What Part Did You Play In Your Salvation?

            The old preacher, Harry Ironside, was asked, “What part did you play in your salvation?”

            He answered, “The important part; I got lost.”

The Price of Coffee

            William Barclay writes of one of World War II’s most dangerous missions: British sailing vessels called to transport petroleum supplies from northern Europe into Russia—via the cold North Sea.

            The waters were infested with German U-boats, which sank many of the British vessels. For the sailors on these sinking ships, death would come quickly. The water would literally freeze them to death within a few minutes.

            One sailor who survived those missions was asked, after the war, what one memory he took with him.

            He replied that there were two. First, he said he would never forget the sounds of men sinking in the water, knowing the ship he was on could not stop and help, lest it too was destroyed.

            Second, he would never forget returning to London and hearing the ladies in the stores gripe about the price of coffee.

            Reflecting on that story, Rick Atchley said that when you've been to war, not only do you obtain a sense of priority, but you are galled by the people who don't.

            How about us? There is a spiritual war going on. Do we maintain a sense of priority?

The Phone Call

            Dick Stovall wrote a bulletin article, several years ago, where he told of a new attorney, who had just opened up his office. He was concerned about building a clientele and, as he heard someone at the door and saw the door opening, he grabbed up the phone, thinking that he must impress this prospective client that he was busy.      

           Pretending he had someone on the phone he said, “Well, I’m very sorry, but it will be at least two weeks due to my present case load before I could possibly take your case.”

            He put down the receiver and asked the man standing in front of his desk, “Yes, Sir, and what can I do for you?”

            The man grinned and said, “I’m here to hook up your phone.”

            Over and over again, Jesus preached against the sin of hypocrisy. Authenticity and integrity are close to His heart.

  

How Do You Disperse an Unruly Mob?

            A rookie police officer was taking an exam, which asked this question, "How would you disperse an unruly mob?"

            This was the answer he wrote, "Announce an offering. That does it every time."            

            He must have been an ex-preacher.

To Keep the Conscience Clean

            Years ago, a columnist for the Dallas Morning News wrote a column featuring some of the most popular cleaning agents of the era. It was a gag about the importance of attending church, and it generated a not of reader response. I am warning you, the following is very punny:

            Are you soft soaping God about your Texsize problem? Duz you drift along with the Tide?  Though you can Cheer up and a have real Joy, the Dove of peace is sending an SOS to all. 

            The trend is to Breeze to church regularly on Sunday morning. But too many Woodbury their heads in a pillow. 

            Or work in the yard like Handy Andy.  Forgetting that the Lord's Day was made for Lesstoil.  Don't trust your Lux.  Or wait for us to Dial you up. To remind you of those Ivory palaces.

            This is not just idle Babble. Worship will add to your Lifeboy.  So Wisk yourself out of bed, Sunday. Dress up Spic and Span. Dash like a Comet to God's house.  You'll feel as Fantastic as Irish Spring and you'll have new Zest and Pride of conscious.  If you'll keep this Pledge, you too can be Mr. Clean.

            I’m all for attending church, but as a response of gratitude to the saving work of Jesus. That is the secret to a clean conscience.

Hebrews 9:14--How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

       

            

How Did You Become a Hero?

            Humility and modesty are traits to be admired. That’s why I appreciate the story about the small boy asking John F. Kennedy how he became a war hero.  

            “It was easy,” Kennedy answered. “The Japanese sank my boat.”

Walking the Talk

            A friend of mine a few years ago told a story from Leslie Flynn’s book, DARE TO CARE LIKE JESUS. There was a baroness who lived in the Highlands of Nairobi, Kenya. She hired a young national to be her houseboy.

            The boy worked for her for three months and then he asked her for a letter of reference; he wanted to go work for a local sheik.

            The baroness thought the boy simply wanted a raise; he was very good at his job. She offered him more money, but he explained that he was not interested in a wage increase.

            He told her, "I've decided to either become a Christian or a Muslim. I couldn't figure out which I should be, so I decided to live with you, a Christian, for three months and see how you live; now I would like to live with a Muslim for three months and see how he lives. After that, I will make my decision."

            At that point, the baroness thought back over how harshly she had treated the young man over the past three months, so she said to him, "Why didn't you tell me at the beginning that you were watching me?"

            My friend’s point was that your walk could betray your talk. You can do all of the talking you want, but if your life is inconsistent with your testimony, no one listens.