By Brian Blackwell, Message Staff Writer RUSTON – Many God-fearing parents feel hopeless when their prodigal son or daughter strays from the faith, wondering where they went wrong in raising their child, Phil Waldrep told the crowd gathered for the annual Senior Adult Luncheon at the 2017 Evangelism Conference (ECON), Jan. 24. But the long-time evangelist encouraged listening parents and grandparents that all is not lost. “The very first thing we have to do is say to the Lord, until you show me what I did wrong, I will assume I did nothing wrong and I will not feel guilty anymore,” said Waldrep, who in 1980 with his wife Debbie, started the Phil Waldrep Evangelistic Association. “When you can make that decision, victory begins to come and you are in a position of strength to make other decisions.” The author of “Reaching Your Prodigal: What Did I Do Wrong? What Do I do Now?” Waldrep said some parents may question the meaning of Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Waldrep said the verse does not teach perfect parenting will equate to perfect children. “You can be the world’s greatest parent and still have a child who is prodigal and … [Read more...]
Archives for February 2017
WAYLON BAILEY: Let’s pray for Chicago
By Waylon Bailey Over the last few weeks, I’ve had a real burden for Chicago and the inner cities across America. I’m sure much of that has to do with the publicity concerning the 700 people murdered in Chicago in 2016 with several thousand others shot and wounded. Part of that concern also comes to my living close to a large city (New Orleans) which suffers greatly in the inner city with crime, drugs, and fatal violence. I often hear people say that the city is safe except for certain parts of the city. They also counsel staying out of those sections. Of course, we do attempt to say stay out of unsafe areas, but that’s a tragedy People have to live in those areas. The people who live in those areas desire to be safe and keep their family safe just as I do. What should we do about our inner cities? I’m sure there are many political answers that could and should be given to that question, but what should you and I do? I am committed to pray for Chicago and for New Orleans. I want to encourage you to do the same. Let us commit to pray for revival nationwide, for a turning of America to Christ. Would anything change our country and our cities as much as a genuine awakening? Let us pray that God would … [Read more...]