Dreams Unlocked

What I do after thinking. I am a preaching pastor. I preach almost every Sunday - I probably preach a 25-35 minute sermon 45 times a year. To get a sermon to go that long, it is usually 8-12 pages long in 12 pt. font., plus any extra quotes that are photo-copied and reading the actual biblical text. When I first started preaching I did A LOT of preliminary academic study, prior to just sitting down and writing the sermon. What that means is I would read the actual text several times in about 5 different bible translations: ESV, NRSV, TNIV, NLT and The Message. I would also read it in the original language - I am better at Greek than Hebrew. I have noticed something change in the last couple of months. I still do the preliminary study - consulting commentaries, etc. But, now, I find that I spend a lot of time just thinking.... and thinking and thinking. That is, I just play around with ideas in my head, revisit them and think about them some more. Thinking - sounds pretty simple, but i...

I really hope everyone enjoys the film and keeps an open mind. I believe in peace on Earth, and good will to all men. I do as I would be done by, and believe that forgiveness is one of the greatest virtues. I just don't believe I will be rewarded for it in heaven. That's all. Note - Gervais is an atheist.

Adam watching cotton candy at the PNE. This Sunday I am preaching a sermon called "What I have Learned" - based on what I have learned in the first year as pastor of this church. Basically, I have learned that people are needy, you will get hurt and that God is sovereign. I am using 2 Cor. 1:3-11 as the lens for looking at these themes. The passage explicates the comfort God gives, the suffering we will endure as his disciples and the hope that contextualizes our experiences. My Dad is in town, which is cool - Adam and Sophia are having a great time! Other news - Zondervan will no longer be publishing their updated version of the New International Version bible, the "Todays New International Version". This is disappointing - I have used the TNIV since its publication for both personal devotions and for public preaching since its publication. This particular translation uses gender neutral terms when referring to people. Example - God created humankind in his image -...