*Volume 83 *No. 06 *Published by Christian Triumph Co. *Permit # 695 *JUNE 2006
Contents: Happy Fathers’ Day! (Poem) Poem Tribute to Evelyn Anderson Girls of Grace The Plaque among the Pictures Letters A Look at the Book of Matthew Information on Lester Fleenor’s book
1 2 3 4 5 5 6 7
An offering plate and song books too… Were lying on the floor. They must have left this old church fast… The day they closed these doors. And over in the corner, A piano was still there… It must have played a pretty tune… But I guess nobody cared. So little Bill looked up at Tommy… and Tommy looked at Bill… “Why don’t we clean this old church up and get these old pews filled?”
Happy Fathers’ Day Just two little boys walking down a dusty lane… They came upon this old white house… With broken window panes. The paint was faded, the shine was gone… The grass had grown so high… Still they made their little feet… Go see what was inside. They opened up the squeaky door, And then it came to light… This must have been an old church house… Once upon a time. Dirty, dusty wooden pews… A pulpit that still stood… A Bible laid upon it… Though the pages weren’t too good.
They took a rag and wiped the dust… To try and make things shine… And then they took the offering plate… And put in it their last dime. They took a broom and swept the floor… And picked up broken glass… They got it all so nice and neat… And then they mowed the grass. They lifted up the old church sign… And stood it by a tree… Right down by that old dirt road… Where everyone could see. They ran back home to find Daddy gone… But their Momma was inside… Just to find her hurt again… Where Daddy had made her cry. (Continued on Page 2)
“Don’t cry, Momma, wipe those tears,” Little Bill and Tommy smiled… “Cause we have a big surprise for you… just down the road a mile.”
They ran up to him, hugged him tight… As their tears fell on the floor. “Don’t worry, kids, I’m not the Dad, the one you’ve known before.
Hand in hand they tugged at her… Until they made her run… “What is it, Bill? Oh, Tommy, just what you two kids done?”
Things are different for us now… So keep on those pretty smiles… And let’s go gather people in… To walk down these church aisles.”
And then they came upon the house… Once hidden by the weeds… And there it stood a country church… Just like it used to be.
Then Bill looked up at Tommy… And Tommy looked at Bill… “Come on, brother, let’s get to work… to get these old pews filled.
“But what is it, Mother? What’s with your tears? We thought this would bring you joy.” “Yes, but hush, kids, now and listen close… my two sweet precious boys.”
“For we need no special blessing… for cleaning up this church… ‘cause, God gave us back our Daddy… and that’s more than gold is worth.”
They both got quiet and stood real still… For the words they heard so true… Was Daddy praying in the church… With his head bowed on the pew.
Sunday morning, pews all filled… And smiles on every face… Especially two little country boys… The ones who found this place. (Cont. on page 3)
Faith Messenger
“Forgive me, Lord! Forgive me Lord! Though I’m not worthy of Your love… Shine down on this sinner man… Sweet Salvation from above.
Permit #695 Periodical Paid at Corpus Christi, Texas Published monthly, except July and August. POSTMASTER SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO:
Christian Triumph Company P.O. Box 5187 905-909 Bluntzer Corpus Christi, Texas 78405
“For I’ve been out in the world, you know… living my life all wrong… until I came upon this church, the place where I belong. “I never noticed it before… all those times I passed it up… I guess I wasn’t looking, Lord… Or maybe I was drunk.
L.Y. Janes, Founder (deceased); Steve Beletic, President; Israel Hernandez, Vice-President; William Anderson, 2nd Vice-President; Diana Beletic, Secretary/Treasurer; Una Collins, Asst. Sec./Treas.
“Bless oh Lord, yes, bless oh Lord… the one who made me see… this little church that used to hide… behind all those tall weeds.”
This periodical is issued without charge in the name of the Lord Jesus to help inspire child-like faith and maintain Christ-like simplicity among the people of God. To send donations or for your FREE SUBSCRIPTION, write to the address above or contact Christian Triumph Co. at christiantriumph@yahoo.com. Or see us on the web at christiantriumphcompany.com
And then he raised his head and stood… With his hands high in the air… To find two, dirty, tear-faced boys… with Momma standing there. 2
Continued from Page 2
FAMILY & WORKERS
Though it was hid back in the weeds.... and so far out of sight... Nothing’s ever hard to find... if you’re walking toward God’s light.
Evelyn Anderson TRIBUTE TO SISTER EVELYN ANDERSON
-author unknown
We first met Sister Evelyn at the Liberal, KS camp meeting in 1971 and were immediately attracted to her friendly out-going spirit and to her presentation of the missionary ministry of Christian Triumph. She commented on her desire to have a vacation Bible School for the children in her church and the surrounding community in Corpus Christi, noting that there was a need for teachers. We had just finished seminary in Anderson and were visiting various churches in Kansas, my wife's home state, before being sent by the Missionary Board to coordinate the work of the Church of God in Egypt. After praying, we approached Sister Evelyn to volunteer to help her with the children's ministry. When she announced this answer to her prayers, three young Christian ladies in the camp meeting came forward to also volunteer as teachers. We five volunteers, plus our year old son, set out soon thereafter for Texas where Sister Anderson and her family hosted us during our days of outreach to the community's children. We were privileged to meet her father, Brother Janes, and to learn about their wonderful ministry of providing gospel literature for the Spanish world. What we remember most about the experience was the wonderful fellowship we experienced centered on being obedient to Christ in this small way. We learned from Sister Anderson the importance of faith and perseverance in whatever ministry the Lord lays upon our hearts. She encouraged each of us by word and example to follow the Lord's guidance for our future lives in obedience to Him, and we have endeavored to do that. We considered Sister Anderson as the one who prepared us practically and commissioned us spiritually as we left immediately from Corpus to move to and serve in the Middle East. One of the young ladies who accompanied us to Corpus later served many years with her husband as missionaries in Latin America, and the (continued on Page 4) (Continued from Page 3)
A Fathers’ Day Scripture
“…the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son…” (Dt. 1:31) +
PREACHER MAN by Nancy
My Daddy was a preacher man; He went from shore to shore, He took the Bible in his hand, He taught; they asked for more! He grabbed a hammer, hit the nails, Helped build a church with love, He preached that Jesus never fails, His eyes on God above. His “children” stretch from shore to shore, Their numbers are unknown. Like an Eagle, his wings will soar When he welcomes them all HOME! Dedicated to all good preacher Dads! Poem inspired by my own good preacher Dad, Rev. Wilbur Hunter, age 86 and retired…….. but….. already opening another church.
+
(Editor’s note: Do you like to write poetry? Do you enjoy writing stories (that honor God)? We would like to print original compositions. Please send to Christian Triumph Company PO Box 5187, 905 Bluntzer Corpus Christi, Texas 78465-5187) (Please give permission for editing.)
CHRISTIAN TRIUMPH 3
other two have been followers of Christ here in the States. My wife and I have retired after 35 years of ministry in the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America and live in S. Texas where we have been blessed by being able to continue our spiritual fellowship with Sister Evelyn whose warm smile is just as bright today as it was 35 years ago when we first met.
girls come after school on Friday and stay until noon on Saturday. The two stated purposes are: 1. To counter-act negative influences of our culture by teaching modesty, purity, truthfulness and faithfulness. 2. To have fun in a safe, wholesome, Godly environment. I accepted 10 girls who committed to attend all of the 10 monthly meetings. The areas of study each meeting are Bible, Manners, Grooming, Crafts, Homemaking Skills and Cooking. Other women have come in to teach specific classes such as cake decorating, calligraphy, hair care, skin care, nail care, corn husk dolls, and scrap booking. In manners, we have covered the need for manners, phone manners, introductions, writing thank you notes, table manners, and being a house guest. In grooming we studied hair care, skin care, nail care, and modesty in dress. Our Bible studies correlate with the manners lessons. The girls keep a notebook with printed sheets of all we cover so they can refer to it later. Each month I assign them a scripture a day to write out and consider. Each month's scriptures are related to a topic for that month. We cook together each time, working in teams on each part of the meal. We set a pretty table complete with flowers and sit down together and enjoy a meal. My hope is to address topics they will be making decisions about soon. I teach scriptural principles related to those topics. Hopefully this will lay a Biblical foundation that they will live from. It has been good to see positive changes in specific girls through the year: A very shy one who can now make eye contact and comfortably talk with the others. A self-centered one who is becoming more compassionate and aware of the needs of others. A child with low esteem who is beginning to know how special she is in the eyes of God. Young girls who will soon become young women. How I pray that they will be Godly young women. I pray that they will look back to this year as a very special time. (Continued on Page 5)
May God bless you, Sister Evelyn, and give you many more beautiful smiles as you share the love of Christ with others. Nasser & Marilyn +++ _______________________________________
The following column was partially printed in the May Faith Messenger. This June issue has the complete article which describes an original, ministry that could also be modified to correspond with a group of young boys. Nomie A Fraser (Arkansas) I attend Hilltop Bible Church. My husband, Bob, is an ER physician at Regional Medical Center. We have 3 sons: Noah - age 25, Matt – 23, Adam -19 and his wife Susan. They are expecting Ian Reed in June. Hannah - age 11 is our daughter, and she was adopted from Guatemala at 5 months. I have home schooled for 22 years. I believe my primary ministry and calling is as a wife, mother, homemaker and home teacher. I like to minister to other children in areas my children and family are involved in. The ideas for Girls of Grace came as I listed the things I wanted to teach my daughter before she came to the teen years. I realized many of the activities would be fun to do with a group of girls. It is called Girls of Grace from the scripture: "You then, my daughter, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.� 2 Timothy 2:1 I targeted preteen girls 8-12 years old. I have Girls of Grace in my home once a month. The
(Continued from Page 4) 4
My desire is to teach a Bible Study next year that will meet bi-weekly. I'll start with these girls and ask them to invite their friends. I would like to see a group of girls stay together to study and pray for each other until they graduate from High School. This is not a sacrifice on my part because I can fulfill my ministry and train my own daughter. +++ (Editor’s note: Please write Christian Triumph if you have any questions or comments.) +++
The Plaque among the Pictures Frames of pictures grace the wall in our hall way. One long collage contains pictures of my husband, Gerald, (and of me), throughout the various stages of our lives. There are his grade school - high school pictures, and another one with the words, “When I was in the Army.” Under the picture of both of us is labeled “Great Date”, and following is one of our wedding which reads, “May I present Mr. and Mrs...” Across the hall are pictures of our parents as they celebrate their 50th anniversaries. Nearby is an announcement of our own 40th anniversary. Time goes by so quickly. In James 4:14, we read “Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow, for what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” In the center of our hall way is a special plaque which says, “Only one life, twill soon be passed, only what’s done for Christ will last.” Proverbs 3: 1- 6 adds to that significant statement. “My son, forget not My law, but let thine heart keep My commandments. For length of days and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee; bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart. So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” The poet states it adequately, “It’s not the gale, but the set of the sail that determines the ships at sea.” We are tossed about with the currents of the seas, but a heart truly anchored in the way of salvation is not as easily destined for shipwreck. Time passes quickly, and we are not afforded the privilege of a rerun. (edited with permission) +
OUR CHILDREN “…be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” (Dt. 9) Teaching our children about God is a responsibility of the home as well as the church. Telling the Old, Old Story of Jesus and His Love is up-to-date and vital. In The Living Insights Bible, Charles Swindoll states that “The Hebrew term translated ‘teach’ suggests ‘repeating’ telling over and over again as well as modeling a consistent Message.” + A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL WHO WRITE US LETTERS. WE ENJOY READING THEM, AND WE PRAY FOR THE NEEDS AND REQUESTS. A Letter from Abroad! “May the Lord bless your lives…we are writing in the hope of receiving any Spanish evangelistic tracts you maybe able to offer free of charge…we have a genuine desire to use them…for outreaches here in our city.” C. Reynoso, Pastor - Argentina _________________________________________ A Letter from Home! “What a wonderful work God has blessed you all with; it is so great to hear that so many are being reached with the Good News…” Mr. and Mrs. E. Moore, Texas by Anita
NOTE: The Faith Messenger is not printed in July or August in order to save funds. After June, the next issue will be mailed in September. A LOOK AT THE BOOK 5
An unmerciful, unjust descendant cannot plead the merits of his born-again (Godly) ancestors and expect to hear, “Well done!” Instead, John advises, “Produce fruit to fit repentance.” True repentance describes a turning away from one’s wrong attitudes and actions, and then turning towards the will of God. In the Old Testament, Ezekiel 36:26-27, God states, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you…and I will put My Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees…” Clearly, the Spirit opens our eyes and enables us to see those things that displease God. Similarly, John says that Jesus “will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire; then He will cleanse…and burn the chaff with a fire that no man can quench.” “The Holy Spirit’s Fire that baptizes” may be somewhat explained by using the ideas of light, warmth and purification. (According to Barclay’s The Gospel of Matthew): 1. Light exposes as well as guides us in our darkness. 2. The Godly fire which brings warmth fills us with His love and softens our thoughts and actions toward our fellow person. 3. Spiritual Fire purifies, resulting in honesty, authenticity, sincerity, and selfawareness. Metal is made strong and pure by fire as are persons who submit to the will of God. “The burning of chaff” in verse 12 presents a decision that we each one must make. According to the Holy Bible, the Truth remains that where God is, we also find Jesus and the Holy Spirit. In repenting and accepting Jesus as our Savior, we are promised an eternal Home in Heaven. However, in choosing disbelief and separation from Jesus, there is also a consequence. And Jesus will “separate the chaff from the grain, burning the chaff with never-ending fire, and storing away the grain.” Is Jesus speaking of Hell? Although some persons do not believe in the place called Hell, the Bible speaks of it several times. In Matthew 23:23, we read Jesus words to those teachers of the law and Pharisees whom He (Continued on Page 7) (Continued from Page 6)
of MATTHEW Review: What do you believe happened between those unrecorded years of Jesus birth and manhood? MATTHEW: CHAPTER 3 Introduction: Repent and be baptized! John the Baptist emerges! Matthew 3: 1- 6 For many years, no prophetic voice from God had been heard, but the powerful, Spirit-filled words of John the Baptist exposed evilness, ritualistic (unmerciful) religious leadership, and the lack of divine awareness among the people. John urgently demanded repentance - a turning away from evil - followed by a new determination to seek the righteous ways of God. For years, God had been preparing John, and now he came on the scene empowered with God’s authority, filled with His Spirit, and armed against the evilness of mankind. In the desert – alone, John was emptied of his opinionated self, saturated with the Presence of God, and made ready to face whatever came. Wearing clothes such as the Prophet Elijah had worn - camel’s hair and a leather belt, John preached and baptized – in the river - those who confessed their sins. His purpose was to prepare the way for the Messiah, pointing the people to a merciful Savior Who was about to become the Perfect Sacrifice for their sins. (and for our sins) Matthew 3: 7-12 Fame did not interest John the Baptist. Repentance did! When the religious leaders came before his presence, John spoke clearly and precisely. If they hoped their righteous ancestor would be adequate enough for them to earn God’s favor, they were, oh, so wrong. Plainly, before God, each person stands alone! One’s family may have a Godly reputation, but that will not suffice for individual members as they stand before the Throne of God; in fact, the Bible states that we must be born again through repentance and acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. 6
called “hypocrites”. He accuses them of “…cleaning the outside of the cup and dish, but inside are full of greed and self-indulgence.” Jesus says they “… are like whitewashed tombs which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and everything unclean.” He adds “How will you escape being condemned to Hell?” Indecision may be the last “decision” that we ever make.
Lester Fleenor’s book, God Almighty! His Word for Christians, Jews, and Moslems, can be ordered from Christian Triumph Company: $15 for one copy and if ordered in quantities of 2 or more - $10 each, which includes posting by regular mail.
*More information!* NEWS ARTICLE
Matthew 3: 13 – 17 How did John feel when Jesus came to be baptized by him? Like any who recognize Jesus as God, we too would say, “It is I who needs to be baptized by YOU!” Why would the Son of God need to be baptized? As the people searched for God and responded to John’s call for repentance, coming to him to be baptized, so Jesus came, identifying with those He came to save. “He walked in our skin” although He was the perfect Lamb (sacrifice) and was without sin. The search for God was fulfilled! God’s voice called from Heaven after Jesus came up from the water. The Spirit of God descended, like a dove, and then the Voice spoke, “This is my Son, the Beloved One, in whom I am well pleased.” These Words confirm the Old Testament scripture of Psalm 2: 7, “I will proclaim the decree of the Lord: He said to me, ‘You are My Son; today I have become your Father.’” Indeed Jesus was the Chosen One now on His way to the Cross. He would soon conquer sin and death, but He would do it through personal suffering and pain. He would do it because of His immeasurable Love (for You) and because of His obedience to the Father.
We have recently had word that the evangelistic book, God Almighty! His WORD for Christians, Jews, and Moslems, which we have been advertising in the Faith Messenger has been selected by Touch Outreach Ministries to be the main text used with church cell groups in the States and throughout the world who are preparing for Moslem outreach. A study course accompanying the book has been recorded on CD, DVD, and internet individual study format under the title of "Touching Moslems with the Truth in Love." If you are interested in ordering a copy for your small group/s study, contact Truth in Love Ministry at truthinlove22@msn.com. The book focuses not on denominational creeds but on Christ in the glory of His unsurpassed character, lifestyle, and mission of salvation for the people of all nations, and the author is now working towards the translating and publishing of this book into Spanish, Swahili, and Arabic. (The author is also available to conduct seminars on the subject of Islam in the light of the Bible in your church. Contact him through his email address: truthinlove22@msn.com)
NEXT LESSON IN MATTHEW: Chapter 4 The Temptations of Christ.
+ The picture on the bottom of Page 8 is of a wonderful Dad and Grandfather. His last name was Rouintree. He is holding his grandchildren.
(Editor’s note: Please let us know if you have any comments or suggestions regarding this Bible study of Matthew. Please feel free to add to our understanding of these scriptures by writing to -
“Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Eph. 6:4) Faith Messenger
Christian Triumph, PO Box 5187, Corpus Christi, TX 78465)
Information on the new book! 7
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage Paid Corpus Christi, Texas Permit # 695
A publication of Christian Triumph Company P.O. Box 5187 905 Bluntzer Corpus Christi, TX 78465
Address Service Requested
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.” (Psalm 103:13)
Happy Fathers’ Day!
8