that we think and say and do will be from the point of view of being a Kingdom citizen, not a citizen of the world. People will know that we are different. Our hearts and minds are not on the things of this world. They are on the Heavenly things.

     The Sunday school teacher was describing how Lot's wife looked back and turned into a pillar of salt. "My mother looked back while she was driving," said little Johnny. "And she turned into a telephone pole."

by Caleb Israel

     Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ the King. I have been given some material by a man who wants to convince me that the United States government is founded upon the Christian Religion.

     One of the papers he gave me is titled: "America founded by Christians?? You bet it was!!"

     Let me clarify this title. America is not the United States. America is a creation of YHWH, God. The United States as we know it today is a creation of a few clever men who wrote the Constitution of the United States. There is a difference between America, God's creation; and the United States, man's creation. You cannot link America with the United States. America belongs to God; the United States belongs to a few clever men.

     The paper goes on to say: "The first prayer was offered by the Rev. Jacob Duche before the First Continental Congress, on September 7, 1774 in the presence of the most illustrious of the Founding Fathers. Found in a book by Ken Warner, [this is] a classic example of the trust in Divine Providence which characterized early American history."

     Notice that this prayer is given in 1774, seven years before there even was a United States. The United States did not come into existence until 1781, when the Articles of Confederation were ratified.

     Remember, too, the first government of the United States was by the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation. The Constitution of 1787 formed the government of the United States as we know it today.

     Article 6, paragraph 2, of that Constitution abolished the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation and the laws of the 13 states and their Constitutions, where they were incompatible with the laws and treaties of the United States and the Constitution. Article 6, paragraph 2 of the Constitution of the United States says:

     Let's look at one of these treaties which was made by the authority of the United States. By the way, "all Treaties made" are the supreme law of the land for all those who believe they are one of "we the people of the United States."

     The Treaty of Tripoli, November 4, 1796. 8 Stat. 154; Treaty Series 358. This is a treaty of peace and friendship between the United States of America and the Bey [Governor] and Subjects of Tripoli of Barbary. Article 11 states:

     "As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion, - as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen, - and as the said States never have entered into any war or act of hostility against any Mehomitan nation, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries."

     Right out of the horse's mouth, they confess they are not founded on the Christian religion. I am not convinced that the United States government is a Christian government or ever has been. There is a small portion of Americans who are Christian people, but the majority are not.

     The reason I say this is because, if the American people were truly Christian, they would not have a legislature of men making laws for the people. They would be free from manmade government and Jesus Christ would govern their activities by the New Covenant laws of God from within each individual, i.e., the laws of nature and nature's God.

     There is no doubt in my mind that there were some good Christian men and women who were separating from the governments of the world as God commands us to do. They were freed from the tyranny of the British Crown, but their freedom did not last long. They went right back to having other gods, called States, before Almighty God.

     They placed a few men in high esteem and allowed them to make their laws. Then these men of high esteem became the gods of the people. Once again they were worshiping idols: and the government of the United States as we know it today has evolved out of that wickedness.

     Because there were some Christian people in America who spoke some wonderful words for the people of America to hear, does not make the United States a Christian government.

     There is only one Christian government in the earth today. That is the Kingdom of Heaven, which was established by its Founding Fathers 2000 years ago. Jesus Christ is its King and His twelve Apostles carried it throughout the world.

     Until next time, God bless you all with His love, grace and peace through Jesus Christ our King. Amen.

     When we researched the "Treaty of Tripoli", we found that Article 11 (quoted above) mysteriously disappeared out of many documents. It remains a mystery to this very day.

     Where did this document come from? It came from an ambassador sent by the United States of America to make peace with the pirates on the high seas. We found it very strange that the U.S. was making a treaty with pirates, for what communion has light with darkness? The United States was worried about the Muslim religion. The United States took the position that they were a "free" religious State. In other words, people could be Muslims, Christians, worshipers of Jupiter, or worshipers of any false god.

     What difference does it make whether or not the United States is a Christian nation? If the U.S. is a Christian nation, we owe it our allegiance and support. But if it is not, then we must separate from it. P.R.

Newly Baptized
Water baptism signifies the drowning of the world system and the emergence of a new creature born of God. When you go through the waters of baptism, everything belonging to the Kingdoms of the world is cut off by those waters. You leave the world that is under judgment and emerge into a divine order led by the Holy Spirit.
We welcome these newly baptized citizens of Heaven: Terry D. Shearer, baptized at the Embassy of Heaven, September 30, Year of our Lord, 1995. Ima Redeemed, baptized at the Embassy of Heaven, October 22, Year of our Lord, 1995.

by Brooke Revere, Age 15

     It is Monday, October 23rd, and the Embassy of Heaven work site is soaking wet. The clearing in the woods is the future home of the Kingdom of Heaven License Plate Manufacturing Plant. Today the men are not working at the site. Laborers Abraham and Caleb Israel are sitting indoors by the wood stove, instead of building the much needed plant.

     Man's plans were to have the manufacturing plant built by December, but God's plans seemed to have taken a different twist. Rain.

     Paul Revere, manager of the project, watches sadly as a steady rain turns the project area into an unmanageable mire. Half an inch of water covers a large part of the work site, while other parts are puddles of thick mud, mixed with rocks, roots, sawdust and wood chips.

     Several attempts have been made to make the site workable. Small ditches were dug and sawdust strewn about, but to no avail. It appears they may have to wait until Spring to resume the project.

     "They would have been better off building a pond or bottling spring water, " says a local observer. "I would if I were them."

     Update: During the last full week of October, our Father sent warm, sunny days. God willing, the concrete for the building foundation will be poured before November.

     My wife and I were divorced several years ago. After reading "Permanency of Marriage," I was convinced that I should soften my heart and go back to my wife. But I am still confused by the passage in Deuteronomy, 24:4, which says it is an abomination for me to return to my wife. Has God changed his mind?

     No. God has not changed his mind. What is confusing is that Deuteronomy 24:4 does not reflect the original mind of God. It is part of the law that was written because of the hardness of man's heart. God's original intent was for man and woman to be one flesh until death separates them (Matthew 19:4-6).

     God wrote the law because man had a hard heart. Since man demanded to put away his wife, then he is barred from rebuilding his marriage. The law works in one direction. It is an abomination to rebuild that which has been torn down (Galatians 2:18).

     Even God was not held to his own law. Jeremiah 3:1 states: "THEY say, If a man put away his wife, and she go from him, and become another man's, shall he return unto her again? shall not that land be greatly polluted? but thou hast played the harlot with many lovers; yet return again to me, saith the LORD." Here, God desired Israel, his bride, to repent and return unto Him.

     Why was God not held accountable to Deuteronomy 24:4? Because God's heart was softened and the law no longer applied.

     This also applies to us. In order for the law to no longer rule over us, we must soften our hearts. We must repent and live in the Spirit of righteousness. Then the law has no more strength. For the law kills but the Spirit gives us life (2 Corinthians 3:6).

     Because you have hardened your heart, you have been put under the law. Therefore, soften your heart toward your wife so that God will also soften His heart toward you. Then you can return unto your wife and God can return unto you. Amen.

     Cranberry juice is a simple remedy that helps prevent and heal urinary bladder infections. Cranberry juice contains certain acids that inhibit bacterial growth and block bacteria from attaching to the bladder walls.

Symptoms

     Urinary Bladder infections are characterized by an urgent desire to empty the bladder. Urination is typically frequent and painful. Even after the bladder has been emptied, there may be a desire to urinate again. The urine often has a strong, unpleasant odor and may appear cloudy. Symptoms may also include lower back pain and sometimes a fever as the body tries to throw off infection. Children suffering from bladder infections may have lower abdominal pain and experience a painful burning sensation while urinating.

Causes

     Urinary tract infections are one category of cystitis, a broad term relating to bladder problems and various symptoms. Bacterial cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder caused by harmful bacteria. About 76 percent of bacterial cystitis is caused by escherichia coli (E.coli), a common bacterium in the intestinal tract. In the majority of E. coli infections, the bacteria have migrated up through the urethra and reproduced inside the bladder. The urethra is the tube through which urine leaves the body.

     Lower urinary tract infection is a significant problem in 20 percent of the female population in America. Although some men and children are afflicted with urinary tract infections, the vast majority are women. The bacteria gain access to the bladder by traveling up the urethra in females. The closeness of the anus to the vagina and urethra allows the transmission of bacteria to the bladder in women.

     Bladder infections in men may signal a more serious problem, such as prostatitis. Prostatitis is the acute or chronic inflammation of the prostate gland. The usual cause is a bacterial infection from another area of the body which has invaded the prostate. In a healthy male, there is space between the colon and the prostate. When a man becomes constipated, the rectum and sigmoid colon become engorged with fecal matter, swell and push against the prostate. If these conditions remain this way over a long period of time, the toxins and bacteria in the colon will migrate into the prostate. Prostatitis can partially or totally block the flow of urine out of the bladder, resulting in urine retention. If cleansing with cranberry juice is ineffective for bladder problems in men, the Intestinal Cleanse is often helpful. The Intestinal Cleanse removes the buildup of old fecal matter and relieves constipation. (Full instructions for the Intestinal Cleanse are in our book, Cleansing or Surgery.)

Cranberry as a Remedy

     Cranberry has been used for many years as a natural remedy for bladder infections. Traditionally, it was thought that cranberry was beneficial merely because of it acidifying effect in the urine. Now it appears that cranberry's beneficial effects on bladder infections are more complex.

     Recent studies have shown that cranberry appears to contain a special group of compounds that block bacteria from attaching to the walls of the bladder. Before bacteria can begin reproducing, it must first adhere to the walls and establish a "foothold." After attaching, they form a small colony of bacteria that can invade deeper into the tissue, causing inflammation. The body forms a mucous coating to help protect the bladder cells. The urinary tract also secretes certain proteins that bind to the bacteria and confuse them. However, in some people these defense mechanisms of the body are deficient, making them more prone to chronic urinary tract infections.

     The attraction of bacteria to bladder cells helps explain how cranberry prevents bladder infections. Certain water-soluble components of cranberries have been shown to stop bacteria from attaching to bladder cells. Although the compounds in cranberry have not been isolated or identified, laboratory studies reveal that when cranberry juice is present, bacterial adherence to bladder cells is drastically reduced. When these compounds in cranberry are present in the urine, they bind to the bacteria, confusing the bacteria and effectively blocking them from attaching to the bladder cells. Since the bacteria are not attached, they are quickly washed from the bladder during urination.

Standard Medical Treatment

     The most commonly accepted method of treatment for urinary tract infection is with antibiotics. The goal of such therapy is to sterilize the urine by killing the bacteria. Antibiotics used include penicillin, nitrofurantoin, sulfonamides, and tetracycline. Normally, the symptoms disappear within a few days. However, as many as 25 percent of female patients develop yeast vaginitis because the antibiotics upset the normal flora in the intestinal tract. Patients with a history of urinary tract infections may find themselves in a vicious cycle. They take antibiotics for the urinary tract infection and then develop a vaginal yeast infection. Then they take more drugs to overcome the vaginal infection. This upsets the body's balance, and it is not unusual to develop another urinary tract infection within a couple months. It can be frustrating, uncomfortable and expensive to keep turning to the medical establishment for treatment that seems to be ineffective.

Cranberry Juice Cleanse

     As soon as pain or a burning sensation is noticed when urinating, begin drinking cranberry juice. The earlier you start, the less chance the bacteria will gain a foothold. Cleanse the urinary tract for three or four days by doing the following:

Prevention:

     When the urge to urinate is felt, do not delay emptying the bladder.

     Keep the genital and anal areas clean and dry. Wipe from front to back after emptying the bladder or bowels. Women should empty the bladder before and after intercourse. Wear white cotton underwear and avoid tampons if you suffer from urinary tract infections.

     We have found cranberry juice is not only effective for preventing and healing urinary tract infections, but also for preventing and healing vaginal yeast infections. As soon as itching or irritation of the vagina is noticed, begin drinking three to four 8-ounce glasses of fresh or reconstituted cranberry juice from concentrate every day. During healing, make sure your diet is primarily fresh foods. Have a large green salad with sprouts every day. Keep meals very light, without heavy starches, red meats, caffeine, sugars, or dairy products. This will help restore the vagina's normal pH.

Purchasing Cranberry Juice

     Our favorite way to obtain cranberry juice is from fresh berries. Fresh cranberries are available in grocery stores from November through December. They will keep for a month or two in a cool place, or they can be frozen. We have gone to the produce manager on December 26th and offered to buy his remaining stock of cranberries. After the holidays, no one seems to buy cranberries, and they are often tossed out.

     Fresh cranberries are high in vitamins A and C and calcium. They also contain phosphorus, iron, sodium, potassium and B complex. Besides being useful against urinary tract and vaginal infections, they are beneficial for skin disorders, high blood pressure, constipation, obesity, poor appetite and fevers.

     The beneficial compounds in cranberry are water-soluble and are still present after the berries are heated. We have tried juicing the cranberries raw, but much pulp is wasted. We prefer to gently heat the berries before juicing. When cranberries are overcooked or when refined sugar is added, cranberries are very acid-forming to the body and should be avoided.

     If fresh cranberries are not available, check the freezer section of the supermarket for frozen cranberries. Health stores carry bottled cranberry concentrate, with no sweeteners added. If purchasing juice, look for cranberry juice that does not have corn sweeteners or other refined sugars added.

Making Fresh Cranberry Juice

      One 12-ounce package of fresh or frozen cranberries
      1/2 to 2/3 cup pure maple syrup or honey, optional
      enough hot water to make half gallon (64 ounces)

     Wash and sort out mushy or rotten cranberries. Put cleaned cranberries in saucepan. Cover with water.

     Bring to a boil, turn down heat and simmer, covered, about 10 minutes until berries pop and soften.

     Strain cranberries using a food mill, or juicer. The juice can also be strained using a colander with a bowl underneath. Press the juice through the colander using a potato masher. Another method is to strain the juice by putting the cooked cranberries in an old, clean pillowcase and squeezing and wringing the juice into a bowl.

     Pour strained juice in 2 quart pitcher. Add sweetener, if desired. Add enough hot water to equal 2 quarts. We like to drink the juice warm, but hot or cold water may be used.

     Juice may be refrigerated several days.

     One time we made this juice, without sweetener, because we had a visitor who was diabetic. Surprisingly, we preferred the cranberry juice unsweetened. Its tart taste is unusual and refreshing.

Cranberry - Pineapple Juice

     Place in blender 2 cups unsweetened pineapple juice, 3/4cup fresh raw cranberries and a sprig of fresh or dried mint. Whiz in blender until very smooth and foamy. The pineapple juice makes the drink tart-sweet, without added sweeteners.