I'd Rather See a Sermon / Do you know, oh Christian, you’re a sermon in shoes?

I’d Rather See a Sermon

by Edgar A. Guest

I'd rather see a sermon
than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me
than merely tell the way.

The eye's a better pupil
and more willing than the ear,
Fine counsel is confusing,
but example's always clear;

And the best of all preachers
are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action
is what everybody needs.

I soon can learn to do it
if you'll let me see it done;
I can watch your hands in action,
but your tongue too fast may run.

And the lecture you deliver
may be very wise and true,
But I'd rather get my lessons
by observing what you do;

For I might misunderstand you
and the high advice you give,
But there's no misunderstanding
how you act and how you live.


While we're on the subject, here's an old Sunday school song:

Do you know, oh Christian, you’re a sermon in shoes?
Do you know, oh Christian, you’re a sermon in shoes?
Jesus calls upon you to spread the Gospel news,
So walk it, and talk it—
A sermon in shoes.

Do you know, oh Christian, you’re a sermon in shoes?
Do you know, oh Christian, you’re a sermon in shoes?
Jesus calls upon you to spread the Gospel news,
So walk it, and talk it.
Live it, and give it—
A sermon in shoes.

Do you know, oh Christian, you’re a sermon in shoes?
Do you know, oh Christian, you’re a sermon in shoes?
Jesus calls upon you to spread the Gospel news,
So walk it, and talk it.
Live it, and give it.
Teach it, and preach it—
A sermon in shoes.

Do you know, oh Christian, you’re a sermon in shoes?
Do you know, oh Christian, you’re a sermon in shoes?
Jesus calls upon you to spread the Gospel news,
So walk it, and talk it.
Live it, and give it.
Teach it, and preach it.
Know it, and show it—
A sermon in shoes.

Click here to listen to the song.

Recommended reading:

Preparing Evangelistic Sermons
Seven Keys to Communicating for a Change: Irresistable Communication by Andy Stanley
Children's Music

A Life Changed Forever by One Wrong Decision

The ministry behind Swiss Valley Christian Bookstore is The Missing Link, which is a prison and Internet ministry linking troubled youth and adults with life-changing programs. After a prison chapel service at a very large correctional facility, Chaplain Mario (the founder of The Missing Link) stayed on to visit a 21-year-old young man who had just been locked up. For the sake of privacy, we'll call him Doug. A family member had asked if Chaplain Mario would visit Doug. 

Doug had never been in trouble with the law. Unfortunately, one day he made a decision to drink alcohol—his first drink. Driving home, he hit another car and killed a young man. Now he was fearful and frightened, sitting alone in a prison cell, facing vehicular homicide charges. Chaplain Mario was privileged to lead him to the Lord and left a Black Samson book and other life-changing literature with him.

On the next visit, they just had some small talk but the amazing thing was the change that had come over Doug since the first visit. There was a real glow on his face and there seemed to be a real peace. Doug seemed to be very much alive and was eager to talk. He said, "Hey, let me tell you what happened, between you and me. I held a Bible study with the cellie next to me."

I said, "How's that? Wow! That's great. That's amazing! How did you do it?"

"Well," he continued out of earshot from the prison guard, "there's a hole in the wall. Shhh!!! There's a hole in the wall so I can see the other guy next to me. He was released several days ago but before he left, I was able to lead him to the Lord."

I responded, "Wow! That's great, Doug. That's really great. I'm so proud of you."

"But now," he went on, "there's a new guy here—a new prisoner—and last night...believe it or not, Chaplain Mario, I was able to lead him to the Lord last night."

And Chaplain Mario said, "Wow! You are really something!" Here was a new convert and already he's leading others to the Lord.

"Do you have any prayer requests?" Chaplain Mario asked.

"Yes," he said. "Pray that God would give me more wisdom and understanding."

"God will do that for you," Chaplain Mario responded. "The Bible says if you lack wisdom, God will give it to you and He will not hold it back from you. He will give it to you in big measure and make sure that you get all the wisdom you need."

Chaplain Mario was able to spend about half an hour with him, even though the rest of the prison was on lock down.

Doug has now been sentenced to 8 years in prison and has had his driver's license revoked for life—a tough punishment for one foolish decision. Please pray for Doug, that he continues to remain faithful in his Christian walk.

Resource suggestions: 

Making the Best of a Bad Decision by Dr. Erwin Lutzer
When Good Kids Make Bad Choices: Help and Hope for Hurting Parents
Youth Halted Between Bad Choices and God's Purpose

The Lost Art of Kindness

Being out and about town, it’s very easy to run into people who are rude. It seems they flourish everywhere you go. When I see someone being kind to another person, it makes me smile all over, inside and out. I think every cell in my body smiles. You know why? It’s because you see so little kindness nowadays and when you actually do witness it, it’s like seeing a brilliant spotlight shining down on a stage surrounded by darkness.

In my time of devotions today, I read a passage of Scripture that just jumped off the page at me. Do you realize that when you show kindness to another person, you are being a minister of God. It’s a beautiful way of showing God’s love to another—letting your light shine. Read it for yourself in 2 Corinthians 6:4-10. As a matter of fact, this passage of Scripture shows over 30 ways you can live your life as a minister of God. Much depends on how you respond to life, but that’s another topic that could fill a book so I won’t go there now.

Take your light out from under that bushel and let it shower down spotlights of kindness everywhere you go today!

To find out more about kindness and how it can turn your life and business around, see the resources I’ve listed below:

Chicken Soup for the Soul: Hidden Heroes:
101 Stories about Random Acts of Kindness and Doing the Right Thing - eBook

A Little Book of Manners: Courtesy & Kindness for Young Ladies

Kindness: Nine Fruits of the Spirit Series

The One Year Daily Acts of Kindness Devotional:
365 Inspiring Ideas to Reveal, Give, and Find God's Love

Paws & Tales: Being Kind & Caring DVD

Emily Post's the Guide to Good Manners for Kids

I'll Trust In Him by Ira Stanphill

I'd just like to post the lyrics to a favorite song that has meant a lot to me. I pray it will be a blessing to you.

I’ll Trust In Him
Words and Music by Ira Stanphill

Verse 1
Sometimes there’s heartache, sometimes there’s burden
Sometimes there’s sorrow, too hard to bear.
But in the stillness I hear Him whisper,
Just talk it over with me in prayer.
For there’s a balm in Gilead for your sorrow
And there’s an oil of gladness in His hand
And until midnight turns to brightest morrow
I’ll trust in Him tho’ I don’t understand.

Verse 2
Tho’ discontented, tho’ disappointed
Tho’ sad bereavement, may cloud my day,
I’ll still be faithful to Him forever
And keep on walking the narrow way.
He bore the cross and walked the path before me
They pierced His side and nails were in His hand
And until death or rapture I’ll be faithful
And trust in Him tho’ I don’t understand.

Verse 3
Content with Jesus, content He leads us,
Content to follow my Lord each day,
And seeking treasures beyond tomorrow
Denying pleasures for just today.
Tho’ trials make the journey rough and rugged
And teardrops fall this side of Beulah land.
I’ll bear the cross to wear a crown of glory
And trust in Him tho’ I don’t understand.

(c) 1950 by Ira Stanphill
No. 2 Heartwarming Songs—Ira Stanphill and John T. Benson, p.70

Happy New Year!

Has this year been filled with more challenges than ever before? Then that must mean there have been more opportunities than ever before, because whenever we face a new challenge, we have yet one more opportunity to prove God faithful. It’s an opportunity to flex our spiritual muscles and become stronger in our faith. 

The key is where we place our focus—on our circumstances or on our God. “For with God nothing shall be impossible” (Luke 1:37). The fact is, God is greater than any problem we have. 

It’s not our job to try and figure out the why. It’s our job to trust God. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee” (Isaiah 26:3). Let’s rest confidently in the peace of God as we face this new year.

Why do bad things happen to good people?

I was so tired of being blind. I wanted to quit more than I wanted to keep trying.

I desperately needed to know God was enough when my life was a mess.

I questioned everything I had ever believed about God.

I needed real hope because I had real pain and real questions.

I wrote this book because I am not the only one who has felt those feelings. 

When I most wanted to quit, God carried me and showed me how much He cared and that He could do in me and for me what I can't do for myself.

Your pain matters; your questions matter...you matter. Learn more.

Food for thought

A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies; a man who never reads lives only one.