A member of a certain church, who had previously been faithful in attending every assembly, suddenly stopped coming. After a few weeks of missing him, the preacher decided to pay a visit. It was a very chilly evening, and the preacher found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Suspecting the reason for the minister's visit, the man welcomed him into his home, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited for what he thought would be a long, stern lecture. The preacher made himself at home, but said nothing. He looked silently into the dancing flames that surrounded the logs in the fireplace. After some moments passed without a single word passing between the two men, the preacher took the fire tongs from the hearth, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it all alone to one side of the fire. Then he sat back in his chair, still remaining silent, his host watching in quiet contemplation. As the lone ember flickered and its blaze diminished, there was a momentary glow and then it's fire was extinguished. Not long afterward it was completely cold and lifeless. All of this transpired, and still not a word had been spoken by either man since their initial greeting. The preacher glanced at his watch and slowly rose from his chair to leave, but as he did, he picked up the cold ember and placed it once again in the center of the fire. Almost immediately it began to glow, drawing new life from the burning flames all around it. As the preacher reached the door to leave, his host said, "Thank you so much for your fiery sermon. I will be back in church next Sunday."

Sometimes it's not what we say that has the greatest effect on others, but what we don't say. The best sermons are the ones that are preached by those who live a godly life. Jesus said, "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." - (Mt. 5:16). What will the sermon of your life proclaim to others today?

Lonnie Ritchie

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