Reading

I like to read, I think everyone who knows me realizes that.  I am also a big supporter of personal quite time for prayer and personal development of faith.  In my quiet time I read part of a book that helps my faith, pray, then finish with reading the Bible.  I just finished an extremely good book, "The Church Awakening"  by Charles Swindol, I believe it is in the church library, read it please.

In his conclusion he tells a story that gets to the reason we are trying to reach out.  I shared this with the other Elders, let me share it with you.

A number of years ago, a young man who excelled at the sport of high diving was training to compete in the upcoming summer Olympics.  He chose a university where his skill could be perfected through a fine coach and excellent facilities.  What he didn't plan on, though was that his roommate would be a strong, outspoken Christian.

As the weeks passed, the roommate faithfully shared with him about his need for the Savior, who died on the cross to pay the penalty for his sins.  The diver, however, showed no interest in spiritual things.  His only passion?  Winning a gold medal.  Yet inwardly, on occasion, he did feel disturbed by what he heard.  He cam to realize he had never considered life beyond death.  And while he never shared the growing struggle with anyone, the consciousness of his sin became more and more of a burden.

Unable to sleep one night, he arose and took a walk across campus to the indoor pool where he trained.  To clear his mind, he decided to practice some dives.  A large roof of glass panes covered the university pool, and the full moon that night provided enough dim light for him to make his way to the ten-meter diving platform.  While struggling with his burden, he stripped down to his swimsuiit and climbed to the top.  He walked to the edge, turned around, and stretched out his arms preparing to dive.  Before he jumped, his eye caught a glimpse of his own shadow~cast on the wall by the moonlight.  He paused and stared at the silhouette... it was his own human shadow forming the shape of the cross.

Just then a custodian flipped on the lights to the pool and yelled to the diver not to jump!  The diver looked down in horror to see that the pool had been drained that evening. As he stood there, he realized that he missed death by a split second... and that the cross he had seen saved him.  He knelt on that platform and released his burden to God, believing in the One who died on the cross for him.

We live in treacherous, savage tunes~dark times.  It's no wonder the world has lost its way.  Poised on the edge of destruction, only the cross of Christ stands between billions of people and their plummet to destruction.  And the appointed messenger of that cross?

The church.

No one is being asked to forsake other brothers and sisters in the church, we are to invite others to be our brother or sister in Christ.

Lee Saffell