Leonard Yonkman was born and raised in a small farming community in eastern Michigan. He was exposed to God's Word at a young age; the family attended a Baptist Church for a number of years. One minister in particular inspired within Leonard a desire to know God, but it wasn't until his early twenties when he took a class called Power For Abundant Living that his life truly changed and he began to know God personally. At the conclusion of the class he accepted a challenge in which students were encouraged to put away all secular reading materials and read only God's Word for three months. That experience taught him to be a workman of God's Word and to seek out the truths of God's Word for himself. He realized he didn't need to rely solely on someone else for instruction and that God didn't require a man to be a scholar in order for His Word to unfold. God will open His Word and teach any individual who comes to it with a desire to learn. For Leonard, this cemented God's Word as a way of life, not a hobby or a passing fancy. His affinity to Job was one of a true change of perspective.
Job 42:5
I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now my eye seeth thee.
I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now my eye seeth thee.
Leonard and his wife have been coordinating a home based non-denominational Christian fellowship for approximately 25 years. During that time he and his family attended a Biblical Research College. Leonard is a student, as well as a teacher of God's Word; he teaches others how to understand the keys to the Word's interpretation of itself.
Leonard is also a master craftsman with over 30 years experience in the building trades. He has spent more than 16 years expertly and lovingly restoring a well known historic landmark in southwest Michigan, among other private homes and businesses. Leonard sees the integrity in God's Word; integrity which similarly therefore is inherent in his secular work. Leonard's heart is to teach God's Word to those who desire to hear it and his goal is to live "…a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." The apostle Paul was likened to a wise master builder but the foundation that he laid was none other than Jesus Christ. We all work together, but the reward is according to one's own labor.
I Corinthians 3:6-14
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
COURAGE
Courage isn't a brilliant dash,
A daring deed in a moment's flash;
It isn't an instantaneous thing
Born of despair with a sudden spring
It isn't a creature of flickered hope
Or the final tug at a slipping rope;
But it's something deep in the soul of man
That is working always to serve some plan.
Courage isn't the last resort
In the work of life or the game of sport;+
It isn't a thing that a man can call
At some future time when he's apt to fall;
If he hasn't it now, he will have it not
When the strain is great and the pace is hot.
For who would strive for a distant goal
Must always have courage within his soul.
Courage isn't a dazzling light
That flashes and passes away from sight;
It's a slow, unwavering, ingrained trait
With the patience to work and the strength to wait.
It's part of a man when his skies are blue,
It's part of him when he has work to do.
The brave man never is freed of it.
He has it when there is no need of it.
Courage was never designed for show;
It isn't a thing that can come and go;
It's written in victory and defeat
And every trial a man may meet.
It's part of his hours, his days and his years,
Back of his smiles and behind his tears.
Courage is more than a daring deed:
It's the breath of life and a strong man's creed.
-Edgar A. Guest
Leonard Yonkman is a student of God's Word as well as a teacher. He and his wife have coordinated a non-denominational home-based Christian fellowship for approximately 25 years. Leonard has taught numerous classes teaching others how to understand the keys to the Word's interpretation of itself and written countless papers on different topics of study in God's Word. He lives in Paw Paw, Michigan.
Courage isn't a brilliant dash,
A daring deed in a moment's flash;
It isn't an instantaneous thing
Born of despair with a sudden spring
It isn't a creature of flickered hope
Or the final tug at a slipping rope;
But it's something deep in the soul of man
That is working always to serve some plan.
Courage isn't the last resort
In the work of life or the game of sport;+
It isn't a thing that a man can call
At some future time when he's apt to fall;
If he hasn't it now, he will have it not
When the strain is great and the pace is hot.
For who would strive for a distant goal
Must always have courage within his soul.
Courage isn't a dazzling light
That flashes and passes away from sight;
It's a slow, unwavering, ingrained trait
With the patience to work and the strength to wait.
It's part of a man when his skies are blue,
It's part of him when he has work to do.
The brave man never is freed of it.
He has it when there is no need of it.
Courage was never designed for show;
It isn't a thing that can come and go;
It's written in victory and defeat
And every trial a man may meet.
It's part of his hours, his days and his years,
Back of his smiles and behind his tears.
Courage is more than a daring deed:
It's the breath of life and a strong man's creed.
"The greatness of a man's life is not measured in the material things he owns, but in the quality of life he lives according to the Word of God." -Victor Paul Wierwille