Pastor Ed Bowen was saved on March 24, 1957 at a revival meeting at Horse Branch Church in Turbeville, S.C. at the age of 23. Brother Bowen has been married to his wife, Margaret, for over 54 years. After being ordained in 1960, Pastor Bowen went on to preach in various places until he became pastor of Cherryvale Baptist. Having been there for over 43 years, in 2000, he had to slow down a bit due to prostate cancer.
Though unable to do what he used to do, Pastor Ed has just changed venues. For over ten years now, he has been encouraging people via email. He has graciously agreed to be a contributing author to this website. This series of posts entitled, “Heart To Heart” are the fruit of his times with our Lord Jesus! If they mean as much to you as they do me, then EMAIL him and let him know about it!
LESSONS FROM THE WILDERNESS JOURNEY!
“So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur.” (Exodus 15:22)
New lessons are not so easily learned; “hungry and thirsty, their souls fainted in them.” (Psalm 107:5) The Lord was teaching Israel to look to Him, but they murmured against His provision.
When we figuratively and spiritually travel our wilderness journey, we find that associates and companionships once loved and enjoyed before conversion have lost their charm and sweetness; now, worldly lusts and pleasures are foreign to the taste; the world is seen as “a dry and thirsty land in which there is no water”; God is the fountain of life, so we need only to look to Him for satisfaction and fulfillment, we need not murmur.
The great lesson of the wilderness is to trust an unseen, but very present God and draw from Him, day by day, hour by hour, all that is needed to sustain us. Our spirit may be overwhelmed at times, our tears may flow, but we are assured that He “will never leave us nor forsake us.”
As He removes each prop from us, He draws us closer to Himself, to prove to us that he is indeed a kind and loving Heavenly Father. Thus, chastened, subdued, weaned away from the world, we tread on through the wilderness toward our heavenly home, leaning upon the Lord. He is working all things together for our ultimate good.
Under His wings,
Pastor Ed Bowen
Would you consider purchasing?
By Larry Howland / Parsons Pen
Measures 15.5″ x 12.5″. Light oak finish frame. Neutral mat. A pastor is a faithful friend/Who has his Father’s flock to tend./He cares for us through trying days,/Retrieves the lamb who sometimes strays./He brings us loving words from God,/Of Moses’ feats with Aaron’s rod,/Of Daniel in the lion’s den,/Of godly women and their men./From parables the Master taught/To understanding what Paul thought./He speaks to us of God’s dear Son,/Of unity, so we’ll be one./When sick or sad he’s always there/To comfort, guide and offer prayer./He’s tender, caring, meek and kind;/The Spirit’s in his heart and mind. And She’s like a fresh and lovely rose/That angels planted, then God chose./He gave her soft and gentle ways/To help us through our trying days./She walks with us through pain and loss/And lives the meaning of the cross./She always thinks of others first/And loves us when we’re at our worst./She has such kind and gentle ways/And builds us up with words of praise./Her tears and prayers and long hours spent/Have helped so many to repent./A confidant with whom to share,/A partner when it comes to prayer,/Two blessings in a Christian’s life/Are pastor and his faithful wife.
In the course of ministry, we come across people of varying personality types. Some are easier to deal with than others. The same holds true with other [intlink id=”12″ type=”post”]pastors[/intlink], evangelists and missionaries. I have come to the conclusion that some preachers are just not my “cup of tea”. I feel that this is okay as long as I do not hold a grudge and sin with my lips and thoughts toward these dear men of God. After all, I am not everyone’s “cup of tea” either. Continue reading
