6.14.2007 | Ruth Bell Graham

Ruth Bell Graham, the gracious and Spirit-led wife of Rev. Billy Graham, passed on this afternoon, at the age of 87 (her birthday was June 10th).

My prayers are with her husband, and her five children, who include Franklin Graham -- a lion among evangelicals. The apple, as they say, falls not far from the tree.

R.I.P.

6.06.2007 | "a remnant, chosen by grace"

This blog was visited by another evangelical Jewish-born Christian ("Sewing", his blog is The Regrafted Branch). On his blog he references one of my favorite writings from Paul. In Paul's letter to the church in Rome, we are reminded that God has always had plans for the "remnant of Israel."

From Romans 11, The Remnant of Israel:

1I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? 3"Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life." 4But what is God's reply to him? "I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal." 5So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. 6But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

By the grace of God, I found Christ over 30 years ago. And once Christ is invited to stay in your heart, he will never wear out his welcome.