Sweet Spots
Ideas and messages from Len Sweet.
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Identity Crisis
Identity Crisis Story Lectionary 25 June 2017 Jacob (Israel) Wrestles with God (Genesis 32-33) God’s Decree and God’s Commandments (Deuteronomy 4-6) Psalm 91: Because He Loves Me, I Will Rescue Him Psalm 3: From the Lord Comes Deliverance The Righteousness of the Righteous Delivers Them (Proverbs 11) The Book of…
Metaphors Strengthen Your Sermon –Preaching Tip for 25 June 2017
When you wrap your sermon around a metaphor, your sermon will be fortified. It’s like putting the meat inside of your sandwich. Metaphors are the beef of the Hebrew scripture stories. Or shall we say the Lamb. In any Hebrew scripture story, you will find multiple metaphors in your story. …
Pastor’s Prayer for 25 June 2017
O merciful God,
whatever You may deny me,
do not deny me this love.
Save me from the idolatry of loving the world,
or any of the things of the world.
Let me never love any creature
but for Your sake and in subordination to Your love.
Take full possession of my heart;
raise there Your throne
and command there as You do in heaven.
Being created by You, let me live to You;
being created for You,
let me ever act for Your glory;
being redeemed by You,
let me render to You what is Yours
and let my spirit ever cleave to You alone.
– John Wesley
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman, featuring Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, and Robin Wright
Rated PG-13
–Review by Ashley Linne
While it isn’t a perfect movie, Wonder Woman is officially my favorite superhero movie of all time. And for me, that’s saying a lot. There are many extremely important and timely themes in Wonder Woman that are being highlighted in other reviews, and I’m fairly sure, I won’t do it justice (pun intended) here. This film has been successful on multiple levels and has layers of meaning to be found if you’re looking.
I could be biased here, but I think this film is quite “Christian.” What I mean by that is, Diana’s mission is fueled not by revenge or selfish gain, but by compassion. She hears about the suffering of innocent people—even though they’re total strangers and beings completely new to her—and she sees the opportunity to help. Instead of turning a blind eye, giving in to pressure from others, or shying away in fear, Diana heads in to battle on behalf of those who cannot do it for themselves. read more…
First Responder
First Responder Lectionary 18 June 2017 2nd Sunday After Pentecost Father’s Day Genesis 18:1-15, (21:1-7) Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 Romans 5:1-8 Matthew 9:35-10:8, (9-23) Text to Life The definition of a “first responder” is someone who runs towards what everyone else is running away from. Fires, explosions, earthquakes, collapsed buildings, rising…
Trinity Sunday
With the celebration of Trinity Sunday, we move into Ordinary Time: 25 weeks of readings and reflection on the life of the church and the practice of discipleship. Trinity Sunday helps us to root the life of the church in the ever-giving love of the community of the three-in-one. Bach is the master of the musical three-in-one, his fugues and sinfonias providing a wealth of material that we can immerse ourselves within. This three-part music has a simplicity that belies its complexity: as with all of Bach’s music (and with the Trinity), there is always more at play than can be easily discerned. Enjoy these keyboard pieces this week, as you contemplate the wonders and mystery of the Trinity. read more…
The Good Husband
The Good Husband Story Lectionary 18 June 2017 The Story of Tamar (Genesis 38) The Story of Rahab (Joshua 1-6) The Story of Ruth All Shall Keep the Passover, one Passover for Resident and Native (Numbers 9) The Story of Bathsheba (the wife of Uriah) and King David (2 Samuel…
Midsummer Miscellany
If you swear a lot it may tell you how honest you are
Summary: “The researchers say swearing is often used to express one’s feelings, which suggests people who do this more regularly portray themselves in a more honest light.” read more…
Passion –Preaching Tip for 18 June 2017
Passion is all important in sermon delivery. Without passion for Jesus, the sermon becomes just another speech. Be open to the movement of the Holy Spirit, get excited about the scriptures, be awake yourself in the midst of your congregation, and they will awaken to Jesus.
Pastor’s Prayer for 18 June 2017
Dear Father, who art in heaven, thank You that YOU are my heavenly Husbandman and that You tend my life with such care and concern. Cleanse me and prune me and take away anything that you discover in me that does not glorify Your holy name.
Thank You Father that I am a heavenly branch that is united to my heavenly Vine, the lovely Lord Jesus Christ. May His life flow through mine as sap flows through the branch that is engrafted into its parent stem. Fill me with and inflow Your fullness so that I may live and move and grow and bear fruit as I abide more and more in You,
Amen.
(anonymous)