Daily Archives: December 12, 2011

 

 

Yesterday afternoon and last evening I had the pleasure of sharing with some photographers and the evening service at Morrison Hill Christian Church in Kingston, Tennessee.  The church has a photography group and we were joined by people from several other clubs for an afternoon mini-workshop.  We had a great time and then I stayed and shared in the Sunday evening service.  Things went fantastic, as they always do.  Now, let me take a moment to explain, because that sounded extremely, self congratulatory!!!   Trust me it wasn’t.  This is the back story.  Just before I taught the workshop I went out into the lobby to pray.  Anytime I give an address, teach a class, or share with any group, anywhere, I get alone and ask God to take over and to lead through His Holy Spirit.  He always does.  Yesterday when I went into the lobby area I looked up and  saw the image above.  I knew it was God’s promise that He – would “break through” to those assembled.  When I go out to share, I never expect that “I” will be “successful” in sharing, I expect that “His Holy Spirit will be successful.”

 

Let me explain.  Many, many years ago when I was a very young, very on fire, (still am!) Christian,  just filled with the spirit, I went out to share at Sunday night service in a little church up in Harlan County, where I was born and reared.  I couldn’t wait to get up and share my faith, and because I’ve always been relaxed and at ease in front of crowds, I just knew that God was going to use my talent in a powerful way, heck I might be the next Billy Graham!  God in His wisdom taught me the most powerful lesson I might have ever learned.  Just before I was to speak, He patted me on the back and said, “good luck, I’ll let you handle this one on your own….” and left the room…..  It was a spiritual train wreck.  I could not think of anything to say, I couldn’t string any thoughts together into any kind of coherent message!  It was awful.  The people were kind, but I know they must have wondered what insane asylum this poor young man had escaped from!  I remember going out to my car and putting my head on the steering wheel and weeping profusely.  I had so wanted to do something good for God and I had blown it!  In my spirit this is what I heard my Heavenly Father say to me in a loving voice, “I’m sorry I had to do that to you, but you’ve got this service thing all wrong, I don’t want your talent, I want you to serve me through my strength, not your own.  You are nothing apart from me, if you trust me, and let me lead, good will come from everything you do in service to me.  I love you, and this was for your good…..  Trust in Me!”

 

God had made a very important point, very clear, it’s not me, it’s Him.  It’s not about me, It’s about Him. Why is that important?  Because if He allowed us to have great success in our own strength it wouldn’t be long before we attributed it all to ourselves, and that would eventually destroy us.  If we know it is Him, and Him alone, we will rely on Him and trust in Him.  That is the first, and most important step, in following,  after we have accepted Him.

 

So when I’m asked to go out and share my faith, I make a very loose plan, kind of a outline to hang my image shows on, I know I will share my testimony, but other than that I leave the vast majority of the time open for His leading.  The wonderful thing is that He has never failed to give me just the right words, at the perfect moment, to make the point, He wants to be made.  I don’t know who is there or what their needs are, or what they are going through, but He does, and he ministers to His children.  All I have to do is show up and trust Him.  99.9% of the time it goes fantastic!  I can say that because I’m not bragging on myself, I’m praising His Holy Spirit, His majesty, His love and wonderfulness!!!!

 

My biggest responsibility after ever talk is to get in the car, bow my head praise and thank Him and then forget all the nice things people say.  When they stood up at the end of the service last night with a prolonged standing ovation, I just looked to the heavens and diverted all to where it was deserved.  I truly am just a servant.  I don’t want to ever believe again that it is me, it carries to much pressure, because if it were me I would have to do it again the next time out, and I know that’s not possible.  You see, I’ve never forgotten that little church in Harlan County!

 

May all the parise and honor, always go to Him,

 

the pilgrim

 

P.S. Thank you Dennis for allowing me to come and be with your great folks, they were as warm and inviting as I hoped they would be……..