UpBuilding Men, Women, and Children in Practical Christianity
 


April 2002 Monthly Letter

Dear Partner In Ministry,

In one of His resurrected appearances, Jesus asked his fishing disciples, “Friends, have you caught any fish?” John 21:5

Previously, He had told them they would become “fishers of others.”

While traveling around the country, I’m still fishin’ in Florida! Here's a “fishing story” I hope will encourage you in your fishing for others.

When you move to a new location, you have to find new places like groceries stores and new people like hair stylists!

In 2000, I found Sue, a hair stylist. She loves her job, her husband, a daughter, 2 year old granddaughter, and her horses!

She often uses the phrase: “Oh, my god!” Whenever I hear this, my spirit cringes! So I put her name on my prayer list, utilizing the FRIENDS fishing principles: Find a few people in your walk in life, Reveal your faith by friendly deeds, and Intercede for them — talk to God before you talk to them about God.

On 6/27/00 during my prayer time, I was praying Psalms 86:11 “Give me an undivided heart to revere your name.” As I prayed, I wrote Sue’s name in the margin with the date.

During my 1/01 appointment, she spoke of driving to Georgia and seeing a road sign stating: “As long as you take my name in vain, I will allow traffic jams! — God.” She confessed her habitual use of the “name-vain phrase” and a desire to stop. Coincidence?

I went to my car, got my Bible, returned and showed her Psalms 86 and her name written next to it with the date! She was astounded! Coincidence?

My next appointment was to have been 2/16 but I called to reschedule it for 2/20. When I came, Sue looked pale and troubled. “Are you okay?” I inquired. “No,” she said tearfully, “haven't you heard, Dale was killed on the 18th.” “Dale who?” I asked in total ignorance. “Dale Earnhardt!” (the famous race car driver) “He was like family,” she said.

While getting my hair cut, God gave me the opportunity to ask her, “Sue, if you died in a car accident and God asked you, ‘Why should I allow you into heaven?’, what would you say?” I then had the privilege of introducing her to Jesus Christ, the Resurrection and the Life, and to New Hope Fellowship, a church at which she and Bud now attend!

Another coincidence? Notice that my original appointment was before Dale’s death. The rescheduled one occurred after his death! Her heart was now open in a different way! God’s timing was perfect! His power is released by interceding prayer. Have you noticed that the more we pray, the more coincidences like this occur!!!

Thank you for your interceding prayers for me, my family and UpBuilding Ministries. We appreciate them. Keep on praying and fishin' for the few in your arena of life. I’m doing that with Nick, a car mechanic, Harry, a neighbor, and Ron, a plumber. They’re nibblin’ !

Ron

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