I want the world to see Jesus in me.......

There is a story many years ago of an elementary teacher. Her name was Mrs. Thompson. And as she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children a lie. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same.
But that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard. Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he didn't play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. And Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers.
At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.
Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners...he is a joy to be around."
His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."
His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."
Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and sometimes sleeps in class."
By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present which was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag.
Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist.
Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to." After the children left she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, and writing, and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children..
Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one her "teacher's pets."
A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Then four more years passed and yet another letter came.. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer -- the letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, M.D.
The story doesn't end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he'd met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the place at the wedding that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. And she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.
They hugged each, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference."
Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you."

John 12: 21-26
21The same came therefore to Philip, which was of Bethsaida of Galilee, and desired him, saying, Sir, we would see Jesus.
22Philip cometh and telleth Andrew: and again Andrew and Philip tell Jesus.
23And Jesus answered them, saying, The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified.
24Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.
25He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.
26If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

I knew when I read this story..................you've read 'em, the ones that tug at your heart.
This one got me, this is, in my estimation, a clear example of love and servitude. I don't want to be a preacher anymore. I want to be a shepherd. There is much that I could say to be preachy, but as I read the story of Mrs. Thompson, I knew I have to be this lady.

The nameless greek is everywhere. He's is the lady at the cash register, "Sir, can you help me see Jesus?"
The nameless greek is the server at the restaurant where I ate lunch today, "Sir I would see Jesus."
The nameless greek is the mechanic who works on my car, "Sir, I really need Jesus."

Maybe if I can quit "preaching" long enough to glorify Jesus, I can lead someone to Him.

I get so caught up in being a preacher, being a christian, that sometimes I forget, the world doesn't need another christian, they need Jesus. I get so proud of me, I get so consumed with my curriculum......

Can you imagine what Philip thought? He was, after all, a disciple of Jesus. Here come these greeks....."How can I help you gentlemen?" "Sir, we would see Jesus."

They don't want to see me, they don't want me to get behind my desk and lecture the scriptures to them. They want to see Jesus. He's not in traditional catachisms, He's not in dry mechanical church, He's not is chants and bells. We've been there, and we left as empty as we were when we went in.

Sir, we would see Jesus......

Do you know him, Philip? Can you lead me to him, Andrew? Mrs Thompson, teach me...............

Sir, I would see Jesus..........................................

The Wreaths at Arlington are a Gift of Love

This one won't be as spiritual as some, I guess. But maybe my patriotism is catching up to my age. :)


You may be interested to know that these wreaths, laid at gravesites in Arlington National Cemetary-- some 5,000 -- are donated by the Worcester Wreath Co. of Harrington , Maine . The owner, Merrill Worcester, not only provides the wreaths, but covers the trucking expense as well. He's done this since 1992. A wonderful guy. Also, most years, groups of Maine school kids combine an educational trip to DC with this event to help out. Making this even more remarkable is the fact that Harrington is in one the poorest parts of the state.



I couldn't help but relate this touching story to the fact that 2000 plus years ago, in a stable in a little town called Bethlehem......not the capital city of Jerusalem. In a stable.....not in a palace gilded with fine gold. Wrapped in torn cloth.......not in fine linen from the Orient, a Savior was born. From a poor family, from a questionable situation, a donation was made. Scripture tells us that God gave His only begotten son.



An interesting fact that I read into this story is that the Bible tells us God is love. Jesus is God, manifest in flesh. Love was the gift, love was born on Christmas Day. Out of a poor beginning, from a heart full of love for humanity sprang the greatest gift that was ever given on any Christmas. Oh, I know. Love existed before that first Christmas day. But the essence of true love became evident that star-lit night when the angel so proudly proclaimed that unto us a child is born, and unto us a Son is given. See, God had been what love is for centuries, and had loved his creation since he first scraped up the first handful of dust and began to sculpt into existence his plan to redeem us. Love wasn't shown in the cost it took to make man, we are dust and to dust we will return.

Love manifests itself, not in the expense of the gift that is given, but in the care that is given in choosing the gift itself. Redemption was the gift that was born that day. The Savior, giftwrapped in humanity, just dirt really, but it wasn't the cost of the wrappping, it was the contents of the heart of God. WOW.............no greater love hath any man than this, that a man will lay down his life for a friend. Jesus did that for me, what a gift. My redemption, my salvation.



No wonder pride swells in the hearts of Americans when we see what Merrill Worcester has done for the brave men and women who have laid down their lives for our freedom. No wonder
we stand in silent wonder as we watch the tireless efforts of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in all kinds of weather. Soldiers prepared to defend the defenseless against all enemies both foreign and domestic.


Christmas is a time, at least for me, of reflection. Reflection on gifts, and giving, love and sharing. I'm proud to be an American, to stand beside men like Merrill Wordester and say, "This is my Country." And, I'm thankful to be able to say, "I'm a Christian. Jesus is my Savior."

Humble beginning, I was there; questionable surroundings, that was me; tattered garments, I wore them, but Jesus paid it all. And just like the old song of the Church says, All to Him I owe.

The great gift of love in Arlington is awesome, thank you Merrill Worcester for your love for this country and for your unslefish giving to the fallen soldiers who defend us. But his gift pales in comparison to the day love was born, the gift of love was given to me.

Thank you Jesus for the gift of love on that first Christmas night. Thank you angels for proclaiming this glorious story, you started a story that has never died. Thank you sheperds for seeking the Savior, you led the way for us. And thank you friend for being wise, for wise men really do still seek Him.

Merry Christmas

Increase The Body

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians 4:16 (KJV)

"Each part... helps the other parts grow." Ephesians 4:16 (NLT)

Really, the scripture is speaking to us about networking here. Not necessarily in the sense we think of on our job, with clients, other sub-contractors or sales reps.
But, in a spiritual sense, we network. The body, Paul said is "fitly joined together", "we are compacted by that which every joint supplieth"..........
then read on....................."according to the effectual working"...........
Christ effectively molded and built the church, strategically placing us where we can grow, but also where as we network with the body, where we can be an asset. As the church reaches her potential, the members who are fitly framed together, who know their place, who have fulfilled ministry, who walk in the Spirit and are led by the Spirit of God, they grow together. As they grow, they help develop the entire body. Paul said every part....helps the other to grow. It isn't a show. It isn't always something that can be seen outwardly. It is a spiritual growth.

Next time you're walking in the woods, imagine what's taking place under your feet. As the roots of trees come into contact with one another they form an underground support system. One has access to water, another to nutrients, another to sunlight, etc. A networking is taking place that strengthens them all. This is what Paul had in mind: "[Under His direction], the whole body is fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love." Some of us independent types have difficulty when it comes to networking. We fly solo, until we crash and burn! Eventually our pain, not our brain, shows us our need for things like:


(1) Mercy.
"Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others" (Col 3:13 NLT).
What motivates us to show mercy to others? God's mercy to us. You'll never be asked to forgive someone else more than God has already forgiven you. this is an integral part of the network of the church. It is essential for us to show mercy in order for the body to increase.

(2) Understanding.
"Be sympathetic ...kind...gentle, and patient" (Col 3:12 GWT).
Sympathy meets two fundamental human needs we all have: the need to be understood and the need to have our feelings validated. The problem is we're in such a hurry to fix people that we don't have time to sympathize with them. We're too preoccupied with our own hurts. Self-pity dries up sympathy for others. We forget the time it took for us to grow from the tender young plant to the old oak tree we are now.

(3) Encouragement.
"I want us to help each other with the faith we have. Your faith will help me, and my faith will help you" (Ro 1:12 NCV).
All of us are strengthened in our faith when others walk with us and encourage us.
" And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. " Ecc. 4:12
"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." Jas. 5:16
So today, practice networking!!!!!!!!! Pray for one another, call out the name of a friend to God in prayer.
Encourage someone who is slipping.
Bring a neighbor to church Sunday.
Pick up that child in your neighborhood and bring them to Sunday School.
Be understanding instead of judgmental. Oh, come on now.......you know I'm right!!!!
Remember God's mercy in your life, and show mercy to someone today.
Let's network the Love of God, let's network the Mercy of God..........