Claimed, gathered and sent

Thanks to Phil for this apt reminder as we reflect upon 2010. Thanks be to God. Phillip (But not Melanchthon): Friday and a thought from Dietrich Bonhoeffer : "'So at the end of this year we want to talk about every week, about every hour that has passed. We want to go to prayer with this word until..."

What do you think about this? Can "Church" Happen Online? : Jonathan Merritt

This is the message I preached yesterday at Grace Lutheran Church , my internship site. The text is Matthew 2:13-23. Didn’t yesterday’s dusting of snow make everything look so clean and white outside? It seemed picture perfect. We can hear, “I’m dreaming of a White Christmas” in our heads. The time we’ve been waiting for has arrived. It’s finally Christmas! It’s so wonderful to be with family and friends. And if children are part of the mix, don’t you just love the joy and wonder they bring to this time of year? It’s so special. It seems like all is well with the world…at least for some of us.             Others dread this season—the memories stirred up of loved ones now gone, of broken relationships, of missed opportunities, the sheer loneliness of outliving your friends and family.   This can be a time of depression and sadness as well.             That which is a time of such joy for some may be a dreaded time of terror for others.   It’s hard to imagine such conflicting emotio

God shines light into the darkness. ELCA Daily Bible Reading

What do you think about Ben Witherington's understanding of spiritual formation? A Normal Christian Life---- Part One - Ben Witherington on the Bible and Culture

This is the message I shared this morning with the congregation of Grace Lutheran Church . The gospel text is Matthew 11:2-11.             As a child, do you remember how excited you were by Christmas? Do you remember wishing and hoping for that special present? At your house were the packages piling up under the tree over the days leading up to the holiday. Maybe your family had nothing under the tree when you went to bed Christmas Eve. But, when you got up on Christmas morning, there were all these glorious gifts. It’s so much fun to receive presents isn’t it?             How excited you may have been--tearing off the wrapping paper, wondering what is inside, hoping it was something you had asked for. You finally get to the gift and………………………………….it’s a pair of pajamas or socks or underwear. It isn’t the gadget you hoped for. It isn’t the music you wanted. It isn’t really ANYTHING YOU WANTED. And it wasn’t what you expected. You’re a little or maybe a lot disappointed.            

I have found these reflections, prayers, and questions to be very helpful. Thank you to Christine of Abbey of the Arts for this moving course. Monk in the World - Day 7 of 7