Quote from Forum Archives on December 20, 2001, 7:38 am

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

For those of you familiar with Sowing Seeds of Faith, here is a
popular repeat of a story that Larry has created especially for
Christmas. I pray that you will consider the significance of the
story and apply it in your life today.

Your Brother in Christ,
Brian

Reply-to: "Sowing Seeds of Faith..." <sowseeds@nesbeonline.com>
Subject: "I'm Just A Businessman!"

Sowing Seeds Ministry wishes you a very special and Christ-filled
Christmas.

Sowing Seeds of Faith

"I'm Just A Businessman!"
Larry Davies (804-736-8985)

I run a profitable business. There are no tax problems, no
accusations of fraud. I have nothing to be ashamed of so why am I
so upset and confused? Maybe its because something has changed.

It all started on a cold, dark night. My little hotel-restaurant
was packed with out-of-town customers. The mood of the crowd at
first was dark with talk of rebellion. After all, no one likes
being forced to travel just for a census a head count. Yet time,
a few drinks and the opportunity to renew friendships lifted
traveler's spirits and the atmosphere soon became more festive.

Business was good -- almost too good. All my rooms were filled,
so people were forced to sleep in the streets. With so many
people eating, our supplies of food and drink were critically
low.

Later that night, two travelers approached my gate: a young man
and his obviously pregnant wife astride a donkey. They both
looked exhausted. The young man was polite enough. "Please sir,
we have come a long way and need a room. Can you please help us?"

I turned away many others without a thought but the look of panic
in the man's eyes and the young girl's condition made me pause.
"There must be somewhere I can put them." But sadly, there was
not and I was forced to tell them so. "I'm sorry. There is no
room in the inn."

But something about the young woman's face made me pause she
looked so calm and serene. "Wait a minute" I blurted out.
"There's a stable around back with an empty stall. I can add a
little fresh straw and you will at least have shelter." Why was I
so concerned about the welfare of this young couple? After
preparing their area, I left without even asking them for money.

"And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be
born. She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him
snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there
was no room for them in the village inn." (Luke 2:6-7) The
frantic banging on the front door began just as I was finally
falling asleep. One of the shepherds in a nearby field said, "You
must come at once to see the child. She has sent for you."

"It's just a baby." I shouted. "I've seen babies before." But I
was so wrong. Only the shepherds and a few animals surrounded
Mary and Joseph. "Where did the shepherds come from?" I wondered.
Then I noticed the child. He wasn't crying just quietly smiling
and looking at me. His eyes seemed able to see clear through to
my very soul. How could this baby effect me so?

Something happened that night. Don't get me wrong, I'm still a
businessman, not a preacher but seeing that child has changed me,
forever. Over the last few weeks I've done a lot of thinking and
praying about where my life is going. With
God's help, this is what I plan to do:

Become more generous in my giving and look for
opportunities to help others.
Treat my employees with more respect and pay what they
earn, not what I can get by with.
Maintain a stricter accounting of the books and with my
customers.
Spend more time at home with my wife and children.
Go back to church and look for ways that I can become
involved in ministry.
Be in prayer for my family, for business, for others, for
my pastor.

What about you? How will seeing the Christ-child effect you this
year? Peter said: "As we know Jesus better, his divine power
gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has
called us to receive his own glory and goodness!" (2 Peter 1:3)

Seeing the Christ-child in a manger surrounded by animals and
shepherds changed this innkeeper forever. How will seeing Christ
change you? I pray that in 2002 you will see the Christ-child and
be transformed! May God richly bless your journey of faith.

Sowing Seeds of Faith... Weekly devotions with ATTITUDE, humor,
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=====
--
Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/

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