God — Page 15

2015 06 14 – Tiny as a Mustard Seed from John Knox Kirk on Vimeo.

A sermon preached at John Knox Kirk of Kansas City, Missouri, on June 14, 2015.

2 Corinthians 5:6-10, 14-17
and Mark 4:26-34

Our daughter, gardening, several years ago now.

So, I have a milestone birthday coming up.
I’ll let you figure out if its 30 or 40 or 50.

I’m not making a very big deal out of it.
In many ways age is just a number
And I’ve never worried too much about such things.

I also know that, once you pass a certain age,
focusing too much on it becomes counterproductive.
Besides, just as Royals fans roll their eyes when Yankees or Tigers players
complain about the paltry number of all star votes their guys are getting
I’m well aware that at least SOME of you have already hit the
milestone birthday I’m facing at the end of the month
and you’d be right to roll your eyes at me too
if I acted like it was some BIG accomplishment, or curse.

It truth, its not a big deal,
even if I have noticed, like we all do, a bit more gray
a bit thinner hair
a bit more wrinkling around the eyes when I smile in the mirror.

///
About a decade ago, the seemingly ageless singer and performer Paul Simon
released his eleventh studio album, called Surprise.

Simon was once a mainstay of American popular music.
First with Art Garfunkle, and then on his own,
Simon’s music in some way helped shape and define three decades
or more, of culture in this country.

This new album didn’t have the financial success that his previous records did.
No Kodachrome or Still Crazy after All These Years
or Bridge over Troubled Water
or Fifty Ways to Leave your Lover here.

In many ways, even though he was still going, Simon’s album release of Surprise
was the work of one who’s prime moment had come and had gone
not quite Slip Sliding Away, but mature, reflective.

So its possible you missed what I think is one of Simon’s best songs in a while
this song called “Outrageous”
where he reflects about this phenomenon of wistfulness
looking back about what we once had
and wondering if we’re relevant anymore…

Some of the lyrics go like this:
Its outrageous. I can’t stop thinking ‘bout the things I’m thinking of…
And I’m tired. Nine hundred sit-ups a day.
I’m painting my hair the color of mud, [the] color of mud, okay?

I’m tired, tired.
Anybody care what I say?
No!
I’m painting my hair the color of mud.

Who’s gonna love you when your looks are gone?
Tell me, who’s gonna love you when your looks are gone?
Tell me! …

God will. Like [God] waters the flowers on your windowsill.
Take me. I’m an ordinary player in the key of C.
And my will was broken by my pride and my vanity.
Who’s gonna love you when your looks are gone?
God will. Like [God] waters the flowers on your windowsill.[1] [Read more…]

May 24, 2015 – “Meant It” from John Knox Kirk on Vimeo.

A sermon preached at John Knox Kirk of Kansas City, Missouri, on May 25, 2015.

Romans 8:22-27
and Acts 2:1-21

Editorial note: I’m working on correcting spacing issues. Thank you for your patience in the meantime.

So there was this rocky sea coast where shipwrecks were frequent,
and somewhere along the shoreline there was a ramshackle little lifesaving station.

It was just a hut.
There was only one boat,
but the handful who worked at the station
were a devoted lot who kept constant watch.

With little regard for their own safety,
they regularly went out into a storm
if they had ANY evidence
there had been a shipwreck along the coast.

Many lives were saved,
 and soon the station became famous.

As the fame of the station grew,
so did the desire of others to become associated with its excellent work.
They raised money for new boats,
more training, more crews.

The hut, too, was replaced by a comfortable building,
which could adequately handle the needs
of those who had been saved from the sea. A good thing.
And, since shipwrecks don’t happen every day,
it ALSO became a popular gathering place—a sort of local club.

…As time passed,
the members became so engaged in being together
that they had less interest in lifesaving—
–they did, though, enjoy sporting their lifesaving badges.

As a matter of fact, when some people actually were rescued,
it was kind of a nuisance
because they were sometimes dirty and sick
and soiled the carpeting and the furniture.

SOON, the social activities of the club became so numerous
and the lifesaving activities so few
that there was a showdown at a club meeting—
–with some members insisting
they return to their original purpose.

A vote was taken–they were a tiny minority—
and were invited to leave the club and start another.

Which is precisely what they did–a little down the coast.
They did so with selflessness and daring in saving lives–
–and after awhile, their heroism made them famous.

Whereupon, their membership was enlarged, their hut reconstructed—
–and you might guess how it went from there…

If you happen to visit that area today– 
–you will find a number of exclusive clubs dotting the shoreline.

Each of them justifiably proud of its origin and its tradition.

…Shipwrecks still occur in those parts,
but nobody seems to notice much…[1]

Here’s what I think: If it weren’t for Pentecost– 
–this could well have been what happened to
the first followers of Jesus Christ.
[Read more…]

Sermon: Tiny as a Mustard Seed

Sermon: Meant It