The Parable of the Earthworm

It was a beautiful morning. The ground was wet and there were puddles in the parking lot as I entered the church to begin another day. There seemed a crispness in the air as Spring was on it’s way. As I began the 20 yard walk to the front door of the church I noticed that there were several earthworms lying about the parking lot. Obviously the rain from the night before had drawn them out. If you liked earthworms you probably would be struck with a sense of compassion as many had stopped moving and their life had ended on the treacherous journey into the open. But one caught my attention as it was still moving! It still had life! Me being a compassionate person (at times), decided I would show a bit of mercy to the worm and save its life. There was a struggle as the worm curled up and was quite slippery, but I being the stronger of the two – prevailed to save the worm. I carried the earthworm to the nearest dirt area and placed it down ever so gently. Feeling a sense of accomplishment of saving a living species, I had a feeling this was going to be a good day. As I journeyed on to the church door and opened it to enter in, I turned back to look at the location where I had safely set the earthworm down to only notice a bird was pecking on the ground. My sense of accomplishment bubble burst. Then God spoke to me in an unusual way – “This is what happens to most Christians.” You see most churches have a “save’em and seat’em” mentality. You get people in the door, you introduce them to Jesus Christ, He changes their life and then most churches feel they are safe and leave them there. But like my earthworm with the bird - the enemy attacks. Part of the “Great Commission” is in fact to go into the world, but we seem to forget the other part, to teach all that God has commanded. The only way to do that is to be involved in small group Bible study. Yes you can get into the Word on Sunday mornings through the messages, but the disciples affected the world because they met constantly and had many things in common. If you aren’t involved in a small group, such as Sunday School, within the church, then in all honesty you’ve only become the earthworm who has been moved closer to the tree where the bird lives.
Scriptural References: Revelation 12:17-13:1; Matthew 13:1-23; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:42-47

Da' Bears and Satan

Oh Chicago Bears fans, you have waited years and years for this moment - a viable quarterback. This was going to be the year. After years of complaining that you had a defense but no quarterback (much of which I would have to agree with) you finally got one in Jay Cutler. The NFC North was now yours for the taking. Sure the Packers are strong, but now you have the missing piece. Sure the Vikings are the division champs, but eight in the box and it would be over. Sure the Lions....well I'm sure you praised the Lord for the Lions. The year was looking good, but what? What was that? A stirring in Minnesota? A quarterback? A quarterback familiar with the division? A quarterback who has some miles but still has enough gas in the tank? That's right Bear fans, Brett Favre is back. As the news hit the air-waves across this nation I could just hear Bear fans begin to crawl back into their caves for hibernation. Victory was in their line of sight, but now the return of Brett Favre has darkened the horizon for Bear fans. I imagine Satan is feeling the same way. With victory in sight and with the world falling farther and farther away from their Creator I'm sure he is wiping his jowls. But what is that? On the horizon? A Warrior! A Savior! A Leader who has fought the fight, is familiar with the ways of the world, One who has overcome the world. Jesus Christ! (I know you want to shout superstar right now but hold on). The truth is Jesus said, "I am coming back. Soon and very soon. So be ready!" And He actually said it more than once. So just as many Bear fans got the air sucked out of them, Satan too will experience the let-down of being an 'all-most'. Sure Brett Favre's return was exciting to hear and watch and it probably will reshape the football season, but Jesus' return will rock this planet and will reshape everything. So are you ready?
(Sorry for any Bear fans this might have insulted. If it makes you feel any better I'm pretty much like Thomas when it comes to the Chiefs. I just don't have enough faith in them, but I'll believe it when I see it.)