What a great service. There were nearly as many pets of all sizes and shapes as people. I saw everything from a rabbit (that was pretty terrified); to dogs of all ages, breeds, and sizes; and cats (some that couldn't get any closer to the back or floor of their cages); and one lone hamster with his wheel. Oh, and there were plenty of stuffed (plush) pets there too. Because of a change in plans and a time constraint there was a move by the holy spirit to change the sermon I delivered. I actually felt a little better about this one than the other - but then I wasn't in the way of the message. Parts will look familiar and others will look a little odd. Still what a blessing to preach with the backup of dogs and cats as the chorus.
To clear the content a little, imagine the last two whole paragraphs with the beginning posted below.
Enjoy and peace!
A change of perspective: That’s why we’re here in this place. A change of perspective: We are joined by our pets today in celebration of the feast of Saint Francis and his life of peace and ministry to others. It is said that Francis, after his conversion, so lived a life of peace that the animals did not fear to come near him in the fields. His story is one of change and denial of his past way of life after an encounter with the risen Lord. A change of perspective: His life was changed so dramatically that he gave away everything he had and devoted the rest of his life to begging and sharing what meager things he got with people who were less fortunate than he was. A little on the extreme side for my tastes but definitely an example of what can happen when a person has a real and personal encounter with God. Their life is changed and they find fulfillment in unexpected places.
Francis experienced a radical change of heart and profession after his encounter with Christ. After he met Christ he found that his “successful” life didn’t make him feel whole and fulfilled while the ministry he was called to by Christ was something that made his toils worthwhile. Francis has been held up by others because of his changed life and steadfast message about a new life in Christ.
It was by coming to a new understanding of a life with Christ, that Francis’ and our life is changed. It is only because Francis has experienced Christ that he has a change of perspective about his own claims of importance. His self-image is radically changed as he compares himself to Christ.
We, as Francis came to understand, are more than what we did. It is easy to define ourselves by what we’ve done, but I think there’s something more important about the past - it has helped shape who we are and how we interact with the society around us. I think that was the point that Francis was trying to model. He had a lot of credibility in what he was before, but based on his life-changing experience of Christ he realized that his past was of little import in comparison to living his true life of ministry in Christ.
And add the last two paragraph.
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