Jesus made peace by the blood of his cross. What more appropriate theme for a Lenten preaching series could there be than "The Sevenfold Path to Peace"? Here is a sample of this skillful proclaimer's insight (from the first sermon):
"I saw a sixth grader, on his way up the alley to school, throw a firecracker over the fence of our yard and into the chicken coop. I was as angry as I ever have been in my whole life. The chase was on Down the alley, a hesitating wonder as to how he had vanished into thin air, spotting him darting from under a bush like a rabbit, over a five-and-a-half foot wall, then over a six-and-a-half foot back wall, I took the gate, across the church parking lot, and finally trapped him under the camper parked in a neighbor's yard. Winded and outaged, I yelled that I wanted to "kill" him, but instead took him to the school principal to do the disciplining. I didn't like the feeling that raged in me. I was even frightened by it. I certainly experienced the truth of the words of Eleanor of Aquitaine: "We are the origin of war.""
Messages include:
- Is Peace Attainable?
- Desire Peace
- Peacemaking: Active, not Passive
- Peace as Shalom
- The Gift of Peace
- Peace Through Sacrifice
- Proclaim Peace
Alan Bacon Bond is pastor of Scottsdale (Airzona) Congregational United Church of Christ.