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381 Years Ago Today – Freedom’s Cause Day

February 5, 2012 in History with 2 Comments

February 5, 1631 – Roger Williams arrived in the New World from his home in England. For many Williams is considered the father of religious liberty in America. So this date is called Freedom’s Cause Day.

He initially settled in Massachusetts. Massachusetts authorities were not enamored with his views of religious tolerance and exiled him from the commonwealth. He settled in what became Rhode Island and is considered the founder of that state.

Williams had an eventful religious journey that some admire and some count quirky or unstable.

138 Years Ago Today Frances Havergal Wrote “Take My Life”

February 4, 2012 in History, Music with 1 Comment

February 4, 1874 - Frances Havergal was unable to sleep on the final evening of a five day visit to a home with ten other people. Her temporary insomnia was due to the joy in what God had been doing in that home during her visit. She described the 10 occupants as fitting into one of two categories of people.

First, some were unconverted. It is interesting to note that she commented that these unconverted folks had long been the subject of intercessory prayers. The other group of people were Christians who were living without any joy.

At the onset of her visit, Havergal indicated that God gave her a prayer, Lord, give me all in this house. God answered that prayer. In the space of those five days, the house became a house of rejoicing.

Francis Schaeffer – 100 Years

January 30, 2012 in History with 0 Comments

100 years ago on this date, Francis Schaeffer was born in Pennsylvania (January 30, 1912). He lived until 1984 and left his mark on Christianity and on my life.

I was first introduced to Schaeffer on video and in books while in Germany serving in the military. This was between my high school and college days. For years one of my prized possessions in my library was a set of the complete works of Schaeffer. Unfortunately, I sold those books when I departed from the pastoral ministry. However, several years later I met a pastor who is now a missionary in Kenya. He told me that he had the set that was previously mine and that they had been very beneficial to him.

Here are some of the ways in which Schaeffer influenced me:

1. He challenged me to be a thinking Christian.

2. He was influenced me to see Christianity as a worldview.

3. He shaped my views on the life issues like abortion and euthanasia.

4. He spurred my love for things European and shattered the provincial faith that was around me.

2010 – 10 Events That Made It An Interesting Year

December 30, 2010 in Family, History with 2 Comments

The Grandkids - Heath, Caleb & Emma

As 2010 prepares to be rolled into the archives of history, I thought I would share with my readers a list of some key events in the life of Frank and Suzie. It has been an interesting year to say the least. We have been

rather nomadic and less certain of what the next day was to bring. In the midst of all of this, we learned afresh the importance of trusting in the Lord. Since we have been married, we have not faced as much uncertainty in a year. Yet, we have learned more of God and more from God. He has demonstrated his goodness to us.

Here are our top ten events in this year.

1. The move from Louisville, KY to Chattanooga, TN.

The company I was working for at the time promoted and transferred me to Chattanooga from Louisville. We left behind the kids and grandkids. Chattanooga was a beautiful city, but we didn’t have any real connections there.

2. The launching of Fruzie’s Collectibles.

In April we launched Fruzie’s (Frank + Suzie). We find and sell collectibles, antiques, books and just about anything. We love combining a hobby with making some money. You can check out our eBay store here or our website here.

National Doughnut Day 2010

June 4, 2010 in History with 6 Comments

I am often amused and intrigued by how we commemorate certain days, weeks and months in America. Some are declared to be so by the President. Others are by declaration of any level of civic leader. With all of that in mind, did you know that today — June 4, 2010 — is National Doughnut Day?

Most commemorated days don’t register for me, but this one caught my eye — rather it caused me to begin salivating. Who thought of this day? We usually assume that Hallmark has a hand in many of these days, but not this one. It actually has origins in WWI and The Salvation Army. The Salvation Army sent women to set up huts amongst the US soldiers in France. Among other items, the doughnuts became a big hit. Then in 1938 the Chicago branch of The Salvation Army set aside June 4th as a fundraiser to honor these WWI women of mercy with Doughnut Day.

The day continues each year with doughnut makers offering specials to commemorate the day. For example, Dunkin’ Donuts is offering a free donut with a beverage purchase. Krispy Kreme is giving away a free donut to each person without regard to a purchase.

Did you notice the switch from doughnut to donut? That’s what we do in the English language.

Personally, I have fond memories of making a late night stop to Krispy Kreme on Bardstown Road in Louisville, Kentucky. Getting a few donuts hot off of the assembly line is an incredible experience in tasty satisfaction. Alas, it is a guilty pleasure. For a diabetic, donuts offer a double-whammy. Dough plus sugar is not a great combination for a diabetic. According to Krispy Kreme’s website, the key nutritional values for a single glazed donut are 200 calories, 12 grams of fat and 22 grams of carbs. That would be okay, but who can eat only 1 Krispy Kreme donut?

How does all of this play into a blog like Pulpit 2 Pew? Apart from the stereotypical police officer, Sunday School classes must be the primary source of consumption for donuts. This was confirmed this Sunday, when a young lady carried a box of donuts past me as she entered church. I confess that I was momentarily distracted from my preparation to worship as I wondered where this young lady might be sitting and if she really wanted to take all of the leftover donuts home with her.

So when you eat your next donut, think of those women from The Salvation Army providing treats for our soldiers in 1917 France.

Flashback: W.A. Criswell

October 9, 2009 in History, SBC with 0 Comments

In the early 1990′s, W.A. Criswell was the guest preacher in the church which I served as pastor — West Rock Baptist Church (Little Rock, AR). I was honored and privileged to share the pulpit with this great preacher.

Criswell was pastor of First Baptist Church, Dallas for 50 years. He was considered the patriarch of Baptist life by many. Criswell preached straight through from Genesis to Revelation during his ministry in Dallas. Members would often introduce themselves as having joined the church during Isaiah (or whatever book he was in at the time).

Criswell was amiable and preached to a much smaller crowed than he was accustomed. Yet he still proclaimed the Word of God preaching with power and enthusiasm.

I remember picking him up at the airport with my cousin, Duane Gantz. Criswell arrived with 1 piece of luggage that was only slightly larger than a fanny pack. I still don’t know how he did it. He preached in a suit in our church on Sunday night and then to a group of pastors in another suit on Monday morning. I don’t know where he had the suits, but he obviously was an experienced traveler and packer.

Criswell went to heaven in 2002. His sermons have recently been made available online at www.wacriswell.com. His autobiography is called, Standing on the Promises: The Autobiography of W. A. Criswell

Wednesday Photo

August 5, 2009 in History, Photos, Politics with 0 Comments

Frank Gantz at new statue of Abraham Lincoln in Waterfront Park, Louisville, KY

5 Thoughts by John Calvin on Alcohol

July 14, 2009 in Frank's Fives, History, Uncategorized with 0 Comments

This article is the fifth and final installment of my lists of five aspects related to John Calvin. These articles are in conjunction with the 500th birthday of Calvin which was on July 10th. The previous four lists include:

Since the use or abstinence of alcohol is again a front line issue for Christians, I am including 5 thoughts of Calvin on the subject.

Drunkenness is a shameful abuse of a “noble and most precious gift of God.”
Wine is a “very healthy food.”
Men become drunk “to bury reflection.”
Drunkenness clouds the mind and stupefies the senses.
Drunkenness can lead to other sins.

5 Teachings of John Calvin on Church Music

July 13, 2009 in Frank's Fives, History with 0 Comments

To celebrate the 5ooth birthday of John Calvin (July 10th), I am posting a few lists of 5′s that will shed some light on this important reformer. Previous articles include:

Calvin systematically established an order of worship for the evangelical church. Music and singing were vital elements for him. Here are 5 teachings of his on church music:

Congregational singing is a foundational element of the worship service.
Cheerfulness should characterize this singing.
The Psalms are the best songs.
In singing the Christian stands in the presence of God and the angels.
The result of singing is “like a spur to incite us to pray to and to praise God, to meditate on his works, that we may love, fear, honour, and glorify him.”

5 Qualities John Calvin Desired in a Wife

July 12, 2009 in Frank's Fives, History with 1 Comment

In honor of John Calvin’s 500th birthday on July 10th, this is the 3rd list of 5 aspects of Calvin’s life and works. These lists are intended to acquaint readers with this important figure in the history of the church and civilization.

Previous lists:

At the age of 30, Calvin’s friends strongly encouraged him to get married. He rejected the 1st suggested wife because she did not speak French and her noble background might cause her to put on “airs.” He commented that he would never marry her “unless the Lord had entirely bereft me of my wits.” He rejected a second candidate due to her blemished past. He would marry Idelette de Bure at the age of 31. She was a widow with two children.

The qualities he desired in a wife (physical beauty was not a concern) were that she be: