Advent Thoughts for December 20th (2011)

“A voice is heard in Ramah,
weeping and great mourning,  Matthew 2:18 (NIV)

Late last night I received a phone call from a dear friend of many years who is a seminary classmate and pastoral colleague. He informed me that when he received our Christmas letter earlier in the day that we had not been notified of his wife’s death, one month earlier, from cancer.

A month ago, I had tried to find where he was currently assigned and found only a passing reference from one church’s Facebook page about her relapse and precarious health situation. He filled in the details.

As we wept over the phone, I was reminded in a very painfully fresh way that death comes during advent and that death (and death threats) were part of Jesus’ early years here on earth and there was “weeping in Ramah.”

We rejoiced as she had been a follower of Jesus since childhood. But the grief and mourning were still there.

Let us lift, even now, those who are grieving and mourning, during this Advent season in prayer and asking for God to grace their hearts and spirits.

Amen.

Advent Post for December 19th (2011)

What ‘counts’ to you this Advent Season? 

Image via Wikipedia

About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire.

Every ten years we are counted in this country.

And we are categorized as well… by race, age, sex, number in household, etc.

I wonder what Joseph and Mary were categorized as.

Married? Jewish? Working class?

I have recently discovered that our local library has an account to libraryancestory.com

And this past Saturday I was all over it!

And as began to research my family roots, I discovered that my family history in this nation, at least on one side, is short. Only my paternal grandfather and grandmother separate me from a jump across the Atlantic to Ireland and Wales.

And as I began to find documents that (potentially for now as I am still trying to untangle a few things) show their names in some official’s handwriting in some census listing of 100 plus years back in time, I began to understand that census in  more personal way.

They were counted as from Ireland and Wales, married, housekeeper, coalminer, etc.

How are we counting people during this Advent season?

Faithful member?

ChrEaster attender? (Christmas and Easter only)

poor?

taker?

giver?

I am needing to be reminded that my inner accountant needs to count people more fairly and caringly.

What counts and how are you counting this Advent season?

Advent Thoughts for December 16th (2011)

In junior high there was a kid who lived down the street from me and who bullied me for a period of time. He found great pleasure in giving me what he called “A Daily Kick.”  This did not go on for a long period of time though it seemed like it did.

One day he smarted off to the biggest kid on the bus who got off at our bus stop and proceeded to give my ‘friend’ a licking. As he, and the others walked away, it was just the bully and I. He was on the ground crying and I was standing over him with his glasses at my feet. As he stood up, I bent down and picked up his glasses and he snatched them out of my hand and walked away.

He never bothered me again.

An weekly e-mail from Peacemaker Ministries (http://www.peacemaker.net) this week made a very important point regarding responding to one’s enemies. Here is a portion:

‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Here is the ultimate weapon: deliberate, focused love…Instead of reacting spitefully to those who mistreat you, Jesus wants you to discern their deepest needs and do all you can to meet those needs.

So I began to ask myself, “What is my enemy’s greatest need?” I could only conclude it is to be loved.

Five Books That Would Make Great Gifts This Christmas

I have been a reader for years. And even though there have been periods when my reading has waned, quite frankly with the opportunity to review free books and be gifted 14 months ago with an iPad, I am now reading more than ever.

This year I have read, according to my Goodreads account, 43 books (so far)! And most of them I have read only on first sight after I read a description of them.

So to try and choose five of them for gifts is very hard. But here they are in no particular order.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain

I have always been interested in the quiet ones, the introverts. I am a extrovert by nature. I married an introvert. However, I have learned to pull it back to allow others to speak. And, as a minister, I have learned to be sensitive to those who are so created because they bring a richness to life that is easy to overlook. Susan Cain has written a book that needs to be read far and wide. She pulls back the curtain on the world of introverts and shows us the richness, calm, and wisdom introverts bring to our places of worship, schools, marriages and families, and work. You can pre-order it as it will not be out until next month! Published by Crown Publishing Group

Surprised by Oxford by Carolyn Weber

Carolyn Weber’s book is her story of coming to faith in a place that one would think faith would not thrive, Oxford University. But she discovers, over the course of an academic year, who Jesus truly is and what faith is truly about. This book is wonderful not only because of the subject but because of the honesty with which Weber writes as she shares her struggles, common to many, especially as she wrestles with her relationship to her father. Published by Thomas Nelson

Home by Marilynne Robinson

This wonderful novel is a follow-up to Robinson’s Pulitzer winning work Gilead. It continues the story of John Ames and his friend and colleague Reverend Robert Boughton. It is a story about guilt, grace, forgiveness, family and God. Robinson pulls back the curtain and gives us a peek into the lives of two ministers who truly are human and one who seeks, as his prodigal son seeks, to be a peace with himself, others, and God. The very human element in this book is one of its strengths and it speaks of faith in basic but deep terms. Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux

The Stability of Wisdom by Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove

I loved this book because it calls us out on our constant striving and mobility to a place in which we stay put. His stories and his challenges to resist the demons called Ambition and Boredom I think speak to us deeply and profoundly. This is one of those wonderful counter-cultural books that is written in an inviting and not polemic way. As a reader, one will find themselves nodding in agreement. Published by Paraclete Press

Condoleezza Rice’s Extraordinary, Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family

Though she has a new book out that I am looking forward to read, I checked this one out at my local library late last year and it is wonderful. It is her story of her life, especially her upbringing during the turbulent time of 1960′s Birmingham, Alabama and on through her college days. It is a book about caring and involved parents, family, and neighbors who provided her with an environment that helped her to flourish in spite of all that was going on around her. A wonderful tribute to her parents and very inspirational. Published by Three Rivers Press

Well, there you have them for 2011. Enjoy them all! And give them all to your favorite reader!

Advent Thoughts for December 10th (2011)

“All’s I wantfor Christmas is……”

Image via Wikipedia

“It is better to give than to receive…’

 

I will readily confess that I am one who often has said (and still says) “I want for Christmas…”

(This year I want a Keurig Machine because I drink a lot of coffee and would like to try a variety of coffee…

but I doubt that I will get one…)

I know that my family likes to give me, and I them, a gift or two, so they ask me what do you ‘want’ for Christmas?

My wife is the one who takes care of the gift information, both ways, to our family but we both hear from our boys their gift thoughts

and we struggle with what to get some of our family members.

It’s a conversation that I often do not relish (much to the frustrated of my wife from time to time).

I am a ‘hunter’ when it comes to buying gifts. I know what I want to get for someone, so I ‘go in,’ I ‘get,’ and I ‘get out!’

Others are not.

But the ‘wantness’ of Christmas is of concern to me.

I have helped to take it far beyond it’s intended meaning. I have helped to commercialize it.

But I need to return to the giving part because I give as a way of saying ‘I love you and appreciate you.’

And giving not for the mere materialistic reasons but because in giving a gift, even a simple/handmade one,

it is a way of saying “I love you.’

For a wonderful reflection on this issue go here and read Christina Rossetti’s thoughts

http://erb.kingdomnow.org/poem-the-shepherds-had-an-angel-christina-rossetti-vol-4-25-5/

 

Advent Thoughts for December 2nd (2011)

“Where were you born?”

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It’s a question we ask, eventually, of most people. The first question, at least in here in the US, we tend to ask is “What do you do?”

We are all about doing it seems and being is given second place, or even third behind achieving and accumulating.

If we are born locally then there does seem to be much conversation.  But if we are born in another place (like at home), another city, another state, and even another country… well then, there is something to talk about!

But what if the correct question, one that I think is about the implications of the Advent season, was not ‘Where were you born?’ but “How you were born?”  What would you answer?

Doctors are concerned about the “How” of birth.  Were you born safely? What were your apgar scores?

Jesus became more concerned about “How”  and probably the ‘why’ but not the ‘where’  of our birth (We ask the why question of our birth a great deal, don’t we? Especially in moments of pain and doubt)

Jesus, though, finally got around to a greater point about birth. One that did not involved our mothers but our souls.

You must be born…again.

She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel. Luke 2:7 (MSG)

Advent Thoughts for December 1st (2011)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 ”Good morning ___________ (insert the name of your community here) ! Boy are there sales today down at ___________ (insert name of local mall or chain store here) for the Holiday Shopping Season! Find your parking spot early today folks! Get deep discounts and SAVE MONEY TODAY!”

O Love divine, what hast thou done!
The immortal God hath died for me!
The Father’s co-eternal Son
Bore all my sins upon the tree.
Th’immortal God for me hath died:
My Lord, my Love, is crucified!

“I tell you this product is absolutely amazing! It will be the best gift you can give to your children. Originally, $29.95 now sale priced, TODAY ONLY for $19.95! Here’s how to order!”

Is crucified for me and you,
To bring us rebels back to God.
Believe, believe the record true,
Ye all are bought with Jesus’ blood.
Pardon for all flows from His side:

My Lord, my Love, is crucified!

 

“Isn’t it wonderful? I can’t believe he bought me these earrings!”

“They’re awesome! Oooh, does this mean something else is coming along?”

“I don’t know, but I have been looking at rings and thinking, “I like this one, and that one, and that one…”

Sound of laughter fades…

Behold and love, ye that pass by,
The bleeding Prince of life and peace!
Come, sinners, see your Savior die,
And say, ‘Was ever grief like His?’
Come, feel with me His blood applied:
My Lord, my Love, is crucified!

 

“I am so sorry that I cannot be there for Christmas this year, honey.”

“Why not daddy? You promised that you would…”

“I know that I did but plans have changed and I think that it won’t be a good time to come right now.”

“But daddy your promised! YOU PROMISED!”

Then let us sit beneath His cross,
And gladly catch the healing stream:
All things for Him account but loss,
And give up all our hearts to Him:
Of nothing think or speak beside,
My Lord, my Love, is crucified!

 

Lyrics by Charles Wesley

Advent Thoughts for November 28th (2011)

How much?

Image via Wikipedia

We ask that question a great deal this time of year. Black Friday is about savings but I have to ask,  ”At what cost?”

“Is there anyone here who, planning to build a new house, doesn’t first sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.’  Luke 14:28 (Msg)

Final Bilingual Advent Hump Day Prayer/Final Prayer Day Double Advent Hump

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Published for friends across the Atlantic, first in French and then below in English.

“A cette époque, l’empereur romain, Auguste, a décrété que le recensement devraient être prises tout au long de l’Empire romain. (Ce fut le premier recensement lorsque Quirinius était gouverneur de Syrie.) Sont tous rentrés chez leurs propres villes pour vous inscrire à ce recensement. Et parce que Joseph était un descendant du roi David, il a dû se rendre à Bethléem en Judée, ancienne maison de David. Il a voyagé il ya du village de Nazareth en Galilée. Il prit avec lui Marie, sa fiancée, qui était manifestement enceinte à ce moment. ” (Luc 2:1-4 NLT)

Père nous voyageons ces jours-ci …

autour du bloc …

à travers la ville …

de l’autre côté d’un Etat …

à travers le pays …

à mi-chemin dans le monde entier …

Nous utilisons des avions, trains, automobiles, taxis …

étrangers et les amis nous aident dans notre voyage

rentrer à la maison.

Nous sommes chargés de colis pour donner de l’amour (et si nous sommes honnêtes avec nous-mêmes, et nous devons être, … par devoir) à ceux dont les visages de ces lieux ont façonné nos vies pour le meilleur et le pire.

Certains d’entre nous sont enceintes Seigneur comme votre mère a été … et le voyage n’est pas plus facile avec les scanners corporels et des bas pat

retards Voyage

et le stress des gens qui sont obligés de Voyage parce que quelqu’un au loin, pour des raisons politiques, l’a dit.

Dieu nous aide à bien Voyage, de Ta miséricorde et Ta grâce en nous et autour de nous.

Certains d’entre nous sont des fardeaux d’un genre plus grande et plus profonde, intérieure des charges,

de la honte

de culpabilité

de la tristesse

de désespoir

de la colère

de déception

Que Dieu nous aide à réaliser, croire, accepter, et de demander votre aide pour la pose ces charges à vos pieds

tout comme des cadeaux coûteux, porté par des hommes qui portaient des charges de toutes sortes, qu’ils déposèrent à vos pieds

Tu es venu pour nous libérer!

O Come O Come Emmanuel

et randsome nous qui sont captifs de

le péché

la mort

Hell.

Gloire à Dieu au plus haut et paix sur la terre de bonne volonté envers tous les hommes!

Amen et Amen!
Que puis-je lui donner, pauvre que je suis?
Si j’étais un berger, je porterais un agneau;
si j’étais un homme sage, je ferais ma part;
encore ce que je puis-je lui donner: donner mon cœur.
Christina Rosetti

Joyeux Noël à tous! Bonne année aussi!

“At that time the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  All returned to their own towns to register for this census.  And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was obviously pregnant by this time.” (Luke 2:1-4 NLT)

Father we are traveling these days…

around the block…

across town…

to the other side of a state…

across the country…

half-way around the world…

We are using planes, trains, automobiles, taxis…

strangers and friends are helping us in our journey

to go home.

We are carrying packages to give with love (and if we are honest with ourselves, and we need to be, … out of duty) to those whose faces in those places have shaped our lives for better and worse.

Some of us Lord are pregnant like Your mother was… and the journey is no easier with body scans and pat downs

travel delays

and the stressed out people who are having to travel because some one far away, for political reasons, said so.

God help us to travel well, with Your mercy and Your grace in us and around us.

Some of us are carrying burdens of  a greater and deeper kind, inner burdens,

of shame

of guilt

of sadness

of despair

of anger

of disappointment

God help us to realize, believe, accept, and ask for Your help in laying those burdens down at Your feet

just as expensive gifts, borne by men who carried burdens of many kinds, laid them at Your feet

You came to set us free!

O Come O Come Emmanuel

and randsome we who are captive to

sin

death

Hell.

Glory to God in the Highest and Peace on Earth Good Will toward all men!

Amen and Amen!

What can I give him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;
yet what I can I give him: give my heart.

Christina Rosetti

Merry Christmas everyone! Happy New Year, too!

Review of Jane Lebak’s The Boys Upstairs

Please click on the link to read the review. Thanks!

http://wp.me/p1SvHt-IH