3/30/08

Amazing Grace

Our speaker this week was Mr. Dick Beech CEO of George Howe Co. He spoke on an interesting topic that certainly applies to certain people. He spoke of a "black" heart as opposed to a "white "heart. A black heart is how we often see ourselves; a white heart is how Jesus sees us. When many of us start to walk in the lighted pathway of Jesus we are burdened by things we did in the darkness. Mr. Beech carries this burden( he said so) a certain BLOG writer carries this burden and I think an amazing man also carries this burden, and that man is Gary Stembal.

Carl Stembal passed away last week. I did not know Mr. Stembal except that he was Gary`s father. A part, large or small, of what Gary is today is because of Carl. This legacy, in and of itself labels Carl a great man.

Higher grounds is a Christian fellowship and we follow Christ. We should never place any individual above Him. Yet, to not acknowledge the gift that is Gary Stembal would seem to be unfair. Gary, week after week, takes time from a busy life to study God`s words, to implant them in his heart and then to present them to us in a way that is deep, rich and understandable. I think that one of Gary`s most difficult aspects is to get past his "black" heart ie. that heart that only Gary sees within himself. How do I know? A certain greeter/BLOG writer has the same difficulty.

Jesus does not see it that way. By the grace of God we are whitewashed. All He sees is a white heart. He has forgiven us and if Jesus forgives us then truly we should forgive ourselves.

Thank you Carl Stembal for giving Higher grounds the gift that is Gary. Thank you Gary for allowing us to unwrap that gift.

And so 10,000 years will pass and Carl will still be alive in Jesus. So will Gary and me and you. We have just begun.Amen

Y`all have a great week.