There are many things I'd like to be looking forward to when I'm 75 years-old but having a baby isn't one of them. The story of God's promise to Abraham and Sarah is quite amazing. In a divine visit, God promises this elderly couple a baby and then waits over two decade to fulfill the promise. To wait so long almost seems cruel, especially when you consider how long they had already waited. What would you do if the answer to today's prayer came twenty-five years later? Not only did Abraham and Sarah have to wait, they had to continue to believe in God's honesty and integrity. It's one thing to be hoping for a child when you're ready for retirement; it's an even greater test to wait patiently and faithfully for the Lord to move. This weekend's message looks at the example of Abraham's faith -- strong, courageous, unwavering…
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I recently started reading Anne Lamott's book, "Plan B," a book that offers an insight into her personal spiritual journey. Last night, I came across this line: "Things are not perfect because life is not TV." What a great line - and a great lesson. Since the 1950's, we've been raising generations who tune into the tube. While the lineup has increased from three networks to unlimited cable and YouTube, the same temptation exists: to define reality as something other than it really is. Reality is not perfect, white teeth and unblemished skin. Reality is that the good guy (or girl) doesn't always win; in fact, it's hard to find on TV a really "good" guy or girl who represents sound Christian values or morals. Life is not TV.
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Over 22 seasons as a major leaguer, Bill Buckner batted just under .300 and had over 2,700 hits. But he is best remembered for a ground ball he failed to field. It was Game Six of the 1986 World Series and the Boston Red Sox were up 3 games to 2 over the New York Mets. The game went into extra innings, with the Mets having the winning run at second base. Mookie Wilson tapped a slow-rolling grounder towards Buckner at first base. What should have been a routine play turned out to be the black mark of Buckner’s career. The ball rolled under his glove and into right field, allowing the winning run to score. After twenty-two seasons of professional baseball, the mention of Buckner’s name brings to mind his failure – not his many successes. Life can be that way. Jimmy Swaggart. Bernie Madoff. Lindsey Lohan. Ted Haggard. …
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This quote will change your perspective on sermon preparation: "Preaching is not so much preparing a sermon and delivering it as it is preparing a preacher and delivering him,” wrote Bishop William Quayle.
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If you are a visionary leader, you live to see the big picture. While others are thinking about lunch, your mind is five years down the road. And that's ok. As long as you enable your team to fill in the picture. Until the big picture gets filled in with color and details, it's not really a vision; it's a nice thought.
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