The story of Isaac in Genesis, (Gen 22:1-14) is nearly a horror story where his father Abraham nearly kills him thinking that this is what God wish.  Abraham is a good man, however, a little off in his interpretation.  How many good people today are a little off in their interpretation on how to act to solve today's issues.  Leonard Cohen helps this discussion in his song, Story of Isaac.  - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BsajNbOZXY
(Matthew 10: 40-44)

In this sermon based on the lectionary scripture readings (Genesis 21:8–21 and Matthew 10:24–39) the story of Hagar and Ishmael tell of being uprooted from their home and Christ speaks of being the sword that divides families.  Troubling texts.  But this is the way of gardening too.  What do we have in common with the world of gardens and what might happen to us when we allow ourselves to have our dead twigs removed or if we were planted elsewhere?

There's the old cliche - "Those are big shoes to fill", and there's the other old cliche, "Be yourself".  This Pentecost Sunday we confirmed 6 new members in our church, all young people.  They are gifted, talented people who's light is a very bright one indeed and the church is most blessed to have them.  It's not their job to become us, rather, we must be changed by helping their grow.  In our Pentecost readings, we are encourage to help nurture the gifts of young people and bring our their Spirit (just as Moses did with the gathered group of 70 elders) to reveal how each of us individually are attached to a greater body that we call the Post-Easter Risen Body of Christ (as articulated in Paul's letter to the Corinthians). 1 Cor 12: 3b-13, and Numbers 11: 24-30