Ray Pritchard pastored in Los Angeles, Dallas and Chicago. Married to Marlene for 38 years, he enjoys being a husband, a father and a grandfather, riding his bike, and playing with Dudley and Gary, beloved basset hounds.
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May 2008 blog entries
Tornado in Tupelo
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Saturday, May 10, 2008
Upon arrival from Austria, we were awakened by a tornado that rampaged through our neighborhood and Tupelo.
Audio for First Session from the Czech Republic
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Thursday, May 1, 2008
We have just posted the audio from this morning’s first session at the Josiah Venture conference in the Czech Republic. I spoke on “A New Name for a Very Old War” as part of the overall theme—"Fit For Battle.” The JV audio team graciously made the audio file available for our use on the Keep Believing website. As you ...
Audio for Second Session from the Czech Republic
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Friday, May 2, 2008
We have just added the audio from this morning’s session on “Forward-Leaning Defense” from the Josiah Venture Spring Conference in Ostrava, Czech Republic. Click on the Audio button to hear this session.
Audio from Saturday morning session in the Czech Republic
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Saturday, May 3, 2008
This morning I spoke to the Josiah Venture conference on Spiritual Warfare in the Days. You can hear this session by going to the Audio section and downloading the file or listening to it on the mp3 players. It was one of those moments when I was aware that the Holy Spirit was at work during my talk. That doesn’t happ ...
“He is not saved yet”
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Saturday, May 3, 2008
When we asked one of the Josiah Venture missionaries if she comes from a Christian family, she replied no, but her mother has accepted Christ. Then speaking of her brother, she said, “He is not saved yet."Not, “He is not saved."But, “He is not saved yet."Thus does faith work through hope. That little word “yet” makes all th ...
Final Session from Czech Republic Now Online
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Monday, May 5, 2008
Monday Afternoon 1:57 PMIn the basement atMiss Sophie’s inPrague, Czech RepublicI am writing this note from Miss Sophie’s, a combination hostel/hotel in the heart of Prague. After we finished the Josiah Venture conference yesterday, Marlene and I rode the train (about 3 1/2 hours) from Ostrava to Prague. We got ...
Josiah Venture—Spring Conference Picture
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Monday, May 5, 2008
Just before the conference ended yesterday, we headed outside for a group picture in the rock amphitheater. If you look hard, you can see Marlene and me on the very back row just left of center. JV missionaries serve from Estonia in the north (almost to Finland) to Serbia in the south (almost to Greece). Not many Christians ...
The Chicago-Prague-Tupelo Connection
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Tuesday, May 6, 2008
This picture was taken this afternoon in the Old Town Square in Prague. From left to right, that’s Josef, Simon, Marlene, Ray, Nika. The story behind the picture goes like this. Josef Marha is a professional hockey player from the Czech Republic. In 1998-2000 he played for the Chicago Blackhawks. During that time he ...
Almost Home
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Wednesday, May 7, 2008
I’m writing this note from the Memphis airport. After traveling over 4500 miles today, we are now only 85 miles from home. We started 19 hours ago in Prague. It occurred to me as we checked in that they probably don’t get many travelers checking their bags from Prague to Tupelo. We flew from Prague to Amsterdam ...
William Blackstone and the 60th Birthday of Israel
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Friday, May 9, 2008
Yesterday marked the 60th anniversary of the founding of the modern nation of Israel, an event that seemed unlikely and even impossible a century ago. Yet well before 1948, and long before the two great world wars that dominated the 20th-century, and long before the current geopolitical crises in the Middle East, there was ...
Forgiveness Messages to Air on Back to the Bible
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Friday, May 9, 2008
Last week we received word that Back to the Bible will be airing five messages I taped on “The Healing Power of Forgiveness.” The broadcasts will air May 19-23. I am excited about this because Back to the Bible is one of the oldest and best-known Bible-teaching programs. I first met Wood Kroll, the regular Bible teacher for ...
A Strange Week in Tupelo
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Saturday, May 10, 2008
It’s been a strange week here in Tupelo. On Thursday a tornado blew through the area, damaging homes and buildings and downing tree but with no serious injuries. I think it’s left us all a bit jumpy. Earlier today our neighbor called to say that we ought to check our attic. When they checked theirs, they saw lig ...
Well, It Was An Earthquake
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Sunday, May 11, 2008
Woke up this morning and discovered we really were hit by an earthquake yesterday. It was only 3.1 in magnitude but it’s like they say, minor surgery is when they operate on someone else. According to the local paper, the quake was centered in Belden, a couple of miles from the west side of Tupelo, not far from our ho ...
We Shall Behold Him
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Monday, May 12, 2008
Legendary gospel singer and songwriter Dottie Rambo died yesterday morning when her tour bus ran off a road in southwest Missouri and struck an embankment. She was 74 years old. She had more than 2500 published songs, among them a song of great hope called “We Shall Behold Him.” When I woke up this morning, I thought about ...
Tuesday Morning Scattershooting
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Various, mostly unrelated notes from hither and yon . . .William McGurn has some nice words about Wheaton College in the Wall Street Journal.Speaking of Wheaton, Eric Rubio had a great freshman year there.Several people have called or written to ask about Josh and Leah who teach English in Nanchang, China. After the devasta ...
Three New Sermons
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Here are three new sermons we have posted on the website in the last few days:Why God Chooses Splendid Sinners and Lovable LosersStrength for the JourneyWhat You Seek, You Find
2009 Holy Land Tour Update
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Last month I announced that Marlene and I are planning to lead a tour to the Holy Land in 2009. I promised you that as as soon as I had any more information, I would let you know. After working with our tour company, it now appears that we will be going to the Holy Land in late October-early November 2009. We’re look ...
Should an Openly Homosexual Person be Baptized?
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Wednesday, May 14, 2008
This week’s Monday Morning Insight contained an article with the intriguing title Should An Openly Homosexual Person be Baptized? The article is worth reading mostly for the comments that follow it. The article itself is based on a blog entry by Pennsylvania pastor Brian Jones.Here is my take on the subject . . .1. Th ...
God’s Unchanging Word
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Thursday, May 15, 2008
A friend sent me this comment yesteday . . .Do you know what I love about the Word of God? Well, one thing, anyway is that it is unchanging. It will be the same when I am 80 as it is today. Yet something tells me that I will not recognize the larger evangelical community when I am 80. I’m sure many faithful believers, ...
The Gospel in Two Words
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Thursday, May 15, 2008
A few days ago I read a pre-publication manuscript by Julie-Allyson Ieron called “The Overwhelmed Woman’s Guide to … Caring for Aging Parents.” One chapter talks about the challenge of sharing Christ with aging parents, grandparents and other relatives. As your loved ones grow older, the importance of sharing the Good ...
“Praying For Your Prodigal” Podcast
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Thursday, May 15, 2008
We have just uploaded a new podcast featuring a message called Praying for Your Prodigal. You can download the file from the KBM website, listen to it online, or listen to it on iTunes. If you have a loved one who is a prodigal, listen to this message. God may use it to give you hope to keep believing, to keep on praying, a ...
Korean Version of “Why Did This Happen to Me?”
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Friday, May 16, 2008
The Korean translation of Why Did This Happen to Me? has just been released. Copies are available from:Timothy Publishing HouseKwan-AKP.O. Box 16Seoul, KoreaIf you wonder whether we know in advance about foreign language translations, the answer almost always is no. I had no idea that this Korean language edition was comi ...
Stealth Attack Study Guide Now Online
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Friday, May 16, 2008
We have just posted the Stealth Attack study guide online for free downloading. You can use it as a companion to the book or as a standalone Bible study on spiritual warfare.
Back to the Bible—Next Week!
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Saturday, May 17, 2008
Next week (May 19-23)Back to the Bible will broadcast five messages I gave on the topic of “The Healing Power of Forgiveness."Here is their bio and announcement of the programs next week.Click here to find out where the program is broadcast in your area.I first met Wood Kroll, senior Bible teacher at Back to the Bible, whe ...
Earthquake Damage in China
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Sunday, May 18, 2008
The New York Times has published this interactive map showing the earthquake damage in China. Click on the camera icons to see photos from the region. The death toll now stands at over 32,000, with the final numbers expected to be much higher. A friend in China told us that for the first time, the government is concerned ab ...
First Tell Them What You Are For
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Monday, May 19, 2008
Before the week just past fades away, I want to make a comment on last Tuesday’s runoff special election in the Mississippi 1st Congressional District, won by a Democrat named Travis Childers. This is big news. I know it because the national commentators have been talking about it all week long. Let me put it this way ...
WMBI Interview with Nancy Turner on Tuesday Morning
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Monday, May 19, 2008
On Tuesday morning I am doing a radio interview with Nancy Turner on WMBI-FM in Chicago from 10-11 AM CDT. We’ll be talking about my new book Fire and Rain: The Wild-Hearted Faith of Elijah. We’re going to focus on what it means to be a risk-taker for God.
Be Still and Know
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Tuesday, May 20, 2008
We have posted a new sermon called Be Still and Know. The sermon came in response to a question from a friend in China who wondered why God sent the terrible earthquake that took so many lives in the Sichuan province last week. As I considered his question, my mind was drawn to Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God. ...
Chinese Translation of “The Healing Power of Forgiveness”
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Tuesday, May 20, 2008
The Chinese translation of The Healing Power of Forgiveness has just been released. You can order copies fromElim Christian BookstoreB1F, No. 210, Sec. 4Chung-Hsiao E. Rd.Taipei 106Taiwan R.O.C.
Five Messages on Forgiveness
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Tuesday, May 20, 2008
A special greeting to all our Back to the Bible friends. And welcome to the Keep Believing website. Thank you for listening to the broadcasts this week, and thanks even more for visiting our website. Several years ago I preached a five-part series called Total Forgiveness. Here are the links to those messages. They will fle ...
Can You Wash an iPod?
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Can you wash an iPod the same way you wash clothes? And if you do, will it survive?The answer to both questions is yes . I learned this after doing some extensive field research this morning. It all started when Marlene commented on how messy my bookshelf has become. I can see her point because my view of a bookshelf is tha ...
Anchor Books for Prison Fellowship
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Ten years ago we started a ministry partnership with Prison Fellowship that continues to this day In the beginning we gave away copies of “What a Christian Believes” and “Keep Believing” to inmates who responded to an offer in the Inside Journal, a newspaper published by Prison Fellowship and distributed in prisons across t ...
Heading North
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Thursday, May 22, 2008
I am writing this note at 5:44 AM on Wednesday morning. I’m up early because in a few hours we will be on the road again. We plan to spend tonight in Chicago and then travel tomorrow to Camp Forest Springs in Westboro, Wisconsin. That’s north of Madison, north of Stevens Point, and north of Green Bay. I’m ...
“When You Need to Know, You’ll Know” Podcast
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Thursday, May 22, 2008
We have just posted a new podcast called When You Need to Know, You’ll Know. You can download the file, listen to it online, or listen to it via iTunes. Based on Proverbs 3:5-6, this message explains five key words that will help you discover God’s will for your life.You can read the text version of the message ...
On the Road in Central Wisconsin
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Friday, May 23, 2008
At this moment we are somewhere in central Wisconsin—just south of Stevens Point, south of Wassau, about two hours away from Camp Forest Springs. Yesterday we drove 10+ hours to Chicago. Today we are driving another 6-7 hours to get to the camp. The trip itself has been uneventful. Central Wisconsin is absolutely beautiful ...
Camp Forest Springs
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Saturday, May 24, 2008
This is Day 1 of the Memorial Day Family Weekend at Camp Forest Springs. As you can tell, we are in northern Wisconsin, not that far from the U.P.–the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, and not that far from Lake Superior. This morning we ate breakfast with a couple from Merrill, a small town east of here. Mary is an Outdoor E ...
Bump a Man and See What Spills Out
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Sunday, May 25, 2008
“You never really find out what is inside a man until he is bumped and you see what spills out.” Carl Lundquist
KBM and the China Earthquake
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Monday, May 26, 2008
Two weeks ago a devastating earthquake struck the Sichuan province in China. At first the death toll was estimated to be 32,000. As of this writing, the number has climbed to 65,000. The final figure will be far larger. Over 300,000 were injured. Tens of thousands are missing with over 5 million left homeless. Yesterday a s ...
Come Before Winter
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Tuesday, May 27, 2008
We have just posted a new sermon called Come Before Winter. Here’s an excerpt:Procrastination destroys many good intentions. More marriages die because of slow neglect than from deliberate desertion. Things essential and basic are neglected every day. We mean to say a word of encouragement, but we never get around to ...
Preaching in Tupelo the Next Two Sundays
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Thursday, May 29, 2008
I will be preaching in Tupelo the next two Sundays:June 1 Harrisburg Baptist Church, 6 PM (Awaken Service)June 8 Church at Trace Crossing, 10:30 AM Harrisburg Baptist Church, 6 PM (Awaken Service)If you are in the area, I hope you’ll join us for one of these services.
Forgiveness Messages Now Online
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Friday, May 30, 2008
The five messages on forgiveness that I gave on Back to the Bible last week are now online on the Keep Believing website. Here are the messages in order:Forgiveness: Healing the Hurt I Never DeservedForgiveness and the Lord’s PrayerJudge NotIs Total Forgiveness Realistic?The Final StepClick on the Audio tab to listen ...
The Holy Spirit and Gospel Evangelism
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Friday, May 30, 2008
A friend from overseas sent the following email several days ago:What is the relevancy of the Holy Spirit in the gospel message in our times? I am working on a paper but would appreciate to get different views from different scholars.I am not a scholar, but I am happy to offer my brief thoughts on this vital question. Here ...
When Striving is Bad
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Friday, May 30, 2008
Recently I attended a prayer meeting with a group of godly people, the purpose of which was to seek God’s face on behalf of the city in which they lived. I listened as they asked God to unite Christians so that the body of Christ would make a positive witness to the city, they prayed for open hearts, they asked the Fa ...
Climbing Kilimanjaro
Posted by Ray Pritchard on Saturday, May 31, 2008
That awesome mountain in the photograph is Kilimanjaro, tallest peak on the African continent. I have a particular interest in this mountain because one of my sons, two of my brothers, and a sister-in-law and two nieces will soon be climbing it. As I write these words all of them are en route to the great mountain.It all s ...
