Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - A
Frank Ramirez
Argile Smith
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Not a Cup but a Cow" by Frank Ramirez
"Compassion at Work" by Argile Smith
What's Up This Week
Christ calls us to be compassionate and giving in a world of cruelty and greed. In "Not a Cup but a Cow," we see how one man's compassion for those in need, even those considered enemies, was able to affect countless lives around the world. While we may be compassionate and giving, there are many in the world who would take advantage of that, as seen in "Compassion at Work." How should that affect our compassion? Will one act of deceit rob us of our calling to love and serve those in need?
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Not a Cup but a Cow
By Frank Ramirez
Matthew 14:13-21
What's Up This Week
"Not a Cup but a Cow" by Frank Ramirez
"Compassion at Work" by Argile Smith
What's Up This Week
Christ calls us to be compassionate and giving in a world of cruelty and greed. In "Not a Cup but a Cow," we see how one man's compassion for those in need, even those considered enemies, was able to affect countless lives around the world. While we may be compassionate and giving, there are many in the world who would take advantage of that, as seen in "Compassion at Work." How should that affect our compassion? Will one act of deceit rob us of our calling to love and serve those in need?
* * * * * * * * *
Not a Cup but a Cow
By Frank Ramirez
Matthew 14:13-21
Frank Ramirez
Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. (v. 13)
I expect that as I preach today many of you will not only know exactly where your phone is this very moment, but you may be fighting the temptation to sneak it out for a glance at the news headlines, baseball standings, and actual scores of Premier League games playing live in Great Britain.
Or maybe you’ve got a halo over your head because you’ve opened up the Bible program on your phone so you’re perfectly within your rights to check the scriptures over the course of this message. The fact that an occasional cat video pops up is entirely not your fault.
I expect that as I preach today many of you will not only know exactly where your phone is this very moment, but you may be fighting the temptation to sneak it out for a glance at the news headlines, baseball standings, and actual scores of Premier League games playing live in Great Britain.
Or maybe you’ve got a halo over your head because you’ve opened up the Bible program on your phone so you’re perfectly within your rights to check the scriptures over the course of this message. The fact that an occasional cat video pops up is entirely not your fault.
C. David Mckirachan
Contents
"Who are the Good People?" by C. David McKirachan
"Lower Lights" by C. David McKirachan
Who are the Good People?
by C. David McKirachan
Genesis 32:22-31
An elder came to see me asking why Lent and Advent put so much emphasis on confronting our need to repent. Shouldn’t we be focusing on problem solving and lifting spirits? After all, there were a lot of good people in the congregation who needed to be comforted rather than reminded of all the dark places in life.
I wanted to ask him to name the good people. But, resisting my snarky urge, I asked him to turn to this passage in Genesis. We read it together. I asked him who he thought Jacob was wrestling with. Then I asked him why he thought Jacob was wrestling. Then I asked him if he’d ever had to wrestle like that.
"Who are the Good People?" by C. David McKirachan
"Lower Lights" by C. David McKirachan
Who are the Good People?
by C. David McKirachan
Genesis 32:22-31
An elder came to see me asking why Lent and Advent put so much emphasis on confronting our need to repent. Shouldn’t we be focusing on problem solving and lifting spirits? After all, there were a lot of good people in the congregation who needed to be comforted rather than reminded of all the dark places in life.
I wanted to ask him to name the good people. But, resisting my snarky urge, I asked him to turn to this passage in Genesis. We read it together. I asked him who he thought Jacob was wrestling with. Then I asked him why he thought Jacob was wrestling. Then I asked him if he’d ever had to wrestle like that.
Peter Andrew Smith
Craig Kelly
Contents
"Leap of Faith" by Peter Andrew Smith
"Modern-Day Loaves" by Craig Kelly
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Leap of Faith
by Peter Andrew Smith
Genesis 32:22-31
Maria sat in the back seat of the empty church. The clock on the wall told her there was an hour before she had to go back to work. She hoped that would be enough time because she had no idea what she was supposed to do.
She loved her job and this community but the position she had been offered on the other coast was a dream come true. It opened up for her the possibility of doing what she had always dreamt of doing and she knew the move would lead to greater things.
"Leap of Faith" by Peter Andrew Smith
"Modern-Day Loaves" by Craig Kelly
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Leap of Faith
by Peter Andrew Smith
Genesis 32:22-31
Maria sat in the back seat of the empty church. The clock on the wall told her there was an hour before she had to go back to work. She hoped that would be enough time because she had no idea what she was supposed to do.
She loved her job and this community but the position she had been offered on the other coast was a dream come true. It opened up for her the possibility of doing what she had always dreamt of doing and she knew the move would lead to greater things.
Frank Ramirez
John Fitzgerald
Contents
"Rules fer Wrasslin' " by Frank Ramirez
"Blessed and Broke" by John Fitzgerald
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Rules Fer Wrasslin'
by Frank Ramirez
Genesis 32:22-31
And Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day.
-- Genesis 32:24
There's a little scrap of papyrus written in Greek words from the second century AD. Discovered over a century ago in the Egyptian desert, it measures around five and a half by seven inches. There are holes here and there, but the translation, as near as it can be figured, goes something like this:
"Rules fer Wrasslin' " by Frank Ramirez
"Blessed and Broke" by John Fitzgerald
* * * * * * *
Rules Fer Wrasslin'
by Frank Ramirez
Genesis 32:22-31
And Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until the breaking of the day.
-- Genesis 32:24
There's a little scrap of papyrus written in Greek words from the second century AD. Discovered over a century ago in the Egyptian desert, it measures around five and a half by seven inches. There are holes here and there, but the translation, as near as it can be figured, goes something like this:
John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
A Story to Live By: "Those Who Seek Refuge"
Shining Moments: "Too Churchy" by Paul Karrer
Good Stories: "Don't Forget Your Lunch" by John Sumwalt
Scrap Pile: "Wrestling with the Stranger" by John Sumwalt
What's Up This Week
What's Up This Week
A Story to Live By: "Those Who Seek Refuge"
Shining Moments: "Too Churchy" by Paul Karrer
Good Stories: "Don't Forget Your Lunch" by John Sumwalt
Scrap Pile: "Wrestling with the Stranger" by John Sumwalt
What's Up This Week
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.
