(Matthew 16:13-23)
May these words of this Peter be like a rock,
not a stumbling block!
|
|
"Who do you say
that I am?" Jesus asked. Simon Peter answered, "You
are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." And Jesus
answered, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! ... You are
Peter (petros), and on this rock (petra)
I will build my church..." Jesus then began to speak of
the rough road ahead. And Peter took him aside and rebuked him... "Get
behind me, Satan!" Jesus replied. "You are a stumbling
block..." (Matthew 16:13-23) May these words of this Peter be like a rock, |
"On my Grandma’s front porch"
Message preached May 28,
2006
Long Green Valley Church of the Brethren
Glen Arm, Maryland USA
based upon Romans
8:22-39
Beginning with the story of my Uncle, who suffered from a bipolar disorder, I'll talk about the church's response to mental illness. It was sitting on my Grandma's front porch playing at his feet that I first learned about mental illness. Of course, I also learned from him about racism, an attitude that may not have developed in this intelligent man had not manic-depression struck him while in college and his life shrunk (I won't won't make generalizations from this, just tell the story of my family).
The journey of this message will take us thru the great affirmations of Romans 8, picking up threads from last week's message on hope from the same chapter, and culminating in the promise that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus - not even the suicide of a cousin on the other side of my family who took his life during a bout of severe depression. Along the way, we will affirm the gifts that persons with mental illness have brought. Some of the greatest minds, even/especially in the church, have so struggled - and we have benefitted!
Unless otherwise noted this is an "amble and ramble" sermon, without a manuscript.
(para traducir a español, presione la bandera de España)
©2006 Peter
L. Haynes
(you are welcome to borrow and, where / as appropriate, note
the source - myself or those from whom I have knowingly borrowed.)