Sweet Spots
Ideas and messages from Len Sweet.
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Foot Washing –Preaching Tip for 2 April 2017
As we near the end of Lent, you may want to incorporate some physical activities that help people embody the message of Jesus and His salvation road to the cross. One way is to incorporate foot washing either as part of your sermon or part of your worship. Taking the time…
Pastor’s Prayer for 2 April 2017
“O JESUS, POOR AND ABJECT, UNKNOWN AND DESPISED,
have mercy upon me, and let me not be ashamed to follow Thee.
O JESUS, HATED, CALUMNIATED, AND PERSECUTED,
have mercy upon me, and let me not be ashamed to come after Thee.
O JESUS, BETRAYED AND SOLD AT A VILE PRICE,
have mercy upon me, and make me content to be as my Master.
O JESUS, BLASPHEMED, ACCUSED AND WRONGFULLY CONDEMNED,
have mercy upon me, and teach me to endure the contradiction of sinners.
O JESUS, CLOTHED WITH A HABIT OF REPROACH AND SHAME,
have mercy upon me, and let me not seek my own glory.
O JESUS, INSULTED, MOCKED, AND SPIT UPON,
have mercy upon me, and let me run with patience the race set before me.
O JESUS, DRAGGED TO THE PILLAR, SCOURGED, AND BATHED IN BLOOD,
have mercy upon me, and let me not faint in the fiery trial.
O JESUS, CROWNED WITH THORNS, AND HAILED IN DERISION;
O JESUS, BURDENED WITH OUR SINS, AND THE CURSES OF THE PEOPLE;
O JESUS, AFFRONTED, OUTRAGED, BUFFETED, OVERWHELMED WITH INJURIES, GRIEFS, AND HUMILIATIONS;
O JESUS, HANGING ON THE ACCURSED TREE, BOWING THE HEAD, GIVING UP THE GHOST,
Have mercy upon me, and confirm my whole soul to Thy holy, humble, suffering Spirit.
O Thou who for the love of me hast undergone such an infinity of sufferings and humiliations, let me be wholly “emptied of myself,” that I may rejoice to take up my cross daily and follow Thee.
Enable me, too, to endure the pain and despise the shame; and, if it be Thy will, to resist even unto blood!
– REV. JOHN WESLEY (at age 20). Friday morning prayers – “A Collection of Forms of Prayer for Every Day in the Week”, 1733.
The Power of Positive Deviance
The Power of Positive Deviance:
How Unlikely Innovators Solve the World’s Toughest Problems
by Richard Pascale, Jerry Sternin, and Monique Sternin
ISBN: 978-1-4221-1066-9
–Review by Douglas Balzer
In 2008 I was introduced to the concept of positive deviance by a mentor. When I first heard the combination of the words “positive deviance” it took some effort to wrap my mind around it. Eventually, the concept became the basis for what informed my dissertation. If you have followed the book reviews I have done for Preach the Story so far, it is apparent that I am drawn to thought-provoking ideologies and practices. So, let me introduce you to the book that started a revolution in my semiotics and thinking, The Power of Positive Deviance: How Unlikely Innovators Solve the World’s Toughest Problems! It is my hope this book will inspire your creative ability to read the signs of what is happening around you in society and allow you to awaken the positive deviant within you. read more…
The Rabbi’s Debate
There is an old tale about the time, many, many centuries ago, when the pope decided that a synagogue the Jews were using in Rome really belonged to the Vatican. So he told them to move. Rightly, there was uproar from the members of the synagogue. So the pope made…
Cantus Firmus
Everything needs a foundation. Trees only grow tall, their branches and leaves reaching toward the skies, because of the stability of their roots.
In the 13th century, composers began using a technique that became known as cantus firmus. A low melody of long notes was used to ground or “weight” the overall composition, allowing the other voices to unfold or “float” above. In addition to providing a structural element to the music, the grounding melody creates a foundation that influences the harmonic structure as well. By creating a progression of long notes, the composer has the freedom to improvise in the upper melodies, changing the tonal center frequently or slowly. The music can adapt to the text, carefully reflecting the emotions and the setting. read more…
Who Requires Entry?
Who Requires Entry? Lectionary 26 March 2017 4th Sunday in Lent 1 Samuel 16:1-13 Psalm 23 Ephesians 5:8-14 John 9:1-41 Text to Life The last two weeks have been picture postcards of the approach of Spring. The record high temperatures in the Midwest were immediately followed by freezing temperatures and…
The Tragedy of Caiaphas
The Tragedy of Caiaphas Story Lectionary 26 March 2017 Fourth Sunday in Jesus’ Lenten Journey The Priest of Melchizedek, King of Salem (Genesis 14:14-18) The Priestly Garments of Holiness (Exodus 28) The Ordination of Aaron (Leviticus 8) Aaron’s Priestly Blessing (Numbers 6:22-27) The Lord Speaks to Some in Dreams and…
Learning to Dialogue in a Digital World
No Good at Emoji? Don’t Give Up
Summary: “I’m horrible at emoji—it’s like a foreign language for me. I always get “???” replies from friends. What should I do?”
Read and watch at: https://goo.gl/hNzjmV read more…
Colors, Textures, and Props, Oh My! –Preaching Tip for 26 March 2017
Make the end of Lent more experiential for people by using colors, textures, and props effectively. Create a mood in worship or in your place of worship, or merely for your altar or a specific service. In fact, you can create a mood with color and texture just for your…
Pastor’s Prayer for 26 March 2017
Lord Jesus,
You are my righteousness,
I am your sin.
You took on you what was mine;
yet set on me what was yours.
You became what you were not,
that I might become what I was not.
– Martin Luther