A Friday Morning

It is early Friday morning and I am about to work on my sermon. Last Sunday I was going to preach on “peace” to go along with the Advent Candle Theme for the morning. I was sick. I had been somewhat sick for almost two weeks but I had worsened to the point that, even I was dressed and going out the door, I gave up. It was the first time in 31 years of ministry that I have missed preaching on a Sunday I was scheduled to preach due to illness. (I guess all records must fall)

Anyway, the easy thing to do would be just using the same sermon but because of my connection with the advent candles, I must move on to “joy.” It’s good for me and we will see what develops. At this point I will probably tie it mostly to the scripture from Philippians 4. Philippians is “the book of joy” as many say but I realized during the Grand Forks flood of 1997 Philippians is also a “book of loss.” Paul repeatedly talks of loss – Jesus giving up everything – he, Paul, giving up everything for the sake of Christ – but it is in that loss that joy is found.

Onward and forward, I have got to get this sermon done.