Bill’s Bestowals:
“Ripples of a Different Name …”
“When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” (John 8:12)
“The Ripple Effect”
Most reading this will know that we are in a sermon series we’re calling “The Ripple Effect” during this Lenten season. The premise: when a rock is dropped into still water, it sends ripples out in every direction. In a like manner, when God (“the Rock”; see, for example, Ps. 18:46, Is. 26:4, I Cor. 10:3-4) is “dropped” into a “still” (thoughtful / discerning) person, ripples will go out in every direction. In other words, God uses you and me to spread His ripples!
And what are the ripples? Well, they are being described in various ways in the sermon series, but I thought I might offer some tangible, scriptural illustrations here.
What is a ripple? How does the Bible describe them? Consider these:
© Jesus: “You are the light of the world … let your light shine before people, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 4:15) Notice John 8:12 above, where Jesus says that HE is the “light of the world.” When we receive His light, it should cause us to “ripple” His light to the world around us!
© Jesus: “You are the salt of the earth …” (Matthew 5:13) Salt gives flavor. We are called to season the earth with “ripples” of His flavor, so we get to help people experience the Old Testament Psalms as well: “Taste and see that the Lord is good …” (Psalm 34:8)
© Jesus: “But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you …” (Matthew 5:44) What a counter-intuitive thing we are asked to do! The world says, “Hate and hurt your enemy!” Jesus asks us to “will the good” for our enemies, and to send “ripples” of love their way, no matter what their attitude.
© Jesus: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a (person) remains in me and I in (them), (they) will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) When we are connected to Jesus, we will “ripple” with the good works; people will experience His goodness in us!
© “… the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23a) We are also to “ripple” with these wonderful qualities that demonstrate God’s influence in our lives.
© “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.” (II Corinthians 5:20) An “ambassador” is the official representative of a country/kingdom; a person whose words and actions are to be in line with the values of that realm. You and I are to represent Jesus; to “ripple” with His loving, gracious, compassionate values, and let those not of His Kingdom see how blessed they would be to become a part of it!
© “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10) We were created by God to do good works. Each good work we do is a “ripple” expressing God’s love to the world.
These are just few examples that have been popping into my head as I have processed this series. There are so many more … “blessed to be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2-3), the parables of the “Good Samaritan” (Luke 10:30-37) and the “Sheep and the Goats” (Matthew 23:31-46), pretty much any of the “One Another” statements we studied in our last series, and so on. All these show us how to “ripple” with God’s love!
That being the case – since the Bible gives us such a clarion call to ripple – I encourage you to make this Lenten Season a time to ripple.
No … wait. With how much the Bible has to say about “rippling,” it can’t just a Lenten experience. I encourage you to make this LIFETIME a “time” to ripple! May it be so!
Blessings! Pastor Bill
- S. Just a fun thought. The following was found in theSan Francisco Chronicleyears ago:
“Every morning in the African jungle, a gazelle wakes up. The gazelle knows it must run faster than the lion or it will be killed.
Every morning a lion wakes up. The lion knows it must outrun the gazelle or it will starve to death.
The moral of the story is whether you’re a lion or a gazelle; when the sun comes up, you’d better be running!” (OK, so, rippling may not be quite THIS intense, but you get my meaning!)
† † † † † † † † † † † † † † †
DARKNESS IN MORNING
(Hymn for the start of Daylight Saving Time)
Tune of “Morning Has Broken”
Darkness in morning, sunlight in evening
It’s Daylight Savings Time of the year
Turn your alarm clock one hour earlier
Or you’ll be tardy when you appear.
What is an hour less of your sleeping?
Can it compare to worshipping God?
If you come in part way through the sermon
People might think you’re just a bit odd.
Don’t miss the singing, don’t miss the praying,
Don’t miss the reading of scripture texts.
Don’t let the time change keep you from rising,
Or interfere with your faithfulness.
Music: Traditional Gaelic
Words: 2013 Mary Rose Jensen
Permission is granted for any use as long as my name remains attached.
March 2026 Calendar:
Sunday: Fellowship Hour at 9:00 a.m.
Sunday School at 9:45 a.m.
Worship at 11 a.m.
Wednesday: LIFT (Living in Faith & Trust) at 5 p.m.
March 3: Mission Committee Meeting – 5 p.m.
March 7: Presbyterian Women’s Meeting – 10 a.m.
March 7: “Mystery of the Blank Canvas” – Seating 6:30 p.m.; Performance 7 p.m.
March 8: Daylight Saving Time Begins (Spring ahead!)
March 10: Building & Grounds Committee Meeting – 10 a.m.
March 10: Membership & Evangelism Committee Meeting – 5 p.m.
March 15: Fellowship Meal following Worship
March 15: Roller skating in Poteau following meal. Sign up in the sanctuary.
March 17: Fellowship Committee Meeting – 1 p.m.
March 23: SFA Committee Meeting – 1 p.m.
March 26: Session Meeting – 5:30 p.m.
March 29: Helping Hands Sunday. Group signup sheets will be in the sanctuary.
March 29: Palm Sunday.
April 2: Maundy Thursday Worship – 6 p.m.
April 5: Easter! (“He is risen!” – Mark 16:6)
Please don’t forget to bring flowers for our annual flower cross!
BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES:
4 – Theresa Gilchrist 18 – Susan Seitz
5 – Judy Thompson 23 – Marvin Glenn
16 – Caleb Seitz 29 – Gini Burt
SERVING THIS MONTH:
Ushers: Judy Thompson & Mark Batte
Communion Preparers: Delta Reed
Communion Servers: Gini Burt, Wes Stiefer, Wes Stiefer
Annette Hays & Earl Harrell
SPECIAL COLLECTION SUNDAYS:
March 1: Personal Care Collection
March 22: Goodland Academy
