A place for my thoughts and sermons.
“A Love Song” is this week’s entry in our Difficult Readings series. Why is the Song of Songs in the Bible? What is the point of a romantic, even erotic, poem? What can it tell us about God? About ourselves? About what it truly means to be human? Let us grow together as we explore these difficult readings!
Our scripture reading comes from Song of Songs 3:1-5; 4:10-16.
The last message in this installment of The Word in Song is “If Everyone Cared” and comes on All Saints Sunday. As we remember those who have passed from this life, do we do so with hope? Do we wait patiently for the kingdom? Or are we called to something greater? Where is our hope? Find inspiration anywhere and everywhere, and hear the Word in song!
Our scripture reading comes from Isaiah 65:17-25.
The musical inspiration is from “If Everyone Cared” by Nickelback.
As we continue in The Word in Song, we come to “Happy.” This familiar reading might sound strange, but it makes us ask an important question. Are we happy? What do we have to be happy about? What does Jesus say about being happy? Does God make us happy? Find inspiration anywhere and everywhere, and hear the Word in song!
Our scripture reading comes from Matthew 5:1-12.
The musical inspiration comes from “Happy” by Pharrell Williams.
The last message in this run of The Word in Song is “My Back Pages”, inspired by the time by Bob Dylan. This Father’s Day message reflects on what it means to be like a child. Do we still ask questions like a child? Be humble like a child? Find inspiration anywhere and everywhere, and hear the Word in song!
Our scripture reading comes from Matthew 18:1-5, 10-14.
The musical inspiration comes from “My Back Pages” by Bob Dylan.
Today marks the beginning of The Word in Song II, the second installment of the series. We begin with “Man In The Mirror” and it was inspired by the song of the same title by Michael Jackson. In it, we explore how we change ourselves to change the world. What examples does the Bible give us? Can we change others? Can we see how to change ourselves? Find inspiration anywhere and everywhere, and hear the Word in song!
Our scripture reading comes from James 1:19-27.
The musical inspiration comes from Michael Jackson’s “Man In The Mirror.”
In preparation for my latest installment of The Word in Song, I asked friends for suggestions for songs. One that came up was one I expected to have pop up. It was “Hallelujah”, written by Leonard Cohen and performed by many different artists. Though I love the song, I wasn’t sure I could do it justice in my sermon series. Continue reading “A Baffled King Composing Hallelujah”
I was working on my planning for the season after Pentecost, and I remembered a series from a couple of years ago. I had found inspiration in music. But it wasn’t hymns or praise music. It was from music I grew up with and heard on the radio. It reminded me that inspiration can come from anywhere, and so I did a series of six sermons inspired by song lyrics. I’m looking at doing that again. In preparation, I decided to look back and add the original “The Word in Song” series here. I’m looking forward to having another series of songs to cover very soon!
If you happen to have a song that has inspired you, comment, tweet, message me, or however you’d like to contact me and let me know!
The last message in The Word in Song is “Just Remember I Love You” and is inspired by the song by Firefall. Do we remember God’s love in the hardest of times? Do we remember the promises made to us? Is God still there for us? Find inspiration anywhere and everywhere, and hear the Word in song!
Our scripture reading comes from Isaiah 54:4-10.
The musical inspiration comes from Firefall’s “Just Remember I Love You.”
This week’s message in The Word in Song is “Shine” inspired by the song from Collective Soul. We are called to avoid quarrels and arguments that are senseless. Do we correct in gentleness? Do we seek guidance on how to love? Do we seek the light to shine upon us? How do we use our experience to help each other grow? Find inspiration anywhere and everywhere, and hear the Word in song!
Our scripture reading comes from 2 Timothy 2:22-26.
The musical inspiration comes from Collective Soul’s “Shine.”
Moving along in The Word in Song, we reach today’s message “Kyrie.” The inspiration is the song of the same name by Mister Mister. The Greek words used are a prayer put into song. How do we seek mercy? How do we show mercy? How do we pray? How often do we pray? Find inspiration anywhere and everywhere, and hear the Word in song!
Our scripture reading comes from Luke 6:32-36.
The musical inspiration comes from Mister Mister’s “Kyrie.”
