Monday's thoughts

"Absalom, Absalom"
The sermon will be based on the book by William Faulkner. The way in which we explore the Faulkner book is the use of Faulkner's method. He explores the life of a man named Thomas Stutpen and his family. The method is the presentation of the story in a non-chronological manner. We are never sure of the time or place as Faulkner writes but the story peels off the various layers of the story so that by the end of the book we have a significant glimpse of the family and the primary figure in the book.

There is a complexity in every life that defies the telling of the story in a simple manner. That is true of each of us. That is true of the characters in the Bible.

What we are to ourselves as we see ourselves to be may be very different as we are to others and what they see in us.

Who we are as we relate to our friends and family will not be exactly the same as how we related to business associates or school classmates or the people at the church. We are complex people and there is a sum total that is the measure of us. Sometime we are aware of it and sometimes we are not.

In the next few "build a sermon" inputs I will share more about where this book is taking us and how we can apply it to our faith.

For now I ask you to consider what we might find if we peel away the layers of your life? How are you to others? How are you as you see yourself in comparison to it? Is there a difference? Are they the same?

If you have thoughts about this write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to have others read your thoughts click on the box below.

I look forward to hearing from you.


Charles Schuster