What is in Kelvin's Head?

Not drowning but thriving – sermon from 10 August 2014

10/08/2014

Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace

When I was growing up – that’s exactly the kind of thing that I would have been singing on a Sunday morning.

And it came to mind when I was starting to think about what to say about the gospel this morning.

You see, the gospel reading that we have today tends to lead to sermons which represent that kind of mawkish sentimentality that suggests that Jesus will solve everything.

I’ve found in life that Jesus doesn’t solve everything. If he did, the world would already be a very different place.

I’ve learned that if Jesus does anything he calls us to build that better place not simply with him but with people of goodwill wherever we find them.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus.

That’s the thing about this passage – the evangelist lays on that sentiment with a trowel. Peter leaps out of the boat and starts to sink – only when he looks at Jesus is he safe. And thus, so many sermons will say – we need to fix our eyes on the saviour and all will be well.

Well, I certainly think that Jesus can be a brilliant inspiration and I look on him as Saviour and Lord.

But when I look at Jesus I find that he is looking at the world and asking me to gaze with compassion upon it with him. (more…)

compassion, Turn your eyes upon Jesus

7 responses to “Ten Key Skills for Priestly Ministry”

Stephan Clark

01/12/2016

I think this is a great post
I struggle with Vector Images
But as I anticipate the birth of my second granddaughter…I am mindful that we will baptise probably in the holy season of Easter. Hopefully on Easter day (tears to my eyes at the thought)
Her sister was Chrismated by parents, God parents, grandparents, great grandparents, Baptists and Anglicans. In English, Magyar (Hungarian) and of course Latin.
May it be so ….Baptism is a great opportunity and gift for us all

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Paul Hutchinson

01/12/2016

Thanks for 1, 4, 5 & 7 especially. Do us a favour and retweet in 3 months, please…

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Jonathan Tallon

01/12/2016

My thesis was printed in Gentium – lovely font. But I now use the even newer, shinier Gentium Plus (it’s a lot like Gentium, but even better for Greek and some obscure other bits). Both completely free.

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Mary H

04/12/2016

No 10. Warm water helps a lot, I find, as well as asking mum or dad to hold a fractious child for the actual baptism.
Thanks for several of your suggestions!

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Pam

07/12/2016

Recently, I was browsing at a vintage market held in a church hall when I came across a Fisher-Price School Days Desk, at least 30 years old (or more). I was reminded of Christmases past. It’s in excellent condition and only needs some chalk, which I will supply. My two year old grandson will be the recipient and I’m hoping he enjoys his present. Or he can play with the carefully selected wrapping paper. Win-win.

Reply
1. Stephan Clark
  
  08/12/2016
  
  Wrapping paper is good…always think that my eldest daughter enjoyed her wrapping paper better than the present for the first 2 years of her life. Now (she is 34) I am little bit more careful
  
  Reply
David A. Alvarez

17/02/2017

I learned that people will not remember you by what you said but by how you treated them.

Reply