Hello There,

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are 
passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17 It 
seems as though I used this verse a few weeks ago. Some truths bear oft 
repeating.
TO BE LIKE JESUS, TO BE LIKE JESUS,
ALL I ASK TO BE LIKE HIM.
ALL THROUGH LIFE'S JOURNEY
FROM EARTH TO GLORY,
ALL I ASK TO BE LIKE HIM.

Many of you express your appreciation for the lyrics of a song or a chorus 
each week. Let me speak to my motive here. I am not trying to resolve any 
controversy. Neither is it so you recall the melody. It is the message. 
Jeanene and I have good memories of Uncle Charlie (the late Rev. Charles 
Piper). He would ask her to play an old chorus or song, then would weep as 
some memory was jogged to life.
JESUS IS THE ONE, YES, HE'S THE ONLY ONE.
LET HIM HAVE HIS WAY, UNTIL THE DAY IS DONE.
WHEN HE SPEAKS, YOU KNOW
THE CLOUDS WILL HAVE TO GO.
JUST BECAUSE HE LOVES YOU SO.

IT RAINED-At least in parts of western Nebraska. .77 inches still leaves them 
six inches short. Keep praying, please.

THEY FOUND ME- Through a song that I used months ago. "Got Any Rivers" was 
traced through the net. Victor Eliason found me as having cited his father 
as the author. I lost track of Victor and Freda after seminary in 1956. He 
has been lost in Milwaukee over forty years. Youth for Christ and lots of 
other things. A good, conservative website is
www.vcyamerica.org

THEY RALLIED-In the S. Dakota area around Sturgis. The bikers came by the 
thousands and the churches took advantage. Besides witnessing, some of the 
churches invited groups of the cyclists to present programs. While the open 
nudity and other ungodly behaviors cannot be approved, this is a period of 
effective literature distribution.

DARKNESS IS DARKNESS-I have a request from Tammy Swailes in Hungary. Her 
well-being is being put to the test. It is a time of national religious 
holidays that features parades and celebration where a religious relic is 
displayed. My thoughts revolved around the darkness of all things that do 
not have the light of the gospel.

WISE WORDS-A few evenings ago, Jeanene and I watched as Larry King presented 
an update program with Pat Boone. A tragic fall has rendered one of Mr. 
Boone's grandsons quite injured. Pat has used his celebrity to appeal for 
Mr. King to keep his listening audience aware as the family has turned for 
divine assistance. The progress is remarkable. Among guests, were two 
"heavyweight" pastors from the LA area, Jack Hayford and Robert Schuller. It 
was a spiritually uplifting hour. More notable quotes : Mr. Hayford "It is 
not a question of bad things and good people, it is a fact of a fractured 
universe"
Dr Schuller, "People that ask 'why?' want an argument not an answer".

PRAYER NEED-My brother, Jack is waiting for a plan of attack as the doctors 
at Mayo Clinic approach treatment on a lung spot. His attitude is positive 
and your concerns are invited.

NEW SUITS-I mentioned three fifteen year old grandsons and August birthdays. 
How about new wool blend suits, dress shirts and preppy ties for three 
handsome young men? My deep appreciation to Ron and Scott Decuir at Fast 
Fashions in Xenia, Ohio for their help.They are "friends", indeed.

COMPLIMENTS-Have got to be here somewhere. One of our pastorates involved 
being pastors to many seminary students. That guarantees you lots of critics 
who have no money. As part of our ministry to them, Jeanene and my daughters 
prepared a feast on a Sunday afternnon each Spring.

As farewells were being said, one of the wives said, "Sister Krantz, thanks. 
I was always presented with the vision of a pastor's wife as perfect and kind 
of the "queen" of the church. Now that I have met you, I know I can do it".

Each new semester gave a period of six weeks for new students to select and 
name a "home" church from an approved list. I was surprised to see the name 
of a student that I barely knew. I made it a point to speak to them and 
express myself.

"Pastor, I am not on that list because I like you or your church. It is 
because you are easy to outline and fulfill my required note taking for basic 
homiletics. I also get a weekly lesson in English grammar and word usage".

SURPRISE!-I received a mind-relieving note from a missionary that had been 
serving in a very hostile situation. She is safe and well. Home to get 
married to a long time friend from her local church. They have redeployed to 
an even more hazardous place of service. Please pray for their safety. I am 
checking with their sponsors to verify that all steps were taken in proper 
channels of authority.

I WILL MISS HER-Cokie Roberts of ABC is leaving her duties as a news analyst. 
She has an impish way and wit. Daughter of the late Representative Hale 
Boggs from Louisiana, politicians are just regular folks to her. A few weeks 
ago, I heard her wonder aloud as to what occurs when a politician takes a lie 
detector test.

SERMONIZING-Or editorializing. It has been called both by you when I ponder 
a point aloud.
After a phone call to Jack, I realized anew what I have often thought. There 
are those who have lived a life of regret and filled with "what if". There 
are others who take the approach of "what is".

He announced to me that "Whatever they put on my plate, I'll take it". Is 
that faith?

His,
Ron Krantz

P.S. I need to phrase this very carefully. I do not wish to be selfish. I 
phoned Jack Friday evening. Tests were performed late Thursday. Resulting 
decision is to wait three months and repeat tests. Your prayers for strength 
and healing are appreciated.