What's Love got to do with it?

Many people have the wrong idea. The life of a priest is not quite what you (or I) imagined. In winter, I am the mouse catcher. All year round, I move things and tote things. Oh, and I work as an amateur plumber.

As plumber, I notice things. As a rule, men seem to be proud of what they do. I say that because they seldom flush. I can’t say my parents ever taught me that, but women seem to have mastered that feat.

Have you bailed out of something and left a mess for others? Worse yet, did you do it with a text or email?

Christ expects more of us. Community requires it. The fuel of a family, a business or a church is the trust built through honoring one another, even when it is tough. It takes sacrifice to grow relationships that breathe life. Commitments honored build worthwhile relationships. And, if we need to change things, face-to-face is the way of love.

Is there someone you owe an apology to? Can you find a loving way to honor your commitments?

Love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10 (NRSV)

Impatience

Like it or not, God shows up on those who wait. Patience is both a virtue and a sign of God’s presence. Advent reminds us to slow down and wait. Some do. Some don’t. Certainly, our surroundings tell us to be as busy as possible right now.

Those who carve out waiting time find God in so many aspects of the day. Those that don’t may wonder if they threw God out with the Christmas wrap. Waiting, stillness is hard but worth it.

 

What are you preparing for on December 26^th?

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord! Psalms 27:14 (ESV)

Six Ways

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes.  Isaiah 35:5-7

I can think of at least six ways we can interpret the scripture above.

1.        Yeah, I can’t wait!
2.        It’s some kind of metaphorical talk
3.        I just don’t see how we can pull it off
4.        How unrealistic
5.        I’m busy
6.        Huh?

Which do you identify with most closely?

This waiting time before Christmas is a time of hope. Not optimism; hope. Hope allows the current day to blossom because we know for sure what tomorrow holds. Hope is about what God will do/is doing. Optimism holds no such certainty.

One day, a day will come unlike today. One day, there will be a world without pain or suffering or turmoil or death. One day, even we will be made new.

Today, I will live fully because tomorrow is in God’s hands.

What is your Defining Story?

All of us travel with at least one story that draws us and defines us. Commercials do nothing more than entice us to adopt their story – “You’re a winner, a cut above the rest (of the losers)” or “You need help and we have it” or “Your looks are the real you – better spruce up a bit” or “All you suffer from is not being either hip enough or productive enough (okay, maybe pretty or manly enough as well,)” or “Life would be perfect if you only had this.”

These stories divide the world into two categories – winners and losers. If you are a winner, you might be a loser tomorrow. Don’t let up. If you are a loser, we could make you a winner (only to lose again later.)

Christianity has so much baggage (which makes me sad) but has a great story. That is: You are loved and there is not a thing you can do about it.

Try this story on today and skip the others. Write everyone you meet today into this story.

Here is an Advent devotion for ya. STOP. Tell the critic, “Bull#@*$!”

I remember a certain trip to the dentist when I was in my 20’s. I went on the offensive. “What type of toothpaste do you recommend and should I use a WaterPik? ” I asked.  I was stalling for time. You see, I did not want to hear the dentist moralize about how long I had waited between checkups. (I do go twice a year now.)

I think we all do this. Not at the dentist but to ourselves.

I recently read that most of us have a chorus going on inside our heads telling us how we don’t cut it, how we don’t measure up, how we screw up. As a result, I think most of us get blisteringly busy in order to stall and not hear the critic.

Here is an Advent devotion for ya. STOP. Tell the critic, “Bull#@*$!” Tell the critic that you are not the sum total of all the mistakes you ever made. Tell the critic that you are love, not for what you do but for who (and whose) you are. Call the critic’s bluff.

And listen to your Maker who calls you “child” and thought that you were just what the world needed. If you need to, confess your mistakes to a confidant. They will be of no use to your critic any more.

Don’t stall by staying busy. There is too much life to live and you wouldn’t want to miss it.