Quilt

It has been a long time since I read this poem. I remember seeing it in my Aunt’s quilting basket. She is gone to be with the Lord, and yes, it does bring tears to my eyes, as I read it tonight, just as it did the day that I found it and read it in Aunt Ruby’s
quilt basket. God , Thanks for bringing back the sweet memories of years pass.

You are the light of the world–like a city on a mountain, glowing in the night for all to see. Don’t  hide your light under a basket! Instead, put it on a stand and let it shine for all. Matthew 5: 14-15

As I faced my Maker at the last Judgment, I knelt before the Lord along with the other souls. Before each of us laid our lives, like the squares of a quilt, in many piles. An angel sat before each of us sewing quilt squares together into tapestries that
represented our lives. But as my angel took each piece of cloth off the pile, I noticed how ragged and empty each of my squares was. They were filled with giant holes. Each square was labeled with a part of my life that had been difficult,
the challenges and temptations I was faced with in everyday life. I saw hardships that I had endured, which were the largest holes of all. I glanced around me. No one else had such squares. Other than a tiny hole here and there,
the other tapestries were filled with rich color and bright hues of worldly fortune. I gazed upon my own life and was disheartened. My angel was sewing the ragged pieces of cloth together, threadbare and empty. Finally, the time came when each life was to be displayed, held up to the light. . . the scrutiny of truth. The others arose, each in turn, holding up their tapestries. So filled
their lives had been! My angel looked upon me, and nodded for me to arise. My gaze dropped to the ground in shame. I hadn’t had all the earthly fortunes. I had had love in my life, and laughter. But there had also been trials of illness
and death, and false accusations that took from me my world as I knew it. I had to start over many times. I often struggled with the temptation to quit, only to somehow muster the strength to pick up and begin again. I had spent many nights
on my knees in prayer, asking for help and guidance in my life. I had often been held up to ridicule, which I endured painfully; each time offering it up to the Father in hopes that I would not melt within my skin beneath the critical gaze
of those who unfairly judged me. And now, I had to face the truth. My life was what it was, and I had to accept it for what it had been. I arose and slowly lifted the combined squares of my life to the light. An awe-filled gasp filled
the air. I gazed around at the others who stared at me with eyes wide. Then, I looked upon the tapestry before me. Light flooded the many holes, creating an image. The face of Christ. Our Lord then stood before me, with warmth and love in His eyes. He said, “Every time you gave over your life to Me, it became My life, My hardships, and My struggles. Each point of light in your life is when you stepped aside and let Me shine through, until there was more of Me than there was of you. May all our quilts be threadbare and worn, allowing Christ to shine through.

Spiritual Maturity

The Baby Boomer generation which includes people my age, are now looking or coming closer to looking to retire. A lot of my friends were raised in church as I was, but surprisingly  not raising their children in church.

So, we now have a new generation of adults whom attend larger churches with the  priority set on up beat Praise and Worship and then feel good messages. That is when they do attend.

Now do not get me wrong, I love Praise and Worship of all types. I love the new up beat as well as the older Hymns.  But, these feel good sermons are not going to get this generation into Heaven.

We must share the Old Time Gospel of Christ with this generations.  We may have to present it in a newer fashion, with not change the message.  The message is that Jesus came to earthlived as a man, died on a cross, and rose again.  Why? To save old as well as young sinners like you and me.  He died so that through salvation we can be saved and live eternally one day with Him in Heaven.

As for myself, I as an Minister, must tell it like it is.  In other words, I must share the loving grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.  I must not stand back and share a smell good flower message to this generation.  I must tell them that unforgiven sin and not knowing Jesus Christ as their personal Savior will send them to Hell, where they shall live eternally. 

As the great Billy Graham preached, he did not beat the people down, but he lovingly told them about Jesus, and millions were saved. Why? He did not compromise the message.  He did not preach a feel good message, but the loving message of JesusChrist.

Leaders, take note, because this is what God’s Word directly tells us to do. 

I promise you that it is easy to share the gospel of Christ to the world.  So easy, just as the old hymn below notes to us.

Tell Me The
Story of Jesus

Words: Fanny
Crosby

Music: John R.
Sweney

Tell me the story of
Jesus,
Write on my heart every word.
Tell me the story most
precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.
Tell how the angels in
chorus,
Sang as they welcomed His birth.
“Glory to God in the
highest!
Peace and good tidings to earth.”

Refrain

Tell me the story of
Jesus,
Write on my heart every word.
Tell me the story most
precious,
Sweetest that ever was heard.

Fasting alone in the
desert,
Tell of the days that are past.
How for our sins He was
tempted,
Yet was triumphant at last.
Tell of the years of His
labor,
Tell of the sorrow He bore.
He was despised and
afflicted,
Homeless, rejected and poor.

Refrain

Tell of the cross
where they nailed Him,
Writhing in anguish and pain.
Tell of the grave
where they laid Him,
Tell how He liveth again.
Love in that story so
tender,
Clearer than ever I see.
Stay, let me weep while you
whisper,
Love paid the ransom for me.

Refrain

Colossians  has lessons for Leaders. Wise leaders focus their ministries on Jesus Christ and avoid presumptuous and transient teachings. Let us prioritize believers’ maturity, stressing the finished work of Christ

(Colossians 1: 28 -
29)

28. We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all
wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.

29. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which
so powerfully works in me.

Leaders, concentrate on the spiritual maturity of your people. Lessen your emphasis on any programs than do not foster maturity.

(Colossians 2: 2 – 3)

2. My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and
united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding,
in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ,

3.in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and
knowledge.

Leaders, focus on Jesus Christ. Build your congregation’s unity and understanding on Him.

(Colossians 2: 11 -
14)

11. In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the
sinful nature,not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but
with the circumcision done by Christ,

12. having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him
through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.

13. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision
of your sinful nature, God made youalive with Christ. He forgave us
all our sins,

14. having canceled the written code, with its regulations,
that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to
the cross.

Leaders, teach your people to base their whole life on the work done in them through Christ’s death and
resurrection.

And above all let your people see Christ’s death and resurrection being done in you.

God Bless You,

Pastor Pat Aman

Categories Daily Thought, Uncategorized