I was pleased with the outcome of the sermon this morning. As mentioned earlier, I'm doing a series entitled, "Why I'm Still Just a Christian." Today's sermon was "Because God is Love," with John 3:16 as text.

From the congregation's reaction, it's hard to tell how it was received. They've never been encouraged to compliment others' work, so it's the rare moment that I hear a comment on a lesson or sermon. (Of course, it could be the quality of my teaching and preaching. There's always that to consider.)

I've worked hard at different times to praise people in the congregation for their good works, but I can't tell that it's forming a habit among us.

There are those who think you shouldn't compliment others, since it would swell their heads or cause them to be proud. Maybe. I tend to think from what I read in Scripture, that it encourages and stimulates people to continue on, do better, go higher.

Jesus praised people for their faith and perseverance, Paul praised even the problematic Corinthians in some things.

To do things for praise is one thing, a bad trait. To praise people for doing right, that's something altogether different. And something we need more of.

What do you think?