A ROCKY FOUNDATION

  Charles Cowman was born on 13th March 1868 in Chicago. His parents frequently invited their preacher home for dinner. One night in 1881 during a revival, Charles knelt at the altar. Years later his wife Lettie wrote “the revival was thought to have been a failure by many as only one boy was converted. But, how little they realized what the conversion of that one lad of thirteen would mean to thousands of heathens. How little did any one dream that he would someday become a missionary and the founder of one of the greatest evangelizing force on earth”. Soon after salvation, God turned Cowman’s life upside down. He set upon him such a torrent of forces to reconstruct his values and restyle his life. Three things happened; first, Cowman experienced an insatiable thirst for mastery of the Bible. Second, he was filled by the Holy Spirit. He wrote “I have committed myself and my all into God’s hands”. A new union began with his savior, new victories enriched his life and a new p...

  Phillips Brooks is perhaps best known as the author of "O Little Town of Bethlehem." He was a very busy pastor, yet he always seemed relaxed and unburdened. Shortly before he died, a friend asked the secret of his strength and serenity. In a heartfelt response, Brooks credited his still-growing relationship with Christ. He said, "The more I have thought it over, the more sure it has seemed to me that these last years have had a peace and fullness which never used to be. It is a deeper knowledge and truer love of Christ. I cannot tell you how personal this grows to me. He is here, he knows me and I know Him. It is the most real thing in the world. And every day makes it more real. And one wonders with delight what it will grow to as the years go on" ( Our Daily Bread, October 1994). In Psalm 23 David says that once we have made the Lord our shepherd, then we can count on three things to be true in our lives. The Lord will provide for our needs, restore o...

Before the American civil war, slaves who worked in the field would sing this song that contained a coded message on how to escape, “when the sun comes back and the first quail calls, follow the drinking gourd, for the old man is waiting to carry you to freedom, follow the drinking gourd”. The drinking gourd is the big dipper and the handle points the way north. There would be a guide in the railroad; if they would follow the drinking gourd, if they would know how to get north at night. The big dipper is the most important group of stars pattern formed by seven bright stars in the northern hemisphere. It’s easily visible on a clear night up in the sky. In his letter to the Philippians church Paul told them to “be without fault, in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky, as you hold fast the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain (Phil. 2:14-16). They lived in a generat...