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
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Walking God's Red Carpet
January 13, 2021
Dear Friends,
He said, "Hello, My name is Juan. I am the manager." He
immediately began showing me around the restaurant and
asked if I had any questions. I couldn't believe it. I wondered
if he had mistaken me for someone else. He pointed out the
carving stations, the salad bar, the dessert and the beverage
islands.
He told me that if I needed anything, to ask for him by name.
This happened in metropolitan Los Angeles a few years back.
It was my first visit to the area. I was pretty impressed. The
personal tour came right after I told the cashier that I had
never been to the restaurant before. The manager appeared
out of thin air.
This royal welcome is what you might expect from gourmet
eateries. The lofty prices justify the extravagant service. So
you can imagine my shock when I experienced this at a
Hometown Buffet. I was looking for a cheap place to eat
with lots of options. Nothing says that better than an "all
you can eat" buffet.
The server came up to take my drink order, and a diet coke
appeared. I got in line to get my hand carved, roasted turkey.
It was delicious. I suddenly understood what it felt like to be
somebody important. I was on the outskirts of Hollywood,
where celebrity and fame are worshiped, and I was getting
the red carpet treatment.
When was the last time you found yourself being treated
like someone special? So many people are walking around
today believing that they don't matter. Maybe that's why
these serendipitous moments catch us by surprise. Yet, as
Christians they shouldn't.
In his first letter to the Corinthian, the apostle Paul writes,
"Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many
were powerful; not many were of noble birth. But God chose
the foolish things of the world to shame the wise." It suggests
that in Christ, God has made all of us into people of
significance.
His point was that God chose ordinary people like us to
receive the message of the Gospel. He chose us because that
is what he does. He lifts us up and gives our lives meaning
and significance. Have you heard the song, Nobody, by the
Christian Group, Casting Crowns? The lyrics go like this:
"Why You ever chose me has always been a mystery. All
my life I've been told I belong at the end of the line." It
continues, "When I hear that devil start talking to me
saying, "Who do you think you are?" I say, "I'm just a
nobody trying to tell everybody, all about Somebody who
saved my soul!"
You see, it is not about who we are. It is about who God is.
God's like that restaurant manager. He wants the world to
know how much he cares. God chooses people like you and
me to spread the word. Are you up for the challenge? The
world needs us now more than ever. So let's get out on the
red carpet and share the Good News!
God bless! See you in church.
Cal
January 13, 2021
Dear Friends,
He said, "Hello, My name is Juan. I am the manager." He
immediately began showing me around the restaurant and
asked if I had any questions. I couldn't believe it. I wondered
if he had mistaken me for someone else. He pointed out the
carving stations, the salad bar, the dessert and the beverage
islands.
He told me that if I needed anything, to ask for him by name.
This happened in metropolitan Los Angeles a few years back.
It was my first visit to the area. I was pretty impressed. The
personal tour came right after I told the cashier that I had
never been to the restaurant before. The manager appeared
out of thin air.
This royal welcome is what you might expect from gourmet
eateries. The lofty prices justify the extravagant service. So
you can imagine my shock when I experienced this at a
Hometown Buffet. I was looking for a cheap place to eat
with lots of options. Nothing says that better than an "all
you can eat" buffet.
The server came up to take my drink order, and a diet coke
appeared. I got in line to get my hand carved, roasted turkey.
It was delicious. I suddenly understood what it felt like to be
somebody important. I was on the outskirts of Hollywood,
where celebrity and fame are worshiped, and I was getting
the red carpet treatment.
When was the last time you found yourself being treated
like someone special? So many people are walking around
today believing that they don't matter. Maybe that's why
these serendipitous moments catch us by surprise. Yet, as
Christians they shouldn't.
In his first letter to the Corinthian, the apostle Paul writes,
"Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many
were powerful; not many were of noble birth. But God chose
the foolish things of the world to shame the wise." It suggests
that in Christ, God has made all of us into people of
significance.
His point was that God chose ordinary people like us to
receive the message of the Gospel. He chose us because that
is what he does. He lifts us up and gives our lives meaning
and significance. Have you heard the song, Nobody, by the
Christian Group, Casting Crowns? The lyrics go like this:
"Why You ever chose me has always been a mystery. All
my life I've been told I belong at the end of the line." It
continues, "When I hear that devil start talking to me
saying, "Who do you think you are?" I say, "I'm just a
nobody trying to tell everybody, all about Somebody who
saved my soul!"
You see, it is not about who we are. It is about who God is.
God's like that restaurant manager. He wants the world to
know how much he cares. God chooses people like you and
me to spread the word. Are you up for the challenge? The
world needs us now more than ever. So let's get out on the
red carpet and share the Good News!
God bless! See you in church.
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 |