2 Tim 2:20-26 (24)
Dr. C. E. Cowen was a big man. Not only was he of large frame physically but he was also large in spiritual and intellectual impact. He was an influential man and moved freely among the holiness peoples of different movements. He was respected and loved. Something that should not be overlooked, however, is that he was faithful in service. After pastoring for a time Dr. Cowen became the president of Kansas City College and Bible School where he served effectively for 25 years. His life had a powerful impact upon many ministerial students who went out to influence their world. Even after Dr. Cowen left Kansas City College and Bible School he did not pause in service. He started another school while pastoring and continued to be used of God until the Lord called him home. Faithful in service. Who invented the notion that people called of God ever retire except for health or extenuating circumstances. Dr. Cowen understood what Paul meant when he said, “I press toward the mark. . . ” (Ph 3:14) He did not stop until he could say with Paul, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Ti 4:7) The work is great and it is incomplete. Today we need more pace setters like Dr. Cowen who will remind us that we are saved to serve not to sit.
Dr. Gayle Woods
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
