Grant County church of Christ
November 4, 2007
NOTE: This little story has been in my files for years. It is funny but also drives home a point about how we hold some people to higher standards than we do others. (Jerry)
THE DAY WE FIRED THE PREACHER
I'm not certain how long he had been with the congregation before the members began to notice. Surely, he must have been on his best behavior for at least a few months.
Some of the members believe the first time they noticed was the night he failed to appear for the scheduled personal work activities. The next day he explained to a fellow member that one of his neighbors had invited him to a high school basketball game. "I knew you could carry on without me," he said with a smile.
He also missed a number of Wednesday evening Bible studies. He always provided a substitute teacher, but people kind of expected the preacher to be at Bible study. His usual explanation was, "I had a job left from our remodeling to get done at home. It wasn't much but it was really bothering my wife."
Then he missed a Sunday evening service!! Just the week before he had spoken of the essential nature of worship and the importance of Christian fellowship. His explanation was, "Since we had a guest speaker coming in anyway, I was really tired and probably wouldn't have gotten much out of the service, so I stayed home with the family."
The whole issue came to a head the Sunday morning he failed to appear for the service. The members learned that on the spur of the moment he decided to go to the lake and do some fishing!! "Not many good fishing days left" He explained.
That was the straw that broke the camel's back. The decision was made to fire the preacher. The announcement appeared in the church bulletin as follows: "The decision has been made to fire the present preacher. It is clear that he cannot be the minister here because he insists on acting JUST LIKE THE MEMBERS!"
AN ATTITUDE LESSON FOR ALL!
It was a busy morning, approximately 8:30 a.m., when an elderly gentleman in his 80s arrived to have stitches removed from his thumb. He stated that he was in a hurry as he had an appointment at 9:00 a.m. I took his vital signs and had him take a seat, knowing that it would be about an hour before someone would be able to see him. I saw him looking at his watch and decided, since I was not busy with another patient, I would evaluate his wound. On examination, it was well healed, so I talked to one of the doctors, got the needed supplies to remove his sutures and redressed his wound.
While taking care of his wound, we began to engage in conversation. I asked him if he had a doctors appointment this morning, as he was in such a hurry. The gentleman told me no, that he needed to go to the nursing home to eat breakfast with his wife. I then inquired as to her health. He told me that she had been there for a while and that she was a victim of Alzheimer Disease. As we talked, and I finished dressing his wound, I asked if she would be worried if he was a bit late. He replied that she no longer knew who he was, that she had not recognized him for five years now.
I was surprised, and asked him, "And you still go every morning, even though she doesn't know who you are?" He smiled as he patted my hand and said, "She doesn’tt know who I am, but I still know who she is."
I had to hold back the tears as he left. I thought, "Thats the kind of love I want in my life." True love is neither physical, nor romantic. True love is acceptance of all that is, has been, will be and will not be.
The happiest of people dont necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything that comes along their way." (Copied from The Rivergate Messenger).
INTERESTING PLACES IN THE BIBLE
NAZARETH
Nazareth is a town of lower Galilee where Jesus spent His boyhood years (Matt 2:23). For centuries Nazareth has been a beautifully secluded town nestled in the southernmost hills of the Lebanon Mountain range. It is never mentioned in the Old Testament.
Nazareth had a reputation of not being an important part of the national and religious life of Israel. This, coupled with a bad reputation in morals and religion and a certain crudeness in the Galilean dialect, prompted Nathanael, when he first learned of Jesus of Nazareth, to ask, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" (John 1:46).
Although it was not an important town before the New Testament era, Nazareth became immortal as the hometown of Jesus the Messiah. It was here that the angel appeared to Mary and informed her of the forthcoming birth of Christ (Luke 1:26-38). Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Luke 2). But after their sojourn in Egypt (Matt 2:19-22), Joseph and Mary brought the baby Jesus to Nazareth where they had lived (Matt 2:23). Here Jesus was brought up as a boy (Luke 4:16) and spent the greater part of His life (Mark 1:9; Luke 3:23). Apparently Jesus was well received as a young man in Nazareth (Luke 2:42; 4:16). But this changed after He began His ministry. His own townspeople twice rejected Him (Mark 6:1-6; Luke 4:28-30).
Because of His close association with this city Christ became known as "Jesus of Nazareth" (Luke 18:37; 24:19; John 1:45). There is prophetic significance as well to His being known as a "Nazarene."
Matthew records that Joseph and Mary returned to their city during the reign of Herod Archelaus "that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, 'He shall be called a Nazarene' " (Matt 2:23).
Visitors
You are our honored guest and we welcome you back anytime you are in the area. Please fill out a visitor card located on the back of the pew.
Prayer List
Bill Mollett was recently diagnosed with colon cancer and will have his surgery in Dayton, OH tomorrow, November 5.
Sandy Mills is still suffering from kidney stones and will have a second surgery soon to remove those stones.
Jerry & Jean Carmichael- Jerry is holding a gospel meeting at the Elgin, TN church. Please pray for the success of this meeting and a safe return for Jerry and Jean.
Guest Speakers
In Jerry’s absence today Danny Elbridge from the Florence church of Christ will deliver the message this today.
UPCOMING EVENTS
November 18, 2007
Thanksgiving Fellowship Meal – immediately following Sunday school. A sign up sheet and menu are in the lobby.
Reminder
If you need a ride to church services please let Jerry know as soon as possible.
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MEET WITH US
205 Hopperton Lane
Dry Ridge, KY 41035
(859) 824-6200
Sunday AM Worship……..... .9:30AM
Sunday Bible Study………...10:40AM
Sunday PM Service……….. .6:00 PM
Wednesday Bible Study…... 7:00 PM
Minister: Jerry Carmichael: jerrywc@juno.net
Website: www.grantcountycc.org