Submitted by Tim Perkins

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?”

Across the Preacher’s Desk: Wishbones, Jawbones and Backbones

June 25, 2020 - The body is made up largely of bones, about 200 of them, classified as to shape. The church is also made up of bones, classified according to use. There are three kinds. First, wishbones. You know this kind. They wish for greater things in the church. They wish for larger attendance. They wish for more souls to be saved. Wishbones? They are languid and they are listless. The only thing they deny themselves is work and effort to make their wishes come true. They are sometimes referred to as “rocking chair” Christians.

Across the Preacher's Desk: Branding Time On The Ranch

June 17, 2020 - It would probably come as no surprise to those who know us, that one of the main television channels we watch is the Food Network. In fact, we have several shows that are among our favorites and one of those is “The Pioneer Woman.” The Drummond family owns a large cattle ranch in Oklahoma and part of the show is always devoted to what is taking place on the ranch as well as the recipes Ree Drummond shares with her audience.

Across the Preacher's Desk: An Unwelcome Visitor

June 11, 2020 - A businessman was sitting at his desk. All around him were bills, letters and other evidence that he was totally absorbed in the details of his business.

The minister of the church entered, anxious to discuss the man’s soul. The business man said, “Oh, you must excuse me brother, I am too busy to take time for that today.” Politely, the minister asked, “When shall I call on you again?” The man said, “I don’t know and I can’t tell you. I am just too busy right now. I have a lot to attend to.”

Across the Preacher's Desk: Whose Side Are You On?

June 3, 2020 - In my reading about the American Civil War, I read of a woman who heard that the enemy (Yankees) was approaching. She immediately grabbed a poker from beside the fireplace and rushed out of the house into the yard. Someone standing nearby laughed and asked, “What good do you think that poker will do against guns?” She grimly replied, “At least they will know which side I am on!”

Across The Preacher's Desk: Give Me Your Best!

May 28, 2020 - There are some old "Hymns of the Faith" that we rarely sing anymore. We like the "camp songs" and the "praise songs" and the songs that are newer. One of those old songs, written over a century ago is entitled simply "Our Best."

Here is how the first verse starts out: "Hear ye the Master's call Give me thy best Far be great or small That is his test."

Then, when you get into the refrain, you find these words: "Our talents may be few, These may be small. But unto Him as due Our best, Our all."

Shelby County Today

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