Ron Love

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Ronald H. Love was called into the ordained ministry from a career as a state trooper. He has served Methodist churches in rural, inner-city and suburban settings for 20 years, and also served for four years as an Army chaplain. Dr. Love has also been a corporate librarian for a Fortune 500 company and been a university professor for ten years, teaching history and theology. His writing experience includes denominational publications, magazine articles on religion, and a newspaper devotional column. He holds a bachelor's degree in sociology (Slippery Rock State College), master's degrees in library and information science (University of Pittsburgh), secondary education (Duquesne University), church history (Indiana University of Pennsylvania), and theology (Wesley Theological Seminary), as well as a doctorate in homiletics (Pittsburgh Theological Seminary). Dr. Love now resides in South Carolina.

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Commentary

Children's sermon

The Immediate Word

All Together Now! -- Acts 2:1-21, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17 (25-27), Psalm 104:24-34, 35b -- Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Robin Lostetter, George Reed -- Day of Pentecost - C -- 2016

The account of Pentecost in the book of Acts tells of a crowd gathered from many diverse locations..

Exercising Dominion -- Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31, Psalm 8, John 16:12-15, Romans 5:1-5 -- Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, Robin Lostetter, Ron Love, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - C -- 2016

The lectionary psalm selection for Trinity Sunday (Psalm 8) provides plenty of fodder for those on b

On The Other Hand -- Luke 7:1-10, 1 Kings 18:20-21 (22-29) 30-39, Galatians 1:1-12, Psalm 96 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Robin Lostetter -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - C -- 2016

In this week’s lectionary reading from the Hebrew scriptures, a clearly frustrated Elijah pleads wit

Confronting Shame With Guerrilla Grace -- Luke 7:36--8:3, 1 Kings 21:1-10 (11-14) 15-21a, Galatians 2:15-21 -- Christopher Keating, Robin Lostetter, Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - C -- 2016

Both of his week’s lectionary Old Testament passages depict ordinary people who find themselves in d

Where Is Your God? -- 1 Kings 19:1-15a, Luke 8:26-39, Galatians 3:23-29 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - C -- 2016

The news was stunning -- a deranged man calmly waited until last call at a packed gay nightclub in O

Fit For The Kingdom -- Luke 9:51-62, 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14, Galatians 5:1, 13-25, Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 -- Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Robin Lostetter -- Proper 8 | Ordinary Time 13 - C -- 2016

At first glance, Jesus’ actions in this week’s lectionary gospel passage hardly seem like those we u

Kiss -- Luke 10:1-11, 16-20, 2 Kings 5:1-14 -- Robin Lostetter, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - C -- 2016

This week’s lectionary passage from Second Kings features the intriguing tale of the healing of Naam

Licensed Fruit Inspectors -- Luke 10:38-42, Colossians 1:15-28, Amos 8:1-12 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Beth Herrinton-Hodge, Ron Love, George Reed, Christopher Keating -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - C -- 2016

The last week has been a tumultuous one that has highlighted the divisions in American society.

Alive Together With Christ -- John 3:14-21, Ephesians 2:1-10, Numbers 21:4-9, Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22 -- Leah Lonsbury, Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015

Paul lays out for the Ephesians in this week’s lectionary passage a chilling distillation of the dea

Remembering No More -- John 12:20-33, Hebrews 5:5-10, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Psalm 51:1-12 -- Mary Austin, Leah Lonsbury, Ron Love, Christopher Keating -- Fifth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2015

In this week’s Jeremiah text, God communicates through the prophet about the coming of “a new cov

Peanuts, Paste, And Pathways To God -- Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23, James 1:17-27, Song of Solomon 2:8-13, Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9 -- Mary Austin, Robin Lostetter, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 17 | Ordinary Time 22 - B -- 2015

In this week’s gospel reading, Jesus loses his patience (yet again) with a group of scribes and Phar

Treading The Crimson Trail / No One Gets Out Alive -- Mark 11:1-11, Mark 14:1--15:47, Philippians 2:5-11, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Leah Lonsbury, George Reed -- Passion Sunday - B -- 2015

We’re offering a pair of main articles in this installment of The Immediate Word

Who Speaks For Those Who Can't? -- Mark 7:24-37, James 2:1-10 (11-13) 14-17, Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23, Psalm 125 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed, Leah Lonsbury -- Proper 18 | Ordinary Time 23 - B -- 2015

By providing cures for a deaf-mute and the daughter of a foreign woman, Jesus does much more in this

Jesus Has Left The Building / Not Here -- Mark 16:1-8, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Acts 10:34-43, John 20:1-18 -- Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Leah Lonsbury, Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed -- Easter Day - B -- 2015

When the women coming to anoint Jesus’ body discover that his tomb is empty, their first reaction (u

Press One To Order Quality Parenting -- Mark 9:30-37, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Proverbs 31:10-31, Psalm 1 -- Robin Lostetter, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed, Christopher Keating -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2015

This week’s passage from Proverbs describes the qualities of a “capable wife” who is “far more preci

Seeing (Each Other) Is Believing -- John 20:19-31, Acts 4:23-37, 1 John 1:1--2:2, Psalm 133 -- Leah Lonsbury, Mary Austin, Robin Lostetter, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Second Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015

John’s gospel paints a striking portrait of the resurrection’s aftermath -- the disciples, terrified

Late Night With God -- Mark 9:38-50, James 5:13-20, Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, Psalm 124 -- Christopher Keating, Robin Lostetter, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2015

In this week’s epistle passage, James extols the power of faith -- and specifically of prayer -- to

We're All Witnesses -- Luke 24:36b-48, Psalm 4, 1 John 3:1-7 -- Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Robin Lostetter, Leah Lonsbury, Ron Love, George Reed -- Third Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015

This week’s gospel text features Luke’s version of the same events John depicted last week: Jesus

Not Changed But Transformed -- Mark 10:2-16, Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:5-12, Job 1:1; 2:1-10, Psalm 26 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Mary Austin, Robin Lostetter, Ron Love, Christopher Keating -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - B -- 2015

This week’s lectionary passage from the letter to the Hebrews delves into Christology, ranking Chris

Anger, Anguish, And Faith's Vanishing Act -- Mark 10:17-31, Hebrews 4:12-16, Job 23:1-9, 16-17, Psalm 22:1-15 -- Christopher Keating, Leah Lonsbury, Ron Love, Mary Austin, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - B -- 2015

Last Thursday it happened again -- another in a long line of violent outbursts, leaving multiple vic

Greener Pastures -- John 10:11-18, 1 John 3:16-24, Acts 4:5-12, Psalm 23 -- Mary Austin, Robin Lostetter, Ron Love, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, George Reed -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015

This week’s lectionary texts center around the theme of the Good Shepherd, who “restores [our] so

Who's On First? -- Mark 10:35-45, Hebrews 5:1-10, Job 38:1-7 (34-41), Psalm 104:1-9, 24, 35c -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, George Reed -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - B -- 2015

In this week’s gospel text, James and John ask Jesus to secure preferred seating for them in heaven

Beloving -- John 15:1-8, 1 John 4:7-21, Acts 8:26-40, Psalm 22:25-31 -- Robin Lostetter, Leah Lonsbury, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, George Reed -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015

This week’s epistle text from First John (4:7-21) presents us with a mandate to “love one another

Je Suis Une Partie Du Corps (I Am A Part Of The Body) -- 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Psalm 139, John 1:43-51, 1 Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20) -- Leah Lonsbury, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Ron Love, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2015

Paul opens this week’s epistle text with a sentence that ought to be a motto for our freedom-lovi

Baby Steps And Bending The Arc -- John 15:9-17, 1 John 5:1-6, Acts 10:44-48, Psalm 98 -- Leah Lonsbury, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Robin Lostetter, Mary Austin, George Reed, Christopher Keating -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - B -- 2015

The primary theme of recent weeks continues, with a focus on the subject of love.

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Religious but not Spiritual -- John 3:1-17, Romans 8:12-17, Isaiah 6:1-8, Psalm 29 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Thomas Willadsen, Ron Love, George Reed, Mary Austin, Christopher Keating, Bethany Peerbolte -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2018

Sermon Illustrations for Advent 2 (2018) -- Baruch 5:1-9, Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 3:1-6 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Bob Ove, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Ron Love -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2018

Baruch 5:1-9For they went out from you on foot,

Sermon Illustrations for Maundy Thursday (2018) -- Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26, John 13:1-17, 31b-35 -- Ron Love, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Bonnie Bates -- Maundy Thursday - B -- 2018

Exodus 12:1-4 (5-10) 11-14

Everyone Gets Coal -- Luke 3:1-6, Philippians 1:3-11, Malachi 3:1-4, Luke 1:68-79 -- Christopher Keating, Thomas Willadsen, Dean Feldmeyer, Ron Love, Bethany Peerbolte, George Reed, Mary Austin -- Second Sunday of Advent - C -- 2018

The First Fact Checkers -- John 20:1-18, Mark 16:1-8, 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Acts 10:34-43 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed, Bethany Peerbolte -- Easter Day - B -- 2018

For April 1, 2018:

Sermon Illustrations for Trinity Sunday (2018) -- Isaiah 6:1-8, Romans 8:12-17, John 3:1-17 -- Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas, Ron Love -- Trinity Sunday | 1st Sunday after Pentecost - B -- 2018

Psalm 29

Into the Wilderness -- Mark 1:4-11, Acts 19:1-7, Genesis 1:1-5 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed -- The Baptism of our Lord | Epiphany 1 | Ordinary Time 1 - B -- 2018

As this week’s lectionary gospel text begins, we are told that John the Baptist “appeared in the wil

Tell the Truth (it sets you free...) -- Mark 2:23-3:6, 1 Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20), 2 Corinthians 4:5-12, Deuteronomy 5:12-15 -- Thomas Willadsen, Mary Austin, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 2018

Sermon Illustrations for Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 (2018) -- Proverbs 31:10-31, James 3:13--4:3, 7-8a, Mark 9:30-37, Psalm 1 -- Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Ron Love -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - B -- 2018

Proverbs 31:10-31, Psalm 1

Illustrations for Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 (2018) -- Mark 2:23--3:6, 2 Corinthians 4:5-12, 1 Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20), Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18 -- Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Ron Love -- Proper 4 | Ordinary Time 9 - B -- 2018

1 Samuel 3:1-10

Paying Attention -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Psalm 139, John 1:43-51 -- Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2018

This week the lectionary brings us the story of young Samuel hearing God’s voice and being identifie

Sermon Illustrations for Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 (2018) -- Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22, James 5:13-20, Mark 9:38-50, Psalm 124 -- Bonnie Bates, Bob Ove, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - B -- 2018

Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22

Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany 2 (2018) -- 1 Samuel 3:1-10, (11-20), 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, John 1:43-51 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates -- Epiphany 2 | Ordinary Time 2 - B -- 2018

1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20)

Is There an App for That? -- Mark 6:30-34, 53-56, Ephesians 2:11-22, 2 Samuel 7:1-14a -- Mary Austin, Dean Feldmeyer, George Reed, Ron Love, Christopher Keating, Bethany Peerbolte, Thomas Willadsen -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - B -- 2018

Stories Told, Stories Forgotten -- Mark 1:9-15, 1 Peter 3:18-22, Genesis 9:8-17, Psalm 25:1-10 -- Dean Feldmeyer, Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed -- First Sunday in Lent - B -- 2018

Stories Told, Stories Forgotten by Dean Feldmeyer

Sermon Illustrations for Ash Wednesday (2018) -- Joel 2:1-2, 12-17, 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-21, Isaiah 58:1-12 -- Bill Thomas, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Bonnie Bates, Frank Ramirez -- Ash Wednesday - B -- 2018

Joel 2:1-2, 12-17

Full of It -- John 6:1-21, Ephesians 3:14-21, 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Psalm 14 -- Tom Willadsen, Christopher Keating, Mary Austin, Ron Love, George Reed, Dean Feldmeyer, Bethany Peerbolte -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2018

Sermon Illustrations for Proper 12 | OT 17 (2018) -- 2 Samuel 11:1-15, Ephesians 3:14-21, John 6:1-21, Psalm 14 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates, Bob Ove, Bill Thomas -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - B -- 2018

2 Samuel 11:1-15 and Psalm14

Emphasis Preaching Journal

Sermon Illustrations for Fourth Sunday of Advent (2017) -- 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16, Romans 16:25-27, Luke 1:26-38 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez, Bonnie Bates -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - B -- 2017

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16

Sermon Illustrations For Easter Sunday (2017) -- Acts 10:34-43, Colossians 3:1-4, John 20:1-18 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Ron Love, Bill Thomas, Bonnie Bates -- Easter Day - A -- 2017

Acts 10:34-43

Sermon Illustrations For Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 (2017) -- Genesis 25:19-34, Romans 8:1-11, Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23 -- Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Frank Ramirez, Bob Ove, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2017

Genesis 25:19-34

Sermon Illustrations For Good Friday (2017) -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Bonnie Bates, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bob Ove, Frank Ramirez, Bill Thomas -- Good Friday - A -- 2017

Isaiah 52:13--53:12

Sermon Illustrations for Epiphany of Our Lord (2017) -- Isaiah 60:1-6, Ephesians 3:1-12, Matthew 2:1-12 -- Bob Ove, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Ron Love, Bill Thomas, Frank Ramirez -- Epiphany of the Lord - A -- 2017

Isaiah 60:1-6

Sermon Illustrations For Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 (2017) -- Genesis 28:10-19a, Romans 8:12-25, Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43 -- Bonnie Bates, Bob Ove, Bill Thomas, Mark Ellingsen, Ron Love, Frank Ramirez -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2017

Genesis 28:10-19a

Sermon Illustrations for Christmas Day (2017) -- Isaiah 52:7-10, Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12), John 1:1-14 -- Frank Ramirez, Bob Ove, Ron Love, Mark Ellingsen, Bonnie Bates, Bill Thomas -- The Nativity of our Lord - B -- 2017

Isaiah 52:7-10

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