Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A
Frank Ramirez
John E. Sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
"The Unsecret Weapon" by Frank Ramirez
"The Unknown Churchgoers" by John Sumwalt
What's Up This Week
For soldiers fighting in a war, it is essential to have the proper weapons. Those weapons can mean the difference between living to see another day and dying on the battlefield. In "The Unsecret Weapon," Frank Ramirez explores the Hebrew exodus from Egypt, noting that while many armies have developed "secret weapons" over the centuries, the Hebrews made no secret as to what their "weapon" was. While armies use weapons to wage war, what happens when we turn those weapons on ourselves? In the church, we often let disagreements turn into real battles, fracturing the church. John Sumwalt gives us a representation of such a disagreement, and what the end result needs to be, in "The Unknown Churchgoers."
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The Unsecret Weapon
What's Up This Week
"The Unsecret Weapon" by Frank Ramirez
"The Unknown Churchgoers" by John Sumwalt
What's Up This Week
For soldiers fighting in a war, it is essential to have the proper weapons. Those weapons can mean the difference between living to see another day and dying on the battlefield. In "The Unsecret Weapon," Frank Ramirez explores the Hebrew exodus from Egypt, noting that while many armies have developed "secret weapons" over the centuries, the Hebrews made no secret as to what their "weapon" was. While armies use weapons to wage war, what happens when we turn those weapons on ourselves? In the church, we often let disagreements turn into real battles, fracturing the church. John Sumwalt gives us a representation of such a disagreement, and what the end result needs to be, in "The Unknown Churchgoers."
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The Unsecret Weapon
John E. Sumwalt
Anne Le Bas
Steve Philip
Steven Fortney
Sue D'alessio
Contents
What's Up This Week: "When the Big One Hits"
A Story to Live By: "What's God Up To?"
Sermon Starters: "In the Wake of the Storm" by John Sumwalt
"The Storm Voice and the Voice of God" by Anne Le Bas
Modern Epistle: "Dispatch from the Front" by Steve Philip
Scrap Pile: "The Tremendum of Whirlwinds" by Steven Fortney
"Response to the Poem from a Friend" by Sue D'Alessio
What's Up This Week
When the Big One Hits
What's Up This Week: "When the Big One Hits"
A Story to Live By: "What's God Up To?"
Sermon Starters: "In the Wake of the Storm" by John Sumwalt
"The Storm Voice and the Voice of God" by Anne Le Bas
Modern Epistle: "Dispatch from the Front" by Steve Philip
Scrap Pile: "The Tremendum of Whirlwinds" by Steven Fortney
"Response to the Poem from a Friend" by Sue D'Alessio
What's Up This Week
When the Big One Hits
John E. Sumwalt
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” (vv. 21-22)
Patty Knapp wrote in The National Catholic Register about a woman who made the hard choice to forgive an evil tormentor from her past. Peggy Clores told Knapp about her mother, Yvette Assael, a Greek Jew, who survived the Auschwitz concentration camp. Her parents were murdered by the Nazis there.
Many years later when coming out of a bakery in London, Yvette came upon a beggar. Peggy said, “Knowing the agony of starvation well, my mother reached into the bakery bag and walked toward him. Then, all at once, she stopped 'dead in her tracks.' Her face turned white." Her husband asked her what was wrong. “Her eyes filled with tears; and, finally, resolutely, she walked over and handed the man a piece of bread.”
Patty Knapp wrote in The National Catholic Register about a woman who made the hard choice to forgive an evil tormentor from her past. Peggy Clores told Knapp about her mother, Yvette Assael, a Greek Jew, who survived the Auschwitz concentration camp. Her parents were murdered by the Nazis there.
Many years later when coming out of a bakery in London, Yvette came upon a beggar. Peggy said, “Knowing the agony of starvation well, my mother reached into the bakery bag and walked toward him. Then, all at once, she stopped 'dead in her tracks.' Her face turned white." Her husband asked her what was wrong. “Her eyes filled with tears; and, finally, resolutely, she walked over and handed the man a piece of bread.”
C. David Mckirachan
Frank Ramirez
Contents
"Our Nice, Neat World View" by C. David McKirachan
"Seeing Ourselves As Others See Us" by Frank Ramirez
Our Nice, Neat World View
by C. David McKirachan
Exodus 14:19-31
Way back in the dark ages, a movie was released that we HAD to see. The Ten Commandments with Charlton Heston was a hit before it landed. I remember a few things about the movie. I thought Moses’ hair looked stupid when it turned white. I thought the fish in the walls of water could have been done better. I liked having an intermission. Popcorn was my favorite food group. And I thought Yule Brenner was cool. ‘Let it be written, let it be done.’ was my phrase for a long time. I asked if I could have my head shaved. A no go on that one.
"Our Nice, Neat World View" by C. David McKirachan
"Seeing Ourselves As Others See Us" by Frank Ramirez
Our Nice, Neat World View
by C. David McKirachan
Exodus 14:19-31
Way back in the dark ages, a movie was released that we HAD to see. The Ten Commandments with Charlton Heston was a hit before it landed. I remember a few things about the movie. I thought Moses’ hair looked stupid when it turned white. I thought the fish in the walls of water could have been done better. I liked having an intermission. Popcorn was my favorite food group. And I thought Yule Brenner was cool. ‘Let it be written, let it be done.’ was my phrase for a long time. I asked if I could have my head shaved. A no go on that one.
David O. Bales
Keith Wagner
Contents
"If You Don’t Forgive" by David O. Bales
"Being Ready" by David O. Bales
"Yielding to God" by Keith Wagner
"Healing for those who Suffer" by Keith Wagner
If You Don’t Forgive
by David O. Bales
Matthew 18:21-35
Monday at lunch Phil made sure to sit by the factory’s new hire Milo. He knew what it was like to be new to a job or group and Milo was pleased for the company. Five minutes into their lunch break their mutual unbelief popped up in their conversation.
C. David Mckirachan
Keith Wagner
Contents
"In the Zone" by C. David McKirachan
"Forgiveness Without Limits" by Keith Wagner
"Sea Crossings" by Keith Wagner
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In the Zone
by C. David McKirachan
Exodus 14:19-31
I cheer for the Yankees. They are usually in the running for a playoff position. I can't remember a year when there wasn't a possibility -- right up to the middle of September -- when pin stripes would be playing to the bitter end.
"In the Zone" by C. David McKirachan
"Forgiveness Without Limits" by Keith Wagner
"Sea Crossings" by Keith Wagner
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In the Zone
by C. David McKirachan
Exodus 14:19-31
I cheer for the Yankees. They are usually in the running for a playoff position. I can't remember a year when there wasn't a possibility -- right up to the middle of September -- when pin stripes would be playing to the bitter end.
Keith Hewitt
C. David Mckirachan
Contents
"The Mercy Seat" by Keith Hewitt
"Cursing Yourself" by C. David McKirachan
"Rock My World" by C. David McKirachan
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The Mercy Seat
by Keith Hewitt
Romans 14:1-12
It was a place, Carrie was sure of that.
It had the feel of a place, a physical space -- the sound of her own breathing, the clearing of her throat, the scrape of her shoe on the floor... they all argued that there were walls out there, somewhere, creating this bubble of space even as they reflected subtle echoes of sounds made. But when she looked around herself, everything was the same off-white, pearly shade, creating seamless walls and invisible corners of anonymous... blankness. Like a canvas that had not yet been touched by paint -- it definitely existed, but there was nothing to give it texture, nothing to give it life or depth.
"The Mercy Seat" by Keith Hewitt
"Cursing Yourself" by C. David McKirachan
"Rock My World" by C. David McKirachan
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The Mercy Seat
by Keith Hewitt
Romans 14:1-12
It was a place, Carrie was sure of that.
It had the feel of a place, a physical space -- the sound of her own breathing, the clearing of her throat, the scrape of her shoe on the floor... they all argued that there were walls out there, somewhere, creating this bubble of space even as they reflected subtle echoes of sounds made. But when she looked around herself, everything was the same off-white, pearly shade, creating seamless walls and invisible corners of anonymous... blankness. Like a canvas that had not yet been touched by paint -- it definitely existed, but there was nothing to give it texture, nothing to give it life or depth.
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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.
