Morning Moments

"There was a man sent from God whose name was...."

He was like a father to me. He would call on the phone and say, "How are you, you ole sinner." He was a very important part of mine and Janet's lives. The Man from Wales. That's how many people knew him, and what an amazing preacher he was, and still is through his many books. His name was Ivor Powell and he could take you to the very scene of his text. You could see the children, hear the wind, see the boat. Whatever was written in the text, he could make it come alive.

I shall never forget some of his stories of the Welch Revival. He told about two drunken men who threw open the doors of a church and interrupted the meeting and both of them were smitten of God before the altar.

He would tell about a letter that came to a little village simply addressed to "The Man of God." WOW! What if such a letter came to your town or mine? To whom would it be delivered?

He would say to me, "Austin, illustrations are windows through which people can see truth." I shall never forget our time together. I miss him so much. But I am thankful for the memories God has given Janet and me with such men of God whom HE used to shape our once young lives. I only wish we had listened more closely. I wish we had videos of those special moments in a young couple's life together. The memories linger.

I asked the Lord why He should prompt me to speak of these things and He reminded me that I am still making memories and that those memories of the closeness with giants of the faith served to keep me focused.

However, here is the point. You and I have been graced with those around us who are men and women Jesus uses to encourage us on the journey. Those who have walked the road before us and who can guide us in our journey. Isn't it amazing that the God who is Spirit gives us "spirits" with skin to help us home. Let's seize the moment and not take them for granted.

PRAYER: Father, the path of life takes some interesting turns with flower strewn scenery and sometimes with hard dry dirt where it seems nothing can grow. Help us to understand that the faith life is just that, and that whether or not the same seems easy or hard, we have a guide in the Holy Spirit, and a map with the Word of God. I do not have to know what lies ahead and I need not worry about what lies behind. Help me to hear YOUR instructions: This is the way, walk ye in it.