Hello There, TODAY IS PENTECOST SUNDAY

ABOUT FIFTY DAYS-After passover, the nation of Israel began another 
celebration to mark the regularity of the seasons and the harvest. God chose 
this time to miraculously launch the church as recorded in the opening 
reading of the Book of Acts. The furor over the crucifixion of Jesus seven 
weeks before had barely subsided and now this explosive reappearance of His 
followers into the daily life of Jerusalem faced authorities with a new set 
of problems. Both sides vowed to overcome the other; but it seemed that 
efforts on the side of traditionalists caused this new excitement to grow.

TODAY IN 2002-We commemorate the event as a new church year begins on our 
calendar of events. May this song by Charles Gabriel grip our spirit.

LORD, AS OF OLD AT PENTECOST THOU DIDST THY POW'R DISPLAY
WITH CLEANSING, PURIFYING FLAME DESCEND ON US TODAY.

Chorus: 
LORD, SEND THE OLD-TIME POW'R, THE PENTECOSTAL POW'R,
THY FLOOD-GATES OF BLESSING ON US THROW OPEN WIDE!
LORD, SEND THE OLD TIME-POW'R, THE PENTECOSTAL POW'R,
THAT SINNERS BE CONVERTED AND THY NAME GLORIFIED!

ALL SELF CONSUME, ALL SIN DESTROY! WITH EARNEST ZEAL ENDUE
EACH WAITING HEART TO WORK FOR THEE; O LORD OUR FAITH RENEW!

SPEAK, LORD! BEFORE THY THRONE WE WAIT, THY PROMISE WE BELIEVE,
AND WILL NOT LET THEE GO UNTIL THE BLESSING WE RECEIVE.

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and 
ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and in 
Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth". Acts 1:8 (KJV)

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE-To separate mention of Pentecost in the New Testament from 
the divine intent to reach "the uttermost". Heed the parting words from Luke 
24:45-49 that Jesus spoke to his followers on Ascension Day. These words are 
of God's Commitment based on His great Compassion that close with the 
Compelling power that they would receive on Pentecost. Jesus returned to 
heaven with a mission to earth finished and began them on a mission to 
complete on earth.

FAMILY NEWS-A few weeks ago, I shared with you that my sister, Pat, squeezed 
visits to Austin into her travel schedule. She was here for a few days prior 
to Mothers Day. Her flight left on Sunday afternoon. By juggling early 
church times etc., we were able to enjoy a great family brunch together. 
She is in Poland for sessions next month.
MORE FAMILY NEWS-My 14 year old grandsons begin high school this Fall. Their 
best hope for college is scholarships. They began the process by winning an 
area music contest. This will allow them to move on to a larger contest in 
August. They are 2/3 of a winning trio and 1/3 of an ensemble that also won. 
We are praying that the next four years will yield enough from academic and 
artistic scholarships to give them a good start.

MY PENTECOST-It will help you to know that my turning to Christ in 1952 was 
during my first year in college to pursue a legal career. The church of my 
family was identifiably pentecostal in the truest sense. To be an active, 
overt witness was a "given". Open air meetings, street witnessing, services 
at the local mission, nursing home visits and a weekly thirty minute radio 
broadcast that was produced and presented by the youth group etc. All of 
this was supervised by the pastor and those who helped him.

It did not take very much time until you realized a need for power beyond 
your abilities. 
I had the benefit of many sermons that had directed me over the years. I 
knew that the key to learning with insight was through the Spirit. I also 
knew that a confident "bold-ness" was a mark of the early witnesses. I was familiar with verses of 
scripture that I will recommend that you read.-John 14:26; Acts 4:13&31, 
Acts 6:10.

I had two clear objectives as I sought an experience that would deepen my 
relationship with Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. 1. I desired insight 
into God's Word and God's ways. 2. I desired a confident boldness devoid of 
arrogance.

I am not "skirting the issue" of tongues. The practice of glossolalia was 
not in my list of desires and intentions as I entered the prayer room on 
Sunday afternoon to find a fresh relationship in the Lord. It was and is 
present, but not primary. As I view the matter and all of the arguments. I 
see it more today as a statement of a denominational distinctive than a 
legitimate doctrinal debate and certainly not worth standing by and watching 
a world dying to hear that Jesus loves them. 

Whatever your stance and personal condition and point of view may be--ask God 
with me today for a Pentecost to "rush" through the entire church world.

To one of you who may think me "soft" on tongues, I'll find several who 
think otherwise.

PRIESTHOOD-A few weeks ago, I mentioned the Priesthood of the Believer and 
that we embraced it as a privilege. I am in receipt of a message from a 
reader that brings me concern. This tenet of faith is under attack in one of 
the larger Protestant bodies. I am
certain that we will learn much more in the days ahead. 

Please read Hebrews, chapters 9&10 slowly. You will learn all that you need 
to know about how Christ established a better priesthood. Glance back to 
7:26&27 to see the nature of a high priest that we demanded.

This controversy is simply another effort to diminish Calvary and distort 
Grace.

The words of an old hymn ring in my spirit, "My hope is built on nothing 
less......."

DUE NORTH-I was fascinated when Iwas first introduced to a compass. How did 
that gadget know which way was North? My teacher said that I could always know where 
I was.
The writer of Hebrews felt that certain about the Lord's return. Listen to 
9:28 "So Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look 
for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation." (KJV)

MIDDLE EAST-Is seldom a source of levity. After reading the text of Mr. 
Arafat's speech, I thought, "After all is said and done, much more is said 
than done."

STOCK MARKET-Does appear more stable.-God is still greater than Alan Greenspan

His,
Ron Krantz

P.S. The time frame that begins at Mothers Day and runs through Labor Day is 
a time where we see a definite reduction in responses. Are you out there? 
REVRON555@aol.com