Date: 30 Jun 2002
Time: 11:14:04
We humans are three fold: physical, spiritual and sinful. No wonder there is conflict. I'm going to use the idea that the biggest compliment one can pay to a human being is that he has a bent for sinning. That means he has room for improvement! There's something more he/she has to do! namely come closer (by faith) to God. Lindy
Date: 30 Jun 2002
Time: 15:55:09
Why is it we don't get around to what we intend to do...but always do what we don't intend? I'm a procrastinator, and I plan giving it up one of these days...
It's said the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. So is the road to heaven.
Da Rev in CT
Date: 30 Jun 2002
Time: 16:51:25
I would say this passage goes along with the gospel lesson. The heavy burden Jesus speaks of is the law laid down by the Pharisees. Jesus died to set us free from the burden of the law by fulfilling it himself. PH in OH
Date: 01 Jul 2002
Time: 14:41:07
My own research warns preachers against psychologizing these verses: i.e they describe Paul's struggles before his conversion or our struggles to do the right thing in our walk of faith. Instead, this is a description of what comes of the best intentions when they are enacted while still under the power of sin, that is apart from Christ. We will one thing, but sin twists our actions back into rebellion against God.
It makes me think of the grandiose 'save the world' idealism of the sixties. Our (or rather their--I was born in 65) passion to end war, poverty, and racism was in the right place, but that generation often seems perplexed as to how they helped create a society even more divided between rich and poor.
Genuine healing begins with confession of our powerlessness before the sin that enfolds us and a recognition of Christ's power to break the hold sin has on all creation. "Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!"
Jim in IA
Date: 01 Jul 2002
Time: 19:21:08
Da Rev in CT, You said the road to heaven is paved w/ good intentions, same as the road to Hell? No, no! The roads in heaven are paved with bricks of solid gold! Of course when I looked up 'goldbrick' in the dictionary it was defined as "a person who shirks assigned work." Hmmm... maybe you're right. tom in TN(USA)
Date: 02 Jul 2002
Time: 10:26:14
I think going to preach on a patriotic theme, do the hymns patriotic, do reflection of what now, after 9-11, Our first Independence Day at war, in a long time. ONE NATION UNDER GOD WILL BE TITLE. This passage works well, talking about following law? and doing what we want, whims us... Not what is really Under God. The pledge of Alliegence should stay the same! Although when I was in school in the 1970's we did not open with it. I Guess Madeline O Hare still threatened them. LIP service, a pledge means nothing GOD BLESS AMERICA MEANS NOTHING in words... We have to really put action behind the words! Look at 1800's, they didnt say under God, and 1800's supposedly a christian era, look at all the missionary activity over world... SO, what if an agnostic or Atheist says God Bless America or under God... What does those words realy mean... LIP SERVICE... Like when we smile and sat have a nice day... (Can't help but think about George Carlin's routine on have a nice day and the word fine... How are you? fine. ) WEAK WORDS... BE BOLD BE STRONG FOR THE LORD GOD HAS MAD YOU! THis is Communion week too... for us... no end with a CHRIST PAID THE PRICE FOR OUR INDEPENDENCE!!! Hmmming Martina McBride's song Independence day now! Day of reckoning, let the guilty pay, independence day! Pastor Mary in OH
Date: 03 Jul 2002
Time: 10:00:12
Could Paul be writing a ?Declaration of Dependence?? My folks seem to want such a patriotic service/sermon, even more so since 9/11. And I?m fine with patriotism as long as its kept in perspective and doesn?t get confused with our religious faith and worship doesn?t become a ?pact? between us and ?our? God. This passage focuses on how dependent we are on God. With all our good intentions, we just can?t get it right, as individuals, congregations or whole societies. We have to surrender our precious ?independence? for a much more valuable ?dependence? on God. Does this make any sense? Rebecca in MD (haven?t written in a long time, but thanks for help all along the way!)
Date: 03 Jul 2002
Time: 10:02:13
What's with all the ??? they should be ''! Rebecca again
Date: 04 Jul 2002
Time: 14:31:32
Rebecca...your idea about Dependance will work nicely with what I'm talking about. I may use the analogy of Alcoholics Anonymous (Sinners Anonymous / we can't cure ourselves/ we need a higher power/ we're not alone/ we need to admit our own powerlessness, etc.) some of Paul's words make him sound like he's standing up front at an AA meeting. Lindy
Date: 05 Jul 2002
Time: 14:55:43
Pastor Mary in OH, I really disagree with you about the Pledge of Allegiance (but that's OK, right?) Please see my long post on the Gospel page for my reasons.
Blessings, Eric in KS
Date: 06 Jul 2002
Time: 07:27:35
There is a good old hymn that asks "Where could I go but to the lord?" I think that is the title, or close to it. If you can find it , it fits nicely the final exhortation of Paul in this passage, "Who can save me!?". tom in TN(USA)