A special theme section on how to have an inviting and healthy biblical community. Winter 1999 Ben Patterson Current Trends & Columns

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Browsing a bookstore, I had a parable come to mind. I was on my way to eat at a friend's house, a gourmet cook of nouvelle cuisine: she made exquisite food, beautifully presented, but usually not enough for my appetite. Those delicious little servings mocked me.

I had missed lunch that day and was ravenous as I made my way to her new address. The directions weren't clear, and I was having a hard time finding the house.

Famished and lost, I kept driving by a hot-dog stand. The aroma had the same effect on me that the sirens of the Greek myth had on the hapless sailors in their waters. I didn't merely want a hot dog, I needed a hot dog. I reasoned, She never serves enough food anyway. Why not have a snack to hold me over until I get there?

I stopped. But what to order? The menu was huge. I settled on a regular hot dog, a kraut dog, and a chili dog. They really aren't very big, after all. And what's a hot dog without french fries? A day without the sun, oatmeal raisin cookies without cold milk! So I ordered a large bag of fries, too.

And since fries are salty and hot dogs are spicy, I added a large soft drink to wash it all down. I felt much better.

I finally did find her house. She had prepared a wonderful meal. It was probably the best meal I didn't enjoy. I was so full, I even left food on the little plates.

A parable—a silly, but true and truthful story of how the great enemy of the best is not usually the worst, but the good. Life, and ministry, is full of hot dog stands, easy and pleasant detours from the best. They leave us stuffed in our spirits, overloaded and soul-crammed, not with the Bread of Life but with spiritual junk food.

Why did such thoughts come to mind in a bookstore? There I stood, so much to read and so ...

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