For the Monday prayer practices during Advent, I will be posting reflections on different characters from the Advent and Christmas stories. I pray a blessed and holy Advent for you all! The reflection below is adapted from a sermon I preached a few years ago. The scripture reading is Luke 1:5-25. – – – –…
Every year I try to find a healthy balance as I celebrate the holiday season with my family. On one hand, I want it to be fun. We all love candy and cookies and presents and lights. On the other hand, I am aware that the focus of our celebration should be on Christ and…
This morning at the gym, I found myself on the elliptical machine with two television options in front of me. To my left was evangelist Creflo Dollar telling his congregation that they could escape the prison of sin by being born again. To my right was supermodel Cindy Crawford telling viewers that for $39.95 a…
I LOVE ADVENT. The candles. The carols. The chocolate. . . . And of course the eager anticipation of the coming Christ child! This year our worship committee has decided to do Advent Conspiracy. (Actually, we’ve decided to take the basic themes of Advent Conspiracy and do our own thing because the Advent Conspiracy stuff…
As an adoptive parent, I feel obligated to write a post about adoption this November–National Adoption Month. And since the month is about over, the post is going up even though I don’t have a lot of warm fuzzy things to say about adoption right now. It’s been a difficult few days in parenting world…
I’m reading Christianity After Religion by Diana Butler Bass. She discusses the root of the term “religious”–religio. This, she says, means “finding a forgotten path of wonder and awe through the wilderness of human chaos and change.” (p. 97) Finding the path of wonder and awe . . . So do something wonderful today. Watch,…
So today, instead of shopping, I’m pohsing. And I hope you’ll join me. Here’s the basic idea: Instead of–or in addition to–buying more stuff, we will pause and be grateful for the blessings we already have. And we will support (with links and/or money) charitable organizations that seek to provide these same blessings to those…
I’m posting the Wednesday Worship Piece on Tuesday this week, because I know all of you pastors out there are getting your worship planning done early . . . Well, maybe not. But I do hope you are able to enjoy time with family and friends this Thanksgiving! Our theme this coming Sunday is gratitude…
The “Abnormal Anabaptist” recently quoted his wise wife’s comments on the upcoming shopping frenzy: Our culture has gotten to the point where we cannot take even one day to stop accumulating more and more things, and simply take the time to be grateful for what we already have. And it’s true. I frequently lament the…
This new book–with prayer art by some of you!–will be ready to ship by December 10. Yes, that means you can give it as a Christmas gift! And in the spirit of Christian giving, I will donate $2 to Mennonite Central Committee for each book ordered before December 25. Check out all the details…
Spacious Faith 