A fountain pen salesman persuaded a merchant to order 500 pens. He was writing the order in his notebook when suddenly the merchant exclaimed, "Hold on! I'm cancelling that order!" and then turned to wait on a customer. The salesman left the store in anger. A few minutes later the merchant's bookkeeper asked, "Why did you cancel that fountain pen order?" "Why?" responded the man. "Because he talked fountain pen to me for a half hour using a number of forcible arguments, and then booked my order with a lead pencil. His practice did not agree with his profession."

I ask you, "How does our Christian practice agree with our profession?"

A few years back, there was a large church whose newspaper ads and church signs bragged on it being that particular city's friendliest church, "Where you are never a stranger." For months I had watched the church's TV program, listened to the radio broadcast and was excited to visit the "friendliest church in North America" as advertised.

I finally had the opportunity to do so and with great expectation, I walked into the church where hundreds of people were entering the facility. I sandwiched my way through a wall of people and was a little surprised at this point that not one person had greeted me. I enjoyed the service and after the dismissal of the service, I was inching my way out amidst a sea of people, and again, not one person said "Hello". I was wondering where the word friendly came from to describe this particular church.

A bit disconcerted, I walked back in and began greeting people myself. In the course of my greeting, I became aware of a lady amid a group of people who was scrutinizing me, giving me a look that clearly exuded "Just who are you?", followed by that exact question. I told her I was visiting and that I just wanted to make others feel at home by thanking them for coming and offering God's blessing on them as they leave. I then inquired of her, "Are you a visitor here?" To which she snapped, "I'm on staff her and have attended this church for over twenty years." I smiled and said, "Good!" I then bid the group, "Have a great day!" and exited the "Friendliest church in North America".

Not every church is this way for which Gloria and I are truly thankful. But my experience made me ponder, "How often do we fail to practice what we preach to the world." I think we need to be very mindful that everyone who walks into your church has a need. They may be hurting, facing a financial crisis, struggling with health issues, or just need some encouragement. Possibly more than anything, they just need a handshake, a kind word, a hug and a prayer.

Many without Christ hear what a Christian is supposed to be, but many fail to see us practice what we preach. It is easy to be religious on Sunday, but does our Christian testimony walk through us the rest of the week. We need to remember that every day someone is watching our life which leads us to the ever-important question, "What are we advertising?"

I would like to leave you with this challenge:

One night a minister took a man to hear Charles Spurgeon, one of the greatest preachers of all time. After the message, the minister asked him, "What did you think of Spurgeon?" He paused and tearfully said, "He's the greatest Christ I've ever seen."

The challenge: Are people seeing Christ in action in our lives? Will we be the greatest Christ they will ever see?" I pray so for each and every one of us!