Hard to believe 2017 is over 7 hours old already. Being that today is “my one day to work” 🙂 I went to bed at 9:35 last night. No amount of celebrating or celebration could keep me up until 12. Strangely enough, I was. I woke up from a fitful sleep about 11:30 so I decided to go to my Cave and read. I grabbed my Bible and journal and started catching up on the reading which had taken a back seat over the past few days. (And yes, pastors do that also. We are not always on the ball). So…while I had no intention of welcoming in the New Year…I did. I have this sneaking suspicion that less than four hours of sleep is going to catch up with me. Let’s just hope it isn’t while I’m preaching or praying. That could be bad!
The banner gives a good picture of my theme for 2017. “I am Fifth.” Gayle Sayers, a Chicago Bears running back from the ’60s-70s, wrote a book called I Am Third, where he talked about his friendship with Brian Piccolo-a white teammate who was also dying of cancer. His guiding life lesson was “God is first; Others are second; I am third.” As I scanned by library back on July 5th, I ran across the book The Fifth Gospel by Bobby Conway. I decided to use the title with a twist and spend 2017 preaching about being the gospel to others.
Two quotes stand out to me:
“Where one man reads the Bible, a hundred read you and me.” D.L.Moody
“Preach the gospel; when in doubt, use words.”
After introducing the idea this month, I plan to preach on I John. After that the plan is Philippians and/or James. If you are part of OVCF, I do hope you will join me in this journey. If not, but you still want to join in, you can listen by podcast on the church’s website. Have a great 2017.
Happy New Year, Bill!
This sounds like an excellent series, my friend. May God bless you and those who hear your words.
I’m hoping it turns out to be life-changing Martha. Thanks for your kind words.
Here’s hoping that you are recovering well from your accident … mending in body and soul.
Blessings, Bill …
I seem to be recovering well Linda. Of course, there are always glitches but I am mending better than expected. Surgery is not needed which is a big, big plus! Thanks for caring.
Happy New Year Bill…loved Convey book and have used the title on many occasions to remind myself and whoever I am talking to that we are the 5th gospel. I pray the challenge you gave this morning rings in those who heard it for a long time.
Thanks Betty. I do remember you reading the Conway book and really liking it. The challenge always needs to be before us.
I wish you a happy and healthy new year, filled with all of God’s goodness.
Thanks Rodney. I wish that for you as well.
Being the gospel to others is an awesome responsibility we carry. Looking forward to reading your insights on this. May you and yours enjoy a happy and healthy 2017.
“Awesome responsibility” seems to fall short of how huge it really is. Knowing others are watching is sort of scary and, at times, intimidating.
Happy New Year!
I slept through the New Year, but was awaken to loud fire crackers at midnight. I rolled over and went back to sleep 🙂
praying you and your family have a blessed 2017. Praying you’re recovering too.
God bless.
Thanks TC. I had every plan on sleeping through it but guess God had other plans. 🙂
I hadn’t heard about that book by Gayle Sayers. Love the humility in that old adage. Reminds me of how far off track we’ve gotten as a society.
Happy New Year, my friend! I pray blessings upon you and all of your family and your flock.
Hi Bill,
Happy new year! You’ll laugh. I must be bad at math, but how do the numbers add up to five? God, family, __, ___, you?
I liked the neat insight by Moody that when people see us, they are reading God’s words and truths scrawled across us (hopefully). Neat.
Warm blessings on you and your family and your new church series this year,
Jennifer Dougan
http://www.jenniferdougan.com
I man just have to peek my head in.