It is troubling to me that becoming a pastor is more reliant on completing a seminary education than many years of faithfully following God. It seems to me that years of faithful obedience, through times of trial and testing, is a better teacher than years of study. After all, how old was Jesus when he began his public ministry?

I came across this message, titled Ten Shekels and a Shirt by Paris Reidhead on a website called Alethea in Heart, or Truth in Heart. First, I read the message. Then, I started reading it to my carpool. Finally, I just had to listen to it! I think that you will be blessed and challenged by this message.

You can order a tape of this message from Charity Gospel Tape Ministries by clicking on this link.

You can listen to this message on SermonAudio by clicking on this link.

Here is a link to Bible Teaching Ministries, founded by the late Reverend Paris Reidhead.

Finally, you can read the text of the message, as well as some letters about the message by clicking on Read More...... below.

I got lost once when I was a teenager. It happened at a Boy Scout retreat. Several of us were out hiking when we saw a deer. We gave chase and were separated from each other. I can tell you that it is easy to get disoriented in the woods. (Especially when you are young and inexperienced.) I was lost in the woods for most of the day. By the time I made it back to camp, I was cold, tired, and hungry. I was also in trouble.

Whenever a great disaster comes upon the Earth, people cry out to God and demand to know: Why? (Even your own children may be asking this question.) For many, they cry out to a god that will never hear them. It reminds me of Paul's sermon in Acts, Chapter 17. Here is an excerpt: