A Work In Progress

“A work in progress”—most of us are familiar with the expression and perhaps use it in several different ways. At this moment it seems to describe some things for us in terms of projects in which we are involved, but there’s also an awareness that it is a pretty apt on-going description of our lives in general. Of course this latter use of the expression is to be expected because God is continually at work in the lives of all of his children. He uses different situations and experiences to stretch us and produce changes in us, because He’s not just interested in what we do, but also in who we are. He’s wanting the life of the Lord Jesus to be more and more evident in us.

In terms of projects, we’re grateful to be able to share that Ron has completed a book which he spent the better part of a year in writing. The book is entitled IRIS:Trophy of Grace. It’s the miraculous story of Iris Urrey Blue, the “incorrigible” who encountered the irresistible force of God’s transforming power. The book has recently been released and we are very thankful to see God already using it to touch, challenge, and encourage people. Some are reporting that God is using it to produce changes in the lives of some of their friends and family. Some spontaneous and unexpected comments about the book have really blessed us. One person wrote “Many Christian testimony books are exciting up to the point of conversion and then it turns dull—not so with this book! You’ll love it to the very end.” When so much prayer and work has been invested in this kind of project, it means a great deal to see God use it for His purposes.

We don’t as yet have a separate website for this book. If any of you would like to obtain a copy of it now, however, you can do so by going to “contact us” on this site and making a request for the book, or send an email to ronowens3@gmail.com. The book sells for $15.00 plus postage.

There are other “works in progress” in terms of writing projects in which Ron is involved. One of those is entitled “The Milldale Story” and it has some important relationships to the book he completed earlier on the life of Manley Beasley. God willing, he hopes to complete the writing by the end of April and have it published and available for readers by September, 2010. We would be grateful for your prayers for this project.

RENT A GOAT?

A number of years ago we were talking with some friends about the never-ending work involved in keeping our yard mowed, etc. We began to laugh and try to out-do each other with creative ways to get around the yard work. Things became sillier and sillier as we talked, until one of us finally came up with the winner—we could rent a goat! This idea, of course, was eventually expanded to the suggestion that we could even start a Rent-A-Goat business, which undoubtedly would become a huge moneymaking success! Well, nothing ever became of all those creative thoughts and the conversation was forgotten until a couple of weeks ago…..

In the mail we received a Gift Catalog from World Vision, and there, on the front cover, was the photo of a smiling child holding a goat! The cover also included the message:”Share the true Spirit of Christmas with a child in need!” Inside the catalog were words explaining the benefits to a child and his family that the gift of a goat would provide. There were other possibilities listed, such as giving 2 chickens, or 5 ducks, or Bibles in a child’s own language, or emergency food, or life-saving medicines, etc.
Somehow, we just couldn’t get the picture of that goat out of our minds, and so we found ourselves compelled to take action.
So, we may never get into the Rent-A-Goat business, but it has brought us joy to GIVE a goat this Christmas—given with the prayer that it will touch a child and his family with the power of the Savior’s love. And, let us add, we pray for each of you—a blessed and joyous Christmas season!

GIVING THANKS

This time of the year can too easily become one long meaningless holiday blob—Thanksgiving merged into Christmas—without time to truly reflect on the significance of either of these special days! But we don’t have to allow this to be the case in our personal lives and don’t intend to do so. We want to express our thanks to God for his goodness, mercy, and faithfulness to us, and our thanks as well to our friends and family who bless us with their interest and love.

It’s worth noting that in the life of ancient Israel King David considered thanksgiving to God to be of so much importance that, on the day that the ark of God was brought to Jerusalem, he assigned specific Levites to “celebrate and to thank and praise the Lord God of Israel.” His admonition to them was “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; speak of all His wonders. Glory in His holy name; let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad.” 1 Chr 16:4-10.

And with the desire to express something of what is in our hearts at this Thanksgiving season, we share the following with you.

THANK YOU, LORD
“Thank you, Lord, for your beautiful things,
For ears that hear, for birds that can sing.
For warmth of the sun on bubbling springs,
For eyes that can see your beautiful things.

Thank you, Lord, for the flowers that grow,
For summer and rain, for winter and snow,
For mountains above and valleys below,
All speaking aloud of your power and love.

Thank you, Lord, for the sorrows and sighs,
For winds that blow, for rivers that rise,
For rain that frames your bow in the skies,
Helping me lift my wondering eyes.

Thank you, Lord, for your grace which has shown
The glory of God in the face of your Son,
For Jesus Who died, now risen above,
More glorious than all is JESUS-the gift of your love.”
-Patricia H.Owens

Pot Pourri

There are several items we want to share. The first has to do with a very special date on the Owens’ calender . Patricia and I will be celebrating our Golden Wedding Anniversary on Saturday, August 22. Of these 50 years, 44 of them have been spent serving the Lord in ministry together. Over these 5 decades our lives have been profoundly enriched by many whom God has had cross our paths, those who not only talked the walk, but lived the life, setting a standard for us to strive toward; to press on…God has been so good.

There have been mountains we’ve been asked to climb/Some rivers have been wide, some skies been grey/The valleys have been deep and dark at times, but without fail, our God has led the way!

Second: The responses we continue to receive from readers of Manley Beasley’s biography are so encouraging. It is evident that the Lord is using Manley’s life and message to impact many, some saying that they are reading it for the second or third time, returning over and over again to study his messages on prayer, faith and dealing with adversity. The Audio Book is also now available.

Third: I am nearing the completion of the story of our friend, Iris Urrey Blue, the ex-con who was labeled an “incorrigible degenerate” by the Texas Department of Corrections. Since, at the age of 27, when she knelt down a tramp and stood up a lady, in front of her bar, The Inferno, in Houston, TX, God has used her for His glory around the world. Hers is an incredible story of grace. You may wish to check the Blue’s web site at www.duaneandirisblue.com

Fourth: During the days of his ministry, the Scotsman, James Alexander Stewart, impacted thousands of lives, including Manley Beasley. Dr. Stewart was a prolific writer and among the many books he wrote are two on the subject of the Holy Spirit that we wish to recommend; The Heavenly Executive and Heaven’s Throne Gift. The latter is considered by many to be one of the finest, most balanced studies of the Third Person of the Trinity. You may check into Dr. Stewart’s writings at www.revivallit.org or phone 800-252-8896 or write Revival Literature. P.O. Box 6068, Asheville, NC 2881.

A final thought: “Your character is what you really are. Your reputation is merely what people think you are.”

Some Principles Observed, by Patricia

Copies of Manley Beasley: Man of Faith, Instrument of Revival are on their way to many folks who have ordered them. While Ron and I have been busy these last several weeks with the final details of the book’s release, I have found myself reflecting on Manley’s walk of faith and his influence upon me. Because we knew Manley and ministered with him in different venues over a period of years, there were many occasions to hear him speak about faith. In looking back through some personal journal entries  made several years ago, I spotted his influence especially in one entry I made. I found myself reviewing and reflecting upon what had taken place during a particular twelve month period. It had been a challenging year in many ways, and especially in terms of finances. Since many people are facing similar challenges right now, I thought I’d share some insights that helped me at that time. Here are some observations I recorded in my journal.

Continue reading ‘Some Principles Observed, by Patricia’

Pressing On

 2008 is already history and another year lies ahead, a year into which we now enter with gratitude for God’s sustaining grace over the past 12 months. 2009 is a year upon which we have yet to write another chapter of our history, and as we press on with new goals, both temporal and eternal, we do so with the prayer for ourselves and for you, that this will be a year inspired with fresh faith; a year in which feeble knees will be strengthened; a year in which we will find our delight in those things that are eternal. May we daily place our lives into the security of God’s hands, trusting in His promises, confident that His Word will never fail. And in the words of a Puritan’s prayer,

God, give us a hope that makes us not ashamed, a love that excites to holy obedience, a joy in You that is our strength…Help us to submit our preferences to Your wisdom and will, resign our enjoyments if You should require it as our absolute Proprietor and best Friend…May we know the blessedness of those whose strength is in You and in whose hearts are the highways to heaven.

Notice: We are grateful to announce that Manley Beasley: Man of Faith–Instrument of Revival has been released. A website, www.beasleybiography.com has been created to service book purchases,  as well as other general information about Brother Manley’s story.

A Christmas Remembered – by Patricia

Train StopThe unexpected happened—heavy fog enveloped a large area around Chicago, slowing trains, grounding planes, bringing all travel to a halt. It was Christmas break time, and as a 19 year old student traveling to my home town in Jackson, MS, I had boarded a train around 10:30 that evening in Rochester, NY. It had been snowing, which wasn’t unusual for that area of the country.  I felt wiped out after studying for exams and was hoping I could manage to sleep some on a journey that was supposed to take about 24 hours. The train I boarded was scheduled to make a stop at a sub-station just east of Chicago where I would change to a different rail line for the remainder of the trip. And now, the unexpected fog changed everything. It caused my train to be late in reaching the Chicago area, I missed my connection, I was exhausted and had no idea what to do.
Continue reading ‘A Christmas Remembered – by Patricia’

Change

ChangeCHANGE:  This is a word that has been headlined a great deal over these past several months, especially in the context of the recent presidential election campaigns. Ironically, in a seeming contradiction to the meaning of the word, you might say that change is a “constant” factor as we go through life. From the moment of our birth we undergo changes–physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Some of the changes are celebrated as good, healthy and desirable, such as the normal growth of a child. Taking a vacation is seen as a welcome change from our usual routine. Yet there comes a time when, as adults, we begin to see some changes that appear to us to be undesirable and fearful. An unexpected change in health, in a work situation or in personal finances can make us feel vulnerable and anxious. Change may become something dreaded.

In times like these in which we are now living, when change can have a most unwelcome meaning, we are especially comforted to know that there is One who majestically says to us:

I the Lord do not change (Malachi 3:6)

That makes all the difference in the world! Scripture also tells us that, “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). What He was for us yesterday as Counselor and Provider, He will be for us today and for each tomorrow. The sting is taken out of “change” when we know and rely upon the One “who changes not.”

Why Did Aslan Have To Die?

In light of the soon release of the next C. S. Lewis, Chronicles of Narnia film, Prince Caspian, I thought I would post the following answer that was written by C. S. Lewis in response to a letter from a nine year old girl in which she asked,

Why did Aslan have to die?

This letter is highlighted on the The Searcher, the C. S. Lewis Centenary Sculpture in downtown Belfast, created by Ross Wilson, one of N. Ireland’s best known artists.

We have been privileged to visit this memorial on several occasions with Ross. As you read the following you will see what a powerful witness this piece of art is, a witness to the message Lewis was attempting to portray in his writing of the Chronicles. For additional information about Mr. Wilson go to his web site, www.rosswilsonartist.com.

Continue reading ‘Why Did Aslan Have To Die?’

John Newton’s birthday

NewtonOn December 21, 1725, a boy was born in London whose life would ultimately impact the world. I have been thinking of John Newton all day today, and the loving, pursuing God who rescued a drunken slave trader from the depths of sin and raised him up to become one of His choicest trophies of grace. His influence reached far beyond his hymn, Amazing Grace, as his life and preaching touched lives from the lowest to the highest of society including parliamentarian, William Wilberforce, who was used to change the laws regarding slavery and child labor.

Interestingly, there are parallels in John Newton’s life to the life of Manley Beasley whose biography I am now writing. At the early age of fourteen Manley took to the high seas and and by his 16th birthday had circumvented the globe twice. Alcohol, gambling, jail, and all that went with the life of a sailor were part of these years of running away from God. But he could not escape the eye of a sovereign God who eventually brought him to a halt in the Port of Mobile. He would never look back and the impact of his life is still felt by many, some of whom paid tribute to him at a “Friends of Manley” gathering at First Baptist, Euless, Texas two days ago, the 18th of December.