Summer Saving Partners

The 40-year Hour of Power will NOT survive the summer of 2010 without thousands of supportive Summer Partners…partners who each pledge to give $30 a month for the four months of summer—$30 for June, $30 for July, $30 for August, $30 for September—or a one-time summer gift of $120. And, to thank you for your Summer Partner support, the ministry will send to you these exciting items:

1. The beautiful, "coffee table" sized book, A Place of Beauty - A Joy Forever, 230 pages featuring interesting, inspiring and historical information about the founding and evolution of the Crystal Cathedral and Hour of Power... articles on architecture, gardens, sculpture, artwork, and much more.*


2. DVD of Dr. Robert H. Schuller's Best Messages.*


3. CD (audio) of Dr. Robert H. Schuller's Best Messages.*

* The book, CD & DVD are all in current ministry inventory. So, no additional cost will be incurred to produce these inspiring items for you. All of your Summer Partner giving will go right into paying television airtime bills.

Thankful in good times and tough times, we sing "Hallelujah!"

By Don Neuen, Director of the Crystal Cathedral Choir

Most every year, the Crystal Cathedral presents George Frideric Handel's beloved Messiah with choir and orchestra. The house is always full for these performances. Why?

Beyond the fact that it is an extraordinary work, its musical moods and sacred message-with every lyric taken directly from scripture-are able to touch the soul deeply and set our spirits soaring like nothing else. We are particularly blessed as we lift ourselves out of everyday life to praise God and thank him for the gift of his Son, our Messiah.

Within the piece, the "Hallelujah Chorus" is especially powerful and popular with listeners as it lifts Christ up as the King of kings and Lord of lords. As Handel was writing this portion of the work, the composer's assistant walked in to find the master musician in tears and holding up the score to this movement, saying, "I thought I saw the face of God."

This is how many feel when listening or singing along with the "Hallelujah Chorus"- a blessed opportunity to praise God mightily and be thankful, even during the tough times.

Shouting "Hallelujah" for a Life-Saving Legacy!

By Dr. Robert H. Schuller

The year 2010 celebrates the 60th Anniversary of Dr. Robert H. Schuller's ordination, the 60th anniversary of his marriage to his beloved Arvella, and the 40th Anniversary of the Hour of Power! In joy and thankfulness, we shout "Hallelujah!" It's very rare that a pastor continues his work into a sixth decade, so at this historic time in Dr. Schuller's life and ministry, PowerLines asked him: "Dr. Schuller, when you look back at 60 years as a pastor, a preacher and a minister, what do you see as your greatest achievement?" He answered: I don't remember exactly when it happened, but, after we went on TV in 1970, very early in our television history, we started receiving letters that said: "You saved my life."

Now, over the last 40 years, I've read it repeatedly- thousands of times. It's really quite a remarkable thing. I wondered how it was possible that so many people would tell us: "You saved my life."

I must say, when I graduated from seminary in 1950, if somebody would have told me then that my life of ministry would actually help save a single life, or even two lives, I think I would have been profoundly shocked to consider that God would use me to make that kind of impact on human lives. Now, 60 years later, after reading or hearing that sentence countless times from countless people, it is still truly amazing. It has to be a "God thing."

I say this because we've always preached the positive love of God. And it's God, alone, through Jesus Christ who has the power to save and redeem. I am humbled and exhilarated that God has used this ministry like an electrical power cord to transmit the positively charged and encouraging gospel of Jesus Christ. I have so often said, "All I did was show up for work every day." And, I truly believe it. Arvella and I came to work every day with a sincere desire in our hearts to share our faith in our living Lord with everyone we met.

"You saved my life"- this is the great legacy of our work for Jesus Christ from the Crystal Cathedral to the people of America and the world.

During trying times, say, "Ha!"

By Dr. Sheila Schuller Coleman

How do we praise God when everything is going wrong? When we get bad news? We praise God because God is God and God is good and God will have the last word and it will be good! When trouble hits, when suffering strikes, say, "Ha! Take that! Hallelujah anyway!"

The last few months, as our finances here at Crystal Cathedral Ministries have continued to suffer, I walk the grounds and see weeds growing where flowers had once bloomed. With tears in my eyes, I force myself to say aloud and mean it, "Hallelujah anyway! This is just a tough phase, but I believe in a tough God!"

When passing our statue of Job here on campus, seeing the fountain that surrounds it dry (the electric bill had to be cut wherever possible), I say aloud, …meaning it, with tears in my eyes, "Hallelujah anyway! Thank you, God, that even though you are trying us, we shall 'come forth as gold'" (Job 23:10).

And, indeed, I have seen that God allows our trials, our sufferings. He doesn't cause them, but he allows them—not to punish any of us, not because we have done something to deserve them, but that his glory will be revealed!

Yes, I have seen the glory of God revealed like never before in this ministry because of what we are going through. Probably the most beautiful phase of our ministry has been in April when thousands of ministry friends like YOU, in response to the financial downturn we have experienced, responded with an outpouring of love through the “icount” campaign, sending in $10 or more each through text, mail, 800 line, or online. (Note: At print date, over $300,000 dollars was raised through your "icount" donations.)

So, whenever you get afraid, join me in saying, "Ha! Hallelujah anyway!"

Say it whenever you are grieving: "Ha! Hallelujah anyway!"

Say it when you are having trouble believing: "Ha! Hallelujah anyway!"

I believe God allows suffering so all of us will be unified and connected in a common cause—a cause that is bigger than we are, requiring all of our efforts—large and small—to save something as significant as Crystal Cathedral Ministries.

I also believe that God allowed us to go through this difficult financial season so all of you would see that we are no different —we, too, are in the trenches. Over the years, many have seen the ministry's beautiful buildings and garden grounds and assumed that there was not an ongoing need for support - but there is. The ministry, which continues to deliver a message of faith and hope, is suffering like many others in this tough economic climate. So, despite the hard times, we join you in saying, "Ha! Hallelujah anyway!"

Daily Power Poles: How to Pray the Psalms

By Dr. Bill Gaultiere, Crystal Cathedral's Director of Spiritual Formation

Did you know that 90% of Americans pray every day? And most say they'd like to pray more often, but don't know if they are praying effectively. This is true of me. I bet it's true of you, too.

That is why God gave us the Psalms-all 150 of them! The Psalms teach us the spirit and language of prayer for whatever situation. Whether we're worried, sad, angry, blessed, oppressed, working, resting, complaining, or grateful—whatever our concerns are for the people we know or for ourselves—there is a Psalm to help us to pray with positive faith.

Jesus used the book of Psalms to help him pray. He sang them in times of celebration. He prayed them in times of trouble. He quoted from them often. Jesus taught us, along with his disciples, to pray the Psalms.

The great Christian leader Martin Luther said that the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13) is actually the Psalms in miniature. Jesus, in his infinite wisdom, distilled the whole book of Psalms into one short, powerful prayer! Each line of Jesus' famous "model prayer" can be understood to represent five of the main types of prayer in the Psalms: thanksgiving and praise, submission, petition, confession and forgiveness, and overcoming trials.

I have learned to turn to the Psalms every day. Here's what I do that you may want to try:

• Pray the 150 Psalms sequentially, one or
two each day.

• Keep your favorite one(s) handy and pray
them as needed.

• Inspired by them, paraphrase them, write
"prayer poems," or draw pictures.

• Memorize a Psalm, and say it or sing it aloud.

I pray the Psalms morning, noon, and night and I use phrases from the Psalms to "re-center" myself in God's presence all day long. Most importantly, I pray the Psalms with Jesus Christ in mind, remembering how he lived, prayed, taught, and died.

I encourage you to make the Psalms your school of prayer, using them, one by one, to allow God to lead you in some fresh, new ways to pray in the midst of your daily life.

To learn more from Bill about the Psalms, prayer, and other ways of growing closer to Jesus, go to www.hourofpower.org ► "Ministries" ► "Come & Grow."

Be a "Power Pole," Sharing His Love With Others

By Dr. Sheila Schuller Coleman

One night years ago during high school youth group, we discussed the high price Christ paid for us through death so we could live forever. Surrounded by friends, I came to the full realization-and bittersweet majesty-that Jesus had died for ME! If you or I had been the only person to believe in him, he would still have made the sacrifice so that you or I could live abundantly on earth and eternally in heaven.

Today, as I remember what he did for me and for you, I envision the cross as his "power pole" from which he emits the loving promise of eternal life straight into hearts that are open to believe. Have you made that link with Jesus? Have you allowed that promise to bond his heart to yours? If so, you may want to help others connect with Jesus in the same way.

It really isn't hard to share about Jesus. You don't need to moralize or coerce, but simply share with others a personal story about how Jesus touched your heart or changed your life, something similar to the story I shared about my revelation during youth group.

As you do, in many cases their curiosity will open the door for you to take the next step-to invite them to church or Bible study, or to pray with them as they accept Jesus into their lives.

The Psalmist speaks of his excitement about sharing with others the truth about God when he said, "Since my youth, O God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds . . . I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come" (Psalm 71:17-18b, NIV).

Like the Psalmist, you can become a "power pole"-connected to the cross of Jesus on one end and to your friends and loved ones on the other end-as you share the stories of his "marvelous deeds," enabling them to accept a new and eternal life filled with his power through hope, grace and love . . . forever!

The PSALMS . . . timeless, affirming encouragement for ALL ages.

By Jim Coleman,
Crystal Cathedral Creative Director

I was sitting in church recently listening to Dr. Robert H. Schuller read the morning scripture. In the opening sentence from Psalm 18:2 he emphasized, as only Dr. Schuller can, "The Lord is my rock!" At that moment, a tiny girl sitting behind me on her mother's lap repeated aloud, "My rock!" She spoke in a childlike yet loud and firm tone. As I turned around to look at the toddler, her mother and I exchanged smiles. Then, towards the end of the reading, when Dr. Schuller said it once again, the little voice behind me repeated the words, "My rock!" I heard her say those words a couple more times during the hour-long service. It was amazing... and a marvelous illustration of how impressionable our minds are and how important it is to fill up our hearts and our heads with positive spiritual values.

Can you imagine the difference it might make in your life if you heard Dr. Robert H. Schuller reading the Psalms in your home, car, or office every day? Maybe you, like this little girl, would discover the positive value of repeating and embracing the timeless, affirming encouragement given to us by God through the Bible in the life-enhancing book of Psalms.

Across the country in Pennsylvania another viewer wrote, "I don't know where
to begin to thank you for the Hour of Power. I often feel depressed, but when I listen to your program I am always strengthened and find the courage to press on. Your music and weekly speakers are wonderful!"

A viewer from Germany wrote, "Your program has helped me a lot when faced with difficult times in the past. I watch Hour of Power on TV and watched it on DVDs as well. While your ministry is facing difficult times, I'm praying for you. I would like to thank you and your staff for the good work."

Yet another viewer wrote, "The statement, 'You saved my life,' greatly applies to me. I can never thank you and God enough for your Hour of Power television ministry. I have been watching your program since I was 24 years old; I am now 54. I can't imagine my life without you."

As you can see from these comments, the Hour of Power is a powerful source of God-inspired hope and encouragement to persons everywhere . . . it's a power-line on a power-pole positively charged with spiritual energy for your soul and millions of others, as well.

Just as the Hour of Power positively charges your life, so too, your financial gifts recharge this ministry . . . making it possible for the Hour of Power to stay on the air. Without you, the power would be cut and the Hour of Power would not continue its 40-year+ commitment to being a power-line of positive faith.

Yes, you are important to this world-televised ministry. We know times are tough so, this month, we've put together a special hope-generating gift just for you. We have created, for the first time in our 40-year television history, an audio CD that features Dr. Robert H. Schuller reading the Psalms from the pulpit of the Crystal Cathedral. A graduate of Princeton Seminary once said that Dr. Schuller sets the model for the powerful presentation of scripture reading. So, we have taken 26 Psalms, all read by Dr. Schuller, and put them on a 74-minute CD just for you to listen to morning, noon and night . . . over and over and over again. Hear the true power, the true hope, the true timeless and encouraging gift of God as communicated in the cherished pages of the Bible in the Psalms.

Please write, call, or go online today to request and receive the inspiration of Dr. Robert H. Schuller reading the Psalms. Include as generous a gift as you possibly can so, together, we will keep the power of the Hour of Power positively charged and sending out to you God's spiritual energy, truth, and love!