tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19364338115357815152011-07-28T11:06:59.086-05:00Striving for ChristlikenessKeith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.comBlogger471100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-72692283231081817602010-04-12T11:05:00.002-05:002010-04-12T11:08:12.551-05:00

My blog is now posted at http://exploringapprenticeship.com. I will no longer be posting here.

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-52540657330415904232010-04-07T12:04:00.003-05:002010-04-07T12:38:14.370-05:00

Here is the audio of my February 28 sermon, "The Trustworthiness of God," based on Exodus 15:22-17:7. You can stream the audio below or download it here.

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-40208622063542062832010-04-04T05:00:00.000-05:002010-04-04T05:00:02.102-05:00

On this Easter morning, this song by Jon Foreman serves as an appropriate prayer with which to begin the day.

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-22280881282145353622010-03-30T09:33:00.002-05:002010-03-30T09:35:32.350-05:00

In the last week, television programs, radio talk shows, and the internet have played host to all kinds of arrogant, combative, hateful tirades aimed at those whose political views differ from the speaker or writer. Such an atmosphere unfortunately has become the norm in our society and can hardly be said to be surprising. Sadly, much of the inexcusably hateful chatter I have come across this

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-72596741929375805862010-03-10T14:46:00.013-06:002010-03-10T23:34:50.276-06:00

It's interesting to pay attention to conversations about prayer. Often it seems as though after many disclaimers about the importance of prayer that transcends Christmas-list-style requests or yard-sale-style bargaining, the conversation will conclude with a Seinfeld-esque, "Not that there's anything wrong with that." I must confess that's how I, too, often conclude conversations about prayer.

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-42326767299802166782010-02-26T16:07:00.002-06:002010-02-26T16:10:59.308-06:00

Ours is a DIY (do-it-yourself) era. Ours is a technological time. Ours is an independence obsessed society. We’d rather do it ourselves 90% correctly than have a trained professional do a perfect job. We’d rather consult webmd than a trained doctor or Wikipedia than a thoroughly educated, specialized teacher. We’d rather use TurboTax than enlist a certified accountant to file our tax

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-77353903284139525672010-02-24T11:42:00.002-06:002010-02-24T11:45:34.598-06:00

Here is the audio of Sunday's sermon, "Quite a Beautiful Sight," based on Exodus 15:1-21. You can stream the audio below or download it here.

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-81096022092852516182010-02-18T11:26:00.002-06:002010-02-18T11:28:54.901-06:00

Here is the audio of Sunday's sermon, "Delivered from the Egyptians, Saved from Ourselves," based on Exodus 7-14. You can stream the audio below or download it here.

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-65003148803051497212010-02-11T09:51:00.003-06:002010-02-11T10:15:08.577-06:00

In inviting the first disciples to follow him, Jesus offered no perks, extended no bribes, and promised no tangible rewards. In inviting people to become disciples, we often offer perks, extend bribes, and promise tangible rewards. In fact, it might be fair to say our track record reveals we've prompted more interest in seeking after heaven (offered as a perk, extended as a bribe, promised as a

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-60912653557540796262010-02-08T19:21:00.004-06:002010-02-08T19:40:52.383-06:00

Here is the audio of Sunday's sermon, "Villains and Hope," based on Exodus 5:1-6:8. You can stream the audio below or download it here.

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-43759705181279760462010-01-26T09:20:00.001-06:002010-01-26T09:23:54.613-06:00

Here is the audio of Sunday's sermon, "Just Go," based on Exodus 3:1-4:17. You can stream the audio below or download it here.

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-75074978885846087682010-01-24T15:26:00.002-06:002010-01-24T16:03:15.304-06:00

It’s incredible how attached we are to comfort. She will shop at the same grocery store every week for years, but when the store’s management decides to reconfigure the layout of the store so that “everything is out of place,” she will walk out the door and never come back as a way of protesting the loss of her comfort zone. He will go to the same place every morning for coffee and a biscuit, but

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-77743000607454185012010-01-20T11:40:00.001-06:002010-01-20T11:42:54.609-06:00

Here is the audio of Sunday's sermon, "A Box Office Flop," based on Exodus 2:11-2:25. You can stream the audio below or download it here.

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-2135715255140916742010-01-19T10:59:00.003-06:002010-01-19T11:04:05.178-06:00

Perhaps it is because the tendency to focus on self is universal. Perhaps it is because the inclination to reshape selfless faith into selfish religion is an inherent part of what it means to be human. Perhaps it is because the propensity to get stuck in our own little worlds is as intrinsic to our identity as our gender or the color of our eyes. Whatever the case, the authors of Scripture, the

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-26005784669653162372010-01-14T10:31:00.002-06:002010-01-14T10:34:59.820-06:00

Here is the audio of Sunday's sermon, "Liars, Traitors, and Saints," based on Exodus 1:1-2:10. You can stream the audio below or download it here.

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-2730589923767021172010-01-05T09:15:00.001-06:002010-01-10T01:18:30.730-06:00

Here is the audio of Sunday's sermon, "Growing with Jesus," based on Luke 2:21-24, 41-52, which kicked off the new year for our church family. In it, I describe several of the tangible steps our church leadership is taking in an effort to help each member individually and our entire congregation communally grow with Jesus "in wisdom and in favor with God and people." You can stream the audio

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-32685610695822234392010-01-03T07:00:00.002-06:002010-01-14T10:35:36.385-06:00

Fifty-two weeks ago today Mindy and I were worshipping with the Skyline Church in Jackson, loaded U-Haul parked outside the church building, and as we worshipped I must admit I was a bit distracted wondering what the future would hold. The following Sunday would be our first Sunday to worship in Hohenwald, the first Sunday for me to teach and preach, the first Sunday to begin learning names and

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-56597740450590283912009-12-22T09:00:00.000-06:002010-01-10T00:51:19.879-06:00

Here is the audio of Sunday's sermon, "Celebrating with Mary," based on Luke 1:39-55. You can stream the audio below or download it here.

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-39948648362958311492009-12-20T06:15:00.001-06:002010-01-10T00:46:02.289-06:00

This time of year there is a lot of talk about peace. We read of angels praising God, saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” We sing of the birth of the “Prince of Peace.” And yet the on-the-ground reality can hardly be said to be peaceful. Our homes are chaotic as we decorate and shop and pack. Our jobs are more stressful as we try to

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-74094207153374757132009-12-15T08:15:00.001-06:002009-12-23T15:32:38.555-06:00

Here is the audio of Sunday's sermon, "A Consistent Ethic," based on Luke 3:7-18. You can stream the audio below or download it here.

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-48877183307159402302009-12-14T11:02:00.001-06:002009-12-14T11:05:28.633-06:00

If anyone knew well the story of God’s promising and providing a child to Abraham and Sarah it was Zechariah. He was, after all, a priest whose life calling it was to know the story of God’s relationship and interaction with Israel through the years. Not only would he have known the story, it seems reasonable to suspect he might have held the story close in hopes that what God did for Abraham and

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-54803911872208056382009-12-10T12:45:00.003-06:002009-12-10T12:49:47.385-06:00

Here's the audio of Sunday's sermon, "Patiently Preparing the Way," based on Malachi 3:1-5 and Luke 3:1-6.

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-33267664877099964402009-12-07T12:32:00.005-06:002009-12-07T12:36:47.499-06:00

Here's the audio of "The Tension is Here" from November 29, based on Jeremiah 33:14-16 and Psalm 25:1-10.

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-90405567848210641842009-11-12T15:44:00.002-06:002009-11-12T15:46:19.600-06:00

Here's the audio of Sunday's sermon "The Impossible Dream?" based on John 17.

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-86310260185039328122009-10-30T11:17:00.001-05:002009-10-30T11:19:49.975-05:00

No one would have faulted him for being nervous. In fact, most probably would have expected him to be at least slightly unnerved. Yet when asked after pitching a masterful complete game in game one of the World Series whether he had been nervous, Cliff Lee responded quite matter-of-factly, “I really never have been nervous in the big leagues. This is what I’ve wanted to do my whole life; it’s

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-24768946404418348722009-10-27T16:25:00.001-05:002009-10-27T16:27:13.279-05:00

Here's the audio of Sunday's sermon, "A Time for Thanksgiving," based on Matthew 11.

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-67474678990659287982009-10-22T15:38:00.005-05:002009-10-23T11:37:52.085-05:00

Here are two related quotes I rediscovered today in Eugene Peterson's outstanding book Tell It Slant: A Conversation on the Language of Jesus in His Stories and Prayers:Jesus, equally at home in heaven and on earth, equally at home in his "Father's house" and in Joseph and Mary's house, used the same language--personal, metaphorical, particular, relational, local--wherever he happened to be,

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-67506713867762799702009-10-21T14:37:00.002-05:002009-10-21T14:40:22.033-05:00

Here's the audio of Sunday's sermon, "Praying with the Revolutionary Rescuer," based on Matthew 6:9-13.

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-34775549482085709312009-10-19T08:28:00.004-05:002009-10-19T08:43:11.972-05:00

Many years ago B.B. King recorded a song that would become a blues classic with its recurring refrain, “As long as I’m paying the bills, I’m paying the cost to be the boss.” Perhaps more accurately than any other song, “Paying the Cost” expresses a widely held sentiment in our society that by “paying the bills” one earns the right to be the boss.It’s not difficult to comprehend the logic behind

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-84190470322921300892009-10-09T11:25:00.007-05:002009-10-09T15:58:34.691-05:00

For a few brief moments, it was as if time were standing still. It was lunchtime Thursday, and I was trying to catch up with a few more people before leaving Abilene to journey back to Hohenwald after my trip to ACU’s Summit. I was excited to catch up with an old friend and to hear about the changes that are just around the corner for him and his family. I was excited to share with him stories of

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-36451901545504727862009-10-05T13:32:00.003-05:002009-10-05T13:38:39.046-05:00

Here's the audio of yesterday's sermon "Two People Went To Church..." based on Luke 18:9-14.

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-41245816356675049392009-09-24T16:10:00.002-05:002009-09-24T16:13:50.866-05:00

Here's the audio of Sunday's sermon "Who? Me?" based on Luke 16:19-31.

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-87616384835395630332009-09-17T11:35:00.005-05:002009-09-17T13:58:04.319-05:00

Donald Miller has quite a way with words. These, in particular, caught my attention this morning as I was finishing his latest page-turner, A Million Miles in a Thousand Years: What I Learned While Editing My Life:Growing up in church, we were taught that Jesus was the answer to all our problems.... But the idea that Jesus will make everything better is a lie. It's basically biblical theology

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-84272247424365345192009-09-14T06:30:00.000-05:002009-09-14T06:30:00.142-05:00

Here's the audio of yesterday's sermon, "Urgent," based on Luke 16:1-9.

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-54125678976059635272009-09-09T11:31:00.004-05:002009-09-09T12:08:37.851-05:00

One of the challenges we face as people of faith is not disconnecting faith from life. In Christianity Beyond Belief: Following Jesus for the Sake of Others, Todd Hunter observes the tendency we have of associating the notion of vocation solely with whatever it is we do with our lives, especially our career or job. In my experience Christians often seem to have been left with the impression that

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-35593802993666936392009-09-08T15:28:00.003-05:002009-09-08T15:45:00.753-05:00

These words jumped out at me this afternoon as I re-read portions of Eugene Peterson's outstanding book Tell It Slant: A Conversation on the Language of Jesus in His Stories and Prayers:Storytellers invite participation. Storytellers make us aware of the way things are, not just aware as spectators but aware so that we can get in on this world of wonders.... Jesus does not tell stories in order

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-35190762937794297612009-08-31T07:39:00.002-05:002009-08-31T07:40:26.260-05:00

Here's the audio of yesterday's sermon, "Dinner with Jesus," based on Luke 14:1-14.

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-80367129956968542222009-08-24T15:42:00.003-05:002009-08-24T16:19:10.298-05:00

Yesterday was a day of celebration for our congregation. Each year in August we have a homecoming assembly, when we celebrate God's work in and through our congregation. Yesterday marked 113 years of worship and ministry for our church. I am thankful to have had the chance yesterday to meet many former members who are a part of the legacy of our congregation, but who have moved on to other places

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-86868039587229420222009-08-17T09:45:00.003-05:002009-08-17T09:57:09.655-05:00

Here's the audio of yesterday's sermon, "The Righting of Rights," based on Luke 12:13-21.

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-82821874248098308792009-08-13T14:52:00.004-05:002009-08-13T15:15:21.408-05:00

I’ll never forget the firestorm of controversy among many of my well-meaning Christian friends when Garth Brooks released his chart-topping single, “Unanswered Prayers.” “How could he say such a thing?” they asked. “Doesn’t he know there is no such thing as an unanswered prayer? Sometimes God just says, ‘No!’ I can’t believe he’d suggest God just doesn’t answer.”It’s amazing how sometimes we’re

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-73923408601923147922009-08-10T09:03:00.003-05:002009-08-10T09:06:25.029-05:00

Here's the audio of yesterday's sermon, "The Redemption of Perverted Prayer," based on Luke 11:1-13.

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-8089805168494155502009-08-08T12:49:00.004-05:002009-08-08T12:55:46.732-05:00

One of the common ways people pass time is to play what I call the “Desert Island Game.” The idea is to pose a question to a group about what they couldn’t live without were they to find themselves stranded on a desert island. I must admit I’m not a huge fan of the game; I’d prefer not to have to make such choices. But if I were forced to choose just one type of music I could listen to while

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-38712799990268861572009-08-03T20:22:00.004-05:002009-08-03T20:46:00.750-05:00

Here's the audio of yesterday's sermon, "Jesus and Fine Print," based on Luke 10:25-37.This time, I believe I've figured out how to enable downloads, so that if you'd like to download the mp3 instead of streaming it, you can do so. Just click on the divShare logo and a new browser tab will open with a download link.In reflecting on the challenge issued by Jesus in this text, "Go and do likewise,"

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-10638963802469473312009-07-27T10:45:00.002-05:002009-08-03T20:46:51.771-05:00

In addition to posting bulletin articles to prompt discussion, I've decided to post sermons from time to time. Here is yesterday's, "The Death and Resurrection of Language."Eugene Peterson is one of the major influences on my thinking about language and about scripture. Those who are familiar with some of his writings, especially his Spiritual Theology series, will see the evidence of the

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-56952329431743934402009-07-22T16:11:00.003-05:002009-07-27T10:52:22.825-05:00

Here's my bulletin article from a couple weeks ago.There is a strange dynamic at work in each of our lives, one that has become so second-nature to us that we often fail to notice the way in which it shapes us. Make no mistake about it, however, we humans cannot escape the fact we were created to be bound by time. As we do with other aspects of life, we have become quite proficient at dissecting

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-26266739175947207932009-07-19T21:13:00.004-05:002009-07-19T21:35:44.917-05:00

Here's today's bulletin article:Every one of us spends a great deal of time and energy worrying about identity. For many of us one of the more frequent questions we ask ourselves is, “How will it look if…?” Or perhaps the question is, “What will he or she or they think about me if…?” We worry about the clothes we wear, the kind of vehicle we drive, the place we live, what we read, what we watch,

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1936433811535781515.post-14921453271750641282009-07-17T23:15:00.001-05:002009-07-18T02:01:11.761-05:00

As Christians we are called to be apprentices of Jesus, walking alongside Him, observing Him in action, listening to Him speak, and joining in when the time is right. Just as Jesus gathered multiple apprentices around him to live out their faith in community, so we must live out our faith in community. It is my hope that this blog will serve as another means of engagement in the communal life of

Keith Clarkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10980384668608549627noreply@blogger.com0