“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow….” ~Philippians 2:10~
Red Envelope Day
http://www.redenvelopeday.com/
Join others in sending an empty envelope to the president on March 31.
On the back write “This envelope represents one child who died because of an abortion. It is empty because the life that was taken is now unable to be a part of our world.”
President Obama
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500
International World Changers Stories
Baptist Press
February 25, 2009
WASHINGTON–Clinton, in China visit, neglected human rights, critics charge. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29953
WASHINGTON–Supreme Court gives win to Ten Commandments monument supporters. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29954
WASHINGTON–Obama tells Congress nation ‘will recover.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29955
GEORGIA–Facebook gives Annie Armstrong new ‘friends.’ http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29956
GEORGIA–Johnny Hunt addresses 12,000 men. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29957
NORTH CAROLINA–Graham organization to trim staff by 10%. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29958
TENNESSEE–FIRST-PERSON (Dwayne Hastings): Concerned about nominee’s porn ties. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29959
TEXAS–FIRST-PERSON (Bob Stith): A question I often ponder. http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=29960
BE CAREFUL WHO YOU IMITATE
The following story is reported to be true:
A new missionary recruit went to Venezuela for the first time. He was struggling with the language and didn’t understand a whole lot of what was going on. Intending to visit one of the local churches, he got lost, but eventually got back on track and found the place. Having arrived late, the church was already packed. The only pew with a seat open was the one on the front row.
So as not to make a fool of himself, this recruit decided to pick someone out of the crowd to imitate. He chose to follow the man sitting next to him on the front pew. As they sang, the missionary tried to follow along. When the man stood up to pray, the missionary recruit stood up too. When the man sat down, he sat down. When the man took the cup and bread for the Lord’s Supper, he took the cup and bread. During the preaching, the recruit didn’t understand a thing. He just sat there and tried to look like that man in the front pew.
Then he perceived that the preacher was giving announcements. People clapped, so he looked to see if the man was clapping. He was, and so the recruit clapped too. Then the preacher said some words that he didn’t understand and he saw the man next to him stand up. So he stood up, too. Suddenly a hush fell over the entire congregation. A few people gasped. He looked around and saw that nobody else was standing, so he sat down.
After the service ended, the preacher stood at the door shaking the hands of those who were leaving. When the missionary recruit stretched out his hand to greet the preacher, the preacher said, in English: “I take it you don’t speak Spanish.”
The missionary recruit replied: “No I don’t. Is it that obvious?”
“Well yes,” said the preacher, “I announced that the Acosta family had a newborn baby boy and would the proud father please stand up.”
There is nothing wrong with imitating godly men and women, but we need to be careful who we imitate, and to what extent. Even the apostle Paul was careful to limit those who sought to follow him:
“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” (1 Cor. 11:1)
Follow the example of those you know who are living godly lives, but be sure to keep one eye on Christ as the ultimate standard. Otherwise, you may find yourself standing when you ought to be sitting!
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Helen Street Church of Christ
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Enjoy the beautiful day the Lord has provided today.
Anna Lee
The Prayer Link 