Sweet Spots
Ideas and messages from Len Sweet.
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Outwitting the Devil
Outwitting the Devil: The Secret to Freedom and Success
By Napoleon Hill (1883-1970 Posthumous) June 2011, Annotated by Sharon Lechter
ISBN: 978-1-4027-8453-8 (hardcover)
–Review by Douglas Balzer
Who doesn’t like the idea of outwitting the Devil? When I read the title to this book the song “The Devil went down to Georgia” by the Charlie Danial’s Band became an earworm for me right away, and C.S. Lewis combined. It took me back to my roots as a farm/country boy if you don’t remember the song ask Alexa or Siri to play it for you.
If you are not familiar with Napoleon Hill, he was and is still one of Americas most read influential thinkers and writers from the early 20th century. He wrote his book Outwitting The Devil right after the successful publishing of Think and Grow Rich (1937). However, it wasn’t published because Hill’s wife felt it was too controversial for their time. read more…
Lent 3
The simple but powerful descending line in the opening of Bach’s Cello Suite #3 invites us into a journey of driving, flowing passages. The key of C major provides maximum resonance as the open strings are used freely to ground and harmonize with the constantly moving melody.
This week’s playlist features cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, one of the most revered cellists of the 20th century. Rostropovich was a soloist, recording artist, and the music director of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington DC for 17 years, where he presented the best musicians from around the world. His contributions to the cello repertoire are legendary: he performed the premier of over 100 works for cello, many of which he had personally commissioned.
Rostropovich’s interpretation of the 3rd suite is unique among the many recordings of this work: he gives the middle movements fresh energy, taking time to draw out the music to tell the story in his own way. read more…
Almond Joy!
Almond Joy! Story Lectionary 31 March 2019 The 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 Visions,…
Musical Instruments –Preaching Tip for 31 March 2019
How can you use musical instruments in your sermon? This week, Len Sweet gives an example in his sermon about a violin and freedom. By having someone exhibit a violin, play it…..or use the strings loose and attached, you can bring the sermon to life. You can also use other…
Pastor’s Prayer for 31 March 2019
Almighty God, Who has given us this good land for our heritage; We humbly beseech Thee that we may always prove ourselves a people mindful of Thy favor and glad to do Thy will. Bless our land with honorable ministry, sound learning, and pure manners. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion, from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people, the multitude brought hither out of many kindreds and tongues. Endow with Thy spirit of wisdom those whom in Thy name we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that through obedience to Thy law, we may show forth Thy praise among the nations of the earth. In time of prosperity fill our hearts with thanksfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in Thee to fail; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
–Thomas Jefferson
Freedom “For”
Freedom “For” Lectionary 31 March 2019 UMCOR Sunday 4th Sunday in Lent Joshua 5:9-12 Psalm 32 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32 Text to Life Human beings thirst for freedom. Human beings thrive under freedom. Human beings mess up freedom. Human beings throw freedom away. In the 1980’s Afghanistan locals,…
Trouble I’ve Seen
Trouble I’ve Seen: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism
by Drew Hart
–Review by Vern Hyndman
In Trouble I’ve Seen Drew Hart opens his heart.
Dr. Drew Hart, Ph.D. is an African American college professor at Messiah College, blogger, activist, pastor, and guest lecturer. Drew’s measured prose and carefully crafted ideas are woven into startlingly vulnerable threads of personal story.
Dr. Hart’s observations invite the reader into a larger, more inclusive frame of reference.
Dr. Hart’s ten-year experience as a pastor in the anabaptist tradition shines through the book. Hart coined a word anablacktivism… describing a culture-active, African American Anabaptism that both counters racism yet offers proactive peace. read more…
Dangerous Discipleship
Dangerous Discipleship Lectionary 24 March 2019 3rd Sunday in Lent Isaiah 55:1-9 Psalm 63:1-8 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Luke 13:1-9 Text to Life McDonald’s and Chick-fil-A are offering discounts on their fish burgers this month. Did you even notice. It’s a small bow to the on-going season of Lent on the…
Bitter Sweet –Preaching Tip for March 2019
Lent is a bitter sweet time. Bitter because we remember the sorrow of the cross. Sweet, because we know the joy of the resurrection. Choose props and visuals that help people feel both of these feelings during Lent. This creates a unique and memorable experience of Jesus’ sacrifice and victory.