The Book Stack

A friend in college was a debater of some skill. When he wrote a paper for a seminar, he had a pattern learned from debate competition.

He began with an outline, and beside the desk, a stack of books, all marked with passages to use. With an outline and a stack, he could produce a defensible seminar paper in an evening.

Another friend retired years ago. His present devotional life is to outline, stack the books, and prepare a lectionary sermon every week. Occasionally he actually does get to deliver one. But the spiritual exercise is ongoing. It is who he is.

So, it's September now. The faith-building, faith-expressing ritual that expresses who we are is leaning toward the last Sunday of November. Some of us will deliver sermons, some of us will simply do the spiritual exercises we love, that make us who we are.

Either way...... take heart, it's a godly calling, isn't it?