Central Baptist Church of Westerly
16 Elm Street, Westerly, RI 02891
Phone: (401) 596-4929
Check out our blog at Central Baptist Life
16 Elm Street, Westerly, RI 02891
Phone: (401) 596-4929
Check out our blog at Central Baptist Life
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
No more dirty hands
October 21, 2020
Dear Friends,
Dorothy caught me as I was coming into the office.
"Now Just tell me," she said. "I am curious. I know
it wasn't Ray because he hasn't been around. Was it
you who got into the candy downstairs?" A moment
later, my administrative assistant shook her head,
smiled and said, "I thought so." I hadn't said a word.
It must have been the sheepish look on my face that
gave me away. I was caught red handed, or should I
say, chocolate handed. Do you remember the old
commercial for M & M candies? The slogan was,
"They melt in your mouth, not in your hands." Not
me. My M & M's always left chocolate on my hands.
When that happened, everyone knew I had my hand
in the candy tray.
As I started to stutter out my response, Dorothy
looked at me and said, "Don't bother. It's OK. You're
forgiven." Then she added, "I just wanted to know.
Maybe I will keep the candy here in the office to help
you avoid temptation." It is probably a good thing. I
know myself.
Too often, I give in to temptation when it comes to
sweets. We all have our weaknesses. Even Superman
could be brought to his knees by kryptonite. Here is
the good news. Knowing that we have a problem and
that we cannot beat it on our own, is the first step in
overcoming whatever it is that threatens to undo us.
That's when we can ask for help.
I had a friend in Alcoholics Anonymous that told me
that his life changed when he admitted he had a
problem. He knew he was powerless to do anything
about it on his own. He'd tried so many times and failed.
It was only when he had come to the end of his rope that
he was ready to accept help.
Too often, we pretend that everything is alright. Yet most
of us are struggling with something. It could be overeating
or drinking. It could be gambling, infidelity or ringing up
debt on credit cards. Too many of us are living with this
brokenness and feeling we can never break free from the
chains that bind us.
Yet in God, we find our hope. I love the Psalmist who says,
"I lift my eyes to the mountains. Where does my help come
from? It comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and
earth..." David, the psalmist, was lost and out of control
when he wrote these words. Yet, he understood that God
was there in times of trouble.He is able to break the chains
and set us free.
Are you struggling with something right now. Has
temptation gotten the better of you. Are your hands stained
with sin? Here is the Good News. God is never far away. He
sees you and He's ready to step in, forgive, and help you to
stand strong against whatever temptations you face. All you
need to do is ask. So what are you waiting for? Let go and
let God.
God bless! See you in church. Amen
Cal
October 21, 2020
Dear Friends,
Dorothy caught me as I was coming into the office.
"Now Just tell me," she said. "I am curious. I know
it wasn't Ray because he hasn't been around. Was it
you who got into the candy downstairs?" A moment
later, my administrative assistant shook her head,
smiled and said, "I thought so." I hadn't said a word.
It must have been the sheepish look on my face that
gave me away. I was caught red handed, or should I
say, chocolate handed. Do you remember the old
commercial for M & M candies? The slogan was,
"They melt in your mouth, not in your hands." Not
me. My M & M's always left chocolate on my hands.
When that happened, everyone knew I had my hand
in the candy tray.
As I started to stutter out my response, Dorothy
looked at me and said, "Don't bother. It's OK. You're
forgiven." Then she added, "I just wanted to know.
Maybe I will keep the candy here in the office to help
you avoid temptation." It is probably a good thing. I
know myself.
Too often, I give in to temptation when it comes to
sweets. We all have our weaknesses. Even Superman
could be brought to his knees by kryptonite. Here is
the good news. Knowing that we have a problem and
that we cannot beat it on our own, is the first step in
overcoming whatever it is that threatens to undo us.
That's when we can ask for help.
I had a friend in Alcoholics Anonymous that told me
that his life changed when he admitted he had a
problem. He knew he was powerless to do anything
about it on his own. He'd tried so many times and failed.
It was only when he had come to the end of his rope that
he was ready to accept help.
Too often, we pretend that everything is alright. Yet most
of us are struggling with something. It could be overeating
or drinking. It could be gambling, infidelity or ringing up
debt on credit cards. Too many of us are living with this
brokenness and feeling we can never break free from the
chains that bind us.
Yet in God, we find our hope. I love the Psalmist who says,
"I lift my eyes to the mountains. Where does my help come
from? It comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and
earth..." David, the psalmist, was lost and out of control
when he wrote these words. Yet, he understood that God
was there in times of trouble.He is able to break the chains
and set us free.
Are you struggling with something right now. Has
temptation gotten the better of you. Are your hands stained
with sin? Here is the Good News. God is never far away. He
sees you and He's ready to step in, forgive, and help you to
stand strong against whatever temptations you face. All you
need to do is ask. So what are you waiting for? Let go and
let God.
God bless! See you in church. Amen
Cal
| Pastor Cal Lord's Weekly Epistle |
| Pastor Cal's Weekly Epistle Every week Pastor Cal writes a weekly column for the Spirit Page of the Norwich Bulletin. He also sends it out to members and friends of the church via e-mail. E-mail him at calstigers@gmail.com if you want to be added to the weekly list. |
| Archived Epistles |