Items related to Triumph Out of Tragedy: Turning Obstacles Into Opportunities
Synopsis
An inspirational collection of sermons and writings by the Woodrows about turning obstacles into opportunities, from bitter to better, from the mire to the choir, from bad to beautiful. The poems, humor, and 75 illustrations provide a special dimension.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
In addition to authoring over a dozen books, RALPH WOODROW has had the opportunity to speak for many Churches and groups of various denominations during 40 years of ministry-including camp meetings, conventions and conferences. Through a unique set of circumstances he was put into the ministry at age 18 (and has never had any other occupation). His ministry began in Canada, where he went as a pianist for an evangelist-but soon several Churches and groups opened their doors for Ralph to preach extended revival meetings. When he returned home after a few months of ministry in Canada, God continued to open doors for him to preach the Gospel- preaching for many Churches and denominational rallies. As a single man of 21 he felt led to hold tent revivals and also to preach on the radio, with good results from both. From these early beginnings sprang an inter-denominational ministry, through which many effective doors of ministry open to this day.
In his early teens, he began to search the Scriptures-becoming intrigued to discover things in the Bible that he hadn't been taught. Similarly, he began to discover that some of the things he had been taught were not in the Bible. Ralph memorized hundreds of Scriptures as a teenager-his whole life revolved around studying God's Word and seeking God's will for his life. He preached his first sermon when he was 15 in their local Church. He spent much time at the Church, doing anything he could to serve the Lord-mowing the lawns, cleaning the Church, praying, and attending the meetings where he grew in the Spirit-filled life.
Throughout his ministry, in addition to preaching the Gospel at large, he has shared neglected biblical truths. AS AN AUTHOR, he is known for his scholarly research, along with his emphasis on the importance of love and unity. He emphasizes that if Christians disagree on some points of doctrine-they should disagree agreeably-knowing that all Christians agree on more than they disagree. Books he has authored total over a half million in print. Also, he has shared printed sermons with a select list-since 1961. Woodrow was born in San Jacinto, California and grew up in nearby Riverside. He and his wife, Arlene who is also a minister and writer, minister in various capacities locally in addition to periodically ministering throughout the U.S., and sometimes in Canada.
ARLENE WOODROW is known as a gifted, animated, and sometimes humorous communicator who makes the Bible come alive, applying the Scriptures to every-day life in a down-to-earth, easy-to-understand style. Arlene speaks for women's groups, in addition to ministry with her husband, Ralph Woodrow. The minister-duo are devoted to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ, effectively ministering through their speaking, teaching, music and writing ministries. Arlene takes an active part in the "behind-the-scenes" ministry of RWEA (Ralph Woodrow Evangelistic Association, Inc.). She teaches a weekly non-sectarian Bible class for women in the southern California desert of greater Palm Springs, especially targeting the unchurched, those who are searching for answers to life, and the hurt and the wounded. She has also taught over 50 Bible studies for Christian Celebrity Luncheons, a unique ministry to country club women of the Palm Springs area, since 1992.
Arlene taught a weekly Bible study for legislative employees at the State Capitol building in Sacramento for over five years in the '80s, and also served as president of the Sacramento Aglow during that era. Her ministry has spanned over three and a half decades, teaching and ministering in churches, conferences, women's groups, and para-church meetings, including 15 years of pastoral ministry. Additionally, she has written and taught a number of Bible College courses. She is a 1963 graduate of L.I.F.E. Bible College of Los Angeles, where she earned her Bachelor of Religious Education degree. In 1985 she received an A.A. with a minor in psychology, at American River College in Sacramento. She has authored books, adult Bible study curriculum, ladies Bible studies, in-depth Bible courses, articles, dramatic holiday teaching musicals, and other ministry publications. She has traveled extensively and led a tour to Europe in the early 80s, with a "Church History" theme. Great challenges in life have caused Arlene to know God and His ways in a deeper dimension. She says, "God has proven Himself faithful to turn tragedies into triumphs, and to be 'my Source' no matter what the need." Her sincerity, transparency, and walk with God through hard times cause many to identify with the answers she has found.
Arlene is the mother of three grown children and grandmother of seven ranging from teen to toddler. The Woodrows consider their "grandparenting role" to be an important part of their ministry, and enjoy doing special things with the grandkids. Arlene also considers her role of responsibility and caring for her semi-invalid mother an important facet of her ministry.
FREE-learn more about Woodrow's ministry. Send a legal size SASE and request "Celebrating 40 Years Ministry" ('97) and the January '98 "Palm Springs Letter."
From the Back Cover
TRIUMPH OUT OF TRAGEDY is an inspirational book about how obstacles can be turned into opportunities in the lives of Christians. Instead of becoming BITTER, we can become BETTER, recognizing that without valleys, there would be no mountaintops.
By always "looking forward" to something PLEASANT, we can cope with that which is UNPLEASANT. Through triumphant prayer, we can experience a moving-on-up dimension in our lives whereby God's POWER is greater than any PROBLEM we may face.
A chapter on "7-UP" presents seven "ups" of the Bible-wake up, shake up, pay up, make up, fire up, cheer up, and shut up! Another chapter based on the acrostic "F.L.A.M.E."-forgiveness, love, acceptance, mercy and evangelism-reflects the need for a demonstration of Christ's compassion in the Church today.
The final chapter, "Going Home Another Way," emphasizes the life-changing power of the gospel, how God takes men from the mire to the choir, turning BAD to BEAUTIFUL as old things pass away and all things become new.
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
There is a unique monument in Enterprise, Alabama-the only monument in the world that was built to honor a pest! Unveiled in 1919, these words are inscribed on the monument: "In profound appreciation of the Boll Weevil and what it has done as the herald of prosperity, this monument was erected by the citizens of Enterprise, Coffee County, Alabama."
The boll weevil, having invaded southern Texas from Mexico in 1892, soon spread to other areas of the south. By the late summer of 1915, in Coffee County and southeast Alabama, the cotton crops had been devastated by this pest as it made its "home" in the cotton bolls.
The devastation caused by the boll weevil even found its way into a comical folk song. I can recall as a boy hearing Tex Ritter sing "The Boll Weevil Song" on the radio: "De boll weevil am a little black bug, come from Mexico dee say, Come all the way to Texas, looking for a place to stay, He's lookin' for a home-lookin' for a home.... The merchant got half dee cotton, the boll weevil got dee rest. Didn't leave the farmer's wife but one ole cotton dress. It's full of holes-plum full of holes!...."
So why would this notorious weevil be honored by the people of Enterprise, Alabama? The answer is quite simple: it forced them to turn tragedy into triumph!
Confronted with the loss of their cotton harvest and facing bankruptcy, the farmers knew something had to be done. They discovered there was another crop they could grow that would be unaffected by the boll weevil: peanuts! Whereas every condition had to be ideal to make a living raising cotton-a cotton crop was poor seven out of ten years-being forced to raise peanuts brought a consistent prosperity to the entire area. Even a president of the United States, Jimmy Carter, came from those ranks of prosperous peanut farmers.
What is it that bugs you? It may be circumstances you are facing, things you do not understand. It may be an unreasonable boss you work for, it may be a pesky relative or neighbor. But whatever it is, God can turn it around. A blessing can come out of seeming defeat.
It has been said that when the Lord wishes to give us something special, he does not wrap it up in a glamorous package and hand it to us on a silver platter. Instead, he may bury it in a great big tough problem while he watches with anticipation to see if we have what it takes to break the problem apart and find the pearl of great price. Realizing this, instead of being defeated by an obstacle, we can ask: "What opportunity is here?" This simple change in attitude can throw open the floodgates of victory, for according to your faith it will be done (Matt. 9:29).
We might call this the boomerang technique. By God's help you can turn it around. You can find ways to turn a problem to your advantage. Even that which is "evil" can be turned around for "good" (Gen. 50:20). Instead of becoming bitter, you can become better. You can make lemonade out of life's sour lemons. You can turn stumbling stones into stepping stones. You can turn "NO" around so it becomes "ON." You can do it! Remember the last four letters in "American" are: I CAN. "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4;13).... So you have problems to deal with? Good! This proves you are still alive! Those without any problems are in the cemetery....
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Search results for Triumph Out of Tragedy: Turning Obstacles Into Opportunities
Stock Image
Triumph Out of Tragedy: Turning Obstacles Into Opportunities
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0916938158I4N00