OwensMinistries.org » Reflections

Some Principles Observed, by Patricia

admin — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 20:21:00 +0000

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.

Principles Observed:

1st The only way to see first hand God’s ability and willingness to provide for His children is to be put in the uncomfortable situation of having no resources of your own and no way to provide for yourself. Being put in that position will either expose your deficiency or reveal your sufficiency of trusting God by the way you think and react. It is one thing to “say” that God is faithful; it is something entirely different to believe God, to rely upon Him, and to enter into the rest that faith brings.

2nd God best demonstrates His ability and willingness to give, by my obvious and large need. My lack is the best possible backdrop to display the sufficiency of His supply. My circumstances are under God’s control—He is not aloof or detached from what is going on around me. He has either designed or permitted what is happening now. My seeking Him must not be just for the supply of what I lack—but for light to perceive what He is saying to me, and for grace to trust Him with my circumstances.

That was the end of my journal entry. Now, however, I look back over years of living and marvel at the patience and kindness God has extended to me in “the school of faith”. I marvel too at the circumstances He orchestrated which exposed my need of learning to trust Him. Some verses of Scripture I memorized a long time ago are possibly familiar to you. Proverbs 3:5-6 says

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not upon your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.

A strong tendency in my life has been that of leaning upon my own understanding. The Lord has graciously been working to break me of that wrong thinking so that I can experience the blessedness of knowing that He is directing my path. Some of the process involved in the breaking and learning has caused me to be afraid, to get angry, to feel overwhelmed. But, oh, I am so grateful that He has not left me with just my own understanding and my own resources! Some wonderful words from the 146th Psalm sum up my final thoughts for this posting:

Blessed is he (or she) whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—the Lord, who remains faithful forever.

Change

admin — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 03:24:35 +0000

CHANGE: 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.”

John Newton’s birthday

admin — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 20:59:20 +0000

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.

In Grateful Remembrance

admin — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 00:42:39 +0000

Major 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.