Since Judy asked, I really had to think - WHAT mental processes? Since I don't know which sermon you were referring to (I know, a dangling preposition), and I seldom remember what I said 7 minutes ago, let alone 7 days ago, I'll speak to the latest. I had fun with this text - the Sower and the Seed - and part of it is the familiarity - everybody knows it, and Scripture give a pretty good explanation to the various images as well (vs. 18-23 of Matt. 13). But I wasn't thinking on terms of what do we gain if we "know all the answers" rather "what is to be gained when we are led by the stories".
As you know I love stories, and I wish I could use them more effectively in sermons - but try as I might, I still have to "covet" the gifts of those who use them so well. As I said in the sermon, I have never agreed with the title "what kind of soil are you?" because I think it leads us what I also surmised in the sermon ... we love academic answers ... so what is Jesus trying to tell us? and I came up with my conclusion, the stories are to be used to lead us, not bring us to completion. I guess I've had too many conversations over the years with folks who can be horrendously judgmental of the faith of others because somehow they think they have all the answers - as if they are the good soil, but when pressed might say "well, most of the time ... heh, heh" but still have a unique way of "lording" it over others.
Well, rather than "stick it to 'em" with the law, I tend to 'stick it to myself' and identify how the law works against me and my human nature. and if folks can join me on the journey (the thought process as I did on Sunday - what does the hard path mean to me? the rocky soil to me, the weedy soil to me - it seems I can be a better leader by shepherding - rather than becoming confrontational - as if I have all the answers - and Lord knows, I'm no saint! As I reflect on my shortcomings, perhaps others can identify and come to the at least some of the same conclusions for their lives.
I finally arrived with the challenge - pretty simple, yet hard to carry out - doing whatever we do in the name of Jesus. I tend to do for self first ... there I go again ... and later remember when it isn't working, I've probably got the cart before the horse. it makes it so much easier when I have the right focus. when the motivation is Spirit led - when I can graciously say "it is!" - then the process completes itself.
so, does that answer the question? if not, thanks for asking - because it helped me review my own thought process!
again worked around the yard this weekend; Saturday morning had a "walk with PoP" - a walk through the neighborhood around the church once a month to remind us of the stewardship of our bodies - sometimes there are as many as 20, last week 3 - but the walk and conversation are always a delight. then when we got home came the "work". Got out the power sprayer and worked through more than a year of dirt and grime in all the cedar rails, benches, etc. and then washed the patio to get the old coat of sealant off to apply a new. together we must have put in 8-10 hours of hard work - did a little more on Sunday and I finished it off this morning. Karina also did all the patio furniture, tables etc; and we hung three outside curtains to keep the blazing sun (you know the one we get about once every 10 days) out of the bedroom and family room. I moved a couple of woodpiles to a less conspicuous place behind some shrubbery and along the back fence; though we don't have a fire place we do still have a back yard burner for s'mores 'n stuff. we were tired when it all came to a close.
talked to Micah's Carrie this week and it's a boy! so the Z-man's gonna have a little brother! we are hoping to make a trek to San Diego in August to see the youngest part of the fam! hope it works out OK. in fact today is Micah's birthday. 7.11.77. easy number to remember. so why do I always forget?
that's about all the news there is from here this week.
blessings to all. we love ya'
K & D
Well, you answered my question perfectly. Yes, I wanted to know your thought processes on the "Parable of the Sower/Seed/Path" sermon as you alluded to it being a challenge to preach on "something so familiar" in last week's blog entry.
ReplyDeleteSo with that Dan challenge in mind, we listened to another sermon at CO on the same text. I was totally focused on what the Pastor was saying and his thinking. But, then it happened. That intent to 'hear the word' was being strangled as an elderly woman in front of us started to slump. Since I knew who the lady was (mother of a choir member) I thought at first that 'she'd passed into eternity' and that thought made me a bit emotional re: what we'd just witnessed - knowing her faith etc. But, then....she moved and sorta woke up...only to slump a few more times during the service. The sermon details were blotted out with that activity. So, it was very nice to listen to yours at the end of the day. Wish we could hear Noah every week too. When you were done, Mark looked at me and said, "Another good sermon!" :)
I especially liked how you personalized the various paths of your life w/o attacking your listeners. But, then, I remembered you said you always 'preach to yourself too'. It was an effective method which also pulled the listener into subtle areas of our own lives that when we are guilty of the same thing.
You are going to have to take some sweeping pix of your backyard to note all the improvements and changes you made this summer. Did you remember that the Sister's Outdoor Quilt Show was last week? Well, of course you did, and you regretted not being able to attend - like I did! Your sermon intro - speckled with 'is the AC on? I don't think so .... etc' reminded me of last year when I think you said the same thing during the service we attended.
Speaking of heat. It has been especially hot and HUMID in Iowa. Karina would NOT like being here one bit. We stayed inside as much as possible on Sunday when it was the worst. We did make a trip to SL to see your mom. Once home though...we stayed inside until dusk.
I'd sent a note of anniversary congrats to Carrie (remember we share the same date), and she shared in her reply the news about baby brother coming! Yeah!
Have a great week 'in the field'. Love J (& M)
it was just a year ago that we trekked to central Oregon to walk the streets of Sisters! I remember it well - even the ladies on the elevator in the motel. brings back fond memories.
ReplyDeleteglad I could answer your question on preaching - but how's the "lady in front of you?" was glad to hear your perceptions of what you were experiencing as is was all happening in front of you - that's story-telling at its best! you got my attention - but "inquiring minds want to know!!!"
will take some pics before all the changes occur - I forget - looks pretty much the same form day to day when one sees it every day - it's a whole lot different for those who experience it less frequently ... which leads to the next obvious question, so when ya' headin' this way again? heh, heh - and spare me the story of G-ma Hesse about havin' to feed the chickens and gather the eggs and get Eldon back home and such and so. although that's a good story, too!
do take care.
d
Well, I did call the son a couple nights ago re: his mom. He'd just heard the details that day so it was relatively new to him also. She is fine although prone to these little episodes.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, returning to OR would be fun, but I think we might be headed in the reverse direction this winter - if Mark has a say...which - of course - he does! :) We'll see!