tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65127340481508615892024-03-10T15:09:21.404-07:00holy scribblera preacher's scribbles on gospel and church while living with Multiple Myeloma, Amyloidosis and Alzheimers Disease.Ed Searcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893196406561385183noreply@blogger.comBlogger422125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512734048150861589.post-52355040141735490252024-03-01T16:56:00.000-08:002024-03-01T16:56:05.052-08:00more to read<p>I am excited that today's mail brought a copy of my friend Martin S. Cohen's new book. It is entitled<br />"To Speak the Truth, Stories 2011-2023" on first glance it looks amazing. I will tell the story of how Martin and I met each other some twenty-five years ago. That friendship was probably the last thing that the ansti-semites who desecrated the Beth Tikvah synagogue in Richmond, B.C. imagined would result from m spray painting horrendous threats on the exterior of the synagogue. There is more to the story of our friendship. Suffice it to say that even though Martin, is now a rabbi in Roslyn, New York while I remain near Richmond in South Surrey, B.C. We enourage and support and learn from each other via email that helps us span the continent and the years. In the process we had team taught courses that explored Christian Jewish dialogue through the lens of our friendship.<br /></p>Ed Searcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893196406561385183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512734048150861589.post-2509316522090249882024-02-24T14:30:00.000-08:002024-02-25T14:14:53.500-08:00on to reading adventures<p>As I continue to struggle with memory issues in daily life I also continue to be able to enjoy reading as an ongoing adventure. I have started in on the collected works of Flannery O'Connor, renowned for her fiction that is labelled as "Southern Gothic". Flannery writes as a southerner and a Catholic, and of a world haunted by outbreaks of grace. I had been a fan of hers years before I found myself a student at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia. There I discovered that my room-mate could recite my favorrite O'Connors' short story - Revelation - by memory.</p><p>This journey along my bookshelf brings me to a collection of the writings of Joan Didion. I know her book "The Year of Magical Thinking" but I have not read many of her other writing - through which she became known as one of the founders of "new journalism". Feel free to send me a note recommeding other authors I might add to to my reading journey. <br /></p><p><br /></p>Ed Searcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893196406561385183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512734048150861589.post-18387135715472040612024-02-16T10:16:00.000-08:002024-02-16T10:16:09.027-08:00frustrating<p> I am just back from another stretch in hospital. Pneumonia struck witrhin hours and I was taken by ambulance for a week long stay in the hospital. I guess rhis is what can happen when one if immuno compromised. It is frustrating and scary. I made it through thanks to such care at the hospital and he prayers and words of so many of you. I made it home in time to celebrate my 70th. Now to continue with masking and hand washing as we have been doing for years now. Thanks for your kind words posted here. Take care, Ed.<br /></p>Ed Searcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893196406561385183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512734048150861589.post-72988898048898487332024-01-02T21:07:00.000-08:002024-03-01T19:10:09.980-08:00Well that came out of the blue<p>A year ago when we wished one another Happy New Year to welcome in 1993 little did I know that 1993 would bring a diagnosis of Alzeimer's Disease. When that news was delivered it came as a shock but by then it didn't come as a surprise given the symptoms I had been experiening (such as the hard time I am having typing and posting this update). It is very scary (even terrifying) when you find yourself lost in your own home. Amnesia ( continues) to be a powerful metaphor for the situation that the church find itself in ... lost in our own home. One of the gifts that I have experienced in this Alzhemer's journey so far is that I am able to enjoy reading and to comprehemd the texts. These have iave included biographies of Abraham Lincoln and of John Brown, also a Journal of the Plague year by Daniel Dafoe as well as a fascinating history of 17th Century England.(titled "Rebellion: The History of England from James 1 to the Glorious Revolution" by Peter Ackroyd. Such a fascinating history that is easily lost to our collective memory. Now 1 am on to rereading the Brothers Karamazov. I also read "God's Secretaries" - A beautifully written story of the creation of the King James Bible, the continuing good news is that targeted oral chemotherapy continues to keep multiple myeloma and amylodiosis at bay, Now its a matter of coming to terms with two incurable diseases. I am not sure how long I will be able to keep blogging about this experience, but I am going to try. Maybe I will surprise myself.</p><p>Thanks for your supportive and encouraging comments. They mean a lot to me.<br /></p>Ed Searcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893196406561385183noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512734048150861589.post-277683536358367702022-10-05T14:21:00.004-07:002022-10-05T14:26:40.266-07:00myeloma and amyloidosis update<p>It has been quite awhile since my last update ... <br></p><p><span></span></p><a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2022/10/myeloma-and-amyloidosis-update.html#more">Read more »</a>Ed Searcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893196406561385183noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512734048150861589.post-39561856949109851792022-01-31T16:46:00.006-08:002022-01-31T16:58:01.084-08:00seed stump ... a sermon on Isaiah 6<p>This coming Sunday's lectionary text (for the fifth Sunday after Epiphany) from the Old Testament is <a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=510675834" target="_blank">Isaiah 6:1-13</a>. Here is a sermon I preached on this powerful and yet painful text - "<a href="https://littlewell.com/resource/180-SeedStump_RevEdSearcy" target="_blank">Seed Stump</a>". I remember this sermon but have forgotten that it can be found posted along with others from years ago at <a href="https://littlewell.com/" target="_blank">Little Well</a> (with big thanks over the years to Jason Carlson for the site).<br /></p>Ed Searcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893196406561385183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512734048150861589.post-85827174392482839542022-01-28T16:15:00.001-08:002022-01-28T16:15:53.493-08:00love is patient, love is kind ....<p>This coming Sunday brings us back in the three year lectionary cycle to the famous and well worn verses from the apostle Paul's first letter to the quarrelsome congregation in Corinth. The last time I had the privilege of proclaiming this text came nine years and three cycle ago at University Hill. The text can be found at "<a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2013/02/in-riddle.html">In a Riddle</a>".<br /></p>Ed Searcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893196406561385183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512734048150861589.post-46918218636679324392021-07-10T13:56:00.003-07:002021-07-10T13:56:47.316-07:00preaching ephesians<p>Those who are following the <a href="https://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/lections.php?year=B&season=Season%20after%20Pentecost" target="_blank">Revised Common Lectionary</a>
have an opportunity to preach from the Letter to the Ephesians on
successive Sundays this month. Here are preacher's notes on the readings
from Ephesians this July ...<br />
<br />
July 11 - <a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2012/02/preachers-notes-on-ephesians-13-14.html" target="_blank">Ephesians 1:3-14</a><br />
July 18 - <a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2012/02/preachers-notes-on-ephesians-211-22.html" target="_blank">Ephesians 2:11-22</a><br />
July 25 - <a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2012/03/preachers-notes-on-ephesians-314-21.html" target="_blank">Ephesians 3:14-21</a></p>Ed Searcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893196406561385183noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512734048150861589.post-34010730225619185802021-02-09T19:34:00.004-08:002021-02-17T17:12:15.154-08:00post-diluvian treaty #1<p><i>Once again the people of <a href="https://uhillcongregation.squarespace.com/" target="_blank">University Hill Congregation</a> are creating a <a href="https://uhillcongregation.squarespace.com/lent-2021" target="_blank">Lenten devotion</a>. Each day through the season of Lent a scripture reading from the Lenten journey through will be accompanied by the response of a member of the community. Here is my offering this year ...</i><br></p><p>I don’t often use the word “antediluvian”. I know it refers to something really old. But once you think about it this old word is really two words meaning “before flood”. Now that is old. Here, in Genesis chapter nine, we are in the very first post-diluvian days. The waters have begun to recede. The dove has returned with an olive branch. </p><p></p><span></span><a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2021/02/post-diluvian-treaty-1.html#more">Read more »</a>Ed Searcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893196406561385183noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512734048150861589.post-86010490409195718872020-11-25T22:50:00.009-08:002020-12-11T09:42:39.568-08:00the journey continues ... pomalidomide and more <p>It has been a year and a half since I posted an update on life with myeloma. I am aware that others with myeloma are interested to know how things are going with my cancer journey. So here goes ...</p><p><span></span></p><a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2020/11/the-journey-continues-pomalidomide-and.html#more">Read more »</a>Ed Searcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893196406561385183noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512734048150861589.post-4836243580146994792020-04-11T11:04:00.001-07:002020-04-11T11:04:16.048-07:00holy saturday as the fulcrum between cross and resurrectionOn this Holy Saturday we remember that this hidden day is the fulcrum between Good Friday and Easter Sunday - <a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2012/04/friday-saturday-sunday.html" target="_blank">Friday, Saturday, Sunday</a>.<br />
<br />
Here is Keith Howard's post for Holy Saturday 2020 - <a href="http://www.keithhoward.ca/2020/04/holy-saturday-life-in-a-time-of-disruptive-uncertainty/" target="_blank">Holy Saturday Life in a Time of Disruptive Uncertainty</a>Ed Searcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893196406561385183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512734048150861589.post-22346206037591784702020-03-03T15:29:00.002-08:002021-02-02T11:41:37.384-08:00sin the virus cured by grace<i>Once again this year University Hill Congregation is hosting forty
seven texts on its Lenten pilgrimage to Easter. You can find the <a href="https://uhillcongregation.squarespace.com/lent-2020" target="_blank">daily reflections here</a>. I was assigned <a href="https://bible.oremus.org/?ql=450278048" target="_blank">Romans 5:12-19</a>. This is my witness:</i> <br>
<br>
Here’s the problem. The original earthling - “adam” (literally “made of earth”) - was infected with the virus of sin. This virus then spread to all. It works like a gravitational force that draws humankind away from God with tragic consequences. Shakespeare’s tragedies - like many contemporary novels and movies - portray the ways in which all human actors are captive to this destructive force.<br>
<br>
<a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2020/03/sin-virus-cured-by-grace.html#more">Read more »</a>Ed Searcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893196406561385183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512734048150861589.post-19337669612982145582020-03-02T20:22:00.002-08:002020-03-02T20:23:12.112-08:00knocking on the door of griefIt was 1980. At the ripe age of twenty-six I had been settled on a seven-point pastoral charge in southern Manitoba. Forty years later I am accustomed to being “the Reverend”. Then it was all new. Looking back what I remember most vividly are the deaths and the funerals. I had presided at a couple of funerals on a summer field. But this was of a different magnitude. Now I was on call to respond to grief in all of its manifestations.<br>
<br>
The first phone call from Hugh at the funeral parlour came soon after I arrived in town. Two men had been killed in an accident on the highway. The driver had a heart attack and his passenger could not pull him off the steering wheel before they swerved in front of a semi-trailer. I was to preside at both funerals. I don’t remember what I said. I do recall the bundle of nerves as I gathered up the courage to knock on the door of each grieving family. Then and there I learned to pray on the doorstep of grief for the presence of the Holy Spirit in such a wounded place.<br>
<br>
<a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2020/03/knocking-on-door-of-grief.html#more">Read more »</a>Ed Searcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893196406561385183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512734048150861589.post-90265394751896729572019-11-12T21:57:00.000-08:002019-11-12T22:08:39.261-08:00the time we wrestled with forgivenessThese days I am privileged to be a mentor for a group of seven lay worship leaders who are students in the Lay Worship Leaders Training program of the United Church. We meet online - two are in Ontario, three in Manitoba and two are in British Columbia. It is a remarkable group. <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="This semester is focussed" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-217A83DEC42D588C3E1F96C486F6126E" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions="I focus this semester~It focuses this semester~We focus this semester~They focus this semester"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="This semester is focussed" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-9C29A729C006D058D206C911D7BB1B5B" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions="I focus this semester~It focuses this semester~We focus this semester~They focus this semester"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="This semester is focussed" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-E082A5B746D41BAEC64831BAC097CE7F" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions="I focus this semester~It focuses this semester~We focus this semester~They focus this semester"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="This semester is focussed" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-D39D4E240A7A067BA515B8C7CF18F708" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions="I focus this semester~It focuses this semester~We focus this semester~They focus this semester">This semester is focussed</pwa></pwa></pwa></pwa> on prayer and music in worship. Tonight we discussed confession and forgiveness. It was a rich conversation.<br />
<br />
<pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="I was reminded" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-C765804332E0DCC8C4387D7358673E2D" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions="It reminded me~They reminded me"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="I was reminded" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-DBD2E73ADD07A377BD0AF4D1D42691D8" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions="It reminded me~They reminded me"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="I was reminded" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-F3AF4BB95102A803A4E2856FD4B61B94" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions="It reminded me~They reminded me"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="I was reminded" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-167CD7E8B5F2E3FDDAA330CE18FAF61B" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions="It reminded me~They reminded me">I was reminded</pwa></pwa></pwa></pwa> of the time at <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="spelling" data-pwa-dictionary-word="University Hill" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Incorrect named entity spelling: University Hill" data-pwa-id="pwa-D60280263C4C60CBE4EA2116741310A7" data-pwa-rule-id="SIMPLE_SPELLING" data-pwa-suggestions="University Hall"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="spelling" data-pwa-dictionary-word="University Hill" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Incorrect named entity spelling: University Hill" data-pwa-id="pwa-82F4960C60CDEF822D7C21BEF1F8DD29" data-pwa-rule-id="SIMPLE_SPELLING" data-pwa-suggestions="University Hall"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="spelling" data-pwa-dictionary-word="University Hill" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Incorrect named entity spelling: University Hill" data-pwa-id="pwa-9C25C4CE72702FAC8C4346F5FCB91B47" data-pwa-rule-id="SIMPLE_SPELLING" data-pwa-suggestions="University Hall"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="spelling" data-pwa-dictionary-word="University Hill" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Incorrect named entity spelling: University Hill" data-pwa-id="pwa-068816AF74AC1992B26DF5A4371B1ED6" data-pwa-rule-id="SIMPLE_SPELLING" data-pwa-suggestions="University Hall">University Hill</pwa></pwa></pwa></pwa> Congregation when we wrestled with the call to forgive that lies at the heart of the New Testament. It was seven years ago. At the time I posted an outline of those conversations. Here are links to those posts ...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2012/10/forgiving-forgiven-one.html" target="_blank">Forgiven, Forgiving (1)</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2012/10/forgiving-forgiven-two.html" target="_blank">Forgiven, Forgiving (2)</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2012/10/forgiving-forgiven-three.html" target="_blank">Forgiven, Forgiving (3)</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2012/11/forgiving-forgiven-sample-of-biblical.html" target="_blank">Forgiven, Forgiving - a sample of biblical texts</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2012/11/forgiven-forgiving-four.html" target="_blank">Forgiven, Forgiving (4)</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2012/11/forgiving-forgiven-five.html" target="_blank">Forgiven, Forgiving (5)</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2012/11/forgiving-forgiven-six.html" target="_blank">Forgiven, Forgiving (6)</a>Ed Searcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893196406561385183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512734048150861589.post-394327393302354942019-09-02T16:31:00.002-07:002019-09-02T16:37:52.969-07:00a prayer of approach and confession based on psalm 8Prayers of Approach and Confession<br>
<br>
O LORD, our God<br>
How majestic is your name in all the earth!<br>
You have set your glory above the heavens.<br>
Out of the mouths of babes and infants<br>
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,<br>
to silence the enemy and the avenger.<br>
<br>
When we look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,<br>
the moon and the stars that you have established,<br>
what are human beings that you are mindful of them,<br>
mortals that you care for them?<br>
O LORD, our God how majestic is your name in all the earth! <i> (Psalm 8)</i><br>
<br>
<a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2019/09/a-prayer-of-approach-and-confession.html#more">Read more »</a>Ed Searcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893196406561385183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512734048150861589.post-40326766767912821122019-09-02T16:22:00.000-07:002019-09-02T16:38:51.604-07:00prayers after singing "come, o fount of every blessing"Prayers of Approach & Confession<br>
<br>
You … fount of every blessing.<br>
You … everflowing stream of mercy.<br>
You … mountain of unfailing love.<br>
You … worthy of all our praise.<br>
<br>
You and then us …<br>
Us … pausing in our sojourn, grateful to be with You<br>
Us … trusting You at every turn to guide us safely home<br>
Us … tuning our hearts to sing and to live Your grace<br>
Us … a people who rely upon You.<br>
<br>
<a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2019/09/prayers-after-singing-come-o-fount-of.html#more">Read more »</a>Ed Searcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893196406561385183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512734048150861589.post-72676579078796656192019-04-16T21:20:00.001-07:002019-04-17T12:48:51.294-07:00pomalidomide (year five)With Holy Week falling in mid-April this year it brings back memories of my initial diagnosis with myeloma and amyloidosis. I went for a bone marrow biopsy on Maundy Thursday, April 15. That was the final test that led to the surprising news that changed my life. At the time I was in shock and wondered what the future might hold. Eight years have now passed. After a series of treatments with varying degrees of success (autologous stem cell transplant, lenalidomide and bortezomib) I am now in my fifth year on a combination of pomalidomide, dexamethasone and cyclophosphamide. This continues to be very effective in reducing my free light chains and keeping the myeloma and amyloidosis in remission. We have made a couple of changes this year that have been beneficial ...<br>
<br>
<a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2019/04/pomalidomide-year-five.html#more">Read more »</a>Ed Searcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893196406561385183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512734048150861589.post-3793312182304945142019-04-10T12:26:00.002-07:002019-04-10T13:05:28.753-07:00david bentley hart's new testament<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDT1kPgSY-48xx78983XGxOl4u8osKdAQ82fBTdybzVN5VEYOXN6pXfaF-W1hyphenhyphen6UKD9R-0u90nyKKnMaJuvLbAR5odzVV7z-HJ1b9Ps4gAYmpQQHxBXTahUCusOk4e_ZSXEgfcRnR1LxWa/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-04-10+at+12.09.22+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="441" data-original-width="289" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDT1kPgSY-48xx78983XGxOl4u8osKdAQ82fBTdybzVN5VEYOXN6pXfaF-W1hyphenhyphen6UKD9R-0u90nyKKnMaJuvLbAR5odzVV7z-HJ1b9Ps4gAYmpQQHxBXTahUCusOk4e_ZSXEgfcRnR1LxWa/s320/Screen+Shot+2019-04-10+at+12.09.22+PM.png" width="209"></a></div>
I am finding <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/New-Testament-David-Bentley-Hart/dp/0300186096/ref=sr_1_fkmrnull_1?crid=34YKKW7LMR3UB&keywords=david+bentley+hart+new+testament&qid=1554925575&s=gateway&sprefix=david+bentley+%2Caps%2C220&sr=8-1-fkmrnull" target="_blank">David Bentley Hart's translation of the New Testament</a> a fascinating immersion in Christianity's root texts. His attempt to translate "as if doctrine is not given" and to reproduce in English the raw and often halting prose of the Greek provides a new lens on these source documents. Particularly striking is the impact that undertaking this translation had on Hart himself ...<br>
<br>
"Before embarking on this project, I doubt I truly properly appreciated precisely <i>how</i> urgent the various voices of the New Testament authors are, or how profound the provocations of what they were saying for their own age, and probably remain for every age. Those voices blend, or at least interweave, in a kind of wildly indiscriminate polyphony, as if an early Baroque vocal trio, an Appalachian band, a couple of Viennese tenors piping twelve-tone <i>Lieder</i>, and a jazz crooner or two were all singing out together; but what all have in common, and what somehow forges a genuine harmony out of all that ecstatic clamor, is the vibrant certainty that history has been invaded by God in Christ in such a way that nothing can stay as it was, and that all terms of human community and conduct have been altered at the deepest of levels ....<br>
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<a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2019/04/david-bentley-harts-new-testament.html#more">Read more »</a>Ed Searcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893196406561385183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512734048150861589.post-90222443847159008342019-04-09T21:39:00.004-07:002021-03-30T16:37:15.535-07:00preaching cross & resurrectionIn my time at University Hill Congregation I had numerous occasions to preach at services on Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. Three sermons in three days. It was a rich challenge to preach my way through the beating heart of Christian spirituality. Here are links to some of those Good Friday, Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday sermons ...<br />
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<a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2017/04/good-friday-preaching.html" target="_blank">Good Friday Preaching</a> <a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2017/04/easter-vigil-preaching.html" target="_blank">Easter Vigil Preaching</a> <a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2017/04/easter-preaching.html" target="_blank">Easter Sunday Preaching</a></div>
Ed Searcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893196406561385183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512734048150861589.post-55057513601495048812019-04-09T00:09:00.003-07:002021-02-12T07:21:35.801-08:00palm / passion sundayGrowing up the Sunday prior to Easter was called "Palm Sunday". The service was a retelling of the story of Jesus' entry into Jerusalem on a donkey (or a colt, depending on which version was told). But this changed by the time of my ordination. Then it had been renamed as Palm / Passion Sunday. This has made for a somewhat awkward liturgical dance. It means putting together the celebratory shouts of "Hosanna" alongside the same crowd's chants of "Crucify".<br>
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Over the years that I served in ministry at University Hill Congregation we had a custom of beginning the service with a palm processional led by the children. Waving fern fronds (readily available in our environment) the children would lead a line dance through and around the congregation as all sang an African song: "Sanna, Sanna, Sanna". The entry into Jerusalem became our entry into Holy Week. Then the service turned to a retelling of the Passion narrative.<br>
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<a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2019/04/palm-passion-sunday.html#more">Read more »</a>Ed Searcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893196406561385183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512734048150861589.post-60959002756633053852019-03-25T19:53:00.003-07:002019-03-26T21:02:07.301-07:00preaching john 3:1-21There are three articles on this site written to provide preachers with pastoral reflections for sermons proclaiming the message of John 3:1-21. If you are to preach a sermon on this text ... or listen to one ... where do you think the emphasis should fall? What is the Word from God from these verses for our time and place or for you at this point in your life?<br />
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You can find preacher's notes at these three links: <a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2016/10/preachers-notes-on-john-31-8.html" target="_blank">John 3:1-8</a>, <a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.ca/2016/10/preachers-notes-on-john-39-15.html" target="_blank">John 3:9-15</a> and <a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.ca/2016/10/preachers-notes-on-john-316-21.html" target="_blank">John 3:16-21</a>.Ed Searcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893196406561385183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512734048150861589.post-85905697836376659502019-03-16T16:33:00.002-07:002019-03-16T16:33:15.915-07:00nothing has changed ... everything has changedHere is a link to a sermon that proclaims <a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=229187033" target="_blank">Isaiah 55:1-13</a> with reference to Galatians and 1 Corinthians: <a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2013/03/like-rain-and-snow.html" target="_blank">Like Rain and Snow</a>. This passage from Isaiah is one of the lessons set in the lectionary for the third Sunday of Lent this year. It is one of my favourite texts. Reading the sermon now I find myself drawn to the way it closes. The final paragraph begins this way:<br />
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<i>Nothing has changed. Everything has changed. We go back to the same homes, the same studies, the same jobs, the same aches, the same world. Yet nothing is the same again. We are departing that world. We are leaving it behind. We are entering God’s new world ...</i>Ed Searcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893196406561385183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512734048150861589.post-48246136508816382222019-03-13T16:42:00.001-07:002019-03-13T16:47:11.981-07:00a sermon for the second sunday in lent<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7t9h0ksvXCwjQt_EFIhOEf_re-FjcJZ0KnIJVJlpalD5KvKWQtvEV2BnBESQlm_24c2l1h4fFL3yQcQtR8rEICSRwRLSIWRWHPbtlklPeiQTB4RhQ4l5zyKWxpNTChB1CPXHgDkFtVSa/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-03-13+at+4.39.48+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="610" data-original-width="829" height="145" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz7t9h0ksvXCwjQt_EFIhOEf_re-FjcJZ0KnIJVJlpalD5KvKWQtvEV2BnBESQlm_24c2l1h4fFL3yQcQtR8rEICSRwRLSIWRWHPbtlklPeiQTB4RhQ4l5zyKWxpNTChB1CPXHgDkFtVSa/s200/Screen+Shot+2019-03-13+at+4.39.48+PM.png" width="200" /></a></div>
It has been six years since I preached a sermon for the second Sunday in Lent on the root gospel text found in <a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=228722117" target="_blank">Genesis 15:1-2,17-18</a>. The three year cycle of the lectionary brings this passage around once again this coming Sunday. Here is a link to that sermon on the faith of Abraham and Sara - <a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2013/02/children-of-promise.html" target="_blank">Children of the Promise</a>.Ed Searcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893196406561385183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512734048150861589.post-50441436567418091782019-03-07T21:16:00.000-08:002019-03-09T09:38:49.274-08:00let me see again<i>This is a sermon on <a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=419021698" target="_blank">Mark 10:46-52</a> - the story of Bartimaeus - from October 26, 2003 ... </i><br>
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Jesus travels to Jericho once. Today is that day. Surely it is a big day, with plenty on the agenda: people to meet, teaching and healings among the crowds, unexpected guests at table with him, arguments with the powers that be. But the text says nothing about the day Jesus spends in Jericho. It says: <i>“They came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho ...”</i>. The one event recorded and remembered from that full itinerary is an unwelcome interruption on the way out of town: <i>“As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’”</i><br>
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</div><a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2019/03/let-me-see-again.html#more">Read more »</a>Ed Searcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893196406561385183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6512734048150861589.post-46269054640252831182019-03-05T18:06:00.001-08:002021-02-02T11:33:01.428-08:00a psalm for ash wednesday<i><a href="https://uhillcongregation.squarespace.com/lent-2019" target="_blank"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="spelling" data-pwa-dictionary-word="University Hill" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Incorrect named entity spelling: University Hill" data-pwa-id="pwa-C617ACCD8ACF81FD1C0B4CB6C114B862" data-pwa-rule-id="SIMPLE_SPELLING" data-pwa-suggestions="University Hall"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="spelling" data-pwa-dictionary-word="University Hill" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Incorrect named entity spelling: University Hill" data-pwa-id="pwa-3B60F723D3E8D13E2D6EA90C6E4D677E" data-pwa-rule-id="SIMPLE_SPELLING" data-pwa-suggestions="University Hall"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="spelling" data-pwa-dictionary-word="University Hill" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Incorrect named entity spelling: University Hill" data-pwa-id="pwa-052C41B01ADBE527B12FE433C8242AE6" data-pwa-rule-id="SIMPLE_SPELLING" data-pwa-suggestions="University Hall"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="spelling" data-pwa-dictionary-word="University Hill" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Incorrect named entity spelling: University Hill" data-pwa-id="pwa-BDE0B9E7F8119A36F751901B06303658" data-pwa-rule-id="SIMPLE_SPELLING" data-pwa-suggestions="University Hall"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="spelling" data-pwa-dictionary-word="University Hill" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Incorrect named entity spelling: University Hill" data-pwa-id="pwa-98F2CEEC2C74F0C5A02C403D1C72CE97" data-pwa-rule-id="SIMPLE_SPELLING" data-pwa-suggestions="University Hall"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="spelling" data-pwa-dictionary-word="University Hill" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Incorrect named entity spelling: University Hill" data-pwa-id="pwa-7156503E1F91D8EBBC8433E583E0ABAA" data-pwa-rule-id="SIMPLE_SPELLING" data-pwa-suggestions="University Hall">University Hill</pwa></pwa></pwa></pwa></pwa></pwa> Congregation</a> continues the practice of inviting the congregation to share in hosting scripture throughout Lent. This year <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="I have been assigned" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-68FA59AD5AE55AE80F2E05AD781318D9" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions="they have assigned me~it has assigned me"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="I have been assigned" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-DD6FECBF786E9E0C86BD7BDD5C8302B7" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions="they have assigned me~it has assigned me"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="I have been assigned" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-B807D43D104446AED223A015042ED39B" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions="they have assigned me~it has assigned me"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="I have been assigned" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-D6076145B1DE386BDC7F158DF4556AC0" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions="they have assigned me~it has assigned me"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="I have been assigned" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-34AAB3BCD4D6EE718DD1C0C769096F73" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions="they have assigned me~it has assigned me"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="I have been assigned" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-B7E3E0795B8F301DF5255C653CA6000D" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions="they have assigned me~it has assigned me">I have been assigned</pwa></pwa></pwa></pwa></pwa></pwa> Psalm 51 ...</i><br>
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I remember when I first truly encountered <a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=418837367" target="_blank">Psalm 51</a>. <a href="http://www.martinscohen.net/" target="_blank">Rabbi Martin Cohen</a> was team teaching with me in <a href="https://vst.edu/" target="_blank">VST’s</a> summer school. The course <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="was called" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-C270D0ADDBBDBAAF5456B1D73B4B4E1A" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions=""><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="was called" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-54F14094A3E6F8BA263E275B8B33A288" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions=""><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="was called" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-D12EEA08B5276A4F6720FB22AA505150" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions=""><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="was called" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-7524FD2D4A647F2BE5EC80F0C54CACCD" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions=""><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="was called" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-984467E45E7CA78EF463163771D3131A" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions=""><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="was called" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-886880153152B17C3201FC434AD81F4C" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions="">was called</pwa></pwa></pwa></pwa></pwa></pwa> “Reading in Each Other’s Light.” Each day in class we read scripture over one another’s shoulder. On Tuesday we each chose a Psalm central to our tradition. I selected <a href="http://bible.oremus.org/?ql=418837303" target="_blank">Psalm 22</a> - “My God, why have you forsaken me”. Martin chose Psalm 51. Here, he taught us, lies the heart of the Hebrew scripture. Here is the Psalm read by all Jews on the holiest day of the year - <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="spelling" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Yom" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Unknown word: Yom" data-pwa-id="pwa-07511000FC29613805A470997485DD32" data-pwa-rule-id="SIMPLE_SPELLING" data-pwa-suggestions="You~tom~Tom~pom~Rom"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="spelling" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Yom" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Unknown word: Yom" data-pwa-id="pwa-14D97716B059AF7BEFEE1BFC8A41EE57" data-pwa-rule-id="SIMPLE_SPELLING" data-pwa-suggestions="You~tom~Tom~pom~Rom"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="spelling" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Yom" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Unknown word: Yom" data-pwa-id="pwa-23DA5414F36FB750F2B3EAD10984901B" data-pwa-rule-id="SIMPLE_SPELLING" data-pwa-suggestions="You~tom~Tom~pom~Rom"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="spelling" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Yom" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Unknown word: Yom" data-pwa-id="pwa-682110FB3F8937F5078E0C91FBB2812B" data-pwa-rule-id="SIMPLE_SPELLING" data-pwa-suggestions="You~tom~Tom~pom~Rom"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="spelling" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Yom" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Unknown word: Yom" data-pwa-id="pwa-FF7745C46E0509B89C1BF5AF3B3145FA" data-pwa-rule-id="SIMPLE_SPELLING" data-pwa-suggestions="You~tom~Tom~pom~Rom"><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="spelling" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Yom" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Unknown word: Yom" data-pwa-id="pwa-D1160019D6A6A4AA576985FD5F747734" data-pwa-rule-id="SIMPLE_SPELLING" data-pwa-suggestions="You~tom~Tom~pom~Rom">Yom</pwa></pwa></pwa></pwa></pwa></pwa> Kippur - the Day of Atonement. </div>
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</div><a href="http://holyscribbler.blogspot.com/2019/03/a-psalm-for-ash-wednesday.html#more">Read more »</a>Ed Searcyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05893196406561385183noreply@blogger.com0