OwensMinistries.org

Avery’s Final Flight

admin — Mon, 02 Aug 2010 01:38:01 +0000

He knew that, unless God intervened, his days on this earth were numbered, so he was looking forward to being released from the hospital to return to his home and the beautiful view overlooking Lake Ann in Bella Vista, AR.
He loved this place where, from time to time he would see an eagle or two fly by, or roost in one of the trees outside his study window. And the gazebo at the foot of the winding cart-path that led to the lake, well, that had become one of his favorite places of meditation and inspiration.
He was grateful that the doctor had finally released him to return home on Thursday, July 29, and as he was “rolled” though the door he saw overhead a big Welcome Home banner as Shirley and all the children, and many of the grandchildren, gathered round. He was home!
Home! Well, yes and no. What none of them knew was that the ticket was being printed out in heaven for Avery’s final flight that very night. The millions of miles he had flown around this globe we call earth could not begin to compare with the 5 AM flight he was about to take, and he didn’t have to go through any check-in or security procedures. His name had, years before, been registered in the Lamb’s Book of Life, and he already had his “Eternal Security” clearance!
As I look at what was his earthly home, about 50 feet away from where Patricia and I live, it is, however, still surreal. I would not be surprised to hear him call out a greeting from the porch swing where he used to sit. I know he won’t. He has made his final flight. But that’s OK. We all have that flight to look forward to. One of these days, we’ll all be together again. So really, it is not “Goodbye,” but rather, “Au revoir,” or, “Auf wiedersehn,” Until we meet again!!

It is Not Death to Die

admin — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 15:45:22 +0000

Our daughter-in-law, Jessica, just drew our attention to a poem by the Swiss hymn-writer, Henri Malan, who wrote over 1000 hymns in the early 1800’s. About 25% of the hymnal we used in the Evangelical Church, Lausanne, Switzerland. where I was baptized, were written by him. This is a very timely poem in light of what our friend and neighbor, Avery Willis, is going through. This is a reminder that this world is not our home, we’re just passing through.

It is not death to die
To leave this weary road,
And midst the brotherhood on high
To be at home with God.

It is not death to close
The eye long dimmed by tears,
And wake in glorious repose
To spend eternal years.

It is not death to bear
The wrench that sets us free
From dungeon chain, to breathe the air
Of boundless liberty.

It is not death to fling
Aside this sinful dust,
And rise in strong exulting wing
To live among the just.

Jesus, Thou Prince of Life!
Thy chosen cannot die;
Like Thee, they conquer in the strife,
To reign with Thee on high.

H.A.C. Malan.
Trans. by G.W. Bethune.

“O death, where is your sting?
O grave, where is your victory?!!

Northwest to Southeast

admin — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 22:30:06 +0000

We were recently in the Seattle/Tacoma, Washington area at the invitation of Russian/Slavic congregations who put together two services of what they called a Ron and Patricia Owens Music Celebration. Our part was to share the inspiration and Scriptures behind the choral numbers they sang. They also had us minister in song, preach, as well as direct several of the choir numbers. What a glorious experience it was. We felt as though we were back in Russia. There are many strong Russian language churches in that part of the States serving a Russian population of over 600,000.

We are now heading for the Southern Baptist Convention in Orlando, Florida, where we’ll be meeting up with Iris and Duane Blue. We have been very encouraged at the response we have been receiving from Iris: Trophy of Grace. We’ve heard from readers as far away as Warsaw, Poland. In addition to an autograph session arranged by the Publisher at the Convention, Iris will be honored by the North American Mission Board for her 30 years of ministry with the Mission Service Corps. Duane, whose bio, “Call Me Blue,” I have started to write, is also going to be recognized for his 25 years of service with NAMB. It should be an exciting time.

A Work In Progress

admin — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:26:25 +0000

“A work in progress”—most of us are familiar with the expression and perhaps use it in several different ways. At this moment it seems to describe some things for us in terms of projects in which we are involved, but there’s also an awareness that it is a pretty apt on-going description of our lives in general. Of course this latter use of the expression is to be expected because God is continually at work in the lives of all of his children. He uses different situations and experiences to stretch us and produce changes in us, because He’s not just interested in what we do, but also in who we are. He’s wanting the life of the Lord Jesus to be more and more evident in us.

In terms of projects, we’re grateful to be able to share that Ron has completed a book which he spent the better part of a year in writing. The book is entitled IRIS:Trophy of Grace. It’s the miraculous story of Iris Urrey Blue, the “incorrigible” who encountered the irresistible force of God’s transforming power. The book has recently been released and we are very thankful to see God already using it to touch, challenge, and encourage people. Some are reporting that God is using it to produce changes in the lives of some of their friends and family. Some spontaneous and unexpected comments about the book have really blessed us. One person wrote “Many Christian testimony books are exciting up to the point of conversion and then it turns dull—not so with this book! You’ll love it to the very end.” When so much prayer and work has been invested in this kind of project, it means a great deal to see God use it for His purposes.

We don’t as yet have a separate website for this book. If any of you would like to obtain a copy of it now, however, you can do so by going to “contact us” on this site and making a request for the book, or send an email to ronowens3@gmail.com. The book sells for $15.00 plus postage.

There are other “works in progress” in terms of writing projects in which Ron is involved. One of those is entitled “The Milldale Story” and it has some important relationships to the book he completed earlier on the life of Manley Beasley. God willing, he hopes to complete the writing by the end of April and have it published and available for readers by September, 2010. We would be grateful for your prayers for this project.

RENT A GOAT?

admin — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 21:18:54 +0000

A number of years ago we were talking with some friends about the never-ending work involved in keeping our yard mowed, etc. We began to laugh and try to out-do each other with creative ways to get around the yard work. Things became sillier and sillier as we talked, until one of us finally came up with the winner—we could rent a goat! This idea, of course, was eventually expanded to the suggestion that we could even start a Rent-A-Goat business, which undoubtedly would become a huge moneymaking success! Well, nothing ever became of all those creative thoughts and the conversation was forgotten until a couple of weeks ago…..

In the mail we received a Gift Catalog from World Vision, and there, on the front cover, was the photo of a smiling child holding a goat! The cover also included the message:”Share the true Spirit of Christmas with a child in need!” Inside the catalog were words explaining the benefits to a child and his family that the gift of a goat would provide. There were other possibilities listed, such as giving 2 chickens, or 5 ducks, or Bibles in a child’s own language, or emergency food, or life-saving medicines, etc.
Somehow, we just couldn’t get the picture of that goat out of our minds, and so we found ourselves compelled to take action.
So, we may never get into the Rent-A-Goat business, but it has brought us joy to GIVE a goat this Christmas—given with the prayer that it will touch a child and his family with the power of the Savior’s love. And, let us add, we pray for each of you—a blessed and joyous Christmas season!

GIVING THANKS

admin — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 22:04:37 +0000

This time of the year can too easily become one long meaningless holiday blob—Thanksgiving merged into Christmas—without time to truly reflect on the significance of either of these special days! But we don’t have to allow this to be the case in our personal lives and don’t intend to do so. We want to express our thanks to God for his goodness, mercy, and faithfulness to us, and our thanks as well to our friends and family who bless us with their interest and love.

It’s worth noting that in the life of ancient Israel King David considered thanksgiving to God to be of so much importance that, on the day that the ark of God was brought to Jerusalem, he assigned specific Levites to “celebrate and to thank and praise the Lord God of Israel.” His admonition to them was “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples. Sing to Him, sing praises to Him; speak of all His wonders. Glory in His holy name; let the heart of those who seek the Lord be glad.” 1 Chr 16:4-10.

And with the desire to express something of what is in our hearts at this Thanksgiving season, we share the following with you.

THANK YOU, LORD
“Thank you, Lord, for your beautiful things,
For ears that hear, for birds that can sing.
For warmth of the sun on bubbling springs,
For eyes that can see your beautiful things.

Thank you, Lord, for the flowers that grow,
For summer and rain, for winter and snow,
For mountains above and valleys below,
All speaking aloud of your power and love.

Thank you, Lord, for the sorrows and sighs,
For winds that blow, for rivers that rise,
For rain that frames your bow in the skies,
Helping me lift my wondering eyes.

Thank you, Lord, for your grace which has shown
The glory of God in the face of your Son,
For Jesus Who died, now risen above,
More glorious than all is JESUS-the gift of your love.”
-Patricia H.Owens

Pot Pourri

admin — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 01:55:42 +0000

There are several items we want to share. The first has to do with a very special date on the Owens’ calender . Patricia and I will be celebrating our Golden Wedding Anniversary on Saturday, August 22. Of these 50 years, 44 of them have been spent serving the Lord in ministry together. Over these 5 decades our lives have been profoundly enriched by many whom God has had cross our paths, those who not only talked the walk, but lived the life, setting a standard for us to strive toward; to press on…God has been so good.

There have been mountains we’ve been asked to climb/Some rivers have been wide, some skies been grey/The valleys have been deep and dark at times, but without fail, our God has led the way!

Second: The responses we continue to receive from readers of Manley Beasley’s biography are so encouraging. It is evident that the Lord is using Manley’s life and message to impact many, some saying that they are reading it for the second or third time, returning over and over again to study his messages on prayer, faith and dealing with adversity. The Audio Book is also now available.

Third: I am nearing the completion of the story of our friend, Iris Urrey Blue, the ex-con who was labeled an “incorrigible degenerate” by the Texas Department of Corrections. Since, at the age of 27, when she knelt down a tramp and stood up a lady, in front of her bar, The Inferno, in Houston, TX, God has used her for His glory around the world. Hers is an incredible story of grace. You may wish to check the Blue’s web site at www.duaneandirisblue.com

Fourth: During the days of his ministry, the Scotsman, James Alexander Stewart, impacted thousands of lives, including Manley Beasley. Dr. Stewart was a prolific writer and among the many books he wrote are two on the subject of the Holy Spirit that we wish to recommend; The Heavenly Executive and Heaven’s Throne Gift. The latter is considered by many to be one of the finest, most balanced studies of the Third Person of the Trinity. You may check into Dr. Stewart’s writings at www.revivallit.org or phone 800-252-8896 or write Revival Literature. P.O. Box 6068, Asheville, NC 2881.

A final thought: “Your character is what you really are. Your reputation is merely what people think you are.”

Some Principles Observed, by Patricia

admin — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 20:21:00 +0000

Copies of Manley Beasley: Man of Faith, Instrument of Revival are on their way to many folks who have ordered them. While Ron and I have been busy these last several weeks with the final details of the book’s release, I have found myself reflecting on Manley’s walk of faith and his influence upon me. Because we knew Manley and ministered with him in different venues over a period of years, there were many occasions to hear him speak about faith. In looking back through some personal journal entries made several years ago, I spotted his influence especially in one entry I made. I found myself reviewing and reflecting upon what had taken place during a particular twelve month period. It had been a challenging year in many ways, and especially in terms of finances. Since many people are facing similar challenges right now, I thought I’d share some insights that helped me at that time. Here are some observations I recorded in my journal.

Principles Observed:

1st The only way to see first hand God’s ability and willingness to provide for His children is to be put in the uncomfortable situation of having no resources of your own and no way to provide for yourself. Being put in that position will either expose your deficiency or reveal your sufficiency of trusting God by the way you think and react. It is one thing to “say” that God is faithful; it is something entirely different to believe God, to rely upon Him, and to enter into the rest that faith brings.

2nd God best demonstrates His ability and willingness to give, by my obvious and large need. My lack is the best possible backdrop to display the sufficiency of His supply. My circumstances are under God’s control—He is not aloof or detached from what is going on around me. He has either designed or permitted what is happening now. My seeking Him must not be just for the supply of what I lack—but for light to perceive what He is saying to me, and for grace to trust Him with my circumstances.

That was the end of my journal entry. Now, however, I look back over years of living and marvel at the patience and kindness God has extended to me in “the school of faith”. I marvel too at the circumstances He orchestrated which exposed my need of learning to trust Him. Some verses of Scripture I memorized a long time ago are possibly familiar to you. Proverbs 3:5-6 says

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not upon your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.

A strong tendency in my life has been that of leaning upon my own understanding. The Lord has graciously been working to break me of that wrong thinking so that I can experience the blessedness of knowing that He is directing my path. Some of the process involved in the breaking and learning has caused me to be afraid, to get angry, to feel overwhelmed. But, oh, I am so grateful that He has not left me with just my own understanding and my own resources! Some wonderful words from the 146th Psalm sum up my final thoughts for this posting:

Blessed is he (or she) whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—the Lord, who remains faithful forever.

Pressing On

admin — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 21:14:41 +0000

2008 is already history and another year lies ahead, a year into which we now enter with gratitude for God’s sustaining grace over the past 12 months. 2009 is a year upon which we have yet to write another chapter of our history, and as we press on with new goals, both temporal and eternal, we do so with the prayer for ourselves and for you, that this will be a year inspired with fresh faith; a year in which feeble knees will be strengthened; a year in which we will find our delight in those things that are eternal. May we daily place our lives into the security of God’s hands, trusting in His promises, confident that His Word will never fail. And in the words of a Puritan’s prayer,

God, give us a hope that makes us not ashamed, a love that excites to holy obedience, a joy in You that is our strength…Help us to submit our preferences to Your wisdom and will, resign our enjoyments if You should require it as our absolute Proprietor and best Friend…May we know the blessedness of those whose strength is in You and in whose hearts are the highways to heaven.

Notice: We are grateful to announce that Manley Beasley: Man of Faith–Instrument of Revival has been released. A website, www.beasleybiography.com has been created to service book purchases, as well as other general information about Brother Manley’s story.

A Christmas Remembered – by Patricia

admin — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:23:10 +0000

The unexpected happened—heavy fog enveloped a large area around Chicago, slowing trains, grounding planes, bringing all travel to a halt. It was Christmas break time, and as a 19 year old student traveling to my home town in Jackson, MS, I had boarded a train around 10:30 that evening in Rochester, NY. It had been snowing, which wasn’t unusual for that area of the country. I felt wiped out after studying for exams and was hoping I could manage to sleep some on a journey that was supposed to take about 24 hours. The train I boarded was scheduled to make a stop at a sub-station just east of Chicago where I would change to a different rail line for the remainder of the trip. And now, the unexpected fog changed everything. It caused my train to be late in reaching the Chicago area, I missed my connection, I was exhausted and had no idea what to do.

I managed to find a pay phone and called my parents. I talked to my Dad and told him about the situation. He told me to get a taxi, go into the city and check into a hotel. The problem was that I had never been to Chicago and didn’t know the names of any hotels. After hanging up, however, I remembered that my Dad had attended a business convention in Chicago a few years earlier, and for some reason I recalled that he had talked about staying at the Palmer House Hotel. So I found a taxi and asked to be taken to the Palmer House in downtown Chicago. When I reached there the desk clerk informed me that they couldn’t give me a room for the night because they were fully booked. However, they said they could give me a room for a few hours at a day-rate. I was so tired I took the room on that basis and went upstairs to try to get a few hours of sleep.

As I entered the room and shut the door the phone rang. It was my Dad! Somehow he had sensed where I would go. He told me that I was to go to the train station at 5:00 that afternoon and find the Station Manager with whom he had just spoken. My Dad had no connections with anyone at the Illinois Central Railway, yet he had gone to our local train station and insisted that he be put in touch with someone who was in charge. He was given the phone number of the Manager in Chicago. The Chicago Manager explained to him that there were no seats available on the next train scheduled to stop at Jackson, MS. My father pleaded with him and insisted that he find some way to get me on that train. Finally he told Dad that if I would come to his office at 5:00 that he would personally take me and put me on the Parlor Car of the train where I could stay as far as Carbondale, IL. From that point on a seat was open and available for the rest of the journey!

Can you imagine how I felt in hearing those words? I was exhausted, frightened, and alone in a huge unfamiliar city and didn’t know what to do. Yet in that moment I believe the heart of God was expressed toward me through my dear Dad. My Dad’s love drove him to find a way to take care of his daughter. And God’s love drives Him to take care of each of His children! Whenever I stop to reflect about what happened during that Christmas season so many years ago, I believe that God was giving me a special picture of what He is like. He sees, He knows, He cares, He acts in behalf of His children. He is the Good Shepherd, Mighty God, Everlasting Father.

And the love of God is what Christmas is all about. “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” 1 John 4:9 Let us give Him thanks, and celebrate the birth of Jesus, our Savior, God’s only Son. Merry Christmas!