Cornerstone

Luke 24:1-12

This angelic announcement was a precursor to the Great Commission. It reminds me of an embarrassing reprimand. We were on break. We had enjoyed our cookies and coffee that our wives had packed. Our nail pouches and hammers lay on the ground beside us. We told stories and laughed. It was good to relax. Time must have gone faster than normal that day because we were somewhat surprised when the boss stopped by to say, “Are you men going to sit there all day? This house isn’t going to build itself.”

The angels looked at the disciples and said, “Why are you standing around with your hands in your pockets?” “You have a hammer in your hand, why don’t you use it?” “There is a world to be won why are you wasting your time?” “There are people going to hell without hearing the good news, why are you spending so much time reading the bad news?” “There is a kingdom to build, you have the tools God has given you in your hands, why are you spending all of your time looking at the blueprint?” ?” Jesus said it this way: Matt 28: 19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” KJV

Dr. Gayle Woods

Titus 2:6-10 (7) … “In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works…”

I was amazed. It was work day … the first work day since I had come to pastor the church. The place was crawling with people carrying ladders, paint brushes, electric drills and hammers. Why wasn’t this “normal” in other places. Why wasn’t this like other places where the pastor and one or two others turn up for work day? Dan.

Again and again I was impressed with the man. He was extremely active in the church. Although he had a family with small children he seemed to be untiring in his service. He worked a long distance from his residence and therefore each day was a long work day. Even at that Dan Merkley was consistent in his attendance to prayer meeting services. Usually he did not have time to go home before he came to church, so his family would meet him at church. He led singing, was active in the special church programs and was diligent to reach others in the community. As the chairman of the church he took his job seriously. He carried a long to do list with him at all times. He was faithful in his service as he thought ahead planning how to help the congregation be a church … a light in the darkness.

If I were to look for a pattern for good works of service for Jesus Christ I would look to Dan.

Dr. Gayle Woods