10w for December 2nd, Tell It Daniel, A1NL.

The following is a 10 minute worship for December 2nd, Tell It Daniel, A1NL. You can either listen on the flash player below or download it to your favorite music program to sync with your mp3 player by clicking on "DOWNLOAD" or play it on your smartphone's music player by clicking PLAY. You now also have the option of receiving these notices each week and on festival days by signing up for the 10W constant contact email list on the right side of the 10W blog where it says "Please Join our email list" or on your phone by texting 10W to 22828. The song for the day is,"Go Tell It On The Mountain" by the Heritage Hall Jazz Band from the CD "Christmas with the Heritage Hall Jazz Band"  which can be purchased HERE

10w for December 2nd, Come Lord Jesus A1.

The following is a 10 minute worship for December 2nd, Come Lord Jesus A1. You can either listen on the flash player below or download it to your favorite music program to sync with your mp3 player by clicking on "DOWNLOAD" or play it on your smartphone's music player by clicking PLAY. You now also have the option of receiving these notices each week and on festival days by signing up for the 10W constant contact email list on the right side of the 10W blog where it says "Please Join our email list" or on your phone by texting 10W to 22828. The song for the day is,"Come Thou Long Expected Jesus" by Tom Witt from the CD "Dusting off the Green Book" which can be purchased HERE

Poem for 1st Sunday in Advent Luke 21:25-36

How can we stand Lord?

We know of your awesome power

(love)

to create

----and bring to a close

all of this

----beyond our ability to conceive

----world.

How can we stand in this world

filled with all the powers of temptation

we can muster?

How can we stand and be ready

even when we see the signs?

(God gave)

In our world full of everyone is doing it

and that’s the way things are

(so loved)

we have so many one more things to do

here in this place.

(the world)

Even when I try to focus on you alone

(He gave his only Son)

I fail.

Even when I try to focus on you alone

I am unable to truly be who you call me to be.

(that whoever believes in Him)

When I look at the end coming

I am afraid

I will perish.

(will not perish)

and lose my

(but have eternal life)

life!

sprouting branch

Sunday December 2^nd, Jeremiah 33: 14 " 'The days are coming,' declares the LORD, 'when I will fulfill the gracious promise I made to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.  15 " 'In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David's line; he will do what is just and right in the land. An olive tree is almost impossible to kill.  There are some in the garden of Gethsemane that they believe were around at the time of Jesus.  I believe it was the olive tree this text refers to.  In the midst of life going sour, God drops a sprouting branch, new life.  Barbarians at the gate and a nation about to fall, and in the midst of it, life, and the promise is renewed brought to you by the God of all creation and time.  When the barbarians are at our gate, whatever form they may take, the promise is there for us also.  Emmanuel, God with us.  Life, comes into our darkness and announces that the light of the world that is coming, is in fact is already here.  Lift up you heads, stand up straight, wipe the tears from your eyes, because in the midst of your darkness, there is hope, there is light, there is love, there is life, and there is your God, with us and among us in the faces of one another.  

embrace the light

Monday December 3^rd, Jeremiah 33:  16 In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.'  It is not military might that brings hope or righteousness.  It is not radical law hugging that brings righteousness.  It is not puritanical and invasive laws to control women, minorities and voting that brings about righteousness.  It is not seemingly simple common sense or pithy statements that bring righteousness.  It is the Lord that brings us hope and righteousness.  It is through our relationship with the Lord and the calling to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind and our neighbor as ourselves that we experience righteousness.  It is the way that righteousness from God manifests itself in how we live together as “we” not “me alone” that we experience this righteousness in the body of Christ.  It is not our doing that brings it about, it is in our receiving what has already been done for us.  In the midst of the darkness in your life, embrace the light that comes from God and know you are never alone.  

missed the toe

Tuesday December 4^th, 1 Thessalonians 3:  9-10 What would be an adequate thanksgiving to offer God for all the joy we experience before him because of you? We do what we can, praying away, night and day, asking for the bonus of seeing your faces again and doing what we can to help when your faith falters. What a wonderful example of a healthy view of church.  What if you had not seen someone in worship of late and called them and expressed this sentiment?  I have missed you lately and have been thinking about you.  What if everyone had the same view of the body of Christ?  What if everyone felt that loved and that missed when they missed worship for some reason?  What if………….?  I think these two simple verses, put to use in a congregation, could double or triple the worship attendance in that congregation in one year.  What if church became ………well………..church, the “body” of Christ?????  Hello Toe, this is thumb speaking, boy have we missed you, hope everything is ok.  I pray we will see each other again soon…

two way street

Wednesday December 5^th, 1 Thessalonians 3:  11-13 May God our Father himself and our Master Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you. May you be infused with strength and purity, filled with confidence in the presence of God our Father when our Master Jesus arrives with all his followers.  We are called as the followers of Jesus to love one another and to be in relationship with one another.  It is not always easy.  I know there are times when I am not exactly the most lovable person around, and my wife can most likely site specific times and places.  When we are called into community, into relationship with the rest of the body of Christ, we are not just called to love the lovable; we are also called to love those who we would just as soon pass by on the road.  This Advent season, Jesus calling reminds us to stop, as did the Good Samaritan, and be an active part of the loving body of Christ.  In the process, Jesus will clear the path to those we are to love.  We will also discover that the path has been cleared to our door.  Relationship is a two way street of caring and loving the sometimes unlovable.  

where did they go?

Thursday December 6^th, Luke 21: 25 "There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 Men will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near."  Recent reconstruction of the Apocalyptic writings in the Bible, like the popular “left behind” series,  tend to focus on how terrible things will be for those who do not believe correctly (correct belief as defined by those same re-constructionist).  It’s the old, “you better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout I’m tellin’ you why, Jesus Christ is coming to town----and he is pissed” theology.  That theology has about as much to do with the Gospel as does Santa.  It has a Santa purpose also, to sell book and make money for those writing and selling that trash.  I wonder sometimes with all those people being raptured off, where are they going?  Revelation tells us the God comes down to earth and dwells with us…  The Gospel however focuses on verse 28.  When it seems that all hell is breaking loose, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption, Emmanuel, God with us, is drawing near.  Remember this holiday season, you are never alone.  As Jesus said, remember I am with you always, even to the ends of the earth.  

near

Friday December 7^th, Luke 21: 29 He told them this parable: "Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they sprout leaves, you can see for yourselves and know that summer is near.  31 Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near.  When things get rough, the Kingdom of God is near.  When you are living in fear and doubt, the Kingdom of God is near.  When you care for one another, the Kingdom of God is near.  When you are cared for, the Kingdom of God is near.  Read the signs that are all around you and know that, now and in the future, the Kingdom of God is near.  

compartments

Saturday December 8^th, Luke 21: 34 "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with dissipation, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you unexpectedly like a trap. 35 For it will come upon all those who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man."  Live your life in the presence of God.  Show your love in the presence of God.  There is a tendency to compartmentalize our lives.  Sunday morning for church, Sunday afternoon for football (more often, that is Sunday morning also), Monday for work, Tuesday evening bowling, Thursday go out to eat with the family, Friday is date night, etc.   The trouble is that we tend to leave God back on the Sunday morning compartment and work to keep him out of the rest of our compartmentalized lives.  If Christ is the light of the world that means the rest of our compartmentalized lives remain in the dark.  It is in the darkness that the fear mongers, like “left behind” and some politicians and preachers ply their trade.  Emmanuel, God with us means that God goes in all the compartments of life and begins with the words, “fear not.”

10w for November 30th, Andrew, Apostle.

The following is a 10 minute worship for November 30th, Andrew, Apostle. You can either listen on the flash player below or download it to your favorite music program to sync with your mp3 player by clicking on "DOWNLOAD" or play it on your smartphone's music player by clicking PLAY. You now also have the option of receiving these notices each week and on festival days by signing up for the 10W constant contact email list on the right side of the 10W blog where it says "Please Join our email list" or on your phone by texting 10W to 22828. The song for the day is,"Only by following Jesus" by Keith Green from the CD "The Ministry Years, Vol 2" which can be purchased HERE

10w for November 25th, Christ The King Sunday.

The following is a 10 minute worship for November 25th, Christ The King Sunday. You can either listen on the flash player below or download it to your favorite music program to sync with your mp3 player by clicking on "DOWNLOAD" or play it on your smartphone's music player by clicking PLAY. You now also have the option of receiving these notices each week and on festival days by signing up for the 10W constant contact email list on the right side of the 10W blog where it says "Please Join our email list" or on your phone by texting 10W to 22828. The song for the day is,"King of Kings" by Karen Davis from the CD "Yeshua" which can be purchased HERE

10w for November 25th, Christ the King Sunday NL

The following is a 10 minute worship for November 25th, Christ the King Sunday NL. You can either listen on the flash player below or download it to your favorite music program to sync with your mp3 player by clicking on "DOWNLOAD" or play it on your smartphone's music player by clicking PLAY. You now also have the option of receiving these notices each week and on festival days by signing up for the 10W constant contact email list on the right side of the 10W blog where it says "Please Join our email list" or on your phone by texting 10W to 22828. The song for the day is part of the communion liturgy from the Jay Beech Band from the CD, Everyone who is thirsty, Come, which can be purchased HERE

Poem for John 1:35-42 St. Andrew Apostle

The Sound Crashed in the heavens

look

the Lamb of God

demanding the response that came

                the response

                                to follow

                                to tell

                your sisters and brothers

of this one

who had come to change the world

behold

                rang the voice of John

as Andrew followed

                to that somewhere unknown

                where he would find

all that was life

                                and death

in this one

                unknown

                                Lamb of God

God’s voice rang

with Andrews response

as he simply told his brother

                                to come

                                follow

                this Lamb of God

that takes away the sins of the world

                                come                    

                                follow

Poem for Christ the King Sunday John 18:33-37

In Glory Christ came into our lives

in glory

as a King among his people

but a people

who did not know him

a people who wished

only to be let alone

and live in the bondage

they had become used to

the bondage created over the generations

the bondage

they no longer saw

this King came

victorious

In a world that knew not victory

to rule

a people loved.

ponder

Sunday November 25^th, Daniel 7: As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze. A river of fire was flowing, coming out from before him.  Thousands upon thousands attended him; ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him. The court was seated, and the books were opened. This is one of the visions of the end times in the book of Daniel.  It was a vision that helped put in perspective the power and force of one of the mightiest nations in the world.  This nation had great power, and weapons and might, and was to be feared by all on earth.  It was the Super Power of the day and it ruled by use of that power, military might, influence and money to control by one means or another all within its grasp.  Perhaps, you could draw the parallels to other Super Power nations.   Compared to the Ancient of Days, the Lord God Almighty however, its power is nothing, and perhaps one could also draw parallels on this issue also.   This section of Daniel is a call to place ones focus not on the power of this world, but where this world will ultimately be when the reign of God is finally manifest.  It is a call to catch the vision of the future and live in that vision now.  All of scripture can be summed up in the words, love God, love others.  That was good advice in Jesus day and it is good and God advice for today.  What is God’s all inclusive vision for your future?  Ponder on that and then live it in your life today.  

start living

Monday November 26^th, Daniel 7: Then I continued to watch because of the boastful words the horn was speaking. I kept looking until the beast was slain and its body destroyed and thrown into the blazing fire. The other beasts had been stripped of their authority, but were allowed to live for a period of time.  The horn of the beast in Daniel is the mouthpiece of the power of this world, the mouthpiece of military and monetary might.  In God's vision there is no place for it in the kingdom of God, the kingdom of the future, the kingdom of our future.  Other temptations are around us also, but their time too is limited.  When we catch this vision for God's future world, the world to which we are called, it is hard to get all caught up in the power plays of this world.  God's future is a world of peace; a world where all live as the children of God, a place where there is healing and wholeness for all the nations.  God's call is a call to start living that vision now, in our lives here today.  

starting now

Tuesday November 27^th, Daniel 7: In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.  He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.  Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace, Emmanuel, God with us has come to be with us.  The sounds of Handel’s Messiah fill the air.  The Prince of Peace is given the authority, glory and sovereign power over all people, nations, rulers and multinational corporations, over all the sources of non-peace.  The Prince of Peace, who went to the cross to bring forgiveness to all the world brings true peace to you, here, today.  The Prince of Peace, the lamb who was slain for the forgiveness of sin for all people.  Catch the vision of the Prince of Peace and live the kingdom life starting now.  

vision

Wednesday November 28^th, Revelation 1:    Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.  To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power forever and ever! Amen.  7 Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. The Revelation vision is one of the Prince of Peace coming to bring peace to you and I and to all the world. It is that “all the world” part that often includes those for whom we wish not peace but revenge.  Sometimes we call it justice, but what we really mean is revenge.   This Prince of Peace is the beginning and the end, a part of, and yet beyond all time, the one who freed us, and those for whom we sometimes wish “Justice” from sin.  All have  pierced this Prince of Peace and all the people of the earth will mourn because of him.  Mourn because our sins will be laid out before us.  Not in judgment, but in purification.  The manifestation of all the sin in our lives will bring about a great deal of mourning, the forgiveness of those sins is the vision of the New Jerusalem, God’s presence with us all.    

reason

Thursday November 29^th, John 18: 33 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, "Are you the king of the Jews?"  I imagine Pilates voice to be half mocking, half wondering, and yet with a hint of hope.  In the midst of our mocking and wondering at the prospect of peace in this world, are we too are filled with just a bit of hope?  Hope that the message of Jesus is true.  Hope that the forgiveness of sins is true.  Hope that the gift of grace, the forgiveness of sins and life eternal, is true.  Hope!!  Are you the one, Pilate asks?  There is a part of each one of us that wonders and asks the same question.  But also within us, in the very core of our being there is the small seed of hope that yells out, YES!!!!!  And that gives us a reason to live.  

learn

Friday November 30^th, John 18: 36 Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place."  The kingdom of God simply is. All too often we want to make the kingdom our property, our domain, where we are the supreme recipients of God’s grace and all others can learn to deal with it.  But the kingdom is not our property, never was, never will be.  The Kingdom of God is for all people created in the image of God and called good.  Division, war, discrimination, voter restriction, us and them, they are all our domain, our kingdom, and it is far from the kingdom of God.  God calls us to a new reality, one where the ruler is the Prince of Peace.  Where our being is dependent upon our learning to live with one another as brothers and sisters because that is what we are, were and always will be.  My kingdom is not of this world, and it is a kingdom of peace in which you and I and those we would call enemy live together and in the process learn to be brothers and sisters in the kingdom of God.    

welcome one another

Saturday December 1^st, John 18:  37 "You are a king, then!" said Pilate.  Jesus answered, "You are right in saying I am a king. In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me."  Jesus came to testify to the truth.  The truth is that the gift of life is given to all people.  Once in a while we get a glimpse of this vision, this truth, and for that brief moment life makes sense.  Most of the time however we wander around wondering if it could be true or perhaps just all an illusion.  I wonder as I wander out under the sky, how Jesus the Savior did  come for to die for poor ordinary people like you and like I.  I wonder as I wander out under the sky.  Live a life of wonder today as you wander and welcome one another as brothers and sisters on the journey.

10w for November 22nd, Thanksgiving Day

The following is a 10 minute worship for November 22nd, Thanksgiving Day. You can either listen on the flash player below or download it to your favorite music program to sync with your mp3 player by clicking on "DOWNLOAD" or play it on your smartphone's music player by clicking PLAY. You now also have the option of receiving these notices each week and on festival days by signing up for the 10W constant contact email list on the right side of the 10W blog where it says "Please Join our email list" or on your phone by texting 10W to 22828. The song for the day is,"Thanks for the Joy" by Ruthie Foster from the CD "The Truth According to Ruthie Foster" which can be purchased HERE

10w for November 18th, The Call of Isaiah, P25NL.

The following is a 10 minute worship for November 18th, The Call of Isaiah, P25NL. You can either listen on the flash player below or download it to your favorite music program to sync with your mp3 player by clicking on "DOWNLOAD" or play it on your smartphone's music player by clicking PLAY. You now also have the option of receiving these notices each week and on festival days by signing up for the 10W constant contact email list on the right side of the 10W blog where it says "Please Join our email list" or on your phone by texting 10W to 22828. The song for the day is,"Children, Go Where I Send Thee" by Sonny Terrie and Brownie McGhee from the CD "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" which can be purchased HERE

10w for November 18th, Tear it down, P25

The following is a 10 minute worship for November 18th, Tear it down, P25. You can either listen on the flash player below or download it to your favorite music program to sync with your mp3 player by clicking on "DOWNLOAD" or play it on your smartphone's music player by clicking PLAY. You now also have the option of receiving these notices each week and on festival days by signing up for the 10W constant contact email list on the right side of the 10W blog where it says "Please Join our email list" or on your phone by texting 10W to 22828. The song for the day is,"If I Had My Way" by Patty Griffin from the CD "Downtown Church" which can be purchased HERE

Poem for 25th Sunday after Pentecost Mark 13:1-8

Always striving

always searching for a way

to know

to have the inside track

searching for that clue

thinking secretly

we should have looked just on more way

then we would know

searching the heavens

and the scriptures for a sign

some sign

any sign

to let us know

to give us some feeling of being in control

to say to God

and our fellow travelers

I Know

I don’t really need you

because in the end

I Know!

The time will come

and even then we will not know

even then there will be enough doubt

to turn our eyes from ourselves

to the God who made us

and saves us

in that time we fear most.

Opening Litany based on Psalm 16

Pastor: Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge.

Congregation: We said to the LORD, “You are our Master! Every good thing we have comes from you.” The godly people in the land are our heroes and we take pleasure in them!

Pastor: Troubles seem to multiply for those who chase after other gods.

Congregation: We will not take part in their sacrifices or pretend to follow in their ways for the LORD alone is our inheritance, our cup of blessing.

Pastor: You guard all that is ours. The land you have given us is a pleasant land and a wonderful inheritance!

Congregation: We will bless the LORD who guides us; even at night our hearts instruct us to follow the ways of the Lord. Therefore we know the LORD is always with us and we will not be shaken, for the Lord is right beside us at all times.

Pastor: No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. I rest in safety knowing the Lord walks with us and will not leave us to the powers of death.

Congregation: The Lord will show us the way of life, granting us joy of living in the presence of the Lord forever.

travel well and dance

Sunday November 18^th, Hebrews 10: By his one sacrifice he has forever set free from sin the people he brings to God. The Holy Spirit also speaks of this by telling us that the Lord said, “When the time comes, I will make an agreement with them. I will write my laws on their minds and hearts. Then I will forget about their sins and no longer remember their evil deeds."  The gift of life is ours.  It is a gift from God brought to us by the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.  How we are to live in this time is written on the hearts of humanity and it is not rocket science.  Love one another!!  Love your neighbor as yourself!!!  That which you do onto the least you do onto me!!!  Love God with your whole heart!!!  It reminds me of that list of kindergarten rules (http://www.peace.ca/kindergarten.htm).  It shouldn't be hard, but we sure act like it is.  Most of our problems come from one of the many forms of greed, they come from wanting to see the world as all about Me instead of all about We.  We want something that is not ours, so we find a way to get it and our excuses as to why that is a good thing we make up along the way.  Now that you don’t have to do anything, what are You going to Do?  Christ Died, Christ Rose, Follow the rules of love that are in your heart!  It’s that simple, and it is that difficult.  Travel well together on your journey and dance once in a while along the way.  

torn curtain

Monday November 19^th, Hebrews 10: My friends, the blood of Jesus gives us courage to enter the most holy place by a new way that leads to life! And this way takes us through the curtain that is Christ himself. We have a great high priest who is in charge of God's house. So let's come near God with pure hearts and a confidence that comes from having faith.  In days of old, only the high priest could enter through the curtain into the holy of holies, considered to be the very presence of God.  During the crucifixion, the curtain in the temple tore from top to bottom, which is God’s declaration of what had just taken place.  The curtain that separates has been replaced with the Christ that welcomes in.  What had taken place was that there was no longer any separation between God and humanity.  God’s love, God’s forgiveness, God’s gift of life is open to all, no longer mediated by “the church.”   We no longer go to church, we are the church.  We still struggle with that.  We want someone to tell us what God wants, and all too often we listen to people willing to fulfill that role.  Instead, Christ invites you into the presence of God.  There is no longer a priest between you and God telling you what scripture says, only a pastor inviting you to open your scriptures and join in the discussion of what it says to you.  Failure to do so is the same as telling God you are not interested.  

join the dance

Tuesday November 20^th, Hebrews 10: Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship, but we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord's coming is getting closer.  OK, so we Lutherans have a problem.  We finally seem to have gotten the point across that we are saved by Grace, and then, as the children of God we say, O Good, that means we don’t have join together for worship anymore. Ooops!! Grace is a gift from God not a ticket away from God.  Not living in that grace is living less than you are called to live.  Gathering for worship is our recognition of that gift of grace in our lives and an acknowledgement of our need for it.  Gathering for worship is being there for one another as a manifestation of that gift in our lives and in theirs.  Gathering for worship is our living out a life of thankfulness for that gift of grace.  Gathering for worship is our nurturing of that grace.  Being saved by grace means you don’t have to go to worship to be a child of God but you choose to go to worship because you are a child of God.  True joy comes when you realize that you get to gather together and experience the love and grace of God in new ways.  Grace is like music, you may hear the music and enjoy it, but it takes you to a whole new level when you join the dance.

live the vision

Wednesday November 21^st, Daniel 12: 1 "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.  Way back in the time of Daniel, they got a part of the vision of what God’s grace looks like.  Everyone whose name is found in the book will be delivered.  Jesus brings that gift to all people.  We are destined for heaven.  That is the goal and the ending of this drama called life.  We are called to enjoy the journey here and now, we are called to live that vision.  Live the vision of Revelation 21 with the presence of God open to all people.  Live the vision of healing for all the nations.  Live the vision of God’s presence with all of humanity.  Live the vision and begin to live now, this very day, this very moment.  There is nothing to buy that will help bring this about, only your presence and participation in the kingdom that begins now and goes on forever.  Live it and learn to love.  

just.... stuff

Thursday November 22^nd, Mark 13: 1 As he was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, "Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!"  2 "Do you see all these great buildings?" replied Jesus. "Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."  Oh, my!!! How we are impressed by things, big things, little things, cheap things and expensive things, shiny things, but in the course of God’s vision for humanity, just things nonetheless.  The disciples were impressed with Herod’s building project; Jesus reminds them that next to eternal blessings, it is just a pile of stuff.  Don’t let the stuff in this world get all your attention.  Keep your focus on the things eternal, then life here and now will finally come into focus.  Until then, all that stuff is just….. well……. Stuff. 

false sense of being

Friday November 23^rd, Mark 13:  5 Jesus said to them: "Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and will deceive many.  What gifts do you want to hold up for your children to see?  What principles do you want to hold up for society to value?  When we get to the end of our lives and all that stuff we have collected is just old and dusty, what do you want to hold onto?  What wisdom would you want to pass on to your grandchildren?  There are many who come to deceive in the name of Christ just like there are many who come to deceive in the name of commerce.  They give a false sense of our being in charge if only we do or buy or believe this or that.  Be a part of something that matters, to the world, to your children, to great grandchildren, nieces and nephews yet to come, and most of all, to yourself.  Be a part of something that matters, be a part of the kingdom here and now.  

where are they going?

Saturday November 24^th, Mark 13: 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.  When you hear of a prediction of when the world will end, put a mark on your calendar, and call it a day of celebration.  You can be assured that the end as you know it will not be on that day.  We are called to live life in the here and now not for some day that may or may not be.  We are called to live in the kingdom in the here and now.  We are called to love like the kingdom was here and now.  When we do so, we discover that the kingdom is here and now.  In the book of Revelation, the Holy City, the kingdom of God comes down to earth and with it the Christ of the world.  This begs the question, where are all those people being raptured going?  We are called to live in the world of here and know and live in it as the Kingdom of God it is called to be and someday will be.