From Paul W. Powell
JULY/AUGUST 2007
George W. Truett Theological Seminary
A W o r d f r o m T r u e tt: A G o o d W i f e
Lee Iacocca, in his latest book, Where Have All the Leaders Gone?, says, “I flunked retirement.”
I think I did, too. They (whoever ‘they’ are) said, “The third time is the charm.” So maybe I’ll
make it this time.
The real heroine in my ministry these past six years has been my wife Cathy. She has spent a lot
of time alone in Tyler while I’ve been in Waco and traveling the state—and she did it without
complaint. Believe it or not, after 53 years of marriage, we still like each other as well as love
each other. There is a difference.
The apostle Paul wrote that it might be “better for a man not to marry” so that he could devote
himself full-time to the Lord’s work. He realized that a married man would have to devote much
of his time to pleasing his wife (I Corinthians 7:32-33). Paul did, however, make it clear that this
was not a command from the Lord but his opinion and that the Lord had given him “permission” not in order to write it.
Thank goodness! My life would have been impoverished without Cathy. That passage, by the
way, is the basis for Roman Catholic belief in celibacy. I don’t know what it does to your view of
inspiration to realize that some of what Paul wrote was by permission and was his opinion and
not by direct command from the Lord, but that’s what he says. Anyway, hurrah for Cathy Powell
and all the faithful pastors’ wives who have paid a high price so that their husbands could
pursue the high calling.
The writer of Proverbs was right, “Who can find a virtuous (really good) woman? Her price
is far above rubies. The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her … Favor (charm) can be
deceiving and beauty is vain (is passing), but the woman that reverences the Lord shall be
praised.” (Proverbs 31:10-11, 30)
Thank God, I found such a woman. I hope you are just as fortunate in finding one.
Pa s t o r i n g
General George Patton could be considered the greatest field commander of World War II, but he
was impulsive, irresponsible, and irritating at times. General Dwight D. Eisenhower, commander
of the Supreme Forces, realized the value of Patton on the battlefield. Eisenhower’s son writes,
“Ike put up with an awful lot from General Patton. He was willing to tolerate certain annoyances and undergo the difficulty of them in order to save this man (Patton) for what he was best
at, fighting.” (General Ike: A Personal Reminiscence by John S.D. Eisenhower; Free Press, New York,
NY copyright 2003, page 61)
Good pastors do the same thing. They know the spiritual gifts of the people and utilize people
according to their abilities.
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The happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything. They just make the best of
everything.
Until you make peace with who you are, you’ll never be content with what you have. (Doris
Mortman, Circles, Bantam)
I think God’s going to come down and pull civilization over for speeding. (Steven Wright)
I l l u s t r at i o n
During the Great Depression, a man was out for a walk one day. This man had lost everything:
his job, his fortune, then his wife and home. His only real possession was his faith, and that was
in turmoil as well.
He stopped along the way to watch some men doing stone work on a church building. One
stonemason was chiseling an unusual-shaped piece of rock. “What are you going to do with
that?” the man asked the worker. “Do you see that small opening way up there near the spire?
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Well, I am shaping this rock down here so that it will fit up there.” As the man walked away from
the scene, he realized that God was doing the same with him.
What is God doing in your life to shape you? How will you fit?
Leadership
General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s son writes of his father’s leadership: “I’m sometimes asked
whether or not I considered Ike a ‘great general.’” I regard that question as inane; for one thing, I
cannot be expected as Ike’s son to give an answer other than a resounding yes. In addition, I have
yet to see a definition of a ‘great general’ that comes close to satisfying me.”
He does, however, go on to give some marks that indicated Ike’s greatness:
1 He was relentless in the pursuit of his goal, the destruction of Hitler.
2 He understood the Army he was commanding and the nature of its troops and its tactics,
but above all, he was strong and stable. Ike often quoted Napoleon, who, he claimed,
defined the military genius as “a man who can do the average thing when all those
around him are going crazy.”
3 He had both grit and determination.
4 He had the ability to make concessions to strong-willed associates when doing so
furthered the end he was pursuing.
(General Ike: A Personal Reminiscence by John S.D. Eisenhower, Free Press, New York, NY 2003,
pp. 215-220)
Sermon
Title Because He Lives
Text I Corinthians 15:58
By Charles A. Tope, Retired Missionary to East Africa
Introduction The heart of the gospel is that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and arose
the third day. Long before Bill Gaither wrote his wonderful hymn “Because He
Lives” the apostle Paul dealt with the same theme.
I Because He lives we are to be something: steadfast, unmovable.
II Because He lives we are to do something: abound in the work of the Lord.
III Because He lives we are to know something: our work is not in vain.
Conclusion The resurrection of Christ validates all we believe and all we do as his
followers.
2007 Willow Creek Leadership Summit
When Christian leaders are intentional about joining with other leaders to grow and learn
together, everybody wins. Plan to join us Aug. 9-11 as together we seek fresh vision and sharpen
our leadership skills at the 2007 Willow Creek Leadership Summit: Lead Where You Are!
For the third consecutive year, Baylor will be a satellite site for the Summit. Last year, nearly 450
area leaders attended this event in Baylor’s Waco Hall. Information about the 2007 speakers,
including Bill Hybels, John Ortberg, Jimmy Carter, Floyd Flake, and Colin Powell, along with
pricing options for groups, those in the military, and students can be found at www.willowcreek.
com/summit. Baylor’s contact for the event is Denise Corley at (254) 710-6274 or Denise_Corley@
baylor.edu.
A n d R e m e m b e r A lway s
George W. Truett Seminary is a Christ-centered, Bible-based seminary committed to our historic
Baptist principles. Our vision is to be the premiere Baptist theological seminary of the world. Our
mission is to serve the churches by training the next generation of ministers and missionaries.
George W. Truett Theological Seminary
Baylor University
One Bear Place #97126
Waco, TX 76798-7126