Dear Friends,
I have received a lot of comments from my recent
Leadership Thought in which I shared the poem, "It's Friday but
Sunday is Comin."
Lo and behold, one of my readers and one of our
church elders who was speaking at our Good Friday service even used it to close
out his message.
A number of years ago, author, professor, and
nationally known speaker Tony Campolo, shared a rendition of this poem in a
message that continues to be heard all over the Christian world.
Tony, who joined us several times when I was
pastoring in Red Bank, N.J., was one of the most unforgettable preachers you
will ever hear. When he preaches you either clap or throw rocks, for he has a
way of stirring up your emotions.
I will never forget the first time he spoke at
our church, a church that was fairly affluent and whose parking lot was
generally filled with its share of Mercedes Benz's, and other high end
luxury cars.
Tony looked out at our congregation and asked
this question: "If Jesus lived in Haiti and had $40,000 to spend, would he
spend it on the purchase of a Mercedes Benz?"
Some members laughed and others started looking
for the nearest exit.
I still remember thinking to myself this may be
my last day at this church's pastor.
People in that church still talk about the
message, at least those who stayed!
Tony, who has been battling health issues of
late, is no longer able to preach, but when he was in the pulpit, he was one of
the most stirring and effective communicators one would ever hear.
I still remember the message on discipleship he
shared many years ago at a summer Creation Festival I attended in
central Pennsylvania. It was a message that transformed my life and my
ministry, and I will forever be indebted to him for that message.
You will seldom, if ever, hear a more humorous,
and more powerful rendition of this poem, so take a couple minutes to listen,
and hang on to your seat for what you will hear will leave you saying,
"Wow, I never heard anything like that before from any pulpit."
That's Tony, unbridled, unfiltered, and
unpoetically sold out to Jesus. Don't miss what he shares below.
Yours in faith and
friendship.
Tom
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