Staying in Touch with Reality

Staying in Touch with Reality A man was walking through the country one day and spied a shepherd tending a fairly large flock of sheep. The man accosted the shepherd with this challenge, “I’ll bet you $100 against one of your sheep that I can guess the exact number of animals in your flock right now.” The shepherd was amused and retorted, “You’re on!” Without a moment’s hesitation the man exclaimed, “You have exactly 476 sheep in your flock.” At this the shepherd was completely undone. The number was spot on! “How on earth did you do that?” he cried, “You win. You can take one sheep.” The man lifted one up on his shoulders and began to carry it off when the shepherd said, “Wait a minute! How about we go double or nothing that I can guess exactly who you are and where you work?” “Okay,” said the man, “give it a go.” The shepherd said, “You are an economist and you work for a government think-tank.” “You’re exactly right! How did you know that?” said the man. “I’ll tell you,” responded the shepherd, “as soon as you put down my dog.” I don’t know about you but I sometimes feel like the economist in this tale—having a wealth of information but being out of touch with reality. I can’t say I’ve ever mistaken a dog for a sheep but I have been a might confused. How does one get in touch with what is real and stay with it? You listen. Listen to your family. Listen to your friends. Listen to your life. Listen to Scripture. Listen in prayer. Isaiah 52:7 says, “How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Reality is being announced all the time—many of us just aren’t listening. A lot of truth, beauty and goodness come into your life when you listen to what is being published all around you! Which brings me to a new publication we launched last year called “At-a-glance” You’ll find it in the lobby and at the entry to the FLC. This is a quarterly calendar of events we produce for our visitors and members to use. Take one and give it to a neighbor or acquaintance. We’ve asked every church leader as they plan their events to get them to Paula Britcher our communications director. We want everyone to know and be praying and inviting for every ministry in our church. A new edition is due out soon with our fall events—look for it. We are now able to print full color magazine style booklets with the new copier purchased just this year. The next deadline for “At-a-glance” is October 1. That edition will cover November, December and January events. Let’s work together to make this an excellent tool for communicating with guests and visitors to our building. If you’re planning a ministry event get the who-what-where-when-why-how details to Paula by the deadline. If you don’t we’re all liable to start mistaking dogs for sheep! Connect, Grow, Serve Pastor Tom Anderson