From the Editor Jul/Aug 2019

Every now and then, the Lord brings someone into your life who changes everything for you. I met Rennie and Ellie Showers 33 years ago when I was a student at Word of Life Bible Institute in Schroon Lake, New York. I was a young widow with a 6-year-old daughter. After sitting under Rennie’s teaching, my outlook on life has never been the same. Rennie went home to be with the Lord on April 4, and we will all miss him greatly.

Thanks to Rennie, I view the world through a completely different lens, one that focuses on God’s plan for the ages. Rennie was at Word of Life teaching his incomparable book, What on Earth Is God Doing? If you haven’t read this unique and outstanding work, you should.

Rennie’s teaching was so compelling I hung on every word. When I began studying for the exam, I discovered I had been so invested in the material that I had retained everything.

I knew Dr. Showers was a world-renowned theologian and in great demand as a Bible teacher and conference speaker around the world. Never did I expect to become his editor, which happened when Elwood McQuaid, The Friends of Israel’s executive director at the time, hired me as senior editor in 1999.

Rennie became my theological compass, as he had been for The Friends of Israel since he began writing for Israel My Glory in the 1980s. When I became editor-in-chief, I consulted him often. Whenever I had theological questions about an article, I called Rennie. As busy as he was, he graciously gave me all the time I needed.

When my daughter graduated from college, she took a job 600 long miles from home at a megachurch that had 26 pastors and more than 100 full-time employees. A little lonely one day, she called me from work. During the call, I heard her ask someone, “Me?” She was told visitors were coming up the elevator to see her. She couldn’t imagine who they were. She didn’t know anyone. When the elevator door opened, there stood Rennie and Ellie Showers—two wonderful, welcome faces from home. She was so happy to see them she wanted to cry.

That was Rennie Showers. I will miss him dearly. Yet I know for certain I will see him again, and therein lies the matchless fact of the Christian life. Jesus told His followers, “Because I live, you will live also” (Jn. 14:19).

This issue of Israel My Glory focuses on Elijah the prophet, a righteous man whom God also raised up to do His work. In every generation, He has His faithful remnant. It’s all part of His marvelous plan for the ages.

Waiting for His Appearing,
Lorna Simcox
Editor-in-Chief