Hello There,

"But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus 
Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. " 
Galatians 6:14
When I Survey the Wondrous Cross

WHEN I SURVEY THE WONDROUS CROSS,
ON WHICH THE PRINCE OF GLORY DIED,
MY RICHEST GAIN I COUNT BUT LOSS,
AND POUR CONTEMPT ON ALL MY PRIDE.

FORBID IT, LORD, THAT I SHOULD BOAST,
SAVE IN THE DEATH OF CHRIST, MY GOD; 
ALL THE VAIN THINGS THAT CHARM ME MOST,
I SACRIFICE THEM TO HIS BLOOD.

SEE, FROM HIS HEAD, HIS HANDS, HIS FEET,
SORROW AND LOVE FLOW MINGLED DOWN,
DID E'ER SUCH LOVE AND SORROW MEET,
OR THORNS COMPOSE SO RICH A CROWN?

WERE THE WHOLE REALM OF NATURE MINE,
THAT WERE A PRESENT FAR TOO SMALL;
LOVE SO AMAZING, SO DIVINE,
DEMANDS MY SOUL, MY LIFE, MY ALL.
No comment.

ON YOUR JOURNEY-Today, travel with Chaplain John and Bonita (Bonnie) Clark RN 
of Independence, Iowa. John began a journey toward chaplain work in 1960 at 
Bible college. It was at a time not convenient. To pastor and to teach 
filled several years, until the Lord brought him a wife who had spent terms 
as a missionary nurse. After marriage, more pastoral and teaching time until 
the past 19 years as the Protestant Chaplain at this state school. Bonnie is 
the home health care nurse for Buchanan county. They are active in advanced 
biblical studies in the area. The local church in which they are involved is 
facing a space crisis by reason of good and healthy growth patterns.

YOU SEEMED TO ENJOY-Praying aloud with me a few weeks ago. Let's try it 
again. Ready- "Dear Lord, hear my personal prayer for this week, 'Keep your
arm around my shoulder and your mighty hand over my mouth, Amen'" Gotcha! 
Read James 3:2-8 if you dare.

HEADING SOUTH-I have tried to make you aware of a small part of what God is 
doing in our world. The lands behind the "iron curtain" have provided many 
exciting opportunities.

Those who chart the progress of the gospel spread worldwide, are making us 
aware of the shift to the areas below the equator in Africa and South 
America. Talk to your pastor and those in your church that should be "in the 
know".

SORRY-That I got involved in the USA TODAY thing last week. At best, it 
produced frustration to those who tried to follow up. 

A PRAYER NEED-That is affecting many on this list is long overdue here. We 
are experiencing severe drought conditions on a widespread scale in America, 
While we are not as visibly dependent on agriculture as we were some 
generations ago, the hardships are very real to those who rely on proper 
rainfall. Please pray daily. 

YOU MUST LISTEN-To my rantings or else just delete me each week. For many 
years, Acts 13:22 has fascinated me. Each time in discussion of the will of 
God, I approach this
"And when he (God) had removed him (Saul), he raised up unto them David to be 
their king; to whom he (God) gave testimony, and said, I have found David the 
son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will." 
(KJV) Paul is giving a "synagogue" sermon. His very abbreviated history of 
Israel is very accurate. But, Paul--David is not the best example for here! 
A man of war, who fell victim to his own passions and mood swings. "A man 
after God's heart" who couldn't keep peace in his own house? 

The best I can do today is to fall back on the facts that David: 1. Seemed to 
learn from his bad choices. 2. Abandoned his wrong path. 3. Had some 
characteristic that set him to do the plan of God. Was a "teachable spirit" 
enough to commend him to God. Nobody else was ever called, "A man after 
God's own heart" in scripture.

I have often told persons seeking God's direction that, "God cannot steer a 
docked vessel". Among song suggestions I have received from you, is one that 
I cannot find. "Brighten the Corner Where You Are" . It seems that those who 
do so, don't stay "cornered" for long.

I have several volumes on finding God's will. They run to vast extremes of 
doctrine and experience. There is certainly no shortage of "ink" on the 
subject.

I need to conclude my writing without really reaching conclusions. In spite 
of all the programs designed for action, it appears that religion has become 
a "spectator event" that only comes alive during crisis. Maybe what I'm 
trying to say is, "Do something, even if it is wrong".

BIRTHDAY BOYS-By the time you receieve this letter I will have three 15 year 
old grandsons. Kevin Stonerock, who lives in Michigan, celebrates on the 
fifth. Collin and Owen McKnight, who live across the street, mark the 
seventeenth. Three fine high schoolers who are active in music and the local 
church. Papa loves you!

"HOGS" ARE THERE-This epistle reaches several in the Rapid City, Sturgis, and 
Belle Fourche area of South Dakota. In 2000 over 550,000 motorcyclists 
descended on this area for the annual Sturgis rally.

I have been in that area twice for camps that met at the same time. I can 
personally attest to the changes in the area and to the growl of the 
Harley-Davidson sound that the model called "hogs" produce. The reason this 
has a place in THOUGHTS is for you to pray that as local churches use this 
time for witness they will reap a harvest of souls.

His,
Ron Krantz