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An
Outreach Publication of the Church of Christ at
Creekwood |
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Making Pancakes Six-year-old Brandon decided one Saturday morning to fix his parents pancakes. He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the counter, opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy flour canister, spilling it on the floor. He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands, mixed in most of a cup of milk and added some sugar, leaving a floury trail on the floor which by now had a few tracks left by his kitten. Brandon was covered with flour and getting frustrated. He wanted this to be something very good for Mom and Dad, but it was getting very bad. He didn't know what to do next, whether to put it all into the oven or on the stove (and he didn't know how the stove worked!). Suddenly he saw his kitten licking from the bowl of mix and reached to push her away, knocking the egg carton to the floor. Frantically he tried to clean up this monumental mess but slipped on the eggs, getting his pajamas white and sticky. And just then, he saw Dad standing at the door.... Big crocodile tears welled up in Brandon's eyes. All he'd wanted to do was something good, but he'd made a terrible mess. He was sure a scolding was coming, maybe even a spanking. But his father just watched him. Then, walking through the mess, he picked up his crying son, hugged him and loved him, getting his own pajamas white and sticky in the process.* Despite
our best efforts, you and I end up making a "mess"
of our lives! However,
the Heavenly Father longs to hold us, to forgive us,
and even to clean up our mess for us.
In fact, it was because of our mess that His
Son died on the cross.
"He bore our sins ["our mess"] in His own
body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might
live for righteousness; by whose stripes you were
healed" The
Father's forgiveness is open to those - who by
faith
will come to Him (Hebrews 11:6) with their mess, repenting
of their sins (2 Corinthians 7:9-10), confessing
Jesus as the Divine Savior (Romans 10:9-10), being baptized
(immersed) The Father wants us to continue to try to "make pancakes" (do good works) for Him with our lives (Ephesians 2:10). And as long as we do our best to do His will, He will continue to "clean up the messes" that we make (1 John 1:7). Tired of the mess? Turn it over to God! God bless you!
David A. Sargent,
Minister To Subscribe to "Living Water" send a blank e-mail to:
HTML version: subscribe-livingwater@lyris.dundee.net Follow this link to locate the church of Christ nearest you: www.churchsearch.org Archived issues of "Living Water" can be accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org
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