A
FamilyChristian.com
Exclusive Interview
Quick Read: Dr.
Charles F. Stanley
First
Words Published (& Age Written):
I wrote an article for a Baptist paper in Ohio in 1961, age 29.
 Favorite
Sports Team:
I really don't have one; I'm not a sport's fan.
What's
in your CD player right now? Do you listen to much music?
My favorite is easy music. I have a dish which has all kinds of music. So for
me, old Frank Sinatra music, music I don't have to think about and nobody is
singing.
Favorite
Bible Verse:
Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on
your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your
paths straight.
Book
do you wish you wrote:
I wouldn't covet to write someone else's book, but I will tell you that the
book that greatly affected my life was by Dr. Edmond of Wheaton College called
They Found the Secret, another book was So Send I You by Oswald
Chambers about missionaries.
The first chapter of Dr.
Edmond's book was twenty biographical sketches of spiritual experiences that
saints of God have had. The first one was Hudson Taylor which absolutely, totally
revolutionized my life. He's the one who went to China. In those few pages,
I saw something I had never seen before.
I remember that my wife
had bought this book and read it on the train while returning from seeing her
mother. I was preaching from Galatians and came to the passage about fruits
of the spirit, etc. I was struggling with this. I said, "God, I feel this on
Sunday, but I don't feel this on Monday through Saturday." I picked up that
book on a Friday evening, walked out to my study, read that first chapter, got
on my knees, on my face. I said, "God, I have never heard anyone talk about
the body of Christ and what it meant."
Even though I had been to
seminary, it was the first time that I realized that I didn't have to live the
Christian life, that He had chosen to live that through me. That was the first
time that I saw the vine and the branch and abiding in Him and that was a big
turning point. That was in 1965.
Hobbies:
Photography. I have six books of my photographs. My favorite thing is to take
off about three weeks, go back out in the wilderness somewhere. I've gone to
other countries-Nova Scotia, Canada and Norway. So that's my favorite thing
to do besides preach. The books are published-31 black and white photographs
and 31 devotions: A Touch of His Wisdom, A Touch of His Peace, A Touch
of His Love, A Touch of His Innocence, A Touch of His Power and the next
one will be A Touch of His Joy. I have had a great time doing that. Interestingly,
I can look at each one of those and tell you what was going on out there. It's
amazing how you don't forget.
If
you weren't a writer, what would you be?
Other than a pastor and writer, today I would be a photographer.
What
is God teaching you now?
To be able to endure, persevere, no matter what the circumstances; to keep my
focus on Him and watch him fulfill what I believe is this awesome goal he has
given me.
If
you could meet anyone, who would it be?
Besides Jesus? I would probably want to have met Spurgeon.
Favorite
Board Game:
I don't have any favorite games. My favorite thing to do is to get in the darkroom
and do photography. Games are a waste of time for me; like watching sports,
watching TV unless it's specific things. I watch westerns sometimes when I'm
cooking; I live alone. I know what the end will be and it's clean. I like war
movies and espionage kind of things.
Most
cherished possession:
The present Bible that I have, a New American Standard printed for me by the
Lockman Foundation. When I ordered it, I asked for a Bible without any notes,
just wide margins so I could write my own notes. When I picked it up and started
reading it, I thought that it was the pure word of God, the leather is so fine.
It took me ten days before I put the first note in it.
2000 © Family Christian
Stores
|
Cart: 
