Emphasis Preaching Journal

The telephone rang in the pastor's study. It had been that way all morning. Every time he began to get in the flow of preparing for the Sunday sermon, there was some interruption.

"Hello," the pastor answered, hoping the conversation could be dispatched as quickly as possible, allowing him to resume his preoccupation.

"Who's speaking?" asked an almost apologetic voice on the other end of the line.

"This is the pastor of the church."

"Oh, I was hoping I would get somebody like you. I just wanted to talk to someone for a minute."