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12 September 2008
Word on the Web
John 10:10
The thief comes to steal and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
I once heard a story about two brothers, when they were children, one of them was always complaining and grumpy - a real pessimist. The other was always happy and always saw the good in things - a real optimist. Dad, wanting to make sure his boys developed the right outlook on life, went out and bought a load of "the in" toys for the grumpy son. For the cheerful son he bought a pile of horse manure and dumped it the shed.
That evening he found his pessimistic son in his bedroom crying because he did not want to play with his toys in case he broke them. Meanwhile, he found his optimistic son in the shed burrowing around in the manure. "What on earth are you doing?" he shouts. The optimistic son replies "Dad, I just know there is a horse in here somewhere!"
Christ is an eternal optimist, like the boy with the manure Christ finds good in the midst of the waste of life. Lets just take this further, manure to a horse is a waste product, but to a rose bush it is a nutrient. As an evangelist I am called to be a witness to the power of God over Satan. I am also called to teach others to be such witnesses. This can only be done if we are prepared to face the difficult matters in people's lives as well as the not so difficult.
Manure, or even its more commonly used vernacular term, is often seen as an untouchable or negative thing. So it is with people, when we come across those 'untouchables' in our life journey, Christ does not say 'turn away, don't dirty yourself' no indeed he says 'come follow me I will make you fishers of men' Matthew 4:19. Most people are frightened to engage with the untouchable things, my experience as an evangelist is that when we do engage with these things and speak truth into them, we are part of the miracle of making people whole in Christ.
Therefore be encouraged and help people to live a life in Christ to the full. Be an optimist for change, and enjoy the surprises you will find.
Loving Lord, help me to see through the veneer of sin and see the person you place before me. Equip me to see them through your eyes and be your vehicle on earth for change. Help me to praise you for your blessing. Amen.
Written by Paul Fitzpatrick
Paul is Head of Fundraising for Church Army and is leading the latest campaign Life to Full.
Word on the Web is provided free of charge as part of the ministry of Church Army.
Word on the Web
John 10:10
The thief comes to steal and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
I once heard a story about two brothers, when they were children, one of them was always complaining and grumpy - a real pessimist. The other was always happy and always saw the good in things - a real optimist. Dad, wanting to make sure his boys developed the right outlook on life, went out and bought a load of "the in" toys for the grumpy son. For the cheerful son he bought a pile of horse manure and dumped it the shed.
That evening he found his pessimistic son in his bedroom crying because he did not want to play with his toys in case he broke them. Meanwhile, he found his optimistic son in the shed burrowing around in the manure. "What on earth are you doing?" he shouts. The optimistic son replies "Dad, I just know there is a horse in here somewhere!"
Christ is an eternal optimist, like the boy with the manure Christ finds good in the midst of the waste of life. Lets just take this further, manure to a horse is a waste product, but to a rose bush it is a nutrient. As an evangelist I am called to be a witness to the power of God over Satan. I am also called to teach others to be such witnesses. This can only be done if we are prepared to face the difficult matters in people's lives as well as the not so difficult.
Manure, or even its more commonly used vernacular term, is often seen as an untouchable or negative thing. So it is with people, when we come across those 'untouchables' in our life journey, Christ does not say 'turn away, don't dirty yourself' no indeed he says 'come follow me I will make you fishers of men' Matthew 4:19. Most people are frightened to engage with the untouchable things, my experience as an evangelist is that when we do engage with these things and speak truth into them, we are part of the miracle of making people whole in Christ.
Therefore be encouraged and help people to live a life in Christ to the full. Be an optimist for change, and enjoy the surprises you will find.
Loving Lord, help me to see through the veneer of sin and see the person you place before me. Equip me to see them through your eyes and be your vehicle on earth for change. Help me to praise you for your blessing. Amen.
Written by Paul Fitzpatrick
Paul is Head of Fundraising for Church Army and is leading the latest campaign Life to Full.
Word on the Web is provided free of charge as part of the ministry of Church Army.
