Gratituesday: Young Preachers

     I have had the pleasure of hearing several gospel preachers through the years. I know a few who do not have congregations,  nor have they been to a school of preaching, but they have a tremendous love of God and his word and have been known to preach a sermon or two.  Some of the preachers I've known have passed on, one has left the ministry, and still others are continuing to preach the word and are instant in season and out of season. Some I've only been privileged to "hear" speak thus far only on Face Book. I enjoy reading their messages online and learning from them. 
  I think that we should encourage all men who preach the word, and pray for them, but these days my heart is tender toward the younger men who become preachers. They need our love, prayers and support more than ever it seems to me. There are some fine young men out there and I pray they continue preaching for many many years to come. If you have a young minister in your congregation, encourage him. Pray for him, and his wife if he has one. Although some of us tend to prefer older ministers because they are more well versed in the bible, don't forget we can still learn a thing or two from a fresh perspective. And after all,  our older ministers didn't get so good at their sermons by sitting on the pew each Lord's day until they became a certain age. A congregation or two gave them their start. 
  Just one more thing, when a young man has the courage to confide that he would like to become a preacher, please don't discourage him, no matter what you may think of him and his circumstances unless you know for certain he is living a life that goes against God's teachings. God can use a willing heart from anyone. 
  I am grateful for all the gospel preachers out there, but I am most grateful for our young preachers and their wives, because we need our young people to have the church continue and grow. 

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers!

Gratituesday: Encouragers

Join us for Gratituesday at Heavenly Homemakers! Each week my friend Laura at Heavenly Homemakers  invites us to spend time on Tuesdays reflecting on things or people for which we are grateful. I hope you will join us, either here on my blog or at Heavenly Homemakers, where she has a link to share your own thoughts.

  Today I am grateful for encouragers. These are very sweet people, a lot of the times quiet, sometimes in the background. They may not know what an important job they are doing because we (I) don't thank them often enough. A special word here, a note in the mail, a smile or a hug; all these things help when things are looking bleak. Even on days when things are going well it sometimes gives an extra lift to the day, knowing someone is there, cheering you on.
  I have a few such cheer leaders in my life. They are dear, dear ladies, some of whom I've not met in "real life" but hope to sometime, either here or in heaven. I am very thankful to each of them: if you are reading this you know who you are. I hope I am a blessing to you as well.
  In today's hurry up lifestyle, I think that particular ministry gets pushed to the wayside at times. We tend to get so wrapped up in our own lives we forget to see the need out there. So I would like to encourage each of us this week: I know you are busy as wives, mothers, students, workers. Thank you for taking the time to come here and read a little. Hugs to each of you, I hope you have a wonderful week.  Now. I'd also like to encourage us all to take the time to call or send a note or speak to someone who could use a little encouragement this week. Someone's been missing a few Sunday's? Give them a call, let them know you miss them. Talk a few minutes with someone who feels down, or just reconnect with someone. 
 This is the day that the Lord hath made. Help someone else rejoice and be glad in it.