A pastor writes to businessmen
being .
quiet before God
P JL ressure of these days demands that you men practice the strategy of a daily quiet time. A time when you shut the door on everything else and get in close with God for a brief period. Nothing will settle your day—give you a high outlook—a sane perspective—like the practice of setting aside for God a period in the day for quiet meditation. Hard-headed businessmen are apt to think this impractical—nebulous—ethereal. Definite ly not! Fact is nothing can be more utilitarian in your business day than this strategy. Take for example a glass filled with muddy water. Let the glass sit quietly awhile—watch the mud and sediment settle to the bottom. The water is clear as crystal . . . if you give it time and quiet. Keep the glass stirred up —water remains' muddy and congested. Your life is like that! It can get muddy— stirred up—confused under the pressure of cir cumstances. Your thinking is distorted—foggy —fuzzy—dull. You can’t see issues clearly — objectively. You get encircled by things: phones jangling—typewriters clicking—decisions clam oring—jumping over one another-—demanding action. Head buzzing—about to burst . . . . Shut the door—clear your desk —figuratively at least. Better still, stuff everything into a drawer for 30 minutes. Act as though there is nothing to do. Sit quiet—relax—let the chair hold you up. Then listen to God . . . . Of course that’s the key! It’s not enough just to be quiet. You’ve got to. be quiet in telligently. You don’t want a mental vacuum. You want your mind and heart to be occupied with God — His Word. Read a portion from the Bible: Psalm 1 or 23 or 37:1-7. Then think about these Divine promises. Talk the situa tion over with the Lord in prayer. Don’t be concerned with prayer language. Talk to Him as you would a partner who has a deep interest in the business. You’ll get the bulge on your confusion in a hurry. Issues will take their proper propor tions. You will be able to attack your work with a clear head —decisively— solidly. “ . . . they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isa. 40:31). — Richard C. Halverson m Perspective
TODAY’S
From Genesis to Revelation the Bible puts a rather definite stress upon the prophetic. And because of this stress the prophetic theme rightly holds the interest of many Christians today. This month in Los Angeles some of the nation’s top prophetic preachers are holding forth at a Congress on Prophecy. The roster of speakers includes Hyman Appel- man, Herman B. Centz, Albert J. Johnson, Lewis J. Julianel, William F. Kerr, Albert J. Lindsey, Alva J. McClain, James McGinlay, John G. Mitchell, J. Palmer Muntz, R. L. Powell, Wilbur M. Smith, Louis T. Talbot, John F. Walvoord and Archer Weniger. The Congress, held in the down town Church of the Open Door (Oct. 7-14), is under the sponsor ship of a Committee of One Hun dred. Some observers are predicting that because of Egypt’s seizure of the Suez and the resulting tension throughout the Middle East the gathering preachers will have some lively subjects to deal with during the week-long meeting. At last year’s New York Con gress a unanimously adopted mani festo was issued that gives a well- defined insight into the goings on at these meetings. Here in part is that manifesto: The knowledge of God, and the salvation He has provided in Jesus Christ our Lord, is still, and for ever will be, mankind’s supreme need. Therefore, we, representatives of the churches of God scattered abroad, assembled in the Second International Congress on Proph ecy at Calvary Baptist Church, New York City, hereby send greet-
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THE KING'S BUSINESS
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