Most of you know what the members of the local ELCA congregation did to my sister and then to me and thus my family.  So, most of you know that we've been attending an Episcopal church where we feel welcome and they actually do focus on ministry.  I won't say more about that.  The point was to mention that I've been attending an Episcopal Church.


I went to all three Good Friday services (as you know, I'm a church nerd and love going to church.)

On Good Friday, there was a stations of the cross service and it was the first stations of the cross that I've ever attended.  It was informal as it was really the first they had at least with the new artwork.  

Pastor Cook said that there are usually 14 stations of the cross, but that we had 16 because there were eight spaces on each side of the church for artwork.

I know that I've been amiss with posting any religious reflections lately.  It's called life and I do hope to get back on schedule.

Anyway, this is going to be different from most of my religious reflections because it'll focus on the stations of the cross and some of it is also going to be about things that I remember from the artwork (each is an angel with symbols representing that stage in Christ's life as the church is "St. Michael and All Angels.")

Of course, I'll still pray and ask God to show me any ideas as I write and all glory goes to God, but it'll probably be more like my thoughts on the stations of the cross.

Hail Mary full of grace: the Lord is with thee.

God sends the angel Gabriel to tell Mary that she is going to give birth to His Son.  That, in the first place, is quite amazing.  Two things come to my mind immediately and one is when we did our Christmas program when I was just a teenager.  My Daddy took us out to places and we took pictures dressed as the characters from the Christmas story and then we each had a part to read as there was a slide show.  When we first started with this part, the thing mentioned was that Mary was probably only 14 or 15 years old when she was told this news.  I could tell that I wasn't the only one who thought of how scary it would be to be a pregnant teenager, even if the lifespan were shorter in that time.

The next thing that comes to mind is when I pieced together two plays about Jesus coming down to earth and Jesus's life on earth.  The part that really does come to mind is from the play about Jesus coming down to earth.  It starts with Him in heaven and talking to an angel.  When Jesus tells the angel that he is going to have flesh, the angel shudders and basically says, "ew, gross!"

The one part of the art that made an impact to me was that there was a Star of David, and in that Star of David, there was a descending dove.  It was as if God is saying, "I've always been with you!"  It makes me think of how people point to the verse in Genesis where it says "let us" saying how it says that God was never one single entity.  Also, of course, the beginning of the Gospel of John, "In the beginning was the word and the word was with God and the word was God."

And an angel of the Lord appeared saying: Glory to God in the highest

God has sent His Son into the world, and that's amazing enough as it is.  Then, God doesn't give the word to the kings and rulers.  He isn't there to be what most of the Jews thought would be the messiah - this great ruler that would conquer the kingdoms.  God sends his angels to appear to shepherds in the fields.  Then, the wise men also heard and traveled (and didn't return when warned).  Yet, Jesus was a great king already.  It was enough that these shepherds and these wise men (who were not kings, though we wrongly call them kings and nowhere in the Bible does it say that there were three, but that there were gifts.)

The art with the angel has a star in the back.  One of the other people commented on the same thing that I was going to say - that the star looked like spears through the angel's wings.  This brought to mind the artwork on the front of the Lost And Found Christmas DVD.

See it here:



Many of the stars can also reflect the cross pointing to Jesus's destiny and future of being on the cross.

The artwork on the Lost And Found album is a bit different as it also looks like shining from a star or the cross which also looks like the crown of thorns.  Others may even find other imagery in the artwork.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

So little is really known about this time in Jesus's life.  It was interesting to me that another person pointed out how people who work with youth concentrate on these formative years and yet we know little about Jesus's formative years, and yet they are so important.

What we do know is that he was a carpenter because of Joseph's trade.  Then, the story we have is of Jesus in the temple.  Jesus was the only sinless person, so do we find him disobedient in this story?  Some would probably think that is the case.   However, from what I've read, it was common to walk in family groups, so Mary probably thought that Jesus was with another part of her family and only after everybody was further away did they most likely realize He was in the temple.  Yet, He was teaching, so how could teaching God's Word be disobedient?  After all, Mary knew he was God's son.

The part that intrigues me is that there is no mention of Jesus doing carpentry in the Bible.  People who don't believe in Jesus have asked me how can a nice man just walk around the streets and not make a living.

While I know that Jesus focused on his ministry, I'd imagine that He wanted to be human like us as well and make an honest living.  When he really needed it, I imagine that he found some small carpentry job that he could do to make money.  Yet, I can't say that this is definitely true because there isn't any record of it.

Jesus came and was baptized of John in the river Jordan, and the spirit descended on him like a dove.

Here, Jesus comes to John and asks to be baptized.  John says that he is not even worthy to undo Jesus's sandals.  Yet, Jesus insists on being baptized.  It is a little bit confusing.   However, this is when God first says that Jesus is His Son, at least, it one of the Gospels it says that everybody could hear the words.  In another, it says that only Jesus heard the words.  However, we know it is when Jesus started his adult ministry.  It is from this point that he goes and his public ministry begins.

The evil one said: If you are the Son of God, turn these stones into bread.  Jesus answered: Man does not live by bread alone.

After Jesus goes out to do his ministry, the first thing He does is go out into the wilderness where He is tempted by the devil.  A common phrase that was taught to say in hard times was "God doesn't not tempt, but He does test."  So, here Jesus was tempted by Satan, but was it possible that He was also being tested by His own Father, even though He was the Son of God and was God?  

I remember that when I was young, I would always envision some spirit or devil type being actually being in front of Jesus as He was tempted.  Yet, now, I wonder, did Satan ever actually appear?  In the artwork, he is depicted as the serpent, a common symbol of "the evil one."  

We've all had those times where we feel tempted to do something (we're lying to ourselves if we say that we don't have those times), and did Jesus simply hear these things in his head as in influence of the devil?

Sure, people say "the devil made me do it," to some very strange things, but at times, it obviously is the devil tempting, especially when we can tell him to go away in the name of Christ and those temptations flee.

The kingdom of heaven is like a net thrown into the sea, gathering fish of every kind.

I have always liked this verse.  I grew up Lutheran and I consider myself Lutheran (ELCA)/Episcopalian after first being a Christian.  Yet, I consider myself a Christian.  Yes, a fairly social liberally leaning Christian.  I don't think any of the denominations get it completely right, but God is happy to have us all believing in Him and in His son, Jesus.  So, not only is God gathering up all sizes, shapes, and colors of skin for heaven, but also, all the types of denominations and even those who just simply believe and are not a part of a denomination.

The art is neat here as there is the obvious net like fishermen use.  That net also makes me think of how Jesus said to cast the net on the other side of the boat and then said that He will make the disciples fishers of men.  This makes me think of what I ever only knew as "the yellow tape" when I was very young and in Sunday school, but the song that always stayed with me from that tape was the that went "I will make you fishers of men, fishers of men, fishers of men; I will make you fishers of men, if you follow Me."

The keys in the art are also quite neat as the ridges are made to look like crosses to be like the keys to heaven.  However, this also made me think of the very odd teaching of the Seventh Day Adventists that their Prophetess Ellen G. White wrote of - the angels carrying golden keys, though I know the artwork is only meant to be symbolic and not like the SDA teaching.

And they filled the jars with water and the steward of the feast tasted the water became wine.

If you remember the miracle, it almost seems as if Jesus would not have chosen this to be His first miracle.  His mother tells him that they've run out of wine and He asks "What concern is this?" He does not seem to think this is that important.  He even tells His mother, "My hour has not yet come," sounded as if He is not going to perform a miracle.  

Jesus is not the one that says to come to him, yet, His mother tell the stewards, "Do what He says."

It is interesting that in this, Jesus is performing a miracle and also being obedient to His mother.

Of course, most of us know how they are confused that the good wine was served after the bad here because most people serve the good wine until the people are drunk and then serve the bad wine because they won't care once they are drunk that they are drinking inferior wine.

Jesus was not going to reach out Himself to do this miracle, and yet, when the disciples saw this happen, they believed.

It seems that it shows that even though God sent Jesus, He was also always using others.

They brought to Him all who were sick and possessed.  And He healed the sick and cast out demons.

There are many stories of healing in the Bible and it is always nice to read them and know that God can and does heal even in this day.  

The importance of the number seven is sometimes emphasized when the boy sneezed seven times among other times the number seven is mentioned.

Yet, the story that always sticks with me is the woman who simply reached out and touched the hem of Jesus's robe.  He knew that somebody had touched his robe.  The Bible does not say the tone of voice that He used when He asked who touched His robe.  It could've been angry, but I imagine that it is more of a tired voice, just wondering.  Jesus probably wanted to go rest, yet, He sees and hears the woman and simply says, "Your faith has made you well," and from that, she was healed.

Some people do not seem to believe that God still performs miracles today, rather, being stagnant and simply going through the worship service and thinking "all that was for when Jesus was on earth."  I know this because I had people try to teach me that exact thing, even pastors, but I did not believe that and still I do not.  I believe that God still performs miracles and heals today.

I think the woman who touched Jesus's robe should be an example for us to have faith in the same way.

This is my beloved Son.  Hear Him.

I find it both interesting and comforting that God says the same thing at Jesus's baptism and His transfiguration.  It seems to me like God is telling the people, again, that He is definitely pleased with His son, like a good father would confirm his child's successes or plan with the same assuring words they are used to hearing from when they were a small child.

I cannot imagine how bright that light was, either.  I know what it is like to suddenly walk into an area where this really bright light is shining.  In fact, I hate the halogen headlights on cars as they are quite blinding, so this light has to be even brighter!  That obviously had to be blinding and scary, and yet, Jesus stands there and tells Peter, James, and John to stand!  

I wonder, would I have been able to stand, even though it was Jesus telling me to stand?  I would like to think the answer is "yes."  Yet, my human nature, my weaknesses, tell me that it probably would've been otherwise.

I am the light of the world.  I am the true vine.

The verses that mention light always tend to stay with me and mean a lot to me.  After all, Bridget means "resolute strength" and Ilene means "light," so it has always seemed to me that my name names "a light of resolute strength."  Then, the screen name that I often use, "kagomeshuko" means "an idea of everlasting light."  I came about kagomeshuko in a roundabout way, but the meaning is why I really liked it and stayed with using it.

The light verse also make me think of Lost And Found's Christmas song, "Arise, Shine," where they sing, "The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light."

The one where Jesus is the vine makes me think of how much wine and gathering to eat and drink in the Bible is important and how gathering together for communion and for a meal really does make a difference and how it makes one welcome.  It also makes me think of the song "His Banner" how some people will sing a combination of "the vine" and "devine," when that verse comes and how God seems to be able to use all kinds of tricks in all the different languages to make these little things happen.  It is certainly different in each language, but there always seems to be something.

Hosanna.  Hosanna to the son of David.

This station is reflecting Christ's entry into Jerusalem.  I don't have it now, but I remember going through the lineage in the Bible with people and trying to follow it all and then wondering about Mary's lineage as it was mentioned that it was possible that hers went back to David and doing some searching, but never completing that.  Not that it would concern me if Jesus were in the line of David or not, but I know that Joseph was in that line and that Joseph was Jesus's earthly father.

While I like the palm crosses, at times I also miss waving the palm branches.  I miss starting outside and playing handbells and having a big processional (though, even in the Lutheran church, the handbells wouldn't happen now since they no longer have any music director and they haven't for a long time.)  However, I always loved the big joyous and triumphant celebration.  It seemed just the right thing to get into the odd mood that set the tone back in Jesus's day knowing what is going to happen at the end of the week.  Here, finally, Jesus's kingship is recognized and it is happy - and yet, soon, it will be mocked.

It also brings to mind a Palm Sunday when I was quite young and our friend Robin came to church with us.  She, Briana, and I devised some little  skit where Robin was the donkey and I rode her while I think Briana was somebody that waved a palm branch.  It was odd, but it seemed to give us all a different perspective on the day.

He took bread, blessed it and gave it to them.  And said, Take, eat, this is my body.

Here it is, the passover, and Jesus gathers His disciples in the upper room.  Perhaps they are expecting a typical passover dinner, yet, Jesus is there with bread and wine.  Pastor Cook made an interesting point that this would've been leavened and not unleavened bread.  So, Christ is there and is present - there among the world, like the leaven is among the bread.  

Here is when he says that one will betray Him, and they all start to question who it is.  Yet, Judas knows that it is Him.  A point though, is that without Judas doing what he did, then Christ's capture, crucifixtion, death, and resurrection may not have happened.  So, it seems that while not a popular guy, Judas was required in the whole scheme of things.

A part that I do not understand among some denominations is that they only have communion so many times a year (the Seven Day Adventists only have communion four times a year and what is written is that they are supposed to have a foot washing beforehand, but they never did that at Sharon Chapel SDA).  

The disciples always broke bread when together, either formally as a sacrament or informally as a meal.  I agree with people that say communion can be had as many times as there is a gathering of Christians.  I could go on and on about how I don't agree with those that don't let others commune with their odd interpretations of verses, but I don't get into any of that.  I am glad that the Episcopals, just like the ELCA, has a policy of open communion where those who are baptized judge their own hearts and the pastor doesn't decide.

And they put a scarlet robe on Him, and a crown of thorns upon his head.

I know first hand how much it hurts to be teased and mocked from all of my time in school.  It started in Kindergarten and there were still those people who never matured in 12th grade.  In fact, there still are those people who haven't matured to this day, but ignoring them now works much better than ignoring them then.

Jesus couldn't ignore these people.  He had to go through this horrible time.  

I can remember how my Daddy used to take Sunday School during the summer and we'd do a lesson on a book of the Bible over the summer.  We did about a chapter during a class and then we'd work on our stained glass picture with these little things that he was able to created from stuff they sold at a craft store that allowed him to trace the pattern through glass using whatever separated the colors.  We were then allowed to apply the colors as he'd have that part done when he brought it to Sunday School.

He was trying to teach how purple was expensive in Biblical days.  Briana mistook this as that the purple color of the stained glass paint was more expensive than the others and asked how much it cost.

I think of the fact that the purple was expensive as odd because it was so important to mock Jesus that they still put a scarlet robe on him.  I can understand the crown of thorns.  Thorns aren't expensive.  They can be found.

However, it seems to me like the purple robe would be akin to somebody buying a brand new car just to mock a person by having them drive it and then get into some accident where the car is ruined or almost ruined, so more money is needed.  

Why is it so important to mock Jesus that nice things are used?

Yet, in this mocking, part of the truth is also shown - Jesus is king - while mocking, they are unknowingly acknowledging a truth.

And they lead him to a place called Golgotha

I don't really have much to say here.  Pastor Cook had an interesting story that at Jerusalem, there was a bus station, and he and whoever else, climbed up on the roof, and they were able to see a mountain or rocks where the rocks seems to form a shape of a skull.

The part of the crucifixion that so many people seem to be confused about when I talk to them is Jesus carrying His own cross or did Simon of Cyrene carry the cross or at least part of the cross.

I think of it as the two disciples being in two different places.   The first saw only Jesus carrying the cross.  Of course, the cross was heavy and Jesus was getting tired, so Simon of Cyrene was pulled out to help carry the cross and then the second disciple saw that.

I know how violent crucifixion was from reading about it and being taught about it in Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Students at LaGrange.  

Yet, I do wonder if being tired from carrying a cross made it at least that teeny tiny more bit . . . "bearable?"  Which, it really wasn't . . . but that if one was fully awake and had to go through it, what that would do and how it would feel.  I know how I am when extremely exhausted and I think that it'd be much less painful to endure things like shots (which I hate) at a time like that.

The, I also think of Mary, the mother of Jesus, at the cross, and how that had to hurt.  Recently, my little puppy was hit by a car and I was so worried about him!  He did live and it ended up he needed some serious surgery.  He'll be fine as long as he is allowed to heal, but I was so worried and hurting for him, that I can only imagine the pain that Mary felt to watch her son have to die, even knowing He's the Son of God.

I don't have my own children yet, though I do want them. Yet, my dog is my child and I do know how much I hurt when my big puppy even passed away naturally and how much I still miss him.

I cannot imagine how the disciples just turned away in this time of Jesus's need.  I know how it hurts to lose a pet and a parent, and yet, not to be the person who needs support at the time (except maybe when I had bacterial pneumonia as there was a point I was so sick that I almost just didn't care what happened, but I had people caring for me, so I had the love and support that I needed.)

Jesus was completely alone, though, and His mother was hurting.  This is what I always try to think about when I feel so alone and unsupported.  I know that Jesus knows that that is like.

An angel rolled back the stone.  He is not here.  He is risen.

I know the whole story of how the women had to go early after the Sabbath as to not break the law.  I know there are differences in the Gospels, and yet, I really do not think the impact really changes.  I try to think of the surprise.  After all, these women were probably not strong enough to roll away the stone, even together, asking who would roll away the stone.

Yet, when they got to the tomb, the stone was rolled away.

I don't have much to reflect on with this, either.  However, I do think of a conversation that my friend and I once had about how if we went and took every symbolism literally, that Christians should be wearing a symbol of an empty tomb - the cave with the stone rolled away.  

While the ascension is very important, it is very important that Jesus rose from the dead, because that is what even allowed him to be ascended.  

Yet, the symbol of Christianity is the cross.   Of course, there is a lot of importance of the cross - how Jesus was crucified and then buried.  some Christians like the crucifix, but many seem to love the triumphant cross, which doesn't tell the whole story, but it is saying that Jesus did not stay dead, he rose.  The cross was bear and the body gone from the grave.

As they looked on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight.

I think it must have been strange to just have Jesus raise out of sight and have him gone.  I am also reminded of Enoch.  The Bible does not say that he died.  It simply states that he walked with God.  Then, I'm also reminded of Elijah who was simply taken to heaven in a chariot of fire and whirlwind rather than saying that he died.  

To me, I'd imagine that these events were foreshadowing the ascension of Christ.

And now, may the peace of Christ be with you all.

Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Psalm 62:5-12
1 Corinthians 7:29-31
Mark 1:14-20

J - Jonah proclaims the word of God to Ninevah, and God forgives the popele of the city.
P - love and trust God for in Him is our home and refuge
1C - the present form of this world is passing away
M - fishers of men

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

A recent theme in my life lately has been how heaven is not the very last thing for us.  Heaven is not the end.  Certainly, heaven is real, but it is not the end of things.  We don't just die and then go to heaven.  There's more than that.

This is true.  The Bible says that there will be a new heaven and a new earth. I can even remember being scared at a point because how would it work if we were to have eternal life, but both heaven and earth were going to pass away?

The simple answer given by some was that the heaven and earth that were going to pass away was the earth and the sky, but heaven was going to stay.

I did not like much of what the Seventh Day Adventist church taught me, but it did get me to study the book of Revelation some more.  Obviously, it is still mysterious and not clear like they try to make it.

However, it also got me to look at the other things that are in the Bible.

Just what is this good news that is important?  It could simply be that we go to heaven, end of story.  However, that's not it.

The good news is that while we don't know it, God has a plan.  Just like those fishers of men in the gospel, we have to follow God and Jesus and tell of the good news.

Just like Jonah finally did (with a huge push, or even being forced by God), he proclaimed what would be bad news to Ninevah, but they repented, so it turned into good news for them.

Paul tells us that the world is already changing from its current state.   While things may seem to be getting worse and worse, we must remember that ultimately God is in control of everything.  Certainly, humans miss the point and do some awful things, but it is always wisest to trust God.  There, we will be safe.

So, no matter what happens, life on this earth, or waiting in heaven, for that new heaven and new earth where we will all live, we have a refuge and a home in God and in Jesus and in the Holy Spirit.  

Because of this, we can proclaim "Alleluia. The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news. Alleluia. (Mark 1:15)"
 
Prayer of the Day (from http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Worship/Lectionary/Year-B/Time-after-Epiphany.aspx)

Almighty God, by grace alone you call us and accept us in your service. Strengthen us by your Spirit, and make us worthy of your call, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.

I get prayers requests in my e-mail on a daily basis from United Prayer Partners.  I read the e-mail and pray for these people, often the first thing I do when i get online.

Today, in the requests, was a very sad prayer requests.  I'm praying for this and even more so for a miracle.  I know that God can perform miracles, so I'm asking for people to pray for these people!

We just wanted to thank you for your warm wishes and excitement regarding our pregnancy. We waited many years before starting our family and were thrilled to share our news over the past few months. Just before Christmas break, Johnna's OBGYN mentioned that the amniotic fluid appeared low and that she should return in a few weeks to check it again. At that time, we were informed that this could be due to dehydration. On December 30th, we returned to the doctor to find that there was no fluid present and our doctor referred us to the Maternal/Fetal Medicine Clinic (UAB Health Systems). After seeing a doctor within this high-risk group on January 2nd, we learned that our baby has "bilateral renal agenesis" which is the absence of kidneys, ureters and the accompanying arteries. This means that the baby cannot make amniotic fluid (which is the baby's urine) and therefore will not have any fluid to help it's lungs mature or grow for the rest of the pregnancy. Our doctors expect the baby to go full term (or close to it) but its lung and kidney problems will not be allow it to live very long (typically only a 30 minutes but could be up to a few hours). Although we are devastated now, we know the worst is to come and are trying to prepare ourselves with each passing day. What should be the happiest time of our lives together has now become the saddest. Our doctors said the best thing for us to do is go about our normal routine, and that is what we will do as best we can. We're just trying to take it one day at a time... Intellectually, we understand what is happening, but for us this is an emotional struggle and test of faith like we'd never thought possible. We will have another ultrasound at UAB on January 16th and will be seen by the UAB physicians and our OBGYN for the remainder of Johnna's pregnancy. We know many of you are already praying for us and we feel those prayers everyday. If you wish, please pray specifically for the following: That the baby be comfortable and pain-free during pregnancy and delivery (lack of fluid can cause space for the baby to be very compressed) That we have AS MUCH TIME AS POSSIBLE with our baby after delivery That we know what to do regarding medical decisions before and after the birth Please feel free to pass along our situation to others we know or don't know (Sunday school prayer list, church prayer list, etc.). Thank you for your friendship and prayers during this very difficult time. Jeremy & Johnna Stafford

Merry Christmas all!

I'm going to related the first story that I heard at the sermon that was told at the Christmas services (which relates to how a little baby can amazingly bring peace - so you can see how that moved into the Christmas story.)

Pastor Cook told the congregation this story every time:

The French and the Germans were at war. The land was full of ammo and carnage. The day was very foggy, so foggy that things could not be seen. However, about right in the middle as the sun shone through some of the fog, a small farmhouse could be seen between the two warring armies.

Among the grass at this farmhouse, a little baby could be seen crawling - not concerned with the war, as happy as could be.

A sudden deadly silence fell over the troops as the baby crawled. Not a single shot was made.

Suddenly, one of the French soldiers jumped out and went to pick up the baby. Not a single shot was made by either army. He went to take care of that baby. Not a single shot was made, but instead, from both sides, thunderous applause arose.

It was amazing how only little baby brought peace to that battlefield.

---

Then, I wanted to share one of my favorite Christmas songs. It is simple, but it is also very beautiful.

Before the Marvel of this Night

1. Before the marvel of this night
   Adoring, fold your wings and bow,
   Then tear the sky apart with light
   And with your news the world endow.
   Proclaim the birth of Christ and peace,
   That fear and death and sorrow cease:
   Sing peace, sing peace, sing gift of peace.
   Sing peace, sing gift of peace.

2. Awake the sleeping world with song,
   This is the day the Lord has made.
   Assemble here, celestial throng,
   In royal splendor come arrayed.
   Give earth a glimpse of heav'nly bliss, A teasing taste of what they miss:
   Sing bliss, sing bliss, sing endless bliss.
   Sing bliss, sing endless bliss.

3. The love that we have always known,
   Our constant joy and endless light,
   Now to the loveless world be shown,
   Now break upon its deathly night.
   Into one song compress the love,
   That rules our universe above:
   Sing love, sing love, sing God is love.
   Sing love, sing God is love.

2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
Luke 1:46b-55 (52) or Psalm 89:1-4, 19-26 (1)
Romans 16:25-27
Luke 1:26-38

2S  - A house is built for the Lord (the Ark of Covenant).  It's not really "God," obviously, but was important and God then promises that David's kingdom will be safe
L - The Magnificat or P - singing praises of God's faithfulness
R - The mystery is Jesus Christ and faith is from God and Christ, learned through the writings (or hearing) of the Gospel
L - Mary is told she is going to give birth to Jesus


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

The fourth Sunday in Advent means that Christmas will arrive in less than a week.  So, as Christians, we are getting ready to celebrate the arrival of the baby Jesus into the world. Yet, we need to stop and look at what this actually means.

Certainly, when we are small, knowing this story and the Easter story is what matters.  However, there is much more to this story.  

As we know from the Old Testament, God has always been with his people.  Yet, we also know that we are only now truly saved because of Jesus's death and resurrection.  So, where does Jesus's birth fall into play other than getting Him into the world in order to be able to die for us?

The thing is that while God has always been in the world, even those who claimed to be faithful Jews often were not faithful.  God was there, but they would easily forget.  Sometimes they would get too concerned with laws and make them to be more than they said.  Other times, they would completely forget about the laws God gave to show that they were faithful.

The story in 2 Samuel shows that the Jews did not treat the Ark of the Covenant very well.  Instead of being in a place where it would be kept nice, it was stored in a tent.  God gave Nathan word that a house should be built for the Ark.  As long as that was done, God promised David that his kingdom would be safe from enemies and that his decendants would continue to rule.

We do not know about every child of King David, but we do know that all the rulers were certainly not considered his decendants.  However, God did not break His promise.  This story goes much deeper.

Just as the Ark of the Covenant needed a house, Jesus needed a home while on earth.  Thus, the angel Gabriel came to a confused young virgin.  This would be akin to a teenager today having an angel visit her and tell her that she was going to give birth to a son.  It must have been a very confusing time.  

The amazing part is that even though Mary was confused, she eventually praised the Lord that this was going to happen.  Of course, it was difficult and Joseph had the idea not to marry her becaues this was obviously not his child.  

Yet, here, God used Mary and Joseph, to raise Jesus and to give Jesus a home.  This Jesus was also known as the Son of David, allowing God to keep his promise that David's decendants would rule forver, being that Christ does rule forever.

Still, what does it mean for us now that Christ has come into the world and died?

Christ still needs a home.  There certainly is a heaven, but heaven is not the only place where God and Christ are to be found.  EVerything is God's, and that includes the whole earth and heaven.  We need to give Christ a home by doing good and praising Him and eagerly awaiting his second coming, knowing that the day and the hour is unknown.

So, as we celebrate Christ coming to earth as a baby, let us also celebrate the fact that Christ is going to come again and that He is here among us and has a place among us when we express our faith through good works.

Amen.

Recommended Listening: Holy is the Lord by John Michael Talbot
Recommended Hymn: Hark, the Glad Sound! (Tune: RICHMOND [HAWEIS])

Prayer of the Day Taken from http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Worship/Lectionary/Year-B/Advent.aspx
Stir up your power, Lord Christ, and come. With your abundant grace and might, free us from the sin that would obstruct your mercy, that willingly we may bear your redeeming love to all the world, for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Second Sunday of Advent
December 7, 2008
Isaiah 40:1-11
Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13
2 Peter 3:8-15a
Mark 1:1-8

I - Comfort comes in the Lord Jesus.  Jesus is the one that paid the penalty. Grass/flower fading.  Shepherd/sheep analogy.

P - restoring land, forgiving iniquity, pardoning sin, glory . . .

2P - coming like a theif, 1000 years like a day, try to be without blemish

M -  John the Baptist

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

I know that it has been a very long time since I have written a religious reflection and many things have happened since I last wrote one of them.  

My family and I have had to leave St. Paul because the congregation and the pastor do not truly care about the members or about ministry.  There's a long story, but I am not going to post it.  To make a long story short, we now attend an Episcopal church and we love it.  The only things I miss are the music (though that was pretty much gone at St. Paul) and being able to work with youth in any way.

Then, in May, my Daddy passed away.  Obviously, I was quite depressed for awhile and I still miss him (at least the times he was happy) lots.

Those are the reasons for not writing until now, but by now, I feel that this part of my faith journey is definitely missing!

So, once again, grace, peace, and mercy to you from God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

All the lessons for this second Sunday in Advent seem to focus on the forgiveness of sins.  At times it is put another way, but ultimately, it is talking about the forgiveness of sins.  Most of the time, however, the lessons talk about preparing for the forgiveness of sins by referring to something that God has already done in order to prepare for more forgiveness.

However, preparing for forgiveness is not the only thing that is mentioned.  It is also mentioned that we should try to be without blemish.  The actual words are "strive to be found by him at peace, without spot or blemish."

That's the problem that we all have.  We can all try to be without blemish, but not a single one of us are without sin.  We all sin.  To take an often used line, "We all sin and fall short of the glory of God."

Yet, here we are, preparing ourselves to still receive the glory of God even though we do not deserve that glory.  Of course God still wants us to try our best to follow all of His commandments and to be good people.  However, it is human nature that we sin.  Just as my favorite prayer of confession states, "We are in bondage to sin and cannot free ourselves."

Now, the season of Advent is my second favorite time of the church year.  (The first is Palm/Passion Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday - all of Holy Week and Easter Sunday).  There's a good reason for it being my second favority part of the church year - because even though there is a church year that is divided in ways to celebrate Jesus's life, we should always be in a state of Advent which is waiting and being hopeful.

This is another theme mentioned in these lessons.  We're told that 1000 years is like a day to God.  Then we're told that Jesus is going to come like a theif in the night.  Not a single person, not a single angel, nobody but God knows when Jesus is going to return to earth.  However, we should wait patiently and go about our lives serving God by using the talents that He gave us.

I read somebody's entry about Obama and how he obviously isn't the anti-Christ because she is still on this earth and how the Bible says that leaders are appointed by God, so Obama was obviously appointed by God.  I'm not getting into politics.

However, I've not ever been oen to truly care about the end times philosophies, and honestly, it doesn't matter in which way it is going to happen.  God has everything under control.  It doesn't matter if I'm going to be raptured up in the sky and others will be "left behind," or if everybody will be raptured and judged.  It doesn't matter if both of these are wrong.

The important part is that we believe in this and that we believe that there will, indeed, be a new heavens and new earth where righteousness and peace have a place unlike this earth, where things are bad and makes every single human in bondage to sin.

This state of being in bondage to sin, but also have God give us His glory, grace, and mercy easily leads to the phrase of being "simultaneously saint and sinner" or for those  of you who are really into theology, "Simul Justus et Peccator."  Also, just as a mention, the pastor at the Episcopal church talked about this in his sermon last Sunday and I felt very much at home when I heard this.

So, there we are, sinners and saints, in an eternal Advent.  As we celebrate Advent and the coming of the Christ child, we should remember even more that we are in a continual Advent for Christ's return.

Amen.

Recommended Listening: By Grace by Jonathan Rundman
Recommended Hymn: Prepare the Royal Highway (TUNE: Bereden bag for herran)

Prayer of the Day Taken from http://www.elca.org/Growing-In-Faith/Worship/Lectionary/Year-B/Advent.aspx
Stir up our hearts, Lord God, to prepare the way of your only Son. By his coming strengthen us to serve you with purified lives; through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

So, here's what's happening for us right now.

My mom and sister went over to the Ambassador Inn to see if it was in a livable condition since I read that review to them.

The answer: Not at all.

Since my mom had booked the room, they had at least two and a half hours to clean it and they had promised they'd clean it.  That hadn't been done.

They both said that the smell was very bad outside the hotel.  Then they both said that the smell in the room was really terrible.

Briana went in for just a tiny amount of time (this was room 115, so a room on the first floor), and something leaked on her from the ceiling.

We started looking for any other vacancies in hotels.  We ended up in a suite at the Towneplace Suites by Marriot on the Texas side of Texarkana.  We're in room 301 for those of you who'd like to know.

My mom managed to lose her cell phone before we left yesterday, so I don't know if she is going to go to the Sprint store here in Texarkana or if we'll be without that contact.  

Everything on CNN and the weather channel seems to be about New Orleans, of course.  However, so far, it looks like they've predicted that Gustav is going to hit west of New Orleans and then it looks like the whole storm is going to cover all of Louisiana.

We have to go out and get quite a few things.

I didn't pack any clothes.  I need new clothes.  I didn't pack my toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, razors (and I still have the stupid sores from ant bites, so shaving is still questionable, darn it!), or any personal hygiene items at all.

We didn't pack any food, either, but we do have a fridge and a stove and a microwave in the suite.


For more info from where I live, visit http://www.kplctv.com and find the videos or news stories about Gustav.  Also, http://www.wunderground.com is a good site.  Just find the link that says "tropical storms" and then find "Gustav."

I really need your prayers right now.  On Sunday night, my dad died.

They think it was from a massive heart attack caused by DKA.

More information can be found at http://kagomeshuko.livejournal.com

Viewing and funeral arrangements are also posted there.

I can't really bring myself to type more about it right now.

I wish this were a religious reflection.  I wish I got paid for writing those, but the credit does go to God on those.  It would just be nice, though.

*sigh*

I'm needing page views for my content on the site where I work, though.  My doggie needs medicine :(  I need to pay back my grandmother :(

I make my living by writing articles for Associated Content.  They do pay for some, but it is mostly low offers. The real money comes from page views.  Plus, I like to try to write what interests others so these will be helpful or fun articles.

Yes, a page view is a page view. They do not record IP addresses, so if you feel like looking at an article twice, that's two page views and three times is three page views.

I honestly need the money now as I need to repay my grandmother and my dog is on two (most likely soon three) medications! 

If every MySpace friend were to visit just three articles, that's over 2500 page views.  More is even better as AC wants me to have a higher page view average!



You can visit my profile at http://www.associatedcontent.com/bridgetidelaney




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We are talking about this "million page views in one month" that we've been told is possible.

Also, if you find an article interesting, please forward it to friends so it gets more page views that way! 

Thanks!


Bridget

Isaiah 42:1-9
Psalm 29
Acts 10:34-43
Matthew 3:13-17

I - God describes His servant; His servant is Jesus Christ. The way Jesus ministered was not with tons of judgement or anger, but usually stories and love, even love in his anger.
P - The Lord is strong, stronger than any being, and He can also give peace.
A - Jesus is Lord.  He died and rose to save us.  It is through his name that we receive forgiveness.
M - The Baptism of Jesus when the Holy Spirit came down as a dove

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

These lessons are for celebrating the baptism of Christ.  Every single scripture passage refers to the Lord (or at least to God).

Isaiah is the prophecy of Jesus doing ministry.  The psalm is about praising the Lord which can refer to both God and to Jesus.  Acts refers to Jesus dying and His resurrection.  The Gospel is about the baptism of Jesus.

I could stop there, but that wouldn't be much of a religious reflection.

Many ministers say that we should be baptized because we are "good Christians."  They say that Jesus was baptized to "set an example for our behavior."  They tell us that we need to be completely "Christ-like."

Of course Christians need to be Christ-like, insofar as following His teachings, keeping strong to their faith, and loving others rather than judging.  However, some preachers go so far with how disciples should be Christ-like that it is scary.

Read Matthe 3:13-17 quickly.  Think about it.  Then read it again slowly.  Trace through each even carefully in the passage.

Does Jesus ever say that He needed to be baptized to "set an example" for his followers?  It doesn't say that anywhere.

In fact, Jesus did not start His official ministry until after He was baptized.  He did not already have followers.  The witnesses were God, John the Baptist, and John's disciples.  They were not the followers of Jesus.

How could Jesus set an example for His followers when they were not yet truly in existence?

Jesus said that he needed to be baptized in order to fulfill the prophecies.  

Of course others may have tried this same trick, but Jesus made John say that he needed to be baptized.  For an unexplained reason (other than being Jesus's relative - remember that Mary, Jesus's mother, was a cousin to Elizabeth, John's mother) John knew that this was the Lord.

When John baptized Jesus, the Holy spirit came down upon Jesus.  

It seems that Jesus would not need to be baptized, but He was 100% man and 100% God.  He was totally man in His flesh.  His flesh experienced desire and pain.  He had a human brain that though human thoughts.  The spritual side of God knew what was going to happen.  This is how it worked that Jesus could go through things, know that they had to happen, yet not want them to happen.

Just like we tend to be in conflict with what God wants, Jesus's flesh was in conflict with his Godhead side.  So, of course, as a man, Jesus worship God the Father and the Holy Spirit.

Baptism was not to be obedient.  Baptism was a means of grace.  God's grace came upon Jesus when He was baptized.  God grace comes upon any humans when they are baptized.  So, why should any human deny a person of any age God's grace?

It is just that if a human is not baptized, a belief in God is most likely going to lead that person to wanting to receive God's grace.  However, it is only God and Jesus that knows the heart of that human.  There are certainly unnbaptized humans that purely believe in God and Jesus.

Let us remember not to judge upon if a person is baptized or not.  After all, it is not said those who are unbaptized will perish.  It says those that do not believe will parish.

Amen.

Yes, I know that the listening recommendation I chose is about baptism by immersion.  Baptism requires water, it does not say how much - immersion, sprinkling, and pouring are all valid forms of baptism.  After all, it is God's word that truly makes it valid.

Recommended Listening: Baptism by Kenny Chesney and Randy Travis (which can be listened to here.
Recommended Hymn: Baptized Into the Death of Christ by Jay Beech (lyrics can be found here.

Prayer of the Day (from the ELCA website)

O God our Father,
at the baptism of Jesus you proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit.
Make all who are baptized into Christ faithful to their calling to be your daughters and sons, and empower us all with your Spirit, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen