Those of us who preach receive a variety of post-sermon responses. One of my most remembered, was a good-intentioned, yet devastating comment from a dear lady who said, “Bro. Dan, every sermon you preach is better than the next one.” Think about it. That’s a comment, not a compliment. We who preach cringe when someone comments that they enjoyed our talk. Not complementary. Speeches are talked. Sermons are preached. There is a huge difference. Fellow-preachers also know that skill in sermon preparation is crucial, yet secondary. To paraphrase a verse, “Unless the Lord builds the sermon, they labor in vain who build it” (Ps. 127:1). Delivery is yet another challenge – to a mixed-age audience where the young members do not understand the significance of a Pearl Harbor illustration and the older members do not understand the use of hi-tech terminology. And yet we preach on, fearing with Paul, that when, “I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. (1 Cor. 9:27). A few Sundays ago, I received one of my best responses. Following a sermon, a man I did not know, came to me and said, “Dr. Dan, when you preach, God speaks.” Now that’s a compliment – a compliment that needs no comment. So preachers, preach on! And listeners, consider whether your post-sermon responses are compliments or comments.

Join me in remembering the following global concerns this week:
• Pray for a week-end Prayer-walking conference at Gethsemane Church in Donetsk, Ukraine.
• Pray for a new Home Bible Study group beginning on January 22 in Montreal.
• Pray for missionaries who will use Chinese New Year which begins on January 23, as a means of outreach and fellowship.
• Pray for Tommy and Beth as they begin an intensive study of five modules of the School of Cross-cultural Missions in January and February, in Peru.

From Iowa to New Hampshire to South Carolina we’ve been hearing how to make America great. Want-a-be-Presidents act as if America is no longer the greatest nation in the world and assure us, if elected, they will exalt us to new levels of greatness. Solomon, considered by his contemporizes as the wisest man of his generation, wrote, “Righteousness exalts a nation” (Prov. 14:34). According to Wikipedia, righteousness means upright, just, straight, innocent, true, and sincere. Observing few of these characteristics in today’s politicians, I’m tempted to join with those who consider America as no longer great. Tempted. Not convinced. Several years ago a news commentator observed that Americans no longer vote FOR a candidate, they vote AGAINST a candidate. When I enter the voting booth to vote for one of the final two, I may actually be voting more against one of them, rather than for the other one. But whoever wins, America is still great. I conclude that with limited knowledge. I’ve only visited fifty-six nations of the world so far. And while I love Canada with all my heart, I’m still proud to be an American.

Join me in praying for the following global concerns:
• Pray for Mary as she continues her Russian lessons and teaching English as a Second Language.
• Join Joe in praying for Ukraine at 10:02 (am or pm) based on Luke 10:2.
• Continue to pray for the Haitian adoption process of Craig and Ellen.
• Pray for Jay as he teaches preaching and mentors young men in India.

A recent study of a major symphony revealed how orchestra members perceived each other. Percussionists were seen as insensitive, yet fun-loving. String players were perceived as arrogant and stuffy. Brass players were judged as loud. Woodwind players were described as quiet, though a bit egotistical. With this diversity of feeling for each other, members of the orchestra arrive for the concert. Each tunes his or her own instrument, often oblivious to those around them. The combination of sounds creates discord, not harmony. So how does such a group with such diverse feelings for each other, and such individualistic sounds of preparation, play beautiful music together? The answer is simple: regardless of feelings for each other, regardless of warm-up chaos, orchestra members subordinate their biases and their uniqueness to the leadership of the conductor. When Jesus spoke of His followers agreeing in prayer under His direction (Matthew 18:19-20), He used the Greek word, “sumphoneo,” a word normally used for diverse musical instruments harmonizing together under the Maestro. So, which prayer is God most likely to hear, the discord-like prayers of our individual wants and desires or the united prayers of a group, under the direction of the Master?

Join me as we pray together for the following global concerns:
• Pray for church leadership throughout the Kharkov, Ukraine region as they gather together each week to pray and seek the Father’s leadership in reaching the lost in their communities.
• Pray for the International World Changers (IWC) conference, held this week in Spain.
• Pray for a team traveling through villages in India, sharing the good News.
• Pray for Blu and Darby as they prepare to return to Zambia this month.
• Pray for members of the Hope Urban Ministries (HUM) Team serving in Macau.

I got caught by the police! Red handed! On Christmas Day! Every year I purchase Starbucks’s Gift Cards, drive around on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day giving them to Police Officers with a quick, “Thanks for working on Christmas.” This is done anonymously in the tradition of one of the early versions of Santa Claus, St. Nicholas, a saint who was known for giving anonymous gifts, especially to children during the night as they slept. This idea, of course, was popularized by Clement Moore, who wrote a simple poem for his children in 1822 entitled, “A Visit from St. Nicholas,” that begins with the now famous words, “Twas the night before Christmas . . .” And of course in the spirit of Jesus who told His disciples, “when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Matthew 6:3). For the first time, I got caught. One of the recipients apparently recorded my car license tag. My wife was surprised when a Police vehicle pulled up to our front curb and gave her a hand-made note for me. It read, “Of all the gifts bestowed this year . . . the greatest is the appreciation of those like you” and it was signed by nineteen police officers, complete with their badge numbers. I wept. One of my greatest Christmas joys, passed onto me my Father, is the anonymous giving of gifts. This year, I was blessed to be caught on Christmas.

Join me in praying for the following global concerns:
• In places like Serbia, Christmas is on Jan 7. Pray for the continual witness/ministry of missionaries around the Christmas season.
• Pray for Mark and Sharon as they continue to serve in the U.K.
• Pray for Matthew, Heather and the boys as they prepare to move to Victoria, B.C., Canada and start a church.
• Pray for the final days of recruitment for the Feb. 9-11 Vancouver Vision Tour. Deadline for registration is Jan 13.

“Remember the Reason” proclaimed the Googled banner on my Christmas morning Facebook post. So, how did we do? In the midst of the now-normal Christmas activities, did we remember the real reason for the season, or did the birth of the Christ-child get lost in the tinsel and tunes of the holidays. I confess that I heard many more wishes for having a “Happy Holiday” than I used to hear. I guess wishing a “Merry Christmas” is becoming politically incorrect. I’m certainly not against having happy holidays, and I’m only in favor of the “Merry Christmas” greeting because it proclaims “Christ” as the reason for both the greeting and the season. I’m also aware that the origin of the December 25 celebration is not exactly Christian, and that Jesus was more likely born in the spring time when shepherds would have been “abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night” (Luke 2:8). However, December 25 is when we celebrate the incarnational birth of our Lord. When the accompaniments are all stripped away, it is finally, all about Jesus, the only valid reason for the season. I hope you had a meaningful Christmas – for all the right reasons.

Join me in remembering the following global concerns or this day following Christmas:
• Pray for those who will be following Christmas celebrations with explanations as to it true meaning.
• In many European traditions, December 26 is “Boxing Day” when people give money and gifts to those who are needy. Pray for generous gifts accompanied with gospel truth.
• Pray for a needed Volunteer Prayer Coordinator and a Volunteer Editor for the “WestCoast Challenge” newsletter of the metro Vancouver, Canada area.
• Pray for safety in post-Christmas travel for those who minister globally.