Does anyone do a love song better than country music? Here are some famous and infamous song titles from the world of country western music: * Don’t Cry on My Shoulders Cuz You’re Rustin’ My Spurs* Her Teeth was Stained but her Heart was Pure* How can I Miss You if You Won’t Go Away*…
Author: Tim Deatrick
Just Out of Reach (Ecclesiastes 7:15-29)
One of the keys to interpreting Ecclesiastes is remembering that this is one man’s experience, therefore we should be careful not to universalize his words. That principle is especially helpful when trying to untangle this flowing stream of consciousness that concludes chapter 7. If we can let Qoheleth speak from his experience, then we can…
Third Sunday of Advent: JOY
That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great…
Remembering Those We Lost
Like many, I lost a loved one during COVID. My mother died in a skilled nursing center in January, and due to the pandemic she died alone, unattended by her family due to the restrictions that were in place at her skilled nursing center. Instead of having a funeral to honor her life, seven of…
Second Sunday of Advent: PEACE
At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit…
Facing the Facts (Ecclesiastes 7:1-14)
Chapter 7 begins the second section of the book, beginning with a series of Proverbs designed to provide perspective on the present by viewing it in light of our mortality. 1 A good reputation is more valuable than costly perfume. And the day you die is better than the day you are born.2 Better to spend your…
Preaching Christmas Sermons
Many of my pastoral colleagues absolutely love preaching at Christmas. But even those who enjoy preaching this particular season of the Christian calendar admit that it can be difficult, especially with longevity of ministry tenure. After all, how many ways can you proclaim the Christmas story? Contemporary preachers may feel increasing pressure to deliver fresh,…
First Sunday of Advent: HOPE
Christmas is incomplete without music. Some of the most memorable music comes from the Advent season. Songs that inspire and encourage. Songs of Hope. Songs of Peace. Songs of Joy. Songs of Love. If you enjoy classical music, you have Handel’s Messiah. If you are a traditionalist, nothing beats a good Christmas carol. If you’re…
A Prayer for Thanksgiving
As we approach Thanksgiving this week, I offer a prayer for your Thanksgiving meditation that was penned by Walter Brueggemann and published in his book Prayers for a Privileged People. Amid football, family, and too much food, we pause quickly and without inconvenience to remember and to thank. we remember the ancient pilgrims who followed…
Are We Having Fun Yet? (Ecclesiastes 6:1-12)
Chapter 6 serves as a summary statement of sorts for all of the preceding material and is best understood with that thought in mind. At the conclusion, Qoheleth will transition into the second half of the book that is noted by a shift in the tone of his argumentation. For today, however, I’ll consider chapter…
