What The Blues Teaches Us About Preaching
Too many sermons hang hope on two hooks. Some promise heaven tomorrow — a mansion over the hilltop, streets of gold, no more crying. Others promise a hookup tomorrow — …
The Blues and Eschatology: Hope in the Dirt Read More
Some of you know that old gospel-blues number: Trouble in my way, I have to cry sometimes. Trouble in my way, I have to cry sometimes. I lay awake at …
Trouble in My Way: Preaching When the Answer Is Still “No” Read More
There’s something strange and beautiful about the blues. It’s a music soaked in pain—lost love, long nights, empty pockets, broken promises, unanswered prayers. The blues doesn’t pretend everything is alright. …
The Blues, The Dance, and Preaching Read More
Just Keep Put The Ball In Play I wasn’t a basketball or football guy. Back in High School, I played baseball. I grew up watching the Kansas City Royals. I …
Just Keep the Ball In Play Read More
When I was back in seminary, I remember going to Dr. Brad Braxton’s Introduction to Preaching Class at Vanderbilt Divinity School. I was excited in that Brad Braxton was an …
Preaching Advent With Imagination Read More
2 Corinthians 12:6-10 In our reading today Paul has an uplifting mood. However even in this elated mode we hear the overtones of the blues in his yearnings. A thorn …
Why The Thorn Read More
B. B. King starts this Blues with a statement that fundamentally reverberates with the essence of the Blues. BB says, “Nobody Loves me But My Mother, And she could be …
BB King and Jesus Read More
Are you ready? You know what I’m talking bout… You should always have a sermon ready to preach. “Hey Doc, I’m gonna put you on the program.” Years ago one …
Are You Ready? Read More
I love listening to the songs of the Freedom Movement… You know where they followed the African American Slaves and took songs from the past and altered them to speak …
Preach Like They Sang Read More
Have you ever preached a sermon devoid of any theology? No teaching about God… No teaching about humanity’s relation to God… No theology at all? Well, you may disagree with …
A Sermon Without Theology Read More
Nothing… Nothing… Nothing beats preaching through your sermon ahead of time… Preaching through your sermon in your practice room will let you know about structural issues in your sermon… Preaching …
Practice Preaching Makes Perfect Preaching Read More
Some folks judge the effectiveness of their sermons by how many people are shouting or running down the isle. Now, there should be an emotional response to our sermons, but …
They May Shout, but do They Remember? Read More
It has happened to all of us. We get into the pulpit with a little more confidence than we aught to have and begin to preach. We stand up like …
Three Blessings of Flunkersville Read More
A preacher called me and asked for a list of books to buy to help his preaching. I gave him this list: 1) They Like To Never Quit Praising God …
Use What You Have Read More