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Word Became Flesh (January 3) 2009-12-31 by Winola Green Submit a Question | Submit an Article The Gospel of John, being my favorite begins withy such glorious, wonderful, comforting words. I can not use enough descriptive words to describe how I feel about this message. There is a lot said about the formation of these verses - 1-18, but my comfort comes from the whole of the message. And the WORD became flesh, Jesus then, now and forever with God the Father. Jesus brought life and thus we have recieved life, full of grace. Grace and truth are found in the words God became flesh in Jesus. What a glorious testamony and gift for us. To praise and give the message of this awesome event and what it means to us is exactly what we need to hear again and agin. I go to these verses of comfort, to hear God's love for me and the courage to live my life out in these words. Why now? (Dec 27) 2009-12-23 by Tim Norton Submit a Question | Submit an Article What puzzles me about this text? Well, that’s easy….how about everything! Shall we start with the timing. Christmas was two days ago, so let’s jump fourteen generations earlier from the birth of Emmanuel to the childhood of Samuel. It’s not that I don’t understand the importance of Samuel – he is the prophet chosen by the Lord to replace Eli as God’s voice to the people of Israel. And it is Samuel who later anoints David, God’s choice, again, to become King of all Israel after Saul’s failed attempt at the position. Of course, Jesus’ lineage descends directly from David. But why this story now? I know that to begin to understand the New Testament, one must learn about the Old Testament. Without Judaism there is no Christianity; they are inseparably linked, I get that. But I lack an understanding of the rites and the law of the Hebrews. Hannah’s story here is intriguing - that a woman could offer her son to the church to be brought up away from home by the priests, as an offering of thanksgiving for having given birth. And the tie in is easily seen with the gospel passage for the week showing the child Jesus in the temple. At any other time, I would relish delving into the history and cultural norms brought to light by Samuel’s story. But not at this moment; not right now. I’m still trying to deal with a hurt and broken world. I’m still singing Christmas carols to try coax a little peace and hope our way. I’m still resting beside the weary road – I still need to hear the angels sing. Wisdom of God (December 27) 2009-12-22 by Mark Miller Submit a Question | Submit an Article In the reading from 1 Samuel, there is an indication of Samuel growing in favor with the Lord. Luke’s Gospel portrays Jesus in somewhat the same light with one important distinction, his growth is described as both human and divine. In the Gospel verses immediately preceeding (2:25-40), the prophets Anna and Simeon predict God’s favor with Jesus. It’s interesting that both of these prophets are described as elders of the community. What was it that enabled them to see in Jesus what others did not? Was it their faith in God? Or was it the wisdom of their years on earth? I wonder if they would have made the same proclamations in their youth. I know my faith isn’t the same as my youth, and to be perfectly honest, I couldn’t really say that I had any faith as a youth. Much like Jesus’ parents, there is much I don’t understand about my relationship with God, and or how I’ve grown in faith. The Jesuit Priest Pierre Teilhard de Chardin described this process of understanding as “Patient Trust.” “Only God could say what this new spirit gradually forming within you will be. Give our Lord the benefit of believing that his hand is leading you, and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself in suspense and incomplete.” So I wait with patient trust…for the Wisdom of God. Parents & God (December 27) 2009-12-21 by Peggy Dillner Submit a Question | Submit an Article Both of these passages (1 Sam and Luke 2) are about parents surrendering their child to God. What would we think of these in contemporary times? This is truly beyond my understanding as I consider my one son and two daughters. Would I be willing to allow a child of mine to stay as I left and converse with others because he was "in his Father's house." I'm afraid I would have been like Mary & Joseph who "did not undertand what he said to them." This is a child who didn't listen. Were I his parent, I would have been very, very, very annoyed! The other, the Old Testament reading, seems as though the parents had already sacrificed their son. I really do believe there is an ultimate being (some people would call God) but sacrificing my only son?? I'm really not sure I could ever do that. Are these passages about letting go? What a very hard thing to do - especially of those things we love - most explicitly our offspring. Is it really about letting go and "letting God" control our lives? Hmmm. I'm still pondering.
Moments of Grace (December 20) 2009-12-18 by Mark Miller Submit a Question | Submit an Article Like the birth of Jesus, God comes to me in the small dark corners of my life, where no one listens, except Him. During these moments, I am keenly aware of His Word. He wants to speak to me. I wait for those moments. Is it in these moments, that our salvation comes? Yes, I think so. I find hope in these moments. Somehow, though, I keep expecting the larger-than-life events to convince me of God's power. Help me to remember these events are, for the most part, the ways of this world and not the world to come. Help me to be not distracted by them, because this savior, this God, he asks for my full attention. I need to notice. Help me keep my eyes focused on our savior, the one who is the source of all peace. His world is not hidden from me. Help me find it. [First Page] [Prev] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 [Next] [Last Page] Login - (This login is for administrators and bloggers. Usernames and passwords for GoodPreacher subscribers will not work here.) |
