My Friend and Mentor, Dr. Stephen F. Olford

I was very blessed in the providence of God to know Stephen F. Olford. I first heard him when I was sixteen and I first met him when I was seventeen. For more than 35 years, until his death in August 2004, he was a significant instrument in the hands of God in teaching, mentoring and shaping my life. I am indebted to God for the life of Stephen Olford and for his friendship.

There is no direction in my study room to which I can turn without seeing evidence of Dr. Olford's life. Hanging on my wall, over my desk, is beautiful verse, a dupicate of the one that hung in Dr. Olford's study. It contains a saying by the Scottish preacher, Robert Murray McCheyne: "Oh God, make me as holy as a saved sinner can be.", taken form I Peter 1:16.

The line that I think of most often is the sentence from a letter to Stephen Olford from his father, a line that became a turning point in his life. "Only one life, 'Twill soon be past, Only what is done for Christ will last."

I encourage younger pastors to find an older man of God who has walked with God and attach yourself to him, spend time with him and learn from him.

I was blessed to have known Stephen F. Olford

Preparing For The Lord's Day

What do you do to prepare for Sunday and your time of fellowship with the people of God and your worship of God? Are you intentional in your preparation? I direct these thoughts to myself first and foremost. Certainly the pastor should be prepared for worship and preaching and ministry. But so should the members of the congregation. The question is sometimes asked: Does good listening make good preaching or does good preaching make good listening? The answer is: Both! However, when the people in the congregation come to church with a sense of anticipation of what God is going to do and say it makes a big difference. For me preparation for Sunday includes the routine study and prayer of a pastor, but it also includes guarding Saturday and being careful with the use of my time and energy. I generally seclude myself to my study by Saturday afternoon and do not engage in social events or anything that requires time, or physical and emotional energy. I do this in order to assure that I am rested and alert for the Lord's Day as much as possible. I encourage you, fellow Christian, to think seriously about preparation for worship. Worship is not controlled by a switch that is turned on at 10:30 on Sunday morning and is turned off at 12:05 on Sunday afternoon. How we worship God Monday through Saturday has a direct affect on how we worship Him on Sunday! Soli Deo Gloria, BR

America's Keswick

Think Victory! I wear the blue wrist band containing these words as a reminder to pray for my friends at America's Keswick. I have just returned from a week of ministry at America's Keswick in Whiting, New Jersey. In fact this was my tenth year to have the remarkable privilege of ministering God's word at this historic conference center. My preaching colleague for the week was Dr. Bob Alderman. I enjoyed sitting under his ministry each day as he opened up Romans chapters 5-8. This anointed messenger preached the "Keswick Message", the Life of Victory in Christ with clarity. I believe many came into blessing and victory. It was my joy to preach a series of sermons on the Life of Elijah. One of my greatest honors in going to America's Keswick is the time I have with the Executive Director and CEO, Bill Welte. Bill is a multi-talented man. I mean that in every sense of the word. But more importantly to me... He is one of the most Godly and prayerful men I know. If you read this little not about America's Keswick I hope you will pause a moment and pray for Bill Welte and the entire Keswick family. Pray for the ministry of the Colony of Mercy. (check website). If you are seeking Victory in your Christian life it can be found in Christ and in Christ alone. Visit America's Keswick ....Where God Speaks to Hearts and Transforms Lives. www.americaskeswick.org Thanks, Roger Willmore