September 7th, 2023
by WV Webmaster
by WV Webmaster
By Pastor Mark McAdow
42 seconds? What is that? The world record for additional trips to a Golden Corral buffet? The time it takes to change into a pair of shoes with tied shoelaces? Thats a random thought. Do kids even learn to tie shoes anymore?
42 seconds. King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 3:1-4, “There is a season for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven, a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance…” We’re encountering many of those life experiences as the Willow View family and individually in our lives as well. The good news is found in Ecc. 3:11: “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from the beginning to end.”
42 seconds? That’s the average time Jesus spent talking with people throughout the New Testament. That’s not much time, but he used it to change many lives, confront others with their sin and encourage all to pursue God. As we said Sunday, one conversation can change a person’s life for all eternity. We saw it in the life of the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4 last Sunday. The discussion went from Water to Worship to Witness!. Jesus offered her living water springing up to eternal life! She was more interested in physical water at first, but discovered what life is about after her personal encounter with Jesus. She was so overjoyed by talking with Jesus, she left her water jug – the reason she had gone to the well originally – and ran to tell others, asking out loud, “could this be the Christ?” Indeed, she had found the Messiah and her life would never be the same. Have you? If so, your life will never be the same either.
I challenged us last week to begin to engage with others in meaningful conversation by simply looking at people in the eye, calling them by name if you know it, and asking a genuine question. After the response, ask one more question for clarification or to show genuine interest. Who knows? You might just experience a divine encounter that could change your life and someone else’s too.
Have you tried it yet this week? I ‘ve tried to “notice” my waiter or waitress more this week. I just met Tina at lunch today. I called her by name several times and she gave me and my good friend James excellent service with a smile. I must believe it was because she felt validated in her service role to us as her customers. What did it cost us? Just a few seconds, but a few that might just have made her day. A good tip doesn’t hurt either!
Have a wonderful day. Be a bold witness.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark
PS: Remember our one combined worship service and picnic is next Sunday, Sept. 17, at 10:00 a.m. We’ll worship together, present third-graders with new Bibles, and share hot dogs and hamburgers together about 11:30 a.m. – either outside or in depending on the weather. Invite a friend to come share worship and lunch together with us. You might just get to engage in a great conversation as well as delicious fellowship.
42 seconds? What is that? The world record for additional trips to a Golden Corral buffet? The time it takes to change into a pair of shoes with tied shoelaces? Thats a random thought. Do kids even learn to tie shoes anymore?
42 seconds. King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 3:1-4, “There is a season for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven, a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance…” We’re encountering many of those life experiences as the Willow View family and individually in our lives as well. The good news is found in Ecc. 3:11: “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from the beginning to end.”
42 seconds? That’s the average time Jesus spent talking with people throughout the New Testament. That’s not much time, but he used it to change many lives, confront others with their sin and encourage all to pursue God. As we said Sunday, one conversation can change a person’s life for all eternity. We saw it in the life of the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4 last Sunday. The discussion went from Water to Worship to Witness!. Jesus offered her living water springing up to eternal life! She was more interested in physical water at first, but discovered what life is about after her personal encounter with Jesus. She was so overjoyed by talking with Jesus, she left her water jug – the reason she had gone to the well originally – and ran to tell others, asking out loud, “could this be the Christ?” Indeed, she had found the Messiah and her life would never be the same. Have you? If so, your life will never be the same either.
I challenged us last week to begin to engage with others in meaningful conversation by simply looking at people in the eye, calling them by name if you know it, and asking a genuine question. After the response, ask one more question for clarification or to show genuine interest. Who knows? You might just experience a divine encounter that could change your life and someone else’s too.
Have you tried it yet this week? I ‘ve tried to “notice” my waiter or waitress more this week. I just met Tina at lunch today. I called her by name several times and she gave me and my good friend James excellent service with a smile. I must believe it was because she felt validated in her service role to us as her customers. What did it cost us? Just a few seconds, but a few that might just have made her day. A good tip doesn’t hurt either!
Have a wonderful day. Be a bold witness.
Blessings,
Pastor Mark
PS: Remember our one combined worship service and picnic is next Sunday, Sept. 17, at 10:00 a.m. We’ll worship together, present third-graders with new Bibles, and share hot dogs and hamburgers together about 11:30 a.m. – either outside or in depending on the weather. Invite a friend to come share worship and lunch together with us. You might just get to engage in a great conversation as well as delicious fellowship.
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