While I am not big on "preachers" per say, there are a few people on the radio or TV that I do often listen to. One such gentleman is Dr. Charles Stanley. I don't know exactly what it is about him, but I find myself learning much from his sermons. Yesterday I went to his Internet site (www.intouch.org) to see if I could find something inspirational. I came across a sermon he did about the story of Gideon from the Old Testament (book of judges?).<P>I won't go in to the story here, which by the way I never heard (or at least remembered) until yesterday, but I will give you the 7 Points that Dr. Stanley pulled from the story. 7 Points that I think apply to many of us...<P>Lessons to remember in Order to Achieve Victory in the face of insurmountable odds...<P>1) God uses our difficulties to build our faith<BR>2) God may require us to do that which seems unreasonable to us.<BR>3) Go will lead us to do that which brings Him the most glory.<BR>4) God will usually strip our dependance on everything but Him<BR>5) God will send encouragement when we grow faint hearted<BR>6) God always works in the other "camp" on our behalf<BR>7) God will give us specific instructions resulting in victory IF we OBEY Him.<P>The message is a two part audio file on his Internet site. It really made me think. If anyone is interested I am posting the two links below. If you do get a chance to listen to them, I would love to hear what you think so post back!<BR> <A HREF="http://www.intouch.org:80/intouch/site.show_page?p_id=76101&p_id_from=77395&p_current_date=07%2F14%2F2001" TARGET=_blank>http://www.intouch.org:80/intouch/site.show_page?p_id=76101&p_id_from=77395&p_current_date=07%2F14%2F2001</A> <BR> <A HREF="http://www.intouch.org:80/intouch/site.show_page?p_id=76101&p_id_from=77395&p_current_date=07%2F21%2F2001" TARGET=_blank>http://www.intouch.org:80/intouch/site.show_page?p_id=76101&p_id_from=77395&p_current_date=07%2F21%2F2001</A> <P>God Bless,<BR>Mike<BR><P>------------------<BR>God always waits for the right time to do the right thing in the right way.

Thanks Mike for sharing about Dr. Stanley's points on Gideon's life. I too like his preaching. I haven't had the chance to check out the sermon but will touch back if I get the chance.<P>Gideon is also so very real in that he put a fleece before God and God didn't reject him for it... He didn't say "Oh ye of little faith..." which encouraged me that God and Jesus meet you where YOU are at not like some of the other religions who believe you have to get yourself to a certain place to access God.<P>Cheers!<BR>Nicole<P>------------------<BR><I>As iron sharpens iron, so does one wo/man sharpen another...</I> Prov 27:17

Mike,<P>I never watched any of these shows on TV until the other day. Growing up, I went to church regulary, which was quite a challange in a former communist east-block country.<P>After moving to the States, I stopped going to church. I could probably find two reasons why:<BR>1. It was hard to pray and worship in a different language<BR>2. My wife didn't believe in God.<P>Now, that I am alone, I found myself looking for God, again. I am glad I have found him. I went to church, but I still could not connect with the people there. So I stay home and pray my way. However, last weekend I was flipping through the channels and came across Dr. Stanley's sermon. He somehow captured my attention, too. I stopped channel-surfing and started paying attention to Dr. Stanley's teachings. They made sense to me. I also liked the fact that he spoke in plain english, so it was easier to understand him. In the everyday life, i have no problems communicating in english. However, in a spiritual state of mind, I have difficulties understanding my second language. No matter what happens in life, a person will always communicate with God in the language he/her speaks the best. And that is the language our mothers thaught us. Bless their hearts.<P>Sorry, I got off the track a little bit. But basicly, I just wanted to say that I was pleasantly surprised by Dr. Stanley's sermon, and I will be looking forward for his teachings.<P>Take care.<P>Tacsi

Hi Tacsi... where did you live? I lived in Romania for six years until last December. Did you go to an Orthodox church or Catholic or other...?<P>Hope you find what you're looking for here on these boards... these people are tremendous. Also, I'm glad that during your channel surfing you found a preacher who's words (that God gave him) touched the Spirit of God within you... keep searching. Why, because the Truth will set you Free friend! <P>Hope you find peace amidst your journey!<P>------------------<BR><I>As iron sharpens iron, so does one wo/man sharpen another...</I> Prov 27:17

Hi OvrCs,<P>Thank you for your soothing words. I am deeply touched by them.<P>To answer you question, I lived in the Transylvania region. I grew up in Targu Mures (it is also called Marosvasarhely in Hungarian or Neumarkt in German). I went to the Reforemed church.<P>How about you? Where did you live in Romania?<P>Cheers,<BR>Tacsi<P>