I'll never forget the very first message I ever tried to preach.   We were having a watchnight service, and my pastor, Brother Bill Hast, thought this would be a good time to have some of the younger men in the church to speak.   There were four of us at this time, and Brother Bill invited some other preachers also.   This was well planned in advance so that the younger could have plenty of time to be prepared, but I think I had too much time.   I studied and studied and wrote out my sermon, then I would think, "Well, this isn't right," and I would write it all over again.

     Finally the night arrived, and we were all assembled, singing and praying and really having a good time of fellowship together when Brother Bill called upon me to be the very first speaker.   Well I'm telling you, right at that time I was hoping that the earth would open up and just swallow me up, but it didn't.   So I walked up and stood in the pulpit with knots as big as a fist in my stomach.   I thought I was going to pass out, but finally I got my mouth to open and started to read my text.   When I got through reading it, I couldn't think of anything to say.

     Oh, was I ever scared!   And whatever I was scared of I'll never know for sure unless it was of myself.   I couldn't get down off that platform quick enough.  I felt so ashamed of myself, for I knew I had failed the Lord miserably.   But it took a while for me to get to where I could stand and say something.

     Later on in the year we were out street preaching in Chandler, Oklahoma, by the courthouse, and there was just one old black man there to listen to us.   Brother Bill turned to me and asked if I had anything to say.   I just turned and walked away.   When I got home that day God's love so convicted me of what I had done that since that time I have always tried to say something.   It may not be much, but I promised God that if He would just forgive me, and He did, that I would never do that again.   And to my knowledge I haven't.

     God has been good to me in the ministry He has given me.   I'm so glad that it was sinners that Jesus came to save.   Had He come to call the righteous I would have been left outside the gate.   But He loves sinners.   He proved it when He laid down His life at Calvary.   And just as He loved me and saved my hell bound soul, He will do the same for you, for He loves you too and wants to save you.

     Dear sinner friend, won't you heed the call today and repent of your sins and let Jesus come into your heart.

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     February 18, 2010 at 7PM there will be a Gospel Sing with "THE NELONS" at First Missionary Baptist Church of St. Helens, OR.  This will be a great opportunity to enjoy the music of this very professional Gospel singing group.  I hope you will be able to take the time to join them.   You can check them out at the link below.

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Letters To The Editor

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     I would like to have a cartoon in each issue if possible.   If there is someone reading this paper who can draw cartoons that will cause us to laugh at the foolish things we sometimes do and cause us to think of how we could better serve our Savior, please E-Mail me and let me know.

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