Lord, teach me. . . .

Behold! I am making all things new. --Revelation 21 May the New Year be filled with every good blessing from God. God’s perfect grace and peace to you and yours as you pray. Monday  In Canada, today is Boxing Day, a day to give small gifts to postal carriers and other public servants. (Hint, hint.) Matthew 25:35-36 Tuesday  Is your church pledge up-to-date? The church (and other charitable organizations) depends on your pledged giving to meet our financial promises. Acts 20:28 Wednesday  Need help keeping a commitment? Share your intentions with a friend and ask them to keep you accountable. 2 John (the whole letter) Thursday  Was there something you didn’t get for Christmas that you really need? Someone else may need it, too. Buy two; donate one. 2 Corinthians 8:7 Friday  Animals have it harder in the winter. Consider feeding the birds or squirrels. If you have stray cats in yo...

This week, pause. Open your heart and your eyes to the wondrous beauty and mystery and magic of the Christmas miracle and the true Gift of the season. Wander and ponder through “ Sharon’s Christmas Prayer ,” by John Shea. Merry Christmas! Monday  “She was sure of the facts, and recited them with slow solemnity, convinced every word was revelation.” Isaiah 9:6-7 Tuesday  “She said they were so poor they only had peanut butter and jelly to eat, and they went a long way from home without getting lost.” Luke 2:1-4 Wednesday  “The lady rode a donkey, the man walked, and the baby was inside the lady. They had to stay in a stable with an ox and an ass ( hee hee ).” Matthew 5:3-10 Thursday  “But the Three Rich Men found them because a star lited the roof.” Matthew 2:1-12 Friday  “Shepherds came and you could pet the sheep but not feed them.” Luke 2:8-12 Saturday  “Then the baby w...

When we talk about communities, we seldom discuss the margins. But for every person nestled comfortably in the bosom of a community, there is someone else on the outskirts, feeling ambivalent. Ambiguous. Excluded. Unwilling or unable to come more fully into the fold. –Adam Mansbach My husband and I are part of a group with common goals, and presumably a similar commitment to reaching those goals. We meet once a week to share successes and less-than-successful weeks. Usually, we come away invigorated, affirmed and ready to go. But last week was different. Last week, at one point, the group leader made a statement. (I’m paraphrasing here, to protect the folks involved.) If you don’t do exactly this, then you don’t belong in this group. Immediately, my mind left the meeting and I wondered how often we, as the church, say similar things without thinking about it. Baptized (or not) as an infant? Not in our church! Don’t believe the world was created in seven days...

Will you remember the famous men Who had to fall to rise again They picked themselves up Dust themselves off And start'd all over again. --Dorothy Fields Have you ever had one of those days when you lift your eyes to the sky, raise your arms and ask What did I do to deserve this ? Honestly, sometimes it just seems as if the universe, or karma, or something , is ganging up on us, doesn’t it? About two weeks ago, we had a fire at Church in the Circle. It didn’t seem to be much of a fire. Not really. But what we didn’t count on was the way the smoke would funnel out of the classroom and make its way into the sanctuary, dragging its dirty tail behind it and rendering the space unusable for the weeks ahead. Or the way the weight of the water in the carpet would wait almost a week before letting go, bringing down ceiling tiles in the education wing below and possibly sending our children out on a wilderness journey while repairs happen. And meanwhile . . . it...