SOUR PICKLE SUCKING

030 – FEBRUARY 2006

SOUR PICKLE SUCKING

Charles Lewis is a well known photographer and a brilliant platform speaker concerning portrait sales and marketing. He once spoke about portrait clients and stated, “I am now in a successful time in my career and I no longer have to deal with ‘cold pricklies’. I can choose to photograph and service only the ‘warm fuzzies’.”

I like being around enthusiastic people. I like people with a positive attitude and an easy smile. I like to hang out with those who love easily and with those who bring hope, peace, and joy into our conversation.

Now!!! Pretend that you just took a bite of the most sour pickle you have ever tasted and make a face that would identify with the shock of that experience. Most likely – You grimaced. Your cheeks raised up, your eyes squinted and your lips pursed tightly. A sour pickle sucking expression represents a negative spirit and a dratted attitude. It is an awful sight, yet some folks walk around that way.

Proverbs 27:19 “As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man.

Make the face again. Now, picture a church that way. Really! Close your eyes for a second and picture a entire congregation seated in church … with sour pickle faces.
Unfortunately, some religious church goers have presented that vision to the outside of the church. People who have questions about God have observed a sour pickle sucking representative and have consequently decided that this is what Jesus, the Shepherd of our soul, is all about.
Think about it – Those representatives are a witness for God … a bad witness. They could choose to be a positive, joyful, and enthusiastic ambassador for Eternal Life but opt to grimace as an alternative.

2 Corinthians 3:6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

If you find yourself grumbling and complaining – stop quickly! If you catch yourself pitching a legalistic theme to people, if you suddenly realize that you are sharing a pity party to someone, if you notice that a person leaves your conversation dry rather than refreshed … remember that all of these listeners might be people who are searching for God or thirsting for an answer to life.

So! Always remember the sour pickle sucking face that you made … And don’t let it happen to you !!! Decide each day to be a “warm fuzzy”.

P.S. This T.A.I. also applies to prunes!