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.