Pastor Offers Sweet Way to Announce Easter Truth

Enjoy this guest post from Greg Miller and visit his website to let him know you saw him on the Christian Daily Blog!

Pastor East Err Sundae didn’t limit his messages about the resurrection of Jesus Christ to Easter Sunday morning.

So it came as no surprise to Pastor Sundae’s congregation when he announced that his sermon topic for April 25 would be “Jesus Christ is Risen!”

Pastor Sundae read his text…Luke 24:1-7... “Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.”

The pastor made eye contact with members and visitors alike as he read his text. He then asked everyone to bow their heads while he asked God to bless the message.

“Heavenly Father, thank you for this opportunity to preach your Holy Word,” he prayed. “Please help your Word to do its work in our lives. Send your Holy Spirit to bring the changes we need in our hearts and bless us to your service. In Jesus name. Amen.”

Pastor Sundae preached the most heart-stirring message his congregation had ever heard. He concluded his message by saying, “Brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ is alive forevermore. He lives in and reigns from heaven, and He lives and reigns in our hearts.”

As was the custom after the church’s Easter services, everyone stayed for a potluck covered-dish lunch. Pastor Sundae’s wife, Sister I. Scream Sundae, prepared her popular dish, Corn Ontopa SmashTaters Casserole.

The pastor didn’t cook very often, but he always enjoyed creating a special dish for the special Easter potluck covered-dish meal. This year, Pastor and Mrs. Sundae’s granddaughter, East R. Bonnit, was celebrating her 10th birthday, so the pastor baked a birthday cake for her.

In the icing, Pastor East Err Sundae swirled “Happy Birthday, East R. Bonnit.” Then he swirled another message, “Jesus is not here, He is risen!”

“Why did you put the message about Jesus on the cake, Dear?,” asked I. Scream Sundae.

“I believe we are to take advantage of every opportunity to tell people about Jesus,” replied her husband. “And I don’t know of any commandment in the Bible that says, ‘Thou shalt not say, ‘Jesus is not here, He is risen’ on a birthday cake!’”

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To contact Greg Miller for speaking engagements or puppet ministry, please email kidcool4jesus@yahoo.com.

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Always Head in the Right Direction

Enjoy this guest post from Greg Miller and be sure to contact him to let him know you saw him on Christen Daily Blog!

Motorcycle, Bicycle and Tricycle were motoring down the Highway of Life.

They had left the glory and power of Easter, and they were headed toward the National Day of Prayer.

Along the way, they saw many beautiful, natural wonders - waterfalls, forests, rivers and mountains. After about a week, Four Wheel Car joined the caravan.

The foursome sang songs of liberty and happiness and shared stories of God’s provision and protection. “One day, a little doggie ran in front of me,” recalled Motorcycle. “God helped me to stop so I didn’t hit the little fella.”

“I was rolling through my neighborhood one Sunday afternoon, and a huge car tired to run me over,” said Tricycle. “But God was watching over me, and I did an emergency U-Turn. Within just a few moments, I was safe at home in my driveway.”

Unicycle joined the group several days after Four Wheel Car became a member. “Most of the time, I’m a loner,” Unicycle aid. “But you guys sounded so smooth and mellow as you were singing your easy listening gospel music that I just had to tag along.”

“We’re happy to welcome you,” said Tricycle. “Life’s road is sometimes difficult, and we can never have too many friends.”

Eighteen-Wheeler was rolling by, and he heard Tricycle’s comments. “I’d like to join the group,” said the Big Rig. “I’m tired of traveling the road all by myself. And since I’m so much bigger and faster than some of you, if we ever need to get somewhere in a hurry, all of you can hop inside and we can arrive at our destination in no time.”

Two-Wheel-Scooter eventually became the group’s final member. “What took you so long to join?,” asked Four Wheel Car.

“I’m not one to join too many groups,” Two-Wheel-Scooter replied. “But I’m sure glad I’m joining this one.”

The group of vehicles pulled into the parking area of a service station. “Those of us with engines must fill our tanks with the purest fuel available,” said Four Wheel Car.

“And add the proper fluids to keep the windshields clean,” added Eighteen-Wheeler.

“Don’t forget to check the pressure in your tires,” said Bicycle.

Unicycle told the group’s other members that she had made an observation. “We are all different shapes, sizes, and colors,” she said. “We look at life from a variety of perspectives. Some of us can travel faster than others, and we have been given talents to use for God’s glory.

“But what’s the most fascinating to me is that everything will always turn out OK on the Highway of Life because all of us are headed in the right direction. And if we continue to head in the right direction, we’ll always know where we’re going when we get there!”

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To contact Greg Miller for speaking engagements or puppet ministry, please email kidcool4jesus@yahoo.com.

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Book Review: Beguiled by Deanne Gist and J. Mark Bertrand

Deanne Gist, the author of two previous books, and J. Mark Bertrand, awaiting publication of his first, met in a writer's critique group and jokingly spoke of collaborating on a book. Having sprung the idea of a joint book on Mark, Deanne fully expected him to resist the idea. But he jumped on the chance, and Beguiled was born.

This is the story of Rylee Monroe, a young woman who was raised by her now-senile grandmother after her father disappeared and her mother died suddenly of an overdose of sleeping pills. Desiring to give her "Nonie" the best care possible, Rylee starts her own business walking dogs and caring for the pets of the well-to-do, animals she loves and are who give her the only sense of "family" that she has.

When a thief, dubbed the Robin Hood burglar by the media, begins to target the homes of Rylee's clients, she becomes the prime suspect in the robberies. And it seems the only ones on her side are her attorney, a long-time family friend, and a reporter, Logan Woods... and she's not so sure about Logan. Does he really care, or is he just looking for a scoop?

Beguiled is exactly my kind of book! It has suspense, intrigue, romance, a strong yet vulnerable heroine and hero... all the things my favorite books contain. And while I received this book from Bethany House to review, it's exactly the kind I search for when I purchase a new book (which is often).

I've read every book by both Dee Henderson and Terri Blackstock—my two favorite authors—and I can only hope that the team of Gist and Bertrand become as prolific in their writing. I can assure you, I'll be buying every one of theirs as well.

This one gets Five Stars, hands down!

Purchase Beguiled.

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Life Worth Living Crisis Pregnancy Shelter

Life Worth Living, a new Crossville, TN shelter for pregnant women, has been approved as a contender for a $50,000 grant from Pepsi. Grants are awarded based on the number of votes, so please vote for this! This is your chance to make a difference: in 2010 in Cumberland County, TN!

Eight pregnant women who needed shelter, couldn't find it because area shelters were full. Surrounding counties have similar statistics. Life Worth Living will have space for pregnant women in crisis from surrounding counties as well.

They need your votes and your friends' votes! Please tell everyone you know to vote for Life Worth Living!

Associate Pastor Asked to Preach Easter Sunrise Service

Enjoy this guest post from Greg Miller and visit his website to let him know you saw him on Christen Daily Blog!

Pastor East R. Sunrize had begun planning his sermon for the 11 a.m. worship service on Easter Sunday.

The 40-year-veteran of pastoral ministry decided to concentrate on Christ’s Crucifixion and Resurrection during the sermon.

“When I talk about the Crucifixion, I’m going to focus on the fact that Christ’s death on the Cross was necessary to save mankind from sin,” Pastor Sunrize told his wife, Sunny. “And when I talk about the Resurrection, I plan to emphasize that Jesus’ coming out of the grave proves that He is more powerful than death.”

“Your messages are always so timely and inspiring,” said Sunny.

“That’s because I must depend on the power of the Holy Spirit,” said the pastor. “If I depend on myself and my own ability to preach God’s Holy Word, I know I’ll fall flat on my face.”

Pastor Sonrize decided to ask his associate pastor, Solar Sunraze, to preach the message at the church’s sunrise service.

Associate Pastor Sunraze had only been in the ministry for about three years, and he accepted most opportunities to preach. “It’s a blessing to stand behind the pulpit to preach God’s Holy Word,” he said.

He enjoyed preaching revivals, kids crusades, and Vacation Bible Schools, hosted the church’s radio and TV ministries, and wrote a newspaper column.

About two weeks before Easter, Pastor Sunrize called his associate pastor. “I’ve been thinking about offering a new ministry opportunity to you,” said the pastor. “I know how passionate you are about preaching the gospel.”

“Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood so that I could live forever with Him!,” said Associate Pastor Sunraze. “It’s a great honor to be called into ministry. So what is this new ministry opportunity you mentioned?”

“You know that Easter is coming up in a couple of weeks, right?,” asked the pastor.

“Yes, and I can hardly wait to hear you preach about the Crucifixion and the Resurrection,” said Associate Pastor Sunraze. “It was through the Crucifixion that Jesus shed His blood, and it was the Resurrection power of the Holy Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead.”

“I would like for you to preach an Easter message for the sunrise service at the church,” said Pastor Sunrize. “It starts at 6:30 a.m.”

“I am so excited that you’re offering this opportunity to me,” said Associate Pastor Sunraze. “But I’m afraid I must turn down your request.”

“But why?,” asked the pastor.

“I feel I must always be fully awake when I preach,” said the associate pastor. “You see, I’m not a morning person.

“If I start preaching a sermon when I’m not wide awake, I might fall asleep while I’m preaching. And it would be the first time I’ve ever fallen asleep during one of my own sermons!”

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To contact Greg Miller for speaking engagements or puppet ministry, please email kidcool4jesus@yahoo.com.

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Book Review: The Sacred Meal by Nora Gallagher

The Sacred Meal by Nora Gallagher is part of the Ancient Practices Series, but it's actually the first of her books that I've read. It gives a different insight to communion than I typically study or even consider. That's not a bad thing!

Ms. Gallagher and I obviously come from different backgrounds, ecclesiastically, and probably theologically, however, there were many insights that she gave to the meaning of communion, or the Eucharist, or the Lord's Supper (depending on your ecclesiastical background) that I found interesting. She points out that this is a time of waiting on the Lord and listening for Him to speak, then receiving from Him, and afterward, even through the sense of "jet lag," letting the experience "seep in into [our] cells."

What Gallagher calls "practices," and this being but one of them, I have always considered "traditions," which is the term I find most Nazarenes use. I found I liked her term as well, because the traditions that we practice are what make us Christian.

If you'd like to have a deeper understanding of Communion, and of how it is a practice of the Church because it draws us closer to Christ, I'd definitely recommend The Sacred Meal. I have a few pastor friends I think should read it. If Communion is truly a practice—a tradition—of our faith, as are Baptism, Prayer, etc. then we need to better understand it. And I, personally, believe the Nazarene Church as a whole needs to place more emphasis on it. But that's for another post.

I'd give this one four stars!

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Watch Your Aim When Throwing Verbal Darts

Enjoy this guest post from Greg Miller and visit his website to let him know you saw him on Christian Daily Blog!

Ramsey and Rose were teenagers who lived in a huge metropolis where some teens were known for hurling insults at visitors, relatives, friends, enemies and everyone else. Sometimes they even stood in front of the mirror and called themselves names.

Rose and Ramsey, who had known each other since kindergarten, especially enjoyed throwing verbal darts at all the senior citizens and young children they met.

The two friends became known as the Verbal Dart Throwers Club. They enjoyed throwing those fiery darts so much that they held a special meeting to come up with an idea that would greatly enhance their evil efforts.

Rose considered herself the leader of the club, and Ramsey seemed content to play along with that notion. During the meeting, Rose suggested a drastic change in their mode of operation. "Instead of continuing to toss verbal darts at everyone, why don't we begin saying nice things?," she asked.

"Where did you get such an idea?," asked Ramsey. "Aren't you afraid our reputations will be ruined by such a big change in the way we do things?"

"Absolutely not!," exclaimed Rose. "That's the beauty of the plan. People will be so shocked that they won't know what to think. Then when everyone thinks we've become goody-goody, we'll just go back to our old ways."

"When do you want to start this new and improved plan?," asked Ramsey.

"The sooner the better," said Rose. "I can't wait to see how well this little scheme works."

The next afternoon after school, Ramsey and Rose met at their local mall, their usual location for verbal dart hurling. As they were walking into the mall, Ramsey taped a piece of paper to the back of Rose's jacket.

Rose walked up to a man named Ron, flashed her most charming smile and said, "Good afternoon, Sir. That's a very beautiful tie you're wearing."

Without waiting for a reply, Rose bounced over to a woman named Rexanna, who was pushing a baby carriage. "Your baby has the most beautiful red hair," Rose said.

Rexanna replied, "You can't fool me with your goody-goody act. I've seen you here on numerous occasions, and I've observed you when you were being yourself...not putting on an act!"

"How did you know that I'm putting on an act this time?," inquired Rose.

"Because someone wrote a message on the back of your coat...It says 'ACTRESS,'" said Rexanna.

Rose realized that Ramsey had played a trick on her. "I'm really going to try to stop throwing those verbal darts," she said. "Sometimes they have a tendency to hit you instead of the person you're aiming at!"

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To contact Greg Miller for speaking engagements or puppet ministry, please email kidcool4jesus@yahoo.com.

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