John 15:16  Jesus said “You did not choose me, but I chose you!”

Did you know that some of the men here at Trinity had a sleepover at the church this weekend.  They are attending a weekend called Christ Renews His Parish and they are worshiping with us this morning.  They are sitting in the back over there.

Uncle Floyd is a part of the Christ Renews His Parish team at Pastor Ed’s church.  And right now is a time for each of the men to sit quietly by themselves and so here is Uncle Floyd, sitting quietly by himself outside beside a tree.  Uncle Floyd is one of the leaders and he will be the next man to talk to the incoming group of men.

Now, because he hadn’t gotten as much sleep last night as he might have if he had been home in his own bed, Uncle Floyd’s eyes started to get heavy.  And soon he fell into a light sleep.  You know, sometimes when you are asleep, you can do almost as much thinking as you can when you are awake.  And Uncle Floyd was thinking about how God has chosen him to be a part of this team of men this weekend and just what is was that he would soon say to the men.  God chose Uncle Floyd to talk to the men about his Faith. God chose Uncle Floyd to be the sexton at Pastor Ed’s church.  God chose Uncle Floyd to adopt his nephew Barabas.

And while Uncle Floyd slept, a curious warmth came upon him.  It seemed to circle around him at first, and to gently nudge him and then the warmth settled down beside him. 

God chooses each of us in unique ways to follow his commands.  Because, you see, when we love God, we WANT to follow his commands.  And the biggest command given to us is to love one another.

Uncle Floyd felt love from the warmth that had nestled down beside him.

And then Uncle Floyd heard the call to come back inside.  Slowly, Uncle Floyd climbed through his sleep until he got to a place where he awoke.  But he didn’t open his eyes right away, because he thought that opening his eyes would break the spell of warmth that had come upon him.  But then he heard the whistle a second time and knew he had to get up.  He moved a little, placed his hand to his side and . . . . .  HE FELT FUR!

Uncle Floyd opened his eyes and lo and behold, who was there beside him?!  It was Jeter!  It was Barabas’s long lost dog!  Somehow, Jeter had found his way to the church and somehow it was at the very time that Uncle Floyd was out under the tree.  Jeter!   Where have you been?!

“I reckon this is the work of the Lord!” said Uncle Floyd as he embraced Jeter, and Jeter jumped up and down and licked Uncle Floyd’s face!

Jeter was hungry and thirsty, so Uncle Floyd hurriedly took Jeter into the kitchen and got him a bowl of water and some egg casserole  left over from breakfast.  And then Uncle Floyd and Jeter went up to the room where the men gathered.  Uncle Floyd stood up in front of the group with Jeter at his side.  The other leaders made a circle around Uncle Floyd and prayed over him.  And then with great power and love and faith, Uncle Floyd told the men how God has used his life to help spread the Good News.  That is, THE GOOD NEWS THAT GOD LOVES EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US. 

God has chosen each of you in unique ways, to spread that Good News.  God loves us!  You know, GOD spelled backwards is DOG.  I think that if God was a Dog, he would wag his tail and he would jump up and down with excitement to see you and he would lick your face.  That IS Good News!  

THE END

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