The most Christ-like people I have ever known
Reverend George Ivey
God has blessed me with the gift of seeing the qualities of Jesus in other people so that I can encourage His work in them. C. S. Lewis emphasized the need for this ministry when he proposed that many more people might be drawn to Christ if they knew the similarities they share with Him rather than the dissimilarities. (James 3: 9)
I have seen Christ-like qualities in many people and have coveted these qualities that have been highly developed in a few. Joe and Angela Ryles are two people who bring the worship of God to my heart.
ALL THINGS WORK
TOGETHER FOR THE GOOD-
In their early marriage Angela bore a son named Timothy. He was born with significant brain stem damage. While members of my church in another city, I witnessed as they cared for his every need. The three of them rarely missed church, though Timothy did not appear to be consciously aware of his surroundings. (Exodus 4: 10 & 11)
These two parents never once displayed any self pity, anger toward God or ingratitude for their situation. The last time I saw Timothy, he was wedged between mom and dad while they worshipped God in spirit and in truth.
Joe and Angela received Timothy as a gift from God and all the care and attention he needed was their gift back to God. I have never known anyone more gracious and graceful than these two followers of Jesus! After more than two decades Tim went home to be with Jesus and now he is perfectly whole.
THE NAMES ARE CHANGED TO PROTECT
THE FORGIVEN-
I had married the couple after much counseling and the fateful call caught me by surprise. Jim was weeping on the phone as he told me of having come home early to find his new bride in bed with another man.
Jim was reeking with the emotional pain of betrayal swearing that he was going to divorce Carol. Within the next twenty four hours Jim and Carol agreed to meet with me and we submerged ourselves in deep prayer. As God began to carry us through the issues, the pain gave way to the strong presence of a God’s love.
Twenty six years later my phone rang, once again. It was Jim… He called to let me know that Carol had gone home to be with the Lord as the result of an aneurism. He wept now for a different reason. Jim was thanking God for three wonderful children and twenty six years of a blessed life with Carol. Oh, he also thanked me for showing them the way of forgiveness, reconciliation and restoration. The love of Calvary healed their relationship and produced heavenly results.
ON A COLD AFTERNOON-
We’d stopped just south of Kansas City to gas up. I was traveling with my first mentor in the ministry, Dr. Richard Carter. To this day, I’ve never met a man with more authentic love for lost souls. A young man came to our car to assist us with a broken gas pump. I was suddenly aware that Richard was weeping as he turned to the young man and began to minister.
He placed his hand upon the young man’s shoulder and looked deep into his eyes. He said, “Son, you have taken the wrong path! God shows me that you chose to follow Jesus at an altar when you were eight years old. Now, you have been deceived and lost your wife and precious children through an addiction in your life.” (Richard described the addiction). “Now, if you will repent, abandon your sin, and return to Jesus, God will restore your family and bless your future…”
The young man was melted on the spot with many tears flowing. As the Prodigal did, he made his way back to the Father’s house standing in the parking lot of that Kansas gas station.
I covet the Christ that I have seen in these lives. What is God doing in your life? Get into His Word and get into a nurturing church and let Christ be formed in you! (Galatians 4: 19)
Reverend George Ivey, Pastor
Anglican Church of the Holy Trinity
7049 Spout Springs Road
Flowery Branch, GA 30542
404-643-7339
