Sweet Spots
Ideas and messages from Len Sweet.
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Art and Creativity
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” — George Carlin
Reports of the Death of Religious Art Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
Summary: “Most ‘pop art’ gives the impression that religious art has disappeared and no one is doing anything to remedy this dearth of artwork meant to engage humankind’s deep, spiritual needs. This article disagrees. ”
Read more at https://goo.gl/rszwKU
Digitally mined from www.lareviewofbooks.com
The art of illumination: A modern Bible uses medieval techniques
Summary: “Using techniques hundreds of years old, a handmade Bible brings an ancient artistic tradition into the 21st century. Although created with swan quills, vellum and soot ink, it also uses images of DNA, soundwaves and at least one photo taken by satellite.”
Read more at: https://goo.gl/3PxwEX
Digitally mined from www.stltoday.com
The Science of Creativity
Summary: “A…myth is that creativity is a “spark” that comes from a magical place where only Mozarts live. The reality is that creativity is a series of steps that anyone, ANYONE can learn. “
Read more at: https://goo.gl/LoZAm9
Digitally mined from: www.geekdad.com
7 Trends That Will Change Social Media in 2017 read more…
Pastor’s Prayer for 12 February 2016
Odeh LaEl
Pay heed, pay heed, to your own soul:
Opal, amethyst, and gold, As bright as is the sun’s warm glow,
Far brighter than the morning!
I thank the God who probes all hearts When stars sing in the morning. In this wilderness she roams,
A gemstone hewn from God’s throne,
To redeem us from wrath’s flame
And light our way before morning.
Awake! Awake! For every night
Your soul ascends to a place on high
And there accounts for her deeds that day
To the Maker of night and of morning.
If He finds her fair and fetching,
Clothed in prayer and thanksgiving,
Like a bride dressed for her wedding,
It will be in the morning.
Thus restoring her to Him,
You’ll be her faithful guardian.
No one need die in his sin,
For after night comes morning.
Don’t let her be a homeless waif,
Once so innocent and chaste.
He who cannot keep her safe,
What light will he have in the morning?
May we see this very year God
In His graciousness appear
And say, our griefs replaced by cheer,
“You shall hear My voice in the morning.”
Sim Lev!
Sim Lev! Story Lectionary 12 February 2017 The Story of Noah (Genesis 5-7) Abraham Attempts to Sacrifice His Son Isaac But Due to God’s Sign Declines (Genesis 22) Hold Fast to the Lord and You Will Receive God’s Abundance (Deuteronomy 30) The Ebenezer Stone Represents Holding Fast to God and…
Throw Your Heart Down
In order to trace the genealogy of the banjo back through its African roots, Béla Fleck took an extended trip to the continent, arranging multiple opportunities to connect with local musicians. The trip became a documentary film called Throw Down Your Heart. The title of the film comes from a story told of the men and women taken by force across country to the edge of the jungles. When they saw the ocean, and the ships, the elders recognized that the journey would be one-way. As they considered their fate, the distraught people were advised to ‘throw down their hearts,’ forever connecting them to their homeland.
The musical influences and experiences of the tour have changed Fleck and all of the musicians who participated in the project: their connections created new sounds, and relationships that crossed genres and generations. read more…
Ten Pounds of Mercy, One Pound of Faith
Ten Pounds of Mercy, One Pound of Faith Story Lectionary 5 February 2017 Isaac Puts Down Roots in the Land of the Philistines (Genesis 26) Joseph’s Investment in Egypt and His Plan for Abundance and Famine (Genesis 41) Invest in as Many Ways as You Can for You Do Not…
Mind Over Matter
“The mind of the many is not the mind of God.”
― George MacDonald
When Our Memories Are Both Vivid and Wrong
Summary: “Our ‘flashbulb memories’ of shocking events like the Challenger disaster or 9/11 seem sharp but are almost always inaccurate.”
Read more at https://goo.gl/rTA3ZY
Digitally mined from www.wsj.com
The skills your kids should cultivate to be competitive in the age of automation
Summary: “We’re all getting used to the thought that in a not-so-distant future, competition for jobs won’t just be other humans, it will also be an intelligent robot, self-driving car, or other artificial agent….As parents, how will we advise our kids in an ever changing world?” read more…
To God Be the Glory Glory
To God Be the Glory, Glory Lectionary 5 February 2017 5th Sunday After Epiphany Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12) Psalm 112:1-9 (10) 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16) Matthew 5:13-20 Text to Life This week’s sermon is taken from 02 February 2017, the “Presentation of the Lord”: Luke 2:22-40 How do you “tuck…
Be a Praying Church –Preaching Tip for 5 February 2017
Be a praying church! What people in your community often want most and are afraid to ask for are …your presence, your ear, your prayers, your blessing, your healing touch. Be present with the people in your community. Be a healing presence, a listening presence, a blessing. Above all listen….and…
Pastor’s Prayer for 5 February 2017
I am no longer my own, but thine.
Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee,
exalted for thee or brought low for thee.
Let me be full, let me be empty.
Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.
And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
thou art mine, and I am thine.
So be it.
And the covenant which I have made on earth,
let it be ratified in heaven.
Amen.
–John Wesley, The Covenant Prayer (British Methodist Church)
Liturgy of the Ordinary
Liturgy of the Ordinary:
Sacred Practices in Everyday Life
by Tish Harrison Warren
–Review by Teri Hyrkas
What comes to your mind when you read the word liturgy? The term unquestionably carries with it images of clerical vestments, brightly burning candles in sacred spaces, repeated prayers, and the fragrance of incense. The word liturgy also rings of church history. It has a backstory that includes the Protestant Reformation which saw the implementation of many changes in the church, including a massive revision of the liturgy. In her book Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life (2016, InterVarsity Press), Tish Harrison Warren, releases the ancient word from its traditional roots and refurbishes the idea of liturgy into a heartfelt pursuit of integrating Christ into daily activities. Warren, an Anglican priest, writes: “If I am to spend my whole life being transformed by the good news of Jesus, I must learn how grand, sweeping truths — doctrine, theology, ecclesiology, Christology — rub against the texture of an average day. How I spend this ordinary day in Christ is how I will spend my Christian life.” read more…