Writers Block

Dan Howard   -  

I have to tell you, I have really come to enjoy the Wednesday night services. When I first started it, it was with a lot of worry, and more than a few nights worth of prayer. One sermon a week can be daunting to prepare, two sermons? It fills your time up quickly. It’s kind of like having to prepare a verbal term paper every week and going “you know what….I bet two would be a great challenge!” I don’t say that for pity. I liked school. I enjoy sermon prep. But it is a challenge to make sure what is delivered is consistent, relevant, timely and appropriate.

Sometimes you hit it out of the park.
Sometimes you don’t.

Sometime you are blessed to step out the pulpit and have someone say “you look like you are having fun up there”
Sometimes you get “constructive advice” (no, I am not calling anyone out in that statement, If you think I am talking about you, I’m not but feel free to call me because I am sure the denial just totally convinced you that it is about you, and truth be told, it would convince me to, so by all means reach out and I will assure you that it is me and not you!)

Sometimes you get both of those comments in the same week!

But back to the topic at hand…Why do I enjoy the Wednesday night service so much? It is a group of people dedicated to praising God, and learning more about His Word. All of it. From the beginning, to the very end.

The accounts we love and the stories that make us uncomfortable. The moments we celebrate, and the tragic failures that remind us that God is faithful.

And that is why, when I was asked last week about writers block and sermons and if I thought Wednesdays were going well, I can smile.

Writers block does happen, but in the end I know that as long as I leave my ego behind me, and follow the Spirit in front of me, what comes from within me will bring glory to His Kingdom.

You have this gift as well. When the time comes you will know what to say.
How can I say that? I know John 14:26

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

Now you do to. Your words probably won’t be from a pulpit this Sunday or Wednesday. They may not be before what I jokingly call now a “live studio audience”

They will be more important. They will be Monday through Saturday. To people God places in front of you. They will be said in the midst of life with all of its ups and downs. It will be genuine moments of real ministry. It will be practical application…it will be God’s grace in action.

So I look forward to seeing you at church. Sunday and Wednesday. I hope to give you something memorable, but more than anything I hope to give you a reminder of His Word. Words of grace, peace, mercy and joy. Word’s that you will repeat…echo…into a where your ministry is.

Sometimes I have writers block, but the Spirit never does,

-Pastor Dan