Calvin Coolidge Returned home from church one Sunday and was asked by his wife what the minister had talked about. Coolidge replied, “Sin“. When his wife pressed him as to what the preacher said about sin, Coolidge responded, “I think he was against it.“
Basically more than 50% of the American public come home with the same feeling every Sunday morning. They sit and listen to a bunch of idea's and fragments and try to piece together what the speaker is trying to say. Most go away missing the main point. I'm not even sure I got the main point this week. But I am attempting to apply what I have heard this week, so lets take a looky wooky:
ACTS 4:32-35
32Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. 33And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. 34Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold, 35and laid them at the apostles' feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need.
This was yesterday's passage that the Pastor preached yesterday morning. Interestingly enough, it did not hit me until last night about 11pm when I went to bed, when I began to chew it.
Now, I may have remembered a little bit more than I would have, but the Head Deacon in our church, failed to put out the pew Bibles. I am sure this will cost him next year's election to that office. I will personally see to it. I do not bring my own Bible to church because I rely on the pew Bibles that much. (shame on me) And I have such a varied collection of Bibles at home too. Mostly left from people that have never put their names in them,(my number one pet peave) and have never returned to our Church again. Forgive my ADD moment/tangent.
Well. I started chewing this passage last night and what the Pastor said and I applied it to my life.
One area...was in giving. Bill said “Have you noticed you never hear people praying “Lord give me the gift of giving!” Very True. But...the Lord does make great givers. And without disclosing names....I know some real generous ones. Historically, you cannot walk into their house without leaving without leaving with a parting gift. (The Pastor's wife is one) I think it is a characteristic of all of our Elder's. So....maybe..it may not be a gift that is pursued...but a gift that the holy spirit gives naturally.
In his classic poem, “If” noted author Rudyard Kipling wrote:
“If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss…
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!”
Sigh. Well. As a young 20 year old. I took that to heart. I was a very good gambler, and a very bad gambler. A very sad story that made me do things that were inconceivable. But those gambling days are over, and the days of the Lord are ahead of me. Deep in commitment and service.
But...I still use Kipling's principles in giving. It is warped. But I do love to give. I have lots of time...and I love to give of that. That is what I can give. Money...well. I haven't been blessed with cash. I would gamble it away! (not really anymore) But time, I have...and it is the Lord's.
Okay...finishing up. I was looking at these passages and I realized that there are several couples in my church that are helping me raise my boys. They suffer and triumph with me as I do with them with their children. I am not sure if that is twisting this text too far....but I was chewing this last night and thought it was slightly applicable.
I am on the benevolence committee. We helped several families last year. That is applicable here. This year I pray for more....I pray more people come to know the Lord as well...and maybe there will be some greater need for benevolence.
I guess I could go on and on. I am feeling a little better.
My Brother Jack is going to drive me to the Dr. tomorrow in his Ram He-mi. That should be fun. It is a 40 minute drive. I have to go to the next county...I have to write about my Dr. Weinberg one day. I have some real touching stories with him. Maybe a three or four parter. You want to talk about Divine intervention.