remembering Dave Ohlerking

Last night was a bit surreal, and I am changing the subject. My phone rang way after 10pm which is not typical. Calling was a dear friend from Louisiana, Cullen Saucier. Cullen told me that another of our friends, Dave Ohlerking, had passed away. I was and most likely still am in shock.

Dave is a giant in faith and vision and leading. He and his wife, Jean, founded Children's Cup International Relief several year ago and are ministering to orphan and AIDS children in a few countries in Africa and in some other nations. Dave's passion and drive to bring people into the kingdom is incredible. His organization ministers daily to thousands of kids daily.

Dave and Jean visited us last fall, and that was an great time. One of the things that really touched my heart was when my little boy, Ryan, darted out of the room and brought Ms. Jean some money. He asked her to use that money to buy the kids in Africa some candy. WOW. Both Dave and Jean said that we are raising a future missionary. May just be.

The Ohlerking's came into my life after I met their son, Dan, who serves at Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge, LA. In fact, Julie and I have been supporting Children's Cup since last summer and sending gifts each month. We are sold on this ministry. These are also the people that helped our family quiet time begin.

Dave will be sorely missed. His vision goes far beyond him. It is a blessing to have been influenced by this giant of faith. I recently finished his book "It's All About the Blood of Jesus". This man lived out his faith and belief that God can and will change lives!

I want to be a man like Dave Ohlerking who leads his children, other children and others to come to know Jesus. There is no higher calling!

Matthew 5:16 (NASB)
Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Francis Chan's "Forgotten God" (brand new book)

One of the most powerful preachers, writers and leaders of our time, in my opinion, is Francis Chan. His first book, Crazy Love , revolutionized my thoughts about God's love as well as my interacting with God. Now it is time for a brand new book from Chan being released tomorrow, September 1st. The book is Forgotten God . This is a phenomenal book about the power that Christians and the church can and must tap into. All of it is within the Holy Spirit. Francis talks about the power that was seen in the book of Acts when the Holy Spirit began to move among people. It is true that many have avoided or maybe forgotten what the Holy Spirit is all about. And like the Savior who poured out His life and blood so we have reason to rejoice, we were made to lay down our lives and give until it hurts. We are most alive when we are loving and actively giving of ourselves because we were made to do these things. It is when we live like this that the Spirit of God moves and ac...

inspiration from C.S. Lewis

There are many people, past and present, who get our attention by what they write or say or share. For me C.S. Lewis is one of those. He was a prolific writer who continues to grab the attention of thinkers from many different points of view. Lewis first grabbed my attention when I was in 5 th grader, and our teacher, Mrs. Foy, shared The Chronicles of Narnia with our class. It was a powerful time that this dreamer opened doors to thinking like I had never lived before. He wrote of faith, of far off places and of strong figures who found their character rooted deep in God. C.S. Lewis was born in 1898 and died in 1963, 7 years before I was born. It wasn’t until his 30’s that under the influence of his friend Tolkien that he came to be a Christian. He was raised in a traditional church going home, turned away from God as an Atheist in his teen years and through trying to stay away from God and faith returned to God with...

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

Search This Blog