Sweet Spots
Ideas and messages from Len Sweet.
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Reading with Vision –Preaching Tip for 22 July 2018
When we read scripture, we need to read visually in order not to miss some of the intricacies of the metaphorical landscape. What would a moving picture of the story look like? What do you see during that “video” stream that you missed in two dimensionality? Remember, the orality of…
Pastor’s Prayer for 22 July 2018
Eternal God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, give us your Holy Spirit who writes the preached Word into our hearts. May we receive and believe it and be cheered and comforted by it in eternity. Glorify your Word in our hearts and make it so bright and warm that we may find pleasure in it, through your Holy Spirit think what is right, and by your power fulfill the Word, for the sake of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.
–Martin Luther
Jesus the Cave Dweller and Cave Deliverer
Jesus the Cave Dweller and Cave Deliverer Lectionary 22 July 2018 9th Sunday After Pentecost 2 Samuel 7:1-14a Psalm 89:20-37 Ephesians 2:11-22 Mark 6:30-34, 53-56 Text to Life On Tuesday July 10 the early morning news was interrupted by one of those “Breaking News” alerts. It turned out to be…
The Well Watered Soul
The Well-Watered Soul Story Lectionary 15 July 2018 The Story of Noah (Genesis 8) The Hand of Jeroboam is Shriveled and Powerless in the Face of the Lord’s Prophet (1 Kings 13:4-6) Elijah and the Dry Land of Ahab / Elijah’s Power Over Water (I Kings 17:1-16 and I Kings…
Sacred Hearts
Sacred Hearts Lectionary 15 July 2018 8th Sunday After Pentecost 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19 Psalm 24 Ephesians 1:3-14 (and Ephesians 2:11-22)* Mark 6:14-29 Text to Life This is a meditation on the heart. It is going to take us a little bit to get there. So let me begin by…
Musical Terroir –Russia II
Tchaikovsky is arguably one of the best-known Russian composers; if you want to hear some of his music, you can find it in playlist #169 (last week).
This week’s playlist features Sergei Prokofiev. Although Prokofiev spent a significant amount of his adult life outside of Russia, he is considered one of the preeminent 20th-century composers. read more…
Speak in the Language Best Understood –Preaching Tip for 15 July 2018
It’s one thing to speak in common language, good English, or the language of the “marketplace.” It’s another to speak in the code-language or the personal language of someone or a group of people. Chris Pratt recently did this in his talk, when he said things like, “Don’t be a…
Pastor’s Prayer for 15 July 2018
Behold, Lord, an empty vessel that needs to be filled. My Lord, fill it.
I am weak in the faith; strengthen me.
I am cold in love; warm me and make me fervent, that my love may go out to my neighbor.
I do not have a strong and firm faith; at times I doubt and am unable to trust you altogether. O Lord, help me. Strengthen my faith and trust in you.
In you I have sealed the treasure of all I have.
I am poor; you are rich and came to be merciful to the poor.
I am a sinner; you are upright.
With me, there is an abundance of sin; in you is the fullness of righteousness.
Therefore I will will remain with you, of whom I can receive, but to whom I may not give.
Amen.
–Martin Luther
Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music?
Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music?
Larry Norman and the Perils of Christian Rock
by Gregory Alan Thornbury
–Review by Teri Hyrkas
Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music is quite a title for a book. Are you shocked or even offended by it? Would it surprise you to learn that this book title is also the title of a Christian rock song? Released in 1972, Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music was written and performed by Christian singer-songwriter and leading figure in the Jesus Movement, Larry Norman. Norman (4-8-1947 to 2-24-2008) considered it his calling to prod and provoke complacent Christians with his music and concert performances. In the book Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music (Convergent Books, 2018), Gregory Alan Thornbury tells the intriguing story of the life and times of Larry Norman, including a thorough examination of Norman’s major accomplishments and mammoth failures in the early years of the contemporary Christian music industry. read more…
Unfettered Faith
Unfettered Faith Story Lectionary 8 July 2018 God Gives Moses Signs to Prove God’s Power Including Healing of Leprosy (Exodus 4) I Am the Lord Who Heals You (Exodus 15) Priestly Rituals for Examining and Pronouncing Diseases of the Skin (Leviticus 13 and 14) Miriam and Aaron Speak Against Moses…