The Kreider Connection When we travel, the difference between making a left turn and a right turn can drastically affect one’s destination. Life’s decisions have similar results. I think back when God called us to quit farming and enter the ministry full time. That turn has drastically changed where we are today. I think of all we would have missed if I had stubbornly resisted God’s call and direction! The daily battle over His will or mine is a continuous one, and one of the reasons why we always need your prayers. With God’s guidance anything can happen; on my own a few things can be done. God has opened a door where many people can be helped using common people like us. I have no idea how many lives RFC staffers have helped. The North Central region we direct has grown from a staff of 18 to an active roster of 102 at last count and growing, each one of them impacting lives where they work. We give glory to God for all that has been done and count it a blessing to be a part of this effort. When Jesus rode into Jerusalem he said if the people didn’t praise Him the very rocks would cry out. We are an example like that where God can use anyone. We are special because He called us, not because of who we are. I feel if I ever lose that perspective my usefulness to God is over or seriously diminished. We thank all of you who have played such a big part in helping us in so many and different ways. Please pray with us for direction and guidance that more lives will be reached for Jesus! We want to be effective and make a difference each day until our ‘expiration date’ arrives. And then our work will continue in a whole different and thrilling venue. Please ask God to use you in a bigger way – who knows how many lives may depend on your decision to obey the call? Remember to see the good in each day, and embrace every ounce of excitement available in it!! Remember we welcome comments and love to hear from you. Your friends in Christ,
Upcoming Event: Tuesday, Aug. 26 – RFC Potluck at U. S. Nationals - 6:00 pm
How God Calls and Uses People for His Glory – Stuart Hamblen Back in the 50’s there was a well known radio host/comedian/song writer in Hollywood named Stuart Hamblen who was noted for his drinking, womanizing, partying, etc. One of his bigger hits at the time was “I won’t go hunting with you Jake, but I’ll go chasing women.” One day Hamblen had a young preacher on his radio show as part of a media push to raise interest in a revival that was coming to town. Hamblen told his listeners to go on down to the tent and hear the preaching and remarkably he showed up himself at one of the meetings. Early in the service the preacher announced, “There is one man in this audience who is a big fake.” There were probably others who thought the same thing, but Hamblen was convinced that he was the one the preacher was talking about (some would call that conviction) but he was having none of that! Still the words continued to haunt him until a couple of nights later he showed up at the preacher’s hotel door around 4 a.m. demanding that the preacher pray for him. But the preacher told him, “We’ve been praying for you for weeks.” After talking for awhile, finally Stuart dropped to his knees and with tears, cried out to God. But that is not the end of the story. Stuart quit drinking, quit chasing women, and quit everything that was ‘fun.’ Soon he began to lose favor with the Hollywood crowd. He was ultimately fired by the radio station when he refused to do a commercial promoting alcohol. A long time friend named John took him aside and asked him, “What’s this I hear – you ‘got religion?’ Stuart answered, “It’s no secret what God can do in a man’s life.” To this John drawled, “Well that sounds like a song.” And as they say…the rest is history. The song Stuart wrote was “It Is No Secret.” “It is no secret what God can do. What He’s done for others, He’ll do for you. By the way…the friend was John Wayne. And the young preacher who prayed for Stuart Hamblen? That was Billy Graham. |