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Cover Article
“As the Lord Wills"
 I am often asked, “When did you retire?” I suppose having
been around the Mission since 1973 makes people think I’m older than I really
am. Perhaps my appearance just confuses people (folks in my family all have
white hair by now). In any case, just for the record, I turned 62 this past
November, and I have a plan for retirement, but it is four years from now. Let
me quickly add that while man may propose, it is God Who disposes, and I desire
to be pleased with whatever path He causes to unfold before me.
Some may think the date above was a typographical error, and that I meant to say
1983. That latter date was indeed when I arrived here to lead the ministry after
the death of the founder, Rev. Lindley. The Lord had brought me here earlier in
1973, however, and I worked full time for two years and part time from 1975
until the Fall of 1983. So, if the Lord allows me to live and serve here for the
next four years, my tenure will have been forty years - thirty, as Director, and
ten in a support role. My family’s life has certainly been blessed by this
ministry, and we trust that we have been a blessing as well.
George Beverly Shea sang these lines many years ago, “I know not what the future
holds, but I know Who holds the future; It’s a secret known only to Him.” It is
my heart’s desire to serve God and people here until I am 66, and then to fully
hand the reins of leadership over to Alan. Recognizing that Jesus may come, or
death may take me home, or God may have other plans than these, I still have
this desire. I cannot imagine serving anywhere else these 36 years than right
here at PRM. Mission life and work got in my blood in my early college years in
Norfolk with frequent visits to the Norfolk Union Mission and long conversations
with Rev. Ted Bashford. The deal was sealed when the Lord brought Barbara into
my life, and the connection with PRM was established.
If the Lord tarries and grants me health and strength, I hope to continue to
serve here in some ways even in “retirement.” Weekly preaching engagements in
churches, a Sunday afternoon Bible study in my home town of Suffolk, and the
growing radio ministry are gratifying, but I would miss the contact with the
“Mission men” if it were just to suddenly end.
James warned us against making plans with only a horizontal view. We must not
just “look around” when we “look ahead,” we must also “look up.” His words are,
“Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor
that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to
say, ‘If the Lord wills, we shall live and also do this or that.’” So, if we are
not in heaven when 2014 rolls around, look for me to be “hanging out” some with
the guys at the Mission, doing whatever the new Director needs me to help him
with, “as the Lord wills.”
Superintendent's
Corner
Whither Thou Goest
Our current culture is one of failure to keep commitments.
Athletes abandon contracts, spouses run away from their vows, and people just
generally do not feel compelled to keep their word. It is a sad day. One of the
great blessings of my life and ministry is having at my side a fully devoted
wife as partner - in life as well as in ministry. Nearly 40 years ago she
promised to stay with me “for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in
sickness and in health, until death do us part.” And she has kept that promise
faithfully.
A man’s ministry is only as strong as the support of his wife
in that ministry, and Barbara has been super-supportive. She has made it easy
for me to follow the leading of the Lord as best I understood it. I have never
had to battle with her or convince her of a move in ministry - she was ready
when I was ready, and remains so today.
Ministry life is wonderful, but it is not always easy. There
are demands on time that strain family needs, and it takes a special lady to
work with the unpredictable schedule that ministry can require of her husband.
All-nighters at the hospital, cutting short vacations because of a death, long
hours in the emergency room, evenings counseling young couples desiring to be
wed - such things do not a normal life make. God knew what He was doing (and He
always does!) when He gave me a minister’s daughter to be a minister’s wife. She
already knew the demands, and she resolved early on to work with, not against
them.
When Naomi prepared to return home to Bethlehem from Moab,
the blessed Ruth said, “Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from
following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest,
I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God.” Naomi was
blessed by Ruth’s faithfulness, and I have been blessed by that of Barbara. She
is as much a part of the Peninsula Rescue Mission and all our other ministries
as I could ever be. What a treasure is a wife who is devoted to her husband and
to her Lord!
A Note From Alan
What Will Be New in 2010?
Back in November I got some help from the men on the Overcomers Program to write
my article. So many people told me they were blessed by hearing from the
thankful hearts of these men that I decided to get some more help from them.
Their assignment was to share with us what they wanted to see happen in their
lives during 2010. This is far more than a list of New Year’s resolutions. It is
the hope of what will take place in their lives as they (many for the first time
ever) enter a new year in a relationship with the Lord that is marked with
growing fellowship with Him and steady obedience to the principles found in His
Word. Here is a glimpse into their hearts:
In 2010, I hope to…
…read the Bible more and really make more serious effort to live my life
according to God’s teachings.
…have a closer walk and a stronger faith.
…tell more people about the Lord.
…stay away from negative people.
…find His will & do it.
…be able to give back.
…get more involved in my home church.
…build a closer relationship with family & friends. (many of our men expressed
this desire)
…in time find a wife and a better job.
…be more sensitive to other people’s feelings and needs with the Lord’s help.
…fix my marriage and be with my wife and children.
…take responsibility and not run from it.
…be financially able to support myself and my son.
…grow in love in my heart – a genuine love that is selfless & giving.
…overcome anger – too many times I’ve allowed my anger to be my master; yet
there is another Master… his name is Jesus.
…be as happy as I am now.
I count it a privilege and blessing to know these men and to be allowed to be a
small part of their lives. Thank you for making this ministry possible.
All of us at PRM deeply covet your prayers. We look forward to discovering what
will be new in 2010.
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