Never did I ever think that I would become this friendly with a man who had been cruel and fierce and violent and bloodthirsty.
But patience and openness can do amazing things in a person's life.
Speaking of being patient, our patient God also helps us when we fail.
We sin because we are sinners. We make stupid mistakes because we are flawed.
One man, who had been a terrorist, wrote, "I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life."
He had failed morally and ethically and spiritually and yet he was miraculously rescued and helped and healed and made as whole as such a man could become.
He never forgot what he had been and he spoke about his past life frequently, and it is all recorded for us to read, and also to learn how important it is to share one's testimony to the grace of Almighty God.
This day is one of the days I so remember in my own varied spiritual experience.
Forty eight years ago this night, the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ baptised me in the Holy Spirit as I sat in our front room in our Cowdenbeath Manse. When my friend and colleague laid his hands on me and prayed for me the experience was quite dynamic and I spoke in tongues and praised and the living God just as the disciples praised and prayed on the Day of Pentecost.
This rascal, about whom I am writing, and who in all reality had been nothing else but a terrorist, had been out to destroy every disciple of Jesus Christ. His aim was to eradicate the Church of Jesus Christ from the face of the earth. Many have tried to do that, most unsuccessfully.
Saul of Tarsus lost. Every person who attempts that level of terrorism will lose.
When we fail, God always has a hand stretched down to lift us, and raise us up.
Our patient God comforts us when we are discouraged. He is the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our troubles.
Comfort means to fortify, fortress, or strengthen. Comfort is a strong word.
When we pray, it is good to remember that we come to a God of patience and comfort and love.
Our patient God values our variety. We are all very different. Our characters and personalities are so diverse and varied.
That former terrorist also wrote, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with patience. Bear with each other, and forgive."
And, it has to be mentioned that he said that he spoke in tongues more than all the other believers and disciples. You will find that openly and overtly declared in his first letter to the church of Jesus Christ in Corinth.
God is so patient with us and so gracious and merciful and loving.
Our patient God expects us to be patient with others. Jesus taught profound lessons regarding patience.
Patience is a choice, not a feeling.
Put space between your emotions and your reactions. That can prevent us from doing things we wish we had not done - or said.
My former terrorist friend also wrote, "Accept one another then, as Christ accepted you".
Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children's Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, and writes a weekly commentary at http://www.studylight.org entitled "Word from Scotland" on various biblical themes, as well as a weekly newspaper column.
His M.A. and B.D. degrees are from The University of Edinburgh, and he continues to run and exercise regularly to maintain a level of physical fitness.
By Sandy Shaw
Article Source: A Terrorist Is Transformed and Radically Changed and He Does What Few Others Have Been Able to Do!
But patience and openness can do amazing things in a person's life.
Speaking of being patient, our patient God also helps us when we fail.
We sin because we are sinners. We make stupid mistakes because we are flawed.
One man, who had been a terrorist, wrote, "I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life."
He had failed morally and ethically and spiritually and yet he was miraculously rescued and helped and healed and made as whole as such a man could become.
He never forgot what he had been and he spoke about his past life frequently, and it is all recorded for us to read, and also to learn how important it is to share one's testimony to the grace of Almighty God.
This day is one of the days I so remember in my own varied spiritual experience.
Forty eight years ago this night, the risen and living Lord Jesus Christ baptised me in the Holy Spirit as I sat in our front room in our Cowdenbeath Manse. When my friend and colleague laid his hands on me and prayed for me the experience was quite dynamic and I spoke in tongues and praised and the living God just as the disciples praised and prayed on the Day of Pentecost.
This rascal, about whom I am writing, and who in all reality had been nothing else but a terrorist, had been out to destroy every disciple of Jesus Christ. His aim was to eradicate the Church of Jesus Christ from the face of the earth. Many have tried to do that, most unsuccessfully.
Saul of Tarsus lost. Every person who attempts that level of terrorism will lose.
When we fail, God always has a hand stretched down to lift us, and raise us up.
Our patient God comforts us when we are discouraged. He is the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our troubles.
Comfort means to fortify, fortress, or strengthen. Comfort is a strong word.
When we pray, it is good to remember that we come to a God of patience and comfort and love.
Our patient God values our variety. We are all very different. Our characters and personalities are so diverse and varied.
That former terrorist also wrote, "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with patience. Bear with each other, and forgive."
And, it has to be mentioned that he said that he spoke in tongues more than all the other believers and disciples. You will find that openly and overtly declared in his first letter to the church of Jesus Christ in Corinth.
God is so patient with us and so gracious and merciful and loving.
Our patient God expects us to be patient with others. Jesus taught profound lessons regarding patience.
Patience is a choice, not a feeling.
Put space between your emotions and your reactions. That can prevent us from doing things we wish we had not done - or said.
My former terrorist friend also wrote, "Accept one another then, as Christ accepted you".
Sandy Shaw is Pastor of Nairn Christian Fellowship, Chaplain at Inverness Prison, and Nairn Academy, and serves on The Children's Panel in Scotland, and has travelled extensively over these past years teaching, speaking, in America, Canada, South Africa, Australia, making 12 visits to Israel conducting Tours and Pilgrimages, and most recently in Uganda and Kenya, ministering at Pastors and Leaders Seminars, in the poor areas surrounding Kampala, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu.
He broadcasts regularly on WSHO radio out of New Orleans, and writes a weekly commentary at http://www.studylight.org entitled "Word from Scotland" on various biblical themes, as well as a weekly newspaper column.
His M.A. and B.D. degrees are from The University of Edinburgh, and he continues to run and exercise regularly to maintain a level of physical fitness.
By Sandy Shaw
Article Source: A Terrorist Is Transformed and Radically Changed and He Does What Few Others Have Been Able to Do!