Sermon prep

One purpose

/ The Pastor

5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
[James 3:5-10]

I published a post a couple days ago titled, “A big fat lie”. I am not going to rehash what I said there as a way to get you up to speed here (I trust you are able to look back and read for yourself).  But what I am going to say is something that is rolling around in my heart as I prepare to preach this sermon on the 8th Commandment ~ “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor”

How are you using your words?  Are they blessing and praising the Lord or bringing others down; people who were created in the image of God?  Are you crafting words together with the intention to create, build and maintain faith or are your words cursing others through inappropriate displays of power through gossiping and backstabbing.  What we say says a lot about our faith and relationship with Jesus.  What we don’t say also says a lot about us.

So as James says, how can a mouth bless and praise the Lord one minute and curse others the next.

This ought not be so!

As a fresh water spring can not produce salt water the same goes with the tongue.  The tongue has one purpose and one purpose only ~ to BLESS and PRAISE the Lord.

Amen?

Amen!

The pastor -|—

A big fat lie

/ The Pastor

When I was growing up I was taught a big, fat, lie.  It was not from my parents or a teacher or some other trusted adult.  The lie came through friends who they themselves learned from someone else.  And the lie came in the form of a childhood rhyme that you probably know very well because you were taught the same big, fat, lie.  And it goes like this…

“Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.”

I am not too sure why I bought into that lie.  I think maybe I used it as a make-shift shield against bullies trying to make me cry (and believe me ~ I had a few of those people in my life growing up).  Maybe it was because I knew that those bullies would never use sticks and stones to actually break my bones so you might as well stop with the names.  But all the while I was using this rhyme as a weak, invisible shield, I was being hurt more than any damage that sticks and stones could inflict.

Names and words do hurt.

I started thinking about this rhyme as I began my sermon prep this week on the 8th Commandment, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.”  And as I was remembering, all those names I was called as a child came rushing back.  I still remember the pain those names caused.  I still remember the laughter of those kids.  In a way, I wish they had broken some of my bones with stick and stones instead of using words to hurt me.

And today, the use of words continues to be a problem as many kids experience bullying online.  Even rough and tough football players are not immune to the power of words.  In the book of James, the author says that the tongue  is something that can not be tamed.  The same tongue we use to praise God is used to hurt our neighbor.  And I think the worst thing about this is that often times we don’t realize the pain we are causing because so many people try to hide their pain lest they look weak.

Maybe we spread a rumor about someone (true or not, it doesn’t matter).  Maybe we attack a person’s character without all the facts.  Maybe we participate in back stabbing.  Maybe we betray a person’s trust through sharing a secret.  Maybe we use words in a way that sounds comforting but really causes more hurt.  Whatever the form and context of our words, we need to be very mindful of what we are saying.  Luther’s Small Catechism has a great explanation of this commandment; one that we would do well to remember:

We are to fear and love God so that we do not betray, slander, or lie about our neighbor, but defend him, speak well of him, and explain his actions in the kindest way.

Romans 10 says that faith comes from hearing.  Since that is true then how do we proclaim the Gospel and build faith if we are using words in destructive ways?  May God be praised in all we SAY and do.

Dear Lord, grant me a kind tongue that seeks to speak well of others and gives you glory.  May my words not harm my neighbor but rather lift them up. In Jesus name, Amen.

The pastor -|—

Changes and adjustments

/ The Pastor

I must admit…this new daddy role has taken some getting used to but it is sinking in more and more with each passing day.  There are many things I knew would change and others I didn’t know exactly how they would change.  I guess that just goes with the territory.  I keep learning and keep adjusting.  Eventually I will develop the illusion that I know what I am doing 🙂

Anyway…

One of the big things I have been trying to get use to is working from home.  The congregation gave me the gift of working from home during the month of May so I could spend more time bonding with Mayah.  A couple days a week (when my wife is home) I do go into the office.

When this schedule first started I got a little frustrated because I didn’t anticipate how difficult this working from home would be.  I had big plans on how much I was going to get done while Mayah was sleeping.

Silly daddy…

The biggest problem was that I didn’t plan very well; so the first couple days at home not much work got done.  Now…I have planned my week out better and have set more realistic expectations for myself.  I have also adjusted my hours so I can get done everything that is expected of me by others and myself.

Wednesday was worship prep and sermon prep day from home.  I planned worship for Sunday and did some sermon prep reading and research.  Today (Thursday) I am home again but this time I will be fully ready to write the sermon while Mayah is sleeping…despite the fact I didn’t get much sleep last night.  Oh well…that’s what coffee is for.

So here we go…another day at home bonding with my little girl and doing ministry here in Jackson.  The best of both worlds.

The pastor/new daddy -|—

The most excellent way

/ The Pastor

Monday is the day I boot up my Logos Bible study program and print off the lectionary texts for the up coming Sunday.  I did that as usual this morning and read the second lesson text: 1 Corinthains 12:12-31.  I read this and my mind starting running like mad with thoughts and possible sermons directions.  thinkerHere’s a snippet of what my mind did:

~ A messed up church (the Corinthians…or any church today).
~ The gifts that are given vary from person to person.
~ Sometimes we get jealous of gifts we don’t have.
~ Sometimes we get arrogant about the gift we do have.
~ Believe it or not…sometimes we don’t get along.
~ Various gifts are needed and important for the Church.
~ God knows what He is doing.
~ There is a more excellent way (indeed there is but that is for another sermon).

And that is where I got.  So much to preach on but I am liking the cliff hanger idea.  I wonder if that will fly very well.  And “no”…I am not going to say anything more about the cliff hanger idea in case any Salem and/or Belmont people are reading this.  You will have to wait until next week to read about what I did.

[Hey…I just incorporated a cliff hanger.  What do you know :)]

Anyway…that is it.  Nothing too deep and theological today just some random sermon prep thoughts but maybe that gets you thinking.  It has me thinking.

Have a good one 🙂

The pastor -|—

Down and out but not done

/ The Pastor

The pastor has been down and out this week.

A 101.6 temperature on Monday night combined with massive head cold symptoms into Tuesday has made the beginning of Christmas week frustrating.  Today is Wednesday and I am feeling better (thank God).  But now I need to buckle down and write three sermons.

It is during times like this when I am most keenly aware of my dependence on and need for God.  It is during times like this when I am not so tempted to get full of myself as to think that I have everything taken care of.  Actually, right now, I am more full of mucus than anything else…but I am sure you didn’t want to hear that 🙂

I also have release time and confirmation this afternoon so today will be indeed interesting.  But right now I am sitting here on my living couch, still hacking up a lung, and excited to see what God is going to get done through me today.  It’s going to be a fun day and I can hardly wait.

But I still need to be careful…

I know the temptation with be there to get over-confident in my limited abilities once things start going well and things get done.

OR

I will get overwhelmed and worried if things aren’t getting done according to MY timing.

And we’ve all been there before ~ haven’t we?  We feel weak, down and out or oppressed and we run to God.  God lifts us out of the mire and off we go (often times without any word of thanks). Or we get frustrated and start blaming our rotten lot in life on God. Either we use God or it’s God’s fault.

But no matter our reaction and treatment of God, God’s will will be done.  Three sermons will get written this week.  The Good News will be proclaimed.  And Christmas will be celebrated.  Satan will not derail my (I mean “our”) preparations this week. God will be glorified.

So I am praying for the faith to see God in action and when I do…to actually say “thank you”; giving credit where credit is due.

Thank you God for the healing you have brought me.  Please increase my faith to see you in action that you may be glorified.  You have defeated Satan through Jesus Christ and I praise you for that.  May your will be done through me.
Amen.

The pastor -|—

Nice shot…NOT

/ The Pastor

This is my crazy weird day:
~ Home desk top computer is shot.
~ Home lap top power cord is shot.
~ Church office laser printer shot.
[These first three items brought about 6 trips to my local computer store (spread throughout the day).  The children’s Christmas program is on the home computer so this was a high priority item]
~Worship prep in the midst of a number of phone calls
~ A fun visit with 2 local pastors over lunch
~ A piercing headache
~ Laser printer set-up
~ Met the locksmith about the broken lock on the narthex door

Therefore…

…very little sermon prep got done 😦

Now I am hungry; struggling to focus and other things are planned for tonight. That my friends is what I call Satan’s best shot at derailing this sermon.  But you know what…

…not going to happen.

This sermon will be preached because God’s Word can not be derailed by a plethora of mishaps and to-do items.  It may look like I am procrastinating but the very act of writing about this post is therapeutic.  It is getting the creative juices flowing and allowing me to let go of this crazy day.  I could easily get cranky about my routine being interrupted but I just need to take a step back…take a deep breath…and remember who’s I am.

bullseye

 

Satan took his best shot (I’ll give him credit for that), but it was not good enough.

 
Maybe the sermon won’t get written today (Thursday) as usual but God is bigger and God ALWAYS wins.

The empty tomb is proof of that 🙂

So here I go…diving into scripture again as I eat some supper.  Routine or not; computer failures or not, I will boldly proclaim the Word of God on Sunday morning.

Come Holy Spirit…inspire me 🙂

Praise be to God and Amen!

The pastor -|—

A bunch of words

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

I have a bunch of words written on a page right now…ready to be preached this morning.  I carefully reflected on the scripture text this week and prayed for the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.  And I believe from the bottom of my heart that these are the “right” words.
I believe that these words are more than just something to fill space.
I believe that those words are exactly what God wants me to say this morning.
I also believe that God will somehow use those words for His glory.

I don’t know how, but God will find a way to use those words.  God always does.  I guess that is why I never tire of writing sermons and preaching them.  Sure…it may be a lot of work sometimes during a particularly busy week when I am under a lot of stress, but in the end, God get’s His way.  He always does even if I don’t see or comprehend what way God got.

But this morning I find myself distracted by a pastoral care concern that is striking close to home.  My heart is breaking for this couple and I can’t seem to think of the right words to say.
I am racking my brain…but nothing.
I am searching my heart…but nothing.
I won’t see this couple this morning in worship but I can’t stop thinking about them.  I guess partly because since I am a pastor in the family I am guessing someone will eventually ask me; “why?”  And…as I consider that potential question I am at a loss for words as my heart continues to break for them.

O God…what do I say? What are the right words?

I ask that question each and every week.  I also ask that question whenever I call on someone.  So I guess I need to do what I do each and every week ~ turn everything over to the power of God through the Holy Spirit; trusting in God’s work through Jesus Christ my Lord.  I need to fall back into His loving arms and trust that the right words will spew forth from my mouth this morning…and when I see this couple again.  For if I focus on my brain; my knowledge, I will no doubt mess things up.

O God…what do I say? What are the right words?

So there you go.  A bunch of words on a page and a bunch of words running around in my brain; all waiting to do something.  I pray that God takes the right words and does something amazing; all to God’s glory.

Use my words, O God, that people my come to praise you!

edh -|—

Not ready…yet

/ The Pastor / 5 Comments

Sometimes, sometimes…

…sermons are not ready to be written.

Despite the best of intentions.
Despite the best of routines.
Despite the best of scotcheroos (This is my weekly pre-sermon writing treat)…

…sometimes sermons are not ready to make an appearance.

——————–

It’s Thursday, 4:05pm, and the sermon is supposed to be done.  It’s supposed to be done so I can enjoy my day off tomorrow without thinking about it.  It is supposed to be done so it can sit and age for a day or so before I return to it on Saturday for tweaking.

That’s the routine; one that I have clung to since internship (2002-03).  But instead I sit here (now at 4:13pm) writing this blog post.  Grrr…

But why should I be upset?  Seriously? Why should I?  I mean…if I am honest with myself then I have to admit that the sermon I will preach on Sunday is not “mine”.  Rather…the sermon I will preach on Sunday belongs to God.  So if that is the case (and it is) then who am I to get so pushy.

“Hey God…where’s that sermon I am supposed to preach?”

I really need to settle down.  Don’t get me wrong here…I am not trying to give an excuse to be lazy.  I am not trying to exercise my gift of procrastination.  Believe me…I’m not.  I am just trying to make sense of my little “block” here.  Maybe even stall for a while…just in case the sermon decides to makes an appearance before I go home.

[Pause for the Jeopardy Theme]

Nothing?  Oh well…

…I have done my work but apparently God is not done talking to me.  So I am going to stop trying to force the issue and let God continue to do His thing.  After all…it’s His sermon, not mine.  And why should I be worried?  In the 7 1/2 years God and I have been writing sermons together never once did a sermon fail to get done, because after all…

…GOD is in control, not me.

[Continue Jeopardy Theme]

edh -|—

Scotcheroos, coffee and sermon prep

/ The Pastor

Ah…sermon prep time at my favorite location in Jackson ~ Coffee Choices.

Each day at 10:20am I pack up my laptop and sermon prep materials and head downtown.  I walk into Coffee Choices and I feel like Norm walking into Cheers.

O the joy of small town life.

I setup camp and greet my scotcheroo that is waiting for me (See lower left part of photo. I have a standing order every Thursday).  I also order a cup of coffee (of course) and then place my lunch order to be ready at 11am.

Each Thursday ~ the same routine (unless I let Coffee Choices know ahead of time).

Some days it is busy and noisy.
Some days it is quite peaceful (like today).
Whatever the case I don’t care. The Holy Spirit can work in any condition.

If this routine is disrupted, though, I almost panic ~ thrown for a loop.  But the sermon still gets written.  I don’t know how.

(actually I do…refer to my previous Holy Spirit comment).

But what makes Thursday sermon prep so special (outside the Holy Spirit working through me to prepare a message from God to preach to God’s people)  is…well…

…the scotcheroo, the coffee and the Cheers like feeling.

O the joy of small town life.

And now…lunch time 🙂

-edh-

Twitter updates

/ The Pastor / 2 Comments

I am not sure if this is a good idea or not, but over on the right side bar I have added a widget that displays my last two Twitter updates.  If this is out of place for this blog please let me know.

As I mentioned in a previous blog post, my Twitter account is being used strictly for ministry purposes.  Recently I have been Tweeting some sermon prep and other scripture thoughts.

So my Twitter experiment continues…

-edh-