07/17/2019
It was a busy weekend for summer sports fans.
If you followed the Scottish open, you witnessed the commitment and determination it takes to win. Wiesberger did finally gain the title against Hebert after a third sudden death play at the 18th hole. You could just feel the tension and desire as each would hit the drive and finish out a putt.
If you followed the mens’ Wimbledon match, again you witnessed a match of endurance, determination and commitment as Djokovic defeated Federer. There certainly was a moment in the match when it did not appear that would be the result. Djokovic came close to losing as he sat two match points down. The entire match was a show of endurance, determination and commitment as the match made history for its length of play.
I think that both of these events and their players have good lessons for practicing Christian faith…
1. Great commitment to practice produces endurance
2. When the opponent may seem to be a distraction and competitive, don’t give into distractions... simply focus harder.
3. If we want to be strong and competitive, the commitment needs to be year round and consistent. Part time, casual play leaves us less than we could be.
So mid summer let’s ask ourselves, are we serving as strongly, practicing as diligently, and committed enough to have the faith that God would desire for us?
Living for Jesus, Pastor Patti
Archived Posts
One Final Scene About Scrooge
There was one more scene in Dickens’s novel that reveals something of what has happened to Scrooge over the years. I did not have time to share it on Sunday, but I believe it reveals a great deal about the regrets in Scrooge’s life....
What Jacob Marley Would Do,
If He Could Do It…
I thought about using the following for a benediction—since Jacob Marley was warning Scrooge about the danger of loving money and what it could buy. Ends up with the Cantata and everything else going on, I didn’t have the time. So here is what you might have heard if the sermon itself was 5 minutes shorter!
A Confirming Word on Old King Herod
I just want to echo what Rick said in his fine sermon yesterday (Nov. 23). Herod was a ruthless tyrant and skilled politician. When the Magi don’t report back to him, he decides to kill all the male children of Bethlehem under the age of 2. That’s one paranoid dude.
Power Without Conscience?
I ran out of room for this vignette in Sunday’s sermon. Remember the quote that could be the headline for Ahab and Naboth: “All that’s needed for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.” The following reinforces that truth.
The Cars Are Looking for A King
I don’t have a thing to add to Pastor Jessica’s excellent sermon this last Sunday. The fable/parable she shared has been one of my favorites for all the lessons she pulled from it in her message. I was playing around with my friend Chat GPT and after several abortive attempts, we came up with the following modernized version of Judges 9:7-15.
The Lost Benediction
Depending on the length of the sermon, I try to add a little something extra in my benedictions. This week I wrote up a benediction but then realized we’d be singing and waving our umbrellas to some New Orleans jazz.
Change of Focus This Week
Instead of sharing with you about yesterday’s sermon I’d like to invite you to do some background reading for next Sunday’s “Only Murders in the Bible.” Seeing that it is All Saints Day this Sunday, we are going to look at the very first Christian martyr, Stephen.