As is my practice, I read my Sermon to Darlene about 7:00 A.M. this passed Sunday morning. The delayed Children's Christmas program was at Grace, so this message was for St. Paul's. Darlene thought the sermon was fine, but I got into the shower thinking it was a dud. I didn't have a really good illustration. That would soon change.

Darlene and I have been intentionally working to improve our marriage since we have to live together now that she has retired and moved to Philipsburg. My counselor, a United Methodist Pastor, gave me an assignment to read a children's coloring book to Darlene at least once every day. The book is titled, "I Will Always Love You." For the last six weeks I have only missed a day or two.

Counselors try to get you to change your ways by doing the right things repetitiously. Then even in the middle of a crisis, you will still act like an adult.

My Scripture for the sermon was 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. In it, the Apostle Paul was talking to the Corinthians about their lack of Christian training. There was jealousy and fighting among church members. Some professing Christians were engaging in idolatry and others in immoral sexual practices. So Paul told them in this passage that they need to train in their Christian faith the way their athletes train to run races. They are to train not to win a crown of a garland like racers win that will wither away, but a crown of glory that will last forever. So I needed an illustration that training yourself works.

I climbed into the shower and God provided my illustration. I was in the midst of shaving when the ice water hit. It was breath taking. I knew immediately what happened. Darlene was washing the dishes downstairs in the kitchen. Here is where my training paid off. Normally when this happened I would say through my grinding teeth, "00000000, that #?#%?# woman!" This time, however, the words that came out of my mouth were, "I will always love you."

I had my illustration.

If we want to be Christian people, we must train as an athlete would train. We need to focus on Jesus and rigorously train ourselves by prayer and the reading of the Bible to be like Him. If we train that way, when the opportunities hit us to be loving, kind, generous, and forgiving, etc., we will do it without thinking just as I did when the ice water hit.

No one becomes a great athlete without giving his or her all to the sport. Neither will any of us become Christ-like without giving our all.

I pray that you will join me this Lenten season to establish your training plan to have the Christ formed in you. The promise is, "And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away" (1 Peter 5:4 NIV).

Grace and peace to you from our Lord Jesus Christ,
Pastor Mark, 2/20/9