The Christmas decorations are put away, now where did I leave that sack cloth?
Amazingly January and December are behind us and shortly we are on to Lent! Only 16 days till Ash Wednesday, have you started thinking about Lent yet? I am prayerfully considering how I will seek God’s voice during Lent. There will no doubt be fasting of some sort and I want to make sure that I find a way to open my life up even wider to allow God’s voice in. So this is your two week warning, lent is coming and without an opportunity to give your life over to God in a new way.
People Magazine Sermon Illustrations
I did something I had never done before yesterday, I used an illustration from People magazine. I never read People (I hear people say that all the time because they are embarrassed about their love of People, but I say it simply because I have too many magazines delivered to my house each week and I am always way behind in my reading) but my wife is a fan. This week, however, with the cover story of Jon and Elizabeth Edwards I had to read it. I have been fascinated with the Edwards ever since they moved to Chapel Hill. Anyone who lives in Southern Village or attends Christ Church knew they were around because their family was really involved in the community and the campaign office was visible from the front door of the church. (Did anyone else see the 20/20 footage with them walking around Southern Village? That was just bizarre.)
That being said, all of my curiosity aside, I was deeply moved by the way Elizabeth Edwards has chosen to embrace the child her husband had with his mistress. She has taken a terrible situation and poured as much of God’s mercy and grace into it as I can imagine someone doing. Her example to her children, and because of their celebrity to many others, of using a painful moment in her life to demonstrate God’s love is pretty amazing. It just surprised me and it made it into my sermon. I balanced the touchy feeliness of People magazine with the story of Grizzly Man Timothy Treadwell who was eaten by a grizzly bear, so all is well in the world.
Best Superbowl Food
With only a week left till the Superbowl the burning question of the day is, “What is the best Superbowl Food?”
For my money I have a deep abiding love for Chili Con Queso dip with some chips, that is just a family tradition. But I would love to hear your thoughts.
February 1, 2010 at 10:35 am
I still remember when the Edwards came to church one sunday at Christ Church. Just a surreal moment sitting on one side of the church and then look over in the middle section was someone whom was running for president. Even if you weren’t supporting him, and I wasn’t, it was an interesting moment. I think I talked to him for a brief second after the service.
Regardless, I will admit that my opinion of the Edwards have soured after reading an excerpt of the new campaign book that gave details into their life. Both came off … poorly in my opinion.
That being said, with all that Elizabeth had gone through – with the cancer, and the death – the last thing she – or anyone else in her situation – needed was what took place with the affair and child. I do hope that the family will love this child and raise her with love and grace, as it looks as though the Edwards are heading to a divorce. I’m still trying to put myself in John’s mind in that time. What would make a husband do that to their wife? That one has me scratching my theological head for answers on that.
As for food, give me a good homemade pizza and some nachos for Super Bowl Sunday. I believe the diet will be on hold for a nice Colts win.
February 2, 2010 at 9:46 am
Shannon,
I haven’t read much about their lives, but there is plenty to question and wonder about certainly. The most shocking thing to me was that he didn’t immediately cancel his campaign when she got sick again.
On a more important note, what do you like to put on your homemade pizza?
February 2, 2010 at 1:35 pm
If one may rely on what has been published in reputable journals/mags/etc., the picture of the Edwards is one of truly human people who have been utterly shaped by a quest for power (John’s). I have read the portions of the book that Shannon is referring to and the behavior it describes (by both of the Edwards) it is not flattering (some of it is down right despicable). The New Yorker ran a fascinating piece on them several weeks ago. It is describes, in excrutiating detail, how John’s campaign for the President basically warped his basic core. Taken as a whole, it is very sobering in what power can do to a human. Unfortunately, while not near John’s level of hubris and excess, Elizabeth does not handle the elevation to the national level well either. Naturally, having to cope with a philandering and lying husband of epic proportions (who even attempted to have a “friend” take the paternity test for him) while undergoing cancer treatment, is bound to lead to a more than a few bad days.
Sadly, I may be a bit too cynical to believe that Elizabeth is truly welcoming her husband’s love child so very publicly, if only for the fact that it makes incredibly good press. Too good. The true Christian character such would take, after a literally National humiliation, is just too much for me to attribute to her (from, admittedly, what I read). I know such character exists. I just hope it is true in this case as very little about this couple seems to have been so over the past 6 years.
Todd
February 2, 2010 at 1:35 pm
Oh gosh, totally forgot…
queso
queso
mas queso
February 2, 2010 at 10:41 am
We do a half and half pepperoni and cheese. Abbi gets extra cheese and I get the pepperoni. Once it warms up, I want to try this pizza that Grant and Leslie made that has grilled chicken and bacon. There will be some sort of pizza on Sunday made and I think it is time to get a little more creative. Any suggestions?
February 2, 2010 at 1:55 pm
I like a Mexican Pizza with a ranch/hot sauce sauce, steak or chicken, variety of cheeses, some guacamole, sour cream, and even a little black bean. Delicious!
February 3, 2010 at 2:01 pm
I hate that we (people in general) turn celebrity sin into a spectacle for our own entertainment that is based solely on judgment.
I just finished a book called The Ascent of a Leader. A good friend and wise man gave it to me. The book compares two “ladders” that people climb; the capacity ladder versus the character ladder. On the capacity ladder, a leader does what he or she can to climb to the top for the sake of being on top. The character ladder reminds a leader that who they are shapes what they can do and how those around him or her are shaped, as well.
The Edwards’ situation is a clear example of how the capacity ladder corrupts all those around a leader. From Elizabeth to the “friend/confidant” to the “other woman”, what may have started as a genuine quest for the good became a quest for the top and everyone wanted in.
Armadillo Feet- cream cheese stuffed jalapenos wrapped in bacon!!!
February 3, 2010 at 2:55 pm
I have never had Armadillo Feet, suddenly my life feels like it has been missing something vital!
Nice call on the Ascent of a Leader comparison. That is a perfect example of what the book is trying to teach.
February 4, 2010 at 10:19 am
Armadillo feet sound AWESOME!!! Sadly, I must watch the Super Bowl at 10 am on Monday due to the live broadcast being on at 3 am. Work? Officially cancelled.
February 3, 2010 at 6:56 pm
Hey Shay, who is the author of that book?
February 3, 2010 at 9:15 pm
Three guys, Thrall, McNicol, and Mcelrath , it is an excellent book.