In Sermons: showing 331-337 of 337

In Whose Name? Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Dec 2, 2000

Third Commandment: How not to use God’s name emptily, keeping it full of meaning.

Names are important. Choosing a name for a new baby can occupy a couple right up until birth - sometimes even beyond. My godchildren’s father Chad drove my friend Caryl crazy right up to delivery insisting that any son of his would be named Beowulf. I think he was just pulling her chain but Chad ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:7, Deuteronomy 5:11, Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Time Out Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Dec 2, 2000

On keeping the Sabbath, recognizing it as a gift from God, a temporary lifting of the curse of labor and economic utilitarianism.

Before I became a Christian I got into a lot of New Age stuff, from Tarot to numerology. I didn’t spend a lot of time on numerology, I didn’t really start enjoying numbers until I got my computer, but I did find out that my personal number was seven. I don’t remember exactly how the formula goes ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:8-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Control Issue Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Dec 2, 2000

The second in a series on the 10 Commandments dealing with how the human craving to be in control translates to making graven images, idolatry, worshiping the work of our hands.

One of the Christmas cards I got this year wasn’t really a Christmas card. It wasn’t even a Hannukah card. It was a Solstice card. It came from an old friend of mine named Sally who sang soprano in my medieval chamber vocals ensemble and taught me Middle Eastern dancing. (That’s belly dancing, to ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:4-5, Deuteronomy 5:8-10, Deuteronomy 4:15-20

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Base Ten Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Dec 2, 2000

Introduction to Sermon Series on the 10 Commandments: Why God gave them, what they say about God, what they say about people.

How many of you like murder mysteries? It’s one of the most popular genres around. I myself have been a major fan of murder mysteries for years. I excuse the habit because Dorothy Sayers approved of them (She not only wrote the Lord Peter Wimsey mystery stores but was also a rather brilliant ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 5:1-7, Deuteronomy 8:11-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Responsible Position

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Oct 18, 2000

Stewardship of Creation is part of our responsibility to God: We respond to God through our activity in the world he made.

A Responsible Position When I prepare a sermon, I often look around to see what other people have made of the passage I am about to preach on. Don’t worry - I could no more preach most other peoples’ sermons than I can fit into my old size 10’s - and for much the same reason. They just DON’T FIT ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Frequently Asked Question

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Oct 18, 2000

The answer to Job’s anguished question of "Why?" does not come in words but in presence.

I met Janet at a party, several years ago, the kind of combination business/social gathering where people talk shop, and network, and make superficial small talk. It’s the sort of event I usually avoid if at all possible, but of course it wasn’t always possible. Anyway, for some reason Janet ...read more

Scripture: Job 23:1-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Where Is Your Center?

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Oct 18, 2000

When I told friends and acquaintances in Minnesota that I was moving to New Jersey, one of the commonest responses was, "How close will you be to Atlantic City?" This seemed to me to be an odd reaction, it certainly isn't something I'm particularly attuned to.

When I told friends and acquaintances in Minnesota that I was moving to New Jersey, one of the commonest responses was, "How close will you be to Atlantic City?" This seemed to me to be an odd reaction, it certainly isn't something I'm particularly attuned to. But now every time I turn the corner ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:18-25

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed