What is it like to be a Christian?

I received this story comparing what it is like to be a Christian to what it is like to be a pumpkin.
  “God picks you from the patch, brings you in and washes all the dirt off of you. Then He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see.”
My Sunday School Teacher, John Hoppinger, went to be with the Lord last month. I quoted him often in this column, and we all miss him. John was very much like the story above. At one time he was full of yucky stuff, but after he met Jesus (Francis introduced them), the seeds of doubt, hate and greed were removed, and he was carved into what turned out to be a fine Christian and Deacon. His life was full of Jesus’ light shining through. Everyone who knew John will tell you the same thing, that he not only talked the talk, he walked the walk. He spent countless hours each week preparing to teach us God’s word.
Another fine Christian man has gone to be with the Lord, and will be waiting to greet us when it’s our turn. Join me in asking God to be with us as we minister to Francis and the family.

          Unselfish Acts of Goodness - The True Meaning of Thanksgiving

          The holiday season is in full swing. The family has arrived for our traditional Thanksgiving gathering. We are blessed to have our two daughters and grandchildren living close by, so everyone is here this year. The ladies are busy completing all the trimmings for a nice Thanksgiving meal, the guys are gathered around the tv watching football, and our grandson, back from College, is on the computer. The dogs are chasing each other around the house, and our granddaughter is itching to get started decorating Grandma’s house for Christmas, an activity that seems to happen earlier and earlier each year. The meal is ready so we congregate around the big family table.
          After our traditional prayer of thanksgiving and grace, we follow with a time of sharing about what each is thankful for. It gives us a chance to reflect on the events of the past year. As we share, I realize we are acknowledging ‘acts of goodness’ done by others. I began to think about the wonderful people of our church. You are not only going about—you are going about doing good, and going way beyond your normal ministries.
          Teenagers are helping children and our golden seniors, and one of our youth has taken on the ‘quiet bag’ ministry; you are visiting and praying for hospitalized friends; you have prepared shoe boxes full of goodies for unknown overseas children; you are donating food and supplies for hungry and hurting families; greeting, ushering and praying; providing refreshments for visitors at Worship; giving money and prayers for homeless couples that need a new start; you have given extra time to help in preparation of the annual Thanksgiving dinner; the orchestra, singers, sound technicians, and bell choir have spent countless hours preparing for Christmas music; giving time and materials for Youth fund raisers; you have continued to give your tithes and offerings faithfully so our ministries can move forward, and our staff, led by a loving Pastor, has been working overtime to minister to babies, kids, adults and hurting families, and they pray for you daily.
          In the recent past you have donated food and candy for neighborhood kids at the trunk or treat event; given of your time to assist in AWANA, Say Yes, teach Sunday School, and Children In Action; participated in prayer chains and quilts for our terminally sick; worked tirelessly in the kitchen, in the nursery, cleaning sanctuary hymnals and pew boxes weekly, repairing, building things, and painting around the Church buildings and grounds. Indeed, you are the true meaning of Thanksgiving.
          Then my daydream was interrupted by my family saying “Dad, snap out of it and finish carving the turkey”. OK. OK, so I got a little carried away, and if I left someone out, it’s because my dream was cut short and your ‘unselfish acts of goodness’ are continuing every day. You are such great people and my family and I love you all. We wish you the very best holiday season ever.