I Will Speak Using Stories is a collection of everyday, down home, stories of people and events. Some of the stories will make you weep, smile, cry, or laugh. Some stories will cause the reader to reminisce. Others will remember an old relative or friend.Each story ends with Scripture. The point of the story is to show that Scripture is universal and pertinent. There are probing questions that will help the reader meditate. The devotions have a prayer to give the day a fresh start.The book is great resource to use for a daily quiet time.

I Will Speak Using Stories

A Thirty-one Day DevotionalBy Bobby E. Hopper

AuthorHouse

Copyright © 2009 Dr. Bobby E. Hopper
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4389-7858-1

Contents

1. God Hears The Heart.......................................................12. We Can't Do Much, But We're Here To Help..................................43. No, We Are On Vacation....................................................74. "Turn Him Loose, Son".....................................................105. You Can Count, Cain't Yee?................................................146. I'm Sorry, We're Out Of Biscuits..........................................187. Mirror, Mirror............................................................228. The Man In The Middle.....................................................269. People Are Leaving The Stands.............................................2910. Smile.....................................................................3311. I Had The Best Time Of My Life............................................3712. Shine The Light...........................................................4213. My Waffle Is Burning......................................................4614. Miss Harvey...............................................................4915. If You Are A College Graduate, I'm The Queen Of Sheba.....................5316. There'd Better Be a Cake this Time........................................5717. Push-Button Mind-Set......................................................6118. It's The Little Old Lady From Lawley......................................6519. Pig Out...................................................................6920. Tempus Fugit..............................................................7321. Sitting On Our Front-Porch Swings.........................................7722. Below The Bogue...........................................................8123. We're Porters, Sir........................................................8524. Calamity Jane.............................................................9025. Refrigerator Rights.......................................................9426. I've Been Praying For Aritris For Forty-One Years.........................9827. Stumbling Through Life....................................................10228. Checking Out Possibilities................................................10629. The Eyes Have It..........................................................11130. Accident Waiting To Happen................................................11531. Swing, Jimmy, Swing.......................................................120

Chapter One

God Hears The Heart

It was on a Father's Day, during "pastor's pals," that God moved in a mighty way. The church was buzzing with excitement. Skyler, a small blonde-haired boy with Down syndrome, was unusually calm. He was normally a "live wire." One day I had seen a red streak go by my office door. Not far behind, a Sunday school teacher was running. Skyler had escaped the nursery. He loved the University of Alabama, and the red streak as he went down the hall was his UA jersey. The teacher caught him, but I remember his snicker and the mischievous look on his face as she dragged him back to class.

Skyler was always flipping the light switch off during our fellowship times. Someone would have to call out, "Turn on the lights, Skyler." He would also lock himself in the bathroom or a classroom. During pastor's pals, Skyler would grab a microphone and start singing. His dad would scold him and take the microphone from him.

Skyler could not talk very well, and he used sign language to communicate. He could pronounce a few words. He called his dad "Taw" and his mother "Me, me, ma, ma." He could say my name, Bruther Bobby. Everybody loved him and took time with him. When this ball of energy was calm, people noticed.

On this Father's Day pastor's pals, Skyler was dressed in a suit with a tie. All the children would sit around me, and on this morning, Skyler sat beside me. I talked about the importance of fathers, and then I asked if any of the children would say the Father's Day prayer.

Skyler raised his hand, and the Holy Spirit told me to give him the microphone. I had heard Skyler say the blessing at mealtime, so I knew he could pray. The church was not prepared for what took place.

Skyler calmly took the microphone, and we bowed our heads. Skyler began the Father's Day prayer by saying, "Taw." He paused a moment and then said a beautiful prayer. In the prayer were Taw, Me, me, ma, ma, and some others words that were heart felt. He said, "Amen."

I thanked Skyler for that beautiful Father's Day prayer. The pianist played a tune for the children to return to their seats, and I took my place on the front pew. I sat in wonder and amazement at what had happened. I noticed that the worship leader had not restarted the service. I looked at him and saw that he was crying like a baby. I turned to the congregation and noticed that there was not a dry eye in the house. It was very emotional. Skyler had taken us to the throne of God.

I realized that morning that our heavenly Father was honored with a prayer from the heart of a little boy. No one understood what Skyler said that morning, but every heart knew that little boy had spoken to God. The service was very emotional and, for a few moments, all of us knew that we were in the presence of our Heavenly Father. God hears the heart.

Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, "How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine." "Not so, my lord," Hannah replied, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief." Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him." I Samuel 1: 13-17 (NIV)

What do you hear when you hear the prayers of children? _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

When was the last time you acknowledged that God was doing something special in your worship? _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

What burden do you need to share with God as Hannah did? _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________

Remember: God hears the heart.

Prayer: Father, when Your presence fills our place of worship, we taste a little of heaven. Thank You for divine appointments and defining moments. Thank You for the prayers of children and their wonderful faith. May we become as children with our faith. Help us prepare to worship, so that our time together will not be routine but extraordinary.

Chapter Two

We can't do much, But we're here to help

The men's ministry at Union Springs Baptist Church in...