Emphasis Contributors
Illustration Writers
Frank Ramirez
Bonnie Bates
Bill Thomas
Mark Ellingsen
Proper 6 | Ordinary Time 11 - B
David Kalas
The old aphorism claims that “seeing is believing.” Doubting Thomas might agree. And so, too, would the present culture, which seems increasingly to prefer the physical over the metaphysical. We believe what we can see, but we are skeptical of what we cannot.
This runs deep within us human beings. How many times have we heard someone say, “I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it for myself”? In a court of law, we prize the testimony of the eyewitness, while we reject as inadmissible that which is merely hearsay. And when we say, “I could hardly believe my eyes” or ask, “Do my eyes deceive me?” we are again bearing witness to the fact that the sense of sight is our go-to arbiter of reality.
This runs deep within us human beings. How many times have we heard someone say, “I wouldn’t have believed it if I hadn’t seen it for myself”? In a court of law, we prize the testimony of the eyewitness, while we reject as inadmissible that which is merely hearsay. And when we say, “I could hardly believe my eyes” or ask, “Do my eyes deceive me?” we are again bearing witness to the fact that the sense of sight is our go-to arbiter of reality.
Mark Ellingsen
Frank Ramirez
Bill Thomas
Bonnie Bates
1 Samuel 15:3--16:13
Things aren’t always what they seem. I did a little research on apples this week. On the outside, an apple can look good, healthy and delicious. That same apple, though, on the inside may have a worm. How does that happen? According to the Mid-City Nursery in California, the worm is the larvae from a coddling moth. in the Spring, the moth lays its eggs at the base of newly formed and very small apples or pears and also on the leaves. These worms/caterpillars then hatch and work their way into the center of the newly formed, tiny apple often without detection, where they remain until they mature. Once they have matured, they eat their way out of the apple or pear. The apple can look great on the outside only to be rotten on the inside.
Things aren’t always what they seem. I did a little research on apples this week. On the outside, an apple can look good, healthy and delicious. That same apple, though, on the inside may have a worm. How does that happen? According to the Mid-City Nursery in California, the worm is the larvae from a coddling moth. in the Spring, the moth lays its eggs at the base of newly formed and very small apples or pears and also on the leaves. These worms/caterpillars then hatch and work their way into the center of the newly formed, tiny apple often without detection, where they remain until they mature. Once they have matured, they eat their way out of the apple or pear. The apple can look great on the outside only to be rotten on the inside.
Lectionary Commentary and Sermon Illustrations
Emphasis Preaching Journal provides in-depth lectionary-based commentary on lectionary texts, plus thousands of sermon illustrations to help you create riveting sermons.For over 45 years, Emphasis has provided subscribers with scripturally sound, lectionary-based commentaries and sermon illustrations that connect with the people in the pews.
For each week, Emphasis writers delve into the heart of the lectionary readings, providing you with several fresh, solid ideas -- based squarely on the lectionary texts -- for creating sermons that speak powerfully to your audience. They look for overall themes that hold the readings together. Then, they zero in on the themes and the specific scripture links, suggesting directions for the sermon and worship service. Since a single idea each week may not provide what you are looking for at that particular time, writers suggest several, giving you the opportunity to select the one that matches your specific needs.
