Saw this "license plate" on a car as I was driving to the post office yesterday . . .
In case you can't read it, it says: "Plate applied for 12/4/20!" Not sure that's gonna fly with the police, but an A for effort? :-)
Showing posts with label Hmmm. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hmmm. Show all posts
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Friday, June 5, 2020
Just a Thought . . .
Are we so afraid of death that we are now afraid of life?
Jesus died and rose again not just to give us life later, but life now.
Set free from the fear of death, we can now live.
I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
~ John 10:10b
Thursday, February 13, 2020
Book Review: The Bestman, the Bride, and the Wedding
This book is an allegorical retelling of Christian history, from the fall into sin to the great wedding feast of the Lamb in His kingdom. Of course, it doesn't retell everything - that would take far too long! But it hits the important events and enables you to see them and think about them in a new way. That is a strength of this book. And for me, three specific episodes stood out: the expulsion from the Garden of Eden and what life was like outside the Garden in a world of sin, the execution (biblical crucifixion) scene, and the final judgment. The execution scene in particular, where Jesus is speaking with satan and taking ALL the sin of ALL the world upon Himself is well done.
The other thing that stands out in this book is how the Office of the Ministry is woven throughout and portrayed. I wish I would have read this earlier in my ministry (which I could have, of course, since it sat on my shelf for a long time!). This would be a good book for seminarians to read.
So if you like allegory, this is a good book to read. If you don't know if you do or not, give it a shot. You can buy a used copy cheap through Amazon.
Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Uh . . . no. (Part 2)
So I was at a funeral home today, helping make arrangements for a member who was just called home to heaven. While the man helping us was out of the room preparing paperwork, we looked through the book of floral arrangements available for purchase. There was the usual stuff, and then there was this . . .
In case you cannot read the ribbon, it says: "Jesus called & she answered."
JUST. SAY. NO.
Really? Seriously?
And what should the caption be on this?
(a.) "Service plan not included."
(b.) "Roaming charges may apply."
(c.) "Stay in touch."
(d.) "REALLY the largest 5G network."
NO.
JUST NO.
Seriously.
NO.
Thursday, January 16, 2020
Uh . . . no.
So I was in Greenwich, CT earlier this week for our Circuit Pastors' Conference. This was in my hotel room - $6 for a bottle of water! Uh . . . no.
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
As a Father Lay Dying
Note: I do not actually know how close my father is to falling asleep in Jesus. His hospice nurse informed us today that she did not believe it would be long. So I wrote down some thoughts as I sat with him today . . .
Sitting at the bedside of your of dying father, many thoughts cross through your mind.
You see the ravages of sin.
You see a man who served in World War II.
A man who always wondered how he got so lucky when he married his wife.
The man so strong when I was young, now so frail, fighting for every breath.
The man who took care of my mother when she herself lay dying with cancer.
You think about all this man did for me when I was growing up.
This day is like the Tower of Babel - he is trying to communicate with me, but I cannot understand what he's trying to say.
You see him looking . . . but what is he looking at?
What is he thinking about?
He's comforted by my being there. I know that. He reaches out for me. Often. Wants to know I'm there.
He's tired. And not just from this sickness, but from 95 years of life.
Most of me wants him to have his rest, to fall asleep in Jesus. But part of me wants him to stay.
His father died before I was born - how was that for him?
He's the youngest in his family, and the last to go. Soon a whole generation will have moved on. It's a new time in life for me and my brother and sister. We're the oldest now. Or soon will be . . .
The last six years, caring for him, I've learned a lot. But I learned a lot from him my whole life.
He taught me how to play golf, and to be honest doing so.
He taught me how to build with wood, and how to garden.
He taught me doing repairs around the house.
When I was in Junior High, he once drove me two hours to a band competition after I was late and missed the bus for it.
I remember him praying in the wee hours of the morning before going to work.
I remember family devotions after dinner, every night.
I remember the special, handmade valentines he made for my mom.
I remember stringing Christmas lights with him, then for him. And decorating the Christmas tree every year.
He served in the church in just about every role he could, including congregational president, head elder, trustee, and more.
I remember sitting out in the backyard with him after dinner. He'd sometimes smoke a cigar and we'd just sit and talk.
I remember the surprise retirement party we threw for him.
I remember how he taught me that family always comes first.
The last six years haven't been easy, but I'm glad I got to give back some of the care he always gave me.
Like when I was in college and he was unemployed my last two years. He was just about down to his last dollar, but he got me through - and never even told me how close it was until years later.
He kept a plaster of paris handprint I made for him when I was 5 or 6 years old. It's still in his dresser - we saw it tonight!
It's funny the things you think sitting by the bedside of your dying father . . .
Thank you, Lord, for giving me such a father.
Lord, let at last your angels come . . .
Sitting at the bedside of your of dying father, many thoughts cross through your mind.
You see the ravages of sin.
You see a man who served in World War II.
A man who always wondered how he got so lucky when he married his wife.
The man so strong when I was young, now so frail, fighting for every breath.
The man who took care of my mother when she herself lay dying with cancer.
You think about all this man did for me when I was growing up.
This day is like the Tower of Babel - he is trying to communicate with me, but I cannot understand what he's trying to say.
You see him looking . . . but what is he looking at?
What is he thinking about?
He's comforted by my being there. I know that. He reaches out for me. Often. Wants to know I'm there.
He's tired. And not just from this sickness, but from 95 years of life.
Most of me wants him to have his rest, to fall asleep in Jesus. But part of me wants him to stay.
His father died before I was born - how was that for him?
He's the youngest in his family, and the last to go. Soon a whole generation will have moved on. It's a new time in life for me and my brother and sister. We're the oldest now. Or soon will be . . .
The last six years, caring for him, I've learned a lot. But I learned a lot from him my whole life.
He taught me how to play golf, and to be honest doing so.
He taught me how to build with wood, and how to garden.
He taught me doing repairs around the house.
When I was in Junior High, he once drove me two hours to a band competition after I was late and missed the bus for it.
I remember him praying in the wee hours of the morning before going to work.
I remember family devotions after dinner, every night.
I remember the special, handmade valentines he made for my mom.
I remember stringing Christmas lights with him, then for him. And decorating the Christmas tree every year.
He served in the church in just about every role he could, including congregational president, head elder, trustee, and more.
I remember sitting out in the backyard with him after dinner. He'd sometimes smoke a cigar and we'd just sit and talk.
I remember the surprise retirement party we threw for him.
I remember how he taught me that family always comes first.
The last six years haven't been easy, but I'm glad I got to give back some of the care he always gave me.
Like when I was in college and he was unemployed my last two years. He was just about down to his last dollar, but he got me through - and never even told me how close it was until years later.
He kept a plaster of paris handprint I made for him when I was 5 or 6 years old. It's still in his dresser - we saw it tonight!
It's funny the things you think sitting by the bedside of your dying father . . .
Thank you, Lord, for giving me such a father.
Lord, let at last your angels come . . .
Thursday, June 13, 2019
Used Car Shopping
So my daughter and I went out yesterday to look at some used cars. She needs a replacement. Soon. Like, by the end of the month. Her current car failed inspection and will cost too much to fix.
I hate buying used cars. Some people swear by them and absolutely won't buy a new car. "It loses so much value just by driving it off the lot!" Some truth there. I'm the opposite. For when I buy new, at least I know what I'm getting. Buying a high mileage used car . . . you're inheriting problems. And it's hard to know just what.
A couple of years ago we did this and got her a car. Turns out it had a lot of problems. Maybe some we should have foreseen, others not. But we learned, and hopefully we won't make the same mistakes. We saw a Mazda like the one in the picture yesterday. Not too high mileage and it has a good reputation. I'm hoping the man will let us take it to a mechanic to get an evaluation done. If not, do we walk away? Try to low ball him? Problem is, we have a deadline and time is always in high demand.
The salesman was nice. A schmoozer, of course. Lousy coffee! Anyway, I'll let you know what happens. :-)
I hate buying used cars. Some people swear by them and absolutely won't buy a new car. "It loses so much value just by driving it off the lot!" Some truth there. I'm the opposite. For when I buy new, at least I know what I'm getting. Buying a high mileage used car . . . you're inheriting problems. And it's hard to know just what.
A couple of years ago we did this and got her a car. Turns out it had a lot of problems. Maybe some we should have foreseen, others not. But we learned, and hopefully we won't make the same mistakes. We saw a Mazda like the one in the picture yesterday. Not too high mileage and it has a good reputation. I'm hoping the man will let us take it to a mechanic to get an evaluation done. If not, do we walk away? Try to low ball him? Problem is, we have a deadline and time is always in high demand.
The salesman was nice. A schmoozer, of course. Lousy coffee! Anyway, I'll let you know what happens. :-)
Wednesday, June 5, 2019
Wait for the Lord
If you've ever read through the psalms, you've heard the phrase "wait for the Lord." It's in a couple other places in the Old Testament, but mostly in the Psalms. What does it mean? Is it kind of a generic phrase, to wait for the Lord to act, to answer whatever it is you prayed for? Or is it more specific than that, referring to something special . . . like, wait for the Lord who is coming. Wait for the Lord who was promised to you. Wait for the Lord to fulfill His promise of a Saviour. Wait for Jesus.
It seems to fit. The very first Christian creed was "Jesus is Lord." And did you know the phrase "wait for the Lord" is not in the New Testament? Hmmm. Maybe because, as the angels told the shepherds, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord." Or in other words, the wait is over - Joy to the World, the Lord is come! No more waiting . . .
Luke 24:44 - Then [Jesus] said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
It seems to fit. The very first Christian creed was "Jesus is Lord." And did you know the phrase "wait for the Lord" is not in the New Testament? Hmmm. Maybe because, as the angels told the shepherds, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord." Or in other words, the wait is over - Joy to the World, the Lord is come! No more waiting . . .
Luke 24:44 - Then [Jesus] said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.”
Friday, April 5, 2019
Good Name for a Church
So I was thinking . . . I have a church in my circuit named Saint Stephen's. I wonder why they decided to name their church that? I am going to ask them tomorrow when I am with them. I am interested to hear their answer. They might not know why it was named that back in the day, but it will be interesting to think about and think up reasons why that is a good name for them today.
So I got to thinking about church names . . . Some churches are named after two people, for example, Sts. Peter and Paul. A quick Google search shows a bunch of them. They are put together because although they had a disagreement (see the book of Galatians), they also reconciled with one another. So why not a St. Paul and St. Stephen Lutheran Church? (A Google search showed only one church with this name, in Gloucester, England.) Why that name? Well, Paul was there while Stephen was being stoned, watching the clothes of those doing the deed and approving of it all. And yet while he was being stoned, Stephen look up to heaven and said with his dying breath: Lord, do not hold this sin against them (Acts 7:60). Against Paul. So what would naming a church with that name testify? That we are all about forgiveness.
Seems pretty good to me.
So I got to thinking about church names . . . Some churches are named after two people, for example, Sts. Peter and Paul. A quick Google search shows a bunch of them. They are put together because although they had a disagreement (see the book of Galatians), they also reconciled with one another. So why not a St. Paul and St. Stephen Lutheran Church? (A Google search showed only one church with this name, in Gloucester, England.) Why that name? Well, Paul was there while Stephen was being stoned, watching the clothes of those doing the deed and approving of it all. And yet while he was being stoned, Stephen look up to heaven and said with his dying breath: Lord, do not hold this sin against them (Acts 7:60). Against Paul. So what would naming a church with that name testify? That we are all about forgiveness.
Seems pretty good to me.
Monday, March 4, 2019
Huh?
So I read two news stories today, which were quite different. In fact, diametrically opposed.
The first story stated that some are trying to normalize pedophilia, saying that it is just another "sexual orientation" that someone is born with and that cannot be changed. So who are we to say that is wrong? Along with this effort comes the desire to lower the age of consent from 18 to something less than that. And get this - if pedophilia gains status as an accepted sexual orientation, that is becomes a protected category under civil rights laws! (HT: Gene Veith)
The second story was a report about the Roman church's recent meeting on protecting children in the church. Out of that meeting was expressed the desire to raise the age of who is considered a minor from 14 to something older. One wonders why it was so low in the first place.
What a messed up, mixed up world we live in.
The first story stated that some are trying to normalize pedophilia, saying that it is just another "sexual orientation" that someone is born with and that cannot be changed. So who are we to say that is wrong? Along with this effort comes the desire to lower the age of consent from 18 to something less than that. And get this - if pedophilia gains status as an accepted sexual orientation, that is becomes a protected category under civil rights laws! (HT: Gene Veith)
The second story was a report about the Roman church's recent meeting on protecting children in the church. Out of that meeting was expressed the desire to raise the age of who is considered a minor from 14 to something older. One wonders why it was so low in the first place.
What a messed up, mixed up world we live in.
Thursday, February 28, 2019
Been a While . . .
Yes, I'm still here. :-) It's been a while since I posted. The "to do" list is long, keeps getting longer, and "blog" always gets pushed down the list of priorities. So, how about just a couple of random thoughts . . .
. . . Happy Birthday to my wife! We celebrated a couple of weeks ago. Last year, a big surprise party. This year, a quieter celebration.
. . . Happy Birthday to my daughter! She turned 21. We could not be with her as she is away at school, but proud of her.
. . . Abortion - how our country is divided! The March for Life is great, but New York passes a law allowing abortion at any time, the Virginia governor speaks of infanticide just because the baby isn't wanted (sounds like ancient Rome), and yet Missouri just passed the most restrictive abortion law of all the states! What's the answer? Change hearts, not laws.
. . . Speaking of the Virginia governor . . . Blackface in a 35 year old picture? Resign! Support for infanticide? Crickets.
. . . Speaking of Virginia politics . . . Governor with blackface? Resign! Lieutenant Governor accused of sexual misconduct? Resign! Attorney General with blackface? Resign! Oh wait. The next guy in line for Governor is a Republican? Never mind. Really?
. . . Death. Of a beloved professor at Patrick Henry College, where I do campus ministry. Unexpected in the night. Rough. Always be ready. You never know.
. . . Politics. When Republicans run the House, they act all civil and proper and the Democrats attacks them. When Democrats run the House, they act all civil and proper and the Republicans attack them. Can't they see the hypocrisy? Crazy. And some of the things being said? Crazier.
. . . Long, scraggly, unkempt beards. I just don't get it.
. . . Happy Birthday to my wife! We celebrated a couple of weeks ago. Last year, a big surprise party. This year, a quieter celebration.
. . . Happy Birthday to my daughter! She turned 21. We could not be with her as she is away at school, but proud of her.
. . . Abortion - how our country is divided! The March for Life is great, but New York passes a law allowing abortion at any time, the Virginia governor speaks of infanticide just because the baby isn't wanted (sounds like ancient Rome), and yet Missouri just passed the most restrictive abortion law of all the states! What's the answer? Change hearts, not laws.
. . . Speaking of the Virginia governor . . . Blackface in a 35 year old picture? Resign! Support for infanticide? Crickets.
. . . Speaking of Virginia politics . . . Governor with blackface? Resign! Lieutenant Governor accused of sexual misconduct? Resign! Attorney General with blackface? Resign! Oh wait. The next guy in line for Governor is a Republican? Never mind. Really?
. . . Death. Of a beloved professor at Patrick Henry College, where I do campus ministry. Unexpected in the night. Rough. Always be ready. You never know.
. . . Politics. When Republicans run the House, they act all civil and proper and the Democrats attacks them. When Democrats run the House, they act all civil and proper and the Republicans attack them. Can't they see the hypocrisy? Crazy. And some of the things being said? Crazier.
. . . Long, scraggly, unkempt beards. I just don't get it.
Thursday, December 6, 2018
I wonder . . .
I watched a few minutes of George H.W. Bush's funeral today while I was eating lunch. The story was told of his service in World War II and the time he was shot down in the Pacific during a bombing run in 1944. Well . . . in 1944 my father was serving in the Pacific also, in a rescue squadron that would go out and look for downed airmen! So it is possible (although I do not have any evidence for it), that my father was looking for the pilot who had been shot down who later became the 41st president of the United States. How about that? Bush was eventually rescued by a submarine and taken to safety, but interesting to think of what might have been . . . :-)
Tuesday, May 29, 2018
New Chapter
Hope you all had a good weekend and Memorial Day. I spent yesterday helping my newly-minted-college-graduate son (see previous entry for pics of that!) move into his new apartment. He is now living about 30 minutes west of us, close to where he will be working. He found a nice, new apartment building. It kind of has an industrial feel in the hallways of the building, but the interior is nice and modern. Wide hallways, high ceilings. He chose well.
I forgot to take any pictures! We were too busy carrying and putting together furniture. But we got it almost all done and now he just basically has some boxes left to unpack and to settle in. He still has a few weeks to do so before starting his new job. So all-in-all, a good day for us as we begin a new chapter in our lives.
I suppose all parents go through it, but now we have a house much too big for what we need! Five years ago, we moved into a larger house, primarily because we needed a dedicated space for my father who was moving in with us. He stayed with us for about three years before beginning to need more care than we could provide. So he moved to a Memory Care place very close to us. We still go see him every day, but he is no longer in our house. I was able to move my study/office from the basement up to the room he used to occupy.
Now with my son moved out, another room has freed up. My college-aged daughter is also mostly out of the house, having an off-campus apartment where she spends most of her time, even when school is not in session. We've kept her room largely in tact, but soon it will be open, too. So, we can set up a guest room or two, or maybe now move my wife's desk up from the basement into one of those rooms for her office. That might be nice for her.
We'll still get to see our son every week (or mostly) in church - that'll be nice. And we still have our youngest daughter home for six more years before she is ready for college - that'll help keep us young! :-)
Some people say changes like this are sad - and I guess they are a little. When I see pictures of my kids when they were little and remember those days, there's a twinge. But these are good days, too. Happy days, proud days, to see your children grow and mature and become their own person. And I look forward to seeing how my son continues to grow and develop and become his own man in the future. His apartment and furnishings are already much nicer than mine were starting out! :-)
I forgot to take any pictures! We were too busy carrying and putting together furniture. But we got it almost all done and now he just basically has some boxes left to unpack and to settle in. He still has a few weeks to do so before starting his new job. So all-in-all, a good day for us as we begin a new chapter in our lives.
I suppose all parents go through it, but now we have a house much too big for what we need! Five years ago, we moved into a larger house, primarily because we needed a dedicated space for my father who was moving in with us. He stayed with us for about three years before beginning to need more care than we could provide. So he moved to a Memory Care place very close to us. We still go see him every day, but he is no longer in our house. I was able to move my study/office from the basement up to the room he used to occupy.
Now with my son moved out, another room has freed up. My college-aged daughter is also mostly out of the house, having an off-campus apartment where she spends most of her time, even when school is not in session. We've kept her room largely in tact, but soon it will be open, too. So, we can set up a guest room or two, or maybe now move my wife's desk up from the basement into one of those rooms for her office. That might be nice for her.
We'll still get to see our son every week (or mostly) in church - that'll be nice. And we still have our youngest daughter home for six more years before she is ready for college - that'll help keep us young! :-)
Some people say changes like this are sad - and I guess they are a little. When I see pictures of my kids when they were little and remember those days, there's a twinge. But these are good days, too. Happy days, proud days, to see your children grow and mature and become their own person. And I look forward to seeing how my son continues to grow and develop and become his own man in the future. His apartment and furnishings are already much nicer than mine were starting out! :-)
Tuesday, April 3, 2018
A Story I Wish Was in the Bible . . .
On Easter, Paul told us that after His resurrection the Lord appeared to over 500 brothers at the same time (1 Corinthians 15:6). I wish that story was in the Bible! Where did that happen? How? What happened? What was the reaction?
Another question for the next life . . . :-)
Another question for the next life . . . :-)
Friday, January 12, 2018
Crazy Weather
OK, so how crazy is the weather in the DC area? Well, if you scroll down this blog, you'll see a screenshot of my phone which shows the temperature on Sunday, January 7th as 0 degrees. 0, as in zero, nada, zip, goose egg, no degrees at all, not even one.
Today? A mere five days later? Guess what the temperature is?
Today? A mere five days later? Guess what the temperature is?
Crazy. Just crazy.
And tomorrow we'll be back down to freezing again.
[Sound of head shaking . . .]
Monday, January 8, 2018
Monday Morning Coffee
Now that the Christmas season is past and Epiphany is upon us, time to reflect a little . . . It seems like Christmas went by so fast this year. Maybe that's because we really didn't have a 4th week of Advent, but just a couple of hours! It was a good Christmas, though, and nice having the family together and in church together. I know that as my children keep growing and getting older, those times will start getting less frequent.
My father has been staying healthy of late. That's good! We had a nice little Christmas celebration with him on Christmas night. He couldn't open his presents by himself this year - needed help. But he appreciated having us all there for a little while. Then after Christmas we started decorating the white board we have in his room (which we update every day with the day and date, so he'll know) with pictures of the 12 Days of Christmas. Here's the final result:
What do you think? :-) Some of the artwork is mine, some my wife's, and some my sister's. We got a little inventive at times! But it was fun.
We've also had quite the cold snap here in Northern Virginia. Normally our temperatures here are like a roller coaster, but the past couple of weeks has just been cold. Here is a screen shot from my phone yesterday:
Yup, ZERO degrees. Now, I'm not sure it was really quite that cold where I was - it didn't feel like zero. And while I know that for you guys in Minnesota and Chicago and the like, this isn't that big a deal, it IS here in NoVA.
In other news, we got the good news that the permits have been received for the repairs on our church building and work should begin imminently. So if they don't take too long, we might be able to get back in soon! That would be great.
Finally, some pictures from Christmastime . . .
With Mrs. Peasant at "Zoo Lights" at the National Zoo. My daughter's chorus sang there that night. If we look cold, it's because we are!
Our tree this year.
My girls.
Family Photo after Divine Service on Christmas Day.
Thursday, December 7, 2017
What Your Pastor Wants for Christmas
Note: Some of the things below are true in my situation, but some are not; some are from things brother pastors have told me and that I know they are going through.
Do you know the story of the man who has been working so much and has spent little time at home? One night he brings home flowers for his wife. She appreciates the gesture. They're nice. But it's not really what she wants. What does she want? She wants him. For him to be there for her. To spend time with her.
Well, do you know what your Pastor wants for Christmas? You.
Cash, gifts, cards, they're nice. They are appreciated. But what he really wants is you.
For you to come to the Bible class he has prepared. (Not interested in the topic? Tell him what you are interested in!)
For you to come to church every Sunday (did you know he writes a different sermon every week?), or to the midweek service, especially if it is online and you don't have to go out - just log on with your computer! Or maybe leave work a little early once in a while to come?
For you to forgive him when he is having a bad day. Did you know pastors have bad days, too? And pastors mess up - maybe more than you know.
For you to bring a friend to church.
For you to be a friend. Pastors get discouraged sometimes. They get an awfully lot of bad news and bears the sorrows, griefs, and struggles of a whole lot of people. That can be a really heavy load, in addition to their own guilt and struggles and worries.
For you to pray for him. A lot.
For you to read what he writes. It takes time, effort, and care to compose things for you. But if you don't care enough to read them . . .
For you to hug him once in a while. You might be surprised what that little gesture might mean.
And maybe you already do all of the above for your pastor. If so, THANK YOU! It means more to your pastor than you know.
But now, if you've read this far, I ask you: What do you from your pastor for Christmas? I know not many people read my little blog, but if you would, add a comment on what you want. (Be anonymous if you want.) I have some thoughts - maybe I'll share them another time. I'd rather hear from you right now. What do you want from your pastor for Christmas?
Do you know the story of the man who has been working so much and has spent little time at home? One night he brings home flowers for his wife. She appreciates the gesture. They're nice. But it's not really what she wants. What does she want? She wants him. For him to be there for her. To spend time with her.
Well, do you know what your Pastor wants for Christmas? You.
Cash, gifts, cards, they're nice. They are appreciated. But what he really wants is you.
For you to come to the Bible class he has prepared. (Not interested in the topic? Tell him what you are interested in!)
For you to come to church every Sunday (did you know he writes a different sermon every week?), or to the midweek service, especially if it is online and you don't have to go out - just log on with your computer! Or maybe leave work a little early once in a while to come?
For you to forgive him when he is having a bad day. Did you know pastors have bad days, too? And pastors mess up - maybe more than you know.
For you to bring a friend to church.
For you to be a friend. Pastors get discouraged sometimes. They get an awfully lot of bad news and bears the sorrows, griefs, and struggles of a whole lot of people. That can be a really heavy load, in addition to their own guilt and struggles and worries.
For you to pray for him. A lot.
For you to read what he writes. It takes time, effort, and care to compose things for you. But if you don't care enough to read them . . .
For you to hug him once in a while. You might be surprised what that little gesture might mean.
And maybe you already do all of the above for your pastor. If so, THANK YOU! It means more to your pastor than you know.
But now, if you've read this far, I ask you: What do you from your pastor for Christmas? I know not many people read my little blog, but if you would, add a comment on what you want. (Be anonymous if you want.) I have some thoughts - maybe I'll share them another time. I'd rather hear from you right now. What do you want from your pastor for Christmas?
Monday, December 4, 2017
Don't Let Christmas Ruin Your Advent
This is one of my favorite phrases that I have coined (at least I don't recall hearing it from anyone else!): Don't let Christmas ruin your Advent.
I like that because most people tend to think the other way around - that the Church, with the season of Advent and its focus on repentance and holding off singing Christmas hymns until Christmas, ruins the Christmas season. Its a giant downer when the rest of the world is merry and bright.
But perhaps there's another way to look at it . . . That if we let the merry and bright of the world's Christmas overshadow Advent and make us miss out on it, that we are missing out on something beautiful in its own right. For Advent is a beautiful season. A season of yes, repentance, but also of waiting and rejoicing in the gifts of God, especially the gift of His Son who came, is coming, and will come again.
And then there's this, too: this holiday season with all its demands can make the month of December a quite busy, hectic, and difficult time - a time people just try to get "done." But Advent helps us stop and rest and take a breather in the midst of it all; a time to hear the Word of God speak to us in the midst of busy life; a time to pray and focus on more than just merry and bright. So that when Christmas does come, our joy is not ending but just beginning!
So don't let Christmas ruin your Advent. Enjoy Advent and Christmas both this year. :-)
I like that because most people tend to think the other way around - that the Church, with the season of Advent and its focus on repentance and holding off singing Christmas hymns until Christmas, ruins the Christmas season. Its a giant downer when the rest of the world is merry and bright.
But perhaps there's another way to look at it . . . That if we let the merry and bright of the world's Christmas overshadow Advent and make us miss out on it, that we are missing out on something beautiful in its own right. For Advent is a beautiful season. A season of yes, repentance, but also of waiting and rejoicing in the gifts of God, especially the gift of His Son who came, is coming, and will come again.And then there's this, too: this holiday season with all its demands can make the month of December a quite busy, hectic, and difficult time - a time people just try to get "done." But Advent helps us stop and rest and take a breather in the midst of it all; a time to hear the Word of God speak to us in the midst of busy life; a time to pray and focus on more than just merry and bright. So that when Christmas does come, our joy is not ending but just beginning!
So don't let Christmas ruin your Advent. Enjoy Advent and Christmas both this year. :-)
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Litany of Humility
Came across this in my reading yesterday and thought I would share it.
Litany of Humility
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
Make my heart like yours.
From self-will, deliver me, O Lord.
From the desire of being esteemed, deliver me, O Lord.
From the desire of being loved, deliver me, O Lord.
From the desire of being extolled, deliver me, O Lord.
From the desire of being honored, deliver me, O Lord.
From the desire of being praised, deliver me, O Lord.
From the desire of being preferred to others, deliver me, O Lord.
From the desire of being consulted, deliver me, O Lord.
From the desire of being approved, deliver me, O Lord.
From the desire to be understood, deliver me, O Lord.
From the desire to be visited, deliver me, O Lord.
From the fear of being humiliated, deliver me, O Lord.
From the fear of being despised, deliver me, O Lord.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, deliver me, O Lord.
From the fear of being calumniated, deliver me, O Lord.
From the fear of being forgotten, deliver me, O Lord.
From the fear of being ridiculed, deliver me, O Lord.
From the fear of being suspected, deliver me, O Lord.
From the fear of being wronged, deliver me, O Lord.
From the fear of being abandoned, deliver me, O Lord.
From the fear of being refused, deliver me, O Lord.
That others may be loved more than I, Lord, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I, Lord, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease, Lord, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside, Lord, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I go unnoticed, Lord, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others my be preferred to me in everything, Lord, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, Lord, grant me the grace to desire it.
At being unknown and poor, Lord, I want to rejoice.
At being deprived of the natural perfections of body and mind, Lord, I want to rejoice.
When people do not think of me, Lord, I want to rejoice.
When they assign me the meanest tasks, Lord, I want to rejoice.
When they do not even deign to make use of me, Lord, I want to rejoice.
When they never ask my opinion, Lord, I want to rejoice.
When they leave me at the lowest place, Lord, I want to rejoice.
When they never compliment me, Lord, I want to rejoice.
When they blame me in season and out of season, Lord, I want to rejoice.
Blessed are those who suffer persecution for Jesus' sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(This is an expanded adaptation of the Litany of Humility by Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val as found in The Power of Silence by Robert Cardinal Sarah, p 17-19.)
Litany of Humility
O Jesus, meek and humble of heart,
Make my heart like yours.
From self-will, deliver me, O Lord.
From the desire of being esteemed, deliver me, O Lord.
From the desire of being loved, deliver me, O Lord.
From the desire of being extolled, deliver me, O Lord.
From the desire of being honored, deliver me, O Lord.
From the desire of being praised, deliver me, O Lord.
From the desire of being preferred to others, deliver me, O Lord.
From the desire of being consulted, deliver me, O Lord.
From the desire of being approved, deliver me, O Lord.
From the desire to be understood, deliver me, O Lord.
From the desire to be visited, deliver me, O Lord.
From the fear of being humiliated, deliver me, O Lord.
From the fear of being despised, deliver me, O Lord.
From the fear of suffering rebukes, deliver me, O Lord.
From the fear of being calumniated, deliver me, O Lord.
From the fear of being forgotten, deliver me, O Lord.
From the fear of being ridiculed, deliver me, O Lord.
From the fear of being suspected, deliver me, O Lord.
From the fear of being wronged, deliver me, O Lord.
From the fear of being abandoned, deliver me, O Lord.
From the fear of being refused, deliver me, O Lord.
That others may be loved more than I, Lord, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be esteemed more than I, Lord, grant me the grace to desire it.
That, in the opinion of the world, others may increase and I may decrease, Lord, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be chosen and I set aside, Lord, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may be praised and I go unnoticed, Lord, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others my be preferred to me in everything, Lord, grant me the grace to desire it.
That others may become holier than I, provided that I may become as holy as I should, Lord, grant me the grace to desire it.
At being unknown and poor, Lord, I want to rejoice.
At being deprived of the natural perfections of body and mind, Lord, I want to rejoice.
When people do not think of me, Lord, I want to rejoice.
When they assign me the meanest tasks, Lord, I want to rejoice.
When they do not even deign to make use of me, Lord, I want to rejoice.
When they never ask my opinion, Lord, I want to rejoice.
When they leave me at the lowest place, Lord, I want to rejoice.
When they never compliment me, Lord, I want to rejoice.
When they blame me in season and out of season, Lord, I want to rejoice.
Blessed are those who suffer persecution for Jesus' sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(This is an expanded adaptation of the Litany of Humility by Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val as found in The Power of Silence by Robert Cardinal Sarah, p 17-19.)
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Amusing
You know what amuses me? Pastors who left the Lutheran Church for Orthodoxy who still quote hymns from the Lutheran hymnal in their blog posts! Hmmm . . .
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