The Newsletter of Gayle Erwin
April, May, June 2003
The Newsletter of Gayle Erwin
April, May, June 2003
Wars and Rumors
Iraq seems to be the proving ground that raises war to new levels. The awesome technology used and the speed of the conquest proved, if nothing else, that the USA is indeed the world’s remaining superpower. Hostile countries lower their eyes and their voices in the aftermath. Whatever your stance on the war, you must admit that its effectiveness stands unparalleled in history.
Now we talk about the aftermath. How can we build a democracy in a Muslim country
that has never known one? However, there are other effects just as important
and lesser noticed.
First, our country enjoyed a surge in patriotic feeling. Probably a good thing in our increasing diversity.
Along with that surge another surge occurs partly because we have a believer
as a president. There has been a rebirth of thought that America is a Christian
country. True, our founding fathers were mostly believers and our laws and Declaration
of Independence are based on biblical positions; but by constitution and certainly
by Supreme Court decrees, we are a secular country.
A Christian Country
However, when we decide or declare we are a “Christian” country, we fall into the trap that grips the anti-Christian world. To the Muslim, Hindu and Buddhist world, America equals Christian. One main reason for that is that any experience of “Christian” (such as in Lebanon) is a political and nominal Christianity, not a Christianity that comes from a relationship with Jesus.
Thus, when America equals Christian, the preachers of our values overseas become
Hollywood and Wall Street. Not always the best sermons.
Modern Weapons
Second, in the nationalism engendered by our patriotic feelings, we forget
that the role of a Christian is to pray for his enemies and remember that even
they are loved by God and that Jesus died for them. Thus, our goal is not destruction
or even conquest but salvation. Whereas, many of the clergy were publicly opposed
to the war, few seemed to want to organize prayer meetings for the salvation
of Iraq. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal.
Great weapon, this thing called prayer. Perhaps it is not too late to use it.
-Gayle D. Erwin
Letters
(excerpt)...she told me that she did NOT need my help finding someone to help her if I wasn’t available and then pretty much said that she would call me back some other time and hung up. (The feeling she left me was that this was NOT something that I should have had to pray about, that biblically I should offer help just because it was asked.)
After prayer and seeking the Lord but still not knowing what to do, I called back twice to say I would come if she really needed me and apologized if she felt that I had failed “Friendship 101”. All I knew right then was that if I was making a mistake, I desperately wanted to err on the side of trying to do what was right in God’s eyes. She didn’t call me back for hours and then said that she didn’t want to talk about it, that it made her uncomfortable and that she had obviously made a mistake asking but then talked about getting together another time.
After a fitful night and much study on friendship through the Word, I woke up and the Lord brought to mind The Jesus Style and Handbook for Servants. It helped tremendously and was just what I needed for the situation. I’ve read, re-read and re-read again and again the sections on manipulation as well as many other parts.
Through the Word, I’ve come away knowing that YES we can and should pray continuously about everything before we jump in because my time is not really my own at all, it’s my Father’s time that I occupy. Sometimes we’ll be “prayed up” moments or hours before the request comes and we recognize it as a Divine appointment. Sometimes we need to stop right then and pray about it, but the bottom line is that we pray about everything!!
A Friend
This past couple of weeks, we shared the two videos (
Ken Vlasak
Spokane, WA
You really caused me to change my whole way of thinking about serving. I am so glad that He chose to be others centered and now that is my goal. I think it always was, but now the vision of how to accomplish servanthood is much clearer. May your journey with Christ be one of Him pouring grace on you by the dump truck loads. (Big Big dump trucks).
Rick Russell
Klamath Falls, OR
Eleven pastors went through a week of going through the Jesus Style book. They are from the Western Upper Nile in Southern Sudan. This is a place that is attacked by the Government of Sudan almost daily. We discussed the book from Islamic, Christian and varied other aspects.
Toni Heindl
Safe Harbor
Volume 23, Number 2
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Something Else
Martin Savage of CNN, embedded with the 1st Marine battalion, was talking with four young marines near his foxhole this morning live on CNN. He had been telling the story of how well the Marines had been looking out for and taking care of him since the war started. He went on to tell about the many hardships the Marines had endured since the war began and how they all look after one another.
He turned to the four and said he had cleared it with their commanders and they could use his video phone to call home. The 19 year old Marine next to him asked Martin if he would allow his platoon sergeant to use his call to call his pregnant wife back home whom he had not been able to talk to in three months.
A stunned Savage who was visibly moved by the request nodded his head and the young Marine ran off to get the sergeant.
Savage recovered after a few seconds and turned back to the three young Marines still sitting with him and asked which one of them would like to call home first. The Marine closest to him responded without a moment’s hesitation, “Sir, if it’s all the same to you, we would like to call the parents of a buddy of ours, Lance Cpl Brian Buesing of Cedar Key, Florida who was killed on 3-23-03 near Nasiriya, to see how they are doing.”
At that Martin Savage totally broke down and was unable to speak. All he could get out before signing off was “Where do they get young men like this?”
From friends here.
Since the printing of the above article, we have been informed that it did
not actually happen. We apologize for that. However, I rather think that CNN
wishes it had.
Gayle Erwin
From Jon Courson
God’s will in your life means He is doing exactly what you would want to do if you had all the facts.
Ten Steps to Overcoming Depression
Step one: do something for someone.
Step two: repeat step one nine times.
You Will Thank Me
Patient Evangelism, by Lloyd Pulley. Through eyes moistened by the tragic events of 9/11, Lloyd sees men, not as trees walking, but clearly. This book captures what should have been obvious (but somehow escapes us) in reaching out to others. If you care to see people through the eyes of Jesus, this is your book. $10 from Calvary Chapel, 123 White Oak Lane, Suite 216, Old Bridge, NJ 08857 or 732-679-9222
Damian Kyle of Modesto, CA, has begun to publish his (our) favorite messages in CD and printed form together. The messages are outstanding, the packaging attractive and the price unbeatable. Call for info at 209-545-5530.
Bill Welsh of Huntington Beach, CA, has finally put his popular dramatic monologue entitled “The Shepherd of Bethlehem” in print. Best bet is to get him to perform it, otherwise call 1-714-891-9495.
Music
Julissa Neely titles her latest “Fly.” “Soar” would have also described it. Her clear words on new and delightful songs coupled with her warm, loving rendition of old hymns will make this one of your favorites. No address on her album, but, for you, here is a number you can call: 1-916-361-0861
Duane Clark recorded “Steady On” as his latest instrumental guitar album, however, “Dancing All the Way” would have worked. If you like jazz, you will love this. If you don’t like jazz, you will still love this because you wouldn’t know it was unless I told you. This is my wife’s favorite. www.duaneclark.com
Scarlet Hope released “There Will Come a Day” as their second album. I so enjoyed their first, I wondered if they could sustain the quality. They have. You will thank me for telling you about this one. Duane Clark produced it. Aha! www.scarlethope.com
Gutierrez Brothers and “Jesus Fill My Heart.” Folks, this is discovered treasure, unexpected inheritance, the pot of gold! Don’t waste time, get that $15 check ready RIGHT NOW and send it to: Gutierrez Brothers PO Box 93672 City of Industry, CA 91715
And don’t forget to thank me.
Larry and Kathy Stewart break some new ground with “House of Amazing Grace.” Not as much sing-along as intense listening. PO Box 237, Alderson, OK 74522
You will also enjoy:
Transparent, worship music from Calvary Chapel of Columbus, Ohio, 3570 Maize Road, Columbus, OH 43224
Together We Praise by Michael and Golden, a duet of worship music. PO Box 27783, Santa Ana, CA 92799
Live Worship at Calvary Chapel of Stone Mountain, 1969 McDaniels Bridge Road, Lilburn, GA 30047