Make my heart like kindling wood
so the fire of Your Spirit will blaze,
not briefly, but for days.
Let it consume all green
wet wood of selfishness and pride.
Abide, Oh LORD. beside me.
Fuel the dancing flame through winter's night.
Then, when I am old, a dimming light,
remain to stoke a coal.
Cause it to glow with one desire.
Use me to set another heart on fire.

Whether I rise to meet Him
In the skies
Or have Him lift me
From a worn-out frame;
Either way the LORD is mine
And I am His.
I rest in this
And glorify His Name.

“Sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name, and they’re always glad you came.

You want to be where you can see, our troubles are all the same,

You want to be where everybody knows your name.” (Theme song for Cheers)

Today, I want to recognize my church bookstore, Trinity Christian. Here is one place where they not only know your name, but your children’s names, and even what type of book you might need.  Trinity Christian Bookstore, a ministry of Trinity Presbyterian Church, in Montgomery, Alabama exists to make available to its membership and to the public,   printed and recorded material consistent with the tenets of the Trinity Presbyterian Church in America and designed to edify the body of Christ. The bookstore offers Apologetics, Bible study, biography, fiction, children’s books, counseling, devotionals, evangelism, marriage, parenting, theology, videos, CD’s and greeting cards. They also offer a large selection of Christian books at 20% below retail price. Today, the Bookstore celebrates 44 years of ministry to the Church, the community, and the southeast.

Congratulations Trinity Presbyterian Church Bookstore for your faithful service these 44 years and for being a place where everybody knows your name.

    For the umpteenth time I lifted my golden metallic shoes from their box and chuckled. Purchased for half-price during a family vacation ten years ago, I thought I had found a prize. Surely, I told myself, my fuzzy and practical bedroom shoes back home are no match for these braid and rhinestone beauties.

    Many miles and days later, I examined my golden slippers again. No marks. No scratches. No mates? Ready to slip them on and be a lady of leisure, I noticed one shoe fit snugly across the top of my foot while the other was a thong, with a small strap to fit between the toes.

    Sometimes I think my Christian life is like the purchase of those gold shoes. Anxious to look good and to carry my weight, I have accepted a job without asking God if it is His choice. Too late, I realize the shoes don't fit. They are mismatched for my feet. I need to take Paul's remark to heart. "We have different gifts, according to the grace given us" (Romans 12:6).

    Today, I still have those two flashy shoes in a dusty box. Yet, somehow, they do serve a purpose. The golden slippers remind me not only to laugh at my bloopers, but to examine my gifts to see if all decisions match up to His perfect will for me.