Blessed by our churches and the people who fill them
I love my little Bible-preaching church and wonderful congregation! All who attend are bles’t and individually bless the community in some way. Members demonstrate Christlikeness, work many places, and come in contact with many others.
Sunday’s service blessed me. Pastor said his subject was “Marriage.”
“I’m going to grade your marriages today,” he smiled over the congregation. “If it’s already great, put ‘1 + 1= 10’ . . . No, anyone that’s not married can’t be excused!” (You can imagine the laughter that generated.)
He said his subject was “the purpose, ways and means of ministry; Christ-likeness embodied. Mercy trumps judgment. Be sure you are ‘one who is spiritual’ …, have the right attitude. If they listen, you’ve won them over. ...”
“Prayers don’t have the same power if you’re by yourself,” he declared,- then propped his favorite painting by the altar. A muddy stream crossed the bottom foreground. A frightened, cold, miserable lamb shivers in it – lost and frightened. A long-haired man wearing sandals and a coarse robe, belted with a rope runs downhill toward the lamb.
Pastor said, “This has always reminded me of the song ‘When God Ran’ by Benny Hester – actually that’s the title of the painting. The lamb is rescued but still going away from the rescuer . . . innocent, wanting to hear that call. Jesus is aware of everything.”
He asked us to look at that for two or three minutes, then raise our hand if we’d be willing to say what it means to us. Soon six or eight people raised hands and spoke meaningful words.
“The lamb is rescued, yet still going away from the rescuer.” “Innocent, wanting to hear that call, but there’s someone back there it’s afraid of.” “Jesus is aware of everything, watching, knowing where we are even when we think we’re done for.”
A child, 6 to 8 years old, said, “The little prince already has unwarranted favor, but isn’t exactly the brightest bulb in the shed.” No one could keep from laughing then.
“When we look back, he comes running. A strong little lamb with Jesus behind him, he will be found. We’ll start a party over one.” And “When I see the lamb, I see the man with leprosy, and Jesus’ mercy and grace, the never-ending love of God.”
Pastor thanked the responders, then said, “Open your Bibles to Matthew 12. . . . We’ll start at verse 11. I’ve got a list. Are you on that list? You will not be again. Be burdened. … There comes a time when discipline fails. . . . That’s the time to come alongside. When God leads, we’re going in the right direction. We’re not OK. Pray for any who come to mind. Spend more time on yourself. Be sure you are ‘one who is spiritual’ with the right attitude.”
“If they listen, you’ve won them over.”
“Thus getting us back to the subject, purpose, ways and means of ministry — evangelism — Christ likeness embodied. Mercy trumps judgment. . . . Be sure you are one who is spiritual. … Have the right attitude. If they listen, you’ve won them over.”
I love my pastor, and my church... blessing all who come in. This community gets bles’t, as members work various places and interact with many. Faith speaks through personal
interactions.
The wonderful friends I played dominos with at Weston County Senior Center two days later mirror church. Happy, friendly, kind, fun to be with, they express varied personalities in multiple ways, blessing everyone around them. Four relaxing hours passed this afternoon as a dozen or so of us laughed, joked, badgered one another and competed hotly — as always!
Winter is upon Newcastle with icy fingers, but the warmth of friends and the kindness of those who work where we do business seem to hold it at bay.