Seize the Day!

Home , John Elefante, Kerry Livgren, Vinyl Confessions, World Classic Rockers

legendary musician THE DAY! John Elefante An interviewAn with by Charles Simpson C M SEIZE h FamilyGram a Keynote o k

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VOL. 29, NO. 1 SPRING 2014 Contents ® Editorial and Publishing: Editor-in-Chief: Charles Simpson Editorial Director: Stephen Simpson Technical Editor: Susanne Simpson Creative Services: Steve Tyrrell

Administrative / Operations: Stephen Simpson, Susanne Simpson, Victoria Grace Simpson, Betty Duke, 04 Christina Villalobos Administrative Assistance for Charles Simpson: Susanne Simpson Accounting Services: Jack Wood, Alison Richardson

International Outreach Ministries Senior Administrator: Mike McCarty, Sr. Director of Missions Growth: Ronald Gray Administrative Assistant: Sandy Jeanson

Board of Directors Charles Simpson, Chairman Michael Coleman, Ronald Gray, Dwayne Higgason, Stephen Simpson

©2014 by Charles Simpson Ministries. All rights re- served. One-to-One® is published quarterly by Charles Simpson Ministries, 7150 Hitt Rd., Mobile, AL 36695. Third-class postage paid at Mobile, AL, and additional mailing offices. One-to-One® is a non-subscription 03 From the Editor magazine supported by the contributions of its read- ers. Those who contribute to any activity of Charles Pass the Flame Simpson Ministries automatically receive a one-year subscription, which is updated with each contribution. If you have questions about your subscription, write us 4 04 Keynote or call us at (251) 633-7900 or (888) 811-2276. If you move, please notify us at least six weeks in advance. A Matter of Choice Charles Simpson Ministries is a tax exempt 501(C)(3) By Charles Simpson organization as recognized by the Internal Revenue 10 Service. 08 Contributing All scripture quotations are from the King James Version unless otherwise noted. Bible verses marked Ministries NAS: Scripture taken from the New American Standard Find a Church in Your Area Bible. © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1972, 1975 by The Lockman Foundation, LaHabre, California 90631. Bible verses marked NKJ: From The New King James Version. © 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson, Inc., Publishers. 10 Familygram Bible verses from The Message, © 1993 by Eugene H. Interview Peterson, NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO 80935. Because One-To-One® is staff-written and assigned, John Elefante we cannot accept or review unsolicited manuscripts from outside authors. Please write us for permission to By Stephen Simpson reprint articles.

One-To-One® Magazine is designed to bring corporate 15 Marketplace values to a personal level by encouraging every believer to extend God’s Kingdom through personal 10 Exchange relationships. Charles Simpson Ministries also includes Conquista Cristiana Spanish-language magazine, The Running Into God Covenant and the Kingdom curriculum, books, Hidden By Jonathan Simpson Treasures. We also support International Outreach Ministries (IOM).

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to One-to-One®, P.O. Box 850067, Mobile, AL 36685. Got any questions you want to ask us? Email us at [email protected]. You can also join our online forum at csmpublishing.org/forum.

2 / One-TO-ONe® Spring 2014 From the Editor Pass the Flame Having faith means sharing faith

Her little hand was raised high, a price for which we now contend— and perspective. arm waving to get my attention. I contains within it the mission to share John Elefante, along with his was visiting with the Second Grade at it with others (see Jude 1:3). Any belief brother, Dino, and Scott Springer, wrote Covenant Christian School in Mobile, system or creed that does not compel an amazing song for Petra that asked, Alabama, as I do each week, and it was us in love to share it with others, with “When will the world see that we need time to take prayer requests from the conviction, is not true faith. Jesus?” This is the big question. Every students. Requests had been made to When we recognize, by God’s other answer has and will come up pray for colds and sniffles, for parents gracious revelation, the worth and short. And how will the world know, if who were sick, for a neighbor with power of what we have received in we refuse to tell them? If our hearts are cancer, for an upcoming trip ... and one Jesus, how can we not want others to too hard to pray, our knees are too stiff goldfish who had recently died. receive it as well? Especially when He to kneel, and our eyes too dry to cry? But the little girl persisted, and so reveals to us just how much He loves Coming May 14-16, CSM will host I asked her, “What would you like us to others and desires to bring freedom our annual Gatlinburg Leadership pray for today?” She replied sincerely, and blessing to them. His love for them Conference, and our guest speaker this “For all the people who don’t know becomes our love for them. year will be Bill Wilson from the Metro Jesus, so that they could be saved.” World Child ministry in New York City, Every prayer request moved me, each as we focus on “Discipling the Next in its own way. But, that one grabbed Generation”. (For more information, my heart. I told her, “Yes, let’s pray for visit www.csmpublishing.org). The that right now, and let’s all pray for that needs among youth are exploding, every day!” and we must be equipped and How much does it mean to you Eh? inspired to reach them with the Good to see others receive faith in Jesus News of Christ’s Kingdom. Where they Christ? Enough to pray for it? Enough face violence, skepticism, cynicism, to share it with others, in both words economic struggle, job shortages, and and actions? confusion in their generation, we must In this issue of One-to-One, we come alongside them with hope and feature an interview with John Elefante, wisdom in the power of the Holy Spirit. the renowned singer, songwriter, and Furthermore, we have seen the The faith was passed to us through producer. John has a beautiful song utter bankruptcy and failure of every courage, trial, tears, and prayer. It is our called “Pass the Flame” from his best- other attempt to change people’s turn and our time to run the race with selling album Defying Gravity, which hearts and lives; the kind of change perseverance ... and pass it on! expresses his heart as a father, as a that actually transforms our society husband, and as a son. Part of the for the better. No political system, no STEPHEN SIMPSON is the Editor of chorus says: “We are the light in a mere ideology, no plethora of new laws One-to-One Magazine and the Director darkened world/We are the fire on the can have a lasting positive effect on the of CSM Publishing. For information arrow/We must pass the flame.” human heart. No matter how much on speaking availability, please call (251) 633-7900 or e-mail onetreesteve@ The faith that we have received in power we cede to the state, we’ve seen bellsouth.net. You can also follow him on and through Jesus Christ—that “one that the state cannot ultimately solve Twitter @BamaStephen. true faith” passed on to us at so great the problem of personal motivation

SEIZE THE DAY / 3 Keynote A Matter of CHOICE How to make good decisions in trying times. BY CHARLES SIMPSON

ow much freedom do we have? One measure of freedom is the ability to choose. The more choices, the more freedom. When choices are narrowed, freedom is lost. We do not fully appreciate our freedom until we begin to sense that our ability to choose is being lost. Why is it that we desire the right to make our own choices? Why do little children Hkeep asking “why” when they are told to do something? Is it because the desire to make our own choices is part of the human nature? I think so. I believe that God created us in His own image and that means we have a will. Granted, His will and His ways are infinitely higher than ours, but, we do have a will. It should be apparent that the Lord desires our service to be voluntary—a matter of choice and not coercion. The choice to love or not cannot be coerced, but will have consequence.

4 / One-TO-ONe® SPRING 2014 Consequence Isaiah 6:5). Taking responsibility Choices have consequences. for our condition is the beginning We can all look back and of repentance and justification see that our past choices before God. It is the necessary have put us where we are. decision that enables God to The choice of believing count us righteous and make us God or not, the choice of righteous. Taking responsibility marriage or not, the choice does not remove all of our of friends or not, or the circumstance but it does begin a choice of a vocation all have Dr. Viktor Frankl was a new and superior path. consequences, good or bad. Holocaust survivor. He was Let me be clear about my Even the seemingly small imprisoned and lost his own convictions; I do believe daily choices determine our freedom but he famously said, that God is Sovereign and knows next step. “Everything can be taken from us before we are formed (see We all have made some a man but one thing; the last of Psalm 139:13-16; Jeremiah 1:5). bad choices, usually without the human freedoms—to choose I believe that God, based on His considering consequences. one’s attitude in any given set of infinite wisdom, makes His own When we finally discover the circumstances, to choose one’s choices. Yet I also believe that consequences, we are faced way.” Attitude is a choice that we are born with the ability with another choice: whose cannot be taken away, perhaps to choose His will or our own. fault is it? the final choice that determines That choice determines our A desire to our path. destiny and before God we are freely make our Blaming others or responsible. choices is not circumstance maybe inborn the only inborn in Adam’s race but it is still a Joshua desire; we choice that sets our feet on the are also born wrong path. Joshua stood before Israel in with the tendency to blame the latter days of his life and others for the consequence Responsibility said, “Choose for yourself this day whom you will serve...as for and that is as old as Eden. Blame is another way of me and my house we will serve “The woman you gave me,” saying, “I am not responsible.” the Lord” (see Joshua 24:15). Adam responded when God The moment we say that, we Israel was chosen by God to be confronted him with his remove the possibility of a His special instrument, to reveal sinful choice. It was “God’s course correction. The only way His ways to the world. But Israel fault” for giving him Eve to change course is to choose to still had the choice to serve Him or it was “Eve’s fault” for accept responsibility. Adam and or not. They often made the tempting him. Eve quickly Eve did not “get off the hook,” wrong choice and suffered the pointed to the serpent, “The nor do we; eventually sin finds consequence. devil made me do it.” us out (see Numbers 32:23). Bad I find it interesting that Modern responses to our choices follow us. Joshua not only made his choice consequences follow the David sinned grievously in but he led his family in their Adamic pattern. “God made the relationship with Bathsheba. choice. Our choices affect others. me this way,” “It was my When he was confronted by Israel served the Lord all the parents,” “My friends turned Nathan the prophet, he took days of Joshua, and the elders on me,” “My boss in unfair,” responsibility (see Second who outlived Joshua (see Joshua and more. All of the above Samuel 12). The tax collector 24:31). But the successive may have elements of truth, took responsibility for his sin generation made a different but our response was our (see Luke 18:9-14). Isaiah took choice and did what they choice. responsibility for his sin (see

SEIZE THE DAY / 5 thought right in their own Joshua was not passive; he but because I was scared of eyes (see Judges 21:25). What was courageously standing wrong choices. Then God in was right in their own eyes for God’s choice (see Joshua His grace led me to a young brought defeat. 1). When the courage to take woman who was goodness We are blessed in our a stand is lost, the privilege personified. We had 50 years nation to choose our leaders. to choose is lost. The human of love together. She provided What our leaders do and desire for freedom is greatly so much that I needed. their choices affect all of us depressed or snuffed out. These three choices were in a profound way. Leaders all made by the time I was reflect our choices and will Personal 21 years old and never in my I wish that I had always own wisdom (see Ecclesiastes made the right choice of 12:1). My only wise choice attitude and direction but was to trust the Lord. I highly unfortunately, I have not. That recommend that choice, is my own fault. But there especially to young people. are three choices that have I should also say this: my profoundly affected my life. parents spent a lot of time on In my teens I was faced their knees! with the choice of trusting Jesus as my Savior or going my The Redeemer own way. I had already “joined I am eternally grateful that the church” but simply did so Jesus is able to redeem our bad because it seemed right. After choices. That is not a license all, I was the pastor’s son and to choose wrongly, but it is our The choices we grew up in church. But finally, hope when we have done so. I I was confronted with my rejoice that the Lord is able to make now will hypocrisy, sin, and need to be make all things work together affect others delivered from myself. I am for good to those who love Him eternally grateful that I chose and are called according to His and possibly to follow Jesus that day. I made purpose (see Romans 8:28). He generations. many wrong choices after is able to even turn our failure that, but I had made a lifelong, in a test into a testimony of eternal commitment. The Lord redemption. He is also able to either give us more choices has held me to it. use negative situations for His or less choices. God is the A few years later, I had to purpose if we choose the right author of freedom, but the make another choice: what attitude. As Frankl said, that enemy of our souls will would I do with my life? That may be our last freedom in a narrow choices to the point was a very serious decision given circumstance. where our ability to choose is again because of the lifelong One of the best examples lessened. Then we must once impact that it would have. of God using negative again choose our attitude After two years, I chose to circumstance to produce and the price of liberty. That give in to what I believed was positive results is Joseph, son price has often been blood. God’s will. I became a minister of Jacob. He was mistreated Passivity may seem in spite of all of my personal by his jealous brothers, sold like one is not willing to preferences and problems. into slavery, falsely accused, choose but passivity is a A third choice was whom imprisoned, and forgotten. choice. It is the choice to I would marry. I gave up But his character and gift of allow deterioration. It is on dating for two years, interpreting dreams eventually to be complicit with evil. not because I was virtuous, brought him to be prime

6 / One-TO-ONe® SPRING 2014 minister of Egypt. In that remains for us to choose His capacity, he saved both choice. The consequences of Egypt and his brothers from that choice, good or bad, are starvation. When he finally eternal. confronted his brothers, he said, “You meant evil against Looking Ahead me; but God meant it for In the days ahead, we will good” (see Genesis 50:20). face many choices, and our God used it all for Joseph’s choices will matter to us and good, Egypt’s good, and others. The Good News is Charles his brothers’ good. That is that God has a choice, and redemption! if we choose His choice, the Simpson Nothing comes close to past can be redeemed. We Ministry Itinerary saying redemption as does can chose His Kingdom over the Cross of Jesus. He was ours, His way over ours, His April 4-6 thoughts and attitudes over Montreat, NC ours and His destiny for us Jim Jackson / 828.669.8411 Jesus made a over our own plans. choice: “Not my Before we make our April 11-13 choices, here are some things Houston, TX will by Thine be to consider: Dennis Jamison / 281.463.6600 done.” • Have I trusted Him, His April 25-27 Word and His guidance? Mt. Juliet, TN Larry Grainger / 615.754.7035 • Have I sought His attitude toward my situation? May 14-16 • Do I believe that His plan Gatlinburg,TN is superior to my own? Betty Duke / 251.633.7900 • Have I considered the consequences of my choice? May 16-18 • Am I willing to take Griffin, GA responsibility for my past Buren Goss / 770.228.0096 errors or will I give in to the temptation to blame? June 6-8 West Monroe, LA No one can answer these Robert Lindsay / 318.614.0092 questions for us but if we sinless, yet died as a sinner. answer them correctly, then June 12-22 Elmira, NY He was falsely accused, we can see many blessings in John McConnell / 607.732.6580 rejected, and tortured. Yet days ahead! It is a matter of His death brought us life. In choice, and choices matter. June 27-29 the Garden of Gethsemane, New Braunfels, TX He made a choice: “Not my Terry Knighten / 830.625.7222 will, but Thine be done.” Of course, that choice was the For more information, visit Father’s choice made before www.csmpublishing.org time (see Revelation 13:8). I CHARLES SIMPSON is Editor-in-Chief or call 251.633-7900 believe that the Father has a of One-to-One Magazine. He ministers extensively throughout the United States choice for each of us, but it and among the nations.

SEIZE THE DAY / 7 8 contemporary magazine month 20XX

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Alabama Georgia Maryland NEW COVENANT CHRISTIAN COVENANT CHURCH OF MOBILE COVENANT LIFE CHURCH NEW HERITAGE CHURCH CHURCH OF WEBBERVILLE 7150 Hitt Rd. 1945 Lawrenceville-Suwanne Road 9005 Chevrolet Dr., Ste. B 6250 Herrington Rd. Mobile, AL 36695 Lawrenceville, GA 30043 Ellicott City, MD 21042 Webberville, MI 48892 Dennis Braswell, Presiding Elder John Duke, Jr., Pastor Randy Reinhardt & 517-468-3530 Ph: (251) 639-9020 Ph: (678) 442-1006 Fred Lessans, Pastors Jeff Williams, Pastor covenantmobile.com covenantlifeonline.org Ph: (410) 313-9660 Ph: (517) 468-3443 E: [email protected] E: [email protected] California CHRISTIAN COVENANT CHURCH new-heritage.org SADDLEBACK COVENANT 1105 W 2nd Ave. AGAPE’ CHRISTIAN CHURCH CHURCH Albany, GA 31707-3803 Massachusetts 609 Cherokee St. 23401 Madero, Ste. A Ph: (229) 883-4334 COVENANT CHURCH Kalamazoo, MI 49006 Mission Viejo, CA 92691 E:[email protected] 9 Westminster Ave., Ron Vestrand, Pastor Kevin Davenport, Pastor christiancovenantchurch.org Arlington, MA 02474 Ph: (269) 385-5772 Ph: (949) 770-0291 Brian Emmet, Pastor agapecc.com E: [email protected] ISLANDS COMMUNITY CHURCH Ph: (781) 646-9027 saddlebackcovenant.com 111 Walthour Rd. E: [email protected] COVENANT FELLOWSHIP Savannah, GA 31410 covmin.org P.O. Box 484 FOOTHILLS CHRISTIAN CHURCH Douglas Patterson, Pastor Williamston, MI 48895 350 Cypress Ln. Ste. B Ph: (912) 663-3673 Michigan Bill Michell, Pastor El Cajon, CA 92020 E: [email protected] ASSYRIAN MINISTRY Ph: (517) 618-6977 Mark Hoffman & David Hoffman, 200 S. Hooker Ave. E: [email protected] Co-Pastors; Ph: (619) 442-7728 Illinois Three Rivers, MI 49093 foothillschurch.org FOUNTAIN OF LIFE CHURCH John Booko, Director Mississippi 2 S 361 Glen Park Rd., Ph: (269) 279-2672 COVENANT FAMILY CHURCH Connecticut Lombard, IL 60148 E: [email protected] P.O. Box 107 ABUNDANT LIFE COMMUNITY Ph: (630) 627-7202 assyria.freeservers.com McComb, MS 39648 CHURCH John Cross, Pastor Michael T. McCarty, Pastor P.O. Box 108, 980 Main St. E: [email protected] CENTRAL MICHIGAN CHRISTIAN Ph: (601) 249-4854 Willimantic, CT 06226 www.folc.net CHURCH E: [email protected] Kevin White, Pastor 3433 South Lincoln Rd. Ph: (860) 456-2522 Iowa Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858 GRACE TEMPLE E: [email protected] RIVER OF LIFE CHURCH Daniel Siedlecki, Pastor 1131 Richburg Rd. geocities.com/alccwilli 4855 Forest Grove Dr. Ph: (989) 773-1800 Hattiesburg, MS 39402 P.O. Box 347 E: [email protected] (601) 264-0593 STANLEY MEMORIAL Bettendorf, IA 52722 gocmcc.com Dwayne Higgason, Pastor FOUNTAIN OF LIFE Ph: (563) 332-9154 gracetemple.com COMMUNITY CHURCH Jim Tully, Pastor NEW COVENANT CHRISTIAN 639 East St. CHURCH NEW COVENANT CHURCH New Britain, CT 06051 Kentucky 4415 W. St. Joseph Hwy 200 W. Garrard Rd. Ronald F. Brackett, Pastor NEW LIFE CHURCH Lansing, MI, 48917 Starkville, MS 39759 Ph: (860) 229-2083 3402 Goose Creek Rd. Fred McGlone, Pastor Bill Murphy, Pastor Louisville, KY, 40241 E: [email protected] Ph: (662) 323-4555 TREE OF LIFE CHRISTIAN Tim Parish, Pastor Ph: (517) 323-8180 E: [email protected] FELLOWSHIP Ph: (502) 426-3132 ncccweb.org newcovenantchurch.net 122 Colman St. E: [email protected] New London, CT 06320 LIBERTY CHRISTIAN CHURCH Missouri Samuel Spatafore, Pastor WINCHESTER COVENANT 2215 E. Michigan Ave. CHRIST THE KING CHURCH Ph: (860) 447-3757 CHURCH Lansing, MI, 48912 9018 Big Bend Blvd. tolcf.org 19 Wainscott Avenue Malcolm Magee, Pastor Webster Groves, MO 63119 Winchester, KY 40391 Ph: (517) 485-5483 Dr. Michael Peters, Pastor Florida Stephen Humble, Pastor E: [email protected] Ph: (314) 395-6326 GRACE CHAPEL CHRISTIAN Ph: (859) 771-7138 libertycc.net E: [email protected] FELLOWSHIP E: [email protected] ctkchurch.net 2960 Plummer Cove Rd. winchestercovenant.org COVENANT LIFE CHURCH OF Jacksonville, FL, 32223 NORTHERN MICHIGAN Montana Graeme Coad, Pastor Louisiana 7700 W Blue Rd. MARANATHA CENTER Ph: (904) 288-8808 OBERLIN COVENANT CHURCH Lake City, MI 49651 HC 72, BOX 3125 E: [email protected] P.O. Drawer H Gary Bigger & Andrew Whipple, Glasgow, MT 59230 gracechapeljax.com Oberlin, LA 70655 Elders Herb Sand, Pastor William Currie, Pastor Ph: (231) 839-2244 Ph: (406) 725-3293 COVENANT COMMUNITY Ph: (318) 448-3103 E: [email protected] CHURCH El: [email protected] clifechurch.net New Jersey 1008 Gospel Rd. housechurchesofLA.org LONG BRANCH COVENANT Ft. Walton Beach, FL 32547 THE MASTER’S CHRISTIAN CHURCH Jim Grabo, Pastor COVENANT FAMILY CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES 355 Joline Ave. Ph: (850) 863-1323 CHURCH 971 Dutton Rd. Long Branch, NJ 07740 E: [email protected] 117 Lake Tyler Dr. Rochester Hills, MI, 48306 Tony Moss, Pastor ccfwb.com Pineville, LA 71360 Dr. Loren Siffring, Pastor Ph: (732) 870-2028 Steve Hebert, Elder Ph: (248) 651-6785 E: E: [email protected] Ph: (337) 367-5879 [email protected] longbranchcovenant.org

8 / One-TO-ONe® SPRING 2014 Find a Church New York Pennsylvania Virginia CSM’s Directory of Contributing Ministries FARMINGDALE CHRISTIAN CHURCH GOOD SHEPHERD CHURCH HARVEST CHRISTIAN 117/125 Main St. 110 Hays Rd. FELLOWSHIP Farmingdale, NY, 11735 Upper St. Clair PA 15241 600 Interstate Business Park John Quince, Pastor Rick Wiater, Pastor Fredricksburg, VA 22405 Ph: (516) 293-1838 Ph: (724) 941-9418 Mailing address: 5 Serene Ct. E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Stafford, VA 22556 farmingdalechristianchurch.org goodshepherdchurchofsouthhills.org Jim McNally, Pastor Ph: (540) 286-1560 North Carolina COVENANT CHURCH EAST E: [email protected] BEULAHLAND CHRISTIAN CHURCH 623 Highland Ave. harveststafford.com P.O. Box 3178 Greensburg, PA 15601 Shelby, NC 28151 Jim Newsom, Pastor HARVEST INTERNATIONAL Harry J. Gregory, Sr., Sr. Elder-Apostle Ph: (724) 838-7611 MINISTRIES Ph: (704) 481-0990 E: [email protected] 5 Serene Ct. covenanteast.org Stafford, VA 22556 COVENANT FELLOWSHIP Jim McNally, Pastor MINISTRIES OUTWARD FOCUSED Ph: (540) 286-1560 6062 Petra Mill Rd. 114 Carson St. El: [email protected] Granite Falls, NC 28630 Monroeville, PA 15146 becomingsons.com Randy Bowlin, Pastor Jim Newsom, Exec. Director Ph: (828) 396-7690 Ph: (412) 856-1809 INTERCESSORS FOR AMERICA E: [email protected] E: [email protected] Dave Kubal, President outwardfocused.org PO Box 915, Purcellville, VA 20134 “Charles Simpson, COVENANT CHURCH OF RALEIGH Tel: 540-317-2070 12621 Strickland Rd. Tennessee Fax: 540-751-0984 a man who knows Raleigh, NC 27613 ABUNDANT LIFE CHURCH ifapray.org Jim Sink, Sr., Pastor 1000 Woodridge Place Ph: (919) 846-8742 Mt. Juliet, TN 37122 YADA how to pray, teaches ccifamily.org Larry Grainger, Pastor c/o Bradley Stuart Ph: (615) 754-7035 6 Serene Ct. us practical ways to Ohio alcmtjuliet.com Stafford, VA 22556 NEW WINE COVENANT Ph: (540) 318-5752 deepen our prayer COMMUNITY Texas E: [email protected] 1491 Polaris Pkwy Ste 214 CHRIST COVENANT CHURCH yadainternational.com lives, giving us a closer Columbus, OH 43240-2037 17000 Longenbaugh Dr. Ph: (614) 554-9017 Houston, TX 77095 OAKBROOK CHURCH Mark Puttick, Pastor Dennis Jamison, Sr. Pastor 1700 Reston Pkwy. relationship with the E: [email protected] Ph: (281) 463-6600 Reston, VA, 20194 sowershome.com E: [email protected] Scott Johnson, Pastor Lord Jesus.” christcov.net Ph: (703) 437-4900 COVENANT CHRISTIAN CHURCH E: [email protected] —Ricky Skaggs, 123 South Broad Street, Suite 314 BOY WITH A BALL oakbrookchurch.org country/ bluegrass artist Lancaster, OH, 43130 P.O. Box 14387 Dennis Coll, Pastor San Antonio, TX 78214-4387 GROVE COMMUNITY CHURCH Ph: (740) 689-9815 Ph: (210) 858-1580 8910 E. Pocahontas Trail #E In a world where E: [email protected] boywithaball.com Willamsburg, VA 23185-3142 covenantchristianchurch.us Thomas McCormick, Pastor problems grow more IGLESIA VIDA DE PACTO Ph: (757) 887-1100 EMMANUEL CHRISTIAN ASSEMBLY 6125 W. Sam Houston Pkwy. N., #505 E: [email protected] and more complex and 925 W. Hopocan Ave. Houston, TX 77041 groveoutreach.org Barberton, OH 44203 Manuel Montez, Pastor desperate, the need John Akins & Joe Schoblocher, Pastors Ph: (281) 859-0191 Washington for prayer is rising. Yet Ph: (330) 825-9603 IMPACT CHURCH emmanuelchristianassembly.com FOUNDATION MINISTRIES 611 Fawcett, Tacoma WA 98492 critical needs will go P.O. Box 291130 Contact: Gregory Mira SALT AND LIGHT MINISTRIES Kerrville, TX 78029 Ph: (916) 474-4985 unmet until we have a 1213 Taplin Ave. Rene Brown, Director Akron, OH 44319 Ph: (817) 444-6475 proper understanding John Akins, President Ph: (330) 825-9603 EVERROAD FAMILY MINISTRIES of effective prayer and 5411 McPherson Rd. #84-102 how it works. Oklahoma Laredo, TX 78041 ABUNDANT LIFE TABERNACLE Terry Everroad, President P.O. Box 2661 Ph: (715) 635-7824 REGISTER$13.95 plus $3.50 S&H Ada, OK 74820 E: [email protected] Ph: (580) 332-0325 NOW George Carson, Pastor RENEW CHURCH To order, visit: 2270 FM 725 COVENANT LIFE CHURCH New Braunfels, TX 78130 www.csmpublishing.org 3106 N. Utah Terry Knighten, Pastor or call (888) 811-2CSM Oklahoma City, OK 73112 Ph: 830.625.7222 Dwight Cunkle, Pastor renewchurch.tv Ph: (405) 943-5939 E: [email protected] covenantlifechurch.com

SEIZE THE DAY / 9 Familygram Interview

The legendary singer and producer talks about the amazing story behind his powerfully moving song “This Time”, and some of his experiences with the world’s leading musicians

BY STEPHEN SIMPSON

ecently, my wife, Susanne, and I had the chance THE SUN in 2013. An exceptional mix of melodic hard to sit down and talk with John Elefante, one of rock and adventurous progressive rock, the album Rthe best-known voices in music over the past 30 also features a stunning ballad that has captured the years. John has been a songwriter, singer, musician, attention of hundreds of thousands of people. That producer, label head, studio owner, and mentor, and song is entitled “This Time”, and it tells the story is loved and respected by friends and fans worldwide. of a young girl who discovers she is pregnant, and Many first came to know of John when he was decides to have an abortion. But, as she “sat cold in tapped to be the lead vocalist for the mega-patinum a waiting room, frightened and all alone,” something band Kansas in 1982 for their album, extraordinary happened: the Lord Vinyl Confessions. In the mid-1980s, began to speak. John became a much sought-after “This Time” is not a political or producer for artists such as Petra, ”preachy” song. It’s actually based on Barren Cross, Halo, Guardian, and the beautiful true story of how John’s the Sweet Comfort Band. He has daughter, Sami, was spared from being recorded with an incredibly wide aborted, by the grace of God. Through range of artists, from Vestal Goodman a series of Divine appointments, God to Bono, and is the winner of Grammy brought Sami to John and his wife, and Dove Awards. Michelle, who adopted her as an infant. John was offered the lead vocalist Sami is now 20, and is an amazing role for the Grammy-winning band young woman in her own right. Toto, but instead, he continued producing prolifically Sami’s story, through “This Time”, has reached and also leading the excellent and successful band around the world. In September of 2013, John Mastedon with his brother Dino. They formed created a special music video which quickly went viral Pakaderm Records, which was the label home for via YouTube, John’s own website johnelefante.com, many leading Christian musicians, before John and appearances on the Fox News show “Huckabee”, his family moved to the Nashville area. John and and other programs. Jay Sekulow, founder of the Dino built the Sound Kitchen, which became the American Center for Law and Justice, has frequently largest studio in the area where leading artists such highlighted the song and John’s music. as Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, We met with John at his Nashville-area home to Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, and Alan Jackson recorded. discuss “This Time” and some of the other highlights In addition to three brilliant albums so far with of his career so far. Here are some excerpts from our Mastedon, John has recorded four highly acclaimed conversation. solo albums, the most recent being ON MY WAY TO —Stephen Simpson, Editor

10 / One-TO-ONe® SPRING 2014 SS: Was “This Time” a song that you to pull from the narrative. You know, I sought some counsel from the have been wanting to write for a I didn’t want to pull from the main woman from an organization called long time? story, because it really is a victorious House of Ruth, which is connected song...her birth mother chose life! But with Calvary Chapel in Downey, CA. JE: It’s a story that I’ve enjoyed telling I had to cover that topic, because that This woman is unbelievable, I mean, for a long time, but I had never was a part of it, and she almost….she she is so anointed in this field and thought about writing a song about almost didn’t make it. otherwise. She talked about how it. What had happened is that I was Sami is chosen and special; that she about 60% finished working through SS: You made this song personal was chosen to be with our family and the album itself. And I started writing rather than political? that it was no coincidence. Well, Sami these two chords that were just kind really got it when we first talked with of running through my mind. So I went JE: Oh absolutely. The political part her at 11. She understood it at such downstairs and started embellishing was the last thing on my mind. I’ve a young age. And, she is certainly fine that a little bit and started writing been pro-life for a long, long time, with the song and video now. the music and started coming up as long as I can remember; but no, with some ideas for the chorus, and this song is not political at all. When SS: I was really impressed at the end I thought, man, this would be a great of the video to see her with you. Did song for a story. Usually at that point, she take a pretty active role in the I will just shut my eyes, and I will go video in the creation of the video? to the Lord and ask, “Please give me something.” JE: No. She was too busy.... (Laughs) And, it just really hit me all of a ... Oh she wanted to be there! She sudden this might be the time to tell said, “Dad we should go up there the story about my daughter. I started while they do the video.” I said, coming up with it like line by line. I “Sam, you don’t understand the way remember coming with the first two the video is done. I mean they could lines, “She sat cold in a waiting room shoot the last scene first. You know frightened and all alone.” So I grabbed it’s standing around, hurrying up, and the microphone and I sang those two waiting. But when you see it done, lines and then it started unraveling. Mike Huckabee and the Elefante family: it’s going to make sense to you.” The memory started coming back John, JJ, Sami, Michelle, and Daniel how the birth mother told me the SS: I’m guessing, based on what you story of when she was in the clinic, I talked to Mike Huckabee about that said, you didn’t start off thinking that and she came real close to aborting on the radio, I told him “This was not this was going to be the big hit song Sami, and decided not to. She called written as a political song, this was on the album, or the main lead video… her mom from the clinic and told her not written as an anti-abortion song, that she was pregnant. Her mom did it was not written as a pro-life song.“ JE: You know I started suspecting it, not know! The girl had been wearing Even though it is. But that wasn’t my Stephen, when people heard the record baggy clothes. mindset when I wrote it. I just wanted and I started getting comments that Of course, everything in the video to tell our story. people loved the album and everybody itself is not exactly how it happened. I was referencing that specific song. I“ don’t know exactly how it happened; SS: Somewhere along the line, you love the record and that song about because I wasn’t there. But I do know are realizing the significance of the your daughter is awesome.” that she was that close to aborting, song and it is really personal–at what and I do know that she called her time did you sit down with Sami and SS: I think the thing that grabbed mom. I do imagine what it would say, “Hey I’ve got this song…” me was the line, “the Lord began to have been like that day. And the lines speak.” That is so strong. Plus the fact just started and “the Lord began to JE: I played it for her. “I got this idea that this is a deeply personal song speak” and “you’re not taking this to write this song about your story”. and story…ultimately people can’t one”. I mean the lyric literally came She listened to it and she cried. She argue with your actual experience. together in an hour. was very touched by it, you know. When I got to the second verse She has never been ashamed to JE: You know what is interesting, and I had to start coming up with lines talk about it. She’s known she was we made a conscious decision to about the abortion part of it, that was adopted since eleven. I remember have someone on the video shoot a little harder. I didn’t want to go too before we had told her about her that had experience with abortion. deep into that because I didn’t want adoption and the circumstances, This woman counseled women who

SEIZE THE DAY / 11 had undergone abortions and she One reason I know that, is through adoption, and a lady overheard me, counseled women contemplating Sami. She just graduated from and walked up to me and said, “My abortion. She’s well-schooled in the Cosmetology school. And there are name is Karen Johnson, and I am issue, she’s been to abortion clinics, all walks a life in that field and she from a ministry called House of Ruth. and she’s had two herself. We wanted would sit them down with her laptop I hope you don’t mind but I overheard her there just as “checks-and- and say, “Check out the video. It’s you talking about adoption.” balance”. She thought we could have about how I came into the world.” She I told her about an adoption gone even further with the abortion didn’t ask them what they thought situation we were considering, but theme. She said, “first of all make this politically. She didn’t say “If you are there was something that didn’t place more filthy,” because that is the pro-choice you are not going to like feel right in our spirit about it. And reality in most abortion clinics. But it.” She said, “Sit down and just watch I started telling Karen this story, and she was a big help in keeping it real. it. It’s my story. I don’t care if you Karen looked me right in my eye like it or not, you’re going to watch and said, “Stay clear—get out of SS: It was interesting to me that it.” I mean everybody she showed it that situation.” She’s done so many such a gritty subject could end up to cried. And she never asked where adoptions, and she said, “Something being such a beautiful video in so they stood. You know, there are a lot doesn’t sound right.” That situation many ways. In your writing over the of youth that haven’t thought too later ended up being a terrible custody years, you haven’t shied away from deep about this subject. I think they battle between the birth mother and dealing with really hardcore issues, are starting to. You know amongst biological father. We never would such as suicide, abandonment, the youth now, the majority are pro- have been able to adopt that baby, so death, depression and all these life. That’s a big turning point. thank God for Karen’s advice. Anyway, after I told Karen our SS: Another aspect of what you do story, she said, “Would you still like that I really appreciate is that you to adopt? How would you like a baby are very family-oriented. Can you in five weeks? I know about a little tell me a little bit about your song girl.” It’s like I felt the hair on the back “Pass the Flame” from the DEFYING of neck standing up at that point! I GRAVITY album? called my wife over, and Karen was speaking to both of us and said, “Why JE: When I wrote that, I was thinking don’t you guys pray about it and let about the big responsibility that we me know if you decide you want to as parents have to pass the message do it.” Karen put together a packet of of Christ on to our children, because information about us with a resume they will with their families. That is a and pictures, and all about our lives cool song! But, sadly, I can’t find the and values. We prayed and agreed, original video. That’s why the quality and Karen set up a meeting with us of the YouTube video is not good. But and the birth mother and biological the original video is quite moving. It’s father, and they chose us right away a special song that came after we for Sami. different things. But you do it from adopted our first two children, Sami, a personal, human, and ultimately and my son, Daniel, and our family is SS: I was amazed about something I biblical perspective as a storyteller. in the video. read about the birth father and your meeting with him. He said that he JE: I’ve never really gotten political SS: How did you come to adopt liked your shoes. with my lyrics…that is, I didn’t set out Sami and Daniel? to do anything political. You know, JE: I met the birth father, and I had I don’t feel like I have to. I don’t feel JE: My wife, Michelle, and I really a pair of Doc Martens on, and later, that politics is the ultimate answer. wanted to get pregnant and we had when he was asked by Karen, “why already been married for about five did you choose them?”, he said, SS: That gives you an open door to years. Doctors told us no way, no “Well I liked their shoes.” God used have fellowship with people who have how, no chance, forget about it. So a pair of shoes! Then, we were really different views politically. I would we thought–let’s adopt. We did go blessed to be able to adopt our son, imagine a lot of people that you in front of the congregation and Daniel, through that same ministry deal with have completely opposite about 300 people laid hands on us just a couple of years later. Now, political views from you. How have and prayed. So, about a year later, I to go back to that time when the they responded to this song? was backstage after I did a Harvest congregation laid hands on my wife Crusade with Pastor Greg Laurie. I to get pregnant ... a few years after JE: Mostly positive, believe it or not. was talking to somebody else about we adopted our first two children, my

12 / One-TO-ONe® SPRING 2014 wife got pregnant and now we have often with your brother, who is a SS: That’s a bit like one of your an eleven-year-old son named JJ. brilliant musician and producer in newer songs, “Where Have All the his own right. Old Days Gone” where the message SS: I note these recurring threads isn’t really about looking back, but over and over again of how close JE: When we moved to Nashville, our it’s about seizing the day. your family stays together. I was parents were right behind us. They listening to you talk about the Sound had their stuff in the same truck. I JE: That’s right. It’s a major recurring Kitchen studio that you and your don’t think I ever lived more than a theme on the whole ON MY WAY brother Dino owned, and the most couple miles from my folks. TO THE SUN album. I used to just interesting thing to me about all that drive down Pacific Coast Highway wasn’t all of the various superstars SS: Let me ask you about a couple (Highway 1 in California) all the time that recorded there but it was the of your songs, because you are such because Dino and I used to surf all the fact that you had this big actual a strong storyteller. “One Day Down time. I remember this one spot that working kitchen in the middle of the By the Lake” from the Mastedon was really pretty as you were coming studio, where your parents, Danny album REVOLUTION OF MIND into Huntington Beach. So, as I was and Nora, cooked these amazing (2009) ... is that your story? writing the title song, I just pictured meals for everybody. What made some dude...you know … he’s got it you decide to set it up that way? JE: It’s reflective of me. Yes, some of all together, man. He’s driving along, it is autobiographical. The meaning thinks, ”I’m cool”, but deep down JE: Oh yeah...family first! You know, behind that song really is that we are inside, he’s hurting and bleeding, and it’s growing up in studios my whole to be content where we are. A lot of he knows it. He’s trying to play this life; studios are music and food! So whole “everything is okay” deal. when we built the Sound Kitchen But the guy is saying to himself, here, we wanted to have a dining “If it’s all right but everything’s wrong, room and a full-blown kitchen right then why can’t I seem to find my way in the center of it. I wanted a spot home? The fields have all dried up where my folks could come in and so desperate for rain, no wonder why be close, and they could fix meals for the harvest never came. A knock on various stars and staff, and,I mean... my door this time I’m answering. I’ve it was…I can’t tell you how big of a waited too long to put a crown on hit that was. I remember my dad my King.” walking into the control room where Now this guy driving his car has Julio Iglesias, this big international some kind of spirituality in his life. singing star, was recording. Here But he’s never crowned Jesus as King is my Italian father, who was not a of his life. There’s a big difference. respecter of persons whatsoever... There’s a lot of people that have he definitely wasnot a dis-respecter never crowned Jesus as King. Until of persons…but he doesn’t care who you do that, and truly make Him Lord you are. He walked into the control of your life you’re short-changing room ... he had a towel on his arm, people, they get older and they keep Him and yourself. and he he kind of talked in that little bit reminiscing about old times, you I don’t really have a theological of Italian thing...and he said to Julio, know, “I remember back in the good background. I mean I am in the “Hey chief, the food is getting cold in old days.” I don’t think God wants us Word but I haven’t studied the way a here! Man, can you take a break and to live in the past. He wants us to be pastor has. Still, I never like to leave eat?” And Julio says, “Ahh I am sorry content where we’re at in our life, no the listener walking around with a Mr. Elefante, we’ll be there in like five matter what our age is, and accept question, “What did he mean by that?” minutes I promise.” Sure enough he the gifts that He’s given to us. There’s I guess that’s what I like singing about comes walking in with his entourage. that one line, “You are at peace with my personal experiences, because Now, my mom was always a big who you are, and here you’ll stay, that is what I know best. fan of Julio Iglesias You know, he’s it’s something that this world can’t hugging her and telling her, “Look I’ve take away.... Remember that one day SS: You’ve written so many songs had Italian food all over the world and down by the lake, where the Spirit that have had a great impact. I heard this is in the top five.” I grew up in a made you sure of who you are.” My that you wrote “This is What Love Is” family that is very hospitable. daughter was a basketball star in high from 1995‘s WINDOWS OF HEAVEN school and she had a tournament in as a response to the number one hit SS: It seems like you’ve made a Memphis, so I wrote half the song on song “I Want to Know What Love Is” priority of keeping your family the way up to the tournament, and by the band Foreigner. What is the nearby. And, of course you work the other half on the way back. story behind that?

SEIZE THE DAY / 13 JE: Well, it’s about 50/50 in terms Both songs are somewhat “Kansas- friends be praying for you, your of responding to that song and also esque” kind of songs. And I think family and your ministry? just expressing my own experience. having them play on the songs really Some of it was an answer to “I Want validated those songs and made them JE: I really appreciate that. Just pray to Know What Love Is”, because every stronger. that God would continue to use me time I would hear that song, I felt a and that He will continue to give me little empty almost. Lou Gramm, the SS: I read in Kerry Livgren’s book, lyrics and melodies that have the vocalist for Foreigner and the writer SEEDS OF CHANGE, that when they ability to get into somebody’s soul. of the song, is crying out, “I want to auditioned you for Kansas, they didn’t When I get a note or message, that’s know what love is, I want you to show know you were a Christian, and they primarily what they say, is how much me.” I am thinking, “I know what love just liked your voice; they thought something touched them. is,” and talking about the life of Jesus. you would be the right guy for the So, the lyrics just came out of that. band and even picked you over SS: I loved seeing you and your family eventual Van Halen vocalist Sammy on the Huckabee TV show recently, SS: Later, Lou Gramm became a Hagar. And then after you got the where you sang “Carry On Wayward Christian. What kind of feedback did job, then you told Kerry, “Hey, I am a Son” and discussed the video for you get from him about your song? believer too!” “This Time”.

JE: He loved it. Later, I got to sing JE: Yes, that’s true...when I told Kerry JE: Well, I think we got the point that song onstage right before Lou that, he went totally silent. I actually across. I had close to 600 messages Gramm sang “Now I Know What Love thought for a second that he had hung and emails immediately afterward. A Is”. And then, of course, Lou and I up on me. And I said, “Kerry? Kerry?” lot of people went to my website at recorded “We Need Jesus” with Petra. Finally, he said, “Yeah..I’m just…I’m just johnelefante.com right there on my That song became the theme song bowled over by what you just told me, homepage and watched the video, for Harvest Crusade for about eight because me and David Hope (Kansas’ and you know, we shot up 22,000 years, and I got to sing it with Dino. founding bassist) had been praying views in just three days. We’ve had “When will the world see that we need like crazy that the Lord would bring us more than 430,000 hits on the Jesus?” That question means more a believer.” It just so happened that YouTube video alone. Recently, I was now than ever, doesn’t it? the guy they chose was a believer! interviewed by author Ken Mansfield, who was the first U.S. Manager for SS: Let me ask couple of quick SS: Any new projects ahead? the Beatles’ Apple Records. When questions about the Kansas band. I showed him the video for “This You had violinist David Ragsdale JE: I am doing some writing, and Time”, he went weak in the knees. and guitarist Richard Williams play I just finished producing another He’s working on a new book, and on your new album. And, you had artist, as well as another band out one of the chapters features my life guitarist Kerry Livgren play on the of Omaha called DeadNote. So, you and music. Ken is a great writer and a last Mastedon album. Do you have a know, doing some producing, but I’m strong believer in Jesus. good relationship with those guys? always doing something in my studio, coming up with ideas for songs and SS: I really want to just thank you so JE: Yes, I do, and totally respect stuff.I want to do another record much for your music and testimony them. I also have stayed in touch with but I am not sure stylistically where I through the years. drummer Phil Ehart. All the guys in want to go yet. John Schlitt of Petra Kansas are great guys and amazing and I will be doing a “Voices of Rock” JE: You’re welcome. I wish we could musicians. Steve Walsh is one of my Tour, and we stay in close contact. have gotten together sooner! heroes vocally. But let me say this about (For information: Sue Dempster, the two songs you’re mentioning: Nova Productions, (920) 980-7671, To read an expanded version of this “One Day Down By the Lake” from the [email protected].) Also, I interview and a review of John’s Mastedon album and “This is How the toured recently with a band called album, ON MY WAY TO THE SUN, Story Goes” from ON MY WAY TO THE World Classic Rockers, with guys visit: csmpublishing.org SUN...I don’t think either one of those like Aynsley Dunbar (Drummer for songs would have made it on those Journey, Santana, and Whitesnake), For more information about how albums if Kerry, Rich, and Rags had not Fran Cosmo from Boston, and guys you can save babies from abortion visit: onlineforlife.org been playing on them. from Steppenwolf...it’s kind of an all- star band. Plus, I stay in touch with SS: Really? I’m really curious...why not? a lot of my other friends, like David Pack of Ambrosia. JE: Because I think that their presence really validated the style of the song. SS: How can our readership and

14 / One-TO-ONe® SPRING 2014 Marketplace Exchange 5 might be at him. The night before Running into God Jacob would meet Esau, God in the Real world lessons from form of a man, came to Jacob and the two wrestled through the night enough to eliminate the other Jacob’s journey gods. Work opportunities are by Jonathan Simpson until daybreak. In his desperation, Jacob clung to the Lord and said “I part of God’s blessings toward us; however, foreign gods Jacob was a dealmaker who will not let you go unless you bless often plague business and work faced the rewards and consequences me.” Jacob emerged at daybreak environments. The gods Jacobs of his transactions, as we all must. limping, but he had received God’s buried were small visible statues. Gritty and humorous at times, blessing and a new name, Israel, In our work, foreign gods can be Jacob’s story doesn’t fit neatly in a “because he struggled with God and more subtle but just as destructive, Sunday sermon. His decisions led man and overcame.” such as material and status him to places of distress, yet God Isaiah 55:6 says, “Seek the Lord trappings that hold too high a blessed him and never left him. As while He may be found.” Jacob’s priority in our lives. we advance our mission through birthright and blessing from God work, we too can find ourselves in at dawn were gifts, but they were places of distress. The wrong hire, sought out. Jacob was hungry for Our Journey Ahead selfish decisions, market downturns, God and recognized that there is a Jacob was ninety-seven years poor leadership, defective products, great gulf between walking in our old when he wrestled God and bad strategies, and many more own strength and walking in God’s. faced Esau, but God gave Jacob struggles can await us all each It was a chief distinction between fifty more years of life that were workday. Jacob’s account should be Jacob and Esau. Even in the midst just as adventurous. Jacob was an encouragement to all contending of his fears and reliance on his the father of Joseph, arguably the in the marketplace that God reveals own manipulative tactics at times, best businessman in the Bible. Like Himself through real people with real Jacob’s faith and tenacious pursuit Jacob, our actions and decisions flaws and leads them to overcome. were blessed by God. through our work can bring us through places we never intended; yet, they can be places of fertile On the Run Facing Esau ground for God’s blessing and In obedience to the Lord, Jacob After hoodwinking his father and redemption. humbly limped out in God’s blessing taking his brother’s birthright, Jacob God’s covenantal character to meet Esau, who received him fled from his homeland in fear of means that He doesn’t flee from us gladly. Re-encounters with our past his brother. His discriminating taste in the midst of poor choices. Even business can be narrow places of in women found him marrying two in the darkness, He is there that we God’s leading. God cares enough sisters and saddled with a conniving may cling to him and that He may for us to lead us into the narrow father-in-law/business partner named give us a new dawn. Laban. Jacob and Laban would go places because they lead us to Him. on to struggle for twenty years in a As we walk through them, our story JONATHAN SIMPSON contentious relationship. Then the of what we were redeemed from is is a frequent contributing writer to Lord said to Jacob, “Go back to the revealed and we can better know CSM’s Marketplace Exchange land of your fathers and to your the measure of His love. It’s not to bog us down; it’s to free us in our relatives, and I will be with you.” For more information on our advance. Knowing that Laban did not want him supporting businesses visit Bethel was Jacob’s destination to leave, he artfully gathered assets csmpublishing.org and fled from Laban in fear…until after Esau. Bethel was undoubtedly Laban caught up with him. In facing a holy place to Jacob. It had been each other, both schemers had to where God had revealed himself to face their past. Jacob and it was a land of promise After making a peace with Laban, to him. Before arriving at Bethel, God’s passageway for Jacob was Jacob made a decision. He took all leading him to face his brother. of the foreign gods in his household Genesis 32 gives us the scene: and buried them. Jacob, desperately praying for God Jacob was bold enough to to save him from Esau’s hand, as he wrestle with God, but feared Him considered how angry his brother

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