Our family went to Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens last weekend and had a wonderful time looking at all the blooms.  While taking photos of our daughter, I saw this quotation from Congregational preacher Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887) on the front of a bench.  My mom and step-dad are both artists and it reminded me of how they pour so much of themselves into their artwork.  And then I thought of my preaching and how I can't separate myself from my preaching.  God enables me to speak his word out of my own personality, experience, and nature.  I believe that when preachers try to separate themselves from their preaching, so much is lost.  We need to be real as we preach from deep within our souls.  Grace and peace, Pastor Bob