WE SERVE A LIVING GOD!!!
We know that 80% of the town of Meulaboh in Aceh was destroyed by the Tsunami waves and 80% of the people also died. This is one of the towns that was hit the hardest.
But there is a fantastic testimony from Meulaboh. In that town are about 400 Christians.
They wanted to celebrate Christmas on December 25th but were not allowed to do so by the Muslims of Meulaboh. They were told if they wanted to celebrate Christmas they needed to go outside the city of Meulaboh on a high hill and they can celebrate Christmas there.
Because the Christians desired to celebrate Christmas the 400 believers left the city on December 25th and after they celebrated Christmas they stayed overnight on the hill.
As we all know, in the morning of Sunday, December 26 -2004, there was the earthquake followed by the Tsunami waves destroying most of the city of Meulaboh and thousands were killed. The 400 believers were on the mountain and were all saved from destruction.
Now the Muslims of Meulaboh are saying that the God of the Christians punished us for forbidding the Christians from celebrating Christmas in the city. Others are questioning why so many Muslims died while not even one of the Christians died there.
Had the Christians insisted on their rights to celebrate Christmas in the city, they would have all died. But because they humbled themselves and followed the advice of the Muslims they all were spared destruction
and can now testify of God's marvelous protection.
This is a testimony of the grace of God and the fact that as believers we have no rights in the world. Our right is to come before God and commit our lives to Him. Our right is kneeling down before the Lord Almighty and committing our ways to Him. He is our Father and is very capable to care for His children. Praise the Name of the Lord.
Pastor, Calvary Life Fellowship in Indonesia - Bill Heckman |
February 22, 2005 |
Our friend, Bill Pearson, had a second heart attack late in December, but has recovered nicely. Praise God!
Since then, Bill and Jan have turned their ranch into a non-profit youth ranch. They are focusing on bringing opportunities to all children, including those with special needs that range from battling drug addictions to overcoming physical challenges.
Clearly, this is a case of two people who have used God's strength to reach past their own health challenges and needs and share their blessings with others. It's an inspiration to us, and we wanted to share their story with you.
May God Bless You and Yours.
Sincerely, - Shelly and Christopher Wayne |
February 01, 2005 |
Below is a letter I received yesterday from a dear friend and country music artist Jolie Edwards www.jolie-edwards.com. Take a look, Levi continues to work in people's hearts even six years after his death from cancer.
"...there is a song that i wrote on my new record that was solely inspired by all the little angels i have met over the years that fought so hard.. and all the
parents that have lost them. i have also just started my 1st. childrens book of the same tittle.. "did it hurt when you fell from heaven" you were in my thoughts when i wrote this song and with your blessing, of course, the little boy in my book is named Levi. i hope the song and the book will touch your heart and the hearts of all the courageous families who endure such a loss.
god bless you, take care,
jolie"
Did it Hurt
Did it hurt when you fell from heaven
did the wind tray your wings
did it look like the clouds would really
break your fall
slow you down
Did it hurt when you fell from heaven
the way it hurts me
to watch you go back now
You're only here for a little while
so gracious with your time
you came from nowhere
and you took me somewhere
a place I'd never thought I'd find
did it hurt when you fell from heaven
the way it hurts me
to watch you got back now
I don't need you to hold on for me
you made me strong enough
its time to close your blue eyes
baby have a sweet life
and I'll keep looking up
did it hurt when you fell from heaven
did the wind tray your wings
did it look like the clouds would really
break your fall
slow you down
somehow
did it hurt when you fell from heaven
the way it hurts me
to watch you go back now. - John Lindekugel |
October 14, 2004 |
While we were on radio tour, a lovely girl at one of the radio stations shared a beautiful and touching story with me.
It seems she had lost her son during labor on a 4th of July weekend, 18 years ago. She was saying how devistated she was, and how she had blamed everyone... her family, the child's father, herself... and, most of all, God.
Every year, the sad anniversary could not pass un-noticed. After all, a holiday marked the day, and served as a reminder of her loss, and, as she perceived it, God's failure to protect her from the horrible experience of losing a child.
The woman went on to say that this year, finally, was different. She had received a copy of Christopher Wayne's album through the radio station, and she had heard, "I'll Walk You Through This."
"I played it over and over," she told me, through tearful eyes. "It was the first time, after 18 years, I could finally see... God didn't leave me during that time. I left God."
She finished her story by saying that the song reminded her that God is always there, and that this will be the first year she turns to Him for support during an anniversary that will be a difficult part of her life, for as long as she lives.
I share this story, because it's just one of the times when I know that God is working on all of us, trying to reach us, trying to remind us that he's there, trying to help us if we will let Him. Whether it's through a song on the radio, through the colors of the sunset, or realized in the deep breath you take after a busy day at work, make a note, today: God is there for you.
God Bless You. - Shelly Anglin |
October 14, 2004 |
