Enjoying Writing and Sermon Day

Saturday 14 September 2019 - Enjoying my writing I am really enjoying writing it and I think it is bringing me closer to God. Looking back at the past few months I have focused on reading as many books on the ‘course book list’ as possible. But whilst I managed to read 8 of them, my focus was on reading books.. Not on my relationship with God - which it ought to have been.

Since the first course day I have read none of the course books and instead have been thinking, writing, listening to Christian YouTube videos and downloaded a Christian book of my choice from Audible. The videos and book have been in the area of apologetics which for some reason I have a real interest in. I am presently listening to various videos from Ravi Zacharious’ YouTube Channel, and the book I am listening to is ‘Defending your faith’ by R C Sproul. Fascinating stuff!

I have also been looking into Celtic Christianity and have been wondering if this contemplative form of worship could be a good fit for me. I do have a ‘thing’ about mountains, snow, the sea and weather, and love to be ‘at one with nature’. Anyhow we will see… 

Tomorrow is an important day for me - I am doing my second sermon at Church. It is about Idolatry and Identity. Have been practicing today and it comes out at about 10 minutes. I am going to record it so have been setting all that up and a clip microphone with a lead to my phone seems to work ok - then I will upload it to my Podcast Channel - Space for Faith. This has been put on the back burners for a bit as I think it was a case of learning to walk before you can run. 

Anyhow, doing all this has I think improved my relationship with God - I do feel closer. I will of course continue to read books on the book list - but perhaps at a bit more of a leisurely pace so I can also focus on my relationship with God 

Sunday 15 September 2019 - Sermon Day Well today was the day I had to stand up in front of Church and preach a sermon. It was the second time I have done this - and I think I really love doing this. I love the writing - this time I had to few weeks notice so was able to have a more leisurely approach to writing. 

However I was a bit more nervous this time delivering it. I have an idea why… I wanted to record it for my journal and bought one of these collar clip microphones, with a lead which went to my phone. So walking up to do the sermon I had this wire hanging down plugged into my phone which I carried, and also had my Kindle which contained my sermon. Think next time will just put the phone on the lectern, it was all a bit of a palava. It was also a longer sermon at just over 10 mins.
I was fairly happy with the content … I think. However I do feel I may have added Bible passages for the sake of it - grasping at straws.  I was not happy with my delivery. My nervousness showed - I did not flow too well and got some words mixed up on occasion. Next time I will hopefully do better.

The recording is in my journal - here is the link

https://www.spaceforfaith.co.uk/blog/sermon-15-september-2019-identity-and-christianity-who-are-you

So a lot to reflect on for next time.