Pressing on

Hey everyone!

What a fantastic time we had in Philadelphia. We were so blessed by the warmth of the audience and the reception to the gospel message for our three-night crusade there.

To check it out for yourself, click here.

Philly is famous for its cheesesteaks, so I searched the city for the ultimate one and tried a few. I have found that most people from Philly are divided on this issue, so I guess it’s personal opinion.

But thanks again to all who were involved in that great crusade. I hope to visit again.

One crusade to go!

New York City will be our “grand finale” for this year’s crusades. It is a one-night event at the famed Madison Square Garden, on Sunday, October 19.

I remember a few years ago when my son Christopher and I first met with a man who was key in causing this great outreach to take place. So Topher plays a special part in this last outreach of 2008 for us at Harvest Ministries.

Once again, he designed all the graphics for it. Perhaps some of you would like to come and be a part of it. For more info, and to see Christopher’s graphics for this events, click here.

Still mourning

People write and ask how we are getting along with the passing of our dear son. Let me say, we are getting along, but it is far from easy.

People want to know when you will “recover” from your loss. One person who lost three members of their family in a tragic car crash once wrote, “We recover from broken limbs, not amputations. Catastrophic loss by definition precludes recovery. It will transform us or destroy us, but it will never leave us the same. There is no going back to the past, which is gone forever; only going ahead to the future, which is has yet to be discovered.”

I have found that to be pretty accurate. I will not “recover” because that would imply going back to life the way it was before.

Life will not be the same without my son of 33 years. But God promises to each of us “a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11). I am praying that future will honor God in all I do.

Quote from Chuck Swindoll

I was listening to one of Chuck Swindoll’s podcasts the other day, and he ended his message with the following poem. It spoke to my heart, and perhaps it will speak to yours as well.

When God wants to drill a man,
And thrill a man, and skill a man,
When God wants to mold a man,
To play the noblest part;
When He yearns with all His heart
To create so great and bold a man,
That all the world shall be amazed,
Watch his methods; watch His ways.

How He ruthlessly perfects
When He royally elects!
How He hammers him and hurts him
And with mighty blows converts him
Into trial shapes of clay
Which only God understands;
While his tortured heart is crying,
And He lifts beseeching hands!
How He bends but never breaks
When His good He undertakes.
How He uses whom he chooses,
And with every purpose fuses him;
But every act induces him
To try His splendor out —
God knows what He’s about!

Go then, earthly fame and treasure!
Come disaster, scorn, and pain!
In Thy service, pain is pleasure;
With Thy favor, loss is gain.
I have called Thee, Abba, Father;
I have stayed my heart on Thee.
Storms may howl, and clouds may gather;
All must work for good to me.