Why Did Aslan Have To Die?

Published February 12th, 2008 in Family. 0 Comments

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

Published December 21st, 2007 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

On 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.

He Is Here!

Published December 16th, 2007 in Christmas and Uncategorized. 0 Comments

As I write this “post” I am listening to the inspiring and beautiful carol, Angels from the Realms of Glory that climaxes with the words, Gloria in excelsis Deo! Though such songs are usually only sung during the Advent season, for those who know the Messiah as more than just a name, it is a reminder that not only was He fleshed out among us in the form of a baby in history, but that He lives in the now, birthed into the hearts of every “believer.” He is here!

He is here, He is here, the Messiah/It’s the fulness of time, He has come/ Heaven’s treasure, the brightest of jewels/ He is with us, the Savior, God’s Son!!

Hallelujah, all glory to Jesus/Hallelujah, all praise to His name/Heaven’s light invaded sin’s darkness the night the Savior came!

As we look back on another year we do so with deep gratitude for the goodness and grace of our Savior which has been expressed in a myriad of ways, the least not being the encouragement and love we have received through many of you. May God return to you, many times over, the blessing you have been to us.

Though sadly, for some Americans, it is not the politically correct greeting to make, we do wish you a MERRY CHRISTMAS, filled with all the wonder of what did take place when God was fleshed out among us. And though, due to the trials we may be going through it may not make human sense to do what the Psalmist admonishes—”Rejoice always…,” we can, in light of what God has done, is doing and will do in the days ahead as we anticipate what awaits us just over the horizon.

The bottom line is that Christmas, for us, is knowing that not only can we celebrate God’s plan of redemption but we can experience a peace that only He can provide. So, our true Christmas wish for you is that you will be comforted and encouraged and that the “joy of the Lord” will be your strength now and throughout the coming year.

Grace, peace and love…

Ron and Patricia

Manley Beasley Project

Published October 11th, 2007 in Projects. 2 Comments

At this point in life we ought not to be surprised at being surprised, yet that is exactly what has happened. It has fallen to our “lot” to write the biography of a man whose life and message has, and still does, impact the lives of scores of people across this land and beyond.

As I said in an earlier biography, They Could Not Stop The Music, about the life of a Russian violinist, writing a biography is like the assignment given to Spring; to bring to life again. It is the attempt to recover the heartbeat of someone whose life has already been lived. When it comes to a man like Manley Beasley, one is faced with an individual whose life was his message and whose message was his life. The message of prayer, faith and revival that Manley lived and preached was forged in the foundry of experience which included the terminal diseases he carried in his body for years, the hospitalizations, the months spent in intensive care, all of which drove him to an ever increasing dependence upon and understanding of the ways and workings of God. This would, for the rest of his life, shape the message he preached, the things he wrote and the myriad of ways he was used of God to minister.

At his memorial service, evangelist and brother-in-law, Mike Gilchrest, said: “Manley’s whole heart was set on glorifying God in his mortal flesh and his union with his Master. It was like a marriage intimacy and relationship that was so unique it was mystical. And this relationship was for better or for worse, in sickness and in health, until death took him into the presence of God.”

If anyone reading this post has a special remembrance or testimony to what Manley meant in your life that you would like to share, I would appreciate hearing from you. I have already received many inspiring and touching testimonials from many whose lives he impacted over the years. The best way to send any comments would be by email at ronowens3@aol.com

In Grateful Remembrance

Published August 27th, 2007 in Uncategorized. 1 Comment

Major W. Ian ThomasMajor W. Ian Thomas went home to be with the Lord early Wednesday, August 1. In our hearts we stop to salute him and to give thanks to the Lord for his life. Like so many, we were blessed and privileged to meet him and to be ministered to through his life and message. He impacted our lives in the early 70s when, in the providence of God, we were thrown together with him in ministry in a church in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. Later, after the publishing of our first musical, “Alive Again,” the Major became aware of its emphasis on the indwelling life of Christ and asked if we’d be open to having Capernwray arrange a UK tour presenting the work in all four “countries.” This was done some months later with a choir of 100 voices during which we experienced God’s blessings upon each of the presentations.

Subsequently we had the honor and privilege to minister with him on a number of occasions. This statement of the Major’s still resonates in our hearts and minds:

“I can’t, He never said I could. He can, He always said He would.“

And so, like him, our hope ever rests on the indwelling life of Christ who abides in our hearts. He will be missed, but how much richer our lives have been for having been touched by his.

LOUD…

Published August 10th, 2007 in Worship. 3 Comments

Loud“We’re sorry. We forgot to tell you to bring your earplugs.” This is what we were told by friends who had invited us to attend a Sunday AM worship service at their church. They actually were in the habit of carrying earplugs with them to church, and we would soon find out why.

I am in the process of writing another book on worship. I think I will title one of the chapters, “When Did God Go Deaf?” This is in no way meant to trivialize God, but rather to look at something that has been happening in many churches in recent years.

I expect we would all agree that worship is for God; that He is the object of our worship, that He is the audience. This being the case, why is it that sound systems must be turned up so high as to hurt the ears? It didn’t used to be that way. What has changed? Why is this happening? What are we to conclude? The only answer I can presently come up with is, either God is losing His hearing or, what we are doing is no longer primarily for Him but for the feeling/emotion it provides the participants who must be getting some kind of lift off of “loud.”

Continue reading ‘LOUD…’

New Web Site

Published July 23rd, 2007 in Uncategorized. 2 Comments

Patricia and I are excited about this blog/web site that our son, Jeff, has set up for us. We have been slow to join this new age of Internet communication and did not do well in keeping the last web site updated. This one is supposed to be much more “user friendly” and we are looking forward to keeping in touch this way. We are planning to post, not only regular ministry and schedule updates, but thoughts on several subjects including worship and revival.

Ethan and Evan FishingThis is a special “home week” for us. Jeff, Jessica and our two grandsons, Ethan and Evan, are with us, and my days are spent fishing (I am the worm and cricket puter-oner), running all over the place in the Polaris 4 wheeler, swimming and all those kinds of things that keep little eight and three year olds entertained.

Last night, Sunday, was very special for us. We did a Sermon in Song at Village Baptist Church, here in our home town of Bella Vista, AR, and Ethan and I sang a song that Patricia and I wrote some years ago called “Child of My Child.” I had written the words in memory of my maternal grandfather who had a significant influence on me when I lived with him in Campbellton, NB, Canada, as a little boy. I called him “Gang Gang.” The song, of course, was not only one of reminiscing, but one of faith, as we looked forward to the day when we would have our own grandchildren. So, to get to sing it with Ethan last night meant a lot to this granddad who has been named “Grah Grah!” I guess I deserve it. Here are a few lines:

Child of my child, I love you/You are a part of me/By the miracle of creation you’re the child of my child, you see/One day you’ll know what I’m saying/One day you’ll understand/ When you have a child of your child/ To hold like I’m holding your hand.

Must go. Breakfast time. Blessings…

New Baptist Hymnal Coming…Unlike Any Other

Published July 20th, 2007 in Projects. 2 Comments

Baptist Hymnal

I was surprised and humbled to be asked to be a member of the Doctrine and Theology Committee for the new Baptist Hymnal due in the summer of 2008. Every Southern Baptist Church represented will receive a gift copy at the 2008 Southern Baptist Convention. Details about the upcoming hymnal will come in a later blog post. If you want to keep up to date on the latest hymnal news you can register here.