Black Friday

I found this picture posted on Facebook and it made me think of those two famously powerful words: Darn tooting!!

Whom am I touching?

 For my wonderful friends who questions themselves on whether they are touching people's lives with their messages. We have all wondered from time to time whether anyone is hearing us. The blessing is that most of us cares whether they do or not. I was reading from one of my old Course of Studies book, The Company of Preachers: Wisdom on Preaching Augustine to the Present, and came upon the chapter on Harry Emerson Fosdick (1878-1969). I have quoted a section of his writing here in the hope that it will bless someone like it did me.

  When I began my ministry I did not know how to preach. I had been trained to stand up and talk in public, so that, however little I had to say, I could at least say it, but how my first parishioners endured those early sermons I don not see. In reminiscence I can discern several factors which helped me out of that morass of homiletical frustration and bewilderment, but one factor is primary. Perhaps I now overemphasize my first victorious experience in personal counseling, but it certainly was crucial.

  A young man from one of the church's finest families, falling victim to alcoholism, sought my help. I recall my desperate feeling that if the gospel of Christ did not have in it available power to save that youth, of  what use was it? When months of conference and inward struggle ended in triumph, when that young man said to me, "If you ever find anyone who doesn't believe in God, send him to me--I know!" something happened to my preaching that courses in homiletics do not teach. This was the kind of effect that a sermon ought to have. I could deal with real problems, speak directly to individual needs, and because of it transforming consequences could happen to some person then and there. From that day on, the secret prayer which I have offered, as I stood up to preach, has run like this: Somewhere in this congregation is one person who desperately needs what I am going to say: O God, help me to get at him!

Richard Lischer, editor, the Company of Preachers: Wisdom and Preaching, Augustine to the Present (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm B. Eerdmans, 2002)

You Are A Seed Of A Miracle

While reading the Book of Ruth today I was reminded that God uses the unexpected of each of us to accomplish the greatness of his plans.  We may see ourselves as the "least of these", unworthy, not ready, un-usable, broken, and sayers of that all too often spoken two word sentence; "Not me!"  But in the eyes of God, we are a seed of a miracle, and a step on the stairs of God's plan.

Be The Church

It is what we as the church do Monday through Saturday that makes the difference. Once the worship service begins, no one sees you for at least an hour.  It's not about going to church, but being the church.--Bobbyology

Guidance

First dad states, "Well, we'll let our child make up his own mind about God. If he don't want to go to church on Sunday, we stay at home."  Second dad replies, "By the way his teeth looks, you gave him the same choice when it came to brushing his teeth."

Proverbs 22:6

 

Yeah God, but...

"Hey God, how about two weeks from tomorrow?  I don't have anything on my calendar, no beach trip, no ball games, no parties.  Good I'll see you then."  "Hey God, its me again.  I just got a call from a friend who has tickets to...What's that Lord?  Yeah I know, but.  Yeah, I remember that, but. You're right, but.  You did do that, but.  I need to go God, I've got another call.  I'll call you back when I'm free."--Bobbyology

  How are you doing in your relationship with the Lord?

He leadeth me

The Lord seems to have an amazing power to lead us in a directed direction. I just wish I could have a map before the trip sometimes. But as my friend Melanie pointed out, "The journey is the fun part." So true.

My God Reigns!

Today while joining for lunch with the Roseboro Senior Citizens group, Rev. Joe Friend, new pastor of Roseboro Church of God and guest speaker, shared with  us that he and his wife were  raised in West Virginia.  His wife said that she doesn't believe there was a single piece of flat land in the whole area, but Rev. Friend said that they had an airport so there was at least on piece of flat land.

Tommy added to the conversation by saying that he once flew into an airport that was completely surrounded by hills or mountains and that the airport was on a hill, but the top of the hill had been removed and made flat for the airport.

This conversation gave me a vision of heaven.  I'm reminded of Jesus telling the disciples to proclaim that the "Kingdom of heaven is at hand".  Can we as believers, acceptors of the truth, envision that we live on a mountain top that the Lord has cleared off and smoothed away the roughness, and here is where we live, in his reign.  All around us is still the mountains which reminds us of the world around us in which we still live.  But in my mind, convinced that we do live in the reign of God, I find a sense of peace and fulfillment as I look around and see the 'mountains' of life, but know that no matter how high and rough these mountains can be, MY GOD REIGNS!

Tear Down the House!

Don't tell me you are a Christian. Show me you're willing to rip a hole in the roof to lower a friend down into the presence of Jesus Christ.--Bobbyology

Mirrors of Hinderance

We can't see our destination if our eyes stay focus on the mirror.--Bobbyology

YAY 2000!!!

I just wanted to thank those who have visited this blog over the past year. It has finally surpassed 2000 views. I began this blog sometime around the beginning of last year and it gave me an opportunity to relieve thoughts, laughter, and some of those gut feelings and inspirations. Some made sense and some were just me.

The largest number of hits on here were during the time of my dad's sickness and death. My mind and heart was so full of 'stuff' during that time that I really needed an outlet and this blog was it.

Once I started posting my Bobbyology I had a lot of positive responses and suggestions. So that's how that started.

I ask for prayers as I continue to discern the Lord's calling on my life and may the Lord bless you all.

Then God Said

"the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light." (Genesis 1:2-3)

   As I read the verses here, I can't help but feel as if I'm looking in a mirror each morning knowing I'm nothing without God and realizing that I await his command to be what he wills for me to be each day.--Bobbyology