(1) The Call to Worship is, "Y’all come on in!"

You might be in a country church if:

(1) The Call to Worship is, "Y’all come on in!"

One of my favorite shows to watch years ago when I was in a wheelchair and had to stay home all day was “The Price is Right” with Bob Barker as the host. Rob Roddy was the person who did the announcing and his phrase was “(first name, last name), Come On Down, you’re the next contestant on The Price is Right.” That person would jump up from their seat, the camera would swing and follow them as they made their way to the front where the contestants were lined up.

SO, when I read this first part of the joke, I put 2 and 2 together (well, actually, I guess it was 1 and 1, LOL) and had a brainstorm. (yep, smoke is still whishing out of my ears).

Call to Worship. I was raised in a Baptist church and this was generally the first thing that was done when the service started. It entailed standing up and singing a generally rousing hymn to get things going. I’m still not sure who was calling whom to worship (I’ve already covered this subject, so I won’t go into it again) but the service was started and generally proved to be a way to shut everyone up who had been in the sanctuary talking.

I think we should have a “Call to Worship” before we have the “Call to Worship” and combine the two things from above.

Have you ever been walking from your car to the church entrance and seen someone that you know drive by and you knew that they were not on their way to another church? They were possibly on their way to shop or to the lake for a day of fishing and boating. Next time that happens, wave to them enthusiastically and say, "(insert name), Y’all come on in!"

When they look at you strange, probably like you’ve lost your mind, tell them that you want them to come join you that morning. There will be the normal excuses of, “I’m/We’re not dressed for the occasion” or “We’ve got somewhere to go right now,” but tell them it doesn’t matter how they are dressed, (if it does, YOU may have a problem) and you want them to come in and find out how to get to Heaven, the most important destination in their lives.

Some people may look at you strange, some people will drive off in a huff, but you never know when that someone may take you up on your offer, and possibly make a change in their lives.

Then when the Holy Spirit calls them by name and says, “(insert name), Come on down,” then hopefully they will give their heart to God and be saved.

People are not just going to come into a church these days without being asked, especially if they are unsaved. We have to make the effort to get people in the church. If the way seems a little bit different, (as Christians, aren’t we supposed to be different?!?), then find a way to get comfortable with being different and let’s start to reach others for Jesus. Get people into a place where the word of God is taught so that lives can be changed and the world (at least the world around us) can become a better place.

This Little Light of Mine

I was watching a popular TV show last night and a thought hit me like a lightning bolt. Have you ever noticed that you can often easily distinguish if someone is a homosexual. Especially the guys. Their mannerisms are different. Their speech is different. And often their style of clothing is different. I have seen it over and over again. This is not always true. I know someone who is caught up in the lifestyle, and to meet him, he just appears to be your average redneck. Unless you knew that he lives with another man and they sleep in the same bed, you’d never have a clue. He keeps his “secret” well guarded.

Using this as a basis, what kind of Christian are you?

If I met you on the street and we had never seen each other before, would I know that you are a Christian? Would there be something different about you?

Have you ever noticed that you can usually tell a priest/pastor from anyone else in the room? Usually, their dress code will be somewhat of a give-away. But not always. Sometimes it is just that they stand out. They may seem cheery, hold their head up more, and present a different countenance than the others around them.

There are some religions that make it easy to distinguish their followers. In the US, you will see young men riding around on bicycles, wearing black suits with white button-up shirts. You immediately know what religion they belong to.

And quite usually, when Satan has his grips on someone, you can tell it too. The haggardness of their appearance, the eyes that are blank or dark with despair, a countenance that makes you want to back up and not be a part of them.

So why is it that the world can’t tell we’re a Christian before they ever see us pull into a church parking lot? (btw, this doesn’t make you one!)

It’s because we are too busy doing things that we shouldn’t be doing, saying things that we shouldn’t be saying. We are always wanting to “fit in” with the crowd, instead of “standing out” so that we can be an example to the rest of the world.

When I meet someone, I can usually tell if they at least try to follow God. Their overall appearance (and I’m not talking about their clothing/hair style/etc) is calming, soothing, and they are someone that you want to be around. They always lift you up, instead of beating you down. You know that you can go to this person for guidance when you have a problem in your life.

Now, these people are not always Christians. There are some people who are just “Good People.” But for a large majority, these people in the above paragraph do follow Christ. And it shows. They will always be content in their troubles. Sure, they will have problems, they will not necessarily be wealthy, although if God chooses to bless them, then their storehouses will be plentiful.

Christians, let us start to be different. Live your life in a way that anyone who meets you in Wal-Mart, the grocery store, or the mall can see that you are different, even if they don’t realize that it is God within you that is making you this way. Quit thinking that your style of dress, lack or abundance of makeup or what car you drive or anything else is going to make you “Christ-Like.”

Let’s start being Christians. I used to sing a song as a kid in church, and I think we need to start singing it again.

“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.”

“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.”

“This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine.“

“Let it shine, Let it shine, Let it shine.”

Keep on shining until next time!