by the Night Writer
I spoke to our Inside Outfitters group back on December 19th, elaborating on the “return from captivity” message I originally shared with the men at Red Wing. This was our annual Christms meeting where the men of our church go all out in preparing hams, fried eggs and pancakes with special toppings for breakfast while the ladies (and some men) bake cookies for the guys in the Teen Challenge residential program. Unlike other messages I’ve presented to this group, however, this one was recorded and put up as a podcast on my church’s website. You can listen to it here (under the “Building and Defending Your Home” title. It may surprise some of you who know me well to learn that I really don’t like the sound of my voice, but you might get something useful from this message. If not, feel free to browse that website and you’ll find several messages that have been shared by the Reverend Mother!
You are a FANTASTIC SPEAKER. And your message…just perfect. Absolutely perfect. I’m afraid to admit that I was completely unfamiliar with the story of Nehemiah but it is compelling and the lesson speaks to the heart. (I can only imagine just how much it spoke to theirs!)
Also, it just makes mine soar to hear you say that you are ‘well pleased’ with your daughter and I ESPECIALLY love the point you made about treating all people, and all women, as daughters of God.
Thank you for sharing this, John.
Thanks so much, Hayden. The way it works with me is that I’m never very anxious when I’m preparing to speak, or when I get an idea or some insight to share. It’s always after I speak (whether I get to hear the message again or not) that I start obsessing on things I may have left out, or how it may have been received. Listening to a message afterwards only seems to make it worse – I really need to work on developing that Sean Connery voice!
Oooooo yes. I love that voice.
You’re giving your voice short shrift! It just enhances your credibility and trustworthiness, your authority and presence.
From where I sit, it sounds like the perfect tool for your work.