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<DIV><FONT size=4><FONT size=3>THE FOLLOWING are SermonWriter materials for
<SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">July 18</SPAN> (Proper 11C). They focus on the
Gospel lesson, <SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Luke 10:38-42</SPAN>, the story
of Martha and Mary.</FONT><BR><BR></FONT><A name=LETTER.BLOCK19>
<TABLE style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 10px" id=content_LETTER.BLOCK19 border=0
cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=5 width="100%">
<TBODY>
<TR>
<TD
style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"
align=left styleclass="style_MainText"><FONT
style="FONT-FAMILY: Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; COLOR: #000000; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"
color=#000000 size=2 face=Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: red">THOUGHT
PROVOKERS:</SPAN><B><SPAN> </SPAN></B></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"> </P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">This age will die, not from sin,
</SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">but from lack of
passion!</SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"><SPAN
style="COLOR: black"></SPAN> </P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Soren Kierkegaard</SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center> </P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center>*<SPAN> </SPAN>*<SPAN> </SPAN>*<SPAN>
</SPAN>*<SPAN> </SPAN>*<SPAN> </SPAN>*<SPAN>
</SPAN>*<SPAN> </SPAN>*<SPAN> </SPAN>*<SPAN>
</SPAN>*</P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center> </P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Little things come daily, hourly,
within our reach, </SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">and they are not less calculated
to set forward our growth in holiness </SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">than are the greater occasions
which occur but rarely.<SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black"></SPAN> </P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Moreover, fidelity in trifles,
</SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">and an earnest seeking to please
God in little matters, </SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">is a test of real devotion and
love.<SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black"></SPAN> </P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Let our aim be to please our dear
Lord perfectly in little things, </SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">and to attain a spirit of
childlike simplicity and dependence.</SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black"></SPAN> </P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Jean Nicolas Grou</SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center> </P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center>*<SPAN> </SPAN>*<SPAN> </SPAN>*<SPAN>
</SPAN>*<SPAN> </SPAN>*<SPAN> </SPAN>*<SPAN>
</SPAN>*<SPAN> </SPAN>*<SPAN> </SPAN>*<SPAN>
</SPAN>*</P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center> </P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Fire is the chosen symbol of
heaven for moral passion.<SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">God is love; God is
fire.<SPAN> </SPAN>The two are one.<SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">The Holy Spirit baptizes in
fire.<SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Spirit-filled souls are ablaze for
God.<SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">They love with a love that
glows.<SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">They believe with a faith that
kindles.<SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">They serve with a devotion that
consumes.<SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">They hate sin with a fierceness
that burns.<SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">They rejoice with a joy that
radiates.<SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Love is perfected in the fire of
God.</SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black"></SPAN> </P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Samuel Chadwick</SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN lang=EN-CA></SPAN> </P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center>*<SPAN> </SPAN>*<SPAN> </SPAN>*<SPAN>
</SPAN>*<SPAN> </SPAN>*<SPAN> </SPAN>*<SPAN>
</SPAN>*<SPAN> </SPAN>*<SPAN> </SPAN>*<SPAN>
</SPAN>*</P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black"></SPAN> </P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Beware of anything that competes
with loyalty to Jesus Christ.<SPAN> </SPAN></SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">The greatest competitor of
devotion to Jesus is service for him.</SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black"></SPAN> </P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">Oswald Chambers</SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center> </P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center>*<SPAN> </SPAN>*<SPAN> </SPAN>*<SPAN>
</SPAN>*<SPAN> </SPAN>*<SPAN> </SPAN>*<SPAN>
</SPAN>*<SPAN> </SPAN>*<SPAN> </SPAN>*
<SPAN> </SPAN>*</P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center> </P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">The most holy practice, the
nearest to daily life, </SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">and the most essential for the
spiritual life, </SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">is the practice of the presence of
God, </SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">that is to find joy in his divine
company </SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">and to make it a habit of life,
</SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">speaking humbly and conversing
lovingly with him </SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">at all times, every moment,
</SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">without rule or restriction,
</SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">above all at times of temptation,
distress, dryness, and revulsion, </SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black">and even of faithlessness and
sin.</SPAN></P>
<P
style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; FONT-STYLE: normal; MARGIN-TOP: 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0pt; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-WEIGHT: normal"
align=center><SPAN style="COLOR: black"></SPAN> </P>
<DIV style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Brother
Lawrence, <I>The Practice of the Presence of God</I></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></FONT></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></A><BR><FONT
style="COLOR: rgb(255,0,0); FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif">HYMN STORY:</SPAN></FONT>
<FONT style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman,Times,serif">Take Time to Be Holy
</SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman,Times,serif">This hymn
is a good example of the Lord making more of our work than we could have
expected. </SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman,Times,serif">The man who wrote the words to
"Take Time to Be Holy" was neither a pastor nor a songwriter. William
Longstaff was an English businessman -- a Christian layman who took his faith
seriously. </SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman,Times,serif">Hearing a sermon on the text,
"Be ye holy, for I am holy," Longstaff was inspired to write a poem, "Take Time
to Be Holy." Being a good businessman, Longstaff had a practical
mind. That is reflected in this hymn, which offers many practical
suggestions for becoming holy. </SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman,Times,serif">· He says, "Take time to be
holy," which reflects his understanding that holiness, like every virtue,
requires time and attention to develop it. </SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman,Times,serif">· He says, "Speak oft with the
Lord," reflecting his personal experience that prayer deepens faith.
</SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman,Times,serif">· He says,
"Take time to be holy; Be calm in your soul; Each thought and each motive,
Beneath His control," telling us that we can face adversity calmly if we look to
Christ for guidance. </SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman,Times,serif">Longstaff managed to get his
poem published in a Christian newspaper, but that was the end of it -- or so it
seemed. But as it turned out, George Stebbins, a Christian musician, had
seen the poem and had clipped and filed it. Years later, needing a hymn on
the subject of holy living, he remembered the poem and set it to music. It
has been a favorite now for more than a century. </SPAN><BR><BR><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman,Times,serif">I don't know whether Longstaff
ever knew that Stebbins had set his poem to music. I don't know that he
ever heard it sung. I know only that he felt called to write the poem --
and that God took it from there. When we do something good -- something
for God -- we might never know the full measure of good that we have
accomplished. We can only know that God will take what we offer, great or
small, and make of it a treasure. <BR><BR></SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman,Times,serif">NOTE: See other hymn
stories at </SPAN><A
style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman,Times,serif; COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline"
href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103523112194&s=1956&e=001E0sL7gnaWIrMdxUhQwZg6aXsinKgE-lyagjFMUmxNXEP8z7flbtudYFKDj7pIaXNuvxIpLmc3kb1ax8y9wqY2dofjTinBRaXw4F7NLQ5ROSvQpnwyNiv-VczK0IgZg5iGlX2nLbn_Sk="
shape=rect target=_blank linktype="link"
track="on">http://www.lectionary.org/hymnstories.htm</A><BR></FONT><BR><BR></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV style="TEXT-ALIGN: center"><FONT
style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman,Times,serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><A
style="COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline"
href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103523112194&s=1956&e=001E0sL7gnaWIoA5WQy7u8cOpS-xnVdqkY7hnvFlQKF8mvCBdL9oS9iwbUjwapW6YzkCGfEcre-vc9oCG00vDQwi1UIxiTUcBJbH-n6B8kCqih6oSHdxMhPzw=="
shape=rect target=_blank linktype="link"
track="on">www.sermonwriter.com</A></FONT><BR><BR><FONT
style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman,Times,serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><A
style="COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline"
href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?et=1103523112194&s=1956&e=001E0sL7gnaWIrHuRnWzvG5R57nbzzrY2f5WV--J7k1CT_XRVa_eLM4g61IIGilrCH-fb7r1mjLZULSj9RyMSL07-d8qg7-uG8O6Bk-lhhby9VypaHCUUMB7g=="
shape=rect target=_blank linktype="link"
track="on">www.lectionary.org</A></FONT><BR><BR><FONT
style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman,Times,serif; FONT-SIZE: 12pt">Richard Niell
Donovan</FONT><BR></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>