“Don’t Let the Sun go Down on Your Wrath”
“’Be angry, and do not sin’: do not let the sun go down on your wrath,” Ephesians 4:26 (NKJV)
In commenting on this verse, the late Adrian Rogers mentioned that this command means: “Don’t go to bed angry.” Then he said, “Joyce and I tried to practice this, and sometimes stayed up three nights in a row!” (Could his effective communication style be at least partly because of his open honesty interwoven with a blend of humor? Later in this same message about building and maintaining a successful marriage relationship, he shared that he would sometimes call Joyce on his cell phone and tell her: “This is the love mobile. I’m on my way home. Sanitize your lips!” Recently Della handed me a paper entitled “Something to make you smile!,” which she had printed from her computer. It had 22 statements, and I’ve decided to share five of them with you. Why? Because smiling and laughing is good medicine. Proverbs 17:22 says: “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (ESV)
Now, here is the abbreviated list:
- There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works.
- Generally speaking, you aren’t learning much when your lips are moving.
- Experience is something you don’t get until just after you need it.
- Never miss a good chance to shut up. (Your logic has little chance vs her emotion! R.D.)
- A Closed mouth gathers no foot.
Also, I think it may be especially helpful for husbands! Perhaps the best thing I learned in my first year of Bible college was how much I didn’t know – and likewise during my first year of marriage. I was the “wise” age of 19 when we married; now after more than 61 years married to Della, I’m still learning (slow learner). I learned a few healing phrases from Chuck Swindoll that are very important to remember after a conflict – and are effective in reconciliation if spoken sincerely and without accusations. (Leave room for the Holy Spirit to do His work!) These phrases are:
- I was wrong about . . .
- I am sorry for . . . (be specific)
- Please forgive me.
- I love you. (The order is also important.) 😊
Wives, you may be very thankful that I’m sharing these quotes for your husbands to consider. Great! However, along with being thankful, wouldn’t it be wise to also “examine yourselves”? This is also a Biblical command.
Someone Has to Clean up After the Horse
On a recent replay of a message by Adrian Rogers, he said that at a conference where he preached, a woman stood up and said one of the wisest things he had ever heard (I think during a discussion time). She said: “Ladies, you may have married a prince on a white horse, but someone has to clean up after the horse!”
The same morning on the same radio station, I heard Chuck Swindoll share a story about a critic who confronted D.L. Moody about his manner in witnessing for Christ. The critic thought Dwight Moody’s method of evangelism was too blunt, so Moody humbly confessed that he often didn’t like his own method – then asked the man what method he used to witness for Christ. After some embarrassed humming and hawing, the critic admitted he had no method by saying, “I’m really not into that!” Moody replied: “I like my method of witnessing for Christ better than your method of not witnessing for Him!” Yes, someone has to clean up after the horse, and occasionally God uses some gentler Christians to smooth ruffled feathers of someone easily offended by a blunt witness for Christ, but I think it’s fair to point out that D.L. Moody impacted thousands upon thousands for Christ during his lifetime, has a Christian college named after him, and has continued to influence thousands for Christ decade after decade since his death. And what about his critic – does anyone know his name or remember any influence he had for the cause of Christ? Now, what about you? If you are a Christian, what method are you using to witness for Christ? Are you sharing your testimony? If you have never surrendered your life to Christ, what are you waiting for?
Is God Happy?
I received a gift copy of Randy Alcorn’s book, Happiness, for Christmas. I already had some reading projects lined up, so just began reading it incrementally in March. Wow! It is potent and inspiring! Randy Alcorn spent three years’ research on this project, and the completed volume has over 480 pages. (One of his co-workers told me that he also has a more abbreviated book on this subject.) His main purpose seems to be to counteract from Scripture the teaching that joy is a Biblical, spiritual word and concept, but happiness is based on happenings, and is carnal. He points out that human beings tend to seek happiness in all the wrong places, but that the true source of happiness is God Himself! Also, that the words “joy” and “happiness” are actually synonyms. Here is a brief quote from Randy Alcorn: “Happiness becomes an idol whenever we fail to look for it in God.”
Now here is a more comprehensive quote that briefly summarizes his main point: “A wise man once observed, ‘The early Christian did not say in dismay, “look what the world has come to,” but in delight, “look what has come into the world.”’ “What has come” is Jesus Christ, a person so attractive, so magnetic, and so joyful that He changed the world not only by His death but also by His life.
SINCE JESUS IS HAPPY, HIS DISCIPLES SHOULD FOLLOW HIM HAPPILY.
Ethics professor Paul J. Wadell writes,
We are novices in the habits of happiness, and novices need a teacher. In the Christian life our primary teacher in the way of happiness is Christ. He is our mentor; we are His disciples. And it is by observing Him, listening to Him, learning from Him, following His teachings, and imitating His example that we grow in happiness. The mortal life is a training in happiness, and, for Christians, happiness is intrinsically connected to Christ. In Christ one sees the path to happiness and discovers the virtues and practices constitutive of happiness. For Christians, happiness is a way of life by which we gradually are conformed to the love, goodness, and beauty of God revealed to us in Christ.”
Since a basic principle of logic is that you cannot give what you do not have, if God is not by His very nature happy (joyful), how could He create creatures – puppies, kittens, and otters that love to play, and children who love to skip, hop, laugh, and play? Randy Alcorn points out from the Word of God that He is happy by His very nature, which is why every human heart contains a longing for peace and joy. Also, that understanding God’s happiness is a key factor to understanding His holiness. I now realize that posing the question: “Does God want us to be holy, or to be happy?” presents a false dichotomy. God wants both for us and wants to protect us from searching for happiness in all the wrong places.
Potent Proofs Produce Passion
Several years ago, the Lemke’s reported in their update about a survey of young people who had dropped out of church. When questioned about what it would take to draw them back to Christ/Christianity, the answer was most often “passion.” So the Lemke’s proposed the question, “If passion is the fruit, what is the root?” Following is a copy of my reply. I believe the root is the deep, solid, unshakeable conviction that the gospel is true (absolute, solid, historical fact). Why?
1. When Thomas, the ultimate skeptic, saw the evidence, he exclaimed, “My Lord – and my God!” Then he took the light of the Gospel into the darkness of India and was willing to suffer and die for his faith.
2. Luke wrote in Acts 1:3 that Jesus showed Himself alive after his suffering by “many infallible proofs.” These infallible proofs sustained the apostles through their suffering, persecution and death by martyrdom.
3. The former persecutor became the passionate persuader after Jesus appeared to him. He is the one who wrote the passionate defense of the doctrine of resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15! I like to ask skeptics to explain the conversion of Saul of Tarsus if Jesus did not rise from the dead.
4. Peter wrote: “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of His majesty.”2 Peter 1:16 (NKJV)
5. John wrote: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life – the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us – that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” 1 John 1:1-4 (NKJV)
What convinced Lew Wallace (author of Ben Hur), C.S. Lewis (the most reluctant convert in all England), Josh McDowell, Frank Morrison, Lee Strobel, Sergei Golovin, A.N. Wilson, and several other former evolutionists, skeptics, atheists and agnostics? Evidence! Solid, unshakeable evidence! So if you happen to get the impression that I’m passionate about proofs – you got it! As Sergeant Friday repeatedly said: “Give us the facts, Ma’am, just the facts!” Potent proofs produce passion!
So, What Are We to Do With the Many Infallible Proofs About Jesus and His Word?
1. Jesus said: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20 (NKJV)
2. Peter wrote: “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear,” 1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV) Let’s go for it!
What will you do with Jesus?
Count the cost! Jesus said, “’Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.’” Mark 8:34-38 (NKJV)
Count the Cost!
It is wise to count the cost of accepting Jesus Christ – as He made very clear. It is especially wise to count the cost of rejecting Him. He paid the penalty for your sin on the cross, so if you reject Him and His sacrifice, then for you He died in vain. Forgiveness, freedom from the slavery of sin and the consequences of eternal death (the second death) plus love, joy, peace, purpose and a wonderful future of heaven on the new earth (more beautiful than all the calendar pictures you have ever seen) are yours when you accept Him on His terms! But if you reject Him, then you face the consequences of your sin, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God and the consequences (wages) of sin is death! (Romans 3:23 and 6:23) Sin with its guilt, grief and regrets plus the second death (hell) is what you face without Him. If you think hell will be a laughing party time picnic with your friends – think again! If you want a picture of hell – consider crucifixion. That’s what Jesus endured to pay for your sin. Crucifixion was excruciating – it was the worst possible execution imaginable. That’s why the Romans adopted it from the pagan practices of the Phoenicians – and reserved it for the worst criminals. A Roman citizen was never supposed to be crucified – ever! (Note: For an in-depth study of the brutality of crucifixion you may order a free copy of the extensive article, “A Reasoned Defense of the Physical Death and Bodily Resurrection of Jesus Christ,” by John R. Galloway, M.D., Assist. Professor of Surgery, Dept. of Surgery, Emory University School of Medicine. My contact information is on the first page of this prayer letter.)
The gruesome realities of the cruelty of crucifixion are intensely repulsive, yet at the same time the beauty of Christ’s true and sacrificial love for each of us is gripping and mysteriously attractive to our hurting, hungry hearts. Perhaps no one ever so beautifully captured the irony of the cross of Christ so clearly and succinctly as George Bennard in his classic hymn,
The Old Rugged Cross
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross, the emblem of suff’ring and shame,
And I love that old cross where the dearest and best for a world of lost sinners was slain.
Chorus: So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross, till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross, and exchange it someday for a crown.
Oh; that old rugged cross, so despised by the world, has a wondrous attraction for me,
For the dear Lamb of God left his glory above, to bear it to dark Calvary.
Chorus
In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine, a wondrous beauty I see;
For ‘twas on the old cross Jesus suffered and died, to pardon and sanctify me.
Chorus
To the old rugged cross I will ever be true, its shame and reproach gladly bear;
Then He’ll call me someday to my home far away, where his glory forever I’ll share.
Chorus
“And He bearing His cross went forth into a place called… Golgotha:” – John 19:17
The Alluring Attraction of the Cross
What is that mysterious, alluring attraction that draws us to the cross of Christ in spite of the horrible, repulsive cruelty demonstrated at Golgotha (Calvary)? It is love, pure, unselfish, sacrificial love! Yes, and underneath that attraction is a strong homing instinct that our Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ, has incorporated into human hearts. The Holy Spirit inspired Solomon to write: “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity in their hearts…” Ecclesiastes 3:11 There is a longing, a yearning in the heart of man because we are created in the image of God – and He is calling us to come Home!
The Strong Homing Instinct
The small bird called Manx Shearwater is native to Wales and has a strong homing instinct. In 1955 some scientists, wanting to test the power and accuracy of this homing instinct, tagged one of these birds and took it to Cambridge, England – two hundred fifty miles away. Seven- and one-half hours later it was home. They tried another experiment with one of these birds – this time far more intense – they took it across the Atlantic to Boston. Twelve days later it was back home! Amazing! If Almighty God can and does equip and care for the homing instinct of little birds – do you think He doesn’t care whether you come Home or not? The apostle John put it this way: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:” John 1:1-12 (NKJV) Jesus is the Sovereign Who came to seek and save us!
Are you Drawn to the Light?
Are you following the light that leads you to Jesus? Or are you running from that light like bugs that run from the light of day toward some dark hole when you lift up a rock? God is calling you, and He knows if you are coming to Him or running the other way. Notice again what verse 12 actually says: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” This verse tells us that when you receive Jesus you receive the right to become a child of God. How do you exercise that right? (Please read Acts 16:25-34; Acts 2:36-39; Acts 22:12-16.)
Agree with Richard Dawkins – About Anything?
Wow! I never expected to agree with Richard Dawkins about anything (even if he does have a good first name 😊), but on a recent news report I heard him say that it is biological (scientific) fact that there are only two sexes. Let’s pray that he comes to realize that the reason for this distinction is that our Creator/Designer ordained male and female – and He is the Designer of marriage and family!
Can Someone Assume God Out of Existence?
Recently on a radio replay of one of Tom Blackburn’s messages, I heard him pose a very potent, pertinent question to his listening audience. He was reviewing the early chapters of the Book of Romans, and pointed out that people who claim they don’t believe in God and say He doesn’t exist do so because they know they are sinners, they don’t like feeling guilty, and they hate His law. Tom pointed out that they assume that if they say, “I don’t believe in God,” then God doesn’t exist, and His law doesn’t exist. Then Tom pointedly said, “If you want to claim God doesn’t exist – try telling Him that when you stand before Him on Judgment Day!”
“God doesn’t love us because we are valuable! We are valuable because God loves us!” ~ Martin Luther
From Our Mailbox
“Dear Rick, as one who invests in the work of prison ministry, you are offering prisoners the opportunity for a new beginning. For most of us, a ‘new beginning’ implies a new move, new people, a new job, or new situations. New beginnings are an opportunity to start again from scratch. But in Scripture, new beginnings have a deeper meaning. Scripture is full of beginnings. Consider how Genesis opens, ‘In the beginning…’ In the New Testament, three of the four gospels use the image or the language of Genesis 1 to open their gospel. The first few words of Matthew are, ‘the book of the beginnings of…’ Mark opens his gospel with the phrase, ‘The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah…’ Then John, John doesn’t hint at Genesis 1; he gives a direct quote, ‘In the beginning…’ Why is Scripture so obsessed with beginnings? Maybe Proverbs 8 can give us a clue. In Proverbs 8, wisdom puts on flesh and bones; wisdom is made human. Notice the relationship wisdom has with God the Creator in Proverbs 8:22. It says, ‘The Lord possessed me at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old.’
In the original creation story, Jesus wasn’t on the sidelines watching His Father create. Jesus was active in the creating. As God called oceans into existence and commanded mountains to rise, Prov. 8:30-31 tell us that Wisdom was the ‘master workman’ or architect of creation. What I want us to see is that creating is not a bullet point on God’s resume’ under ‘past work experience,’ but a work He continues to do today (1 Cor. 2:7; 2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 1:2; Rev. 13:8; Jn. 1:1-20; Eph. 1:5-11). Jesus’ work of salvation is a work of creation as He creates new beginnings, a re-genesis if you will. Listen to the beginning of new life you helped Robert find. Robert is a prisoner who recently completed his study on Galatians and Philippians. He writes:
‘I was one of the truly lost. Most of society had given up on me, and the world no longer had any use for me… But now, I am rich in Spirit, and I want nothing but Jesus. The world threw me away, but Jesus graciously saved me from myself. He is my Lord and Savior; He has done more than renew my life—He gave me TRUE LIFE!’ Rick, through your generosity, you help prisoners like Robert find their new beginning in Jesus. Thank you for sharing God’s heart for prison ministry.
Your Fellow Prisoner in the Lord (Eph. 4:1), Troy B. Nelson, Director of Donor Advising, ARM”
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“Thank you, Rick, for the informative newsletter. I hope you and Della are doing well…you are always in our prayers. Please pray as we are now preparing/planning for the summer VBS camps and outreaches in Ukraine. We are scheduling shipment of another container to Ukraine in the first week of March. Also, as you know, we are holding the LCI Banquet on March 16th. Please pray for the preparation and travel associated to the event. In His Grace, Stephen (Yagilnicky)”
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“Hi Rick & Della. Hope you are doing well and enjoying an early spring. I still have some snowbanks, but the mud has prevailed. Thank you so much for staying connected with me and our fellowship here. I always enjoy your newsletters and appreciate your strong convictions of right and wrong. I will share your offer to speak here with Pastor Chuck. He does occasionally go somewhere and arrange for a speaker on Sunday. I truly appreciate your prayers, and I do pray for both of you. You are mighty warriors in the Kingdom! Blessings to you, overflowing! Trudy Morris (Angel Cowboy Church, Midvale, Idaho)”
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I wrote to Rich Christiano to thank him again for the powerful DVD, A Matter of Faith, and also asked him to tell his brother, Dave Christiano “Thank you” for his excellent film, Remember the Goal. Here is his reply: “Rick, Great to hear from you my friend and I hope you are doing well. Thanks for the kind words. These films are a labor of love to share the truth that can set people free. (John 8:32) Rich Christiano, Christiano Film Group”
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“Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, ‘Happy Easter,’ just doesn’t convey the astounding dimension of what Jesus Christ did for us. Before coming to earth, Jesus was worshipped and obeyed by the billions of spiritual creatures as the awesome Creator of everything that exists. But Jesus was not the Son of God until his incarnation. Before that, Jesus Christ was the eternal God. As John 1:1 clearly states, ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.’ As Pastor John MacArthur wrote in his commentary on the book of Hebrews:
It is therefore incorrect to say that Jesus Christ is eternally inferior to God the Father because he goes under the title of Son of God. He is no ‘eternal son’ always subservient to God, always less than God. Jesus was not “a son” until he was born into this world through the virgin birth. Jesus became the Son for our sake – setting aside what was rightfully his, humbling himself, and emptying himself. John MacArthur Hebrews Commentary p 28
Jesus is the supreme example of humility and servanthood, because as the Sovereign of the universe and of all eternity, he subjected himself to humiliation and even to death in service and sacrifice to others…
Most people have no idea of the infinitely high price Almighty God paid for their salvation!
After the last supper in the upper room, as Jesus and the eleven walked toward the Garden of Gethsemane, they may have sung a worship song. Jesus knew what was ahead. I wonder if Jesus could even finish the hymn, with the tears he must have had… Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, which means “oil press”. It’s here that the olives are squeezed to get the oil out of the olives. It is here that Jesus would be squeezed, pressured by Satan to resist the will of God. His agony was not just over the physical suffering but the break in fellowship with the Father because God can’t look upon sin no matter who the sin is on. And being in anguish, Jesus prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. Jesus was under such pressure that his sweat was mixed with drops of blood as the capillaries just under the skin burst and blood dripped from his face.
The temptation to avoid the cross was a real temptation to Christ
Jesus knew the intense agony for taking the consequences for all the world’s sin upon himself and what a horror to be separated from his heavenly Father. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘O my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; but, not as I will, but as You will.’…
The hands that flung the stars into the heavens are the hands that blessed and fed the multitudes and raised the dead, those holy hands are nailed to the cross. The physical torture and pain wasn’t as painful as feeling abandoned by the Father. When Christ took upon himself the sins of the world-past, present and future, He literally became SIN FOR US. The Father couldn’t even look upon the Son at that point. Jesus felt totally abandoned and took the punishment and penalty for our sins.
By 3pm, the crowds became silent, came the VOICE of VICTORY when Jesus said ‘It is finished!’ and he gave up his spirit. What was finished? Mankind could now be saved. At that moment, the huge 18” thick curtain that separated the holy of holies in the Temple was torn from top to bottom by God Almighty! The veil that kept sinful man away from God, to protect man from being killed by God, was ripped apart so that mankind could go directly to God, without going through any priests. It’s the only way we can be saved. Bob & Geri Boyd, Issues in Education”
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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, by the grace of God we are approaching Easter this year, and by this He reminds us of the great sacrifice that God the Father and Jesus Christ made to change us from sinners into the children of God, and to change our eternity from the lake of fire into the Kingdom of God in Heaven. How thankful to God and Jesus Christ we should be all the time.
There are different opinions about the situation in this part of the world. But we trust the Lord and pray that He will prepare us for the new situation, if such will come to our country. We ask also for you to remember us in your prayers. Even though retired, we are still busy in the Lord’s work as before, with our church leading special group meetings, calls in homes and in the hospital, preaching in the village churches and in neighboring churches as they invite. Mary plays a guitar or keyboard and leads the singing.
As Christians we are aware of the seriousness of the time in which God gave us to live, and we need to hold close to Him, so we will achieve the goal of our earthly journey. We can see how evil attacks the young people especially, and they need more help and prayers from us. The young people are not aware how strong and smart the evil is. We can see it on our own grandsons, and we try to help them.
Our son Andrew continues to minister to a group of people called The Righteous of the World – people who risked their own lives saving Jews during World War II. Most of them were in Poland. Now some of them and their children are in old age and need all kinds of help. Andrew ministers to them in their needs, but always takes the opportunity to tell them about Christ and salvation. Andrew also helps the Jews from Ukraine to escape through Warsaw to Israel. They stay in Warsaw to receive Israel’s visas. Some of them don’t have all the needed papers, so it takes a long time to obtain them, and they need the help of a Polish person. Many Jews have some different problems and Andrew is helping them. Andrew doesn’t get paid for any of these services from any Polish office, he does it all for free.
What you send through Brother Victor (POEM) to me (Kostek), I then share with Andrew. Dear Brothers and Sisters, we are very thankful to you for your love and support which enables me and our son Andrew to function and minister God as we believe He called each of us to different ministry according to His will. We feel that we are in the right place and the right ministry. We pray the Lord to bless and reward you as you have a part in this work that we do. May the Lord fill your hearts with appreciation and joy as you celebrate His Death and Resurrection. In Christ, Kostek and Mary, Andrew and Marta”
Prayer Requests
- Please pray with us for God to continue protecting all of our co-workers, including those in some of the high danger areas.
- Please pray with us for a young man named Spencer Gordon. He came to our door about 2 ½ weeks ago representing a window company. I invited him in and asked if he would like something warm to drink. He replied, “yes – coffee!” Soon after Della handed him a cup of coffee and we clarified that the house no longer belongs to us – we have already given it to our son – he asked, “Do you have time to talk with me about God?” (Wow! What an opportunity!) He stayed for about 45 minutes while I asked him a few questions, gave him a brief overview of the Bible, and asked him if he was ready to commit his life to Christ. Again, he replied “yes”, so we prayed with him, and he made an initial commitment to Jesus as Lord! I offered him several tracts plus a copy of Is the Bible without Any Errors?, and he wanted everything I offered. Spencer lives in south Boise and met us Sunday at Parkview Christian Church in Meridian for the 11:00 a.m. service. Afterward, we took him to lunch and got better acquainted. He plans to meet us there (at church) next Sunday. (The preacher/pastor, Justin McMurdie, is the son of a friend of mine that God took home about 2 ½ years ago.)
- Brethren, please pray for America! As well as the chaos in so much of the world.
Those Who Have Gone Before Us
A few days ago, Rick and I were listening to a CD of songs by a friend who has already gone to be with Jesus.
Galen Farnsworth inspired us with his deep love for our Lord, and the songs that he sang were so meaningful to us. As we listened to the CD, we were reminded of the impressions he made on us as we heard him when we were young adults at summer camp many years ago. Some of the songs were “Peace in the Valley”, “I’d Rather Have Jesus”, “My Redeemer”, and “It’s my Desire to be Like Jesus”.
With tears in my voice, I mentioned to Rick as we listened: “We are very fortunate to have many great Christian examples from those who have gone before us!” Others who came to mind right then were Gary & Sandra Strubhar and Kenny & Martha Beckman, each one who left important principles that shaped our lives.
Kenny and Martha taught me God’s Plan of Salvation when I was a young girl in high school. (Their daughter, Connie, was one of my best friends, and she invited me to their home and to the Church of Christ in Boise.) They took me under their wings, and I spent much time in their home – times of laughter, teasing, good family meals, and lots of learning about God and His will in my life.
Gary Strubhar was the preacher in Gresham, Oregon, when we moved there at a time in our lives when we needed genuine, caring friends. He and his wife, Sandra, and family loved us, helped us heal from some heartaches, and challenged us to continue in our service in God’s Kingdom.
“Find Us Faithful”
Artist: Steve Green
We’re pilgrims on the journey
of the narrow road,
and those who’ve gone before us
line the way.
Cheering on the faithful,
encouraging the weary,
their lives a stirring testament
to God’s sustaining grace.
Surrounded by so great
a cloud of witnesses,
let us run the race
not only for the prize,
but as those who’ve gone before us,
let us leave to those behind us
the heritage of faithfulness
passed on thru godly lives.
O may all who come behind us
find us faithful,
may the fire of our devotion
light their way.
May the footprints that we leave,
lead them to believe,
and the lives we live
inspire them to obey.
O may all who come behind us
find us faithful.
After all our hopes and dreams
have come and gone,
and our children sift thru all
we’ve left behind,
may the clues that they discover,
and the mem’ries they uncover,
become the light that leads them,
to the road we each must find.
(Steve Green, People Need the Lord: Number Ones, 2012. Written by Jon Mohr.)