Good Friday

I always thought that “Good Friday” was an interesting concept.  
How could anything be good about a day over 2,000 years ago
when an innocent man was crucified on a cross?  Add to that as
Christians we believe that Jesus, the Son of God, was innocent
of the charges made against Him.  But he was scourged and then
nailed to a tree. Add to the misery what the suffering Savior said
as he looked down at the Roman Soldiers who impaled his hands
and feet, casting lots for his clothing.  “Father, forgive them, for they
do not know what they do.” Luke 23:34. My good friend
Pastor John B Lowe II of New Life Christian Church & World Outreach
has written a book, “Forgiveness...An Act of Violence.”  In Chapter 5
he responds to what Jesus said, “Really! They didn’t know what
they were doing? Reading verses like that challenge our logic.
Christ’s sufferings at the hands of the Kingdom of Darkness seemed
pretty intentional to a well reasoned mind.”  Good Friday is about
forgiveness, period. The greatest man to ever live was killed in the
most horrible way but his mission was to forgive, showing the heart
of His Father - God Almighty. This Friday is Good because it’s about
mercy. John B notes in Chapter 6 of his book, “God doesn’t forgive
us because He is superior, even though He is.  He forgives because
He is love.” With sweat and blood running in his eyes, Jesus strained
to see those who meant him harm and loved them. We can be forgiven
of our sins as well because the Lamb of God shed his blood on the cross.
God sent his best, His only Son, to tell us that He loves us. Good News!
As we accept forgiveness we are challenged to forgive those around us
as well.  Make this season a Good Friday through Jesus and the ultimate
message of love...

For more information on “Forgiveness...An Act Of Violence”
go to www.ihavenewlife.com

Ken Locke

GWMA

www.gwma.info

Billy Graham & Prayer

This is the inaugural column focusing on faith and the church community in Kosciusko County.  

There is a rich history of Churches and Christian impact here locally and ministries that have

gone around the world from Kosciusko County.  Many recall the days when a young

Billy Graham preached in Winona Lake for Youth for Christ in the 1940’s.

Dr. Graham served as the first Director of YFC.  But at 3 AM on July 13, 1949 an all-night

prayer meeting was held with 40 to 50 young men in attendance, many of them who

impacted the world through ministries such as World Vision, Ken Anderson Films and others.  

Even during a busy YFC schedule that week they took time in the Rainbow Room at

Westminster Hotel to pray for Billy and his team as they prepared to head to Los Angeles

for revival meetings. The rest is history as that moment was a pivotal point of the

beginning of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.  On February 21st Billy Graham

stepped into eternity after 99 years on this third rock from the sun and now with Jesus,

the one he pointed to through 60 years of ministry.  It is estimated that he spoke to over

215 million people in over 185 countries with the Good News. Billy once said, “"Have you

ever said, 'Well, all we can do now is pray?' ...When we come to the end of ourselves,

we come to the beginning of God.”  That night many years ago God began using a

young man from a dairy farm in North Carolina to share His message of grace and mercy.

Prayer is where we should all begin no matter the situation as we seek God for His guidance

and direction.  It may not take you around the world but it will take your heart to a beginning with God.

“Pray without ceasing” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Have ideas for this column?  Send them to gwmainfo@gmail.com

www.gwma.info