Talbot Davis's Blog, page 51

Top Five Tuesday — Top Five Books On Sports

I love reading and I love sports. So combine the two and VOILA! Sports books. I read them whenever I can. So here are my Top Five Sports Books of all time: 5. Instant Replay by Jerry Kramer. One of the first “behind the scenes” look at modern pro sports, this one is well-written and

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#BehindTheScenes, Week 5 — The “The Worst Laid Plans” Sermon Rewind

I honestly don’t know how you can preach on Esther without being an English major. Now: I know it’s done and done well. But I also know that I couldn’t preach on this enigmatic little book without dwelling on the ironies, reversals, coincidences, and perfect timing.  It’s truly one of those occasions where the literary

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#BehindTheScenes, Week 5 — The Worst Laid Plans

So we wind up #BehindTheScenes this Sunday with a message called “The Worst Laid Plans.” Together we’ll see how our arranging God builds a series of reversal, coincidences, and “just happen to’s” into the narrative of Esther. And we’ll see how Haman’s plans for genocide don’t turn out exactly as he drew them up. I

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There’s A Reason We Call It A LIBRARY …

Meaning, there’s a reason in addition to the simple truth that the bible is, in fact, a library. But when you realize it is a library, you are better able to read and interpret it literarily. I say that in contrast to the age-old and nonsensical question: Do you interpret the bible literally or symbolically?

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Small Group Bible Study Giveaway: Inviting All People

Scott Hughes, the host of Small Groups in the Wesleyan Way Podcast, recently interviewed me on the topic of the small group ministry model. After sharing information about our most active and most enduring groups at Good Shepherd and the latest G3 approach, I realized that I could help others take this strategy, no matter

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Top Five Tuesday — Top Five Christian Campfire Songs

I just returned from a week long Student Mission Trip with Carolina Cross Connection.  The week was filled with home repair work during the day and then spiritual encounters around the campfire by night. This was my 10th week with CCC (seven at Mt. Carmel UMC during the 90s and now the last three years

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#BehindTheScenes, Week 4 — The “Moment Of Truth” Sermon Rewind

Yesterday’s message … Began with one of the most enduring images from Davis family lore; Celebrated the ways that the literary choices and narrative technique of Esther’s author make all the difference in the meaning of the passage; Included another teaching moment from  Dr. Michael Brown; Resulted in a church-wide fast for today, July 30;

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Is What It Took To Get You Where You Are What It Will Take To Get You Where You Need To Go?

Through the years, as I have listened to Conference speakers talk about such subjects as avoiding burnout, staff relationships, and time management, a question kept running through my mind: Is what it took to get us where we are what it will take to get us where we are going? Here’s what I mean. Part

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Grace Does More Than Save

We typically think of Grace (God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense) as that which saves us. We don’t deserve to spend eternity in heaven, but because of grace, God sees Jesus when he looks at us instead of seeing our sin, and welcomes us into his kingdom. Even the late, great Tom Petty sang about it:

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Top Five Tuesday — Top Five Songs That STILL Sound Good

These aren’t my favorite songs ever. These are simply those songs that, whenever they come on the radio, I keep them on.  Some combination of melody, rhythm, and vibe makes these sound as good as the day I first heard them.  Here they are. 5. Never Been Any Reason, by Head East.  An mid 70s

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