Skip to main content

Life in Greencastle

“A man expressed the wish in the presence of the Belzer Rabbi to die like a good Jew. The Rabbi commented: ‘Such a wish is wrong. Desire rather that you may live like a good Jew, and it will follow as a consequence that you will die like a good Jew.” – As quoted by Ari L. Goldman in The Search for God at Harvard.

Yesterday, on my way to see someone, I passed a small pack of runners near Greencastle High School … training, preparing for a coming event. As I drove by the high school parking lot, I saw a number of cars still there. I imagine there were many more students inside – pushing the basketball up the floor on a 3-on-2 drill, working on the proper hold on a wrestling mat, rehearsing and rehearsing for an upcoming concert.

I was often told by several coaches that I would inevitably play like I practiced. Their message was clear: the preparation you put into any activity (athletics or otherwise) would ultimately be reflected somewhere down the road. Our future is shaped by how we spend our present energy and time.

The same is true for this season we are now in, this Advent time. If we long for Christmas to have meaning and significance, it begins now … it begins by training ourselves to hear from God, to receive God’s gifts with joy and humility. It is a season of preparation. We will think about that together in worship. But, it is also true in the way that we conduct ourselves in these days.

We stayed after worship this last Sunday to prepare our place – posting the candles by the windows and the angels on the trees (by the way, you too are welcome to bring an angel ornament from your own home and place it on the Christmas tree in the sanctuary). We are preparing again for the arrival of our King.

Cheryl told me that she was practicing for the upcoming Cantata (see the attached flyer), disciplining her fingers and mind to translate notes on a sheet of paper into music of praise and adoration. Our choir and several other members of other local choirs are also preparing – exercising their voices to sing together, to sing our faith.

I invite you to prepare yourself as well … and to prepare as a family.

How might you prepare to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior this season?

How might you welcome Jesus as Prince of Peace into your life and home this year?

…

A man expressed the wish in the presence of the pastor to have a peaceful, joyful, hopeful Christmas. The pastor commented: “Such a wish is wrong. Desire rather God’s peace in your life right now. Pray God would restore to you the joy of your salvation this day. Hope that God might come to you this day, and it will follow as a consequence that you will receive the gift of Christmas.”

Wes
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Acts 2:42-47 - Questions for Reflection & Study

This past Sunday, we took a look at Luke's first summary passage in the story of Acts:  chapter 2, verses 42-47.  Here, Luke is presenting a billboard of what the Church looks like at its best.  He is trying to convince Theophilus that Christianity is worth his attention.  The early Church captures what all of us are looking for, whether we know it or not.  This is a close community that truly cares for one another, where everyone truly is seen as a brother and sister, and where no one person is considered more or less important as the other.  Needs are being met.  There is joy in their fellowship.  Take a moment to think about a time in your life when you experienced the joy and blessing of a deep, loving community?  Where was it, and what made this community so different?  What role did you play in this community? Luke tells us the disciples "devoted themselves" to four essential practices.  The Greek word for "devoted" is one that is often used in t
Post a Comment
Read more

Acts 5:1-11 - Questions for reflection & prayer

This past Sunday we looked at one of the more unsettling stories in the Book of Acts :  the deaths of Ananias and Sapphira.  As shared by Luke, this couple sold a piece of land and then proceeded to bring only a portion of the profit to the apostles - laying it at their feet for the good of the community.  However, what appeared to be their grave mistake (pun intended) was their collusion in claiming to have brought all the proceeds to the apostles when - in fact - they were keeping some back for themselves.  Peter announces first to Ananias the Lord's judgment, followed by a similar verdict being handed down to Sapphira a short time later. Seen by itself, this is a strange story, but it begins to make more sense when we see it as "part of the whole."  The story of Ananias and Sapphira comes right after we hear once again of the community's unity and generosity, including their willingness to share their own goods and resources to take care of one another (ch. 4). 
Post a Comment
Read more

Listening to Jesus

In recent years, two scenes from the Gospels keep grabbing my attention: Jesus' baptism and Jesus' transfiguration. In both instances God the Father speaks to Jesus or about Jesus (it may be the only time we hear God the Father speaking directly about Jesus). In both cases, God proclaims (and claims) Jesus as God's very own, "Beloved" Son. God the Father further announces that he is "well pleased" with Jesus. On the second occasion - the Transfiguration - God goes on to command us (the disciples) to "Listen to him." Listen to Jesus. It seems like such a fundamental and important part of what it means to be a Christian. The very idea of us being Christians is that we are taking our cues and directions from Jesus - that he is both our Lord and our Teacher. And, yet, I have noticed within myself that I don't really do this that often. Yes, even pastors struggle with this. It is much easier to be swayed by the many other voices that we
Post a Comment
Read more