MERCY SURPASSING by Douglas Blair

MERCY SURPASSING Stories of Limitless Grace

C. Doug Blair, 2011

KENNY

I see him periodically around town. Coffee shops. Malls. Doing his postal delivery. I remember the night when I first met Kenny over 16 years ago. We were on the bus at end of work day. He was complaining out loud, almost to anyone who would listen. He was shocked at changes to Kitchener. Apparently he had been absent for a considerable time. He had been in a restaurant earlier that afternoon and had had to ask for a key to use the washroom. "Imagine a place so fearful and vandalized that even the 'John' has to be locked up! What has happened to my home town. The place where I had lived with wife and daughters! I have been in large American cities and have not seen this kind of paranoia!"

Well, by this time he really had my attention, and a free chair had opened up for us to sit together. Kenny was pleased that he had found a listener while all other faces had remained eyes forward, disconnected. Soon I was being told that he once was the husband of a beloved local television personality. He had gotten involved in some unscrupulous pyramid schemes as a promoter and ultimately went to prison for fraud. He went on to describe conditions at Millhaven in Kingston and even the occurrence of one significant prison riot. He was known as the "chicken man" because of his lean appearance. He could source all kinds of things for prisoners. He got to know the likes of Harold Ballard, one-time owner of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and incarcerated. But most significantly, he found Jesus in jail. Both of us got off the bus at the Waterloo Town Square, but the conversation continued. Kenny was pleased that he had found a sympathetic fellow-believer who was not turned off by the gruff exterior...and I do mean gruff. This was a man who had found his Saviour to be masculine, capable, courageous, available, trustworthy and interested in the heart rather than appearances. His Jesus did not sip tea at strawberry socials. His Jesus faced detractors with courage and brilliance, but always had time and compassion for the downcast. Kenny wanted me to know the tremendous blessing which he had derived from the writings of Chuck Colson, of Watergate conspiracy renown. Colson had become the spearhead of Prison Fellowships. One-time advisor in the office next to Richard Nixon. Kenny wanted to make sure that I would take a look at the title "The Body" written by Colson. It tells stories of the Church in the most unlikely of places and doing what good intentions, government and social services could not do. I read it shortly thereafter with much blessing. I would think again of Kenny.

JAIL-HOUSE PROPHET

He was the one who prayed most sincerely for me at a time of great struggle and embarrassment. My wife, daughter, baby boy and I were about to leave Chatham, and I went to Ron for a talk and some encouragement and prayer. He had been a client of mine in the setting up of a facility for the St. Leonard's Society, giving support, shelter and life skills to recent parolees. I had also known him from a quaint Charismatic fellowship which we attended for a time. Ron had a criminal record which prevented him from ever again crossing the U.S. Border. Biker. Drug importer. Scrapper. Jail-bird. It was hard for me to believe the reports looking at his clear blue eyes, neatly cropped beard and gentle handsome countenance. His wife and children rounded out a beautiful family. He was leaving factory work at that time for St. Leonard's. I remember when I first heard him giving a message at another church. He had a burden. It was difficult and delicate. It concerned the story of Tamar, daughter-in-law to Judah, sadly widowed and put aside from the possibility of another willing husband and children for a time. Genesis 38 tells us that she was willing to play the harlot and seduce Judah into relations in order to conceive in that family line. Judah did not recognize the woman, but realized when the truth came out that he had been the greater wrongdoer. Now what did this message, delivered with tears, mean to that fellowship? He likened that group unto Tamar. Some were offended. He intended only helpful correction. I have seen prophecy work most conspicuously in this fashion - admonition, God's viewpoint or encouragement. I am sceptical of most of the fore-telling messages which speak of prospects of the heart's desire like candy being dispensed (the new job, the soon- arriving boyfriend, the powerful ministry or financial blessing just around the corner.) Read the Elijah List on the web. It is full of such carnal stuff. Ron, although younger than I, and having less formal education, proved himself to be miles farther down the path in spiritual power, sensitivity and balance. No inkling of pride. A loving prayer partner and a truly joyful 3

participant in praise. He was a re-made and thankful man. I learned later that God had taken him home with heart complications at an age which to me seemed far too young.

CRISSY IS CLEAN

A weekly entertainment magazine (In Touch) got me looking into the following article. The title of the release was "From Porn to Reborn" and it featured Crissy Moran, 35 year-old former porn star, telling of an encounter with Christ and a total change in life's direction. The decision was made in 2007. A Jacksonville newspaper article tells of the earlier journey into darkness: "It began in a hotel room in Jacksonville. The pretty girl took off her clothes in front of a stranger for the first time and posed for the camera. It was the fall of 1999 and Moran was desperately searching for something. A string of bad break-ups left the 23-year-old office clerk depressed. She'd worked at The Jacksonville Landing's Hooters for a while but found it degrading, after being chastised for not jumping rope or throwing Frisbees to entice customers. "I was probably the only one there who wore glasses," she said. She jumped to a string of jobs at a local retail store, the county clerk of courts then the Supervisor of Elections office. Curious about modeling, she posted bikini snapshots of herself on the Internet. "People started e-mailing me. It was immediate," she said. "I was enjoying the flattery of being considered for a job." Though she'd hoped legitimate modeling agents would call, the hotel room shoot instead launched her into the pornography industry. She quit her job 4

and modeled full time. She took jobs in Miami and Los Angeles for Playboy and Hustler. Her bread and butter, though, was online..." In the article which I read today Crissy spoke of the support, prayers and encouragement received from another woman who ditched the porn industry for Christ. See the site http://iamatreasure.com/tag/harmony-dust/ Crissy's own testimony in that web site contained some very ominous words: "I put pictures on dating sites because it was hard to meet men since I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have a community of friends. I became reckless with my life. Men were offering to fly me to different states to meet them. In pursuit of love, I allowed myself to be used for sex. During this time I put myself in many dangerous situations, and I wonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t lie; there was a part of me that wanted to end up dead. There was also a part of me that thought, maybe someone would actually love me enough to rescue me

It is not so easy however to exit from contracts and web-sites which survive her departure. I pray that the woman will continue to receive from above and from the Church the assurance that frees from condemnation. That she will recognize it. That she will feed on the promises of the Book, and see them as the paramount truth. That she will realize that the Song of Solomon speaks about her. There are many other frightened and confused young women out there who need to hear of Crissy's story. For them the lure of beauty, fame, love, money and attention has also led to dark places and sordid, meaningless liaisons. They need to assess for themselves the sincerity of Crissy's confession and the authenticity of her new-found joy. Thank you for making all of this public, Crissy, and congratulations. You have found the pearl of great price (Matthew 13). You have the assurance that no man will wrest you from the Father's hand.

ROCK WALL

In retreat I felt a shadow at my back. Lesser space To dodge oppressers in attack. Weapons drawn And creeping forward for the kill. Spirit drained And having lost all strength of will, I hit the wall. But this stone Had little ridges for ascent. Nothing left But to cling tight, so up I went. Gaining there

A truer view of all my woes. Smaller now From perch of peace, seemed all my foes. This wall was prayer.

SCHAMBACHâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BIKER BUDDY

I have a real debt of gratitude to evangelist R.W. Schambach of Tyler, Texas. Often on a Friday night my family would hop into the car and head out of Chatham to enjoy the fresh air and to get better radio reception from Detroit for the "Voice of Power" daily broadcast.

Brother Schambach always found the right balance in his messages. Acknowledging trials as real but pressing through on the promises for victory. He was Everyman's preacher, and his auditorium or tent meetings drew an amazing cross-section of people. The common denominator was need. Praise was electric. Prayer lines were long and fruitful. I remember one "big blue tent" meeting at the Detroit fairgrounds. Half way through the message our baby Jordan became cranky, and I left the girls to give him some fresh air in his stroller around the periphery. Seated toward the back were four biker-looking individuals, seemingly out of place. Denim. Chains. Beards (All except the girl).Tattoos. Folded muscular arms. I noted them, chuckled and moved on. Jordan eventually calmed down and we returned to the family. Next Schambach asked if perhaps "Danny" were present and would he come forward to speak to the people. Up came the biggest and the baddest of the bikers with a moving story of salvation and service. Apparently his praying "Gramma" cornered him into a church meeting, and when the invitation was so sweetly and spiritually given, he found himself responding as if feet were not even touching the ground. Hard to imagine this big guy ever experiencing weightlessness! Ever acknowledging vulnerability. Danny alluded to crimes and debauchery punished and many others left undetected. But now he was on board for Jesus and sharing his blessings on the road and at inter-state bikers' rallies. Schambach then interrupted him and advised that he would be taking away a Gospel tent as a gift for his biker ministry. The man was overwhelmed . Bursting forth with praise he started to dance across the platform with the fastest steps ever recorded on a heavy man. So much for first impressions, Doug, when it comes to servants of the King. Now, some of my friends of Reformed thought will be quick to say that if the man were destined to be softened and saved, God would have his way. but remember as the apostle Paul was insistent in saying in Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they 8

hear without a preacher? It all fits together.

THE CONVICTING ASPECT

In Luke chapter five we have the incident of Jesus instructing Peter to set out again in the morning after a night of futile fishing. A number of possible interpretations have been offered for Peter's response: 'Lord, we have been at this all night to no avail; nevertheless at thy word we will launch out.' The extraordinary yield of fish which followed caused Peter to say "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man." Here is the rabbi, obviously inexperienced in the ways of fishing, showing some supernatural knowledge or authority concerning the fish. Perhaps Peter had responded in sarcasm or in doubt as to Jesus' prospects of success. The Lord's calm, sincere and hopeful demeanour had a convicting effect. It is likely that anyone who got within range of the Master's words or extraordinary deeds would respond in like fashion. In am reminded of one of the Psalms which states, "But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared." (Psalm 130: 4) Later in the same chapter of Luke Jesus has healed and forgiven the palsied man lowered through the roof, has incurred the wrath of the scribes and Pharisees for absolving sin, and has gone to dine at the house of Matthew, straight from the publican's bench. His comment is very revealing as to his mission: Luke 5: 31And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. 32I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. 9

These days I hear a lot of talk about mimimizing doctrine and right orthodoxy and maximizing the winsome nature of the Man of Galilee. But the depths of mercy are evaluated in their relation to the depths of sin. Man hopes to behold the totally righteous One and yearns for an opportunity to unload his sin. Time and again it is shown that Messiah attracts, wounds by the evident contrast of His nature and then ministers healing and a fresh start. In one place in Acts the Gospel is described as "repentance unto life" (chapter 11:18).

THE PUNCHER

The following is taken from the book "Twice-Born Men" by Harold Begbie. (1909 Fleming H. Revell Co.) It traces Gospel light coming to many hardened and desperate individuals in the slums of London thanks to the testimony of the Salvation Army. One chapter entitled "The Puncher" tells the story of a prize fighter. "He says that while he stood drinking in the bar, feeling no other emotion than annoyance at the Salvationist's interference, suddenly he saw a vision. The nature of this vision was not exalted. In a flash he saw that his wife was murdered, just as he had planned and desired; that he had died game on the scaffold, just as he had determined; the thing was done; vengeance wreaked, apotheosis attained â&#x20AC;&#x201D; he had died game : he was dead, and the world was done with. All this in a flash of consciousness, and with it the despairing knowledge that he was still not at rest. Somewhere in the universe, disembodied and appallingly alone, his soul was unhappy. He knew that he was dead; he knew that the world was done with; but he was conscious, he was unhappy.

This was the vision. With it he saw the world pointing at his son, and saying, " That's young , whose father was hanged for murdering his mother." A wave of shame swept over him; he came out of his vision with this sense of horror and shame drenching his thought. For the first time in all his life he was stunned by realization of his degradation and infamy. He knew himself. How the vision came may be easily explained by subconscious mentation. He had long meditated the crime of murdering his wife, he had long brooded upon the glory of dying game; an explosion of nervous energy presented him, even as it presented Macbeth, with anticipatory realization of his thought. In other words, we know all about the mechanism of the piano; but, the musician at the keyboard? How did shame come to this man utterly hardened and depraved? And what, in the language of psychology, is shame? How does grey matter become ashamed of itself? How do the wires of the piano become aware of the feelings of the sonata? Moreover, there is this to be accounted for ; the immediate effect of the vision. That effect was " conversion," in other words, a re-creation of the man's entire and several fields of consciousness. And, he was drunk at the time. Drunk as he was, he went straight out from the public-house to the hall where the Salvation Army was holding its meeting. His wife went with him. He said to her, " I'm going to join the Army." At the end of the meeting he rose from his seat, went to the penitent's form, bowed himself there, and like the man in the parable cried out that God would be merciful to him, a sinner. 11

His wife knelt at his side. He says that it is impossible to describe his sensations. The past dropped clear away from him. An immense weight lifted from his brain. He felt light as air. He felt clean. He felt happy. All the ancient words used to symbolize the spiritual experience of instant and complete regeneration may be employed to describe his feelings,' but they all fail to convey with satisfaction to himself the immediate and delicious joy which ravished his consciousness. He cannot say what it was. All he knows is that there, at the penitent form, he was dismantled of old horror and clothed afresh in newness and joy. Whatever the effect upon himself, the effect of this conversion on the neighbourhood was amazing. The news of it spread to every foul court and alley, to every beerhouse and gin-palace, to every coster's barrow and street corner, to every common lodging-house and cellar in all that quarter of the town. There is no hero to these people like a prize-fighter; let him come down, as the Puncher had come down, to rags, prison, and the lodging-house â&#x20AC;&#x201D; still, trailing clouds of glory does he come, and the rest worship their idol even when he lies in the gutter. When the Sunday came and this great hero marched out of barracks with the band and the banners and the lasses, there were thousands to witness the sight â&#x20AC;&#x201D; a dense mass of povertystricken London, dazed into wonderment by a prize-fighter's soul. " The Puncher's got religion ! " was the whispered amazement, and some wondered whether he had got it bad enough to last, or whether he would soon get over it and be himself again. Little boys swelled the multitude, gazing at the prize-fighter who had got re12

ligion. He had got it badly. His home became comfortable and happy. He appeared at all the meetings. No desire for tobacco or drink disturbed his peace or threatened his holiness. The neighbourhood saw this great fighter going every night to the Army Hall, and marching every Sunday to the meetings in the open air. Then they saw something else. The wonder of the Puncher is what Salvationists call his " love for souls." This is a phrase which means the intense and concentrated compassion for the unhappiness of others which visits a man who has discovered the only means of obtaining happiness. The Puncher was not content with the joy of having his own soul saved; he wanted to save others." Jeremiah 9: 23 This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD.

AL-ANON MEETS THE BOOK

The old man sat in the coffee shop, Bible in hand, reflecting on the Advent church service just concluded. Call him Charlie. He sat alone, but delighted to "watch the race", as he put it (the human race). Happy people, in the main, sipping hot drinks and talking of exciting holiday plans. Two tables to his right there were two men, one middle-aged, the other twenty-something in denim, tattoos and pony-tail. The subject of their conversation was the younger one's girlfriend. Obviously a drinking problem. Totally unpredictable. And there was a baby involved. At times the young woman could not be trusted at all with the child's care. What was to be done? Obviously the middle-aged man was a seasoned Al-Anon member, and this was a scheduled session of comfort and guidance. The eaves-dropping elder heard words like "unconditional love, patience mixed with firmness, being there for her, especially at this Season". The encouragement was commendable. But as with all sessions with this organization, no reference to Jesus. This presumably was to avoid fences and boundary lines. After about fifteen minutes, Charlie felt the urge. He opened to Habakkuk 2:15: 15Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness! 16Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the LORD's right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory. Charlie sidled over to the other table. "Might I share something with you fellows?" "Yeah, sure," said the young man. Charlie read the portion of scripture. 14

"What do you think God's attitude is toward those who cause others trouble with booze?" "Not too good, I guess." "Do you think that his power is available to kick the thing?" "Yeah, I would hope so." "Do you think that He would come to the aid of any of his creatures on this, or just to those who have made a commitment?" "I dunno." "Neither do I, son, but I'll tell you...in the forty years since I accepted Jesus as my Lord, I have never found God to leave me in the lurch without good reason." (Charlie did not testify as to his drunken times. The failures in self-help. The weekends in the clink. The jobs lost. The first wife gone. All long ago. He wanted to focus on the sympathy and power of God, and not upon the grim resolve of men.) The old man thanked the two for hearing him out. He slid a small pocket Testament of John's Gospel to the one: "Son my name and phone number are on the inside jacket. You are welcome to call...if you like." He tucked in his scarf as he headed toward the door.

UNEXPECTED MUD BATH

(With thanks to Ruth Bell Graham and her stories and poems of redemption in Prodigals and Those Who Love Them) The clergyman was a "shanty man" working among common sorts as a stevedore or "docker" at the docks of London. His apartment was humble. 15

The wages sparse. But the opportunities were many to get to work beside unsaved men in difficult circumstances, to gain their trust and eventually offer some light. One day in a hurried gangplank effort he was pushing a wheelbarrow of product onto a ship when a couple of playful workmates rocked the plank. Man and cargo fell into the low-tide Thames mud. Humiliated and looking for a way out of embarrassment, he sensed an inner urging: "This is your opportunity. Just laugh. Show them Jesus" The hand which reached down to pull him up out of the mud belonged to an uncommon stevedore. Dignified in speech. Confident in gaze. There was a story here. The missionary offered a simple meal back at his apartment. Confidence and warmth grew during the evening and the two new friends agreed to "trade stories". The missionary gave a brief account as above The other told a story of a previous life as distinguished physician and fortunate family man brought low by alcohol. His practice suffered. His wife became exasperated. He left unable to shake off the addiction. Providence took him to America, Canada, strange jobs, and then back to London to the current situation. That evening's introduction initiated a rich friendship, an unlocking of the promises of scripture, a commitment to Christ, a new and gratifying position in a pharmaceuticals warehouse, an end of the bottle and gradually a family reunion. Initially the doctor's wife deferred because the two daughters faced challenging hospital examinations upon which their future calling depended. But the happy day did come. The physician was restored to a prominent position of service and he took special delight in counselling young men in Christian life. Once on a trip to government offices, our missionary shanty man was approached by a young civil servant who asked if he knew Dr So-and-So. Replying in the affirmative, the elder learned that this young man had been helped through a life crisis by the Doctor. The Doctor whose life had been totally restored with the help of a Christian 16

man whom he met in the mud. (Adapted from Finding Men for Christ by George Dempster)

WITH NO THOUGHT GODWARD

You have met them The organized. The diligent. The ambitious. The curious. The studious. The admired. The connected. The energetic. The wellspoken. The persevering. The well diversified. The prosperous. The successful. In any conversation with such people the above attributes will become evident before very long. Society applauds them. It will be apparent that they believe that they have found THE FORMULA. They simply have remained loyal to it. They dare not lose their momentum. Whatever the social polish, or feigned humility, they are frighteningly proud, unappreciative and self-assured. The conversation will soon reveal that they have no understanding or compassion for the struggling ones. Such people have simply missed THE 17

FORMULA because they are too lazy, timid or listless. "Why, it only takes cautious planning and nose to the grindstone, and the blessings will come. It may be a strain for a short while, but then come the rewards." They talk about their path and perhaps some valued friend or mentor along the way; perhaps they see an element of good luck, but they will never acknowledge the long-suffering or mercy or keeping care of God. The plague missed their door. The famine was averted. The freeway disaster was twenty minutes after they passed through. The child's illness was quickly medicated away. The college scores were excellent. The business prospects bought the sales pitch. If one were to tell them that "they need to get right with God", they would probably chuckle. After a second or third comment the hostility would begin to show. With only slight variation the response would soon become, "No, don't take me there. To that crutch for losers and weaklings and dreamers. To religion." And all the while, as Edwards once said, 'they are dangling by a spider's thread, over the flames of woeful judgment, held only by the hand of a righteous and patient God whose holiness they have incensed by consistent neglect, distrust or contempt.' His mercy may be manifested at some point by affliction or set-back or disaster which they cannot understand according to THE FORMULA. Or perhaps not. He will have mercy upon whom He will have mercy. No one cuts deals with Him. A look at Solomon's quandaries in the Book of Ecclesiastes would be well advised.

ARE YOU FAR OFF?

In Isaiah 57:19 the following is stated: I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord; and I will heal him. God makes no progress in the one who thinks that peace is at hand in the ways and rewards of the world. Better the one who honestly despairs of the absence of inner, spiritual tranquility. Jesus reminds us that there is blessing to the one who is poor in spirit. His is the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 5:3). Oswald Chambers referred to the "door of destitution". I remember reading a book of revival sermons by Brownlow North (18101875) entitled "The Rich Man and Lazarus" (Banner of Truth Publications). He meditated on the comparative situation of the two men who died in Luke 16. It appeared that the rich man left a large estate, a sumptuous table and a notable reputation among men to enter into torments and thirst at death. The 19

pauper Lazarus was carried away to the exact opposite. I am reminded of the warning in Psalm 49: 16, 17: Be not thou afraid when one is made rich, when the glory of his house is increased. For when he dieth he shall carry nothing away: his glory shall not descend after him. North suggested that this would probably be the greatest source of torment to the rich man; that he had lived to demonstrate to younger brothers, friends, employees and sharecroppers that life could contain bounty, peace and satisfaction without Christ. The man who claimed that peace was near, had none of it. North had experienced this very truth earlier at age forty-four; a child of privilege, carefree from toil. Taken chronically ill he was convinced that he was going to die without elements of redeeming faith or service to his account. Memories of sport, excess and carousing haunted him, but mostly his failure to speak good words of Christ and to explore honestly the religious impressions of youth. He repented and was raised from his bed an awakened man and eventually an evangelist. Do you perceive that you have a peace apart from Christ? Beware, you will find that you are hanging from a cobweb over torments. While you breathe there is yet time.

DESPERATE QUEST FOR GOODNESS

I have been enlightened from Psalm 103 by Mark Guy Pearse. (1842-1930; Cornish Methodist preacher) "Who satisfieth thy mouth (ornament, spirit) with good things;" He suggests that in all the kingdom of living beings man alone is dissatisfied, and most seriously so. He may surpass other creatures in reasoning power, use of tools, communication, team work, creativity, joy, 20

grief and other emotions. He has shown himself to have dominion over much of his environment, making it serve his purposes. But he remains a searcher with a need which cannot be satisfied by the things around him. He is after the goodness of God. Pearse reminds us that this is the image (reflection) in which Adam was formed, which reflection was lost in large part in the Fall. It is as if the heart of man universally cries somewhere within, " I shall be satisfied when I awake with His likeness." Now hear Pearse: "Think then- If there should come to thee One who knows thee through and through- all the past, every secret thought and wish standing out in hideous nakedness before Him, and Who yet loves thee, loves thee through and through, loves thee with a love that endured all shame and suffering for thy sake; surely such true love were earth's best treasure. Think- If He should be able to loose thee from that past, if knowing all thy frailty and folly He yet could help thee and help thee perfectly. If amidst thy low and selfish thoughts He could bring His truth, so that it should reign within thee more and more; if He could bring into thy impatience and hatred His own love and gentleness; if He could gird thee with courage, and gladden thee with hope, and fill thee with faith- should not that go far to complete thy satisfaction? Think again- If He should know thee with all thy hidden faculties and powers, all that thou canst ever come to be, and He should say unto thee: "Soul, I can develop, I can uplift, I can transform until the life of perfect goodness is thine." What then? He is come - As many as received Him (Jesus), to them gave He power to become the sons of God."

ALL

"...who forgiveth all thine iniquities." Over ninety years ago Mark Guy Pearse released an exceptional book of exposition of Psalm 103 entitled "Praise: Meditations in the 103rd 21

Psalm" Listen to the following: "Once when I was away among mountains, the guide said to me: "There is a wonderful echo here if you can but wake it up. Stand here with your back to this rock, and turn yourself towards that point, and now shout." I shouted. And from a hundred hollow places came the wonderful responses- far away behind me I heard it rolling in the caves and up amongst the hills; it went ringing across the lake to left of me and right of me; from away at the end of the lake it came back to me, and then away, away; whilst faint echoes of the echoes lingered in the air. Ah, such an echo is there in the mount of the Lord if we can but wake it up. Set thy foot firm upon the promises of our God. Set thine eye upon the Crucified. Let all thy soul go forth in deepest love to Him who loved thee. And now wake up the music that sleeps on every side- "Who forgiveth all thine iniquities." All. Hark! I hear the music of it ringing away behind me, away over the chilhood, over the youth, over the years that are gone- All thine iniquities!...O, music as of heaven, I hear it ringing away to right of me and left of me, away in the dark and gloomy places of the life, away as far as all the influence of my life has gone, sweep the glad tidings- All thine iniquities! Try it again. Once more with the faith set firmly in the promises of our God, and resting against the rock of His truth, lift thine eye to the Crucified and let thine heart adore Him. Hear it once again- "Who forgiveth ALL thine iniquities." O, blessed strains, listen! I hear it away, away for ever and for evermore, gone on to find kindred melodies in heaven itself." Note: It must be this complete to accomplish redemption. With just one sin the Accuser could rob us of our assurance and drag us down. But thankfully "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Let this echo also forever. No Condemnation.

CHRIST CRACKS HARD CASES

God chose Saul. What was he? A blasphemer. A persecutor. That is grace. Our God is gracious and He loves to show His mercy to the vilest and worst of men. There was a notable character in the town in which I lived who was known as the worst man in the town. He was so vile, and his language was so horrible, that even wicked men could not stand it. In England they have what is known as the public hangman who has to perform all the executions. This man held that appointment and he told me later that he believed that when he performed the execution of men who had committed murder, that the demon power that was in them would come upon him and that in consequence he was possessed with a legion of demons. His life was so miserable that he purposed to make an end of life. He went down to a certain depot and purchased a ticket. The English trains are much different from the American. In every coach there are a number of small compartments and it is easy for anyone who wants to commit suicide to open the door of his compartment and throw himself out of the train. This man purposed to throw himself out of the train in a certain tunnel just as the train coming from an opposite direction would be about to dash past and he thought this would be a quick end to his life. There was a young man at the depot that night who had been saved the night before. He was all on fire to get others saved and purposed in his heart that every day of his life he would get someone saved. He saw this dejected hangman and began to speak to him about his soul. He brought him down to our mission and there he came under a mighty conviction of sin. For two and a half hours he was literally sweating under conviction and you could see a vapor rising up from him. At the end of two and a half hours he was graciously saved. I said, "Lord, tell me what to do." The Lord said, "Don't 23

leave him, go home with him." I went to his house. When he saw his wife he said, "God has saved me." The wife broke down and she too was graciously saved. I tell you there was a difference in that home. Even the cat knew the difference. There were two sons in that house and one of them said to his mother, "Mother, what is up in our house? It was never like this before. It is so peaceful. What is it?" She told him, "Father has been saved." The other son was struck with the same thing. I took this man to many special services and the power of God was on him for many days. He would give his testimony and as he grew in grace he desired to preach the gospel. He became an evangelist and hundreds and hundreds were brought to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ through his ministry. The grace of God is sufficient for the vilest and He can take the most wicked of men and make them monuments of his grace. He did this with Saul of Tarsus at the very time he was breathing out threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord. He did it with Berry the hangman. He will do it for hundreds more in response to our cries. You will notice that when Ananias came into that house he called the one-time enemy of the gospel "Brother Saul." The Lord Jesus has sent Ananias to that house to put his hands upon this newly saved brother that he might receive his sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost. You say, "But it does not say that he spoke in tongues." We know that Paul did speak in tongues; that he spoke in tongues more than all the Corinthians. In those early days they were so near the time of that first Pentecostal outpouring that they would never have been satisfied with anyone receiving the Baptism unless they received it according to the original pattern given on the Day of Pentecost. (Taken from "Faith That Prevails" by Smith Wigglesworth)

STATELY

He was, perhaps the most handsome man I had ever met. Closing in on sixty. Straight, direct brown eyes. Long braid. Aboriginal. He reminded me of a younger version of Chief Dan George of movie fame. The lines in his tanned face spoke of character; the eyes, of years of gentle assessment of his fellow men. I was a young lawyer on duty counsel at Provincial Criminal Court giving people "off-the-hip" advice on their first court appearance. This gentleman was accompanied by his grand-daughter who had had an unfortunate encounter with the Wallaceburg police. He had arranged her bail. A Saturday night of drinking had led to public disturbance and abusive language to the attending constables. I learned that the young woman had been roughly handled in custody, cuffed and made to fall down a flight of stairs en route to the lock-up. Now she just hung her head in embarrassment while grandfather told the story. He paused and looked directly at me with incredulous, pained eyes as if to say, "Is this the Law? I cannot excuse the child's behaviour. It only goes to add fuel to the sad stereotype. But do decent folk do this in response?" I cannot remember how the short hearing went thereafter. I can only remember the handsome, questioning face. Months later a young enterprising aboriginal farmer from Walpole Island named Bruce came into my office with a problem. His grandmother had died. He could not find a funeral parlour to arrange the final tribute. He and his father presented me with particulars of a lucrative wetlands maize operation in the hope that I could help make the pitch to a mortician. My phone calls and a visit left me with the impression that Wallaceburg business folk were totally disinclined to engage with "those people from the Island". "After all, I must have known what they were like". Well, I didn't...It was probably the following summer that Hilary and little Lauren and I went to a small white clapboard church on the Island (formerly Anglican) where revival was underway. A husband and wife evangelistic 25

team were there from Detroit with a couple of spirited musicians. There in a small gathering of red, white and black we experienced one of the richest times of worship and ministry which we can remember, with the peeper frogs joining in from the marsh out back. New friends were made. The Body was edified. Jesus was honoured. Tribes and tongues were represented in unity. The only place where multiculturalism will ever work. Around His throne. (Revelation 5)

BIGGER MEDICINE

If possible get a copy of the book "Like a Mighty Wind" by Mel Tari local evangelist in East Timor in Indonesia during a time of exciting revival. The Spirit of God hit a little Presbyterian mission church in extraordinary manifestation. On one evening the roof of the church appeared to be going up in flames. The volunteer fire fighters were called to bring things under control. But 26

they could not fight this fire! It was not natural. It was a manifestation of the glory of God. Attendance increased, as might have been expected, and people got serious about repentance, life change, hearing the scriptures and bringing in new babes in Christ. There were communion services where pots of water were turned into wine for sharing the remembrance of Him. Neighbouring villages and islands were eager to be included, and itinerant evangelistic groups were organized and commissioned to go. Tales were told of tropical storms averted and crocodile streams cleared for the crossing. One of these groups included Tari. They were called to visit a village where witchcraft was heavy. A mission pastor made the request and offered the hospitality of his home. They arrived from their journey very hot and tired, looking forward to cool beds and refreshments. But one of the group related that he had had a sense of the Lord's direction that they were to go to sleep outside under a big tree in the village square. In all of their efforts these evangelists had waited for unanimity in their decision -making. They prayed for direction. The member could not retract his spiritual sense on this. Hence the group headed for a night on the hard ground under the tree. To their surprise sleep came swiftly and sweetly to their sore bodies. At sun-up they were startled by the jarring words of an elderly man. "Men of the Great Power. Men of the Great Power. Where is He?" They tried to calm him down and get the sense of it. This was the most powerful of medicine men in the area, dealing constantly in the black arts. His sleep had been troubled by nightmares to the effect that the following day he would lose his vocation and power. He would meet strangers under the Great Tree who would tell of the greatest power, the Greatest God, and would work their magic upon him. With smiles of realization on their faces the evangelists began to tell him of the Gentle Wanderer, Jesus, who healed the sick, comforted the lonely, brought smiles to children's faces, calmed the horrific storm, faced death fearlessly for his friends, returned from the grave and changed bad lives to good.

Note: I am speaking here of a particular visitation by God to a particular people. This should cause us to look forward to great things of mercy and deliverance from our Lord and Master. BUT we should not look for a duplication of this phenomenon, as if, by some means, we could bring it about. Our God does what He wants.

HIS BELOVED â&#x20AC;&#x153;REBâ&#x20AC;?

He told his wife and daughter to stay in the house. He loaded the shotgun and went outside to hide behind some garbage cans. He had robbed these men, men who knew him, to feed his desperate drug habit. They would be coming. They knew where he lived. He found himself praying, "Help me Jesus, help me Jesus. Save me Jesus." A pact was made that if he survived the night he would give his life to the Lord. What was there to give? Petty juvenile thief, turned armed robber, turned jailbird, turned neighbourhood drug king, turned desperate addict. And the Lord showed mercy. Henry Covington survived the night. He told his wife of the strange pact. She joined with him in a struggle to withdraw from the life and the crack... In later years author Mitch Albom would meet this man who was pastoring a dilapidated church in recession weary Detroit, offering food and shelter to the homeless and preaching on the wonder of second and third chances with Jesus. Albom was investigating worthy causes in his home town. He had learned some things about community and hope and giving and giving thanks from his rabbi of former years, Albert Lewis of New Jersey, affectionately called "the Reb". Although Mitch had turned from the synagogue and entered into a mixed marriage, the imposing rabbi had not turned from him. At a speaking engagement Mitch had been approached surprisingly by Albert with a single request; "Would you give my eulogy?" Mitch felt awkward and inappropriate for the task; but a dialogue had begun with this 28

solid man of conservative faith, and a friendship forged over the ensuing eight years. "Reb" Lewis is the real hero of the best-seller "Have a Little Faith". One recognizes some of the ear-marks of the previous account by Albom entitled "Tuesdays with Morrie". That one brought together Albom the sports writer and his former college professor Morrie, with ample life wisdom from a secularist with a heart, and one who was rapidly dying. Now Albom tackles crushing life issues and questions with men of faith and much respected; one an aging and weakening rabbi in the suburbs, and the other an Afro-American Protestant pastor in the threatening inner-city. Mitch does get to offer the eulogy. A beautiful one. He also gets to help to raise resources for the Detroit church with the "huge hole in the roof". Read the book. Beautiful insights of hope; numerous vignettes; few lines drawn.

TELL A NEIGHBOUR

Can you see it? Will you do it? You are useful where you are. And may be a living witness To the bright and Morning Star; With a harvest just as precious, As on mission fields afar. Share the Gospel, Tell a neighbour – Jesus came. Many suffer Without knowing That there is a ready cure, For the discontent they’re feeling, And the guilt they can’t endure. Once they cleave unto the Saviour, He gives peace, complete and sure. Share the Gospel, Tell a neighbour – Jesus saves. There is Good News In this message. He has risen Lord and King; With the strength and right and wisdom To unravel anything. Priest Eternal, He still bids us All our prayers and praise to bring. Share the Gospel, Tell a neighbour – Jesus reigns. But be gentle With the message, Lest a hardening set in. Do not hurt them in your boldness. Do not judge them in their sin. Meekly, show the Lord’s compassion, 30

That disciples He might win. Share the Gospel, Tell a neighbour – Jesus cares.

WHERE IS HE NOW?

(Taken from a sermon of Robert Murray M'Cheyne, Dundee, 1836) “He is set down at the right hand of the majesty on high. He is upon the throne with God in His glorified body, and his throne is forever. A sceptre is put into His hand-a sceptre of righteousness, and the oil of gladness is poured over Him. All power is given to Him in heaven and on earth. Oh, brethren, could you and I pass this day through these heavens, and see what is now going on in the sanctuary above,-could you see what the child of God now sees who died last night,-could you see the Lamb with the scars of His five deep wounds in the very midst of the throne, surrounded by all the redeemed, every one having harps and golden vials full of odours,-could you see the many angels round about the throne, whose number is ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, all singing, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain,"-and were one of these angels to tell you, "This is He that undertook the cause of lost sinners; He undertook to bear their curse and to do their obedience; He undertook to be the Second Adam,-the man in their stead; and lo! there He is upon the throne of heaven;consider Him,-look long and earnestly upon His wounds-upon His glory,and tell me, do you think it would be safe to trust Him? Do you think His sufferings and obedience will have been enough!" Yes, yes, every soul exclaims, Lord, it is enough! Lord, stay thy hand! Show me no more, for I can bear no more. Oh, rather let me ever stand and gaze upon the almighty, all-worthy, all-divine Saviour, till my soul drink in complete assurance that His work undertaken for sinners is a finished work! Yes, though the sins of all the world were on my one wicked head, still I could not doubt that His work is complete, and that I am quite safe when I believe in Him.”

PLEASE ACCEPT THIS LAMB

“Please accept this lamb,” The Hebrew father said. Then gave it to the priest, His hand placed on its head. “A pure and spotless lamb,” The temple priest replied. Then quickly took the knife And cut its throat. It died. How horrible our sins must seem Before a holy God. How vital that the blood must cleanse Each wicked deed or thought. How shameful that a blameless lamb Must suffer in our stead. The father left the temple as These thoughts weighed on his head. “Behold the man, your Jesus,” The Roman governor said. “I find no fault to kill him; Your priests would see him dead.” “We have no king but Caesar,” The angry mob replied. “His blood shall be upon us.” And shamefully, Christ died. How lovingly he came to earth To teach his Father’s heaven. How patiently he bore life’s cross That we might be forgiven. How willingly he shed his blood, 32

Fulfilling the atonement. The senseless crowd dispersed in awe, Not knowing what it all meant. “Here is my blood, dear Father,” The risen Saviour said. “I place it on your altar; Sin’s debt is fully paid. “I count it all sufficient,” The Father, God replied. “Now let us send the Spirit To show men why you died.” We do our deeds to prove ourselves, And call it all well done. The Spirit pleads, “Do not neglect The blood of God’s own Son! Do not suspect your decency Will earn a place in Glory. Come to the Cross! Repent! Receive! Trust in salvation’s story!” How thrilling that the Father Conquered sin as Jesus died. How wondrous that He sees some now In Jesus glorified. How urgent that each guilty heart By faith accept this plan. Please leave your pride. Apply the blood. Oh, please accept this Lamb! MARK 10: 45 For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.