The Parable of Jeremiah Steepek

The following story appeared on Facebook last week. I was deeply touched when I read it, and shared it, as did some of my friends. By the end of the day, the story had disappeared. Links to the original were broken. I consulted my good friend Google, and saw a lot of controversy over whether or not the story was true. Apparently, someone had discovered that the photograph attached to the story supposedly depicting Pastor Jeremiah Steepek was in fact a picture of a homeless man in London that was posted at flickr.com. 

People seemed upset that there might not have actually been a pastor named Jeremiah Steepek  and that the whole story was made up. Ironic, since the story discussed Christian principles in action, and Jesus most commonly taught his followers through parables (or made up stories that weren't true in order to illustrate Truth). 

I am re-posting the parable of Pastor Jeremiah Steepek, because I think it's worth reading and taking to heart. I hope it will touch your heart as it did mine.

15 Minutes to Live

We are afraid of truth, afraid of fortune, afraid of death, and afraid of each other. Our age yields no great and perfect persons. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I'm participating in the #Trust30 Challenge. For the next 30 days, I have committed to write something based on a prompt supplied by "an original thinker."  True to form, I'm starting late. ;o)  The challenge actually began on May 31st. But, I will tackle the topics in order. If I feel incredibly energetic, I may attempt to respond to more than one in a day.

The first prompt was as follows:

Day 1 Assignment by Gwen Bell


You just discovered you have fifteen minutes to live.


1. Set a timer for fifteen minutes.
2. Write the story that has to be written.

Consider the Lilies of the Field

"Worry implies that we don't trust that God is big enough, powerful enough, or loving enough to take care of what's happening in our lives."

~Frances Chan, Crazy Love

When we walk by faith, there is no place for worry in our lives. Either we service a big God or we don't. Either God can provide for our needs or He can't. It isn't a matter of whether or not He wants to. He's our father. He loves us. Enough said.