Too Many Messages?

In a recent article for ChurchLeaders.com, Tony Morgan says we may be hurting our effectiveness by jumping from one message to the next without focusing more attention on the critical items. He writes:

Proper 23 (A): Standing Fast in the Lord

Dean Niferatos reports that it was a routine morning on the Number 22 CTA bus in Chicago. Office workers, restless punkers and affluent shoppers filled the seats and crowded the aisles. At the Clark and Webster stop, two men and a woman climbed aboard. The driver, a seasoned veteran, immediately bellowed, "Everybody watch your valuables. There are pickpockets on board."

Proper 22 (A): A Life of Passion

When you have it all, it's hard to give it up. I recently went to an estate auction where everything had to be sold, not because of death, but because of divorce. More than $2,000,000 was the bottom line. The owner rode his prize show horse in the ring while the bidders nodded their heads. Though the horse sold for an amazing $102,000, the owner quickly had to dismount and go into his house where he cried like a baby. It's one thing to be forced into giving things up, but quite another to willingly part with that which has given you joy, consumed the attention of your life and made you proud.

Proper 21 (A): How Near Is God?

Life is a journey in which we will discover the sufficiency of God when we learn to trust Him. However, we would be naïve to believe our faith will go untested on the journey. God's people and God's leaders have lessons to learn on the journey which cannot be fully understood except through times of uncertainty and delayed provisions. The journey of faith is just that-a journey of faith, not sight.

Proper 20 (A): To Die Is Gain

A famous evangelist once said there was a topic he could address on any occasion with any group without fear of contradiction-the universal nature of death. Perhaps babies should come with a warning label, "Birth will be hazardous to your life." There is a one-to-one correspondence between birth and death: All who are born will die.

Proper 19 (A): When Christians Differ

As a student at a small non-denominational Bible college, I recall a rather animated debate between two classmates on the issue of a Christian shopping at a grocery store that sold beer. One colleague argued that to frequent such an establishment was an implicit endorsement of the sale and consumption of beer. Indeed, it might be an occasion to cause a weaker brother to stumble. The other argued that it was impossible to find a store that didn't sell something objectionable. Besides, even good things can be used for evil purposes.

Preacher to Preacher: Turkey Tenders and Preaching

Buddy and Clancy love their Turkey Tenders. The packet of those Turkey Tenders explains why that might be: "Turkey Tenders are made from 100 percent turkey breast fillets-the best part of the turkey." I should explain that Buddy and Clancy are two of my favorite grand dogs. They live with our son, Gary, and his wife, Catherine. I will confess there are times when Clancy and Buddy almost persuade me to believe in doggy election! Now, please don't try me for heresy yet.