Dr. Ed Gunter, Pastor
St. Andrews United Methodist Church

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When I heard John speak of this miracle that God had shined in his life, I asked him to come and share it with our congregation. When he came to speak, I saw several different reactions among our church members:

Surprise    Not unbelief, but surprise. Many times in our lives, we seem that God will not, or cannot, reveal Himself to us. This is our limited faith that shows up: He is God and can do anything. This revelation helped people who seem to be suppressed in their faith to become active in their faith. They have been submitting to the Holy Spirit as He deals with them, instead of hiding the fact that God wants to use them for His service.
Relief   I saw some who have had experiences in the past that they were afraid to speak about. This testimony helped them to become relaxed, able, willing and wanting to share their experiences that God has dealt with them. They felt like in the past they could not speak up because no one would believe them. Now they can share and hopefully make a difference in other people's lives through the power of God.
Joy    I saw some just filled with joy… someone willing to share his testimony and not be afraid of the persecution that he will face (many persecutions by their own Christian brothers and sisters.)

I count it a joy to have been a part of hearing what God has done in John's life. I know that God can do anything and that He is well able to touch our lives each and every day.

Alex Bullard, Pastor
Grace Fellowship Church

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Every so often you come across something that brings a turning point in your life. You find something that has meaning and depth. This inspiration came to me when I received a letter and picture of the Dazzling Light from Preacher John. The picture will grab you and have you wondering where those lights came from. Then to read the letter of his experience with God brought my attention to my own walk with God. The presence God has been in my life and the road He has traveled with me became very clear.

I had been to Plainview Presbyterian Church as a child, and then as a teenager and young adult I had visited and stayed with another church. I dearly loved that, but I always felt a void. My sister and both felt a strong pull to go back and visit my mother's church. It was then that we found that family again. Our church had always been a close-knit family. We felt that same warmth when we entered the door-except this time there a was someone behind the pulpit who had that same warmth. Preacher John has stuck with our church through some very rough times. The letter was a reminder to all of us of the wonderful family we had and the home we had made at this church as a family. I needed this letter and inspirational picture to help bring my life in order. My family has all come home now. What more could I ask for? My mother, who was a faithful member and child of God all through her life, would be
so proud to have us serving God and enjoying the church home which she helped to build at Plainview Presbyterian.

Since then I have had many times when I realized that, without God's presence during some of the hardest times of my life, I could not have made it through. Through the murder/suicide of my parents, a very hard divorce and being a single parent, I knew God was there, all I had to do was reach out. I love the poem, "Footprints in the Sand," because it is shown so strongly through my life experience. Had I not been held, there would surely be no prints at all. Now through the help and support of God, Preacher John, family and our church members, I hope to help my family become faithful followers of Jesus. I hope that you can take inspiration from this message of the Dazzling Light as I have. Remember when all else fails (and it will) turn it over to the Lord. He will provide. It may not be what you specifically ask for, but it is what you need.

Laura Jessup, Member
Plainview Presbyterian Church