You probably wonder if I'm above using cheap parlor tricks to get my points across, and let me assure you that I am not!

These were the bulletins-of-many-colors today, and before you even read it many of you were probably rolling your eyes or groaning or both. See, I >do< know some of you better than you think! There's a good reason I chose this rainbow of papers. But let's dwell on some of the not-so-good reasons first.

One, it probably caught your attention. Yes, it might have been a negative thing for some of you but others likely delighted in and welcomed the bright, vibrant colors. Weeks from now, if you want to find a bulletin from today, you merely have to look for the oddly colored papers and you will immediately know you've found one. Children like colors, too, and perhaps some of our young adults here will read it just to see what the "hook" is today, simply for the sake of the color. You know, living our lives as true Christians is a lot like this. The world finds us a little odd. We should clearly stand out different than everyone else, and if we are joyful and happy people might just find us attractive, worthy of a second look, and once we have their attention we might be able to teach them something about God. Just a thought!

Two, the messages [ pass along here are not always in "black and white", so why should the paper be? I mean, if the bulletin was well written and edifying, it should enhance your life, just as color enhances advertising, food, and life! We're not talking "gray" here, and I'm not suggesting the ordinances of God are anything other than black or white, but even in the bible when the river turns to blood, the rainbow appears, the Son of man is crowned in glory, I guess I see a lot of color in my mind's eye.

Three, there are some pretty colorful characters in the bible, and I don't mean the unrighteous ones. There are impulsive ones, boring ones, preachy ones, excited ones, all types and sizes. These all teach us Godly lessons, and show us that we don't have to fit into a straightjacket to be good servants. Maybe what I'm using as my reason for the colors today is to remind us that while we are not all alike on the outside, we can be all alike on the inside, in that we are striving to be obedient children of God. In our lives likely we will face tragedy, or persecution outright, while other times we will enjoy opportunities and a fair amount of peace. Doesn't even the sky show us various colors depending on the weather?

Or four, just as we as Christians are different so are the hearers. Some might respond better to constant, subtle teachings yet others open up their bibles and get right at it! It's not the delivery that matters so much, but it's the message. Now, obviously you can't just ram religion on anyone, and just as obvious some colors really turn people off. No matter that sinners need to hear what we have, no matter that it's the truth, we will not be effective (nor a good servant in God's sight) if we try to beat the bible into them like a club. There are those that respond to a debate, but usually we are more effective when others see in us a loyalty to God (perhaps a true blue?) or a willingness to sacrifice to the point of death for the Lord's sake (maybe blood red?). We might teach with gentle words by telling stories to children (soft pink?) or interject the wisdom of God into conversations to make a wise analogy (foundation brown?).

So those were my not-so-good reasons. They weren't too bad, though. The good reason I used the funny colors today? Because I have a lot of it and wanted to use it up! Like a variety of opportunities, which also come in many colors, I hate to waste any or leave them unused!

Randy