Do you hold your breath when the plane takes off and when it lands? Do you worry about family members who have to fly? Do you find the news of downed flights particularly unsettling?
Have you ever taken a return flight, arrived at the airport terminal, and then been welcomed home by a smiling face? Isn’t that face the best sight in a week?! After floating in a sea of unfamiliarity, that ‘I know you!’ grin is something to behold!
I don’t know which is more exciting, to welcome someone home or to be welcomed home. Such a thrill! Both are way high on the ‘joys of life’ index.
Every follower of Jesus gets it - some future day we will arrive in a new place, all of us trekkers and all of us to be received by the Great Welcomer. Our trip will be complete and that ‘I know you!’ grin will be something special to behold!
Church can be one of those welcoming places, a place were travelers arrive and greeters embrace their home coming. By welcoming folks at our gate we pre-inact the joys of heaven. Welcome others home. And while we are on the subject, “Welcome home; its good to see you here!”
Tim Gramly
Education Pastor
SHBC
June 23, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Monday, June 15, 2009
Catching Fireflies
Occasionally around our house, one of us will pause to ask the other, “What are you reading?” or “How is your book going?” In fairness these are questions more often asked by me than of me. This little snip of information should tell who is more a reader and who is less a reader and you can draw your own conclusions from there.
During one of my wife’s reading sessions she had read along and, coming to an interesting narrative, has stopped to tell me an incident from those pages which she found particularly moving.
A little boy with limited capacities was playing at dusk one summer evening with his friends. They were chasing fireflies and he was having no success. An observant gentleman asked him if he believed in God and suggested that the little guy might ask God for help, which he did.
In just a few moments fireflies, which had earlier been ungraspable, began to land on the boy’s shirt. He lit up like a Christmas tree! Imagine his delight!
And what a stirring image of how God answers prayer!
The telling of this brief episode reminded me that there are realities and resources I can never grasp on my own. I also know that there is Someone who can send anything I truly need my way. It is no big thing for Him to deliver fireflies, summer nights or starry skies.
The things I chase may be as difficult to clutch as any other impossibility until prayer’s Answerer reveals it as a cresting prospect.
Tim Gramly
Education Pastor
SHBC
June 15, 2009
During one of my wife’s reading sessions she had read along and, coming to an interesting narrative, has stopped to tell me an incident from those pages which she found particularly moving.
A little boy with limited capacities was playing at dusk one summer evening with his friends. They were chasing fireflies and he was having no success. An observant gentleman asked him if he believed in God and suggested that the little guy might ask God for help, which he did.
In just a few moments fireflies, which had earlier been ungraspable, began to land on the boy’s shirt. He lit up like a Christmas tree! Imagine his delight!
And what a stirring image of how God answers prayer!
The telling of this brief episode reminded me that there are realities and resources I can never grasp on my own. I also know that there is Someone who can send anything I truly need my way. It is no big thing for Him to deliver fireflies, summer nights or starry skies.
The things I chase may be as difficult to clutch as any other impossibility until prayer’s Answerer reveals it as a cresting prospect.
Tim Gramly
Education Pastor
SHBC
June 15, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Heaven’s Banister
Twenty-five or so years ago, a group of people had a vision. They saw a piece of the future as it could be. Their commitment to what might - in God’s providence – happen, is our heritage as a church. We owe them for many of the blessings we so casually accept.
Some have moved on. Others are still here. As time goes by, many of those visionaries will no longer abiding this side of Heaven. As more and more of our founders are promoted into Glory, they will comprehend what they see from a place beyond where we stand today. Theirs is the view over Heaven’s banister. Can you feel their smile?
The day is coming when we will no longer stir earth’s dust; we will become part of it. While there is still time, we must mark our world for His Name’s sake.
If we are to smile from Heaven’s portals at the achievements of this era, we must pursue The Spirit in all things and act on His prompting. Then our smile will match our predecessors’. We will leave The Kingdom better and cause our successors’ pondering this legacy of generations gone before. But all this awaits our faithful living now.
Tim Gramly
Education Pastor
SHBC
June 8, 2009
Some have moved on. Others are still here. As time goes by, many of those visionaries will no longer abiding this side of Heaven. As more and more of our founders are promoted into Glory, they will comprehend what they see from a place beyond where we stand today. Theirs is the view over Heaven’s banister. Can you feel their smile?
The day is coming when we will no longer stir earth’s dust; we will become part of it. While there is still time, we must mark our world for His Name’s sake.
If we are to smile from Heaven’s portals at the achievements of this era, we must pursue The Spirit in all things and act on His prompting. Then our smile will match our predecessors’. We will leave The Kingdom better and cause our successors’ pondering this legacy of generations gone before. But all this awaits our faithful living now.
Tim Gramly
Education Pastor
SHBC
June 8, 2009
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Unhappy
One common misconception is that happiness is solely the result of what happens to you. This puts most of what we experience outside the realm of our own personal control. I love it when I can’t do a thing about it. Not really. And you?
Another mistake is in assuming that what we can do for ourselves will bring us happiness. Now it is all up to you and if you are discontent, it is completely your fault. There’s a feeling to make you cheery, huh?
A third option: happiness is discovered in doing for others. Suddenly you are neither reliant on independent external forces nor self-generated outcomes to lift you up. You have given part of yourself away to the benefit of others and you are better for it. Finally, the path away from misery. It sounds a bit obvious now that we’ve thought about it.
“Lord, what you have entrusted to me I willingly confer on others. Direct me to someone in need today. Show me where to I may serve as your representative.”
Tim Gramly
Education Pastor
SHBC
June 2, 2009
Another mistake is in assuming that what we can do for ourselves will bring us happiness. Now it is all up to you and if you are discontent, it is completely your fault. There’s a feeling to make you cheery, huh?
A third option: happiness is discovered in doing for others. Suddenly you are neither reliant on independent external forces nor self-generated outcomes to lift you up. You have given part of yourself away to the benefit of others and you are better for it. Finally, the path away from misery. It sounds a bit obvious now that we’ve thought about it.
“Lord, what you have entrusted to me I willingly confer on others. Direct me to someone in need today. Show me where to I may serve as your representative.”
Tim Gramly
Education Pastor
SHBC
June 2, 2009
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