Unlit steeples?

(05.18.21 – Despising God -Matthew 5:38-42)

My friend, may I ask you a question? There are two ways to be generous. We can be generous so that we might shine in the eyes of men or we can be generous that others might be imprinted with our generosity and left with an image of the gift and not the giver. Which is best?

My friend, life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.

I'm M. Clifford Brunner.

Here's a story: I used to attend a little country church: the typical white, clapboard-type structure located on a winding country lane out in the rolling, rural countryside not far from Beech Springs. As with most churches like this, there was a surrounding graveyard, a few neatly kept flower beds, a little parking lot and a sign posted out front listing the denomination, pastor's name, and, service times. There was also one additional feature that was shared in common with most small, white, clapboard country churches–a gothic steeple rising just above the entry doors, with an unlit wooden cross at the top.

At a congregation meeting I attended, the issue of steeple remodeling came up. The old steeple had begun to lose some shingles and water was leaking in around the flashing. The elders in the little congregation had always been meticulous in making sure that the church structure was well maintained. Although there was some discussion about lighting the cross when we repaired the steeple, it was decided that a lighted cross was both impractical and, perhaps, unsafe. Steeple fires due to crosses that shorted out were not uncommon. After some discussion it was decided that the new cross would be refurbished and remain unlit. Although it would be nice to see the cross shining through the darkness, practicality won out over the beautiful.

Now, year’s later, as I recently drove by the church, my eyes caught the setting sun behind the church. As my eyes shifted upward I saw the cross atop the steeple, distinctly outlined by the sun directly behind it. You know how images can be imprinted on the eye after you shut your eyes? I noticed that the image of the cross was sharply defined; so etched in my mind’s eye that as I continued driving, the image was visible for a nearly a full minute despite the fact that it was unlit by human hands.

When we give generously to others, we're like that cross. There are two ways to be generous. We can be generous so that we might shine in the eyes of men or we can be generous that others might be imprinted with our generosity and left with an image of the gift and not the giver. Like that sunlit cross, our generosity to others, whether in our gifts or our service, will always shine more brightly because it's a true and accurate picture of Christ's gift to us, poor and undeserving sinners that we are. He shines through our gift more brightly than we could ever shine on our own. And, the brilliance of that light will be imprinted on others long after we've touched their lives.

We pray. Heavenly Father, when we give generously to others, we're like that cross. Thank You for instilling in us an understanding that there are two ways to be generous. We can be generous so that we might shine in the eyes of men or we can be generous that others might be imprinted with our generosity and left with an image of the gift and not the giver. Forgive us when we don’t see the difference. Like that sunlit cross, our generosity to others, whether in our gifts or our service, will always shine more brightly because it's a true and accurate picture of Christ's gift to us, poor and undeserving sinners that we are. Lord, keep Jesus shining through our gifts more brightly every day of our lives. May that brilliance be imprinted on others long after we've touched their lives. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!

Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.

If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to ”This Passing Day!”

<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.

Unlit steeples?

(05.18.21 – Despising God -Matthew 5:38-42)

My friend, may I ask you a question? There are two ways to be generous. We can be generous so that we might shine in the eyes of men or we can be generous that others might be imprinted with our generosity and left with an image of the gift and not the giver. Which is best?

My friend, life’s a story, welcome to This Passing Day.

I'm M. Clifford Brunner.

Here's a story: I used to attend a little country church: the typical white, clapboard-type structure located on a winding country lane out in the rolling, rural countryside not far from Beech Springs. As with most churches like this, there was a surrounding graveyard, a few neatly kept flower beds, a little parking lot and a sign posted out front listing the denomination, pastor's name, and, service times. There was also one additional feature that was shared in common with most small, white, clapboard country churches–a gothic steeple rising just above the entry doors, with an unlit wooden cross at the top.

At a congregation meeting I attended, the issue of steeple remodeling came up. The old steeple had begun to lose some shingles and water was leaking in around the flashing. The elders in the little congregation had always been meticulous in making sure that the church structure was well maintained. Although there was some discussion about lighting the cross when we repaired the steeple, it was decided that a lighted cross was both impractical and, perhaps, unsafe. Steeple fires due to crosses that shorted out were not uncommon. After some discussion it was decided that the new cross would be refurbished and remain unlit. Although it would be nice to see the cross shining through the darkness, practicality won out over the beautiful.

Now, year’s later, as I recently drove by the church, my eyes caught the setting sun behind the church. As my eyes shifted upward I saw the cross atop the steeple, distinctly outlined by the sun directly behind it. You know how images can be imprinted on the eye after you shut your eyes? I noticed that the image of the cross was sharply defined; so etched in my mind’s eye that as I continued driving, the image was visible for a nearly a full minute despite the fact that it was unlit by human hands.

When we give generously to others, we're like that cross. There are two ways to be generous. We can be generous so that we might shine in the eyes of men or we can be generous that others might be imprinted with our generosity and left with an image of the gift and not the giver. Like that sunlit cross, our generosity to others, whether in our gifts or our service, will always shine more brightly because it's a true and accurate picture of Christ's gift to us, poor and undeserving sinners that we are. He shines through our gift more brightly than we could ever shine on our own. And, the brilliance of that light will be imprinted on others long after we've touched their lives.

We pray. Heavenly Father, when we give generously to others, we're like that cross. Thank You for instilling in us an understanding that there are two ways to be generous. We can be generous so that we might shine in the eyes of men or we can be generous that others might be imprinted with our generosity and left with an image of the gift and not the giver. Forgive us when we don’t see the difference. Like that sunlit cross, our generosity to others, whether in our gifts or our service, will always shine more brightly because it's a true and accurate picture of Christ's gift to us, poor and undeserving sinners that we are. Lord, keep Jesus shining through our gifts more brightly every day of our lives. May that brilliance be imprinted on others long after we've touched their lives. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!

Therefore my friend, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry for itself; each day has enough trouble of its own. (Matt 6:34) This Passing Day. May this passing day honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and be a blessing to you and everyone you meet. Find a stranger and say hello. Don't let another day pass without your day blessing someone else.

If you have a special prayer request, please send your request to ”This Passing Day!”

<thispassingday@gmail.com> From Beech Springs, God bless you for Jesus sake.