Uncategorized

There are meetings and then there are inspirations.

For the last few weeks a few of us pastors have been gathering together.  As one expressed today — this is inspiration.  At the end of the day we count this as the highlight of the day.

Not the good coffee at Tim Horton’s.  Or the computer program that actually worked.  Or the visit that encouraged the visitee.

No, the day is excited by, wowed by, inspired by a bunch of fuddy-duddy pastors who actually think that God is going to do something.  Something for our town, something for our churches, and not least — something for us as individuals.

And that’s where hope grows.  And peace lives.  And joy blossoms.

Christ in us, displayed in us, lived out through us.  To each other.  And to others.

Not bad for the 1 1/2 hours spent!!

The wind chill is -35!  A good day to stay inside (although we did venture out to buy some outside round roast — which I cut up in preparation for an upcoming event Jill is catering).

The great events of the day have been computer related.  Upgrading or replacing or installing new programs.  Deleting old files.  For me this is relaxing as well as consuming the time of the day.

This evening we will sit and watch some TV programs.  One is called “Chuck”, the other “Corner Gas”.  Both are comedies without a lot of “stuff” that is offensive.

And as the evening completes, we’ll sit and read.  I’ve been going through the Gospels of Jesus — what great stories.  Inspiring and world changing.

And that’s home, sweet home!

So, music can stop vandalism.  Read this article and see what you think.  Classical music and Barry Manilow work together to keep vandalism down!!

I read for the fun of it, and for my work.  Lately I read two books — one is by an acquaintance I have known for years – Sunder Krishnan (The Conquest of Inner Space: Learning the Language of Prayer).  The second was a recommendation that has grown on me — David Eckman (Becoming who God intended).   Both were for “fun”, and as I found out — ended up impacting my work.

Two totally separate books that have emphasized imagination in preaching.  Neither of them are preaching books.  One is a book on the Psalms — working on the inner space of our life.  The other is what I would call a psychology text — written to deal with who we are and what we should become.

The matter of an approach to preaching was a serendipity that came out of both books.  Two short snatches emphasize our current (and maybe our eternal) need to picture life.  In a day and age when visual has overtaken written/abstract text, the need to use visual images in our preaching is paramount.

I’ve been trying to consciously work on imagination in my preaching.  I’ve actually gotten constructive feedback (which is better than what most of us preachers get – no feedback!).  I’m looking for good models in the area of visual/imaginative preaching world.  Know of any?  Let me know!