Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Day #364

December 30, 2014

On the Sixth Day of Christmas, God gave to me….six text messages from different folks who care about me and others. What a joy to have community!

Blessings.

Day #363

December 29, 2014

On the Fifth Day of Christmas, God gave to me….five months (or so) of waiting until spring and fly-fishing. Just had an invitation I can’t wait to take the person up on. Something to dream about when it’s in the minus degrees tonight. :-)

Blessings.

Monday, December 29, 2014

Day #362

December 28, 2014

On the Fourth Day of Christmas, God gave to me....four hours of unscheduled time to use getting caught up.

There were thank you notes that needed to be written for things that go back for weeks. Having the extra time today allowed me to realize again how blessed we have been during this relocation. We are so thankful for all the cards, gifts, notes, calls, encouragement, hugs, etc. And I’m especially thankful for the time today to write and let folks know how appreciative we are!

Blessings.

Day #361

December 27, 2014
 
On the Third Day of Christmas, God gave to me....the assurance that there is always prayer:
  • When things happen I cannot control
  • When things happen I cannot fix
  • When things happen I am too far away to attend to myself
Yes, there is ALWAYS prayer, because God is present with us yesterday, today and forever (oh, another three!).
 
Blessings.

Day #360

December 26, 2014

The day after Christmas. Blah! Or so the world says. It’s all about getting back to normal as quick as possible. Trees begin to disappear, lights come off the roof and bushes, presents get returned and leftovers are devoured.

But wait! In the church we just finished Advent, not Christmas. Christmas is just beginning! What about those twelve days of Christmas – right up until Epiphany (the visit of the Magi celebrated January 6th)? That would make today only the second day of Christmas. 

Think of the song, The Twelve Days of Christmas. Well, it seems a long time ago someone took the items in the song and applied biblical or Christian themes to the different days (as a help for Confirmation instruction). It goes like this:
  • One Partridge = Jesus Christ
  • Two Turtle Doves = Old and New Testaments\
  • Three French Hens = Three things that remain
  • Four Calling Birds = Gospels
  • Five Golden Rings = Torah
  • Six Geese A-Laying = Days of Creation
  • Seven Swans A-Swimming = Gifts of the Holy Spirit
  • Eight Maids A-Milking = Beatitudes
  • Nine Ladies Dancing = Fruits of the Holy Spirit (different than Seven above)
  • Ten Lords A-Leaping = Commandments
  • Eleven Pipers Piping = Apostles Jesus left to carry on message
  • Twelve Drummers Drumming = Points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed
Okay, I thought, I believe I can come up with my own Twelve Days of Christmas – things that apply to The Daily Intersection. So here goes (with the first obviously being Jesus, which cannot be improved upon!):
On the Second Day of Christmas, God gave to me....a ‘double-take’ based on the number of “likes” and “responses” to the Christmas wish I posted on FaceBook. It must have struck a chord with folks, because I was overwhelmed at how many folks liked it or commented. It made for a very Merry Christmas!
Here is what I posted: “Merry Christmas, one and all! Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth, peace!”

Blessings.

Thursday, December 25, 2014

Day #359

December 25, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #26 of Photos for the Season

APPEARANCE


Glory to God in the Highest - who made his appearance on earth. Not just an appearance, however, but a dwelling place, an incarnation, a human/divine life, death and resurrection - so that creation might come to more fully know the love of God and be saved through Jesus Christ. Glory to God in the Highest and a very Merry Christmas to all!!!

Blessings.

Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Day #358

December 24, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #25 of Photos for the Season

NAME


But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see--I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. (Luke 2:11, NRSV)

"The name of Jesus charms our fears and bids our sorrows cease" (from Oh, for a Thousand Tongues to Sing). Glory to God in the highest!

Blessings.

Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Day #357

December 23, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #24 of Photos for the Season

PROPHECY


"In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin's name was Mary. And he came to her and said, 'Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you." But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. The angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.'" (Luke 1:26-33, NRSV)

Blessings.

Monday, December 22, 2014

Day #356

December 22, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #23 of Photos for the Season

JUBILATION


What joy there is in announcing the birth of the Savior! While jubilation is not a word we often use today, happiness, gladness, festivity, and merriment all bring voice to the joy of the angels. It must have been glorious.

What words might describe our announcement of the Good News?

Blessings.

Day #355

December 21, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #22 of Photos for the Season
PEACE

 
This ornament hangs on the tree in the sanctuary. While the dove is often a symbol of the Holy Spirit, it is also a symbol of peace, the two being connected. The Holy Spirit is peace, along with assurance of God's love and mercy, etc.
 
May your final days of this Advent Season be filled with peace!
 
Blessings.

Sunday, December 21, 2014

Day #354

December 20, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #21 of Photos for the Season

SING


This is the choir rehearsing for the Advent Lessons and Carols worship last Sunday. And SING they did!!! Beautifully and with all their heart!

Blessings.

Day #353

December 19, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #20 of Photos for the Season

COMFORT


What demonstrates comfort more appropriately on a cool day than a quilt? This one was made for me by a dear friend as I left for seminary many years ago - with my initials even embroidered in the corner. Wrapping up in it has brought warmth, comfort, peace and remembrances for years - just as being wrapped in God's love through the Light of the World brings comfort and peace in the midst of darkness and doubt.

Blessings.

Thursday, December 18, 2014

Day #352

December 18, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #19 of Photos for the Season

FILLED

 
Is your glass half-filled this Advent Season, or half-empty? Or as I once heard, is it always full - just sometimes with water and sometimes with air, but blessed nevertheless!
 
Blessings.

Day #351

December 17, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #18 of Photos for the Season

SPEAK


I must admit, "speak" was the most difficult word to settle upon an illustration. This picture reminds me, however, of words my father used to say to me often: "Engage your brain before you engage your mouth!"

Perhaps the "speak" for Advent would be more appropriately the angel's words to Mary or to the shepherd's about the coming of the Lord, yet the Kingdom of God today might benefit as much from this "THINK" reminder as at any other time.

Blessings.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Day #350

December 16, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #17 of Photos for the Season

VISION


These glasses spend precious little time on the shelf. I need them to see clearly, to read well, to drive safely, for almost everything. How fortunate that I have them and I am thankful for them. But what about other types of vision: seeing the big picture, looking toward the future instead of focusing on the past, watching for ways to share the Good News and help those in need? For those I need other "assists" than glasses: prayer, worship, study, conversation, dreaming, being open to the Holy Spirit. Thanks be to God we have those...and I am thankful for them!

Blessings.

Day #349

December 15, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #16 of Photos for the Season
LIGHT


This lit candle adorns the bottom of the stole my Sister-in-Law crafted for the Season of Advent. The Light shines in the darkness... (John 1.5). We celebrate the birth of Jesus, the Light of the World, in the midst of the winter here, when the days are just beginning to get longer and the nights a wee bit shorter. The light is filled with hope that darkness does not, will not, rule and that the light WILL always overcome.
I'm always amazed at how little amount of light needs to shine in a completely dark room to make a difference. It is a reminder that we are also called to be light to the world, helping to dispel the darkness of gloom, fear, doubt, etc, through love, service, and patience. These are certainly needed in a world where darkness seems to be ever-increasing. Come, O Lord, and shine!

Blessings.

Monday, December 15, 2014

Day #348

December 14, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #15 of Photos for the Season

JOY

 

 
 
 



Hard to find more joy than in a dog who loves snow getting the chance to roll in some fresh powder. She's soooo happy to see snow! Oh, that we would be as joyful for the opportunity to spend time with God in worship!


Saturday, December 13, 2014

Day #347

December 13, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #14 of Photos for the Season

FAITH


As I watched the practice today for Advent Lessons and Carols worship tomorrow, it occurred to me that perhaps the greatest testament of faith was Mary’s laying Jesus in a manger wrapped in bands of cloth. Faith that God knew what was really happening, that God had everything all under control, and that God would watch over her newborn for his whole life. Faith, that when things might seem the most confusing and even the darkest, believing we are not alone or without hope.

Blessings.

Day #346

December 12, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #13 of Photos for the Season

PATIENCE

 
 
In the midst of the cold and during long nights of darkness, a tree waits with patience for the coming of more light and warmth to refill its branches with leaves and spur its growth. During this season of Advent, we also wait for the celebration of the coming of the Light of the World, along with more warmth through grace, love and forgiveness, bringing everlasting joy.
 
Blessings.
 

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Day #345

December 11, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #12 of Photos for the Season
 
ETERNITY
 
 
A ring with no beginning and no end reminds me of God - from always, to now, and forever, God IS. Throughout all eternity, God's love has been, is, and will be present.
 
Blessings.
 

Day #344

December 10, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #11 of Photos for the Season
 
MESSENGER
 
 
Blessings.
 

Day #343

December 9, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #10 of Photos for the Season

PROMISE


The love of Christ is shown in water and God's Word, what we call baptism. It is the Adoption into God's family, from which nothing can separate us from God, as spoken by Paul in these words he wrote to the Romans, chapter 8: "38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Great Good News - great promise!

Blessings.

Monday, December 8, 2014

Day #342

December 8, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #9 of Photos for the Season

WAY


A large depiction of the nativity hangs in the windows of the walkway where I serve. This is only a couple of the panels, depicting the way the Wisemen took to visit Jesus with their gifts and worship. What "way" are we taking to share our gifts and worship with Jesus?

Blessings.

Day #341

December 7, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #8 of Photos for the Season

LOVE
 

The meal of Holy Communion, Christ's Body and Blood given and shed for you and for me for the forgiveness of sins, is the most amazing demonstration of love ever. Each time we receive Christ's Body and Blood, he is telling us he loves us and forgives us and is reminding us of the relationship we are in with him, now and forever.

Blessings. 

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Day #340

December 6, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #7 of Photos for the Season

KINGDOM

 
The Kingdom of God can be described as relationship - God's relationship with us and our relationship with one another. At a reception following a Memorial Service, the Kingdom of God is evident in the love shown to the grieving family and in their love for one another. God, and God's Kingdom, is surely in this place, and we trust and know God is with this family.

Blessings.

Friday, December 5, 2014

Day #339

December 5, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #6 of Photos for the Season

FAITHFUL
Also defined as loyal, constant, and steadfast, the postal service and their unofficial motto comes to mind: “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”

Which begs the question: what keeps me from being faithful in completing what God asks of me?

Blessings.

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Day #338

December 4, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #5 of Photos for the Season

ALERT
 
 

It is hard to describe alert any more appropriately than a loyal dog watching for, or out for, their "master." Ever ready, ever anticipating something good from the one(s) who love them and who they love. Here is ours being "alert," waiting to take a ride (her favorite thing). What are we alert for from the One who loves us unconditionally?

Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Day #337

December 3, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #4 of Photos for the Season

READY
 
In the sanctuary, the tree stands ready for decorations, thanks to the willing hands of wonderful volunteers. Are our hearts also standing ready for the adorning of Christ's love and grace?

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Day #336

December 2, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #3 of Photos for the Season

RULE

 
"And God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day. (Genesis 1:14-19)

Monday, December 1, 2014

Day #335

December 1, 2014

Advent, 2014 - Day #2 of Photos for the Season

TIME

For many years this clock my father made kept time for our family, chiming every quarter hour. My how time marches on….or as the Psalmist cries, "How long, Oh Lord?!"
Blessings.

Day #334

November 30, 2014

First Sunday in Advent - Day #1 of Photos for the Season

HOPE


What more appropriate symbol of hope! The hope of the world rests on the shoulders of the one who hung here and died for you and me, yet was resurrected. The hope of love and grace is embodied in Jesus, our Lord and Savior. Thanks be to God.

Blessings.

Day #327.5

This is the promised picture from the Installation Worship Service on November 26th, Day #327. Truly a blessed day.


Blessings.