February 25

1836 - The First Revolver Was Patented.

1870 - The First United States Black Senator Was Elected.

This should cause us to pause and pray for our black friends. Pray for the racial strife in our world. Pray that God will help us to love each other as brothers and find the Scriptural answer to our racial differences and prejudices.

Pray for faithful black preachers everywhere. I have long had a burden for the black people. As a young person, I wanted to be a missionary to Africa. My call to preach was aided by a dear black brother. Many years ago I was a softball pitcher for the Dallas Railway and Terminal softball team. I was employed by them in order for me to pitch. A black brother who was a fine Christian often came by our company. He said that God had told him that I ought to be a preacher. Though I did not surrender at that time, I did feel the call of God through this faithful black brother.

When I was in college I would drive out to a black church and preach every Wednesday night. I was pastor of a church a hundred miles away where I drove for the weekends, but would preach for these black brethren on Wednesday nights. Some of my most precious memories revolve around these experiences. Pray for missionaries in Africa. Pray for the African Christians. Pray for black Christians everywhere.

Today is the Birthday of Our Long-Time Friend, Dorothy Lyons.

Dorothy is the wife of Evangelist Jim Lyons, who served with me for many years. Dorothy was pianist for churches that I pastored for approximately twelve years. Pray for the work of Evangelist Lyons and faithful evangelists everywhere today.