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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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StoryShare

Render Unto Caesar -- Matthew 6:25-33, Joel 2:21-27, 1 Timothy 2:1-7, Psalm 126 -- Frank Ramirez, Sandra Herrmann, Zan W. Holmes Jr., David O. Bales -- Thanksgiving Day - B -- 2012
Contents"Render Unto Caesar" by Frank Ramirez
The Way To God -- Matthew 5:13-20, Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12), 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16), Psalm 112:1-9 (10) -- Peter Andrew Smith, David O. Bales -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2011
Contents"The Way to God" by Peter Andrew Smith
Written -- Matthew 17:1-9, Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Psalm 2 -- David O. Bales, C. David Mckirachan -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2011
Contents"Written" by David O. Bales
In The Arms Of Love -- Matthew 26:14--27:66, Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Psalm 31:9-16 -- Judy Sepsey, David O. Bales -- Passion Sunday - A -- 2011
These Christians And Their Money -- John 10:1-10, Acts 2:42-47, 1 Peter 2:19-25, Psalm 23 -- David O. Bales, Larry Winebrenner -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2011
Contents"These Christians and Their Money" by David O. Bales
Rauch -- John 20:19-23, Acts 2:1-21, 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- C. David Mckirachan, David O. Bales -- Day of Pentecost - A -- 2011
Contents"Rauch" by C. David McKirachan "Claustrophobia" by David O. Bales
All Earthly Fathers -- Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43, Genesis 28:10-19a, Romans 8:12-25, Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24 -- David O. Bales, Sandra Herrmann, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2011
Contents"All Earthly Fathers" by David O. Bales
Nice Feet! -- Matthew 14:22-33, Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28, Romans 10:5-15, Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b -- C. David Mckirachan, David O. Bales -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - A -- 2011
Contents"Nice feet!" by C. David McKirachan
Glorious -- Matthew 22:15-22, Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Psalm 99 -- Craig Kelly, David O. Bales -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2011
Contents"Glorious" by Craig Kelly "All This Over a Coin?" by David O. Bales
I Tertius, The Writer Of This Letter -- Matthew 18:15-20, Exodus 12:1-14, Romans 13:8-14, Psalm 149 -- David O. Bales, Craig Kelly -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2011
Contents"I Tertius, the Writer of this Letter" by David O. Bales
The End Of What? -- Matthew 25:14-30, Judges 4:1-7, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Psalm 123 -- David O. Bales, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2011
Contents"The End of What?" by David O. Bales "The Aqueduct" by John Sumwalt
I'll Be The One In Black -- Luke 2:22-40, Isaiah 61:10--62:3, Galatians 4:4-7, Psalm 148 -- C. David Mckirachan, Sandra Herrmann, David O. Bales -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - B -- 2011
Contents"I'll Be the One in Black" by C. David McKirachan
I'll Be The One In Black -- Matthew 25:31-46, Ecclesiastes 3:1-13, Revelation 21:1-6a, Psalm 8 -- C. David Mckirachan, Sandra Herrmann, David O. Bales -- New Year's Day - A -- 2011
Contents"I'll Be the One in Black" by C. David McKirachan
The Book -- Mark 10:2-16, Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Psalm 26 -- David O. Bales, Peter Andrew Smith -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "The Book" by David O. Bales
The Radiant Life -- John 3:1-17, Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, Psalm 29 -- Frank Ramirez, David O. Bales -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "The Radiant Life" by Frank Ramirez
The Scribe -- Mark 12:28-34, Ruth 1:1-18, Hebrews 9:11-14, Psalm 146 -- Larry Winebrenner, David O. Bales, Frank Ramirez, Lamar Massingill, Sandra Herrmann -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "The Scribe" by Larry Winebrenner
The Scribe -- John 11:32-44, Isaiah 25:6-9, Revelation 21:1-6a, Psalm 24 -- Larry Winebrenner, David O. Bales, Frank Ramirez, Lamar Massingill, Sandra Herrmann -- All Saints Day - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "The Scribe" by Larry Winebrenner
The Greatest Glory -- Mark 1:29-39, Isaiah 40:21-31, 1 Corinthians 9:16-23, Psalm 147:1-11, 20c -- Keith Hewitt, David O. Bales -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "The Greatest Glory" by Keith Hewitt
The Lamb -- John 13:1-17, 31b-35, Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 -- Keith Hewitt, David O. Bales, Larry Winebrenner, Peter Andrew Smith, Sandra Herrmann -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat’s Up This Week "The Lamb" by Keith Hewitt
The Lamb -- John 18:1--19:42, Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, Psalm 22 -- Keith Hewitt, David O. Bales, Larry Winebrenner, Peter Andrew Smith, Sandra Herrmann -- Good Friday - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat’s Up This Week "The Lamb" by Keith Hewitt
Discovering What We Will Be -- Luke 24:36b-48, Acts 3:12-19, 1 John 3:1-7, Psalm 4 -- Peter Andrew Smith, David O. Bales, John E. Sumwalt -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week
Eunuch -- John 15:1-8, Acts 8:26-40, 1 John 4:7-21, Psalm 22:25-31 -- David O. Bales, C. David Mckirachan -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Eunuch" by David O. Bales
The Third Heaven -- Mark 6:1-13, 2 Samuel 5:1-5, 9-10, 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Psalm 48 -- David O. Bales, Peter Andrew Smith, John E. Sumwalt -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "The Third Heaven" by David O. Bales
Reunion -- Mark 8:31-38, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Psalm 22:23-31 -- David O. Bales, Larry Winebrenner, Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "Reunion" by David O. Bales
The Final Robert -- John 6:35, 41-51, 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33, Ephesians 4:25--5:2, Psalm 130 -- David O. Bales, Keith Hewitt -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - B -- 2009
ContentsWhat's Up This Week "The Final Robert" by David O. Bales
UPCOMING WEEKS
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The Immediate Word

Dean Feldmeyer
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For May 5, 2024:
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  • Second Thoughts: Is Blood Thicker Than Water? by Elena Delhagen based on 1 John 5:1-6 and Acts 10:44-48.

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.
Bill Thomas
Mark Ellingsen
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Acts 10:44-48

CSSPlus

John Jamison
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

Janice B. Scott
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.
Nancy Kraft
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.

Harry N. Huxhold
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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