Spiritual Light

Introduction to the Third Printing

Much has changed over the twenty-eight years since this, my first book, was produced in 1980. My father, "Preacher Clark", died on Passover morning in 1989, at the age of 88, and mother died in 1985, one day short of her 58th birthday. Except for Uncle Joe's widow, Aunt Myrtle, all the other old saints have passed on, too: Sister Dell, Sister Millie, Brother Frank, Uncle Joe, Aunt Leatha, Sister Manning, and the rest. In 1992, lightning struck the farmhouse Grandpa built, the house where the saints had met and prayed for many years. Aunt Leatha watched helplessly as her birthplace burned to the ground. She was the first child born in that house (in 1921) and the last person to live there.

As those old warriors of the faith were leaving to go to their eternal home, God was adding souls to comfort us, and another generation of saints is now being brought up to know the truth and to love it.

Jesus taught me the lessons you will read in this little book, and I am trusting him now to give you the discernment you will need in order to determine whether or not I am telling the truth.

My journey of faith began when I humbled myself to Christ in those little country prayer meetings so long ago, and that journey continues as I humble myself to Christ now to listen to the Spirit of truth and obey it. I cannot adequately express my gratitude for the faithful hearts who have encouraged me from the beginning to follow the sometimes astonishing voice of Jesus, no matter where that voice led me: my wife Barbara, whom God sent me as a gift I can never repay, Earl and Betty Pittman, my elders in the Lord and spiritual children of my father as much as I, Glen Bartow, "an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile," and Ellen Payne, my kinswoman within and without. I mention their names as a small token of my gratitude for the love of God they have shown me over these many years and through great trials. God alone can give them a fitting reward.

To the saints of God everywhere, but especially to the dear saints who gather at my house, I humbly offer this third edition of my first work. May God keep your hearts in His love until we meet in heaven, and may He richly bless you forever.