Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A
C. David Mckirachan
Larry Winebrenner
Keith Hewitt
Contents
"Jerry Springer" by C. David McKirachan
"Circumstantial Evidence" by C. David McKirachan
"People and Sheep" by Larry Winebrenner
"Learning to Pray" by Larry Winebrenner
"The Wall" by Keith Hewitt
* * * * * * * *
Jerry Springer
by C. David McKirachan
Genesis 29:15-28
"Jerry Springer" by C. David McKirachan
"Circumstantial Evidence" by C. David McKirachan
"People and Sheep" by Larry Winebrenner
"Learning to Pray" by Larry Winebrenner
"The Wall" by Keith Hewitt
* * * * * * * *
Jerry Springer
by C. David McKirachan
Genesis 29:15-28
David O. Bales
Craig Kelly
Contents
What's Up This Week
"Never Again Separate" by David O. Bales
"Switching Treasures" by Craig Kelly
What's Up This Week
Hospital chaplains offer a different perspective on what it means to witness for Christ in desperate times. "Never Again Separate" shows us how reconciliation can help heal years of anger. "Switching Treasures" reminds us that there are things in life worth pursuing no matter what the cost -- but we have to be careful not to be dazzled by things that only look attractive on the surface.
* * * * * * * * *
Never Again Separate
By David O. Bales
Romans 8:26-39
What's Up This Week
"Never Again Separate" by David O. Bales
"Switching Treasures" by Craig Kelly
What's Up This Week
Hospital chaplains offer a different perspective on what it means to witness for Christ in desperate times. "Never Again Separate" shows us how reconciliation can help heal years of anger. "Switching Treasures" reminds us that there are things in life worth pursuing no matter what the cost -- but we have to be careful not to be dazzled by things that only look attractive on the surface.
* * * * * * * * *
Never Again Separate
By David O. Bales
Romans 8:26-39
John E. Sumwalt
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. (v. 26)
This is the season for sighing. It is the time of year when we say to each other, “Where has the summer gone?” When the flowers begin to fade and the grass turns brown and the leaves begin to fall, and the last Bing cherry disappears from the produce section in the grocery store, I think, “How quickly the seasons come and go.” The older I get the faster it seems the years go by.
This is the season for sighing. It is the time of year when we say to each other, “Where has the summer gone?” When the flowers begin to fade and the grass turns brown and the leaves begin to fall, and the last Bing cherry disappears from the produce section in the grocery store, I think, “How quickly the seasons come and go.” The older I get the faster it seems the years go by.
David O. Bales
Contents
“Too Deep For Words” by David O. Bales
“Mustard Seed Yard” by David O. Bales
Too Deep For Words
by David O. Bales
Romans 8:26-39
Dear Mom and Dad,
As I told you a year ago, my old mentor at seminary suggested we always put off a thorough report to our parents about a congregation until we had been there a year. Over this year I have had lots I could say — interesting, confusing, even ghostly. Only a few things one would call “extremely out of the ordinary.” I am going to smooth over some details, round some rough corners, and withhold identities. The delay for you in a detailed summary of these twelve months has proven wise (or lucky), because yesterday was a special congregational meeting called in order to fire me. Now is the perfect time to tell you about my first year here as pastor.
“Too Deep For Words” by David O. Bales
“Mustard Seed Yard” by David O. Bales
Too Deep For Words
by David O. Bales
Romans 8:26-39
Dear Mom and Dad,
As I told you a year ago, my old mentor at seminary suggested we always put off a thorough report to our parents about a congregation until we had been there a year. Over this year I have had lots I could say — interesting, confusing, even ghostly. Only a few things one would call “extremely out of the ordinary.” I am going to smooth over some details, round some rough corners, and withhold identities. The delay for you in a detailed summary of these twelve months has proven wise (or lucky), because yesterday was a special congregational meeting called in order to fire me. Now is the perfect time to tell you about my first year here as pastor.
Keith Wagner
Keith Hewitt
Contents
"Almost Heaven" by Keith Wagner
"Whole Hearted Devotion" by Keith Wagner
"The Connection" by Keith Hewitt
Almost Heaven
by Keith Wagner
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
Most people I know believe that heaven is some far, distant place. When folks describe heaven they generally speak of some favorite place, like Myrtle Beach, Hawaii, the Smoky Mountains or a cabin in Canada. Our images of heaven tend to be some form of paradise where everything is beautiful and wonderful.
There is a tendency in our culture to link heaven with success, wealth or power. All that we acquire, receive or win is considered "heavenly." For example, if a person wins the lottery they respond by saying, "I think I have died and gone to heaven."
"Almost Heaven" by Keith Wagner
"Whole Hearted Devotion" by Keith Wagner
"The Connection" by Keith Hewitt
Almost Heaven
by Keith Wagner
Matthew 13:31-33, 44-52
Most people I know believe that heaven is some far, distant place. When folks describe heaven they generally speak of some favorite place, like Myrtle Beach, Hawaii, the Smoky Mountains or a cabin in Canada. Our images of heaven tend to be some form of paradise where everything is beautiful and wonderful.
There is a tendency in our culture to link heaven with success, wealth or power. All that we acquire, receive or win is considered "heavenly." For example, if a person wins the lottery they respond by saying, "I think I have died and gone to heaven."
Sandra Herrmann
Contents
"When We Cannot Pray" by Sandra Herrmann
* * * * * * *
When We Cannot Pray
by Sandra Herrmann
Romans 8:26-39
Jean lay in bed. Her hospital room was an isolation unit, so there was nothing to brighten it up. Even a greeting card might carry in bacteria, and flowers were absolutely forbidden. She felt restless, even though she could do hardly anything. Getting out of bed by herself was a "forbidden activity" -- she felt light-headed even laying down. All she could do was watch TV or listen to music. Reading had become practically impossible ever since her first round of chemotherapy. There was something about the chemicals they used that made her feel stupid and forgetful. She picked at the sheet that was folded back over the blanket.
"When We Cannot Pray" by Sandra Herrmann
* * * * * * *
When We Cannot Pray
by Sandra Herrmann
Romans 8:26-39
Jean lay in bed. Her hospital room was an isolation unit, so there was nothing to brighten it up. Even a greeting card might carry in bacteria, and flowers were absolutely forbidden. She felt restless, even though she could do hardly anything. Getting out of bed by herself was a "forbidden activity" -- she felt light-headed even laying down. All she could do was watch TV or listen to music. Reading had become practically impossible ever since her first round of chemotherapy. There was something about the chemicals they used that made her feel stupid and forgetful. She picked at the sheet that was folded back over the blanket.
John E. Sumwalt And Jo Perry-sumwalt
Contents
What's Up This Week
A Story to Live By: "A Time to Deceive"
Shining Moments: "Praying: Even When You Can't" by Pamela J. Tinnin
Good Stories: "Learning How to Pray" by John Sumwalt
Scrap Pile: "From One Branch to Another" by Bill Dow
What's Up This Week
What's Up This Week
A Story to Live By: "A Time to Deceive"
Shining Moments: "Praying: Even When You Can't" by Pamela J. Tinnin
Good Stories: "Learning How to Pray" by John Sumwalt
Scrap Pile: "From One Branch to Another" by Bill Dow
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.
