WHY THE MINI-SERMONS all written from 3/26/86-10

GentleDove · Tweet this Post! #1 (**permalink**) 01-28-2010, 05:37 PM

/08/97 Written on an electric typewriter!
By Joan Morrone

Before I begin, I would like to tell you how the Min-Sermons got started.
As I would read the Bible, I began to see it in pictures in my mind. I would jo
t down what I ”saw” by using simple little stick people in different actions.

There was a group called “learning Unlimited” in Pittsburgh. People dressed like clowns passed out brochures offering different short classes in just about everything you might like to take a stab at.

I took a four week course in drawing. It’s amazing because I hated art in school. I could not draw a straight line! I had no perception of it. I could not make things with construction paper. I was “art-less” Surprisingly I didn’t do too bad in the course so went on to a correspondence course in art with ICS. Taught different medias to draw and paint with---animal and people etc.---a little dab will do you!

I happened to mention this to a regular customer at my counter. I was so excited about learning something new!

Then along came Charles. He was sitting next to her and heard me. He asked about what I was doing. Couple days later he brought me 3 tubes of paint and 2 good brushes! He was an artist with paintings in different shows like the Art Festival and has sold some.

When my co-worker saw him talking to me, she was amazed! She said he had been coming in for about 15 years and never spoke to anyone! Why me? Well he had to be an angel God sent my way to get me on the right track. He was a great big guy with a baby face and an “other worldly” air about him. He was a good listener, never said anything out of line. He always had something good to say about everyone.

If he was there when I was going to lunch, we would go to the 9th floor snack bar to eat. He didn’t tell me much about himself; just listened to me.

I began to talk about the Bible. He said he didn’t understand it. I won a $25 gift certificate in a safety contest. I bought him a Bible in simple English (Through the Bible in a Year) In the mean time he brought a gift to give to my grandson and some flowers for me on my birthday! My blood pressure went up! I was never treated so good in my life. I couldn’t handle nice things; had so many bad things in my life. I was immune to it. I learned to get accustomed to good things too! It started a new trend.

Every chance I got, I talked about the Bible, explaining some of the stories so he could understand. He told me to make it simple. Before this, I considered making a news letter. I have a tendency to complicate things. I wanted an elaborate, really sophisticated type of paper. I like to use big words. I like to get really spiritual. I like to make people THINK I am (intelligent). Lol God said “Make it Simple”! It never got off the ground. That command and especially from God, deflated my ego fast.

One evening I wasn’t very busy and Charles was sitting at my counter. I talked to him for about 45 minutees on some Bible verses. When he was leaving, he said: “Thanks for the Mini-Sermons”. The Mini-Sermons were born!
I wrote the first one “Reason for existence”, took it to the printer, had 100 copies made (That is expecting a lot of response!), and began passing them to my customers at the Tic Toc Restaurant in Pittsburgh. Everyone was accepted!

The devil saw I meant business (Before this I always was a great procrastinator---always putting things off or never finishing them) so had to stick his nose in. I was in a grocery store where the devil gave me a great shove and I fell. I hit my elbow and pushed the muscle up into my shoulder. The doctor expected me to have a frozen joint. God did not let that happen. PTL!

There was no visible proof how I could have fallen and I was laid up for 3 weeks. I hit my knee, too.
I was in bad shape.

In this time off I was able to write nine more sermons. The devil meant harm but God used it for good.
Every week for 28 weeks I wrote one sermon. Often the whole week would almost be gone and I had no message. But just on time I would get it. The Holy Spirit often woke me up about 3:A.M. and I had to keep writing until it was finished. Usually it took about 2 hours. He would tell me what scriptures to use. I did not always understand what I wrote. Sometimes I wanted to take something out because I didn’t want anyone to be mad at me or hurt anyone’s feelings.

Often the things I wanted to omit were the very things some one would tell me “That is exactly what I needed to hear.” If I tried to add anything, it sounded really stupid. I learned to write what I was told
Even if I didn’t like it. If you get mad at something I say, it’s not me you are mad at, it’s the Holy Spirit.
He told me to write it.

A lady used to like what I wrote. She would give me money to help with the printing. It cost from $10 to $20 a week and I often wondered if I would have enough to pay for it. God always saw that the money was there for it. Later I moved in above the print shop. My land lady never charged me for the copies. When God tells you to do something, He always makes a way.
One day a woman told me “Boy! You are opinionated!” I must have said something she didn’t want to hear. I soon developed a thick skin1 lol

I liked this comment. Another lady said she was giving the sermons to a neighbor man who was very nasty. She came back another day all excited. “It worked! It worked!” I asked “What worked? Oh, you mean that neighbor? Did he change? “No but I did!” We never know how God is going to work in someone’ life. Never like we imagine it will. And it will never come back void.. Don’t be afraid to say what God tells you to say if you are sure it is from God.

I have learned a lot since I began to write these. When I copied them on my computer I can find some things that can be changed a little. The truths remain but my understanding of them may change a little.
God sends people to help you to get where He wants you to be. Charles encouraged me to do a lot of writing. Like 100 poems in 2 years. He helped me get my jumbled life together then all but disappeared! I did see him every couple of months when I was in a low period.

Is he an angel? God works in mysterious ways. Praise the Lord! What is your testimony?

Latest Social Groups

Our Sponsors

Social Groups

Christian Chat

Follow CCNet

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)