The Silent Sermon
 

A member of a certain church,
who previously had been attending services regularly,
suddenly stopped coming to church. 
After a few weeks, the Pastor decided to visit.

The Pastor found the man at home alone,
sitting before a blazing fire.
Guessing the reason for his Pastor's visit,
the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable
chair near the fireplace and waited. 

The pastor made himself at home but said nothing. 
In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance
 of the flames around the burning logs.
 

After some minutes, the Pastor took the
fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning
 ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone.
Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. 
The host watched all this in quiet contemplation.

As the one lone ember's flame flickered and
diminished, there was a momentary glow and
then its fire was no more.  Soon it was cold and lifeless.  

The Pastor glanced at his watch and realized
 it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up
the cold, dead ember and placed it back in
 the middle of the fire.  Immediately it began to glow,
 once more with the light and warmth
of the burning coals around it.
 

As the Pastor reached the door to leave,
his host said with a tear running down his cheek,
"Thank you so much for your visit and
especially for the fiery sermon. 
 I shall be back in church next Sunday."

© © © Author Unknown © © ©

Romans 14:19 Let us therefore follow after
the things which make for peace,
and things wherewith one may edify another.

Psalms 133:1 Behold, how good and how pleasant
it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

1Thessalonians 5:11 Wherefore comfort yourselves
together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.