Isaiah 60:1-6
Psalm 72:1-7, 10-14
Ephesians 3:1-12
Matthew 2:1-12

I - Jesus is revealed to the world, the prophecy of the magi
P  Jesus saves, all shall worship him
E - Jesus came for everybody, not just certain people
M - the magi find the child Jesus

Grace, peace, and mercy to you from God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

It seems that we often find ourselves in exclusive groups.  Sometimes we are guilty of making these groups exclusive just because of our attitudes towards others.  

It is understandable that some groups have membership fees and interests that bond them together.  There's nothing wrong with that when it is in a proper place.

However, most groups need to be open to those who at least agree with what they believe.  The thing is that a Christian group needs to be loving and accepting of other Christians.

Not too long ago, I found myself in a group that was not at all a Christian group from the attitude or behavior that was displayed.  

I could say that they are not Christians, but I would not do that.  If they believe in Jesus's birth, life, death, and resurrection, they are Christians.  I will not say that they are not.

However, it does not mean that I will stay with the group in order to be judged and persecuted more than they have already done.

The thing I remember is that Jesus came for all of us.  He came to save all of us.  If these people actually repent of this behavior, then they are forgiven.  I do not know what they did or did not do.  That is up to God and it was always up to God to judge as it is.

That's what Paul is saying.  Jesus came to save all the people.  Jesus did not come to save just the Jews.  He did not come to save just people of a certain skin color.  He did not come to save just the males.  He did not come to save those people who could score above average on tests.  Jesus came to save every single person.

Anyway, January 6 is Epiphany or "12th night," as in the 12th day of Christmas.  While there probably will not be 12 drummers drumming, there are many celebrations starting.

In the south, it'll be the Mardi Gras season.  

So, just to address some of the myths we seem to believe, the magi were not kings, even though we refer to them as "We Three Kings," in the carol.  They were wise men, perhaps astrologers. They probably served a king.

Then, they did not find Jesus in the stable.  They found the child Jesus in a house with Mary.  Jesus was definitely older than a newborn.  He may have been as old as two years.  If he would not have been, why would Herod have needed to call for all male children two years or younger to be killed?

It seems like such a tragedy.  Yet, God knew what had to happen.  So, it is likely that God took these sweet children into His arms.  Jesus had come, but none of the miracles or teachings had taken place.  These children were still innocent.  They were not even old enough to truly violate any of the Jewish laws.

In this time of "enlightment," let us all remember that Jesus came for everybody, and not just certain people.

Recommended Listening: Let Me Be Yours by Jonathan Rundman

Recommended Hymn:  Thou Light of Gentile Nations (Words by Johann Franck translated by Catherine Winkworth; Tune: VALET WILL ICH DIR GEBEN by Melchior Teschner)

Prayer of the Day (from the ELCA website)
Almighty and ever-living God,

you revealed the incarnation of your Son by the brilliant shining of a star. Shine the light of your justice always in our hearts and over all lands, and accept our lives as the treasure we offer in your praise and for your service, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Isaiah 63:7-9
Psalm 148
Hebrews 2:10-18
Matthew 2:13-23

I - tell the good deeds of the Lord
P - Praise the Lord
H - Jesus came to save people, not angels (the devil is a fallen angel)
M - Joseph's actions fulfill the prophecies about Jesus

Grace, peace, and mercy to you from God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Most likely, you've just celebrated the birth of Jesus.  In this time of the church year, it is still a time to celebrate.  Jesus is still an infant or a child.  

Advent is over, though our personal advents for Jesus's return our never over.  However, it is an appropriate time in any church or congregation to celebrate the fact that Jesus was born.

In the first lesson and the psalm, there is not much other than praising the Lord.  

Hebrews talks about how Jesus came to save humans and not angels.  What we need to remember is that the devil is a fallen angel.  There are also 1/3 of the angels that went with the devil.  So, when people say, "the devil made me do it," there are also other servants of the devil.

It is sad to see things like the following paragraph.  I went to the site where I usually go to look up bible verses and found that the front page of the Bible software had been hacked.  It contained this message:

"ATTENTION CHRISTIAN SHEEP

i'm atheis whitch means i don't belive in god so that
about my religion t was liek apology to remove sin and
after jesus u have to exept him in ur heart that means
god is't all powerfull if he can't forgive sin's just like that
RELIGION IS FALSE AND ITS PROVEN

AND LISTEN I'M NOT AMERICAN SO MY MORTHERS
LANGUAGE ISN'T ENGLISH SO DON'T FUCK ABOUT
MY NON GOOD ENGLISH OK XP

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmV-eZPOYNB
WATH AN LEARN

WEN WILL AMERIKA BE SMART LKE MOTHER FIN-
LAND? ONLY TIME WIL TELI"

Of course, if this person may actually read some of the Bible (in his Native language), he may see more than what he is currently saying.  Of course, this is not all that much of a threat.  He says how false a blasphemy challenge is to Christians (which was told to him by his very religious friend) and then goes on to say how he is an athiest.

People like this, however, would probably say how Joseph easily knew the Jewish scriptures and could take Jesus to the different places in order to fulfill the prophecies.  

However, they would forget that Joseph wasn't sitting and writing these scriptures.  It was only when people needed to know the story - why Jesus rose, why Jesus died, why Jesus preached, and so on and so on back to Jesus's birth that the scriptures were written.

So, it is now time for us to pray for these people and rejoice that God sent Jesus to save us.

Recommended Listening: Peace on Earth by Chris Rice
Recommended Hymn: Love Came Down at Christmas (Text: Christina Rossetti; Tune: GARISON, a traditional Irish melody)
 

Prayer of the Day (from the ELCA website)

O Lord God,
you know that we cannot place our trust in our own powers.
As you protected the infant Jesus,
so defend us and all the needy from harm and adversity,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.

Isaiah 7:10-16
Psalm 80:1-7, 16-19
Romans 1:1-7
Matthew 1:18-25

I - the prophecy of Christ's birth is told to Ahaz
P - if we call upon the name of Christ, he will give us salvation
R - As Christians call to Christ, we are called to bring faith to others
M - Joseph is told to marry Mary, not to dismiss her.

Grace, peace, and mercy to you from God the Father, Jesus the Christ, and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

It is almost Christmas.  As Christians, we most likely celebrate Christ's birth.  Yet, sometimes, it seems we forget to focus on the full story.

Mary was pregnant with Jesus and knew.  However, Joseph did not know at first.  He then found out.  

There is a story that in a children's Christmas play, the children were doing this scene.  The child playing Joseph did not stick to the script.  Instead, when Joseph found out that Mary was pregnant, he screamed, "You're pregnant?!"

However, it may be that it happened like that.  When just the two of them were together, imagine Joseph's surprise.  This obviously meant that Mary had been doing something else in his mind.

It was only after an angel came to Joseph that he knew what had truly happened.  This kept Joseph and Mary together.

Those little details in the stories of Jesus's birth, life, death, and resurrection are important.  They tell us a lot about God and Jesus. They show how God used such ordinary people and how situations back then are like many situations now.  Just think how many women have had men leave them when they find out that the woman is pregnant.  That's what was going to happen with Mary and Joseph as well.  However, it was because of God interacting in their lives that it didn't happen.

So, with this, we, as Christians, are called to spread faith.  Yet, we are not called to spread damnation and hate.  However, it seems that some Christians forget that they are to spread love and share their faith with others.  Good witnesses do not try to shove beliefs down the throats of others.  Good witnesses do not exclaim how God hates other people.  They share faith and the stories that inspire them while respecting the beliefs of others.

Amen.

Recommended Listening: sorry, didn't get around to looking
Recommended Hymn: sorry, didn't get around to looking

Prayer for the Day (from the ELCA website):

Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come.

With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that hinders our faith, that eagerly we may receive your promises, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Isaiah 35:1-10
Psalm 146:5-10
James 5:7-10
Matthew 11:2-11

I - the redeemed will be safe with the Lord
P - the Lord loves His people, and those who do good
J - have patience, the Lord will come (again)
M - John asks Jesus about who He is; John was sent to prepare the way

Grace, peace, and mercy from the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.

It's been awhile since I've written.  There have been a lot of things happening and most are not good news.  However, the way to get away from these things is not to dwell on them.  It is to move on to different paths.

Speaking of paths, it seems we are on a path towards the celebration of Christ's birth.  It can be such a wonderful path.  Of course, there's always the secular stress of sending cards, buying gifts, and children who are impatient to recieve presents.

However, that does not mean the true meaning of the holiday times should be lost among the chaos.  In fact, the chaos should be lost among the true meaning of these times.

Advent is the time to prepare for Jesus' coming.  It is a time of waiting.  

So, doesn't it seem odd that the Gospel lesson mentions Jesus when this is a time of waiting?  It can seem like it.  However, we as Christians know that Jesus came already.  Advent is a time to prepare for the celebration of Christ's birth and also a time to stop and reflect on the fact that we are in a perpetual advent, waiting for Jesus to come again.

This has been running through my mind for the past week.  It is time that we are making Christmas wishlists.  Many Christians will put "Peace on Earth and Goodwill Towards Men" at the very top of the list.

However, this never truly comes.  It seems wrong when the Bible tells us, "Ask and you shall recieve, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be opened unto you."

However, while there are some Christians who truly want this, there are others who are not truly wanting this.  Those people are the ones that believe in Christ, but they do not seem to know how to show love to others.  

There is not a consensus on wanting peace on earth and good will towards men.  It is an unfortunate thing, but it is true.  There are too many groups who proclaim the name of Christ, but then also want to exclude at least one certain group of people.

This is obviously not what God intended, but they still have not figured out that the Bible has many more verses about loving neighbors than the strict rules they are trying to apply to life.  Of course, some even go so far as claiming that God hates others when this is simply not true.

God loves all of his children.  It says so in the Bible!  "For God so loved the world that He sent His only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not die, but have eternal life."

God loves the world.  The whole world includes every single person on earth.  It is wrong for others to say that certain groups that have nothing to do with other religions do not believe in God and especially are hated by God.

God loves his people.  We are to wait for Jesus to come again and just like John spread the good news before Jesus started his ministry, during our lives spread the love and hope to others.

Recommended Hymn: On Jordan's Bank the Baptist's Cry by Charles Coffin, Translated by John Chandler (Tune: PUER NOBIS NASCITUR)
Recommended Listening: Emmanuel by Alathea

I really wish I felt better about a lot of things.  I know the best thing I could do is read scripture.  I do read, but I never feel like writing the religious blogs even though I want to write them and it makes no sense.

See, a while ago, this mother at St. Paul accused my sister of something.  They included me in  the accusation.  We only found out at least four weeks after the accusation from an extremely vague e-mail.

Since then, the family has gotten ruder and ruder towards us.  My family has tried to approach the situation in a Christian way and to give explanations, but this family has just been rude about everything.

My sister did post some videos that I did not know were posted and that was wrong.  I had access to the account and took them down.

However, I was blamed for it. They said that I had videos and pictures of the kids online and I did not have them online at all.  I let one of the youth tape me and I had a video of myself online - there's nothing wrong about that.

Now, they are still being rude, even after my dad talked to them. 

They are blaming me for the things that they have done.  They are saying that I told the whole congregation about things when they are the ones that started by spreading rumors.  The first person told was the organist, which is in no way the correct way at all to go about things. 

The pastor completely lied to me about what he wanted to discuss and then chastised me in every way he could, including that I have a video of him singing.

I am a mass communications major!  I know what is legal and what is illegal.  I know what is moral and what is immoral.  Honestly, there was nothing illegal about the videos Briana had posted, but they were posted without permission from the parents, so that was not moral. 

That's why I have been feeling so bad.  This situation has gone on for months and months and it is because of somebody else's total misinterpretation of Briana's stimming. 

The parents are even acting like they can reprimand me and are MY parents.  That's how the father acted today when my dad talked to him.

So, I've not felt good at all because of this.   They've been really rude.

Other than that, I do TONS of writing for me job and this month I am also doing NaNoWriMo.

I do hope to get back to doing the religious writings, it is just very difficult emotionally right now and since many of the things I write are drawn from personal experience, it is hard for me to write at the moment because of this situation.  Writing anything else will cause more trouble. 

I hope this is over soon and I will be able to write without the worry of this situation.

Tomorrow, I definitely hope to have a religious reflection posted.  I am not making any promises, though.  I seem to have a cold and some allergies.

If you would please, please click through to content so it registers views and I don't fall behind the 100 page view per article average, I will be ever so grateful!

November 2 is Look for Circles Day
November 2 is Deviled Eggs Day
October 30 is National Candy Corn Day
November 3 is Housewife Day
November 3 is Sandwich Day
November 4 is King Tut Day
Ballet Flats Are the New High Heels
Has the Nigeria E-Mail Scam Come to Life?
How to Create Successful Fictional Characters
Product Review:  Kettle Brand Krinkle Cut Chips Salt & Fresh Ground Pepper
Product Review: Reese's Whipps
Product Review: Wonka Sweetarts Rope
Could You Spell Speleology?

And of course, my NaNoWriMo post:
Bone Shattering:  NaNoWriMo Day 2

Thank you so much for clicking on these!  It really does make a difference!

I know that I've not posted a religious reflecting for the past three or four weeks.  I've been really busy and I still am!  I started working for Associated Content. It's great to freelance write, but I need page views because they will not make offers on my new articles unless I get page views on the ones that are already published - soooo

I even make the links in these content posts the handy links that open in a new tab/window.  (Okay, true, I don't use that only ONLY these, but I make sure to use it on these while I may not others.

So, I've not been getting offers on AC and I searched through the forums.  I found that people have said if you do not have an average of 100 PVs per article, that AC Content Managers may reject articles for upfront payment.  It seems like this at the moment.  I checked and I'm around 57 PVs per article, so if you haven't and you don't mind clicking through to articles to register page views, please do.  Honestly, you do not even need to read them unless you are interested.

First of all, here's just the link to my profile:

My Content Producer Page

Here's the articles that are posted since last time (but not the one where I was trying to network with Technorati and it did not work.)

If you have friends that do not mind clicking, I'd definitely appreciate the favor. I know some people do not mind clicking.

Of course, if any articles would be interesting to others, please do e-mail the URL and let others know to read the article.

Now, onto the links:

Battle of the Ventriloquists:  Taylor Mason Beats Jeff Dunham!

October 29 is Hermit Day
October 28 is Plush Animal Lovers' Day
Attack of the Annoying Television Commercials
How to Book Lost And Found for a Concert
My Halloween Adventure: Carving a Watermelon
Different Generations Obviously Have Different Tastes in Music
Restaurant Review: Gatti's Pizza in Lake Charles, LA
How to Throw a Successful White Elephant Party
Get to Know the Characters of Drake and Josh
Not Only is Dumbledore Gay, Harry Potter Was Inspired by Christianity
Get to Know the Characters of Veggie Tales
How to Prepare for NaNoWriMo
Referring to Television Shows in Shorthand
Get to Know the Characters of The Emperor's New School
Get to Know the Chracters of The Fairly OddParents
Product Review: Nestle Ice Cream: Shrek Sludge Fudge
Product Review: FRITOS Tangy Roasted Corn Flavored Corn Chips
Get to Know the Characters of Lizzie McGuire
Get to Know the Characters of M*A*S*H
The Many Voices of Kevin Michael Richardson
Could This Be the World's Funniest Joke?
Lake Charles, Louisiana, Dogs Win First Place at Dog Show
Spanish Spam
Zchurk: a New Word and Logic Game
A Tale of Rougarou
OpenOffice is the Solution to Problems with Microsoft Office
McNeese State Universit to Host 15th Annual Banners Series
Jonathan Rundman:  The Best Concert of 2007
What it is Like Living with Two Very Smart Dogs
Why Voice Acting Would Be an Ideal Job
The Many Voices of Jeff Bennett
The Many Voices of Rob Paulsen
Get to Know the Characters of Animaniacs
Get to Know the Characters of Phil of the Future

And here's my first day of NaNoWriMo writing:
Bone Shattering: NaNoWriMo Day 1

Then one more link to my general producer page  (in case you don't want to scroll and you know, search engine stuff)

My Associated Content Producer Page

The Story of Giggly-Mirth
(with Profound Apologies to Dr. Seuss)
by Steve Case

Far out in space, way away from the earth,
Sat a little, orange planet called Giggly-Mirth,
There were two kinds of people, and only the two:
The Feemollies were red, and the Mollies were blue.

"God made us first," the Mollies would say.
"God put us in charge of the night and the day,
Of the planet and birds and the ocean fish zoo,
And he put us in charge of you Feemollies too."
And the Feemollies were ruled as the Feemollies before
Until one day they decided, "not anymore."
They wanted to vote; they wanted to work.
Some of the Mollies' rules were simply berserk.

This wasn't the way that all of them felt;
Some wanted to play with the cards they were dealt.
Some Feemollies it seems really could run the show
From a glass corner office and the name "CEO."
Some Mollies it seems were great stay-at-home dads
Who cooked and who cleaned and clipped coupon ads,
Who could raise small children and put them in beds
And plant a soft kiss on their sick-fevered heads.

God gave them all gifts—a generous God,
And as they continued to bicker, God thought them quite odd,
"To make up these rules of who can and who can't.
You're on your own," said their God, finishing the rant.
Now left on their own, they dug their heels in.
"Here we go," said the Lord. "Let the problems begin."
So the Feemollies gathered in the capital city,
And they shut the place down without one ounce of pity.
"All right," said the Mollies, "come in; you're now equal."
But that's not the end. There's more…there's a sequel.
The Feemollies took over and ran things their way,
And all the past sins they wiped clean away.

And the Mollies, suddenly, themselves were then ruled.
Yes, justice is blind, but she seldom is fooled.
The world was then governed by those who could gov.,
But the Feemollies found those most intolerant of
The changes they made (surprise!) were the Mollies,
Who stubbornly refused, just for the jollies.
And after awhile the decision was made,
And with little fanfare and no serenade,
The planet would split, equal, in two.
This side for me, and that side for you.
All of them stared across the big, dotted line,
"I can't have yours, and you can't have mine."

Soon everything came to a great big stop;
The economy responded with a resounding, "kerplop."
No work could get done in school or in shrine,
Not when your destination is over the line.
No children did learn, their minds unprepared.
The Feemollies and Mollies just stood and they stared
Across that black line, their eyeballs all burning,
Eventually the planet itself did stop turning.

It's probably still there, standing still out in space.
It's cold there now—a most uninhabitable place.
If they'd just used their gifts, regardless of gender
And stopped waiting for those over there to surrender,
They might have fixed things; they might have made friends.
Instead, it all slowly just came to an end.
For the Feemollies in red and the Mollies in blue,
I'm just glad that it's fiction…aren't you?

I know that I usually post my reflections here, but I'm posting this since you can help me.  I finally got a change to write a religious reflection and post it and feel good at the same time.  I've got a "job."  I don't know how it'll work out at all, but it just might!  

I'm a freelance writer.  I write different articles and see if the site wants them.

I do get paid for most articles, but there are some they don't want.  I can understand that.

While I do get paid, just like a salesperson gets a commission for everything they sell, I get a performance bonus for page views.

So, if you could please visit my content page and read articles and also share those you like with others, I'll be very happy and glad that you did such a thing!  

If you couldn't follow the link above, it's http://www.associatedcontent.com/bridgetidelaney

That's right, there's no slash at the end.  It won't load if you make that mistake (as I have done).

Stein Auf!
Bridget