Preacher's Blog

Our preacher, Mark Stinnett, publishes articles for the church bulletin each week. These articles are designed to teach, encourage and challenge the members of our congregation. His latest articles can be found below with the most recent at the beginning of the list. Mark has archived all of his articles on his personal blog 'MicroMarks' which can be accessed at: micromarks.blogspot.com.

  • The Proverbs Challenge

    (NOTE: "The Proverbs Challenge" was originally intended to begin on Monday, December 1st. However, due to inclement weather we did not meet and the bulletin article issuing this challenge was not published and distributed. So, the challenge was adapted slightly to begin on December 7th. Anyone wishing to participate in "The Proverbs Challenge" may simply begin on the day they read this blog. Previous chapters may be read as desired to complete the entire book by the end of the month.)


    A few years ago I issued to our congregation ‘The Proverbs Challenge.’ I would like to do so once again and will explain in this article.


    Even a casual reading of scripture tells us that there are different kinds of writings in the Bible. There are poetic sections and narrative sections. The poetry of Psalms is different than the Proverbs and the prophets. Likewise, the narrative of Genesis or Joshua is different than the gospel narratives. Because of the different kinds of writings in Scripture, we read and process them differently.


    Today I wish to challenge you to read the book of Proverbs in December.


    The Challenge

    Read the entire book of Proverbs over the next month as follows. Each day read the chapter in Proverbs that corresponds to the day of the month. (Since we missed last Sunday due to weather, you may begin in chapter 7 today. Of course, you can read the first six chapters to catch up if you wish.) Tomorrow, Monday the 8th, read chapter 8. On Tuesday the 9th, read chapter 9. You’ll finish Proverbs on New Year’s Eve.


    Why Proverbs?

    ¨ Proverbs is easy to read and generally easy to understand.

    ¨ You will recognize wisdom you already know, and some that you don’t.

    ¨ Proverbs is about life in the present. So, it is practical.

    ¨ Proverbs presents the ideal when wisdom is applied to life.

    ¨ The wisdom of Proverbs is timeless and applicable to young and old.

    ¨ It’s not about reading the Bible for the sake of reading. It is about gaining wisdom without having to go learn from the ‘school of hard knocks.’


    Things to Know about the Book of Proverbs

    Proverbs is primarily a writing from a father to his son. The father pleads with his son to listen to wisdom and follow the instruction of his father and mother. In doing so he is assured a good life.


    The first nine chapters in Proverbs have an overall theme. They flow together with connected thoughts. Then, in chapter ten, the writing changes with “The proverbs of Solomon,” the more familiar portion of the book comprised of individual sayings of only one or two verses in length.


    While individual proverbs seem to stand alone, recurring themes appear throughout the book, such as: poverty, foolishness, righteousness, honesty, wealth, wisdom, laziness, generosity, good/bad speech, etc.


    It is common for the second line of a proverb to extend or emphasize the thought in the first line. For example:

         The generous man will be prosperous, and

         He who waters will himself be watered. (11:25)


    Often, a strong contrast is used in the second line. For example:

         The merciful man does himself good,

         But the cruel man does himself harm. (11:17)


    Truth is sometimes taught by strong language or a stark illustration:

         Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,

         So is the lazy one to those who send him. (10:26)


    As you read The Proverbs enjoy the memorable ways that truth is presented. Then each day, pick out one verse or thought to remember and ponder throughout the day. I plan to draw from the Proverbs in some of my future articles and would be happy to hear from you about your ponderings.



    Mark Stinnett

    December 7, 2925

  • Why the Misunderstanding??

    In a distant place, long ago I preached a sermon and immediately afterward was approached by one of the leading women of the church with a big hug and compliments. She emphasized the importance and timeliness of my sermon topic and the content of my sermon. Yet, the longer she talked, the more I wondered....


    I thanked her and then greeted other folks as they exited. I probably seemed distracted because I was distracted. I kept wondering, “What sermon was she talking about?” Her complimentary remarks simply did not match what I thought I had preached that day.


    Communication is difficult even under the best circumstances. Sometimes the listener is distracted or does not hear accurately. Sometimes the speaker is a dud or uses unfamiliar or awkward terminology. Sometimes a speaker and listener use the same words, yet with different shades of meaning based on each one’s background. Sometimes one person assumes that the other knows something they don’t know. Sometimes….


    Sometimes I marvel that humans can communicate at all. Conveying meaning accurately is a challenge. Yet, we all want to be understood, and that includes God.


    Among other things, we call it God’s word, The  Word, or Scripture. A somewhat recent Bible paraphrase is entitled, The Message. All these describe the collection of written documents that make up the Bible, a message from God to created man. Even so, these descriptive phrases and titles may give different impressions as to the contents of the Bible.


    Many people want to know God, or in our day, experience God. Some turn to the Bible but feel that they are missing something. They find it difficult to understand and come away with the impression that God is distant.


    Something that has often been overlooked is that the Bible is God’s revelation about Himself. It is not merely a law book, history book, poetry book, song book, or a spiritual guide. Although those are descriptive of different parts of the Bible, it is God’s communication to man in which He revealed to man Himself and His intentions and His expectations.


    God understands that communication is difficult because He created man and He knows the shortcomings of man. So, He communicated:

    • Verbally through direct communication, including angels, prophets, visions and dreams.
    • In written form through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
    • But ultimately in human form, in the man Jesus of Nazareth who was His only begotten Son. Jesus revealed God through His teachings but also through His personal behavior and through the way He lived and interacted with mankind.

    Even so there have always been those who misunderstood God’s message. But why the misunderstanding!?


    There are three things that stand in the way of God’s clear and accurate communication of Himself to mankind:

      YOU

              Your attitude

                        Your desires.


    Do you have difficulty understanding God’s word? It might be that YOU are in the way and need to step aside for once and simply listen to God!



    Mark Stinnett

    November 23, 2025

  • hOW dO yOU tAKE cORRECTION?

    One aspect of love is tolerance. For that reason, a cherished friendship does not dissolve because of a disagreement or hurt feelings. A child may misbehave but parents do not kick the child out of the house. When someone we care about makes a mistake or offends us, we do not end the relationship. Rather, we show tolerance.


    Even when tolerance is shown, we may address the mistake or offense. A parent applies correction to a misbehaving child. A good friend will point out a wrong. When you think about it, correction is also an act of love. Both tolerance and correction preserve relationships.


    All of us have experienced cases in which we desired tolerance for a shortcoming. At the same time, we have all experienced the need for correction. One of the most important lessons in life is learning how to take correction.


    Most people desire correction when they engage in something of great importance. Correction ensures success. However, there is a natural human tendency to reject correction. That may be for the simple reason that correction suggests that I am wrong or inferior in some way.


    Some people attempt to justify their wrong. That means that they present an explanation to show that the wrong was actually right. A good example of this is the explanation given by King Saul in 1 Samuel 15. He explained that he had obeyed God when he had only partially obeyed.


    Rationalization is another common response to correction. It is an explanation of why a person had to commit the wrong and should not be held accountable. They are indeed wrong, but it wasn’t their fault. Adam and Eve rationalized their sin in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3). They each explained that someone else was responsible for their wrong. Rationalization is also used to explain why “I had no choice” and was forced to do wrong.


    Some people simply reject correction as if they are untouchable. This might be seen when someone thinks that their position of authority makes them exempt from correction, such as a king, politician, CEO, parent, etc. The threat of power is used to intimidate anyone who would dare to correct.


    Another strategy for dealing with correction is an outburst of anger. The anger deflects the correction making it uncomfortable for the person who is bold enough to challenge. Milder ways of deflecting correction may be open denial of wrong or the silent treatment. Whether by anger, denial or silence, the issue is simply dropped and never addressed.


    In great contrast to all these is accepting correction. It requires a measure of humility and a genuine desire to mature and improve. The person who accepts correction takes responsibility for his/her actions.


    The way you react to correction tells a great deal about how you regard God. As our spiritual father God disciplines us. No person believes that he/she is truly flawless. So, we all know that correction is reasonable and necessary at times. God disciplines us because He loves us. Discipline, whether simple correction or something stronger is carried out so that we can “share His holiness.” In addition, it produces in us “the peaceful fruit of righteousness.” (Hebrews 12:4-11)


    For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching is light;

    And reproofs for discipline are the way of life.

    —Proverbs 6:23


    The way you have responded to correction from parents, teachers, friends, coworkers, bosses, etc. will likely also reflect your attitude toward God.



    Mark Stinnett

    November 16, 2025