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If you know anything at all about Dr. Ralph Byron, chief cancer surgeon at City Of Hope Hospital in Duarte, California, you know that his life was dra matically shaped by a verse of scr ip tu re , Ezek iel 22:30: “ I sought for a man that should . . . stand in the gap . . . but I found none.” You would know, too, that Dr. Bryon pledged his life to be the man for the gap and this brilliant man truly has been, ever since, a man who’s filled the gap. I first heard this verse some years ago at a New Year’s Eve| service. Our pastor, Dr. Ted Cole,I based his whole message on iu and, like Dr. Byron, I too wanted to be God’s person for the filling of the gap. Let me tell you about the gap. It seems that in Biblical times it was common war procedure to fight up into a canyon-like draw. If you could, you maneuvered your army into the upper part of the canyon. Very often there would be a narrow passageway at the top, the width of one man, so one soldier at a time would fight in this gap to his death. Then another would take his place. This would go on until the last man was killed or the victory won. Once the man took his place in the gap, he knew he would fight with all the vigor and pow er of his body and that he would fight until his death. Each New Year’s Eve I recall this same sermon and I find I have just one prayer and one aim once more. “Oh, dear Lord, help me to be the woman for the gap. Help me to take my position as a wife, a mother and a singer and stand fast in the gap of life. Help me to be strong when I would get weary, to be courageous when I would feel cowardice and lovingly to carry on when I would feel defeated.” Now the New Year has begun. I wonder what it will bring? Some times there are great years, sometimes they are like these past two years, sad with the loss of our baby son, our grandfather
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by Joyce Landorf
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and our dear mother, yet the Holy Spirit abides, holds fast and con tinues to give the promised vic tories. Expectantly I look for ward to this new year and while I do not know what it will hold I do know that the victories have already been bought and paid for. I must claim them and I must continually watch the gap to see that my position is firmly set right in the middle of it! BERRIES N ' BEANS Don’t let the unusual com bination of ingredients discour age you from trying this SIM PLE dish. It came to our house from Ruth Calkin who got it from a lady in the beauty shop who got it from her friend, etc., but it’s just delicious. Make it and don’t tell what’s in it until everyone tells what he thinks is in it. Mix together: 1 lb can of cranberry sauce 1 lb can of pork and beans Bake in an uncovered 8 " x 8 " pan for one hour at 325 degrees. Serves four. This is good with ham or pork chops or even left-over turkey.
VERSE FOR TODAY I may not know God's plan for me Each hour of every day. But I will leave the choice with Him, And trust Him all the way! Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own under standing. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5, 6. This lovely poem by Annie John son Flint is our prayer for you this brand-new year. He giveth more grace when the bur dens grow greater; , He sendeth more strength when the labors increase. To added affliction He addeth His mercy; To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace. When we have exhausted our store of endurance, When our strength has failed ere the day is half done, When we reach the end of our hoard ed resources. Our Father's full giving is only begun. His love has no limit; His grace has no measure; His power has no boundary known unto men. For out of His infinite riches in Jesus, He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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