An Ordinary Man An Extraordinary God

All throughout the Bible, God used ordinary people to do extraordinary things that changed the lives of countless people. This is the story of how God used an ordinary man and helped him to overcome astronomical odds through His mercy and grace. Although this story does not appear in the Bible, it appears in real life, my life, and that I have lived to tell this story is a miracle in itself. Being rescued from a fire and taken down the hook and ladder by some brave firemen, to surviving having a sawed off shot gun stuck to the back of my head and escaping a kidnapping attempt, my life could not have been anymore dramatic. Yet at every turn God was there to save me even from a life crippling drug addiction. God had a plan and a purpose and I have lived to tell this incredible story of survival and being an overcomer all by the grace of God.

"An Ordinary Man With An Extraordinary God" will take you on a powerful journey of self discovery, peace and finding true joy in your life. With biblical scriptures and principles as the guide, you will find the courage to love yourself, overcome fear and self doubt. Allowing you to embrace who you are by letting God lead your life!

After retiring as a veterinarian, the author had much more time to spend with others, so he related stories of many of the experiences in his life. He was asked by family, friends, and others with whom he had shared if he had recorded these stories. Ernest never wanted to write his life story, but God revealed to him that he should record his experiences and title the book An Ordinary Man, An Extraordinary God. His procrastination to write ended when he had a back fusion with two rods and ten screws which required him to lay on a bone stimulator for four hours a day for six months; and during that time, he was not able to do any physical work. The book would show how God could take a country boy raised on a farm and use him to bring glory to God. Explaining how God used him could encourage others who also thought they were "nobodies" to realize that God could use any person that believed in God and spent time in His Word to walk in the Spirit and be led by the Spirit. The book begins just before Ernest received Jesus as his Lord and Savior and continues showing how, through His Word, the author received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, learned to walk in the Spirit, witnessed about God to others, prayed the prayer of faith for healing, cast out demons, and did other works of God. His walk with God and how he grew in faith is shared chronologically in the book. Now he could understand the groaning of the spirit within a Christian for the day of redemption when he would enter God's presence and be with Jesus for eternity.

After retiring as a veterinarian, the author had much more time to spend with others, so he related stories of many of the experiences in his life. He was asked by family, friends, and others with whom he had shared if he had recorded these stories. Ernest never wanted to write his life story, but God revealed to him that he should record his experiences and title the book An Ordinary Man, An Extraordinary God. His procrastination to write ended when he had a back fusion with two rods and ten screws which required him to lay on a bone stimulator for four hours a day for six months; and during that time, he was not able to do any physical work. The book would show how God could take a country boy raised on a farm and use him to bring glory to God. Explaining how God used him could encourage others who also thought they were "nobodies" to realize that God could use any person that believed in God and spent time in His Word to walk in the Spirit and be led by the Spirit. The book begins just before Ernest received Jesus as his Lord and Savior and continues showing how, through His Word, the author received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, learned to walk in the Spirit, witnessed about God to others, prayed the prayer of faith for healing, cast out demons, and did other works of God. His walk with God and how he grew in faith is shared chronologically in the book. Now he could understand the groaning of the spirit within a Christian for the day of redemption when he would enter God's presence and be with Jesus for eternity.

Dick Snavely reveals some of his childhood experiences and personal challenges that prepared him to organize and lead Family Life Ministries for nearly fifty years. These experiences include miracles, exciting answers to prayer along with the good, the bad, and the ugly. The reader will share in Dick's early struggles from spankings in third grade, reckless driving as a teenager, the search for a wife, and getting fired as a pastor. You will also rejoice with him in his glorious victories of a personal encounter with God, working with troubled boys, the conversion of a city gang member and the building of a Christian radio station that became a network of Christian FM stations. The excitement and thrill of victory is evident in the story of Family Life Ministries/Network. Dick has often prayed "Lord I don't know where you are leading me today but help me to hang on." Dick Snavely was raised in a Mennonite family in Lancaster County, PA. He organized Family Life Ministries, New Life Homes-Snell Farm, Twin Tiers Youth For Christ, and Family Life Network. He is a graduate of Bob Jones University Dick was a film evangelist with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Film Association, and pastored a church briefly in West Virginia. In 1957 he moved his family to New York where he organized Family Life Ministries, Inc. He led the organization as President and CEO for 47 years and was succeeded by his son Rick. He is married 55 years to Jacqueline DeVere. They have four children and eleven grandchildren. All four children are active in their church and serving the Lord. Dick is just an ordinary guy. What you see is what you get. He reveals some of the good, bad, and ugly times as he candidly tells of his life experiences in this book.

Have you ever wondered if God is real? Or do you sometimes question whether or not He knows you and is intimately involved in your life? And do you wonder if He hears your prayers and has your best interests in mind? If so, then this book is for you! Read how God has opened the eyes of an ordinary man to see the normally unseen supernatural workings of Jesus Christ in his life. Read about the divine appointments and divine interventions that God has orchestrated in Marks life that have clearly demonstrated Gods love for himthe kind of love God has for you and for every man or woman who feels as though they are simply ordinary.

The Bible is a book unlike any other book ever written. God used different men, over a period of time, to record His thoughts and words to mankind. In essence, the men were the pen (or quill) in the hand of God. Each of our lives is also a book to be read by others. Some books have more chapters. Some have longer chapters. Some have more colorful chapters. With some, the ending is too abrupt. Ordinary Man/Extraordinary God is my attempt to be a pen in the hand of God. It is my attempt to brag about God by recalling His involvement in my life. I hope it inspires you to reflect and look for moments where you can brag about Him too.

Just in time for the first anniversary of Billy Graham’s death, Allison’s reflection on the life and work of America’s pastor is now available in paperback. New preface by the author, new to this edition. Billy Graham said, “You have no idea how sick I get of the name Billy Graham, and how wonderful and thrilling the name Christ sounds to my ears.” So why another book about him? Lon Allison, evangelist himself, and popular evangelical pastor in Wheaton, Illinois, has learned much from Billy. Allison retells the highlights of what has been, by any objective account, a fascinating life, and tells it in a way that resonates with the Graham legacy of serving God and seeking to spread the Good News. Every stage of Graham’s life is included, even the rough spots, with appreciation and a desire to answer the question: What can we learn from the life and ministry of Billy Graham? What is his legacy? What was his message and how might it still be relevant for today. “Many will welcome the intimate details of his life revealed by Allison. Their close relationship allows the author to present a ‘bird’s-eye view’ of the evangelist.” —David Gibson, Catholic News Service