Sweet Spots
Ideas and messages from Len Sweet.
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Pastor’s Prayer for 25 March 2018
Jesus, my feet are dirty. Come even as a slave to me, pour water into your bowl, come and wash my feet. In asking such a thing I know I am overbold, but I dread what was threatened when you said to me, “If I do not wash your feet I have no fellowship with you.” Wash my feet then, because I long for your companionship.
–Origen
The Heart of Man
The Heart of Man, directed by Eric Esau (rated PG-13)
–Review by Ashley Linne
My first reaction to this film was FINALLY!!! This visual parable is a breathtaking, raw, and beautiful look at brokenness and God’s redemptive nature. The filmmakers weave storytelling masterfully, using a stunning narrative of a prodigal son and his father along with documentary of personal stories from William Paul Young, Jackie Hill Perry, Dr. Dan Allender, and others who have struggled with sexual brokenness.
This is the type of grace-filled storytelling that our society desperately needs to start associating with Jesus Christ and His followers. This is a film that goes straight to the heart, unflinching in its honest portrayal of iniquity and redemption. The cinematography is incredible, the soundtrack is compelling, the story is real, and the message is Hope. I don’t want to say too much without ruining this beautiful experience for you!
The Heart of Man is currently available on Netflix, but I’m not sure for how long. Take some time to watch it while you can, and let’s send the message to Netflix and the filmmakers that we want more of THIS kind of storytelling.
Transverting Truth
Transverting Truth Lectionary 18 March 2018 5th Sunday in Lent Jeremiah 31:31-34 Psalm 51:1-12 Hebrews 5:5-10 John 12:20-33 Text to Life Lent is a season of readying. Lent is a season of repentance. Lent is a season of renewal. Lent is a season of fasting. But we often forget…
Immeasurable
Immeasurable: Reflections on the Soul of Ministry in the Age of Church, Inc.
By Skye Jethan
–Review by Landrum P. Leavell III, ThD.
I like the writing of Skye Jethani. He writes from the inside but with outside eyes, always challenging and informing. Having read his The Divine Commodity: Discovering Faith Beyond Consumer Culture and WITH: Reimagining the Way You Relate to God, I was ready for his wayfaring guidance and gestation in this one. In Immeasurable, he addresses the question, “Are we doing the right work?” What do renewed postures toward our sacred calling look like? Have we bought into unbiblical definitions of success? What about doing the kind of ministry that can’t be measured
One of the first things that struck me in the book was the dedication: “Dedicated to: Henri Nouwen, Brennan Manning, Dallas Willard, Eugene Peterson.” That quaternity will get your attention. Those four men (“…giants in the earth in those days.” Gen. 6:4, KJV) have indelibly marked me and in some way, most everyone I know in ministry. read more…
Artists and Their Thoughts –Frederic Chopin
The same concept is true in music as reflected in the quote by Chopin. No matter how many notes, the challenge cannot be the focus. The complexity for the performer must not distract from the connection with the listener.
Chopin’s music is notoriously complex and difficult for the performer. Chopin’s piano pieces – all of his pieces involve the piano: he wrote no symphonies or operas – are lyrical, engaging, poetic and, therefore, seen as accessible. Yet the majority are also harmonically complex, technically challenging, and compositionally intricate. read more…
Caring for the Vineyard We Did Not Plant
Caring for the Vineyard We Did Not Plant Story Lectionary 18 March 2018 The Fifth Week of Jesus’ Lenten Journey God Plants a Garden (Genesis 2) The Story of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4) Noah Plants a Vineyard (Genesis 9) God’s Laws of Mercy (Exodus 23) The Unkempt Vineyard…
Standing Under –Preaching Tip for 18 March 2018
John Wesley noted in his Preface to Sermons on Several Occasions in 1746 that scriptures should be heard not controlled, as they are inspired and living documents…” then the writings whereby being dead, they yet speak.” The art of metaphor-image exegesis seeks to “stand under” the text allowing the living story…
Pastor’s Prayer for 18 March 2018
Blessed are you, God of compassion and mercy,to you be praise and glory forever.In the darkness of our sin,your light breaks forth like the dawnand your healing springs up for deliverance.As we rejoice in the gift of your saving help,sustain us with your bountiful Spiritand open our lips to sing your praise.Blessed be God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.Blessed be God forever.The night has passed, and the day lies open before us;let us pray with one heart and mind.Silence is kept.As we rejoice in the gift of this new day,so may the light of your presence, O God,set our hearts on fire with love for you;now and forever.Amen.
–John Wesley
Artists and Their Thoughts –Ludwig van Beethoven
Practice makes perfect … you may have heard this phrase, especially if you took music lessons when you were young. There’s only one problem with this phrase: there’s no such thing as perfect. Perfect is not the goal of practice because perfect is not possible. Practice is its own reward, when practiced with intention. read more…
Kiss Don’t Hiss
Kiss Don’t Hiss Lectionary 11 March 2018 4th Sunday in Lent Numbers 21:4-9 Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 Ephesians 2:1-10 John 3:14-21 Text to Life In 1995 Nicholas Evans published a novel entitled “The Horse Whisperer.” Three years later the story was made into a movie directed by and starring Robert Redford.…