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MISSIONS REPORTSTO THE EDITORLetters should be addressed to the Editorial Office, 1810 YoungStreet, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, or e-mailed to revivalist@gbs.edu.Letters reprinted here do not necessarily reflect the opinions of theeditor of God’s Revivalist nor those of the administration of God’sBible School. Names and locations of writers will be withheld at theirspecific request or at the discretion of the editor. We reserve the rightto edit and condense.SECOND THOUGHTSI was piqued with interest as I read [Ben Durr, Jr.’s]recent “Second Thoughts” (Nov. 2003). His instruction ofhow to pray through the Psalms is very insightful. Myconcept is that such praying is a strong defense against thesecular world’s influence over our daily living. I am aretired Nazarene elder and appreciate the work you andyour institution are doing in these challenging days.(REV.) BYRON FORDEscondido, CaliforniaEditor’s Note: Mr. Ford has written a devotional guideentitled “Praying through the Psalms.”BOTH CRISIS AND PROCESSLet me thank you for just a few items your publicationhas mentioned of late: (1) “Wal-Mart Theology” byDr. M.R. Avery was truly timely! (2) The “Hither andThither” report concerning the General Conference ofthe Free Methodist Church [changing the doctrinal articleon “Entire Sanctification”] is really disturbing. Keep yourwitness clear and strong to both crisis and process inGod’s salvation plan.DELBERT R. ROSE,Dean Emeritus/ Wesley Biblical SeminaryFt. Myers, FloridaLEAVING FOR THE MISSION FIELDI deeply appreciate your magazine! Its message ofsalvation, holiness, and Christlike living is anencouragement to me in my walk with God. Thankyoufor keeping the standard high! I am preparing toleave for the mission field, however, and must cancelmy subscription. I will look forward to accessing God’sRevivalist on the Internet from wherever I may be!SCOTT SOBIEBarberton, Ohio(continued on page 21) ➡Each month we publish brief “field reports” from missionariesaround the world. Missionaries are invited to send us theirnewsletters and other information about their activities. GBSgraduates are especially urged to respond, but we also wish toinclude others who uphold our vision and our commitment.BOLIVIA. “Pray for the new outreach at Atrimbia. Itis a remote area where some believers from Filadelfiahave relatives for whom they are burdened. A familywere saved and no longer are involved in the work of‘Curanderos,’ healing the sick through charms and‘spirits.’ A Church is being built, and a Christian fromFiladelfia is going there to pastor as soon as a housefor them is finished.” —RopeholdersBRAZIL. “The churches are growing, and new onesare being planted. Several people came to my Momand Dad [Rev. and Mrs. Rodney Wells] over the holidaysand thanked them with tears in their eyes,because this was the first Christmas season that theycould remember when they were sober with theirfamilies and actually able to enjoy it. Right now thereare five churches. However, by the end of the yearthere could be twice that many.” —Brian Wells (‘99GBS BA), personal report on Brazil missions sponsoredby the Pilgrim Holiness Church of NYCOSTA RICA. “In April I will once again be changingeverything in my life as I leave behind family andfriends to my follow my Saviour’s call. Nine to twelvemonths of hard language study in Costa Rica shouldhelp prepare me to fulfill my dream of pioneeringChristian Day Schools in Central America.” —RachelArndt, GBS Alumna, NewsletterHONG KONG. “We have purchased some verygood quality Chinese Bibles here at a subsidized costof $.90 (90 cents) per copy. Pray that help will ariseto courier these over into China. We hope to movesome into Danshui and also out west to Xian initially,and then perhaps on to other places. Please (p6)➡GOD'S REVIVALIST and BIBLE ADVOCATE04

At God's Bible School andCollege, we think the best way tochoose the college that's right for youis to visit the campus. A visit will give youthe opportunity to experience the campuspersonally, meet students and professors, andtalk with the people who have answers to yourquestions. You can sit in on a class, attend a chapelservice, stay overnight in the dorms, and join in severalscheduled sporting activities.While you're visiting, we want you to catch the vision ofa transformed life. We will equip you to serve, deepen yourtheological understanding, enrich your spiritual formation,and sharpen your sense of the call God has placed on yourlife. We want to train you to be the difference in our world!Special speaker, Friday evening:Melvin AdamsFor further information contact Jenny Fikes, AdmissionsRepresentative at 800.486.4637 x. 269 or gbs4u@gbs.edu.

He’s gone. I find it hard to believe. After an eleven yearJonathan-and-David friendship, Peter is gone. He diedof a brain tumor the day after Christmas, 2003. The callcame from Ukraine at 4:10 A.M.The Rev.Dan Glick is chairof the Division ofInterculturalStudies andWorld Missions atGod’s BibleSchool. He is alsoa pastor, as wellas director of amissions agencyin Ukraine.Peter Stankevich was 49 years old and a father of nine unmarried children, most of themstill living at home. Six hundred people attended his funeral the next day in a small villagein southeastern Ukraine where Peter lived. Fifteen speakers and pastors spoke in a threehourservice followed by another hour-long service at the graveside. Peter was a churchplanter and a pastor, loved and respected by many people. I was one of them.In 1992, I flew to Kiev, Ukraine, to be involved in evangelism and literature distribution.I felt God’s clear direction in this matter, but I didn’t know where in the country I would beworking. I only knew that the capital was not to be my field of labor.Shortly after arriving and getting settled into a small apartment, I received a call from theson of the only pastor I knew in that city of three million people. The son told me that a pastorwas there from southeastern Ukraine, and that he was looking for an American pastor towork with him that summer. Would I be interested?Yes of course I was interested. Something told me that this was the reason I had comeand that God was orchestrating this situation. In a few minutes, Peter, along with his father(who was also a pastor) and another man, showed up at my apartment.MARCH 200407

WHY YOU SHOULD CONSIDERGBS MISSIONSFor over one hundred years God’s Bible School andCollege has been about world missions. GBS&C graduatesare in the harvest around the globe. Today there isa new excitement about missions on the Hilltop. Thedepartment has doubled in size in the last five semesters.Students are busy preparing to serve today’s harvest.Perhaps God wants you to be one of them. Here are fivereasons to consider it.The need of the world. Two billion people are without a Christian witness and access to a Christian church.The last command of Christ. Just before He left this earth, he gave us His last request: “Go into all the worldand preach the Gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).The imbalance of workers. Only one out of every thousand Christians becomes a foreign missionary. The UnitedStates has five percent of the world’s population but a disproportionate amount of Christian workers and ministries.A contemporary department. We have the latest books, films, and mission materials on our shelves. Our missionsclassroom is state of the art. We have a contemporary approach to missions.The opportunities. Every missions student must do a six-credit-hour overseas missions internship to graduate.Short-term missions trips are organized every summer. Trips to New York, Chicago, and Washington are also takenon a regular basis. There are the opportunities to serve at the inner-city missions here in Cincinnati.Come join us at GBS&C and enter the world harvest!—Daniel R. Glick, Divisional Chair, World Missions and Intercultural StudiesThey wanted to know if I would come and help themin evangelism and also help them get Christian literaturefor their region. As I heard them speaking, I recognizedthat they were the answer to what God had put in myheart several months earlier.I went along with my family and had one of the mostmemorable periods of my life. We traveled and workedtogether, preaching and teaching the gospel in cities,towns, and villages. We preached together in publicschools, houses of culture, hospitals, a military camp, onthe street, and in churches.Over the course of the next ten years, we builtchurches together, baptized new Christians, distributedthousands of Bibles, New Testaments, and pieces ofChristian literature, sang, prayed, ate, traveled, andlaughed together. To my knowledge I have never had amore loyal and self-sacrificing friend then PeterStankevich.In 2000, when our families were together swimmingat the Azov Sea (part of the Black Sea), Ruth, our oldestdaughter was swept into dangerous waters by a strongcurrent. Joseph, our oldest son, and I went after her onlyto become engulfed in the waves and sea ourselves.Soon the situation became critical. Peter, seeing ourplight, plunged into the waters and came within amoment or two of losing his own life trying to save ours.He was taken to a nearby hospital where he was revivedwith oxygen after several men worked on him for 45minutes on the shore trying to get water out of him.Events like this strengthened the already strong bondbetween us, and it is difficult after 18 trips to Ukraine torecognize that he won’t be there the next time. Peteroften came to the train station where I would see hissmiling face scanning the windows of the cars of the trainas it rolled into the station. When I would depart, hewould take me to the station and wave good-bye to mewith sad-looking eyes as the train rolled out of the station.With one motion he would wave good-by. Withanother motion he would indicate that I should return. Alump would often well up in my throat and tears wouldmoisten my eyes; and so for ten years and on seventeensubsequent trips I obeyed his motions.That warm, welcoming face I will never see again onthis earth. But I have a feeling that as my train rolls intoanother station, in another country and city, far fromsoutheastern Ukraine, I will again recognize that facescanning the new arrivals for an absent friend. This time,there will be no painful separation and departure. Andmy friend Peter, instead of showing me around the countryof Ukraine, will show me around a heavenly one.Good-bye Peter. Your earthly journey is over. We’ll visitagain when mine is.GOD'S REVIVALIST and BIBLE ADVOCATE08

JANENE FIALA RECEIVESPROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONJanene Fiala,AdministrativeAssistant to VicePresidents Dr.Ken Farmer andMr. RichardMiles recentlypassed theCertifiedAdministrative Professional (CAP)Examination, the top rating foradministrative professionals. Shehad passed the CertifiedProfessional Secretary Examinationin 1999. To earn CAP certification,candidates mustmeet certain educational andwork experience requirementsbefore applying totake the exam, which coversthe following organizationalplanning concerns: team skills,strategic planning, andadvanced administration. Ms.Fiala will use these skills in thecoming year as president of theInternational Association ofAdministrative Professionals (IAAP),Cincinnati chapter, and will worktoward CAP Recertification.GLORIA PANGILINAN JOINSGBS STAFFIn JanuaryGloria Pangilinanarrived at God’sBible School,where she isnow workingwith Charles andLottie Tryon inthe Aldersgate Distance EducationProgram and serving as InternationalStudent Advisor. Although Gloriahas earned a Professional Diplomabeyond her two bachelor degrees,she wanted to complete a Bible collegedegree. Therefore, in additionto her work responsibilities, she isworking on a degree in Church andFamily Ministry at GBS. A naturalizedAmerican citizen originallyfrom the Republic of thePhilippines, Gloria has been ateacher with the HawaiiDepartment of Education for twelveyears, teaching English as a secondlanguage.“STUDENT OF THE MONTH”PLAQUES AWARDEDTwo students have received“Student of the Month” plaquesawarded by theOffice of StudentAffairs. They areas follows:January:Curtis Going,junior ministerialstudent fromGoldsboro,On these pages, we featureitems about GBS alumni,vital statistics, significantevents scheduledthroughout the “Revivalistfamily,” and brief newsnotes from across theholiness movement. An itemfor inclusion in the“Revivalist Family” must besubmitted within fourmonths of the event which itreports and should beaddressed to the EditorialOffice, 1810 Young Street,Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; orrevivalist@gbs.edu.BIRTHSTo Eric (attended ‘88) and Carol(Winkler) (‘88 GBS HS) Clevenger,Washington, Pennsylvania, a son, JonathanTimothy Clevenger, born September 20,2003. Maternal grandparents are Rev. andMrs. Joseph Winkler. Mr. Winkler is a memberof the maintenance staff at GBS.To Steve and DottieRoberson, a son BenjaminLee Roberson, born January2, Cincinnati, Ohio. Steve is aGBS ministerial student, andDottie is former phone deskoperator and receptionist.To Robert and Linda (Jones) (‘93 GBSBRE in Nursing) Scott,Cincinnati, Ohio, a daughter,Jennifer Rose Scott, bornDecember 7, 2003. Rob servedon the Revivalist staff from1985–1994. The Scotts alsohave one son, Aaron, age 2.DEATHSThe Rev. Joseph L. Hunting, 85, LakePlacid, New York, died October 24. Savedwhile serving in the army during World WarII., he pastored 55 years, 47 of which werewith the Pilgrim Holiness Church of NewYork. Three of his children, a son-in-law, andone grandchild are graduates of GBS, andGOD'S REVIVALIST and BIBLE ADVOCATE10

North Carolina, who intends tobecome a pastor following graduation.“My time at GBS has beeninvaluable,” he notes. “I havelearned and grown a great dealboth scholastically and spiritually.”February: Heather Gates, asenior in the Christian TeacherEducation program,will teachin a Christianschool followinggraduation. Shewas convertedin 1998, and asshe testifies“never beensorry.” Her yearsat GBS have been “fun and veryeducational.”SPRING COLLEGE ENROLLMENTAT 244GBS college enrollment forspring 2004 stands at 244. Thisrepresents a net loss of eight or3.2% from our enrollment of 252for the fall 2003 semester. The collegenearly always experiences a netloss between the fall and springsemesters. The average such loss forthe ten-year period since 1994 is6.4%. It should be noted that thisofficial count does not includecourse enrollments in ourAldersgate Distance EducationProgram that occur after our censusdate or classes taken only for personalenrichment. —Dr. Ken Farmer,Vice President for Academic AffairsCOLLEGE CLASSES OFFEREDDURING CAMP MEETINGCamp meeting 2004 will againoffer two classes for those desiringto further their college educationand improve their love relationshipwith God. These are the following:1. Letter to the Hebrews, taughtby Dr. Allan Brown, is a two-creditcourse which will meet 1:00 to4:00 PM Monday through Friday,May 24–28. Those desiring collegemust be enrolled by April 30, sincecourse materials and advance studyrequirements are mailed prior toattendance. All new students mustbe officially enrolled. Cost of thecourse will be $300. Students mayalso enroll for a Non-CreditCertificate of Completion for $100or for non-credit personal enrichmentfor $75. Advance enrollmentor official registration with GBS isnot required for students in thesetwo categories.2. Principles of the Christian Life,taught by Dr. Philip Brown, is aone-credit course which will met1:30 to 2:30 PM, Monday throughFriday. It can be taken for credit($150) or non-credit (no charge).Old or young will benefit from thispractical, down-to-earth, presentdayapplication of real life issues.To enroll or receive additionalinformation, contact Lottie Tryon,Aldersgate Coordinator, God’s BibleSchool and College, telephone(513) 721-7944, Ext. 122 or 124.BRIEFLY NOTED:GBS alumnus the Rev. RickHutchison (‘77 BRE) served asevangelist at campus revival services,January 12–16. There was aready response to his earnest andanother grandchild is currently enrolled. He is survived byMabel E. (Grimes) Hunting, his wife of 63 years; four children,Paulette, Joanna (GBS ‘83) Wesley (GBS ‘81), Faith(GBS ‘85); eight grandchildren and one great grandchild.Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. AndrewWhitney with burial in the Edinburgh, N.Y., cemetery.The Rev. Ezra Winifred McVey, 93, Colorado Springs,Colorado, died November 9. Converted in youth, he enrolledin God’s Bible School at the age of 19. During a powerfulrevival held by R.G. Finch, he began to seek a deeper walkwith God and sometime later was sanctified wholly whileworking in the bindery of the school printing shop. One of hismemories was helping carry “Mother Knapp,” the widow ofthe school’s founder, to her apartment after her fatal stroke. Hewas married to Faye Dodson in 1933, soon after they hadcompleted studies at GBS; and they were colleagues in ministryfor many years, serving pastorates in Colorado, Oregon,Wyoming, Nebraska, and Ohio. She died in 1982; and fiveyears later, he was married to veteran missionary Ina Shreve.They lived happily together until her death in 1999. He is survivedby his sons Lowell and Wilbur and other relatives.NOTICESThe Rev. Dr. H.C. Emmert, professor in the GBSDivision of Ministerial Education, veteran pastor, educator,and evangelist, is available as speaker for revivals, conventions,and as pulpit supply. He may be contacted byphone (513) 721-0443; by email, hcemmert@aol.com. Hisaddress after June first will be 1774 Lionsgate Circle, Bethany,Oklahoma 73008.“Dr. Emmert’s ministry will be a challenge and encouragement.His many years of experience, his knowledge of God’sWord, and his passion for authentic holiness of heart and lifeMARCH 200411

NEWS FROM THE HILLTOP continuedanointed preaching, and manyfound spiritual help at the publicaltars…. The Rev. Richard Miles,Vice President for Student Affairs,was presented a palm-sized personalcomputer by the GBS campusfamily before chapel services,February 6, in honor of his completionof graduate studies atLiberty University.continuedwill bring blessing to your church, and that is why I ampleased to commend him to you.” —Dr. Michael AveryConservative Holiness Church in southeast Ohio isseeking a full-time pastor. Salary plus benefit package andparsonage furnished. If interested, please call (740) 992-3194.SPECIAL INTERESTIndependence Bible School (K-12), located inIndependence, Kansas, is searching for a superintendent.Position to be filled on or before June 2004. Candidatesshould possess a proven holiness testimony and have administrativeexperience. Contact Stephen Douglas, 620-365-8075 or scdoug@alltel.net.HITHER AND THITHER“In Perilous Times…God is our refuge and strength, avery present help in trouble. This is the theme for the 53ndannual Interchurch Holiness Convention (IHC), which will beheld April 20–22 at the Convention Center in downtownDayton, Ohio. Evening speakers will be James Plank and PaulPierpoint. For more information call the IHC office, (812)-275-2119.The Rev. Dale Hayford, educator and editor, was electedunanimously as first general superintendent of the PilgrimNazarene Church, new Wesleyan/holiness denomination establishedDecember 6, 2003, at an organizing meeting held nearShreveport, Louisiana. David Taylor will serve as GeneralSecretary and Jim Dunegan as General Treasurer. Twenty-eightelders were given ministerial credentials and evangelists andmusicians were also recognized. Plans were laid for the firstGeneral conference, which will be held in Ohio, June 14–20.Average attendance at the five day conference was reported tobe about 250, and $63,000 was raised. The establishment of aPilgrim Nazarene Bible College has also been announced.GOD'S REVIVALIST and BIBLE ADVOCATE12

CALLED TO THE LEAST ANDTHE LOSTAlifetime of service for Paul andKatherine Martin really beganin the early years of their lives.Paul grew up in a parsonage. Hisfather, Robert, had attendedGod’s Bible School and Collegein 1925 and 1926 and had seenfirsthand the school’s passionfor ministry. Katherineattended GBS High Schoolfrom 1943 to 1946. She andher sisters formed a singingtrio, the Bane Sisters, andwent from church to churchin evangelistic meetings. In1951 the trio sang in achurch in Hollidaysburg,Pennsylvania. ThereKatherine met Paul, and in1952 they were married. Pauland Katherine traveled toCincinnati in 1955, wherePaul enrolled in the ChristianWorkers’ Course at GBS.In 1956, with two smallchildren in tow, the Martinsheaded to Washington, DC.There they began a lifetime of ministry for theAmerican Rescue Workers. This organization wasfounded in 1884 as a national religious and charitablemovement. ARW takes as its scriptural foundation theverses in Matthew chapter 25 that read, “For I was anhungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and yegave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visitedme: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.”ARW targets its ministries to the homeless, alcoholand drug addicts, unwed mothers, and other needypersons. It operates shelters, rehab centers, and a varietyof emergency assistance services, as well asChristian counseling. Before the trip to Washington,Paul had already been involved in the ministry of ARW,serving as an officer in that ministry since he was sixteen.He grew up working in the mission inHollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, directed by his father.Little did Paul and Katherine know as they drovetheir station wagon into the nation’s capital city thatthey would spend a lifetime building God’s kingdomthere and ministering to many thousands of needypeople. Paul and Katherine eventually became generalswith ARW. Paul would go on to serve three fiveyearterms as National Commander. Their familywould grow to include three girls and two boys (theynow have thirteen grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren).One of theirdaughters would attend GBSHigh School and return to workin the ARW office. The work inWashington would grow fromthe first shelter in 1958 to amulti-million dollar complexwith a variety of ministries tothe needy.In August 2002, Paulretired as Commander-in-Chiefof ARW. One of the honors bestowed on himwas a scholarship founded in his name foryoung people who feel a call to minister to theneedy. The Martins have retired but continue toinvolve themselves in ministry. Their lives havebeen dedicated to spreading the life-changinggospel and reaching out to the least, the lost,and the lonely. The Martins aretwo of the many GBS alumniwho girdle the globe making adifference in the lives of needypeople. —Rev. Jack Hookerphotos top to bottom: (1) Katherine(Bane) Martin, GBS high school graduation;(2) The Bane Sisters Trio; (3)Headed to Washington, D.C., 1956;(4) Paul and Katherine Martin.MARCH 200413

A BIBLICAL RESPONSEIS IT WRONG TO BREAK THESPEED LIMIT?Does the scriptural command,“Submit yourselves toevery ordinance of man for theLord’s sake…” (I Peter 2:14)include the traffic laws? Somepeople don’t think so and driveas fast as they desire. Does theWord allow us to decide whichlaws to obey? —C.J.those in authority the responsibilityto reward good and punish evil. Hewill hold them accountable for thatresponsibility, but even those whomisuse it are ordained by God.To disobey them is to disobeyGod’s appointed ministers and thusto disobey God Himself (Rom.13:4-5). That is why Paul concludesthat we must obey the laws of theland for conscience’s sake and notmerely to avoid the law’s wrath orpunishment (Rom. 13:5). Peter’scommand is the same. We are tosubmit to the ordinance (i.e.,authority structure) of men, for theLord’s sake. Peter didn’t say we hadto agree with the laws or even thinkthem just.Having said that, let me suggestthat we need to understand boththe spirit and the letter of our laws.The purpose (spirit) of speed limitlaws is to promote safety. There areoccasions when going 55mph,although the posted limit, is unsafeand one may be stopped for drivingtoo fast for hazardous conditions.By the same token, there may betimes when going 55mph will causea road hazard if the highway trafficis moving 15-20 miles faster. To go55 may keep the letter but violatethe purpose of the law. Yet, thisexception cannot be legitimatelyused to argue “I can go any speed Iwant” or “I can go whatever speedI know the police will allow.” Weviolate Romans 13:1-6 and 1 Peter2:13-14 when we break the laws ofGod-ordained authority.Sincerely,Philip BrownDr. A. Philip Brown II is a member of theministerial faculty of God’s Bible Schooland College. He may be contacted by e-mail at pbrown@gbs.edu.Neither 1 Peter 2:14,Romans 13:1-6, nor any otherscripture gives us permission tochoose which laws we will obey.Of course, we ought to obeyGod rather than man (Acts 5:29).But that is only when human lawrequires us to violate God’s law,and speed limit laws certainly donot qualify for this exemption.Both Peter and Paul wroteduring the reign of Nero, aderanged, cruel, and wickedman who used Christians astorches to light his garden parties.Yet Paul states unqualifiedlythat the powers that be areordained of God (Rom. 13:1).He does not say “only good,godly rulers are ordained byGod.” He does state that sinceGod ordains the powers that be,to resist those powers is to resistGod (Rom. 13:2). God has givenTHE PRESIDENT’S PAGE continued➡ (continued from page 3)Religious sects began to spring upfor the sole purpose of explainingand defending the Law. The endresult was that Israel trusted in theLaw for salvation rather than in theGod who gave it. This subversion ofthe Divine intent perverted thegood that was to come from theLaw and brought about a subtleform of idolatry that left Israel worshipingthe thing made rather thanthe Maker.There are Christians today whofind it easier to trust in the forms ofgodliness than in the God Whogives power and meaning to theforms. They find it easier to identifywith a group, conform to acode, and embrace a creed thanto cultivate a relationship with theGod Who is at the heart of it all.Instead of living in the fear of theLord they rest in the acceptance ofman and man’s tradition. Theyhave chosen the false assurance ofreligious conformity and missedthe real assurance of “Christ in youthe hope of glory.”The trap of spiritual idolatry issubtle but avoidable. Take proactivemeasures to avoid it. Worship in achurch that values and speaks God’sWord. Find friends that challengeyou to know God intimately. Andnever forget that eternal life is inknowing the “true God, and JesusChrist whom he has sent.” Don’tsettle for anything less!GOD'S REVIVALIST14

the new CD from HARMONYfeaturing these songs:I Am What I AmHe Didn’t Throw TheClay AwayThe Longer I Serve HimJust PrayAt The CrossWho Am I / He CameTo MeMore Than AbleYou’re Not AloneGraceCleanse MePrice: $12Package with any 2 other CDs for $25 plus $3 ShippingTo order, call Michelle at (513) 721-7944, ext. 222or order on the web at www.gbs.edu©2004 God’s Bible School and College, 1810 Young StreetCincinnati, OH 45202 • (513) 721-7944 • www.gbs.edu

A Crucial QuestionBy Dr. Richard S. TaylorQUESTION. Where I live we don’t hear muchabout “sanctification.” Why is that?ANSWER. In some cases the silence is a reaction to theabuse of the term in former years. I can recall when itwas very common—almost the “in” thing—for peopleto testify to being entirely sanctified. This was wonderfulwhen everyone knew he or she really had the blessing.But it wasn’t so wonderful when the term seemedlike a mere shibboleth. Sometimes teenagers whomight just have been converted would stand and saythey were “saved and sanctified,” when clearly theyhadn’t the foggiest notion of what their words meant.As a result of this overuse of these terms, pastorsbegan drawing back from their use and insteadpreached heavily on the psychology of Christianexperience. They stressed a deep relationship withChrist through prayer and Bible study. The sum of thematter is we swung from one extreme to the other. Inseeking to get away from abuses of the terms “sanctify”and “sanctification,” we virtually dropped themaltogether. As a result we lost something very vital to avirile and effective holiness ministry.A college president confessed to me that hewas one of the reactionaries. He started hisministry preaching only on practical holiness,avoiding the doctrinal structure and theterminology of a second work of grace. Buthe had come to see his error. He now sawthat people needed to see structure—firstnessand secondness and what went witheach, and the terms which were appropriate—inorder that they might channel their hearthunger into specific seeking and have handles bywhich they could both understand and express toothers what God had done for them.What is needed is not avoidance of the terms“sanctified” and “sanctification” but clearer instructionfrom the pulpit. For in the Bible these wordsare of very major importance. Salvation meaningsare attached to them. Jesus prayed for the sanctificationof His disciples (John 17:17-18). In fact, tomake possible their sanctification was a prime reasonfor His own going to the cross. And while Paulmay not yet have known about this prayer of Jesus,he wrote under the inspiration of the Holy Spiritthat Jesus “loved the church and gave himself for itthat he might sanctify it” (Eph. 5:25).In Paul’s original assignment, givendirectly by Jesus himself, was the instructionto preach a gospel which would enable peopleto receive not only the forgiveness of sinsbut also find their “place among those who are sanctifiedby faith” in Jesus (Acts 26:17-18). And the NewAmerican Standard Version renders (p19)➡GOD'S REVIVALIST and BIBLE ADVOCATE16

✃II. PAUL’S SPECIAL CALLING: “ … called to be an apostle”(1b)Paul also had a special calling. This meant that he knew he was doingwhat Jesus wanted. He had a definite sense of the Lord’s leadership in hislife’s work, for he had received the gift and responsibility of apostleshipfrom the Lord.Do you sense God’s leading in your work? Every Christian has a specialcalling. It may be that of a minister, a missionary, a teacher, a businessman,a craftsman, or a homemaker. Have you sought His help and counsel? Areyou doing what you are doing because you know it is God’s will, or haveyou failed to seek His authorization? There is great diversity in the way Godleads. Remember that there is no division of life into the so-called categoriesof “secular” and “sacred.” To a member of the “devoted order of the piercedear,” all he does is sacred. He tests everything by the Word of God and doesnothing that will displease his Master. He remembers the command to glorifyGod in everything, whether it be eating, drinking, or anything else (I Cor.10:31). If he cannot meet this requirement, he refrains from that activity.III. PAUL’S SPECIFIC CONCERN: “…separated unto the gospel of God” (1c)The word “separated” signifies one who is “set apart from and dedicatedto” a specific cause or task. To be “separated unto the gospel” meant thatPaul would not allow any aspect of his life’s work to be in violation with theteachings of the gospel.Is your life “separated unto the gospel of God”? How sad that there areso many who become enthusiastic about sports, about work, and about variousworldly interests, but the moment they are converted to Jesus Christ,they become very quiet about their relationship with Him. The former zealthey had for the world and its pleasures is seemingly lacking in their devotionfor God. Paul was not that type of believer. He was just as enthusiastic forChrist, or more so, as he had been in his persecution of those who believedin Him. How wonderful that the enthusiasm we had for the things of thisworld can be transformed into enthusiasm for Him and His work.CONCLUSIONAre you a member of the “devoted order of the pierced ear”? Can yousay without reservation, “By the grace of God, I am a love slave of JesusChrist?” Is your relationship with Jesus the most important thing in your life?How about your daily work—your special calling? Are you doing what youare doing because you know God wants you to do it ? Are you “separatedunto the gospel of God”? Is there any aspect of your life’swork that is in violation with the teaching of the Gospel?Your answers to these questions will indicate whether ornot you are truly a member of the “devoted order of thepierced ear.” If you are not, or if there are doubts or questionmarks about anything in your life, repent and lay it atthe foot of the cross of Christ.—sermon outline by DR. ALLAN P. BROWN4“COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCEIN PREACHING”THE DEVOTEDORDER OF THEPIERCED EARScripture: “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separatedunto the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1)INTRODUCTIONIt is February, 58 AD. Sitting in a room in the house of Gaius, a wealthyCorinthian Christian (Rom. 16:23), Paul prepares to dictate a letter to thechurch at Rome. His scribe Tertius is poised, ready to write.To pave the way for his proposed visit, Paul feels directed by the Lordto explain the gospel he preaches. No doubt, many false rumors hadtrickled into Rome about him. Paul wishes to give a careful statement ofhis ministry, hoping that the Romans will give him a warm welcome uponhis arrival.What would be the best way to introduce himself? Paul decides, underthe inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to keep his priorities straight. Beforeeverything else, he is a “servant of Jesus Christ.” Even his apostleship takesa subordinate role to the place Jesus occupies in his life.Is your relationship with Jesus that important in your life? Is Jesusfirst in your priorities?I. PAUL’S SPIRITUAL CONDITION: “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ …“ (1a)In a day when most people were actually slaves, Paul enjoyed therare and much prized privilege of being a free-born citizen of Rome.Yet he deliberately chose to explain his relationship to Jesus by usingthe word “servant” (doulos).The word “servant” is used in several contexts. It can serve as ageneric term for any type of slave, or it can refer to a “love slave.” Itcan also be used as a title of honor and respect, equivalent to the OldTestament phrase “servant of the Lord,” descriptive of outstanding leadersas Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David and the prophets. In the lastusage, the focus is not on possessing a privileged office but on serviceto a greater authority.By using the word “servant” before mentioning his apostleship, Paulemphasizes that the authority he exercises is a derived authority.1

Further, in light of how Paul speaks elsewhere of “the love of Christ constraininghim” (2 Cor. 5:14), it seems reasonable that Paul views himselfas a “love slave” of Jesus Christ.Insight into the meaning of being a “love slave” is provided byDeuteronomy 15:12-17 and Exodus 21:1-6. When a Hebrew bond-servantdecided that he was better off remaining a servant to his Hebrewmaster and deliberately chose to refuse freedom, he could request tobecome a permanent part of his master’s household. “And it shall be, if he[the bond-servant] say unto you [the master], I will not go away from you;because he loves you and your house, because he is well with you; thenyou shalt take an awl, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and heshall be your servant for ever. And also unto your maidservant you shall dolikewise” (Deut. 15:16-17).This rite of expressing love to your master—of asking to become apermanent “love slave” in his household—is how you become a memberof the “devoted order of the pierced ear.” In making this decision,there were four factors that merited careful consideration.It was voluntary: “If he say unto you, I will not go away from you.”(Deut. 15:16a)No Hebrew bond-servant was to be coerced into becoming a “loveslave.” The only servants who remained in servanthood past the requiredsix years were those who really wanted to. So also becoming a love slaveof Jesus Christ is by free choice, for no one is ever forced.It was based on love: “Because he loves you and your house.”(Deut. 15:16b)The Hebrew bond servant had to initiate the request. He had to saysomething like this: “I do not want to go away from you. I love you andyour house. I want to remain a servant in your household.” No one woulddo this unless he had discovered a more happy and joyful mode of livingthan what he had known before he had become a servant. It would requirea remarkably wise, loving, and kind master to produce such a desire. Thatis exactly what Paul had found in his relationship with Jesus with whom hehad fallen deeply in love.What does it mean to say, “I love Jesus”? Jesus Himself tells us: “If aman love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and wewill come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loves me notkeeps not my saying: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but theFather’s which sent me” (John 14:23, 24). “If you keep my commandments,you shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments,and abide in his love” (John 15:10). Love for Jesus is measurable. It displaysits reality through obedience to God’s Word. When we really love Jesus,we find that His commands are not burdensome (1 Jn. 5:3). Service forJesus is just as he promised it would be: “an easy yoke and a light burden”(Matthew 11:30).It provided security: “Because it is well with you.” (Deut. 15:16c)Any Hebrew servant must have had great confidence in his master tobecome a permanent “love slave.” For in doing so, he placed into his master’shands the responsibility for providing for his daily needs and directinghis future destiny. How well he would be treated depended entirelyupon the good graces and generosity of the master.Jesus Christ provides tremendous security. He promised, “I willnever leave you nor forsake you (Heb. 13:5). As a servant of Christ, Paulfound that he was supremely happy and content (Phil. 2:17; 4:11). Godhas promised to supply all the needs of His servants according to Hisriches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Paul never found thefirst exception to this promise, nor has any servant of Jesus ever beendisappointed. Paradoxically, Paul found that being a “love servant” ofJesus produced new freedom. This enabled him to do what God wantedhim to do and released him from the bondage of self, sin, and thefear of other people. “For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant,is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’sservant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men”(1 Cor. 7:22, 23).It was a permanent relationship: “You shall take an awl, andthrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be your servantfor ever.” (Deut. 15:17)A permanent mark was placed upon anyone who wished to becomea permanent “love slave,” symbolizing that the bearer was a member ofthe “devoted order of the pierced ear.” The pierced ear became a visiblesymbol of the servant’s love and loyalty to his master. Have you madesuch a choice?Paul had counted the cost, and he had made his decision. He had willinglysurrendered all his rights, aspirations, and goals in order to become apermanent “love slave” of Jesus Christ. “But what things were gain to me,those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but lossfor the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I havesuffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may winChrist” (Phil. 3:7-8). Although Jesus did not require ear piercing with an awlto show permanent devotion, Paul was proud to be a member of the“devoted order of the pierced ear.”Just having his ear pierced didn’t mean the slave had to stay with hismaster. True, he had made a choice to serve; but he had to choose tolive out that choice every day of the rest of his life. In the same way, wemay also bring our ear to the doorway of total consecration and let ourMaster place His mark upon us. Yet that decision is just the beginningpoint of a life of voluntary, love-driven service that must be chosen everyday of our lives.Have you settled the question of allegiance and control of your life?The primary consideration of a servant of Jesus Christ must always be toplease his Master. Paul was so devoted he could say, “For me to live isChrist” (Phil. 1:21). Is the desire to please Christ the chief priority in all yourdecisions, plans, and activities?2 3

➡ (p16) Hebrews 12:14 as theexhortation to pursue “the sanctificationwithout which no one willsee the Lord.”Obviously if people are nothearing of sanctification from thepulpit something is very seriouslywrong. They are getting a truncatedgospel. A message which is so clearlycentral and indispensable to theNew Testament scheme of things isbeing left out. This grieves God. Thisis a sin against the audience whichis so deprived. It is a betrayal ofordination vows. It results in an anemicpeople and a powerless ministry.This extreme imbalance is farworse than the former.Let us not let go of this just yet.Here is a state of grace which oneversion calls sanctification and otherscall holiness, without which noone will see the Lord. And here is apastor standing in the pulpit weekafter week. Does he not want hispeople to see the Lord? Then why ishe silent on the subject? If he has aprofound concern for the spiritualwelfare of his people how could hekeep it out of any sermon?Admittedly, the terms “sanctify”and “sanctification” have variousshades of meaning. They don’t alwaysrefer to a second definite work ofgrace. But every pastor should be anexpert in knowing what they mean indifferent contexts and be clear inapplying them to his people.On the whole these terms arenormative. They indicate a spiritualstate of the heart which is the realizationof the biblical plan andpromise. As such, it is pleasing andsatisfactory to God and imparts tothe heart the peace of God. There isat the core of this state of grace anabsolute surrender, unabridged obedience,loving joyfulness in service,and an overflow of love for theworld’s lost, on the one hand, andfor Christ’ s church, on the other.The doublemindedness is gone andsinglemindedness reigns. The sanctifiedsoul not only seeks first thekingdom of God and his righteousness(Matthew 6:33) but would seekit first even if Jesus had never urgedit. Seeking it first would be thespontaneous prompting of the inner,Spirit-cleansed nature.In view of this momentous andbiblically urgent truth, we mustdeclare in all earnestness: We need arevival of holiness preaching, the kindthat is clear in its doctrinal structure,that is clear about a first and secondwork of grace, and that uses the fullpanoply of scriptural terms. Thenthere will be a new generation ofholiness exponents, holiness advocates,and joyful holiness witness—inthe pews. And a new generation ofpowerful churches.The pitifully strained andhumanistic frenzy for church growthwould be replaced by the activity ofthe Holy Spirit in convicting sinnersand bringing them to the churchand to the parsonage for prayer.The church’s growth then is theLord’s, not man’s. And there wouldbe fewer parsonage burnouts.But it won’t happen by avoidingthe biblical terminology of holinessdoctrine. After all, laymen havebrains. They read these terms intheir Bible too, and inwardly wonder,“Does our pastor know anythingabout these words? Why doesn’t heever explain them?” For instance,why doesn’t he ever preach on 1Thessalonians 5:23-24? “May Godhimself, the God of peace, sanctifyyou through and through. May yourwhole spirit, soul and body be keptblameless at the coming of our LordJesus Christ. The one who calls youis faithful and he will do it.”No matter how painful the truthis, we need to face reality. Silence inthe pulpit on the subject of sanctificationcan only be explained byone of more of the following:The pastor has no personalexperience of entire sanctification. Itis hard to preach on what one doesnot enjoy.The pastor does not takeHebrews 12:14 seriously. Surely hecould not neglect the subject if hereally believed his people’s eternalsalvation was at stake.The pastor does not love hispeople as he ought or he wouldcourageously declare “the wholewill of God,” as did Paul (Acts20:27). Failing to do so, he cannotclaim with Paul to be “innocent ofthe blood of all men” (v. 26).The pastor is afraid of the hornet’snest in his church that strongpreaching on entire sanctificationmight stir up.The pastor is not being led ofthe Holy Spirit, who would not permithim to neglect a major Bibletruth which the Spirit himselfinspired.The pastor is more anxious toplease men than God—the Godwho called him to preach, and towhom he is ultimately accountable.He has joined the crowd of preacherswho are skillful in saying whatthe people’s “itching ears want tohear” (2 Tim. 4:3).The pastor rationalizes that hecan preach the same essential ideasby using other terms. Very good. Isthe Holy Spirit using such preachingto convict the people of their carnalityand leading them to seek adeeper work of grace? How manyare going down before God andcoming up with a clear testimony?The “proof” is still “in the pudding.”(And by the way, if they praythrough and try to testify, how willthey know what God has done forthem and what will they call it?).These are serious indictments.None of the reasons for not preachingon entire sanctification “holdwater.” And none will pass muster onthe day when God calls pastors togive account of their stewardship.Dr. Richard S. Tayloris well known in theholiness movement asa theologian, educator,and conference speaker.He is the author ofnumerous books.MARCH 200419

LETTERS continued➡ (continued from page 4)HEART HOLINESSThank you for the content of theRevivalist and the emphasis on heartholiness. God bless.SHERMAN R. REEDEmailHILLTOP REVIVALIST REVISITEDIn reference to the “Hilltop Revivalist”(see “Letters to the Editor, October,2003), I thank God for God’s Revivalistthat comes from the Hilltop….[which]identifies it with some of God’s choicest—MartinWells Knapp, etc. Some ofthe men who have influenced me, likeRev. William Lauffer, were graduates ofGod’s Bible School. Thank you for the“President’s Page” and the other goodspiritual articles in the paper.REV. WAYNE CHAPMANStrattanville, PennsylvaniaSINCE THE ‘50’sThis magazine has been in my homesince the 1950’s. It is such a fine holinessmagazine and I truly pray God’s continuedblessings upon it and all connected.LETHA RARDINMilford, NebraskaDEPTH AND CLARITYThe Revivalist is the most helpfulChristian magazine that I receive. I firstbecame acquainted with your schoolwhen a quartet sang at the localWesleyan church. Thank you for thedepth and clarity of your articles.HELEN McCLOYElizabethtown, KentuckyINTO RHYMEAt 90 years of age, living in a nursinghome, my prayers continue for you. Ihave received your magazine since1974…. I find so much inspiration fromall of it, and…many times have thoughtsthat I have felt the need to put intorhyme to save—sermons to myself andto any who might like to read them.ELIZABETH MERRITTJohnstown, IowaBECOMING A CLOSER FAMILY“Our family just isn’t close. I know we love each other, but I wish Iknew what to do to help us get closer to each other. Can you help us?”In order to bring closer relationships to your family, you must understandthat true intimacy, according to Dr. Ron Hawkins, is “onenesswith a healthy separateness.” This means that we never cease tobecome separate individuals even when we are in a marriage or familyrelationship and that we should be careful not to destroy another person’sindividuality. For true intimacy requires us to value him or her as aunique and valuable person created by God; and indeed it is this valuingof another individual which forms the bond of intimacy. Rememberthat to value is to share, to care, and to commit to what is good foranother person. Too many times we damage relationships by seekingour own interests and needs to the neglect of others (Phil. 2:4).However, this is just one side of the coin. I must receive the gifts oflove, acceptance, and value from others; or I will dishonor the giver ofthose gifts. It hurts to try to love someone when that person refuses toaccept love or to believe that we really love him or her.We can learn a lesson on developing close relationships from Paul in 2Corinthians 6:11-12. He told the Corinthians that he opened his mouth tothem and that his heart was enlarged. Now this does not mean that he hada big mouth or a diseased heart, but rather that he was willing to expresshis love and affection in a way that made room in his heart for them. Aclose friend of mine, William Snider, once stated that “unexpressed love isno love at all!” It certainly seems that way to the person who needs to knowyour love. Close relationships are giving relationships. The Corinthians,however, did not do the same with Paul. They did not make room for himin their hearts, nor were they expressing their love for Paul.Let me suggest that you get your family together for a discussionabout its members’ desire to have love expressed to them. Seek a commitmentfrom each one to express love each day like the others need itexpressed. Be sure that you make room for others instead of using upyour emotional reserve and time to satisfy only your own emotionalneeds. Your needs are best met by meeting others’ needs and by receivinggifts of expressed love from others.It’s sad, but too often we fail to express our love. Too often (p23)➡MARCH 200421

➡ (p2) technology but who were masters in joinery,tension, and design.“Strength and beauty are in his sanctuary” (Ps.96:6). These words were not written of WestminsterAbbey but of Jehovah’s temple on Mt. Moriah, forstrength and beauty were as basic to that ancient edificeas to the Abbey church. They are just as basic to all ourbuildings for God’s worship—though not the massivegrandeur of the Abbey or the temple.Structurally our churches should be durable andsturdy, while aesthetically they should be graceful andappealing. Strength adds support to beauty, and beautyadds loveliness to strength. But what is true for our sanctuariesof wood and brick is also true for our sanctuariesof flesh and blood. For we, too, are sanctuaries consecratedto God and to His honor. “Know ye not that yeare the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwellethin you?” (I Cor. 3:16).Strength implies ruggedness, solidity, and power,while beauty speaks of winsomeness, balance, and proportion.Too often our lives demonstrate either strengthwithout beauty or beauty without strength; and in eithercase we are far less than what Jesus is or what Heexpects us to be. For durability and grace were perfectlycombined in Him, one always complementing andenriching the other. His charming smile brought gladnessto the mourners; but His lashing whip drove theprofaners from His Father’s house.Some of us are better with the smiles and otherswith the whips. On one hand, we may be mealymouthed,weak, and compromising, yet congratulateourselves that we are kind and understanding. On theother, we may be rigid, bullying, and harsh, yet convinceourselves that we are disciplined and righteous. Ineither case, we show deep flaws in human temperamentinherited from sinful nature—flaws which keep us fromthe noble strength and beauty which was in Him.His purpose, though, is to cleanse us from what isselfish, unloving, and depraved, and then to wean usfrom what is disproportionate, lopsided, and unattractive.For the Spirit recreates us in the Saviour’s likeness,so that increasingly we take on the contours of His holylife. He “loved righteousness” (Heb. 1:9)—all that isholy, lovely, and gracious, enjoined by His Father’s will.But also He “hated iniquity”—all that is evil, mean, andselfish, condemned by His Father’s wrath. Loving whatGod loves and hating what God hates—these must alsobecome the parameters of our lives, for they relatedirectly to the strength and beauty of developedChristian character.Strength is primary and foundational, for it adds supportto beauty. In the Abbey church, it inheres in deepfoundations, massive walls, and lofty rafters. In us, it is insolid commitment to holy principle, as we continuallyaffirm what is right and constantly deny what is wrong.This is enabled by the Spirit, for without the invigoratinggrace which He pours into our fickle souls, we sell outquickly to the highest bidder, deny our own convictions,and betray Him in whose service we have enlisted.For by nature, we are more like cowards than likeheroes in the conflicts of the soul. Yet as we invite Himinto all the chambers of our soul, His strength becomesour own, making us durable, true, and noble. Grace providesability and power, but still the choosing is our own,for always human purpose must affirm divine provision.Thus, deep-seated personal commitment—steadfastlyreinforced and continuously reaffirmed—bringsthat rugged strength which supports all Christian life. Butthere are also corollaries which it produces:Strength to separate from the world and its priorities,for the world has crucified Our Lord and would seduceus from Him;Strength to bear the cross, for that is the only waythat we can follow Him;Strength to persist in the means of grace, for theseare the continuing channels of His favor;Strength to pursue holiness of heart and life, for holinessis to be like Him;Strength to bear witness to His name, for that is tocall others also to follow Him;Strength to arrive at journey’s end, for that is heavenwhere He awaits us.But what is the beauty of Christian character whichalso is in His sanctuary? For not only our worship, butalso our lives must reflect the “beauty of holiness” whichis His by eternal nature and ours by gracious gift. This isopposite to the repulsive scrappiness and harsh severityof those who boast in what is strong in spiritual development,as they believe, but ignore what is beautiful.Their firmness of conviction is admirable, but theirugliness of character is not. Holiness always is unflinching,but it always is lovely, too. How basic is God’sHoliness to all His attributes and works; and He gave upHis Son to bitter death that we might be holy, too. To beholy means that we must be as gracious and as winsomeas we are firm and unrelenting.At the core of holiness is love—love for God andlove for people; and its unfailing marks are “love, joy,peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, self-control” (Gal. 5:22). These are theSpirit’s fruit in those whose hearts are seedbeds of Hisplanting. So rich a harvest does He reap that charredand shattered nature is transformed into the glory of Hislikeness. “Beauty for ashes” is His promise, and thatpromise is fulfilled in lavish splendor as He turns us sinnersinto saints.Christ’s beauty displayed in us is characterized inmany ways:Authentic goodness, which radiates integrityinstead of falsehood, overwhelms selfishness withGOD'S REVIVALIST and BIBLE ADVOCATE22

grace, and forces evil to shrinkbefore it;Overflowing kindness, whichoffers generosity, courtesy, and thesecond chance to both those whodeserve it and to those who do not;Gentle compassion, whichoffers healing to the broken, nurtureto the helpless, and pardon tothe guilty;Unselfish attitudes, whichtreats everyone with considerationand respect and without jealousy,wrath, retaliation, cruelty andexploitation;Ordered self-control, whichpoise even in tragic adversity andis the opposite of rashness, intemperance,and fanaticism;Saintly hope, which points joyfullyfrom the conflicts of today tothe triumph of tomorrow, from theemptiness of earthly values to thefullness of the final glory.Neither strength nor beauty “isof itself uncommon; it is theircombination that is so rare,” as anold writer has added. “Somehowin this world, the strong is not usuallythe beautiful, and the beautifulis not the strong. We think ofthe beautiful as the fragile and thedelicate. We think of the strong;and with its massive solidity, it is isdifficult to associate any thoughtof grace and loveliness.” Yet as headds, “if the [Christian] life be theimitation of God, the man of Godwill manifest to the world a characterin which strength and beautyare found in combination.”“Symphony in stone.” How fittingis this description of a Gothicchurch! “Symphony in flesh.”How fitting is this description ofholy character which God createsin feeble human nature! Both arelovely as an overture but enduringas a mountain. Even WestminsterAbbey is temporal, however,while holy character is eternal.For it shall be the joy of heavenwhen those noble spires havecrumbled which now rise up topoint us there.By Anita K. BrechbillTHE ALMIGHTINESS OF GOD“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abideunder the shadow of the Almighty.” (Psalm 91:1)The “secret place of the Most High” is known only to those who chooseHim above all others and who leave the cluttered highways of life to sitat His feet and learn of Him. What a place to dwell! There we are protectedby His Presence, drinking from the Fountainhead of Life eternal and abidingin peace when storms rage all around, because He is the Author ofpeace. No harm can come to the soul abiding under His shadow. Makehaste, my soul, to make this “secret place” thy dwelling, for there no evil canharm thee.Another translator has rendered it, “He…shall constantly be in touch withthe Almightiness of God.” Yes, we are still “in touch with the Almightiness ofGod” when we are confronted with desperate needs, when we are prayingfor the solution of impossible situations, when the enemy “comes in like aflood”—even when we are outnumbered seven to one by malignant spiritsand powers “in high places.” But, in touch with the Almightiness of God, wethrust out the enemy and stand conqueror in His Name.Anita Brechbill, Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania, is editor of RopeHolders and a regularcontributor to the Revivalist.➡ (p21) we fail to make room in ourhearts because we fill them with ourown needs or fears—our needs to beloved and our fears that we will behurt. The truth is, no one can lovewithout being hurt. Just ask Jesus.But it is only through love that thereis meaning and fulfillment in life.Contrary to what many think, we areall better off loving and hurting thanin not loving at all! These principleswill help your family “get closer toeach other,” as you wish.“Mending Nets” explores God’s readiness to“mend” the breakdowns which so often marour lives. It is written by the Rev. RichardMiles, GBS Vice President for Student Affairs.Send questions to be addressed in this columnto Mendingnets.@gbs.eduMARCH 200423

PRE-TOUR SUNDAY■ March 21 Sunday 10:00 AMSpiceland, INSpiceland Church of the NazareneRev. Allen Southerland(765) 987-7559■ March 21 Sunday 6:00 PMBedford, INFaith Mission ChurchDr. Leonard Sankey(812) 275-2119SPRING TOUR■ April 4 Palm Sunday AMPittsburg, KSFirst Church of the Nazarene816 E. Quincy St.Rev. Jim Sukraw(620) 231-06588:50 First Service11:10 Second Service■ April 4 Sunday 6:00 PMTulsa, OKBible Fellowship Center4929 S. Waco St.Rev. William Cook (918) 446-3209■ April 5 Monday 7:30 PMOklahoma City, OKCalvary Bible Fellowship Church.6606 NW 16th St.Rev. Rodney Loper (405) 789-6479■ April 6 Tuesday 7:30 PMOttawa, KSEast Central KS GBS RallyPilgrim Bible Church316 East 12th St.Rev. Donald Newport (785) 242-1339 (or 8553 CH)KS City Area Coordinator: Rev. Kevin Weinand(913) 342-7489■ April 2 Friday 7:30 PMMoberly, MOMoberly Church of the Nazarene349 Woodland Ave.Rev. Wallace Thornton Jr.(660) 263-2311■ VISIT OUR WEB SITE FOR DIRECTIONS TO TOUR LOCATIONS: WWW.GBS.EDU/TOUR■ April 3 Saturday 6:30 PMFt. Scott, KSParkway Church of God (Holiness)1111 State St.Rev. Mark Stetler(620) 223-6870 (CH)(620) 223-2248 (HM)