"Where are the men..."

The story of my maternal grandfather has made a substantial impact on my life. Though his untimely death in the prime of his life rattled his immediate and extended family, his legacy far outlives the grief... It's been some time back now that I was overwhelmed with a gift, a treasure from one of my uncles - my grandfather's Bible! Since then, I have showcased it on the desk in my office. It has been a great talking piece. Upon receiving this prized possession, I immediately wanted to notice any underlined Scripture portions or notes he had left inside. To my great delight, I found several articles: a couple of typed sermon note pages, a hand-written quote, and one of his ordination cards. I framed some of those articles along with an old photo of him and have hung it on my office wall. (He's the guy on the right.) One of those articles is a portion of one of his hand-typed sermons. The words leap off the page as a challenge not only to me personally but to all men: “Fatalism or a can’t-do-anything-about-the-world situation, paralyzes the Christian’s objectivity with hopelessness, helplessness and frustration.
Where are the men of faith, vision and prayer today? Who will subdue kingdoms, work righteousness, obtain promises, stop the mouths of lions (Hebrews 11:33)? Who will deny that faith will do now what faith has in the past. We have the means of victory; what folly to neglect and ignore them. The Holy Spirit is yet with us, our great leader and guide. God still answers prayers in the same old fashion way. Let us not discount by our unbelief the victory of Him who cannot life. God is challenging us to a life of victory and answered prayer.”