Skip to main content

Examples




Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. Philippians 3:17



Today I said, “goodbye” to an amazing man of God today.  He has now joined the “great cloud of witnesses” that have gone on ahead.  So, what made him amazing? Was it his job?  No, it wasn't his job; he worked in a machine shop.  Then perhaps, it was that he had money.  No, He may have had some money, but he certainly was not rich by anyone’s standards.  He had no power or influence according to how the world measures significance.  So what was it about him that made him stand out?  Well, in the time I knew him, I never heard him say an unkind word to anyone.  I never heard him talk about others behind their back.  When things went wrong, I never saw him lash out in anger at those around him.  He was always ready to do whatever needed to be done in the church.  He just did whatever needed to be done without complaining.  He made it a point to read his Bible through every year.  As far as I know he was still doing that till the day he went home.  He was 97.  I know he wasn't perfect, but he had the fragrance of Christ.  I want to follow his example; I pray one day, when it’s my turn to join the ones waiting at the finish line that others will say these things of me also.  Paul often encouraged his readers to “follow his example”.  What about you?  Are there Godly people in your life whose example you can follow? I encourage you to surround yourself with Godly men and women who lead Christ like lives and follow their example; in character and conduct.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

What’s That Smell?

To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. 2Corinthians 2:16 Last break!  The shift was almost over. Then the unthinkable happened, this man appeared out of nowhere wanting to know where the flashlights were kept.  As we were on our way to the flashlights, I noticed that this man had a very strong odor.  I thought perhaps I could get in front of him so that the smell would not be as strong.   That, however, was not to be either since; he insisted on keeping pace and walking right beside me. By the time we got to where the flashlights were; I was practically running just to keep ahead of him.  I showed him the flashlights and made a hasty exit.  If you’re like me, you shower and even put on perfume or cologne so that you will not stink.  We are concerned that the smell coming from our body is not offensive to others.  As I write this, I wonder if we are as concerned with our spiritual aroma as ...

Grow Old Gracefully

I’d like to tell you about a lady I visited yesterday.   She is ninety-five years young.  She recently moved into nursing home.  She asked one of the workers how many times she would have to walk around the outside of the building in order to walk a mile.  She said the person told her about ten.   Then she leaned in really close and whispered, “I walked around twelve just to be sure I walked a mile.”  Hahahaha! What a lady!  She loves to keep active, even in a nursing home.  As we talked, I saw no anger or bitterness in her speech or actions. There was only a love for God, a heart of compassion, and a sense of humor. She has befriended the one "prickly pear" at the home because as she said, “I have to love her, so she knows Jesus loves her too.”  Wow!!! I need to live like that!  I want to show that much compassion for those around me that need Jesus.  She loved to talk about God and what he was teaching her. ...

Thank You God For Turning Our Ashes into Beauty

There are tragedy and sadness in everyone's life, No one is exempt. Yet, in the midst of the hurt and pain, God is there. He takes the things that hurt us and make us sad and turns them into things are beautiful. The death of my mother  was a tragedy to my dad. However, because of that tragedy, my dad began to see his need for God. In his brokenness, he found a God that could make him whole.  God turned his ashes into beauty. My dad, in turn, taught me to love God.   I am blessed to know God as my savior because of my dad. God also blessed me with a lovely step-mom Life is harsh at times, and many things are sad,  Yet, if we let him, he will take our ashes and make them into a work of art.   He delights in making the ash heaps of our life beautiful.   When we are broken, God is near, and where there is sorrow, he will turn it into dancing.   Thank you, God, F...