Resources on Van Morris

A New and Beautiful Design Article by Christopher R. Smit https://perspectivesjournal.org/blog/2006/01/16/a-new-and-beautiful-design/ Article by Christopher R. Smit Topics: Beauty , Hospitality , Church , Community Source: Perspectives Journal Believing people with disabilities are more broken or more in need of grace is a misguided and dysfunctional reality. Christians must strive for shalom and to live in community with all people no matter their difference....

Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday Sermon Starter/Outline by Charles B. Cotton, Jr. http://www.theafricanamericanlectionary.org/PopupWorshipAid.asp?LRID=307 Sermon Starter/Outline by Charles B. Cotton, Jr. Topics: Love , Racism , Justice , Worship Planning Source: The African American Lectionary This sermon starter and commentary on Matthew 5:43-45 offers worship resources from an African American perspective for planning a service to celebrate the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday: Music and Worship Resources Element of Worship by Ram D. Bryant http://theafricanamericanlectionary.org/PopupWorshipAid.asp?LRID=128 Element of Worship by Ram D. Bryant Topics: Worship , Worship Planning , Music , History Source: The African American Lectionary This worship resource is for a Martin Luther King Jr.'s Birthday service. This resource provides music and worship resources like worship planning notes, a call to worship, a litany, and hymns/songs.

Out of the Loop: Looking in the Rearview Mirror Article by Thomas G. Long https://www.workingpreacher.org/craft.aspx?m=4377&post=1949 Article by Thomas G. Long Topics: Preaching , Sermon , Contextualization , Culture Source: Working Preacher An excerpt on the changing practice of preaching from Thomas Long's "What's the Shape of Narrative Preaching?" This is the second part in a series.

Highlighting Church Ministries Song/Hymn by Charles B Cotton, Jr. http://www.theafricanamericanlectionary.org/PopupWorshipAid.asp?LRID=202 Song/Hymn by Charles B Cotton, Jr. Topics: Justice , Worship Planning , Economics , Music Source: The African American Lectionary Practical worship planning ideas, a responsive call to worship, and music suggestions for an Economic Justice Sunday worship service that highlights the work of ministries within the Church.

She mistook him for the gardener Image by Victoria Emily Jones https://artandtheology.org/2016/04/05/she-mistook-him-for-the-gardener/ Image by Victoria Emily Jones Topics: Jesus , Resurrection , Mary Magdalene, Saint , Interpretation Source: Art & Theology Reflecting on Mary Magdalene's mistaking the risen Jesus for a gardener (John 20:14-15), Victoria Emily Jones discusses a long Christian tradition of portraying Jesus as a gardener and presents many works of art that do so.

Living by Heart Commentary/Exegesis by Alyce M. McKenzie http://www.patheos.com/Progressive-Christian/Living-by-Heart-Alyce-McKenzie-11-01-2012 Commentary/Exegesis by Alyce M. McKenzie Topics: Love , Love your neighbor , Love to God , Discipleship Source: Patheos Alyce McKenzie’s commentary on Mark 12:28-34 illuminates how our commitment to love God and our neighbor with our whole heart means loving God and our neighbor with everything we've got!

The Sower Image by Jean-Francois Millet https://www.mfa.org/collections/object/the-sower-31601 Image by Jean-Francois Millet Topics: Art , Parable Source: Museum of Fine Arts Boston This 19th century painting by Jean-François Millet depicts the sower from Matthew 13:1-23, Mark 4:1-20, and Luke 8:4-15, where Jesus tells the parable of the sower.

Palm Sunday: Music and Worship Resources Song/Hymn by Charles B. Cotton, Jr. http://theafricanamericanlectionary.org/PopupWorshipAid.asp?LRID=261 Song/Hymn by Charles B. Cotton, Jr. Topics: Palm Sunday , Worship Planning , Music , Service Source: The African American Lectionary This is a worship planning resource for Palm Sunday. This piece celebrates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem as the King of kings and the Lord of lords. This page features a call to worship and music suggestions.

Church Anniversary Song/Hymn by Charles B Cotton, Jr. http://theafricanamericanlectionary.org/PopupWorshipAid.asp?LRID=258 Song/Hymn by Charles B Cotton, Jr. Topics: Worship Planning , Music Source: The African American Lectionary Worship planning suggestions, a call to worship, and music suggestions that can be used for a service celebrating a church anniversary.

The Challenge of Forgiveness Sermon Illustration by Van Morris http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2001/december/13408.html Sermon Illustration by Van Morris Topics: Christmas , Forgiveness , Anger , Grace Source: Preaching Today Van Morris reports on the findings of a study on forgiveness, which suggests that accepting forgiveness is apparently much easier than offering it. Illustrates Mark 11:25, Luke 6:37, Luke 11:4, and other similar passages.

Former POW Forgives the Guard Who Terrorized Him Sermon Illustration by Van Morris http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2010/december/1122010.html Sermon Illustration by Van Morris Topics: Conversion , Forgiveness , Anger , Hatred Source: Preaching Today This is an illustration by Van Morris describing the story of a forming POW who forgave the guard who terrorized him, appropriate for Luke 7:36-50, John 3:1-16, and 2 Corinthians 5:14-21.

Rational Academic Finds Radical Faith Sermon Illustration by Van Morris http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2010/october/4101810.html Sermon Illustration by Van Morris Topics: Conversion , Faith , Atheism , Truth Source: Preaching Today Van Morris tells the story of Holly Ordway, an atheist who accepted Christianity based on St. Paul's witness to the historical truth of Christ's death and resurrection, illustrating 2 Corinthians 4:4 and other passages.

Couple Uses Wedding Reception to Feed People Sermon Illustration by Van Morris http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2008/june/2061608.html Sermon Illustration by Van Morris Topics: Love , The Love of Christ , Generosity , Service Source: Preaching Today Van Morris relates how a couple used money they could have spent on an extravagant wedding reception to feed needy families, illustrating Proverbs 11:25, 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, Acts 2:44-45, and other passages.

Companionship of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan Sermon Illustration by Van Morris http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2002/july/13772.html Sermon Illustration by Van Morris Topics: Friendship , Holy Spirit , Differing Abilities Source: Preaching Today Van Morris tells of the deep relationship between Helen Keller and teacher Anne Sullivan. Anne was to Helen as the Holy Spirit is to believers, as John 14:26, 15:26-27, 1 Corinthians 3:7 and Ephesians 3:7-8 say.

Consumer Debt Increasing Sermon Illustration by Van Morris http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2003/march/14300.html Sermon Illustration by Van Morris Topics: Divorce , Money , Contentment , Greed Source: Preaching Today Van Morris shares data showing the amount of consumer debt is increasing. This information is suitable for a series on money and how to manage it to avoid debt (cf., 1 Timothy 6:6-10 and Romans 13:7-8).

Converting to Atheism Sermon Illustration by Van Morris http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2008/may/5050508.html Sermon Illustration by Van Morris Topics: Faith , Doubt , Atheism , Journey Source: Preaching Today Van Morris' account of Ricky Gervais' childhood "conversion" from Christianity to atheism illustrates the importance of support for working through doubt, as in Deuteronomy 3:24,1 Corinthians 1:18-19, 1 Peter 1:8-9, and other passages.

'Scandal Queen' Becomes Voice for Decency Sermon Illustration by Van Morris http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2013/july/5072213.html Sermon Illustration by Van Morris Topics: Repentance , Sexuality , Sin , Disobedience Source: Preaching Today Van Morris tells the story of Donna Rice Hughes, who after a sex scandal returned to her Christian faith. Her story of redemption by God's power can illustrate Hebrews 3:13, Revelation 3:19, 1 John 1:8-10, etc.

Sunken Ship Identified by Fragment of Name Sermon Illustration by Van Morris http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2004/january/14765.html Sermon Illustration by Van Morris Topics: Truthfulness , Scripture , Bible , Trust Source: Preaching Today Van Morris tells the story of the identification of a sunken ship to illustrate the reliability of the Bible. Appropriate for Psalm 18:30, 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12, and similar passages.

Which Three Weeks to Live? Sermon Illustration by Van Morris http://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2006/february/16322.html Sermon Illustration by Van Morris Topics: Death , Preparation , Life , Time Source: Preaching Today Van Morris's sermon illustration describes a terminally ill patient who states his preference for living his final three weeks in July and December. Demonstrating our powerlessness before death, this illustration suits Ecclesiastes 8:8 and other passages.