Friday, December 31, 2010

On the Seventh day of Christmas- My TRUE LOVE Gave to Me...


Today is December 31st- Happy "Seventh Day of Christmas"!

Today we think about the “Seven Swans A-swimming” which represent the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit:
1) prophecy,
2) ministry,
3) teaching,
4) exhortation,
5) giving,
6) leading, and
7) compassion (Romans 12:6-8; cf. 1 Corinthians 12:8-11).

Today we contemplate on these spiritual gifts and we focus on how God gives them to us to enhance our role in His Mission to the world. We know that through these unique spiritual giftings, God intends us to uniquely bless the World.

We ask these questions: How has God’ created me to do his work? What are the works that He has already created for me to do?

Prayer:

Father God, Thank You for being our True Love,
Thank You for giving us physical life,
Thank You for enhancing our physical lives with
beautiful things and beautiful ways...
Beautiful things that we can see Your glory in our exterior lives, and
Beautiful ways that we might manifest your Glory and beauty to others through our interior lives.
Thank You for allowing us to participate in your mission of restoration and redemption to the world.
Help us to find new, exciting, creative, and wholly unique ways in which to reflect Your glory and thus
bring others into the Joy that is your Kingdom!
~Amen~

Thursday, December 30, 2010

On the Sixth Day of Christmas, My TRUE LOVE Gave to Me...


Today is December 30th- Happy "Sixth Day of Christmas"!

Today we think about the “Six Geese A-laying” which represent the six days of creation that confess God as Creator and Sustainer of the world (Genesis 1).

Today, we think of the Six Geese and the Six Days of Creation and we think of: PROCESS...

God's Act of Creation was not a one-time deal...it unfolded over a period of time... and it is sustained and nurtured by Him to this very day...additionally, we know that it will continue into some point in the the future, and eventually restored/replaced/redeemed (we don't quite know how) Revelation 21:1...

Such is our salvation...far from a one-time act, our salvation may have begun with a prayer, but it's effects unfold over time, and we must nourish it and encourage it's unfolding and continued growth. This is what: "...He that began a good work in us will carry it on to completion..." (Philippians 1:6 -New International Version, ©2010) is talking about.

We are a work in progress- begun, but not complete; and that work is being carried on by God. But we are not passive recipients of this work; we work with God in this process- as we clearly see in the following chapter of Philippians (2:12-13) where Paul instructs us to: "...continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." (Philippians 2:12-13 -New International Version, ©2010)

Our salvation involves assent, then cooperation, and finally- perseverance, for as James writes: "Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

"Not lacking anything..." I like that!

What this means, then, is that we cannot merely expect to recite the equivalent of an incantation with the expectation of an eternal reward. God's work in and through us is much too complex, mysterious, and beautiful to be reduced to such an understanding.

This is what it means to be "A New Creation" (II Corinthians 5:17) or Born Anew (John 3:3-7)…birth is the beginning of a lifelong process- not merely and end unto itself!

So today, as we think about the "Six Geese A-laying" which represent the Six Days of Creation, we contemplate how we are New Creations when we begin to follow Jesus, and that our walk with God is a process that requires active participation, cooperation, and perseverance over the course of a lifetime. Because of this we realize that when we accept God's gracious gift of salvation, we become not simply beneficiaries of God’s redemptive work in the world, but we are also called and expected to become ambassadors and co-creators with God…agents of continual restoration and redemption of God’s New Creation in the world.

Prayer:

Dear Jesus,
Thank You for being Our TRUE LOVE!
Thank You for beginning a good work in us.
Thank You for carrying it on unto completion-
(often despite our efforts to the contrary).
Thank You for acting in our lives to fulfill Your Good Purpose for the world.
Help us to be active participants in the process.
Help us to persevere.
We ask this not so we can get something from you-
(supernatural self-improvement)
but so that we can have the honor of
participating with You in the redemption of the world.
~Amen~

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

On the Fifth Day of Christmas, My TRUE LOVE Gave to Me...




Today is December 29th- Happy "Fifth Day of Christmas"!


Today we think about the "5 Golden Rings" which symbolize the Five Books of the Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy)- also known as "The Pentateuch."


These five books, also referred to as "The Law," recount the story of humankind's brokenness and God’s glorious response of grace to us.


Today we contemplate God’s grace and mercy, that He should allow us to participate in the unfolding of His story.


Prayer:


Lord, God...

Thank You for being our True Love

Thank You for relentlessly pursuing humankind through history with your gracious and unending love,

Thank You for taking on flesh like us to offer us the ultimate form of love...

the kind that lays down its own life,

Thank You for letting us be part of your Glorious and Gracious story,

Help us to become better and better at relentlessly pursuing relationship with others that we might participate with You fully in restoring, redeeming and reconciling the entire world back to Yourself.

Amen

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

On the Fourth Day of Christmas, My TRUE LOVE Gave to Me...

Today is December 28th,
Happy "Fourth Day of Christmas"!
Today we think about the "4 Calling Birds” which represent The Four Gospels:
1) Matthew,
2) Mark,
3) Luke, and
4) John...
...which proclaim the Gospel ("Good News") of God's reconciliation of the world to Himself through Jesus Christ.

We think especially about the words of Jesus found in the Gospel of Luke- in which Jesus quoted from the Old Testament book of Isaiah:

He came to Nazareth where he had been reared. As he always did on the Sabbath, he went to the meeting place. When he stood up to read, he was handed the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll, he found the place where it was written,
God's Spirit is on me;
he's chosen me to preach the Message of good news to
the poor,
Sent me to announce pardon to prisoners and
recovery of sight to the blind,
To set the burdened and battered free,
to announce, "This is God's year to act!"
He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the place was on him, intent. Then he started in, "You've just heard Scripture make history.
It came true just now in this place."
Luke 4:18-21 (The Message)


Today, we contemplate ways in which we can be harbingers of the Good News that we love to live and long to tell.

Prayer:
Jesus, Thank You for being our TRUE LOVE~
Thank You for coming to us to proclaim the Good news, and for initiating God's Kingdom here on earth~
Thank You for giving sight to the blind,
Thank You for setting those of us in bondage free,
Thank You for giving wholeness to those of us who experience brokenness.
Help us to be your servants and to help you continue to bring, insight, wholeness, and freedom to the world!
Amen.

Monday, December 27, 2010

On the Third Day of Christmas, My TRUE LOVE Gave to Me...

Today is December 27th, Happy "Third Day of Christmas"!


Today we think about the "3 French Hens" which symbolize the The Three Theological Virtues: Faith, Hope, and Love (I Corinthians 13:13)


Today we will keep things very simple, as we


Contemplate the Object of our Faith...Jesus,


...the Source of our Hope....Jesus,


...and the Source of our Love...Jesus.


Prayer:

Lord Jesus, Thank You for being our True Love,

Thank you for enabling us to have faith in you,

Thank you for giving us us hope for

an abundant life in the here and now,

and an eternal life, later...

Thank you for loving us and giving us the privilege of

loving you and loving others.


Sunday, December 26, 2010

On the Second Day of Christmas...My TRUE LOVE Gave to Me...

Today is December 26th. Happy "Second Day of Christmas"!

Today we think about the "2 Turtle Doves" which symbolize The Old and New Testaments of the Bible. The dove is also a symbol of peace (shalom).


Together, the old and new testaments bear witness to God's self-revelation in history and the creation of a people to tell the Story of God and God's mission to the world. God's mission to the world is one of restoration, reconciliation, redemption and shalom.


In some countries (many which were once under the British flag), it is also called “Boxing Day”- a tradition that dates to the Middle Ages, or possibly even to the late Roman/early Christian era. In times of old, metal boxes were placed outside churches used to collect special offerings that were associated with to the Feast of Saint Stephen. St. Stephen's Day/The Feast of St. Stephen, is a Christian saint's day celebrated on 26 December in the Western Church and 27 December in the Eastern Church. It commemorates St Stephen, the first Christian martyr who was in charge of the first seven ‘deacons’ –or servants- in the Early Church who were assigned to caring for the ill, poor, widowed and orphaned. (You've sung about this day, if you've sung the Christmas Carol "Good King Wenceslas")


Today we contemplate the unity of the Old and New Testaments, as we see The Story of God’s Mission in and to the world, and we reflect on how we've seen God's redemptive work in the world played out…First, through Christ’s penultimate example, but we also reflect upon how God wants us to continue this mission...


We think about God’s justice and mercy in the world and ask ourselves: What have I done to further God’s redemptive work in the world? How have I been a servant to those around me who are less fortunate? How do I model and advance God's Kingdom of shalom?


Today, we look forward to a New Year in which we have yet another opportunity to be intentional in our acts of mercy and justice to others for the glory of God.


Prayer:

Lord God, Thank You for the gift of Your Word...

Thank You for letting us know in writing that

You have a purpose, a plan, and a mission

to redeem, restore, and reconcile,

Thank You for Allowing us to be recipients of this redemption, restoration, and reconciliation,

Thank You for Allowing us to be also be Agents of Your redemptive plan for the world...


Saturday, December 25, 2010

On the First Day of Christmas, My TRUE LOVE Gave To Me...


Today is December 25th- Happy "First Day of Christmas"!

Today we think about the "Partridge in a Pear Tree” which symbolizes Jesus Christ, the Son of God, whose birthday we celebrate today.


In the song, “The Twelve days of Christmas,” Christ is symbolically represented as a partridge.


Mother partridges are known to feign injury to decoy predators from her helpless nestlings. In Luke 13: 34, Jesus said: “Jerusalem! Jerusalem! How often would I have sheltered you under my wings, as a hen does her chicks, but you would not have it so…”


Today, we celebrate the birth of The One who was injured for our transgressions and who provides us shelter beneath His wings.

Prayer:

Thank you, Lord Jesus for being our TRUE LOVE...

and for being Our Protector, Our Redeemer,

Our Shelter, Our Savior!

Thank you for putting on flesh, and coming to a lowly manger,

Thank you for taking up residence in my heart!

Friday, December 24, 2010

Origins of the Twelve Days of Christmas



by Dennis Bratcher

The Twelve Days of Christmas is probably the most misunderstood part of the church year among Christians who are not part of liturgical church traditions. Contrary to much popular belief, these are not the twelve days before Christmas, but in most of the Western Church are the twelve days from Christmas until the beginning of Epiphany (January 6th; the 12 days count from December 25th until January 5th). In some traditions, the first day of Christmas begins on the evening of December 25th with the following day considered the First Day of Christmas (December 26th). In these traditions, the twelve days begin December 26 and include Epiphany on January 6.


The origin and counting of the Twelve Days is complicated, and is related to differences in calendars, church traditions, and ways to observe this holy day in various cultures (see Christmas). In the Western church, Epiphany is usually celebrated as the time the Wise Men or Magi arrived to present gifts to the young Jesus (Matt. 2:1-12). Traditionally there were three Magi, probably from the fact of three gifts, even though the biblical narrative never says how many Magi came. In some cultures, especially Hispanic and Latin American culture, January 6th is observed as Three Kings Day, or simply the Day of the Kings (Span: la Fiesta de Reyes, el Dia de los Tres Reyes, or el Dia de los Reyes Magos; Dutch: Driekoningendag). Even though December 25th is celebrated as Christmas in these cultures, January 6th is often the day for giving gifts. In some places it is traditional to give Christmas gifts for each of the Twelve Days of Christmas. Since Eastern Orthodox traditions use a different religious calendar, they celebrate Christmas on January 7th and observe Epiphany or Theophany on January 19th.


By the 16th century, some European and Scandinavian cultures had combined the Twelve Days of Christmas with (sometimes pagan) festivals celebrating the changing of the year. These were usually associated with driving away evil spirits for the start of the new year.


The Twelfth Night is January 5th, the last day of the Christmas Season before Epiphany (January 6th). In some church traditions, January 5th is considered the eleventh Day of Christmas, while the evening of January 5th is still counted as the Twelfth Night, the beginning of the Twelfth day of Christmas the following day. Twelfth Night often included feasting along with the removal of Christmas decorations. French and English celebrations of Twelfth Night included a King's Cake, remembering the visit of the Three Magi, and ale or wine (a King's Cake is part of the observance of Mardi Gras in French Catholic culture of the Southern USA). In some cultures, the King's Cake was part of the celebration of the day of Epiphany.


The popular song "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is usually seen as simply a nonsense song for children with secular origins. However, some have suggested that it is a song of Christian instruction, perhaps dating to the 16th century religious wars in England, with hidden references to the basic teachings of the Christian Faith. They contend that it was a mnemonic device to teach the catechism to youngsters. The "true love" mentioned in the song is not an earthly suitor, but refers to God Himself. The "me" who receives the presents refers to every baptized person who is part of the Christian Faith. Each of the "days" represents some aspect of the Christian Faith that was important for children to learn.


However, many have questioned the historical accuracy of this origin of the song The Twelve Days of Christmas. While some have trying to debunk this as an "urban myth" out of personal agendas, others have tried to deal with this account of the song's origin in the name of historical accuracy (see Snopes on The 12 Days of Christmas). There is little "hard" evidence available either way. Some church historians affirm this account as basically accurate, while others point out apparent historical and logical discrepancies.


However, we need to acknowledge that the "evidence" on both sides is mostly in logical deduction and probabilities. Lack of positive evidence does not automatically provide negative evidence. One internet site devoted to debunking hoaxes and legends says that, "there is no substantive evidence to demonstrate that the song 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' was created or used as a secret means of preserving tenets of the Catholic faith, or that this claim is anything but a fanciful modern day speculation..." What is omitted is that there is no "substantive evidence" that will disprove it either.


It is certainly possible, in fact probable, that this view of the song is legendary or anecdotal. Without corroboration and in the absence of "substantive evidence," we probably should not take rigid positions on either side and turn the song into a crusade for personal opinions. That would do more to violate the spirit of Christmas than the song is worth. So, for the sake of historical accuracy, we need to acknowledge the likelihood that the song had secular origins.


However, on another level, this should not prevent us from using the song in celebration of Christmas. Many of the symbols of Christianity were not originally religious, including even the present date of Christmas, but were appropriated from contemporary culture by the Christian Faith as vehicles of worship and proclamation. Perhaps, when all is said and done, historical accuracy is not really the point. Perhaps more important is that Christians can celebrate their rich heritage, and God's grace, through one more avenue this Christmas. Now, when they hear what they once thought was only a secular "nonsense song," they will be reminded in one more way of the grace of God working in transforming ways in their lives and in our world. After all, is that not the meaning of Christmas anyway?


Sunday, December 19, 2010

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Today, We Light the Fourth Candle: The Love and Angels Candle (3rd purple)

We Celebrate the growing brightness…
&
We Celebrate that His coming is closer!

The angels were the first creatures
to proclaim the coming…
They came to Mary, Joseph, Elizabeth, Zechariah, and to the shepherds…
To tell them that God was going to send a Savior to His people
so that we would know that He loves us!

Voice 1: The Fourth Candle of Advent is the
Candle of Love. Its light reminds us of the
love that God had for us.

John 3:16
For God so loved the world
that He gave His only Son…

Voice 2: Jesus shows us God’s love…
He is God’s love in human form.

Voice 3: Love is patient…
Love is kind and envies no one.
Love is never boastful
or conceited, rude or selfish.
Love is not quick to take offense,
it keeps no record of wrongs,
it does not gloat over other people’s troubles
but rejoices in the right, the good, and the true.
There is nothing that love cannot face;
there is no limit to its hope…
Love never fails!

Voice 4: We light this candle today to remind us of
how God’s perfect love is found in Jesus.

~Light the Three Purple Candles,
And the One Rose Candle~

Prayer:
Loving God,
We thank You for your love!
Thank you for Jesus.
Help us to receive the Gift of Your son.
Help us to be worthy of that love
by loving others in Your name.
Amen.

Hymn:
Love Came Down at Christmas

~Extinguish Candles~

Sunday, December 12, 2010



Today is the Third Sunday of Advent

We Light the Third Candle:The Rose Candle(pink)

Today is also known as “White Gift Sunday.”

The tradition dates back to 1904 in Ohio. It was the idea of the wife of a Methodist minister and her two daughters. The women created the day borrowing from a Chinese tradition in which the people gave their king gifts wrapped in plain white paper so that every gift would look the same. They initiated this on the third Sunday of advent and asked parishioners to bring gifts to the church for others in the community who were in need. As with the Chinese tradition, the white paper allows for the ability for each person to be able to give what they are able, anonymously, so that people who can only give a little will not be embarrassed.

The White Gift Sunday idea gives us another way to share in the spirit of Christ and to emulate the God of love at Christmas. God loved us and gave the gift of His Son to us to show that love. In turn, we give gifts of love to people in need, through the year and as Christmastime. Additionally, we remember the gifts given by the Three Kings to the King of Kings. Finally, the "sameness" of the gifts reminds us that Our God put on flesh so that He would appear as one of us...

Advent Liturgy~

Voice 1: The Third Candle of Advent is the Candle of Joy. It reminds us of the joy that Mary felt when the angel, Gabriel told her that a special child would be born to her- a child who would save and deliver the world.

Voice 2: God wants us all to experience Joy! The angel who announced to the shepherds that Jesus had been born told them: “Fear Not! I bring you Good Tidings of Great Joy for all people. Unto you is born this day…A Savior …The Messiah!”

Voice 3: We light this candle to remember that Jesus brings gifts to us…
Sight for the blind…
Dancing for the crippled…
Freedom for captives…
Beauty for ashes…
Laughter for mourning…
Peace for despair…

Voice 4: We light this candle today to remind us that He brings Joy to all who trust in Him.

~Light the Two Purple Candles,and the One Rose Candle~

Prayer:
Loving God,
We thank You for the joy that you bring us.
Help us prepare for this gift.
Bless our Christmas preparations.
Fill us with your joy.
Help us to know how to bring Your joy to others.
Amen.

Scripture Reading:
Isaiah 61

Hymn:
Joy to the World!

~Extinguish Candles~

Liturgy for the Third Week of Advent

Today is the Third Sunday of Advent

We Light the Third Candle:The Rose Candle(pink)

Today is also known as “White Gift Sunday.”

White Gift Sunday dates back to 1904 in Ohio. It was the idea of the wife of a Methodist minister and her two daughters. Borrowing from a Chinese tradition
in which the people gave their king gifts wrapped in plain white paper so that every gift would look the same, the women created this day, the third Sunday of advent, as a day when parishioners could bring gifts to the church for others in the community who were in need. As with the Chinese tradition, the white paper allows for the ability for each person to be able to give what they are able, anonymously so that people who can only give a little will not be embarrassed.

The White Gift shares in the spirit of Christ and the God of love at Christmas. God loved us and gave the gift of His Son to us to show that love. In turn, we give gifts of love to people in need, throught the year and as Christmastime.

White Gift Sunday celebrates the stewardship of God’s love and giving at the time of year when we remember the coming of the King of Kings.

Advent Liturgy~

Voice 1: The Third Candle of Advent is the Candle of Joy. It reminds us of the joy that Mary felt when the angel, Gabriel told her that a special child would be born to her- a child who would save and deliver the world.

Voice 2: God wants us all to experience Joy!The angel who announced to the shepherds that Jesus had been born told them: “Fear Not! I bring you Good Tidings of Great Joy for all people. Unto you is born this day…A Savior …The Messiah!”

Voice 3: We light this candle to remember that Jesus brings gifts to us…
Sight for the blind…
Dancing for the crippled…
Freedom for captives…
Beauty for ashes…
Laughter for mourning…
Peace for despair…

Voice 4: We light this candle today to remind us that He brings Joy to all who trust in Him.

~Light the Two Purple Candles,And the One Rose Candle~

Prayer:
Loving God,
We thank You for the joy that you bring us.
Help us prepare for this gift.
Bless our Christmas preparations.
Fill us with your joy.
Help us to know how to bring Your joy to others.
Amen.

Scripture Reading:
Isaiah 61

Hymn:
Joy to the World!

~Extinguish Candles~

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

The Power of Your Name





The Power of Your Name
Written by Lincoln Brewster and Mia Fields
Performed by Lincoln Brewster and Darlene Zschech

Surely children weren't made for the streets
And fathers were not made to leave
Surely this isn't how it should be
Let Your Kingdom come

Surely nations were not made for war
Or the broken meant to be ignored
Surely this just can't be what You saw
Let Your Kingdom come
Here in my heart

And I will live
To carry on compassion
To love a world that's broken
To be Your hands and feet
And I will give
With the life that I've been given
And go beyond religion
To see your world be changed
By the power of Your name
By the power of Your name

Surely life wasn't made to regret
And the lost were not made to forget
Surely faith without action is dead
Let Your Kingdom come
Lord break this heart

And I will live
To carry on compassion
To love a world that's broken
To be Your hands and feet
And I will give
With the life that I've been given
And go beyond religion
To see your world be changed
By the power of Your name

Your name
Is a shelter for the hurting
Jesus Your name
Is a refuge for the weak
Only Your name
Can redeem the undeserving
Jesus Your name
Holds everything I need

And I will live
To carry on compassion
To love a world that's broken
To be Your hands and feet
And I will give
With the life that I've been given
And go beyond religion
To see your world be changed
By the power of Your name

And I will live
To carry on compassion
To love a world that's broken
To be Your hands and feet
And I will give
With the life that I've been given
And go beyond religion
To see your world be changed
By the power of Your name

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Second Sunday of Advent~ An Easy-to-do-at-Home-Liturgy (Video and Text)



Today, We Light the Second Candle:
It is "The Peace of Bethlehem Candle," and it is also purple.

It Symbolizes Peace

Prayer:

Loving God,
We Desperately need the Peace that you have promised.
We know that such peace is only found in Jesus.
Thank you for giving us Jesus.
Thank you for the peace you give us through Him.
Help us to prepare our hearts to receive Him.
Bless our hearts, soften our hearts,
Humble our lowly hearts as we receive your peace.
Amen.

~Light the Two Purple Candles~

Voice 1: The Second Candle of Advent is the “Candle of Peace”. It is sometimes called the “Bethlehem Candle” to remind us of the place and the preparations that were made to receive and cradle the Christ-child.

Voice 2: The Angels proclaimed: “Peace on Earth!” and announced God’s that God’s intention is to bestow peace upon us through the gift of His Son. Peace is a gift, and we must actively receive it. God gives us the gift of peace when we turn to Him in faith.

Voice 3: The prophet Isaiah calls Christ the “Prince of Peace.” Through John the Baptist and the other prophets, God asks us to prepare our hearts for the Christ-child’s coming. We are like Bethlehem… We decide whether out hearts will be like the Inn- no room…or like the lowly manger- humbly willing to house the King of Kings.

Voice 4: Our hope is in God and in His Son, Jesus Christ. Our peace is found in Him. We light this candle to remind us of the peace He brings us.

Prayer:

Loving God, thank you for the peace you give us in Jesus.
Thank you for preparing our hearts to receive Him.
As this Season of Advent continues, and throughout the year,
Continue to Bless and soften our hearts,that we might continue to Receive,
and then to Re-transmit Your Peace.
Help us to be Your Peace to a World that so desperately needs it.
We ask in the name of the One Born in Bethlehem…
Amen.

Hymn: Silent Night

~Extinguish Candles~

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Along the Way~An Advent Reflection

No doubt you’ve heard the euphemism before: “It’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.” My kids used to roll their eyeballs every summer as I would repeat that line as we set off for our annual weeklong get-away at the seashore. Only an hour-and-a-half away by car, the Delaware seashore called to us. The kids couldn’t wait to get to the beach, but I knew a secret that they did not: the vacation began the moment we locked our seatbelts into place…and I was determined to make it so. In the twenty-something years between my growing up and theirs, something had occurred: a super highway had been built that could get you from one end of the state to the other in less than two hours. Gone was the unnecessary and inconvenient meandering trip through the back roads and marshes of Delaware. But as a child, I never considered those rides through the cornfields, saltwater marshes and small towns to be an annoyance or a hindrance. They were part of the journey, part of the scenery… I knew every small town, fruit stand, ramshackle farm and cornfield. I delighted in playing the “alphabet game,” couldn’t wait to stop at the bird sanctuary to see nesting Blue Herons, and savored every moment at the rest stop that had tables at which we enjoyed a languid pre-beach picnic. The sights I saw along the way were sentinels pointing me in the direction of my destination, but they also enhanced the journey. Truth be told, they were some of the most memorable parts of the whole expedition…they in fact, were an inseparable part of the whole vacation. And so, every summer, I would subject my children to this longer, ‘unnecessary’, and ‘inconvenient’ car ride. And every summer-what fun and joy we would encounter along the way!

Just as I learned on those summer vacations…drawing close to a destination always involves the process of getting there. So it is during the Advent Season, as we attempt to draw close to Jesus…the joy can be found in the ‘getting there.’

Awhile back, I received a “tweet” from Rick Warren (author of Purpose Driven Life and pastor of Saddleback Church) that said:

“Study the STOPS of Jesus, not just his steps-the interruptions he allowed. Every healing was an interruption! R U flexible?”

Those one-hundred and forty (or less) characters prompted me to think again about a phrase in scripture that I love…If you look at the life of Jesus as depicted in the gospels, an often overlooked phrase crops up fairly frequently: “along the way.” The Gospels are full of occasions in which Jesus and his followers stop “on their way” to their “intended goal” to do important life-affirming things.

We see an incredible example of this in Mark 5 where “on the way” to heal a dying girl, Jesus first heals the Geresene demoniac (of “we are Legion for we are many” fame), and then he also heals a woman who had been hemorrhaging for twelve years. In fact, by the time he gets to his “destination,” the ill girl has died. Undaunted, Jesus resurrects her. This story reminds us in a profound way that the ‘bus-stops’ and fellow sojourners that we meet along the way of life are as important as the destination. Through them, we learn the importance of being flexible enough to give these encounters the full attention they deserve. Finally, we see that everything always tends to pan out in the end, even if at first blush it appears that we have arrived “too late” to our destination.

With this in mind, as we wind our way through the Advent Season, may we make a special effort to be attuned to the ministrations of the Holy Spirit, and be ever alert for “divine appointments” as we seek to draw closer to Jesus. It is my prayer that we keep in mind that the re-discovering of the Christ-child is our ultimate goal…but may we also be ever aware to the possibilities of finding Him in our interactions with the sojourners whom we encounter “along the way.”

First Sunday of Advent~ An Easy-to-do-at-Home-Liturgy (Video and Text)




First Candle: The Prophesy Candle (purple)~
Symbolizes hope and expectation.

We await all that the prophets promised would come to pass…

As our nights grow longer and our days grow short,
we look on these earthly signs-
light, and green branches-
and we remember God’s promise to our world~

Christ, Our Light and Our Hope, will come.

Hear the words of the Prophet Isaiah:

The people that walked in darkness
Have seen a great light;
On those who lived in a land as dark as death,
A light has dawned.
You have increased their joy
and given them gladness;
They rejoice in your presence
as those who rejoice at harvest.
Isaiah 9:1-2

Prayer:
Oh God~
Rejoicing, we remember the promise of your Son!
Shine your blessings upon us.
May Christ shine on us and brighten our way by guiding us in His truth.
Amen

Voice 1: Today we celebrate the first week of advent. We remember the hope we have in Jesus.

Voice 2: The prophets of Israel all spoke of the coming of The Christ…of how a Savior would be born…that He would be a King from the line of David. They spoke of how he would rule the world wisely and bless all nations.

Voice 3: As the followers of Jesus, we await His return. We light this candle to remember that as he came to us humbly in a manger at Bethlehem and gave light to the world, so He is coming again in power to deliver His people.

Voice 4: We light this candle to remind us to be alert and to watch for His return.

~Light the Candle~

Prayer:
Lord, thank you for coming!
As we wait for you…
as we celebrate this Holy Season-
Let us not lose our focus.
Help us to keep our eyes on You.
Help us to see You.
Amen

Hymn:
O Come, O Come- Emmanuel!

~Blow Out Candle~

Saturday, November 27, 2010

What is Advent?~ A Video Tutorial

Adventitious Thoughts~ What is Advent?



You don't have to limit your understanding of Advent to a chocolate calendar, and you don't have to be 'put off' by traditions and practices that you didn't grow up learning. Whether you’re a novice or an ‘old hand’ at Celebrating Advent-Advent is for anyone who is interested in cultivating an awareness of the importance of developing a Spirituality of Waiting...Our relationship with God is hallmarked by phases of waiting- we waited for Jesus to come to Bethlehem...We wait for Him to come to us personally each day...And We wait for Him to return again to the Earth in Glory!

What is Advent?

It is the tradition of observing the four weeks preceding Christmas which was started by Christians in the Middle Ages.

The word “advent’ means…“Coming”…“Arrival”…

The Focus of the advent season is the Coming of the Christ-child…The Fulfillment of God’s promise….

The Spirit of Advent is that of …Expectation…Anticipation…Preparation…Longing…And Hope…

Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas which is nearest to November 30th

Advent ends on December 24th.

An Advent Wreath is usually a circular wreath that is made with evergreens and has five candles~ four around the wreath and one in the center. The circle of the wreath reminds of us God himself…His eternality…His unending mercy…He is the Alpha and the Omega…the beginning and the end…In Him is life everlasting…

The green of the wreath speaks of the hope we have in everlasting life… of renewal…of newness…His mercies are new every morning!

The candles symbolize the light of God coming into the world through the birth of His Son.The four outer candles and the four weeks of advent represent the period of waiting between the prophets Malachi and the birth of Jesus.There are five candles…each lit on successive Sundays.There are three purple or blue candles which symbolize hope, royalty and penance.One pink or rose colored candle represents Joy…
The large white candle which is in the center is the Jesus candle- it represents Hope fulfilled…The light of the candles reminds us that Jesus is the light of the world that comes into our darkness.We are reminded that we have been called out of darkness into His Marvelous Light…

Prayer Before Advent: Father, today as we begin our time of preparation for the celebration of the birthday of Your Son, we ask that you prepare our hearts to receive Him. May the darkness…fear…shame…hopelessness…and sin that block us from truly knowing and worshipping You recede and the shadows fade away as His light shines in our lives…Amen.


The focus of the advent season is the Coming of the Christ-child…The fulfillment of God’s promise….

But…there is a double focus…

Past & Future…Christ has come…Though He is present in the world today through his Holy Spirit…Yet we wait for him to Come Again…

Even so, Lord Jesus~ Come!

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

I Wanna Be a “Romans 16” Woman!



‘Google’ it- I dare ya! Make sure you do accurately: “Romans 16 Woman”. Ya won’t find much: I found only two “hits” and one of them had a broken link- so that makes it an ‘even’ ONE!

Now, do the same for “Proverbs 31 Woman” and “Titus 2 Woman”. Whoa- now there you go- your getting lots of stuff now, aren’t ya? In fact, when I looked, Proverbs 31 yielded 43,800 results and Titus 2… yielded an astounding 1,200,000. Wow!

But Romans 16, poor Romans 16, despite the fact that it lists no less than 10 (including: Phoebe, Priscilla, Achaia, Mary, Junia, Stachys, Tryphena, Tryphosa, Julia) specific women who were commended by the Apostle Paul, only gets 2 hits.

Why is this?

More than likely, the reason for this is the same reason that I spent my entire life in Sunday school, five years (from eighth to twelfth grades) in Christian school, two years in Christian college and never even heard the names of other great women of the Bible such as: Deborah, Huldah, and Junia- until I went to seminary: It’s just not discussed in traditional Christian circles.

It should be, and here’s why: Doing so provides us with an accurate view of what true “traditional” gender roles looked like in the early church.

To ignore the passage (twenty seven verses, mind you) in Romans 16 and to only focus on at a couple of other New Testament verses in 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 (the famous ‘women should be silent in the church’ passage); five verses in 1 Timothy 2:11-15 (the infamous ‘woman are not allowed to teach or have authority over a man’ quote); two verses in Titus 2:3-4 (advice for older and younger women regarding behavior), distorts our understanding of First Century Mediterranean and Early Church culture, and gives us a false foundation upon which we build up ideals about modern-day familial, cultural, and ecclesiastical roles, responsibilities, and relationships.


But where can you go to get reliable, trustworthy information? I think the first step in any journey must begin with prayerful planning and so I would suggest that you pray the prayer that God always answers: “Thy will be done,” as you ask God to reveal His will for your life and His will for your understanding. Offer Him your utter willingness to have your mind renewed and your thoughts transformed by him; relinquish to Him your pre-programmed paradigms and come to Him with an utter willingness to have His thoughts become yours.

Next, slowly and prayerfully-with an attitude that decreases you and increases Him- re-read the above passages, and ask the Holy Spirit to intervene within your understanding. Ask for the Living Word of God to read you and to speak His truth deeply within your heart. It will be hard (nearly impossible) to return to these scripture passages stripped of your pre-conceived notions, but remember; with God, all things are possible.

Now, either go online and read about Deborah, Junia and Huldah, or order several of the books that I talk about below.

John MacArthur’s book, Twelve Extraordinary Women: How God Shaped Women of the Bible, and What He Wants to Do with You, doesn’t list any of these women whose name’s I’ve listed above; a fact I’m not too surprised about, but I would have at least expected Deborah to be mentioned. She’s inarguably a major player: an Old Testament Judge and a prophet (a distinction given to only one other Biblical figure- Elijah), yet still gets minimal “press”. Elizabeth George, in her book entitled: "The Remarkable Women of the Bible and Their Message for Your Life Today" - does a little better, listing seven total woman (a bit of a different list) and includes Miriam and Deborah (two women who scripture clearly indicates where leaders in their own right); but mentions no one from Romans 16. In fact, a cursory online survey of the non-scholarly popular Christian publishing house-type books on “women of the Bible,” George’s is the only one who lists Deborah; and none of them mentions or lists any of the women from Romans 16, the most controversial of whom is a woman named “Junia.”

Who was Junia?
Described by Paul as an apostle “of note” (v. 7), Junia has sparked controversy among church scholars for centuries. Depending upon whose Kool-aid® you’ve been nipping at, you will either believe wholeheartedly that she was a woman and that the name got changed to a masculine version of the name somewhere along the line in a bit of a canonical ‘cover-up’(see here); or you will believe that there are a bunch of 'liberal' egalitarians who want to use this one verse to subvert the ecclesiastical order that the church has taken millennia to establish (see here). The arguments on both sides are scholarly and seemingly well made. Suffice it to say, the jury is out.

Junia’s debated role in the early church aside, the women of Romans 16 are important and can’t continue to be discounted. There are simply too many women mentioned-right alongside of men,with “job descriptions” that are the same- for them to be considered as having had merely “complementarian” roles (rather than egalitarian)and for their clearly stated statuses in the church to be ignored. Yet, ignored they are…

Here’s why we need to look at this scripture passage and see the people mentioned within it with new eyes:

First, they are listed because Paul was commending those in Rome to whom he was writing, and felt it important to list the “major players” in the Roman church, and why they were important. This in itself has value, as we can be sure that Paul knew his letter would be read aloud to a group. Hebrews 11, which lists a slew of famous and extraordinary Bible personalities and their great deeds of faith, may be the “Christian Hall of Fame;” but Romans 16 is the “Christian Academy Awards” because the commendations were being made to live recipients!

Consider the impact such a display/gesture must have made. Can you imagine those in the room listening to hear if their name was mentioned? Everyone would be intently sitting there, ears perked up to hear not only if their name was included in the list, but also to discern what things were being said about those who did make the list. “What does it take to get mentioned on such a list?” and “Will I be mentioned in such a list at a later date?” were surely the questions of the day. I know I’d be thinking that if I had been sitting there the first time that letter was read. Actually, I do it now. I hear the list and my mind races as I wonder if I'd have made the cut...

Secondly, the women noted were mentioned alongside of, and sometimes before the men.

Thirdly, the women mentioned were commended for a variety of roles in which they played within the church, all of which men also participated.

I stated earlier that when I read Romans 16, I think about where I fit into that list. I do. My heart races in my throat and I think to myself: “Will I be mentioned in such a list at a later date?” How does one get on the “A List”? Of course, to do so, one would need to do the things and have the attitudes for which these wonderful people were commended.

For example:
~serving (diakonon)- vs. 1-2 “Phoebe, a servant (diakonon- ‘deacon’; see Acts 6;1-7 for the role of a deacon in the early Christian Church) a great help to many people…”;
~ leading as a patron/benefactor (prostates) (vs 1-2)
~ fellow-laborers (sunergos) (vs. 3-4) Priscilla and Aquilla who risked their lives for another (Paul);
~ laborers(kopionti)- (v. 6) Mary who has worked hard;
~ kinsmen and fellow-prisoners Andronicius and Junias (vs 7)
~ Apostle (apostolos) (v.7).

Patron, disciple, servant, apostle, kinsman, brethren, fellow laborer, fellow prisoner to name a few. Tested and approved by Christ, Loved in the Lord, willing to die for a fellow believer in Christ. It is clear from this list that women in the early church participated fully in the life of their communities of faith.

Recently, Mark Driscoll again has come under fire for articulating a particularly sexist viewpoint and advocating subservient role of women in the church (the “Titus 2 Woman”). I agree we should be “Titus 2 women,” just as I affirm the benefit of being a “Proverbs 31” woman---but in the context of Romans 16. Because we must always remember that the ACTIONS of a person are not what is most important; what is most important is “faith expressing itself through love” (Galatians 6:5). In other words, if I do all the things listed in Proverbs 31, yet do so without love and not within a spirit of love and obedience to the Missio Dei…I am nothing. (see I Cor. 13)

I want to be remembered as someone who lived passionately for Jesus and who lived to further God’s mission of reconciliation and redemption in the world; a person whom you knew would die for you, would do anything or you, was compassionate, gave all that I had and worked hard and with passion and creativity; as someone who was merciful and irenic in nature; loyal and encouraging, whose household reflected the same balance of reckless abandon and organization that I honored in my life…I have said it before and will stand by it to my dying day- I want my headstone to read: “Servant of Jesus: Everything she touched, She made beautiful.”

I believe this is a sound and doctrinally correct desire. When I say everything, I mean everything; my faith life and home life are not and never will be two separate entities. That said, my behavior must be reflective of , but not limited to the Titus 2 definition of a Godly woman.

In verses 17 through 19 of Romans 16, Paul writes:

“17 I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. 19 Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.”

In other words, he is instructing these early members of the church at Rome to be careful about things that divide them (in the 21st century church- we divide ourselves by gender frequently), and telling them who it is that believers should not associate with. It isn’t who you might think. Paul is actually telling believers to stay away from other believers (not non-believers) “who are not serving the Lord.” In other words, people who bring attention to differences rather than wholeheartedly serve the Lord, are not even to be associated with. This is a serious indictment and gives us a clear understanding that any form of prejudice (race, gender or otherwise) is to be considered despicable and unacceptable and those who practice such sin are to not be associated with. Similarly, in I Corinthians 5:9-11, Paul also clearly states that he is not advocating that believers disassociate themselves from un-believers (in fact, he says, that would be impossible!). The worst type of association, according to Paul, is one which depletes, divides, or diminishes the gospel, either because of divisiveness (Romans 16) or because of disingenuous Christianity (I Corinthians 5).

It’s high time that we (i.e. those of us who are neither Jew nor Greek, nor male nor female…those of us who are “in Christ”) start spending more of our efforts assessing whether or not we (individually) can be included in "The Christian Academy Awards," rather than judging others to determine who can or who cannot be on that list; and wwe should instead, take Paul’s advise in verses 17-19.

That’s why I want to be a Romans 16 Believer

I want to be the kind of person who is more interested in bringing about God's Kingdom than dividing it up...

Saturday, September 11, 2010

September 11, 2010: IN MEMORIAM

Matthew Flocco

Today is the 9th anniversary of September 11, 2001. The media is saturated with pundits that are giving their opinions about the events that occurred that fateful day. I am going to make my points briefly...What happened on 9-11-01 is not about pundits, or politics, or perceptions. It is about PEOPLE. It is about the people that died and their family and friends who will never, ever have them again...In memory of those people, I have attached a list of the names with included biographical information.



Additionally, I'd like to mention one person who died that day who is more special to me because of a connection I have to him. His name is Matthew Flocco. Matt was the only Delwarean to die on 9-11. He was stationed that day at the Pentagon, a huge honor for such a young man, but he had potential and those who knew him knew he was going places. He died that day at the age of 21, robbed of the opportunity to reach that potential. Matthew was the only child of my parents' next door neighbors. We did not know him when he died, but after the government settled his estate, his parents (his only beneficiaries) bought the house next door to my parents. My parents have grown to know this wonderful couple, Sheila and Michael Flocco, and have felt privileged to walk this part of their journey with them.



Here is a series of videos done by a reporter from the Washington Post and aired on ABC about Micheal, a sheetmetal worker who went down and helped rebuild the pentagon.



Here is his hero page. Please take your time to write a comment. I'm sure it would be especially appreciated by his grieving parents.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

How to Not Be an Ant: Listening Lesson- Part 1


Okay, so as you know, I've been attempting to put into practice these "Listening as a Spiritual Practice" exercises- and the other day, I find myself at the Dollar store...

I had my cart loaded with items and was leaving the store when I realized that the cart had one of those poles on it that prevents you from taking it out of the store. I was stopped dead in my tracks at the door. I quickly began grabbing as many bags as I could carry to my car and as I looked behind me was horrified to see that I was inadvertently blocking someone else's exit from the store. I made a point to look directly into her eyes and smile as I apologized for my blocking her progress.

I think that the fact that I addressed her personally and intentionally, rather than just robotically saying a quick "Oops, I'm sorry" as I looked at the floor, made a huge difference in her response.

She said, "Where's your car?" and then began picking up the remainder of my shopping bags.

When we got to the car, I thanked her profusely and asked her her name; then, addressing her by name, I again thanked her profusely telling her that I wished I could repay her kindness.

"Just keep me in your prayers," she said as she turned to walk to her car.

"Cheryl, anything in specific you want me to pray for?" I called out to her as she was walking away.

She stopped dead in her tracks, turned back around and began walking back across the parking lot to me.

And so, in the parking lot outside of the Dollar Tree, this perfect stranger shared her concern for the salvation of her sons with me... And right there in the bright sunlight of a beautiful August morning on Main street in Newark, DE- I gave her a promise from scripture (Isaiah 54:13- all your children will be raised in peace) and we agreed in prayer, thanking God for his promise to raise her children according to that scripture.

We then gave each other a "high five," and got into our cars and drove away- both of us forever changed...

Wow. I'm sold. What a difference this makes!

I will continue to update you on my further progress...

Peace!

Sunday, August 8, 2010

The Spirituality of Listening

I've been listening to a lot of voices who seem to be talking about the same subject: Listening.

Recently, I watched this excerpt from the movie Waking Life on YouTube:





"Zombie Auto-pilot"...Wow, what a frightening thought! If we're on auto-pilot, then there is no intentionality in our day-to-day life- and certianly no life in our life. Living that way, I'm sure is not living the abundant life to which Christ has call us.

It's got me wondering how often I am actually present in a conversation, waiting for the next words to be spoken...because, very often, the opposite is taking place- I am waiting for that person to finish speaking, so that I can convey my oh-so-important point.

That's not listening. That's not participating in conversation. It does violence to the other. It devalues their personhood. It lacks sensitivity and, most importantly, it is not Christlike.

I don't do it all the time- but I do it enough. So, I decided that I need to stop doing it altogether.

In conjunction with this, I am revisiting Henri Nouwen's A Spirituality of Waiting, and am realizing that to concept of listening and waiting are intricately connected. Nouwen describes a waiting that is active, not passive. He describes a waiting that leaves open space for the growth and nurture of "something." Finally, he discusses the importance of recognising the importance of and need for not only an active waiting, but a waiting period in which one is acted upon.

As I go about my day performing the mundane tasks that are required for continued existence, I am beginning to re-train myself to be present in the moment, present to the moment, and alive and waiting actively with expectation (pregnant hope, if your will) for something wonderful to burst forth. In doing so, every interaction with another becomes an opportunity to experience a divine appointment, and to be acted upon by God through the lives of others.

And so, I am on a journey to stop living like an ant...

In order to do this, I am going to actively strengthen my ability to practice the Spirituality of Waiting and the Spirituality of Listening.

Here are some tips I'm going to try in doing this that I got from reading a blog entitled Blog One Another:

Exercises to Develop the Spirituality of Listening:

•Observe yourself during conversations. When the other person is talking, are you listening, or are you thinking about what you will say next?
•Break out of "ant auto-pilot". The next time you are buying something and the cashier says, "How are you today," can you turn the programmed ritual into a conversation? Ask for their opinion about something, even something random. When they say, "Thank you and have a good day," don't reply, "Thanks, you too," as you look at your receipt. Instead, look them in the eyes, thank them by name, and give them a blessing.
•The next time you have a disagreement, ask yourself, "What if they are right?" Even with something you think is flat-out wrong, say a quick prayer: "Master, show me the grain of truth in what they are saying."
•When somebody agrees with you, remind yourself that they see the world through their own experiences, for their own purposes. Does that deflate your pride somewhat?
•Practice listening to strangers, acquaintances, colleagues, friends, and family. Try it at home, at work, at school, on the street. Where is it easier or harder? With whom is it easier or harder?
•Invite yourself to someones home for a meal. Invite others to your home. Listen, and let these moments change you.

I'll keep you posted on my progress...

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Jesus Revolution

by Tracy B. Dickerson



I pledge allegiance to the Flagellated One;
The One who in the Garden prayed for Unity.
Who Made the Stars and formed the Sun,
and in great Love Bore the Stripes for Me.
I pledge allegiance to The One
Who on a Gentle Donkey Rode;
I Pledge Allegiance to My Lord,
The One Who says,

“Put down your sword,
and use it now to plow the sod,
then give the harvest back to God.”
No Other Earns My Loyalty,
Save for The One Who Cried...
then Died for me.

copyright, 2010 Tracy B. Dickerson

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Christmas in June

(…or All Year ’Round for that Matter…)



In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of the time of year, but forget what truly is at the heart of Christmas. That’s why it’s good to ‘revisit’ Christmas when you’re about as far away from it as you can get…in late June. Today is June 26. Do you know that today marks the “Christmas midpoint” in the year? That means that there are about as many days since Christmas as there are until we celebrate it again. In other words: “Only 182 shopping days until Christmas!”

Sounds crazy, right? Of course it does. If you’re like most people, the thought of Christmas hasn’t even popped into your head. If you’re like me and you get about a billion mail-order catalogues, you may have already received a Christmas one. I haven’t yet- just some Autumn ones so far- and they’re bad enough! But they’re coming- and soon. I do have one very organized friend who begins shopping the day after Christmas and is done by about August. This is the time of year when she begins addressing her cards. But for most of us, something about beginning our preparations too early strikes a sour note. We don’t want to have to think of that hullabaloo just yet, thank you!

Another interesting thing is that during the Christmas season, we seem to care more for others and we seem to make a more concerted effort to express those feelings. At least it seems that way with all the cards, gifts-giving, donations to those who are ‘less fortunate’; and the extra volunteering of our time, ringing bells and serving soup. Think about it: we would much rather buy a disadvantaged family a turkey with all the fixins at Thanksgiving or Christmas, even though they might be helped more with the simple and understated gift of a bag of groceries or Wal-Mart gift card in May or February. But that’s when no one thinks of the jobless, homeless, husbandless and fatherless.

We also tend to touch one another more: kissing and hugging our co-workers and neighbors is totally okay from mid-November to the beginning of January- but after that…not so much. We smile more, and everyone tends to be full of anticipation and good will. We say to each other things like: “Gee, I wish it could be like this all year ’round!”

But then, as quickly as all that good stuff came…it disappears. For some reason, we act almost as though those kind expressions and feelings of good-will and generosity are seasonal and that their time is over. Like the over-fed mammals that we are, we begin a period of social hibernation as we withdraw again to a spirit that isn’t nearly so generous and warm. It almost seems as if we’ve gotten exhausted from working so hard to generate all that holiday warmth and good cheer. As quick as that, the spirit we so long to hang onto slips away from us.

It feels sad, yet also somewhat good, to return to some sense of simplicity as we recuperate from the festivities and celebrations. We are relieved that the frenetic activity has ceased, yet we long for that “feeling of Christmas”…that sense of community that we have gotten from the giving, sharing, and communing with one another during the holidays.

How did we get started with the idea that we only have to be who we are called to be in Christ for a period of a few weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s? Seems kind of crazy to think that no one really thinks it’s crazy to celebrate the holidays as we do. To celebrate Christ’s birthday, we participate in all kinds of overindulgence: we eat too much, spend too much, and we push ourselves to our emotional and financial limits. And then we pay for it. Racked up credit cards, and that feeling of utter let-down in January are some of they ways we experience Christmas’s aftermath. We vow not to get so carried away next year. We promise ourselves that we will be more even-keeled, that we will steward our resources better.

Suppose we actually followed through on that pledge? Suppose we cut back on some of the physical aspects and started right now to spread out the spiritual side of Christmas to every month of the year? The truth is that there are those around us who need our presence every month of the year, not merely our presents during one month. It would be nice to keep that “Christmas Spirit” with us all through the year. But even more heart-warming is the idea that we can have Christ’s Spirit with us…always.

What if we extended our “Christmas posture” to all our neighbors now, rather than only in that brief holiday window? What if we did it in “too dark and cold to leave my fireside February,” or in “too hot to leave my AC August” too? Would those within our spheres of influence get a glimpse of the Christ-child?

Let’s do it right this year by living a FULL YEAR of celebrating Christ’s life of kindness and generosity, so that in December we can make our next celebration of Christ’s birth a worthy conclusion to a the year.

adapted from After We Put Christmas away…by Dean Hughes

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Along the Way


Awhile back, I received a “tweet” from Rick Warren (author of Purpose Driven Life and pastor of Saddleback Church) that said:

“Study the STOPS of Jesus, not just his step -the interruptions he allowed. Every healing was an interruption! R U flexible?”

Those one-hundred and forty (or less) characters prompted me to think again about a phrase in scripture that I love: “along the way.” The Gospels are full of occasions in which Jesus and his followers stop “on their way” to their “intended goal” to do important life-affirming things. We see an incredible example of this in Mark 5 where “on the way” to heal a dying girl. Jesus first heals the Geresene demoniac (of “we are Legion for we are many” fame), and then he also heals a woman who had been hemorrhaging for twelve years. In fact, by the time he gets to his “destination,” the ill girl has died. Undaunted, Jesus resurrects her. This story reminds us in a profound way that the ‘bus-stops’ and fellow sojourners that we meet along the way of life are as important as the destination. Through them, we learn the importance of being flexible enough to give these encounters the full attention they deserve. Finally, we see that everything always tends to pan out in the end, even if at first blush it appears that we have arrived “too late” to our destination.

Knowing that, I make a special effort to be attuned to the ministrations of the Holy Spirit, and am ever looking for “divine appointments.” Divine appointments are situations that are inspired and intentionally placed in front of us by the hand of God in order to bless our life for the purpose of us, in turn, finding a way to bless others with what we have gained or gleaned from the interaction. They are never planned, but happen “on the way.”

On Thursday, June 10th, I had the delight of experiencing one of these said “divine appointments.”

It was an ordinary work day at the Compassionate Care Hospice Inpatient Unit where I work as a registered nurse, and I was preparing to administer some medication when a woman approached our front desk and began talking to our unit secretary. The medication area’s proximity to the unit secretary’s desk made it easy for me to “eavesdrop” (and I felt no shame in openly doing so, since my responsibility as charge nurse is to know what is going on at all times on the unit.) The young woman identified herself as one of our hospice volunteers and stated that she had received permission to take pictures of our new unit and staff for her blog.

Setting aside what I was doing for a minute (I was dissolving a medication in water, and the pill needed to sit a bit longer in the solution to liquefy completely, anyway…) I chimed into the discussion and we exchanged blog names (has anyone else noticed this practice is becoming increasingly more a form of social etiquette?). She identified herself as Rachel Simon, an author- and we then proceeded to go around the unit taking some pictures of the unit and staff members for her blog.

I am so glad I took the opportunity (and had the flexibility in my work load that particular day) to take a little bit of time and enjoy this Divine Interruption. Although I had not planned on meeting a new person and having an extraordinarily interesting conversation, it was my great pleasure to share a few very powerful moments conversing with this bright, articulate woman.

Rachel is the author of several books, one of which (Riding the Bus with My Sister- a memoir of a year Rachel spent with her developmentally challenged sister riding public transportation) has been made into a Hallmark™ movie starring Rosie O’Donnell as her sister and Andie MacDowell as Rachel.

Our conversation flowed easily, and I had an immediate sense of kindred-spiritedness. In our brief (15 min max) conversation, Rachel and I talked about how humans “pastor” one another (whether or not we are ordained by a faith community to do so), and about the positive impact and richness that dis-ability and illness can add to our lives when they are embraced rather than eschewed. I had to get back to my duties, so we were only able to enjoy a short-lived, but profoundly rewarding (and I might add, tantalizing) interaction.

It is always healing balm to my soul to encounter another individual who thinks deeply and can articulate those thoughts fluidly. For me, it is like a sip from a good glass of wine, or a few stanzas of a beautiful piece of music- and it usually leaves me wanting for more.

I want to hear more of Rachel’s thoughts and so, I have purchased Rachel’s book and am awaiting its arrival from Amazon.

It will be my “fun” summer reading and I will share my thoughts about it here with you.

Look for more on the book later this summer…