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| Reverend Chappell was a Kind Man of God |
Pastor Chappell was a large
man somewhere between austere and country. He was use to ministering to the people
of Oklahoma South and since some of our congregation had migrated from
the south they wished to have him come to be the pastor of our church.
There were certain
characteristics that defined him; one being he had a very loud voice. I don’t mean just loud, I mean extremely loud,
one that would hurt your ears. When he saw the microphone he said, "I won’t need
that," and he was right.
Such a kind man was he, and I
liked him a lot. Due to the fact he preached to rural people who worked late on
the farm, church always started after dark he was use to not starting to preach
until later in the evening.
Our church on the other hand started at six on
Sunday evenings with what we called an Evangelistic service. He just couldn’t
get comfortable preaching the evening service while it was still light.
He once
told me that something had to change because we were working against GOD by not
waiting until “dark thirty” to preach.
This became a problem and
some contention arose because by getting out of church by 8 there was time for
the members to go out and fellowship or have people over for refreshments
especially the young people.
The pastor was gracious but
about a year of “working against” GOD was all he could take and he resigned and
moved to Arizona
As it turned out it was best
both for him and the church, even though he was a good man he was in the wrong
place.
1 Corinthians 12:14-16 For the body is not one member, but many. If
the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear
says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a
part of the body,” If they were all one member, where would the body
be?”
It is important for both the
church and you for you to find your place in the body of Christ because it is
there you will be most successful.
There have been times when my
wife and I have had to fill in because someone had failed to take their place
in the body. We were glad to do it but we were just a fill in.
Romans 12:6-8 So in Christ
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If
your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; 7 if it
is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage,
then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to
lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
No one can replace you for God
has given your place, your job, your responsibility in the body of Christ. If
you neglect to fulfill your calling the cause of Christ will suffer.
Realize this; You are very
important in the kingdom
of GOD
This post is shared at “Tell Me a True Story.”
As I've said so often, relying and trusting on Him is all that counts. In our present-day world of sinfulness, it keeps me looking up to the Lord, over and over again. He is truly the "It" of the foreverness. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your inspiring post with us here at “Tell Me a Story." You always have a good word for us.
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