| Welcome to the First Baptist Church of Norwich 239 West Main Street Norwich, Connecticut Phone: 860-889-0369 |
Cal's Pastoral Epistles
Private Time With God
November 2, 2005
When was the last time you had a divine encounter with God? I am
talking about getting up close and personal with God like Moses did
at the burning bush. When was the last time you came face to face
with Him like the Samaritan woman did when she met Jesus that
afternoon at Jacob's well? We all have those moments. The question
is whether you recognized them or not.
Last Friday morning I was in a bit of a funk. I was feeling a bit
overwhelmed with some things that were going on and needed to get
out of the office and be by myself. So I decided to go to the movies.
There was a matinee at Lisbon Landing that featured a show I
wanted to see. I splurged. I bought my ticket, my popcorn and soda
and entered the theater. As the previews began to roll, I realized
that I was the only one in the theater. I wondered if they would still
show the movie if no one else came along. I got my answer ten
minutes later as the feature presentation hit the screen. I had the
whole theater to myself for a private screening of the movie.
I felt like someone special. How many people get their own screening
of a current hit movie? The most amazing thing about the experience
was the fact that the movie itself touched me and spoke to those
issues that prompted me to get away from the office in the first
place. I sat there all alone in the theater with tears in my eyes as the
lead character dealt with issues in his life that I could understand
very well. I laughed as he was caught up in events that turned him
around and made him look at himself. When the movie was over I
just had to shake my head and thank God for setting up the whole
thing. I had been punk'd by God. He got me!
God is always doing that. He is ever at work trying to connect with
you and me. He is the master of "coincidence." How many times
have things happened unexpectedly that brought you in contact with
someone you needed to see? How often have you made a snap
decision and then found yourself running into someone that opened a
door for you to take the next few steps in your journey?
We read about Moses tending the flocks in Midian and think it is a
unique experience because of the burning bush. The bush is not the
focal point though. It is only the medium that carried the message.
Just like the movie theater was for me and the grocery store may be
for you, God uses the things in our lives that will get our attention
when He wants to speak to us. So be on the lookout and get ready for
God to pop out and surprise you. It may be in the sudden visit of a
friend. It may happen in your car as the radio tunes into a talk show
or oldies medley. God may even show up in the smiling face of one of
your children and grandchildren as they hop up in your lap and tell
you they love you.
You just never know with God. One thing is sure. When God wants
to talk to you he will find a way and hopefully we won't be too busy
too notice. So start looking for Him and then marvel at how often He
sets up these divine encounters.
God bless! See you in church. Cal
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |