I must confess that I am amazed—and deeply humbled—by the number of people who have been reading Ramblings of a Country Preacher. Last month, the blog reached an all-time total of 540,808 page views. During July alone, there were 206,848 views.
When I first began writing these ramblings, I never imagined that the words of an old country preacher from a little Indiana town would travel so far. I do not have a great organization promoting these messages. I do not have a large staff or an expensive advertising campaign. I simply sit down, pray, open my Bible, and write what the LORD places upon my heart.
The Bible says:
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”
—Zechariah 4:6
These numbers are more than statistics on a computer screen. Every page view represents a person—someone with a heart, a burden, a question, or a spiritual need. Some may be searching for truth. Some may be lonely and discouraged. Others may be Christians living in places where following Jesus Christ comes at a terrible cost.
The LORD has allowed these messages to reach countries where our brothers and sisters are suffering for the cause of Christ. Some cannot worship openly. Some risk losing their families, homes, employment, freedom, and even their lives because they will not deny the name of Jesus.
I may never meet them on this side of eternity. I may never know their names or hear their testimonies. I do not know what influence this little blog is having in their lives—but the LORD knows.
My prayer is that somewhere, perhaps in a quiet room behind a locked door, a weary believer will read these words and remember the promise of Christ:
“I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
—Hebrews 13:5
That promise is just as true in the prison cell as it is in the church pew. It is true in sickness, persecution, loneliness, poverty, and grief. Governments may turn against the followers of Christ. Friends may walk away. Families may reject them. But Jesus Christ will never abandon one of His own.
David declared:
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.”
—Psalm 23:1
He did not say the shepherd would keep us from every dark valley. He said the Shepherd would walk through the valley with us:
“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.”
—Psalm 23:4
If one discouraged Christian discovers that he is not alone, then every hour spent writing has been worthwhile. If one lost soul comes to understand that Jesus Christ died for his sins and rose again, then this ministry has accomplished something of eternal value. If one persecuted believer finds enough strength to remain faithful for another day, then I give God all the glory.
The Apostle Paul wrote:
“So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.”
—1 Corinthians 3:7
That is the truth of the matter. I may plant a little seed through something I write. Another servant of God may come along and water it. But only the LORD can make that seed grow. Only the Holy Spirit can convict a heart, comfort a troubled soul, and reveal the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
I am thankful for every person who reads, shares, and prays for Ramblings of a Country Preacher. Yet I dare not take the credit for what God has done. These page views do not belong to me. The praise does not belong to the writer. The glory belongs entirely to the LORD.
The old hymn says, “To God be the glory, great things he hath done.” That is my testimony today.
This country preacher is still amazed that God can take a few plain words written in Indiana and carry them across oceans, through borders, and into homes in distant lands. But we serve a God who once used a shepherd’s sling, a widow’s handful of meal, a little boy’s lunch, and an old rugged cross. He has never needed something great in the eyes of the world. He only asks that what we have be surrendered to Him.
So I will keep writing as long as the LORD gives me strength. I will keep preaching Jesus Christ crucified, risen, and coming again. I will keep reminding the weary that God has not forgotten them. I will continue pointing sinners toward the cross and encouraging believers to remain faithful.
“For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.”
—2 Corinthians 4:5
To everyone who has read these ramblings: thank you. To those who have shared them: thank you. To those who have prayed for this ministry: thank you.
But above all, I thank the LORD.
More than half a million page views—but only one name deserves the praise: the name of Jesus Christ.
“O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.”
—Psalm 34:3
