Across the Preacher’s Desk: Earthen Vessels

December 21, 2023 - Paul would write to the Corinthians about the treasure of the gospel in II Corinthians 4:7 with these words, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us.” Tell me, what image comes to your mind when reading this passage?

Across The Preacher’s Desk: Slow Down

December 14, 2023 - Why do we live in such a mad rush? Why have you been racing about all day, as though today is your last day on earth? Why do you sit and pat your foot impatiently when your telephone call is a little slow going through?

The answer, of course, is always, “there is so much to be done, and so little time!” And it is true. However, have you ever heard the old saying, “Rome was not built in a day”?

Across the Preacher’s Desk: Hypocrites

December 7, 2023 - A man who had been a church member little more than a year was heard to say, “I must be losing my power of perception. I can’t find any of the hypocrites I used to see, looking in from the outside.

Across the Preacher’s Desk: Control Your Tongue

November 30, 2023 - I read a story not long ago that came from another day and time. An era when life was simpler and it was common for people to work for their passage on ships.

Across the Preacher’s Desk: Back Seat Drivers…

November 22, 2023 - I read the other day about a man who took flying lessons. At the end of the course, he passed his tests and got his pilot’s license. So, one of the first things he does is take his wife up for a ride.

Across the Preacher’s Desk: On Being Thankful

November 16, 2023 - Dr. Luke records a story for us in Luke 17 that occurred one day when Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem and was passing through Samaria and Galilee. Jesus was approached by ten lepers, miserable creatures afflicted with a horrific disease.

Across the Preacher’s Desk: Ignorance On Display

November 9, 2023 - Sometimes there is a better way to do things than “the way we’ve always done it.” Oftentimes the forward progress of the people of God is thwarted and stopped by the ignorance of the very ones who should be taking the lead in promoting the church. Before we are automatically in opposition to a new way of doing things or a new program, we need to make sure we know what we are talking about. This is well illustrated by the man who was a member of the leadership of a particular group of God’s people who came late to a meeting.

Across the Preacher’s Desk: A Beacon of Light

November 2, 2023 - To be sure, there is often a heavy mood among people in our day and time. There is rioting, looting, lawlessness running rampant in our metropolitan areas.

Across the Preacher’s Desk: Blessed Are The Peacemakers

October 26, 2023 - It was in the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5:9 that Jesus said, “blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” For more than 20 centuries this great word has been knocking at the closed door of the hearts of men and women, largely in vain.

Across the Preacher’s Desk: Quality Control - Desserts

October 19, 2023 - When we have a covered dish luncheon at church, I always eat dessert first. After all, life is uncertain. I usually tell people it is a quality control issue. I want to make sure that the various desserts are good and so I always sample several of them. Often, when Norma is making a cake or cookies for Mason and Hudson, I try to sell her on the fact that I should taste them for quality control purposes. I am always unsuccessful.

Shelby County Today

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Submitted by Tim Perkins