If I asked you, "What was last Sunday's sermon title?" or "What was last Sunday's sermon about?" could you answer correctly? I doubt it. Now, hold on a minute, don't get riled up - I have the same problem!! Well, I might remember my personal sermon since I worked on it for some time, but other sermons are another issue all together.
While I would feel good to have everyone remember all the wonderful words I spoke, the reality is that MY words are just that - WORDS. I want to share some thoughts on the most memorable and powerful sermons I ever heard, and cannot remember.
The first sermon that comes to mind is the one Billy Graham preached in the early 1960s at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, AL. I was an Explorer Scout and we were ushers at the crusade. At the end of the sermon I was sitting on the grass toward the back. Billy Graham made an altar call and I went forward. I was 15 years old, and suddenly felt like I was pulled up from the ground and led forward. I don't have a clue what Billy preached about that day, but something in that sermon and that service opened my heart for the Holy Spirit to speak to me.
The second sermon was preached by a U.S. Air Force Chaplain in May of 1964 at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX. I was in my first or second week of basic training and attending an outdoor worship service (I recall being on the back row!!). As the service was ending, the chaplain walked off the stage. I remember it was to my right as I looked at the stage. While he was walking off, I received what we refer to as - "my call to preach." It was as clear as if I had read it on a billboard and it was so powerful a message that I have never doubted it these 46 years. But, I don't have the slightest clue as to what the chaplain preached about. For all I know, he might have just stood up there and said nothing, but SOMETHING he said caused me to position myself to receive a message that the Holy Spirit had for me.
The third sermon (actually, more than one) was preached by a fellow Army chaplain at Ft. Monmouth, NJ in 1984. I was in the Chaplain's Advanced Course and attended services on Sunday at the Main Post Chapel. The Associate Pastor was a relatively new friend, a fellow United Methodist, and a contemporary of mine (we were both Majors). I had been preaching regularly since I started college (1969) and considered myself a fairly "seasoned" pastor and preacher. When my friend would preach, though, I found myself glued to his sermon in a way that was different from most other preachers. He would capture my attention from his very first word and I marveled at his ability to truly "preach." I'm sorry, but I don't remember any of the particulars of the sermons these 26 years later, but I know that through his messages, his demeanor, and his talent, he opened me to the Holy Spirit in such a way that I became a much better (I certainly hope) communicator of the Word. In fact, I might go so far as to say that he really taught me how to preach.
As you might notice, the common denominator in all this is the Holy Spirit. We who are preachers must never forget that our words; our actions; are just simply that - OURS. When we understand that our words and actions are only vehicles through which we convey God's words, then we finally become preachers. When you who are not preachers approach the spoken word with an expectation that the words and actions of the preacher are just merely a way for you to get in touch with God's Spirit - you are on the brink of a great breakthrough in your spiritual life.
I hope that in the future you won't feel too badly if you can't remember the sermon title. But I hope that you might be able to remember what, in your heart and soul, was stirred by the message.
BUT - if you happen to rmember the title, that is cool too!
Just Thinking.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Thursday, August 26, 2010
Madam Secretary
Don't be fooled by these past two posts - I don't normally read voluminous books. I am normally in the middle of a book by Michael Connelly, David Baldacci, Lee Child, or other like-minded author. Afterall, after dealing with reality all day, nothing says relaxation like a good murder mystery!!!
But, last night I finished an outstanding book: "Madam Secretary: A Memoir by Madeleine Korbel Albright." Another 664 page book, but one well worth the time and effort. I admit that the only reason I bought it was that I found it at Dollar Tree for $1.00. You just can't pass by something like that. It was one of the best investments I have made in a long time.
As you know, Madeleine Albright served as U.N. ambassador and then, following the resignation of Warren Christopher, as Secretary of State - the FIRST female in that position. I have never identified myself with any political party and would not normally consider spending any great time reading a politician's memoir. This is a wonderful exception. I must admit that I have a much greater appreciation of her, in particular, and the job of Secretary of State, in general.
First of all let me say - Madeline Albright is a wonderful writer and keeps you mesmerized with stories of her early life as well as of her service to our great country. I picked this book up one night because nothing else was close by. I thought I would just read through a few pages and see what it was like. I think I stopped reading about 2:00 a.m. From that point on, I was hooked. Her early life is facinating; her behind-the-scenes-stories of world events will captivate you.
I wanted to share this with you because I am very aware that I could have easily missed a great read because of my short-sightedness. I now have another rather large memoir of George Tenet (former head of the CIA) at home that I just might open some day soon. Yes, I got it at Dollar Tree too, but...
Just Thinking
But, last night I finished an outstanding book: "Madam Secretary: A Memoir by Madeleine Korbel Albright." Another 664 page book, but one well worth the time and effort. I admit that the only reason I bought it was that I found it at Dollar Tree for $1.00. You just can't pass by something like that. It was one of the best investments I have made in a long time.
As you know, Madeleine Albright served as U.N. ambassador and then, following the resignation of Warren Christopher, as Secretary of State - the FIRST female in that position. I have never identified myself with any political party and would not normally consider spending any great time reading a politician's memoir. This is a wonderful exception. I must admit that I have a much greater appreciation of her, in particular, and the job of Secretary of State, in general.
First of all let me say - Madeline Albright is a wonderful writer and keeps you mesmerized with stories of her early life as well as of her service to our great country. I picked this book up one night because nothing else was close by. I thought I would just read through a few pages and see what it was like. I think I stopped reading about 2:00 a.m. From that point on, I was hooked. Her early life is facinating; her behind-the-scenes-stories of world events will captivate you.
I wanted to share this with you because I am very aware that I could have easily missed a great read because of my short-sightedness. I now have another rather large memoir of George Tenet (former head of the CIA) at home that I just might open some day soon. Yes, I got it at Dollar Tree too, but...
Just Thinking
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Sacred Fire
Pray for me! I am starting a new book today, "George Washington's Sacred Fire," by Peter A. Lillback. The reason for prayer is that it is only 843 pages long with another 400 or so pages of supporting documents! By the way, I don't currently have plans to read all of the supporting documents.
The reason I bought this book, which is a #1 National Best Seller, is that it is a definitive work dealing with the question, "was George Washington a Christian or merely a Deist?." I think this is an important question whose answer can more clearly identify some of the reasons for the situation(s) in which we find ourselves.
I look forward to the arguments in this book, even with its length, because I believe that we have been slowly led into believing that Christian principles and Godly leaders had less to do with the beginnings of our nation than was actually the fact. While we do not want to hold up some "holier than thou" attitude to the world, I believe that we are a great country because our founding leaders decided to form a nation based on Godly Precepts.
I admit that even if the book makes a powerful argument for Washington being a Christian, the question still remains, "So What?." Well, the answer might rest in the notion that anytime you forget your past (both good and bad), your future is shakey at best.
Yesterday on ESPN there was much discussion about football teams and their chances in the 2010 race to be World Champions. One recurring theme within discussions of all the teams was the danger of forgetting their strangths and going in other directions. Teams that have become strong franchises because they have been powerful defensive teams are now forgetting that and trying to beef-up their offence - to the detriment of "what brought them to the dance." The bottom line is - that will ultimately lead to mediocrity, at best, and complete failure at the worst.
Isn't that what we might be seeing in our country? I know it isn't clearly "black and white," but there seems to be a correlation between not holding fast to our Christian heritage and the breakdown of our society; our government; our leaders.
Maybe the thing that bothers me most is that modern society seems to want to discount anyone who claims Christ. Since the early part of the 20th century, historians in particular, and society in general, have decided that one of the greatest leaders this nation has ever experienced, was only a bland-type believer, at best, and his leadership style and his great accomplishments should not really be attributed to his ardent faith in Christ.
Well, we will see.
The reason I bought this book, which is a #1 National Best Seller, is that it is a definitive work dealing with the question, "was George Washington a Christian or merely a Deist?." I think this is an important question whose answer can more clearly identify some of the reasons for the situation(s) in which we find ourselves.
I look forward to the arguments in this book, even with its length, because I believe that we have been slowly led into believing that Christian principles and Godly leaders had less to do with the beginnings of our nation than was actually the fact. While we do not want to hold up some "holier than thou" attitude to the world, I believe that we are a great country because our founding leaders decided to form a nation based on Godly Precepts.
I admit that even if the book makes a powerful argument for Washington being a Christian, the question still remains, "So What?." Well, the answer might rest in the notion that anytime you forget your past (both good and bad), your future is shakey at best.
Yesterday on ESPN there was much discussion about football teams and their chances in the 2010 race to be World Champions. One recurring theme within discussions of all the teams was the danger of forgetting their strangths and going in other directions. Teams that have become strong franchises because they have been powerful defensive teams are now forgetting that and trying to beef-up their offence - to the detriment of "what brought them to the dance." The bottom line is - that will ultimately lead to mediocrity, at best, and complete failure at the worst.
Isn't that what we might be seeing in our country? I know it isn't clearly "black and white," but there seems to be a correlation between not holding fast to our Christian heritage and the breakdown of our society; our government; our leaders.
Maybe the thing that bothers me most is that modern society seems to want to discount anyone who claims Christ. Since the early part of the 20th century, historians in particular, and society in general, have decided that one of the greatest leaders this nation has ever experienced, was only a bland-type believer, at best, and his leadership style and his great accomplishments should not really be attributed to his ardent faith in Christ.
Well, we will see.
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