Everyone loves a good story! Every "good" politician can tell the best stories. Every great orator, pastor, preacher, rabbi, leader, teacher, doctor, lawyer, dad and mom have learned how to tell a story. Some are better than others. But, in their own way, they are communicating a message through a story, whether it is a fact or fiction (parable(1)).
The Bible is jam packed with stories. How many Bible stories have you heard, told or read? It is an interesting exercise to simply jot down how many Bible stories you know of. How many could you tell? What would be the value to the story to you or others. Clearly, the God of the Bible who authored (breathed) it, believed stories matter. The uiltimate story that comes through the pages of many stories is REDEMPTION. We, you, me, lost, broken, sinful, separated from God needed a Savior to Redeem us from our lost condition. The stories and parables of the Bible are all, ultimately about REDEMPTION.
Your life is also packed with stories. Funny ones. Sad ones. Boring ones and some are simply unbelievably exciting and/or heart wrenching! You have a story to tell, document. You have a message to share. You are challenged from the scriptures to document the stories. Psalm 102:18 says "Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD: "
Not only are you and I encoraged to tell the story, it feels fairly directive, doesn't it? "Let this be written.." Why? For what purpose would this be so directive that I should write this down? The next phrase is wonderfully clear in explaining the WHY. It says "for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord". The rest of the story was documenting what God had done specifically. He had "looked down from his sactuary on high, from heaven he viewd the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those comdnemed to death."
Blessings for the journey,
Terry
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(1) From Wikkipedia - A parable is a succinct story, in prose or verse, which illustrates one or more instructive principles, or lessons, or (sometimes) a normative principle. It differs from a fable in that fables use animals, plants, inanimate objects, and forces of nature as characters, while parables generally feature human characters. It is a type of analogy.[1] Dale B. Gowler - 2000
Some people are great story telllers or "remmberers". They can remember every story they have heard and every detail about that story. Additionally, they seem to be able to recall the story at the exact moment that it applies to the situation it is needed. I do not have this gift. I am the one who is always saying to my wife or friends, what was that story about...and you can fill in the blank for the setting and subject matter. In either case, the story has an impact on the people in the setting and story that is unfolding.
The Bible is jam packed with stories. How many Bible stories have you heard, told or read? It is an interesting exercise to simply jot down how many Bible stories you know of. How many could you tell? What would be the value to the story to you or others. Clearly, the God of the Bible who authored (breathed) it, believed stories matter. The uiltimate story that comes through the pages of many stories is REDEMPTION. We, you, me, lost, broken, sinful, separated from God needed a Savior to Redeem us from our lost condition. The stories and parables of the Bible are all, ultimately about REDEMPTION.
Your life is also packed with stories. Funny ones. Sad ones. Boring ones and some are simply unbelievably exciting and/or heart wrenching! You have a story to tell, document. You have a message to share. You are challenged from the scriptures to document the stories. Psalm 102:18 says "Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD: "
Not only are you and I encoraged to tell the story, it feels fairly directive, doesn't it? "Let this be written.." Why? For what purpose would this be so directive that I should write this down? The next phrase is wonderfully clear in explaining the WHY. It says "for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the Lord". The rest of the story was documenting what God had done specifically. He had "looked down from his sactuary on high, from heaven he viewd the earth, to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those comdnemed to death."
What stories do you need to write down, type, document on your computer, in your journal, with purpose? What story needs to be told that will cause people, not yet created to praise the LORD? Is it how you came to know Christ in a personal way? Would it include stories of God's sovereign purpose and design in bringing a friend into your life who was faithful to live out the faith and share the truth of the Gospel with you. Would your story include your parrticular, unique personality that God had to seek after in an unusual way? In the end, it is a story of how God sought after you and redeemed you and continues to do so!
I challenge you to start praying and processing your story. During this time of praying and processing, write it down. Why? Your right! It is not about you! It is not just for your pleasure! It is so that future generations, a people not yet born (created) may praise the LORD!
Blessings for the journey,
Terry
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(1) From Wikkipedia - A parable is a succinct story, in prose or verse, which illustrates one or more instructive principles, or lessons, or (sometimes) a normative principle. It differs from a fable in that fables use animals, plants, inanimate objects, and forces of nature as characters, while parables generally feature human characters. It is a type of analogy.[1] Dale B. Gowler - 2000
1 comment:
Your blog reflects the beating of my heart these days. In August I've been invited to speak at an area AARP group on the topic of,"Capturing Your Life Story." In recent years I've had the pleasure of hearing the stories of many. Thanks for speaking to this important topic! Ronda Knuth
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