World Renewal International
Monday, April 30, 2007
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus
(Pictured-Dan Downer often travels with me and projects my sermon graphics or Renewal's lyrics for the congregation. Dan was in my youth group from my first pastorate in Traverse City, Michigan. Having served in several pastorates Dan brings a caring and ministering service to God's people and to myself as I travel. Thanks Dan.)
I read this Sunday Evening at Cornerstone Evangelical Methodist, New Albany, Indiana with Pastor John Albert and wife Marsha. It is one of my favorites. They had asked me to sing and so I read Jesus, Jesus, Jesus and then sang He Was There All The Time by Gary S. Paxton. I always get blessed reading this powerful piece. I even enjoyed singing the song.
To many, Jesus Christ is only a grand subject for a painting, a heroic theme for a pen, a beautiful form for a statue, or a thought for a song.
But to those who have heard HIS voice, who have felt HIS pardon, who have received HIS benediction, HE is music----light----joy----hope and salvation---a friend who never forsakes, lifting you up when others try to put you down.
There is no name like HIS. It is more inspiring than Caesar's, more musical than Beethoven's, more eloquent than Demosthenes', more patient than Lincoln'. The name of Jesus throbs with all life, weeps with all pathos, groans at all pains, stoops with all love.
Who like Jesus can pity a homeless orphan?
Who like Jesus can welcome a wayward prodigal back home?
Who like Jesus can illuminate a cemetery plowed with graves?
Who like Jesus can make a queen unto God out of a lost woman of the street?
Who like Jesus can catch the tears of human sorrow in HIS bowl?
Who like Jesus can kiss away our sorrow?
I struggle for a metaphor with which to express Jesus.
He is not like the bursting forth of an orchestra, that is too loud and it might be out of tune.
He is not like the sea when lashed by a storm, that is too boisterous.
He is not like a mountain canopied with snow, that is too solitary and remote.
He is the Lily of the valley, the Rose of Sharon; a gale of sweet spices from Heaven. HE is our HOME. Billy Sunday Praise Zondervan Corp by. 1984
Thanks for stopping by.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Fridays, Why Such Pleasure?
I know there must be something wrong with me. Why would I feel such pleasure over such am ordinary event? Yes, today, Friday is trash day at the Wright household. Caldwell is the name of the company that does the pleasurable deed. They haul our trash away! It makes me so happy to see the empty spot at the end of our drive where hours before I piled all the trash and now it is gone. It seems the older I get the more pleasure this brings. What is it? I do not know, maybe one of you can help me. I do not understand why such an action seems to bring me so much pleasure. It like, "Its gone! It's gone!" Am I sick? What is it?
Please understand it is not that I like gathering and carrying the trash down to that spot at the end of the drive. I really do not enjoy that. My inspiration is that if I do the gathering and carrying, they take it all away! That is my incentive. It works that way every week! I gather and carry---they take it away! Its great!
It reminds me of a friend of mine. He worked on a college campus. He noticed that when he walked by a certain building in the morning, the maintenance man who was cleaning the building would often have the doors at both ends of the building standing wide open. Puzzled, my friend asked the custodian one day why so many mornings the doors at both ends of the building were open. The custodian seemed to take delight in telling my friend that he sometimes thought he had the floors of the building clean until he opened the east door and stood at the open west door. You see in the morning the sun would shine through the east door and down the hall way. If the custodian stood outside the building on the west end the bright sun would expose any dirt that he ordinarily could not see. He wanted clean floors. The sun helped him know how clean his floors really were.
It is true in our lives, the Son's presence seems to expose things we would not ordinarily see in our lives even if we are trying hard to be good. It reminds me of Isaiah when he was in the presence of God in chapter 6. His first reaction was, "Woe is Me! I am ruined! I am a man of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty!" God's presence helps us clean up our lives because the SON shines on the floors of our lives where dirt, sin, tends to collect. It is the only way I know that we can be more like Him and less like us.
I am wondering if what He feels like on the days we let the SON shine in our lives. My dad always said that we should try to "pray through" every day. "Praying through" was dad's phrase for praying until you had a witness in your spirit from the Lord Almighty himself. He meant that we would be in His presence. I have no doubt that dad was right. I am not sure I know too many Christians who pursue God like that everyday. I think that when we pursue God like that He probably feels like I do on Fridays!
(Pictured today is my dad and yes, that is me. Yes, I am still riding on his shoulders. Thanks Dad!)
Thanks for stopping by.
Please understand it is not that I like gathering and carrying the trash down to that spot at the end of the drive. I really do not enjoy that. My inspiration is that if I do the gathering and carrying, they take it all away! That is my incentive. It works that way every week! I gather and carry---they take it away! Its great!
It reminds me of a friend of mine. He worked on a college campus. He noticed that when he walked by a certain building in the morning, the maintenance man who was cleaning the building would often have the doors at both ends of the building standing wide open. Puzzled, my friend asked the custodian one day why so many mornings the doors at both ends of the building were open. The custodian seemed to take delight in telling my friend that he sometimes thought he had the floors of the building clean until he opened the east door and stood at the open west door. You see in the morning the sun would shine through the east door and down the hall way. If the custodian stood outside the building on the west end the bright sun would expose any dirt that he ordinarily could not see. He wanted clean floors. The sun helped him know how clean his floors really were.
It is true in our lives, the Son's presence seems to expose things we would not ordinarily see in our lives even if we are trying hard to be good. It reminds me of Isaiah when he was in the presence of God in chapter 6. His first reaction was, "Woe is Me! I am ruined! I am a man of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty!" God's presence helps us clean up our lives because the SON shines on the floors of our lives where dirt, sin, tends to collect. It is the only way I know that we can be more like Him and less like us.
I am wondering if what He feels like on the days we let the SON shine in our lives. My dad always said that we should try to "pray through" every day. "Praying through" was dad's phrase for praying until you had a witness in your spirit from the Lord Almighty himself. He meant that we would be in His presence. I have no doubt that dad was right. I am not sure I know too many Christians who pursue God like that everyday. I think that when we pursue God like that He probably feels like I do on Fridays!
(Pictured today is my dad and yes, that is me. Yes, I am still riding on his shoulders. Thanks Dad!)
Thanks for stopping by.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Pass It On
Mike and Susan Neifert are the pastors of Argonia Evangelical Friends Church in Argonia, KS. I preached in their congregation last Sunday night. They had little time to prepare as I had little time to inform them I could come. Nevertheless, they really met the challenge and had a great crowd, their youth raised a good amount of funds toward paying for summer church camp by serving pancakes and sausage and we had a great service and ministry. Mike is a pastor's son and Susan is the daughter of missionaries to Africa. Mike was one of my students at Barclay College when I first joined the faculty.
It is good that Mike and I can work together so well, I was really tough on him when he was a student. First year profs, like I was, can be really difficult. When I looked at my ministry students who were seniors that first year, I was so frightened for them. I really felt I was sending lambs to the wolves. There are some things one just cannot know what it is like until you have experienced it and I felt that way about ministry. I love the ministry. I feel I get paid for just being. I plan on doing ministry just as long as I possibly can. However, that does not mean I think it is easy. While the ministry of the Kingdom of God is to me the most rewarding thing I could possibly do, it is also filled with the heartaches of peoples lives and the enemy from hell. When I make mistakes, it is ususally with someones life, and not just my own.
Young ministers need room to grow up and mature. Often they are looked to as a problem solver early in life and in the ministry. I was scared for them. Therefore I often tried to cram way too much into their hearts and minds. Mike was certainly the recipient of that. He had always been an A student. He continued that with me, but I really made him earn it because I was concerned that he was not ready. I did not see any of them as ready. I wanted to keep them all a bit longer.
Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:2 TNLT "So, my son, throw yourself into this work for Christ. Pass on what you heard from me to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others."
Mike and Susan have done well. They have met the challenge just as they did preparing for Sunday night. The town of Argonia has a caring pastor family. Mike also is also the http://www.worldrenewal.org/ web master. He designed and takes care of our World Renewal website. It is great to have them as a part of the World Renewal family. He also does a weekly devotion that he sends by way of email. If you would like to receive that devotion please contact Mike at: www.argoniafriends@havilandtelco.com and he will send it to you like he does many of us.
It is good that Mike and I can work together so well, I was really tough on him when he was a student. First year profs, like I was, can be really difficult. When I looked at my ministry students who were seniors that first year, I was so frightened for them. I really felt I was sending lambs to the wolves. There are some things one just cannot know what it is like until you have experienced it and I felt that way about ministry. I love the ministry. I feel I get paid for just being. I plan on doing ministry just as long as I possibly can. However, that does not mean I think it is easy. While the ministry of the Kingdom of God is to me the most rewarding thing I could possibly do, it is also filled with the heartaches of peoples lives and the enemy from hell. When I make mistakes, it is ususally with someones life, and not just my own.
Young ministers need room to grow up and mature. Often they are looked to as a problem solver early in life and in the ministry. I was scared for them. Therefore I often tried to cram way too much into their hearts and minds. Mike was certainly the recipient of that. He had always been an A student. He continued that with me, but I really made him earn it because I was concerned that he was not ready. I did not see any of them as ready. I wanted to keep them all a bit longer.
Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:2 TNLT "So, my son, throw yourself into this work for Christ. Pass on what you heard from me to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others."
Mike and Susan have done well. They have met the challenge just as they did preparing for Sunday night. The town of Argonia has a caring pastor family. Mike also is also the http://www.worldrenewal.org/ web master. He designed and takes care of our World Renewal website. It is great to have them as a part of the World Renewal family. He also does a weekly devotion that he sends by way of email. If you would like to receive that devotion please contact Mike at: www.argoniafriends@havilandtelco.com and he will send it to you like he does many of us.
Thanks for stopping by.
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
You Are Who You Hang With?
Sorry it took me so long to get back here. I was unable to do my writing while at the Summit on Church Planting at Barclay College, Haviland, Kansas. It was a great time. The conference was well attended and folks seemed sincere in wanting to be a part of church planting. (Mark and Kathy Wright sing "Liston To Our Hearts."
The conference speakers were: Pastor Mark Wright-Brandywine Community Church, Greenfield, IN., Pastor Hubert Nolen-Brookville Rd. Community Church, New Palestine, IN., Pastor Brad Davis-Shelbyville Community Church, Shelbyville, IN., Pastor Jeremy Nivens-Life Way Community Church, Anderson,IN., Pastor David Davenport, Angleton Evangelical Friends Church, Angleton,TX. and myself. The music and worship was WRI's Frank Penna and Pastor Mark and Kathy Wright.
(Pastor Brad Davis of Shelbville Community Church.)My favorite part of the conference was spending these days with these men and their wives. Why? They have all been used by God in thousands of miracles. I love being around people God is working in. Proverbs 27:17 says, "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." I guess I always thought this had to be painful. Iron sharpening iron sounds painful to me! I was sharpened by being with these men and it was anything but painful. It was wonderful. As each told of their church planting experience and the struggles then God's faithfulness, I wept and cried each time. I so loved hearing God's faithfulness and how he used each man and each congregation.
What kind of miracles has God performed through these people? The greatest miracles of all. Thousands of people have accepted Christ and joined His church family through these servants. Some have said, "You are who you hang with." Proverbs seems to back that up.
(Pastor Mark Wright and Pastor Hubert Nolen teach in a college class.)
Thanks for stopping by.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
She Could Not Have Known What It Meant
(I think you can see on Carol's face the joy she feels as she holds her first grandbaby. I am thankful I have been the subject of that joy as well. Happy Birthday Nanna!)Today is my wife's birthday. Happy birthday Carol! I don't have the words to tell her, and certainly not any of you, what I feel in my heart about her. My mind always returns to 1 Peter 3:7 on days like today.
"Husbands in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that your prayer will not be hindered."
It is that part about sharing the gracious gift of life that really gets me. Carol only has one life. One life! That's it! We will have been married 36 years in August. Carol was raised in a secure loving home and environment. She left that secure part behind when she married Evangelist Gary Wright when she was twenty. We started going together, then dating in High School. Our relationship spans 41 years. When the really insecure times comes as they have this past quarter for our support here at World Renewal, I don't always know how to show my gratitude to her.
In reality it means that we both lay in bed at night and stare at the ceiling and say "Lord Jesus, we are trusting you to provide as you have in the past." Christians say to me all the time, "I could never do what you do." When I ask them what they mean, it is usually that my family lives on donations for our support to World Renewal. Although they don't come out and say it seems they are saying "You have to beg for your lunch." Well, in reality sometimes I have had to sing for it too.
I do know that the number one reason that more people do not do mission work as a career has to do with raising their financial support. I have learned that the men find it easier to say, "Yes!" than the wives. In family counseling we learn that security is a huge issue for the ladies. I am not blaming or shaming, it is a bigger issue for most women. We men have other challenges. This one is usually a major step for the ladies if couples are going to do mission work.
The vast majority of people doing mission work must raise their own support like we do. It is called "Faith Missions" as opposed to denominational or organized subsidized ministry. Campus Crusade is the largest mission organization in the world, everyone must raise support. While raising this kind of support is Biblical, when you are raising your support by sharing the vision of your ministry and trusting God to direct people to support your family as you go about this ministry, it is still very humbling. It is humbling even when you have done it for over twenty years. You soon recognize that when some Christians say, "I could never do that," they also seem to be saying you should not do it either. That's even more humbling.
What I am really saying is, I have a wonderful wife who has chosen to live with me in all that this ministry of thirty-eight years includes. Thankfully, that was the way it was when she married me. I was an evangelist who lived on the offerings and support given to us. She could not possibly have known what it really meant, but she was willing and has been. I know remarks and things said to her over the years by those she loved and respected have been humbling. She had one life to spend, she has chosen to live it with me. No words of gratitude and thanks are sufficient. It was not what she was used to growing up. Hopefully, I can and have communicated what I feel and know of her faithfulness to her Lord Jesus and to me. I also know only the Lord can truly bless her for what she has chosen. Hey Babe, you resemble HIM more everyday. You are the best!
Thanks for stopping by. Thanks for caring and praying.
Monday, April 16, 2007
How? not "Why?"
(Picture-Barclay College, Haviland, Kansas)Today my heart goes out to the folks directly affected by the horrible slayings at Virginia Tech. So many young lives lost and with each one so much heartache. I am reminded by we Christians often used phrase, "How do people get through this sort of thing without Christ." The truth is many do not. Damage is done scars form, wounds go unhealed and lives are not only never the same again, but many will never recover to emotional, mental and spiritual health. Many will turn to distractions for their pain that will only bring more pain. Alcohol, drugs, immoral sexual pleasure all will probably be abused in the future to try and cure the hurt.
God is good. But all of us have been not so good at times and we have all been quite sinful. When in trouble we often turn to comforts that are sinful and bring even more discomfort. The enemy wants to use the painful hurts of today to bring even more pain. He does not play fair, he cheats and kicks people when they are down.
When I was in my late twenties I became the pastor of a college church in Haviland, Kansas. I will, along with my brother Pastor Mark, and Pastor Hubert Nolen and others, speak at the college this week for a Summit on Church Planting. Haviland is a small town in south central Kansas. Barclay College is a small Bible college that has managed to produce many great Christian leaders, some vocational ministers such as pastors and missionaries. The college has also produced school teachers and administrators, business personnel and farmers with Bible degrees. The college has been small but mighty. (For more information on the college or Summit for Church Planting see www.barclaycollege.edu)
In my first week of being the pastor of this church that was host to the Bible college, I was told that I should go visit Tommy Thompson. He was the public school Superintendent. He was in the hospital and he was dying of cancer. I was new on the job and only 29 to start with. I hardly knew anything of what I did not know. I did not know that when I walked into Tommy's hospital room, I was entering the room of a spiritual giant. Oh, people had tried to explain, but those things are kind of hard to communicate and I am sure I did not know who I was really meeting. I did recognize that he was a great man, and I tried to learn from him over the next few visits. However, at that time I didn't even know what the right questions were.
I don't know what I said to him or what I prayed when I prayed with him. I am sure when I left the room Tommy probably told the Lord that HE had a big job ahead of HIM with that kid! However, he never let me know if he felt that way. He did say words to me that I remember and always will.
Tommy had married, dedicated babies for and with almost everyone in the community. Yes, he was the Superintendent of the public schools, but he also pastored churches and and was deeply loved and respected by the people of this Kansas community. He officiated and preached the funerals of so many. Basically you could say he was there to dedicate them when they were born, perform their weddings and send them off when they died. In between he lead them to Christ and helped them get an education at the public schools or Bible college. The reputation he had of being a guy you wanted there on such an occasions was well earned and deserved. He was a true man of God.
Now, Tommy lay on his death bed. His pastor a youngster. He said, "Gary I am telling myself the same thing I have told others all these years when they were facing life's greatest challenges. Make sure you are asking the right questions. The right question is not "Why? Why, Me?" Gary, the right question is "How?" How do I deal with this in Christ?" Life sometimes comes down to that simple question. "How?"
I have tried to pass on Tommy's wisdom over the years. Nothing ever catches God by surprise. God will get His share of the blame for the tragedy today. "Why did God allow this to happen?" some will ask. Why this person die or that one? But the real question will be how do we go on from here. I encourage you to pray specifically for all affected to know how to go on from this horrible tragedy and loss of young lives. The master Healer did not cause this heartache. He wants to be in the middle of it all as the ONE who knows "How."
"Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth." Psalm of David 31:3-5
God is good. But all of us have been not so good at times and we have all been quite sinful. When in trouble we often turn to comforts that are sinful and bring even more discomfort. The enemy wants to use the painful hurts of today to bring even more pain. He does not play fair, he cheats and kicks people when they are down.
When I was in my late twenties I became the pastor of a college church in Haviland, Kansas. I will, along with my brother Pastor Mark, and Pastor Hubert Nolen and others, speak at the college this week for a Summit on Church Planting. Haviland is a small town in south central Kansas. Barclay College is a small Bible college that has managed to produce many great Christian leaders, some vocational ministers such as pastors and missionaries. The college has also produced school teachers and administrators, business personnel and farmers with Bible degrees. The college has been small but mighty. (For more information on the college or Summit for Church Planting see www.barclaycollege.edu)
In my first week of being the pastor of this church that was host to the Bible college, I was told that I should go visit Tommy Thompson. He was the public school Superintendent. He was in the hospital and he was dying of cancer. I was new on the job and only 29 to start with. I hardly knew anything of what I did not know. I did not know that when I walked into Tommy's hospital room, I was entering the room of a spiritual giant. Oh, people had tried to explain, but those things are kind of hard to communicate and I am sure I did not know who I was really meeting. I did recognize that he was a great man, and I tried to learn from him over the next few visits. However, at that time I didn't even know what the right questions were.
I don't know what I said to him or what I prayed when I prayed with him. I am sure when I left the room Tommy probably told the Lord that HE had a big job ahead of HIM with that kid! However, he never let me know if he felt that way. He did say words to me that I remember and always will.
Tommy had married, dedicated babies for and with almost everyone in the community. Yes, he was the Superintendent of the public schools, but he also pastored churches and and was deeply loved and respected by the people of this Kansas community. He officiated and preached the funerals of so many. Basically you could say he was there to dedicate them when they were born, perform their weddings and send them off when they died. In between he lead them to Christ and helped them get an education at the public schools or Bible college. The reputation he had of being a guy you wanted there on such an occasions was well earned and deserved. He was a true man of God.
Now, Tommy lay on his death bed. His pastor a youngster. He said, "Gary I am telling myself the same thing I have told others all these years when they were facing life's greatest challenges. Make sure you are asking the right questions. The right question is not "Why? Why, Me?" Gary, the right question is "How?" How do I deal with this in Christ?" Life sometimes comes down to that simple question. "How?"
I have tried to pass on Tommy's wisdom over the years. Nothing ever catches God by surprise. God will get His share of the blame for the tragedy today. "Why did God allow this to happen?" some will ask. Why this person die or that one? But the real question will be how do we go on from here. I encourage you to pray specifically for all affected to know how to go on from this horrible tragedy and loss of young lives. The master Healer did not cause this heartache. He wants to be in the middle of it all as the ONE who knows "How."
"Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth." Psalm of David 31:3-5
Friday, April 13, 2007
Higher Ways
"So are my ways higher than your ways." Isaiah 55:9 The picture today is the World Renewal Building with the flags of the countries we serve flying in the April wind today. It would not exist if I had my way. In 1985 the men I was accountable to in the denomination I was serving came to me an asked me to return to evangelistic and revival, renewal work in our denomination. I said to them, "Do you have some organizational apparatus I can work under at the denominational level. They said, "No, you will have to form your own organization." I really did not want to do that, but I did what I was asked to do. We formed World Renewal Inc. in 1986. I always like keeping things simple. This did not seem simple to me. It was obvious to me that it should not be Gary Wright anything. So when it was suggested World Renewal, a name that would even allow us to cross secular lines without raising defense mechanisms, it seemed good. It was pretty much Gary Wright and family until 1990.
We were invited to Hungary, Poland, Romania, Czechoslovakia and Germany to minister as Communism was breathing its last in these countries. Carol and I realized God had called us to not only minister in the USA, but that He was opening international doors. We soon realized that the best way to win people to Christ and disciple them was to start new churches. We began the process of planting churches in 1992. That was over 100 churches ago. Our partners are not only the denomination we started with but also the Community Churches of greater Indianapolis, Indiana. My way of wanting to just work under my denomination of Evangelical Friends was not the way God wanted it. He had a higher way. My way was too small of a vision. I am thankful for two things at this point. I am thankful for His vision, I am thankful I was willing to submit to the wisdom of leaders who knew better than I. Submitting to our elders is God's way of leading us to a higher way. If our leaders fail, He won't.
Thanks for stopping by.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Do you believe in Easter
Steve Lindley has played the drums and sang tenor for WRI's Renewal for over ten years. He started out just singing tenor and then moved to the drums and tenor spot. Carol and I have known Steve and his wife Donna since they were dating teenagers. Steve grew up in church. His parents are Walter and Judy Lindley of Rush Creek Friends Church. I met the family when I was in my mid-twenties. Carol and I often preached and ministered in the area. Steve's mother Judy, would often take me aside and we would pray for Steve to commit his life to Christ. Steve chose a different route during those days. There was not a place for the drums in church during those years so Steve found his way to the local clubs and taverns that did want his drums. Steve states that it led to the wrong kind of life for he and Donna. Momma's prayers, however, do not go unheard. Steve and Donna came back to the Christ they knew when they were younger. During those B.C. days Steve played in the Cruse Brothers band in the secular world. Yes, that is as in Mike Cruse! Steve came to the Lord and became a part of Renewal then Mike came along. Isn't God something!
This was sent to me by Paul Thornburg, I think he is the male version of Edith Burns. Thanks Paul.
Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas. Shewas the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying, "My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why, yes, I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you believe about Easter?" Beverly said, "Well, it's all about egg hunts, going to church, and dressing up." Edith kept pressing her about the real meaning of Easter, and finally led her to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Dr. Phillips said, "Beverly, don't call Edith into the office quite yet. I believe there is another delivery taking place in the waiting room."
After being called back in the doctor's office, Edith sat down, and when she took a look at the doctor she said, "Dr. Will, why are you so sad? Areyou reading your Bible? Are you praying?" Dr. Phillips said gently, "Edith, I'm the doctor and you're the> patient." With a heavy heart he said, "Your lab report came back and it says you have cancer, and Edith, you're not going to live very long." Edith said, "Why Will Phillips, shame on you. Why are you so sad?Do you think God makes mistakes? You have just told me I'm going to see my precious Lord Jesus, my husband, and my friends.You have just told me that I am going to celebrate Easter forever, and here you are having difficulty giving me my ticket!" Dr. Phillips thought to himself, "What a magnificent woman this Edith Burns is!" Edith continued coming to Dr. Phillips. Christmas came and the office> was closed through January 3rd. On the day the office opened, Edith did not show up. Later that afternoon, Edith called Dr.Phillips and said she would have to be moving her story to the hospital and said, "Will, I'm very near home, so would you make sure that they put women in here next to me in my room who need to know about Easter." Well, they did just that, and women began to come in and share that room with Edith. Many women were saved. Everybody on that floor from staffto patients were so excited about Edith that they started calling her Edith Easter; that is, everyone except Phyllis Cross, the head nurse. Phyllis made it plain that she wanted nothing to do with Edith because she was a "religious nut". She had been a nurse in an army hospital. She had seen it all and heard it all. She was the original G.I. Jane. She had been married three times, she was hard, cold, and did everything by the book.
One morning the two nurses who were to attend to Edith were sick. Edith had the flu and Phyllis Cross had to go in and give her a shot. When she walked in, Edith had a big smile on her face and said,> "Phyllis, God loves you and I love you, and I have been praying for you." Phyllis Cross said, "Well, you can quit praying for me. It won't work and I'm not interested." Edith said, "Well, I will pray and I have asked God not to let me go home until you come into the family." Phyllis Cross said, "Then you will never die because that will never happen," and curtly walked out of the room. Every day Phyllis Cross would walk into the room and Edith would say, "God loves you, Phyllis, and I love you, and I'm praying for you." One day Phyllis Cross said she was literally drawn to Edith's roomlike a magnet would draw iron. She sat down on the bed and Edith said, I'm so glad you have come, because God told me that today is your special day."
Phyllis Cross said, "Edith, you have asked everybody here the question, 'Do you believe in Easter?', but you have never asked me." Edith said, "Phyllis, I wanted to many times, but God told me to wait until you asked, and now, you have asked." Edith Burns took her Bible and shared with Phyllis Cross the Easter Story of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Edith said, "Phyllis, do you believe in Easter? Do you believe that Jesus Christ is alive and that He wants to live in your heart?" Phyllis Cross said, "Oh, I want to believe that with all of my heart, and I do want Jesus in my life." Right there, Phyllis Cross prayed and invited Jesus Christ into her heart. For the first time Phyllis Cross did not walk out of a hospital room, she was carried out on the wings of angels.
Two days later, Phyllis Cross came in and Edith said, "Do you know what day it is?" Phyllis Cross said, "Why Edith, it's Good Friday." Edith said, "Oh, no, for you every day is Easter. Happy Easter, Phyllis!" Two days later, on Easter Sunday, Phyllis Cross came into work, did
some of her duties, and then went down to the flower shop and got some Easter lilies, because she wanted to go up to see Edith, give her some Easter lilies, and wish her a Happy Easter.
When she walked into Edith's room, Edith was in bed. That big black Bible was on her lap. Her hands were in that Bible. There was a sweet smile on her face. When Phyllis Cross went to pick up Edith's hand, she realized .Edith was dead. Her left hand was on John 14: "In my Father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you. I will come again and receive you to myself, that where I am, there you may be also." Her right hand was on Revelation 21:4: "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, there shall be no more death nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."
Phyllis Cross took one look at that dead body, and then lifted her face toward heaven, and with tears streaming down her cheeks said, "Happy Easter, Edith --- Happy Easter!" Phyllis Cross left Edith's body, walked out of the room and over to a table where two student nurses were sitting. She said, "My name is Phyllis Cross. Do you believe in Easter?"
Thanks for stopping by.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Don't Be So Clingy!
(The picture above is a combination of the original Brandywine Community Church Worship Team and WRI's Renewal. Left to Right is Doug Newnum, Pastor Mark Wright, lady in black slacks in middle is Kathy Wright and far right is Gary Wallen. They are doing an outdoor evangelistic event at Damascus Friends Church in northeastern Ohio. Looking at my brother, Pastor Mark's pants reminds us that some things do need to be left in the past.)One of the most touching scenes in the Easter story takes place outside the tomb between Jesus and Mary Magdalene. It is obvious Mary is one of those Jesus was talking about when he said that those who had many sins to be forgiven would love Him the most. Her devotion to Him and her pain at His loss are evident. Thinking He was the gardener John wrote that she said, "Sir, if you have taken him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will go and get him." "Mary!" "She turned toward him and exclaimed, ('Rabboni!') which meant Teacher." Then Jesus said something very, very interesting to her. He said, "Don't cling to me... but go find my brothers and tell them." Don't cling to me? "Cling" is the English word used in the NLT and it is accurate. He was actually saying "Don't hold on to who I have been to you, we must go on to the next step." He actually said he must "ascend to the Father." That was the next step for Him and for her to adjust and grow into. Whew! It seems to me it would have been nice to have let her catch her breath a little. However, that's probably just self-projection on my part. "Lord, can I stay at this level just for a little while? Huh? Please?"
Like Becky Moore says, He gets a little bossy at times. He makes us move on. Oh, He always gives us a choice, but if we are obedient we move with His encouragement. I suppose when we have been hurt by someone, or a situation like Mary M. had been, we want to cling to what was. Now He says, "Pick 'em up, Move 'em out!" We say, "Would you just wait a minute and let me recover!" It's kind of like having open heart surgery and then they want you to get up and walk about as soon as your eyes open from surgery. Hmmm! Open heart surgery, yep, it is the same thing!
Thanks for stopping by.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Confidence?
(Above my grandson, Stefan and daughter Chris who live in Colorado Springs)
Sunday at the close of the service I worshiped by serving communion. When I took the bread it ended my 45 days of fasting. I must admit, I wept. I felt when I was fasting I was giving something to the Lord that I could not give any other way. I was sad to see it end. I know that seems far out but it is true. Therefore, eating again has not been embraced with the enthusiasm I would have expected.
I am so glad I chose the fast as a way of worshiping the Lord in my life. I know I now need to find other ways to serve him with the same passion as during those 45 days. Fasting is not complicated, you do it or you don't. It is black and white in a world full of grey. It reminded me the whole day that I am his child and I liked that and at this time seemed to need that. In some ways, the adjustment to not fasting has been more difficult than the adjustment to fast.
My life verse is found in 2 Corinthians 12:9 "It simply says God's power shows up best in weakness." I was 18 years old when I first read that with understanding. I remember thinking, "If that verse is true, I really have a chance to be used of God." I stood in the aisle of South Meridian Church of God in Anderson, Indiana, and said, "God, I believe your word is true, I take this verse and claim it for as long as I live." I have claimed that verse over and over in the 37 years since that day of February 1970. I noticed the word "best" in the LBT. I am not sure what I might have done "best" in anything. I do know there are things I do better than other things I do and those things I do best seem to really involve Him. It seems to me there is self-confidence and then there is Christ-confidence. Christ-confidence is what I believe he can do through me. There is no question in my mind which has worked best for me down through the years. How about you?
Thanks for stopping by.
Monday, April 9, 2007
Always On Time
Chris Cruse, wife of Mike Cruse of Renewal,(Mike and Chris pictured today) told me her brother was in the hospital and I went to visit him. He had cancer all over and had opted not to take chemo treatment. It was a week ago last Saturday that I stood next to his bed in the dialysis unit of St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lafayette, In. Marty Hopper was uncomfortable and dying. I had never met him and tried to introduce myself. Finally, I asked, "Would you like for me to pray for you?" He said, "Not right now." I patted him on the arm and left the room hoping to talk to him when he was not in so much discomfort. I never saw him again. His spirit troubled me. Chris had said he needed to accept Christ. The next day I was preaching at Rush Creek Friends Church and right in the middle of my message I felt impressed that we should pray for this man's salvation and his sister. I don't ever remember doing this before. I stopped, walked back to where Chris Cruse was sitting and explained to the congregation that I felt we should pray for her brother Marty. I laid my hands on Chris's head and asked the Lord to intervene into her brother Marty's life and save him and and asked Him to use Chris and anoint her with the Holy Spirit. I then finished my message. The following Tuesday, Chris related that her brother was back home under hospice care and had been given two weeks to live.
Marty passed away Easter Sunday morning a little after 3am. However, Chris tells me that at the same time we were praying for Marty, in the middle of my sermon, the chaplain walked into Marty's room and led him to salvation. He lived one week, and then on Easter Sunday morning, Marty went to Heaven. God is always on time.
Thanks for stopping by.
Friday, April 6, 2007
TGIF
TGIF Thank God Its Friday. Funny how the world uses this phrase. Today is Good Friday, and thank the Lord Jesus it was "the Friday," of all Fridays. Most feel thankful for Fridays because their work or school week is over and they have the weekend free. But what a weekend in Jerusalem that Friday started. Parties in the portico's of hell began on that Friday. The self-proclaimed Jewish King was dead! Nails in his feet and hands, a spear in his side, he was dead. Jesus had talked about his death as just being a weekend thing. The demons had heard him say, "Just three days and I'll be back," but that sort of thing just did not, does not happen.... Right? The old black preacher said, "It was Friday, but Sunday is Comin'! According to singer/composer, Carmen, the demons said, "Its Friday, the Jew is dead as nails." Singer/composer Dallas Holm wrote that Jesus said, "But I'll rise again, ain't no power on earth can keep me back." Jesus said, "My words will never pass away."
(It's Easter, go easy on grandpa even if he has no reason other than having a cute grandson to intoduce you to Andew Gary Young on Andy's second Good Friday. "We are praying for you Andy!" Andy has RSV for the third time in his short life.)
Well , it is Friday 2007 and Sunday 2007 is coming. No one can stop it but Him. What we believe or do not believe will not affect the fact that Sunday is coming. We could pass laws changing calendars but Sunday will still come after Friday. Jesus said, "It is Finished." It is done. The work of that Friday guaranteed the victory of that Sunday. It set victory in motion and nothing could stop it.
So what does that have to do with you and me? Paul wrote, "Being confident of this, that he who began a new work in you will carry it out on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6 What he did on that Friday started "a new work in you" so when you set in church this Sunday remember it will be completed just as it was on that Sunday. TGIF but TG Sunday is coming!
Thanks for stopping by. Happy Resurrection Sunday, completion is on its way!
Thursday, April 5, 2007
It Only Takes A Moment
Today, Pastor Jack Holliday(pictured with wife Rowena at the radio studio) and I got together to have breakfast and prayer. I had coffee and he had bacon and eggs and toast, I think. One of the unfortunate aspects of a experiencing a long fast is how it makes those who are eating in front of you a little uncomfortable. That in turn then makes you uncomfortable. I have tried not telling people I am fasting and that seems to require even more explanation. When you need to tell people you are not eating because you are on a fast, it seems many people feel guilty or apologize for eating in front of you. I do not want people to feel that way. When you are on a long fast, one can look at Pastor Jack's bacon and eggs and not desire them at all. Why? You are not hungry and it has become second nature to you that you do not wish to eat. Pastor Jack and I always try to get together on Wednesday or Thursday to pray. We do our two hour radio show on Thursday nights so this is a natural time for us to talk and pray. Breakfast comes first. Today was special. Today, I mailed our newsletter to many of you. We mailed about 1400. Jack and I took them to the altar of his church, Anderson Friends. He anointed the boxes of newsletters with oil and then we prayed over them. Pastor Jack really gets into these times of prayer. It is part of his giftedness. We prayed. I wept as I thought about these last 42 days of fasting and tried to express my heart to my prayer partner of many years, Pastor Jack.
It is good to have a spouse you can really pray with. I have been married to Carol for 36 years come August 22. We have prayed about so many things together. I am so blessed. She is my best encouragement and my best accountability partner. I have loved her since we were 15. I can take you to the places geographically where I was walking home from school and knew I loved her. But everyone needs a prayer partner beyond their spouse. When I was a teenager and Jack was a new Christian, we used to get together at youth conferences and pray. When I went to preach at a crusade in the town he lived in, he would meet me behind the auditorium and we would pray before the services. When I was his pastor, we prayed together. Now, here we are, two old dudes, still praying together. It is good.
We prayed that as people opened the newsletter, they would feel the presence of Jesus. My dad used to say, "Just a moment in the presence of Jesus will change a life for eternity." I am convinced more than ever this is true. As a preacher I work so hard to say the right words that will communicate the message I believe Jesus has laid on my heart. But words will not change a life. I have seen hard hearted men and women totally melt in seconds at the presence of Jesus. I have seen proud arrogant people run and throw their bodies across an altar of repentance in the presence of Jesus. Therefore, I hope I do not minister with just words or actions. I hope I minister Jesus. The very presence of Jesus is what I want to minister.
One of my favorite passages in the scripture is Acts 4:13. Peter and John had been seized and put in jail by the temple guards and the religious crowd after healing someone. Religious people always seem to get nervous when someone gets healed. So it was with Peter and John and the "Who's Who Crowd of Jerusalem." Then they began to question Peter and John. The writer states that Peter was "filled with the Spirit." Peter spoke. "When the crowd saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that they had been with Jesus." Something about the demeanor of Peter and John made the "Who's Who Crowd," think of Jesus. What was it? Was it just that they had spent time with Jesus? No, I think we had the answer earlier. The present tense of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, was now wearing the skin of Peter and John, with their willing permission and participation of course. In other words, the crowd was experiencing the presence of Jesus. Peter and John were ministering more than words and actions. They were ministering Jesus. It only takes a moment for a life to be changed for eternity. May we minister Jesus.
Thanks for stopping by.
Wednesday, April 4, 2007
My Bankrupt Vocabulary
"I will sing of the Lord's great love forever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations."Psalm 89: 1
I want to thank you for your prayer and encouragement. God has blessed us and I am so thankful for the Lord's faithfulness and that of His people. Our office has been busy the last two days with people who have volunteered their time and efforts to get our newsletter out. This one has many inserts and it took a lot of time. The size eliminated the newsletter from being run through the folder a second time so it had to be folded by hand. It took many hands over two days to get it done. I am also grateful for a wonderful staff in Peggy Kingery (top) and Edna Chestnut (below), pictured today. They lead the way in getting these things done. Thank you.
Yesterday was my 40th day of fasting. I decided to fast during the Lent season. I will break my fast Sunday during communion. It has been an amazing experience. I am not sure how to talk about it yet. I know this, my heart was full of joy yesterday as I told the Lord, "I offer these 40 days up to you. I love you and want you to know that you are first in my life and there is nothing, not even the food I eat each day that your Lordship is not desired. I know there are still areas of my life that need your attention and Lordship, but even those areas are yours and I am sure you will get around to talking to me about them. In the meantime, I offer these days to you."
Has it been uncomfortable? No, it has been really pleasant and even exciting. I guess I never thought I could go 40 days and certainly not 45. I did consult my family physician. After doing several blood tests at the 3 week mark she was pleased and very encouraging. My fast was really a low carb liquid diet, no solid foods. I also read Bill Bright's web sight on fasting, it was helpful. Several of my friends and members of World Renewal have done the long fasts over the years, they were helpful and encouraging. However I felt my diabetes II would keep me from participating. The longest I had ever fasted was several days and it seemed pretty agonizing to be honest. This was different. I monitored my sugar levels closely and still do. I had to refrain from taking any diabetes medication, again with the blessing of my physician, as my sugar levels dropped. It has been a wonderful experience.
I questioned whether to write about it here. It is very personal. I did this for my Savior. I did not do it for anyone else. Now that it is almost over, I am so glad I did it. In many ways, I can honestly say that I hate to see it come to an end. I am not wishing to bring attention to what I have done nor am I saying any of you should do it. I am just saying, this is making my Easter one of the most precious and memorable one ever. I also know as a preacher and messenger of the Gospel, very little of my life gets to remain private. I could have lived with this being mostly private, but "I will make known your faithfulness through all generations." I feel an intimacy with Him I have never felt before and do not have the words to explain it. I do know that it is a direct result of my choice to do this 41 days ago. My vocabulary seems bankrupt at the moment. He understands, I hope you do too. Jesus is the sweetest name I know. I am so glad, He is more than just a name, he is my dearest Savior and so much more. I sure wish I had better words to articulate what is in my heart, but this is the best I can do.
Thanks for stopping by.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Could you help us unload these Bibles?
Pastor Wes Davis, Riverton, KS. and World Renewal's Director of Education Development has returned from his travels to Hungary and Mexico City.
In Hungary he taught pastors on the subject of "How to teach and preach like Jesus." In Mexico, he preached 5 messages about the five points of emphasis of our new World Renewal Ministry Institute. Wes said he really enjoyed both cultures and the graciousness of those who hosted him. In Hungary his host was Pastor Pali (pictured) and his wife Ibi Katona. They are the leaders of the Evangelical Friends-Eastern Europe Church planting movement which has been one of the fastest growing movements in its history.
Pastor Pali grew up in Romania. However, it was an area of Romania that had once been part of Hungary and was divided after WWI. The people in these areas still spoke Hungarian and basically considered themselves Hungarian until the new freedoms came in 1989. Pali's family was part of the underground church under communism and worked with Richard Wormbrandt. His father died prematurely because of the affects his imprisonment for the Gospel.
(Pastor Pali, center, With Renewal's Mike Cruse, Mark Montfort, Doug Newnum, Steve Lindley, Gary Wright and Gary Jones in Szekesfehervar, Hungary at the first Evangelical Friends-Eastern Europe Yearly Meeting session.)He shared with me several stories from those days. His parent's home was used to smuggle Bibles, etc. that promoted the Christian faith. On one occasion they unexpectedly had someone knock on the door informing them they had a truckload of Bibles to unload. This of course was illegal under communist law. He said that the unfortunate circumstance was that the communist military was staging one of its parades right in front of their house in the street at that very moment! They were showing the tanks and weapons and such. Nevertheless, Pali's family and the smugglers began unloading the boxes of Bibles into the house. Soon the police came. Instead of arresting them, the unaware police helped them unload the truck of Bibles!
Is it any wonder that God is using these people today in the new freedoms that came in 1989? I always feel it a privilege to stand by their side and serve Christ. Men like Pali are the children of Christians who are hero's of the faith. When I was young I read Brother Andrew's books like God's Smuggler with such great interest and fascination. They would pray "Lord you have made blind eyes to see, now make seeing eyes blind." Therefore its is with great interest I listened to Pali's childhood stories of faith. I can only imagine them saying, "Could we have a little help unloading these Bibles?" Heaven's angels must of cracked up with laughter that day, I know I did as I heard the story. God is good.
Thanks for stopping by.
Monday, April 2, 2007
Don't Go Fishing In the Bathtub!
Wow! I so appreciate the comments you folks left. Obviously, we all care about the state of the church of Jesus Christ today and want it to be fruitful. Dan mentioned my use of the need for "cultural relevance." I would agree that when we see those words used today that sometimes we need to put on the yellow caution light and check out what someone is really saying when they use that phrase. I think I am most concerned about this in the area of winning people to Christ. My example is how many of the churches I minister in seem to expect lost, unchurched people to come to the church in order to find Christ. Metaphorically, this is like fishing in my bathtub. It is very convenient but not very effective.
Now remember, I am an appointed evangelist for the Evangelical Friends Church. God uses me to win people to Christ. I have seen, only to God's credit, thousands of people walk down aisles in auditoriums, most of them churches, and receive Christ as their Savior after I have preached and given an invitation for them to come to Christ. However, none of those folks probably came to Christ without someone sharing Christ with them in their daily life in a culturally relevant testimony or dialogue. Studies show that 95% of those who come to Christ do so because of the influence of a Christian friend or family member. When they have walked down the aisle in a service I have preached, I am just the closer. I did not plant the seed, I did not water and cultivate that person. Someone else did the farming, I am just the custom combine. If we wait until people come to church services to be convinced of Christ's invitation to know him, then we are living in the past when people went to church to meet Christ. There was a time when that was more culturally relevant than now.
Peter wrote, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." 1 Peter 3:15b NIV. Preparation for me is to be able to speak in more than Christian terminology but in words people understand. This is true for me whether I am standing on a stage or sitting in a restaurant. If it is in a restaurant or some more intimate situation than the stage monologue then there is always opportunity for dialogue. Today, with so little knowledge of Christian truth in the average listener we need dialogue as much as possible to ensue what the listeners are really hearing from us. I should not "dumb it down" or "water down the Gospel" but it does need to be in words that the listener can relate to. I need to be prepared.
I am also doing my best that my presentation of the Gospel in preaching is "culturally relevant". Yes, in this culture that is so focused on visual, what we see I use pictures, movies, object lessons, picture stories and anything else get their attention, to keep their attention and help them understand. I feel Jesus did the same. He used the sheep, the trees, the mountains and anything else he could use to get his listeners attention and to help them understand and remember his teaching. He did not do this because his audience was as visually oriented as ours, but only 5% of his audience could read or write. Few were taking notes and no one was recording his words except those who played a part in recording the scriptures. He used many methods to help them understand and remember. Our audiences need the same, but because we are overrun with information and remember little and we are used to learning with graphics and visual aids.
Saturday night at Liberty Church, near Georgetown, IL., we had advertised that Mike Cruse (pictured today) would give his testimony describing how he came to Christ. Mike was ready and prepared. Everyone there understood his words and folks did respond. We did see first time commitments to Christ. Mike told how he started playing and singing in bars when he was 14. He also started drinking at this age. Drinking and playing in bars eventually led him to using drugs. He did this for over 30 years.
Mike found Christ five years ago after he had lost his second marriage and his children did not want to be around him because of the intoxication. He found himself wearing a ankle bracelet because he was under house arrest. He was found guilty of a felony for his second DWI. His house arrest was being served at his parents because he had lost everything else and had no place to go. His mother had left the television on to TBN and went on to bed late at night. He scoffed at the ministry he saw on the television. Yet he found himself on his knees at 3 AM crying out to God to save him. God did just that. Mike says, "I felt fire in my body." Mike has been clean since. He started singing with us about two years ago. I have told him that he is the only staff person World Renewal Intl has who found the Lord while wearing an ankle bracelet, but I sure hope he is not the last. Praise the Lord for what wonderful things he does in our lives.
Thanks for stopping by.
