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Sweet Spots

Ideas and messages from Len Sweet.

Here, you can comment on any post to participate in the discussion. 

Hearing Problems

A person of advanced age began to have hearing problems. Reluctantly she gave in to suggestions from family members that she consult an otolaryngologist (eye-ears-nose specialist). After a thorough examination of the woman’s ears, the doctor said to her: “We can fix your hearing problem by some minor surgery. Let’s…

Gumption

British Presbyterian theologian John Oman  (1860-1939) liked to tell the story of the old Scottish professor who used to say that there were three qualities for the preacher. First, the grace of God. Second, the knowledge of the Scriptures. And third, gumption. The first, he said, we have the promise…

Angels

The angels grew jealous of God’s intention to endow Adam and Eve with God’s own image. Should mere mortals be so gifted? They plotted to hide the divine image. Some angels proposed that it be hidden beneath the seas, others that it be buried in the tallest mountains. But the…

Luther’s Morning Prayer

Luther’s Morning Prayer

I thank you, my heavenly father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger.

Keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please you.

Into your hands I commend my body and soul and all things.

Let your holy angel be with me, that the wicked foe may have no power over me.

Amen.

Syrophoenician Lives Matter!

God’s Bountiful Breadbasket of Grace / Syrophoenician Lives Matter! Story Lectionary 25 October 2015 The Story of Tamar (Genesis 38) –Loyalty is not as it may appear A Raining Down of Manna (Exodus 16 and Numbers 11) Elijah’s Healing/Raising of a Phoenician woman’s son and a gift of bread (I…

The Great Physician Will See You Now

The Great Physician Will See You Now Lectionary 25 October 2015 22nd Sunday After Pentecost Reformation Sunday Job 42:1-6,10-17 Psalm 34:1-8, (19-22) Hebrews 7:23-28 Mark 10:46-52 Text to Life October is when the temperature drops and the rains move in. So what do we do? We take up sports or…

Let the Children Come… Preaching Tip for Oct 25, 2015

“Let the children come…” said Jesus. Preachers, we need to take Jesus’ lead to heart. Most preachers are only preaching to those 30 and up… if that. You need to preach in a way that involves all members of the congregation –yes, even the children! Be participatory.  Use examples that…

Seven Women and the Secret of Their Greatness

Seven Women and the Secret of Their Greatness

by Eric Metaxas

“They turned the world upside down” is the phrase that came to mind as I read Eric Metaxas’ book Seven Women and the Secret of Their Greatness. Seven Women (2015) by Nelson Books is a luminous and fast-paced read which features short biographies of these exceptional women: Joan of Arc, Susanna Wesley, Hannah More, Saint Maria of Paris, Corrie ten Boom, Rosa Parks, and Mother Teresa.

Eric Metaxas is well known as the author of the New York Times best sellers Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy, (2010), and Amazing Grace: William Wilberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery (2007). In the introduction to his book Seven Women, Metaxas stated that after writing the two weighty biographies mentioned, he didn’t plan on writing any more long biographies, but then he realized, he could write shorter ones. What followed was the book Seven Men and the Secret of Their Greatness (2013). After Seven Men came out, Metaxas relates, he received many requests to write a similar book about women. Seven Women and the Secret of Their Greatness (2015) is the result of those requests. read more…

On the Hunt

It’s that time of year. A subconscious desire begins to bubble. I feel restless. I want to spend more time outdoors. The combines have begun to harvest the late corn. I want to walk in the woods. There’s a crispness in the air . . .

The annual hunt for the perfectly turned red maple leaf has begun!

Having spent all of my life in the northeastern part of the continent, I have learned to love all of the seasons; yes, even winter! But autumn, autumn is a season that makes me restless. Spring is full of anticipation. Summer is a time for adventures, and winter is for hibernating. But autumn!

Everywhere you turn, fall colours explode, creating a gigantic game of hide-and-seek. Patience is required in this hunt. Knowing where the best trees are is important, but so is timing and serendipity. Just when you think you’ve found the perfect leaf, and entered it into the leaf-pressing book, you find another that might possibly be its’ superior. A drive in the country might be required, but you’re just as likely to find this year’s beauty lying in the gutter.

On the hunt for beauty. read more…

Do(n’t) Rock the Boat

Do Rock the Boat Story Lectionary 18 October 2015 The Story of Creation (Genesis 1) The Story of Noah (Genesis 7-9) The Story of Moses’ Birth (Exodus 2) The Story of the Exodus Through the Sea (Exodus 14) The Song of Moses and Miriam (Exodus 15) Psalm 77, 95 (The…

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