FROM THE EDITOR LETTER


THROW OUT THE LIFELINE


From age 24 until the age of 64, my uncle, Bishop Emeritus Walter Earl Jordan, Sr., pastored the Greater St. John Church of God in Christ in Mansfield, Ohio. It was in the city of Mansfield, and at Uncle Walt’s church, where I spent most of my childhood summers, collecting fond and vivid memories of the saints of that era, many of whom have gone before us.


I can recall the saints gathered at the


altar, which extended the width of the church, accompanied by a long, velvet-burgundy kneeling bench that stretched across it. The kneeling bench protruded onto the wooden church floors that resounded in an audible rhythm to anyone walking across them. I can clearly hear one of the church mothers start a soul-stirring stanza of, “Throw out the LifeLine, throw out the LifeLine, someone is drifting away. Throw out the LifeLine, throw out the LifeLine, someone is sinking today.” I can see the saints join in, one by one, for multiple rounds of the simple yet thought- provoking song, until a reverent atmosphere is ushered in for a brief but sacred time of prayer and personal reflection at the altar. With childish innocence, I remem- ber being confused as to the meaning of the lyrics of the song “Throw out the LifeLine”, wondering why on earth there were so many people drowning and uncertain as to how we


2 INSPIRATION TODAY


were supposed to save them. As I’ve come to know Him for myself, however, I now understand that the “LifeLine” is Jesus Christ; and as believers, we are to be buoys that keep afloat those who


are drifting from Him and sinking in sin, until they reach the peaceful shores of the Savior who is able and willing to revive them again. Have you thrown out the LifeLine today? This second issue of Inspiration Today is sprinkled with a few life rafts you may need to help draw someone nearer. With articles concerning evangelism of the lost, speaking life into every circumstance and the need for rejuvenating revival, we sincerely pray that something you read will awaken your heart and inspire you to press forward! On behalf of COGIC Public Relations and the IT writing team, remain inspired so that YOU can be a lifeguard for someone who is sinking today.


Love and Life, April E. Quillen, Editor INSPIRATION TODAY 3


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