First kiss. First car. First job. First love. First child. First grandchild. First Lady. Just kidding. Gamma remembers many Firsts. Now, she’s a witness to her Grands’ Firsts. The youngest grandchild celebrated his First birthday. He’s a summer baby. As with most First birthdays, it was a family affair. The guests were immediate family and a few outliers. The highlight of the whole shebang was blowing out the candles. Of course, a one-year-old can’t perform on demand. Assistance was required. It was like a scene from The Big Bad Wolf. Lots of huffing and puffing until the flame went out. After blowing out the candles, Baby Brother stared at the cake. The process of eating birthday cake baffled him. He sat patiently in his high chair, shirtless, waiting for instruction from Mom. Slowly, he poked his finger into the icing. Then, with finger to mouth, his eyes widened. The destruction of the massive blob on his tray was seconds away. Pow! Baby Brother’s entire fist was covered in sugary goodness. The cheers erupted; cake for everyone! Another First involved a fairy, coins, and a lost tooth. Once the actual fear of losing a tooth is gone, every child loves leaving said tooth for the tooth fairy. The ceremonial task of strategically placing a tooth under a pillow, falling asleep, and waking to a stash of cash is magical. However, there are questions. How does the tooth fairy get in the house? Will she come down the chimney like Santa? What if you don’t have a chimney? So many questions. What does she do with all the teeth? Gam wasn’t sure how to answer that one. If anyone has an answer, please share. For a lost tooth the tooth fairy waits. Leaving gifts under pillows for children to take. The Third First. The First day of K-12. This year, the oldest Grand started kindergarten. She’s very excited. Preschool was a big deal. This is ginormous. "We get school supplies,” said Sis. What? Have you checked the price tag on school supplies? It may require a second job. Oh, they have a ‘mock’ school day, too. For clarity, it’s half a day spent with parents or guardians taking pictures and visiting the classroom. And get this…kids want to go. The Fourth First. It was a breakout year for swimming. The five-year-old is swimming the length of the pool. She’s diving off the ladder in the deep end. There are strokes underwater, above water, and a few backhanded strokes. What happens next summer, a job as a lifeguard? The four-year-old swims underwater and jumps off the side of the pool without floaties. He’s a brave boy and uses the diving board (with floaties). Plus, underwater tag games, diving for diving toys, and ‘Marco-Polo,’ Cowabunga! The Fifth First. Sis and Bubba are learning to ride a bike. Each has ridden a balance bike and a bike with training wheels. The balance bikes were Christmas gifts, the training wheels birthday gifts, and the gift of riding without training wheels…a gift from Gamma. Balance bikes are new to Gam. She remembers dismantling the training wheels from her bike to learn to ride on two wheels. It was kindergarten year and her family lived in Northeast Arkansas, close to Little Rock. Most of the neighbors were of similar income, education, and occupation. Families lived in single-family households with basements, backyards, and swing sets. Nobody had fences around their yards. Summers were spent with friends, a.k.a. neighborhood kids. Play time started after breakfast and continued until dark. Mom stayed home. Dad went to work. Everyone felt safe. Simple life. Simple times. Behind Gam’s house was a tall, grassy hill. It was the perfect launch pad for riding a bike. No helmet. No knee pads. No elbow pads. No nothing. It was just the wind and earth under the tires. Sure, collisions happened, but thankfully, memories fade. Well, to some degree… As Gam recollects those memories, she associates a measure of pleasure and pain with learning to ride a bike. Riding down the hill at a high rate of speed was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. The Grands share similar emotions. They're conflicted. Where do the Grands practice? Good question. Fate stepped in and helped with this one. Gam’s next-door neighbors needed access to their backyard via her backyard to put in a pool. A makeshift road was constructed at the edge of her property. The architects of the swimming pool project included backhoes, concrete trucks, and hard workers. The one-lane dirt road resembled a back alley. It was perfect to teach the Grands how to ride their bikes. What was the Grand’s experience on a bike? One practiced on the bike with extra wheels (training wheels). The other practiced on the two-wheeler that glides (balance bike). Gam believes the ‘gliding’ biker is learning faster and having an easier go at it. She shares a quick play-by-play of their first riding experience. There’s only one Gamma and two children. Typically, the more vocal child wins the battle of Firsts. The first biker was the training wheels learner. She was all over the place. Wobbly. Having trouble steering. Lacks balance. It was a challenge but Sis isn’t a quitter. The second biker was the glider. Bubba knew to keep his eyes on the dirt road. He could steer with no trouble. He forgets to pedal and wants to glide. Gam ‘let go’ after two or three runs. What was Gamma’s Method for the Run-Along?
Teaching the Grands how to ride a bike required the children’s willingness to learn and a fit Gamma. First, it’s got to be their decision to learn. If they’re ready to go, Gam’s their biggest cheerleader. Lots of ‘Atta boys and girls’ and ‘You can do it.” Gam tells them she won’t let go, and she doesn’t. She asks if she may let go (only the glider has agreed). All three discuss the next ride. The other method is physicality. Gam’s learned that being at her physical best for the Grands is a must! It requires eating healthy, exercising, meditation, and prayer…lots of prayers. Jesus take the wheel kind of prayer. Gam places one hand on the back of the seat and the other on the handlebars. As she runs alongside each biker, she finds moments to let go of the handlebars. Then, if they’re willing, Gam lets go of the backseat. Firsts are exciting. Gam’s so lucky to live close by. Her wish is to experience as many Firsts as fate allows. Gamma’s Watching.
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Gamma's Superheroes, indeed! Love goes beyond big hugs and wet kisses.
It fills up a room and grants many wishes. A wish could be missed if attention’s not paid. All God’s children need recognition and praise. For Gamma’s attention sun up to sundown, Expectations are high for her two little clowns. Those sweet little faces all smiles and cheeks, Won’t settle for watching that’s merely a peek. “Look at me, Gamma, watch what I can do.” First a flip, then a twirl, and a dance move or two. Run around in a circle, quickly down on all fours. Pretend to be lions and let out a roar!! The pride on their faces as they conquer each quest, Insisting on accolades delivered with zest. Sharing secrets through whispers as the plot slowly thickens. Theatrics compared to that of C. Dickens. The two are a team as they take the stage. Julliard contenders based on Gamma’s gauge. “Now Bubba go first,” says Sis with the plan He gladly accepts his sibling's command. Karate kicks, a chop, and a ninja roll. Spring to your feet and touch your toes. Do a little jig and take a bow. Gamma looks so very proud. It’s time to switch places, Sis picks up the pace, With a skip, a spin, and a happy girl face. March forward, stand tall, hands high on the hips. Sis is the star in this make-believe script. Gamma watches the action as they giggle and joust Sitting comfortably cross-legged on the cream-colored couch. One’s a ballerina, and the other’s a samurai. Or a chef with a sous chef making meals on the fly. Whatever the theme the drama seems real. The enterprising children give Gam quite a thrill. She knows it’s important to watch them at play. Because Gamma’s watching makes everything okay. Suddenly, the phone rings and Gam answers the call. But if Gamma’s not watching, it’s no fun at all. Gamma says, “Just a second; this won’t take long. Keep playing the game or try singing a song.” Oh no, what to do, will it be a disaster? They wonder if Gamma could be any faster. Take a breath, and stay calm, that’s what they’ll do. Until Gamma stops talking to who knows who. Gamma hangs up the phone and resumes her position. On the cream-colored couch after a brief intermission. As the children regroup it’s easy to see. There are many more games to be played indeed. The watching’s relentless and in much demand. Forget disappointing Gam’s sweet little lambs. Do they tire? No siree. They’ll go ‘til they drop. Is it a second wind? Yes, maybe. Hippity-hop. To keep sleep at bay, the music comes on. The louder the better to halt all the yawns. The tunes keep the beat, whether country or pop. But the tempo that’s bounciest is probably rock. As the clock ticks away, it’s abundantly clear. That bedtime’s approaching and drawing near. “One more time,” they say with a look and a “please.” Gamma keeps watching, then laughs, and agrees. The finale’s a big one; ideas float about. It’s off to the corner to map out a route. An obstacle course with pillows and chairs, blankets, couch cushions, and a four-foot stuffed bear. Off they go, it’s a race to see who will win. When one of them loses, they’ll both try again. It’s late; they confess and are ready for bed. Brushing teeth in pajamas so sugar is shed. Now to the bedroom for more kisses and hugs. Tuck them in tightly like a bug in a rug. Off go the lights, say a prayer, and drift to sleep. It’s been a good day, and the watching’s complete. Gamma kicks off her shoes and breathes in the air. She looks at the toys scattered here and there. Reminisces and ponders all the hugs and wet kisses. Doled out by two children with hopes, dreams, and wishes. Join the community of Paducah as they walk the Kindness Color Walk this Saturday, August 5, 2023. Kindness Color Walkers will meet at the number 16 shelter, 9 a.m., at Noble Park. This will be the first walk since 2019 due to the pandemic. The Guess Anti-Bullying Foundation is hosting the walk.
The McCracken County Band's drumline will lead all Kindness Color Walkers to the Peck Education Trail where the walk will officially begin. There will be three color stations on the trail with 500 pounds of non-toxic, biodegradable color pigment. As the walkers move through the trail, volunteers will douse them with color. At the end of the walk, all participants will be given a color packet of their own to throw out to the crowd. Businesses and organizations will be participating in the walk-through donations of goods, funds, and time. Electric 96.9 will play music, water will be provided by Banks Grocery, Chicken Salad Chicks, and the Graves County ASAP Youth Council, Wellsprings Dermatology will have sunscreen, and a local boutique, the Dirt Road, will offer cotton candy. Because the event has increased in size, registration will be managed by Race Roster. In years past, the fee for the walk was $10. Race Roster will charge a small processing fee at checkout. If rain cancels the event, it won't be rescheduled. For more information, go to the 2021 Paducah Kindness Color Walk on Facebook. Registration for the event is at raceroster.com As soon as the F4 tornado struck the town of Mayfield, KY, population 10K, the wheels were in motion to bring Tackle the Storm Foundation trailers to the children of the devastated community.
“It matters not where they live, what language they speak, or income or education level. The only thing that matters is that 'the magic wand of childhood’, a fishing rod and reel, has been taken from them through the storm in their lives, could be weather-related, could be otherwise, we will be there for them.” This is the purpose of the 501(c) (3) federal charity that started providing rods and reels to children, big and small, in 2011. Don Barone, a columnist at Bassmaster, started posting about how to help the children of western Kentucky on his Facebook page Saturday morning, December 11, one day after the catastrophic tornado flattened much of Mayfield, KY. He said, “I don’t know if I’ve ever been to this town, but I’ve been in that area many, many times.” Barone’s plan is to secure an area of distribution for Tuesday, December 21, to hand out Christmas presents to the kids that include everything you need to catch a fish…rod, reel, lures, tackle…the works. He said they’re going to clear out the warehouse and as it stands, there are 1,750 kids combos. Barrone would like to see 2,000 complete packages on the truck for those that have lost so much. After the initial post, Barone stated he would reach out to Kentucky ‘bait and tackle folks’ to buy additional tackle. For now, a team is packing up the trailer while another works on logistics. It’s only a matter of time before they announce the planned event. The foundation is keeping the project under wraps, to some degree, while cleanup is going on in the affected area. If you’re unfamiliar with Tackle the Storm, it’s a foundation built for children. Since 2011, the non-profit organization has put ‘the magic wands of childhood’ in the hands of over 1,000 children. They have a website: tacklethestormfoundation.com with additional information and a link to donate money directly to this project for the children of Mayfield, KY. As cleanup continues in Mayfield, Dawson Springs, Cambridge Shores, Bowling Green, and other Kentucky counties and small towns, it’s people like Tackle the Storm Foundation that will make the children’s Christmas brighter and more hopeful. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he’ll eat for a lifetime. Donating blood is the gift of life and only second to receiving grace from our Lord and Savior12/6/2021 First Christian Church located at 415 Audubon Dr. in Paducah is hosting an American Red Cross Blood Drive today, December 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. According to Red Cross officials, the life-saving organization is heading into the holiday season with the lowest blood supply in more than 10 years. It’s estimated that since the pandemic, donations are down 34% due to fewer blood drives at schools and colleges.
More than any time of year, there’s a critical need for blood donations due to a drop in donor gifts attributed to holiday travel and fewer blood drives. The need for blood products like plasma, platelets, and red blood cell donations is in high demand because of accidents, burn victims' needs, heart surgeries, organ transplants, and those receiving treatments for cancer and sickle cell disease. Only 37% of the U.S. population is eligible to give blood and less than 10% or 6.8 million people actually donate annually. According to the redcrossblood.org, Type O positive blood is given to patients more than any other blood type, which is why it's considered the most needed blood type. 38% of the population has O positive blood, making it the most common blood type. There are certain criteria that blood donors must meet. A person doesn’t need to know their blood type to donate blood; that will be determined during the testing process. Once a person gives blood, the screening process begins. The Red Cross conducts extensive testing on blood donations to study additional components to best match the donation to a patient’s needs. The Paducah Red Cross Blood and Platelet Center located at Falconcrest Drive specializes in platelet donations that help cancer patients. Whole blood is also collected at the Paducah location. Typical blood drives in the surrounding area collect whole blood donations. Donors are encouraged to go online to register for blood donation. Appointments can also be made using their app. By entering the zip code either online or by using the app, available times will appear and the location for donation. https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time The Paducah Red Cross is open everyday except Wednesdays. It accepts donors from 11:45 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. Monday and Thursdays, 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays, 7:45 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. on Saturdays, and 7:45 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. Lone Oak Church of Christ located on Lone Oak Rd. will host a blood drive on December 15. The Paducah Christmas Parade will take place on December 4 in downtown Paducah. Not since the Great Influenza Epidemic of 1918 has an illness like the coronavirus rained on our parade as voraciously and expediently as it has in 2020. The worldwide pandemic touched so many through loss of life, unemployment, product shortages (remember the toilet paper debacle), and so much more. And this year, Santa Claus may even experience a shortage of children's toys and possibly 'big boy toys' too due to supply chain issues.
It seems there's very little that's been untouched by Covid-19. Christmas 2021 will mark 22 months since the shuttering of businesses caused by uncertainty and fear. Fear of getting Covid. Fear of spreading Covid. Fear of the unknown due to Covid. In fact, the Paducah Christmas Parade 2020, and many parades across the US, created socially-distanced events. Paducah opted for an inverted parade. Spectators took to their cars to drive-thru Bob Noble Park while the decorated floats complete with Christmas carols and bright lights remained stationary. This year's plan is to spread joy and Christmas spirit, not a virus, on the first Saturday in December. The 2021 Paducah Christmas Parade will be a traditional parade with over-the-top decorated floats making their way down Broadway in downtown Paducah on December 4 at 5 p.m. This year's theme is It’s a SUPER Christmas! Participants will have the opportunity to celebrate their favorite superheroes, hometown or make-believe. Social distancing is encouraged as you view the parade. The parade units will begin lining up at 3 p.m. in the marshaling area on Broadway between 13th and 17th Streets and nearby. The parade route begins at 14th and Broadway and will proceed down Broadway to 2nd Street where it will turn left on 2nd and continue to Monroe Street where it will disband at the Farmers' Market parking lot. For more information, go to paducahky.gov, click on the calendar of events for December 4. Local college-bound students receive $500 grants from the Rev. Lawrence Milliken scholarship program8/11/2021 Pictured in front of Whitehaven Welcome Center in Paducah, KY are the 2021 Rev. Lawrence Milliken scholarship winners and representatives of the Upsilon Iota Iota Fraternity. From left to right is Anniyah Shelley, Trinity Patterson, Sycilia Titsworh, co-chair of the scholarship Ms. Millette Milliken, Chair Omega brother Terrance Adams, Omega Social Action Chair brother Ronald Clemons, and Omega Basileus brother Kenneth B. Hurt, Sr. Recently, the Upsilon Iota Iota Fraternity's Rev. Lawrence Milliken Scholarship winners were announced for 2021. The scholarship, named in honor of the late Rev. Lawrence B. Milliken of Paducah, had its first recipient in 2019. The recipient, Rachel Kelley, received a $100 college supply scholarship. This year's winners each received a $500 grant. To be eligible for the scholarship, students had to write a 500 word essay on the importance of service and community, carry a 2.5 GPA, have plans to attend college, and be a resident of McCracken County. This year's winners included Anniyah Shelley, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Annissa and Miles Shelley. Shelley graduated from Paducah Tilghman High School this year with a 3.60 GPA with plans to attend WKCTC in the fall. Trinity Patterson is the daughter of Ms. Je'Na Patterson and Mr. Tony Cole. She graduated from PTHS with a 3.321 GPA and will attend WKU in Bowling Green. Sycilia Titsworh is the daughter of Ms. Rochell Cotton, wife of Mr. Gregory Titsworh. Titsworh will return to WKU in Bowling Green this fall as a senior with an overall GPA of 3.01. This summer, she worked as an E911 Operator in Paducah. The scholarship was named in honor of the late Rev. Milliken B. Lawrence who served our country. community, and students. As a member of the local chapter Upsilon Iota Iota of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Milliken was a man worthy of celebration.
Rev. Milliken matriculated from Kentucky State College in Frankfort in 1954 with a bachelor's degree in heath and physical education. He served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1957. After receiving an honorable discharge, Milliken went back to school earning a master's degree in guidance in 1972, followed by another master's degree in vocational technical education from Murray State University in 1977. While at MSU, he completed a course in industrial supervision and received Certification for Administrative, Supervision and Coordination of Vocational Education and a Rank I Certification. Milliken formerly taught for the Graves County Board of Education, Murray City Board of Education and the Paducah City Board of Education. His counseling career began as a part-time Juvenile Counselor at the McCracken County Juvenile Court in 1967. He went on to hold several positions at West Kentucky State Vocational-Technical School until his retirement in 1989. Milliken served as pastor at Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, McKenzie, TN, Second Christian Church, Mayfield, KY, Mt. Moriah M.B. Church, Paducah, KY, and Unity Missionary Baptist Church, Brookport, IL. He was a member of the Baptist Ministers and Deacons Alliance, Mayor's Minister's Committee for Social Relations and Executive Director of the Ecumenical Ministry for Unity and Progress. Formerly, Milliken served as chairman of the Paducah Human Rights Commission. Also, he was a member of Citizens Advisory Community-Paducah Board of Education, the Board of Directors of the Oscar Cross Boys' Club of Paducah and the Advisory Committee at Paducah Community College. Milliken was appointed by the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky to a three-year term as a member of the State Advisory Council for Vocational Education. He was past vice president for guidance of the Kentucky Vocational Association and a member of State Student Financial Aid Training Project Steering Committee of Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority. He was also a member of the American Vocational Association, West Kentucky Vocational Association, West Kentucky Association for Counseling and Development, and Kentucky Association for Student Financial Aid Administrators. Rev. Milliken was married to the late Rosetta Dismukes Milliken and the parents of George (deceased), Mark (deceased), Millette and Jonessa Milliken, and five grandchildren. Rev. Milliken passed away on November 1, 2005. By Minister Millette Milliken
He’s Alive! “He is not here; He has risen!” Luke 24:6 (NIV) Easter Sunday has traditionally been a day of celebration with packed churches, crisp new outfits, speeches, chocolate bunnies and Easter egg hunts. These celebrations have now been scaled back due to the pandemic. The disappointment for some is yet another opportunity for those of us who believe, to share the true meaning of the resurrection. In Luke’s account (Luke 24:1-53), two angels appeared to Mary Magdalene and the other women who had gone to the tomb with their spices. They announced, “He is not here; He has risen!” What joyous news to share with the disciples only to be met with disbelief. How disappointing! Two of the disciples ran to see for themselves. Having viewed the empty tomb, they still did not believe what was told to them before. Two believers were walking and encountered Jesus but did not recognize Him. Jesus would go on to masterfully share who He was, “beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself.” (Luke 24:27, NIV) What does He share with us? That He conquered death on our behalf! That our sins are forgiven if we would believe that He suffered, bled, died and eternally lives again, seated at the right hand of the Father. I encourage you to study this entire passage for yourselves. Don’t allow your disappointments cause you to miss the blessings in front of you as the two believers did. Look up! He’s alive! Blessings! Today’s message at Lone Oak First Baptist Church in Paducah, KY was about The Last Supper. The Last Supper, also called Lord's Supper, in the New Testament, was the final meal shared by Jesus and his disciples in an upper room in Jerusalem.
The time is the Passover, the major Jewish spring festival which commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. Jesus knows he’s about to be crucified. He’s the sacrificial lamb. When Pharaoh refused to let God’s people go, one of the curses was the death of the first born. In order to be ‘passed over’ by the angel of death, believers were to take the blood of a lamb and smear it over the doorway to the house, and once you walked under the blood, the angel of death would ‘pass over.’ During the Festival of Unleavened Bread, Jesus came to Jerusalem. At this time, 1,000’s came to the city to celebrate. Jesus asked the disciples to find a man in the city to prepare his home for Jesus and the disciples to eat the Passover meal. While the disciples and Jesus were eating, Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, one of you will betray me.” The disciples were shocked. They were in celebration mode at this time, and they wondered why Jesus was saying this. They start to ponder, is it Peter? He’s betrayed Jesus before. Maybe it’s Philip? He brought the Greeks to Jesus. Or, could it be James and John? They gave up the most. They gave up their business. Matthew? He was a tax collector and worked for the Romans. Or maybe Simon the Zealot? He could be dangerous, even violent. The Apostles asked, “Surely, not I, Is it me? Why would they think it’s them? Somehow, over the last three years, they all thought about it. If an accusation is made, and you thought about it. There’s a reaction. If you didn’t think about it, there’s no reaction. Jesus' teachings are hard. Turn the other cheek. Go on a dangerous journey, yet with no weapons or money. Love your enemy. Be the last, not the first. What about you? Have you ever thought about Not following Jesus? We betray Jesus by doing one of the following:
Ask yourself? Have I betrayed Jesus? The Lord’s Supper is our rooster that crows in our lives. The Great News is we can be forgiven. How are we forgiven?
The Last Supper Matthew 26: 17 - 30 17 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” 18 He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, ‘The Teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.’” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover. 20 When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. 21 And while they were eating, he said, “Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.” 22 They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, “Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?” 23 Jesus replied, “The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.” 25 Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, “Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?” Jesus answered, “You have said so.” 26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” 27 Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is my blood of the[b] covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.” 30 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. A woman from the well came to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give me a drink." The sermon today at Lone Oak First Baptist Church in Paducah was about witnessing. Pastor Dr. Dan Summerlin said there are two uncomfortable topics that he covers; one is tithing and the other is witnessing.
Scripture was taken from the Book of John Chapter 4 versus 3 through 27. The story was about the Samaritan woman at the well. Many of us have heard this Bible story before. The story begins with Jesus traveling from Judaea to Galilee and wanting to go by way of Samaria. In case you didn't know, Samaritans and Jews have a long history of bad blood. To say that they didn't like each other was an understatement. For this reason, the disciples didn't understand why Jesus wanted to go 'through' Samaria as opposed to going around it. Jesus' plan was to speak with the woman at the well. You see, the woman had been divorced five times and was considered immoral. Jesus' goal was to save 'the one'. Why should we tell others about Jesus? For our spiritual health...to be more like Jesus. If you want to be more like Christ, you've got to take care of your spiritual health daily; part of taking care of your spiritual health is telling others about Jesus. When reading John Chapter 4 versus 3 through 27, you'll find Jesus working his conversational miracles. He begins speaking with the woman about wanting a drink of water...liquid water. By the end of the conversation, he's speaking about everlasting water and never being thirsty again. Witnessing to others isn't an easy thing. Dr. Summerlin said there are three key points to this passage that will help us build our spiritual health. 1. We need a plan for all, but a passion for one. Going after 'that one' could make all the difference in the world. Think about your husband, wife, children, brothers, sisters, if they were in danger, would you not do all you could to save 'that one'? It's the same with Jesus, he'll do all he can to save 'that one'. 2. Turn everyday conversations into Gospel conversations. Again, that's what Jesus did with the woman at the well. He turned a conversation about liquid water into one about everlasting water and never thirsting again. 3. We need to focus on obedience and not outcomes. Being spiritually healthy means trying everyday. That's what God expects; us to try everyday. Don't worry if your witnessing doesn't always result in 'saving' someone. The plan is to try everyday to do so. Take the time to read John Chapter 4. Remind yourself that sharing your story with others doesn't have to be a Hollywood production...it's telling your story, using your words, with God's direction. An easy way to be prepared, if ever the ,opportunity presents itself, is to remember the ABC's; Admit, Believe, Confess. |
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