August 23, 2010

 

BEING TAUGHT WHERE TO WALK

Margaret Sangster, the social worker, told her colleagues about seeing a small boy in an urban ghetto sitting on the stairs of a tenement. He appeared little more than a bit of twisted human flesh. The youngster had been struck by an automobile several months before, but his parents, fresh from Appalachia, neglected to get him proper medical attention. Although not part of her case load, she took the boy to an orthopedist and learned that through an involved series of operations the child’s body could be made normal again. She cut through the bureaucratic red tape, raised the funds, and set the process of cure in motion.

Two years after the child entered the hospital he came to her office. To her astonishment, the lad walked in without crutches, and to demonstrate the completeness of his recovery, he turned a cartwheel for her. The two embraced and when the youngster left, Margaret Sangster reported that a warm glow mantled the entire office. She said to herself, “If I never accomplish anything else in my life, at least here is one young man to whom I can point where I have made a real difference!” At that point she paused in her presentation and asked, “This was all of several years ago now. Where do you think that boy is today?” Caught in the emotion of that moment, several made suggestions—a school teacher? a physician? perhaps a social worker? (sic)

There was a longer pause, and with even deeper emotion, Margaret Sangster said, “No, he is in the penitentiary for one of the foulest crimes a human being can commit.” Then she added, “I was instrumental in teaching him how to walk again, but there was no one to teach him where to walk.” Focal Point, magazine of Denver Seminary.

Small groups are starting up again. Now the story I just shared with you is a dramatic story; but I don’t want you to miss the point I want to make. A small group will help you to learn wear to walk. There are many people whose lives have been changed by Jesus, and that is wonderful. But what is needed then are people whose lives continue to be shaped by Jesus. They need to grow in their faith, and in their service to Him. The best way to do that is to be plugged into a small group fellowship.

Births are great. Everyone gets excited. Some good friends of ours just became grandparents for the first time this week. (They are way older than us. Way older.) It’s exciting to hear the news and to see the pictures. But a birth is just the beginning. Now the growth starts.

If you have come to Jesus, praise God. You are born again. Now the growth starts. Get plugged in with a bunch of other growing Christians, and grow together.

 

THIS AND THAT

 

            Next week will be mission’s Sunday……Big Thanks to everyone who helped get Ozzy and Kristi Osborne moved into their new place in Redmond….. Don’t forget that our third and final Unity Sunday will be on September 5, at 9:30. There will be a potluck afterwards…… Back to Church Sunday is on September 12……. More Big Thanks to the kids and the adults who went up to Camp Attitude a few weeks ago. They did an awesome job……With Autumn almost here, several of the small groups will be starting up again. There will be information in the visitor’s booth on new groups, and old groups that are starting up again…….. Sometime this week read Joel 3:17-21. 

 

Pastor Chris