Ginny Owens is a nationally-known contemporary Christian artist. A three-time Dove award winner, her music has inspired thousands of people to a deeper faith in God. She plays the piano and sings of love she’s written for God with a sweet clear, voice.
But the most staggering thing about Ginny Owens is the fact that she is completely blind. She was born seeing, but a degenerative eye condition gradually took her sight until, at age three, she became completely blind.
Listening to her music, knowing this fact, brings rich new colors to the tapestries of words she weaves. I invite you to enjoy her song “Wonderful Wonder” by clicking on the link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L14JsjqJ7Uc
“Wonderful Wonder” by Ginny Owens I don’t know the ocean’s crystal blue / And I don’t climb the mountains for the view / Or wish upon the stars above my head / Or bear witness to a marvelous sunset / But the very thought of things I’ve never seen / Is all it takes to bring me to my knees Oh, what a wonderful wonder / A display of great beauty and power / Oh what a wonderful wonder You are to me I wish that I could see life through Your eyes / To gaze upon the canvas from Your side / To understand all that You’ve done before / And to realize the plans You have in store / But when I long to know what I don’t see / You give me the courage to believe Oh, what a wonderful wonder / A display of great beauty and power / Oh what a wonderful wonder You are to me I can hardly wait until the time / When You will turn my darkness into light / And I finally find my way to Heaven’s door / Where I won’t need my faith anymore / And when my eyes behold Your majesty / I’ll join with the angels and we’ll sing Oh, what a wonderful wonder / A display of great beauty and power / Oh what a wonderful wonder You are to me
The first time I heard that song, I was deeply moved. First, I felt so sad for Ginny that she has no memories of the great beauties of this earth: oceans, mountains, stars, sunsets. I can imagine she hears her family and friends talk about these places with amazement in their voices, and I wished for a moment that she could know that beauty, too.
As I listened the third verse, I realized with a jolt that when she sees Heaven, it will be the first thing she ever sees! What an incredible thought! Ginny lives in a world of darkness and visual sameness. Can you imagine what it will be like for her on that Great Day when she is given a new body, with new eyes, seeing colors that humans have only dreamed of?
All of a sudden, I thought, “That’s us. All of us.” We are used to the spiritual darkness we must live in at all times. We have never known any different. Can you imagine God, Jesus, and a host of angels looking at us, saying, “There is so much more you don’t see!! You have no idea what is all around you all the time.”
Remember the story of Elisha and his servant in 2 Kings 6? They were surrounded by a strong army with horses and chariots from the King of Aram. Elisha’s servant was terrified when he saw the soldiers, and he hurried back to Elisha, asking “What should we do?”
“Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed that God would open his servant’s eyes. God did – and the servant “looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2 Kings 6:17).
There is a greater reality than ours, co-existing in the same space as ours. We don’t know all the science behind how it works, and sometimes the pains of this life cause us to ask hard questions. But God wants us to know with certainty that human experience is not all there is. He wants us to choose to be aware of it, to seek it out, to live life placing our trust in a greater world that can never pass away.
It is incredible to think that all of this is going on right now! The spiritual world doesn’t awaken someday in the future. In Luke 20, the Sadducees, who didn’t believe in an afterlife, questioned Jesus about the Resurrection Day. Jesus tells the Sadducees that though God is called “the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,” he is not the God of the dead. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob didn’t cease to exist when they died – God is “Not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to Him, all are alive” (Luke 20:38). Wow!! Unlike us, God can still see all those who are physically dead. Amazing!
The greater reality is full of things humans don’t experience with their five senses. All creation has a limited existence, and it is tied to a system of time. There are unseen beings, boundless and non-corporeal, interacting with creation; those who have died continue to exist; and Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-Control are the supernatural works of God in the lives of people who trust Him. “Heaven and earth will pass away,” Jesus says, “But My words will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35).
And when we get to Heaven someday, we will be just like Ginny Owens – it will be our first time to really See, too. We’ll get the full view of the meaning of this world, and we’ll see the Truth and the Life for who He really is. Our human minds cannot fathom the “wonderful wonders” He has prepared for us! (1 Corinthians 2:9).
I am so thankful that we don’t have to lodge our hope in this broken life. God uses the pains of our lives to help us wake up to that fact. If we love this world, we will be broken, too. Instead, we can, with joy, “Fix our eyes on what is unseen, because what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
Bicky Tolar
Abilene, Texas
Showing posts with label Modern Faith Heroes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Modern Faith Heroes. Show all posts
Monday, February 6, 2012
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Series: Modern Faith Heroes
Often, we see, hear, or read about life events that shape, strengthen, or challenge people’s faith. The bible is full of faith stories from the beginning to the end and they inspire us to continue onward with our journey and are essential in our faith development. However, every once in a while we encounter a faith story that we are a part of and it transforms our lifestyle, thinking, and being.
I met George when he was in his late 30’s. He had just begun his journey with the Lord and was “on fire”, as he often put it, for Christ. One day, he came and informed me that he wanted to preach the gospel and had enrolled in Sunset School of Preaching. I was apprehensive at first because I knew tuition, a major life change, and the fact that George had not been engaged in formal studies for nearly 20 years would be big obstacles to overcome. Eventually, I realized that it was only fitting for preaching to be the next phase of his journey. I couldn’t think of anyone better suited to spread the “Good News” than George. He kind of had a way of capturing your attention while speaking.
George was aware of the obstacles he faced, but he never let those things dampen his spirit. I still remember the way he would smile when he talked of the challenges he faced and would say, “It’s not my will but God’s will” or “My faith is in my heavenly Father because I know he will provide”. His heart was set on preaching the gospel. Then, one Wednesday night at church, George approached me with some bad news. He had a tumor. They were going to operate and he would have to endure several rounds of chemotherapy after surgery. It would be the strong chemotherapy that weakens the body to the point that walking from the bed to the kitchen is difficult and nausea is a daily occurrence.
But George endured and with an attitude that was Christ-like. He never wavered and never doubted. After recovering from chemotherapy, he went on to attend and graduate from Sunset School of Preaching. Afterwards, God led him to the missionary field. He spent time in South America and eventually Alaska. He spread the gospel and touched many lives including my own. Not long after George landed in Alaska and to many folks sorrow, the cancer returned and George passed away.
So why is this story special you ask? Many people have cancer and overcome many obstacles in the process…you say. Yes, they do. However, I don’t know if they do so with an understanding of their relationship with God and God’s purpose for them. George understood perfectly. You see, George was constantly asking me to pray for him. Every conversation I had with him ended with a prayer request. But, he would never ask me to pray for the cancer to be removed, he would only ask me to pray for his faith to be strengthened. He would say, “I not afraid to die because it is not my will but God’s will. I’m not a rich man and I don’t have a lot of material possessions to pass along, all I have is my faith”.
He passed along a faith that was as rich as a king’s treasury and stronger than any army. I miss George del Bosque, but I’m thankful God placed him in my life. He still inspires me to journey onward, no matter how bleak the future looks. .
While Paul was in prison in Rome, he penned these words in a letter to the Philippians. “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two…“ Philippians 1:21-23
Father, grant me vision to see past the obstacles. Bless me with courage to carry on and endure the setbacks. May I be mindful of the honor it is to endure these hardships for your cause and remember those who have endured and gone on before me. In Christ, Amen.
Todd Adams
I met George when he was in his late 30’s. He had just begun his journey with the Lord and was “on fire”, as he often put it, for Christ. One day, he came and informed me that he wanted to preach the gospel and had enrolled in Sunset School of Preaching. I was apprehensive at first because I knew tuition, a major life change, and the fact that George had not been engaged in formal studies for nearly 20 years would be big obstacles to overcome. Eventually, I realized that it was only fitting for preaching to be the next phase of his journey. I couldn’t think of anyone better suited to spread the “Good News” than George. He kind of had a way of capturing your attention while speaking.
George was aware of the obstacles he faced, but he never let those things dampen his spirit. I still remember the way he would smile when he talked of the challenges he faced and would say, “It’s not my will but God’s will” or “My faith is in my heavenly Father because I know he will provide”. His heart was set on preaching the gospel. Then, one Wednesday night at church, George approached me with some bad news. He had a tumor. They were going to operate and he would have to endure several rounds of chemotherapy after surgery. It would be the strong chemotherapy that weakens the body to the point that walking from the bed to the kitchen is difficult and nausea is a daily occurrence.
But George endured and with an attitude that was Christ-like. He never wavered and never doubted. After recovering from chemotherapy, he went on to attend and graduate from Sunset School of Preaching. Afterwards, God led him to the missionary field. He spent time in South America and eventually Alaska. He spread the gospel and touched many lives including my own. Not long after George landed in Alaska and to many folks sorrow, the cancer returned and George passed away.
So why is this story special you ask? Many people have cancer and overcome many obstacles in the process…you say. Yes, they do. However, I don’t know if they do so with an understanding of their relationship with God and God’s purpose for them. George understood perfectly. You see, George was constantly asking me to pray for him. Every conversation I had with him ended with a prayer request. But, he would never ask me to pray for the cancer to be removed, he would only ask me to pray for his faith to be strengthened. He would say, “I not afraid to die because it is not my will but God’s will. I’m not a rich man and I don’t have a lot of material possessions to pass along, all I have is my faith”.
He passed along a faith that was as rich as a king’s treasury and stronger than any army. I miss George del Bosque, but I’m thankful God placed him in my life. He still inspires me to journey onward, no matter how bleak the future looks. .
While Paul was in prison in Rome, he penned these words in a letter to the Philippians. “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two…“ Philippians 1:21-23
Father, grant me vision to see past the obstacles. Bless me with courage to carry on and endure the setbacks. May I be mindful of the honor it is to endure these hardships for your cause and remember those who have endured and gone on before me. In Christ, Amen.
Todd Adams
Dublin, TX
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Series: Modern faith heroes
A friend recently said something along these lines to me, “Don’t get me wrong but sometimes I’m a little jealous of people like you who have a strong redemption story.” We went on to discuss how I envied his story, one of choosing the better path instead of one that often led to pain and even destruction. Yet, my path is my story and my story is one that I already see God using because in all my bad decisions, I still had faith that God was going to use me somehow.
I read Hebrews 11, stories of people who had great faith and think I would never be listed with them. Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Moses, David, Rahab; people of a deeper faith than I imagine myself possessing but I look at my life and know I couldn’t have survived without faith. I have done things that often leave me surprised I’m still walking this earth but here I am. Why? Why did God choose Noah to build the ark? Why did God give Abraham a son after Abraham took matters into his own hands? Why did God allow David to remain a king after David killed Uriah? I think the answer partially lies in the fact that these people still maintained faith in God. I think there’s another part of the answer also - God never lost faith in his children.
I have broken most of the “rules” for being a good Christian. I have sinned in multiple ways and yet God didn’t strike me dead. I have spent years loving the idea of God but not loving him with all my heart and soul yet God didn’t walk away. He maintained his faith in me and always hoped I would come back to him. As I’ve wondered many times why I’m still alive, I can’t help but think that through it all, I never lost faith that God was God, the Lord. Today, I’m starting to reap the benefits of that faith. I’m starting to see how God is using my poor decisions from the past to reach others who think God can’t love them and who won’t love themselves and belief that God is running to them, arms wide open, ready to embrace the one who will come home.
The story of my unending faith in God is a good story. The story of God’s overwhelming faith in me is a story of redemption and reconciliation with my Savior, the greatest story I can ever imagine.
Grace and peace to you.
Jeff Jones
Decatur, Texas
A friend recently said something along these lines to me, “Don’t get me wrong but sometimes I’m a little jealous of people like you who have a strong redemption story.” We went on to discuss how I envied his story, one of choosing the better path instead of one that often led to pain and even destruction. Yet, my path is my story and my story is one that I already see God using because in all my bad decisions, I still had faith that God was going to use me somehow.
I read Hebrews 11, stories of people who had great faith and think I would never be listed with them. Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Moses, David, Rahab; people of a deeper faith than I imagine myself possessing but I look at my life and know I couldn’t have survived without faith. I have done things that often leave me surprised I’m still walking this earth but here I am. Why? Why did God choose Noah to build the ark? Why did God give Abraham a son after Abraham took matters into his own hands? Why did God allow David to remain a king after David killed Uriah? I think the answer partially lies in the fact that these people still maintained faith in God. I think there’s another part of the answer also - God never lost faith in his children.
I have broken most of the “rules” for being a good Christian. I have sinned in multiple ways and yet God didn’t strike me dead. I have spent years loving the idea of God but not loving him with all my heart and soul yet God didn’t walk away. He maintained his faith in me and always hoped I would come back to him. As I’ve wondered many times why I’m still alive, I can’t help but think that through it all, I never lost faith that God was God, the Lord. Today, I’m starting to reap the benefits of that faith. I’m starting to see how God is using my poor decisions from the past to reach others who think God can’t love them and who won’t love themselves and belief that God is running to them, arms wide open, ready to embrace the one who will come home.
The story of my unending faith in God is a good story. The story of God’s overwhelming faith in me is a story of redemption and reconciliation with my Savior, the greatest story I can ever imagine.
Grace and peace to you.
Jeff Jones
Decatur, Texas
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
A Mother’s Faith
Series: Modern Faith Heroes
My Niece, Janice Sue Crowell, has become my “faith hero”! Several months ago, Kasey and Janice Sue’s eleven year old Son, Kory, was diagnosed with Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma. The pathology report showed that the site where the tumor was removed still had some cancer cells. The tumor leaked some during the removal and Kory has been treated with eight rounds of chemotherapy. I would like to share excerpts from daily updates Janice Sue posted on Care Pages provided by Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.
“Kory has a great attitude and we pray he will continue to have the strength and courage to fight this battle, of course, with the help and healing that comes from the Great Physician. Please lift up all our family in your prayers during this time. We know this will be a huge challenge for all of us, but we know our God is good and He will not give us more than we can handle. We also know, that with God all things are possible! “
Those of us who have traveled this journey with Kory and his family have been richly blessed. Janice Sue has specifically shared their need for prayers. “We are so very blessed to have prayer warriors to call on to lift us up in prayer, especially in difficult times. Thank you for helping us through this trying time. We love you and appreciate your love, support and encouragement. Will keep you posted on all the latest twists and turns of this trip! Like on a huge roller coaster, we will stay seated, keep our hands in the car, will stay strapped up and PRAY the ride is over soon. (You can scream on a roller coaster ride, right?)
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil.4:4-7) “Cast ALL your ANXIETY on him because he cares for you.” (I Pet.5:7) I will be reading these scriptures often over the next couple of weeks, as reminders not to be ‘anxious’ about anything. We are so grateful for all of you who are enduring this journey with us. Your prayers, love, support and encouragement have made this cross easier for us to bear! We love you and so appreciate EVERYTHING you have done for Kory and our family.”
Kory has a great sense of humor and has made this journey very entertaining at times. On one of his visits to the doctor, he wore a shirt that read: “DOCTOR’S NOTE” Dear Teacher, This patient has been diagnosed with AMAZING AWESOMENESS! Please keep him away from HOMEWORK, as it would irritate his AWESOMENESS! PS. There is no cure, so he will have to be AWESOME FOREVER! (You may guess, a gift from his Nanny)
There are many “faith stories” along this journey, too numerous to share. However, I would like to share this one which begins, “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zep.3:17) “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Ps.37:4) God blessed Kory with his heart’s desire to throw out the first pitch of the 2011 baseball season for our McNeese State University Cowboys. We give our Lord God all thanks and praise for allowing him this honor. “Kory Crowell” even had his name in lights on the scoreboard. Kory did a great job throwing out the ball, especially for someone who just finished eight rounds of chemo and had spent the last two days in the hospital. He was given plenty of steroids this last trip to the hospital, so maybe that helped his throw. HA! We told him it would all be good as long as they didn’t drug test him first. After he came off the field, two little boys ran up to him wanting to know how one is chosen to throw out the first pitch of the season and Kory said, “It’s easy. Just catch cancer and go thru eight rounds of chemo.” Only our child! Thank you for all the prayers for Kory and us. Please join us in thanking God for His abundant blessings He has so richly bestowed on Kory.”
“Father, You know our hearts and the gratitude we feel for Your grace, mercy and healing for Kory. We praise You for the faith Kory and his family have shared throughout this journey. We pray your continued blessings upon this precious family and the doctors who are involved in Kory’s treatment. Thank you for loving us, for holding us close, and for the hope that is ours in Christ Jesus. In His name we pray, Amen.”
Jan Alderfer
Stephenville, Texas
My Niece, Janice Sue Crowell, has become my “faith hero”! Several months ago, Kasey and Janice Sue’s eleven year old Son, Kory, was diagnosed with Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma. The pathology report showed that the site where the tumor was removed still had some cancer cells. The tumor leaked some during the removal and Kory has been treated with eight rounds of chemotherapy. I would like to share excerpts from daily updates Janice Sue posted on Care Pages provided by Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.
“Kory has a great attitude and we pray he will continue to have the strength and courage to fight this battle, of course, with the help and healing that comes from the Great Physician. Please lift up all our family in your prayers during this time. We know this will be a huge challenge for all of us, but we know our God is good and He will not give us more than we can handle. We also know, that with God all things are possible! “
Those of us who have traveled this journey with Kory and his family have been richly blessed. Janice Sue has specifically shared their need for prayers. “We are so very blessed to have prayer warriors to call on to lift us up in prayer, especially in difficult times. Thank you for helping us through this trying time. We love you and appreciate your love, support and encouragement. Will keep you posted on all the latest twists and turns of this trip! Like on a huge roller coaster, we will stay seated, keep our hands in the car, will stay strapped up and PRAY the ride is over soon. (You can scream on a roller coaster ride, right?)
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil.4:4-7) “Cast ALL your ANXIETY on him because he cares for you.” (I Pet.5:7) I will be reading these scriptures often over the next couple of weeks, as reminders not to be ‘anxious’ about anything. We are so grateful for all of you who are enduring this journey with us. Your prayers, love, support and encouragement have made this cross easier for us to bear! We love you and so appreciate EVERYTHING you have done for Kory and our family.”
Kory has a great sense of humor and has made this journey very entertaining at times. On one of his visits to the doctor, he wore a shirt that read: “DOCTOR’S NOTE” Dear Teacher, This patient has been diagnosed with AMAZING AWESOMENESS! Please keep him away from HOMEWORK, as it would irritate his AWESOMENESS! PS. There is no cure, so he will have to be AWESOME FOREVER! (You may guess, a gift from his Nanny)
There are many “faith stories” along this journey, too numerous to share. However, I would like to share this one which begins, “The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zep.3:17) “Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.” (Ps.37:4) God blessed Kory with his heart’s desire to throw out the first pitch of the 2011 baseball season for our McNeese State University Cowboys. We give our Lord God all thanks and praise for allowing him this honor. “Kory Crowell” even had his name in lights on the scoreboard. Kory did a great job throwing out the ball, especially for someone who just finished eight rounds of chemo and had spent the last two days in the hospital. He was given plenty of steroids this last trip to the hospital, so maybe that helped his throw. HA! We told him it would all be good as long as they didn’t drug test him first. After he came off the field, two little boys ran up to him wanting to know how one is chosen to throw out the first pitch of the season and Kory said, “It’s easy. Just catch cancer and go thru eight rounds of chemo.” Only our child! Thank you for all the prayers for Kory and us. Please join us in thanking God for His abundant blessings He has so richly bestowed on Kory.”
“Father, You know our hearts and the gratitude we feel for Your grace, mercy and healing for Kory. We praise You for the faith Kory and his family have shared throughout this journey. We pray your continued blessings upon this precious family and the doctors who are involved in Kory’s treatment. Thank you for loving us, for holding us close, and for the hope that is ours in Christ Jesus. In His name we pray, Amen.”
Jan Alderfer
Stephenville, Texas
Monday, March 14, 2011
Opportunistic Faith
Series: Modern Faith Heroes
“Captain Happy to the rescue,” my father yelled as he flew into the room.
As young children, my brother and sister and I laughed on many occasions because of our father’s spontaneous antics. He was our personal super hero, express
ing his fatherly love in enjoyable ways. His acting illustrated the significance of his fatherly role – our protector, our leader, our rescuer. These fond memories reassured us that he cares. Now, as an adult, I realize my father’s faith shaped his life and, consequently, his life influenced others’ faith. He continues as an inspiring spiritual example, “living by faith.”As a high school coach, my father included boys of “color” on his early-sixties track teams, even though cultural prejudice dictated separation. As a school administrator, he managed calmly and fairly in stressful situations. When rules and expectations were undergoing significant change, he held firm to unchanging godly principles. Adolescent boys regretted his discipline. But, years later, they appreciated his willingness to get involved. Lives have been changed because of my father’s opportunistic faith.
In the eleventh chapter of Hebrews, the writer sets a high standard for life in Christ, “faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (v.1). The faith role models knew, “God had planned something better for us” (v.40). Every case in the forty verses described real people who were obeying and doing and living in practical ways, seeking to please God.
Some people talk about faith in idealistic ways. This point of view, though hopeful, is impractical, only seeing things as they think things should be. All too often, talking about faith, without living faithfully, results in a judgmental attitude and an unwilling spirit.
Real life situations are unpredictable and often difficult. God calls people of faith to put into practice the belief in their hearts. True faith isn’t just talked about, it is seen in action. Faithful people get involved and are willing to pay the price for obedience. What are you doing with your opportunities to live faithfully? Seek to please God, thereby inspiring others to change.
Prayer
Our Heavenly Father, we know you are worthy of our faith. We also know you reward those who earnestly seek you. Please help us to see the great cloud of witnesses surrounding us. Help us to be participants, not just spectators, in your plans. Help us to live with opportunistic faith. We pray in the name of Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of our faith, Amen.
Carl Smith
Stephenville, Texas
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