After attending morning services at the New Life Christian Church in Bucks County, Pennsylvania … the area where I grew up … some time back, I picked up a copy of their current newsletter in which the following was printed:
It’s Strange Isn’t It?
- Isn’t it strange how a $20.00 bill seems like such a large amount when you donate it to the church, but such a small amount when you go shopping?
- Isn’t it strange how we believe everything that magazines and newspapers say, but we question the words in the Bible?
- Isn’t it strange how difficult and boring it is to read one chapter of the Bible, but how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel or Zane Grey book?
- Isn’t it strange how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or games, but they do whatever is possible to sit in the last row in Church?
We’ll have a few more of these another time. Meanwhile … this morning, before I came to the computer to write this Home Page message … as I prepared a cup of tea, I turned on the television and came in on the latter part of the biography of Dwight David Eisenhower … the Kansas farm boy who would become one of the greatest military generals in history – leading us to victory in Europe in World War Two – and, later, was President of these United States. At the same time, there was another story on the front page of the newspaper about the unknown 47-year-old Scottish lady named Susan Boyle who, upon appearing on Great Britain’s version of American Idol, has astounded the world with her God-given singing talent.
Just two examples of what the Lord makes possible for His peoples here on earth … even though they may have very humble beginnings. As a former pastor of ours, Reverend Armand Weller, used to say … “Ain’t God Good?” Yes, I must say that God is good … and I pray that you agree.
Today, Reverend Weller is Pastor of the Church-By-the Sea in Madeira Beach, Florida, near St. Petersburg. If you live or have reason to visit that area, I hope you’ll take the opportunity to visit the church on a Sunday morning. I believe you’ll find the experience a blessing.
Finally … Praise the Lord – no matter where you are . . .
I’m not sure why this incident has stuck in my head … or suddenly popped back into it, but it has: Following one of Alicia’s concerts at a church in Maine some 15 years ago, the Pastor rose and instantly spoke of praising the Lord even from your bed. What Alicia had said or sung which prompted the comment, I don’t remember … but he went on to state that’s it’s Biblical … quoting Psalm 149, Verses 1 and 5, from the New King James translation:
Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song,
and His praise in the congregation of saints.
Let the saints be joyful in glory;
Let them sing aloud on their beds!
Speaking of our Holy Scriptures . . . somewhere along the way in my travels I heard the word BIBLE defined in this manner:
Basic Information Before Leaving Earth!
I’ve got loads of these, so we’ll share more another time. Meanwhile … any thoughts you’d like to share? If so, let us hear from you. Thanks.
Marlin
