Last night at our Summer Series at Parrish, Keith Jones from Calera, Alabama spoke to us about "Jesus' Life of Prayer." It was a very rich study -- thanks Keith! Here is the acronym that he closed his lesson with: Prayer ACTS: Adoration Confession Thanksgiving Supplication. Take time to really look at what each of … Continue reading Prayer
King of the Sand Dune
Growing up near Pensacola Beach, Florida the sand dunes in this picture were a great place to play king of the mountain. If you were a child, you know the game. You climb the hill and defend your territory from all contenders. The only rule: do what ever it takes to stay on the top … Continue reading King of the Sand Dune
A Blackberry Sermon
No not the electronic kind, the real blackberries. The wild kind you go out and pick. Last week Amy, Andrew, and I went blackberry picking with my my niece Melanie, Amy's niece Rachel and her husband Brandon, and Amy's parents on a large plot of family land. There is a simple lesson that we can learn from … Continue reading A Blackberry Sermon
Taking a Break
Things are hectic around the McCown house at the moment and at Parrish Church of Christ. I am going to take a break from blogging for a few days. I'll see you sometime in Mid - July. To my fellow Americans have a Great 4th as you celebrate your independence and to my British friends … Continue reading Taking a Break
What Makes You Happy?
Happiness has less to do with what we have or accomplish and more to do with what we value. In the July 2008 Reader’s Digest, Arthur Brooks’ article “Why We’re Happy” explains as Mr. Brooks states, “I had always thought that marching to the beat of my own drummer and making my own values as … Continue reading What Makes You Happy?
Being “P. C.”
What does the term P.C. bring to your mind? Do you think of the archaic term “privileged character?” Maybe you are old enough to think “personal computer.” Or if you are paying attention to the media over the last decade you think – “politically correct.” Combining the three terms into one sentence we could say … Continue reading Being “P. C.”
Vacation Bible School 2010
Our VBS at Parrish Church of Christ is now in the history books. We still have some follow-up work to do, but the event is behind us. This year we Journeyed to Egypt with 'Bama Jones' and Dug into the Life of Joseph. We learned about Joseph's trust in God and how God took care … Continue reading Vacation Bible School 2010
Conflict Resolution
We all have conflicts. They start in infancy and continue throughout adulthood. Conflict is neither positive or negative, it simply is. The key to positive conflict is learning how to deal with conflict and resolve conflict when such arises. I want to share six steps from Jesus' teachings in Matthew 5:23-24 and 18:15-17 on resolving … Continue reading Conflict Resolution
Expository Sermon Outline of Colossians 1:15-20
Here is an example of a mostly expository outline. This is skeletal, so you if you use this please research the background material. The Heresy at Colossae Observe Jewish festivals Observe mystic festivals God works through angels and ethereal beings who we must appease to gain favor. Paul teaches them Christ in the form of … Continue reading Expository Sermon Outline of Colossians 1:15-20
A Case for Expository Preaching
Expository Preaching Definition/Contrast: Hadden Robinson states, “Preaching is a living processes involving God, the preacher, and the congregation . . .”[1] This validity of this statement intensifies when one considers the expository preaching. According to Sidney Greidanus expository preaching is “Bible-centered preaching . . . the exposition of a biblical passage.”[2] Others emphasize that “. … Continue reading A Case for Expository Preaching
