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Grow Like A Fruit Tree -- Matthew 3:1-12 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: an ax
Jesus Is Coming -- Luke 21:25-36 -- Wesley T. Runk
(Appropriate for use in Advent)
Why Is Sunday Special? -- Mark 2:23-28 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some aspirin or some other kind of pill or capsule
Stumbling Blocks -- 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: things that might be on the floor in a typical child's room before it is cleaned: clo
The Spear -- John 19:31-35 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a spear
Shower The People -- Acts 2:1-21 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter
Exegetical Aim: The experience of the coming of the Holy Spirit.
Do You Choose Marge Or Chris? -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a candy bar and a glass of milk
The Clean Plate Club -- Matthew 15:21-28 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: bread crumbs
Jumping With Help -- Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: string or rope
Suffering ... A Good Teacher -- Hebrews 5:7-9 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a speeding ticket
God Is Love -- 1 John 4:1-11 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some ice and some rubber balls
Look What Water Does! -- Matthew 3:13-17 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: water at the baptismal font
More Important Than We Thought -- Luke 20:9-19 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a garage sale item such as a picture or a lamp
Standing Room Only -- Mark 2:1-12 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some signs ("Standing Room Only," "Full," or "Sold Out")
How Refreshing! -- 1 Corinthians 10:1-5 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a pitcher of lemonade and some glasses
Christ The King -- John 18:33-37 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a crown and a map of the world or a globe
A Reflection Of God's Love -- Matthew 27:11-54 -- Brett Blair, Tim Carpenter
Exegetical Aim: Teach the children how God views them.
You Need All The Pieces -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a jigsaw puzzle
A Lesson From Lettuce -- Philippians 3:17--4:1 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a good head of lettuce and a spoiled head of lettuce (or some other produce)
You're Worth A Million -- Romans 5:1-11 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a make--believe check for $1,000,000 (be sure to void the check!) and an old rag
God Sees Right Through -- Hebrews 4:9-16 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a big piece of clear plastic used to cover many or all of the children
Heaven Will Wait -- 1 John 3:1-2 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: two exact kinds of packages that do not have the picture of the product on the outsid
Those Tempting Crayons -- Matthew 4:1-11 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: some crayons and scissors
The Shouting Stones -- Luke 19:28-40 -- Wesley T. Runk
(Appropriate for use on Palm Sunday)
A Treasure Hunt -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Wesley T. Runk
Object: a jewelry box hidden somewhere in the chancel

Christian

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SermonStudio

Interrupting The Interruption -- John 11:1-44 -- Charles L. Aaron, Jr. -- All Saints Day - B -- 2005
Miracle Eleven Interrupting The InterruptionThe Text
Lions And Cows Dining Together: Seeing Is Believing -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: We must have a vision that peace is realistically attainable.
Plays Well With Others: B+ -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: If nothing else, the Christian should be congenial, amicable, and much better
Pearly Gates Entrance Exam -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: What does it take to get into heaven?
Good Friday -- Isaiah 52:13--53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1--19:42 -- Carlos Wilton -- Good Friday - B -- 2005
Revised Common Isaiah 52:13--53:12 Hebrews 10:16-25 John 18:1--19:42
Jesus Meets The Official Spokesdemon -- Mark 1:21-28 -- Charles L. Aaron, Jr. -- Epiphany 4 | Ordinary Time 4 - B -- 2005
Miracle One Jesus Meets The Official SpokesdemonThe Text
Analysis Of A Saloon -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Do churches and taverns offer the same services, and does our church do a bett
Let Me Tell You What You Believe -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: So many Christians are ignorant concerning the beliefs and doctrines of their
Can Compassion Be Turned On Like A Faucet? -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: How do we get motivated to actually love others?
Third Sunday in Lent -- Exodus 20:1-17, 1 Corinthians 1:18-25, John 2:13-22 -- Carlos Wilton -- Third Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
Revised Common Exodus 20:1-17 1 Corinthians 1:18-25 John 2:13-22
Enabling And Receiving Hospitality -- Mark 1:29-39 -- Charles L. Aaron, Jr. -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - B -- 2005
The Text
Get Over It! -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: We have to learn how to really forgive and accept forgiveness.
No Yellow Flags! -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Christians should be concerned about avoiding making mistakes.
I Embarrassed God Again Yesterday -- Terry Cain -- 2005
Purpose Statement: Each day we find a variety of ways to offend God and others and must be remind
Fourth Sunday in Lent -- Numbers 21:4-9, Ephesians 2:1-10, John 3:14-21 -- Carlos Wilton -- Fourth Sunday in Lent - B -- 2005
Theme For The Day We look to the cross of Jesus for salvation.
Proper 12 -- Genesis 29:15-28, 1 Kings 3:5-12 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Proper 12 | Ordinary Time 17 - A -- 2004
We find before us a very worldly story of love and deceit on the part of two very worldly men.
Forgiveness -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
To return evil for good is devil-like,To return evil for evil is animal-like,
Reformation Sunday -- Joshua 3:7-17 -- Elizabeth Achtemeier -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2004
Israel has been encamped at Shittim in the territory of Moab on the Eastern side of the Jordan River
Eve And The Snake -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
In the story of Adam and Eve, Eve ate the wrong thing; she should have eaten the snake!
Great Windows One-liners -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
B1. The best computer you'll ever know is the one between your ears.
Proper 5 -- Genesis 12:1-9, Romans 4:13-25, Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 -- John R. Brokhoff -- Proper 5 | Ordinary Time 10 - A -- 2004
THE LESSONSLesson 1: Genesis 12:1--9 (C)
Howdy, Neighbor! -- Luke 10:25-37 -- Robert D. Prescott-Ezickson -- 2004
Ever notice how those who come wishing to test Jesus get tested themselves?
Most Unusual -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
The church is the only institution on earth that will let you in free, and then trust your honor to
The Seed Store -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
A man once dreamed he had entered a different kind of store.
What Moses Said -- Don R. Yocom -- 2004
This story came from a tour guide in Israel:

Sacrament

Self Help

Sermon

SermonStudio

Forward March -- Joshua 3:7-17 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2007
It was truly a day of new beginnings as the people prepared to make the long-anticipated entry into
All About Me? -- Romans 1:16-17; 3:22b-28 (29-31) -- John N. Brittain -- 2007
Since we all know that one of life's cardinal rules in the twenty-first century is that "it's all ab
God's Doing -- Philippians 1:21-30 -- Larry Lange -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2007
Don had not worked like a dog for nothing.
Dreaming Joseph -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way.
Political Pardon -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 19 | Ordinary Time 24 - A -- 2007
My parents were married in the wave of weddings that followed World War II.
Scaring The Church, So It Will Be The Church -- Matthew 5:13-20 -- Charles L. Aaron, Jr. -- Epiphany 5 | Ordinary Time 5 - A -- 2007
Sometimes when we read a passage of scripture, we may need to pay careful attention to who in the te
Getting Off The Merry-Go-Round -- Romans 8:1-11 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Proper 10 | Ordinary Time 15 - A -- 2007
Have you ever been stuck on a playground merry-go-round? You know how it goes.
A Question Of Loyalty -- Joshua 24:1-3a, 14-25 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2007
Lookout Mountain is a popular tourist destination located in the northwest corner of Georgia, just s
With Our Own Eyes -- 2 Peter 1:16-21 -- John N. Brittain -- Transfiguration Sunday - A -- 2007
Leslie D.
Just A Crazy Story -- Philippians 2:1-13 -- Larry Lange -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2007
Zack had seen the movie.
Now I See -- John 9:1-41 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth.
Why Is God Unfair? -- Matthew 20:1-16 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 20 | Ordinary Time 25 - A -- 2007
One of my favorite courses to teach is "Introduction to Biblical Literature." It is a 200-level cour
Becoming Good Trees -- Matthew 5:21-37 -- Charles L. Aaron, Jr. -- Epiphany 6 | Ordinary Time 6 - A -- 2007
Most pastors have seen the damage caused when a purple-faced preacher has sought to scare a person i
Children Of The Heavenly Father -- Romans 8:12-25 -- Steven E. Albertin -- Proper 11 | Ordinary Time 16 - A -- 2007
Some consider it a secret. Others consider it almost a badge of honor.
Reversal And Victory -- Judges 4:1-7 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Proper 28 | Ordinary Time 33 - A -- 2007
"When God is going to do something wonderful," author Anne Lamott claims, "God always starts with a
Dust And Ashes Wednesday -- 2 Corinthians 5:20b--6:10 -- David O. Bales -- Ash Wednesday - A -- 2007
The Passion of the Christ, is a helpful movie to consider for Ash Wednesday and Lent.
A Vision Vanished -- Philippians 3:4b-14 -- Larry Lange -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2007
Arnold Toivonen was headed to work at 5:06 a.m.
Healing Tears -- John 11:1-45 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
When we came up out of the tomb of Lazarus, the other half of our touring group, who were waiting th
A Career In The Kingdom -- Matthew 21:23-32 -- Wayne Brouwer -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2007
When Sadie and Bessie, the famed "Delany Sisters," were in the early years of their second centuries
God's Weather Report -- Matthew 5:38-48 -- Charles L. Aaron, Jr. -- Epiphany 7 | Ordinary Time 7 - A -- 2007
In the 1985 movie, Witness, Harrison Ford plays a tough Philadelphia detective who uncovers c
How Jesus' Friendship Makes Your Burdens Light -- Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Mark Ellingsen -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2007
Jesus was teaching about the kind of authority he has.
A Vision Of Hope -- Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 -- Timothy J. Smith -- Christ The King (Proper 29) - A -- 2007
Difficult times not only try a person's soul but frequently force a person to step up to a new chall
In The Balance -- Romans 5:12-19 -- David O. Bales -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2007
"He started it." You've probably heard that from the backseat or from a distant bedroom.
Reasons For Rejoicing -- Philippians 4:1-9 -- Mary S. Lautensleger -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2007
We Christians can disagree over some of the smallest, most ordinary things.
While It Was Still Dark -- John 20:1-18 -- John E. Sumwalt -- 2007
March 7, 1961, was by all appearances an ordinary day.

Spirituality

Stories

SermonStudio

Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
A holy person finds God at the center of the storm.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Competition
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Enthusiasm
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
New Year
Angels Among Us -- Matthew 1:18-25 -- Constance Berg -- Fourth Sunday of Advent - A -- 2001
Books and magazines are filled with people's encounters with "angels": people who give selflessly, p
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
There is no sweeter name than -- Mother.
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is the Holy Spirit.
Should He Or Shouldn't He? -- Matthew 23:1-12 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 26 | Ordinary Time 31 - A -- 2001
Gilbert was about to graduate from seminary.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Mothers know that the best medicine chest for ailing families is the Bible.
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"The first priority of my life is to be holy, and the second goal of my life is to be a scholar." (J
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Leadership
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"Heaven is at the feet of mothers." (Roebuck)
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
God's Care
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Spiritual Irresponsibility
Cuts That Heal -- Matthew 10:24-39 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 7 | Ordinary Time 12 - A -- 2001
Sally was excited to see her uncle again.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
A mother should never make differences between her children, but love them all.
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"The Holy Spirit is the divine energy that produces the spiritual life." (Bertha Munro)
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Conflict
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Envy "Everybody loves success, but they hate successful people." (John McEnroe)
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
New Year
The Fullness Of Life -- Matthew 5:1-12 -- Constance Berg -- All Saints Day - A -- 2001
Some in our generation grew up hearing about World War II.
Mom Is More Than A 3-Lettered Word -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
"No language can express the power and beauty and heroism and majesty of a mother's love.
Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Holiness is practical living.
Open Doors: Illustrations, Quotes, And Quips -- Derl G. Keefer -- 2001
Acceptance
The Wise And The Foolish Bridesmaids -- Matthew 25:1-13 -- Constance Berg -- Proper 27 | Ordinary Time 32 - A -- 2001
Jacopo Tintoretto paints a stunning portrayal of The Parable of The Wise and The Foolish Virgins.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Prayer

Unison Prayer

Wedding Vow

Women's Day

Worship

SermonStudio

Third Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 2:14a, 36-41, Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19, 1 Peter 1:17-23, Luke 24:13-35 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Third Sunday of Easter - A -- 2004
HymnsI Want To Be Ready (NCH616)
An Arranged Marriage -- Genesis 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67, Romans 7:15-25a, Matthew 11:16-19, 25-30 -- Frank Ramirez -- Proper 9 | Ordinary Time 14 - A -- 2004
Call To Worship (Psalm 45:6-7)
The Triumph Of The Lamb -- Isaiah 52:13-53:12, Hebrews 10:16-25, John 18:1-19:42 -- Frank Ramirez -- Good Friday - A -- 2004
Call To Worship (Isaiah 53: 4-5)
Dwelling Place -- 2 Samuel 7:1-14, 17 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to Worship
Proper 21 -- Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 78:1-4, 12-16, Philippians 2:1-13, Matthew 21:23-32 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Proper 21 | Ordinary Time 26 - A -- 2004
HymnsAt The Name Of Jesus (UM168, CBH342, PH148)
The Risen Christ -- John 21:1-19 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipGod is never far from any of us.
Fourth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 23, 1 Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Fourth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2004
HymnsLet Us Break Bread Together (NCH330, CBH618)
The New Covenant In The Old -- Jeremiah 31:31-34, Romans 3:19-28, John 8:31-36 -- Frank Ramirez -- Reformation Sunday - A -- 2004
Call To Worship
Gradually Slipping Away -- Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7, Romans 5:12-19, Matthew 4:1-11 -- Frank Ramirez -- First Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
Call To Worship
Easter -- Matthew 28:1-10 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipWe come to share and to shout good news.
Proper 22 -- Exodus 20:1-4, 7-9, 12-20, Psalm 19, Philippians 3:4b-14, Matthew 21:33-46 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Proper 22 | Ordinary Time 27 - A -- 2004
HymnsCantemos al Senor (O Sing To The Lord) (UM149, CBH55, NCH39, PH472)
Sabbath -- Isaiah 58:9b-14, Luke 13:10-17 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipIndeed, this is a day of rest and gladness.
Fifth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 7:55-60, 1 Peter 2:2-10, Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16, John 14:1-14 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Fifth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2004
HymnsIn You, Lord, I Have Put My Trust (PH183)
Consecration Service For Choirs -- Frank Ramirez -- 2004
Special ServicesConsecration Service For Choirs
All The Families Of The Earth Shall Be Blessed -- Genesis 12:1-4a, Romans 4:1-5, 13-17, John 3:1-17 -- Frank Ramirez -- Second Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
Call To Worship
Father -- Ephesians 6:1-4 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipThere is a vastness and wonder to God that we can in no way describe.
Proper 23 -- Exodus 32:1-14, Psalm 106:1-6, 19-23, Philippians 4:1-9, Matthew 22:1-14 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Proper 23 | Ordinary Time 28 - A -- 2004
HymnsRejoice, Ye Pure In Heart (UM160, 16l, NCH55, 71, PH145, 146, LBW553)
Saints -- John 6:20-31 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to Worship
Sixth Sunday Of Easter -- Acts 17:22-31, 1 Peter 3:13-22, Psalm 66:8-20, John 14:15-21 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Sixth Sunday of Easter - A -- 2004
HymnsOur Cities Cry To You, O God (PH437)
Not By Our Own Strength -- Deuteronomy 8:7-18, 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Luke 17:11-19 -- Frank Ramirez -- Thanksgiving Day - A -- 2004
Call To Worship
Massah And Meribah -- Exodus 17:1-7, Romans 5:1-11, John 4:5-42 -- Frank Ramirez -- Third Sunday in Lent - A -- 2004
Call To Worship
Forgiveness -- Matthew 18:21-35 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipO God, we enter your gates with thanksgiving;
Freedom -- James 1:25 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipWe praise the God who made us -
Proper 24 -- Exodus 33:12-23, Psalm 9, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Matthew 22:15-22 -- Beverly S. Bailey -- Proper 24 | Ordinary Time 29 - A -- 2004
HymnsIn The Rifted Rock I'm Resting (CBH526)
Second Sunday Of Easter -- Romans 10:14-18, John 20:19-31 -- John H. Will -- 2004
Call to WorshipThis is the second Sunday of Easter.

Worship Service

Youth Resources

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:

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.

Special Occasion

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