Submitted by Tim Perkins

Across the Preacher’s Desk: Too Busy – Are You Sure?

September 3, 2020 - I read a story not long ago about a businessman, a man who was quite busy. He was harassed, discouraged, and overwhelmed with all the pressure he was under. He had deadlines to meet, projects to complete and a never-ending list of things he needed to take care of. Finally, in desperation, he decided to consult a psychiatrist. The good doctor immediately told him to slow down and work less. He also had some further instructions. He told the man to spend one hour every week in the cemetery.

Across the Preachers’ Desk: Storm Warnings!

August 27, 2020 - By the time you are reading this, Hurricane Laura should have made landfall along the Gulf Coast. This storm has caused me think of an incident in the life of Jesus when he was in a little boat with his disciples on Galilee. We read in Mark Chapter 4 that a great storm of wind arose on the Sea of Galilee, the waves were beating into the ship and the disciples were afraid. Yet, in the midst of that horrific storm, Jesus was asleep in the back of the ship.

Across the Preacher’s Desk: Growing Up Spiritually

August 20, 2020 - One of the great themes of the New Testament is the concept of individual spiritual growth. When Paul wrote the letter to the church in Corinth, it was a congregation beset with problems. There was a party spirit and the church was divided into factions. In Chapter 3 he tells them he cannot write unto them as being spiritual because they are carnal. They are still babies spiritually. They have been fed with milk and not with meat because they cannot handle meat.

Across the Preacher's Desk: The Perfect Preacher!

August 12, 2020 - At long last and after an extensive search, the perfect preacher has finally been found.

His knowledge is deep, his delivery is eloquent and he preaches only 15 minutes. He condemns sin in unmistakable terms and does not offend anyone.

He works from 8:00 a.m. until midnight, including janitorial and maintenance work. He makes $200.00 per week, wears good clothes, buys good books, drives a nice car and gives $100.00 per week to the church.

Across the Preacher's Desk: A Strange Christian

August 6, 2020 - Once upon a time there was a man who called himself a Christian, but he was indeed an unusual one.

On Monday, while at work, something went wrong. He forgot about God and cursed and swore, using the name of God freely.

On Tuesday, he heard some “juicy gossip” about a brother and passed it on to another without determining whether it was true or not. He even embellished the story and made it worse than before.

Across the Preacher's Desk: What Are You Reading?

July 30, 2020 - During the middle part of the 20th century, one of the most popular religious writers was Norman Vincent Peale. He was most famous for his book, “The Power of Positive Thinking”. Many today would not recognize his name, however, they would recognize the names of Max Lucado, Joel Osteen, John McArthur, Charles Swindoll and others.

Across the Preacher’s Desk: Corks, Pressure and Sin

July 22, 2020 - I know this will come as a shock to many people, but I will confess that I have been fishing once or twice in my life. I will not go so far as to put it at the top of my list of “preferred recreational activities,” in fact, it probably would not make the top 100. But I have tried it. I remember using a cork and watching it float on the surface of the water. I know that even when the cork is submerged, it will float to the top.

Across the Preacher’s Desk: My Words

July 16, 2020 - Just for a moment, ponder the message of the following passages of scripture.

Matthew 12:36-37, “But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by they words thou shalt be condemned.”

Across the Preacher’s Desk: Do We Obey God or Men?

July 9, 2020 - In Psalm 100:1-2 we find these words: “Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before his presence with singing.”

Then we read these words in Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”

Across the Preacher's Desk: Hypocrites In The Church?

July 1, 2020 - There was a man once who had been a church member little more than a year. He 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. Certainly, I see some with shortcomings and weaknesses, even like I have, but I cannot point out one person who is not serious and honest in his or her Christian endeavors. Could it be that I have acquired rose colored glasses?”

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