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David O. Bales

David Bales was a Presbyterian pastor for 33 years. He is a graduate of San Francisco Theological Seminary. In addition to his ministry he also has taught college: World Religions, Ethics, Biblical Hebrew and Biblical Greek (lately at College of Idaho, Caldwell). He has been a freelance writer for Stephen Ministries. His sermons and articles have appeared in Interpretation, Lectionary Homiletics, Preaching the Great Texts and other publications. For a year he wrote the online column "In The Original: Insights from Greek and Hebrew for the Lectionary Passages." His books include: Gospel Subplots: Story Sermons of God's Grace, Toward Easter and Beyond, Scenes of Glory: Subplots of God's Long Story, and To the Cross and Beyond and Beyond: Cycle A Sermons for Lent and Easter. Dave has been a writer for the CSS online subscription, StoryShare, for five years. He can be reached at dobales.com.

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Peter's Painful Memories -- Mark 8:31-38, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25 -- David O. Bales, John Fitzgerald -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2018
Contents “Peter’s Painful Memories” by David O. Bales
Beyond Comparison -- Isaiah 50:4-9a, Psalm 31:9-16 -- David O. Bales -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2018
Contents “Beyond Comparison” by David O. Bales
Failures For Jesus -- John 20:1-18, Acts 10:34-43, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Mark 16:1-8 -- David O. Bales, John Fitzgerald -- Easter Day - B -- 2018
Contents “Failures For Jesus” by David O. Bales
Vows -- Acts 8:26-40, Psalm 22:25-31 -- David O. Bales -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2018
Contents “Vows” by David O. Bales “Helena’s Touch” by David O. Bales
Of Prophets And Heifers -- 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13, Psalm 20, Mark 4:26-34 -- David O. Bales, Keith Hewitt -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B -- 2018
Contents “Of Prophets And Heifers” by David O. Bales
Serving Light -- Mark 6:1-13, 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Psalm 48 -- David O. Bales, John Fitzgerald -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2018
Contents “Serving Light” by David O. Bales
Prophetic Jitters -- 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a -- David O. Bales -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2018
Contents “Prophetic Jitters” by David O. Bales
Buzzkill -- Mark 9:30-37, Proverbs 31:10-31, Psalm 1 -- Keith Hewitt, David O. Bales -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2018
Contents “Buzzkill” by Keith Hewitt
Peter's Everything -- Mark 10:17-31, Hebrews 4:12-16 -- David O. Bales -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2018
Contents "Peter’s Everything" by David O. Bales
Blessings Of Unconventional Marriage -- Mark 12:38-44, Ruth 3:1-5, 4:13-17, Hebrews 9:24-28, Psalm 127 -- David O. Bales -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - B -- 2018
Contents “Blessings Of Unconventional Marriage” by David O. Bales
Pilate's Point Of View -- John 18:33-37, Revelation 1:4b-8 -- David O. Bales -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2018
Contents “Pilate’s Point Of View” by David O. Bales
A Rainy Road To The Jordan -- Luke 3:7-18, Philippians 4:4-7 -- David O. Bales -- Third Sunday of Advent - C -- 2018
Contents “A Rainy Road To The Jordan” by David O. Bales
Aunt June's Thanksgiving -- Luke 17:11-19, Deuteronomy 8:7-18, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Psalm 65 -- David O. Bales, Keith Wagner -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2017
Contents "Aunt June’s Thanksgiving" by John Fitzgerald
The Conversation -- John 1:1-14, Psalm 98, Isaiah 52:7-10 -- Keith Hewitt, David O. Bales -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2017
Contents "The Conversation" by Keith Hewitt
Most Improved -- Matthew 9:35--10:8 (9-23), Psalm 100, Genesis 18:1-15 (21:1-7) -- David O. Bales, John Fitzgerald -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - A -- 2017
Contents "Most Improved" by David O. Bales
Jesus And Religious Know-It-Alls -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30, Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67, Romans 7:15-25a, Zechariah 9:9-12 -- David O. Bales, Keith Wagner -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2017
Contents "Jesus And Religious Know-It-Alls" by David O. Bales
Moses: Prepared -- Romans 12:9-21, Exodus 3:1-15, Jeremiah 15:15-21 -- David O. Bales, John Fitzgerald -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2017
Contents "Moses: Prepared" by David O. Bales "Re-call" by David O. Bales
If You Don't Forgive -- Matthew 18:21-35, Romans 14:1-12, Psalm 114, Psalm 103:1-13 -- David O. Bales, Keith Wagner -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2017
Contents "If You Don’t Forgive" by David O. Bales
Late -- Matthew 22:1-14, Philippians 4:1-9, Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23, Psalm 23 -- David O. Bales, Keith Wagner -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2017
Contents "Late" by David O. Bales
Incident In Jericho -- Matthew 23:1-12, Joshua 3:7-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-13, Psalm 107:1-7, 33-37 -- David O. Bales -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2017
Contents "Incident In Jericho" by David O. Bales
Honest, Not Courteous, Prayer -- John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15, Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:22-27, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- David O. Bales, John Fitzgerald -- Day of Pentecost - B -- 2015
Contents "Honest, Not Courteous, Prayer" by David O. Bales
From The Redemption Of A King To A King Of Redemption -- John 18:33-37, 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, Psalm 132:1-12 (13-18) -- Frank Ramirez, Sandra Herrmann, Zan W. Holmes Jr., David O. Bales -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2012
Contents"Render Unto Caesar" by Frank Ramirez

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Further Visions To Follow -- John 1:43-51, 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- David O. Bales, John Fitzgerald -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2018
Contents "Further Visions To Follow" by David O. Bales
Buzzkill -- Mark 9:30-37, Proverbs 31:10-31, Psalm 1 -- Keith Hewitt, David O. Bales -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2018
Contents “Buzzkill” by Keith Hewitt
The Conversation -- John 1:1-14, Psalm 98, Isaiah 52:7-10 -- Keith Hewitt, David O. Bales -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2017
Contents "The Conversation" by Keith Hewitt
UPCOMING WEEKS
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The Immediate Word

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For May 5, 2024:
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Emphasis Preaching Journal

Wayne Brouwer
It was a dark and stormy night. Lightning flashed and thunder crashed. Suddenly, Kimberly, our middle daughter, was standing next to our bed, sobbing in fear. My wife held and comforted her for a few minutes, and then I led her back to the room she shared with her older sister Kristyn. I tucked her tightly into the sandwich of her sheets and blankets, snugging things up for extra safety.
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Acts 10:44-48

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Object: Pieces you might use, like dice, a spinner, a ball, or any other “unusual” things you might find. I used a beanbag, a shoe, and a piece of paper.

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StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. (v. 12-13)

You have heard the saying “We are not called to be successful; we are called to be faithful.” Jesus’ invitation to “follow me” is an invitation to faithfulness. That might be described by the old-fashioned word “fidelity.”

The Village Shepherd

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Do you love anyone enough to offer them your last Rolo? According to the advert, Rolos are so incredibly delicious that nobody could be that selfless. Those who consider offering their last Rolo to someone they love, snatch it back at the last moment and keep it for themselves.

Or you might of course, love Terry's chocolate orange, and feel it's something which would be good to share. But at the last moment, like cuddly Dawn French, you'd say, "No, it's mine, not Terry's, it's all mine!"

SermonStudio

Schuyler Rhodes
Anyone who has made a long road trip with children singing "99 Bottles Of Beer On The Wall" can support the notion of "singing a new song." Children love the repetition of singing the same song over and over. Parents or youth group leaders who have been in this situation can identify with the need to sing a new song.
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Are you in love with God? In 1 John, the author has a lot to say about the love of God and the way that love changes our lives. We love because God first loved us. God's love fills us to overflowing so that it flows through us to other people. Annie Dillard said that we catch grace like a man filling a cup underneath a waterfall.1 That's the way we receive God's love. But there can be a problem for us when we put a lid on our cups and the water can't get inside. We're closing our hearts off to the love of God.

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A remarkable feature of Dwight D. Eisenhower's memoirs is the composure with which he greeted crises. He titled his autobiography At Ease, an appropriate description for not only his retirement, but the manner in which he appeared to be on top of life. Colleagues, of course, could recall how excited he could get in revealing his impatience with mediocrity and the failures of the people in his command. However, what was impressive was the way he took control in the European theater in World War II with no fear for his own life and great confidence in the Allied offensive.
E. Carver Mcgriff
Charles Wesley began one of the Methodist Church's favorite hymns with this line: "Come Holy Ghost, Our Hearts Inspire." Of course, tradition now uses the alternate term, "Holy Spirit." Wesley called it the "fountain of life and love." And so it is. Once we experience the Holy Spirit, we know it is exactly that: the source of life and love. The giving of that Spirit into the lives of us all is the point of this passage.

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