Across the Preacher’s Desk: Freedom

July, 7 2021 - This past Sunday was July 4th. A day that we celebrate as “Independence Day” All over America, in communities large and small, people were celebrating and observing this day in a variety of ways. Yet, as we pause and remember those who began this quest for freedom on July 4, 1776, and we celebrate our independence and freedom, how often do we pause to reflect and remember the one who gave us the ultimate freedom?

Across the Preacher’s Desk: I Thirst

July 1, 2021 - Is the message of the cross relevant for today? What is there for men and women of the 21st century? Can the events on a hill so long ago affect us now? Can the death of one man by crucifixion affect men and women when thousands can now be killed with one bobm? The answer is yes, yes the message of the cross is current and relevant. There are two short words in John’s Gospel (John 19:28) that show us how current this message is. Those words are when Jesus says, “I thirst”.

Across the Preacher’s Desk: Troubled Hearts

June 24, 2021 - Sorrow is a universal experience, it comes to the rich and poor, to the powerful and the weak. So much of the sorrow in our world is unseen, often it is hidden from view purposely. Many times it is known only to the individual and to God. It can be buried beneath a cheerful countenance and earthly baubles. Yet, even the most cheerful often have troubled hearts.

Across the Preacher’s Desk: Faith Is The Victory!

June 17, 2021 - Faith is a common denominator in all of our lives. We daily express faith in something. In fact, we cannot live a single day without exercising faith. To be sure, we have faith in the physical world.

Across the Preacher’s Desk: When We Disappoint

June 10, 2021 - After Simon had denied Jesus for the third time, Jesus looked at Simon. He didn’t say a word. He just looked at him. When Simon saw Jesus, he went out and wept. He wept bitterly.

I remember times when I would do things that disappointed my earthly father. Times when he didn’t say anything. He just looked at me with disappointment in his eyes. It was worse than any whipping he ever gave me (and I got my share of those!).

Across the Preacher’s Desk: Following Jesus

June 4, 2021 - Did you ever wake up early Sunday morning, the neighbors are all in bed, the streets are quiet and the yards are empty? The world is asleep as you prepare for worship on the Lord’s day. That’s what you get for being a Christian.

Did you ever leave dishes in the sink, a blouse un-ironed and the floors un-swept to visit a sick friend or run an errand for someone confined to home? That’s what you get for being a Christian.

Did you ever say no to a social gathering for all day on the Lord’s Day? That’s what you get for being a Christian.

Across the Preacher’s Desk: Enemies... Do You Love Yours?

Across the Preacher’s Desk: Transformed Lives!

May 20, 2021 - To my mind, “Sonnets From The Portuguese” is one of the most beautiful works to come from the pen of Elizabeth Barrett Browning. The most familiar passage from that great work reads, “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.” My favorite is a bit more obscure.

Across the preacher’s Desk… A Treacherous Heart

May 13, 2021 - The habit of faultfinding is a bad habit that lots of people fall in to. The tragedy is that it is easily acquired and not readily broken. In case you haven’t noticed, we live in an imperfect world. Everything is flawed and defective. Institutions all blunder and fall short of the ideal. People are all erring creatures and sometimes we are offended by their faults. However, we should not pay so much attention to the faults and failures of others. Neither should we dwell on the defects of the world we live in.

Across the Preacher's Desk: “We Can’t Do That...!"

May 6, 2021 - It was Mark Twain who said, “They did not know it was impossible, so they did it”. When you think about it, that is a very inspirational thought. It conjures up thoughts of perseverance, courage and accomplishment. It is amazing to think how many interesting and worthwhile things most of us could do, if we did not put mental handcuffs on ourselves.

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Submitted by Tim Perkins