It is humbling for me to reflect that 50 years ago today I preached my first sermon in Waupun, Wisconsin, on the words, “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:3). By God’s grace, from that day onward I was privileged to preach two (or sometimes three) times each Lord’s Day, as well as many times during the week while still a theological student, due to there being only five ministers serving twenty-five churches and about 10,000 members in the denomination with which I was then affiliated. Looking back over these five decades, and the three churches I have been privileged to serve as pastor, I confess that it is only by the sustaining grace of God that I have been upheld to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ until today. I remain persuaded that there is no greater calling on earth than preaching the gospel in dependency on the Holy Spirit to poor and needy sinners like us, who need the triune God of salvation more than we can ever realize! I can honestly say that I am just as humbled, moved, and excited to bring God’s Word today as I was in my early twenties—and often feel more unable than ever to fulfill so sacred a task. Will you pray with me and for me that God would graciously pardon all my shortcomings, bless whatever has been according to His truth, and grant me yet more years to proclaim the whole counsel of God in my home church and throughout this needy world? Truly, Christ must increase, and I must decrease. “Ebenezer: hitherto hath the LORD helped us” (1 Sam. 7:12). Soli Deo Gloria! Thanks so much for your prayers and friendship. Every praying friend means more to me than I can ever explain. I agree wholeheartedly with John Newton who once said that his best friends were those who lifted up his worthless name to the throne of grace to lisp it in the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.