Our Middle Name is “Evangelical”Written by Howard Young
REQUIREMENTS FOR REPRINT: You have permission to publish this article free of charge in your ezine, newsletter, ebook, print publication or on your Website ONLY if it remains unchanged and you include copyright, author information, and an active link to author’s Website (Resource Box) at end. You may not use this article in solicited or unsolicited commercial email.Our Middle Name is “Evangelical” Copyright © 2005 Howard Young Growing up as a child, I was embarrassed of my middle name “Ole.” My parents proudly named me “Howard” after their good friend Howard Hodnet, and “Ole,” after my dear Grandpa Ole Remmen. Whenever someone used my middle name, I knew I was in trouble if it came from my Mother or was being poked fun at by some child. Despite my embarrassment, I survived childhood teasing of my middle name. Now after 40 plus years of growing up, I recognize my parent’s wisdom in their choice of my name: good friendship and love and honor for my Grandfather. Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church also has a middle name: “Evangelical.” I often wonder why we use shorten forms our Church’s name such as “Holy Trinity” or “Holy Trinity Lutheran” and leave out “Evangelical.” Perhaps shorter versions are more convenient to use? I know that it is difficult to squeeze “Holy Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church” onto our offering checks we write each week.
| | SITTING ON THE BENCH FOR JESUSWritten by Irvin L. Rozier
Many of God's servants are waiting on bench for Coach to put them in game. They have prepared for the day, time, and hour when LORD nods His head, points His finger, and says "Okay, it is time for you to take position you have prepared and practiced so hard and so long for. It is your time." In Bible are many examples. Joseph, dreamer, was preparing, waiting for that day, time, and hour when God gave okay, and he was promoted to position that God had ordained for him. Moses, David, Paul, and many others were same way. Even Jesus, who knew more about Father, and had so much to share, sit on bench until God's time was right. The LORD has taught me value of waiting on His timing many times over past 18+ years. I would like to give two examples. The Holy Spirit had spoken a word to me that I would be preaching on radio. Days, weeks, months, and a year passed. During this time, I was studying God's word, praying, preaching at some other places..yet, Holy Spirit often spoke to me on this. About 14 months after I received word to preach on radio, I was sitting on my back porch, meditating on God's word. Suddenly, LORD spoke to me and said, "Tonight, at 6:45, I want you to start preaching on radio." It was Wednesday afternoon, about 1:30. I said, "Okay, Lord. I'll go over to radio station, and inquire about having a 15 minute program." I drove eight miles to station, went inside and asked radio station manager about a program. He said, "Normally, we don't have preaching on Wednesday evening, but I can give you a fifteen minute slot starting at 6:45 P.M. You can begin tonight. It will be $25." So, I paid man, and preached that night. Many who were going to a Wednesday night service heard me. This mission LORD gave me lasted for 18 months. No one supported me (financially) yet LORD made a way. The Holy Spirit had spoken a word to me, yet I had to "sit on bench" until time of word came. PSALM 105 verse 19 ''UNTIL THE TIME THAT HIS WORD CAME: THE WORD OF THE LORD TRIED HIM."
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