Sweet Spots
Ideas and messages from Len Sweet.
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Bullying
Have you ever preached on bullying? The problem of bullying is not ultimately solved by rebuking or reprimanding or punishing the bully, but by drawing the bully into greater depths of compassion and empathy. No one has ever said this better than this little story found in William Saroyan’s 1943…
A God of Second Chances
A God of Second Chances Lectionary 7 February 2016 Transfiguration Sunday Exodus 34:29-35 Psalm 99 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2 Luke 9:28-36 (37-43a) Text to Life (Exodus 34:29-35) How many times have you changed your “look”? Cut your hair, dyed your hair, permed your hair? Shaved your beard, shaved your head, shaved…
Seat of Power
Seat of Power Story Lectionary 7 February 2016 The Building of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11) Jacob’s Ladder at Bethel (Genesis 28) The Blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh (Genesis 48:12-20) Micaiah’s Prophecy of God’s Deliverance (1 Kings 22) The Prophet Isaiah tells of the Lord’s Sovereign Hand Over Stubborn…
Pastor’s Prayer for 7 February 2016
Novena to Our Lord of Transfiguration
God you have scattered the darkness with your light and have poured your light into my heart so that I might look upon the radiant face of Jesus Christ. Nourish in me the desire to contemplate your beloved son.
O God, according to your plan, you have called me to holiness by your grace that you have revealed in Jesus Christ. Your Gospel shows me the way so that I can share in your mission of glorious splendor of unending life.
Loving Father, you have so loved me that I have been called to be a son of God. When Christ comes, grant that I may be like him.
O Christ, before your passion and death you revealed the resurrection to your disciple on Mount Tabor. I pray for your church that labors amid the cares and anxieties of this world, that, in its trials, it may always be transfigured by the joy of your victory.
O Christ, you took Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. We pray for our bishops and priests that they may inspire in your people the hope of being transfigured at the last day.
O Christ, you gave light to the world when the glory of the creator arose over you. I pray for the men and women of good will that they may always walk in your light.
O Christ, upon the mountaintop you let the light of your face shine over Moses and Elijah. I ask your blessing upon your people who call on your name, who want to belong to the kingdom of light and life.
O Christ, you will reform my lowly body and make it like your glorious one. I pray for my brothers and sisters who have died, that they may share your glory forever.
God, our Father, in the transfigured glory of Christ, your son, you strengthen my faith by confirming the witness of your prophets and by showing me the splendor of your beloved son. Help me to become an heir to the eternal life with him, who lives and reigns with you and The Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.
–Anonymous
Shine the Light –preaching tip for 7 February 2016
I remember once preaching about Light, and just when I mentioned it, by chance, the sun came out and began streaming through the stained glass. People gasped. You can’t get better than God’s intervention. But you can use your own means to help people experience and envision what you are…
H is for Hawk
H Is for Hawk
by Helen Macdonald
Grief is a state of great sadness that is the normal response to a loss. The loss of someone who is dearly loved can cause the intense suffering of deep grief. In her memoir H Is for Hawk (Grove Press 2014) Helen Macdonald writes with staggering beauty and virtuosity about the deep grief that gripped her at the sudden death of her father, noted British photojournalist Alisdair Macdonald. I was immediately swept up into H Is for Hawk because of the splendid power of the language. Macdonald’s description of the grief that overcame her at her father’s death is truthful, pragmatic and frightening. It is also clear evidence that she was teetering on the edge of a mental collapse. But what has this to do with hawks? For Helen Macdonald, everything. read more…
French Impressionism
Ravel is often regarded as one of France’s finest classical composers. Although he (and Debussy) rejected the label “impressionist,” his compositions during the early 20th century did define a shift in technique and approach, both for instrumental music and orchestral works. read more…
Babe Ruth
“Babe” Ruth, the great home-run hitter, was an enormous eater. He couldn’t seem to control his appetite, even during the baseball season. Once, just before the start of a game, Babe ate a couple of sandwiches, a dozen hot dogs, three bags of popcorn, drank ten bottles of soda pop,…
The Jesus Paradox
The Jesus Paradox Lectionary 31 January 2016 4th Sunday After the Epiphany Jeremiah 1:4-10 Psalm 71:1-6 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Luke 4:21-30 Text to Life How many times have you heard it said, “You are what you eat”? Think about it. What shape are doughnuts, pizzas, and burgers? Round and puffy.…
Little Ones
Little Ones Story Lectionary 31 January 2016 The Boy Isaac Is Saved from the Fire (Genesis 22:1-19) Baby Moses is Saved from Death By a Basket Sent Down River (Exodus 2:1-10) The Boy Samuel is Called by God (1 Samuel 3:1-18) The Boy David Slays Goliath (1 Samuel 17) Psalm…