(From “A Cloud of Witnesses”)
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” I Peter 1:23
I had heard Minister Robert Burney speak about his father and the second stroke that impaired him with almost complete paralysis. He said that while his father was in the hospital bed a fellow preacher sent a message to him saying, “Don’t forget that you still have a tongue.”
At that time, I had never heard the Elder Burney preach, but I finally did during the January district service.
~♥~
Elder Burney is a broad-shouldered and well-dressed man with a warm and wise face, sitting in a wheelchair. I have never seen such a paradox of weakness and strength in one man, and I was totally unprepared for that mighty tongue.
The elder began speaking in a gentle voice about the woman with the alabaster box of ointment who washed Jesus’ feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. He explained how the men who were present when she did this began to mock her and assault her character, but she was so in love with Jesus that she didn’t care.
In only a matter of a few minutes, I felt something stirring inside of me. A sudden tide of joy rolled over me like an ocean wave. Before I could catch my breath, another one struck, and then another. I looked over my shoulder and realized that I was not alone. It was high tide. The waves were rolling over the congregation with such force that many people could not remain seated or keep silent. Elder Burney said quietly, “I don’t believe in interfering with the Spirit of God.” He sat silently as the Spirit burst forth like a tidal wave and flooded the entire room.
~♥~
I attended another district service a few months later, and I noticed on the program that Elder Burney was the speaker again. I thought to myself that it couldn’t possibly be the same as the last time. Lightning doesn’t strike the same place twice.
This time, the elder began speaking about the woman at the well, and how Jesus told her He would give her living water, and that she would never thirst again, and that it would be a well springing up into everlasting life. Without warning, water began to flow from my eyes. I was surprised by this, and wondered what was going on, because I was not sad. Then the elder said, “When the Spirit gets ahold of you, water is gonna come out of your eyes when you’re not even sad.” I began to laugh with surprise.
It’s very difficult to explain but it seemed as if the Spirit flowed like waves out of the elder’s mouth as he spoke, and began to fill up the room, and then tears sprung out of my eyes.
~♥~
One great mystery is the way that the elder’s preaching lingers with me for a long time afterward. He plants a powerful seed that germinates and flowers into a deeper understanding of God. It reminds of the story of Jack and the beanstalk. Someone gave Jack some magic beans, and he found himself in an amazing adventure. He climbed into the sky to a new kingdom, where he slew a giant, and won an amazing treasure. Elder Burney’s preaching is like those magic seeds that have somehow given me a new identity and purpose.
Once he preached a message about the City of God. He said that there are twelve gates to the city, and that he believes we will enter at the Southern gates and the streets will be pure gold. He spoke about the Tree of Life with the twelve fruits that would heal every kind of disease, and the crystal river that flowed from the throne. He said that he had resolved in his mind that he was going to go to that city, and that the power of Hell could not stop him from making it there. He said, “I look forward to seeing my mama and daddy when I get there. But they’re gonna have to step aside so I can see Jesus.” Soon after that, I dreamed that I was searching for a city, and I saw a familiar man by side of the road. I asked him the way to the gates of the city. He did not speak but simply handed me a key.
In another service I attended, Elder Burney cried out, “I am rich beyond measure! Praise God, I’m rich!” Those words began to sprout within my mind. I knew that he was speaking of heavenly riches. I read the scripture that speaks of how I belong to Christ, and Christ belongs to God, so I am an heiress. I found myself beginning to identify with Christ, and not with the world, and it began to transform my whole way of thinking. I realized that I had no need of anything, that the world had nothing to offer me. I became less worried about success and worth in the eyes of other people. I only wanted to please Christ and bless others.
I recognize that Elder Burney has planted some divine seeds in my heart. I am overwhelmed and humbled by the way God has used him as instrument of power and mercy in my life.
“The kingdom of heaven is like unto a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field: which indeed is the least of all seeds, but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree…” (Matthew 13:31-33)
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