Thoughts on Preaching

Jesus was primarily a story teller. No question. He used familiar themes (nets, pearls, fishing, etc) and gave them new meaning. His parables were very simple, easy to understand stories. Some were humorous. Some were sad. They all had a shock value - introducing the new values of the Kingdom of God into the world.

A few Sundays ago I was telling a story for the "sermon". Got a note from one of our visitors - it read, "I don't come to hear about personal stories! We've all got stories. Not enough Bible. Needed more Bible!" A few years ago a retired "gospel preacher" told me that I would make a fine gospel preacher one day myself if I would just quit telling so many stories and start "preaching". (I ask him to go to the gospels and count how many stories Jesus told versus how many "sermons" he preached. He never got back to me.)

Now, this person didn't qualify what "enough" would have been. (I used three verses). Being a older Christian (I would put her in her mid 70's) - I realize that she comes from a different generation - and being a "lifer" in the "c of C" - I realize that comes with some built in slants as well.

However, I even began my "story" with the thought that Jesus was a story teller. And in that vain, let me tell you a story . . . .

Sometimes we say that we want to do things just like Jesus. Many times we just don't mean it. I think we do that we a lot of things, don't we?

VBS and other things

Another VBS is over. I must say, we do a good VBS! Last night we capped it off with the Carnival in the Park. Now we turn our attention to packing up the building. Next week we put the rock facia on the new building. Things are really coming along! Go to our website to see the progress (www.southsidechurchutah.org)

I'm well into the second season of "24". Looking forward to getting the 7th and final Harry Potter book tonight. My daughters are excited about the movie "Hairspray". Oh, boy.

Won't get in a vacation in this summer. Where have you gone this summer?

Great idea for your cell phone!

Went to Target yesterday. Found software called "Ringfactory" for $9.99. It turns any music on your PC into a ringtone! You can even pick the part of the song you want as your ringtone! That's pretty neat!



Verizon charges $2.99 to download a song, plus $1.00 a month. This is $10 for unlimited downloads with no monthly charge! Now, that is a beautiful thing!



Yesterday, I downloaded the Andy Griffith theme song as my ringtone! Yeah, baby, that's what I'm talking about! Today, I'm putting on the Arkansas fight song so when Scott Warren calls me (a fellow Hog fan) I will hear the ole fight song to let me know who is calling.



If you're on Verizon, you may want to check out this cheap alternative to creative ringtones for your cell phone.

Checking in !

Haven't posted for a while, so thought I would check in! It's been one of those summers. We're providing volunteer labor on our construction of our new church building. We also have VBS going on right now. That takes a lot of time. We always wind up VBS with a Carnival in The Park. If that is not enough, we are beginning to pack everything up in the current building!

Right now, I'm reading "Made to Stick" by Chip Heath & Dan Heath. A great book for all communicators. I'm also reading "Life of Pi". Haven't made my mind up on the book yet. Has anyone read it? Can't wait to get the final Harry Potter book on Friday night. I always go to the midnight party with my daughter. We have a great time.

Did catch "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" last week. While not my favorite HP movie, it served the book well. Enjoyed "Transformers" more than I thought I would. Did finish the first season of "24" on DVD. WOW!! I've already started season two. I hope to have watched all six seasons before season 7 begins.

What are you doing this summer? Its time to check in!