Today we bring a tribute to two people who affected thousands

It’s not often that we meet someone whose life has affected thousands of people.

Abraham did it. He waited 24 years for a miracle baby. Then, he obediently raised the knife to sacrifice him.

Multitudes, millions have been affected.

Let me tell you on this their anniversary week how this couple (my parents) have profoundly affected tens of thousands of people they have never met:

1. They made personal choices based upon how those choices would affect future generations.

It’s pretty easy to make decisions on a whim, on “how you feel today.”  You woke up mad.  It ends with a terrible argument and words that should have never been spoken.

Back up and start your day with laughter.  Daddy and Mama laughed the whole day.  They “cut up” and never took themselves too seriously.

They lived to display what marital unity and daily forgiveness looks like.  They did it for 63 years.

2. They never got into a “strain.”

They often spoke about the “strain.”  We often put ourselves in a pressure situation because of poor choices with time or money.

“Let there be laughter.”  Engineer out the pressure cooker.  Leave early for meetings, stay out of debt and overspending, don’t over-schedule yourself.  Daddy’s big phrase:  “Hang loose, keep it simple, travel light.”

3.  They listened to the voice of God together.

One day, Daddy was leaving town for a meeting.  His route took him “left” at a stop light.  Suddenly, not audibly, he heard in his spirit, “Turn right, you are looking for land.”

Within five minutes, he saw a piece of property he loved.  He met the owner and went and got Mama.  The price frightened Mama since they really did not have the money for a down payment.  That same still voice said to her, “Whatever is not of faith is sin.”

They bought that house and land in the country (by a financial miracle).  It became 100 acres 20 years later and the site our 6000 seat building built in 1985.  Our entire church destiny turned on one impression: “TURN RIGHT.”

4.  They loved to serve together.

As they pastored together, they served the people together.  Endless trips for prayer, counsel, groceries, and physical labor cleaning together.

After they finished pastoring, they kept serving.  You always saw Daddy with a broom in his hand sweeping church facilities and Mother with an apron on cooking in the church kitchen.  They LOVED to work together and serve the body of Christ.  They endlessly found need and met it…together.

Daddy used to say, “You don’t need a job, you need something to do.”  What a difference when we expect our spouse to serve US and we never participate.  

“Choices, margins, hearing the voice of God and serving.”

Four of so many principles that made their lives impact tens of thousands.

Start NOW to have a legacy that spreads, literally, all over the world!