Do You Have To Be Smart To Be A Christian?
Stories
Contents
What's Up This Week
A Story to Live By: "Jesus' Questions" by David O. Bales
Good Stories: "Spouse Hunting" by Terry Cain
"Do You Have To Be Smart To Be A Christian?" by Terry Cain
What's Up This Week
The lessons for this week offer an unusual combination: The capable wife with all of her exemplary virtues - the importance of "minding" our tongues, and Jesus' foretelling of his impending betrayal and death. Perhaps James 3:13 says it best: Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. We might all profit from focusing on all of our works being done with gentleness springing forth from divine wisdom.
A Story to Live By
"Jesus' Questions"
By David O. Bales
They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again." But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him. Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me."
-- Mark 9:30-37
"You learned real fast that you didn't want Jesus asking you questions," Peter said as he and his students walked through a market in Antioch. "As long as Jesus was speaking to others or just talking and not asking questions, we could smile and nod our heads like we really understood and agreed with him. We'd gotten good at it. When he started asking questions, you wanted to duck and not meet his eye."
None of the Syrians accompanying Peter had visited Galilee and, as an apostle who'd been with Jesus and seen him after his resurrection, Peter was the center of any Christian group he visited. His students swarmed around him through the market's crowd. Peter wouldn't be in Antioch much longer, so he took every occasion to teach, continuing now to instruct them as he walked.
"Jesus would ask questions like, 'If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?' You figured out soon that somehow what Jesus said, as ordinary as it was on the face of it, had a hook. Almost certainly he'd end up getting around to you and God and your attitude toward others. He'd confuse us by asking ridiculous questions like, 'Is a lamp brought in to be put under a bushel basket?' We'd all stand there scratching our heads. But sometimes if you waited long enough, he'd answer his own question. So, we got used to ignoring such things.
"We knew Jesus was bound for greatness and we were willing to put up with his quirks. He'd get straightened out as he realized what he could accomplish with his popularity. As his closest associates, we'd advise him in embarrassing situations and guide him away from danger. He'd be safe if he'd stick with us.
"If we didn't understand what he was talking about, it was better not to bring it up. We'd caught on that he was a great fellow; but, if he thought you hadn't understood what he was getting at, he'd sting you with his reply. He was tough that way."
Peter stopped and looked at his friends to see if they understood what he said. They all nodded. He continued to walk and speak, "So when Jesus mentioned for the second time that he might be killed, we'd talked about it among ourselves and were confident we knew what was best for him. We'd protect him, and when we reached Jerusalem he'd be acclaimed king, and then he'd get his priorities right. His miracles would bring us all fame and power in his administration.
"It was soon after Jesus, James, John, and I had experienced the presence of heaven's heroes--Moses and Elijah right there with us on the hill, and Jesus shining like the sun, the cloud creeping over us, and God's very voice from heaven. We knew well that God had chosen him and nothing would stop him. We thought he was underrating himself, thinking he'd never succeed against the religious leaders, let alone against Rome. We were sure that with Jesus no one could stop our great cause. We assumed he felt a little let down after such an exalting experience on the hill. Great people often have swings of mood. He'd get over it. He'd come to the next village and the needs there would snap him out of it. His compassion always lifted him to the occasion. He'd feel better after healing a few people.
"Well," Peter said with a deep breath. He and his students were climbing a street now. They gathered closer around him. "Jesus didn't quite see the potential we saw, and that day he asked one of those questions we always wanted to dodge. We'd come back to our headquarters in Capernaum. We'd gathered in the house and he gave us all reason to duck our heads. He said, 'What were you arguing about on the way?' Every one of us, I'm sure, immediately thought of saying, 'Nothing,' but we'd been with him long enough to know we couldn't get away with lying. He'd look us in the face and know immediately if we'd told the truth. So we didn't answer. Because," Peter stopped and put his hand over his eyes for a moment as he spoke, "I'm ashamed to say that on the road home we twelve had been arguing among ourselves about which of us was the best of Jesus' apprentices.
"We were in for it, then. Jesus sat down, summoned us together and said, 'Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.' He motioned for us to stay where we were and he went out the door. Soon he was back carrying the neighbors' son, maybe three years old. Jesus held him there in his arms in the middle of us, turning around so we all saw the kid. He said, 'Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.'"
Peter and his students had arrived at the villa where he was lodging. Many people awaited him inside. Peter turned to his followers before he entered. He stood silent for a moment, looking in their faces. He spoke slowly, "You all understand, don't you, that neither my being close to Jesus nor your being near to me buys you privileges?"
They said yes. "Jesus summons us," Peter said, "not to serve our own cause or to live for our own benefit, but to glorify God." Peter looked at each of their faces as they agreed. "Of course you do," he said with a sigh; and, as he entered the villa, his students jostled one another to enter with him.
David O. Bales has been a Presbyterian minister for 30 years. Recently retired as the pastor of Bethany Presbyterian Church in Ontario, Oregon, he is also a freelance writer and editor for Stephen Ministries and Tebunah Ministries. His sermons and articles have appeared in Lectionary Homiletics, Preaching Great Texts, and Interpretation, and he is the author of Gospel Subplots: Story Sermons of God's Grace (CSS). Bales is a graduate of the University of Portland and San Francisco Theological Seminary.
Good Stories
Spouse Hunting
By Terry Cain
Proverbs 31:10-31
How hard it is to find a good wife...
* * *
Sam sat with his friends after the barbeque in his backyard enjoying the spring evening. He had invited eight of his friends over and they were now relaxing out on the patio. He was thinking about how his wife would have taken charge were she still alive. She would have prepared a great meal and been the life of the party, but she had been gone almost two years now, a victim of a car accident. He missed her so much. Coincidently at that moment Kyle, one of his co-workers spoke up asking, "When are you going to start looking for a wife, Sam? It's been two years now." Kyle was not bashful and at times could say things others would be uncomfortable saying.
"You're right, Kyle, I should be looking. Becky and Carl really could use a mother's touch around here. I have a novel idea. Why don't we go around the circle and each one of you can suggest a way I could go about finding the perfect wife. Uncle Ralph, why don't you start?"
Sam knew his uncle, who had never married, was a cynic and he was interested in what he would say. He was right; the answer was brief and cynical. Don't get married again. Wives are only trouble.
"Uncle Ralph, you know Ellen was a wonderful wife to me. Surely there are many other women who could be a good mother to the kids." He turned to one of his co-workers. "Jill, what do you say?"
"Let us fix you up with blind dates."
"I wouldn't let anyone who married someone like Jim set me up on a blind date," he kidded. "Jim what's your suggestion?"
"You really want to hear from me after what you just said about me?" laughed Jim. "Well, how about the chat-room? Lots of people are meeting that way."
"No thanks. You never know how truthful those persons are until you meet them in person."
Carl, his next-door neighbor, was next. "If you don't like Jim's idea, you won't like mine. Put an ad in the paper. I heard about a humorous ad: Wanted: looking for a wife. Must be 35-45, good cook, love out of doors, especially fishing and have own boat. Send picture of boat."
"Carl, I'm afraid an ad wouldn't be much better than the chat-room."
Sam turned to Carl's wife. She responded, "Some have tried Parents Without Partners."
"That might be a nice idea, except there are none of those groups anywhere near our town."
Kyle, another of Sam's co-workers and the one who had started the discussion said, "Hit the bars; that's where lots of chicks are looking for someone."
Kyle's wife, JoAnn, spoke up, "Kyle! Get serious! Sam, you need to go to church. That's where you will find a good person who would be a good wife and mother."
Before Sam had a chance to respond, his sister spoke up, "Sam, I don't think that is a reason to go to church. I would suggest that you don't look for a spouse. Let her find you."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Don't go out looking for a wife. Just go about your business, church, shopping, recreation, and let the right one show up when she shows up."
"Sis, you know I'm not a fatalist." Sam said. "I don't believe God will send the right one when it's the right time."
"No, Sam, I mean that you shouldn't plan to get married just to be married. You need to be living your life with patience until someone comes along who will catch your attention. That is how you would meet someone with your values and interests. You would end up marrying because you fell in love and not because you wanted to get married. If I remember right, that is how it was with you and Ellen."
Do You Have To Be Smart To Be A Christian?
By Terry Cain
James 3:13-4:3,7-8a
This scripture discusses the contrast between God's wisdom (in us) and the world's wisdom and what it means.
* * *
Jody, a fifteen year old, was very close to his grandmother and always sought her out when he had a serious question to ask or a problem that needed solving. They were sitting on the front porch of her old farmhouse on this beautiful summer day because he had come with a specific concern on his mind. He didn't only come to visit when he needed her advice, he also just enjoyed their being together talking idly, or when he could just listen to her reminisce. Today he had a particular question he wanted to ask. After a while he popped the question, "Grandma, does a person have to be smart to be a Christian?"
"That is quite a question, Jody," she answered, "What makes you ask?"
"He explained how he and his friends had stopped in the park on the way home from school earlier in the week and had been talking about various things when the discussion turned to religion. He shared how the kids brought up several ideas about God, Jesus, the church and other religious beliefs. He told her that two of the kids, Tom and Laurie, who attended Locust Avenue Church seemed to know a lot more than any of the other kids and had an answer for most questions or topics they discussed. We talked about heaven and how we can get to heaven. Tom and Laurie said there was only one way to get to heaven; we had to be saved and believe in Jesus. Grandma, I believe in Jesus, I guess. What does it really mean to believe in Jesus? They said it just means to believe in Jesus with our whole heart. It seems like there must be more to it than that. Then we talked about how God takes care of us. They said if we follow Jesus, God will take care of us. Grandma, Uncle Troy was a Christian and believed in Jesus. He was a very good person, so why did he get cancer and die? Tom said he must not have really believed. Laurie said God had his reasons and we just couldn't understand everything. They say we only need to believe, but it seems like there are so many difficult questions to consider. Like which church is the right one, or are they all the same? How can they all be the same if they teach different ideas that seem exact opposites?" He looked at his grandmother and waited for her to answer.
"Jody, you have asked good questions. The Bible is a very deep book with difficult passages to understand. And different churches have a wide variety of beliefs. Your first question is very perceptive and should be on everyone's mind at some time or other. Do we have to be smart to be a Christian? I don't have all the answers, but I have some ideas that might give us something to discuss and think about. Why don't we begin with that first question, and talk about other questions such as knowing right from wrong and the other ideas you have raised on other occasions as your interest dictates."
Jody replied, "Sure, Grandma."
"Jody, there may be different kinds of wisdom or knowledge. For instance, there is the accumulation of facts such as memorizing the mathematics tables or remembering certain dates in history. But of all the many kinds of knowledge there may be, and I have no idea how many that may be, the most important kind, as far as I am concerned, is the wisdom or smarts that comes from God. By that I mean if we love God and get close to God as Jesus has revealed God to us, we will know God well enough that we will be able to instinctively feel or sense many answers to questions. The answer to the question of the need to be smart to be a Christian is, yes. But it is not book smarts, it is the wisdom of understanding what God and Gods love is like that leads us in the right paths. It will not be perfect, and if it was perfect, we could not be saints all the time and always follow that wisdom perfectly. However, we would be pretty darn good Christians and getting better all the time."
"But Grandma, how do we get that wisdom or get that close to God?"
"By reading and rereading Jesus over and over and praying. Then trying our best to live what we learn and feel. Jody, the fact that you have asked such an important question, 'Do we have to be smart to be a Christian?' indicates you are already on the right path!"
Terry Cain is a retired United Methodist pastor who served his entire ministry in eastern Nebraska, including 25 years in Lincoln. He is the author of Shaking Wolves Out of Cherry Trees and Lions and Cows Dining Together. Cain is a graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University (B.A.), St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City (M.Div.), and San Francisco Theological Seminary (D.Min.).
**********************************************
How to Share Stories
You have good stories to share, probably more than you know: personal stories as well as stories from others that you have used over the years. If you have a story you like, whether fictional or "really happened," authored by you or a brief excerpt from a favorite book, send it to StoryShare for review. Simply click here share-a-story@csspub.com and email the story to us.
**************
StoryShare, September 24, 2006, issue.
Copyright 2006 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 517 South Main Street, Lima, Ohio 45804.
What's Up This Week
A Story to Live By: "Jesus' Questions" by David O. Bales
Good Stories: "Spouse Hunting" by Terry Cain
"Do You Have To Be Smart To Be A Christian?" by Terry Cain
What's Up This Week
The lessons for this week offer an unusual combination: The capable wife with all of her exemplary virtues - the importance of "minding" our tongues, and Jesus' foretelling of his impending betrayal and death. Perhaps James 3:13 says it best: Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. We might all profit from focusing on all of our works being done with gentleness springing forth from divine wisdom.
A Story to Live By
"Jesus' Questions"
By David O. Bales
They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again." But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him. Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me."
-- Mark 9:30-37
"You learned real fast that you didn't want Jesus asking you questions," Peter said as he and his students walked through a market in Antioch. "As long as Jesus was speaking to others or just talking and not asking questions, we could smile and nod our heads like we really understood and agreed with him. We'd gotten good at it. When he started asking questions, you wanted to duck and not meet his eye."
None of the Syrians accompanying Peter had visited Galilee and, as an apostle who'd been with Jesus and seen him after his resurrection, Peter was the center of any Christian group he visited. His students swarmed around him through the market's crowd. Peter wouldn't be in Antioch much longer, so he took every occasion to teach, continuing now to instruct them as he walked.
"Jesus would ask questions like, 'If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray?' You figured out soon that somehow what Jesus said, as ordinary as it was on the face of it, had a hook. Almost certainly he'd end up getting around to you and God and your attitude toward others. He'd confuse us by asking ridiculous questions like, 'Is a lamp brought in to be put under a bushel basket?' We'd all stand there scratching our heads. But sometimes if you waited long enough, he'd answer his own question. So, we got used to ignoring such things.
"We knew Jesus was bound for greatness and we were willing to put up with his quirks. He'd get straightened out as he realized what he could accomplish with his popularity. As his closest associates, we'd advise him in embarrassing situations and guide him away from danger. He'd be safe if he'd stick with us.
"If we didn't understand what he was talking about, it was better not to bring it up. We'd caught on that he was a great fellow; but, if he thought you hadn't understood what he was getting at, he'd sting you with his reply. He was tough that way."
Peter stopped and looked at his friends to see if they understood what he said. They all nodded. He continued to walk and speak, "So when Jesus mentioned for the second time that he might be killed, we'd talked about it among ourselves and were confident we knew what was best for him. We'd protect him, and when we reached Jerusalem he'd be acclaimed king, and then he'd get his priorities right. His miracles would bring us all fame and power in his administration.
"It was soon after Jesus, James, John, and I had experienced the presence of heaven's heroes--Moses and Elijah right there with us on the hill, and Jesus shining like the sun, the cloud creeping over us, and God's very voice from heaven. We knew well that God had chosen him and nothing would stop him. We thought he was underrating himself, thinking he'd never succeed against the religious leaders, let alone against Rome. We were sure that with Jesus no one could stop our great cause. We assumed he felt a little let down after such an exalting experience on the hill. Great people often have swings of mood. He'd get over it. He'd come to the next village and the needs there would snap him out of it. His compassion always lifted him to the occasion. He'd feel better after healing a few people.
"Well," Peter said with a deep breath. He and his students were climbing a street now. They gathered closer around him. "Jesus didn't quite see the potential we saw, and that day he asked one of those questions we always wanted to dodge. We'd come back to our headquarters in Capernaum. We'd gathered in the house and he gave us all reason to duck our heads. He said, 'What were you arguing about on the way?' Every one of us, I'm sure, immediately thought of saying, 'Nothing,' but we'd been with him long enough to know we couldn't get away with lying. He'd look us in the face and know immediately if we'd told the truth. So we didn't answer. Because," Peter stopped and put his hand over his eyes for a moment as he spoke, "I'm ashamed to say that on the road home we twelve had been arguing among ourselves about which of us was the best of Jesus' apprentices.
"We were in for it, then. Jesus sat down, summoned us together and said, 'Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.' He motioned for us to stay where we were and he went out the door. Soon he was back carrying the neighbors' son, maybe three years old. Jesus held him there in his arms in the middle of us, turning around so we all saw the kid. He said, 'Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me.'"
Peter and his students had arrived at the villa where he was lodging. Many people awaited him inside. Peter turned to his followers before he entered. He stood silent for a moment, looking in their faces. He spoke slowly, "You all understand, don't you, that neither my being close to Jesus nor your being near to me buys you privileges?"
They said yes. "Jesus summons us," Peter said, "not to serve our own cause or to live for our own benefit, but to glorify God." Peter looked at each of their faces as they agreed. "Of course you do," he said with a sigh; and, as he entered the villa, his students jostled one another to enter with him.
David O. Bales has been a Presbyterian minister for 30 years. Recently retired as the pastor of Bethany Presbyterian Church in Ontario, Oregon, he is also a freelance writer and editor for Stephen Ministries and Tebunah Ministries. His sermons and articles have appeared in Lectionary Homiletics, Preaching Great Texts, and Interpretation, and he is the author of Gospel Subplots: Story Sermons of God's Grace (CSS). Bales is a graduate of the University of Portland and San Francisco Theological Seminary.
Good Stories
Spouse Hunting
By Terry Cain
Proverbs 31:10-31
How hard it is to find a good wife...
* * *
Sam sat with his friends after the barbeque in his backyard enjoying the spring evening. He had invited eight of his friends over and they were now relaxing out on the patio. He was thinking about how his wife would have taken charge were she still alive. She would have prepared a great meal and been the life of the party, but she had been gone almost two years now, a victim of a car accident. He missed her so much. Coincidently at that moment Kyle, one of his co-workers spoke up asking, "When are you going to start looking for a wife, Sam? It's been two years now." Kyle was not bashful and at times could say things others would be uncomfortable saying.
"You're right, Kyle, I should be looking. Becky and Carl really could use a mother's touch around here. I have a novel idea. Why don't we go around the circle and each one of you can suggest a way I could go about finding the perfect wife. Uncle Ralph, why don't you start?"
Sam knew his uncle, who had never married, was a cynic and he was interested in what he would say. He was right; the answer was brief and cynical. Don't get married again. Wives are only trouble.
"Uncle Ralph, you know Ellen was a wonderful wife to me. Surely there are many other women who could be a good mother to the kids." He turned to one of his co-workers. "Jill, what do you say?"
"Let us fix you up with blind dates."
"I wouldn't let anyone who married someone like Jim set me up on a blind date," he kidded. "Jim what's your suggestion?"
"You really want to hear from me after what you just said about me?" laughed Jim. "Well, how about the chat-room? Lots of people are meeting that way."
"No thanks. You never know how truthful those persons are until you meet them in person."
Carl, his next-door neighbor, was next. "If you don't like Jim's idea, you won't like mine. Put an ad in the paper. I heard about a humorous ad: Wanted: looking for a wife. Must be 35-45, good cook, love out of doors, especially fishing and have own boat. Send picture of boat."
"Carl, I'm afraid an ad wouldn't be much better than the chat-room."
Sam turned to Carl's wife. She responded, "Some have tried Parents Without Partners."
"That might be a nice idea, except there are none of those groups anywhere near our town."
Kyle, another of Sam's co-workers and the one who had started the discussion said, "Hit the bars; that's where lots of chicks are looking for someone."
Kyle's wife, JoAnn, spoke up, "Kyle! Get serious! Sam, you need to go to church. That's where you will find a good person who would be a good wife and mother."
Before Sam had a chance to respond, his sister spoke up, "Sam, I don't think that is a reason to go to church. I would suggest that you don't look for a spouse. Let her find you."
"What do you mean by that?"
"Don't go out looking for a wife. Just go about your business, church, shopping, recreation, and let the right one show up when she shows up."
"Sis, you know I'm not a fatalist." Sam said. "I don't believe God will send the right one when it's the right time."
"No, Sam, I mean that you shouldn't plan to get married just to be married. You need to be living your life with patience until someone comes along who will catch your attention. That is how you would meet someone with your values and interests. You would end up marrying because you fell in love and not because you wanted to get married. If I remember right, that is how it was with you and Ellen."
Do You Have To Be Smart To Be A Christian?
By Terry Cain
James 3:13-4:3,7-8a
This scripture discusses the contrast between God's wisdom (in us) and the world's wisdom and what it means.
* * *
Jody, a fifteen year old, was very close to his grandmother and always sought her out when he had a serious question to ask or a problem that needed solving. They were sitting on the front porch of her old farmhouse on this beautiful summer day because he had come with a specific concern on his mind. He didn't only come to visit when he needed her advice, he also just enjoyed their being together talking idly, or when he could just listen to her reminisce. Today he had a particular question he wanted to ask. After a while he popped the question, "Grandma, does a person have to be smart to be a Christian?"
"That is quite a question, Jody," she answered, "What makes you ask?"
"He explained how he and his friends had stopped in the park on the way home from school earlier in the week and had been talking about various things when the discussion turned to religion. He shared how the kids brought up several ideas about God, Jesus, the church and other religious beliefs. He told her that two of the kids, Tom and Laurie, who attended Locust Avenue Church seemed to know a lot more than any of the other kids and had an answer for most questions or topics they discussed. We talked about heaven and how we can get to heaven. Tom and Laurie said there was only one way to get to heaven; we had to be saved and believe in Jesus. Grandma, I believe in Jesus, I guess. What does it really mean to believe in Jesus? They said it just means to believe in Jesus with our whole heart. It seems like there must be more to it than that. Then we talked about how God takes care of us. They said if we follow Jesus, God will take care of us. Grandma, Uncle Troy was a Christian and believed in Jesus. He was a very good person, so why did he get cancer and die? Tom said he must not have really believed. Laurie said God had his reasons and we just couldn't understand everything. They say we only need to believe, but it seems like there are so many difficult questions to consider. Like which church is the right one, or are they all the same? How can they all be the same if they teach different ideas that seem exact opposites?" He looked at his grandmother and waited for her to answer.
"Jody, you have asked good questions. The Bible is a very deep book with difficult passages to understand. And different churches have a wide variety of beliefs. Your first question is very perceptive and should be on everyone's mind at some time or other. Do we have to be smart to be a Christian? I don't have all the answers, but I have some ideas that might give us something to discuss and think about. Why don't we begin with that first question, and talk about other questions such as knowing right from wrong and the other ideas you have raised on other occasions as your interest dictates."
Jody replied, "Sure, Grandma."
"Jody, there may be different kinds of wisdom or knowledge. For instance, there is the accumulation of facts such as memorizing the mathematics tables or remembering certain dates in history. But of all the many kinds of knowledge there may be, and I have no idea how many that may be, the most important kind, as far as I am concerned, is the wisdom or smarts that comes from God. By that I mean if we love God and get close to God as Jesus has revealed God to us, we will know God well enough that we will be able to instinctively feel or sense many answers to questions. The answer to the question of the need to be smart to be a Christian is, yes. But it is not book smarts, it is the wisdom of understanding what God and Gods love is like that leads us in the right paths. It will not be perfect, and if it was perfect, we could not be saints all the time and always follow that wisdom perfectly. However, we would be pretty darn good Christians and getting better all the time."
"But Grandma, how do we get that wisdom or get that close to God?"
"By reading and rereading Jesus over and over and praying. Then trying our best to live what we learn and feel. Jody, the fact that you have asked such an important question, 'Do we have to be smart to be a Christian?' indicates you are already on the right path!"
Terry Cain is a retired United Methodist pastor who served his entire ministry in eastern Nebraska, including 25 years in Lincoln. He is the author of Shaking Wolves Out of Cherry Trees and Lions and Cows Dining Together. Cain is a graduate of Nebraska Wesleyan University (B.A.), St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City (M.Div.), and San Francisco Theological Seminary (D.Min.).
**********************************************
How to Share Stories
You have good stories to share, probably more than you know: personal stories as well as stories from others that you have used over the years. If you have a story you like, whether fictional or "really happened," authored by you or a brief excerpt from a favorite book, send it to StoryShare for review. Simply click here share-a-story@csspub.com and email the story to us.
**************
StoryShare, September 24, 2006, issue.
Copyright 2006 by CSS Publishing Company, Inc., Lima, Ohio.
All rights reserved. Subscribers to the StoryShare service may print and use this material as it was intended in sermons, in worship and classroom settings, in brief devotions, in radio spots, and as newsletter fillers. No additional permission is required from the publisher for such use by subscribers only. Inquiries should be addressed to permissions@csspub.com or to Permissions, CSS Publishing Company, Inc., 517 South Main Street, Lima, Ohio 45804.
