Making a Difference

We continue to receive encouraging words regarding our literature. The following letter came recently and particularly encouraged us at just the right time.

I am writing to you to ask that you pray for my dear friend, D and her family. D and I were friends back in High School, and remained in touch (somewhat) throughout the years. A week ago, last Sunday, on the way to evening church service, I came upon a motorcycle-car accident, whereby a young couple were lying on the bankside next to their motorcycle. Being one of the first upon the scene, numb, I quickly called out to the Lord to give me the strength and words to say to the injured couple as I ran to them (while the driver ahead of me was phoning 911). The following is a copy of the letter I sent to D – it will explain:

"My dearest D and family, Scurrying toward the couple lying along the bank, with my blanket in hand, I asked Jesus to give me His strength and words to comfort them. As I knelt beside them, I gently rubbed their shoulders and softly spoke to them while waiting for the ambulance. By God’s grace and led by His Spirit I began to pray for this young man and woman; upon doing so, the young man slightly regained consciousness, turned to me, and gazed into my eyes. It was that very moment I didn’t see a full grown man: I saw someone’s little boy a beautiful child with a face of an angel, appearing to be in perfect peace, simply resting. It was during this time, I also realized the young woman, lying inches away, was his sister—who’s only concern was for her big brother, as she desperately cried out to him. My heart ached. D, of course I didn’t know at the time that this young man and woman lying hurt along the bank were your children; but Jesus did, and I truly believe He placed me there to love and pray for them on your behalf. I can’t begin to know what you must be feeling; my heart aches for you and your family. I hope it brings you comfort to know that it was me, your life-long and always-loving friend, at his side along the bank, and more importantly, Christ in me, deeply loving your J and N."

By God's grace, I met with D this morning and we were blessed with a wonderful (yet tearful) visit. Something how our Lord works: D collapsed when she found out it was me who was with her children. D knew I was a bornagain Christian; a couple of years ago, I sent her the gospel booklet, "The Gift," and she told me that she has read that booklet almost weekly since then - elated with such wonderful news. Throughout this morning's visit, she mostly wanted to know more about Jesus; and she strongly requested that I give her husband the Gospel.

N survived the crash; is still in the hospital; may or may not walk again; very depressed that she wasn't the one taken. D is not at all mad at the drunk driver who hit her kids, yet requests we pray for him, too. Please keep D, her husband, J, and daughter N and son C in your prayers during this difficult season in their lives - of course, not only for them to be comforted, yet mostly that this situation will bring much glory to our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ.

For such a time as this…

To God be the glory,
- g

God’s Divine Appointments

I do apologize for being so long in getting another newsletter into your hands. Since May our lives have been quite full with unexpected “Divine appointments.”

As you may recall, I had three stents placed in my heart in April. By the end of May I still did not feel very well, but we did keep the scheduled meetings with Charlie Hornick at Grace Bible Church in Parachute, CO. What a special blessing it was for us to be with this wonderful group of people. It is such a beautiful place in the Rocky Mountains and we enjoyed their warm hospitality. Even though I was very tired, God gave me strength to make it through.

The last of May we were able to get away to visit Kathy’s family in Mississippi. We were thinking a restful time away would help me regain my strength, but I continued to be in a constant state of tiredness. When we returned home I immediately went back to the doctor. All the stents significantly renarrowed, and as a result, it was determined that I should have triple bypass surgery. On July 2nd, I had the operation, only it turned out to be a quadruple bypass! The recuperation has gone much better than I anticipated. I am going to rehab three times weekly in Scottsbluff, NE. This has been a big boost, but each time I go it takes about three hours including driving time. Doing this along with teaching my classes has made my schedule quite demanding. Hence, there has just not been enough time to do all the things I’d like to do.

Our summer plans obviously did not go as we had anticipated. The July meetings at Crescent Lake Bible Camp had to be cancelled, but even with the short notice of my health problems, they were able to get another speaker for that week. We are so thankful for God’s provision. The first six weeks of recovery are slow and require lots of rest so I was not able to put the time into preparation for my new class, World Views.

August saw the kickoff of FSB’s 40th year of ministry with the fall semester beginning on August 20th with an enrollment of over 200 students. By God’s grace I was able to begin teaching again. Though I am able to teach all of my 5 weekly classes, I’ve had to cut back on extra speaking. However, just recently I’ve been slowly getting my feet wet again. I took on three speaking opportunities in September, which doesn’t sound like much, but I’m pleased that I’m able to do additional speaking of any kind as my strength gradually increases.

We are full of praise for God’s abundant provision for the new FSB chapel building. Just when more funds were needed to continue the project another donation came in that will allow the building to be completed. Hopefully we will be able to use the building sometime during the second semester. We praise God for the generous hearts of His servants.

All the Way from North Carolina

It is always a blessing to have students attend FSB who are children of our friends. Grace Bible Church has been a special group of believers to us for a long time. This year they sent seven students here from their church. It has been a joy to have them.

Praise God!

The Gift of God, All About Repentance, and Religion: Who Needs It? are now shipping!

Please Pray

• Please keep CMI finances in your prayers. The last few months our regular monthly giving is down and our expenses are up. Thanks so much.
• Pray for my continued recovery and wisdom to make the best choices of how to use the time God has given me.
• Pray for Kathy that she too will know how to use her time. She has taken on more and more responsibility to free my time, but sometimes she’s just too busy!
• We are learning afresh to trust in the Lord with all of our heart and to not lean on our own understanding. Please pray we will totally trust and rest in Him.