Mr. Smith went to a lawyer and said “I want a divorce!” “Ok,” the lawyer said, “Do you have grounds?” “I do,” Mr. Smith said, “I have a house in Levittown, and a cabin in the Poconos.” “That’s not what I mean,” the lawyer said, “do you have a grudge?” “No, just a carport,” the man said. “You don’t understand,” the lawyer said, “Does your wife beat you up?” “No,” the man said, “she’s a late riser and I’m an early bird.” Exasperated, the lawyer asked “Why do you want a divorce?” “Because,” the man said, “my wife can’t carry on a normal conversation.”
April 9: Easter Sunday – The Path to Transformation
April 7: Good Friday – The Paths of the Cross
April 6: Maundy Thursday – How Blessed Are You?
In the sixth century BC, Cyrus was king of Persia. During his reign, a rebel chieftain began to harass Persian outposts. Cyrus quickly sent an army to capture him. His intention was not only to kill the chieftain, but also his wife – as a warning to anyone tempted to replicate his antics. But when the chieftain was brought before him, Cyrus began to wonder if that was the wisest course of action – as making him a martyr might actually spur more rebellion. So Cyrus asked him, “If I spared your life, what would you do?” “I would serve you all my days,” he said. Cyrus pondered his answer, and then asked, “And what would you do if I spared your wife?” The chieftain replied “If you spared my wife, I would die for you.”
April 2: The Path of Discipleship – Witness
Nicky Gumbel tells the story of a man who became a Christian. Being timid, he asked the man who led him to Christ if he had to tell anyone about his conversion. Since he didn’t want to scare this new convert into backing out of the commitment he had just made, he said “No, you don’t have to witness to anyone. It can be our secret.” Satisfied with that answer, the man went home. But as he spoke to God in prayer, studied his Bible, went to worship services, was generous with his time, talents, and treasure, and participated in acts of service, he found that he couldn’t help but tell others about his faith. Which is why the man who led him to Christ said he didn’t have to tell anyone. For he knew that if that new convert continued down the “Path of Discipleship,” the Holy Spirit would eventually begin to compel him to also take the step of “witness.”