Sweet Spots
Ideas and messages from Len Sweet.
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The Art of the Heal
The Art of the Heal Lectionary 9 September 2018 16th Sunday After Pentecost Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 Psalm 125 James 2:1-10 (11-13), 14-17 Mark 7:24-37 Text to Life Back in the late sixties there was a kind of “hippie-yippee,” hallelujah, hootenanny Christian movement whose followers were known as “Jesus Freaks.”…
Names as Metaphor –Preaching Tip for 9 September 2018
In the scriptures, even names can be metaphors in the scripture story. Place names and the names of people are frequently meshed especially in the Hebrew scriptures. These names describe characteristics about the person or/and the place that will become important to the story. It’s important then to look at…
Pastor’s Prayer for 9 September 2018
You, O Lord, have called us to watch and pray.
Therefore, whatever may be the sin against which we pray,
make us careful to watch against it,
and so have reason to expect that our prayers will be answered.
In order to perform this duty aright,
grant us grace to preserve a sober, equal temper,
and sincerity to pray for your assistance. Amen.
–Susanna Wesley
Three Identical Strangers
Three Identical Strangers:
A Documentary
Winner, Special Jury Prize, Sundance Film Festival, 2018
–Review by Teri Hyrkas
The advertisement for Three Identical Strangers had so many superlatives surrounding the film’s title that my suspicions were aroused. How could any movie be that good? Nevertheless, the trailer was intriguing, so not long after the documentary was released in July, I found myself in the ticket line.
There is no way to review this movie without including spoilers, so stop reading here if you want to see the movie free and clear of unsolicited input.
Three Identical Strangers, directed by Tim Wardle, is a documentary about three brothers, triplets, who were given up for adoption. The boys were separated at six months of age when each child was successfully placed in an adoptive home. Although each boy knew early on that he was adopted, neither they nor their parents knew they were triplets until the boys found each other — crazily, happily, found each other by accident — when they were nineteen years old. Three Identical Strangers is a true story which Bobby Shafran, one of the triplets, said he would never have believed – if it hadn’t happened to him. read more…
The Queen of Soul
We have now have had a few weeks to reflect on the influence and impact of the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. Her music touched every genre and her artistry inspired vocalists and instrumentalists for generations. Her spiritual roots formed a foundation of generosity and respect (no pun intended J) that other artists emulated.
The playlists, the retrospectives, and the specials highlighting Aretha’s music have not generally included her gospel roots. This week includes an entire playlist of her gospel favorites.
Enjoy these beautiful songs of worship and praise. read more…
Don’t Litter Your Food; Don’t Litter Your Mood
Don’t Litter Your Food; Don’t Litter Your Mood Lectionary 2 September 2018 15th Sunday After Pentecost Song of Solomon 2:8-13 Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9 James 1:17-27 Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 Text to Life There is a new song going around. It’s a new version of the Beatles’ classic “All You Need…
Reading, Language, and Understanding
Skim reading is the new normal. The effect on society is profound.
Summary: “When the reading brain skims texts, we don’t have time to grasp complexity, to understand another’s feelings or to perceive beauty. We need a new literacy for the digital age.”
Read more at: http://bit.ly/skimreading
Digitally mine from: www.theguardian.com
Dusted
Dusted Story Lectionary 2 September 2018 The Curse of the Dust (Genesis 3) Abraham Pleads with God and God’s Angels Warn Lot and His Family (Genesis 18-19) Shimei Casts Dirt Upon David for His Deed (2 Samuel 16) Elijah Confronts Ahab and Jezebel (1 Kings 18) Psalm 30: The Lord…
Interdisciplinary Exegesis –Preaching Tip for 2 September 2018
Image exegesis should be interdisciplinary exegesis when you are trying to connect scriptures to culture. In this week’s story sermon, “dust” is a prominent scriptural metaphor but also an interesting metaphor in today’s world. When it comes especially to science and religion, here is where you as a preacher can…
Pastor’s Prayer for 2 September 2018
Lord,
inspire us to read your Scriptures
and to meditate upon them day and night.
We beg you to give us real understanding of what we need,
that we in turn may put its precepts into practice.
Yet we know that understanding and good intentions are worthless,
unless rooted in your graceful love.
So we ask that the words of Scriptures
may also be not just signs on a page,
but channels of grace into our hearts.
Source: Origen (ca. 185-254)