June 3rd, 2026
The Upward Look, by Jon Forrest
Can One Pig Start a War?
Many people believe that one person cannot truly make a difference. Yet, history teaches us better.
The story is told that in days past the state of Rhode Island was electing a state legislature. There was a thrifty Federalist farmer who started for the polls late in the afternoon, and on the way, he heard the squealing of a pig. He looked around to see the pig with its head caught in the mesh of an old wire fence. The farmer knew that hogs would often kill and eat a trapped pig. So the farmer stopped, rescued the pig, and was too late to cast his vote.
Now the story gets interesting. The Federalist farmer was too late to vote, and the election was decided by one vote in favor of the democrats. "IF" the farmer had voted, the Democrat would not have been elected.
But the irony does not stop here. In those days, the legislature selected the person who would be the US Senator for the state. By a one-vote margin, a democrat was sent to the Senate from Rhode Island. When arriving at the US Senate, the motion was placed forth about going to war with England, which passed by one democratic vote. You still with me?
Following this train of thought, the Revolutionary War was fought because in Rhode Island, a pig got caught in a fence. Whether all of this story is true or not is certainly debatable, but parts of it are entirely accurate. In American history, more than that you care to count, ONE VOTE--one person--made a tremendous difference.
(adapted from a sermon by Jerry Watts)
When we search the Bible, we find a multitude of stories about how one individual made a world changing difference simply because of the relationship that person had with God. Honestly, the illustration above seems incredible, but this Sunday, we will look at a man whose very existence combined with his righteous life and obedience rocked the entire population of the world. In fact, if it weren’t for the man Noah, there might not be a human population in existence today. This Sunday we will continue our BUT GOD! series a message titled, But Noah! Based on Genesis 6:1-9:17. I hope you will join us in this exciting reminder of how you can make a difference for the Kingdom of God and in the world around you.
Striving to make a difference,
Jon
Can One Pig Start a War?
Many people believe that one person cannot truly make a difference. Yet, history teaches us better.
The story is told that in days past the state of Rhode Island was electing a state legislature. There was a thrifty Federalist farmer who started for the polls late in the afternoon, and on the way, he heard the squealing of a pig. He looked around to see the pig with its head caught in the mesh of an old wire fence. The farmer knew that hogs would often kill and eat a trapped pig. So the farmer stopped, rescued the pig, and was too late to cast his vote.
Now the story gets interesting. The Federalist farmer was too late to vote, and the election was decided by one vote in favor of the democrats. "IF" the farmer had voted, the Democrat would not have been elected.
But the irony does not stop here. In those days, the legislature selected the person who would be the US Senator for the state. By a one-vote margin, a democrat was sent to the Senate from Rhode Island. When arriving at the US Senate, the motion was placed forth about going to war with England, which passed by one democratic vote. You still with me?
Following this train of thought, the Revolutionary War was fought because in Rhode Island, a pig got caught in a fence. Whether all of this story is true or not is certainly debatable, but parts of it are entirely accurate. In American history, more than that you care to count, ONE VOTE--one person--made a tremendous difference.
(adapted from a sermon by Jerry Watts)
When we search the Bible, we find a multitude of stories about how one individual made a world changing difference simply because of the relationship that person had with God. Honestly, the illustration above seems incredible, but this Sunday, we will look at a man whose very existence combined with his righteous life and obedience rocked the entire population of the world. In fact, if it weren’t for the man Noah, there might not be a human population in existence today. This Sunday we will continue our BUT GOD! series a message titled, But Noah! Based on Genesis 6:1-9:17. I hope you will join us in this exciting reminder of how you can make a difference for the Kingdom of God and in the world around you.
Striving to make a difference,
Jon
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