30 March 2008
10 going on 16
Usually, after a weekend of preaching 4 times all I want to do is crash for a couple of hours.
A study was done just a couple years ago on adrenaline and the effects of preaching one sermon. The study found that the average sermon is the equivalent of an 8 hour work day (in terms of the adrenaline released).
I can easily believe it. I suppose that is why around 1:00 pm on a typical Sunday, I feel like I just got off a 24 hour work shift!
Add to that the Monday blahs. It’s a little something pastors go through on, you guessed it, Mondays. Turns out that no matter how well the weekend went, how many lives were affected, people touched in a deep way, pastors often (not always) still feel inexplicably down and detached. I usually watch out for this, so a couple years ago I moved our staff meetings to Tuesdays and I work from home on Mondays spending extra time in God’s Word as I seek to ramp up for the next week’s challenges.
The blahs won’t be coming this Monday.
How do I know?
Because I came home and had a wonderful afternoon with the family, put the kids to bed, kissed Michelle good night, kicked are little hamburger bun eating dog to the curb (kennel) and came in here to try and think of something to post for a Monday morning blog.
That’s when I saw it—a journal entry my 10 year old son (actually, 10 and a 1/2!) Nathan had apparently written while sitting in the Southbrook video cafe at 10:00 am this morning. It touched my heart in the deepest place. And, with his permission I want to share it with you.
So…
Guest Blogger: Nathan Singleton
1 Month to Live — “Living the Dash”
Your sermon had all of my attention, the whole sermon.
The sermon was really short (implying most are long, I guess!
) and the football story was perfect!
The ‘age thing’ was hilarious!
I’m going to take the ‘One Month to Live” challenge by being kinder to Juliana (his sister). It’s amazing how Jesus, the king of the universe would humble Himself and die on the cross! Man, that football story really touches my heart…
I told you I’m running this race for an audience of 1.
Just for today it bumped up to an audience of 2.
What a great kid!
8 Comments currently posted.
Latanya Wagner says:
K Hinkle says:
Nathan must have particularly liked this message because he wanted to hear it yet again. He went to sit with my boys during the 11:30 service, excitedly telling them “this is a really good one”. Joe and Brian liked it too. I talked to the boys afterwards about the legacy their father has left us in spending time purposefully loving each other daily. “I’m going to be a Dad just like him,” Brian says.
michellesingleton.com says:
That Nathan sure is a terrific kid ~ takes after his dad in so many ways! Love you both!
Matt Langley says:
You had me at One Month to Live ; ) That is a very touching entry, thank you and Nathan for sharing. OK, deep breath, I am getting a little verklempt. My family prays for you and the whole staff and volunteers @ SCC every day. We thank God for making you the leader you are and one example (of many at Southbrook) of how we should “live the dash”. (Jesus being the ultimate example, of course) You rock!
Kristy says:
I had the priviledge of sitting in on Mr. Mike’s 8:30 class with the 4th and 5th graders this Sunday, and Nathan was there as well. Mike talked about our Worldview……that what we believe in shapes the way we see the world around us. Nathan had alot to say! He is a great little guy with a big brain and a big heart for Christ!
I was inspired by the way the kids in class really “get it”. Mr. Mike shared that he’s had the PRIVILEDGE to teach Sunday school for 30 years!!! What a commitment!!! He is a gifted teacher with a huge heart for our kids. He has made a lasting impression on my kids, and he is much loved by the kids of Southbrook who have been lucky enough to spend time with him. He is a treasure. Thanks, Mr. Mike for loving our kids!
Kristy
K Hinkle says:
Kristy, I’m so glad you did this - I was in Mike’s 10AM class, he’s awesome with these kids and a great role model to inspire us on how to reach kids of that age!
Tasha Via says:
That is so cool!!
Kati says:
When i first started coming to southbrook. [4 years ago]
I was in Mr. Mike’s morning class.
It was a combination of that class, and later the youth group [signal2noise]
that brought me to the true understanding of a relationship with Christ.
So thanks Mr. Mike!
Nathan, thanks for the really cool input. keep rocking it out! =]
We so wanted to be at service Sunday morning, but unfortunately I was sick with the icky bronchitis. I do want to let you know Pastor Rob that you and the tremendous Return Worship Team have blessed our family richly! Thank you so much for preaching God’s heart from your heart! We have been attending regularly for quite a while, and look forward to eventually being a part of and serving at Southbrook.
Latanya