Resources on Frederick Buechner

Frederick Buechner | Day1

Frederick Buechner reflects on prayer from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 and several teachings of Jesus (Matthew 7:9-11; Mark 9:14-29; Luke 11:5-8, 18:1-8).

Matthew 7:9-11; Mark 9:14-29 Luke 11:5-8, 18:1-8

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Belief, Joy, Miracle, Perseverance

Ethiopian Eunuch

Frederick Buechner | Day1

Scripture Meditation or Sermon

Frederick Buechner reflects on Philip's witness to and baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-40), emphasizing the eunuch's joy.

Acts 8:26-40

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Baptism, Ethiopian Eunuch, Joy, Lamb

Abraham, Sarah, and Laughter

Frederick Buechner | Day1

Scripture Meditation or Sermon

In the spirit of Abraham's and Sarah's laughing over God's promising them a son (Genesis 17:1-7, 15-17), Frederick Buechner suggests that laughter is what the whole Bible is really about.

Genesis 17:1-7, 15-17

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Abraham, (biblical Patriarch), Joy, Laughter, Miracle

A Magnificent Defeat

Ronald Rolheiser | Grandin Media

Article about Theology

Ron Rolheiser shares Frederick Buechner's take on the story of Jacob's wrestling with the stranger (Genesis 32:24-32). In being defeated, Jacob finds the blessing of love, which can only be received as a gift.

Genesis 32:24-32

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Blessing, Stranger, Jacob (biblical Patriarch), Wrestling

Hallelujah He’s Alive

Roma Waterman | Global Worship

Song or Hymn, Book Quote, Artwork

This resource presents the audio-video for Roma Waterman's "Hallelujah He's Alive"—a song that suits Eastertide; a book quote from Frederick Buechner on the resurrection; and David Jones' woodcut artwork titled "The Resurrection."

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Resurrection, Power, Joy, Hallelujah

The Ethiopian Eunuch

Frederick Buechner | Day1

Sermon Preparation or Illustration, Book Quote

Reflecting on Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-40), Frederick Buechner emphasizes the eunuch's desire to understand the scripture, his enthusiastic response to the gospel, and his joy in becoming a believer.

Acts 8:26-40

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Sheep, Water, Joy, Eunuch

Unless there is an Element of Joy

Frederick Buechner | Global Worship

Book Quote

This blog post shares insights from Frederick Buechner on worship, with Buechner suggesting that to worship God means to serve God in joy.

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Joy, Worship, Service

Conversion and Joy

Frederick Buechner | Center for Excellence in Preaching

Sermon Preparation or Illustration, Book Quote

In this autobiographical quotation from "The Sacred Journey," Frederick Buechner relates how a statement about Christ reigning in our hearts "in great laughter" awakened his faith in Christ.

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Joy, Laughter, Conversion, Preaching

Sermon Illustrations on God's Love

Frederick Buechner | Day1

Sermon Preparation or Illustration, Book Quote

Excerpts from Frederick Buechner's works that could be used as illustrations for Romans 8:26-39, focusing on God's love for people, from which nothing can separate us.

Romans 8:26-39

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Love, God's Love, Jesus, Gospel

I (May) Have a Dream

Paul Bonner | Ministry Matters

Scripture Meditation or Sermon, Discussion Questions

Paul Bonner's devotional illustrates the challenge of following our dreams in the face of criticism, and connects this topic to pursuit of God's dreams, i.e., following our calling (Jeremiah 29:1-14; Mark 8:31-36; Romans 12:1-3).

Jeremiah 29:1-14; Mark 8:31-36 Romans 12:1-3

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Dreams, Criticism, Unjust, Desire, Joy

Weekly Sermon Illustration: Compassion

Frederick Buechner | Day1

Sermon Preparation or Illustration and 2 more types

In this devotional on Colossians 3:12-15, Frederick Buechner points out that compassion is the sometimes fatal capacity for feeling what it's like to live inside somebody else's skin.

Colossians 3:12-15

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Joy, Compassion, Peace, Love Your Neighbor

Thomas

Frederick Buechner | Day1

Sermon Preparation or Illustration, Book Quote

As Frederick Buechner reflects on John 20:19-29 he imagines that there isn't a believer anywhere who wouldn't have traded places with Thomas, given the chance, if that meant seeing the resurrected Jesus in the upper room.

John 20:19-29

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Jesus, Sermon, Illustration, John

Remember Me Not For the Ill I've Done...

Frederick Buechner | Day1

Sermon Preparation or Illustration, Book Quote

In this sermon starter for Romans 7:15-25, Frederick Buechner celebrates his status as a fool for Christ.

Romans 7:15-25

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Joy, Fool, Sanctification

Creation

Frederick Buechner | Day1

Sermon Preparation or Illustration, Book Quote

In this sermon illustration on Genesis 1:1-12, Frederick Buechner reflects on the wonder of the ongoing nature of God’s creation as it takes place every day.

Genesis 1:1-12

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Attributes Of God, Creation, Providence, Joy

The Gospel as Comedy

Frederick Buechner | Day1

Sermon Preparation or Illustration, Book Quote

This excerpt from Frederick Buechner's work can illustrate Matthew 14:13-21, reflecting on the foolishness of the gospel (1 Corinthians 1:23) and its comedic nature, which brings us "glad tears" at "the hilarious unexpectedness of things."

Matthew 14:13-21

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Joy, Wisdom, Folly, Gospel

It's An Adventure

Frederick Buechner | Day1

Article about Preaching

Frederick Buechner's comment on the sermon-writing process, discussing how some texts cry out to be preached, and the joy of sermon-writing as poetry/art and as an adventure where one doesn't know where the sermon might lead.

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Writing, Art, Sermon, Joy

Every Wedding a Dream

Frederick Buechner | Day1

Book Quote

In an excerpt from "The Hungering Dark," Frederick Buechner reflects on the mystery of Christ's miracle at Cana to show that the same mystery is present at all weddings.

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Wedding, Joy, Love, Mystery

Play

Frederick Buechner | Day1

Book Quote

A short citation from Frederick Buechner's book "Whistling in the Dark." Buechner draws upon scripture passages about playing and worship to draw a dynamic picture of a worshiping world.

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Joy, Thanksgiving, Worship

Something Better and Truer

Frederick Buechner | Day1

Book Quote

A reflection by Frederick Buechner on success as a gift of something better or truer than deserved.

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Joy, Truth, Writing, Social Class

To Be A Saint

Frederick Buechner | Day1

Book Quote

To be a saint is to be human because we were created to be human; to live with hands stretched out to give and receive; to work and weep for the broken world, knowing joy.

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All Saints' Day, Joy, Saints, Disciple