Thursday Three For All
It’s Thursday, kiddies: the day when I roll out a few things I’ve been reading over the past week. Three of ‘em, to be exact. Enjoy. (Remember: click on the big bold print to read the entire article.)
Preachers, Keep a Close Watch on Your Life and Illustrations
(via @jaredcwilson) Stop me if you’ve heard this one…
We all know a good illustration when we hear one in a sermon. But I for one think sermon illustrations are way overrated. Yep, I said it. I think too much emphasis is put on illustrations in how we train preachers and in too many actual sermons. You shouldn’t trust your illustration to do what only God’s word can. And that’s where many of us often go wrong with illustrations. Here is more on that though, and some other wrong ways preachers often use illustrations in their sermons:
The Surprising Power of Daily Rituals
(via @michaelhyatt) Call me a creature of habit if you must, but I prefer to view it as if I’ve actually thought through it. 🙂
It’s best to think of rituals as prescribed procedures for achieving specific results. They don’t guarantee results, but they do set us up the best possibility of success.
When students first learn to play the piano, teachers have them run the scales. Why? “Piano scales help the pianist develop … comfort and mastery of the piano,” explains instructor and author David Graf.
Scales are prerequisite for peak performance and improvisation. But have you noticed that even accomplished pianists will often run through these scales before serious playing?
Monkey Tries to Keep Squirrel from Eating His Fruit
(via @premiumfunny) If you have kids, you’ve seen this before. Except with probably more screaming.
photo credit: Jason Mathis
