Allow me to share some of the article's excerpts. "How much sin should we expect in the church? We have gauges for other elements of church life. We generally monitor attendance. We know how many people are in small groups. Somebody counts the offerings. And often we don't just measure what we're interested in-we set goals. Has any of us heard of a church that set a goal for a 5-percent sin reduction next year?

Anatole France once said, "Nine tenths of education is encouragement." The same can be said for preaching, with a slightly different percentage; according to Paul, 33% of preaching is encouragement. He said, "But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort." (1 Corinthians 14:3)

I think this applies to our conversations, as well. Here's my point. I need to always check the content of my sermons (and my conversations) to see how much time I spend encouraging others, as opposed to how much time I spend pointing out errors, or complaining about how bad things are, or warning about how bad things will get, and so on. People need encouragement.

I have to admit, Dad's tend to get a pretty bad rap these days. Some of it is justified, but I know tons of dads who are attempting to be a good example.  You probably already know most of Johnny Cash's story. He became famous in the fifties at the same time as Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis. While his career sky rocketed, his personal life bottomed out: he nearly destroyed himself with drugs and alcohol.

The Annual Conference of the Central Texas Conference has come and gone, and I must say that's it's the best Annual Conference I've attended in the last two decades. There was a spirit of renewal, hope, and joy in the air. The Conference preacher, Dr. Walter Kimbrough, brought a prophetic voice to the worship gatherings. Our new Bishop, Michael Lowry, vocalized a challenge and call of what we are to be about - not that of saving an institution...but to be about the call of Jesus to save lives. I almost couldn't believe what I was hearing! Not only did I hear it, but I believe he "meant" it!

I'm not a newbie at this. This year I will attend my 40^th Annual Conference. Somewhere along this 40 year journey, the relevance of Annual Conference has lost its sharp edge. Every year it has been an endless lineup of report after report. Every year there has been a continued failure to seize that "required" time (3 days) to equip, inspire, and send out lay and clergy to make a difference in our world. Year after year...it has been the same old, same old.

Andre Previn said, “If I miss a day of practice, I know it. If I miss two days, my manager knows it. If I miss three days, my audience, knows it.”  He was talking about the piano, but the same is true about your devotional life. When you’re spending time with God on a consistent basis, it shows. When you aren’t, it also shows. You’ll see it first, then those closest to you, and, pretty soon, it’s obvious to everyone.