Emmanuel by Barbara Revor
"The Number of God" By Barbara Revor
In a small town in rural southern Illinois on July 1, 1885, a man was born. He was thirty-seven years old when God spoke to him. He already had a wife and four children; nevertheless, even at his advanced situation and age, he answered God's call to preach. He moved his family to Houston, Texas, and became an ordained minister. His peers said of him, "He was a devout Christian, sincere in his ministerial labors and was loved and respected by his brethren in the ministry." Those words were delivered at his funeral on May 28, 1940.
The preacher eventually returned to southern Illinois. Times got tough and he could no longer support his family on what the rural churches could provide, so he took a job at a factory in town and continued to preach. Times were hard for the congregation too. They worked long, hard hours and didn't always have time to attend the services, especially the Wednesday night prayer meetings.
The preacher's second son, though, attended the services with his father. Apparently, the preacher had a repertoire of sermons that the son memorized. The son told me later about the sermons. He had whole blocks of scripture memorized. The son told me those were some of the best sermons he had ever heard, even if sometimes there were only two in the audience, the son and the church's janitor.
The preacher was my grandfather; the son was my father. My grandfather died before I was ever born, but I was able to hear his sermons through my father who remembered them. I often wonder if my grandfather was discouraged to deliver a message to his son and a lowly janitor. He was probably pretty sure his son was saved, and I know nothing of the janitor's spiritual life. Did my grandfather dream of converting many to Christ? Was he disappointed not to see large numbers? Looking back at his life I can say I don't think so. He moved his family half way across the country to become an ordained minister. He continued to preach even when he had to take a full-time job just to make ends meet. He didn't quit when the numbers dwindled. As a result of his faithfulness, the preacher's grandchildren heard his sermons posthumously. My father knew his Bible. He learned it at Wednesday night prayer meetings when no one attended but him and the janitor. Because of my grandfather's devotion, his great-grandchildren are in God's house on Sunday learning about Him. Because of my grandfather's dedication to God's call, I now have another inspirational example of God's trustworthiness. An ancestor, one I've never met, points from the grave to the number of God and its true meaning. May I so leave such a legacy for my children.
"Heroes" By Barbara Revor
The heroes who mean so much to me Will never be read in history A father, a grandmother, who passed away Mean more to me than words can say.
Their courage, their faith inspired me To go on, try harder, and accept what will be. Lord, make me a hero to someone some day So I can be famous in some small way
So I can help someone Your face to see And show them the secret of eternity. For heroes aren't people in books to be found They're next door, at work -they're all around.
They're people who 'oft never knew The impact they had through the good that they do. Thank you for heroes though small they may be, And make me Your mirror-a hero for Thee.
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