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August 29, 2002 |
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THE WANTED MAN NEWSLETTER: Archived copies of previous newsletters can be found at: Table Of Contents: ***** Howdee All, Today is August 29th, and as I write this letter, I cannot help but to reflect on the last 15 years of my life, as today is the 15th anniversary of the day I married the most beautiful girl in the world. Actually my life has been richer for the last 19 years, counting courtship. I am so blessed to have a wife that supports me in my work and my ministry. Tonight we are going out for a nice dinner. On our budget, that means Cracker Barrel; but with her there, it may as well be $100 a plate steak dinner. As Thumper said to Bambi in the classic Walt Disney film... I'm twitterpated, what can I say? This month has been busy getting ready for the Release Party and Concert for "First Thing I Pray For." We have secured the Historic Courthouse Square in Berrien Springs, MI for this event. One morning before church a few months ago, I looked over at the Courthouse and the sun had hit it just right. It glowed, and I thought, "There is the seat of Justice." Then I looked at the old dark red brick jail, and I saw the seat of punishment. Attached to the jail is the sheriffs house. He was the arrester, the prosecutor, and the punisher in 1835 America. A role that mirrors Satan in the Old Testament book of Job. I thought to myself, "If this were Jerusalem, in AD33, the cross would have been in the yard between the Courthouse and the Jail... right in front of the Sheriffs House." I knew at that moment that was where I was supposed to have this release concert. The message in this music is not to be hidden behind church doors, but played to the world... right in the face of the Adversary. In Satan's front yard, as it were. The Lord continues to bless our ministry, and I praise God for that. With all that has been going on, some of what we had hoped to have online by now has been delayed, but plans are still moving forward. As I have said for the last couple of months, all the proceeds from my concerts this year are going toward this project. If you would like for me to do a concert in your area, you or your church can contact my Booking Coordinator, Carlotta Shelton, at bookings@thewantedman.com. Coming on September 7th, we will begin selling Cassettes, CDs, and Logo Shirts on The Wanted Man website. Just go to the homepage and click on the Merchandise link. All proceeds will first go toward paying for "First Thing I Pray For," and then will go toward expanding our ministry even further. A special word of thanks to all of you who said prayers, sent emails and cards, and called to express your sympathy to my wife and her family for the loss of my father-in-law. You are very close to our hearts, and we know by your expressions of love and kindness, that we are close to yours as well. We thank our God upon every remembrance of you, to quote Paul. As always, thanks for spreading the word about http://www.thewantedman.com, and this newsletter; and thanks so much for your cards, letters, emails, and prayers as we follow the leading that God has placed on us with this ministry. We pray that God will bless you, and many others, through our ministry efforts. In HIS Service, Rev. Derek L. Cromwell, Music Evangelist Derek Cromwell is a music evangelist with 18 years experience in the ministry
and over 25 years in the music industry. ***** The featured story this month is a story that was in our church bulletin this week. It is a wonderful reminder of our need for spiritual nourishment each day to keep us alive for God. Why Go To Church A church goer wrote a letter to the editor of a newspaper and complained that it made no sense to go to church every Sunday. "I've gone for 30 years now," he wrote, "and in that time I have heard something like 3,000 sermons. Bur for the life of me, I can't remember a single one of them. So, I think I'm wasting my time and the pastors are wasting theirs by giving sermons at all." This started a real controversy in the "Letters to the Editor" column, much to the delight of the editor. It went on for weeks until someone wrote this clincher: I've been married for 30 years now. In that time my wife has cooked some 32,000 meals. But for the life of me, I cannot recall the entire menu for a single one of those meals. But I do know this: They all nourished me and gave me the strenth I needed to do my work. If my wife had not given me these meals, I would be physically dead today. Likewise, if I had not gone to church for nourishment, I would be spiritually dead today!" When you are DOWN to nothing...God is UP to something! Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible! Thank God for our physical AND our spiritual nourishment! ***** Whether it is God’s disciplining of us in trials or our disciplining ourselves or our children under His guidance, we need to pray (talk with God and listen to God), spend time in His Word, and worship Him (give glory and honor in action, word and/or song) in order for it to form habits that deepen the quality of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Without the study of the Scriptures, it would be hard to understand that "Discipline" could be a "Gift". When our boys were just little children and needed discipline, sometimes I wondered to myself, "Why do I have to teach these children discipline when they will be going out into a world that wants to kick and knock us around every chance it gets?" The answer was always in the Scriptures. Proverbs 22:6 says "Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it." We should train our children to be disciplined before God NOT the world. Ephesians 6:4 says "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord." For the complete Bible study: Read other online Bible Studies here: ***** This months interview is with a newly elected member of the Allen County School Board in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Sherry Chapman, a member of the worship team at The Chapel in Fort Wayne, is the wife of my friend and co-worker, Brian Chapman. I have been blessed by Sherry's performances in Christmas Productions at The Chapel, and also on the 2001 CD Release, Live At The Chapel. I have also been blessed as I have talked with Sherry about her relationship with Christ, and her conviction to be a responsible Christian Citizen. That conviction has led her to a strong belief that public schools cannot be improved by pulling the children of devout Christian families out of them, but only by getting the devout Christian families more involved in the schools. It is an honor this month to welcome Sherry to The Wanted Man, and to have her grant us this interview. She is just beginning her term on the School Board, and I felt it would be interesting to chat with her about the opportunities that God has given her. And now, the interview: The Wanted Man: In way of introduction, please tell our readers a little about yourself (and your family). Sherry L. Chapman: I am 42 years old. My husband Brian works at 80/20 Inc. We have 2 children, Jenna-14 and Joshua 9. We have been married 22 years and have lived in Fort Wayne for 22 years. I attended Concord College and majored in Music and Accounting. I worked professionally for 13 years at International Business College. When we had our second child, I decided to stay home and care for our children. It was when our children started school that I began to volunteer in the schools. TWM: How did you come to know Christ as your Lord and Savior? SLC: I was raised in a fundamental Christian home. My twin brother and I accepted Christ as our personal Savior at the same time when we were 6 years old. We learned a lot about Christ through Sunday School and our parents. TWM: Congratulations on your winning the election to the School Board. What prompted you to begin seeking such a position? SLC: First, there was a "need' for someone to run. There were 3 seats up for election and because I had spent so much time in the schools, I was encouraged to run by the people who knew me well. Through volunteering in schools, I developed a love for the students, teachers and administrators. Everyone should be passionate about something. It is hard to be effective if you have no passion. I also had a working knowledge of the needs in the school district. It was very intimidating to even consider running because I tend to be more comfortable working behind the scenes. I talked with my husband and children. After their blessing, I felt God working on my heart as I sought his will. Next thing I knew, I was ordering campaign signs. TWM: I understand that prior to this you have served in a variety of ways as a volunteer. What kind of projects have you been involved with before? SLC: I am a Girl Scout Leader, I was Secretary of our Neighborhood Association for 8 years, Parent Teacher Organization President for 2 years, am a member of the Fort Wayne track club (I run in races to support charities.) I volunteer in the local Republican Party- Inspector for elections. I work part time at The Chapel in the music department, and helped raise funds for our neighborhood YMCA. TWM: Earlier, I mentioned your work at The Chapel. Being a Mother of two, a devoted wife, a gifted vocalist, and using that talent at The Chapel... Now you are adding the School Board: I've gotta ask, how do you balance all of these responsibilities out? Keeping priorities straight must be a bear. SLC: It is very difficult. I try to always put God and family first. It seems the most sacrificed is my housework. As my children are getting older, they are taking some of that responsibility which is great character building for them!! As far as school board, I will no longer be on different committees at school. I’m trading time in the classroom for time on the board. God calls us not only to Himself, but to serve. Our pastor equates it to a baseball game analogy. First Base is accepting Christ as your personal Savior. Second base is growing in your faith, Bible study. Third base is serving in your church. Home Plate is going out and changing your world in your community. TWM: If I may change the subject, I know that you were involved in the Live At The Chapel project. What was that like for you? SLC: This was my second recording experience. My first experience was recording in a studio. The Chapel project was recorded LIVE! That was so exciting. We did it in a "concert" atmosphere. It was very difficult since it was live. We had never done anything like that before. God took our inexperience and made it beautiful! TWM: Are there any more of those types of projects in the future? SLC: There is always something new to work on at The Chapel. Our leaders have great vision because they stay focused on winning the world for Christ. Yes, there will be more projects in the future. TWM: If the Lord tarries, and considering all that you are involved in, where do you see yourself in the next few years? SLC: Still spending time with my family, still serving at the Chapel and always involved in my children’s education in some form or another. TWM: What words of advice or encouragement would you offer to anyone interested in making a difference as a responsible Christian Citizen, either in an elected office or as a volunteer, but unsure of whether they truly have the ability to make a difference? SLC: I lost my first election. God still teaches in failure. We must be still enough to hear God’s leading and courageous enough to trust his will. Where God guides, God provides... I have learned that over and over. He is FAITHFUL!!! TWM: Are there any other comments that you would like to make? SLC: Thank you Derek for this opportunity. I pray God will continue to bless you as you serve Him through THE WANTED MAN. TWM: Thank you Sherry, I appreciate you granting this interview. I am sure that our readers will be interested in your work, and will pray for you as you step into your new position. I look forward to hearing updates from you. ***** Did you know God has a plan for you? The plan He has is called Salvation, and it is a free gift from the God of Creation to YOU through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ! Why You Need Salvation! Romans 3:23 tells us that; ". . .all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." And 1John 1:8 says, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." Do you believe in heaven and hell? Matthew 25:31-34 and Matthew 25:41 "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides [his] sheep from the goats. And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right hand, `Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:' Then He will also say to those on the left hand, `Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:'" Did you know there's only one way to heaven? John 14:6 "Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'" 1Tim 2:5 "For [there] [is] one God and one Mediator between God and men, [the] Man Christ Jesus." So, how can I be sure I will go to heaven? John 3:16-18 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." If you feel God is speaking to your heart right now, please pray this prayer "Jesus, I believe You died on the Cross for me and that God raised You from the dead. I believe You took upon Yourself the punishment for my sins and my guilt. I know that You are the only Way to Heaven, and now I ask You to forgive me of every sin and come into my heart. Jesus, I now make you LORD of my life... I will love You, serve You, and obey You all the days of my life. Thank You Jesus, for dying for me and giving me a new life in You. AMEN" If you have sincerely prayed this prayer for salvation in faith, believing that Jesus is the Living Son of GOD, the Bible promises that you now are a Child of God, and a joint heir with Jesus Christ. Please locate a local church and speak to a Pastor. Also, please email The Wanted Man at testimony@thewantedman.com and tell me of your salvation experience. I want to rejoice with you and pray for you as you begin your walk with Christ. ***** Last month we introduced "Family Ministries" on the Wanted Man website. I do hope that everyone has taken the time to read introduction as well as the two new sections: "The Role of the Woman" and "Parenthood: Forging a New Partnership." Each of these areas are very uplifting and helpful in the area of relationships. As Derek has already mentioned, his latest project "First Thing I Pray For" is in high gear. I have been blessed with the opportunity to listen to his latest CD and the Lord has truly been glorified in these songs. I know that everyone who purchases this CD will be blessed and truly know the presence of God in their own lives as they listen to the words of a man who is committed to the service of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We thank each of you for your prayers and our prayer is that God will be your light along the path. In Christ's Name Debbie Dixon ***** To subscribe or to re-subscribe to this mailing list, send an email to Newsletter-Add@thewantedman.com. We encourage you to forward this newsletter to friends and family, and only request that you forward it in its entirety. If you have received this as a forward from a third party and wish to subscribe to this mailing list yourself, send an email to Newsletter-Add@thewantedman.com. Do Not write messages in Emails to Newsletter-Add@thewantedman.com and Newsletter-Remove@thewantedman.com. These addresses are processed automatically and are not read. If you wish to send us a message, email us at info@thewantedman.com. Copyright (c)2002, The Wanted Man |
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