Let’s start this story with the “Servant,”
whose job is simply to “Serve” others[i]. Most “Servants” select their job and employer; working in some cases can
merely be just a choice. When you order a meal in most sit-down restaurants
your food will be brought to you by a “Server.” You can also take your vehicle to an auto repair or lube shop
for service and the work will most likely be performed by a “Service” technician.
The
point here is that these workers “Serve” others by choice usually for income. When the “Service” is
unsatisfactory, these ‘Servers” or “Servants” can be reprimanded in many ways or just terminated;
however, they also have the option of merely quitting.
The “Servant” may
also choose to walk away from his or her position for simply just being unhappy. Let’s move on to the “Slave,[ii]” who has no choice but to completely satisfy his or her Master’s needs and
desires. If the “Slave” fails to perform any task given unsatisfactorily then there can be minor to severe consequences
- there is usually no way out. A “Slave” is owned and
totally controlled by the Master and mistakes are usually never tolerated…
The “Slave’s” happiness
is rarely, if ever, taken into consideration when work is assigned and they can never just quit!
Now let’s discuss the “Carpenter.” The carpenter
in this story is a male Craftsman and the “Master” of his project. The carpenter loves challenges and tackles
every project, no matter how minuscule, with passion and dedication.
The “Carpenter” is a craftsman and also “Serves”
a Master by constructing something useful with unconditional loyalty and commitment – pleasing his Master is his goal.
“Serving” is an option and he only a “Slave” through Love. The carpenter treats every
task with the utmost of importance and will perform magnificently thus satisfying the master with quality workmanship. Does
the “Carpenter” depend on other “Servants” or a “Slaves?” No, a Craftsman’s
best friend is the “Tool!’
The “Tool” won’t walk away and will perform as directed
by the master. The “Tool” wants badly to serve and compensation is never the issue. The tool is a “Slave”
by choice. Every Craftsmen depends on tools and every tool is excited and always ready to work when chosen by the Master.
The
Craftsman empowers the “Tool” for without the Master, the tool is worthless and just an object
stuck in an old tool box or left upon a dusty, lonely shelf. Every “Piece” built by the “Master”
with his “Tools” is a “MASTERPIECE!”
There are many “Tools” in the Master’s shop. Every
tool has a purpose and is equally as important as all the other tools but every “tool” wants to be the Master’s
favorite.
The Master loves them all! The Master uses hammers, screwdrivers, pry bars, chisels, files,
saws, wrenches, and many many more. He has no favorites. The hammer’s job is to drive or pull out nails while the screwdriver
is responsible for driving in screws. They, like the others are different but equally necessary. When driving nails,
the Master carpenter will use a hammer and all other tools must be patient and wait until called upon; they gladly do so.
Every tool
wants to be held tightly by the Master because they know they have become part of something very wonderful and special. They
will always perform to the best of their ability because they love the Master and they know the Master loves them.
A good “tool” is always available
and trusts the Master’s judgment, forever!
Long ago, the wrench overheard the baby
chisel asking father chisel – when will the Master use us, daddy? The big chisel tells his son that a good lil’
chisel will always be used but only when needed by the Master – the thought of being used by the Master makes the lil’
chisel happy.
The wrench also knows that he can’t always be used but is ready and willing to perform whenever called upon
by the Master Craftsman. Sometimes, the Master only needs a saw or maybe he just wants to sand and finish his work.
So, the other tools must be satisfied in knowing that the Master loves them and needs them all. He will use them when the
time is right. The Big Chisel told lil’ chisel many times that you will be needed from time to time but it’s
up to the Master to decide when, just be ready.
Well, the Master has used hat Lil’ Chisel many time since the
Big Chisel was no longer able to perform and had to be relocated to the Master’s special place to rest forever. He "Serves"
gladly to this very day...
You don’t have to be a “Servant” or a “Slave”
just become a good tool for the rewards are truly wonderful….
There was a woman who had been diagnosed
with a terminal Illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things "in order", she
contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes. She told him which songs
she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. The woman
also requested to be buried with her favorite Bible. Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the
woman suddenly remembered something very important to her. "There's one more thing," she said excitedly. "What's
that?" came the pastor's reply. "This is very important," the woman continued. " I want to be buried with
a fork in my right hand."
The pastor stood looking at the woman, not
knowing quite what to say. "That surprises you, doesn't it?" the woman asked. "Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled
by the request," said the pastor. The woman explained. "In all my years of attending church socials and potluck
dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over
and say, 'Keep your fork'. It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate
cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance! So, I just want people to see me there in that casket
with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?'. Then I want you to tell them: "Keep your fork....the
best is yet to come". The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the woman goodbye. He knew this would
be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the woman had a better grasp of heaven than
he did. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral people
were walking by the woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and her favorite Bible and the fork placed
in her right hand. Over and over, the pastor heard the question "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.
During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the woman shortly before she died. He also
told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about
the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right. So the next time
you reach down for your fork, let it remind you oh so gently, that the best is yet to come.
The 411 on the 911 - Mosque Watch
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Sin V Lifestyle
There is a huge difference between being a sinner and promoting immorality. Bad behavior,
criminal activity, evil thoughts, profanity, etc are sins but Christians can be forgiven for every sin committed in the past,
present, and future merely by genuinely accepting Christ Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior. A Christian generally is
not proud of their sins and in nearly every case is remorseful. A person who promotes sin and enjoys it without remorse in
most cases is not a Christian however, we are all sinners by nature and every human being is imperfect until saved. Once we
accept the gift of forgiveness through Jesus we become perfect and free of sin. Sin is permissible - not profitable. Living
a good life and conducting oneself properly promotes Christianity whereas immorality causes great harm and embarrassment for
the Christian community.
A home schooling mom is put to the test as she mourns a death and separation from
her younger daughters. As Serena and husband Carl work tirelessly to reunite their family, she is thrust into a career. Will
she be able to prove to herself that being a homemaker is the higher calling? Discover with Serena how she must compete
against herself and allow God to work out the full potential He designed just for her.
There are thousands
of home schoolers, across our nation and around the world, striving to give their children the experience of safe home life
where the tailored curriculums meet their individual goals. This crisp, modern novel understands the technicalities of
home education and exposes the beauty of the lifestyle to those who have never lived it.
With knobby knees, big front teeth
that he hadn’t grown into, a mop of poodle like curls surrounding his smooth round face, Timmy was a bundle of excitement
as he waited through the final week before Santa’s visit.
His older brother, Butch, was husky for a twelve year old and felt that he was all grown-up. He was tired of helping
with the baby chores that he felt should be assigned to Timmy, alone.
That day, Timmy had hindered more than helped with the chores. Being thoroughly irritated, Butch lashed out
at his brother. “You silly little kid, you can’t do anything right. You are such a baby – you still
believe in Santa Claus. He ain’t real, you know, and I can prove it.”
Timmy recoiled in disbelief, “You’re a big fat liar!”
Butch, full of wrath, picked Timmy up by the seat of his pants and started toward the barn.
Timmy’s kicking, thrashing, spitting, and yelling ceased as Butch showed him the bag of presents hidden in the barn
loft. Timmy was heartbroken. That night when mom was tucking him in, he couldn’t hide the tears. Soon
he was spilling out his disappointment into his mother’s arms.
Mom was a quick thinker and explained that Santa’s sled, even though it was magic, was much too small to carry
all the gifts for every child all over the world. So Santa had his helpers hide bags of gifts in every barn all over
the world. This seemed to satisfy Timmy and he was soon asleep. Neither Timmy, Mother, nor Butch mentioned the
incident.
On Christmas morning there was a red wagon, a new sling shot, a bag of marbles, and a stocking full of candy and oranges for
Timmy. However there were no presents under the tree for Butch. His stocking was empty except for a note
from Santa which said:
“Dear Butch,
Since you no longer believe in me, your parents will now be responsible
for providing your Christmas gifts. Love, Santa”
Mom brought out the gifts for Butch, a new pair of overalls, a red shirt, and a pocket knife. Never again was
there candy or fruit in his stocking; never again was there a gift from Santa. In his anger to hurt his brother, he had in
fact cut off his own nose to spite his face.
Why
did Butch try to destroy Timmy’s faith in Santa? Was he trying to show Timmy the straight and narrow, or to whip
him into shape? No, he was angry and was trying to make himself feel better by belittling his brother. Just like
Butch, we also lash out at others when we are annoyed or hurt. But the underlying motivation is selfishness and a need to
boost our sagging egos. Instead of wasting precious time trying to straighten out those who don’t agree with us,
we should be strengthening their faith by setting an example of God’s love.
Celebrate this Christmas with kindness, love and forgiveness. Merry Christmas.
“She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his
name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21
Bunny is a wife, mother, grandmother, retired teacher, writer, and professional storyteller
For ministry needs, storytelling events, or for information on becoming a subscriber to the “Lessons From Life Column”
for your newspaper or magazine, please contact Bunny by e-mail: bunny@otelco.net or call (205) 274-8719.
Bunny is the author of “Job - A Book of Faith and Hope”.
Walking with God is a progressive journey Of fellowship, faith, love and understanding. Walking without Him we’re doomed to unawareness Lost in
the shadows of ungodly demanding.
To walk with God we must be consistent In our behavior through heartbreak
and tribulation. Walking with the Lord is not always easy Though eager hearts comply without hesitation.
Our continuous surrender to the will of God Enables us to hear His voice within. The most important lesson
we can ever learn Is to listen for His deliverance from sin.
The champions of the Bible all listened to
God Or they would never have survived their story. When we heed to the voice of supreme thought We become
a testimony to His goodness and glory.
God’s love is unconditional, total and complete His goal is
to make us aware of falsehoods and lies. Whenever He speaks, He never contradicts His word And all who actually
listen are more Christ-like and wise.
