The following are my answers to some questions on leadership I gave to Crawford Loritts for his new book called Leadership as an Identity: The Four Traits of Those Who Wield Lasting Influence. The book includes contributions from various Christian leaders, including Bill Bright, D. A. Carson, Clyde Cook, Steve Douglass, Robert Lewis, Bill McCartney, Robertson McQuilken, Gary Rosberg and Joseph Stowell.
A number of my answers are in Crawford's book, some are abridged, but I thought I'd share my full original answers with you here.
How has brokenness affected your life and enriched your approach to leadership?
To me brokenness is more than just periodic times of intense emotional experience; it’s an ongoing sense of inadequacy. When I come to a point, as I face life’s difficulties, where I know I can’t just fix things, including myself, it’s a much-needed reminder that He’s the Vine, I’m a branch, and apart from Him I can do nothing. Sometimes well-meaning people have tried to talk me out of my sense of inadequacy. Actually, this sense is vital to fruitful ministry. Furthermore, it’s rooted in reality—in and of ourselves we are inadequate, and we must come to terms with that. When I don’t recognize my inadequacy, I trust myself rather than Christ.
What are some of the things younger leaders need to be careful of with regard to the relationship between pride and their influence as a leader?
God says He opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble. So, do I want God to give me grace or to oppose me?
Duh…..
Pride is delusional. And it’s never in my best interests.
People easily sniff out pride, and they will not trust a proud leader. They may admire his skills, but that is not trust.
When I was a young pastor I thought I knew how to do everything. After many years, I realized how stupid I was. Young leaders need to seek out experienced leaders who are humble, and sit at their feet. They need to stay away from the proud, strutting leaders who stand under God’s judgment and are time bombs soon to go off—“pride goes before destruction.”
Wisdom and age should be partners, but it doesn’t always work that way. Age with humility brings wisdom. Age with arrogance just brings a longer track record of being foolish.
In your view, what are the qualities of an authentic Christian leader?
He loves God with all his heart, is quick to admit his flaws, listens to his critics and doesn’t dismiss them. He humbly accepts people’s thanks, but deflects praise to the only One worthy of it. He seeks God’s face and listens to Him daily. A. W. Tozer said, “Listen to no man who has not listened to God.”
What is the relationship between the tasks/assignments God gives to you as a leader and your walk with Him?
God gives me no task except that which requires my dependence on Him to do it. Therefore, there is nothing I should regard as automatic. No conversation should be on auto-pilot—I need to ask His guidance, ask His wisdom and empowerment that I will say words pleasing to Him, not careless words I will have to give account for in the Day of Judgment.
The more conscious my dependence on Him, the more I will pray without ceasing. Throughout the day I often go to my knees asking Him to sustain me, as I research and write and interact with people. Even when I respond to emails I need his guidance. Just today I sent off an email, in response to a critic, and my thoughts were ill-conceived. I’d had an inkling, the still small voice of God, that I really shouldn’t be saying what I was, that I was being defensive. But like a dope, I sent it anyway. I had to go back and make the situation right. It would have been easier, not to mention just plain right, to have obeyed Scripture in the first place by being slow to speak.
In what ways has God used what He has called you to do to reveal more of Himself to you and to the people you serve?
Much of my life is invested in writing. In long lonely hours of writing, in the middle of the night, I have often asked God, “Is it worth it?” and He has gently reassured me it is. This happened regularly when writing my book Heaven. I have repeatedly experienced His grace and kindness when I’ve called out to Him…and a great sense of discouragement when I haven’t.
In these challenging times, Jesus has truly showed Himself to be my best friend, not just in theory, but in reality. Not only do I call upon Him to help me accurately handle His Word when writing nonfiction, I ask Him for ideas and direction to craft quality stories in my fiction-writing. He is the Creator, the Genius, the Master Story-teller, and I want to be a reflection of Him, even a pale reflection. I want my words to be tools of His Spirit.
Nothing’s more thrilling than to hear people say that God has changed their lives through something I’ve written. If I imagined that was because of my genius, it would make me proud. But because I have repeatedly called upon Him for help in the process, when I hear these stories, I am filled not with pride, but sheer amazement and gratitude to Him.
What have you learned about serving while leading?
That leading is serving and serving is leading. The shepherd leads by giving himself to the sheep. The Good Shepherd owns the flock, the undershepherds don’t. We don’t shepherd our flock, but His flock: “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers” (1 Peter 5:2). So overseers are servants caring for their Master’s flock.
This is the ultimate paradigm shift. Peter then tells us we should not be “greedy for money, but eager to serve.” Too many leaders are eager to be served, not to serve. We like to be called “servants,” but resent it when we’re treated like servants.
1 Peter 5 then describes leaders as “not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” Examples of what? Examples of Christlike service, in which we put others before ourselves.
Leaders should never use God’s flock to build their kingdoms and reputations in order to further themselves. Rather, they should set the example of humble service. We need more humble leaders, not self-promoting celebrities who know nothing of the servant-leader model exemplified by Christ.
What gives longevity, “staying-power” to Christian leaders?
A long obedience in the same direction, to borrow a Eugene Peterson phrase, is sustained by the small choices we make each day. We need to be acutely aware of the cumulative nature of our little choices. What I eat and whether I exercise will determine the state of my body. Whether I read scripture and great books, or watch TV and listen to talk radio, will make me into the person I will be five years from now. I should discipline myself today, not for discipline’s sake, but for the purpose of godliness (1 Timothy 4:7, 8).
Is there anything else on your heart that you would like to share about being a Christian leader?
I view leadership as a privilege, not an entitlement. Too many of us act as if we deserve a leadership role. We’ve worked hard. So what? The guy at the tire shop works hard, the young mother works hard, the farmer works harder than we do.
We have skills. So what? The athlete has skills, but where do they come from? God. “What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?” (1 Corinthians 4:7). When we start thinking we’re special, that we’ve earned people’s respect, that we have a lot to offer, then we become proud. That means God is opposed to us, and we are operating outside of the grace that He only gives to the humble. That makes us a fall waiting to happen: “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).
God knows the hearts of leaders. If we are in this for fame, money, or power over people (including the power of ego-feeding or sexual seduction), God knows and He will bring His hand of judgment upon us. “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31).
But if we are broken, humble, quick to admit and confess our weaknesses and sins, He will shed His grace upon us, comfort us, and empower us. Then, and only then, we will be Christlike and Christ-exalting. Then, and only then, we will be leaders worth following.
www.randyalcorn.blogspot.com
www.epm.org
Thursday, February 26, 2009
The Leader's Character; Leadership is a privilege, not an entitlement
Monday, February 23, 2009
Communicating the prolife message, and a 12-year-old shows how it's done
Here's a great video well worth watching that one of you blog readers let me know about.
Here are some suggestions about sharing the prolife message:
1. Tailor your presentation to your audience so that you’re speaking to them, not to yourself.Realize the vested interests, denial and rationalization surrounding this issue.
Realize the average person’s saturation and indoctrination with media propaganda.
2. Do your homework. The other position can afford to be ignorant of the facts. You can’t. (The other position is dependent on diverting attention from the central facts; yours is dependent on drawing attention to them. To do so, you must know what you’re talking about.)
3. Present the facts logically, clearly, and succinctly, citing credible sources (secular whenever possible).
4. Use terms they’re familiar with, not prolife buzzwords.
5. Appeal to their curiosity and open-mindedness to hear a suppressed and politically incorrect viewpoint. (Prochoice is the status quo, establishment position. Prolife is the radical, counterculture position.)
6. Surprise your audience. Don’t fit the antiabortion stereotype.
“Actually, I’m prochoice. And you’re not.” (“I’m prochoice about jobs, clothes, cars, schools, seat belts, smoking, etc. You’re antichoice about rape, kidnapping, assault, theft, and child molesting. Aren’t you?”)
“I don’t believe in unwanted children.” (“I just believe the solution is wanting them, not killing them.”)
“I’m committed to women’s rights.” (“Like Susan B. Anthony and other pioneer feminists, I believe abortion is harmful and demeaning to women. In fact, abortion has become the primary method across the globe of eliminating unwanted females.”) “Abortion is a means for irresponsible men to exploit women, using them sexually, then leaving them alone with the devastating physical and psychological consequences.”7. Be rational and calm. When you’re right, there’s no need to be defensive. Give the facts and let the listener develop her own emotions based on them. (Don’t overwhelm people with your emotions. Don’t go ballistic in a debate, and nine out of ten times the other side will. People who are listening will see which side is angry and irrational and which is calm and logical.)
8. Be prepared for straw man and ad hominem arguments, but don’t use them yourself. When the facts aren’t on their side, people have nothing left to do but distort issues and call names. The side with the truth need not and should not do this. When the facts are on your side, you draw attention to them. When they’re not, you draw attention from them.
9. Be sensitive to the spiritual needs of your audience. (Look and pray for heart change, not just head change.)
10. Ask them questions that will make them think (usually for the first time):
“You say you want to be called prochoice, not proabortion. Why? What’s wrong with abortion?” (The only good reason for feeling bad about abortion—that it kills an innocent child—should compel you to be against others doing it also. You should either say it’s fine, or oppose it, but you can’t logically do both.)
“See this intrauterine picture of a live unborn at eight weeks (at the time of an early abortion)? What does that look like? (Eye.) That? (Fingers.) That? (Mouth.) That? (Nose.)” Don’t tell them. Let them answer. Then point out what they said.
“This baby has a measurable heartbeat at twenty-one days and brainwaves at forty days, before the earliest abortions. What do you call it when there is no longer a heartbeat or brainwaves? (Death.) What do you call it when there is a heartbeat and brainwaves? (Life.) What does abortion do? (Kills a living baby.)”
“This unborn baby is to a born infant what a born infant is to a toddler (younger and smaller). Do you think it would be more legitimate to kill an unwanted infant than a toddler just because he’s younger and smaller?”“If abortion isn’t fundamentally different than other surgeries, like root canals and tonsillectomies, why are there so many postabortion support groups and hundreds of thousands of women getting psychological counseling and grief therapy related to their abortions? Do you know of any post-root canal counseling and support groups?”
“Will you read this carefully researched presentation? No? I was hoping you were open-minded. Are you choosing to censor this side of the debate from your own consideration? Why? I’ll be glad to read anything you have for me from the other side. I’m open-minded. Can you refute anything I’ve said? Show me. Let’s lay out all the evidence, and let the best position win. I’m not afraid of the truth. Are you?”
For a complete version of this article, as well as to read the other appendices from Prolife Answers, visit the EPM website.
www.randyalcorn.blogspot.com
www.epm.org
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
A Look at the song Amazing Grace
It's black history month, a good time to learn about Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglas, Jackie Robinson and a host of others.
Let me tell you about a white man who made his way into black history. Imagine a slave ship captain, a cruel Englishman who acquired slaves from Africa and transported them in horrific slave ships to be sold like animals at auction.
Imagine that this man later writes lyrics which become the most popular song of English-speaking blacks in the entire world.
Unthinkable?
If you've got eight minutes, watch this powerful video of Wintley Phipps, explaining the piano "black notes" then singing the song that Englishman wrote. (You won't regret it.) Then read on about the man below.
Disclaimer: someone pointed out that the tune we sing Amazing Grace to now is likely quite different than the original, and that the current tune and Newton’s text did not come together until 1835, 28 years after Newton’s death. If the singer is wrong on that point, you can still enjoy the music lesson about slave spirituals, and just enjoy the song itself. The part about John Newton is true. (See below)
(Click here if you're unable to view the video, which is a clip from the Gaither Gospel Series "God Bless America.")
As you saw, that song is "Amazing Grace." Some black churches sing it every Sunday. Sometimes it goes on and on, for ten or fifteen minutes. Many African-Americans love that song more than any other…even though it was written by a white man who sold black slaves and treated them like filth.
What can explain this? The same thing that explains how Christians throughout the centuries have treasured the letters of Paul, who zealously murdered Christians. It's built-in to the message:
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,
that saved a wretch like me;
I once was lost but now am found,
was blind but now I see.
The man who abused those slaves and the man who wrote that song were both named John Newton. Both shared the same DNA, but the songwriter was a new man. He became a pastor and labored to oppose the slave trade. Check out the great movie Amazing Grace, and see what Newton, 82 years old and blind, said shortly before he died, something I often think about and am always stirred by: "My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Saviour."
www.randyalcorn.blogspot.com
www.epm.org
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Joe Gibbs and the Game Plan for Life
Some of you prayed a while back for work I was doing for a chapter in a book with Joe Gibbs. Some information about that book has been sent to us, so I wanted to pass it on. What's below in italics is the info, then my comments follow.
What defines true success? How can you live a life of relevance? Do you want to win the most important game of your life? There are many “game plans” around; how is yours working?
As a three-time Super Bowl winning Head Coach of the Washington Redskins, owner of a three-time NASCAR championship team, and CEO of a business with 450+ employees, with primary sponsors Home Depot, FedEx, Mars Candy, Coke and Interstate Batteries, men are interested in hearing Coach Joe Gibbs speak about success and winning.
The Game Plan for Life is the fulfillment of a long-time vision of Joe. Given his unique rise to the top of two different sports, NFL Football and NASCAR racing, Coach Gibbs is often asked to speak and share his personal testimony with crowds. Men especially want to know what it takes to be “successful” and “relevant.”
In the spring of ‘08 Coach Gibbs commissioned a national public opinion research firm to survey men. He wanted to know what areas men were most concerned about in their lives—if they could master these areas they’d live a truly successful and relevant life. He discovered there were eleven key issues that men age 20 and older struggle with: the Bible, God, creation, sin and addiction, salvation, relationships, finances, career, health, life of purpose, and heaven.
Okay, this is Randy again. Joe drafted a team of men to specifically address each area, focusing primarily on what the Bible says about these issues. He called me first, asking if I would write about Heaven. Joe said the Heaven book had meant a lot to him, and I said I was glad to contribute a chapter. He asked me about other possible contributors. He had several in mind and I was able to suggest a few others. We spoke maybe four more times, talking about the book, publishing and reaching people for Christ with the platform God has given Joe. We prayed together and gave the project to the Lord. And He has brought it together.
The team ended up with Ravi Zacharias, Chuck Colson, Josh McDowell, Ken Boa, John Lennox, Don Meredith, Ron Blue, Os Guinness, Walt Larimore, Tony Evans, and myself. Joe got Tony Dungy to write the foreword and Jerry Jenkins to be the editor. (It's hard to say no to Joe; he's the real deal, a follower of Jesus who wants the world to know all about Him.)
Although the book won't be released until this summer, be sure to check out the Game Plan for Life website, http://www.gameplanforlife.com/, for resources on all the topics the book will cover. The website is in process, and will be fully developed by the time the book comes out, but you can see a video talk from Joe, and check out information on the subjects and writers.
www.randyalcorn.blogspot.com
http://www.epm.org/
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Lincoln's logic on slavery extends to all human rights
Happy birthday to my favorite president, Abraham Lincoln. While he still held to some racist stereotypes, he managed to rise above the worldview of his era and affirm the wrongness of slavery and the rights of all people.
What Lincoln wrote below applies not only to slavery and racism, but to other human rights issues such as sexism and abortion:
You say A. is white, and B. is black. It is color, then; the lighter, having the right to enslave the darker? Take care. By this rule, you are to be slave to the first man you meet, with a fairer skin than your own.
You do not mean color exactly? You mean the whites are intellectually the superiors of the blacks, and, therefore have the right to enslave them? Take care again. By this rule, you are to be slave to the first man you meet, with an intellect superior to your own.
But, say you, it is a question of interest; and, if you can make it your interest; you have the right to enslave another. Very well. And if he can make it his interest, he has the right to enslave you.
In a letter in 1855 to Joshua Speed, Lincoln wrote: "As a nation, we began by declaring that 'all men are created equal.' We now practically read it, 'all men are created equal, except negroes.' When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.'"
"Most governments have been based, practically, on the denial of the equal rights of men, as I have, in part, stated them; ours began by affirming them those rights. They said, some men are too ignorant, and vicious to share in government. Possibly so, said we; and, by your system, you would always keep them ignorant, and vicious. We proposed to give all a chance; and we expected the weak to grow stronger; the ignorant, wiser; and all better, and happier together." (Abraham Lincoln: His Speeches and Writings, 279)
In the Desiring God blog, which I highly recommend, John Piper spoke awhile back about the nature of Abraham Lincoln's faith, which has frequently been questioned. There's a debate about whether Lincoln was a Christian. Sometimes it appears he was, sometimes it doesn't. But whether or not a person's view of God is completely right, God can use that person to accomplish something great. I believe He used Lincoln for such purposes.
In an address to the Baltimore Presbyterian Synod on October 24, 1863, Lincoln said, "Amid the greatest difficulties of my Administration, when I could not see any other resort, I would place my whole reliance on God, knowing that all would be well, and that He would decide for the right."
Good advice for presidents, moms and dads, employers, church and ministry leaders and all of us.
I've been working hard for the last six months trying to finish my book on God, Goodness, Evil and Suffering (prayers appreciated, as I've been turning in chapters to my editor since December 15, but final chapters are due March 15). In the midst of a world of evil and suffering, I've found encouragement in many passages, including Habakkuk's trust in our sovereign God:
Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength. (Habakkuk 3:17-19)
www.randyalcorn.blogspot.com
www.epm.org
Monday, February 09, 2009
Another "Outside the Box" Prolifer
A friend recently sent me a link to a strong prolife blog post written by someone I would call an "outside the box" prolifer, in Hollywood. I've often said that one of my favorite prolifers of all time is Nat Hentoff, atheist editor of the Village Voice. Nobody could write him off as a conservative Sunday School teacher. This guy doesn’t fit the image either.
Actor Gary Graham first appeared in a feature film role opposite George C. Scott in "Hardcore." He's been in numerous feature firms as well as many TV movies and series. He had a recurring role as Capt. Ingles on “J.A.G.”
Still active in the film business, Gary now is a producer for the new reality TV show, “The Ultimate Shooter” and is working with Jace Hall and HD FILMS at Warner Brothers writing and producing the new internet webseries, “What If..?” He lives near Los Angeles, enjoys time spent with his family, working weekends as a volunteer ski patroller, golfing, and flying.
Those, like me, who enjoy Star Trek, might remember Graham as the actor who played in a number of "Star Trek: Enterprise "episodes the Vulcan official named Soval. (For those who hate Star Trek, you're not going to talk me out of it; I've always loved sci-fi, which believe it or not prepared me to hear the gospel as a teenager. I don't watch the inappropriate stuff, and don't have cable, since if I did I'd be on the sci-fi channel too much. Speaking of which, any Stargate SG-1 fans out there? Richard Dean Anderson's the man.)
Okay, so back to Gary Graham. He contributes to a site called Big Hollywood, where he wrote his blog post Flashpoint! A Woman’s Right To Choose. Disclaimer: the language in his post is coarse, part of his being outside the box, but what he's written is well worth reading. I hope he's reaching people on this issue that those like me never will.
Here are a couple paragraphs from the post:
I have been on all sides of this issue for most of my life, and I can simply not escape the logic. That fetus a pregnant woman is carrying inside of her, regardless of the gestation stage, is a living, breathing human being. Yes, breathing—the amniotic sac forms 12 days after conception, and in the second trimester the baby is actually breathing the amniotic fluid. It’s not an ‘unviable tissue mass.’ Not a wart, a mole, a skin outcropping, a boil, or a bundle of uncoordinated cells. It’s not just a ‘fetus’.
It’s a baby. Not fully developed, true. Like an infant is not a fully developed and mature adult. But it’s a baby.
Check out the rest of the article.
While I'm on the prolife subject, take a look at some of the pictures from 2009's March for Life, taken by blogger Barbara Curtis. Barbara's family, which has adopted three children with Down syndrome, was also featured in an article from The Washington Post about alternatives to aborting babies diagnosed with Down syndrome. We love you, Barbara. Thanks for who you are and what you do.
www.randyalcorn.blogspot.com
www.epm.org
Book Giveaway of the Month: Dominion
The Dominion giveaway is now closed. Check to see if your name was drawn as one of the winners.
February is Black History Month, so we are giving away three signed copies of Randy’s novel Dominion, a dramatic story of spiritual searching, racial reconciliation, and hope.
Here's a great response from a reader of Dominion:Clarence Abernathy, an Oregon columnist and suburban middle-class black, is dragged into a world of inner-city gangs, drugs, violence and racial conflict. Clarence's anger at injustices he cannot control pulls him onto turf that becomes more dangerous by the moment. Encouraged by fellow columnist Jake Woods, Clarence forges an unlikely partnership with Ollie Chandler, a white homicide detective. As the case unfolds questions of racial prejudice and misunderstanding rise to the surface. As unseen eyes watch from above, the urban terror that has robbed Clarence of loved ones and uprooted his faith in God now threatens to unleash its deadly violence on him.
In the footsteps of his best-selling novel Deadline, author Randy Alcorn tells an exciting story filled with drama. The characters are so real you'll never forget them. In America's racially charged atmosphere, this story offers profound insight concerning our perceptions and conflicts, and points clearly toward the only true hope for racial reconciliation. As you become immersed in its riveting story, Dominion will make you laugh, cry and think.
I just got a copy of your book Dominion. I have to admit that when I read the cover, I thought..."Who is this white man who thinks he can write from a black perspective?" You see, I am a black woman. And, as a black woman who could never explain to my white friends what we mean by equality, I thought your book would be a condescending disappointment. But the Spirit of the Lord kept urging me to buy the book. I have to say that you did a most excellent job of treating the story about as even handed as someone who is not black could do. - L. W.To enter for your chance to win, leave a comment on this post by Friday, February 27. (If you're reading this post on Amazon or elsewhere, visit http://randyalcorn.blogspot.com/2009/02/book-giveaway-of-month-dominion.html to leave your comment.) The winners will be announced in a blog post on Monday, March 2, so be sure to check back and see if you won.
If you're a previous book giveaway winner, rather than entering, we'd encourage you to share this giveaway with friends who are not familiar with Randy's books and Eternal Perspective Ministries.
Please note that in order to qualify for the giveaway, you must include your contact information (a blog, or an e-mail address, or a website), otherwise we cannot contact you if your name is drawn. Need help posting a comment? Click here for step-by-step instructions.
Stephanie Anderson
Promotions Director
Eternal Perspective Ministries
www.epm.org
Thursday, February 05, 2009
Who we WERE, who we ARE now in Christ
A blog reader posted a link to this video (thanks), which I found powerful. I think it’s worth every second of its 8 minutes. And it also may be a great idea for your church.
Before you watch, consider these verses from 1 Corinthians 6:9-11:
Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
(Click here if you're unable to view the video.)
www.randyalcorn.blogspot.com
www.epm.org
Monday, February 02, 2009
President Obama and Abortion
NBC rejected a Catholic prolife commercial from being shown during the Super Bowl. Here it is. Definitely worth watching!
(Click here if you're unable to view the video.)
Here are a couple of good articles that talk about the Obama administration and abortion:
Rejecting abortion using Obama's argument
John Piper Responds to Obama on Abortion.
And here's a great letter, written by Pastor Ron Jones, to our nation's new president:
I rejoice in the fact that an African-American has been elected, a true affirmation of our nation’s fundamental premise that all persons are created equal by the hand of God.
Holy Scripture exhorts us to pray for kings and all those who are in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2). Please know, we the people of Immanuel Bible Church pledge to pray for you, your family and your Administration. These are difficult times to lead our nation. No President has ever done so without acknowledging the need for divine guidance.
We will pray that God will grant you Solomon-like wisdom in all of the decisions you make, knowing that King Solomon himself wrote, “The king’s heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes” (Proverbs 21:1).
You assume the Presidency during a time of economic crisis at home and conflict abroad. Yet as these great challenges loom ahead, I ask you to “defend the cause of the weak” and “maintain the rights of the oppressed” (Psalm 82:3-4).
You can read the rest of the letter at Ron Jones's blog.
www.randyalcorn.blogspot.com
http://www.epm.org/
Announcing the Winners of the Heaven book with DVD Giveaway
Here are the winners from the Heaven book with DVD giveaway! Each of the three winners will receive a signed copy of the book.
The randomly drawn winners are:
1) ecrosstexas
2) Pastor Brad
3) RG
It’s our privilege to also choose a few more winners:
1) Jean Woods
2) Anonymous (with the e-mail address rpsgt43 at yahoo)
3) Heather
4) Len
5) Martie
All winners, please e-mail me as soon as possible at stephanie@epm.org with your mailing address and who you would like the book signed to.
Check back at Randy’s blog on February 9 for the next book giveaway—we’ll be giving away Randy’s novel Dominion.
Stephanie Anderson
Promotions Director
Eternal Perspective Ministries
www.epm.org
