Sweet Spots
Ideas and messages from Len Sweet.
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The Triune Life
The Triune Life Lectionary 3 September 2017 13th Sunday After Pentecost Exodus 3:1-15 Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b Romans 12:9-21 Matthew 16:21-28 Text to Life What do you want to be when you grow up? It is the question all kids get asked throughout their childhood. And even adults who never…
Experiential in EPIC –Preaching Tip for 3 September 2017
EPIC worship is Experiential, Participatory, Image Rich, and Connective (relational). When your sermon is experiential, people not only understand something “about” Jesus intellectually, but they engage in experiencing the presence of the living Jesus around them, among them, and within their own lives. The more experiential you can make your…
Pastor’s Prayer for 3 September 2017
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge–that you may be filled to the measure of 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.
–The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Ephesians (3:14-21)
A Theology of the Ordinary
August 19, 2017
Book Review
A Theology of the Ordinary
By Julie Canlis
ISBN 978-0-692-84028-3
Published 2017
–Review by Douglas Balzer
Wonder! It is one characteristic I appreciate in a book. When an author is able to capture me as Julie Canlis did in her book A Theology of the Ordinary there is only one thing I can do –share the beauty of an artful tome.
The book came to my attention through reviewing the livegodspeed.org website reviewed by Ashley Linne May 21, 2017. If you didn’t happen to read her review, here is the link https://preachthestory.com/godspeed/. I highly recommend reading her comments and following the link to the site. It is worth your time.
Decades ago, I won’t say exactly how many; I was introduced to the concept of The Normal Christian Life through Watchman Nee. When I read Julie’s title for this book, my mind went towards Nee’s work. I will say her book is a wonderful surprise. It took in a very different direction than my preconceived ideas of normal or ordinary. I recommend you read this book in its entirety, including the introduction. The set up of the lecture through the introduction assists in drawing the subsequent chapter together cohesively. read more…
You are Anointed
You are Anointed Story Lectionary 3 September 2017 The Story of Noah and the Fragrance of His Faith / God’s Promise to Restore the Earth (Genesis 8) Spices Used in Anointing Oils and Incense / God’s Holy Fragrance (Exodus 30) The Anointing of Aaron by Moses (Leviticus 8) The Song…
Does your church…?
John Wesley said that we should “plunder the Egyptians.” Are you ready for some plundering? 1) Make fun of palm-reading, but at least they’re holding hands. Is your church? 2) Make fun of astrology, but at least they’re looking upward and remembering birthdays. Is your church? 3) Make fun of…
Song of the Sabbath
Song of the Sabbath Story Lectionary 27 August 2017 God’s Creative Power and Pause (Selah) / All Things in Relationship (Genesis 1:1-2:3) Keeping the Sabbath (Exodus 16:22-20; 20:8-11; 31:13-14) Keeping the Sabbath Becomes an Observance (Deuteronomy 5:12-15) Psalm 92: Song of the Sabbath Psalm 23: God’s Rest/Selah Psalm 104: God’s…
FREE Resources for Worship
re:Worship
Summary: Praying the Scriptures is an ancient tradition among many different groups of Christians. re:Worship provides prayers of confession and forgiveness based off many different Gospel readings while also having calls to worship and a variety of other prayers based on many of the Psalms. read more…
The World is Your Keyhole
The World is Your Keyhole Lectionary 27 August 2017 12th Sunday After Pentecost Exodus 1:8-2:10 Psalm 124 Romans 12:1-8 Matthew 16:13-20 Text to Life “Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego?” Anyone remember those words? “Where in the world is Carmen Sandiego” was the title of a popular Nickelodeon kid’s…
Bring in Current Culture –Preaching Tip for 27 August 2017
In order for people to relate to the scriptures, you have to relate the scriptures to their lives, their culture, what’s happening around them. For example, this week, we celebrate a rare Solar Eclipse. How can you use this phenomenon in your sermon? Or in your prayers? Or worship? How…