From: Steven Berkowitz To: heb_roots_chr@geocities.com Subject: Being a "qualified" servant of God There are many reasons why God shouldn't have called you. But don't worry. You're in good company. Moses stuttered. David's armor didn't fit. John/Mark was rejected by Paul. Timothy had ulcers. Hosea's wife was a prostitute. Amos' only training was in the school of fig-tree pruning. Jacob was a liar. David had an affair. Solomon was too rich. Jesus was too poor. Abraham was too old. David was too young. Peter was afraid of death. Lazarus was dead. John was self-righteous. Naomi was a widow. Paul was a murderer. So was Moses. Jonah ran from God. Miriam was a gossip. Gideon and Thomas both doubted. Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal. Elijah was burned out. John the Baptist was a loudmouth. Martha was a worry-wart. Mary was lazy. Samson had long hair. Noah got drunk. Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse? So did Peter, Paul--well, lots of folks did. But God doesn't require a job interview. He doesn't hire and fire like most bosses, because He's more our Dad than our Boss. He doesn't look at financial gain or loss. He's not prejudiced or partial, not judging, grudging, sassy, or brassy, not deaf to our cry, not blind to our need. As much as we try, God's gifts are free. We could do wonderful things for wonderful people and still not be ...Wonderful. Satan says, "You're not worthy." Jesus says, "So what? I AM." Satan looks back and sees our mistakes. God looks back and sees the cross. He doesn't calculate what you did in '78. It's not even on the record. Sure. There are lots of reasons why God shouldn't have called us. But if we are magically in love with Him, if we hunger for Him more than our next breath, He'll use us in spite of who we are, where we've been, or what we look like. I pray that as Christians, we will step out of our limitations into the illimitable nature of who God is. Then our passion for God and our passion to communicate Him will make mince-meat of our limitations. ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ GOD IS LIKE ....

God is like Coca-Cola He's the real thing.		God is like General Electric He lights your path
God is like Bayer Aspirin He works wonders.		God is like Hallmark Cards He cared enough to send the very best
God is like Tide He gets out stains that others leave behind.		God is like VO-5 Hair Spray He holds thru all kinds of weather
God is like Dial Soap Aren't you glad you know Him? Don't you wish everyone did?		God is like Sears He has everything
God is like Alka Seltzer Oh, what a relief He is!		God is like Scotch Tape You can't see Him but you know He's there!
God is like American Express Card Don't leave home without Him!