Four things that happened at church yesterday…
Don’t Trust Me
I dropped in on Phil, Steve and Bob’s Adult Bible Fellowship. Phil was giving a geography lesson that started with a quiz about where certain places were located (Antioch, Ephesus, Jericho…). He gave us a map and we had to fill in the places. I regret to inform you that I failed the test. Geography is not my strong suit. It was sad to see the people at my table depending on me for correct answers only to be bitterly disappointed. On another note, Phil clearly specified that we could NOT use the maps in our Bibles to help us. I watched a certain person use his I Phone to cheat. He gave me some lame excuse about “I’m not using the map in my Bible…” but he knew he was a big, fat, lousy cheater.
Asking 4 year olds “What are you doing?”
I dropped into the 4-5 year olds class. I asked a table of little girls what they were doing this morning. The first one said “Coloring a picture.” She was a literalist. Another said “Wearing a new necklace, isn’t it pretty?” It was. She was so cute. A third said “I am pretending to be a super hero.” When I asked her what kind, she replied, “A real one.” But my favorite was little Molly Crum who said “I am just waiting for the new baby to come out of my mommy’s tummy.” I love that whole Crum family!
God’s Purpose in Suffering
It is powerful to close the service with the perfect song. Drew did it. The lyrics where written by William Cowper. William Cowper was a poet who wrote many great hymns. He was also a man who suffered with deep depression (to the point of being confined in an institution). John Newton served as a pastor and counselor to him.
God moves in a mysterious way
His wonders to perform;
He plants His footsteps in the sea
And rides upon the storm.
Deep in unfathomable mines
Of never failing skill
He treasures up His bright designs
And works His sovereign will.
Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take;
The clouds ye so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
In blessings on your head.
Judge not the Lord by feeble sense,
But trust Him for His grace;
Behind a frowning providence
He hides a smiling face.
http://www.hymntime.com/tch/bio/c/o/w/cowper_w.htm
One Simple Question
I was chatting with a guy and, out of the blue, asked him a simple and straight question that I ask people from time to time. I simply asked, “Have you been in the Word and in prayer lately?” This guy is one of those always-faithful, can-count-on-him, always-at-everything kind of church members. And, when I asked him the question… he paused… got a little choked up… and said “No. I haven’t been at all. And my thinking is all messed up because of it.” He and I are getting together this week. But it just made me want to ask everyone the same question. Not in a blog post but face to face. I wish I could.