The preacher was walking down a forest path one beautiful
Sunday afternoon, on his way home after having delivered to
his congregation what he thought might have been one of his
finest sermons ever that morning.  Lost in pleasant thoughts
of how pleased God must have been with his powerful message
and touching oration, he failed to note the hungry bear sneaking
up on him through the bushes until it was too late.

The preacher heard a rumbling growl, turned in surprise, and looked
the bear straight in the eyes!  Terrified, he began to run as fast as
his legs would carry him!  He ran and ran until he thought his legs
would collapse, thinking surely he would be able to out-run the bear,
but when he dared to look around, he saw the bear only two steps
behind.

"Oh, please God!" he prayed sincerely, "I delivered my finest sermon
ever in your name this morning.  I must have brought many souls to
your gates of heavenly salvation.  Surely you'll help me get away from
this bear!"  And on he ran, more quickly than before, confident that
the Lord would help him out-distance the bear.

Soon his breath was rasping in and out of his lungs, and his legs were
trembling uncontrollably with his mighty effort.  He slowed a bit and
glanced behind him; the bear was now only one step behind.

"Please, Lord!" he prayed fervently, "I know you can't mean for this
bear to kill me!  Please, please, please let me get away from this
bear!"  And on he ran, pushing himself to the edge of his strength
and endurance, positive that the good Lord would come to his rescue.

But it was not to be.  The preacher's heart was now pounding, his
lungs felt like they were bursting, and his legs suddenly refused to
hold him upright.  He fell to he knees on the forest path, fearing his
imminent death.

"Oh please, God," he prayed frantically, "I can't run any more.  I
don't know why you wouldn't help me get away from this bear after
I delivered such a wonderful sermon this morning, but can't you at
least make this bear a good Christian bear?  I don't want to die!"  Not
daring to hope that the Lord would actually answer this prayer, the
preacher bowed his head and waited for the inevitable.  When the end
did not come swiftly, he lifted his head in surprise, only to find to his
stunned amazement that the bear was also kneeling on the path, paws
folded, head bowed, praying,

"I thank you, Lord, for this fine meal I am about to devour...."


         			Submitted by: eve @ micron.net