Submitted by Tim Perkins

Across the Preacher’s Desk: Red Clay Pots

November 12, 2020 - I can remember as a boy, watching the potter at work at the wheel at the old Marshall Pottery. I would stand mesmerized by the skill with which he would throw a lump of clay on the wheel and mold it into a work of art. They made many beautiful pieces of pottery in those days. They made pitchers, butter churns, strawberry pots, pickling crocks among other items. But they also made just plain, red clay flower pots.

Across the Preacher's Desk: How Are Your Batteries?

November 5, 2020 - It was only a couple of months ago that Hurricane Laura blew into our world. Trees were blown down around us, we were without power, some for several days, and life was generally disrupted. I remember that morning when the power went off. I immediately went to the cabinet for a flashlight, and the very first one I picked up had no light. The batteries were dead.

Across the Preacher’s Desk: Words

October 29, 2020 - Words are wonderful things. They have a beauty all their own. They have associations in our minds that give them reputation. Some are bores and some shine brilliantly.

Yet, there is an eloquence without words. “Silence is golden” someone has said. Silence can be eloquent also. Jesus was a master at using the eloquence of silence. He used it many times.

Across the Preacher’s Desk: Blessed are the Peacemakers

October 22, 2020 - 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. We have said yes with our lips. Yet, in our hearts, we have said, “blessed are the sowers of discord.” Blessed are the war makers and blessed are the fomenters of strife. We see it every day in our land.

Across the Preacher’s Desk: The God of the Mulligan!

October 15, 2020 - Once upon a time, I thought I might like to take up the game of golf. I played a little for a few years, and then realized, golf was not my game. The men I played with (my grandfather and some of his friends) were guys that believed strongly in the Mulligan. Truth be told, none of them was ever going to join the PGA.

Across the Preacher’s Desk: The Proof of the Pudding

October 8, 2020 - We are all familiar with a number of old sayings. One of these is “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.” It is in fact a phrase I have used on many occasions. Usually it was used to try and get a head start on eating something.

There is a passage of scripture in Psalms 34:8 that speaks to this where David says, “O taste and see that the Lord is Good.” David, you see, invites us to taste and see that the Lord is Good.

Across The Preacher’s Desk: The Iron Rule or The Golden Rule

October 1, 2020 - All of us are aware of the “Golden Rule”. It was announced by Jesus in Matthew 7:12 when he said, “Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them”. Of course, we are more familiar hearing it as “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you”.

Across the Preacher's Desk... How Many Loaves Have Ye?

September 24, 2020 - Unexpected dinner guests. Have you ever had that happen? That is what happens to Jesus and the disciples in Mark chapter 6. John the Baptist had just been killed and Jesus and the disciples were trying to get to a secluded place. They were tired from the teaching and healing being done. They were leading busy lives and needed a little R&R.

Across the Preacher's Desk: Light in the Darkness

September 17, 2020 - Often there is a heavy mood among people in our day and time. The rioting and lawlessness taking place in our cities, the pandemic of Covid 19 along with the quarantines and shutdowns are having a profound effect on people. The mood often is one of disillusionment mixed with discouragement. Things we once thought certain are no longer certain. Things we once thought secure are no longer secure. Our political landscape is like a minefield and one wonders what ordinary people like us can do.

Across the Preacher’s Desk: Embarrassing Questions!

September 10, 2020 - When God asked Adam, “Where art thou?” if was embarrassing to him, because he was in the wrong place and had done the wrong thing. He had disobeyed God. When God asked Cain, “Where is thy brother?” is was embarrassing because of his sin. In the parable of the marriage feast, when the king asked the men who did not have on a wedding garment, “Friend, how camest thou in hither not having on a wedding garment?” the man was so embarrassed that he was speechless (Matthew 22:12).

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