Cornerstone

Isa 62:10-12 (11) “…Behold thy salvation cometh…”

While pastoring in Tennessee my wife and I both drove school buses to supplement our income. One morning my wife stopped at a rural intersection. She looked to the left at the distant hill, back to the level stretch on her right and then again to the left before entering the empty road. She continued for about 100 feet, turned on her left turn signal, looked in her mirrors and then began to make the left turn.

At this time a pickup traveling at a tremendous rate of speed struck her left fender. The impact was so great that it knocked the turning bus to the right shoulder of the road. The front end was knocked out from under the bus. The pickup continued into a field for some distance before finally stopping.

The driver later sued the County School District. We were somewhat apprehensive not being sure how the large law suit would affect us personally.

Finally the court date arrived. The preceedings progressed until at one point the prosecuting attorney looked out over the packed courtroom and made eye contact with me. I had met the man once in a minister’s meeting. He was a Christian lawyer.

Just a few moments later he spoke privately with the judge and asked for a recess to talk to the defense attorney and the clients. After awhile they returned and we found that a settlement for a much smaller dollar amount had been made out of court. We were relieved!

As we went down the steps of the Courthouse my wife and I were surprised to hear a man calling to us. We looked around in time to see the attorney coming. He shook my hand and told me it was good to see me again. I did not know the man personally. I had met him on one occasion. Yet God superintended the circumstances by having the couple who was suing the county choose this Christian lawyer who I had met on one occasion to argue their case. The case could have gone differently. But God intervened and we were delivered.

Dr. Gayle Woods

Isa. 62:6-9 (9) “But they that have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the Lord…”

I was interested to hear a friend tell how he escaped from bankruptcy. Before this difficult time, his house and 20 acres seemed to be rather insignificant. While he was going through the time, however, these possessions seemed to be rather valuable. More valuable than this was his reputation and his Christian testimony. Because of this he decided NOT to declare bankruptcy unless it became absolutely necessary. He would trust God. His creditors agreed to adjust his payments so they were more manageable. My friend then began to diligently work at the task of paying back a very large debt.

The times were difficult. The family had little extra and no luxuries. At times they wondered how they would make their monthly payments. Even through the times of sacrifice and struggle the Lord always provided. The money that was needed always came in time. At times the supply from God was unexpected and unusual.

This experience he stated, helped strengthen his faith in God, his children’s faith in him and in God, and the community’s appreciation for his Christian life. All this was made possible through the provision of God and because of His faith in God.

Dr. Gayle Woods