- Published on
Second in a series by Harold Goerzen
In a Winter article of the Alumni CONNECTION of Reach Beyond where the Kealys served for 25 years the Kealys were highlighted by veteran writer Harold Goerzen.
We share the second of this three part series not for glory because that all goes to God. We are humbled by the recognition; yet we continue to go where God leads.
You know this if you follow our ministry.
We share the second of this three part series not for glory because that all goes to God. We are humbled by the recognition; yet we continue to go where God leads.
You know this if you follow our ministry.
Radio Planting
Helping nationals use radio to share the gospel in culturally relevant ways led to a new outreach that President, Ron Cline had coined “radio planting.” In cooperation with the engineering center in Elkhart, Ind. (now a separate ministry called SonSet Solutions), David helped formalize this concept.
“We likened the development of Christian radio programming and listener follow-up to church planting,” David explained. “One similarity is targeting a needy area and conducting audience research to help meet real and felt needs of the listening audience. One difference is the absence of a single denomination inspiring the effort. Christian radio had been done historically as a single mission or ministry endeavor. We began changing that perception—we believe in partnership.”
The Kealys soon discovered that partnership was a foreign concept to believers in the Soviet Union who had been oppressed under communism for 73 years. “They said, ‘Tell us how to do it (be the czar and tell us exactly what to do and you have total ownership because that is what we understand and know) or give us the money and get out of our way,’” David related.
Overcoming numerous challenges, David came alongside local believers, training them to produce radio programs and later helping them obtain government permits for FM radio stations in countries that had never allowed private radio stations or Christian broadcasts.
The Kealys soon discovered that partnership was a foreign concept to believers in the Soviet Union who had been oppressed under communism for 73 years. “They said, ‘Tell us how to do it (be the czar and tell us exactly what to do and you have total ownership because that is what we understand and know) or give us the money and get out of our way,’” David related.
Overcoming numerous challenges, David came alongside local believers, training them to produce radio programs and later helping them obtain government permits for FM radio stations in countries that had never allowed private radio stations or Christian broadcasts.
One of his many memorable experiences was a providential meeting with South African Pastor John Thomas when they crossed paths in an elevator in Florida. David and Pastor Thomas were both attending a Missions Conference at a local church during the time when David was helping the mission prepare for the move to Colorado Springs, Colo.
Thomas was facing a tight deadline after unexpectedly receiving a license to put South Africa’s first Christian radio station on the air, but he knew nothing about radio.
David responded, “We can help you - it's what we do!” With technical help from SonSet Solutions and training in radio program production, the station was on the air within 30 days. CCFM became one of the city’s most-listened-to stations, and the ministry has started a network of radio stations across countries in Africa called Radio Africa Network (RAN). Thomas has also served on Reach Beyond’s board of trustees for many years.
Thomas was facing a tight deadline after unexpectedly receiving a license to put South Africa’s first Christian radio station on the air, but he knew nothing about radio.
David responded, “We can help you - it's what we do!” With technical help from SonSet Solutions and training in radio program production, the station was on the air within 30 days. CCFM became one of the city’s most-listened-to stations, and the ministry has started a network of radio stations across countries in Africa called Radio Africa Network (RAN). Thomas has also served on Reach Beyond’s board of trustees for many years.
David and Sharon at the Ministry Service Center in Colorado 1993.
Sharon in Singapore as Asia Pacific Financial Director
Kealys and Clines in you guessed it - India.
Regionalization
In May 1994 the Reach Beyond board of trustees approved Euro-Asia as a region for extended ministry across the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). David was named director, initiating the mission’s regionalization efforts.
In the next four years, David and Sharon had the opportunity to develop dozens of ministry partnerships in the region.
In the next four years, David and Sharon had the opportunity to develop dozens of ministry partnerships in the region.
“We traveled by Aeroflot, trains, trolleys, private transportation and buses around the region. What a joy to be a part of ministries in all these countries!” David exclaimed. He developed radio conferences to facilitate training and fellowship among partner ministries, including one hosted by the mission’s Polish partner in Wisla, Poland, that brought together partners from 35 different cities and numerous countries with 22 different languages being spoken.
Dr Henio Krol and David at Radio Conference III in Wisla, Poland
In 1999 David developed a tool to bring interested people from the same country or area together to encourage cooperation in the development of local radio stations. “We had the opportunity to conduct the first radio forums as we visited Hungary, Bulgaria, Croatia, Albania and Macedonia along with Bob and Miriam Neff,” David noted.
City by City
Later that year David shared his vision of reaching the world’s major cities with Christian radio. The City by City initiative was launched and he was asked to develop the project.
“Through this initiative we planned to proactively go to the cities where we felt God wanted us to go. This meant we needed to seek His face, His will and His direction, going to the cities where He wanted us,” David declared. At part of the City by City project, David visited government officials in New Delhi, India, in 2001. “They were very open to discussion and assistance as they considered privatization of radio in India,” David said.
“Through this initiative we planned to proactively go to the cities where we felt God wanted us to go. This meant we needed to seek His face, His will and His direction, going to the cities where He wanted us,” David declared. At part of the City by City project, David visited government officials in New Delhi, India, in 2001. “They were very open to discussion and assistance as they considered privatization of radio in India,” David said.
Ask David sometime about his meeting in 1992 with Mother Taresa at Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India
This eventually led to the formation of the Asia Pacific Region with Ron Cline as the director and David assisting him as deputy director, focusing on South Asia, while Sharon became the regional finance director. This was one of many positions she held during her tenure with Reach Beyond, including 18 years on the candidate committee and helping with accounting and assisting key mission leaders. She served as Administrative Assistant to President, Dave Johnson, and later to the VP of International Ministries Curt Cole.
In March 2003 David and Sharon Kealy made Delhi their home base. “We were able to set up an office and travel from Delhi to other locations in South Asia,” David said. “We established a media department with Serampore College outside of Calcutta (the school started by William Carey). The Lord directed us to two nationals in Delhi to establish a listener follow-up center, a recording studio and an office for the mission.”
Sharon speaking at Serampore College Chapel.
Check in next month for the final part three of this series.
- Published on
KEALY QUOTES
In a recent article of the Alumni CONNECTION of Reach Beyond where the Kealys served for 25 years the Kealys were highlighted by veteran writer Harold Goerzen.
We share the opening here not for glory because that all goes to God. We are humbled by the recognition; yet we continue to go where God leads.
You know this if you follow our ministry.
We share the opening here not for glory because that all goes to God. We are humbled by the recognition; yet we continue to go where God leads.
You know this if you follow our ministry.
Never one to shy away from a challenge, retiree David Kealy became a trailblazer during his 25-year career with Reach Beyond. Together with his wife, Sharon, they helped launch numerous ministries for the organization, changing the face of the mission and resulting in countless changed lives for His kingdom. And they’re not about to slow down, serving in new ways from their home in Banning, Calif.
“I guess I’m a starter,” said David with a shrug and a knowing smile.
“I guess I’m a starter,” said David with a shrug and a knowing smile.
David and Sharon were both 44 years old when they sensed the Lord prompting them to serve 2with Reach Beyond and both leave successful careers in finance, mass media, architectural design, health care administration and church leadership.
They were listening to former president Ron Cline speak at their church in the U.S. when “we raised our hands and said we would go,” David explained. “When we came to candidate orientation, I said we would do whatever was needed. We were called by God to serve, and there’s no reason why we would stop serving. The call is so important. I would always ask new candidates about their call to ministry. It needs to be as strong as what I experienced. My passion is no less now than the day we were first called.”
They were listening to former president Ron Cline speak at their church in the U.S. when “we raised our hands and said we would go,” David explained. “When we came to candidate orientation, I said we would do whatever was needed. We were called by God to serve, and there’s no reason why we would stop serving. The call is so important. I would always ask new candidates about their call to ministry. It needs to be as strong as what I experienced. My passion is no less now than the day we were first called.”
Barb Cline interviews the Kealys at a Reach Beyond dinner meeting in February 1987 at Knott's Berry Farm in Southern California.
Donor Development
After being accepted as appointees in 1987 and raising their support, the Kealys were initially assigned to the international headquarters in Miami, Fla., then Quito before returning to Miami in August 1988 to serve as director of stewardship. David became the first full-time missionary to work in donor development.
It was around this time that Cline launched the “World by 2000” challenge, a cooperative effort with other broadcast ministries to add gospel radio programs in all the world’s major languages by the year 2000. The Kealys were on board with the initiative, raising funds and helping where needed to put unreached languages on the air.
It was around this time that Cline launched the “World by 2000” challenge, a cooperative effort with other broadcast ministries to add gospel radio programs in all the world’s major languages by the year 2000. The Kealys were on board with the initiative, raising funds and helping where needed to put unreached languages on the air.
In 1990 David took two trips to the Soviet Union, documenting the changed lives of listeners who came to Christ via broadcasts from Radio Station HCJB. He also met with speakers of Georgian, Chuvash, Bashkir, Tatar, Uzbek and Turkmen—all World by 2000 languages. He later helped set up a recording studio for mission’s new partner in the Republic of Georgia—one of many firsts involving the Kealys—providing training in radio program production.
After the breakup of the U.S.S.R. in 1991, Sharon joined David on a return trip to see the region where she too got a firsthand look at the needs and opportunities to spread the gospel via radio.
After the breakup of the U.S.S.R. in 1991, Sharon joined David on a return trip to see the region where she too got a firsthand look at the needs and opportunities to spread the gospel via radio.
“People would ask us about the new openness,” David related. “Would perestroika really last? Russia was as a swinging door—sometimes it’s open and sometimes it’s closed. Uzbekistan was very open in the early 1990s, but later missionaries had to leave when their visas were not renewed. They liked us because we were providing help with their people through financially difficult times, but when the gospel got too prevalent, they closed that door.”
David in Turkmenistan 1993
After the mission moved its international headquarters to Colorado Springs, Colo., in 1992, David and Sharon spent six weeks in Ukraine during which David helped develop a one-year radio production course.at Donetsk Bible College. He also taught 15 first-year students and spoke at the graduation of the first graduating class in 1993. This was the beginning of an ongoing Christian radio training outreach with courses that continue to take place across Europe and Eurasia.
Looking back at this photo we reflect on the wonderful radio ministry many of these students had in the following years across Russia. David
That same year, David broadened his perspective to include India, encouraging the production of radio programs in Bhojpuri—another World by 2000 language.
In 1993 the Kealys prepared to move to the region to be closer to the mission’s new radio partners. “Landing in Moscow and hearing HCJB broadcast from a local partner station was the first of many ways we saw the Lord’s hand at work,” David said.
In 1993 the Kealys prepared to move to the region to be closer to the mission’s new radio partners. “Landing in Moscow and hearing HCJB broadcast from a local partner station was the first of many ways we saw the Lord’s hand at work,” David said.
- Published on
My precious wife Sharon mentioned late last year she became aware for the first time that all around us we seemed to go from Halloween to Christmas without regard to Thanksgiving. What a modern day tragedy.
Let’s not pack away for another year the stuff about our “Christ centered” celebration. Let’s ponder the true meaning of Christmas, let it linger in our hearts.
So, with time fleeting by I must share a personal note with you that was hand written on a Christmas card we received this past Christmas. The note is attributed to Max Lucado and it might help us hold on to the beauty of Christmas a bit longer.
Let’s not pack away for another year the stuff about our “Christ centered” celebration. Let’s ponder the true meaning of Christmas, let it linger in our hearts.
So, with time fleeting by I must share a personal note with you that was hand written on a Christmas card we received this past Christmas. The note is attributed to Max Lucado and it might help us hold on to the beauty of Christmas a bit longer.
The paraphrase on our favorite
card this year reads as follows
card this year reads as follows
“On a starlight night in the company of sheep and cattle, Mary’s eyes fell upon the face of her just born son. She was probably weary - in pain - ready to place her head on the straw and sleep the rest of the night; she first wanted to see His face! To wipe the moisture from His mouth and feel the shape of His chin. To be the first to whisper, ‘so this is what God looks like.’”
The personal note from our dear friend continues;
“rejoice in the birth of our Lord and Savior. May the blessings of Christ
be upon you both. We thank God for both of you! You bless us so much.”
“rejoice in the birth of our Lord and Savior. May the blessings of Christ
be upon you both. We thank God for both of you! You bless us so much.”
By this note we are impacted by the grace and power of that lowly birth so many centuries ago. And the touching conclusion of that note in the card is an encouragement to us to concentrate on being the people God wants us to be. Encourage someone today.
Make it a point to encourage someone every day this year. Make it a habit. My father told me years ago that doing something 30 times is enough to create a habit. Try it, see for yourself if it works; the year will be a whole new blessing to you and of course to others as well.
Let me remind you of a thought I shared with you in November, just a few months ago;
Make it a point to encourage someone every day this year. Make it a habit. My father told me years ago that doing something 30 times is enough to create a habit. Try it, see for yourself if it works; the year will be a whole new blessing to you and of course to others as well.
Let me remind you of a thought I shared with you in November, just a few months ago;
"I am thankful for what I have, and for what I do not have;
I am thankful for who I am, and for who I am not.”
I am thankful for who I am, and for who I am not.”
Strive to be the person God wants you to be!
Verses to help you
Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. Romans 12:1-2
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28
Romans 8:28
Yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary. Isaiah 40:31
- Published on
Our Kealy Quotes ~ insight to ministry
If you do not receive the KEALY QUOTES please drop a note to us on this site and we will gladly include you with future releases. For more than 30 years we have shared our ministry four times a year; now with Constant Contact. The print, cut and paste, print, fold, insert, stamp and mail days are long gone and now this electronic message; our brief message about our year.
Thank you for your encouragement, prayer and financial support throughout 2018. This year our Kealy family will spend Christmas together at Rancho Vistoso in Oro Valley, Arizona.
The LORD continues to bless our ministry locally at LifePoint Church and globally with Reaching People far from God. We continue to support Morning Star in an undisclosed country; fresh water wells and water projects in Ghana, Liberia, Nepal and Indonesia. Consultancy and facility design continue with several global partner ministries.
Sharon leads the local and global missions outreach for LifePoint Church in Banning, California, where we attend. David continues to assist our global ministry friends in ministry including VOX Liberia with the VOX Radio station and development of their ministry compound. The 97.5 FM Christian radio station has completed the first year of test broadcasting and is planning to build the live studio in 2019.
Our continued joy is to share the HOPE of Jesus as our global partners reach their audiences with the good news of His love.
“To God be the Glory for all He has done!”
This year more than ever we are receiving what might be called savvy year-end giving options. If you are considering a year-end contribution you might consider a few tax-wise tips to help you maximize your impact for the Kingdom.
TIMING:
To receive a tax deduction on this year’s tax return, be sure cash gifts are postmarked or delivered in person by December 31. Gifts of stock or other non-cash assets must be received by the organization by December 31.
GIVING APPRECIATED STOCK OR REAL ESTATE:
You may be able to take advantage of significant tax benefits by giving non-cash assets such as appreciated stock, real estate or commodities. To maximize your benefits, make sure to give appreciated assets directly rather than selling them first and gifting the proceeds.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TAX-FREE DISTRIBUTIONS FROM YOUR IRA:
If you are 70 1/2 or older, you can make a tax-free distributions up to $100,000 per year from your individual retirement accounts to charity. These gifts count toward your annual required minimum distribution and will not be included in your adjusted gross income.
TIMING:
To receive a tax deduction on this year’s tax return, be sure cash gifts are postmarked or delivered in person by December 31. Gifts of stock or other non-cash assets must be received by the organization by December 31.
GIVING APPRECIATED STOCK OR REAL ESTATE:
You may be able to take advantage of significant tax benefits by giving non-cash assets such as appreciated stock, real estate or commodities. To maximize your benefits, make sure to give appreciated assets directly rather than selling them first and gifting the proceeds.
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TAX-FREE DISTRIBUTIONS FROM YOUR IRA:
If you are 70 1/2 or older, you can make a tax-free distributions up to $100,000 per year from your individual retirement accounts to charity. These gifts count toward your annual required minimum distribution and will not be included in your adjusted gross income.
These gifts must be completed by December 31st so please contact your financial advisor for more information.
“Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. Matthew 6:19-21 The Message
- Published on
Gracious and Thankful season
Gratitude is: from the Harvard Medical School, “a thankful appreciation for what an individual receives, whether tangible or intangible.”
“The steps of a man are established by the Lord,
And He delights in his way.
When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.
I have been young and now I am old,
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Or his descendants begging bread.
All day long he is gracious and lends,
And his descendants are a blessing.” Psalm 37:23-26
And He delights in his way.
When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
Because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.
I have been young and now I am old,
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
Or his descendants begging bread.
All day long he is gracious and lends,
And his descendants are a blessing.” Psalm 37:23-26
The definition of thankful is someone feeling or showing gratitude. When you are pleased and grateful for what you have, be thankful.
Recently I met with an 83 year old widow and she shared an interesting statement with me that her pastor told her many years ago. She recites this every morning,
"I am thankful for what I have, and for what I do not have;
I am thankful for who I am, and for who I am not." She feels this gives her the direction for the day that pleases God.
How ever you start each day enjoy the thankful season this year even though it is being lost between Halloween and Christmas marketing in America these days.
Recently I met with an 83 year old widow and she shared an interesting statement with me that her pastor told her many years ago. She recites this every morning,
"I am thankful for what I have, and for what I do not have;
I am thankful for who I am, and for who I am not." She feels this gives her the direction for the day that pleases God.
How ever you start each day enjoy the thankful season this year even though it is being lost between Halloween and Christmas marketing in America these days.
- Published on
Praying is important to God
In the September 2018 BLOG an ACTION POINT was to Pray for others. I do that but I got to thinking there could be specific Bible verses that could help us understand more about “others”.
Evidently this is important to God. I say it because we find instruction in the Bible about being strong in the Lord against the powers of world-rulers of darkness.
A side note here comes to mind about the powers of world-rulers of darkness because of a Bible verse I learned this week; “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and delivered us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.” Colossians 1:13
We claim strength by putting on the whole armor of God!
“And take the helmet of Salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:17
So going to the “word of God” the Bible is a good guide; a good guide for any question about living in a meaningful way, especially toward the “others” around us.
If you follow these monthly BLOGS you will recall recently topics have been about others. The three main topics are INTIMACY with God, INTIMACY with God’s people, and INTIMACY with lost people. Notice two of the three are about our relationship with people. So I got to thinking about the “others” all around us.
SCRIPTURES:
There are at least 25 passages that fit this topic of considering “others”. Here are a few of them.
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” 1 Thessalonians 4:18
"Be at peace with each other.” Mark 9:50
"In humility consider others better than yourselves." Philippians 2:3
"Be kind and compassionate to one another." Ephesians 4:32
"Forgive each other." Ephesians 4:32
"Be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2
"Accept one another." Romans 15:7
"Spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Hebrews 10:24
ACTION POINTS: Pray for others
Evidently this is important to God. I say it because we find instruction in the Bible about being strong in the Lord against the powers of world-rulers of darkness.
A side note here comes to mind about the powers of world-rulers of darkness because of a Bible verse I learned this week; “For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and delivered us to the kingdom of His beloved Son.” Colossians 1:13
We claim strength by putting on the whole armor of God!
“And take the helmet of Salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:17
So going to the “word of God” the Bible is a good guide; a good guide for any question about living in a meaningful way, especially toward the “others” around us.
If you follow these monthly BLOGS you will recall recently topics have been about others. The three main topics are INTIMACY with God, INTIMACY with God’s people, and INTIMACY with lost people. Notice two of the three are about our relationship with people. So I got to thinking about the “others” all around us.
SCRIPTURES:
There are at least 25 passages that fit this topic of considering “others”. Here are a few of them.
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” 1 Thessalonians 4:18
"Be at peace with each other.” Mark 9:50
"In humility consider others better than yourselves." Philippians 2:3
"Be kind and compassionate to one another." Ephesians 4:32
"Forgive each other." Ephesians 4:32
"Be patient, bearing with one another in love." Ephesians 4:2
"Accept one another." Romans 15:7
"Spur one another on toward love and good deeds." Hebrews 10:24
ACTION POINTS: Pray for others
- Have you ever prayed for someone? Perhaps God brought them to your mind. Tell them you prayed for them to encourage them. Most people understand the power of prayer.
- Go out of your way to befriend someone who is hurting. Everyone needs a friend or a kind and encouraging word, and especially your prayers for them.
- Published on
Prayer is a part of our lives
We often hear people talk about prayer. In times of despair we hear the word “prayer” mentioned most often. People talk about praying for a better job, or these other reasons; a car that runs, good health, and safety or in our case living in a senior community, for a wayward grandchild. If we really know someone well, we might pray for his or her marriage or other relationships. So most of the time prayer is about asking God for something to please us.
Recently, actually two weeks ago today I got a call from my wife who was with friends and she told me about massive heart attack of a dear friend of ours. I dropped everything and drove to the hospital in a city not far away. His wife and son were there and I was allowed into the room for two minutes.
He was completely unresponsive. I touched his arm and talked to him and prayed over him. I prayed for his healing. I prayed for God’s will for his life. My prayer included a phrase, “that if God needed him more in heaven with him for all eternity more than He needed him here with us for more years, let it be so. But we want him here with us for as long as God intends.”
My prayer was for God’s will to be manifested in the life of my friend. Here are two reasons why I believe this. It is in the Bible, the book of instruction for our life.
“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.” 1 John 5:14
“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” 3 John 3:2
And the Bible says something to comfort us during these times when we are praying for someone else.
“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6
So even as I write this I pray for his healing, for comfort from the Holy Spirit for his family. This is a traumatic time for his family.
Now, as commentator Paul Harvey would say, “now for the rest of the story!” The family decided to wait three days before removing life support. He improved somewhat and they waited a few more days. His son contacted me one week after the attack and told me, “dad has improved a bit and is hanging in there”. I went to visit him the next morning and his heart was strong, he was on a ventilator (artificial respiration) and was receiving daily kidney dialysis. That day after I left they successfully removed the ventilator. He responded by opening his eyes for the first time in a week, saw his wife and said “honey I love you, how long was I out, and who is watching my business?”
As I share this information with our mutual friends who were praying for him they say, “this is a miracle”. As prayer is discussed here perhaps “miracle” is a good study for another BLOG. I’m already thinking about it so, stay tuned for the next BLOG!
Most of the prayers recorded in the Bible are of another type though. When Jesus prayed for others, He prayed for their faith, He prayed against temptation in their lives, He prayed for their unity, and He prayed for their sanctification.
ACTION POINTS: Pray for others
SCRIPTURES:
“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16
“The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry.” Psalm 34:15
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,” 1 Timothy 2:1
FURTHER STUDY on the topic of PRAYER:
In my research about prayer Google came up with a site that was helpful for me. Perhaps you will enjoy it too.
https://www.gotquestions.org/praying-for-others.html
Recently, actually two weeks ago today I got a call from my wife who was with friends and she told me about massive heart attack of a dear friend of ours. I dropped everything and drove to the hospital in a city not far away. His wife and son were there and I was allowed into the room for two minutes.
He was completely unresponsive. I touched his arm and talked to him and prayed over him. I prayed for his healing. I prayed for God’s will for his life. My prayer included a phrase, “that if God needed him more in heaven with him for all eternity more than He needed him here with us for more years, let it be so. But we want him here with us for as long as God intends.”
My prayer was for God’s will to be manifested in the life of my friend. Here are two reasons why I believe this. It is in the Bible, the book of instruction for our life.
“And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.” 1 John 5:14
“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.” 3 John 3:2
And the Bible says something to comfort us during these times when we are praying for someone else.
“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Philippians 4:6
So even as I write this I pray for his healing, for comfort from the Holy Spirit for his family. This is a traumatic time for his family.
Now, as commentator Paul Harvey would say, “now for the rest of the story!” The family decided to wait three days before removing life support. He improved somewhat and they waited a few more days. His son contacted me one week after the attack and told me, “dad has improved a bit and is hanging in there”. I went to visit him the next morning and his heart was strong, he was on a ventilator (artificial respiration) and was receiving daily kidney dialysis. That day after I left they successfully removed the ventilator. He responded by opening his eyes for the first time in a week, saw his wife and said “honey I love you, how long was I out, and who is watching my business?”
As I share this information with our mutual friends who were praying for him they say, “this is a miracle”. As prayer is discussed here perhaps “miracle” is a good study for another BLOG. I’m already thinking about it so, stay tuned for the next BLOG!
Most of the prayers recorded in the Bible are of another type though. When Jesus prayed for others, He prayed for their faith, He prayed against temptation in their lives, He prayed for their unity, and He prayed for their sanctification.
ACTION POINTS: Pray for others
- Have you ever prayed for someone? Perhaps God brought them to your mind. Tell them you prayed for them to encourage them. Most people understand the power of prayer.
- Go out of your way to befriend someone who is hurting. Everyone needs a friend or a kind and encouraging word, and especially your prayers for them.
SCRIPTURES:
“The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” James 5:16
“The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry.” Psalm 34:15
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,” 1 Timothy 2:1
FURTHER STUDY on the topic of PRAYER:
In my research about prayer Google came up with a site that was helpful for me. Perhaps you will enjoy it too.
https://www.gotquestions.org/praying-for-others.html
- Published on
Nicolae Moldoveanu
“Just keep me here in prison and save yourself and me some trouble. I will never stop writing praise songs to my God.”
In 1959 Nicolae Moldoveanu was arrested, interrogated and imprisoned for writing Christian songs considered to be “slanderous” to the formerly socialist state of Romania. He was also tortured, his arm torn from its socket, leaving him permanently disabled. Because of this handicap, Nicolae could not do hard labor, and he was denied the monthly package of food and clothing from home. He was forced to sleep on the hard, cold, damp floor beneath the bunk in his cell.
This hardship did not stop the music of inspiration from his lips. He obtained a piece of broken glass and coated it with soap so he could etch the words and music with a nail. After writing a song, he would teach it to his fellow prisoners, commit it to memory and clear the glass for yet another hymn of praise. During Nicolae’s prison years he penned more than 350 songs!
Although sentenced to 12 years, Nicolae was released after six years and told to stop. Writing Christian songs or he would be thrown back in prison. He replied by saying, “Just keep me here in prison and save yourself and me some trouble. I will never stop writing praise songs to my God.” Upon release he published the songs he had memorized during those bleak years, yet fruitful years.The Radio Voice of the Gospel network of Christian radio stations that Reach Beyond had helped establish across Romania play those songs that give praise to the Lord and encourage others to deepen their faith in Christ.
In 1999 I visited Nicolae and his wife in the single room they had called home for 51 years. They shared the kitchen and single bathroom with three other families who live in what was once a large single family home. In the corner he showed me a small box of clothes to keep him warm in case he ever had to return to prison.
Asked about his source of encouragement, Nicolae shared Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
This hardship did not stop the music of inspiration from his lips. He obtained a piece of broken glass and coated it with soap so he could etch the words and music with a nail. After writing a song, he would teach it to his fellow prisoners, commit it to memory and clear the glass for yet another hymn of praise. During Nicolae’s prison years he penned more than 350 songs!
Although sentenced to 12 years, Nicolae was released after six years and told to stop. Writing Christian songs or he would be thrown back in prison. He replied by saying, “Just keep me here in prison and save yourself and me some trouble. I will never stop writing praise songs to my God.” Upon release he published the songs he had memorized during those bleak years, yet fruitful years.The Radio Voice of the Gospel network of Christian radio stations that Reach Beyond had helped establish across Romania play those songs that give praise to the Lord and encourage others to deepen their faith in Christ.
In 1999 I visited Nicolae and his wife in the single room they had called home for 51 years. They shared the kitchen and single bathroom with three other families who live in what was once a large single family home. In the corner he showed me a small box of clothes to keep him warm in case he ever had to return to prison.
Asked about his source of encouragement, Nicolae shared Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
- Published on
Application of things learned
Recently I wrote about and suggested ways to remain faithful. There is a three step process that I heard in a sermon while visiting the church our son and family attend. Over the past month I have pondered the steps and have put them into practice. Perhaps you have heard the term, “Practice what you preach!” Well, as my grandson says the information was, “in the front of my brain not the back”. I simply could just not get them out of my mind.
Here they are as a review then some personal experiences.
Three ways to remain FAITHFUL:
1. INTIMACY with God ~ Does your heart break for the same things as God’s? Talk with God about your life.
2. INTIMACY with God’s people ~ Other people are the tools that shape you. People need to know you and this makes you vulnerable. Intimacy is going to hurt yet in the process it is character building.
3. INTIMACY with lost people ~ We are all sent here as a mission. That is to tell the world about the saving grace of Jesus in a dangerous place without God.
First things first, I spend more time with God. During my life I have learned that God wants my attention. He gets it ~ one way or the other and it is always best to pay close attention to what God wants not what I want. In this process God points out to me and I become more aware of the fact that I do not spend quality and meaningful time with God’s people, my Christian friends.
So, to be more tuned in to others I have become a better listener; listening to my friends, my Christian friends; hearing their stories; their lives; paying attention to them.
And to be more aware of the need to be intimate with people who are lost. A Bible verse addresses this. I Timothy 2:1 states, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.” Yes, it says, “all people”. Not just the Christian friends or the people we know best and want to spend time with, but all people, especially ones who do not know Jesus.
Here is how this verse appears in the Message translation of the Bible, "The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.” Wow, I need to not only listen to my friends more and better, but I need to pray for them as I become more aware of things happening in their lives.
As a commissioned missionary I am open about my faith in God. People around me are aware of this and often I am asked to offer a prayer. This happens at all kinds of events. It can be at a community 4th of July celebration or a birthday party. And even more often when I talk to people and they share something traumatic in their life I offer to pray for them and they always say yes. So I pray for them right then.
This month our neighbor celebrated her 96th birthday. Family gathered from all over the world for a family time of celebration. We know her daughter who lives in Singapore and before we had a meal she came to me and touched my arm to get my attention and asked, "can you offer a blessing?" Then she added, "my mom would like that!"
Last week while at a meeting at a business I walked by the office of a friend and stuck my head in the door to say hi. She asked me to sit down, so I did. After opening greetings she pointed to the door and asked me to close it. She obviously wanted to talk. She told me the sister she had cared for in the past year died the pervious day. She asked me to pray for her and the family. So we prayed for her, right then in her office.
This being intimate with God, His people and the lost who don't know Him is compelling me to be more aware of everyone around me. Perhaps you can do it too.
ACTION POINTS:
Here they are as a review then some personal experiences.
Three ways to remain FAITHFUL:
1. INTIMACY with God ~ Does your heart break for the same things as God’s? Talk with God about your life.
2. INTIMACY with God’s people ~ Other people are the tools that shape you. People need to know you and this makes you vulnerable. Intimacy is going to hurt yet in the process it is character building.
3. INTIMACY with lost people ~ We are all sent here as a mission. That is to tell the world about the saving grace of Jesus in a dangerous place without God.
First things first, I spend more time with God. During my life I have learned that God wants my attention. He gets it ~ one way or the other and it is always best to pay close attention to what God wants not what I want. In this process God points out to me and I become more aware of the fact that I do not spend quality and meaningful time with God’s people, my Christian friends.
So, to be more tuned in to others I have become a better listener; listening to my friends, my Christian friends; hearing their stories; their lives; paying attention to them.
And to be more aware of the need to be intimate with people who are lost. A Bible verse addresses this. I Timothy 2:1 states, “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people.” Yes, it says, “all people”. Not just the Christian friends or the people we know best and want to spend time with, but all people, especially ones who do not know Jesus.
Here is how this verse appears in the Message translation of the Bible, "The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.” Wow, I need to not only listen to my friends more and better, but I need to pray for them as I become more aware of things happening in their lives.
As a commissioned missionary I am open about my faith in God. People around me are aware of this and often I am asked to offer a prayer. This happens at all kinds of events. It can be at a community 4th of July celebration or a birthday party. And even more often when I talk to people and they share something traumatic in their life I offer to pray for them and they always say yes. So I pray for them right then.
This month our neighbor celebrated her 96th birthday. Family gathered from all over the world for a family time of celebration. We know her daughter who lives in Singapore and before we had a meal she came to me and touched my arm to get my attention and asked, "can you offer a blessing?" Then she added, "my mom would like that!"
Last week while at a meeting at a business I walked by the office of a friend and stuck my head in the door to say hi. She asked me to sit down, so I did. After opening greetings she pointed to the door and asked me to close it. She obviously wanted to talk. She told me the sister she had cared for in the past year died the pervious day. She asked me to pray for her and the family. So we prayed for her, right then in her office.
This being intimate with God, His people and the lost who don't know Him is compelling me to be more aware of everyone around me. Perhaps you can do it too.
ACTION POINTS:
- Try being more aware of the time you spend with God.
- Ponder and keep “in the front of your mind” being aware of the time you spend with your Christian friends. Get to know them better.
- Go out of your way to talk with someone who does not know God.
- Published on
When we are with family we are blessed. Blessed for many reasons.
One comes from reflecting on the phases or our ministry life. A preparation phase was serving in many capacities at local churches. During these years we grew in our understanding of God's plan for our lives. This was followed by 30 years now of serving full time as missionaries.
When we were called of the LORD to pick up and leave our comfort zone and serve Him full time as missionaries, the ministry phase began. Both of our sons were in high school and college and they never interrupted this call to full time missionary service. Indeed a blessing that helped us greatly to focus on the tasks at hand. We focused on God’s work. Sharing his love with a needy world.
Another blessing is we are sharing time with grandchildren this month during an important time in their lives. The twins graduated from high school. One is going to attend Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. One is going to pursue a nursing career at a local college and just received her CNA certificate.
Our grandson as a junior in high school was first chair tenor saxophone in the all state orchestra. He is a member of the professional SWING FACTORY BIG BAND and we enjoyed their concert kicking off the June musicals in Woodland Park, Colorado.
And our son celebrated a big birthday and it was great to attend because we are not with him very often on his birthday. This was followed a few days later as we celebrated our 55th wedding anniversary. It was nice to be with family this year for these important events.
Perhaps the blessings we enjoy with family is because we have tried to remain faithful in our service to the churches we have attended and our ministry years with Reach Beyond and Reaching People far from God.
Old Testament profit Samuel understood faithfulness mentioning this numerous times in his writings.
1 Samuel 2:6-9
God brings death and God brings life, brings down to the grave and raises up. God brings poverty and God brings wealth; he lowers, he also lifts up. He puts poor people on their feet again; he rekindles burned-out lives with fresh hope, Restoring dignity and respect to their lives— a place in the sun! For the very structures of earth are God’s; he has laid out his operations on a firm foundation. He protectively cares for his faithful friends, step by step, but leaves the wicked to stumble in the dark. (The Message)
One comes from reflecting on the phases or our ministry life. A preparation phase was serving in many capacities at local churches. During these years we grew in our understanding of God's plan for our lives. This was followed by 30 years now of serving full time as missionaries.
When we were called of the LORD to pick up and leave our comfort zone and serve Him full time as missionaries, the ministry phase began. Both of our sons were in high school and college and they never interrupted this call to full time missionary service. Indeed a blessing that helped us greatly to focus on the tasks at hand. We focused on God’s work. Sharing his love with a needy world.
Another blessing is we are sharing time with grandchildren this month during an important time in their lives. The twins graduated from high school. One is going to attend Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. One is going to pursue a nursing career at a local college and just received her CNA certificate.
Our grandson as a junior in high school was first chair tenor saxophone in the all state orchestra. He is a member of the professional SWING FACTORY BIG BAND and we enjoyed their concert kicking off the June musicals in Woodland Park, Colorado.
And our son celebrated a big birthday and it was great to attend because we are not with him very often on his birthday. This was followed a few days later as we celebrated our 55th wedding anniversary. It was nice to be with family this year for these important events.
Perhaps the blessings we enjoy with family is because we have tried to remain faithful in our service to the churches we have attended and our ministry years with Reach Beyond and Reaching People far from God.
Old Testament profit Samuel understood faithfulness mentioning this numerous times in his writings.
1 Samuel 2:6-9
God brings death and God brings life, brings down to the grave and raises up. God brings poverty and God brings wealth; he lowers, he also lifts up. He puts poor people on their feet again; he rekindles burned-out lives with fresh hope, Restoring dignity and respect to their lives— a place in the sun! For the very structures of earth are God’s; he has laid out his operations on a firm foundation. He protectively cares for his faithful friends, step by step, but leaves the wicked to stumble in the dark. (The Message)
ways to remain faithful . . . . .
INTIMACY with God John 15:1-9
Does my heart break for the same things as God’s? Talk with God about my life.
INTIMACY with God’s people John 13:3
Other people are the tools that shape me. People need to know me, I need to know them. Intimacy is going to hurt. In the process it is character building. It makes me vulnerable.
INTIMACY with lost people John 17:15-18
We are sent here as a mission to represent and present God to the world, a lost world without Jesus. And the world is a dangerous place without God. without the saving grace of Jesus.
The Bible flies on the wings of relationships.“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened, that he considered me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service.” 1 Timothy 1:12 NASB
Or, “trustworthy, appointing me to his service.” As translated in the NIV of the Bible.
Does my heart break for the same things as God’s? Talk with God about my life.
INTIMACY with God’s people John 13:3
Other people are the tools that shape me. People need to know me, I need to know them. Intimacy is going to hurt. In the process it is character building. It makes me vulnerable.
INTIMACY with lost people John 17:15-18
We are sent here as a mission to represent and present God to the world, a lost world without Jesus. And the world is a dangerous place without God. without the saving grace of Jesus.
The Bible flies on the wings of relationships.“I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened, that he considered me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service.” 1 Timothy 1:12 NASB
Or, “trustworthy, appointing me to his service.” As translated in the NIV of the Bible.
