I was healed in an Oral Roberts tent meeting - at the age of 5 my left ear had only 10% hearing, 90% loss of hearing - my parents, after prayer and fasting, decided to drive to Oakland, California - I only remember walking a long plywood ramp - (later found out this was to facilitate wheelchairs) - and a man on a folding chair prayed for me - vehemently - and instantly I had hearing, and today - my hearing is still perfect (eyesight's fading - shoulders hurt/ankles hurt- but hearing is perfect!).
I met Oral years later when I was traveling with Demos Shakarian - was able to say thank you to him - he was an impressive man - when he entered a room, everyone turned - even if they didn't know who he was... he just had a large spirit - love watching the old films of his meetings - he was so strong - prayed for a guy, very strong, but no wild manipulation, just sitting on a chair - then when he was healed - hit the guy in the shoulder, "Hey brother, you're healed!" awesome! Always gave God all the glory - a Methodist man of FAITH!
I know that many have a problem with Oral's tv personality, his declarations on his school or seed-faith - BUT THIS MAN WALKED WITH GOD! The next generation owes him a deep gratitude. Pastor Jack Hayford said it best, he said because of Oral, ""If God had not, in His sovereign will, raised up the ministry of Oral Roberts, the entire charismatic movement might not have occurred,"
Oral Roberts is proof. a man sold out to Christ can change the world - he was born in a little poor farming town in the middle of Oklahoma - and impacted the world - HE JUST DECIDED AT A YOUNG AGE - IT DOESNT MATTER WHAT ANYONE ELSE SAYS - I'M GOING TO BE RADICAL IN FAITH!!
He would not be detoured by the pressure of massive vision! He never quit, never backed off huge dreams - he finished strong - 91 yrs. old and still mentoring, teaching, exhorting, encouraging, pushing, dreaming...
Thank God for Oral and Evelyn Roberts... and may the Lord be with their children and family at this special Christmas season... Amen.
with grateful heart.
paul
2 comments:
Paul, what a perfect summary of a man of faith and vision. One man can change the world, the church, and countless lives of others. Oral's determiniation and endurance was certainly a testimony to all of us. My life was greatly impacted by his teachings and his willingness to be different. My brother Ron called the Oral Roberts prayer tower back in 1983 when I was on my death bed in Germany. They prayed and agreed with him that a "knife would not touch me and I would be raised up by the power of God and testify to it all the days of my life." I am still here and that knife never touched me and I am still testifying around the world of his grace in my life. Thanks for this post, I am sure that countless millions have been touched by his faithfulness.
Thanks, Paul. Great commentary on a great man.
We are losing that generation.
Dr. TL Osborn is still around. I've had the privilege of organizing meetings for him in Central America, Asia, Europe and Africa.
Have you met him?
Post a Comment