Monday, September 22, 2008

For those of you who have been praying for my brother, Danny, I just want to say thank you so much, and I hope you will continue to pray. Things are not looking very good at the moment, and we don't know how much longer we will have him with us. It is one of the saddest times I can remember in my life, and your thoughts and prayers are very much appreciated.

Thanks also to everyone who wrote in support of our position on Hank Hanegraaff. So far the opinions are running about 99% positive, and we appreciate every one of your posts. To the person who wrote a lengthy response to my article, "Tim LaHaye and Hank Hanegraaff: The Men Behind the Headlines" https://waltermartin.com/2007/12/tim-lahaye-and-hank-hanegraaff-men.html I will tell you what I have told several other HH supporters--I am not obligated to post your defense of him. You are entitled to your opinion of me, and I certainly would not want to waste your time or mine trying to change your mind. (Incidentally, you lost me after your first two paragraphs):

I have just read your diatribes about Hank Hanegraaf, in which I felt compelled to respond to, here is a response from an international (British) listener of the BAM programm and CRI supporter hosted by Hank of over a decade, and not only do I not see the portrayed side of this God-houring [sic] and fearing man but a very disturbed person of Jill Martin-Rische. read on if you care to....

In life there are some people that will stand in the shadow of another person forever grateful to them and live by the glory of that person - this is you Jill! You are truly embittered after many years...about how your daddy was hard-done-by by Hank. And you then rally supporters round to have a religious pity-party and a personal vendetta through this meaningless website that does nothing to the glory of God because it has other matters that malign another true minister of God--Hank.

I guess I will say one thing to you in response: It is an honor to stand in the shadow of my father, Walter Martin, and I am not deserving of it.

On a lighter note . . . .

The last couple of weeks have been some of the most difficult and most wonderful. Difficult in the respect that I am now working part-time outside the home and this has meant a total readjustment for my family, and rewarding in the special things I see God doing in our lives. We are so blessed to be part of a church that actively seeks to serve God, a church led by a pastor who is a teacher in the truest sense of the word. We look forward to going to church every Sunday because it means we have another opportunity to learn from him, and I'm sure you know how rare it is to find an exceptional teacher.

We recently began a new Vespers Service (evening worship) at church, and all I can say is . . . wow. I end up singing these songs all week long and the sense of God's presence stays with me. I can't help but think how wonderful it is to praise Him. . . .

We all go through difficult times, and I know with our economy the way it is, times will probably get even harder. But one truth remains a great comfort in all of this--God is good--and He loves us. My prayers go out to all of you who may be hurting at this time . . . I will pray for God's comfort and leading and blessing in your lives.

We sang a wonderful hymn on Sunday (I love the old hymns of the faith; to me they're like Shakespeare--culture and heritage at its finest). Whenever my heart feels heavy, I find so much comfort in them . . . .

My Jesus, I love Thee, I know Thou art mine
For Thee all the follies of sin I resign
My gracious Redeemer, my Savior art Thou;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I love Thee because Thou hast first loved me,
And purchased my pardon on Calvary’s tree;
I love Thee for wearing the thorns on Thy brow;
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

I’ll love Thee in life, I will love Thee in death,
And praise Thee as long as Thou lendest me breath;
And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

In mansions of glory and endless delight,
I’ll ever adore Thee in heaven so bright;
I’ll sing with the glittering crown on my brow,
If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now.

1 Comments:

Blogger JohnD said...

Still praying for Danny and his family (including you).

Yes I agree, we must turn to the scriptures and to the Spirit in our time of woe or burdens. So often we don't trying to "suck it up" or some other worldly salve that seems to soothe the mind / body... while the root of our existence (the spirit) is not ministered to.

Sometimes I wonder how emaciated our spirits are on the spiritual diet most find themselves on. No time to pray, have devotions, open the Bible, skipping church service for any half-excuse...

These things DO matter. I know I don't devote as much time as I used to... I once tried the George Washington spiritual diet and had the sweetest times alone with God...

2 hours of prayer and Bible reading each morning beginning at 4 AM and 1 hour in the evening... and in those days I had Walter Martin tapes on constantly at work.

Then I got too know-it-all for my breaches. Confession... now repentance...

God bless.

8:08 AM  

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