A member of a certain church, who previously had been

attending

Services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the

preacher

Decided to visit him.

It was a chilly evening. The preacher found the man at home

alone,

Sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his

preachers

Visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair

near the

Fireplace and waited.

The preacher made himself at home but said nothing. In the

grave

Silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the

burning

Logs. After some minutes, the preacher took the fire tongs,

Carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it

to one

Side of the hearth all alone then he sat back in his chair,

still

Silent.

The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one

lone

Ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a

momentary glow

And then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.

Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The

preacher

Glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He

slowly

Stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back

in the

Middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more

with the

Light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the preacher reached the door to leave, his host said

with a tear

Running down his cheek, 'Thank you so much for your visit

and

Especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church

next

Sunday.'

We live in a world today, which tries to say too much with

too

Little. Consequently, few listen. Sometimes the best

sermons are

The ones left unspoken.

The Lord is my Shepherd ----- that's a Relationship!

I shall not want ----- that's Supply!

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures ----that's Rest!

He leadeth me beside the still waters -----that's

Refreshment!

He restoreth my soul ----- that's Healing!

He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness --that's

Guidance!

For His name sake ----- that's Purpose!

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of

death--that's

Testing!

I will fear no evil ----- that's Protection!

For Thou art with me ----- that's Faithfulness!

Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me -----that's

Discipline!

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine

Enemies------that's Hope!

Thou annointest my head with oil ----- that's Consecration!

My cup runneth over ----- that's Abundance!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my

Life----that's Blessing!

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord -----that's

Security!

Forever ----- that's Eternity!