I Will Speak Using Stories: A Thirty-One Day Devotional

By Dr. Bobby E. Hopper

I Will Speak Using Stories is a collection of everyday, down home, stories of people and events. Some of the stories will make you weep, smile, cry, or laugh. Some stories will cause the reader toreminisce. Others will remember an old relative or friend.

Each story ends with Scripture. The point of the story is to show that Scripture is universal and pertinent. There are probing questions that will help the reader meditate. The devotions have a prayer to give the day a fresh start.

The book is great resource to use for a daily quiet time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jun 12, 2009
• ISBN: 9781438978604

Dr. Bobby E. Hopper

Bobby Hopper is Director of Missions for Bethel Baptist Association in Linden, Alabama.  He married his childhood sweetheart, Sharon D. Moxley.  They have three children, Andy, Angela, and Aaron, a son-in-law, and three grandchildren. Dr. Hopper has a Bachelor of Arts, History/English, from the University of Montevallo; a Master of Divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary; and a Doctor of Ministry from Beeson Divinity School, Samford University.  He is a respected pastor, often requested speaker, amazing storyteller, and author of Bleep the Purple Bear, a children's book.

Book preview

I WILL SPEAK USING STORIES

A THIRTY-ONE DAY DEVOTIONAL

Dr. Bobby E. Hopper

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AuthorHouse™

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Bloomington, IN 47403

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© 2009 Dr. Bobby E. Hopper. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 6/5/2009

ISBN: 978-1-4389-7860-4 (e)

ISBN: 978-1-4389-7858-1 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4389-7859-8 (hc)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2009905698

Printed in the United States of America

Bloomington, Indiana

Contents

GOD HEARS THE HEART

WE CAN’T DO MUCH,

BUT WE’RE HERE TO HELP

NO, WE ARE ON VACATION

TURN HIM LOOSE, SON

YOU CAN COUNT, CAIN’T YEE?

I’M SORRY, WE’RE OUT OF BISCUITS

MIRROR, MIRROR

THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE

PEOPLE ARE LEAVING THE STANDS

SMILE

I HAD THE BEST TIME OF MY LIFE

SHINE THE LIGHT

MY WAFFLE IS BURNING

MISS HARVEY

IF YOU ARE A COLLEGE GRADUATE, I’M THE QUEEN OF SHEBA

THERE’D BETTER BE A CAKE THIS TIME

PUSH-BUTTON MIND-SET

IT’S THE LITTLE OLD LADY FROM LAWLEY

PIG OUT

TEMPUS FUGIT

SITTING ON OUR FRONT-PORCH SWINGS

BELOW THE BOGUE

WE’RE PORTERS, SIR

CALAMITY JANE

REFRIGERATOR RIGHTS

I’VE BEEN PRAYING FOR ARITRIS FOR

FORTY-ONE YEARS

STUMBLING THROUGH LIFE

CHECKING OUT POSSIBILITIES

THE EYES HAVE IT

ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN

SWING, JIMMY, SWING

To my beloved Sharon, the wind beneath my wings.

To Ruby and Alice Smith for all their love, encouragement, and support.

To the the faithful members of the Bethel Baptist Association for urging me to write a book about my stories.

My people, listen to my teaching;

listen to what I say.

I will speak using stories;

I will tell secret things from long ago.

We have heard them and known them

by what our ancestors have told us.

We will not keep them from our children;

we will tell those who come later

about the praises of the LORD.

We will tell about his power

and the miracles he has done.

(Psalm 78:1–4, New Century Version)

INTRODUCTION

When I am telling stories, people often tell me I have a vivid imagination. They laugh when I tell them the stories are real and are about people I have encountered in life. They shake their heads in disbelief. I remind them that everyone has a story if you listen.

The stories in this devotion are those of real people and real places. I might have engaged in some embellishment, and I employ my artistic right to do so. There are times that words cannot express the humor of the moment. Some of the funniest moments in life cannot be captured by pen, camera, or story.

Each story ends with a Scripture from the Holy Bible. The story points to God’s spiritual truths. Everyday stories bring to life ancient principles found throughout the Bible. Psalmists say God speaks to His people using stories or parables. Jesus Christ’s ministry was that of storytelling. I cannot see Jesus preaching a boring sermon.

My mentor, Dr. Robert Smith, of Beeson Divinity School, Samford University, says, It is a sin to preach boring sermons. Preachers who have the gift of storytelling captivate audiences. They communicate spiritual truths in ways that touch the listener’s heart and in ways that relate to everyday life. The art of communication is taking something that is complicated or deep theologically and, using everyday experiences, making it simple enough for a child to understand.

Each day as you read this devotion, I pray that God will use these stories to encourage you in your Christian pilgrimage. If you are seeking God’s direction for your life, I pray that God will use these stories to guide you to the center of His will. If Jesus is not the Lord of your life, my desire is that reading these stories will lead you to a personal relationship with Him.

These stories began as filler articles for the Bethel Baptist Associational newsletter. As people read them, they responded with e-mail, notes, phone calls, and personal conversations describing how much they had enjoyed them. Some readers collected them, used them as devotions, and encouraged me to write a book. This devotional is that book. I pray its ministry will give you peace and hope.

—Bobby (Philippians 1:6)

GOD HEARS THE HEART

It was on a Father’s Day, during pastor’s pals, that God moved in a mighty way. The church was buzzing with excitement. Skyler, a small blonde-haired boy with Down syndrome, was unusually calm. He was normally a live wire. One day I had seen a red streak go by my office door. Not far behind, a Sunday school teacher was running. Skyler had escaped the nursery. He loved the University of Alabama, and the red streak as he went down the hall was his UA jersey. The teacher caught him, but I remember his snicker and the mischievous look on his face as she dragged him back to class.

Skyler was always flipping the light switch off during our fellowship times. Someone would have to call out, Turn on the lights, Skyler. He would also lock himself in the bathroom or a classroom. During pastor’s pals, Skyler would grab a microphone and start singing. His dad would scold him and take the microphone from him.

Skyler could not talk very well, and he used sign language to communicate. He could pronounce a few words. He called his dad Taw and his mother Me, me, ma, ma. He could say my name, Bruther Bobby. Everybody loved him and took time with him. When this ball of energy was calm, people noticed.

On this Father’s Day pastor’s pals, Skyler was dressed in a suit with a tie. All the children would sit around me, and on this morning, Skyler sat beside me. I talked about the importance of fathers, and then I asked if any of the children would say the Father’s Day prayer.

Skyler raised his hand, and the Holy Spirit told me to give him the microphone. I had heard Skyler say the blessing at mealtime, so I knew he could pray. The church was not prepared for what took place.

Skyler calmly took the microphone, and we bowed our heads. Skyler began the Father’s Day prayer by saying, Taw. He paused a moment and then said a beautiful prayer. In the prayer were Taw, Me, me, ma, ma, and some others words that were heart felt. He said, Amen.

I thanked Skyler for that beautiful Father’s Day prayer. The pianist played a tune for the children to return to their seats, and I took my place on the front pew. I sat in wonder and amazement at what had happened. I noticed that the worship leader had not restarted the service. I looked at him and saw that he was crying like a baby. I turned to the congregation and noticed that there was not a dry eye in the house. It was very emotional. Skyler had taken us to the throne of God.

I realized that morning that our heavenly Father was honored with a prayer from the heart of a little boy. No one understood what Skyler said that morning, but every heart knew that little boy had spoken to God. The service was very emotional and, for a few moments, all of us knew that we were in the presence of our Heavenly Father. God hears the heart.

Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, How long will you keep on getting drunk? Get rid of your wine. Not so, my lord, Hannah replied, I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the LORD. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief. Eli answered, Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him. I Samuel 1: 13-17 (NIV)

What do you hear when you hear the prayers of children?

When was the last time you acknowledged that God was doing something special in your worship?

What burden do you need to share with God as Hannah did?

Remember: God hears the heart.

Prayer: Father, when Your presence fills our place of worship, we taste a little of heaven. Thank You for divine appointments and defining moments. Thank You for the prayers of children and their wonderful faith. May we become as children with our faith. Help us prepare to worship, so that our time together will not be routine but extraordinary.

WE CAN’T DO MUCH,

BUT WE’RE HERE TO HELP

The men’s ministry at Union Springs Baptist Church in Randolph, Alabama, voted to put new shingles