Tuesday, December 30, 2008

The New Year gives one a chance to look backward and forward, to reset oneself by an inner compass.

~ May Sarton

Or as Moses told the people as they were about to cross over to the promised land, "I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live" (Deuteronomy 30:19). The choice that is offered to us again and again is to choose those things that care for and create life, to "reset our inner compass" along the lines that make for life and not death. 

The good news of the gospel is that we can begin again and all God wants us to do is to "choose life" and let go of the ways of death. By the grace of God and with the help of others we can do this!

Happy New Year.

Monday, December 29, 2008

God grant that the heat in my heart will melt the lead in my feet.

Or as James tells us, "be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves" (James 1:22). 

This is a good resolution as we begin a new year, to practice our faith and live as disciples of Christ, to allow our faith to move to our feet.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

I will honour Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year. 

~ Ebenezer Scrooge

So said Ebenezer Scrooge, the main character in Charles Dickens', A Christmas Carol. At the start he is a cold-hearted, tight fisted, selfish man, who despises Christmas. But at the end he is a changed man. He realizes what really matters in his life and it is not the gold in his pocket, but the love that he shares with others. 

And so the Christmas that we might keep all year is to remember that only Love and Compassion will save us. All the other things we think matter are just not up to the task of giving us a life.

Welcome the gift that comes from knowing what really matters in your life and "keep it all the year."

Merry Christmas!

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

How many observe Christ's birthday;

How few, his precepts!

... 'Tis easier to keep holidays than commandments.

~ Benjamin Franklin

For those who are serious about following the way of Jesus, Christmas is a time to remember that as Christ was born in the real world, so our faith is to show itself in our everyday world. And so may this season be a time to welcome the blessing of living the way of Christ and practicing your faith.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Christmas is a time when you get homesick - even when you're home.  ~ Carol Nelson

Home... a place where things are right, a place we feel at peace. It is a place we all long for. Yet it is often elusive. 

Jesus called in "the Kingdom of God," not so much a place you go after death but an experience of being right with God and others. He told us that  we can know this Home as we live with kindness and do justice. So while we may always hunger for this Home, we can also experience it now as we practice our faith and know the Kingdom that is among us.

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Christmas is a reminder that

Out of silence comes music;

Out of darkness comes light;

Out of uncertainty comes hope.

So rather than chatter in the silence, turn on all the lights, and run from the uncertainty, let's see the silence, the darkness, the uncertainty as gifts from God. In this season of long nights, the silence is a grace from the One who invites us to go deeper and welcome these things not foes, but as friends, midwives that help us to birth Christ in our lives.

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

If God used only perfect people, nothing would get done ...

God will use anybody if you're available.

~ Richard Warren

"And the Word became flesh and lived among us" (John 1:14). 

And the Word takes on the flesh and blood of our lives, not as we are perfect or right, but as we are open and available. May Christ be born in your life and your world in this season.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

God expects but one thing of you, and that is that you should come out of yourself in so far as you are a created being made and let God be God in you. 

~ Meister Eckhart

The days are growing shorter. In fact, December 21 is the day with less light than any day of the year. 

During this time of the year our ancestors used fires to coax the light back into the sky. We know now that we do not have to help the sun along. But still we put lights on our trees and homes. For us that light signifies the Light of Christ, "the Light that shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it". As you allow that light to shine in your life you "let God be God in you." So shine on in the darkness!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Your children need your presence more than your presents.

~ Jesse Jackson

If gifts communicate caring then perhaps giving the gifts of time, presence and attention are more direct ways to give what you really want to give to others. So give the gift of you. That is just what God does in Jesus.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Blessed are the simple of heart for they shall enjoy peace in abundance.

~ Thomas à Kempis

Peace is, in part, the result of wanting simple things in life. Often our lives are so full of cares we have little direct control over and things we do need. While it is not the way of our mainstream culture, a simple life brings the gift of peace.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

No gift is a substitute for yourself.

In this season of gift giving we can easily forget that giving others our time, attention, and care is the most important gift we can give. Material gifts are all about saying "I care about you". Perhaps the gift of ourselves and our time and attention is more direct and to the point. So share yourself with others in this time of giving!

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

When people choose to withdraw far from a fire,

the fire continues to give warmth, but they grow cold.

When people choose to withdraw far from light,

the light continues to be bright in itself but they are in darkness.

This is also the case when people withdraw from God.

~ Augustine

As the length of days continues to shorten, as the sun rises ever lower in the skies until winter solstice on December 21st, let's remember our need for warmth and light. We imagine that we can manufacture our own light and warmth, but like the furnaces in our homes they are only a pale refection of the Sun. So in this season, let's turn again to the Light and trust it to illumine the dark places of our lives and world.

Monday, December 8, 2008

If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap.

If you want happiness for a day, go fishing.

If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune.

If you want happiness for a lifetime, help someone.

~ Chinese proverb

Get beyond our own concerns for ourselves alone... that is the recipe for happiness! Today, in this season of giving, reach out and help someone and welcome a more lasting happiness.

Thursday, December 4, 2008

Whenever I happen to be prevented by the press of duties from observing my hour of prayer, the entire day is bad for me.

~ Martin Luther

Time in prayer, time apart, time for you to reflect is not a selfish luxury. It is what you need to be more faithful and effective to serve the needs of your world. So pray and have a good day!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Don't tell God how big your storm is;

Instead, tell the storm how big your God is.

Jesus often told others, "your faith has made you well." So let that faith give you a deep trust that you are cared for. Allow that faith, your confidence in Grace, to help you weather, even overcome the storm.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

To be alive, to be able to see, to walk ...

it's all a miracle.

~ Arthur Rubinstein

Not in the grand or in the mighty, but in the daily things of life.

May you welcome and celebrate the miracle today!

Monday, December 1, 2008

More than the creed we profess,

true religion is the life we lead.

Jesus was not very interested in creeds and theology. But he was very focused on how to live a life that is right with God and others. 

Our faith is to be more about how we practice our faith in life, rather than abstract questions. So let's put our faith into action and live the faith that Jesus lived.