The arrival of spring seems to bring to mind freshness and order. It's traditionally a time for a thorough cleaning. Air out the house! Move all the furniture and clean every corner.
While we're cleaning house we can freshen up and sort out our spiritual life as well. Discard unwanted habits that clutter the soul. Begin a practice that will enrich life on a daily basis. Start each day with a prayer, read from a devotional, relax with a quiet walk. The possibilities are endless.
How can we do these things? We can cleanse our souls and learn better practices at our house of worship. Our spirits will sparkle as we learn to trust in God's will for our lives.
Read Psalm 111 today.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Signs of Spring
I always enjoy the flowers and birds that accompany the arrival of spring. A pair of sparrows attracted my attention the other day. God provides so many wonderful things for our amazement and enjoyment.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Thought for You
I received the following from a great friend. I pass it along.
Shoes in church.
I showered and shaved............. I adjusted my tie. I got there and sat.............. In a pew just in time. Bowing my head in prayer......... As I closed my eyes. I saw the shoe of the man next to me..... Touching my own. I sighed. With plenty of room on either side...... I thought, "Why must our soles touch?" It bothered me, his shoe touching mine... But it didn't bother him much. A prayer began: "Our Father"............. I thought, "This man with the shoes, has no pride. They're dusty, worn, and scratched. Even worse, there are holes on the side!" "Thank You for blessings," the prayer went on. The shoe man said............... A quiet "Amen." I tried to focus on the prayer....... But my thoughts were on his shoes again. Aren't we supposed to look our best. When walking through that door? "Well, this certainly isn't it," I thought, Glancing toward the floor. Then the prayer was ended........... And the songs of praise began. The shoe man was certainly loud...... Sounding proud as he sang. His voice lifted the rafters......... His hands were raised high. The Lord could surely hear. The shoe man's voice from the sky. It was time for the offering....... And what I threw in was steep. I watched as the shoe man reached.... Into his pockets so deep. I saw what was pulled out.......... What the shoe man put in. Then I heard a soft "clink" . As when silver hits tin. The sermon really bored me......... To tears, and that's no lie. It was the same for the shoe man... For tears fell from his eyes. At the end of the service...... As is the custom here. We must greet new visitors, And show them all good cheer. But I felt moved somehow............. And wanted to meet the shoe man. So after the closing prayer....... I reached over and shook his hand. He was old and his skin was dark.... And his hair was truly a mess. But I thanked him for coming......... For being our guest. He said, "My names' Charlie.......... I'm glad to meet you, my friend." There were tears in his eyes....... But he had a large, wide grin. "Let me explain," he said......... Wiping tears from his eyes. "I've been coming here for months.... And you're the first to say 'Hi.'" "I know that my appearance........."Is not like all the rest. "But I really do try................."To always look my best." "I always clean and polish my shoes.."Before my very long walk. "But by the time I get here........."They're dirty and dusty, like chalk." My heart filled with pain........... And I swallowed to hide my tears. As he continued to apologize......... For daring to sit so near He said, "When I get here..........."I know I must look a sight. "But I thought if I could touch you.."Then maybe our souls might unite." I was silent for a moment........... Knowing whatever was said Would pale in comparison... I spoke from my heart, not my head. "Oh, you've touched me," I said......"And taught me, in part; "That the best of any man............"Is what is found in his heart." The rest, I thought,................ This shoe man will never know. Like just how thankful I really am... That his dirty old shoe touched my soul You are special to me and you have made a difference in my life. I respect you, and truly cherish you.
Shoes in church.
I showered and shaved............. I adjusted my tie. I got there and sat.............. In a pew just in time. Bowing my head in prayer......... As I closed my eyes. I saw the shoe of the man next to me..... Touching my own. I sighed. With plenty of room on either side...... I thought, "Why must our soles touch?" It bothered me, his shoe touching mine... But it didn't bother him much. A prayer began: "Our Father"............. I thought, "This man with the shoes, has no pride. They're dusty, worn, and scratched. Even worse, there are holes on the side!" "Thank You for blessings," the prayer went on. The shoe man said............... A quiet "Amen." I tried to focus on the prayer....... But my thoughts were on his shoes again. Aren't we supposed to look our best. When walking through that door? "Well, this certainly isn't it," I thought, Glancing toward the floor. Then the prayer was ended........... And the songs of praise began. The shoe man was certainly loud...... Sounding proud as he sang. His voice lifted the rafters......... His hands were raised high. The Lord could surely hear. The shoe man's voice from the sky. It was time for the offering....... And what I threw in was steep. I watched as the shoe man reached.... Into his pockets so deep. I saw what was pulled out.......... What the shoe man put in. Then I heard a soft "clink" . As when silver hits tin. The sermon really bored me......... To tears, and that's no lie. It was the same for the shoe man... For tears fell from his eyes. At the end of the service...... As is the custom here. We must greet new visitors, And show them all good cheer. But I felt moved somehow............. And wanted to meet the shoe man. So after the closing prayer....... I reached over and shook his hand. He was old and his skin was dark.... And his hair was truly a mess. But I thanked him for coming......... For being our guest. He said, "My names' Charlie.......... I'm glad to meet you, my friend." There were tears in his eyes....... But he had a large, wide grin. "Let me explain," he said......... Wiping tears from his eyes. "I've been coming here for months.... And you're the first to say 'Hi.'" "I know that my appearance........."Is not like all the rest. "But I really do try................."To always look my best." "I always clean and polish my shoes.."Before my very long walk. "But by the time I get here........."They're dirty and dusty, like chalk." My heart filled with pain........... And I swallowed to hide my tears. As he continued to apologize......... For daring to sit so near He said, "When I get here..........."I know I must look a sight. "But I thought if I could touch you.."Then maybe our souls might unite." I was silent for a moment........... Knowing whatever was said Would pale in comparison... I spoke from my heart, not my head. "Oh, you've touched me," I said......"And taught me, in part; "That the best of any man............"Is what is found in his heart." The rest, I thought,................ This shoe man will never know. Like just how thankful I really am... That his dirty old shoe touched my soul You are special to me and you have made a difference in my life. I respect you, and truly cherish you.
Happy Easter
Tomorrow is Easter Sunday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus. I was thingking how the people of that time reacted to His recurrection. The Roman military was doing their best to discredit the event. The Jewish leaders wanted to make sure that the story of His resurrection was squelched. But, the witnesses made sure the story was accurate and true because they bet their lives on the authenticity of the event. We are told He appeared to Peter, to the Apostles, to Thomas, to the 500, and Paul says He appeared to him on the road to Damascus. If one saw Jesus, we could blame it on a halluciation. But their were multiples and each who saw him told others and familites bore witness to the event down through the ages. Celebrate, Celebrate Jesus as the praise song reminds us. I encourage you to do the same.
Welcome
I am starting this blog to communicate things I observe and learn about the Christian faith and its application through the local church. As a pastor, I hope the members of our ongregation will interchange with me.
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