Pastor Mark Hopper

By Pastor Mark Hopper

Someone said that “last words are lasting words”.  Words that people have spoken to us can have a lasting impact and words that we have spoken can too.

We often associate words or phrases with the individuals that said them.  For example, in the movie, “The Godfather” there is the memorable line, “It isn’t personal, it’s just business.”  And in one of the Clint Eastwood movies Clint says, “Go ahead, make my day.”

These words and phrases tend to stick in our minds and remind us of the person who said them.

I learned a lot about construction from veteran carpenters like Ed and Carl.  These men knew their craft and did their work very well.

When Carl was trying to teach me about framing a wall or hanging a door, he always found a way to encourage me with a timely word.

When I would ask him if my small mistake or imperfection was a problem, he would reply, “You won’t be able to see it from my house”.  It was his way of encouraging me even though I didn’t have the skill or experience to do the job as well as he could.

Another phrase that I remember Carl used to say was, “We’ll do something even if it is wrong.”  That may sound like a contradiction, but what he meant was let’s get busy and get to work.  Sometimes we can spend so much time talking about a project that nothing actually gets done.

My old friend Joe was a pattern maker.  He worked in the aerospace industry using wood to make patterns that became molds for small parts for planes and missiles.

When we worked on projects at our church like framing a wall or remodeling a room, he would say, “Hand me the persuader.”  The “persuader” was a long-handle sledge hammer that proved helpful aligning a row of two by fours.

What are some words or phrases that your children or grandchildren have heard you say that they still remember today?  I wonder what are some words or phrases that I have used that people in our church remember about me?

Proverbs 22:17-18 says, “Listen with your ears and hear the words of the wise…and keep them in your heart.”

Let me encourage you to treasure the words that you have heard from those in your past and choose your words carefully, you never know who is listening and what they will remember!

Pastor Mark Hopper is from the Evangelical Free Church of Diamond Bar, 3255 South Diamond Bar Ave. Sunday services are 9 a.m. and 10:45 a.m. For more information, call (909) 594-7604 or visit http://www.efreedb.org.