Talbot Davis's Blog, page 21

“The Trust Factor,” Week 4 — “Double By-Pass”

We have been examining the diamond-like beauty of Proverbs 3:5-6 for three weeks now: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight. This Sunday, the series wraps up with a look at by-passes. They work

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If These Walls Could Talk

I continue to be amazed at the level at which people share with me in counseling. It is a high privilege that people trust me and the other pastors on our staff with so much. It is also a deep responsibility. What does that combination of high privilege and deep responsibility demand of me in pastoral

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“Telling About” Vs. “Giving An Experience Of”

In my early years of ministry I came across a preaching book by John Mason Stapleton called Preaching In Demonstration Of The Spirit And Power.  Not the catchiest title, but it does come straight from I Corinthians 2:4. Anyway, in that book, Stapleton goes to great lengths to distinguish between telling about the biblical passage

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From “An Eye Roll” To A “To Die For”: The Top Five Benefits Of A Mission Statement

I have a confession:  earlier in my ministerial career I treated any conversation about church mission statements with the dreaded eye roll. “Not again,” I thought.  “There goes someone pontificating about mission and vision, which if you ask me is just a lot of talk that compensates for not doing much work.” Now:  I did

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The Trust Factor, Week 3 — The “In The Heat Of The Moment” Sermon Rewind

Yesterday’s message … Began with a “mini-point” that was a stepping stone to the major point. I think that’s allowed under the Simplify The Message method; Pointed out that adrenaline may make you stronger but it does not make you smarter; Included a testimony from a pilot from the beginning of his 43 year career;

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#TBT — Nov. 14, 1982

Here it is: a photo from Spelman Hall on the campus of Princeton University on November 14, 1982. My 21st birthday. Julie had thrown a surprise party for me. I remember opening the door to her door and being greeted with the sights and sounds of tennis teammates, roommates, and an assortment of other early

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Work On Your Weaknesses Or Strengthen Your Strengths?

Many of you might remember Billie Jean King, a tennis heroine of yesteryear who won Wimbledon six times while also beating Bobby Riggs in 1973’s “Battle Of The Sexes.” What you may not know is that for all her accomplishments on court, King had a notoriously poor forehand. She used the “wrong” grip, her elbow

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Top Five Tuesday — Top Five Dawes Songs

I admit it: I have been on a Dawes binge. Who — or what — is Dawes? A 21st century band, with a sound that echoes the Eagles, the Doobie Brothers, Steely Dan, Neil Young, and even, improbably, Big Tent Revival. A modern band with a lyrical sensibilities that are equal parts wry and witty

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The Trust Factor, Week 2 — The “Ol’ Blue Eyes” Sermon Rewind With Guest Blogger Ron Dozier

Ron Dozier, who has been on our staff for 12 years now and recently became the Moss Campus Pastor, delivered the second sermon in The Trust Factor series. Contrasting Frank Sinatra with Proverbs 3:5-6, Ron’s message landed here: My Way Destroys. His Way Delivers. Here it is: —————————————————————————– There I stood at the head of

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When You’re Wondering If You’re Making A Difference

One of our relatively new volunteer leaders got a job in another state recently, and moved there with his family. It happens a lot. Then on Wednesday, I got this series of messages from him: Hey Talbot hope all is well! We have been here for a couple months and explored a few churches but

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