April
2005 Monthly Letter
Dear
Partner in UpBuilding others,
We
often hear about God's mighty moving among the masses, millions,
and mega churches, but what about His concern for just
one individual?
Doesn't Jesus speak about leaving the ninety-nine and going
after the one?
In January I was leading an UpBuilding Weekend in Canada.
At about 4:30 on Saturday afternoon when I was driving back
to the home where I was staying, I sensed an inward prompting
to sing a chorus from a certain song at the end of the sermon
on Sunday morning.
The song is, I Know the Master of the Wind. It's one
of Gaither's, The chorus ministered to my hurting heart during
the 90's when I had lost my sister, mom, dad, sister-in-law,
and father-in-law.
The words of the chorus are: "I know the Master of the
wind. I know the Maker of the rain. He can calm the storm,
make the sun shine again. I know the Master of the wind!"
Now
I admit, I do like to sing, but solo? No way! And without
accompaniment to help keep me on key and to cover my floating
ranges? No way! I knew this prompting was not of me but the
Lord!
Sunday
came. I preached on "Staying Up in Down Times" and sat down
on the front pew. The pastor began to close the service. I
realized I had not sung the chorus! What was
I to do?
I jumped up. Walked quickly to the pastor. Interrupted him.
Whispered my dilemma in his ear and requested to sing the
chorus. He agreed. I sang and then returned to my place on
the front pew.
The pastor went over to the piano, sat down, and began to
repeat the tune, playing by ear, and requested the people
sing the chorus again; then again; 6 times in all. During
the 3rd time, all of a sudden the words to the chorus appeared
on the power point screen in front of the sanctuary! Someone
from the sound control booth had found the words and quickly
displayed them!
The
pastor then invited any person who was 'going through a
down time' to come up front for prayer. Many did. After
a time of prayer, a woman came to me visibly shaking and said:
"I
have been angry at God. In fact, so angry that I haven't come
to this church for many years. This morning I said to God,
'Okay, I'll give You one more chance. I'll go to church and
see if anything happens'. When you sang that chorus, the Lord
spoke to me. He reminded me that it was the first song
I soloed when I used to sing in the choir! Can you believe
this!" "
Now
I know why God had me sing that chorus. He planned it just
for you!" I responded. I led her in a prayer of wonder,
thanksgiving, and recommitment of her life. Afterwards, I
asked her to share her story with the pastor as a praise-the-Lord-testimony!
A few weeks later I called the pastor and he related that
she was again actively involved in the life of the flock!
Look
back at the wonders of God: my forgetting to sing; interrupting
the pastor; then singing a solo; and how many pastors do you
know who play the piano-and then by "ear"? the power point
display (this is not a familiar song!), the woman's past experience
and present challenge to God!
This
says to me that our good Shepherd graciously cares about
one as well as a multitude!
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