You are most loving patient, kind and gracious when you are aware that there is no truth that you could give to another that you don’t desperately need yourself. You are most humble and gentle when you think that the person you are ministering to is more like you than unlike you. When you have inserted yourself into another category that tends to make you think you have arrived, it is very easy to be judgmental and impatient.
Paul David Tripp

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The Nail

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#1 · February 19, 2003, 11:48 am

Posted by: bigguyhereagain <bigguyhereagain@...>

<>< The Nail ><>
 
As the story goes, they built a new church building and people came from far
and wide to see it. They admired its beauty! Up on the roof, a little nail
heard the people praising everything about the lovely structure-except the
nail!
 
No one even knew he was there, and he became angry and jealous.
 
"If I am that insignificant, nobody will miss me if I quit!" So the nail
then released its hold, slid down the roof, and fell in the mud.
 
That night it rained and rained. Soon, the shingle that had no nail blew
away, and the roof began to leak. The water streaked the walls and the
beautiful murals. The plaster began to fall, the carpet was stained, and the
pulpit Bible was ruined by water.
 
All this because a little nail decided to quit!
 
But what of the nail?
 
While holding the shingle, it was obscure but it was also useful. Buried in
the mud it was just as obscure, but now it was useless and would soon be
eaten up by rust!
 
The moral of the story-EVERY MEMBER IS IMPORTANT TO THE CHURCH!
 
You may, like the nail, feel obscure at times, but just like the nail, your
absence is felt. When you are not present for worship, in some way the body
of Christ hurts.
 
We are ALL a part of the Lord's ministry.
 
<>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< +<>< + <><
 
<>< A VISIT FROM THE PASTOR ><>
 
A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, suddenly stopped coming to church. After a few weeks, the Pastor decided to visit. The Pastor found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire.
 
Guessing the reason for his Pastor's visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited. The pastor made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs.
 
After some minutes, the Pastor took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and lifeless.
 
The Pastor glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave, he slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.
 
As the Pastor reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, "Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday."
 
We live in a world today which tries to say too much with too little. Consequently, few listen.
 
Sometimes the best sermons are the ones left unspoken. What silent message would God have you share with someone today?
 
<>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< + <>< +<>< + <>< + <>< +<>< + <><
 
Know how our enemy works.
If the Devil were to write his Beatitudes, they would probably go something like this:
 
<>< DEVILITITUDES ><>
 
Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend an hour once a week with their fellow Christians in Church-they are my best workers.
 
Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked-- I can use them.
 
Blessed are the touchy, with a bit of luck they may stop going to church-- they are my missionaries.
 
Blessed are those who are very religious but get on everyone's nerves--they are mine forever.
 
Blessed are the troublemakers-- they shall be called my children.
 
Blessed are those who have no time to pray-- they are easy prey for me.
 
Blessed are the gossipers, for they are my secret agents.
 
Blessed are those critical of church leadership, for they shall inherit a place with me in my fate.
 
Blessed are the complainers-- I'm all ears for them.
 
Blessed are you when you read this and think it is about other people and not yourself-- I've got you.
 
Have a Blessed Day
Dave and Barbara
 
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