Videos of Remembrance

During Founder’s Week 2011, Moody launched a five-part video series that is now available on www.moody125.org. For today’s post, the producer shares his experience working on the project.

By Paul Butler, freelance producer, Moody Radio

Somewhere near the Jordan River is a pile of stones that were to be a reminder of God's faithfulness to an entire generation of Israelites.  Not a historical marker like we see along the highway or a statue of Joshua in a battle pose—just a pile of rocks taken from the Jordan river bed. Children in later generations were sure to ask, "What are these stones?" And, the parents and grandparents were to tell them of God's strong arm and everlasting promises. There is incredible power in the telling of old stories. A reminder that just as God was faithful in the past, He will be to our generation as well.

I had the privilege of working on the five-part video series for this year's celebration of Moody’s 125th anniversary. These short videos are like that pile of rocks—a reminder of God's hand of blessing on our founder and the ministries of the organization that find their mission in the vision of D. L. Moody.

One of the best parts of this project was the hours spent in the Moody Archives, selecting the photographs for the series. There are so many compelling images that capture a moment in time. One of my favorites shows two men standing next to one of our missionary pilot training planes. I love the logo (notice the Bible as wings). I think the flight program would do well to consider bringing it back. 

Another image I came across is an illustration of Mr. Moody on horseback. It's not the one we're most familiar with. I like this one because you can see adults looking on—not just children. What did adults think of this young man? They called him "Crazy Moody," but he is an amazing a testimony and picture of God's seeking us out and plucking us from sin. Just like the stones near the Jordan, these images don't tell the entire story, but taken together, they remind us of God's mighty work in the generations before us.

 

We're not telling this story to put D. L. Moody or the school he founded on a pedestal, but rather to point to his/our Master. As we look at these stones of remembrance, may we marvel at God's faithfulness, provision and grace.