Tradition

Years ago Harry Emerson Fosdick told about a church in Denmark where the worshipers bowed regularly before a certain spot on the wall. They had been doing that for three centuries--bowing at that one spot in the sanctuary. Nobody could remember why. One day in


renovating the church, they removed some of the whitewash on the walls. At the exact spot where the people bowed they found the image of the Madonna under the whitewash. People had become so accustomed to bowing before that image that even after it was covered up for three centuries, people still bowed.


Tradition is a powerful thing. The Pharisees had learned to substitute tradition, custom, habit for the presence of the living God. Traditionalism rears its head in many ways, in many times and in many places.

His Stumbling Block Was a Stepping Stone

An article in "Bits & Pieces" tells how Arturo Toscanini was one of those people who turned a handicap into a blessing. He was nearsighted and, at 19, was playing cello in a small European orchestra. He couldn't see the music on the stand in front of him, so he had to memorize it.

One day the orchestra leader became ill and young Toscanini was the only member of the orchestra who knew the score. That evening, he conducted the entire program without referring to the music. His performance was flawless. The audience applauded enthusiastically.

Other chances to conduct followed, and Toscanini was on his way. If he hadn't been nearsighted, he might have continued playing cello instead of becoming one of the finest conductors in the world.

Losing Track?

So many of our Gospel Videos are so VISUALLY entertaining that the spiritual message in them (If any) simply gets blotted out. Most viewers can remember the dazzling dance moves,the fashion show on display and the exotic scenes BUT NOT the words in the song/video.

Entertaining BUT NOT building AND the same spirit is found in most of our churches TODAY.

The Whisper

The young man had lost his job and didn't know which way to turn. So he went to see the old preacher. Pacing about the preacher's study, the young man ranted about his problem. Finally he clenched his fist and shouted, "I've begged God to say something to help me. Tell me, Preacher, why doesn't God answer?"

The old preacher, who sat across the room, spoke something in reply -- something so hushed it was indistinguishable. The young man stepped across the room. "What did you say?" he asked.

The preacher repeated himself, but again in a tone as soft as a whisper. So the young man moved closer until he was leaning on the preacher's chair.

"Sorry," he said. "I still didn't hear you."

With their heads bent together, the old preacher spoke once more. "God sometimes whispers," he said, "so we will move closer to hear Him."

This time the young man heard and he understood.
(Unknown Author)