Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A
Peter Andrew Smith
David O. Bales
Contents
"The Way to God" by Peter Andrew Smith
"Looking Up" by David O. Bales
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The Way to God
by Peter Andrew Smith
Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12)
In his story "The Way to God," Peter Andrew Smith tells of a people seeking to know God in their lives who discover the answer is not about what they do but about how they live.
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Once there were a people who built themselves a great nation. They established a land of law, opportunity, and peace. They enjoyed the good things of life as they unravelled the mysteries of the natural world and banished afflictions that their ancestors had faced.
"The Way to God" by Peter Andrew Smith
"Looking Up" by David O. Bales
* * * * * * * *
The Way to God
by Peter Andrew Smith
Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12)
In his story "The Way to God," Peter Andrew Smith tells of a people seeking to know God in their lives who discover the answer is not about what they do but about how they live.
* * *
Once there were a people who built themselves a great nation. They established a land of law, opportunity, and peace. They enjoyed the good things of life as they unravelled the mysteries of the natural world and banished afflictions that their ancestors had faced.
John E. Sumwalt
You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled underfoot. (v. 13)
Ruth Anderson, a long-time leader of Willow Valley United Methodist Church in Ithaca, Wisconsin, was struck and killed by a car while crossing the road to the mailbox in front of their farm home. The driver was arrested on a tentative charge of homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle.
If you Google what it means to be a Christian, I imagine you might find a picture of Ruth Anderson next to those of Mother Teresa, Florence Nightingale, and a host of other servant saints in glory. Ruth of Willow Valley (my home church) was a force of nature, all love. Although those closest to her might report occasional lapses, most of us just remember her constant smile, genial personality and never-ending acts of kindness.
Ruth Anderson, a long-time leader of Willow Valley United Methodist Church in Ithaca, Wisconsin, was struck and killed by a car while crossing the road to the mailbox in front of their farm home. The driver was arrested on a tentative charge of homicide by negligent operation of a vehicle.
If you Google what it means to be a Christian, I imagine you might find a picture of Ruth Anderson next to those of Mother Teresa, Florence Nightingale, and a host of other servant saints in glory. Ruth of Willow Valley (my home church) was a force of nature, all love. Although those closest to her might report occasional lapses, most of us just remember her constant smile, genial personality and never-ending acts of kindness.
Peter Andrew Smith
Maxine tapped her pen on the table as she looked at the open Bible in front of her. She started to write something and then scratched it out. She sighed loudly and started tapping again.
“I can hear you all the way out in the living room,” Connie said as she came into the kitchen. “What’s the problem?”
“Gramms, I agreed to speak to the youth group on Sunday. Big mistake. The leader gave me Matthew 5 and I’m stuck.”
Connie looked over her shoulder at the Bible. “That’s where Jesus talks about being the light of the world and salt of the earth, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. That’s the problem. Kerrie is doing it with me and took the part about light.” Maxine sighed again. “I got stuck with salt.”
“So, what’s the problem?”
“I can’t see how being salt of the earth is a good thing. I know the expression, but I can’t connect that to Jesus’ words. Kerrie got it so easy with light. I could do that one in my sleep.”
“I can hear you all the way out in the living room,” Connie said as she came into the kitchen. “What’s the problem?”
“Gramms, I agreed to speak to the youth group on Sunday. Big mistake. The leader gave me Matthew 5 and I’m stuck.”
Connie looked over her shoulder at the Bible. “That’s where Jesus talks about being the light of the world and salt of the earth, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. That’s the problem. Kerrie is doing it with me and took the part about light.” Maxine sighed again. “I got stuck with salt.”
“So, what’s the problem?”
“I can’t see how being salt of the earth is a good thing. I know the expression, but I can’t connect that to Jesus’ words. Kerrie got it so easy with light. I could do that one in my sleep.”
C. David Mckirachan
Peter Andrew Smith
Contents
"Resolutions" by C. David McKirachan
"Needing a New Light" by Peter Andrew Smith
Resolutions
by C. David McKirachan
Matthew 5:13-20
"Resolutions" by C. David McKirachan
"Needing a New Light" by Peter Andrew Smith
Resolutions
by C. David McKirachan
Matthew 5:13-20
Sandra Herrmann
Contents
"The Salt Tax and the Light of the World" by Sandra Herrmann
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The Salt Tax and the Light of the World
by Sandra Herrmann
Matthew 5:13-20
In 1930, Mohandas Gandhi sent a letter to the British Viceroy, who was the ruler of India according to the British empire, asking him to start the process by which India would be allowed to rule itself. In it he told the Viceroy, "If my letter makes no appeal to your heart, on the eleventh day of this month I shall proceed with such coworkers of the Ashram as I can take to disregard the provisions of the Salt Laws. I regard this tax to be the most iniquitous of all from the poor man's standpoint. As the independence movement is essentially for the poorest in the land, the beginning will be made with this evil."
"The Salt Tax and the Light of the World" by Sandra Herrmann
* * * * * * *
The Salt Tax and the Light of the World
by Sandra Herrmann
Matthew 5:13-20
In 1930, Mohandas Gandhi sent a letter to the British Viceroy, who was the ruler of India according to the British empire, asking him to start the process by which India would be allowed to rule itself. In it he told the Viceroy, "If my letter makes no appeal to your heart, on the eleventh day of this month I shall proceed with such coworkers of the Ashram as I can take to disregard the provisions of the Salt Laws. I regard this tax to be the most iniquitous of all from the poor man's standpoint. As the independence movement is essentially for the poorest in the land, the beginning will be made with this evil."
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.
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