After preaching for almost 40 years, I still write a manuscript for every sermon. I get the fact that not everyone is sold on writing out a manuscript for their messages. So let me offer seven reasons why manuscripting is worth the time and effort.
Category: Life Lessons
Preachers: Here’s a one-hour change that will improve your sermons (and lower your stress)
A number of years ago, I took a preaching course with Haddon Robinson. One of the most helpful things he taught us was a way to take some pressure off sermon preparation and wind up with a better sermon. The…
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Right-sizing Your Ministry Expectations
What are your expectations in ministry? Would you say they are high or low? Optimistic, realistic, or even pessimistic? How can we right-size our expectations? That's the focus of this post.
Stan Fowler: Scholar, Servant, Singer.
One week ago, on Tuesday, August 26th, Dr. Stan Fowler, long-time theology professor at Heritage Theological Seminary, graduated from earth to heaven. I had the privilege of working with Stan during my years at Heritage. Stan was a “scholar in…
Summer Tuesdays with Ezra (Chapter 1)
This year I spent time digging into the Old Testament book of Ezra. While the book contains a fascinating historical account of the return of the Jewish exiles after the Babylonian captivity, it's more than a history book. It's a…
Why is Getting Rid of Sinful Baggage Is Still So Hard
Do you ever get frustrated with yourself? Do you ever get tired of the struggle with a habitual sin? Do you ever wonder if you'll ever get rid of it? If so, you're not alone. In fact, the apostle Paul…
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I’m Dead to Sin? Really?
DId you know that, if you are a Christian, you are dead to sin? That's what Romans 6:2 boldly states: "How can we who died to sin still live in it?" You may be thinking, "I'm dead to sin? Really?…
Praise and Prayer Update (May 23, 2025)
A few weeks back, I asked you to pray with us about some upcoming ministry opportunities Linda and I were anticipating. I (Rick) was scheduled to speak at a men’s conference and also invited to train a group of pastors…
How to Navigate Through Life’s Rough Waters (Part 2)
If you could use some inspiration and motivation to anchor your life in God’s Word, you should read Daws, the biography of Dawson Trotman. His life story shows the stability and strength God gives to those who saturate their hearts…
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How to Navigate Through Life’s Rough Waters (Part 1)
I don’t have to tell you life is not exactly smooth sailing right now. Internationally, the waters are choppy and chaotic. Closer to home, we feel storm tossed by rising prices and falling stock markets. It’s hard to stay steady…
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Rick and Linda Reed 