Blog of FPC Lebanon

Bible Reference(s): Psalm 73 Sermon by Rev. Terri Thorn As I pondered how we would wrap up this sermon series on Sabbath-keeping, I was trying to figure out how to condense the insights of the last two chapters of Walter Brueggemann's book, "sabbath as resistance" into one message...and an abbreviated message at that.   Brueggemann's book has been the guide through the previous weeks of this series and I really did not want to leave out the last two chapters, one of which addresses how Sabbath helps us resist the urge to multi-task, and the other drew a connect between Sabbath-keeping and obedience to the 10th Commandment...thou shall not covet what your neighbor has. Both are worthy of their own messages, to be sure.  However, tonight is about learning to practice Sabbath...it's about appreciating the fullness of reasons we should keep Sabbath.  We've heard that we should keep Sabbath because it is a gift from God.  We should keep Sabbath because, like the He

Bible Reference(s): Isaiah 56:1-8 Sermon by Rev. Terri Thorn Our scripture reading for today is coming to us from the words of the prophet Isaiah.  However, before we hear them, I'd like to take a few minutes to give some background leading up to them.  I think, unless we back up a bit, we might not fully appreciate the significance of what God is doing through Isaiah.  I also want to say up front that I relied on Old Testament scholar, Walter Brueggemann to help me understand this myself. Some of what I'm teaching today was learned directly from his book, Sabbath as Resistance, and I hope that I can offer it in a way that is helpful.    So, let's get started. This is week four of a five-part sermon series, Why Keep Sabbath? Thus far, the series has been rooted in the story of the Exodus where Moses brings the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt - out from under Pharaoh's domination and away from the production-driven economic system of Egypt. Keep in mind that prior to the Exod

Bible Reference(s): Deuteronomy 5:1-14 Sermon by Rev. Terri Thorn Friday my daughter and I decided to visit my parents in my hometown of Madison. Usually, it is a two-hour trip along a route that I've driven more times than I can count.   However, this week, we were forced to take a detour because there is a bridge out on State Road 7.   Since I grew up in southern Indiana, I wasn't too worried about the detour...not to mention I had my handy-dandy map app.  That is until about mid-way through the detour when it occurred to me that given the some of the remote areas we were traveling through, there was a real possibility I could lose my cell signal...which, of course, would wreak havoc on the map app.   Well, it turns out that the neither the detour nor the cell signal were the biggest problem on this trip. The real issue for me was the GIGANTIC and I mean GI-GAN-TIC 5th wheel camper that joined us on the detour.  Did I mention they were in front of us...going well under the sp

Bible Reference(s): Matthew 6:25-31 Sermon by Rev. Terri Thorn On this second week of the sermon series, Why Keep Sabbath, I'm wondering what does Sabbath-keeping mean to you?  For those over 40, it probably equates to a list of do's and don'ts about what is allowed on Sundays.   For most of us, honoring the Sabbath meant that you did go to church on Sunday and you did not go shopping.  During my childhood, we called Sunday, Holy Day, and there was a specific routine we followed.  All the women, all the children, and some of the men, went to church every Sunday.   Interestingly though, not everyone went to the same church. I'm sure there's a good story behind that - all I know is that my mom and grandparents took me to the Baptist church.  On a typical Sunday, we all gathered at my grandparents farm - even the heathen uncles who didn't go to church - for a huge Sunday afternoon meal.  Afterwards, the cousins were allowed to play together outside -- only if rem

Bible Reference(s): Exodus 20:1-17 Sermon by Rev. Terri Thorn Earlier this week, a six foot stone monument of the Ten Commandments was placed on the grounds of the Arkansas state Capital building.  Less than twenty-four hours later, Michael Tate Reed rammed his car - a Dodge Dart, mind you - into the monument  in protest.   Now, apparently, this is not the first time Mr. Reed has done this sort of thing.   Two years ago, he ran his vehicle into a similar, 4800 pound, monument erected in Oklahoma.   Interestingly enough, Mr. Reed is not an atheist.  In fact, he is a professing Christian.  He just takes issue with the placement of religious monuments on government properties.  Personally, while I may share his concern, I do not approve of Mr. Reed's approach...for one thing violence and destruction is never the answer...and for another thing, a Dodge Dart against six feet of stone?  What was he thinking?  I'm just kidding...there is nothing about his destructive behavior that is