Driftwood 2- Passion, Preaching and Customer Service

“Man, they’re right over there. Read the labels and pick one. You’ll figure it out yourself.” You’ve cruised down to your local TJ’s because you’re having a big party and you want the perfect red wine for your guests. What you wanted was service and helpful advice. What you got was neither.
Alright, so you weren’t expecting a sommelier, but someone who was experienced and knowledgeable about wines would have been great. I have similar expectations when I go to church. I’m not expecting one of the apostles to do the teaching, nor even a Jonathan Edwards. But I do want someone who has given careful thought and consideration to the text.
I don’t think the sermon this week should sound exactly like the sermon last week; or last year. Nor do I want pleasant platitudes or someone’s view of current events. What I want to know is if you’ve wrestled with the text. Have you wandered through the wilderness and seen the burning bush? Or at least gone off to a quiet place and thought, prayed, sought and stayed until you had an insight.
One of my past pastors used to equate his teaching to bringing the congregation a meal. His thinking on the matter was that it should be prepared up and served up as exquisitely as possible. That’s my expectation when I go to church. The Psalmist said, “Taste and see that the Lord is good, “and “Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord.” Tasting and teaching are qualities I hope for from a wine steward, and expect from the pulpit.

No Scar

Hast thou no scar?
No hidden scar on foot, or side, or hand?
I hear thee sung as mighty in the land,
I hear them hail thy bright ascendant star,
Hast thou no scar?

Hast thou no wound?
Yet I was wounded by the archers, spent,
Leaned Me against a tree to die; and rent
By ravening beasts that compassed me, I swooned:
Hast thou no wound?

No wound? No scar?
Yet, as the Master shall the servant be,
And pierced are the feet that follow me;
But thine are whole: can he have followed far
Who has nor wound nor scar?

by Amy Carmichael

Okay, okay....coming off of a 60 hour (plus or minus) work week. Took a nap after I got home today. Time for dinner. All that to say; I'm not going to have time to dash off what I want to dash off.....so----more to come on Monday/Tuesday. Feel free to check in with me then......

Darn!-And This Blog Needs Drama Sooo Bad...

Went to drop off "H" at the ex-neighbors yesterday---kind of a DMZ between the real world and the house that the wife lives in. As I'm talking with the neighbor (Scott), the wife's boyfriend calls. Scott asks him if he wants to come down and meet with me. The "wild at heart" part of me really wanted to meet with the guy (Swords or pistols? Thirty paces?) but part of me obviously did not. As it turns out, the boyfriend chickened out (imagine that). Too bad. It may have made such good reading.

"We are met on a great battle-field of that war."

Came across this Dave Barry reflection while bouncing around the blogs today. Some years ago, Gettysburg inspired in me an interest and appreciation for the Civil War and the men involved in it. Yesterday, (9/11), I found myself still emotionally reacting to the memories of the day. So I thought it fitting to post this here.

http://www.davebarry.com/gg/hallowedground.htm

EEE Gads! No new posts for almost 3 weeks! Computer went down, work got way too busy, life went on the fritz! Anyway, for all 3 of you who actually know this blog even exists---I promise new postings by Saturday night (at the latest). Possibilities to come-"Passion in Preaching-It's Good Customer Service" and, maybe.....Sydney's first public appearance. I know, now you want to know who he is, why he exists, and what his relationship is to Veronica.....