My First Sermon Planning Retreat …

And why I have already planned my next one. As I have already mentioned here, I have recently returned from my first sermon planning retreat and wanted to share some of my insights and learnings. First let me share with you some of the logistics and then outline how I structured my time. I should … Continue reading My First Sermon Planning Retreat …

Sermon Planning – Series or Lectionary?

Yesterday I returned from my first ever sermon planning retreat. For several years now I have been planning my sermons on the run, fitting a few solid half-days into my regular work week at the church study, hoping and praying that no emergencies or minor distractions would come knocking. It has worked, but I always … Continue reading Sermon Planning – Series or Lectionary?

My Cyber Sermon Suggestion Box for 2014

Next week I am taking a much needed few days to pray, read, and do sermon planning for 2014. For those of you who don't know, I am a preacher that uses both the lectionary and sermon series at various times of the year. As all who are part of our worship team at FUMC … Continue reading My Cyber Sermon Suggestion Box for 2014

Humanity as it could be …

"Humanity as it could be ... as most of wish it would be." This video story had me singing the hymn by Oliver and Miguel Manzano: When our homes are filled with goodness in abundance, when we learn how to make peace instead of war, when each stranger that we meet is called a neighbor, … Continue reading Humanity as it could be …

Rainy day blogging

So today my wife encouraged me to dust off the ole blog and give it a bit of a face-lift. Guess that means I might need to start blogging again since the posts have been few and far between these past few years. I think maybe I should just let my wife start taking the … Continue reading Rainy day blogging

What is in your hand?

“Then Moses answered, ‘But suppose they do not believe me or listen to me?’ … The Lord said to him, ‘What is that in your hand?’” – Exodus 4:1-4 The story of Moses’s call to be God’s deliverer is an extraordinary one. Sometimes we focus so much on the burning bush encounter on the mountain … Continue reading What is in your hand?