Talbot Davis's Blog, page 91

The “God Drops In” Sermon Rewind

What do you get when you combine . . . A classic Union County saying, John’s epic version of the Christmas story (don’t blink or you’ll miss it), A “stand up” invitation, and A John Piper (yes, UMCers!) inspired insight that he who had no beginning began everything? You get God Drops In, a sermon Read the full article...

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Calling In Sick?

There have been a handful of mornings in ministry when I have had a strong desire to call in sick. Not on days that I’ve actually been sick, mind you. But days when the bed felt awfully warm. And there were some things on my schedule that I simply didn’t want to face. And I knew the Read the full article...

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We Read The Bible All Wrong

Ann Patchett’s novel State Of Wonder opens with this: The news of Ander Eckman’s death came by way of Aerogram, a piece of bright blue airmail paper that served as both the stationary and, when folded over and sealed along the edges, the envelope.  Who even knew they still made such things?  This single sheet Read the full article...

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Top Five Tuesday — Guest Blogger Devin Tharp on SRV CLT

We had a wonderful night serving around Charlotte Sunday night for SRV CLT.  Good Shepherd and Steele Creek Church of Charlotte came together for the effort as we sent out 120 students, 35 adult leaders to 8 ministry locations.  Here are just a few of the things we did together:   Packed 80 food packs Read the full article...

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The “God Drops Hints” Sermon Rewind

Here was the challenge yesterday. How to take this clear hint from Micah (Old Testament prophet, writing 700 years before Jesus) —   2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,     though you are small among the clans[b] of Judah, out of you will come for me     one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of Read the full article...

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God Drops Launch — “God Drops Hints”

We’ve got gumdrops, raindrops, eye drops, lemon drops, mic drops, pin drops, ball drops . . . so why not God Drops? It’s a different way to look at Christmas.  But I think you’re going to like it. Here’s the bumper video. And here is where we are headed: December 4:     God Drops Hints December 11:    God Read the full article...

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The Origin Of A Series . . . And The “Say It Out Loud” Test

About three months ago, I thought I had settled on a Christmas series. The series title was solid, some of the individual message titles had the potential to be provocative, and I’d even opened up a file folder to collect my research, notes, and brainstorms. And then somehow, the idea of God Drops came into Read the full article...

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Ministry & Mimicry

Professional tennis player Grigor Dmitrov of Bulgaria has long been called “Baby Fed.” Why? Because even casual fans will notice that Dmitrov has patterned his game after Roger Federer. Federer’s Serve: Dmitrov’s Serve: Federer’s Forehand: Dmitrov’s Forehand: Federer’s Backhand: Dmitrov’s Backhand: Uncanny, isn’t it?  Note that even the racket is identical. Now: you could say that a Read the full article...

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Top Five Tuesday — Top Five Reflections From An Eagles Tribute Band Concert

Last month, I posted about my experience at a Led Zeppelin cover band concert.  You can read all about the “soundtrack of my youth” here. Well, a happy consequence of going to that concert was free tickets to this past weekend’s show by On The Border, a Charlotte-based Eagles tribute band.   Which, then, is Read the full article...

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The “Value Added” Sermon Rewind

So here was yesterday’s bottom line:  delay criticism to deliver affirmation. And how to apply that, concretely, in the immediate aftermath of the sermon? By placing a blank piece of paper in the program and allowing people time to write notes to people in their lives who may have received more “advice” than affirmation.  All Read the full article...

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