Hello There, Jeanene looked through the stack of hymnals here and found the 
song for today. I had reported to you earlier on the problem of finding a 
copy. Copyright is 1912. We found a copy renewal in a compilation of 1939 
from the Rodeheaver Hall-Mack CO. The words may indicate the thinking of 
the day in 1912; but the message is just as true as ever in spite of all of 
our moderns means of communication.

BRIGHTEN THE CORNER WHERE YOU ARE

DO NOT WAIT UNTIL SOME DEED OF GREATNESS YOU MAY DO,
DO NOT WAIT TO SHED YOUR LIGHT AFAR,
TO THE MANY DUTIES EVER NEAR YOU NOW BE TRUE,
BRIGHTEN THE CORNER WERE YOU ARE.

Chorus: BRIGHTEN THE CORNER WHERE YOU ARE! BRIGHTEN THE CORNER WHERE YOU ARE!
SOMEONE FAR FROM HARBOR YOU MAY GUIDE ACROSS THE BAR,
BRIGHTEN THE CORNER WHERE YOU ARE.

JUST ABOVE ARE CLOUDED SKIES THAT YOU MAY HELP TO CLEAR,
LET NOT NARROW SELF YOUR WAY DEBAR,
THO' INTO ONE HEART ALONE MAY FALL YOUR SONG OF CHEER,
BRIGHTEN THE CORNER WHERE YOU ARE.

HERE FOR ALL YOUR TALENT YOU MAY SURELY FIND A NEED,
HERE REFLECT THE BRIGHT AND MORNING STAR,
EVEN FROM YOUR HUMBLE HAND THE BREAD OF LIFE MAY FEED,
BRIGHTEN THE CORNER WHERE YOU ARE.

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and 
glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matthew 5:16.

On the journey with you today, join hearts with Byron and Linda Rees in Des 
Moines, Iowa. They have children who are now older than Byron and Linda were 
when I was their pastor. Ask any good pastor and they will tell you that the 
entire gospel program moves ahead on the efforts of the faithful in the local 
church. This past year has shown us the value of faithful witnesses in areas 
of the government and hospitals.

RAIN,RAIN-Tropical storm Fay gave us good moisture and moved on. Since I 
have made the drought conditions a matter of prayer, what horror stories I 
have heard. There are places that are years behind in moisture. Many 
reports of months without measurable rainfall. Do keep me informed, and 
please keep praying.

WHERE AM I-Seems that I have rather let you discover where I call home. The 
miracle of e-mail allows me to send worldwide. My land address is 7722 
Evaline Lane in Austin, Texas 78745. Phone is (512) 292-4548. You can get 
e-mail and website address above. That is provided by Mike and Linda Knibbs 
in Massillon, Ohio.

GOOD NEWS-I need to tell you that I am beginning this section on 9/11.

Phil and I sat last evening in the van watching the twins play tennis. At 
this level, tennis is far short of a riveting spectator sport. Two dozen 
high schoolers are scattered over eight courts playing self-scored games. 
There is no coaching or adult involvement. Proper temperament is as 
important as technique in this gentleman's game. Winners are never announced 
as all scores are computed on a team level.

To pass the time, we had a Bowmans CD playing. Blaine, it was quite country; 
I'm sure you can help identify the song. There was a plea for and a 
declaration of good news. "God is still in control", "Jesus is coming" and 
the church will triumph.

That is the spirit that I would like to capture. The news is almost morbid. 
Iraq?, the economy, the Israel situation along with bombed buildings and the 
terrorist alerts. In the midst of the twenty-four hour a day barrage, there 
is "good news" for the believer.

"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day
upon the earth". (Job 19:25) The Book of Job is a doleful dirge that begins 
to brighten in tone from this point. What occurs is that a heavenly 
perspective is considered. 

The verse that I want to consider with you is 1 Corinthians 10:32. "Give 
none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of 
God." In the midst of a discussion concerning liberty, Paul seems to give 
recognition to three forces of religion that must be honored.

It helps me to visualize three streams flowing toward the ocean of eternity. 
As they near the delta of time allotted to them, God has a plan for the 
conclusion of each. Please realize that I am strongly committed to a 
premillenial, pre-tribulational position.
We should take these three in reverse order of the list.

"Church of God" would include each person redeemed through the blood of the 
Cross and made alive by the power of the Resurrection. Romans 10:9 uses the 
term "saved". This number is made up of those of many tribes, races and 
ages. They will be caught away as promised in John 14:3. The process is 
shown in 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18. The pronouncement of completion is found 
in type in Revelation 4 : 1. We move forward into the "hereafter" of 
Revelation 1 : 19.

The "Times of the Gentiles" is often used in the Bible. It may have a shroud 
covering the exact beginning. Whether in Genesis 16 at the birth of Ishmael, 
the Egyptian reign at Moses time or the Babylonian reign in Daniel 2. 

The ending is a portion (chapters 6-19)of the Book of Revelation. In graphic 
and sometimes hideous detail that ends at Armageddon we are privy to 
destructive scenes as God dismantles the system.

What remains in the three closing chapters of the Bible bears a close 
resemblance to how God revealed himself to the nation of Israel. They, of 
course, are the nation most closely equated to the term "Jews". This in no 
way grants them any kind of exemption from God's eternal justice in judgment. 
In my thinking it is an eternal example of God's search for fellowship with 
mankind that began with skins in the garden.

I need to cease aggravation of those who disagree with me. I need to stop 
"preaching to the choir" of those who may agree with me. I, also, must stop 
boring those who really do not care. I will "fire a couple of shots" in 
conclusion: 

1. One of the chief concerns, as we look into the middle east, is that there 
seems to be no "heirs apparent" to Yasir Arafat or Saddam Hussein. Could the 
Lord's return be so imminent that none are needed?

2. "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up 
your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." Luke 25:28

We need to sing. How about an old chorus?

JESUS IS A WONDERFUL SAVIOR, HE WILL CARRY YOU THROUGH, 
JESUS IS A WONDERFUL SAVIOR, HE WILL CARRY YOU THROUGH,
JESUS IS A WONDERFUL SAVIOR, HE WILL CARRY YOU THROUGH,
AND WHEN THE BATTLE IS DONE AND THE VICTORY IS WON,
MY LORD WILL CARRY YOU THROUGH.
OH! MY LOVING BROTHER, WHEN THE WORLD IS ON FIRE
DON'T YOU WANT GOD'S BOSOM TO BE YOUR PILLOW
TO HIDE YOU EVER IN THE ROCK OF AGES?
THE ROCK OF AGES, JUST CLEFT FOR YOU.

His,
Ron Krantz