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Topic: Insulted (11/01/04)
TITLE: I'm a Newbie By Rita Garcia 11/06/04 |
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Ellen began driving home, as she walked in her door, the phone was ringing. “Hello”.
“Ellen, this is Ginny, I just want to say I’m sorry. I guess I’m not very good at witnessing. I never intended to hurt your feelings. I ‘m a newbie, just, last month I attended a service with my friend at her church. I was so overcome with the Spirit of the Lord in that church, I gave my heart to Jesus, right on the spot.”
“You may have given your heart to Jesus, or whatever, but that doesn’t give you the right to judge my life.”
“I know that Ellen, I just said everything all wrong. Will you, please forgive me?”
“Ginny, it just isn’t that simple. I don’t know if I can get past your thinking, I’m headed to hell.”
“Oh, Ellen, I never intended to give you that idea, I have no right to judge you. I have found a peace in Jesus, and I just want to share it with everyone. I have never felt a love such as this, a love that forgave me of all my sins. He cleansed me, and gave me a brand new life in Him. I was born again, Ellen! For the first time in my life I feel free.”
“Wow, Ginny, that is really something. I don’t think I quite get it, but I am in awe of your feeling that way.”
“You know Ellen, maybe you would like to go to church with me. There is a special service tomorrow evening, with a guest speaker, I think you would enjoy it.”
“I don’t know, Ginny. I have never been to a church service.”
“I sort of know what your saying, I had not been since I was a child. You know Ellen, we don’t even have to stay long, if your not comfortable being there.”
“Well, I guess I could go.”
“You won’t be sorry, I’ll pick you up at seven, maybe we can go for coffee after.”
Ellen went to church with Ginny, she didn’t feel compelled to go forward during the altar call. But, she kept attending services. Several weeks later, as they sat through a service, after a particularly heartwarming sermon, the minister invited all those forward who needed a special touch from God. Ellen sat there with tears freely flowing. Ginny took Ellen’s hand, together they walked to the front. Ellen received Jesus into her heart that night.
Ellen couldn’t believe how wonderful she felt. She wanted everyone to know this elated feeling. She wanted to tell the world, to share her personal testimony, how He gave her reason to hope.
She said our loud, only her cat, Baby Andrews, was there to listen. “I think what my Mom always said is true, Baby, you can catch more bee’s with honey.”
Dear God, please give me wisdom to drawn others to You. Don’t let me be offensive, help me show only Your love.
As she gave Baby a good tummy rub, she picked up the phone to call her friend, Sonja.