Matthew Burden's Blog, page 7

Quote of the Week

“We need never shout across the spaces to an absent God. He is nearer than our own soul, closer than our most secret thoughts.”
- A. W. Tozer

A Two-Week Break from Blogging

I'm taking a couple weeks off from the blog for a family vacation and to spend a little time working on my book manuscript and a research article. Normal posts will resume on Monday, July 8.

A Prayer from a Traditional Collect

Let your continual mercy, O Lord, cleanse and defend your Church; and, because it cannot continue in safety without your help, protect and govern it always by your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Sermon

 

Put Your Hope in the Lord (Psalm 130) (click here to listen or right-click to download)

The Evangeliad (29:32-34)

(Click here for an introduction and previous installments of the Evangeliad)
Section 29:32-34 (corresponding to Matt. 20:6-8)
And then when the day was nearly complete,He went yet again to the marketside streetsAnd there he found, upon looking once more,Still more men standing in alleys and doors.
'Why are you standing here idle?' he asked.'Because we weren't hired to do any task.''Then come,' said the man, 'I'll put you to work,And you'll get what's right for thus having served.'
When evening came and the labor was done,The man had his steward call everyoneTo come and line up for receiving their pay,Starting with those who came late in the day.

Photo of the Week

He careth for the lilies,He gives each brilliant hue;O children, weak and faithless,Shall He not care for you?
- from a hymn by Fannie E. Davison

Quote of the Week

Don't let yourself forget that God's grace rewards not only those who never slip, but also those who bend and fall. So sing! The song of rejoicing softens hard hearts. It makes tears of godly sorrow flow from them. Singing summons the Holy Spirit. Happy praises offered in simplicity and love lead the faithful to complete harmony, without discord. Don't stop singing.
- Hildegard of Bingen

A Prayer from Catherine of Siena

Wash away our sins, O Lord, and purify our souls in the blood which Thy only-begotten Son shed for us, so that with joyful countenances and pure hearts we may return love for love, and, dying to ourselves, live for Him alone. Amen.

Sermon: A Living Sacrifice

  A Living Sacrifice (Rom. 12:1) (click here to listen or right-click to download)

The Evangeliad (29:27-31)

(Click here for an introduction and previous installments of the Evangeliad)
Section 29:27-31 (corresponding to Matt. 20:1-5)
And Jesus continued to teach in those days,"The kingdom of heaven is like an estateWhere the vineyard owner sought help with his crop,And went out to round some laborers up.
He hired some workers and gave them the rateOf a day for a denarius' wage.With three hours past, he went out once moreAnd saw more men by the market-gate doors.
'Go to my vineyard and work there today,And then whatever is right I will pay.'At midday, an in afternoon again,He went back out and enlisted more men.