Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A
C. David Mckirachan
Peter Andrew Smith
Contents
"Teeth" by C. David McKirachan
"Being Ready" by Peter Andrew Smith
Teeth
by C. David McKirachan
Matthew 18:15-20
Confrontation is one of my least favorite things. Because of that I have a staff, about six feet of cedar, knarled by age and elements leaning in a corner of my study. It’s to remind me that as a shepherd, I’ve got to remember that not all the people who come through the door are sheep. Some of them have sharp teeth.
"Teeth" by C. David McKirachan
"Being Ready" by Peter Andrew Smith
Teeth
by C. David McKirachan
Matthew 18:15-20
Confrontation is one of my least favorite things. Because of that I have a staff, about six feet of cedar, knarled by age and elements leaning in a corner of my study. It’s to remind me that as a shepherd, I’ve got to remember that not all the people who come through the door are sheep. Some of them have sharp teeth.
David O. Bales
Contents
"Before You Judge" by David O. Bales
"Christ, Paul, And The Law" by David O. Bales
Before You Judge
by David O. Bales
Matthew 18:15-20
The seven members of the presbytery’s judicial commission were ministers and elders, all over 50, chosen for their stability of life and faith and their ability to be fair. They were experienced enough not to be awed by anyone. However, when Daniel Newton stepped into the room too much space here
nd sprawled onto a chair before them, they were stunned. For two generations, Daniel Newton had been famous for his defense tactics in the courtroom. Rudy had heard that Newton was a Presbyterian, yet assumed he’d been dead for a decade.
With a gasp, the old man hoisted his frayed briefcase onto the table. Like a defense attorney impressing a jury, he gave a small cough before looking up at the presbytery members.
"Before You Judge" by David O. Bales
"Christ, Paul, And The Law" by David O. Bales
Before You Judge
by David O. Bales
Matthew 18:15-20
The seven members of the presbytery’s judicial commission were ministers and elders, all over 50, chosen for their stability of life and faith and their ability to be fair. They were experienced enough not to be awed by anyone. However, when Daniel Newton stepped into the room too much space here
nd sprawled onto a chair before them, they were stunned. For two generations, Daniel Newton had been famous for his defense tactics in the courtroom. Rudy had heard that Newton was a Presbyterian, yet assumed he’d been dead for a decade.
With a gasp, the old man hoisted his frayed briefcase onto the table. Like a defense attorney impressing a jury, he gave a small cough before looking up at the presbytery members.
Peter Andrew Smith
Kay checked her phone and then put it on the desk in front of her. She frowned and turned her attention to the textbook in front of her. A few moments later she checked her phone again.
Jay looked up from the other side of the desk. “What’s up?”
“Why would you think something is up?” Kay said.
“Honestly?” Jay shook his head. “You frown every time you check your phone and haven’t turned the page since we started studying. We really need to understand this material before the lab tomorrow.”
“I know, I know.” Kay leaned back in her chair. “I guess I’ve been distracted.”
“You could say that.”
Kay checked her phone. “I’m waiting to hear from Denise.”
“Denise?” Jay asked. “I thought you two weren’t getting along so I’m surprised you’re talking.”
“We’re not. We got into it after choir practice and Charlene said that we needed to talk and sort it out before service in the chapel.”
Jay looked up from the other side of the desk. “What’s up?”
“Why would you think something is up?” Kay said.
“Honestly?” Jay shook his head. “You frown every time you check your phone and haven’t turned the page since we started studying. We really need to understand this material before the lab tomorrow.”
“I know, I know.” Kay leaned back in her chair. “I guess I’ve been distracted.”
“You could say that.”
Kay checked her phone. “I’m waiting to hear from Denise.”
“Denise?” Jay asked. “I thought you two weren’t getting along so I’m surprised you’re talking.”
“We’re not. We got into it after choir practice and Charlene said that we needed to talk and sort it out before service in the chapel.”
John Fitzgerald
Keith Hewitt
Contents
"The Power of Passover" by John Fitzgerald
"When Someone Sins Against You..." by Keith Hewitt
* * * * * * *
The Power of Passover
by John Fitzgerald
Exodus 12:1-14
A beloved tradition for a marriage ceremony is for the bride to wear "Something old, Something new, Something borrowed, Something blue." The custom originates from an Old English rhyme ("Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence in your Shoe"). Something old represents continuity, something new offers optimism for the future, something borrowed symbolizes our gratitude for others, something blue stands for purity and love, and a sixpence in the shoe demonstrates good fortune and prosperity.
"The Power of Passover" by John Fitzgerald
"When Someone Sins Against You..." by Keith Hewitt
* * * * * * *
The Power of Passover
by John Fitzgerald
Exodus 12:1-14
A beloved tradition for a marriage ceremony is for the bride to wear "Something old, Something new, Something borrowed, Something blue." The custom originates from an Old English rhyme ("Something Olde, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue, A Sixpence in your Shoe"). Something old represents continuity, something new offers optimism for the future, something borrowed symbolizes our gratitude for others, something blue stands for purity and love, and a sixpence in the shoe demonstrates good fortune and prosperity.
David O. Bales
Craig Kelly
Contents
"I Tertius, the Writer of this Letter" by David O. Bales
"Gathered in My Name" by Craig Kelly
* * * * * * * *
I Tertius, the Writer of this Letter
by David O. Bales
Romans 13:8-14
Tertius, a third born son, had the best of luck, so his friend Ploution said. Tertius, as the third son, had little chance for an education and less for wealth. His two older brothers would receive everything. However, as Ploution pointed out, the storm that took his brothers' lives at sea was responsible for Tertius' learning his letters, which allowed him to be a scribe, even though five years later, when he was finally prepared for life as an educated gentleman, his father's final gamble in the shipping business sank in a grain ship from Egypt.
"I Tertius, the Writer of this Letter" by David O. Bales
"Gathered in My Name" by Craig Kelly
* * * * * * * *
I Tertius, the Writer of this Letter
by David O. Bales
Romans 13:8-14
Tertius, a third born son, had the best of luck, so his friend Ploution said. Tertius, as the third son, had little chance for an education and less for wealth. His two older brothers would receive everything. However, as Ploution pointed out, the storm that took his brothers' lives at sea was responsible for Tertius' learning his letters, which allowed him to be a scribe, even though five years later, when he was finally prepared for life as an educated gentleman, his father's final gamble in the shipping business sank in a grain ship from Egypt.
Bryan Meadows
Constance Berg
What's Up This Week
It is vital for Christians to convey to the world the nature of our Lord. As Bryan Meadows relates in "Styling and Profiling," we are called to take on the love, mercy, and patience of Christ and display it to the world like a new suit. Those attributes can serve us well in times of conflict and crisis, as seen in Constance Berg's "Strike Three, You're Out!"
* * * * * * * * *
Styling and Profiling
By Bryan Meadows
Romans 13:8-14
I'm left scratching my head in amazement. Where did the summer go? Seriously! I've always been a fan favorite of the summer. Long days spent enjoying the warm weather. It's about playing ball, going fishing, kayaking, and the ever important family vacation.
It is vital for Christians to convey to the world the nature of our Lord. As Bryan Meadows relates in "Styling and Profiling," we are called to take on the love, mercy, and patience of Christ and display it to the world like a new suit. Those attributes can serve us well in times of conflict and crisis, as seen in Constance Berg's "Strike Three, You're Out!"
* * * * * * * * *
Styling and Profiling
By Bryan Meadows
Romans 13:8-14
I'm left scratching my head in amazement. Where did the summer go? Seriously! I've always been a fan favorite of the summer. Long days spent enjoying the warm weather. It's about playing ball, going fishing, kayaking, and the ever important family vacation.
John E. Sumwalt
Jo Perry-Sumwalt
..
Marty walked toward the elevator, thinking of Jack, Russ's best friend, and feeling a familiar anger that he had not come to visit in all of these months. She was astounded when she looked up and saw Jack standing at the end of the hall, as if he were waiting for her. The look on his face and the pain in his eyes melted her anger, and she ran the remaining distance and threw her arms around him.
"Oh, Jack! I'm so glad you came! Please come up with me and talk to him."
"I thought he was in a coma," Jack replied, and she drew back as if repelled by his words.
"The doctors say talking to him is good. His brain is still alive. He could wake up. Maybe you can get through to him."
Marty walked toward the elevator, thinking of Jack, Russ's best friend, and feeling a familiar anger that he had not come to visit in all of these months. She was astounded when she looked up and saw Jack standing at the end of the hall, as if he were waiting for her. The look on his face and the pain in his eyes melted her anger, and she ran the remaining distance and threw her arms around him.
"Oh, Jack! I'm so glad you came! Please come up with me and talk to him."
"I thought he was in a coma," Jack replied, and she drew back as if repelled by his words.
"The doctors say talking to him is good. His brain is still alive. He could wake up. Maybe you can get through to him."
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