He Preaches....and He Teaches

Sometimes when I hear something really noteworthy, I wish I could just grab a pen and start writing it all down and capture my thoughts when they are fresh and when I am so inclined to know just what I want to put down about what I am hearing, seeing, learning and then when I actually get to the place and time to do just that....I am stumped about what it was exactly that I wanted to say and how I wanted to say it. It is exasperating sometimes...but I still stumble along and try to do my best to relay my thoughts on this thing called a blog!
Our Pastor is one of the best teachers I have ever encountered. I am not saying that to flatter him or to butter him up...I am saying it because it is true...His deliverance of the Word is clear and his knowledge of the Bible is apparent. I know that he went to college to do what he is doing..but it takes more than education to be a good teacher..you have to have a heart for what you are teaching ....and I believe he does. His sincerity is apparent in his sermons, his prayers and his demeanor with his congregation. He always tells to give the glory to God and not to him...because he is just a vessel of God's word.....and today he made it clear that we can all be vessels of God...if we choose to. I think that is the coolest thing ever...we can do just what Jesus did, because we are given that power through Christ that lives in us! If Christ is in us and we seek to be true followers of Him...then He works through us....that is how we are His vessels. I don't think we give that as much thought as we should. Today I am convinced that the most important thing I can be in my life is a vessel of the living word of God. We can all be used by Him because we are all gifted in different areas....some of us can speak eloquently..(not me!)...some of us are more gifted with the written word...and yet some may be called to do service in other areas...there is no end to what you can do for God and to further the Kingdom...just look around you! There are so many hurting people in the world...hungry not only physically, but spiritually....people in need of comfort, a friend, someone to just give them a kind word or spend some time with them.
I guess what I am getting around to saying is that there is not one single person who cannot be a vessel of God....He uses people everywhere...in every walk of life...rich, poor, young and old...and that was what our Pastors sermon was about this Sunday morning...and I wish there had been more there to hear it! I am glad I did...and I learned from it. Church isn't just about singing and listening to a preacher preach and feeling good for a couple hours...it is a learning experience that you can pass on to others and it is a time to be thankful for the One that church is all about..Jesus Christ!
Thanks for stopping in on my blog and I hope you have given some thought to how your Pastor is also your teacher!

A Little Something from Me

I see that I have neglected to post an entry here in quite some time..but I am here to remedy that situation..Don't have a clue what to put out there for all of you, but somehow I have confidence that it will be something...either relevant or irrelevant..depending on the reader!
Work went smooth today and the day went fast...busy, busy, busy..and sometimes that is good, but today it was exhausting and I was glad to see four o'clock roll around so I could hand my duties over to the next person.
I made a visit to my brother's house tonight to see what treasures he brought back from his trip to Africa..he went there to install telephone wiring for the Wycliffe Bible Translators..he has been a part of their mission for several years now and has done work in Orlando, Florida..which has allowed him to escape Illinois winters for several years now. This trip to Mozambique was just for a couple weeks..but I am sure it was much more exciting than the winter stay in Orlando...some of the pictures he took over there were great...scenery and especially some of the shots he got of the people. He brought back some really nice things...a bongo drum...giraffes carved from some sort of wood..an eagle carved from soapstone...and another figure carved from stone of some sort...and a camp stool with a triangular leather seat with a giraffe on it..I am beginning to think that the giraffe is the national emblem over there!...He actually got a picture of a real one on a safari he took while there...not a hunting safari...the only shots he took were with his camera! It is a beautiful country and I am sure if he gets the opportunity he will go back someday!
My little chubby friend, Josie, is huddled as close as she can get to me on the couch and I do not see Kramer..he is most likely behind the couch..a favorite spot for him...guess he likes his own space! It is about time for Jose to get home from work..they will both come alive when they hear him....they are always happy to see him and sometimes he brings them a little treat from work and of course they are all for that..anything concerning food will get Josie's attention in a hurry!
I will close with a thought for all of you from a woman who never knew the gift of sight but was so very insightful..Helen Keller said this..."I believe that God is in me as the sun is in the color and fragrance of a flower-the Light in my darkness, the Voice in my silence." To me, that is a true revelation of faith!

The Greatest Story

Last night after I decided to give it up and turn in...as I lay there thinking before I fell asleep...those three words came to me...and I got to thinking...I am going to write a blog with that title tomorrow..and then I thought...I sure hope I don't forget. Well, I didn't and now is as good a time as any to put it down...so to speak. Of course, when anyone hears the words..."The Greatest Story"...the name Jesus Christ comes to mind...at least that is who I think of first when I hear those words! The story of Jesus is one that has been around for many, many years and a story that will never die.
What does the story mean for you? Is it just a story..one you heard as a child and one that comes to mind around Christmas each year? Or does it really mean something to you? I would hope so...because it is the Greatest Story and it is about the Greatest Person who ever came into being ever! No one else has ever left an impact on the human race quite like Him and no one ever will! I just want everyone who reads this to realize that this great story about Jesus is not just a story...He made history when He was born and when He died on the cross and the biggest moment in history was when he rose from the grave to ascend into Heaven to reunite with His Father....The story began in Bethlehem and continued on for the thirty-some years He walked among the inhabitants of this very earth..people saw Him...touched Him and were touched by Him...He was a teacher, a healer....a prophet...but most of all, He was the King of Kings..Savior to all souls......living and dead. He was perfect...born into a sinful world..but totally without sin! No one living before Him or after Him can make that statement about themselves! What does He mean to you today....do you realize that He loves you? Did you know that His very existence on earth was especially for your benefit? Do you know that He lives today and that He wants you to know that you are important to Him and that He is waiting for you to let Him into your heart...He will make your heart His home if you will let Him...He is never far away...He is always listening for your voice...He longs to hear you talk to Him....His love doesn't cost a thing and is more abundant than anything we have owned or ever will own....Could you ever want for anything more than what He has to offer you?.......Just think...You know the Greatest Story and it is not fiction...He is just as real today as He was when the story was first told........believe......go tell it to someone who would like to hear a great story..... tell them how very true it is and that they can read it for themselves in their own Holy Bible! It is the greatest story and the greatest news they will ever hear of.....not bad news...good news! Good news is hard to come by these days, folks....might even put a smile on someone's face!