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advent
Hope
Mon, 11/30/2009 - 11:09 — Rachel HackenbergStill Coming God,
we long for a glimmer
a hint
that you are almost here
and our work is
almost done.
We pray
"Make it better"
through the dark nights
and are met
with
silence.... READ MORE.
The fullness of time
Tue, 12/16/2008 - 14:05 — Milton Brasher-...Milton Brasher-Cunningham's blog
The company that owns the Chicago Tribune (and the Chicago Cubs) declared bankruptcy yesterday. Much like the domino effect on Wall Street not long ago, I expect some other newspapers will fold before long. (Sorry – I couldn’t resist.) Much of the demise of the dailies has been attributed to our quickly changing technology. With all the instant news available, fewer and fewer take time to sit down and turn the page. By the time tomorrow’s headline is printed, it’s old news. A half century ago, Ben Hecht said,
Trying to determine what is going on in the world by reading newspapers is like trying to tell the time by watching the second hand of a clock.
The irony is the twenty-four hour news channels and the web outlets as well may be more immediate, but they... READ MORE.
My favorite nativity
Tue, 12/16/2008 - 14:01 — Jimmy McCartyA couple of summers ago when I was in Uganda I noticed nativity scenes being sold all over the place. I almost bought one several times, but never did. It is a decision I regret now. My wife and I have started collecting nativity scenes from around the world and hope to add several African nativities to the collection one day. I think it is a beautiful testimony of the diversity of the Kingdom of God to see the many representations of the birth of Christ around the world. (I also like seeing representations of Jesus that don’t look white hippies, too. Go check out my quotes page to see some different ways people have painted Jesus if you’re interested.) Anyways, my wife and I started our collection this year with... READ MORE.
The five little fingers of God
Wed, 12/03/2008 - 10:05 — Keith HerronI’m at the age where I want to revisit the touch and smell of a little baby. So on those wondrous days when we mark the birth of a church baby through a child/parent dedication, I get the sweet privilege of holding the baby in my arms as we say the words of a litany that describes our holy calling together. It’s holy because we hold a life in our arms as we speak and it’s holy because the power and privilege of raising a child is one God gives us through creation and procreation.In a strange and wonderful mystery, we hold the future in our arms if you consider all that is held in the potentiality of what might happen in the one we hold... READ MORE.
Singing carols in Advent
Wed, 12/03/2008 - 09:57 — Bob CornwallIt's Advent, that season of preparation, to welcome the Christ child. But there's lots of pressure to jump start Christmas. Part of the problem is that once Thanksgiving hits, it's Christmas 24/7. So, why wait at church?
There are, of course, many wonderful Advent hymns and songs -- O Come, O Come Emmanuel, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence, Com, O Long-Expected Jesus, Blessed Be the God of Israel (by Michael Perry, tune is Hal Hopson's Merle's Tune) -- but people want the carols, and they want them now... READ MORE.
