Sorry if you stopped by the blog yesterday or Saturday and there was nothing here. My domain mapping expired and I had to get things renewed. No worries, I am back. I know that you were all really concerned something had happened to my blog.
Quick Hits
Big game for the Skins tonight. It is not a game they need to win, but players are playing for their jobs now with a new boss in town and Mike Shanahan looking on and deciding if he is coming to town or not. My prediction – Giants 27 Redskins 24
Brittany Murphy died? That is random and tragic. Her death makes me think of a great silly 90′s movie, Clueless. Whatever happened to Alicia Silverstone? What has she done for the past decade? Are she and Luke Perry doing Lifetime movies together somewhere?
You have to read this blog account from James Duncan, a professor in SC who was critical of a marketing campaign of a local church. This account is horrifying and unfortunately all too real about how vindictive and evil Christians, even pastors can be.
What if God had chosen to be incarnated as a woman?
Great statement over at CT on the Prosperity Gospel. I wonder how many of us will admit that there is a bit of prosperity gospel that has sunk into our own lives just as the result of living in our culture?
Christmas Thoughts
Has Christmas changed for you? Has living in such a severe economic climate helped to reshape any of your Christmas feelings? Maybe I am simply maturing ( I am 33 after all and the bones are aching and the hair is retreating) or maybe my eyes are opened up a bit wider, or maybe I am simply listening to God better, but this year Christmas feels different. I am treasuring the joy of Christmas more this year. I am enjoying Advent with gusto. I am delighting in my family. I am absolutely unconcerned about anything that has to do with me and presents. I am just thankful. I am blessed. I am aware of those around me who have far more need than I.
This year, this decade in fact, have been dark. There world seems more ominous after the last ten years, humanity seems more fallen, the myth of human progress is more obvious. And yet I am so hopeful and filled with joy. It’s almost Christmas and if we ever needed a reminder that God is in control and that everything will be made right one day it is now. Christmas is our reminder that we don’t really understand very much in this world especially when it comes to God’s plans and we don’t have to worry about being in control ourselves. God has got it under control. So as you gather this week for worship and feasting and presents and singing and holiday traditions just take a breath and remember that there is no darkness that can overcome the light of Christmas. The light of Christ is shining forth and it is time to rejoice.
Christmas is coming, come soon Lord Jesus, come soon.
December 21, 2009 at 12:14 pm
Christmas has also changed for me this year. While visiting our “family church” yesterday I was presented a few ideas that resonated with me strongly. The first was that the world has taken something good and true in the work of St. Nicholas and turned it into a lie that too often overshadows the story of Jesus and the saints who act in his name. And the second was that God can be trusted to keep his promises. He promised that he would send his son as the savior of the world and he did. And Jesus has promised to return again to set up an eternal kingdom and he will. So this year, as opposed to other years, I am not only celebrating the birth of Christ but also awaiting his return.
December 21, 2009 at 12:29 pm
I just read James Duncan’s blog. I’m speechless.
December 21, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Seriously, it was the most captivating thing I have ever read on a blog. Jesus is weeping…