I attended 2nd grade Stonewall Jackson Elementary here in my hometown, Newport News. One day we were given an assignment to write a letter to a famous person. Most of my fellow students chose President Nixon (yeah I'm old). I chose Flip Wilson. Yes, you read that right. Flip Wilson had his own variety show, The Flip Wilson Show, that aired Thursday nights at 8:00 on NBC back in the early 70's. (Attention young folks: Ask your parents or grandparents about Flip.) I came across a story recently about Flip's show that I'd like to share:
Flip Wilson was a popular comedian several years ago, and one of his characters was a Preacher at the "What's Happening Now Church." Flip did a Skit where he told about this preacher. He'd shout out:
"IF THIS CHURCH IS GOING TO SERVE GOD IT'S GOT TO GET DOWN ON ITS KNEES AND CRAWL!!!"
And the audience yelled back "Make it crawl preacher, make it crawl!
"AND ONCE THIS CHURCH HAS LEARNED TO CRAWL, IT'S GOT TO GET UPON ITS FEET AND WALK!!!"
"Make it walk preacher, make it walk" the audience moaned.
AND ONCE THIS CHURCH HAS LEARNED TO WALK ITS GOT BEGIN TO LEARN TO RUN!!!"
"Make it run, preacher, make it run!"
"AND IN ORDER TO RUN, ITS GOT REACH DEEP DOWN INTO POCKETS AND LEARN TO GIVE!!!"
(pause) "Make it crawl preacher, make it crawl."
Someone has said, "A Church can't grow if it doesn't give. And if it doesn't give… it'll crawl." There probably isn't a preacher around who is more reluctant to talk about giving than yours truly. I am, however, very thankful for my brothers & sisters who faithfully display kingdom generosity. I know some of you are those very people so, please know your willingness to share is making an eternal difference.
PS. While many of my classmates received generic letters from the president, I received an autographed picture from Flip! Cool, huh?
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