The Wallet Washing

I usually do my laundry on Friday evening or Saturday morning.  Well this past weekend I had dinner on Friday with some friends from church and played dominoes afterwards so I didn’t arrive home till late.  So I waited till Saturday morning to do my laundry.  I gathered all my dirty clothes like I’ve done hundreds of times and put them in the washing machine.   Like usual I put in my detergent, bleach and fabric softener and turned it on.  So as the washer did its thing I continued with my other chores.  Finally the washer turned off and I went to take the wet clothes out and transfer them to the dryer.  I lifted up the lid and started moving the clothes from the washer to the dryer when all of a sudden I saw something that not only surprised me but horrified me.  I saw it hidden underneath a wet shirt.  I just stood there for a few seconds wishing it were not true.  But it was.  I had washed my wallet.  Yep, I had forgotten to take it out of my pants the night before like I always do and now there it was in the washer with all its contents soaking wet.

I immediately took it out and worked frantically in removing all of the papers that were inside.  Why?  Because I knew that if all those papers dried it would be almost humanly impossible to separate them.  So I placed a towel on the kitchen counter and began gently separating the very limp and delicate papers.  It took a long time to do but finally I completed the tedious job.  However there were a few problems in that some of the papers were already really stuck to one another.  In these few cases I gently tore them apart leaving some of the text from the back of one to the front of another.  Finally the task was done.  Then I began to take inventory to see exactly what had been in my wallet for years.  To my surprise I found such things as:  a credit card that I had never activated yet, logins and passwords for accounts on the internet that I no longer use, notes to myself that I had no idea what they meant anymore, the brand and number of my printer cartridges that I use (I’m glad I found this one), way too many old insurance cards that should have been thrown away after getting the new ones, my Sam’s card which I had forgotten I even had (you can see I don’t go shopping there very often,) and oh yes, one very clean and somewhat wrinkled blank check.  So I decided that this was a perfect time to take inventory of my wallet’s contents and decide what I should keep and what I needed to throw away.  I had needed to do this before but had kept putting it off so this was the perfect time to do it now.

Later I thought about what had happened and this came to my mind.  Even though this was a tragedy that I had washed my wallet, it turned out to be a good thing since I was able to get rid of quite a few items that I actually didn’t need.  Then I thought about how sometimes tragedies in life turn out the same way.  Can’t you think of times when this has happened to you or to someone you know?  I believe that God sometimes allows bad things to happen to us so that we, in essence, can take inventory of our life and soul.  It’s during these crises that we immediately turn to God for His help.  Then He gives us time to sort things out and He leads us and guides us as to what we should keep and what we need to get rid of.  It’s also during these times that we can be closest to Him.  If we have strayed away from Him, these times will hopefully bring us back into fellowship with Him.  Isn’t it comforting to know that He is there with us during tragedies and bad times?  I can think back in my past to certain tragedies that have happened and now see how God was right there with me every step of the way.  Then finally, when all was said and done, I found myself closer to Him than I was before.

But what if you don’t know God personally and have never accepted His Son Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?  Well, first of all, He knows you and wants to have a personal relationship with you.  This is why He sent His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for you.   The blood of Jesus is the only thing that can rid you of the sins in your heart and soul.  If you haven’t, won’t you ask Him to come into your heart today and live as your Lord and Savior?  He’s waiting for an invitation from you.  Once you do invite Him in, He begins to go through your life taking out all the ugly things, like I picked out the useless things from my wallet, leaving you with a clean heart free from all sin.   You will become a new creation in Christ leaving all the old things behind.  You can do it today, right here, right now.  He’s just waiting for that invitation.

Buzz The Buzzard

I get my inspiration for my stories from lots of places but one of the most bizarre was the inspiration for Buzz the Buzzard. One day while driving home from school I noticed something in the highway ahead of me. The closer I got I saw that it was the carcass of a dead animal. Around here this is definitely a familiar thing to see. However, the closer I got to the dead animal I saw something that I had never seen before. There lying on the pavement with the carcass was also the dead body of a buzzard. How strange!!! Usually buzzards time their flying from the carcass in the highway perfectly so as to give themselves plenty of time before getting hit by an oncoming car. Well obviously this particular buzzard was just a few seconds too late. He must have been enjoying his meal too much to notice the approaching car and he paid dearly for it. Because of his deciding to stay amongst the rotting decay rather than flying away, he died. Then the thought came to me about our choice between staying in our rotting and decaying sins or accepting Jesus as our Savior. Unlike Buzz, I hope and pray we will turn our eyes from the world and choose Jesus Christ which will assure us of an eternal home in heaven.

Below is the link to a video in which I'm reading the poem.

https://youtu.be/bLxusiputlk

If you're interested in creating a PowerPoint of this poem, just click on the photos below and they will show up enlarged.  Then copy and paste them into PowerPoint or do a screen capture of each one and import them into PowerPoint.  That's it.

Make a Mark

In order to do this sermon well you'll need someone who is able to draw whether it's you or a friend, son or daughter, etc. Have preferably an easel set up with a large piece of paper on it so that the artist can draw so that everyone can see. "Good morning. Earlier this morning I asked three or four people to make me a mark on this large piece of paper. Now I'm going to add something to each one of them." So I take my marker and begin to draw finishing what the three or four other people started. Some of the lines became cartoon characters, animals, landscapes, etc. I just drew whatever came to my mind. I spoke to the congregation as I drew making as many jokes as possible. Sometimes I would take the mark made by a man and turn it into something very sweet like flowers, butterflies, etc. and then say that Mr. So and So was showing his feminine side this morning. After completing all three or four drawings I could sign the paper at the bottom. Then I would start with my sermon. "Lots of people ask me how I do this - making something rather nice and creative out of just a line or squiggle. Well it's easy because I'm an artist. I can look at those simple little marks and see their potential. I can see what they can become with some help. So I just apply my talent to them and they change into something special." "If you think about it, this is a lot like God. God must be an artist too. Well I like to think that He is. Think about it. He can take an insignificant and somewhat useless life and see its potential. But what does He do? Well I added my talent to these lines while He adds His love, mercy, forgiveness and grace through His son Jesus Christ. And a miracle happens as that life becomes something beautiful. In fact this person becomes like a new creature in Christ. Before I could make a drawing from these marks, there was one requirement of these three people. Can you tell me what I was? Correct, they all had to give me their initial mark. Boys and girls, it's the same way with God. We have to surrender or give Him our lives before He can make something beautiful out of them. like a Christian.? Are you tired this morning of being just a simple little mark when God can see your potential as something so much greater? Well God is not now nor has He ever been pushy. Instead of barging into our lives He quietly and patiently waits for us to invite Him in. Want you do that today, right here, right now? Let's pray."

 

This is Mark and Celeste from St. Luke AMEZ Church in Bladenboro doing the disappearing ink trick.  Here Celeste is dropping on the disappearing ink.

 

Here, Mark is wrapped up with red cloth symbolizing the blood of Jesus Christs.  Once it was removed the ink was gone.

 

Death of a Friend

Years ago I had a young friend named Dell that worked with me on computer projects.  We really enjoyed technology and created some awesome presentations.  Well one night we worked so late that he spent the night.  The next morning I got up and decided to fix some cereal for breakfast.  The cereal and milk hit the spot after such a long night of work.  Well everything was going well until all of a sudden a bowl of milk was turned over and my friend was having an awful reaction to the milk.  And before I could do anything or even call for help, I watched him die right there in my house.  I can't explain to you how I felt to see my best friend's life just fade away as I held him.

I gave a long, sad sigh.  As I wipe a tear from my eye I continued, "I can't put into words how much I loved that Dell laptop.  Who knew I was going to turn over my bowl of cereal right on top of its keyboard?  The frying noise was awful.  But what was worth was seeing the screen slowly but surely fade to black.  Its motherboard was fried.  I could have cried you guys..............Oh wait a minute.  Did you think that I was talking about a real person.  Oh MY BAD.  It was a D- E- L- L not D- A- L- E.  Oh man, you actually thought that someone had an allergic reaction to milk in my house and died?  Well thank God that didn't happen.  But you know it did cause me to think about something.....

After it was all over I remembered that I had a warranty on my laptop.  Do you know what a warranty is?  A warranty is a written guarantee, from a manufacturer, promising to repair or replace a product like my laptop if necessary within a specified period of time.  So I sent back my laptop to Dell and they fixed it absolutely free.  What do you think about that?  Then this thought came to me.  Wouldn't it be great if we as human beings had warranties?  But duh.........we do and they are all here in the Bible.  In fact there are so many guarantees in here that I can't go over them all.  We're covered for such things as:
When you have sinned...Psalm 32:51.When you are worried...Matthew 6:25-34.
When you're afraid...Psalm 34:7.
When you are lonely...Psalm 23.
When you are fighting Satan...Romans 8:31.
When you feel unloved...Romans 8:38-39.
And finally the most important is our guarantee of a home in heaven for all eternity which is found in John 3:16.
But in order to have these promises you must first know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior.  Do you  know Him today?  If not, you can today, right here, right now.  All He's waiting for is an invitation.

You Remind Me Of Someone

This sermon incorporates three very simple drawings that I have included.  Either use real people to be represented by the caricatures as I did or make up your own in a fictional story. 

I want to tell you a quick story about three of my friends. 

This is my first friend Tabitha.  She is intelligent, knows her technology, is married to a law enforcement officer and is the mother to two of the cutest little girls that you have ever seen.  Since our first meeting years ago Tabitha and I have become the very best of friends and we share not one but two offices together at two of our high schools.  We're there very seldom at the same time but when we are we share with one another what's been going on in our lives.  I'll never forget our conversations after her mother died.  Mine had died about twelve years before so we had yet one more thing in common. We have laughed with one another and have listened to each other's problems in hopes of lending a helping hand.  But you know, now that I look at her she reminds me of someone.  What about you?  Does she look familiar to your or does she look like some movie star or television personality?  I can't put my finger on it, but she reminds me of someone.    Oh well I'll continue with my story and maybe it will  come to me.

Well my second friend is Larry and here is a picture of him.

Larry and I have been friends since college and that was a long, long time ago.  When I first met him I thought he was crazy then and I still think he's crazy.  But I guess that's one of the things I like the most about him.  When we get together we're going do two things for sure.  First we're going to talk school and education since we're both teachers and secondly, we're going to laugh.  We always have the best time together.  I love being around Larry.  He makes me laugh.  He knows how to listen to my problems and offers sound advice.  We are kindred spirits and he is just about as close to me as a brother.  Before their son and my mom died, he, his wife and I would get together and have the best of times.  They were and still are like family to me.  And finally once again he and I are working at the same school just like we did about 20+ years ago.  I'm proud to call Larry one of my best friends.  And you know what?  He reminds me of someone too.  But who is it?  Yes, look at those eyes.  They look familiar.  Does he favor someone famous to you?  Well I'll think of it later so I'd better go on with my third friend.

His name is Teddy and here is a picture of him.

 

I first met Teddy when I was teaching art classes for Southeastern's Adult Ed and we've been friends ever since.  I'd have to say that Teddy is probably one of the most talented people that I have ever known.  He is extremely talented in art and he has the most beautiful voice.  Whenever he has an idea for an art project he comes over to my house and we work out the details.  He made a CD or two and we listen to those.  It's a pleasure spending time with Teddy. We help each other with our problems.  We go out to eat occasionally and even ride down to the beach to catch a movie.  He's such an intelligent man also.  I always feel better after having been with him.  And here it goes again, he also is reminding me of someone but who can it be?  It's right on the tip of my tongue.

In fact it's amazing that they all three resemble someone else.  Wait a minute.  I've got an idea.  Let's take Tabitha with her long hair.

Now let's take the facial features of Larry.....and put them here on top of Tabitha's face like this....

 

 

Then finally if I put Teddy's beard on top this picture I should get this.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

JESUS, yes that's who they all three remind me of.  How could I not have seen that?  But why wouldn't they remind me of Him?  They themselves are Christians which means they are Christ-like.

So there's no mystery as to why I like these three friends so very much.  When I'm with them I'm with fellow believers and we all can commune with our Savior Jesus Christ.  In fact being with fellow Christians is the closest thing to being with Jesus Christ on this old earth.

 

I thank Jesus for dying on the cross and shedding His blood for my sins and the sins of all others.  His blood washes away our sin and transforms us into new creations in Christ.  It also assures us of a home in Heaven for all eternity.  And as I thank Him daily for His many blessings I have to thank Him for wonderful Christ-like friends.

Silence Is Golden - Really?

This is one of the strangest sermons that I ever did but it is very effective.  I got up as usual to speak but said absolutely nothing.  That's right - nothing.  I looked around and smiled.  I checked the time.  I opened my mouth as if to speak but then changed my mind.  I scratched my head.  I shrugged my shoulders.  I kept this up until the congregation and I were beginning to feel somewhat awkward.  There was this strange sense of uneasiness as members began to whisper to one another asking, "What is going on?"  After what seemed like forever but was actually a minute or so, I spoke.

"Whew, I'm glad that's over," I said.  "I know you all were wondering what I was doing, right?  Well I wanted you all to hear silence as I said nothing.  You were anxiously awaiting to hear something but what did I say?  Nothing.  You were wanting to hear me speak and tell you about this wonderful man named Jesus.  But I said nothing.  You were wanting to hear about His life and His ministry and I said nothing.  You were wanting to hear about how He was crucified on a cross where He shed His blood to cleanse us all from our sins.  But I said nothing.  You were wanting to hear about His love, mercy, forgiveness and His marvelous grace.  But I said nothing.  Shame on me for remaining quiet.  How could I have remained quiet when I had the perfect opportunity to tell others about Christ and what He has done for me?  Shame on me.  Granted, this was just a way to illustrate how we as Christians sometimes fail to speak up for Christ when we have the perfect opportunity; when we know we should; and more importantly, when we know that someone is wanting to hear about our Savior.  But how many times does what I just did here, happen in real life?  How many times have we heard people cursing using Jesus' own name and we don't ask them to not speak about our Savior in such a way?  Is silence golden?  How many times is someone obviously hurting or in distress and we don't offer to comfort them with a simple prayer?  Is silence golden?  How many times do we see others living a life of sin and we fail to talk to them about Christ?  Is silence golden?  There's a whole world out there that needs to know Christ and how can they know Him without experiencing Him?  And that's where we come in.  Today, we are His mouth, hands and feet.  My daily prayer is that the lost somehow experience Jesus and what better way for that to happen than for me to share with them what's He's done for me? 
I have no idea who coined the phrase "Silence Is Golden," but it surely is not when a person's soul is at stake. So let's all speak up for Jesus and spread the light of His gospel to a dark and sinful world.  So on the count of three, let's all raise our voices in praise to Jesus our Lord and Savior.  One, two, three.....................

9-1-1

I can't remember where I got the idea for this sermon but you can change it anyway you like the way that I did.  This sermon can be done using technology or just by two people acting out the parts.  If you have access to technology I would definitely go that route.  I would have someone hidden away with a mike playing the part of the operator or record her voice reading the part and have someone play and pause during the sermon.

Well who can tell me what this is?  That's right, it's a toy telephone.  By now most of us have gotten used to the emergency number to call if we need help right away.  Just push the three digits 9-1-1 and we're in touch with the person who can get us the help we need as soon as possible.  This one number has saved many lives and has eased much suffering.

OK, _______________, let's pretend that you were at home and your mother fell and hit her head.  Can you come up here and dial the number that would get you some help?  That's right, 9-1-1.  And then you would hear a ring and a really nice person would answer the phone.

(Telephone rings three times).
What in the world?

This is 911.  What is your emergency?
This is 911.  What is your emergency?

Hello!  I'm sorry but I didn't mean to dial this number.

What is your emergency sir?

Operator, I don't have an emergency.  I was just doing a demonstration for the children here at church about 911.

Sir, what is your number?

Well it's _____________ but I'm not calling from that phone.

Is this Mr. Larry Hewett from __________________ Tabor City?

Yes it is.

What is your emergency Mr. Hewett?

Operator I'm trying to explain that I don't have an emergency.  I'm here at ________________________ Baptist Church doing a children's sermon and I was doing a demonstration about when we need help we should call 911.  I was even using a toy telephone.

Well you must have a awful good connection there Mr. Hewett.  Did you say ___________________ Baptist Church?

Yes.

Is that where Rev. _________________ preaches?

Yes it is.

Is he on the line?

No but he and the whole congregation are listening.

Oh I've met him a couple of times and think the world of him.  Will you tell them all hello for me?

Alright I will.

No, tell them now so I can hear you.

OK.  Everybody the operator says hello to you all.

And my name is Iris.

Oh, OK and her name is Iris.

Well Mr. Larry, you are right by telling the children that 911 is the number to call in case of an emergency.  But did you also tell them that in case of a spiritual emergency, the biblical number 911 can be used for help as well?

Ah no, I didn't.  911 for a spiritual emergency?  I don't exactly understand operator.

And you call yourself a Baptist!!!!!!!!!!  Let me speak to the children a minute, OK?

Sure go ahead.

Boys and girls when we are confronted with a situation that rattles us or threatens us, shattering our peaceful walk of faith, we can dial Psalm 91:1 which says, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty."  Glory hallelujah.  Talk about instant assurance.  With God as our Protector, we can rest peacefully in the midst of any emergency or trouble.  And hey, God the Father is on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week!

Amen to that Iris.  We've got to remember that verse.  Psalms 91:1.

Mr. Larry, here are some other Biblical numbers that all of you can dial when you need help from God.
When you have sinned...Psalm 32:51.
When you are worried...Matthew 6:25-34.
When you're afraid...Psalm 34:7.
When you are lonely...Psalm 23.
When you are fighting Satan...Romans 8:31.
When you feel unloved...Romans 8:38-39.

Hold on, hold on, wait a minute.  That's too many numbers to remember Iris.

Well, I guess it is but you all should be reading your Bibles regularly.  And every time you do, it will speak to you when you open its  pages, not just when you're facing a crisis.

That's so true Iris.  You're quite an operator and you've really helped us.  Do you have any last words for us this morning?

Sure do.  Remember, when emergencies do arise, don't hesitate to call 911.  But when it comes to spiritual emergencies, through the Holy Spirit, the Lord will give you instant help of His Word.  So I hope all of you jump into God's Word head first.  Goodbye everybody.  Take care and have a wonderful service.  And goodbye to Rev. ___________________.

Bye Iris.

Prayer

Devil's Bag of Tricks (Restoration)

   This prop can be easily made using two paper bags of the same size.  Open one bag as wide as possible.  Then cut the front of the other bag out with scissors. 

 

Make sure you cut out the pleat as well which will give your pocket more room.

Glue this front piece inside the first bag forming a pocket.  You may want to cut some off from the top of the piece to be glued on so that it does not show inside the other bag.  Drop the pieces into the pocket rather than inside the bag. 

You can now see the pocket inside the paper bag.

When it comes time to show the clean soul, close the pocket with your fingers closing the pocket.  When you want to show the sins had the person had not accepted Christ, turn the bag completely upside down and shake vigorously making the pieces fall to the floor or table.




    This empty paper bag represents the life of a child.  See that it's empty.  Well the Devil thinks that it is so ugly like this so he starts adding sins into the life represented by these pieces of paper (or cloth).   By the way who can tell me what sins are?  That's right, they are those things that we do that hurt or displease God.  First one, then another, the sins begin to enter into the perfectly clean life. (Drop the pieces of paper or cloth into the pocket inside the bag.)  Let's see, there's lying, stealing, cheating, cursing, drinking, drugs and the list goes on and on.  Oh my, (look into the bag) that life certainly isn't clean anymore.  Over a period of a lifetime this life becomes full of ugly sins and the Devil loves it!!!!!
    Let's say that this person wants to change his life and clean it up.  Can he do it?  NO!  No matter what does there is no way humanly possible for him to clean up his life and get rid of all that sin.  But notice that I said "Humanly Possible."  That means that there is a way but it has to come from a mightier power than us.  There's one and only one way to do this and that's by accepting Jesus Christ into your heart and asking Him to become your personal Lord and Savior.   And once you do a wonderful miracle takes place.  Your life and soul become cleansed from all that ugly sin that had accumulated over a lifetime.  So let's say that this person with all his ugly sins accepted Jesus.  Do you want to take a look at those sins now?  Well we can't.  Do you know why?  (Show the inside of the bag.)  Because they are all gone.  His soul been washed by the blood of Jesus Christ.  They are now gone forever and ever.
    But what if this person never had accepted Jesus into his heart and soul?  Well the sins would have remained there like this (Pour out the pieces of paper or cloth.)  And more importantly this person would never spend eternity in Heaven.  What an awful, awful, shame.
    So if there's sin in your heart today, why not invite Jesus to come into your heart and soul so that He might cleanse you from all your sins?  You can do it here, today, right now.  All He's waiting for is an invitation.

The Easter Light

I did not write this sermon.  Instead I used portions of text from a beautiful album called "Halleluia, a Praise Gathering for Believers.  I changed the word "song" to "light" and added a candle and an ending.  I would suggest that you have soft music during the reading of this.  Make sure you light and blow out the birthday candle that relights itself at the appropriate time.  Hope you enjoy it.

I believe, I believe.  What a powerful statement.  For thousands of years men have staked their lives on this belief that Jesus Christ is real.  Why?  Because it is this belief that gave their life meaning.  Jesus Christ in a life does make a difference.  He’s the source of a meaningful and purposeful life.  Where there’s darkness he makes light, yeah!  (Light the birthday candle.)  God gave the light.  Yes God gave the light.  It’s always been with us.  The light came into our world through a manger – a manger in Bethlehem.  There was nothing sacred about that manger in Bethlehem.  The light could have been born in the best hotel in the city if it had been left open for Him.  But He wasn’t pushy and still isn’t.  He moves only in the places we vacate for Him.  There was room that night only in the stable so that’s where the light was born.  It was a simple light – a simple lovely light for every man.  But right from the first some tried to ignore it.  They said there is no light.  It simply doesn’t exist.  Others tried to just change the light.  They made laws to put it out.  Armies marched against it.  They killed some who loved the light.  They screamed at it in fury.  They tried to out it.  Finally they nailed that light to a tree.  They said to themselves, “There, that should take care of that. "  (Blow out the candle and in a few seconds it relights itself.)    But it didn’t. 

Boys and girls you’ve just seen what Easter is all about.  It’s about the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who is the light to a dark, sinful and dying world.  Although many have tried to out His light, they can’t because God gave the light.  God gave the light, His Son, for you and for me.  If you don’t know Him as your personal Savior today He so much wants to be.  He’s only waiting for your invitation to enter into your heart.  Won’t you ask Him today?

Three Card Reunion (Restoration)

This is not my original story at all; however, I wanted to include it since I like it so much.  I found this in a small paper back book that I bought named "Gospel Magic: Plain and Simple" by Mr. Paul Everett.  This particular trick takes a while to duplicate; however, if you are sure you want to attempt making it, I'll do my best to help you out.

 

You start with three caards.  Adam is on the first one and God on the third one.  But look at what is on the middle one - Sin.  Ever since Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit, Sin has always come between God and man.  So how do we get back into relationship with Him?

 

Well we actually have a fourth card of sorts - a secret card - and on it is a cross with Jesus, Savior, Lord on it.  So let's see how we put the four cards together.

 

Once you remove the sin card we now have God and Adam reunited.  That's what happens when the sin is removed from our heart and soul.

 

But let's look closely at the Sin card.  Well it's actually not a card at all.  It's part of a card that forms a flap in which we can put the Jesus Christ Savior card.  This pseudo card is permanently attached to the Adam card.

 

Now you can see how the Jesus card fits snugly behind the Sin card.  The Jesus card is removed instead of the Sin card.  The person thinks he is holding the Sin card.  Make note of him holding the Sin card tightly. This is the way God sees us holding on tightly to our sins before we give them up.

 

 

So after taking away the Sin card, supposedly, you'll place the God card over the pesudo Sin card.  Finally ask the person to show us his Sin card so that we can see all the sins that are no longer between God and man.  To his and everyone's surprise, there is no Sin card but rather the Jesus card because He has forgiven us of our sins and now He lives inside our heart and soul where the sins once were.  This is an awesome trick with another restoration theme.

 

 

Coloring Book Life

This is not an original trick but I wanted to share it and demonstrate how to do it.  First of all you'll need a Magic Coloring Book.  They can be bought at magic shops for around $10.  I decided to make my own which took some time but it can be done.  So once you purchase your coloring book or make your own the learning how to do the trick is so very easy.  Click on the link below in order to discover how.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKTk9YZtIhc

My story is a simple one and it goes like this.  (I show the book and open it up to the blank pages.)  This represents a person's life that is not saved.  What good is a book with blank pages?  Not very right?  Well let's say that this person felt that he was missing something in his life - something that he knew his friends at church had but he didn't.  Well one day he discovered that he wasn't missing a something but rather a someone.  One morning after preaching he went down to the altar and asked Jesus Christ to come into his life.  And boy oh boy did it ever make a difference.  Look at his life now. ( I open to the black and white drawings.)  Wow, now his life has purpose.  But wait a minute there's more.  He started going to church every Sunday.  He read his Bible and prayed everyday.  He started witnessing to his other friends that weren't saved and the list went on and on.  And you know what, these things just added color and excitement to his life.  So just think how important that one decision was that he made to ask Jesus to come into his heart and soul.  If he had not done it, this would be him - as blank as can be.  (I show the blank pages.)  So which coloring book is your life today?  The blank one, the black and white one or the colored one.  It's not magic.  It's salvation.  Jesus is just waiting for an invitation.  Won't you invite Him into your heart today?

Conversation Starters

Fpr those who know me, I'm not much of a talker.  But in this sermon I really am.  In fact, I just wouldn't shut up!!!!!!!!!!  Once I told everyone good morning I began and the audience probably thought that I'd never quit.  It went something like this:

Good morning everyone.  Hope you're well.  I feel so good this morning.  I think part of it has to do with my breakfast.  Have you tried those Jimmie Dean sausage biscuits?  Oh man are the good with some strawberry jelly on them and a cup of Hazelnut coffee.  But the coffee is so much better if you use the Caramel Macchiato creamer.  You can get it at Food Lion.  What's really good is having one of these cups of coffee while watching TV at night.  I especially like to drink one when I'm watching America's Got Talent.  Do you guys watch that?  It's got to be one of my favorite TV shows.  Did you see it last week?  What about the man who ballances on these tall ladders?  I can't wait to see who wins in the end though.  Speaking of end, summer vacation is over and it's back to school.  You guys got your new clothes yet?  I hear there's a really good sale at Belk but if you want to spend less money go down to, where else, Walmart.  I got these shoes there.  Not bad for $14 huh?  I was in there last Wednesday buying me some more minutes for my Straight Talk phone.  Do you guys use Straight Talk?  Hey I'd rather spend $50 a month than $115 anytime.  But I'll admit the service is not as good a Virizon but at least I'm saving lots of money right?  Do you guys save money or change in a piggy bank?  You know I had a big glass jar about this high and filled it full of change.  It took forever.  But finally one of my friends and I took it down to the State Employees bank in Tabor that used to be Hardies and put it in one of those coin counting machines.  I wonder why Hardies went out of business.  I loved their Cinnamon Raisons biscuits with a cup of milk.  They used to give away these little raisin characters with each biscuit that you bought.  I got the whole set.  Maybe some day they'll be worth some money.  Speaking of money it sure is nice the way the price of gas has gone down isn't it?  Do you guys buy yours at the Hot Spot in Loris?  The bad thing about that place is that it's always busy and you have to wait in line for so long. And speaking of lines, did you all see the line of traffic from Tabor to Loris this summer?  That beach traffic is getting way out of hand don't you think?  Speaking of hands, I think I'm getting some arthritis in mine.  What's the best thing to take for it?  Tylenol or Ibuprofin?.......

 Get the picture.  I was nonstop.  It seemed like I went on and on forever.  But this is the way I finished it.

Wow, I didn't know I could talk so much and what did I say?  Not too much of anything really.  I told you what I liked and disliked.  I gave advice on what to use and not to use.  But isn't it odd that out of all the things I mentioned, I never mentioned Jesus Christ.  I talked about this good deal or that one but I didn't mention that He loved me so much that He died on a cross and shed His blood so that I might be washed clean from all my sins and have an eternal home in Heaven.  I asked if you liked this product or that but never asked if you knew Jesus as your personal Sasvior and if not I'd like to introduce you to Him.  What a shame of this time that I've wasted saying nothing, well nothing that is important.  I hope God can and will forgive us all when we fail to talk about what's really important and that's where we'll spend eternity.  We should be ashamed.  Plese forgive us God when we fail to mention your love, mercy, foregiveness and grace.  And most importantly, your only Son who died for our sins. 

Let's pray.......

BONUS:
Visit the link below to find a game your students can play called Conversation Starters.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LESAYdYSI097gl3WFJXBLkLXI9-6e9xopHd86l-Ldj0/edit?usp=sharing
Use one of my words or choose your own.  Start talking about it and see how you can maneuver the conversation to the topic to Jesus Christ.  We could all use the practice!!!!

A Short Christmas Play

This is a short Christmas play that I wrote years ago.  We actually performed it at Iron Hill.  It was fun to do and we got "rave" reviews as they say.  Hope you like it.

 

 

ANGEL LEROY’S SPECIAL ASSIGNMENT

One angel in high command interviews a very inexperienced and bumbling angel for the assignment of all assignments.

Ms. Beatrice :  (Ms. Beatrice is busy looking through personnel folders of candidates.  She looks at her watch and gets up to see if her next appointment is here.  As she walks to the door to check the waiting room she says…)  “If there is one thing I can’t tolerate it’s got to be angels that are tardy!  When are they going to realize that they are on call twenty-four /seven?”  (She opens the door to see if her next interview has arrived.)  “Mr. Leroy?  Is there an angel Leroy here?”

Leroy:  (Out of breath with his clothes messed up he answers in a Gomer Pyle accent…)  Well golly…yes ma’am, that’s me.  Here I am!

Ms. Beatrice:  (Inspecting him and his attire, she is not pleased and nods her head back and forth.)  Angel Leroy come on into my office.  (As he walks into her office she notices that he is obviously limping.)  Angel Leroy, are you alright?  You look rather, well, “unangelic.”

Leroy:  Oh yes ma’am I’m alright.  I tell you what – there was so many hosts of angels in that waitin’ room, I do declare I think I had some feathers pulled out of my right wing!  Do you see any of ‘em missin’?  (Ms. Beatrice looks at Leroy over the rim of her glasses with a very displeased expression.)  It reminds me of that time back in Jerusalem a century or two ago I had an in flight collision with another angel.  And lo and behold, my right wing got all cramped up.  And all I could do was fly with my left one.  Well sir there I was just a flying in circles – that’s all I could do.  It was the funniest thing!  And dizzy!  Boy I must have been dizzy for about a week!  Worst case of vertigo I’ve ever had….”

Ms. Beatrice:  Angel Leroy…

Leroy:  And you know what, I’ve had a touch of that there rheumatism in my right wing ever since.  Oh I’ve tried ever thing!

Ms. Beatrice:  (A little bit louder…)  Angel Leroy.

Leroy:  Let’s see I’ve tried Ben Gay, Deep Heat, Icee Hot, Asper Crème, Tylenol, Advil, Ibuprofen and none of ‘em worked at all!

Ms. Beatrice:  (Even louder….)  Angel Leroy.

Leroy:  And on these cold mornings or when we’re havin’ a change in weather – man oh man (rubbing his wing and shoulder)…there I go again just flying’ around in circles (moving his left arm and shoulder as a wing!)

Ms. Beatrice:  (Very loudly….)  Angel Leroy, please!.....(Calming down somewhat and taking a deep breath)….Have a seat.

Leroy:  Well it is quite comical.  There I go just a flying….(He looks at Ms. Beatrice and sees she really means business.  He quickly sits and puts his hands between his knees.)  I’m through now.

Ms. Beatrice:  (She looks at him and places her palms together as in prayer, looks up to heaven and back at Leroy.  She remains quite for a few seconds and then continues….)  Angel Leroy, I’ve summoned you here today on behalf of The Almighty Himself (closes hands in praying position and looks up toward heaven.)  He (same position)….has an assignment of utmost importance for a special angel.  That’s why He (same position) asked me to pull all these files of potential candidates.

Leroy:  Well what kind of assignment is it Missy Be-at-trice?  I read my Angelic News Reporter every Monday and Thursday and I’ve not seen any job openings listed.

Ms. Beatrice:  Yes, that’s true and there’s a reason for that.  This will be one of the most important and memorable assignments in all of history.

Leroy:  Well golly what kind of assignment is it and why did you call me in?

Ms. Beatrice:  Well it’s an assignment involving an infant….

Leroy:  Oh, no.  You can just hold it right there!  I ain’t interested in working no “Baby Detail.”  I don’t know nothing ‘bout birthing no babies and to tell you the truth, (he looks around to see if anyone is listening, leans forward to Ms. Beatrice and whispers to her)….I’m kind a scared of ‘em.  You see, I’m so big and clumsy and there’s my bad wing….did I ever tell you about my bad wing?

Ms. Beatrice:  (Quickly….)  Yes, yes you did!  But Angel Leroy this is not “Baby Detail.”

Leroy:  It’s not?

Ms. Beatrice:  No, although it does involve a baby, a very special baby.  You see, the Father… (hand position again) has decided that it is time to send His Son, Jesus, down to Earth so that His plan of salvation might come to pass.

Leroy:  Hot dog!  And I’m gonna be one of them there angels that goes with Him to help Him set up His earthly kingdom!  Oh man I hope there’s gonna be some fightin’.  I love to fight evil for Jesus.   You know, I’ve always thought the world of that young man Jesus.  He’s so easy to talk to.  Oh boy I can’t wait.  You know Earth is a nice to visit but I sure wouldn’t want to live there.  But since we’re going, I hope I get to go to Athens.  Do you think He’ll set up His earth kingdom there?  I’ve always wanted to see Athens.  But please Ms. Beatrice, tell me there’s gonna be some fightin’ evil forces.

Ms. Beatrice:  Angel Leroy, you’ve got it all wrong!

Leroy:  What you talkin’ ‘bout Ms. Beatrice?

Ms. Beatrice:  There’s not going to be an earthly kingdom and Jesus is not going to enter as a king.  That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you.  He’s going to enter the world as a little baby.

Leroy:  A baby?  Well how in the world is He gonna do that?

Ms. Beatrice:  “How” is not the important question.  The important question is “Why.”  You see Leroy, it’s hard for us angels to understand the feeling God has for the humans on earth.  He loves them so much.  In fact, you know as well as I that that’s one of our most important reasons for our existence – to help minister to those people in need.  And now in His infinite wisdom, God (hand position) has decided that it’s time for their Savior, Jesus, to be born into the world.  For those that accept His as their personal Savior, their hearts and souls will be cleansed from their sins and transgressions and they will be assured of a place  of eternal rest and happiness here in heaven.

Leroy:  Well what does God want me to do?  I just don’t understand.

Ms. Beatrice:  It’s not important that we understand, but that we believe and trust in God.  (She opens a file folder marked “Special Assignment.”)  Here’s what God wants you to do Leroy.  He wants you to place a brilliant star in the sky so that everyone will see it.  It will shine brightly in the night and light up the way to the Savior who may be found in a small manger in the town of Bethlehem.

Leroy:  I don’t know.  That sounds like a very important job – to put up a star that will point to where Jesus is.  I just don’t know  if I could do that.  I’d probably find some way to mess it up.  (Stuttering…)  And uh besides, I’ve been planning to take a compute course.  I’m still having some problems with that new Windows program that came out a few months ago.   And uh, I’ve put on a few pounds.  (Patting his stomach.)  This ole angel ain’t  as light as he used to be.  I thought I’d start working out on that Belly Buster machine down Heavenly Body’s gym.  You know, I just don’t know if I could work that into my schedule right now.

Ms. Beatrice:  It sounds to me like you’re having doubts about your ability.  Listen to me Leroy.  God sees in us, what we don’t see in ourselves.  He sees our potential.  And the most important ability we can offer God is our availability.  We’ve got to be available when He calls us.  And God is calling you to do this task for Him.  So what do you say?

Leroy:  Well…..I reckon so.  If God wants me to try I guess I’ll do my best.

Ms. Beatrice:  Leroy that’s all He asks of all of us – our best.  (Looking at her watch….)  Oh my look at the time.  Leroy you’d better get going!

Leroy:  Well golly Ms. Beatrice, I guess you’re right.  I don’t want to be late on the job when the “Boss” ( he does hand position) hand  picked me Himself.  (He gets up from his chair and grabs his shoulder…)  Ah oh!

Ms. Beatrice:  What is it?

Leroy:  There goes my rheumatism again.  Did I ever tell you bout my rheumatism?

Ms. Beatrice:   Yes, yes you did Leroy.

Leroy:  Well it all started with an in flight collision with another angel over Jerusalem.  Boy did it ever smart.  You see my right wing got all cramped up and I couldn’t use it “atall.”  Well there I was just a flying in circles!  (Slaps his thigh)  It was one of the funniest things you’ve ever seen!  (They both depart.  Ms. Beatrice has a look of disgust on her face as well as concern.)

(The lights dim.  The song, Away in a Manger, plays softly in the background.  After a few moments Leroy is heard to say….)

Leroy:  Let’s see now, where am I ‘sposed to put this star?  Let me take a look at my map.  OK, Ok, I go straight over Jericho to the Dead Sea and swing a left and it should be right ‘bout there.  Well golly there it is – Bethlehem!  It’s just where the map says it is.  Now for the star.  Ah oh, the star!!!!  Where did I put it?  Oh yea here it ‘tis, here it ‘tis.  Right here all safe in my back pocket.  OK little feller let’s do your stuff.  You’ve got to shine bright enough so’s you can lead everybody to the baby Jesus.  There you go, there you go!  Shine on little buddy shine on!!!!  (The star shines brightly.  Silence for a few seconds…)  I wonder…I wonder if’n I can see the little baby Jesus from here.  Let’s see now, I should look straight down under the star.  And all I see is a little manger with a man and a woman in it.  But wait a minute, there’s something moving in the hay.  Why, it can’t be….can it?  Is that baby Jesus?  Why it’s got to be.  And look at Him, He’s beautiful.  Look at those eyes.  Yep, yep He’s got His Father’s eyes all right!  That’s Him, that’s Jesus!  I tell you one thang Baby Jesus.  I sure do hope that ever human man, woman, boy and girl know just how much You love ‘em to do what You’re doing for ‘em.  Why You’ve got to be the best gift of love in the whole wide world.  Happy birthday baby Jesus.  (He gives a large sigh of relief….)  Well God, I done did my best so I guess I’ll be going now.  But first let me make one little “ajustment” to that star.  (He yells out….)  OUCHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!  There goes my rheumatism again.  God, did I ever tell you ‘bout my rheumatism?  Well, it’s the funniest thang.  It all started a century or so ago when I had a in flight collision with another angel…..

(While Away in a Manger plays throughout this scene, Mary takes place holding baby Jesus.  While Mary is cuddling the baby, the song Heaven’s Child is sung.)