I have an ongoing conversation with some folks. I tell them I am an old man. I’m 61 and they are still young bucks or buckettes. I see pictures and realize, “Yep. You are getting older.” My joints tell me I am. People ask me how I can stand to ride in the humidity and heat. I tell them it is easier on my joints. 🙂
Lots has changed over the years. I remember when cartoons were simple, fun and predictable. You knew when they would be on. Oh yeah…they were also in black and white. Now ain’t that a hoot? I’m not sure how I would have handled a twenty-four hour Cartoon channel. Actually, it was inconceivable to me…then or now.
Church was different then too. It was expected the pastor would do all the work. Preach. Teach. Baptize. Visit. Lead people to Christ. Rinse and repeat the next week. He wore a suit and tie every day. He could visit single ladies and no one would think a minute about it.
Yep, some things have changed. Many of those changes are good (I despise suits and ties). The visiting single ladies is a good one.
But one that is really good, and has benefited the church more than can be measured, is the “leading people to Christ” one. We learned the importance of everyone being involved in that. It isn’t just the pastor’s job.
Charles Spurgeon is credited with saying, “Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter.”
He has something there. For the creature (church) to grow, it takes more than one man wearing multiple hats. A church was never meant to be stagnant. At the same time I want to caution against the “bigger is better” mentality (a change which needed to happen). People are now grasping the idea they can be a witness for Jesus no matter what they are doing and where.
That is to be my story. That is to be your story. How well do you tell it?
I am not sure that I stack up against some of the “saints” in this regard, but the truth is that I do what I can given my limitations. Plus, I never understood this to be a competition.
You tell your story your way Daniel. Sorry if I gave the impression it was a competition. I was trying to challenge at least telling my/our/your story.
not well
🙂
I’m a very mixed bag.
Sometimes I speak of Jesus to others…but often, I don’t…for a myriad of reasons…and none all that good.
But He loves me, anyhow.
He died for real sinners, of whom I am first (borrowed from the great St. Paul).
I’m glad He loves me also Stephen.
Not as well as I want
You tell it your way Larry. That is all that matters.
Charles Spurgeon is credited with saying, “Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter.” I am going to use this quote in my last session of the Ladies Retreat, a courageous heart is a wise heart. It takes courage to witness for the Lord.
This post feeds right into the book I was telling you about. It has refueled my heart to take courage and be ready to give an answer for the hope that lives within me. Sowing the seeds of the gospel with those I come in contact with is what I am commanded to do, what all Christians are commanded to do. Great post Bill, another book to put on my to read list.