26 Jan 2009, Posted by spittingimage in General, 1 Comment.

Accountability

ACCOUNTABILITY

A member of a certain church, who
previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few
weeks, the preacher decided to visit him. It was a chilly evening. The preacher
found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason
for his preachers visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair
near the fireplace and waited. The preacher made himself at home but said
nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around
the burning logs. After some minutes, the preacher took the fire tongs,
carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the
hearth all alone then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched
all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and
diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it
was cold and dead.

Not a word had been spoken since the initial
greeting. The preacher glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave.
He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the
middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow,once more with the light and
warmth of the burning coals around it. As the preacher reached the door to
leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, 'Thank you so much for
your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday.'

We live in a world today, which tries to say too
much with too little. Consequently, few listen.

Sometimes the best sermons are the ones left
unspoken.

The Lord is my Shepherd —–that's a
Relationship!
I shall not want —–that's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures
—-that's Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters —–that's
Refreshment!
He restoreth my soul —– that's Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
–that's Guidance!
For His name sake —– that's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death–that's Testing!
I will fear no evil —– that's Protection!
For Thou art with me —– that's Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me —–that's
Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence
of mine enemies——that's Hope!
Thou annointest my head with oil —– that's
Consecration!
My cup runneth over —– that's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the
days of my life—-that's Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
—–that's Security!
Forever —– that's Eternity!