Good Lord's Day,

BEGIN WITH SONG-Is a good recipe for most endeavors. It is a standard in all 
religious services, to my knowledge. Your response makes me to know that you 
have positive feelings about this part of our weekly visit.

I have chosen a lesser known song for this week. "The Great Physician" is a 
work by Wm. Hunter and J. H. Stockton. It is a brief song of three short 
verses. The beauty is in the essence captured. A rare combination of 
authority and compassion is revealed.

THE GREAT PHYSICIAN NOW IS NEAR, THE SYMPATHIZING JESUS, 
HE SPEAKS THE DROOPING HEART TO CHEER, O HEAR THE VOICE OF 
JESUS

Chorus:
SWEETEST NOTE IN SERAPH SONG, SWEETEST NAME ON MORTAL TONGUE,
SWEETEST CAROL EVER SUNG, JESUS, BLESSED JESUS.

ALL GLORY TO THE DYING LAMB! I NOW BELIEVE IN JESUS;
I LOVE THE BLESSED SAVIOR'S NAME, I LOVE THE NAME OF JESUS.

HIS NAME DISPELS MY GUILT AND FEAR, NO OTHER NAME BUT JESUS;
O HOW MY HEART DELIGHTS TO HEAR THE CHARMING NAME OF JESUS.

"How that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and power: who 
went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for 
God was with him."
These words from Acts 10:38 are part of Peter's sermon at Cornelius' house.

NEW ADDITIONS-To the earthly family are always joyous times. So it is in 
this family. We add weekly directly, or hear that some of you are forwarding 
these words. The counter at the website continues to show "hits" there as 
well. Thank you. Ron Gail goes back to childhood. He and Clista, his wife, 
are in Surprise, Arkansas. Phil and Priscilla Newell are longtime pastors in 
Portland, Oregon. So that they will learn and so you will be reminded-Mike 
and Linda Knibbs in Massillon, Ohio maintain my website that consists of back 
copies of THOUGHTs and some other goodies.

While talking about the website-remember that links off of that site must 
come to me for approval. Mike does not wish to make those decisions.

God is greater than-----------Alan Greenspan. Feel free to insert any 
name.

A reader linked down to INSTE and wrote to me expressing praise for the 
intent and the extent of that ministry. I count the founders and leaders of 
that ministry as long time friends. Believe me when I say that God has 
blessed INSTE beyond our wildest hopes.

IRISH-Don't we all feel a little Irish today? I like corned beef and cabbage 
a lot. The life of St. Patrick led from slavery to sainthood. Good reading.

UNITY-The theme of many articles across my desk of late is on this subject. 
One of them postulates that the prayer of Jesus in John 17, where He pleads 
for unity, has gone basically unanswered. While recognizing various points 
of view on unity, we must all pray for a united effort as lights in this 
world of darkness and confusion,

One encouraging word comes from overseas. It seems that many areas of 
division in the church in the U.S. are put aside as workers under many 
different missions board appointments have found a common goal.

NOT A BOOK CLUB-I stopped passing on quite so many suggestions and-------you 
know the rest. Both of the following are available through Kregel at www. 
Kregel.com used books and will cost over $20 each. Treasury of Quotations on 
Religious Subjects compiled by B.F. Proctor and Treasury of The World's 
Greatest Sermons compiled by Dr. Warren W. Wiersbe would make good additions 
to serious libraries.

BELGIUM UPDATE-I am not directly associated with the Assemblies of God. What 
we have going on with them in Belgium may affect the total picture of 
missions. We are watching a program that began in 1949 and has grown to 70 
local churches. The present dispute revolves around permits for work that 
began over the presence of some interested volunteer helpers, The disagreement 
has made necessary the actions to close offices of many important aspects of the ministry. 
Keep praying, please.

MONDAY MORNING-Phone calls are not among a pastor's favorite things. This 
was no exception. I recognized the voice as a good friend who attended a 
sister church. The stress level in the voice increased as an overwhelming 
story tumbled out.

You need to know certain matters. I will avoid using names or information 
that is confidential. The voice was that of a successful COO (chief 
operations officer) of his wife's family business. As a matter of ethics, I 
would not counsel those that should go to their own pastor. This man also 
knew of my policy that I would talk to anybody for thirty minutes. After our 
talk, he chose a far more daring path than I ever would have suggested.

One of the strengths of the business was a 7 A.M. Thursday meeting of 
accountability. A breakfast was catered to those fifty involved at highest 
levels of sales, production and distribution. The COO was moderator and 
prepared the agenda. The agenda that day was made up of two entries-1. 
Prayer, and 2. The following to be read by the moderator. I asked for a copy 
at a later date.

"As you know, I had need of a close associate. After the interview process, 
one candidate was clearly the most qualified. I hired________ _______ about 
three months ago. She attends the same church that I do. That had no 
bearing on the hiring. She is less than one year into single life. This was 
not and is not her choice. Her choice is to maintain a home for her three 
small children. Christ is honored in that home. 

As it concerns you, this has been a highly advantageous business choice. 
Decisions have recently been made that will dramatically impact the profit 
picture for this year. Unfortunately, the same "chemistry" so good for 
business has been shown to be bad for us personally. Nothing has nor will 
occur that will leave stains of guilt on any relationship. I will not 
mention this again. I would expect the same courtesy from you.

As usual, my wife is present this morning. Our pastor has written this 
statement for me."
Respectfully

Addenda-We are using the dynamics expressed in Revelation 12 :11 as our 
strength.

"And they overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of 
their testimony---------" Revelation 12 : 11 (KJV)

His,
Ron Krantz

PERSONAL P.S.-Eleven years ago this weekend, I was being air-shuttled to a 
larger hospital in a life quest by surgery. A stroke had left marks on my 
system. Obviously, I survived-- to an existence in a wheelchair with 
paralysis on my right side. Many chapters of my life were abruptly closed. 
Many new ones have opened. Many more lie ahead. I could tell you many trite 
things about the value of each day. I could lecture you about matters that 
you already know. I'll just sign off with the closing words of Psalm 45 :1 
and the words from an old song. "...............my tongue is the pen of a 
ready writer."

COULD WE WITH INK THE OCEANS FILL, AND WERE THE SKIES OF PARCHMENT MADE,
WERE EVERY STALK ON EARTH A QUILL. AND EVERY MAN A SCRIBE BY TRADE,
TO WRITE THE LOVE OF GOD ABOVE WOULD DRAIN THE OCEAN DRY.
NOR COULD THE SCROLL CONTAIN THE WHOLE THOUGH STRETCHED FROM SKY TO SKY.