Long Talk….

I am a huge fan of country music. I think “huge” would be an understatement. Country music is a unique genre that reaches people of all ages. Many identify the Grand Ole Opry and country music as one. The Grand Ole Opry began November 28, 1925 on WSM radio. For 97 years the Opry has stood the test of time thorugh depression, wars, floods, and most recent, the COVID-19 pandemic. The first home of the Grand Ole Opry was the Ryman Auditorum. The Union Gospel Tabernacle, now the Ryman was built in 1892 and served as a house of worship. Thus, the Grand Ole Opry is often referred to as the “Mother Church of Country Music”.

I have enjoyed a break from preparing and preaching a sermon each Sunday. This has allowed me to catch up on some projects that needed to be completed before summer. I have even gotten into a routine of writing more blog posts, which has helped me be more creative. I often get questions from friends and colleagues about how I prepare weekly sermons. My response, “I use the Bible, ‘Feasting on the Word commentary’, different commentaries/Bible translations, and Mad Magazine.” I enjoy the reaction to my final resource. Truth, I do not use Mad Magazine (I’m not sure it is publication). I say all this to emphasize that sermons ( For me) are living words that are divinely inspired to help us live out our faith. My theology is fairly simple as I ask myself this question, “How can I allow God to us me to bring God’s message of hope, love and grace into the lives of the listener?” Every message should be applicable and help move persons closer to loving God heart, soul and mind. If we make this a priority, we are better able to love our neighbor as ourself.

I am currently wrestling with my Mother’s Day message. For me, special Sundays like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, etc are difficult. I’m not one to preach the standard sermon. I enjoy challenging myself and others to think beyond the obvious, and peel back the layers of scripture so that we can see beyond our lens and view things from the lens of God.

The lectionary texts for Mother’s Day Sunday (May 8th) are Psalm 23 and Acts 9: 36-43. Both are great passages and challenge me to think outside the box. Psalm 23 is the psalm of life. I love how Dorcas is described as compassionate, selflessness and grace-filled. Both passages weave together a wonderful image of unconditional love. One of the great writers of television, Agnes Nixon wrote, “The great and the least, the rich and poor, the weak and the strong, in sickness and in health, in joy and sorrow, in tragedy and triumph, you are all my children.”

Who is the greatest mom? The Church. Songs of faith has described the church throughout the ages. The hymn, “The Church is One Foundation” says it beautifully. “Mid toil and tribulation, and tumult of her war, she waits the consumation of peace for evermore.” Finally, “Will the circle be unbroken, by and by, Lord, by and by. There’s a better home a-waiting in the sky, Lord, in the sky.”