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Frank Ramirez

Frank Ramirez is a native of Southern California and is the senior pastor of the Union Center Church of the Brethren near Nappanee, Indiana. Frank has served congregations in Los Angeles, California; Elkhart, Indiana; and Everett, Pennsylvania. He and his wife Jennie share three adult children, all married, and three grandchildren. He enjoys writing, reading, exercise, and theater.
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Commentary

Drama

Illustration

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations For Trinity Sunday (2023) -- Genesis 1:1--2:4a, 2 Corinthians 13:11-13, Matthew 28:16-20 -- Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - A -- 2023
Genesis 1:1--2:4
Sermon Illustrations For Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 (2023) -- Genesis 45:1-15, Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32, Matthew 15:(10-20) 21-28 -- Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas -- Proper 15 | Ordinary Time 20 - A -- 2023
Genesis 45:1-15
Sermon Illustrations For Epiphany 5 (2023) -- Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12), 1 Corinthians 2:1-12 (13-16), Matthew 5:13-20 -- Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2023
Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12)
Sermon Illustrations For Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 (2023) -- Matthew 16:13-20, Exodus 1:8--2:10, Romans 12:1-8 -- Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - A -- 2023
Exodus 1:8--2:10
Sermon Illustrations For Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 (2023) -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20, 1 Corinthians 3:1-9, Matthew 5:21-37 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2023
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Sermon Illustrations For Transfiguration Sunday (2023) -- Exodus 24:12-18, 2 Peter 1:16-21, Matthew 17:1-9 -- Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2023
Exodus 24:12-18
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 (2023) -- Exodus 3:1-15, Romans 12:9-21, Matthew 16:21-28, Jeremiah 15:15-21, Psalm 26:1-8, Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b -- Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - A -- 2023
Exodus 3:1-15
Sermons Illustrations For Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 (2023) -- Exodus 12:1-14, Romans 13:8-14, Matthew 18:15-20 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - A -- 2023
Exodus 12:1-14
Sermon Illustrations For Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 (2023) -- Exodus 14:19-31, Romans 14:1-12, Matthew 18:21-35 -- Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2023
Exodus 14:19-31
Sermon Illustrations For Ash Wednesday (2023) -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21, Isaiah 58:1-9a (9b-12) -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2023
Joel 2:1-2, 12-17
Sermon Illustrations For Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 (2023) -- Exodus 16:2-15, Philippians 1:21-30, Matthew 20:1-16 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2023
Exodus 16:2-15
Sermon Illustrations For Lent 1 (2023) -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11 -- Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 (2023) -- Exodus 17:1-17, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:28-32, Ezekiel 18:1-4, 25-32 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2023
Exodus 17:1-7
Sermon Illustrations For Lent 2 (2023) -- Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17, Psalm 121 -- Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
Genesis 12:1-4a
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 (2023) -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2023
Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 (2023) -- Exodus 32:1-14, Philippians 4:1-9, Matthew 22:1-14, Isaiah 25:1-9, Psalm 23 -- Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2023
Exodus 32:1-14
Sermon Illustrations For Lent 3 (2023) -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42, Psalm 95 -- Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
Exodus 17:1-7
Sermon Illustrations for Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 (2023) -- Exodus 33:12-23, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2023
Exodus 33:12-23
Sermon Illustrations For Lent 4 (2023) -- 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 -- Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Sermon Illustrations For Lent 5 (2023) -- Ezekiel 37:1-14, Romans 8:6-11, John 11:1-45, Psalm 130 -- Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - A -- 2023
Ezekiel 37:1-14

StoryShare

Footwear and Foot Care -- John 13:1-7, 31b-35 -- Frank Ramirez -- Maundy Thursday - A -- 2023
(Jesus) poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet… (v. 5)
Peace and Security -- 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2023
When they say, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them, as la
One Hit Wonder -- Zechariah 9:9-12 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2023
Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion!    Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem!
A Series of Dreams -- Matthew 2:13-23 -- Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - A -- 2023
In 2004 Nobel Laureate Bob Dylan published the book Chronicles: Volume One.
Seeing And Not Seeing -- Luke 24:13-35 -- Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2023
Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished from their sight.

Prayer

Sermon

Stories

StoryShare

Sauer Grapes -- Mistreating Aliens -- Psalm 82 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - C -- 2016
Contents "Sauer Grapes -- Mistreating Aliens" by Keith Wagner
Think And Let Think -- Luke 12:32-40, Isaiah 1:1, 10-20, Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16, Psalm 50:1-8, 22-23 -- John E. Sumwalt, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 14 | Ordinary Time 19 - C -- 2016
Contents "Think and Let Think" by John Sumwalt
A Petition For Justice -- Luke 14:25-33, Jeremiah 18:1-11, Philemon 1:1-21, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2016
Contents "A Question of Hospitality" by Keith Hewitt
More Than One Winner -- Luke 18:9-14, 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18, Joel 2:23-32, Psalm 65 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 25 | Ordinary Time 30 - C -- 2016
Contents "More Than One Winner" by Frank Ramirez
Man Of Lawlessness -- Luke 20:27-38, Haggai 1:15b--2:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17, Psalm 145:1-5, 17-21 -- John Fitzgerald, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - C -- 2016
Contents "Man of Lawlessness" by John Fitzgerald
Good Old Number Seven -- Matthew 24:36-44, Isaiah 2:1-5, Romans 13:11-14, Psalm 122 -- Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday of Advent - A -- 2016
Contents "Good Old Number Seven" by Frank Ramirez
A Holy Birth -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20), Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Psalm 96 -- Sandra Herrmann, Frank Ramirez -- The Nativity of our Lord - A -- 2016
Contents "A Holy Birth" by Sandra Herrmann
By Hickory -- Luke 1:39-45 (46-55), Micah 5:2-5a, Hebrews 10:5-10, Luke 1:46b-55 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - C -- 2015
Contents "By Hickory" by Frank Ramirez
The Great Aim Of Virgil -- Luke 2:1-14 (15-20), Isaiah 9:2-7, Titus 2:11-14, Psalm 96 -- Frank Ramirez -- The Nativity of our Lord - C -- 2015
Contents "The Great Aim of Virgil" by Frank Ramirez
Ordinary And Uneducated -- Acts 4:5-12, John 10:11-18, 1 John 3:16-24, Psalm 23 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
Contents "Ordinary and Uneducated" by Frank Ramirez
That Awkward Moment -- John 15:9-17, Acts 10:44-48, 1 John 5:1-6, Psalm 98 -- Keith Hewitt, Frank Ramirez -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015
Contents "That Awkward Moment" by Keith Hewitt
The Inquirer -- John 3:1-17, Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, Psalm 29 -- Sandra Herrmann, Frank Ramirez -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2015
Contents "The Inquirer" by Sandra Herrmann
Sit Down And Shut Up -- Mark 4:35-41, 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - B -- 2015
Contents "Sit Down and Shut Up" by C. David McKirachan
One Big Family -- John 6:1-21, 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, Psalm 14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2015
Contents "One Big Family" by Frank Ramirez "Sacrifice" by Keith Hewitt
Give Us This Bread -- John 6:24-35, 2 Samuel 11:26--12:13a, Ephesians 4:1-16, Psalm 51:1-12 -- Sandra Herrmann, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 13 | Ordinary Time 18 - B -- 2015
Contents "Give Us This Bread" by Sandra Herrmann
Paradox Of America -- John 6:56-69, 1 Kings 8:(1, 6, 10-11) 22-30, 41-43, Ephesians 6:10-20, Psalm 84 -- John Fitzgerald, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 16 | Ordinary Time 21 - B -- 2015
Contents "Paradox Of America" by John Fitzgerald
Way Of The Cross -- Mark 8:27-38, James 3:1-12 -- John Fitzgerald, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - B -- 2015
Contents "Way of the Cross" by John Fitzgerald
How You Play The Game -- Mark 8:31-38, Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16, Romans 4:13-25, Psalm 22:23-31 -- Frank Ramirez, Keith Hewitt -- Second Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015
Contents "How You Play The Game" by Frank Ramirez
They All Forsook Him... -- Mark 14:1--15:47, Isaiah 50:4-9a, Philippians 2:5-11, Psalm 31:9-16 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2015
Contents "They all forsook him..." by C. David McKirachan
The Bitter End -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Psalm 22 -- Keith Hewitt, Frank Ramirez -- Good Friday - B -- 2015
Contents "The Bitter End" by Keith Hewitt
But Honey... -- Mark 6:14-29, 2 Samuel 6:1-5, 12b-19, Ephesians 1:3-14, Psalm 24 -- C. David Mckirachan, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - B -- 2015
Contents "But Honey..." by C. David Mckirachan
Law And Justice -- John 1:43-51, 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2015
Contents "Law and Justice" by Frank Ramirez
Canary In A Coal Mine -- Mark 13:1-8, 1 Samuel 1:4-20, Hebrews 10:11-14 (15-18) 19-25, 1 Samuel 2:1-10 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - B -- 2015
Contents "Canary in a Coal Mine" by Frank Ramirez
A Good Man? -- John 18:33-37, 2 Samuel 23:1-7, Revelation 1:4b-8, Psalm 132:1-12 (13-18) -- Frank Ramirez, Keith Hewitt, C. David Mckirachan -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - B -- 2015
Contents "A Good Man?" by Keith Hewitt
The Righteous Branch -- Luke 21:25-36, Jeremiah 33:14-16, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, Psalm 25:1-10 -- Sandra Herrmann, Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday of Advent - C -- 2015
Contents "The Righteous Branch" by Sandra Herrmann

Worship

SermonStudio

Proper 28/Ordinary Time 33 -- Luke 21:5-19 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: Luke 21:5-19Theme: Are You Ready? Are We Ready?
Proper 18/Ordinary Time 23 -- Jeremiah 18:1-11 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Jeremiah 18:1-11Theme: Pottery Lesson
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21 -- Frank Ramirez -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21Theme: A Promise Is A Promise
First Sunday After Christmas -- Luke 2:41-52 -- Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday after Christmas Day - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: Luke 2:41-52Theme: Talk To Me, Not Through Me
Fifth Sunday In Lent -- John 12:1-8 -- Frank Ramirez -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: John 12:1-8Theme: No Pleasing Some People
Sunday Of The Passion/Palm Sunday -- Isaiah 50:4-9a -- Frank Ramirez -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Isaiah 50:4-9aTheme: Count Well The Cost
Christ The King (Proper 29/Ordinary Time 34) -- Jeremiah 23:1-6 -- Frank Ramirez -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Jeremiah 23:1-6Theme: Raise Up A Shepherd
Proper 18/Ordinary Time 23 -- Philemon 1:1-21 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: Philemon 1-21Theme: Refresh My Guts In Christ
Seventh Sunday Of Easter -- John 17:20-26 -- Frank Ramirez -- Seventh Sunday of Easter - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: John 17:20-26Theme: That We May All Be One
Second Sunday After Christmas -- Jeremiah 31:7-14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Jeremiah 31:7-14Theme: Turnaround Is Fair Play
Sunday Of The Passion/Palm Sunday -- Philippians 2:5-11 -- Frank Ramirez -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: Philippians 2:5-11Theme: Empty The Cup
Christ The King (Proper 29/Ordinary Time 34) -- Colossians 1:11-20 -- Frank Ramirez -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: Colossians 1:11-20Theme: Share In The Inheritance
Proper 18/Ordinary Time 23 -- Luke 14:25-33 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: Luke 14:25-33Theme: Hiring The Right Architect
The Day Of Pentecost -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Frank Ramirez -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Acts 2:1-21Theme: Clarity!
Second Sunday After Christmas -- Ephesians 1:3-14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: Ephesians 1:3-14Theme: The Reading Of The Will
Sunday Of The Passion/Palm Sunday -- Luke 23:1-49 -- Frank Ramirez -- Passion Sunday - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: Luke 23:1-49 Theme: No. On.
Christ The King (Proper 29/Ordinary Time 34) -- Luke 23:33-43 -- Frank Ramirez -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: Luke 23:33-43Theme: Anguish And Resolve
Proper 19/Ordinary Time 24 -- Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28Theme: Disaster!
The Day Of Pentecost -- Romans 8:14-17 -- Frank Ramirez -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: Romans 8:14-17Theme: No Fear
Second Sunday After Christmas -- John 1:(1-9) 10-18 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday after Christmas - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: John 1:(1-9) 10-18Theme: True Confession
Maundy Thursday -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14 -- Frank Ramirez -- Maundy Thursday - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14Theme: Who's That Knockin'?
Reformation Sunday -- Jeremiah 31:31-34 -- Frank Ramirez -- Reformation Sunday - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Jeremiah 31:31-34Theme: The New In The Heart Of The Old
Proper 19/Ordinary Time 24 -- 1 Timothy 1:12-17 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - C -- 2006
Second Lesson: 1 Timothy 1:12-17Theme: Immortal, Invisible
The Day Of Pentecost -- John 14:8-17 (25-27) -- Frank Ramirez -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2006
Gospel Lesson: John 14:8-17 (25-27)Theme: ChooseCall To Worship
The Epiphany Of Our Lord -- Isaiah 60:1-6 -- Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany of the Lord - C -- 2006
First Lesson: Isaiah 60:1-6Theme: Witness To The Light
UPCOMING WEEKS
In addition to the lectionary resources there are thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...
Proper 7 | OT 12 | Pentecost 2
30 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
30 – Children's Sermons / Resources
29 – Worship Resources
34 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 8 | OT 13 | Pentecost 3
29 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
27 – Children's Sermons / Resources
20 – Worship Resources
29 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Proper 9 | OT 14 | Pentecost 4
34 – Sermons
160+ – Illustrations / Stories
32 – Children's Sermons / Resources
26 – Worship Resources
31 – Commentary / Exegesis
4 – Pastor's Devotions
and more...
Plus thousands of non-lectionary, scripture based resources...

New & Featured This Week

The Immediate Word

Thomas Willadsen
Nazish Naseem
Dean Feldmeyer
Mary Austin
Katy Stenta
George Reed
For July 6, 2025:
  • Who Is My Neighbor? by Tom Willadsen based on 2 Kings 5:1-14, Galatians 6:(1-6) 7-16, Luke 10:1-11, 16-20; Psalm 30.

CSSPlus

John Jamison
Object: This is a role play activity for the children.

Note: You will need an older volunteer to help with this activity. One option would be to find a teenager with some physical ability. If a teen is not available, an adult could be used instead. For simplicity here, I will refer to my older volunteer as “TOM”. You will also need to select three of your younger children to serve as volunteers in the story.

* * *

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Mark Ellingsen
2 Kings 5:1-14
Bill Thomas
Frank Ramirez
Mark Ellingsen
Bonnie Bates
2 Kings 5:1-14, Psalm 30
Naaman seeks healing. He travels hoping healing will come to him when he visits the king of Israel. Yet, healing does not come in that way. Rather healing comes through Elishah. Healing comes from believing and being cleansed in the River Jordan. Healing comes through Naaman’s faithfulness and through God’s grace. Psalm 30 also reminds us to seek healing; to seek God and God will heal and restore us. Do we believe that? Do we believe that God can bring healing?

StoryShare

John E. Sumwalt
But whenever you enter a town and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet, we wipe off in protest against you. Yet know this: the kingdom of God has come near.’ (vv. 10-11)

When I visit your church for the first time, consider the possibility that I might be looking for a church home. I am a good-looking old guy, but I have gray hair and I dress down in the summer, so don’t be put off by my cargo shorts and tank top. Talk to me!

The Village Shepherd

Janice B. Scott
Damien and Ora grinned at each other in excitement. The time had come - at last! They'd been with the Leader for months and months, waiting for this moment. Not that it had felt much like training. They'd simply lived with the Leader, listening to his stories, hearing about the Kingdom, learning to get along really well with all the other people at Mission Headquarters. Now all seventy of them were ready, the spaceship had docked, and the Mission was about to begin. Ora was glad she'd been paired up with Damien again.

SermonStudio

James Evans
Stan Purdum
Carlos Wilton
(See Epiphany 6/Ordinary Time 6, Cycle B, and Easter 3, Cycle C, for alternative approaches.)

Anyone who has ever had the experience of losing a friend because of some conflict or dispute, and then has had the friendship restored because of love and forgiveness, has a unique insight into the meaning of this psalm. Although the poem begins and ends with praise, there is in the middle of the poem a brief moment of confession and contrition that puts the praise portions of the psalm in an entirely different light.

April Yamasaki
A word of encouragement came from an unlikely source the other day in a television interview with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. The former football player, wrestler, and now actor was asked about a low time in his life when he was very discouraged about his career and future.

"How did you make your way back from that?" he was asked.

The Rock replied, "You have to put yourself out there. You have to get out there and fail, and learn from your failures."

Larry D. Powell
In the summer of 1983, I participated in a ministerial exchange program sponsored by my denomination. My assignment was to a circuit of churches on the Isle of Man, a tiny island located in the Irish Sea. The months preceding the exchange included considerable correspondence with the minister on the island with whom I would exchange pastoral duties for six weeks.
Richard E. Gribble, CSC
A wealthy businessman decided to take a walk and eat his lunch at the same time. He strolled by a park. There he purchased a hot dog and a soft drink. As he walked through the park two different "street people" approached him one by one. Each asked, "Can you help me? I am hungry." Each time the businessman looked straight ahead and kept walking. After finishing his lunch, he stopped and bought a chocolate eclair for dessert. As he was about to take the first bite, he was forced to jump out of the way as a young boy raced by on his skateboard. The eclair went flying and landed on the ground.

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