Thought For the Week

Dear Friends, This week’s 'thought' comes from a pastor named Jud Wilhite who planted a church in "Sin City" (Las Vegas), though he now affectionately calls it "Grace City." In fact, that's what his book is about – “God's grace reaching down to people caught up in sin.” It's title is: "Stripped - Uncensored Grace on the Streets of Vegas." The book was handed to me by a person in my church who said: "I think you'll like it. This is what you've been trying to tell us since you came." She had placed a little bookmark at the spot where the selection for today occurs. I offer it to you as one who, like the author, believes that the church of Jesus Christ is the world's hope - the Body through which He ministers His extravagant grace, as we reach out to those around us in word and deed. I send it out with the earnest hope that maybe Jud (to some small degree) will convince you of the fact that the world really does need ...

Dear Friends, I date myself when I suggest everyone knows David Wilkerson, author of the best-selling international adventure story (a true story) written in 1963 and titled “The Cross and the Switchblade.” It chronicled Wilkerson’s work with gangs in New York City and was later made into a biographical crime movie in 1970. One of his lesser-known books is a devotional book entitled, “I’m Not Mad at God,” published in 1967. I have selected three entries. I made some minor grammatical changes for better understanding. I trust at least one of them might hit home with you. Enjoy. "Stay here and keep watch with me." Matt. 26:38 "The true purpose of prayer is that we enjoy much personal communion with the Lord. The heart is reluctant to dwell in God's presence for long, and so it satisfies itself instead with 'devotions.' This describes a hurried period late at night, or early in the morning, when a quick prayer is offered to God after a...

Dear Friends, Today (after a 2-3 week break from sending out some thoughts) I am back at it! For those who may not have heard, I just finished 6 months of cancer treatments at the NIH, and after tests on July 24 was told that it has gone into remission. The next day we discovered Nancy’s mom had passed, with her funeral service being held last Monday. It’s been a busy time. So today, still catching up, I thought I would send out the first “Thought for the Week” I ever sent out – way back in February of 2008! Some may remember the story, while others will not. It’s the story behind the writing of the hymn “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” by Thomas Dorsey, published in 1938. I did not reference the book I found it in. Enjoy. The Story Behind the Song, “Precious Lord…” “Back in 1932, I was 32 years old, and a fairly new husband. My wife, Nettie and I were living in a little apartment on Chicago's south side. One hot August afternoon I had to go to St. Louis, wh...

Dear Friends, I love history. In fact, if God had not called me to be a pastor, I might have ended up teaching history. Therefore, today, I share parts of two historical documents (from the second century) which I ran across while doing research for my sermon this past Sunday. I found each one intriguing and thought I would pass them along to you. They both have to do with the beliefs and lifestyles of early Christians. The 1st is by a man named Aristides the Philosopher, a man who was given the job of looking into the new “cult” called Christianity and reporting back to the Emperor Titus Hadrianus Antoninus with what he discovered (some believing he became a Christian himself by the time he finished it). The 2nd is by a man named Diognetus and is taken from his “Epistle of Diognetus.” I believe you will find them informative and challenging. Enjoy. Aristides reports to the Emperor Hadrianus Antoninus. “As for the Christians, they trace their line from Jesus Christ who is ...

Dear Friends, As a pastor I do enjoy hearing people’s conversion stories. Therefore, I thought I would share one I came across this week. It comes out of Kyle Idleman’s book, “Not a Fan.” That is, no just a church goer, or someone who claims to believe, or an admirer of Jesus – but someone who has been changed, by the Spirit of God, into a devoted servant and committed follower of Jesus. This is the story of a man who thought he had it all, till it was all taken from him. His name is Gary Polsgrove. This is his story. Enjoy. NOT A FAN "Guilty." Sitting in front of the judge's stand, I started to cry. I heard the judge say something about jail time, and I sobbed even harder. An officer handcuffed me and took me to jail. I spent a few days there, trying to figure out what had happened to my life. How did it come to this? I had reached the pinnacle of my career as a pilot for UPS. I had everything going for me. Having left my wife in 1993, I didn't have anyone...

Dear Friends, Today I send along a couple of short encouragements for prayer. They were both written by Lettie B. Cowman (1870-1960), wife of Charles Cowman, both missionaries to Japan and founders of the Oriental Mission Society. They had a heart for the Japanese people and wanted to reach as many as they could with the Gospel. Although they were making huge strides in their goals, Charles was not satisfied. So, he started “The Great Village Campaign” in 1913. His goal was for every person in Japan to hear the Gospel within the next five years. Teams of missionaries went to every town, village, and home throughout Japan, proclaiming the Gospel and distributing Bibles. The physical strain of this huge endeavor had a negative effect on Charles' health, and in 1917 he and Lettie were forced to return to America. In January 1918, they received news through The O.M.S. Standard that the Great Village Campaign was complete! About 60 million Japanese had heard the Gospel, as the tea...