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Beauty for Ashes

January 26, 2009

Briar Hook Theology It happened after a while that the brook dried up, because there was no rain in the land. Then the word of the Lord came to [Elijah] saying, “Arise, go to Zarephath . . . and stay there” (1 Kings 17:7-9). Have you ever noticed how everything has an ending? Things we deem as being indispensable and invaluable on this earth may not be with us tomorrow. God led Elijah to the brook of Cherith, but He never intended for him to stay there forever. His residence by the cool, flowing waters was for a season. It

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January 19, 2009

Are You Available to be Used by God? Recently, we were going through some letters in Dr. Forrest’s file when we ran up on one from A. W. Tozer. It was written on September 21, 1936. Dear Brother Forrest: Here is another one of those hurry-up letters asking you to “come over and help us.” Would it be possible for you to come up to Chicago for a three or four day meeting between Sundays some time in November? We want to begin on Thanksgiving Day if at all possible and run over the following Sunday. . . . Your

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December 29, 2008

The Blessings of A New Beginning By Dr. R.A. Forrest Consecrate [sactify] yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you. Joshua 3:5 Happy New Year! Usually, I read the above passage from Joshua to the students at the opening of school. I remind them that this book is a signal: it marks the ending of one era and the new beginning of another. Moses had died and Joshua had been chosen to take his place. The struggles of the past were behind them along with many successes and victories but new ones were on the horizon. Miracle after

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December 22, 2008

My First Christmas at Toccoa Falls CHRISTMAS EVE WAS the wedding anniversary of Dr. and Mrs. Forrest. Every year they came down from their home on the hill and ate supper with the students, staff, and faculty who remained on campus during the holidays. After we had eaten and had a time of devotions with Dr. Forrest, gifts were distributed and the Forrests would return home. As a student, I thought the evening was over, and I could return to an empty dormitory and a cold bed and feel sorry for myself. But thankfully some of the single staff members

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December 15, 2008

The Path We Travel The writings of Amy Carmichael continue to be a source of encouragement. She reminds us, “All the paths of the Lord are lovingkindness. All, not some; not only those we would naturally choose, but all.” There are times when we may want to balk at the notion that God has allow some heartache or pain to filter in where we believe only sunshine should reign. The truth is there are times when adversity can actually do more for us than a bounty of joy. It reminds us that we are vulnerable, needy people, whose hope is

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December 8, 2008

Obedience Over Sacrifice All of us can imagine the excitement Paul felt as he traveled through Lystra and Iconium. In fact if you have been on the mission field, you probably can identify with him. He was on his second missionary journey and was excited about the way things were going. Luke wrote, “The churches were being strengthened in the faith, and were increasing in number daily” (Acts 16:4-5). More than likely, Paul had a plan in mind for the ministry he believed God had given his team. Mapping out the details of their proposed journey probably increased their enthusiasm.

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December 1, 2008

Opening Rough Packages He who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6 “Sometimes diamonds are done up in rough packages, so that their value cannot be seen,” wrote Dr. A. B. Simpson. “When the Tabernacle was built in the wilderness there was nothing rich in its outside appearance. The costly things were all within, and its outward covering of rough badger skin gave no hint of the valuable things which it contained. “God may send you, dear friends, some costly packages. Do not worry if they

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November 17, 2008

We Are Capable through Jesus Christ In one of her journal entries, Evelyn Forrest wrote, “Lord, we need You because we are not equal to the task.” We probably can surmise she was thinking about the college and all that needed to be done. Her words were a humble and honest confession. Just working with students, who are preparing to enter God’s service can be overwhelming. She had done so much with her life. But the reality of her greatest need never escaped her: she could do nothing apart from Christ. And in a way, her prayer reminds us of

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November 10, 2008

What Is Your Life Message? Dr. and Mrs. Forrest had contacts all over the world. Doors were open to them that were closed to many people yet they never lost their humble hearts. Whether they were teaching or preaching in New York City or in the smallest of mountain towns in Northeast Georgia, people knew and loved them because they could identify with these two godly people, who demonstrated the same love and care for all people. “The uniqueness of the man is evidence in the fact that [Dr. Forrest] served as Moderator of the Athens Presbytery and on various

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November 3, 2008

The Shield of Faith In The Edges of His Ways, Amy Carmichael reminds us of a tremendous principle concerning fear and God’s ability to overcome it. She wrote, “The word used for shield signifies a great oblong shield, which covers the whole body. The dart mentioned in Ephesians 6:16 is the kind which when it strikes a hard object catches fire—‘taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.’ “The promise is that when the dart strikes the great shield of faith, though it is set on

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April 30, 1930

The Diary of Evelyn Forrest’s Trip to Palestine Wednesday, April 30, 1930 Rome, Italy Ordered a taxi this morning, for there are three special things

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April 29, 1930

The Diary of Evelyn Forrest’s Trip to Palestine Tuesday, April 29, 1930 Rome, Italy We “must see Rome also.” Richard is feeling better this morning

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April 27 & 28, 1930

The Diary of Evelyn Forrest’s Trip to Palestine Sunday, April 27, 1930 Naples, Italy 5:40 a.m. So glad to get up early for we are

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April 23 & 24, 1930

The Diary of Evelyn Forrest’s Trip to Palestine Wednesday, April 23, 1930 Jerusalem Just one week since we arrived in Jerusalem and now we must

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April 22, 1930

The Diary of Evelyn Forrest’s Trip to Palestine Tuesday April 22, 1930 Jersalem Up a little before five and breakfast was announced at 5:30. At

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April 21, 1930

The Diary of Evelyn Forrest’s Trip to Palestine Monday April 21, 1930 Beer-Sheba 6:00 a.m. Up and almost ready for breakfast, started home twenty minutes

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