Lost in the Rush; Looking forward to the Hush

One family was living at such a hectic pace as they anticipated and prepared for Christmas that may days were just hard. Shopping, baking, decorating, sending greetings...these did not seem like wonderful moments. They were demanding items on a long to-do list.

And as it happens to each and every one of us at one time or another...one day was especially bad. In particular the youngest child in the family, the baby, seemed to be constantly in the way of mom and dad and those older siblings.

Finally, in exasperation, the child was put to bed.

But first there were prayers to be said. This is what the harried parents heard from the small kneeling figure,
"Forgive us our Christmases, as we forgive those who Chrismas against us."

So, how are you all doing?
Is Christmas breaking in?
Are you folding in prayers
with each gift you wrap,
with each card you write,
with each goodie you bake?

A Prodigal Blog: The Heart of Eternity

A Prodigal Blog: The Heart of Eternity

This is a blog by Bill from Ohio. I went to his site tonight to get this link. If you've ever had a child you will recognize his joy. If you've ever lost a child you will feel his pain. Either way, you will feel the presence of God.

But when I went there to get the link above I found this:

Death and Transfiguration - Coming Home

Chapter 1 - Coming Home

You brought me up, O LORD, from the dead;
you restored my life as I was going down to the grave.
Psalm 30:3

This is an incredible account of being touched by God.

Please go read Bill's stories.

Lord, Won't You Dance With Me?

This is holy time

We're gathered together to worship you

and love one another

and as we pray

and as we sing

and as we dance

and as we dream

Lord, I ask of you just this one thing...

Won't you dance with me?

Throughout the heavens and below the seas

Up on the mountaintops

Flow with the breeze

Come, carry me

Lord, won't you dance with me?

I found this beautiful quote on the blog Hoosier Musings on the Road to Emmaus by Jane Ellen. It was about a middle-of-the-night prayer that left a piece of this 'praise song' in her head the next morning.

Have you ever had one of those moments where you discover you are praying even though you didn't mean to?

I think those are some of the most heart-felt prayers.

Let us pray. And sing. And dance. And dream. Amen.

Peace,

Mark

Think WOW

Have you ever had a big job to do and when you sat down at your computer you played a round or two of Free Cell or solitaire before you even opened the file? Sure.

Faced with having to clean out the cellar, attic or garage, did you ever pause on your way to sort magazines on the family room coffee table? Sure.

Then maybe you are susceptible to what Bishop Paul calls the "Anglican Distraction Syndrome". In a letter to clergy and wardens, Bishop Paul wrote:

"History teaches that Episcopalians would rather do anything than spread the Kingdom. We tend to invest our energy in debates about liturgy, women's ordination, language, where national headquarters should be, and so on, in a way that is disproportionate to their significance. These are all important issuses, but my constant sorrow--and I have been saying this for decades--is that we historically let ourselves get so concerned with these and other issues that our primary mission is obscured."

Friends, there is no vaccine for the Anglican Distraction Syndrome. As individuals and communities of faith, our only defense is to monitor our own actions. Scan for WOW.

Worship.
Do you take your part in corporate worship?

Outreach.
Do you give and work to help meet the needs of the homeless, hungry, mentally ill and children at risk?

Witness.
Do you tell others about the fun and fellowship and mutual support you find in your church?

Think WOW.