It happened on Easter Sunday morning--the one morning when as a pastor you want everything to go "just right." Praise filled the large sanctuary, the pastor welcomed with delight the many guests, and began his "made-for-Easter" Resurrection sermon.
Now you must understand that we have an incredible pastor who can handle anything with grace--sound system breakdowns, service emergencies, whatever--he's just good!
And so--when a mom had to quickly exit with a very disturbed little boy yelling "Daddee--Daddee" all the way down the long aisle to the exit, he stopped the sermon, enjoyed the moment with everyone, worked it into his sermon theme, and went on to a wonderful conclusion. Many people came to Christ at an Easter altar. Sunday night we learned the "rest of the story."
What brought one specific man to Christ during that altar call?
Pastor related to us, "This is amazing -- it was NOT my sermon that DID it!" When the chuckles died down, he explained, "In the service was a man who never knew his dad, was put into an . . .
It happened on Easter Sunday morning--the one morning when as a pastor you want everything to go "just right." Praise filled the large sanctuary, the pastor welcomed with delight the many guests, and began his "made-for-Easter" Resurrection sermon.
Now you must understand that we have an incredible pastor who can handle anything with grace--sound system breakdowns, service emergencies, whatever--he's just good!
And so--when a mom had to quickly exit with a very disturbed little boy yelling "Daddee--Daddee" all the way down the long aisle to the exit, he stopped the sermon, enjoyed the moment with everyone, worked it into his sermon theme, and went on to a wonderful conclusion. Many people came to Christ at an Easter altar. Sunday night we learned the "rest of the story."
What brought one specific man to Christ during that altar call?
Pastor related to us, "This is amazing -- it was NOT my sermon that DID it!" When the chuckles died down, he explained, "In the service was a man who never knew his dad, was put into an orphanage at the age of five, and all his life just "winged" it on his own, determined to get through life the best he could. He told Pastor, "When that little boy was removed from the service in the middle of your sermon, his cry, "Daddee...Daddee!" all the way down the aisle rang in my ears. God spoke to me, "I want to become the Father to you that you never knew!"
The unplanned interruption of a little child was what brought a man to Christ! A new name is now written down in in the family's rosters--by a Father who welcomed a forgotten son home--to a real home where he is loved, accepted and will never be forgotten again!
Do YOU need to hear the warm words of YOUR Father today? Whatever's happening, get that troubled heart still enough and you will! He loves you. He wants you to feel His special love flowing into your life today too. Just call "Abba, Father!" - "Daddee!" - and HE'LL be there! Believe it and have a great day!
Scripture Verse: "When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up (Psalm 27:10)."
Prayer: "Lord, I feel so alone today. I need a Father's love and I'm calling Your name. Hear me--love me, accept me, tell me everything's going to be all right. That's all I need to hear this day--words from my Heavenly Father to warm my heart and heal my soul. Thanks, Lord!
In Jesus Name, Amen."
All Scriptures are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.
Copyright 2006 by Peggie C. Bohanon, Springfield, Mo. Used by permission.
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