This weekend’s passage from the Holy offers us a parable about using the gifts that God gave us to build the Kingdom. The story is familiar. The owner of the vineyard makes plan to leave on a journey. He calls three of his servants to him. He gives each a “talent” (a coin in the story…a special gift/talent given to us). He tells them each to “invest” the coin…in other words, USE IT!!! When the owner returns, two of the servants did indeed invest the coin and had earning s to show. The third servant buried the coin for fear that he/she would lose it. Obviously, servant #3 had nothing to show as far as earnings go. Hmmmmm. What kind of servant are you? Over your lifetime have you used the gifts and talents that God gave you? If you did, then you certainly have “interest” to show the Lord. You have affected people for the good. You have drawn others to Jesus. You have been zealous in your beliefs and turned those beliefs into action. Or are you like servant #3? If you are, then you have been hesitant to use your gifts. You have let others carry the burden of good example and evangelizing. You have “played it safe” when it comes to your faith…holding it close and not letting it shine. How sad!!! BUT, it is not too late. As long as you are breathing you still have the opportunity to break out of your shell and “light your light shine for all to see.” With the Lord, it is never too late to spread the “Good News of Jesus.” You just need to decide to do it! How about it? Don’t waste another minute. HOW TO STAY SAFE WITHOUT TAKING RISK? 1. Avoid riding in automobiles because they are responsible for 20% of all fatal accidents. 2. Do not stay home because 17% of all accidents occur in the home. 3. Avoid walking on streets or sidewalks because 14% of all accidents occur to pedestrians. 4. Avoid traveling by air, rail, or water because 16% of all accidents involve these forms of transportation. 5. Of the remaining 33%, 32% of all deaths occur in Hospitals. So, above all else, avoid hospitals. BUT, you will be pleased to learn that only .001% of all deaths occur in worship services in church, and these are usually related to previous physical disorders. Therefore, logic tells us that the safest place for you to be at any given point in time is at church! And, Bible study is safe too. The percentage of deaths during Bible study is even smaller. So for SAFETY'S sake: Attend church, and read your Bible. IT COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE! GOSPEL QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Are you able to name your God-given talents? Are you using them?