"Oh, I remember you. You're the one that......"
What do you fear someone might remember you by? Are there things you wish people would forget about you? I asked that question in church yesterday and received a warm round of chuckles. I assumed an answer.
An old friend might remember something you said or did that you wish would be forgotten. Our kids do, too. It seems like no one is good at remembering the things we want...
"There is no excuse new under the sun," is what I think the Bible says. You can imagine what excuses, both lame and crafty, a professor hears every semester. This professor gave it some thought and came up with the excuses he would not accept for late work. Tell the truth; how many of these have you had to use?
His list got me thinking: What excuses are unacceptable for missing church? Are there good excuses? Psalm 25 asks...
The question I used to open our worship yesterday was, "Have you ever been called a troublemaker?" Giggles, murmurs and smiles were plenty. What does that mean?
In this last sermon in a series focusing on healing, we considered the various troublemakers found in Mark 1:40-45, beginning with Jesus. Jesus, yes Jesus, was a troublemaker. Deal with it. Oh, he probably was as sweet as you sing him to be, but a troublemaker nonetheless....
I saw this picture and thought of the book of Ecclesiastes.
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Most people remember that book for the famous time and a place for everything, etc, etc lines. Of course, those are great words of wisdom. But some of the book almost kind of reads like the thought the artist had behind this image. Mr. Ecclesiastes almost comes across like an old teacher who has had enough of his youthful students. "Go ahead," he says, "be young...
Think of the preparation that goes into a holiday
party. Everything from food and drinks
to the decorations and invitations needs to be planned. Now, think about going through all that work
only to have the people you prepared for not show up. Frustrating? Disappointing? Not worth the trouble? I can imagine how disheartening that may
be. I know exactly how it feels. Think of each Sunday as a holiday. While...
I had billed yesterday's sermon as my shortest one ever. And it almost was. Think about that: Many pastors pride themselves on being able to preach more minutes. I am sure there is a preacher merit badge for that. Here I am, though, shooting for less. What has become of me? Something about quality vs. quantity?
The plan this Sunday was to preach for five minutes, and still know I can do it! I got carried away with...
Time does not heal. God does.
Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
and strengthens the powerless.
Even youths will faint and be weary,
and the young will fall exhausted;
but those who wait...
