Happy Friday.
And happy third week in Advent. Perhaps now is a good time to remind you of the goal of the Advent Conspiracy: Worship Fully, Spend Less, Give More and Love All.
Quote Worth Requoting:
- Keep Christ in Christmas? How about we put him back in Christianity first. Unknown.
- There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations – these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit – immortal horrors or everlasting splendors. This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn. We must play. But our merriment must be of that kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously – no flippancy, no superiority, no presumption. C.S. Lewis
On the Night Stand: I finally finished the old Grisham novel I stumbled across – The Chamber. I canNOT recommend it. (Sorry John). I am enjoying a novel recommended to me by the woman I met with for a spiritual check in. She works as a Spiritual Director. When I asked her when / how she decided to head down that path, she referenced the novel Glittering Images, by Susan Howatch. I’m fifty pages in and, so far it is pulling me along. (Note: there is no blood and no bombs, but lots of references to theology and church history. If that sounds like a yawn-fest to you, be forewarned).
I do have other reads to suggest.
- Focus and Social Media: There are so many studies out there suggesting that we learn to be present in the moment, slow down, etc., that I hesitate to cite yet another. But this one makes the point about as well as I’ve seen it made.
- The Virgin Birth: It’s the time of year in which the Virgin Birth gets some press. Many feel assume this doctrine is advanced by those scandalized by sex. Not so. In this sermon from a few years back, I did my best to show what it is and why we should boldly announce it.
Stat Worth Pondering: In 1971, approximately 80% of 7- and 8-year-old children walked to school unaccompanied by an adult. Today less that 9 percent do.
Prayer Requests:
- Christmas is a great time for many, but a very hard time for some. People who are lonely are seldom lonlier than at Christmas. Pray that those of us who are enjoying friends and family will have eyes to see those who are not.
- This weekend is week three of Songs of the Season. I will be unpacking Hark the Herald Angels Sing, a song based on Luke 2. When you look at all four verses – which we will do – you are treated to deep truths about Christ, and a great overview of the Gospel. Pray that it connects.
- It is year-end. My request is not that we hit our number – though that is high on my list! – but that we all learn to trust God more in the process.
Mike