Blessed Are The Busy:
For They Shall Receive Holy Exhaustion
Speaking of Jessica’s excellent message yesterday about the need for Sabbath in our lives, i.e. Commandment #4, I have a favorite quote I’d like to share as a way to say, “Amen” to her words...
The Anchor Holds
Last Sunday we talked about the passage from Hebrews, chapter 6, which describes our hope in God as a strong anchor for our souls. The God we need is a solid, firm foundation that can hold us by His side, despite the collisions and storms of life. I found this illustration to support that idea but ran out of time to use it.
Great Quote that Just Missed
‘The Cut’ to be Included In the Sermon
Jen Wilkins, in her excellent exposition of the ‘Ten Words’ writes:
“If I am walking into my home and see a ladybug on my doorstep, I smile and take care to relocate it to the nearest plant. But if I see a cockroach, I have a different response. Why? Because I feel affection for one and contempt for the other.
Gossip
I’d preached on the Ten Commandments or the Ten Words before (I know, who would have guessed). In that sermon I focused a bit more on off shoots of false witness such as hypocrisy and gossip. Here’s one of my favorite illustrations regarding spreading falsehoods about others.
Archived Posts
What Jacob Marley Would Do,
If He Could Do It…
I thought about using the following for a benediction—since Jacob Marley was warning Scrooge about the danger of loving money and what it could buy. Ends up with the Cantata and everything else going on, I didn’t have the time. So here is what you might have heard if the sermon itself was 5 minutes shorter!
A Confirming Word on Old King Herod
I just want to echo what Rick said in his fine sermon yesterday (Nov. 23). Herod was a ruthless tyrant and skilled politician. When the Magi don’t report back to him, he decides to kill all the male children of Bethlehem under the age of 2. That’s one paranoid dude.
Power Without Conscience?
I ran out of room for this vignette in Sunday’s sermon. Remember the quote that could be the headline for Ahab and Naboth: “All that’s needed for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.” The following reinforces that truth.
The Cars Are Looking for A King
I don’t have a thing to add to Pastor Jessica’s excellent sermon this last Sunday. The fable/parable she shared has been one of my favorites for all the lessons she pulled from it in her message. I was playing around with my friend Chat GPT and after several abortive attempts, we came up with the following modernized version of Judges 9:7-15.
The Lost Benediction
Depending on the length of the sermon, I try to add a little something extra in my benedictions. This week I wrote up a benediction but then realized we’d be singing and waving our umbrellas to some New Orleans jazz.