THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY SEARCHER
"Search the scriptures: for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. " (John 5:39)

VOLUME 7, NUMBER 40, OCTOBER 7, 2007

SITTING IN THE PEW

I know how you feel, sitting in your pew.

I know what you’re thinking because I was just like you.

What will I have to give up to be again born?

Is it not better to have the rose rather than the thorn?

It would be embarrassing to admit my faults and start anew.

I know how you feel; I was just like you.

Satan tried to convince me that what I was doing was good;

I was saying a prayer each night, just as I should.

I had an empty feeling as if something special was lost.

And Satan’s message was… giving up the world isn’t worth the cost.

I thought about Jesus and what He went through,

Dying for all, even for those with doubts sitting in the pew.

Imagine a Father who loved you so He gave up His Son.

Jesus died for all, not just for one.

As I thought about what it meant to confess and be baptized

I thought of morning, how from dark the sun would rise.

How no matter if it was raining or the clouds above were gray,

There was always light on the horizon to signify the day.

I made a choice that forever changed my life--

I chose Jesus and turned away from Satan’s strife.

You see Jesus loved me before I knew Him.

In His eyes my light shined, and was never made dim.

What a wonderful gift to be loved that much,

To know all in my life has been blessed by God’s touch.

You see, I was there wandering and wavering, sitting in the pew.

Yes, I gave reasons and excuses, just like you.

Now in hard times when I ask God to give me strength and lead the way,

Through my faith I know he heard what I had to say.

What a feeling to have guidance from above!

What a blessed feeling to know that kind of love!

So as you waver and wonder what to do,

Remember that Satan is holding you in that pew.

I tell this story, not to tell you what to do—

I tell this story because I was once just like you.

Written by Jeff Graves

A VERY SPECIAL FRIEND

            I want to take this opportunity to tell you about a very special friend that Vicky and I have.  He exhibits qualities of character that I wish I regularly displayed.  He is always happy, always ready to go, and is completely loyal.  When I am feeling down, he has a wonderful way of bringing a smile to my face.  With the loss of Vicky’s mother, he has filled a hole in her heart and has given her a wonderful companion through the days.  If you haven’t already guessed it, the friend that I am talking about is Othello Joseph Litmer – Ozzy the dog.

            When I think of unwavering loyalty, I am reminded of the wonderful woman, Ruth.  After the death of her husband, Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law, encouraged her to return to the home of her own mother.  But in one of the most famous statements of the Bible, Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or turn back from following you; for where you go, I will go, and where you lodge, I will lodge.  Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.  Where you die, I will die, and there I will be buried” (Ruth 1:16-17a).  I am amazed at the unquestioning loyalty that a dog can exhibit.  He helps to remind me of attitudes and characteristics that the Bible tells me I ought to have.

            When I come home from work, Ozzy will follow me around, waiting for me to say, “Hey, Oz, want to go for a walk?”  He has never yet indicated the slightest hesitation.  He is always ready to go even if it is 95 degrees, or if there is snow on the ground or the wind is blowing on a wintry, cold day.  Sometimes when there are opportunities that arise for me to engage in some aspect of the Lord’s work – to call someone, visit someone, even study with someone – I find myself hesitating.  It may have been a long day, perhaps I am tired.  But Ozzy is always ready to go, and all I have to do is call his name.  Such readiness and willingness to go makes me think of myself and whether I would always answer, “Here am I, send me.”  Remember when the great Messianic prophet, Isaiah was called in Isaiah 6:8, this is what we find, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?  Then I said, Here am I, send me.”

            He is the happiest, most loving and forgiving little fellow I have ever known.  He exudes joy every day and that can make the darkest of days a little bit brighter.  All he knows is that he has a warm house to live in, food every day, and people who will take him outside.  I have so much more than Ozzy, but I know that I don’t exude joy every day.  I am certain that I don’t always brighten every room I enter.  But you know what?  I should.  It calls to mind Philippians 4:4, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!”  That little dog, he is my buddy, and he teaches me lessons every day.

                                                            Greg Litmer