August 7, 2020 (Friday)
This is a special holiday that is always observed on August 7.
Having been a pastor, I have spoken in public many times in sermons to churches.
I well remember the first time I stood in front of a speech class to deliver a speech. I don’t remember the grade I was in, but I’m thinking it was in high school. This was a required course, so everyone I knew in school had to take the course, too.
At first we took notes and wrote down the things being said in class, and then we reached the point where we had to write a short speech. We had the privilege of choosing a subject all our own, and that made the experience a little easier. But the real test was not the written speech–it was the spoken one. I don’t think any of us in that class were prepared for the nervousness we experienced on the day when we had to take our place in front of the class and give the speech. Every one of us developed a weakness in the knees and a shaking of the legs. We could not control it. That shaking transmitted to the voice, and our nervousness became quite obvious. To be completely honest, it was a terrifying experience.
What I just described was the first experience for each of us in the class, and all of us had basically the same feelings about it all. In time, we had to write another speech and stand before the class to present it. It was a little easier that time. We repeated the scene several times and by the time the class ended for the year, most of us had lost our fear and nervousness and were able to give a speech without dreading it.
Later on in my life, when I started going to church, we young people had occasions to speak to groups within the church. When I became convinced that the Lord was calling me to preach, I stood before the congregation without fear and trembling, but not without uncertainty and anxiety. But “Experience is the best teacher.” Each time I preached, the experience helped me the next time.
Of course, preaching is not the same as public speaking, per se. Much is involved when a preacher stands up to give God’s message to people who need to hear it. But that’s a long story..
In the meantime, we can be heard, without making speeches, as we give our testimonies about the Love of God in Christ.
SOMEBODY HEARD
BECAUSE SOMEBODY SPOKE
I heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory
I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood’s atoning
I heard about His healing, of His cleansing power revealing
E M Bartlett
1939
I heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory
How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me
I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood’s atoning
Then I repented of my sins and won the victory
Oh victory in Jesus, my Savior forever
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood
He loved me ‘ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood
I heard about His healing, of His cleansing power revealing
How He made the lame to walk again
And caused the blind to see
And then I cried, “Dear Jesus, come and heal my broken spirit”
And somehow Jesus came and brought to me the victory
Oh victory in Jesus, my Savior forever
He sought me and He bought me with His redeeming blood
He loved me ‘ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood
I heard about a mansion He has built for me in Glory
And I heard about the streets of gold beyond the Crystal Sea,
About the angels singing and the old redemption story
And some sweet day I’ll sing up there the song of victory.
Oh victory in Jesus, my Savior forever
He sought me and He bought me with His redeeming blood
He loved me ‘ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood