Sticks and Stones This Sunday

This Sunday, we are starting a new series at North Side called, “Sticks and Stones.”

History behind the idea: Jeff and I had planned all of 2008’s teaching last year, but due to the campaign and other church events, we decided to scratch some of our series and leave them in a goodie bag for future use.  That meant that we had to redo some months of teaching.  We knew that the teaching for the campaign would take us through October, and we still felt that the December series would work.

That left us at November.  As I was trying to get ahead on planning, I went in and asked Jeff what he wanted to preach on in November.  We threw out a bunch of ideas when I finally told him a sermon series I always wanted somebody to preach – what the Bible says about our speech.

At first, he seemed a little hesitant, but then I asked him how many issues have come up because people don’t know how to control their mouths.  How many times do you wish you had a chance to take back something you said?  I know I have many times.  In fact, the Bible talks about our speech frequently.  Through November, we are going to talk about complaining, murmuring, deceitful words, using God’s name in vain, gratitude, and a whole bunch more.

We threw out a bunch of ideas for series’ titles when Jeff finally came up with “Sticks and Stones.”  We knew that was it, and I have been extremely excited about this series for a long time because I pray that I can get a better handle on my words.