Aches and Praise Four Hundred & Seventy Nine

November 12, 2020
 
 
Dear friends,
 

This week Karen and I began reading a book about prayer by the Kendrick brothers. For those who are not familiar with movies like “Courageous” and “Fireproof,” Stephen and Alex Kendrick, along with their brother, Shannon, have been producing quality Christian films for many years in the United States. Looking at their website – www.kendrickbrothers.com – I discovered that the movie “War Room” was released on August 28, 2015 and became the second most popular movie in the U.S. during its second week in theatres. It is interesting that its release date was 52 years to the day after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a powerful speech in Washington, D.C. that is remembered for his phrase “I have a dream.”

Like the “War Room,” the book entitled “The Battle Plan for Prayer” looks at the subject of prayer, from enlistment to ammunition, helping readers to see the importance of taking God’s Word seriously. I’m glad that Karen found this book and that our reading of it began during the week when we remember those who valiantly defended freedom, including many thousands of men and women who paid the supreme sacrifice.

Recently, Pastor Michel Martel preached a series of messages entitled “La crainte ou la foi?” (“Fear or faith?”) on the weekly radio broadcasts of “La Voix de l’Évangile.” Mark 4:35-41 gives the account of Jesus asleep in the boat on the lake of Galilee while His disciples began to panic that the crashing waves would do them in. After they woke Jesus up, He rebuked the wind and calmed the sea. He also asked His disciples why they were so timid. How about us? We could well ask ourselves: “Why don’t we trust God more?” and “Why don’t we pray about everything?”

Last Sunday, I re-read a book about Fred and Jean Warnholtz, the founders of Parkside Ranch, written by Dr. David Dawson. It had been many years since I read this account of God’s provision for this choice couple, who moved from Ontario to Quebec to serve the Lord in a camping ministry near Mont Orford. How thrilling to read how God gave them the funds that they needed to build the camp by generous friends and government payments for gravel on their land! Last year marked the 50th anniversary of Parkside Ranch; you can find this thrilling story at: https://vite.parksideranch.com/files/images/admin/images/launch_out_into_the_deep.pdf.

Today is a very special day, as my parents celebrate their 71st wedding anniversary. I am so thankful to God for their love and for the love of Karen’s parents, who were married for 55 years before Mom went to be with the Lord. What a tremendous legacy they have left their children!

Scripture for the weekend: “But now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NASB)

Thought for the weekend: “Of all the things prayer is and does, its greatest accomplishment – and its greatest joy – is that it allows us, His beloved children, to be part of bringing Him glory. To God be the glory!” – from “The Battle Plan for Prayer” by Stephen and Alex Kendrick

 
By His grace, 
 
Steve

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