ROBERT@kontu.utu.fi (Robert W. Johnson) (03/27/91)
I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes. Ezekiel 36.27. Late one summer I stayed at a hill-resort in home of a mechanic and his wife, both of whom it was my joy to lead to a simple faith in the Saviour. When the time came for me to return to Shanghai, I left them with a Bible. During the winter the man wa in the habit of taking alcohol with his meals, sometimes to excess. Soon, with the return of the cold weather, the wine reappeared on the table, and, now as had become his custom, he bowed his head to give thanks for the meal. But today no words would come! After one or two vain attempts he turned to his wife. "What is wrong?" he asked. Why can we not pray today?" The wife took the Bible, but turned the pages in vain, seeking light on the subject. They could find no explanation, and I was far away. "Just drink your wine," she said; but no, he knew he must give thanks, and could not. "Take it away," he exclaimed at length; and then together they asked a blessing on the meal. When eventually the man was able to visit Shanghai he told me of the story. Using an expression familiar in Chinese: "Brother Nee," he said, "Resident Bodss wouldn't let me hae that drink!" "Very good," I replied, "You always listen to Resident Boss!" From the writings of Watchman Nee. I John 2:26-27 Thes things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing that ye have received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you; but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him. ----- Robert W. Johnson Computer center, The University of Turku, Turku Finland robert@kontu.utu.fi (InterNet) robert@firien.bitnet (BITNET) The preceeding is my opinion and may not express the opinion of my employer and furthermore has nothing to do with my employment.