Month: November 2011

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“ “Hold My Mule” ” by Kirk Hunt

 

And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

Acts 3:8–9 KJV

Watch “Hold My Mule” at <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHpSM0PXuAE>

 

The lame man at Beautiful Gate looked up, expecting cash.  Instead, decades of handicap and disability came to a sudden end.  His praise and thanksgiving disrupted the reverent atmosphere of the Temple.

 

Did someone ask him to hold his praise?  Maybe.  For all the good that did.  He paid his debt of gratitude.

 

“Shoutin’ John” of “Hold My Mule” expressed his gratitude.  He recognized how good God had been to him and his.  He did not care where, when or who saw his unrestrained praise.  All he needed was for someone to hold his mule during his shout and dance.

 

Grateful men and women are especially careful to thank their benefactor.  Wise men and women understand just how good God has been to them and theirs.  Consider how much God has done for you.  Do you not owe Him praise?

 

Carefully consider all of God’s benefits to you, and those around you.  You will probably realize you owe God a shout and dance of praise.  Ask the nearest person to hold your keyboard while you pay what you owe.

 

 

Think:             I have much to be grateful for.

 

Pray:              “Lord, help me to praise you for all the good things You do for me and mine.

 

 

Copyright © November 2011, Kirk Hunt

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“The Fellowship Demand” by Kirk Hunt

 

At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

2 Timothy 4:16 KJV

The Apostle Paul wrote more than once about the dangers, hardships and traumas of his Christian journey. He wrote of beatings, stonings, and miscellaneous murder attempts in an almost off-hand manner. He did not seek these attacks, but that he had learned to take them in stride.

 

It seems that he never quite got the hang of being alone. “Brutal beating? If it’s for the Cross.” “No fellowship? Not that!”

 

Paul could pray and angels (Acts 27:23) would appear. Despite that level of connection with God, he avoided being alone. More than any other hardship of his ministry. In this verse, he pre-forgave those who did not stand with him. In other passages, he named names.

 

Fellowship is not just laughter and shared meals. Real fellowship is something deeper. All too often, it requires shared sacrifice and joint labor.

 

Fellowship is part of the Christian walk. It some times requires giving generously. Just as often it requires the humility to receive. Who do you fellowship with?

 

 

Think: Fellowship is part of the Christian walk.

Pray: “Lord, help me to connect with other Christians, to give and receive.

Copyright © November 2011, Kirk Hunt