1. Here is the reading for the 11th day of Christmas, January 5th:Matthew 2:16-18 (New International Version, ©2010) 16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance withContinue reading "On the 11th day of Christmas (January 5), my true love gave me … This??"
What lies ahead?
... in 2011? 1. New mercies every morning ... Lamentations 3:22-23God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out,his merciful love couldn’t have dried up.They’re created new every morning.How great your faithfulness!I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over).He’s all I’ve got left. 2. The past is the past ... Philippians 3:13-14No, dear brothers and sisters, IContinue reading "What lies ahead?"
Merry Christmas way beyond the walls
The Word became flesh and lived among us. Because of that, says writer Dallas Willard, "nothing irredeemable has happened or can happen to us on our way to our destiny in God's full world."And it was J.R.R. Tolkien who who once spoke of "Joy beyond the walls of the world more poignant than grief."Jesus livedContinue reading "Merry Christmas way beyond the walls"
Let’s be clear, carolers
The Dragon LOST!! ... Rev. 12MARLEY was dead: to begin with. There is no doubt whatever about that. The register of his burial was signed by the clergyman, the clerk, the undertaker, and the chief mourner. Scrooge signed it... Thus begins Charles Dickens' The Christmas Carol."Here are the things I am sure of today, asContinue reading "Let’s be clear, carolers"
This is the week for the black sheep
Who of us, at some point, does not feel like the odd person out? We are not pretty enough, smart enough, nice enough, thin enough, wealthy enough. We just are not enough. We "look down" and say to ourselves, "I will never fit in here. I am the black sheep."My Advent reading this morning, theContinue reading "This is the week for the black sheep"
Keep looking up … The biggest challenge of Advent
The Advent reading today from Luke 21 comes with Jesus speaking. One the one hand, Jesus says Jerusalem will be surrounded by armies. He seems to be speaking of very imminent events ... events right around the corner. How dreadful that day will be, he says. (In fact, the temple was destroyed in A.D. 70Continue reading "Keep looking up … The biggest challenge of Advent"
The Christ child is on fire!
Robert Southwell (1561-1595) was a Jesuit priest from England who was martyred in 1595. During Advent I like to ponder his poem "The Burning Babe." It is a strange, extended metaphor in which the baby Jesus is likened to a smelting furnace.Here's how it starts..."As I in hoary Winter's night stood shivering in the snow,Continue reading "The Christ child is on fire!"
Three sobering reasons why Advent should make us want to pray more
...And three questions to ponder. Reasons #1 and #2 are from my Advent readings this morning. Reason #3 is from Ephesians chapter 6, a passage I constantly return to where the Apostle Paul admonishes us to put on the entire armor of God.1. Mark 13:35-37 (New International Version, ©2010) 35 “Therefore keep watch because you do not knowContinue reading "Three sobering reasons why Advent should make us want to pray more"
donfollis.com 