Tonight is the eve of eve of Thanksgiving. I am not sure about anyone else but it seems that as we approach the family holidays the days become more hectic and at times more chaotic. Not only planning for family gatherings but for me it is doing a homily for an ecumenical service tomorrow, planning for my sermon on Sunday which is the first Sunday of Advent, a baptism, and babysitting my three grand daughters. Seems to be a busy time. The weather also has not helped with cloudy misty days.
I am going to talk tomorrow on worry and anxiety from the scripture in Matthew 6:25-34. With all that is going on in the world and in our community with the economic issues, health issues, and war issues, it seems important to think about what it is that we worry so much about. Maybe we need to spend more time thanking God for what we have and sharing that then thinking about all the problems that exist. I know that as I work on the homily, I will be thinking about how much we spend our time and energy worrying about things that often we have no control over. Think about the serenity prayer. We need to address the problems that our society faces and at the same time we need to remember that we are called to lift up ourselves to our Savior. So in this Thanksgiving time spend a few moments not worrying about tomorrow but thanking God for the gift of life, the gift of grace, and the gift of mercy that He has bestowed on you and I.
Have a wondrous Thanksgiving and enjoy the company of those around you.
Eldon
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Saturday afternoon
It has been quite a while since I have taken the time to write anything. As we approach the time of year that we remember Advent and Christmas, I thought that I would spend some time reflecting on this season. Already many people have put up their lights and decorations. Stores have put all their Christmas displays up and pre-black Friday sales are on-going.
It is easy for one to get so caught up in the hectic time that one forgets about spending time reflecting on what this season is all about. I know that I will be preaching this Sunday on Christ the King. This Sunday is the last Sunday of the Christian year. The year begins with Advent where we await not the birth but the return of Jesus. So often Advent becomes compressed to maybe one or two Sundays and then everyone wants to sing Christmas Carols and put out the manger scene. The second season of the year is Christmas and Epiphany. This is the time that we remember Jesus and spend time with Jesus as he grows in his ministry. Lent and Easter time are another season when we remember the sacrifice that Christ made for us. Pentecost and Kingdom time speak to the church. It all ends with the remembering that all seasons of the year and of our lives is found in Christ. Our submission to Christ makes it possible to enjoy and at times endure the seasons of our lives.
On our marquee at the church, the sign states, "We don't change the message, the message changes us." I believe it is so important in a world seeking constant change often for change sake that we remember that in Christ and in God there is a constant message to us that never changes. How we receive can change but not so much that change becomes the end. It can only be the means to the message that all things are possible and come from the Will of God.
For me, I need to keep myself in the word so that I stay connected in my relationship with God. The more that I do that the more I am able to enjoy the seasons of my life.
It is easy for one to get so caught up in the hectic time that one forgets about spending time reflecting on what this season is all about. I know that I will be preaching this Sunday on Christ the King. This Sunday is the last Sunday of the Christian year. The year begins with Advent where we await not the birth but the return of Jesus. So often Advent becomes compressed to maybe one or two Sundays and then everyone wants to sing Christmas Carols and put out the manger scene. The second season of the year is Christmas and Epiphany. This is the time that we remember Jesus and spend time with Jesus as he grows in his ministry. Lent and Easter time are another season when we remember the sacrifice that Christ made for us. Pentecost and Kingdom time speak to the church. It all ends with the remembering that all seasons of the year and of our lives is found in Christ. Our submission to Christ makes it possible to enjoy and at times endure the seasons of our lives.
On our marquee at the church, the sign states, "We don't change the message, the message changes us." I believe it is so important in a world seeking constant change often for change sake that we remember that in Christ and in God there is a constant message to us that never changes. How we receive can change but not so much that change becomes the end. It can only be the means to the message that all things are possible and come from the Will of God.
For me, I need to keep myself in the word so that I stay connected in my relationship with God. The more that I do that the more I am able to enjoy the seasons of my life.
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