Not Welcome
An impoverished old man applied for membership in a wealthy church. The Pastor tried to put him off with all kinds of evasive remarks. The old man became aware that he was not welcome there, —and finally told the Pastor that he would pray about it. After several days he returned. "Well," asked the Pastor, —“Did the Lord give you a message?" “Yes Sir, He did" —was the old man's answer. “He told me it wasn't any use. He said,— “I've been trying to get in that same church myself for ten years, —and they won't let me in either."
The Peace And Love Of God
After a very long and boring sermon the parishioners filed out of the church saying nothing to the Preacher. Towards the end of the line was a thoughtful person who always commented on the sermons: “Pastor, today your sermon reminded me of the Peace and Love of God!" The Pastor was thrilled. —“No-one has ever said anything like that about my preaching before. —Tell me why?” “Well —it reminded me of the Peace of God, because it passed all understanding, —and the Love of God, because it endured forever!"