Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A
Frank Ramirez
Contents
"Keep Your Eyes Open" by Frank Ramirez
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Keep Your Eyes Open
by Frank Ramirez
Matthew 25:1-13
Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
-- Matthew 25:13
On July 6, 1054, an awe-inspiring sight appeared around the world, an overwhelming light burst into the night sky.
About two hours after midnight the Chinese royal astronomer Yang Wei-te witnessed the arrival of the great light. On the day of chi-ch'ou of the fifth moon of Chih-ho, he saw what he called a "guest star" in the constellation of Taurus the Bull. According to Yang it was a reddish-white color and displayed pointed rays all around. The star was so bright it was visible in broad daylight for 23 days and visible at night for a couple of years.
"Keep Your Eyes Open" by Frank Ramirez
* * * * * * *
Keep Your Eyes Open
by Frank Ramirez
Matthew 25:1-13
Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.
-- Matthew 25:13
On July 6, 1054, an awe-inspiring sight appeared around the world, an overwhelming light burst into the night sky.
About two hours after midnight the Chinese royal astronomer Yang Wei-te witnessed the arrival of the great light. On the day of chi-ch'ou of the fifth moon of Chih-ho, he saw what he called a "guest star" in the constellation of Taurus the Bull. According to Yang it was a reddish-white color and displayed pointed rays all around. The star was so bright it was visible in broad daylight for 23 days and visible at night for a couple of years.
Keith Hewitt
Craig Kelly
Contents
"The Bubble" by Keith Hewitt
"Tell Me a Story" by Craig Kelly
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The Bubble
by Keith Hewitt
Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
Back in the 1970s and 80s, it was popular in some circles to talk about the "neutron bomb," a device that supposedly killed people but left buildings intact. Never mind the mythology -- what do you call something that destroys lives but leaves bodies alive? "Economic dislocation," "poverty," "cultural ennui?" Never mind -- the important thing to remember is that if you drop enough bombs, eventually war will break out…
"The Bubble" by Keith Hewitt
"Tell Me a Story" by Craig Kelly
* * * * * * * *
The Bubble
by Keith Hewitt
Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
Back in the 1970s and 80s, it was popular in some circles to talk about the "neutron bomb," a device that supposedly killed people but left buildings intact. Never mind the mythology -- what do you call something that destroys lives but leaves bodies alive? "Economic dislocation," "poverty," "cultural ennui?" Never mind -- the important thing to remember is that if you drop enough bombs, eventually war will break out…
John E. Sumwalt
But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. (v. 13)
Do your loved ones come to you in dreams?
That was the question I asked in a Facebook post one day after I woke from a startling dream in which I saw my late brother, Alan. He appeared in one of those vivid dreams that come just before waking. He looked like he always looked when we saw him at family gatherings, dressed in a familiar plaid shirt and faded blue jeans. I was shocked at first. And then Alan smiled, reached out, touched my arm, and said, “How are you John?”
It was, as these kind of visitation dreams tend to be, more real than real--surreal even: unforgettable, etched in memory forever, unlike most ordinary dreams which fade quickly. Was it real presence? It felt like it, but whatever it was, it was real comfort.
Do your loved ones come to you in dreams?
Do your loved ones come to you in dreams?
That was the question I asked in a Facebook post one day after I woke from a startling dream in which I saw my late brother, Alan. He appeared in one of those vivid dreams that come just before waking. He looked like he always looked when we saw him at family gatherings, dressed in a familiar plaid shirt and faded blue jeans. I was shocked at first. And then Alan smiled, reached out, touched my arm, and said, “How are you John?”
It was, as these kind of visitation dreams tend to be, more real than real--surreal even: unforgettable, etched in memory forever, unlike most ordinary dreams which fade quickly. Was it real presence? It felt like it, but whatever it was, it was real comfort.
Do your loved ones come to you in dreams?
Frank Ramirez
I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old…we will tell to the coming generation the glorious deeds of the LORD, and his might, and the wonders that he has done. (Psalm 78:1,4)
The psalmist knows there’s always a call for a storyteller. Stories stick with you. The rest of the prophets, major and minor, filled pages with soaring language, but the only prophet every kid can name and every adult can tell you something about is Jonah. That’s the power of story.
Jesus of course is the greatest storyteller, with his parables grounded in reality. But one of the first Christians had his own story to tell that was so gripping it was copied and recopied for centuries. His book didn’t make it into the New Testament, but judging from the evidence it might have been more popular than many that did.
The psalmist knows there’s always a call for a storyteller. Stories stick with you. The rest of the prophets, major and minor, filled pages with soaring language, but the only prophet every kid can name and every adult can tell you something about is Jonah. That’s the power of story.
Jesus of course is the greatest storyteller, with his parables grounded in reality. But one of the first Christians had his own story to tell that was so gripping it was copied and recopied for centuries. His book didn’t make it into the New Testament, but judging from the evidence it might have been more popular than many that did.
C. David Mckirachan
Peter Andrew Smith
Contents
"Watch" by C. David McKirachan
"Relatives in Australia" by C. David McKirachan
"As For Me and Mine" by Peter Andrew Smith
Watch
by C. David McKirachan
Matthew 25:1-13
It was a ministers’ retreat in a new presbytery, a wonderful opportunity to get to know some of my compatriots in the business, partners in the journey. I’d spent five years in the inner city, where survival is a noble endeavor. Those five years had taught me so much, but in some ways the ministry there had been so intense, it had left me with questions I’d never had a chance to ask.
"Watch" by C. David McKirachan
"Relatives in Australia" by C. David McKirachan
"As For Me and Mine" by Peter Andrew Smith
Watch
by C. David McKirachan
Matthew 25:1-13
It was a ministers’ retreat in a new presbytery, a wonderful opportunity to get to know some of my compatriots in the business, partners in the journey. I’d spent five years in the inner city, where survival is a noble endeavor. Those five years had taught me so much, but in some ways the ministry there had been so intense, it had left me with questions I’d never had a chance to ask.
Craig Kelly
Timothy J. Smith
Contents
What's Up This Week
"As for Me and My House" by Craig Kelly
"Angie's Grand Adventure" by Timothy J. Smith
What's Up This Week
No matter how much we prepare ourselves and our families, there are events that take us totally unaware. We reach into our souls seeking some bit of strength to pull us through. "Give ear, O my people, to my teaching..." A few words of scripture rise to our brains and our strength begins to deepen once again... "rise up and tell [God's law] to [your] children so that they should set their hope in God." We face our dilemma and work hard to place God in our children's hearts to build their strength in the future.
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As for Me and My House... By Craig Kelly Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
What's Up This Week
"As for Me and My House" by Craig Kelly
"Angie's Grand Adventure" by Timothy J. Smith
What's Up This Week
No matter how much we prepare ourselves and our families, there are events that take us totally unaware. We reach into our souls seeking some bit of strength to pull us through. "Give ear, O my people, to my teaching..." A few words of scripture rise to our brains and our strength begins to deepen once again... "rise up and tell [God's law] to [your] children so that they should set their hope in God." We face our dilemma and work hard to place God in our children's hearts to build their strength in the future.
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As for Me and My House... By Craig Kelly Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25
Diane Henderson
John E. Sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
A Story to Live By: "Dying for a Cookie"
Shining Moments: "That You May Not Grieve" by Diane Henderson
Sermon Starters: "Therefore Keep Watch" / "All Saints Story"
Scrap Pile: "A Stewardship Sermon" by John Sumwalt
What's Up This Week
What's Up This Week
A Story to Live By: "Dying for a Cookie"
Shining Moments: "That You May Not Grieve" by Diane Henderson
Sermon Starters: "Therefore Keep Watch" / "All Saints Story"
Scrap Pile: "A Stewardship Sermon" 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.
