Emphasis Contributors
Illustration Writers
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Mark Ellingsen
Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - C
Frank Ramirez
I occasionally include short clips from a movie in order to illustrate a point. I always check and make sure our CCLI license covers films from that particular studio just to keep things fair and square. Either way, do not show the clip I’m about to reference — just quote it. Robert De Niro is credited not only with delivering the famous line, “Are you talking to me?” (Taxi Driver, 1976) but also inventing it on the spur of the moment. Locked in a room with the director, Martin Scorsese, and challenged to come up with something, he looked in the mirror and repeated “Are you talking to me?” over and over again, changing the emphasis, while both men began to realize this was absolute genius. People who have never seen or even heard of the film, recognize, laugh, or use the line! “...
Mark Ellingsen
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Isaiah 6:1-8 (9-13)
The song “Billy, Don’t Be A Hero” was written in 1974 by Mitch Murray and Peter Callander. The song tells the story of Billy, who volunteers to fight for the Union Army in the Civil War. His fiancé pleads with him to not be a hero and come back to make her his wife. She cries, “Keep your head low.” The lyrics continue, “I need a volunteer to ride up, And bring us back some extra men. And Billy's hand was up in a moment, forgetting all the words she said.” Billy gets killed on that mission. The military writes to Billy's girlfriend to inform her that he died a hero, but she throws the letter away.
It is an interesting song, and, frankly, one I like. Billy’s hand was up in a moment when the sergeant asked for volunteers. I thought...
The song “Billy, Don’t Be A Hero” was written in 1974 by Mitch Murray and Peter Callander. The song tells the story of Billy, who volunteers to fight for the Union Army in the Civil War. His fiancé pleads with him to not be a hero and come back to make her his wife. She cries, “Keep your head low.” The lyrics continue, “I need a volunteer to ride up, And bring us back some extra men. And Billy's hand was up in a moment, forgetting all the words she said.” Billy gets killed on that mission. The military writes to Billy's girlfriend to inform her that he died a hero, but she throws the letter away.
It is an interesting song, and, frankly, one I like. Billy’s hand was up in a moment when the sergeant asked for volunteers. I thought...
Lectionary Commentary and Sermon Illustrations
Emphasis Preaching Journal provides in-depth lectionary-based commentary on lectionary texts, plus thousands of sermon illustrations to help you create riveting sermons.For over 45 years, Emphasis has provided subscribers with scripturally sound, lectionary-based commentaries and sermon illustrations that connect with the people in the pews.
For each week, Emphasis writers delve into the heart of the lectionary readings, providing you with several fresh, solid ideas -- based squarely on the lectionary texts -- for creating sermons that speak powerfully to your audience. They look for overall themes that hold the readings together. Then, they zero in on the themes and the specific scripture links, suggesting directions for the sermon and worship service. Since a single idea each week may not provide what you are looking for at that particular time, writers suggest several, giving you the opportunity to select the one that matches your specific needs.
