Spread the Word

 

Saturday, we had an outreach for our church.  We stuffed clear plastic door hangers with candy and church information distributing them throughout our neighborhood.  I tricked out my pickup truck as an icee truck complete with speakers and the ice cream truck jingle.  I installed a bumper carrier with a cooler, ice shaver, and 8 different icee flavors.  We gave away free icee’s (and a church info packet with each icee).  Folk were genuinely receptive.  We didn’t go door-to-door, we drove up and down the streets and folk came out to us.  Later that afternoon I thought, “I hope several people come to church because of our efforts.”  But then I realized that I had done the right thing whether anyone comes to church or not.  You see, it’s my job to spread the word, but it’s God’s job to convict the heart.  And if I do my part, God certainly will do His part.  Jesus said in Mark 16:15, “… Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”  I believe what Jesus said.  Do you?

Training Vs. Teaching

 

Yesterday, Marleen and I visited a dear friend from church who is close to the end of her life, and I was reminded of my own mother and father who have gone on to their heavenly reward.  I am blessed because my mother and father trained me when I was just a little boy.  Notice that I said “trained” and not “taught”, because teaching came much later.  You train a dog and you teach a boy.  But before the boy can understand - before he is four or five years of age - he must be trained like a puppy.  My parents trained me to obey before I understood why I needed to obey.  My parents trained me to listen before I understood why I needed to listen.  So when I became old enough to be taught, I was ready, because I was already trained to listen and to obey.  And because I listened and obeyed my parents, I learned self-control, so that when I became a teenager, I was in control of myself.  Not always, but usually, because my parents were still watching over me.  Solomon said in Proverbs 20:7, “The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.”  I am blessed because my mother and my father had integrity and gave me what I needed, not what I wanted.  Thank you, mom and dad, I am blessed.  Thank you.

Do Good Work

 

Monday, I saw this quote on the back of a Baker Roofing work truck: “We shall do good work.  At a profit if we can or at a loss if we must, but always good work.”  And below that quote was, “Since 1915”.  If I needed a roof, and couldn’t do it myself, I would let Baker roofing do it.  And because of their commitment to good work, the company has been around for the last 111 years!  Proverbs 22:29, “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men.”  Hey, do good work today and your business will thrive.  And that’s a promise from the Lord.