Howl if you will

Recently I was criticized for repeating myself in Words for the Day and telling the same old story over and over and over again. I had my computer guru take a look for me and he told me that he has gone back and found that I started writing it in June of 2000 and there are about 1100 WFTD entries that he has managed to save in the database on the website. We did not save some of the earliest so undoubtedly there were more that were lost in the shuffle. I’m sure this individual is right and I have repeated myself, probably more than any of us know. I took my friend’s comments as constructive criticism and do not take it personally; however I can see how this might weigh on someone’s mind; especially someone who was working hard and trying to accomplish something for the Lord. Wouldn’t it be a shame if we caused them to become discouraged and even quit because of our commentary on their effort?

I initially decided to write WFTD while I was studying the Bible one morning. I thought about how much Bible study helped me as I faced everyday problems. Through conversations with employees and some friends, I knew that many of them did not read the Bible at all, and others read it only rarely. I felt then and feel today that the Bible can help all’ of us through our daily lives and since I was up before daylight most mornings studying it and searching for answers to my problems or just trying to understand how to obtain help from my Creator in order to make the most out of life anyway, that I would share my Bible study findings via WFTD with others that for whatever reasons did not study the Bible daily. Since June of 2000 I have endured everything from good times, (even great times), to bad, (even tragic times). WFTD has chronicled my walk through those valleys and peaks through the years as I struggled with trying to become a better Christian, ward off temptation, endure trials and tribulations without losing hope, and to always be faithful and appreciative of what Christ did for me on the cross.

I have been lambasted, cursed, accused of being a hypocrite, criticized, and on two occasions threatened to be sued over WFTD. I also have received countless letters from those who appreciated it and have received encouragement from it for one reason or the other. Just so you know, I don’t stop writing it because of the negative comments that I receive, and I don’t write it in order to receive the positive; I write it because I feel led by the Lord to write it. I don’t have an agenda and just sit down and write whatever comes to my mind each morning as I feel led by the Lord.

I went to church the other day and they had a substitute preacher. He was awful and my wife and I criticized him to no end as we drove home. I attended another church and the music was so bad that I had to cover my ears; had I been an old hound dog I would have howled at the top of my lungs. My belief is that God enjoys every sermon and every song sung in His honor. I visualize Him as being intensely attentive to the layman’s sermon and appreciative of his effort on His behalf. No doubt God has a big smile on His face and His ears are wide open as He taps His foot to every song sung in praise to Him. I imagine God never tires of seeing me struggle with WFTD and probably does not mind the repetition so much either. What we might poke fun at or downright ridicule, God takes seriously and appreciates to no end.

If you ever decide to serve the Lord in any capacity you will likely have some detractors. If they do not appreciate what you do and God does, whose side does that put them on? I struggle with this like everyone else and must admit i have been critical of others in God’s service. We need to think twice before we poke fun of those working for God’s kingdom as it comes from satan. But don’t get too worked up about these poor servants of God either, as God blesses and take care of those who try to do a good work for Him as the Bible tells us below.

1 Peter 3:13
Who is going to harm you if you are eager
to do good? But even if you should suffer for
what is right, you are blessed.