Fourth Sunday In Advent
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series VI, Cycle B
COMMENTARY ON THE LESSONS
Lesson 1: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 (C); 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16 (RC); 2 Samuel 7:4, 8-16 (E)
If our purpose here were teaching rather than preaching, we could spin a wonderful tale of the rise of King David, and of his transformation of the Israelites. We could relate how David brought the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem, which was to become known as the city of David, and how David wished to build a splendid tabernacle to house the ark. But more conservative voices prevailed for the time being, and David seems to have conceded for the time. The prophet Nathan persuaded David of this. David became interested in the music of the temple and began a reorganization of that. One tradition holds that David began his early rise to fame as a musician.
I have observed, however, that Sunday morning congregations donÍt desire much biblical background from the preacher in the pulpit. Just today I had lunch with a group of friends, and we discussed this book. Two of them urged me to remind everyone to ñbe relevant.'' I inquired just what they meant by that counsel and they both said, and the others agreed: ñDonÍt give us a lot of biblical history. Tell us how the BibleÍs word applies in our world and our lives today.'' So, saving details about the above for the study group, letÍs ask ourselves what this Old Testament passage can offer us as a basis for a sermon this coming Sunday.
I see at least two possible themes in this passage (assuming we can reject the idea that God overcomes our enemies for us „ witness Adolf Hitler). One, the insistence that the ark remain in a tent suggests that simplicity is part of the Christian promise. It came through shepherds and farmers and wandering preachers. God loves the simple things, the common people.
The other idea suggested in the commentary in The InterpreterÍs Bible appeals to me more. In the passage we see the conservative point of view that things should not be changed, should remain as they are. David wanted to make changes, Nathan opposed it. Any pastor who has tried to change with the times has encountered those in the congregation who prefer everything to remain as it has always been. ThereÍs a sermon here as we enter a changing period of church history with its profusion of new worship forms, of contemporary music and, for that matter, innovations in preaching methods. LetÍs work with this idea.
Lesson 2: Romans 16:25-27 (C, RC, E)
This closing prayer in the form of a doxology more or less summarizes the central message of the Gospel. Christ reveals the ñsecret'' long hidden. The Old Testament has pointed the way through the prophets and now is revealed so that everyone may know the truth and be obedient. Monotheism is affirmed and revealed through Jesus Christ. The effect of this on the Christian is a promise on GodÍs part of enablement in standing firm in oneÍs faith. As a sermon text I suppose one could almost select any facet to Christianity and find it implied here. I suggest that a needed word for today is to be found in the opening assurance that ñGod ... is able to make you stand firm in your faith.''
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 (C, RC, E)
This passage presents something of a problem involving controversy between good Christians. I imagine that among our readers are some who feel that to question the historical veracity of this report is to betray the very basis of Christianity. On the other end of a spectrum of believers are some like a pastor friend of mine with whom I used to occasionally eat lunch, who didnÍt even believe that Jesus was a real person. Between those extremes are the majority of mainstream Protestants (Catholics being in a different spectrum altogether) who either remain silent on the subject or privately admit some sincere doubts that things happened quite this way. May I, at this point, express my regard for any sincere Christian regardless of any theological differences between us, then express my own belief?
I honor the story of MaryÍs virginity and understand its importance to our tradition. But I canÍt believe the story quite as written. There are several reasons. First, the idea of sex as being somehow sinful is outmoded and as long as it is experienced honorably and lovingly, it seems to me to be one of GodÍs finest creations. Second, there is no mention of this tradition in MarkÍs Gospel, which is generally regarded as an expression of PeterÍs preaching. Nor is it mentioned in JohnÍs Gospel, which reflects the more developed and sophisticated theology of the early church. Likewise, Paul made no reference to a virgin birth. Nor did any of the other writers of the New Testament except Matthew.
We know that most people of the ancient world did believe in deities of one kind or another. Paul found so many statues honoring such that they apparently ran out of titles and even had a statue to an unknown god. Greek deities all were believed to have miraculous backgrounds. The goddess Mithra of the eastern religions was regarded as the child of a virgin mother. Even Plato, it was claimed by some, had a virgin mother. Clearly, itinerant preachers from a distant land needed some kind of credentials to compete with this. Christianity had begun to thrive. Gentiles now outnumbered Jews in the faith and it had spread to places like Rome and Athens and Corinth. A delightful story such as the one in this text must surely have intrigued many a searching sinner in a world of violence and early death.
This certainly doesnÍt mean I have any doubt at all about the power of God, nor that Jesus was the Son of God. I believe those things. But I see too little reason to accept the literal accuracy of this report to depict it as such to my congregants. Perhaps Professor Ed Blair, beloved teacher of New Testament at Garrett Theological Seminary (now GETS), who specialized in studies of the Gospels, said it best when a student in our class asked him if he believed the story literally. He replied, and I quote: ñI donÍt know. What I do know is this, if God wanted to do it this way he could have.'' IÍll settle for that.
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: ñGreat Day In The Morning: Worship''
Text: 2 Samuel 7:4-7
Theme: Nathan, after first encouraging King David to build a new location for the Ark, quotes God as saying he would rather remain in a tent where he has always been. Keeping in mind that a ñprophet,'' while a spokesman for God, was not always accurately portraying God as we know him through Christ, we see here an example of an unwillingness to face change. You can almost hear Nathan quoting his version of God as saying ñbut weÍve never done it that way before.''
1. Times are changing. Television, VCRs, movies all have revolutionized our psychic perceptions and responses. The remote control for television alone has changed humanity. The Walkman has made marvelous music available while walking through the park. I remember the first time I ever used one of those things. My daughter had just gotten one and I remarked that they would never take the place of a good ñrecord player.'' She said, ñTry it.'' I did and was flabbergasted. Her little 29-dollar thingamajig played better music than my stereo system at home. I knew right then that the churches would have to start doing a better job with music now that every young person took symphonic quality music for granted.
2. This will result in changes in worship. I know one preacher who has some kind of earphone and who records his sermon on Saturday, then uses it as a hidden prompter on Sunday. I personally disapprove of this, being an advocate of preaching without notes. But heÍs young and IÍm not, so heÍll carry the day. One very effective worship program in my city makes use of video clips as illustrations. Now another large church nearby is building a multi-million dollar sanctuary, and it will include enormous video screens which will roll down at the touch of a button. ñContemporary worship'' services are standing room only in many mainline churches while traditional services (now being called ñclassic'' around here) are losing attendance. Such things as synthesizers and computerized music are fast replacing pipe organs. IÍm neither applauding nor denigrating these innovations. IÍm simply visioning the future.
3. Churches must find a way to convey the true gospel in these new vessels. Great responsibility lies before the clergy and the seminaries. But much also rests with congregational members who must be willing to, as old Fosdick once put the matter, ñbe part of the solution, not part of the problem.'' One thing which wonÍt change: prayer. It will continue to be the means by which we find our way in a new day, and the means by which we march together in love.
Title: ñDoing What Is Right''
Text: Romans 16:25-27
Theme: Paul himself is a good example of this „ standing up for what one believes in the face of opposition or temptation. I would guess, though, that the greatest test of oneÍs faith comes in the ordinary situations of everyday life, rather than from threats or from organized opposition. I happen to know a lady who is very active in her church. Recently she took her two children to a store while she made some purchases. One item was a piece of jewelry, and when she returned home, she realized she had been substantially undercharged for the item. Her daughter asked Mom what she planned to do and Mom shrugged and said something to the effect that it was the storeÍs fault, and besides, the cost of correcting the mistake would probably be more than the storeÍs loss anyway. So she did nothing. She also shared this with us and was rather pleased. The following Sunday she was faithfully in her church.
ThatÍs where standing firm in our faith often enters. The little things. Do we pass along that juicy bit of gossip, though it may be untrue? Do we exaggerate the value of the product weÍre selling? Do we fail to disclose the defect in the house or car we plan to sell? Do we allow our teenagers to cancel a commitment at the last minute because a better opportunity came along? Do we...?
I have decided something: thereÍs a kind of natural law of the spirit which ordains that lies and deceit are always paid back in kind, one way or another, in this world. Maybe not right away. But I have decided that God sees to it that in the end, virtue always wins. C. S. Lewis once wrote that all people are on their way to becoming either creatures so loathsome that we meet them now only in nightmares, or creatures so glorious that we would be strongly inclined to worship them if we could see them as they will be. Every moral choice I make, and there are dozens of them every day, are a step in one direction or the other. Of course we donÍt always do the right thing, and we therefore need to repent and be forgiven. But God is willing to strengthen us in our efforts to do what is right.
Title: ñLove Came Down At Christmas''
Text: Luke 1:30-32a, 34-37
Theme: Here we have the cataclysmic moment in world history, the instant which changed everything for all humanity. I leave it to the preacher to decide how to handle the issue of historical accuracy. We certainly have here the divine promise that Love in all its fullness will now break forth upon the world, accessible to all who desire it. I will include below a wonderful bit of testimony by former singing star Tommy Sands. He told his story on the Sally Jessy Raphael television show recently and it could be a powerful introduction to this sermon.
1. God takes the initiative in human lives. Just as the Holy Spirit came to Mary with a lifeÍs mission, so he attempts to approach each of us. Perhaps we have a much more dramatic example here than happens to most of us, but there is every reason to think that God doesnÍt just wait for us to come to him. The old definition of the difference between Religion and Christianity applies here: ñReligion is manÍs search for God; Christianity is GodÍs search for man.'' (Note: ThatÍs not politically correct, for which I apologize, but it loses something in the translation when you try to clean it up.)
2. God can handle any problem. The angel said it „ verse 37 „ ñThere is not a thing that God cannot do.''
Thou art coming to a King.
Large petitions with thee bring.
For His wealth and power are such
Thou canst never ask too much.
3. God always acts in love. The Christ child would become the embodiment of this truth. It means that when we act in love in this life, God will empower us. We may not, however, ask for help in selfish or hurtful endeavors. The people we meet in everyday life, even those who oppose us or who disappoint us, are still loved by God equally as much as we are. But it means that in GodÍs hands our earthly life as well as our eternal fate are safely in the hands of love.
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
ñWeÍre taking his insurance money and weÍre putting it into missions for Japan; for what Japan needs, and what we all need, is not more punishment but redemption.''
„ Father of boy killed In World War II, shortly after word received
____________
Several years ago there was a play titled Merrily We Roll Along, which portrayed the life of one Richard Miles, a successful playwright. He was a man who had achieved his goals by deceit and betrayal. He was a despicable man. But the play depicted his life in reverse. In successive scenes, the viewer saw Miles a bit younger, a bit more admirable, until the final scene showed him in his college days, at his college commencement when he was class valedictorian. At the very end, he said this: ñLastly, this I have learned: I have learned to value ideals above all else. Let them be our heritage, our guiding force.''
____________
This article appeared in a worthy publication: You probably donÍt know the name Joe Schernikau. Not many people do. Oh, most of the folks in the neighborhood know Joe, but itÍs a run-down, poor part of town. Joe never did much with his life. He couldnÍt, really, what with certain handicaps which somewhat limit Joe. He never made much money, never achieved anything of much note. There isnÍt a lot to be said for Joe beyond the fact he nearly always arrives on time at work, and he always has a pleasant smile, doesnÍt complain, or anything. Also, when he says heÍll do something, he always does it.
One day Joe was sorting out a large cart filled with used clothing „ you see, he works at a charitable organization and sorting things is JoeÍs job. Well, he picked out a worn pair of work pants and, in checking the pockets, he found more than a thousand dollars in large bills. Nobody saw this, and Joe shoved the bills in his pocket and went on with his work. Apparently, though, Joe got to thinking about those work pants, and the fact that somewhere, some poor working man was probably belatedly realizing that his pants, and his savings, were gone. Of course, they could have belonged to some wealthy professional man who wouldnÍt miss them much. Or they could have belonged to a drug dealer or a thief who didnÍt deserve to get them back anyway. But they just might have belonged to a poor man. So Joe turned the money in at the office. It was more money than Joe had ever seen at one time, more than he probably ever will see. But Joe had learned what was right somewhere and he did it.
According to the Bible, thereÍll come a time when weÍll all have to answer for ourselves to the Man Upstairs. I kind of think that when JoeÍs turn comes, God will be very pleased with Joe. More than with most of us, I suspect. My guess is itÍll turn out that what I said at first was wrong. Maybe Joe achieved more in his life than most.
____________
I recently was running the channels on my television set and came across the Sally Jessy Raphael talk show, just as she was introducing singer Tommy Sands. Those of a certain age will recall that a generation or so ago, Sands was listed in at least one major publication as ñAmericaÍs number one entertainer.'' His songs were top of the chart, he was appearing on major television shows, was married to Frank SinatraÍs daughter. He had it all „ wealth, fame, and a lovely wife. Then he got into drugs, and he became an alcoholic. He then told the audience how his life completely fell apart. His marriage ended; his career was ruined. He ended singing in small bars to a dozen people, ñmost of them drunk.'' Finally, one night he was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Doctors later told him they did not expect him to survive the night. They also told him his kidneys were ruined and he would be on dialysis the rest of his life.
Utterly devastated, his life ruined, Tommy Sands said he did something he had never really done before. As he lay in his hospital bed, he began to pray. He told God that he realized he had no right to expect any help. He wasnÍt even certain he believed in God. But he said he offered his life to God that night to do with it what he wished. Sands said, ñThat night my kidneys began to work again, and have been fine since then.'' He soon recovered, then prayed that God would help him find someone who could help him overcome his addictions. He finally found a counselor, and said, ñGod led me to the right person.''
Some years have passed. Tommy Sands is singing again. He no longer drinks, uses no drugs. He has written a book about his experiences, and is back on the talk shows, an outspoken witness to the power of God to save a human life when that life is totally turned over to God.
____________
Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 89:1-4, 19-28 (C) „''Where are thy earlier mercies?''
Psalm 88 (RC) „ ñO Lord, God of my salvation.''
Psalm 132 (E) „ ñO Lord, remember in DavidÍs favor.''
Prayer Of The Day
The time draws near, O God. The birth of new life, the dawning of hope beyond expectation, the drawing near of the saving event in our lives. Make us ready as we look forward, now, to the beginning of a new world. Amen.
Lesson 1: 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16 (C); 2 Samuel 7:1-5, 8-12, 14, 16 (RC); 2 Samuel 7:4, 8-16 (E)
If our purpose here were teaching rather than preaching, we could spin a wonderful tale of the rise of King David, and of his transformation of the Israelites. We could relate how David brought the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem, which was to become known as the city of David, and how David wished to build a splendid tabernacle to house the ark. But more conservative voices prevailed for the time being, and David seems to have conceded for the time. The prophet Nathan persuaded David of this. David became interested in the music of the temple and began a reorganization of that. One tradition holds that David began his early rise to fame as a musician.
I have observed, however, that Sunday morning congregations donÍt desire much biblical background from the preacher in the pulpit. Just today I had lunch with a group of friends, and we discussed this book. Two of them urged me to remind everyone to ñbe relevant.'' I inquired just what they meant by that counsel and they both said, and the others agreed: ñDonÍt give us a lot of biblical history. Tell us how the BibleÍs word applies in our world and our lives today.'' So, saving details about the above for the study group, letÍs ask ourselves what this Old Testament passage can offer us as a basis for a sermon this coming Sunday.
I see at least two possible themes in this passage (assuming we can reject the idea that God overcomes our enemies for us „ witness Adolf Hitler). One, the insistence that the ark remain in a tent suggests that simplicity is part of the Christian promise. It came through shepherds and farmers and wandering preachers. God loves the simple things, the common people.
The other idea suggested in the commentary in The InterpreterÍs Bible appeals to me more. In the passage we see the conservative point of view that things should not be changed, should remain as they are. David wanted to make changes, Nathan opposed it. Any pastor who has tried to change with the times has encountered those in the congregation who prefer everything to remain as it has always been. ThereÍs a sermon here as we enter a changing period of church history with its profusion of new worship forms, of contemporary music and, for that matter, innovations in preaching methods. LetÍs work with this idea.
Lesson 2: Romans 16:25-27 (C, RC, E)
This closing prayer in the form of a doxology more or less summarizes the central message of the Gospel. Christ reveals the ñsecret'' long hidden. The Old Testament has pointed the way through the prophets and now is revealed so that everyone may know the truth and be obedient. Monotheism is affirmed and revealed through Jesus Christ. The effect of this on the Christian is a promise on GodÍs part of enablement in standing firm in oneÍs faith. As a sermon text I suppose one could almost select any facet to Christianity and find it implied here. I suggest that a needed word for today is to be found in the opening assurance that ñGod ... is able to make you stand firm in your faith.''
Gospel: Luke 1:26-38 (C, RC, E)
This passage presents something of a problem involving controversy between good Christians. I imagine that among our readers are some who feel that to question the historical veracity of this report is to betray the very basis of Christianity. On the other end of a spectrum of believers are some like a pastor friend of mine with whom I used to occasionally eat lunch, who didnÍt even believe that Jesus was a real person. Between those extremes are the majority of mainstream Protestants (Catholics being in a different spectrum altogether) who either remain silent on the subject or privately admit some sincere doubts that things happened quite this way. May I, at this point, express my regard for any sincere Christian regardless of any theological differences between us, then express my own belief?
I honor the story of MaryÍs virginity and understand its importance to our tradition. But I canÍt believe the story quite as written. There are several reasons. First, the idea of sex as being somehow sinful is outmoded and as long as it is experienced honorably and lovingly, it seems to me to be one of GodÍs finest creations. Second, there is no mention of this tradition in MarkÍs Gospel, which is generally regarded as an expression of PeterÍs preaching. Nor is it mentioned in JohnÍs Gospel, which reflects the more developed and sophisticated theology of the early church. Likewise, Paul made no reference to a virgin birth. Nor did any of the other writers of the New Testament except Matthew.
We know that most people of the ancient world did believe in deities of one kind or another. Paul found so many statues honoring such that they apparently ran out of titles and even had a statue to an unknown god. Greek deities all were believed to have miraculous backgrounds. The goddess Mithra of the eastern religions was regarded as the child of a virgin mother. Even Plato, it was claimed by some, had a virgin mother. Clearly, itinerant preachers from a distant land needed some kind of credentials to compete with this. Christianity had begun to thrive. Gentiles now outnumbered Jews in the faith and it had spread to places like Rome and Athens and Corinth. A delightful story such as the one in this text must surely have intrigued many a searching sinner in a world of violence and early death.
This certainly doesnÍt mean I have any doubt at all about the power of God, nor that Jesus was the Son of God. I believe those things. But I see too little reason to accept the literal accuracy of this report to depict it as such to my congregants. Perhaps Professor Ed Blair, beloved teacher of New Testament at Garrett Theological Seminary (now GETS), who specialized in studies of the Gospels, said it best when a student in our class asked him if he believed the story literally. He replied, and I quote: ñI donÍt know. What I do know is this, if God wanted to do it this way he could have.'' IÍll settle for that.
SERMON SUGGESTIONS
Title: ñGreat Day In The Morning: Worship''
Text: 2 Samuel 7:4-7
Theme: Nathan, after first encouraging King David to build a new location for the Ark, quotes God as saying he would rather remain in a tent where he has always been. Keeping in mind that a ñprophet,'' while a spokesman for God, was not always accurately portraying God as we know him through Christ, we see here an example of an unwillingness to face change. You can almost hear Nathan quoting his version of God as saying ñbut weÍve never done it that way before.''
1. Times are changing. Television, VCRs, movies all have revolutionized our psychic perceptions and responses. The remote control for television alone has changed humanity. The Walkman has made marvelous music available while walking through the park. I remember the first time I ever used one of those things. My daughter had just gotten one and I remarked that they would never take the place of a good ñrecord player.'' She said, ñTry it.'' I did and was flabbergasted. Her little 29-dollar thingamajig played better music than my stereo system at home. I knew right then that the churches would have to start doing a better job with music now that every young person took symphonic quality music for granted.
2. This will result in changes in worship. I know one preacher who has some kind of earphone and who records his sermon on Saturday, then uses it as a hidden prompter on Sunday. I personally disapprove of this, being an advocate of preaching without notes. But heÍs young and IÍm not, so heÍll carry the day. One very effective worship program in my city makes use of video clips as illustrations. Now another large church nearby is building a multi-million dollar sanctuary, and it will include enormous video screens which will roll down at the touch of a button. ñContemporary worship'' services are standing room only in many mainline churches while traditional services (now being called ñclassic'' around here) are losing attendance. Such things as synthesizers and computerized music are fast replacing pipe organs. IÍm neither applauding nor denigrating these innovations. IÍm simply visioning the future.
3. Churches must find a way to convey the true gospel in these new vessels. Great responsibility lies before the clergy and the seminaries. But much also rests with congregational members who must be willing to, as old Fosdick once put the matter, ñbe part of the solution, not part of the problem.'' One thing which wonÍt change: prayer. It will continue to be the means by which we find our way in a new day, and the means by which we march together in love.
Title: ñDoing What Is Right''
Text: Romans 16:25-27
Theme: Paul himself is a good example of this „ standing up for what one believes in the face of opposition or temptation. I would guess, though, that the greatest test of oneÍs faith comes in the ordinary situations of everyday life, rather than from threats or from organized opposition. I happen to know a lady who is very active in her church. Recently she took her two children to a store while she made some purchases. One item was a piece of jewelry, and when she returned home, she realized she had been substantially undercharged for the item. Her daughter asked Mom what she planned to do and Mom shrugged and said something to the effect that it was the storeÍs fault, and besides, the cost of correcting the mistake would probably be more than the storeÍs loss anyway. So she did nothing. She also shared this with us and was rather pleased. The following Sunday she was faithfully in her church.
ThatÍs where standing firm in our faith often enters. The little things. Do we pass along that juicy bit of gossip, though it may be untrue? Do we exaggerate the value of the product weÍre selling? Do we fail to disclose the defect in the house or car we plan to sell? Do we allow our teenagers to cancel a commitment at the last minute because a better opportunity came along? Do we...?
I have decided something: thereÍs a kind of natural law of the spirit which ordains that lies and deceit are always paid back in kind, one way or another, in this world. Maybe not right away. But I have decided that God sees to it that in the end, virtue always wins. C. S. Lewis once wrote that all people are on their way to becoming either creatures so loathsome that we meet them now only in nightmares, or creatures so glorious that we would be strongly inclined to worship them if we could see them as they will be. Every moral choice I make, and there are dozens of them every day, are a step in one direction or the other. Of course we donÍt always do the right thing, and we therefore need to repent and be forgiven. But God is willing to strengthen us in our efforts to do what is right.
Title: ñLove Came Down At Christmas''
Text: Luke 1:30-32a, 34-37
Theme: Here we have the cataclysmic moment in world history, the instant which changed everything for all humanity. I leave it to the preacher to decide how to handle the issue of historical accuracy. We certainly have here the divine promise that Love in all its fullness will now break forth upon the world, accessible to all who desire it. I will include below a wonderful bit of testimony by former singing star Tommy Sands. He told his story on the Sally Jessy Raphael television show recently and it could be a powerful introduction to this sermon.
1. God takes the initiative in human lives. Just as the Holy Spirit came to Mary with a lifeÍs mission, so he attempts to approach each of us. Perhaps we have a much more dramatic example here than happens to most of us, but there is every reason to think that God doesnÍt just wait for us to come to him. The old definition of the difference between Religion and Christianity applies here: ñReligion is manÍs search for God; Christianity is GodÍs search for man.'' (Note: ThatÍs not politically correct, for which I apologize, but it loses something in the translation when you try to clean it up.)
2. God can handle any problem. The angel said it „ verse 37 „ ñThere is not a thing that God cannot do.''
Thou art coming to a King.
Large petitions with thee bring.
For His wealth and power are such
Thou canst never ask too much.
3. God always acts in love. The Christ child would become the embodiment of this truth. It means that when we act in love in this life, God will empower us. We may not, however, ask for help in selfish or hurtful endeavors. The people we meet in everyday life, even those who oppose us or who disappoint us, are still loved by God equally as much as we are. But it means that in GodÍs hands our earthly life as well as our eternal fate are safely in the hands of love.
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS
ñWeÍre taking his insurance money and weÍre putting it into missions for Japan; for what Japan needs, and what we all need, is not more punishment but redemption.''
„ Father of boy killed In World War II, shortly after word received
____________
Several years ago there was a play titled Merrily We Roll Along, which portrayed the life of one Richard Miles, a successful playwright. He was a man who had achieved his goals by deceit and betrayal. He was a despicable man. But the play depicted his life in reverse. In successive scenes, the viewer saw Miles a bit younger, a bit more admirable, until the final scene showed him in his college days, at his college commencement when he was class valedictorian. At the very end, he said this: ñLastly, this I have learned: I have learned to value ideals above all else. Let them be our heritage, our guiding force.''
____________
This article appeared in a worthy publication: You probably donÍt know the name Joe Schernikau. Not many people do. Oh, most of the folks in the neighborhood know Joe, but itÍs a run-down, poor part of town. Joe never did much with his life. He couldnÍt, really, what with certain handicaps which somewhat limit Joe. He never made much money, never achieved anything of much note. There isnÍt a lot to be said for Joe beyond the fact he nearly always arrives on time at work, and he always has a pleasant smile, doesnÍt complain, or anything. Also, when he says heÍll do something, he always does it.
One day Joe was sorting out a large cart filled with used clothing „ you see, he works at a charitable organization and sorting things is JoeÍs job. Well, he picked out a worn pair of work pants and, in checking the pockets, he found more than a thousand dollars in large bills. Nobody saw this, and Joe shoved the bills in his pocket and went on with his work. Apparently, though, Joe got to thinking about those work pants, and the fact that somewhere, some poor working man was probably belatedly realizing that his pants, and his savings, were gone. Of course, they could have belonged to some wealthy professional man who wouldnÍt miss them much. Or they could have belonged to a drug dealer or a thief who didnÍt deserve to get them back anyway. But they just might have belonged to a poor man. So Joe turned the money in at the office. It was more money than Joe had ever seen at one time, more than he probably ever will see. But Joe had learned what was right somewhere and he did it.
According to the Bible, thereÍll come a time when weÍll all have to answer for ourselves to the Man Upstairs. I kind of think that when JoeÍs turn comes, God will be very pleased with Joe. More than with most of us, I suspect. My guess is itÍll turn out that what I said at first was wrong. Maybe Joe achieved more in his life than most.
____________
I recently was running the channels on my television set and came across the Sally Jessy Raphael talk show, just as she was introducing singer Tommy Sands. Those of a certain age will recall that a generation or so ago, Sands was listed in at least one major publication as ñAmericaÍs number one entertainer.'' His songs were top of the chart, he was appearing on major television shows, was married to Frank SinatraÍs daughter. He had it all „ wealth, fame, and a lovely wife. Then he got into drugs, and he became an alcoholic. He then told the audience how his life completely fell apart. His marriage ended; his career was ruined. He ended singing in small bars to a dozen people, ñmost of them drunk.'' Finally, one night he was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Doctors later told him they did not expect him to survive the night. They also told him his kidneys were ruined and he would be on dialysis the rest of his life.
Utterly devastated, his life ruined, Tommy Sands said he did something he had never really done before. As he lay in his hospital bed, he began to pray. He told God that he realized he had no right to expect any help. He wasnÍt even certain he believed in God. But he said he offered his life to God that night to do with it what he wished. Sands said, ñThat night my kidneys began to work again, and have been fine since then.'' He soon recovered, then prayed that God would help him find someone who could help him overcome his addictions. He finally found a counselor, and said, ñGod led me to the right person.''
Some years have passed. Tommy Sands is singing again. He no longer drinks, uses no drugs. He has written a book about his experiences, and is back on the talk shows, an outspoken witness to the power of God to save a human life when that life is totally turned over to God.
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Psalm Of The Day
Psalm 89:1-4, 19-28 (C) „''Where are thy earlier mercies?''
Psalm 88 (RC) „ ñO Lord, God of my salvation.''
Psalm 132 (E) „ ñO Lord, remember in DavidÍs favor.''
Prayer Of The Day
The time draws near, O God. The birth of new life, the dawning of hope beyond expectation, the drawing near of the saving event in our lives. Make us ready as we look forward, now, to the beginning of a new world. Amen.
