Former NFL football player found the Father's blessing

By Mark Ellis
Senior Correspondent, ASSIST News Service


ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA (ANS) -- After he tore all three ligaments in his knee, he thought his dream of future glory on the gridiron was over. Then God met him in a surprising way that changed the course of his life.

From the start -- before he drew his first breath - tragedy struck. "I never

Ed Tandy McGlasson

had a single moment with my father," says Ed Tandy McGlasson, the former NFL offensive lineman who played for the Rams, Jets, and Giants. He is the founding pastor of the Stadium Vineyard in Anaheim, California.
Ed's mother was eight months pregnant with him when a terrible accident brought heartbreak. "My father was a test pilot," he says. "He was killed at 400 miles per hour." The night before it happened, his mother had a premonition of disaster.

"Am I going to lose you?" she asked her husband. On that last night, Ed's dad read the story of Jesus walking on the water toward the boat filled with his disciples. As he read, something caused him to circle the word "Come," the invitation to Peter to walk by faith across the water toward Jesus.

"The next morning he crashed in the sea," Ed says sadly.

Later Ed's mother remarried a submarine commander. "He was a hard man whose father tried to beat the weakness out of him," Ed recalls
.
In his youth, Ed strove to live up to the image of his deceased fath er. "Everything I did was about securing and proving myself to the heroic dad I never saw," he notes. "I pushed myself to the 'nth' degree."

Walk-on at Youngstown State


Without sufficient funds for college, Ed tried to walk on the Youngstown State football team. "We don't have any scholarship money to give you," Coach Bill Narduzzi told him.

Ed had a bold idea. "Coach, if I'm not the best football player you've ever seen in the next 10 days, don't give me a scholarship, but if I am."

"Son, if you're that good I'll mortgage my house to get you a scholarship," Narduzzi replied.

For the next 10 days, Ed says he played like Dick Butkus, the Chicago Bears all-time great. Every drill was played at 110 percent.

After watching the display, Narduzzi approached him and put his arm on his shoulder pad. "Son, I don't know where we're getting the money, but consider yourself on a full ride at Youngstown State."

Ed could hardly contain his glee, and began t o nurture his dreams of playing one day in the NFL. But a serious injury threatened to derail his plans. One day at practice, there was a "freak" fumble on the ground.

Serious Injury


"A freshman dove through my left knee to get the fumble," Ed recalls. As Ed collapsed he heard his knee ligaments rip. "It was an unbelievable sound in my head."

Doctors told him all three major ligaments were torn and he would probably not play football again. He needed major reconstructive surgery the next morning.

Ed went back to his dorm room with an ice pack. "To say I was devastated would be an understatement," he says. "Everything I worked for was gone. I didn't know what to do."

Then came a knock on his door. A young man named Bill Romanowski (no relation to the football player) entered the room, surveyed Ed's sorry condition and said, "Hi Ed, I'm the campus pastor here."

While Ed's grandmother was a Christian Scientist, Ed had no interest or previous involvement in religion.

They exchanged a few pleasantries, then Romanowksi said, "Ed, you have a lot of things going for you, but you lack one thing."

More:

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Mark Ellis is a senior correspondent for ASSIST News Service and the founder of www.Godreports.com.  He is available to speak to groups about the plight of the church in restricted countries, to share stories and testimonies from the mission field, and to preach the gospel. mark@Godreports.com

Bible Teacher Interprets Islam as the 'Cloak of Antichrist'

Contact: Josiah Williams, Publicist, WinePress Publishing, 360-802-9758, josiah@winepresspublishing.com

ENUMCLAW, Wash., Aug. 15, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- As the United States approaches the tenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks, Jack Smith releases biblical evidence for who he believes was really behind the tragedy. "Satan uses Islam as a 'cloak' to hide behind," he states. "And the Bible predicts the rise of Islam."

The author has studied Bible prophecy for some thirty years. After the events of 9/11, he began to study the religion of Islam. As he did so, he was astounded to discover how Islam fulfills many end-time Bible prophecies. He realized that he would be disobedient to God if he didn't share this knowledge with others, so he started a blog. He wrote under the pseudonym of Jack Smith in order to minimize his personal risk. In spite of his precaution, his life has been threatened for proclaiming the truth. 

After meticulously researching Islam's history, key people, and beliefs, Mr. Smith put his findings into his new book, "The Cloak." He explains how Islam fulfills the biblical prophecy of a false religion that will gain dominion over the entire world in the last days. "Satan hides behind Islam in order to wage holy war against the world and Christianity," he says. According to Smith, this holy war will encompass the entire earth, including a wearing down of Christianity, a trampling of Jerusalem, and Islam's eventual dominion of the world.

The author also explains how Islam is connected to the Antichrist and who the Antichrist will be. "When Christians are aware of how Islam fulfills Antichrist prophecies," he says, "they can be prepared and strengthened for living in the last days. 'The Cloak' reminds readers that God remains in control in spite of the coming tribulations and persecutions of his church."

For more information, to request a review copy, or to schedule an interview, please contact Josiah Williams by phone at 360-802-9758, by email at josiah@winepresspublishing.com, or by fax at 360-802-9992. To purchase a copy of this book visitwww.winepressbooks.com or call 877-421-7323.

SmallGroups.com's Newest Digizine Addresses Common Problems in Small-Group Life

Contact: Sloan Skinner, Christianity Today, 630-260-6200 ext 4207

CAROL STREAM, Ill., Aug. 12, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ --SmallGroups.com, a ministry of Christianity Today, has released the newest issue of its free digital magazine (digizine). This issue, entitled "Troubleshooting: Solutions to common problems in small-group life," explores how to maintain group harmony in the face of several of types of conflict. 

Featured is an article by Les Parrott, who sheds light on his experiences dealing with relational rifts between small-group members and shares steps leaders can take to restore respect and repair relationships. Joel Comiskey writes We got the Theology Blues, which lists five methods for approaching doctrinal strife in your group. 

Editor Sam O'Neal says, "This issue of the SmallGroups.com Digizineaddresses how to handle 'problem' people, what to do with misbehaving children, and how to confront uncommitted members. These are issues that are often considered taboo, but that are realistic challenges to small-group ministry. I think it will be helpful for people to gain insight on how to deal with the difficult situations we address in this issue." 

O'Neal contributes The Blessing of Problem People to this issue. He includes practical steps to deal with specific types of group members, such as those who dominate the group, offer others too much advice, or rarely participate. There are also videos throughout the issue, including a video case study and link to an interactive discussion area where readers can share how they would handle difficult situations.

Harness group harmony and learn practical ways to confront conflict in small groups with this issue of the SmallGroups.com Digizine. Click here to get this issue for free: 
christianitytoday.imirus.com/Mpowered/book/vsmgr11/i3/p1

SmallGroups.com provides high-quality and up-to-date resources relevant to small groups. With membership comes complete access to hundreds of articles and a large archive of downloadable, training tools and Bible studies that help to support, equip, and train small groups and small-group leaders. 

Christianity Today (www.christianitytoday.com) is a not-for-profit communications ministry that serves the global church through print magazines, digital publications, websites and blogs which together reach over 2.5 million people each month.

God Heals an Angry Heart

By Jeremy Reynalds
Senior Correspondent for ASSIST News Service


ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (ANS) -- Kevin Turner's once stable and predictable life was about to change dramatically.

Kevin Turner

Turner had been living in Florida for 58 years. Married for 17 years to the same woman, they had been living in the Tampa area since 1993 in a doublewide trailer. He was a local trucker.Turner said, "I was a fuel hauler and made good money."

In 2005, Turner said, his wife had brain surgery for an aneurysm. It was a long surgery, seven hours, but she made a full recovery. She was in perfect health - apparently.

However, on June 21 2006, Turner said his wife passed away from an apparent heart attack.

Turner said, "I remember thinking, 'How can this happen? She was just at the doctor's office and she was fine."
That's when, Turner recalled, his world fell apart.

He became extremely depressed and angry and bitter towards God.

He recalled thinking, "To hell with it. I don't want to live. I even contemplated suicide. It was 17 years with her, and my life was jerked out from under me."

With the anger and depression eating at him, he left the home he had shared with his wife, and began living out of his Jeep.

Around his birthday, August 2008, Turner said he got tired of the way he was living, and decided he would take the first job offered to him, no matter where it was.

A position in Albuquerque New Mexico became available, driving locally.

Turner said, "I didn't have anything left for me in Florida, so I figured I'd venture out a bit. (After all), I was supposed to have a job waiting for me."

Turner sold his Jeep and everything else, and bought a plane ticket to Albuquerque. All he had with him was what he could carry on the plane. Kevin arrived in New Mexico and moved into a studio room in 2008 with the meager funds he'd been able to gather.

He said, "I had about $800.00 with me, which didn't last long."

Turner said when he arrived at the job site, he found the company had been seized by the Drug Enforcement Agency. Not really having anything to go back to in Florida, and not being exactly flush with cash, he decided to stay in Albuquerque.

He recalled, somewhat caustically, "My life felt like it had turned into a B-grade movie."

He worked out of a labor pool until he got a job with a local security company, which stationed him at a variety of locations around the city. He was able to save some money and move into a different apartment.

However, Turner said, the security company lost all its government contracts and he was laid off. It was time to look for work again. Jobs weren't forthcoming, and Turner's savings didn't last long.

Turner said he applied for unemployment, which took about ten weeks to reach him. Turner said the apartment manager had agreed to let him stay for a while, knowing that money was coming in. Unfortunately, after two months the manager decided that it was time for him to move.

Now homeless and unemployed, Turner said he stayed in a local park for a couple of weeks. It was winter, and cold.

During the day, he said, he would panhandle, pick up cans, wander around, and look for jobs. Picking up cans and panhandling was how he managed to eke out money for food.

During this time period, Turner said, his unemployment benefits kicked in, and he was able to move into a local motel served by Joy Junction's Lifeline of Hope outreach.

Turner said, "I saw the truck come in, and a whole bunch of people hanging around it. I was told they would feed me. So I went over there, and got a few bags of lunches and drinks. (The driver) talked to me about Joy Junction."
He added, "Of course, I was hard headed then, and I didn't want to come to Joy Junction."

Every time the Lifeline came by, Turner was there. He had received his unemployment, which was basically taking care of the room. He had not received his EBT card (food stamps), so he was relying on the Lifeline of Hope for all his food.

He was always looking for a job. He said, "I even offered to work for Joy Junction, if they were hiring. I was desperate."

After about two weeks of depending on the Lifeline of Hope for food, Turner said his unemployment benefits ran out.

He said, "That meant the room over my head was going to be gone. I talked to (the Lifeline driver), and she reminded me that Joy Junction is always able to help."

Turner said he called Joy Junction's main office and talked to a receptionist to get more information. From what he heard, though a bit apprehensive, he saw no other choice.

Turner said, "I actually borrowed a dollar from the hotel to catch a city bus to get to the Greyhound station, where Joy Junction picks up."

He said, When I got here, it looked like an institution ... I was scared and didn't know what I was getting into."
However, his fears diminished as he met Joy Junction staff. He was able to eat, had a tour of the campus, and signed in for the evening.

Shortly after arriving, due to an upper respiratory infection, Turner went to the University of New Mexico Hospital, where he was admitted for five days.

In the interim, Turner said, his on again off again unemployment restarted. He returned back to the motel where he had been staying, and was there for about 13 weeks.

The money ran out again. Turner returned to Joy Junction for the second time.

Three days after arriving, Turner joined Joy Junction's Christ in Power Program (CIPP). The nine month program, based on Tyndale House's Life Recovery Bible, is one of the many services Joy Junction offers.

He said, "On June 16 I came back to Joy Junction, with the sole purpose of using the program for what I believed it was designed to be for. To help me off the streets, help me get back on my feet, and provide a lifestyle without having to worry about the basics. I can focus on getting my license put in order. I could get what I needed to get a job. Joy Junction gives me the opportunity to save up money and get my documents in order. I couldn't do that while on the streets."

Turner is now in his second month of the life recovery program. He is doing well. His volunteer assignment is shelter security.

Always ready to assist anyone in need, residents and staff alike, he is helping to dispel some of the fear and apprehension he felt when first coming through the guard shack gate.

What does Turner hope to do after Joy Junction?

He said, "I hope I can get a good job. I hope to just restart my life. This is my rebirth here. I am using Joy Junction to be born again. I have God in my heart, the Bible in my reading, and a new outlook on life. I wouldn't be able to get that out there on the streets."

Turner added, "Joy Junction is helping me spiritually. They have helped me with my anger towards God. I am reading the Bible more than I have ever done, and I am learning from it."

My Take


Kevin, we are proud of you and believe that the Lord will help you accomplish the special plan He has for your life. Our prayers are with you.

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Jeremy Reynalds is Senior Correspondent for the ASSIST News Service, a freelance writer and also the founder and CEO of Joy Junction, New Mexico's largest emergency homeless shelter,http://www.joyjunction.org He has a master's degree in communication from the University of New Mexico, and a Ph.D. in intercultural education from Biola University in Los Angeles. His newest book is "Homeless in the City." Additional details on "Homeless in the City" are available at http://www.homelessinthecity.com. Reynalds lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For more information contact: Jeremy Reynalds atjeremyreynalds@comcast.net.

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Things a Dad Would Do: Giving Gang Members a Hope and a Future

After serving more than three years in the California Youth Authority (a state jail for youth), Maravilla tired of gangs and crime. Christian counselors at Hope Now helped Maravilla find a job. On June 29, at a busy street corner near Fresno’s juvenile detention center, I watched Maravilla spot two teenage boys buying drugs from a local dealer on a weekday morning. He hopped out of the van—and extended a Hope Now for Youth card.


Read full article...

Complete 'Handwritten Bible' goes online

By staff writers

12 Aug 2011

The complete 'Handwritten Bible', created by tens of thousands of people across Britain and Northern Ireland, has now gone online, the Methodist Church has announced.

The Handwritten Bible contains 7,000 pages of text and illustrations transcribed by people from every part of Britain and further afield. More than 30,000 volunteers joined in from across communities - including prisons, schools, colleges, libraries, nursing homes, airports and shopping centres - to copy the whole of the NRSV translation of the Bible after Methodists voted to transcribe the Scripture at their Conference in Portsmouth last year.

Since the first volume went live last month, the Handwritten Bible has been well viewed. Most of those readers accessed the site from within the UK, but there have been visitors from 76 other countries, including the United States, Malaysia, Australia and South Africa.

The Rev Jenny Ellis, Co-ordinator of Evangelism, Spirituality and Discipleship for the Methodist Church, said: “We have already had many people asking to display the hardbound copies of the Bible, including a request from the Caribbean."

She continued: "The Handwritten Bible has been divided up into 31 volumes; some of those volumes are currently on display at the Liskeard Methodist Church in Cornwall while others are on show at Worcester Cathedral. Now that all the volumes are online, people can view the whole Bible. It’s a way of connecting us all together as we value and celebrate the Scriptures.”

As part of the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, people were invited to join Methodists in handwriting verses from the Scripture. Verses have been written in English, Chinese, Welsh and Braille with accompanying illustrations.

Dave Webster, Methodist Internet Communications Coordinator, who was responsible for uploading the Handwritten Bible online, added: “The Handwritten Bible has the human touch. The care and love that people put into it are expressed in the ever-changing handwriting and illustrations. This makes reading it a unique and moving experience.”

The 'Handwritten Bible' will be available for display at churches, Bible Fresh events, anniversaries and museums up until the 2012 Methodist Conference.

Christian News: Ugandan bishop speaks up for gay people

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