1 Timothy 6:6-12, 17-19 (MSG) South & New Life Presbyterian Churches – September 25, 2016 The Reverend Deborah Fae Swift 1 Timothy 6:6-12, 17-19 (MSG)   6-8 A devout life does bring wealth, but it’s the rich simplicity of being yourself before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that’s enough. 9-10 But if it’s only money these leaders are after, they’ll self-destruct in no time. Lust for money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the … Continue reading “The Life We are Called to”

Luke 15:1-7 (MSG) South & New Life Presbyterian Churches – September 11, 2016 The Reverend Deborah Fae Swift  15 1-3 By this time a lot of men and women of doubtful reputation were hanging around Jesus, listening intently. The Pharisees and religion scholars were not pleased, not at all pleased. They growled, “He takes in sinners and eats meals with them, treating them like old friends.” Their grumbling triggered this story. 4-7 “Suppose one of you had a hundred sheep and lost one. Wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the lost one until you found it? When found, … Continue reading “Baaaaa-d Theology”

Jer. 18:1-10; Luke 14:25-27, 33 (MSG) South & New Life Presbyterian Churches – September 4, 2016 – LABOR DAY SUNDAY The Reverend Deborah Fae Swift (PCUSA)  Jeremiah 18:1-10 The Message (MSG) 18 1-2 God told Jeremiah, “Up on your feet! Go to the potter’s house. When you get there, I’ll tell you what I have to say.” 3-4 So I went to the potter’s house, and sure enough, the potter was there, working away at his wheel. Whenever the pot the potter was working on turned out badly, as sometimes happens when you are working with clay, the potter would simply start over and … Continue reading “The Cracked Pot” or “What I Did on my Summer Vacation”

[Beginning August 1st, I will be on vacation until Sunday, September 7th (Labor Day Weekend). We invite you to return to our semon blog at that time. Thanks! dfs] Ecclesiastes 1:2-11  Luke 10:25-37  (MSG) Fellowship of Faith – July 31, 2016 The Reverend Deborah Fae Swift Selections from Ecclesiastes 1:2-11  (MSG The Message) 1 These are the words of the Quester, David’s son [that would be the wise King Solomon], the king in Jerusalem 2-11 Smoke, nothing but smoke. [That’s what the Quester says.]     There’s nothing to anything—it’s all smoke. …  One generation goes its way, the next one arrives,     but nothing … Continue reading “Defined by Christ”

Hosea 1:2-10, Luke 11:5-13 (NRSV) Fellowship of Faith – July 24, 2016 The Reverend Deborah Fae Swift Hosea 1:2-11The Message (MSG) 2 The first time God spoke to Hosea he said: “Find a whore and marry her.     Make this whore the mother of your children. And here’s why: This whole country     has become a whorehouse, unfaithful to me, God.” 3 Hosea did it. He picked Gomer daughter of Diblaim. She got pregnant and gave him a son. 4-5 Then God told him: “Name him Jezreel (which means God sows). It won’t be long now before     I’ll make the people of Israel pay for the massacre at Jezreel.     I’m calling it … Continue reading “Oh for the love of God”

Col 1:15-18, 24-29 (MSG); Jer 29:4-9 (NRSV) South Presbyterian Church / Fellowship of Faith – July 17, 2016 The Reverend Deborah Fae Swift Colossians 1: selections from 24-29 The Message (MSG) Christ Holds It All Together 15-18 We look at this Son and see the God who cannot be seen. We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created. For everything, absolutely everything, above and below, visible and invisible, rank after rank after rank of angels—everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him. He was there before any of it came into existence and holds … Continue reading “To Redeem the Soul of America”

Gal. 6:1-5 (MSG); Luke 10:8-10 (MSG); Micah 6:8 (NRSV) South & New Life Presbyterian Churches – July 3, 2016 The Reverend Deborah Fae Swift  3 Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived. 4-5 Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. … Continue reading “Mixed Messages: Walk Humbly & Carry a Big Stick”