Memorial Stones from Life's Classroom: Still Learning and Growing

By Carmen E. Anderson-Harris

Memorial Stones has been in the making for fifteen years. Lots has happened since I began this book, and I would like to share with my audience some of the gems I have found in my Stones. They are all different sizes, yet profound, sentimental, funny, and true. You too will find one or more of these beauties as you find your own Stones in Lifes Classroom.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jan 13, 2017
• ISBN: 9781524659141

Carmen E. Anderson-Harris

Carmen has been involved with ministries at the Willingboro Christian Assembly and Applied Bible Concepts ministries in New Jersey for over twenty-eight years. She is a much-sought-after minister of the Gospel, motivational speaker, workshop leader, trainer in health care services, children’s storyteller, and author of four books. Carmen writes articles for the Lilies of the Field bimonthly magazine, blogs online, and much more. She is always busy encouraging women and girls to make sure they are enjoying their lives and being the best they can be, regardless of what life throws at them. Carmen has two grown children and five grandchildren. Other Books written by Carmen are Love Always Blooms, His Guiding Hands, Growing In Christ Jesus : Enjoy the Process, Blessing Basket: Feed Your Mind, Body and Soul.You can find her books where books are sold.

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Memorial Stones

From Life’s Classroom

Still Learning and Growing

CARMEN E. ANDERSON-HARRIS

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© 2017 Carmen E. Anderson-Harris. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

The Authorized (King James) Version of the Bible (‘the KJV’), the rights in which are vested in the Crown in the United Kingdom, is reproduced here by permission of the Crown’s patentee, Cambridge University Press.

Published by AuthorHouse 01/13/2017

ISBN: 978-1-5246-5915-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-5913-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-5914-1 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017900358

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and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Acknowledgments

Prologue

Foreword

Introduction

Chapter 1 Leave It Behind and Go Forward

Chapter 2 Going the Wrong Way

Chapter 3 Making It to the Big Times

Chapter 4 A Change in My Plans

Chapter 5 Launching Out Into the Deep

Chapter 6 A Friend Forever

Chapter 7 A New Land, A New People

Chapter 8 Two Become One for Better or Worse

Chapter 9 Lock, Stock, and Barrel

Chapter 10 Fishing for Men

Chapter 11 He Is Still Calling

Chapter 12 Taking the Message Culturally and Relevantly

Chapter 13 Can He Be Trusted and Can We Trust Him?

Chapter 14 You Can Make All the Difference

Chapter 15 Continuing On with Grace and Joy

Appendix

Dedication

To all who have prayed and encouraged me: the Ambassadors for Christ, Youth for Christ, New Tribes Mission, and Dallas Theological Seminary. To the brothers who have passed on: Joselyn Keane, George DaCosta, Emile Turner, and O. G. Bowie. And to others still with us: Bill Campbell, Basil Phillips, and Dr. Charles Hart. To my late husband, Ed, thanks for your faithful life, teaching, and love.

To sisters Idalee, Monica Burgher, and Grace Palmer, and to my parents, Stephen and Corine, Willingboro Christian Assembly, and my brothers and sisters at various churches, I can never thank you enough for inspiring me and in your own way teaching me so much.

I have gained much from your wisdom and guidance. I pray my life will continue to touch others as much as yours has touched mine.

To the new and courageous brothers and sisters who will follow us, may you be brave, honest, and true to your calling, standing on the precious Word of God, without fear and with a purpose to serve the Lord with hearts flowing with love for your Savior, Jesus Christ, and the salvation of many people.

Acknowledgments

To my daughter, Renee, your work in revising and editing my books has been most valuable to me. Thank you.

To my son-in-law, Marek, what would I do without your valuable work on my computer? Thanks for all you have added to the volume of work that is done daily at Applied Bible Concepts’ office.

To my son, Nathan, keep your eyes on Jesus. Thank you for your prayers for me.

Thanks for all of the support of my friends and family in Christ, both here and abroad. May our Lord continue to use you as a blessing to many for his glory.

To Jessica, my office help and typist – May your year at the Word of Life Bible Institute be of great blessing.

Prologue

This book has been written as a testimony and praise to Almighty God. I hope that it will stimulate other Christians of all ages to be encouraged to step out in faith to serve our Lord. Fellow believers, you were born to be a blessing to others. You were designed by your maker to go and tell his story of redemption and love, and how he has helped you overcome life’s struggles. The decision to step out is never easy. It must be stirred and bathed by the Holy Spirit’s conviction within a heart that is totally willing to trust our gracious heavenly Father, no matter the outcome. He has made each of his children a promise, never to leave us or forsake us.

Let us then join others in the army of our God and march on. We are on the victorious side, with King Jesus as our captain. Don’t be afraid, for He who has promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23). Are you ready? Pray for his blessings and loving direction as you prepare for service—anytime, anyplace, anyhow—for his glory alone. Pick up, pack up, and be a blessing. Your story will be a legacy to all who learn of your journey of faith, struggles, and triumph. Let God glorify himself through you. It’s never too late to become an obedient servant of the Most High.

Ah, Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by your power and outstretched arm; nothing is too hard for you (Jeremiah 32:17).

A man’s gift will make room for him and brings him before great men (Proverbs 18:16).

Foreword

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.

—Philippians 4:13

It is important for us to know that we as believers have stones from our life experiences to walk on, or to climb up, or to follow as we hear and obey our Triune God, to serve him anywhere in the world, and to pay the price for doing so. If and when we learn to answer the call to pay that price, we will see many wonderful stones and many memorial stones will be in place.

Memorial stones vary in duration and cost much in our daily living, yet we are assured that they will bring blessings in the days ahead. Stones of salvation, suffering, vision, endurance, mercy, and grace—through such stones we are pruned and made better to bless others and shine for the Lord Jesus Christ (John 5:24).

My beloved wife, Catherine, and I answered God’s call over fifty-eight years ago. Today we still enjoy serving our Lord and praising him who has been faithful in helping us build our own memorial stones for his glory.

We join with Sister Carmen in his classroom of life as she continues in her ministries. We have enjoyed her work, and her ministry is very rewarding. We still have much to learn as we press on. We pray her book will bless your heart as you consider his call for service.

Let us press on with passion, helping others in their spiritual walk and steadfastness. Let your joy rise in memorial stones for his glory and praise.

—Dr. Joseph and Catherine Jetter

Have Christ Will Travel Ministries, Inc.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

I Have Need of You

I have need of you, I hear my friends shout out.

I have need of you, the children squealed with glee.

I have need of you, my boss’s note to me.

I have need of you, siblings squawked.

I have need of you, duty calls.

I have need of you to rest and am still.

I have need of me, to know my Father’s will.

I have need of me—I need to be calm.

I have need of peace—I am climbing up a wall.

Does he have need of me to know him more?

Does he have need of me to love him and adore?

Yes, his need of me to serve, better, kinder, calmer.

I have need of him morning, noon, and night.

I have need of him because of life’s daily fights.

—Carmen Anderson-Harris

Introduction

There is no doubt in my mind that the path down which God chose to lead me is not one I would have chosen myself. However, there is no disappointment in Jesus Christ for those who allow him to lead and direct them. A man plans his way, but God directs his steps (Proverbs 16:9 KJV).

As I take a step back, I have no regrets, for I can see the almighty hand of God at work through my entire life. The near-death experiences, the challenging moments of trust and good faith, the wonderful and fulfilling ministry with my beloved Edward, which God so graciously asked us to do for over fifty years and of which I am still an active part—these have been no small matters. From my heart I thank my God for saving me and making me a partner in reaching men, women, boys, and girls