Early steps in preaching

Over the last few months I have been very thankful to have had the opportunity to preach more regularly than usual. During this time I have attempted to grow and learn as much as possible and as a result one of the things I have created is a short list of 7 points for myself.  A list of things to remember next time, things I should definitely have mastered by now, and things that I should focus on as I am actually delivering a sermon. Once you come home after preaching it is so easy to forget some of what you have learned from the experience, so for the benefit of those who, like me, are still finding their feet in preaching, here is my very simple list (excluding exegetical matters obviously):

1. It has to flow
2. Almost completely memorise it
3. Prepare to death
4. Speak slower than you think you should
5. Be very passionate
6. Use 13 font and A5 pages with red pen markings
7. Don't ever try to just wing it

These are very obvious things, but if achieved they make a big difference in my estimation. 

Robbie

Another guy I like a lot.

Good old Wikipedia surprisingly describes the the coming to faith of Asahel Nettleton very well:

'Asahel was born 1783 into a farming family in Connecticut. During his early years, he occasionally experienced religious impressions. "One evening while standing alone in a field, he watched the sun go down. The approaching night reminded him that his own life would some day fade into the darkness of the world beyond. He suddenly realized that he, like all other people, would die." These impressions were only temporary.
In the autumn of 1800 Nettleton came under powerful conviction of sin. This conviction deepened as he began to read the writings and sermons of Jonathan Edwards, but yet he remained unconverted.
It was in 1801 that a revival came to North Killingworth, and by December of that year, 32 new converts were added to the Church; by March 1802 "the congregation had been swelled by ninety-one professions." Among them was Nettleton, who, becoming "exceedingly interested" in missions societies soon had "a strong desire to become a missionary to the heathen."^'

I am determined to read his biography at some point this year. It has been on my shelf too long.

Mr Edwards at his best

Just a short one. Lovely quote from Jonathan Edwards I came across today. It really moved my soul.

'The enjoyment of God is the only happiness with which our souls can be satisfied. To go to heaven, fully to enjoy God, is infinitely better than the most pleasant accommodations here. Fathers and mothers, husbands, wives, or children, or the company of earthly friends, are but shadows; but God is the substance. These are but scattered beams, but God is the sun. These are but streams, but God is the ocean.'

Iain H. Murray, Jonathan Edwards: A New Biography p.143 (Quoted from The Works of Jonathan Edwards, Vol 2, p.244).