Sermon podcast from the Access Sunday, 10-10-21 worship service - St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Mark 10:17-31
"Do" podcast
Showing posts with label Mark 10:17-31. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mark 10:17-31. Show all posts
10/13/2015
Really?
This past Sunday's sermon from St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. What holds you back?
'Really?" podcast
'Really?" podcast
10/13/2012
Impossible
This week's Bible reflection (One thing) doesn't get more confusing . . .it just becomes Impossible - the Sunday sermon at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL
"Impossible" text
"Impossible" podcast
"Impossible" text
"Impossible" podcast
10/08/2012
One thing.
What's the one thing that really makes you feel alive?
For some it is something exhilarating. For others it is something quiet. For some it has to do with world-changing ideas. For others it hits much more close to home.
Whatever that one thing is, and as long as it is something good and uplifting instead of greedy or harmful, it's worth really pouring yourself into.
What's something that holds you back?
Maybe that's a harder question. Is it what is exhilarating, quiet, world-changing, close to home? What holds you back from pouring yourself into what really makes you feel alive?
In this week's Bible reading from Mark 10:17-31, Jesus saw through the mask the rich person wore. That person followed Gods' rules and probably did much good. Jesus saw that this person's wealth was holding them back.
Too much money holds some people back. Not enough money holds people back. The endless pursuit of money holds people back. Running out of money holds people back.
So what's a person to do? Why does money complicate things so much? Why does it make things possible? Why does it hold things back?
Who can figure it out?
For some it is something exhilarating. For others it is something quiet. For some it has to do with world-changing ideas. For others it hits much more close to home.
Whatever that one thing is, and as long as it is something good and uplifting instead of greedy or harmful, it's worth really pouring yourself into.
What's something that holds you back?
Maybe that's a harder question. Is it what is exhilarating, quiet, world-changing, close to home? What holds you back from pouring yourself into what really makes you feel alive?
In this week's Bible reading from Mark 10:17-31, Jesus saw through the mask the rich person wore. That person followed Gods' rules and probably did much good. Jesus saw that this person's wealth was holding them back.
Too much money holds some people back. Not enough money holds people back. The endless pursuit of money holds people back. Running out of money holds people back.
So what's a person to do? Why does money complicate things so much? Why does it make things possible? Why does it hold things back?
Who can figure it out?
10/11/2009
Who Owns You?
This week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc (Be good) got the thought process going for me this week, but Sunday's sermon, based on the same passage, comes this week as a guest podcast from Prairie Association UCC Minister Rev. Kathy Lawes. Rev. Lawes preached today at Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk, IL.
"Who Owns You?" podcast
"Who Owns You?" podcast
10/05/2009
Be good
Here's this week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc:
One of my favorite things to say just after “good-bye” to folks is, with a slight wink in my eye, “Be good.” I usually get a smile and something like “not a chance” or a sarcastic “sure” in return.
I hope, however, that the fun of a “Be good” comment leaves at least a tiny grain of thought – one that challenges us at our very core to be good to one another.
In this week’s Bible reading from Mark 10:17-31, Jesus issues a reminder of just how difficult it is, if not impossible, to be good. He goes as far as to say that no one is good but God alone. He reminds one questioner – and any who heard then or read now – how impossible it is to earn any kind of ‘good points’ on our own steam.
But he does offer hope. Everything is possible with God. When we pursue the good that God is and the love that God is and the care and compassion that God is we start to taste what it is to focus not on our desire for ‘stuff,’ but rather God’s desire that all may be considered important, precious, and loved.
Be good.
One of my favorite things to say just after “good-bye” to folks is, with a slight wink in my eye, “Be good.” I usually get a smile and something like “not a chance” or a sarcastic “sure” in return.
I hope, however, that the fun of a “Be good” comment leaves at least a tiny grain of thought – one that challenges us at our very core to be good to one another.
In this week’s Bible reading from Mark 10:17-31, Jesus issues a reminder of just how difficult it is, if not impossible, to be good. He goes as far as to say that no one is good but God alone. He reminds one questioner – and any who heard then or read now – how impossible it is to earn any kind of ‘good points’ on our own steam.
But he does offer hope. Everything is possible with God. When we pursue the good that God is and the love that God is and the care and compassion that God is we start to taste what it is to focus not on our desire for ‘stuff,’ but rather God’s desire that all may be considered important, precious, and loved.
Be good.
10/10/2006
Lost
I watch the TV show -- I've seen every episode. I don't get much of it, but I'm still captivated by it. I keep thinking about the meanings the title may have. This week in the Opening the Bible blog at i.ucc I started thinking a little more. The entry is called "Lost"
I've watched the television show -- every episode over the last two and now third seasons. I continue to be intrigued by the title and it's multiply-layered meanings. I have a similar feeling in reaction to two of this week's scripture readings. (Job 23:1-9, 16-17 and Psalm 22:1-15)
Both of the Bible readings I'm thinking about today are about feeling lost and abandoned.
In the first, from Job, I see the anguish and frustration of a person who is at the end of their rope and is pleading to be able to talk to God to find out why things are so horrible. But instead of hearing from God or even sensing God's presence or comfort, this person feels alone.
In the second reading, the writer has the same sense of being lost or abandoned -- but with a slight hint of hope. Granted, the hope is slight and the anguish is what really comes through, but there is a little hope.
Both of these readings, instead of describing a peaceful presence of God, describe the reality of anguish, suffering and feeling lost or abandoned. I've felt that way -- as I'm convinced that most have. Like the people portrayed in these passages, I think many of us, if not all, have cried out for God to show up and then been left disappointed when we felt nothing.
I think the kind of pain we have when we feel totally lost and the sense of inability to do anything about it is a place where we can be so ready for God's love and compassion.
I wonder if in the television show the point for each of the characters is to let go of the things they have held so tightly too and what have ultimately been what has the cause of their suffering. I wonder if we're starting to see that as the characters let go of their "stuff" that their journey to peace begins.
In the Bible reading from Mark this week (10:17-31), Jesus tells a rich person to sell everything they have and then follow him. He couldn't do it. He wasn't ready to give up on his stuff and let Jesus be the center. Jesus offered hope, tho. He said that nothing is impossible for God.
It's hard to let go of things that we think are important but that ultimately cause harm. It's even harder to be at the end of our rope and plead for God to show up only to sense nothing. We wait and we wait and we wait for God . . .
How long should we wait?
I think a little longer.
I've watched the television show -- every episode over the last two and now third seasons. I continue to be intrigued by the title and it's multiply-layered meanings. I have a similar feeling in reaction to two of this week's scripture readings. (Job 23:1-9, 16-17 and Psalm 22:1-15)
Both of the Bible readings I'm thinking about today are about feeling lost and abandoned.
In the first, from Job, I see the anguish and frustration of a person who is at the end of their rope and is pleading to be able to talk to God to find out why things are so horrible. But instead of hearing from God or even sensing God's presence or comfort, this person feels alone.
In the second reading, the writer has the same sense of being lost or abandoned -- but with a slight hint of hope. Granted, the hope is slight and the anguish is what really comes through, but there is a little hope.
Both of these readings, instead of describing a peaceful presence of God, describe the reality of anguish, suffering and feeling lost or abandoned. I've felt that way -- as I'm convinced that most have. Like the people portrayed in these passages, I think many of us, if not all, have cried out for God to show up and then been left disappointed when we felt nothing.
I think the kind of pain we have when we feel totally lost and the sense of inability to do anything about it is a place where we can be so ready for God's love and compassion.
I wonder if in the television show the point for each of the characters is to let go of the things they have held so tightly too and what have ultimately been what has the cause of their suffering. I wonder if we're starting to see that as the characters let go of their "stuff" that their journey to peace begins.
In the Bible reading from Mark this week (10:17-31), Jesus tells a rich person to sell everything they have and then follow him. He couldn't do it. He wasn't ready to give up on his stuff and let Jesus be the center. Jesus offered hope, tho. He said that nothing is impossible for God.
It's hard to let go of things that we think are important but that ultimately cause harm. It's even harder to be at the end of our rope and plead for God to show up only to sense nothing. We wait and we wait and we wait for God . . .
How long should we wait?
I think a little longer.
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