Recently my wife and I were driving around town and listening to Wretched Radio's Friday, August 2, 2013 podcast. I stopped to gas up my Silverado as I was a few ticks away from the glow of the red empty indicator light. While pumping the petrol, I turned up the volume so I could cut through all the peripheral noise and hear the Wretched show. Continuing to pump the gas, Todd was talking about The Tomorrow Clubs Children’s Ministries in Ukraine and that he was sent a beautiful hand-painted plate from the Tomorrow Clubs Founders Paul and Cindy Marty. He mentioned the Answers In Genesis MEGA Conference 2013 in Sevierville, Tennessee July 22nd -25th. He went on to say that during the conference he had met many people associated with Ukraine. He mentioned me (by name) and the fact that my wife Veronika is from Ukraine, and that Creation Today President Eric Hovind’s wife Tanya is also from Ukraine. Todd actually informed us at the conference of our Ukrainian connection with the Hovind's and suggested that we meet. The Hovinds are really nice, down-to-earth people with three beautiful children. It was nice for me to hear our wives speaking in their native Russian. I always enjoy that connection with my wife.
I fear (a bit) that I am coming across as a name dropper…maybe I am a little, after all, I make no bones about being a wretched and sinful man. I have to confess when I heard Todd say my name on the broadcast I was overjoyed. (Just ask the other patrons at the gas station who thought that by the happy hoot I let out, I must be on fire) What an honor it was to be named by a brother in Christ that I hold in such high regard, and named in the same sentence as the likes of Eric Hovind.
The Apostle Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 11:1 “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.”
I can’t help but think of my first meeting with Todd Friel at the Answers MEGA Conference in Sevierville, Tennessee. I was nervous to meet the man that had such a profound impact on me spiritually, introducing me (in a real way after 25 years as a false convert) to Jesus Christ. I waited behind a few people who were chatting with him. He was so pleasant, focused, and gracious to those he was talking to. And boy is he TALL! Finally, it was my turn to say hello, so I reached out my hand to him and asked if I could introduce myself. He shook my hand and I said. “I’m Al Yerks.” With that, he gave me a big smile, eyes full of genuine joy as if he knew me all his life. He released my hand and gave me a huge bear hug saying “It’s so nice to finally meet you.” You see for the past year and change I would write to him about everything from becoming a true Christian through the Wretched program struggles to find a church, theological conundrums, no snarks as of yet, just sending in news items for him to use on the show. We chatted for a bit, and I enjoyed every moment of it.
One day shortly after I was saved, Todd recommended (on-air) the John MacArthur Study Bible with “Johnny Mac’s” commentary. I bought one and it has been an amazing tool to study God’s Word. On another show, Todd was so descriptive about how deliciously sweet Honey Crisp apples are that my wife and I had to try them and we loved them. Because Todd presented The Tomorrow Club in Ukraine, we trusted God to sponsor a club in my wife’s native land. Because of Todd’s appearance at the Answers MEGA Conference, we traveled to Tennessee and were blessed beyond our imagination. All the Biblical information presented points to the fingerprints of an amazing Creator. Every speaker that took the podium confidently proclaimed the presence of Jesus Christ from Genesis to Revelation. But the most profound thing to me is the fact that a merciful and long-suffering God saved a false convert like Todd Friel. He was then empowered by the Holy Spirit and obedient to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a false convert like I was for 25 years. Don’t get me wrong, I know Todd is as sinful a man like the rest of us; he is the first to say that he holds the title “the Chief of Sinners”. But despite our sinfulness, Todd always points to the cross of grace, and we must look for the forgiveness of sin through repentance, faith, and trust in Jesus alone. Repentance fills the heart of the one who experiences God’s kindness. It spills to overflow and through repentance and trust in the Savior, we are saved as we believe by faith that the word of God has proclaimed that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father.
Maybe it’s immature of me to smile like a schoolboy as I recall my meeting with Todd, and his mention of me on Wretched Radio as it still rings in my ears. I wonder if maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned it at all. Maybe I should be more humble, more spiritual. I believe God orchestrates everything in our lives, good or bad for our ultimate good. Really if you think about it, even though I was involved, all this it’s not about me and it’s not really about Todd Friel.
God has been so merciful and exceedingly kind to us all, sending Jesus to die in our stead. This is all about our God; this life is all about Him and for His glory. As we read through the Bible’s Old & New Testaments, we read of the great men and women of faith, builders of the church yet, the Bible is not about the created but about the Creator.
No matter how old we get, or how mature in the Lord we become, we need to remember that the road of sanctification is filled with great joys as well as hard times that God uses for growth. God molds us and shapes us into who He calls us to be. I want to recognize in this life that there are so many small blessings that bear the infused imprints of a living God. He lavishes upon us so much blessing that we should be filled with excitement every waking moment, empowering us to share Him with the lost and dying world around us. Maybe one of those Heavenly blessings can even be that brief encounter with that spiritual mentor God raise up and used to reach us with the good news of Jesus. Those people are special, not perfect, but special to us. Don’t be afraid to admit it, and if you have the opportunity, tell them, encourage them, and bless them.
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