Today, I went into work with much to get done, primarily a sermon of which I am preparing to preach this Wednesday at our Chapel here on post. I grabbed my John Calvin commentary, Bible, and my day-planner and hit the road. After arriving at work, I realized that I had not checked my email for 4 days, due to our little field exercise....and thus was far behind.
Minutes after 0900 email traffic began, where I constantly answered email or the phone for close to 2 hours. As 1100 rolled across the clock, I made my efforts to get my 'Korean' Citation award on my Dress Blues, thus completing them, and preparing them for Thanksgiving. 1200, I am back at the house...
Oh, yeah. I am suppose to be working on my sermon.
1300, more email. 1330, counseling appt. 1430, JAG office. 1500, I am sitting in front of my computer again working on Retreat Schedules and Photos for the hallway at our Battalion. YET, ...no sermon.
1620, I lift my Bible up to read the passage in Joel again. Jot a few notes...talk it through with my Chaplain Assistant. Still really no real substance or 'feeling' of accomplishment. 1655, a meeting to go to.
1730, Jessica picks me up, and ask how the day was....I am frustrated. Why? My goal was to seriously work on the sermon, and have something ready for those who would come and hear the messsage. I sit down on my couch, defeated, pick up my Bible again.
Then the Lord prompted me to write on some new paper out of the printer. 1755, I get my G2 pen, and within 15 minutes, I have penned the entire sermon...all the exposition that I had worked on last week, within seconds formed perfectly on the passage...and ran to the Cross of Christ. It was done.
My Home Office. A coffee table, and a sofa.
Bottomline: I am not a fan for fly-by-the-seat of your pants preaching. I am very methodical and sometimes overly zealous for details in sermons. I think at times, I get so 'Army-minded' it seems to forget that the Spirit brings illumination. The still small voice, needs my attention.
For those attending the Thanksgiving Service, please don't think that its going to be an amazing open-air George Whitfield explosion, ...but I do believe it will help us all refocus on the Thanksgiving found in Christ, the terminate end of all our joys. Our fountain. (a little Matthew Henry)
Well one thing I do miss for sure is your sermons. By the sound of what ever you prepared and at this moment I would not mind to here how your day went on a cacual basis from where I am sitting. It has been a goood while since I heard a ispiring man preach in person.
ReplyDeleteHey, has the Lord brought anyone in your company that has any seal for the Him? If this email is one of a thousand to answer you do not have to for I know I will eventually find out who is in your life by your personal internet jounal.
Say hi to Jessica and Ramose for me =)