Ash Wednesday - A
Keith Hewitt
Larry Winebrenner
Sandra Herrmann
Contents
"Silver Creek" by Keith Hewitt
"The Rich Man and the Tailor" by Larry Winebrenner
"Open My Lips, Lord" by Larry Winebrenner
"A Broken Bottle, A Broken Pride" by Sandra Herrmann
"March of Darkness" by Keith Hewitt
* * * * * * * *
Silver Creek
by Keith Hewitt
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
On the night of October 8, 1871 -- the same night as the great Chicago fire, which killed 250 people -- a firestorm flared in the forests of Northeastern Wisconsin. By the time it burned itself out against the natural firebreaks of Green Bay and Lake Michigan, over 2,000 square miles of forest had been consumed, along with dozens of small towns. The dead numbered around 2,500, many buried anonymously in mass graves, because the destruction was so complete that there was no one left to identify them...
"Don't go."
"Silver Creek" by Keith Hewitt
"The Rich Man and the Tailor" by Larry Winebrenner
"Open My Lips, Lord" by Larry Winebrenner
"A Broken Bottle, A Broken Pride" by Sandra Herrmann
"March of Darkness" by Keith Hewitt
* * * * * * * *
Silver Creek
by Keith Hewitt
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
On the night of October 8, 1871 -- the same night as the great Chicago fire, which killed 250 people -- a firestorm flared in the forests of Northeastern Wisconsin. By the time it burned itself out against the natural firebreaks of Green Bay and Lake Michigan, over 2,000 square miles of forest had been consumed, along with dozens of small towns. The dead numbered around 2,500, many buried anonymously in mass graves, because the destruction was so complete that there was no one left to identify them...
"Don't go."
Peter Andrew Smith
“The charter group out of Florida isn’t available to take us either.” Joanne hung up the phone. “That is six different companies we’ve tried and none of them can transport us to the island and pick us up when we’re finished.”
“What are we going to do?” Tammy asked. “We don’t have enough time to get there by boat even if we could hire one.”
“Can we reschedule the clinic?”
Tammy shook her head. “The doctors aren’t available after next week. Dr. John is off to a conference and Dr. Paula has to go back to her own patients.”
“This is so frustrating! We have the doctors, the medicine, all ready to go and the clinic arranged on the island.” Joanne sighed. “Why is everything working against us? These children need this help and the church raised the money we need to cover the expenses.”
“What are we going to do?” Tammy asked. “We don’t have enough time to get there by boat even if we could hire one.”
“Can we reschedule the clinic?”
Tammy shook her head. “The doctors aren’t available after next week. Dr. John is off to a conference and Dr. Paula has to go back to her own patients.”
“This is so frustrating! We have the doctors, the medicine, all ready to go and the clinic arranged on the island.” Joanne sighed. “Why is everything working against us? These children need this help and the church raised the money we need to cover the expenses.”
Peter Andrew Smith
John knocked at the door and waited. His heart was pounding in his chest and he was sweating. He wouldn’t be surprised if Suzy slammed the door into his face. What he had done to her, what he had done to their marriage, was simply unforgivable. His heart leapt when the door started to open and he froze when Suzy’s father, Mark, stood before him. From the look on his father-in-law’s face there was no doubt that he knew what John had done.
John thought for a moment about just turning around and leaving. Yet he missed Suzy and he loved her and if this was the price he had to pay in order to get to see her he would face his sin and take it like a man. John took a deep breath.
“I was hoping to talk to Suzy, sir.”
“You’ll talk to me first.” Mark started into the kitchen.
John followed Mark hoping this would be brief.
His father-in-law pointed at a chair. “Sit.”
“I can explain —” John began.
John thought for a moment about just turning around and leaving. Yet he missed Suzy and he loved her and if this was the price he had to pay in order to get to see her he would face his sin and take it like a man. John took a deep breath.
“I was hoping to talk to Suzy, sir.”
“You’ll talk to me first.” Mark started into the kitchen.
John followed Mark hoping this would be brief.
His father-in-law pointed at a chair. “Sit.”
“I can explain —” John began.
Frank Ramirez
C. David Mckirachan
Contents
"Life from Death" by Frank Ramirez
"This is Nuts" by C. David McKirachan
Life from Death
by Frank Ramirez
2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10
We are treated as... dying, and see -- we are alive...(2 Corinthians 6:8-9)
She was raised in a shack that was part of the slave quarters on a rural Virginia tobacco plantation. As a child her hands were stained from harvesting that tobacco. As an adult she moved to Maryland to improve life for her children. She died far too young, at the age of 31, at one of the few hospitals that would take African Americans as patients (as long as they entered by a separate door from whites and were content with being treated in separate rooms).
And as part of a story that is hard to believe, cells from her body are alive today, and have been used to help cure polio, cancer, and other diseases.
"Life from Death" by Frank Ramirez
"This is Nuts" by C. David McKirachan
Life from Death
by Frank Ramirez
2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10
We are treated as... dying, and see -- we are alive...(2 Corinthians 6:8-9)
She was raised in a shack that was part of the slave quarters on a rural Virginia tobacco plantation. As a child her hands were stained from harvesting that tobacco. As an adult she moved to Maryland to improve life for her children. She died far too young, at the age of 31, at one of the few hospitals that would take African Americans as patients (as long as they entered by a separate door from whites and were content with being treated in separate rooms).
And as part of a story that is hard to believe, cells from her body are alive today, and have been used to help cure polio, cancer, and other diseases.
John Fitzgerald
C. David Mckirachan
Contents
"Repentance and Renewal" by John Fitzgerald
"Decently and in Order" by C. David McKirachan
"Skull and Crossbones" by C. David McKirachan
* * * * * * *
Repentance and Renewal
by John Fitzgerald
2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10
Have you every wondered what it would be like to discover an original copy of the Declaration of Independence? An event of epic proportions such as this is recorded in our Bible. Second Kings 22/23 and 2 Chronicles 34 tell us about a historical find that changed the nation of Judah.
The biblical story informs us that King Josiah commanded a remodeling of Jerusalem's Temple. Temple workers tore down old walls and stumbled upon a scroll containing God's Law. We recognize this scroll to be the book of Deuteronomy.
"Repentance and Renewal" by John Fitzgerald
"Decently and in Order" by C. David McKirachan
"Skull and Crossbones" by C. David McKirachan
* * * * * * *
Repentance and Renewal
by John Fitzgerald
2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10
Have you every wondered what it would be like to discover an original copy of the Declaration of Independence? An event of epic proportions such as this is recorded in our Bible. Second Kings 22/23 and 2 Chronicles 34 tell us about a historical find that changed the nation of Judah.
The biblical story informs us that King Josiah commanded a remodeling of Jerusalem's Temple. Temple workers tore down old walls and stumbled upon a scroll containing God's Law. We recognize this scroll to be the book of Deuteronomy.
Peter Andrew Smith
David O. Bales
Argile Smith
Keith Hewitt
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Glenda's Surprise" by Argile Smith
"It Was Just My Imagination" by Keith Hewitt
"The Terrible Dark Day" by Peter Andrew Smith
"In Secret" by David Bales
What's Up This Week
One of the most fascinating things about the liturgical calendar is the fact that the Sunday of the Transfiguration is immediately followed by Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. The Sunday in which we celebrate the awesome revelation of the radiant glory of God through his Son is followed by a solemn period of self-reflection, repentance, and self-denial. The glorious mountaintop experience is swiftly followed by a quiet journey through the valley.
What's Up This Week
"Glenda's Surprise" by Argile Smith
"It Was Just My Imagination" by Keith Hewitt
"The Terrible Dark Day" by Peter Andrew Smith
"In Secret" by David Bales
What's Up This Week
One of the most fascinating things about the liturgical calendar is the fact that the Sunday of the Transfiguration is immediately followed by Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. The Sunday in which we celebrate the awesome revelation of the radiant glory of God through his Son is followed by a solemn period of self-reflection, repentance, and self-denial. The glorious mountaintop experience is swiftly followed by a quiet journey through the valley.
First Sunday in Lent - A
Keith Wagner
Keith Hewitt
Contents
"A Little Soul Searching" by Keith Wagner
"It’s All About Grace" by Keith Wagner
"The Gift" by Keith Hewitt
A Little Soul Searching
by Keith Wagner
Matthew 4:1-11
Several years ago there was a television program that was called "Super Nanny." The show was about a British woman who visited homes where the children were completely out of control. After a few weeks the families were miraculously transformed and the children were well behaved.
"A Little Soul Searching" by Keith Wagner
"It’s All About Grace" by Keith Wagner
"The Gift" by Keith Hewitt
A Little Soul Searching
by Keith Wagner
Matthew 4:1-11
Several years ago there was a television program that was called "Super Nanny." The show was about a British woman who visited homes where the children were completely out of control. After a few weeks the families were miraculously transformed and the children were well behaved.
John E. Sumwalt
“Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not hide my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
and you forgave the guilt of my sin.” Psalm 32:5
“Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all.” Romans 5:18
There was once a guy, in a little town way out in the middle of nowhere, who was known as Crazy Gerald. He was called that because of the odd way he waved at passing vehicles when he was walking to and from town. It is understood, as a common courtesy, and expected that everyone waves at their neighbors on country roads. What Gerald did was uncommon and certainly not expected.
and I did not hide my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
and you forgave the guilt of my sin.” Psalm 32:5
“Therefore just as one man’s trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man’s act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all.” Romans 5:18
There was once a guy, in a little town way out in the middle of nowhere, who was known as Crazy Gerald. He was called that because of the odd way he waved at passing vehicles when he was walking to and from town. It is understood, as a common courtesy, and expected that everyone waves at their neighbors on country roads. What Gerald did was uncommon and certainly not expected.
David O. Bales
Contents
"Thorough Temptation Of The Thoroughly Human" by David O. Bales
"One Man" by David O. Bales
Thorough Temptation of the Thoroughly Human
by David O. Bales
Matthew 4:1-11
Now it’s like a distant dream, those early days when Jesus first stepped into the wilderness. Maybe only three weeks? Feels like three years. He’s lost count. At first the hunger and thirst attacked only his body. His thinking remained as certain as the flow of the Jordan. But that was the beginning. How could starvation do this? He hadn’t realized the way weeks without food consumed both flesh and reason.
His diminished senses have slowly failed until life for him is a fog of pain spreading around and through him. He struggles ever onward, barely conscious. He might not even be moving. How long can he keep this up? Again, he hears a loud mumbling, maybe a banging, and then again, “If you are the son of God.”
"Thorough Temptation Of The Thoroughly Human" by David O. Bales
"One Man" by David O. Bales
Thorough Temptation of the Thoroughly Human
by David O. Bales
Matthew 4:1-11
Now it’s like a distant dream, those early days when Jesus first stepped into the wilderness. Maybe only three weeks? Feels like three years. He’s lost count. At first the hunger and thirst attacked only his body. His thinking remained as certain as the flow of the Jordan. But that was the beginning. How could starvation do this? He hadn’t realized the way weeks without food consumed both flesh and reason.
His diminished senses have slowly failed until life for him is a fog of pain spreading around and through him. He struggles ever onward, barely conscious. He might not even be moving. How long can he keep this up? Again, he hears a loud mumbling, maybe a banging, and then again, “If you are the son of God.”
Sandra Herrmann
Keith Hewitt
Contents
"How the Snake Fooled the Woman" by Sandra Herrmann
"Temptation" by Keith Hewitt
* * * * * * *
How the Snake Fooled the Woman
by Sandra Herrman
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
The rabbis of old told stories about the biblical stories. Why, you ask? Because often the oral tradition was not complete in the written version. There are huge numbers of these stories, all pertaining to something we need to learn from the biblical stories that is not explicitly said in the scripture. This is one of them.
"How the Snake Fooled the Woman" by Sandra Herrmann
"Temptation" by Keith Hewitt
* * * * * * *
How the Snake Fooled the Woman
by Sandra Herrman
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
The rabbis of old told stories about the biblical stories. Why, you ask? Because often the oral tradition was not complete in the written version. There are huge numbers of these stories, all pertaining to something we need to learn from the biblical stories that is not explicitly said in the scripture. This is one of them.
Frank Ramirez
Craig Kelly
Contents
"Your Choice" by Frank Ramirez
"The Trial" by Craig Kelly
* * * * * * * *
Your Choice
Frank Ramirez
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19
And the LORD God commanded the man, "You may freely eat of every tree of the garden...." (Genesis 2:16)
Yeah, Adam and Eve weren't allowed to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but they could eat everything else. Now ask yourself, why would you starve to death if there was perfectly good food to eat within your grasp? Why indeed?
In his book Collapse: How Societies Choose to Succeed or Fail, the author Jared Diamond examines the choices made by different societies, and how these choices led to their demise or success. One of the most fascinating involves the Norse in Greenland.
"Your Choice" by Frank Ramirez
"The Trial" by Craig Kelly
* * * * * * * *
Your Choice
Frank Ramirez
Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19
And the LORD God commanded the man, "You may freely eat of every tree of the garden...." (Genesis 2:16)
Yeah, Adam and Eve weren't allowed to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, but they could eat everything else. Now ask yourself, why would you starve to death if there was perfectly good food to eat within your grasp? Why indeed?
In his book Collapse: How Societies Choose to Succeed or Fail, the author Jared Diamond examines the choices made by different societies, and how these choices led to their demise or success. One of the most fascinating involves the Norse in Greenland.
Peter Andrew Smith
Rosmarie Trapp
The Terrible Dark Day
by Peter Andrew Smith
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Carried by the wind, a small pod covered with spikes fell onto a field. The precious seeds within spilled into the ground and after the rains fell, one of them sprouted and took root. A tiny shoot pushed up through the ground and reached toward the light. The shoot grew into a sapling, which grew into a small tree.
As the tree's branches spread out, a bird flying past landed and took rest among its leaves. The bird flew on but soon other birds used the branches of the young tree as a resting place. One bird took shelter there from the elements and returned time and time again to the tree. As the tree grew larger the bird built a nest, attracted a mate, and soon the nest was filled with eggs. The eggs hatched and the baby birds used the branches of the tree as places to sing their songs and build their own nests.
by Peter Andrew Smith
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Carried by the wind, a small pod covered with spikes fell onto a field. The precious seeds within spilled into the ground and after the rains fell, one of them sprouted and took root. A tiny shoot pushed up through the ground and reached toward the light. The shoot grew into a sapling, which grew into a small tree.
As the tree's branches spread out, a bird flying past landed and took rest among its leaves. The bird flew on but soon other birds used the branches of the young tree as a resting place. One bird took shelter there from the elements and returned time and time again to the tree. As the tree grew larger the bird built a nest, attracted a mate, and soon the nest was filled with eggs. The eggs hatched and the baby birds used the branches of the tree as places to sing their songs and build their own nests.
C. David Mckirachan
Charles D. Reeb
Contents
What's Up This Week
"It's Not My Fault" by C. David McKirachan
"The Logic of Grace" by C. David McKirachan
"It's Tempting" by Charles D. Reeb
"God's Got You Covered" by Charles D. Reeb
What's Up This Week
What's Up This Week
"It's Not My Fault" by C. David McKirachan
"The Logic of Grace" by C. David McKirachan
"It's Tempting" by Charles D. Reeb
"God's Got You Covered" by Charles D. Reeb
What's Up This Week
John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
Stories to Live By: "Tempted by Power" / "You've Got Mail"
Shining Moments: "Still Learning Not to Wobble" by Rosmarie Trapp
Good Stories: "Satan's Meeting"
Scrap Pile: "Caring for Body and Soul" by John Sumwalt
What's Up This Week
by John Sumwalt
What's Up This Week
Stories to Live By: "Tempted by Power" / "You've Got Mail"
Shining Moments: "Still Learning Not to Wobble" by Rosmarie Trapp
Good Stories: "Satan's Meeting"
Scrap Pile: "Caring for Body and Soul" by John Sumwalt
What's Up This Week
by John Sumwalt
What is StoryShare?
StoryShare is a treasure house with hundreds of good stories to share, stories which relate authentic, life-changing experiences that demonstrate the Lord's power and presence. Many are intensely personal accounts that concern visions, healing, or answers to prayers, but all bear witness to the indescribable joy, comfort and peace that come from a personal encounter with the divine. Our "Good Stories" section includes short fiction, parables much like those Jesus told.
Can I share stories that I have?
Yes, you can. You have good stories to share too, probably more than you know: personal stories, and stories from others that you have used over the years. StoryShare is always looking for stories involving personal experiences of the presence of God. Have you or someone you know heard the voice of God or been healed as a direct answer to prayer? If you have a story that you can share send it to StoryShare for review. Simply click here (storyshare@sermonsuite.com) and email your story to us.
