tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712530471749964930.post2721463107186081152..comments2023-06-16T05:09:02.423-07:00Comments on your average pastor: Sunday Surprise: The Impact of BlessingJoseph BW Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10158272900007170551noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712530471749964930.post-17618948552632789662010-02-02T10:10:27.661-08:002010-02-02T10:10:27.661-08:00Thanks for your affirmations, Tracy.
I am certai...Thanks for your affirmations, Tracy. <br /><br />I am certainly one of my own biggest critics. I am relatively confident in how God and I can work together to make a Gospel proclamation. My attempt in this post was to convey the serendipitous Holy Spirit reminding me that the work of the Spirit is not confined to my sermon or to the details I arrange--which is actually part of the point of the healing of Bartimaeus. The disciples hadn't planned on his presence, and they didn't even consider that he was supposed to be there.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-712530471749964930.post-14635641618190244622010-02-01T22:30:56.592-08:002010-02-01T22:30:56.592-08:00Hey Joe (Hendrix, baby!),
First, the sermon was g...Hey Joe (Hendrix, baby!),<br /><br />First, the sermon was good, so you are right not to worry about it. Your 8:00 version came up at the 9:30 Adult Sunday School quite a few times. Trust me, your sermons get discussed, often before I've heard them! It always amazes me what happens to the proclamation once it leaves our vocal cords, the connections it makes on the wings of the Spirit! Rest assured that it was well received. Whatever distraction and tenseness you felt went unnoticed by us (mostly!). Chalk it up to those damn spotlights!<br /><br />Second, the blessing through the laying on of hands was indeed powerful. Even for those of us merely observing. We need more of this.<br /><br />Finally, a suggestion and a question. <br /><br />Suggestion: How about the possibility of a congregational member (members?) giving a short testimonial as to how a particular vocation impacted their life? For example, during the service for health care workers, someone could have told how a nurse (or whatever) made an illness (or whatever) more than merely a matter of healing (or whatever). I might actually be willing to say something short during the service for law enforcement!<br /><br />Question: How narrowly or broadly should we define each vocation? For example, I 'teach' at the Buzz on Wednesdays - am I an 'educator' for the purpose of these services? I don't really think so, but just thought I'd ask.<br /><br />Keep up the good work, Pastor!Tracy Fitzgeraldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04796003789416130271noreply@blogger.com