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March 2007 |
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...do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: "He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us"? But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. James 4:4-7 NAS |
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: Dear Friends: Greetings in Jesus’ mighty Name! I used St. Patrick’s prayer in the March Quotes but added an explanation of the term poop. I spoke to a group from our local University two days ago and read them the prayer. I soon realized I needed to explain the term poop so I added the definition for you. I was surprised how many of these students knew nothing about the person, Patrick. They knew the legends and they knew green beer but they did not know Patrick. He was quite a awesome example of true Christianity. I am going to talk about St. Patrick, not just because my parents were born in Ireland, or because I was named after Patrick, but because he is one of my favorite saints because he is a great example of true Christianity. Patrick loved the unlovable! He also really had “guts.” If Patrick were alive today, I am sure he would be a witnessing at the abortion mill—probably with a “ugly” picture! He would be on the street talking to the lost! Paintings of Patrick, in bishop’s garb, leave the impression he was a church official. He wasn’t! Ireland was not converted from Druidism by organized missions or high ranking officials. Ireland is Christian because of St. Patrick, once a slave and St. Bridget, the daughter of a slave mother—two ordinary people whom God used extraordinarily!. The organized church did send an emissary from Rome to convert the Irish. The mission was a complete failure. What was needed to change a nation was two faithful people, one a slave and one a daughter of a slave, who answered the call and said to the Lord, “Here I am, send me.” The slave trade between Ireland and England flourished for many centuries. Patrick was the son of a deacon, and like many teenagers he had drifted form the faith. He was captured and carried into Ireland where he served his master six years as a shepherd. During the hard life as a slave among a proud, rapacious and warlike people, Patrick’s faith was renewed. He earnestly sought the Lord in prayer, hoping to be returned to his family. He is said to have prayed at least 100 times a day. He escaped to France, only to be recaptured, but was finally able to escape again and return to his family years later. While safely at home he had a dream in which a man handed him hundreds of letters from the Irish begging him to return. He obeyed this divine call and returned to Ireland and began his work. He went first to the place that he knew—the territory of the War Lord who had been his master and, beginning with his enemy, he devoted the remainder of his life to converting the Irish. It is easy to evangelize a people you love or a peaceful friendly people. The Irish were not peaceful or lovable!!. They were a warlike and downright vicious people who had enslaved Patrick and treated him brutally. But—Jesus said: You have heard that it was said, YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy. But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? Matthew 5:43-46 NASB Patrick devoted his life to a people who mistreated him. Patrick never questioned God. He just went. He didn’t whine about the nastiness of the Irish. He just went. He never asked how he could convert such warlike people who basically hated strangers. He just went. I want to have more than a variation of Patrick’s name –I want to have some of his zeal for the Lord. I want to have a love of my enemies—and believe me it is not an easy thing for me—I have to work at that one very hard! I leave for Israel in a few days. I hope to have divine appointments and the “guts” to respond properly to them. Please pray for me be a “Patrick,” willing to be used and willing to just go! Thank you for your prayers and support as we labor to spread the gospel of Life throughout the nations. You have chosen to support Life Coalition International with your donations and prayers when you have many worthy causes and ministries to choose from. Thank you!! A servant,
Pat McEwen
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From the desk of Pat McEwen, 3/13/2007
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