July 16, 2000
June 2000 marked 40 years since I
was ordained into the ministry of Jesus Christ. My
first pastorate was from the summer of 1960 to the summer of 1965 in the Oklahoma City and
Tulsa churches. On June 10th
this year Molly and I returned to Tulsa. There
are, perhaps, no greater rewards in life than to see the steadfastness of so many over
these 40 years.
Molly and I were emotionally moved to
see people who were so appreciative of our ministry.
People told me about sermons they remembered from decades ago. I was also reminded of things I had said and done
which affected their lives.
Visiting with men who were lay members
back then but are now ministers and pastors of churches – men like Lawrence Gregory,
Arthur Hulet and Leslie Pope, etc. – brought back many memories. Art Hulet reminded me of the time when he
accompanied me as we visited Brethren. He
said he had never heard anyone ask so many questions of people – about what they did,
how long they’d been married, their growing up years, etc. He said that he asked me in the car after we left,
“How come you ask so many questions?”
“Do you remember what you
answered?” I did not. He reminded me. “You said, ‘It’s because I want to
make their experiences my experiences.’”
I told him that I did remember that now.
Perhaps the most emotional impact came
from seeing those who had been teenagers in the church when I was pastor but are now
middle-aged adults with teenagers of their own! To
have them remember us, appreciate us and respect us after so many years was emotionally
overwhelming but extremely satisfying! It
made all the effort and work worth it! Please
go to www.guardian-ministries.org for the Tulsa report with pictures.
“The Sign of Thy Coming” sermons are on their
way to those who requested them. Here’s
hoping they don’t take as long as the “Happiness” sermons. Those of you with email, if you would let me
know when you receive your tapes, I would appreciate it very much.
EMAIL: If you have changed email addresses, please
let us know your new address. One thing I’ve learned about email is that the
addresses must be precise! Approximates do
not work. So, if you have email and are not receiving the “Sabbath Thoughts for Your
Week” please let me know so we can make sure you receive these weekly messages.
THE NEXT HAPPINESS SERMONS:
We are sure you will love the next
sermons in the Happiness series. One is
entitled, “Happy are the Sad” and the other is “Happy Are
Those Who Hunger & Thirst for Righteousness.” You will find out why you can be happy
even though you are sad or mourn. And you
will understand in great depth why those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are
happy! Passages of Scripture will become so
clear to you as you understand them like never before.
To receive these sermons just fill out the order reply form sent with this letter.
When I
talk to clients and hear news reports from around the world, I realize how much people
need Biblical truth. They need to know what the Bible has to say. Even converted Christians need it! It is the food on which we grow. We are told to “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow
thereby” (1 Peter 2:22). The word
“sincere” comes from the Greek word “adolos
{ad'-ol-os}”
which
means “pure, unadulterated.” We
need God’s Word without
having it watered down or polluted.
I want to quote from one of our
supporters: “…just received your tape on
happiness a few days ago. Thank you very
much. You have been a good teacher for me and
you teach in a way that I can share your teachings with many people. I have been in Alcoholics Anonymous 25
years…Through you I can start to understand the Bible.
Before it was like a foreign language to me. Thanks
again.”
“Thank
You” to so many who have expressed such complementary things about Guardian
Ministries. Many see its value and those who
do help made it possible for others to hear the truth of God’s Word!
THE
TRAVELING PULPIT: Our next trip is July
28 when we fly to Tulsa for a major interchurch conference with ordained ministers from
around the world. Please remember us in
your prayers.
THE KANSAS CITY TRIP: We apologize to many of you who were looking forward to seeing us in Kansas City in August (26-27). Unfortunately we were unable to make it. We just became overloaded and had to cancel this trip until a later date which has not as yet been set. It will be some time following the Feast of Tabernacles. Thank you all for your understanding in this matter.
Wishing you all good things in Christ,
our Savior,