Larry’s Lines. . . .
By Larry Murphy, Executive Director
I read a story the other day of a little boy who lived far out in the country, had just turned 12 years old, and had never seen a circus.
One day at school he saw a poster telling of a circus coming to town on the next Saturday. He ran home with the news and he had a very important question for his dad. He asked, “Daddy, can I go?” The family was poor but the father could see how excited the boy was over the circus. He said to the boy, “If you see to it that all of your chores are done ahead of time, I’ll see to it that you have the money to go.”
Saturday morning came and the boy saw that all of his chores were done. He stood by the breakfast table dressed in his Sunday best. His father reached into his pocket and pulled out a dollar bill, the most money the boy had possessed in all of his life. The father told him to be careful and sent him on his way to town.
The boy was so excited he seemed to float into town. As he got closer to town he saw people lining the streets and he worked his way through the crowd so he could see what was happening. It was a circus parade! It was the grandest thing the boy had ever seen. Caged animals growled as they passed, bands played their instruments, people performed acrobatics, and all sorts of flags and ribbons flew overhead.
Finally, after everything had passed where the boy was standing, the clowns came by – all of them wearing floppy shoes, baggy pants, brightly painted faces with big red noses, as they brought up the rear.
As the clowns passed, the boy reached into his pocket and took out the dollar bill. Handing the money to the clown, the boy turned and went home. What had happened? The boy thought he had seen the circus when he had only seen the parade.
So, Larry, what is so special about this story? I have a question for you: Are you experiencing all that God has for you? The Christian life is a great adventure, an impressive journey that is meant to last a life time and beyond. John 10:10 calls it abundant living. Yet, so many Christians seem to just float around settling for second best, or they, like the little boy, quit after the parade. They think that is all there is to the Christian life. They decide they have seen and done enough. I want the abundant life Jesus promised. How about you?
If today was your last day, could you say, “It is finished”? Jesus’ last words were not proclaimed until He had lived life to the fullest. Could we honestly say we have accomplished all that we were put here to accomplish?
I pray all of us are living everyday experiencing the abundant life and striving to accomplish all He has called us to do and we are not leaving after the parade.
Week of Prayer for International Missions
and the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering
December 2-9, 2018
Madison-Chester Association
Senior Adult Ministry Meeting
Tuesday, December 4, 2018
10:30 a.m.
Poplar Heights Baptist Church
1980 Hollywood Drive, Jackson
Crockett County Association
Senior Adult Ministry Meeting
Tuesday, December 11, 2018
10:30 a.m.
A host church is needed. Please contact the association office at 731-668-5690 if your church is willing to host this event.
Association Office Holiday Closings
Thanksgiving Holiday – November 22-23, 2018
Christmas Holiday – December 18, 2018-January 1, 2019