For over eight years I wrote a sermon on this and another web site before it, every Sunday. I did it because it felt right and I felt like God was talking to me through my fingers while I was typing them out and gave me the gift of a sermon writing ability. I realize that sounds rather egotistical and arrogant, but I wanted to let others know about Gods love. I started with one sermon for a Sunday on October 27, 1996, and the next Sunday and about 470 sermons and Sundays later, I stopped.

The reason for stopping was that I had not gotten any feedback whatsoever in two years time and I started wondering what the point in writing the sermons is if no one was willing to even bother with a quick note of a thank you or maybe some small acknowledgement that they, at least somewhat, enjoyed one of the sermons.

So I stopped for a period of five months, still with no feedback as to whether anybody even cared that I stopped writing. Then two sermons in January. Then there is this sermon, with still no feedback beforehand. But then I decided to look at my web site traffic logs and found that for a period of two months after the last two sermons in January, there was a definite pick-up in the amount of people visiting the web site. So I thought, what the heck, why not write another sermon, and so, here goes.

We all have to get on a soapbox from time to time to preach our ideas to others. Some may do it in anger or protest, and some may just like the sound of their own voice, or to see their thoughts in print. But we all need to be heard from time to time, just to let the world know that we matter. That we are not going to let the ignorance of others towards us as a sign that we are weak and really do not care, which, of course, we all do, whether we want to admit it to ourselves or to other people or not.

Jesus got on his soapbox frequently because there are a lot of ignorant people out there that just don't get it. There are many atheists out there who look at faith as something that is not logical. They read the Bible and start wondering what it all means and whether some of the statements that are made have any real credence. Or maybe, they think, that the Bible was written by a lot of people that were alone, crazy, and in need of something to do.

Matthew 5:1 One day as the crowds were gathering, he went up the hillside with his disciples and sat down and taught them there. TLB

But what they, the unbelieving readers, fail to do is grasp what is written between the lines. That is where the real meat of the Bible is, so to speak, and if you are a vegetarian, the real beef steak tomato, is. You see, it is like this: Faith. There's that word. A word you have heard many times and wonder why people keep using it.

To the real logically minded, the Bible may not make very much sense. But like a lot of things in life, the world does not always wrap it's existence around every Darwinian theory that spills out of the classroom and into the tender twisted minds of the 21st century. We are all governed, not by logic, but by what our minds cook up for the sake of public opinion and our desire to change the world every which way we can.

I mean let's face it. We all want the world to change, and a lot of people, think they know the answer to the world's often changing dilemma. But instead, most of them only think and do not do, and so the world just keeps going on with all the problems that they would like to change but are unwilling to do so. At least not until after the Rams win a Super Bowl.

But seriously, what have you done to shape the world, lately? Have you done any volunteer work in your community or did something to help others that may not decide to give anything back to you in return? Sometimes though, it is the thought that counts. Although a lot of people do not want to take the time, because thoughts do not put bread and bacon on the table.

But at least they are worth the try, the thoughts that is, not the bacon. The question is, "What can I do?" Can I write another sermon with the thought that maybe somebody else out there cares and decides to read another sermon, or should I go on the faith that somebody will. There's that word again. Faith defines what we believe in. It molds our minds to think in terms of what could be and not always on what is. It keeps us from traveling in another direction that could prove dangerous.

We all have faith. No matter how much of an atheist you may be, you have a strong faith. Otherwise you would never drive a car. If there is only a double line between your car and another person going the opposite direction, then you have the faith that the other person will not swerve and hit you head on. Otherwise you would never drive. Faith governs most of what we do, whether we are willing to admit it to ourselves or not.

Nobody knows what might happen. Just like the Bible states that no one knows the time when Jesus will come back, but we, as Christians, know that it will happen some time in the future.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-3 When is all this going to happen? I really don't need to say anything about that, dear brothers, 2 for you know perfectly well that no one knows. That day of the Lord will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, "All is well; everything is quiet and peaceful"-then, all of a sudden, disaster will fall upon them as suddenly as a woman's birth pains begin when her child is born. And these people will not be able to get away anywhere-there will be no place to hide. TLB

So I hope you liked this sermon. If you would like to give feedback, please click the "Feedback " link above. Now just maybe, you did not like this sermon at all, and if so, please let me know. Negative feedback is better than no feedback at all, at least in my opinion, because it allows me to grow and know. Let me know how you feel about this sermon so that I can hone my ability and make it better.

So God Bless you, and let your faith help you to grow in Christ and love others in your quest for a better world.

Prayer: Dear Lord, it is easy to be complacent. It is easy to just let the world pass me by. But in order to make the changes that are necessary in this world, I need your help and assistance, Lord. Help me to understand what it is I need to do in order to make the contribution to this world I can make, through you Lord. Give to me the insight and help me to learn how to make the world a better place for all who come to you in prayer and with a need for your love. Help me in this coming week to seek you often, and thank you for all your many blessings. Amen.

Benediction: Now, Lord, Bless us in our daily lives. Help us to smell the roses whenever possible, to shine our light on those less fortunate than us, and lead us in the path we should go. For you are the light that keeps our path well lit. Help us to follow it, until we meet you, in a land where milk and honey abound, a place where our most wonderful dreams are fulfilled. Amen.

Hi, my name is Bryan, a messenger of hope who would love to hear from you. God Bless.

© 2006 Bryan Hill