Elder Compass - October 2019

Our Story to Share

by Preston Young Jr.

Throughout history, storytelling has been a powerful means of communicating ideas between persons of different ages and generations. As people tell about meaningful events, the people and places they describe seem to come to life on a personal level. President Abraham Lincoln often connected with the public through stories that he probably learned how to tell during his childhood from his father. During the Civil War, many questioned Lincoln's judgment in appointing Ulysses S. Grant to lead the Union army. Lincoln defended Grant's reputation of favoring hard liquor by asking Grant in which brand of whiskey Grant indulged, so that he could provide a barrel of that same brand to his other generals.

In Genesis, God's story of salvation can be seen through Noah and how He saved Noah and his family from the flood that overwhelmed the world. Noah is a forerunner of Jesus Christ, and we all know how Jesus washes away our sins when we seek his forgiveness.

Jesus often communicated to his listeners by telling stories, called parables, from everyday life that the average person could understand. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke to the multitudes about how to live a life pleasing to God. In the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, the parable of the Lost Sheep demonstrates the importance of how each person matters to God and the lengths that He will go to find that individual.

Each of us has a personal story of how we came to faith in Jesus Christ. In Acts, the Holy Spirit enabled the early Christians who had actually seen Jesus on Earth to quickly spread his message of salvation. Through prayer and scripture, God can reveal to us how we also can share with others the positive difference Christ has made in our lives.

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. ~Matthew 5:13-16

Elders on Call in October

Terry Hohman - (502) 202-2252

Jenny Ewing - (502) 376-5528

Puddie Scott - (502) 494-5803

October Elder’s Meeting: Saturday, Oct. 26 during Elder Retreat