Dr. Ken Ramsey explores answers in revival series
[CHARLESTON, W.Va. Bettijane Burger]
“The Top Five Questions of Life” were tackled recently by Dr. Ken Ramsey, Wesleyan District superintendant, at Christ Church United Methodist in Charleston. He preached revival services there from April 25 - 28.

In the Sunday sermon, based on the wedding at Cana, Ramsey said miracles are the signs of Jesus. In Jesus, God is fully present and when Jesus shows up, there is a transformation. Turning water into wine shows God fully provides; Jesus moves and acts. In this first miracle, Jesus was fully revealed.

This event was referred to as happening on the third day, as Easter happened on the third day. Ramsey challenged his listeners to enter into their third day of transformation and to turn despair into hope.

Sunday evening’s message was based on Paul’s letter to the Philippians, to answer the question, how do we deal with suffering? Paul spoke faith with boldness from prison.

Ramsey said we have choices. We let grief confine or define us. We surrender suffering to God and move on. We don’t know why there is suffering so we should focus on dealing with it. We can decline or refine: we can become stronger through the experience. Let God work. We can resign or design: “Save us from weak resignation,” the song goes. Jesus was there first, in his trials. We can malign or align with God’s will. We need to move away from negativity.

He told a story about grudgingly driving to yet another meeting recently. Then he saw a sign next to a car repair shop. It said, “Check your alignment.” Ramsey said he knew it was a message from God because it was in red letters, like the words of Jesus in his Bible. He changed his attitude and now saw the meeting as an opportunity.

Ramsey was a 30 point per game basketball player in Nicholas County but turned away from a sports career to preaching beginning at age 18.