Preaching...Center Stage Show

"...preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void" 1 Corinthians 1:17 

I love a good sermon.  If I am going to give up my Sunday (I am actually dedicated to the sabbath, but you get the idea) and not go fishing, traveling or visiting friends....don't waste my time.  I couldn't agree more, sorta.

While I do love a good sermon, does it need to be a song and dance to capture my attention and win my favor?  No.  A good sermon needs to challenge me.  I want to hear a message that is relevant to my life today.  I have real struggles, I deal with difficult people daily and sometimes looking for a little peace takes more effort than it should.  I want encouragement.

I have a good life, a good Family and a good job but that doesn't mean that I do not have problems that never seem to get fixed.  Today fixing your problems isn't popular, it's how you feel about not being able to fix your problems.  Well, I'm tired of having the same problems.  Frankly, I'd like to have a new set of problems all together.  So yes, I am looking for answers.

I have had enough with debates, political rants and religious fights.  When I go to worship I do not want another episode of CCN or FOX news.  The world is not coming to an end (we'll it is, but in a good way...for some).  Why does every message have the same political-religious slant.  It's like you've gone to a shrimp restaurant and can choose from gumbo shrimp, popcorn shrimp, sauteed shrimp, shrimp scampi...I guess we're getting shrimp....again!  I want to be stimulated theologically. 

I love people.  I love a lot of people.  O.k., I love some people.  Actually, some people are hard to love.  To be honest, I like to get away from people.  I have to de-stress from the pressures of life at then end of every workday. I need to find something positive in a world that can only see the negative.  So when I take my precious Family to worship, I want to be surrounded by Positive Faith Based People.

I have my favorite superheros, my favorite actors, my favorite books and my favorite bands. When I want to drift away and be distracted by my favorite entertainer, I'll grab Hemingway and go fishing with Santiago.  I am not looking for an image-driven performer in the pulpit. I want a mature anointed minister who has spent time with God on my behalf.  I want to hear the message delivered like it was my last crumb of bread and I want to feel the love of Christ hold me securely.  I want to connect with the Eternal Word of God.

So, do you have to put on a dog and pony show to entertain me and keep me satisfied?  No.  If you can get out of the way so I can get the Word that should do just fine.  Thank you.

  

If it is God's plan for you...

"'I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord..." Jeremaiah 29:11

     E. V. (Ed) Hill, who pastored Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, tells the story of how "Mama's" love and prayers changed his life. During the height of the Depression, Hill's real mother, who had five children of her own, didn't have enough food to go around, so she sent four-year-old Ed to live with a friend in a small country town called Sweet Home. Ed just called her Mama. As he was growing up in Sweet Home, Mama displayed remarkable faith which led her to have big plans for young Ed. Against nearly insurmountable obstacles, Mama helped Ed graduate from high school (the only student to graduate that year from the country school) and even insisted that he go to college.

     She took Ed to the bus station, handed him the ticket and five dollars and said, "Now, go off to Prairie View College, and Mama is going to be praying for you." Hill claims that he didn't know much about prayer, but he knew Mama did. When he arrived at the college with a dollar and ninety cents in his pocket, they told him he needed eighty dollars in cash in order to register. Here's how Hill describes what happened next:

I got in line …, and the devil said to get out of line …, but I heard my Mama saying in my ear, "I'll be praying for you." I stood in line on Mama's prayer. Soon there was [another new student ahead of me], and I began to get nervous, but I stayed in line …. Just about the time [the other student] got all of her stuff and turned away, Dr. Drew touched me on the shoulder, and he said, "Are you Ed Hill?" I said, "Yes." "Are you Ed Hill from Sweet Home?" "Yes." "Have you paid yet?" "Not quite."

"We've been looking for you all this morning," [he said].

I said, "Well, what do [you] want with me?"

"We have a four-year scholarship that will pay your room and board, your tuition, and give you thirty dollars a month to spend."

And I heard Mama say, "I will be praying for you!"