Wednesday, May 21, 2008

I've got a problem. . .

If you were around for last week's message, you know that the train sort of jumped the track on Sunday. I went over at least 15 minutes during the first hour, maybe closer to 20. I am often a bit over, but Sunday was unusually long.

For what it's worth I thought I'd give you the back story. . . .

  • I am trying to get through Galatians by the end of the summer.
  • I have to be away several Sundays this summer and our staff made the decision that, given the complexity of the Galatians argument, it's probably most effective if I hold on to Galatians. Ken will be on Sabbatical this summer, so Steve will be doing an interspersed series on the doctrine of the Word on the weeks I am not here.
  • The end result of all these realities is that I have tried to combine some texts I had planned to preach separately. It didn't work too well last Sunday. Clearly that was 2 messages.
  • I think I am a bit tired. It was my fifteenth Sunday in a row. I am ready for a pulpit break and will get one, not this Sunday, but next as I sneak away with the men for the Men's Retreat. I am still speaking 3 times, but it's different and a nice change up. All that to say when I get tired, I tend to get "loose" and undisciplined in my time and content management.
  • In addition, it was a Communion Sunday, which are always "tight" since we have an extra 10-15 minute piece in the service.
  • It was hot and our Sunday School teachers were dying. Not a good Sunday to go over.

So . . . after the first hour, I cut the message in half and preached only through the first point. . . and still went over. Yikes!

So . . the first hour heard a different message than the second and third hours. Radio got the longer message. Web got the shorter message . I am pretty sure that's the first time that's happened in 5 years. I'm still trying to figure out how to straighten out this mess for this Sunday. I think what will happen is that I will change up the content some and just preach it again. After all, repetition is the key to learning.

I still have the challenge of how to get through all this amazing truth before the end of the Summer. I don't want to rush it, but it doesn't make sense to take the Galatians beyond the Fall Kick Off. The Lord will lead. Pray for me!

One more reminder to me and you that I don't have it all figured out. I'm weak. I make mistakes. I get tired. I make poor choices. I'm on journey. I'm still learning.

God's Word is a deep well every time we go it. Its treasures are inexhaustible. There's always more there than we can digest. Thanks be to God!

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Pastor Tim, I just wanted to let you know that I'm praying for you! I'm excited to hear part of the message again at 9:30 on Sunday since I was in 8:00 last week. Even if you didn't change the content and it was the exact same thing again I think it would be beneficial and encouraging. Thanks for all you do. God is clearly at work.

Anonymous said...

Hang in there Pastor Tim. My family and I too are praying for you.

I can't imagine what it must be like to prepare a sermon week in and week out like you do while counseling, leading the other guys and faithfully leading your family - wowza! I thank God that you're not in it alone. Our Triune God is there with you and He's working through you.

Peach it brother!

We love you...
-ap

Mama Mote said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mama Mote said...

Tim...what I appreciate is that you are not willing to let Scripture go by you and that you aren't going to skim over it quickly just to keep it in your timeline. I have the privilege of working in the office and seeing how much you pour your heart into studying and praying over your sermons or whatever you are preparing for, including your campouts or some community event. We, at Grace, are so blessed to have you and your family here.

None of us are perfect, but God is. He will work everything out for His Glory. You can be sure of that.

Praying for you always.