Home - Psalm 84 - Pentecost 14 - 8-22-21

 

Sermon podcast from Sunday, 8-22-21 worship service - St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Psalm 84

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Sermon podcast from yesterday at St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL.  Psalm 84

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This week's poetic Bible reflection (Not Psalm 84) began the wrap-up in today's sermon at St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. 
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Not Psalm 84

But it has some of the Psalm’s flavor --I just made it into something that may be a little more realistic in the way many folks really think.

Our church building needs repairs and upgrades, God
I’m crying for there to be some kind of equality between the ones who have too much and the ones who don’t have enough
There are lots of people who are homeless in the world, God. What is up with that?
The people who are lucky enough to be sheltered by you really like you – but what about the ones who have no shelter? Do you hate them?
Those people who have what they need – are they really doing something right or is it that they’re keeping too much stuff. Why do things just get better and better for the ones who ‘have?’
Are you listening, God? I hope so! You better be!  
Please hear the cries of all the people, God
It’d be better to have a place to live than to be homeless
I’d rather have a job – any job -- right now
God – you’re the one who shines and blesses. So why do you hold back from the people who really need it?
It’s hard to trust you, God.

One Day

This week's Bible reflection (List) is the first of a few lists in Sunday's sermon at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL.  
"One Day" text
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List

What’s better?

Listen to some notable ‘It is better to’ quotes:

• “It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt” -- Mark Twain (also ascribed to Abraham Lincoln)
• “It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front.” -- Nelson Mandela
• “It is better to know nothing than to know what ain't so.” --  Josh Billings – 19th century comedian
• “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” --  Chinese Proverb
• “It is better to give than to receive.” -- Acts 20:35
• “It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied.” -- John Stuart Mill -- 19th century philosopher
• “It is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all.”-- Alfred Lord Tennyson – 19th century poet
• “It is better to know some of the questions, than all of the answers.” – James Thurber – 20th century author

And maybe a few thoughts that may or may not be famous quotes

• It is better to do right than to believe right. (No controversy there, right?:)
• It is better to ask questions than know answers (similar to James Thurber, eh?)
• It is better to wonder than to know.

And who could forget this one, immortalized by Billy Crystal on Saturday Night Live more than 25 years ago.

• “It is better to look good than to feel good.” - Fernando Lamas   (You look mahvelous!)

And in this morning’s Bible reading from Psalm 84, there’s a similar ‘better’ quote.

• “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;” Psalm 84:10a (TNIV)

It’s a beautiful statement from a Psalm that oozes praise to God.

If you were going to start making a list, what ‘better’ items would you put on it?

One Day

This week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc (Better) provides part of the beginning for Sunday's sermon at Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk, IL.
"One Day" text
"One Day" podcast

Better

Some early thoughts relating to Psalm 84 -- from this week's Bible study blog entry at i.ucc.org:

Some notable ‘It is better to’ quotes:

• “It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt” -- Mark Twain (also ascribed to Abraham Lincoln)
• “It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front.” -- Nelson Mandela
• “It is better to know nothing than to know what ain't so.” -- Josh Billings – 19th century comedian
• “It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.” -- Chinese Proverb
• “It is better to give than to receive.” -- Acts 20:35
• “It is better to be a human being dissatisfied than a pig satisfied.” -- John Stuart Mill -- 19th century philosopher
• “It is better to know some of the questions, than all of the answers.” – James Thurber – 20th century author
• “It is better to look good than to feel good.” - Fernando Lamas :)

And in this week’s Bible reading from Psalm 84, we read a smilar ‘better’ quote.

• “Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere;” Psalm 84:10a (TNIV)

If you were going to start making a list, what ‘better’ items would you put on it as it relates to your journey of faith?