Critiquing the Critics

There is both a destructive and constructive criticism. The effect of the former is discouragement; the result of the latter is encouragement. The first always comes from a position of superior attitude and the second from a humble spirit. It is sad, but many times a Mr. Hyde is disguised in a Doctor Jeckel’s scrubs when feigning to help one correct something in his or her life.

But you can be certain who the imposter is. He will make you want to give up; while the other, who is interested only in your welfare will stimulate you to go on. It is always wise when offering criticism to offer it as though we were on the receiving end (Gal.6:1). You know, like our Lord said, “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.”

Let us remind ourselves when sitting in the critic’s seat that what goes around comes around.

(Borrowed from a friend - Richard Sandlin)

YOUR VACANT PULPIT

A church was in need of a pastor. One of the deacons was interested in knowing just what kind of a minister they desired. He wrote the following letter, as if he had received it from an applicant, and read it to the pulpit committee. It read as follows:

“Gentlemen:
Understanding that your pulpit is vacant, I should like to apply for the position. I have many qualifications that I think you would appreciate. I have been blessed to preach with power and have had some success as a writer. Some say that I am good at organizing. I have been leader in most places I have gone.
Some folks, however, have some things against me. I have some things against myself. I am over 50. I have never preached in one place for more than three years at a time. In some places I have had to leave town after my work caused riots and disturbances. I have to admit I have been in jail three or four times. My health isn’t good. I have to work at my trade to make ends meet. All my churches have been small, although located in large cities.
I haven’t gotten along too well with the ministerial associations in the different churches where I have pastored. In fact, some of them have threatened me, taken me to court, and even attacked me physically.
I am not too good at keeping records. I have been known to forget whom I have baptized. However, if you can use me, I shall do my best for you, even if I have to work to help with my support.”

The deacon, upon reading the letter, asked the committee if they were interested in the applicant. They replied he would never do for their church. They said they were not interested in an unhealthy, contentious, trouble-making, absent-minded jailbird, and that they were insulted that his application had ever been submitted. When they inquired of the deacon the name of the applicant, he replied, “The Apostle Paul”.

I wish I had a picture to share with you...
During the invitation in tonight's revival service, we saw victory come to a young man's life. Salvation! It's true that the Word of God still brings about conviction and repentance to men's hearts.
Praise the Lord for allowing us to be a part of such a wonderful, life changing experience.
Keep praying for our family as we travel the many miles to see salvation come to the lost and encouragement to the down-hearted christian.

THE CLAY BALL STORY

A man was exploring caves by the seashore. In one of the caves he found a canvas bag with a bunch of hardened clay balls. It was like someone had rolled clay balls and left them out in the sun to bake.

They didn't look like much, but they intrigued the man, so he took the bag out of the cave with him. As he strolled along the beach, he would throw the clay balls one at a time out into the ocean as far as he could.

He thought little about it, until he dropped one of the clay balls and it cracked open on a rock. Inside was a beautiful, precious stone!

Excited, the man started breaking open the remaining clay balls. Each contained a similar treasure. He found thousands of dollars worth of jewels in the 20 or so clay balls he had left. Then it struck him.

He had been on the beach a long time. He had thrown maybe 50 or 60 of the clay balls with their hidden treasure into the ocean waves. Instead of thousands of dollars in treasure, he could have taken home tens of thousands, but he had just thrown it away!

It's like that with people. We look at someone, maybe even ourselves, and we see the external clay vessel. It doesn't look like much from the outside. It isn't always beautiful or sparkling, so we discount it.

We see that person as less important than someone more beautiful or stylish or well known or wealthy, but we have not taken the time to find the treasure hidden inside that person.

There is a treasure in each one of us. If we take the time to get to know that person, and if we ask God to show us that person the way He sees them, then the clay begins to peel away and the brilliant gem begins to shine forth.

May we not come to the end of our lives and find out that we have thrown away a fortune in friendships because the gems were hidden in bits of clay. May we see the people in our world as God sees them.

I am so blessed by the gems of friendship I have with each of you.

Thank you for looking beyond my clay vessel.