Hi, this is Joni Eareckson Tada with a fun story about my friend, Alice.
Oh, my, I met Alice McIntyre many years ago on a visit to San Diego – she had been a part of the organizing committee to bring a Billy Graham Crusade to that city -- nothing too remarkable about that, except that back then she was in her 80’s. And by the time I met her, Alice was well into her 90’s, but nothing slowed Alice down, not even age. She coiffed her hair, always dressed in lovely silk suits and always wore little pumps, even at her age! She was always dressed to the nines, always ready for a party. And, oh, did this woman have a heart for bringing people to Christ.
This 93-year-old loved to organize these fancy smancy luncheons in her fabulous home all for her unsaved friends. You might be a check-out girl at a San Diego supermarket; you could be the lady at the dry cleaners; you might be working in a hair salon -- whatever, if Alice met you, sooner or later you’d receive an invite to one of her classy luncheons or to one of her Bible studies-- all so that these women might hear the Gospel. Up until the week she passed away, this diminutive, well-dressed woman loved teaching the fundamentals of God's Word. She also loved talking about the Second Coming of Jesus Christ – a favorite topic of hers, because Alice always believed that she would live long enough to see the Lord’s return.
She hoped and prayed that she might be a kind of Anna, in God's Temple, an old woman whom God kept alive for her to see the Messiah. And the Second Coming of Christ -- well, Alice’s famous line was, “After all girls, I never like to miss a good party!” Well, Alice did pass away before she saw the Lord’s coming. But if she were sitting next to me now, she would want to encourage you not to miss the party! And even if you believe that you know Christ, 2 Peter chapter 1, verse 10 reminds you to, “… be all the more eager [now get this] to make your calling and election sure.” In other words friend, examine your heart, your life, your words and witness; let these things validate your calling as a Christian. For only then, will you “receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” as it says in verse 11.
Alice McIntyre would not want you to miss the party. She’d want to make very certain you have responded to your invitation to the heavenly banquet. So please, friend, just don’t give lip service to the Lordship of Christ; make your calling and election sure, by making certain your actions really do reflect what you believe, because a party is coming -- a heavenly party. And I don’t want you to miss it! There’s something else I don’t want you to miss. Today is your last day to get your free copy of the beautiful new booklet I wrote called “Gaining a Hopeful Spirit.” There is so much hopelessness in this hurting world, (wouldn’t you agree) so many people struggling to find hope. Well, if you know someone who is living under a fog like that, then this lovely laminated booklet would be perfect to give them, with my personal greetings. And you can get your free copy by visiting my radio page today at joniandfriends.org. And who knows?! The insights I share in it just might speak to your heart. Romans chapter 15, verse 13 says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him.” Yep, Alice McIntyre and I have every hope that you won’t miss the party as you trust in God for every need. It’s the best way to make your calling and election sure, so visit us today at joniandfriends.org.
© Joni and Friends, 2013
Compliments of Joni and Friends
PO Box 3333 Agoura Hills, CA 91376