8/18/2024 - Rev. Dave Brown - "Life is Short"

This is another inspiring sermon filled with unforgettable quotes.
■Message from Pastor Dave
This is the first in a sermon series BLESSINGS, based on the quote “Life is short. We don’t have much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel the way with us. So be swift to love. Make haste to be kind.” ~Adapted from a quote by Henri Frédéric Amiel (1821-1881)
It is a sermon series that is very personal to me. These sermons get to the core of my life and identity. I hope these words/ideas speak, comfort and challenge those who hear them as much as it does me as I share them. I first heard the quote from Marcus Borg. Marcus was an author, Christian leader I admired. We became good friends. He adopted this quote from the words of Swiss philosopher Henri-Frédéric Amiel (1821-1881). Marcus Borg’s book, Meeting Jesus for the First Time, was and remains a vital resource as we rethink our understanding of or faith, of Christianity in our time and world.
■Sermon Summary
Rev. Dave Brown reflects on the brevity and preciousness of life, inspired by the quote, "Life is short; we don't have much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel the way with us. So be quick to love and make haste to be kind." This quote has deeply resonated with him, leading him to focus his next sermon series at Fox Island on this theme, titled "Blessings: Road Signs for the Journey of Life." He emphasizes the importance of not wasting time, urging his listeners to live fully and authentically, expressing love and kindness in the limited time we have. Rev. Brown candidly shares his own struggles with the idea of mortality, acknowledging the existential anxiety it can provoke, but he balances this with faith in God's enduring love, as expressed in Romans 8:38-39.
He also draws on the wisdom of theologians and writers like William Sloan Coffin and Annie Dillard, who highlight the necessity of embracing life's limits to give it meaning and depth. The sermon concludes with a call to live life with urgency and purpose, not merely as a visitor in the world but as someone who fully engages with and cherishes every moment. He ends with a poignant reminder: "Life is short; let us live the life we have fully with love and gratitude.
■Bio of Rev. Dave Brown:
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