December 2011
2011
31 12 11 23:18 Filed in: My Life
Goodby 2011. You’ve been a good year, which is a blessing since not all years are. Sometimes you have enchanted me; sometimes you have surprised me. Occasionally you’ve kicked me in the backside. Some of your moments have been painful, but many of them have been joyful; a few have been both. A lot of folks in these tough times will bid you farewell the way a bouncer would toss a drunk out of a tavern. They haven’t quite figured out that the tough times aren’t your fault. I’m looking forward to meeting your baby brother who will be here soon. I’m praying that he’ll be carrying an abundant supply of joy. Goodby 2011. You’re leaving me happier than you found me; thank you.
Comments
A True Christmas Story
25 12 11 10:21 Filed in: AV
Merry Christmas!
May your celebration of Christ’s birth help you to probe the unfathomable depths of His love.
The video below comes from a church in Texas. I think you will find it well worth five minutes of your time.
Surprised by YouTube
23 12 11 17:43 Filed in: AV
One of the blessings of my retired life is that gracious people occasionally invite me to preach. The gracious pastor and people of Portland Avenue Evangelical Free Church did that a couple of months ago. I was surprised to discover the evidence of that visit on YouTube. So should you be wondering what Malcolm might have been preaching a couple of months ago....
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Ebenezer
22 12 11 21:42 Filed in: Reflections | My Life
It should go without saying that Christmas is not about lights, shopping, Santa, Rudolph, the Grinch, Elf, Frosty, trees, or even Scrooge or Charlie Brown. It’s about Jesus. But much of the culture in which I live has lost sight of that reality. And sometimes I can, too. I need an occasional ebenezer, a stone of remembrance that points me to the Who of Christmas.
Each year I need to discover afresh the staggering magnitude of the miracle of the incarnation. God becoming flesh; the Creator stepping into creation. And I need to remember why. I’m thankful for the ebenezers that serve to remind me of the reality beyond the tinsel.
Whatever your ebenezer, I hope you are looking beyond it to the Christ who is at the center of a truly happy Christmas.
Solitude vs Aloneness
15 12 11 21:32 Filed in: Reflections
I’m pretty sure there is a significant difference between solitude and aloneness, but pinning down that difference in words that communicate easily is more difficult than I thought. It’s a topic I’ve been pondering for a while.
Solitude is good. I value it. I know that I need time, spaces in my schedule, when I can step back from the normal rhythm and routine of life to gain perspective and to listen to God. Years ago I started to deliberately insert such times into my life, and they have been of great value. It’s hard to do because there are always other people who own part of our schedule, or who think they do. (Maybe they just rent it.) Times of solitude have helped prepare me for life’s surprises, the ones that bring joy and the ones that bring pain. And the ones that bring both.
Aloneness is not good. For much of my life I have successfully avoided it. Perhaps there is a better word for it than aloneness - disconnectedness perhaps? I’m convinced that we were created for relationship - with God and with other people. Aloneness seems to me to be something other than God’s design. And yet there are some people who seem to enjoy it or who manage to transform it into solitude.
Solitude enhances relationship; aloneness destroys it. I suppose it is a delicate dance to embrace solitude without also embracing aloneness. I’m pretty sure I’m not done processing the difference, so feedback is particularly welcome. What do you think?
Solitude is good. I value it. I know that I need time, spaces in my schedule, when I can step back from the normal rhythm and routine of life to gain perspective and to listen to God. Years ago I started to deliberately insert such times into my life, and they have been of great value. It’s hard to do because there are always other people who own part of our schedule, or who think they do. (Maybe they just rent it.) Times of solitude have helped prepare me for life’s surprises, the ones that bring joy and the ones that bring pain. And the ones that bring both.
Aloneness is not good. For much of my life I have successfully avoided it. Perhaps there is a better word for it than aloneness - disconnectedness perhaps? I’m convinced that we were created for relationship - with God and with other people. Aloneness seems to me to be something other than God’s design. And yet there are some people who seem to enjoy it or who manage to transform it into solitude.
Solitude enhances relationship; aloneness destroys it. I suppose it is a delicate dance to embrace solitude without also embracing aloneness. I’m pretty sure I’m not done processing the difference, so feedback is particularly welcome. What do you think?
"The Christian Life"
06 12 11 14:21 Filed in: My Life
Consider this an invitation: While there is space available, you can join the adventure - and it will cost you nothing but a bit of time and commitment. But whether you join the class or not, I’d value your prayers for this first facilitated offering. Click on The Christian Life page for more information about what it is and how to get involved. It will be an adventure, and I’m looking forward to it.
Finding Felicity
02 12 11 22:11 Filed in: My Life
The tree trimming was briefly interrupted by the lighting of Renton’s clam lights at Coulon Park and the arrival of the Christmas ship. We went outside for a bit to listen to the music across the south end of the lake, and then came back in the house, retreating from the cold, but we left a window open for the music.
I know for some folks it’s a season of stress, but I want the traditions of Christmas to help me stay focused on its unchanging message of God’s grace. It’s been a very good day; after all, it’s December, and some traditions are worth keeping.