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<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">I was, of all
places, up on a mountain for a retreat. Ministers from all over had converged at
Blue Mountain Retreat for some brief days away from their congregations. I had
arrived late and was just there for an afternoon. So I sat in the back and
listen to a fellow minister describe the stressors in Jesus' life and the
pressures of our ministries--getting the bulletin done each week, going to
meetings, writing sermons, making pastoral calls in the area, and listening to
the groaners and moaners in our congregation talk about how wonderful their
church was in the 1950's. </FONT>
<P>Then he told of a young man who was in the last stages of AIDS and lived at
least a hour away. He had tried to get up twice a week to see this man; said the
distance was too far for most from his congregation to want to travel. And even
if he lived closer to the church he doubted if that would make any difference.
By now his family had practically disowned him. So on this Thursday, overwhelmed
with work he debated whether he should go up and pay a quick visit. The argument
lasted for several minutes before he decided to go. </P>
<P>Dressed in the gown and gloves and mask the minister sat with the man. He had
a frail body and blotches over his skin. But he could talk a little. The man
grasped the minister's hand and then just shut his eyes and slept. Well, the
minister sat there for ten minutes holding this guy's hand and beginning to
sweat thinking about all of the demands on his time. But he decided to hold this
guy's hand anyway. After awhile the man opened his eyes big as half dollars and
said, "Rev’d, you're my best friend. Thanks for staying with me." </P>
<P><STRONG>Prayer Mountain<BR></STRONG>based on Luke 9:28-36, (37-43)<BR><EM>by
Rev. Thomas Hall</EM></P>
<P><EM><A
href="http://desperatepreacher.com/sermonbuilder/feb04/4/homily.htm">http://desperatepreacher.com/sermonbuilder/feb04/4/homily.htm</A></EM></P>
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