Proving God Author:Al Taylor Peace and Joy When Things Feel Out of Control — In his book Proving God, Al Taylor tells the story of Arlie Rogers of Selma, California, — who came to be known as the "Sweet Potato King" because of his vast farming — operations in the San Joaquin Valley. Arlie and his brother first arrived in California — with little money. By scraping and saving, t... more »hey finally managed to purchase a farm. At
the time, the money crop was cotton, so the two brothers invested every penny they
could get in sowing cotton. When the cotton plants were just out of the ground, a great
sandstorm blew through the valley, destroying everyone's crops. The Rogers brothers
were disconsolate.
Arlie called the church and asked their pastor to visit. As Pastor Burnham walked
across the devastated fields, the brothers poured out their troubles. "Everything we had
was in that crop. We don't have any money or credit left to replant. We are completely
ruined. Now we will lose everything." Pastor Burnham knew these brothers as dedicated
Christians, active in their church, and faithful in giving their tithes to the Lord.
Squinting at them, he replied, "No, fellows, it's really not that bad. The God we serve
raised His own Son from the dead after three days. I know He can raise cotton."
With that, the pastor sank to his knees in the dirt and prayed a simple little prayer.
"Father," he said "these men are tithers. You said You would rebuke the devourer for a
tither. I am asking You to manifest the power of Your Word and fulfill that promise right
here in this cotton field. Bring this cotton back and give these men a good crop in Jesus'
name Amen."
He rose, brushed the dust from his knees, and said, "That ought to take care of it."
It did. A few days later the Rogers brothers called him back. There before his eyes a
good crop was rising from the ground. God has rebuked the devourer.« less