Recently I was asked by the district superintendent if I would be interested in preaching at small rural church for 4 Sundays in June. Preaching? I was honored and sort of nervous to accept the invitation to cover preaching and service duties for a pastor who is taking a month long renewal leave, but I feel that God has called me to take this on as a challenge of my intellectual and spiritual capabilities. I feel sort of like Moses when God approached him about leading the Jewish people out of Egypt. Do I have what it takes? Will they even listen?
My first sermon will be covering John 3:1-17, which is Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus about being born again in the spirit. I have been reading the passage, reading commentary, praying, reading some more, reading some more, and soon ready to write it all out. All in the hopes of taking this passage and presenting it in a way that is meaningful and profound for those that listen.
I have been listening as well, taking advice from Mark Fenstermacher, Lore Gibson, my aunt Ann Lantz, and my Grandpa Jim, all who are not only pastors, but are known for their excellent preaching styles and techniques that have made them successful preachers of the word of God.
I pray that meditations of my heart and the words from my lips will be pleasing to my Lord Jesus when I make my best attempt to preach His word and truth for the first time to a captive audience.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
The Thoughts of a Child
I had an interesting experience yesterday with a student that I mentor at Hawthorne Elementary. We were working on multiplication flash cards (which she just buzzed right through by the way) and just going through a regular session when she got to talking, and I started to listen...
I was amazed at what the little girl had to say about life, her family, and most importantly, the really cool field trip they took to camp Eberhart last week. All I did in this conversation was ask questions, nod my head, make small, appropriate comments, and cared. In this conversation, I learned that they got to do a whole bunch of things like sit around a bon fire and play games at the camp. I was able to learn who she lives with and really that she just plain misses her dad and wishes he could live closer. She may get to be with him for 3 weeks in the summer but she might not get to go if she has summer school. I realized that it was important for me to be her mentor. She needs positive male role models in her life.
What happens too much in this society is that children tend to get ignored when it comes to listening to what they have to say and what they feel. Us adults tend to be too busy when it comes to the thoughts and questions of children. If I remember right, Jesus told all of the children to come to him, even as some of his disciples tried to chase them away because he was "too busy".
Although they may be small, children's problems are huge in their eyes. It is a BIG deal that they missed 5 minutes of recess because they were misbehaving. Kids have a lot of the same problems we do, just in miniature form.
Having a simple conversation with a child is letting them know that you care about them and what happens to them means something to someone out there.
Its a tough world for kids nowadays. Let's do what we can to make life just a little bit easier for them and show them, through our actions, that Jesus love and cares for all of them.
I was amazed at what the little girl had to say about life, her family, and most importantly, the really cool field trip they took to camp Eberhart last week. All I did in this conversation was ask questions, nod my head, make small, appropriate comments, and cared. In this conversation, I learned that they got to do a whole bunch of things like sit around a bon fire and play games at the camp. I was able to learn who she lives with and really that she just plain misses her dad and wishes he could live closer. She may get to be with him for 3 weeks in the summer but she might not get to go if she has summer school. I realized that it was important for me to be her mentor. She needs positive male role models in her life.
What happens too much in this society is that children tend to get ignored when it comes to listening to what they have to say and what they feel. Us adults tend to be too busy when it comes to the thoughts and questions of children. If I remember right, Jesus told all of the children to come to him, even as some of his disciples tried to chase them away because he was "too busy".
Although they may be small, children's problems are huge in their eyes. It is a BIG deal that they missed 5 minutes of recess because they were misbehaving. Kids have a lot of the same problems we do, just in miniature form.
Having a simple conversation with a child is letting them know that you care about them and what happens to them means something to someone out there.
Its a tough world for kids nowadays. Let's do what we can to make life just a little bit easier for them and show them, through our actions, that Jesus love and cares for all of them.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Future Seminarian
Well, no better place than here to explain this blog.
Some of your probably already know, but in the Fall of 2009 I will be enrolled at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill. I will be going for my Master of Divinity degree and plan to become and Elder in the United Methodist Church. I am really excited for this opportunity to continue my education and my work for God! It will be a great challenge but it is a challenge I humbly accept and intend to tackle head on.
As far as my ministry here at Trinity is concerned, I still intend to be here, go down to part time, and do what I have been doing since I was hired here almost 2 years ago. I will still lead Upward Basketball into an exciting 3rd season here at Trinity and maybe look into expanding the Upward ministry here in the future. I will go to school for 3 days and work for 3 days, leaving one day for "resting" (aka studying like crazy, and doing other chores).
The intent of this blog is to keep everyone informed on how my seminary and candidacy process is going and also a forum to post random thoughts about everyday life things. I hope you enjoy the posts. As always, you are welcome to comment on any post! : )
Some of your probably already know, but in the Fall of 2009 I will be enrolled at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Ill. I will be going for my Master of Divinity degree and plan to become and Elder in the United Methodist Church. I am really excited for this opportunity to continue my education and my work for God! It will be a great challenge but it is a challenge I humbly accept and intend to tackle head on.
As far as my ministry here at Trinity is concerned, I still intend to be here, go down to part time, and do what I have been doing since I was hired here almost 2 years ago. I will still lead Upward Basketball into an exciting 3rd season here at Trinity and maybe look into expanding the Upward ministry here in the future. I will go to school for 3 days and work for 3 days, leaving one day for "resting" (aka studying like crazy, and doing other chores).
The intent of this blog is to keep everyone informed on how my seminary and candidacy process is going and also a forum to post random thoughts about everyday life things. I hope you enjoy the posts. As always, you are welcome to comment on any post! : )
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