How about this headline:
Texas Bar Sues Church.
What in heaven's name is this world coming to?
In a small Texas town (Mt. Vernon), Drummon's Bar began construction on a new building to help increase their business. The local Methodist church started a campaign to block the bar from opening, calling for petitions and prayers. Work progressed right up till the week before opening when lightning struck the new bar and it burned to the ground.
The church folks were rather smug in their outlook after that, until the bar owner sued the church on the grounds that the church was ultimately responsible for the fate of his building, either through direct or indirect actions or means. The church vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection to the building's demise in its reply to the court.
The church folks were rather smug in their outlook after that, until the bar owner sued the church on the grounds that the church was ultimately responsible for the fate of his building, either through direct or indirect actions or means. The church vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection to the building's demise in its reply to the court.
As the case made its way into court, the judge looked over the paperwork arguments. At the hearing he commented, "I honestly don't know how I'm going to decide this. From the paperwork I just read, it seems we have a bar owner who believes in the power of prayer and an entire church congregation that does not."
I checked with Mt. Vernon Texas newspaper but cannot verify this story as a fact. It does, however, make an amusing devotional illustration.
There is great power in prayer. When you pray continually about a concern, don't be surprised at how the Lord answers. Paul prayed to visit Rome (Romans 15:32). so he could teach & refresh the Christians there. When he finally arrived in Rome, it was as a prisoner.
Paul prayed for a safe trip, and he did arrive safely - after getting arrested, slapped in the face, shipwrecked, and bitten by a poisonous snake.
A pearl to string: God's way of answering our prayers are often far from what we expect. When we sincerely pray, God will answer - although in his timing and sometimes in ways we do not expect. One of my favorite prayers that keeps me waiting patiently on the Lord is in Habakkuk chapter 2 verse 3: "But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow do not despair for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient. They will not be overdue a single day.” God has a plan for me, He has a plan for you and He has a plan for the whole of mankind.
Lean on Him and
Know you are loved,
Lyndi
There is great power in prayer. When you pray continually about a concern, don't be surprised at how the Lord answers. Paul prayed to visit Rome (Romans 15:32). so he could teach & refresh the Christians there. When he finally arrived in Rome, it was as a prisoner.
Paul prayed for a safe trip, and he did arrive safely - after getting arrested, slapped in the face, shipwrecked, and bitten by a poisonous snake.
A pearl to string: God's way of answering our prayers are often far from what we expect. When we sincerely pray, God will answer - although in his timing and sometimes in ways we do not expect. One of my favorite prayers that keeps me waiting patiently on the Lord is in Habakkuk chapter 2 verse 3: "But these things I plan won’t happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow do not despair for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient. They will not be overdue a single day.” God has a plan for me, He has a plan for you and He has a plan for the whole of mankind.
Lean on Him and
Know you are loved,
Lyndi
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