Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - A
Frank Ramirez
Peter Andrew Smith
Contents
"Within Sight of the Promised Land" by Frank Ramirez
"The Nature of Love" by Peter Andrew Smith
* * * * * * *
Within Sight of the Promised Land
by Frank Ramirez
Deuteronomy 34:1-12
The LORD said to him, "This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, 'I will give it to your descendants'; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there."
-- Deuteronomy 34:4
He was there at the creation of the new age. When others mocked at the idea, he spoke and wrote and argued as a true believer and finally convinced others. Having left the land of his birth he wandered in the wilderness for decades stubbornly attempting to lead others beyond the frontier into the future. Having finally lived long enough to come within sight of the Promised Land he passed away without crossing over himself.
"Within Sight of the Promised Land" by Frank Ramirez
"The Nature of Love" by Peter Andrew Smith
* * * * * * *
Within Sight of the Promised Land
by Frank Ramirez
Deuteronomy 34:1-12
The LORD said to him, "This is the land of which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, 'I will give it to your descendants'; I have let you see it with your eyes, but you shall not cross over there."
-- Deuteronomy 34:4
He was there at the creation of the new age. When others mocked at the idea, he spoke and wrote and argued as a true believer and finally convinced others. Having left the land of his birth he wandered in the wilderness for decades stubbornly attempting to lead others beyond the frontier into the future. Having finally lived long enough to come within sight of the Promised Land he passed away without crossing over himself.
John E. Sumwalt
C. David Mckirachan
Contents
"Loving Neighbors, Killing Neighbors" by John Sumwalt
"Coatracks" by C. David McKirachan
* * * * * * * *
Loving Neighbors, Killing Neighbors
by John Sumwalt
Matthew 22:34-46
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
-- Matthew 22:39b
Much has changed in our world in the past ten years. We have fought two wars and spent thousands of lives and trillions of dollars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Over 100,000 soldiers and innocent civilians have died in those two nations. Thousands of our US National Guard men and women have been called up to serve who could not have imagined themselves fighting in a foreign land before 9/11.
"Loving Neighbors, Killing Neighbors" by John Sumwalt
"Coatracks" by C. David McKirachan
* * * * * * * *
Loving Neighbors, Killing Neighbors
by John Sumwalt
Matthew 22:34-46
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
-- Matthew 22:39b
Much has changed in our world in the past ten years. We have fought two wars and spent thousands of lives and trillions of dollars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Over 100,000 soldiers and innocent civilians have died in those two nations. Thousands of our US National Guard men and women have been called up to serve who could not have imagined themselves fighting in a foreign land before 9/11.
Frank Ramirez
Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face. (v. 10)
According to the Oxford English Dictionary an impostor is “….a deceiver, swindler, cheat; now chiefly, one who assumes a false character, or passes himself off as someone other than he really is.”
Their first recorded example of the word impostor appears in a letter of January 26, 1586, from King James VI of Scotland to Elizabeth I of England, regarding his mother, Mary, Queen of Scots who would soon be executed. James wants to make it clear that only certain individuals have the right to represent his opinion on the matter of his mother’s impending execution. And so, he writes, “I pray you not to take me to be a chameleon, but by the contrary, them to be malicious impostures, as surely they are….”
According to the Oxford English Dictionary an impostor is “….a deceiver, swindler, cheat; now chiefly, one who assumes a false character, or passes himself off as someone other than he really is.”
Their first recorded example of the word impostor appears in a letter of January 26, 1586, from King James VI of Scotland to Elizabeth I of England, regarding his mother, Mary, Queen of Scots who would soon be executed. James wants to make it clear that only certain individuals have the right to represent his opinion on the matter of his mother’s impending execution. And so, he writes, “I pray you not to take me to be a chameleon, but by the contrary, them to be malicious impostures, as surely they are….”
C. David Mckirachan
Frank Ramirez
Contents
“Rules” by C. David McKirachan
“Accepting Reality” by C. David McKirachan
“Not Guilty” by Frank Ramirez
Rules
by C. David McKirachan
Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18 and Psalm 1
Children are highly overrated. Sometimes I wonder why my parents didn’t send me to boarding school. One such moment was when I asked why we had rules. If they invariably led to trouble, what good were they?
But it seems people like rules. They like to know if they’re in the win or loss column. Even at Christmas, that time of giving and sentimentality, “You’d better watch out. You’d better not pout. Santa Claus is coming to town.” Understanding who’s naughty and who’s nice helps. In ways that escape me sometimes.
‘…his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in this law does he meditate, day and night.’
“Rules” by C. David McKirachan
“Accepting Reality” by C. David McKirachan
“Not Guilty” by Frank Ramirez
Rules
by C. David McKirachan
Leviticus 19:1-2, 15-18 and Psalm 1
Children are highly overrated. Sometimes I wonder why my parents didn’t send me to boarding school. One such moment was when I asked why we had rules. If they invariably led to trouble, what good were they?
But it seems people like rules. They like to know if they’re in the win or loss column. Even at Christmas, that time of giving and sentimentality, “You’d better watch out. You’d better not pout. Santa Claus is coming to town.” Understanding who’s naughty and who’s nice helps. In ways that escape me sometimes.
‘…his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in this law does he meditate, day and night.’
Frank Ramirez
Contents
"The Greatest Law" by Frank Ramirez
The Greatest Law
by Frank Ramirez
Matthew 22:34-46
"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" (Matthew 22:36)
For all the high-flown language of the Declaration of Independence about the rights of all humanity to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” or the well thought ought structure for a government that would preserve liberty, Great Britain, France, and other European powers were all too ready to dismiss the democratic experiment of the people of the United States.
For one thing, democracy had never been attempted on such a scale, and most nations believed putting power into the hands of ordinary people was dangerous and futile.
"The Greatest Law" by Frank Ramirez
The Greatest Law
by Frank Ramirez
Matthew 22:34-46
"Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" (Matthew 22:36)
For all the high-flown language of the Declaration of Independence about the rights of all humanity to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” or the well thought ought structure for a government that would preserve liberty, Great Britain, France, and other European powers were all too ready to dismiss the democratic experiment of the people of the United States.
For one thing, democracy had never been attempted on such a scale, and most nations believed putting power into the hands of ordinary people was dangerous and futile.
Sandra Herrmann
Argile Smith
David O. Bales
Craig Kelly
Contents
What's Up This Week
"A Born Leader" by Sandra Herrmann
"Who's the Real Boss?" by Argile Smith
"A New Covenant" by David O. Bales
"Free Indeed" by Craig Kelly
What's Up This Week
What makes a leader? Is it the one who simply talks the loudest or barks out the most orders? Sandra Herrmann takes a closer look at the life of one of the Bible's greatest leaders in "A Born Leader." Argile Smith, however, gives us a modern example of leadership through servanthood in "Who's the Real Boss?"
For Reformation Sunday, David O. Bales takes one of the central tenets of the Reformation -- grace -- and shows it in action in "A New Covenant." Craig Kelly examines what it is to be truly free in Christ while also reminding us that the advancement of the Reformation -- as well as the advancement of Christianity today -- often came at a heavy cost.
* * * * * * * * *
What's Up This Week
"A Born Leader" by Sandra Herrmann
"Who's the Real Boss?" by Argile Smith
"A New Covenant" by David O. Bales
"Free Indeed" by Craig Kelly
What's Up This Week
What makes a leader? Is it the one who simply talks the loudest or barks out the most orders? Sandra Herrmann takes a closer look at the life of one of the Bible's greatest leaders in "A Born Leader." Argile Smith, however, gives us a modern example of leadership through servanthood in "Who's the Real Boss?"
For Reformation Sunday, David O. Bales takes one of the central tenets of the Reformation -- grace -- and shows it in action in "A New Covenant." Craig Kelly examines what it is to be truly free in Christ while also reminding us that the advancement of the Reformation -- as well as the advancement of Christianity today -- often came at a heavy cost.
* * * * * * * * *
Marjorie K. Evans
John E. Sumwalt
Myron Talcott
Contents
What's Up This Week
Stories to Live By: "Epitaphs"
Shining Moments: "Prayer at Midnight" by Marjorie K. Evans
Sermon Starter: "On Not Getting to the Promised Land" by John Sumwalt
Scrap Pile: "In the Midst of Struggle" by Myron Talcott
What's Up This Week
by John Sumwalt
What's Up This Week
Stories to Live By: "Epitaphs"
Shining Moments: "Prayer at Midnight" by Marjorie K. Evans
Sermon Starter: "On Not Getting to the Promised Land" by John Sumwalt
Scrap Pile: "In the Midst of Struggle" by Myron Talcott
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.
