Sweet Spots
Ideas and messages from Len Sweet.
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Pastor’s Prayer for 23 September 2018
O Eternal God and King of all creation, who has granted me to arrive at this hour, forgive me the sins that I have committed today in thought, word and deed, and cleanse, O Lord, my humble soul from all defilement of flesh and spirit. And grant me, O Lord, to pass the sleep of this night in peace, that when I rise from my bed I may please Your most holy Name all the days of my life and conquer my flesh and the fleshless foes that war with me. And deliver me, O Lord, from vain and frivolous thoughts, and from evil desires which defile me. For Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Amen.
St Macarius the Great, 300–391 AD
In Living Color –Preaching Tip for 23 September 2018
Colors have metaphorical meaning in scripture. Whenever you see deliberate colors mentioned, you can take for granted that there is a reason he color is mentioned. What could that color be contributing to the story at hand? What depths of meaning can be added? Where else do you find that…
The Case for Christ
The Case for Christ, starring
Rated PG; available on Netflix
Review by Ashley Davis
Quite honestly, I was prepared to not really enjoy this movie—I tend to be skeptical of mainstream faith films—but I was pleasantly surprised. The Case for Christ provides a look into the true story of journalist Lee Strobel’s journey from atheism to faith in Christ.
Some people are going to be turned off no matter what simply because of the content. But I felt like The Case for Christ did a good job of not being heavy handed or too preachy, and it provided a decent storyline. For some believers who are questioning their faith and trying to find truth in today’s “alternative fact” world, this film can provide a launching point for their own explorations of the support for the resurrection. read more…
Ask Jacob!
Ask Jacob! Story Lectionary 23 September 2018 The Distraction of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9) Abraham’s Three Holy Visitors (Genesis 18) Esau’s Distraction with His Hunger (Genesis 25:29-34) Jacob Dreams of God and Realizes “Surely the Lord is in This Place and I was Not Aware of It” (Genesis…
Who Am I?
Who Am I? Lectionary 16 September 2018 17th Sunday After Pentecost Proverbs 1:20-33 Psalm 19 James 3:1-12 Mark 8:27-38 Text to Life “Who do others say I am?” Every one of us knows that question. Every one of us has asked that question. Every one of us has lost sleep,…
Crossing Over
Crossing Over Story Lectionary 16 September 2018 The Story of Joseph, Whose Sons Were Ephraim and Manasseh (Genesis 37 and 39) Jacob’s Blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh Whose Land Would Become Samaria (Genesis 48) The Assyrians Lay Siege to Samaria and Deport the Jewish Citizens Bringing in Foreigners (2 Kings…
Geography –Preaching Tip for 16 September 2018
Geography in scripture can contain metaphorical value too! What does the landscape look like you are reading about. Does it reflect something about the characters? About the message? What is the weather like? Does it reflect emotional changes? Pay attention to your geography.
Sacred Travels
Sacred Travels: Recovering the Ancient Practice of Pilgrimage
By Christian George
Review by Landrum P. Leavell III, Th.D.
For those who have had the opportunity to travel parts of the world, particularly on Christian pilgrimages to places like Greece, Italy, and Israel, they will always encourage others to do the same if they ever have the chance. The hard reality is that most Christ-followers will never have that opportunity. Yet, though not the same, neither will we ever get to go to the moon. But that doesn’t stop us from following every detail of those astronauts who have made those epic voyages. read more…
Pastor’s Prayer for 16 September 2018
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, [asking] that according to the riches of His glory He may grant you to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith–that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Paul in his letter to the Ephesians (3:14-20)
Dorcas, Dinah, or Delilah (Who are You?)
Dorcas, Dinah, or Delilah? (Who are You?) Story Lectionary 9 September 2018 The Story of Dinah and Schechem (Genesis 34) The Story of the Saving of Moses by Batya (Bithiah), Daughter of Pharaoh (Exodus 1-2) The Story of Samson and Delilah (Judges 16) The Story of Ruth Psalm 37: The…