Posted by John L. Rothra on July 25, 2006 under Devotional/Teaching | 
I discovered something tonight during supper: I like grilled salmon. You’re probably thinking, “Yeah, so what.” For me it’s big news. First, I’m not a seafood fan. I’ve tried many kinds and have only liked tuna (canned in water), fried catfish, and fried bass so far. Shrimp, lobster, crab, etc. are not to my liking. My family knows I’m not a fish eater. I was raised on salmon patties and didn’t really like those much, either. So, for me to try more fish is rare. To like it is noteworthy!
I reached a point when I realized I might as well try it. But I had to grill it myself. Thanks to my father-in-law, who gave me a simple recipe and grilling instructions, I was able to grill it, as my wife said, “to perfection.” She loved it! I grilled it right. Then I tasted it and it was absolutely wonderful! After eating the first portion, I had seconds. And I’m not a fish eater. It all came from my willingness to open my mind to trying something new. I had to let go of my years of pride and rejection of fish. When I finally tasted it, it was more wonderful than others said it was.
God is like that, too. When we let go of our pride, rejection of Him, and approach Him with an open mind, we realize that He, too, is more wonderful than others describe. Some people are unwilling to give God a chance because He doesn’t meet their standards. Some turn away from God because they are afraid they might not like it. Some reject God because they’ve “tried” Him once before and didn’t like Him. I had tried salmon patties and didn’t like them. I like grilled salmon, though. In order to appreciate God and experience something more wonderful, more pleasing than any food, we need to be willing to let go of our pride.
Don’t let one bad preacher or one bad experience taint your entire life. Don’t live your life closed-minded and unwilling to give God a chance. Just as I now know what I was missing by never trying grilled salmon years ago, you don’t know what you’re missing with God until you are willing to try Him.
Posted by John L. Rothra on July 15, 2006 under General |
In the United States today, we live in a world of catch phrases, soundbites, and bumper-sticker ethics. While such a system has many drawbacks, it does allow people to get a hard-hidding point quickly. In light of the soundbite culture, here’s a collection of humorous statements that hopefully, hit close to home.
- Don’t let your worries get the best of you; remember, Moses started out as a basket case.
- Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pews.
- Many folks want to serve God, but only as advisors.
- It is easier to preach ten sermons than it is to live one.
- The good Lord didn’t create anything without a purpose, but mosquitoes come close.
- When you get to your wit’s end, you’ll find God lives there.
- People are funny; they want the front of the bus, the middle of the road, and the back of the church.
- Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.
- Quit griping about your church; if it was perfect, you couldn’t belong.
- If the church wants a better pastor, it only needs to pray for the one it has.
- God Himself does not propose to judge a man until he is dead. So why should you?
- Some minds are like concrete thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.
- Peace starts with a smile.
- I don’t know why some people change churches; what difference does it make which one you stay home from?!
- A lot of church members who are singing “Standing on the Promises” are just sitting on the premises.
- We were called to be witnesses, not lawyers or judges.
- Be ye fishers of men. You catch them; He’ll clean them.
- Coincidence is when God chooses to remain anonymous.
- Don’t put a question mark where God put a period.
- Don’t wait for 6 strong men to take you to church.
- Forbidden fruits create many jams.
- God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called
- God grades on the cross, not the curve.
- God loves everyone, but probably prefers “fruits of the spirit” over “religious nuts!”
- God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.
- He who angers you, controls you!
- If God is your co-pilot, swap seats!
- Prayer: The task ahead of us is never as great as the Power behind us.
- The Will of God never takes you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.
- We don’t change the message, the message changes us.
- You can tell how big a person is by what it takes to discourage him.
- The best mathematical equation I have ever seen: 1 cross + 3 nails= 4 given.
