| Welcome to the First Baptist Church of Norwich 239 West Main Street Norwich, Connecticut Phone: 860-889-0369 |
Cal's Pastoral Epistles
"Your Best Will Always Be Good Enough"
January 6, 2009
I sent out a note on Facebook advertising our upcoming Pasta Dinner and
Silent Auction on Saturday night. I noted that someone had given a two
night stay at Loon Mountain and another person had given two tickets to the
Rascal Flatts Concert. The note was meant to encourage people to come to
the dinner and to bring in their last minute auction items.
I felt horrible when I read her note. Earlier in the day Shannon had offered
to give us some jewelry for the silent auction. When she read my post about
what we already had, she felt that her gift paled in comparison to what
others had given. I told her that the jewelry was great because it was
personal and also affordable to everyone who was coming. I understood her
concern. We've all been there haven't we?
I grew up in rather modest circumstances in a single parent home. We
didn't have much. There were many times when I had to give a gift that
was either very inexpensive or I gave something I already had. Maybe that's
why I always liked the story of the little drummer boy.
After seeing the expensive gifts the magi had given, the drummer boy
almost turned around and headed home. He was embarrassed. But
something kept him from doing that. So he stepped up and he played his
drum. He shared that unique gift he had. And the story says that when he
played, the Christ child smiled at him.
I know that's a fictitious story but I think there is something holy in it.
Jesus once told his disciples that the widow who dropped her two mites
into the collection box had given far more than the rich men who made a
show of their giving. The point was that the best gifts are always the ones
that come from the heart.
I think that is a lesson that all of us need to hear. Sometimes we think we
don't have much to offer God. So instead of getting involved in the ministry
of our church or synagogue, we leave it to the people we perceive as being
more talented and more prosperous. In doing so, we rob God of the unique
gifts that only we can give and we lose out on the blessing of serving the
Lord.
So what are you going to give to the Lord this year? Whatever it is, take a
page out of the drummer boy's book, and give your best. When you do, you
will be blessed because you will know the Lord will be smiling in delight at
what you have offered.
God Bless. See You In Church. Cal
January 6, 2009
I sent out a note on Facebook advertising our upcoming Pasta Dinner and
Silent Auction on Saturday night. I noted that someone had given a two
night stay at Loon Mountain and another person had given two tickets to the
Rascal Flatts Concert. The note was meant to encourage people to come to
the dinner and to bring in their last minute auction items.
I felt horrible when I read her note. Earlier in the day Shannon had offered
to give us some jewelry for the silent auction. When she read my post about
what we already had, she felt that her gift paled in comparison to what
others had given. I told her that the jewelry was great because it was
personal and also affordable to everyone who was coming. I understood her
concern. We've all been there haven't we?
I grew up in rather modest circumstances in a single parent home. We
didn't have much. There were many times when I had to give a gift that
was either very inexpensive or I gave something I already had. Maybe that's
why I always liked the story of the little drummer boy.
After seeing the expensive gifts the magi had given, the drummer boy
almost turned around and headed home. He was embarrassed. But
something kept him from doing that. So he stepped up and he played his
drum. He shared that unique gift he had. And the story says that when he
played, the Christ child smiled at him.
I know that's a fictitious story but I think there is something holy in it.
Jesus once told his disciples that the widow who dropped her two mites
into the collection box had given far more than the rich men who made a
show of their giving. The point was that the best gifts are always the ones
that come from the heart.
I think that is a lesson that all of us need to hear. Sometimes we think we
don't have much to offer God. So instead of getting involved in the ministry
of our church or synagogue, we leave it to the people we perceive as being
more talented and more prosperous. In doing so, we rob God of the unique
gifts that only we can give and we lose out on the blessing of serving the
Lord.
So what are you going to give to the Lord this year? Whatever it is, take a
page out of the drummer boy's book, and give your best. When you do, you
will be blessed because you will know the Lord will be smiling in delight at
what you have offered.
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.
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |