I am still continuing the process of unpacking from my move in July. Since my arrival, organizing my pastoral library has been an ongoing task. While putting books on the self this morning, I came across a gem, "Outlines and Illustrations for Preachers and Teachers" by J. Ellis.
I don't know where I got the book. I conducted some brief research online and it appears that this book was written in 1898. It is old, but the following advice is timeless.
Sunday School
Teacher, Qualifications of a Good (Acrostic)
Truthful
Earnest
Affectionate
Cheerful
Homely
Early
Regular
Sermons
Sermons should be short and pointed, as a rule. Nothing can justify a long sermon, says Lamont. If it a good one it need not be long, if a bad one it ought not to be long.
Dr. Thorold's Hints
To be listened to is the first thing, therefore be interesting.
To be understood is the second thing, so be clear.
To be useful is the third thing, so be practical.
To be obeyed is the fourth thing, therefore speak as the oracles of God.
Arabian Proverb
He that knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool--shun him.
He that knows not, and knows that he knows not, is simple--teach him.
He that knows, and knows not that he knows, is asleep--wake him.
he that knows, and knows that he knows, is wise--follow him.
"An Illinois genius has been enriching himself lately by advertising an infallible cure for drunkenness for one dollar, and sending a reply, "Drink nothing but water."
I think I will keep this gem of a book handy. It might be old, but I think it has a timeless appeal.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
The Gift of a Red Balloon
This past week I attended my first session of the Madison County Fair. Fair emcee BW Coile calls it "Three Flags Over Comer." The fair was a great expression of small town and rural pride for America. First of all, the fair was organized and sponsored by the Comer Lion's club. Second, the fair involved the community. Churches, volunteer fire departments, the local woman's club, politicians, veterans, and schools all had booths. Some of the groups sold fair fare (good play on words there).
Comer United Methodist Church participated in the fair this year as well. We had a booth. But we didn't sell anything at this booth. We did something that is actually a bit uncommon at a fair. We gave something away. Over the course of the fair we gave away nearly 1000 red helium balloons. Each balloon had an invitation printed on the side of it that welcomed everyone to join us at our Sunday Morning worship service.
It was so fun giving out these balloons to tots, children, youth, and a few adults. Some folks came every night to get a free balloon.
There were a few people who came up to ask how much we were charging for a balloon. There were a bit surprised when we said "The balloons are free. They are gifts from our Church to you."
The word "free" has a strange power to it, particularly when you hear it at a county fair. "Free" has the power to bring a smile to a face and cause a hand to reach out in gratitude.
Nearly 1000 red helium balloons decorated the fair last week. Each red balloon was an expression of a gift. I might even say it was an expression of grace.
Grace is free, but it isn't cheap or without cost. God's gift of grace was quite costly. The price was paid on the Cross of Calvary. But each Sunday, and every day in between, we have an opportunity to receive that grace and share it with others. Go share a balloon.
Comer United Methodist Church participated in the fair this year as well. We had a booth. But we didn't sell anything at this booth. We did something that is actually a bit uncommon at a fair. We gave something away. Over the course of the fair we gave away nearly 1000 red helium balloons. Each balloon had an invitation printed on the side of it that welcomed everyone to join us at our Sunday Morning worship service.
It was so fun giving out these balloons to tots, children, youth, and a few adults. Some folks came every night to get a free balloon.
There were a few people who came up to ask how much we were charging for a balloon. There were a bit surprised when we said "The balloons are free. They are gifts from our Church to you."
The word "free" has a strange power to it, particularly when you hear it at a county fair. "Free" has the power to bring a smile to a face and cause a hand to reach out in gratitude.
Nearly 1000 red helium balloons decorated the fair last week. Each red balloon was an expression of a gift. I might even say it was an expression of grace.
Grace is free, but it isn't cheap or without cost. God's gift of grace was quite costly. The price was paid on the Cross of Calvary. But each Sunday, and every day in between, we have an opportunity to receive that grace and share it with others. Go share a balloon.
Monday, August 9, 2010
School Days
On Friday morning the school bell went "ring, ring" and officially sounded the end of summer for the children of Madison county, Georgia. The days of summer are over and now it is time for kids to hit the books and get back to learning. With the end of summer it is important to remember that not all learning takes places in the classroom.
As a matter of fact, I learned a lot of good life lessons during the days of summer.
For example here are a few lessons from the pool.
1. Bring your towel, and be sure it is large enough to dry you off.
2. Keep an eye on your towel because somebody who didn't bring one might want to use yours.
3. Wear your sunscreen. A day of fun in the sun can quickly turn to a week of no fun without sunscreen.
4. Don't hang on the pool rope. Lifeguards don't like it when you do that.
5. Don't jump in the deep end if you can't swim. Lifeguards don't like it when you do that either.
I think these lessons from the pool teach us the following life lessons: "Be prepared and keep an eye out for people who aren't prepared," and "No what you are capable of doing." And looking back at my school days, I don't know if the teacher ever taught these lessons in the classroom.
As a matter of fact, I learned a lot of good life lessons during the days of summer.
For example here are a few lessons from the pool.
1. Bring your towel, and be sure it is large enough to dry you off.
2. Keep an eye on your towel because somebody who didn't bring one might want to use yours.
3. Wear your sunscreen. A day of fun in the sun can quickly turn to a week of no fun without sunscreen.
4. Don't hang on the pool rope. Lifeguards don't like it when you do that.
5. Don't jump in the deep end if you can't swim. Lifeguards don't like it when you do that either.
I think these lessons from the pool teach us the following life lessons: "Be prepared and keep an eye out for people who aren't prepared," and "No what you are capable of doing." And looking back at my school days, I don't know if the teacher ever taught these lessons in the classroom.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Camp Meeting Services 2010
Indian Springs, Mossy Oak, Pine Log, Poplar Springs, Salem, Shingle Roof, and Smyrna are but a few of the nearly one hundred Camp Meetings that dot the state of Georgia. Camp Meetings are a historic institution. They go back to the early days of our nation. The first recorded Camp Meetings took place during the Second Great Awakening (1720-1780).
Camp Meetings in those days were a real religious experience. They often lasted five days or more. Preaching and worship took place day and night under trees and brush arbors. In the Camp Meeting worship services the people sang new and spirited songs. Hymnals were very limited in those days, so most singing was led by a song leader in a call and response fashion. Camp Meeting preachers were known for proclaiming the gospel with power and emotion.
The Cane Ridge, Kentucky Camp Meeting in 1801 drew 20,000 to 30,000 people. In the crowd were Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, and un-churched people. One day while I was at Asbury Theological Seminary, I drove out to Cane Ridge. Cane Ridge is located in Bourbon County, Kentucky. The old log cabin meeting house where the Camp Meeting revival began is still standing there. The Cabin stands in wooded grove in the middle of vast acres of rolling farm land. There were a few houses here and there, but Cane Ridge was and still is in the middle of nowhere.
As I looked out on the vast expanse of rolling farmland, I thought about the 20,000 to 30,000 people gathered there in 1801. I thought about where they came from. From the beginning Camp Meetings were a democratic and egalitarian experience. People from all walks and stations of life attended. I thought about the religious experiences they had while at the Camp Meeting revival. Reporters from those early camp meeting days tell of people shouting, jerking around, barking like dogs, and passing out in the spirit. I thought about the good news they took back to their homes and communities, and the change that news might have brought. Many congregations and churches were born out of Camp Meeting gatherings.
This month we will go back to the Camp Meeting days. We won’t travel to Cane Ridge. We won’t put saw dust on the floor. We will have air conditioning, hymnals, and soft pews to sit on. We will sing the old fashioned Camp Meeting gospel songs. I plan on preaching some old fashioned Camp Meeting sermons. We can only imagine how God might move in these services.
So come on and join me for Camp Meeting 2010. Let’s revive our faith and quicken our Godly living.
Camp Meetings in those days were a real religious experience. They often lasted five days or more. Preaching and worship took place day and night under trees and brush arbors. In the Camp Meeting worship services the people sang new and spirited songs. Hymnals were very limited in those days, so most singing was led by a song leader in a call and response fashion. Camp Meeting preachers were known for proclaiming the gospel with power and emotion.
The Cane Ridge, Kentucky Camp Meeting in 1801 drew 20,000 to 30,000 people. In the crowd were Presbyterians, Methodists, Baptists, and un-churched people. One day while I was at Asbury Theological Seminary, I drove out to Cane Ridge. Cane Ridge is located in Bourbon County, Kentucky. The old log cabin meeting house where the Camp Meeting revival began is still standing there. The Cabin stands in wooded grove in the middle of vast acres of rolling farm land. There were a few houses here and there, but Cane Ridge was and still is in the middle of nowhere.
As I looked out on the vast expanse of rolling farmland, I thought about the 20,000 to 30,000 people gathered there in 1801. I thought about where they came from. From the beginning Camp Meetings were a democratic and egalitarian experience. People from all walks and stations of life attended. I thought about the religious experiences they had while at the Camp Meeting revival. Reporters from those early camp meeting days tell of people shouting, jerking around, barking like dogs, and passing out in the spirit. I thought about the good news they took back to their homes and communities, and the change that news might have brought. Many congregations and churches were born out of Camp Meeting gatherings.
This month we will go back to the Camp Meeting days. We won’t travel to Cane Ridge. We won’t put saw dust on the floor. We will have air conditioning, hymnals, and soft pews to sit on. We will sing the old fashioned Camp Meeting gospel songs. I plan on preaching some old fashioned Camp Meeting sermons. We can only imagine how God might move in these services.
So come on and join me for Camp Meeting 2010. Let’s revive our faith and quicken our Godly living.
Monday, July 12, 2010
Missing Salem
If it is hot, then it is probably campmeeting time. It is hot and it is campmeeting time. As I write this, Salem Campmeeting is in full swing. Unfortunately, I am not there.
I love Salem. It has become part of my yearly routine. Salem Campmeeting and Campground are a place of respite and renewal to me. Salem affords me a time to rest and reconnect with family, friends, and God.
As usual, the Salem pulpit is graced with two good preachers this year--David Swanson from Orlando First Presbyterian and John Ed Mathison a retired United Methodist Pastor. Tom Roberts is leading the meetings in song and ordering the program.
I love Salem, but right now I am not there. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." I pray being absent from Salem will help me appreciate it even more when I return tomorrow afternoon.
If you are in the Covington, GA/ Salem Road area of Conyers then come on down and join the good people at Salem. The meeting will continue until Friday night. Come and be blessed.
I love Salem. It has become part of my yearly routine. Salem Campmeeting and Campground are a place of respite and renewal to me. Salem affords me a time to rest and reconnect with family, friends, and God.
As usual, the Salem pulpit is graced with two good preachers this year--David Swanson from Orlando First Presbyterian and John Ed Mathison a retired United Methodist Pastor. Tom Roberts is leading the meetings in song and ordering the program.
I love Salem, but right now I am not there. "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." I pray being absent from Salem will help me appreciate it even more when I return tomorrow afternoon.
If you are in the Covington, GA/ Salem Road area of Conyers then come on down and join the good people at Salem. The meeting will continue until Friday night. Come and be blessed.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Jeopardy Introductions
As a young boy I would often spend many summer days at my grandparents' house in the hills of East Tennessee. At their home they had several routine practices. Once such routine was watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy each weeknight. Sometimes I will keep their routine and watch these long running game shows.
When I was a lad and still today, I am surprised at some of the introductory remarks and information Jeopardy contestants share with the nation. Surely the contestant knows that they will be on national television. Surely the contestant has watched the program before, so they know what is going to happen. And I am certain the show producers even told the contestants to be prepared for Alex Trebek to ask them about their lives.
What surprises me, is that on almost every program there is a contestant who shares the most absurd, random, or boring fact about themselves. On tonight's show one of the contestants inhaled an ant through a soda straw. Another contestant was quick to share that she took a class with the Pope's secretary. The final contestant and champion, shared how his wife was planning on spending his winnings on a trip to Disney World. I guess these are interesting facts, but really is this the kind of information you want the millions of people watching you on television to know?
If you were a contestant on Jeopardy what introductory information would you like the nation to know?
Here's mine. "I have gone to Captain D's about once a week for 20 or so years." Or how about this, "One time I saw a man that looked like Kenny Rogers, but it wasn't him." Here is a good one, "I once bought a watermelon and thought it was ripe, but it wasn't."
When I was a lad and still today, I am surprised at some of the introductory remarks and information Jeopardy contestants share with the nation. Surely the contestant knows that they will be on national television. Surely the contestant has watched the program before, so they know what is going to happen. And I am certain the show producers even told the contestants to be prepared for Alex Trebek to ask them about their lives.
What surprises me, is that on almost every program there is a contestant who shares the most absurd, random, or boring fact about themselves. On tonight's show one of the contestants inhaled an ant through a soda straw. Another contestant was quick to share that she took a class with the Pope's secretary. The final contestant and champion, shared how his wife was planning on spending his winnings on a trip to Disney World. I guess these are interesting facts, but really is this the kind of information you want the millions of people watching you on television to know?
If you were a contestant on Jeopardy what introductory information would you like the nation to know?
Here's mine. "I have gone to Captain D's about once a week for 20 or so years." Or how about this, "One time I saw a man that looked like Kenny Rogers, but it wasn't him." Here is a good one, "I once bought a watermelon and thought it was ripe, but it wasn't."
Friday, June 4, 2010
The Old Man in Rome
I never talked to him, but what he did in those few moments taught me a lesson I still remember. He was an older man. He looked like he ate well. On his head he wore a floppy white hat that matched his white beard. He was wearing a plain yellow shirt and a pair of blue overalls. It wasn't his appearance that spoke to me. It was what he did.
In the summer of 1997, my grandparents gave me a wonderful gift. They enabled me to take a tour of Europe with the Heritage High School French Club. Madame Jane McDevitt was our leader. On this day we were in Italy. I believe we were in Rome, but it could have been in Florence. None the less, I found myself sitting next to an old water fountain.
This older man came stumbling down the street. He looked around. I guess he saw the group of young American tourists watching him. But I really don't know what inspired him to do what he did. He began to sing. From the depths of his body he began to belt out opera music.
In his voice I could hear his love of life. He was happy to be living. He wasn't ashamed. He wasn't bashful. He was living life. He was singing his song.
From time to time, like today for example, I think of this man. I will never know who he is. I do not know if he is still alive. All I know is that on that summer day in 1997 he taught me a lesson in living.
As I write this blog post, I am pondering my 29 years of living so far. Tomorrow I will turn 30. I might just celebrate by singing out loud in the middle of town. Who knows, I might teach somebody else a lesson in living.
In the summer of 1997, my grandparents gave me a wonderful gift. They enabled me to take a tour of Europe with the Heritage High School French Club. Madame Jane McDevitt was our leader. On this day we were in Italy. I believe we were in Rome, but it could have been in Florence. None the less, I found myself sitting next to an old water fountain.
This older man came stumbling down the street. He looked around. I guess he saw the group of young American tourists watching him. But I really don't know what inspired him to do what he did. He began to sing. From the depths of his body he began to belt out opera music.
In his voice I could hear his love of life. He was happy to be living. He wasn't ashamed. He wasn't bashful. He was living life. He was singing his song.
From time to time, like today for example, I think of this man. I will never know who he is. I do not know if he is still alive. All I know is that on that summer day in 1997 he taught me a lesson in living.
As I write this blog post, I am pondering my 29 years of living so far. Tomorrow I will turn 30. I might just celebrate by singing out loud in the middle of town. Who knows, I might teach somebody else a lesson in living.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)