Coughing, Sneezing and Spreading Germs

Once each month, the staff goes out to lunch. Tuesday was that day. It's interesting to just sit quietly for a moment and listen to the snippets of conversation.

I never saw that email. Will you send it again, please?
I've read that book, and loved it.
Baby's doing great.
My friend is dating.
They're out of mushrooms!
I love your tote bag! She MADE it?!!
What year is your new car?
That movie is not worth your time.
I'm gonna need a box.
I wanted to ask you . . .
Can anyone recommend a restaurant for a special occasion?
My diet isn't going so well.

Comments that got everyone's attention were those regarding Jacob's health. He missed work Monday with sickness. Everyone pretended they didn't want to sit near him. (Maybe they weren't all pretending!)

At lunch, Sharon ended up beside him. And guess what . . . she emailed the next morning that she had a fever, congestion . . . and worse. And who was in the next seat beside Sharon? Me! So far, I'm good, but if that changes, I'll be blaming Jacob!

Obviously, Sharon was exposed to someone's cold before she sat beside Jacob, but I wish the gospel would spread to those around us as easily as our viruses do. Don't you wish you could just sit down beside a co-worker and know that a germ of faith would invisibly jump from you to him, and after a certain incubation period, symptoms of his own faith in Christ would become evident?

When I walk across the yard and stand talking to my neighbor about her garden, I wish all I had to do was cough, and she would automatically be infected with belief in Jesus. Or that by giving grumpy Aunt Matilda a hug, she would catch my commitment to Christ.

I won't suggest that it's ever easy to share the gospel, but it may not be as hard as we think. Although words are vitally important, actions often speak more loudly than words.

When we show an interest in our neighbor's garden, that gets her attention. Continued conversations may result in the opportunity to take a meal after surgery, give her a book, water her garden when she's out of town, and eventually earn the right to simply ask if she's interested in spiritual things.

When we sit down beside a co-worker at lunch and ask how things are going, he may actually reveal that not everything is great. Offering to pray for him may startle him, but don't be surprised if he takes you up on the offer. This can lead to great conversations. Answer his questions, and ASK questions. Just talk, and be honest about your own experience.

And pray. Ask God to prompt your heart with deeds He has for you to do, and to give you words he has for you to say, and WHEN to say them. Then relax. God answers these prayers.

As for Aunt Matilda, just keep on hugging her, even when she's unhuggable.

Intersecting--Where does your story fit?

Are there stories or verses in the Bible that touch your heart in a special way because they speak to something that God has done or is doing in your life? We are looking for people willing to share a bit about how God's story has intersected with their own, as it relates to the book of John.

Below is a list of upcoming sermons. Look it over and see if there is a story that you can identify with in someway. If there is a particular section of Scripture that speaks to your life and you would be willing to share with us, please contact Jacob Addison at jaddision@faithchurch.net.

Upcoming sermons:

· February 20: Jesus and the Samaritan Women, John 4:1-39. A sinful woman believes in Christ

· February 27: The Healing at the Pool, John 5:1-15

· March 13: Lessons in Faith (Feeding of 5,000, Walking on Water, Jesus Bread of Life) John 6:1-24

· March 20: John 7:37-52—The Last day of the feast, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink.”

· March 27: Doug Pollock speaks

· April 10: The woman caught in adultery, John 8:1-11, Jesus forgives, but asks her to “go and sin no more.”

· April 17: Jesus Heals the Man born blind, John 9

· April 24: Easter—the Resurrection

· May 8: Jesus, the Good Shepherd, John 10

· May 15: Jesus, and the Death of Lazarus, John 11

· May 22: Final message: Jesus Appears to Thomas, John 20:24-31

Keep Following His Lead

Three nights ago, my husband and I exited the church after AWANA to discover it had begun to snow. We started for home with Ron leading the way; I followed in my own car.

Snow filled the night air, blizzard-style. The flakes were very fine, but they bombarded the windshield and hissed past the side windows. The windy snowfall enveloped me and made me feel as if I were isolated - in my own little cave.

With the help of my dependable windshield wipers, I kept my husband's taillights in view. I've always appreciated his good driving skills, and that night, I simply let him lead me through the storm.

Surprisingly, I was totally relaxed. The snow had just started, we only had about a 20-minute trip, and all I had to do was follow the car ahead of me. I paid attention, listened to the radio, and enjoyed the winter wonderland.

Suddenly, I was startled to realize that the road was snow-covered - with accumulating snow. When had that happened? But I was calmed by the knowledge that Ron knows how to drive in snow and would get me home just fine. He would keep his distance from other vehicles, slow down when need be, anticipate stops, etc. I just needed to keep following his lead.

In just the same way, I need to follow God's lead every day. We never know what the weather will be - what storms may envelope us during our journey. But no matter how torrential the downpour, or how isolated we feel, we're never alone.

God makes it possible to putter along without concern, enjoying the scenery, if we follow Him. We know that his ability to maneuver us through the treacherous paths is so much greater than ours. We can be aware of danger and problems around us, but remain unruffled, as long as we keep Him in sight and let Him lead us through the storm.

. . . to guide our feet into the way of peace. Luke 1:79