Winter has finally made an appearance in these parts, and its a beautiful thing. I've missed the contrasting whiteness of snow along with the quilted layer of quiet it brings. Let it snow!
Friday photos
Month: December 2012
Christmas: don’t be more spiritual than God
'The Word became flesh,' wrote John, 'and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.' (John 1:14). That is what incarnation means. It is untheological. It is unsophisticated. It is undignified. But according to Christianity it is the way things are. All religions and philosophies which deny the reality or the significance of the material,… Continue reading Christmas: don’t be more spiritual than God
Wonder
This is the irrational season, when love blooms bright and wild. Had Mary been filled with reason, there'd been no room for the child. Madeleine L'Engle Most of us have a favourite Christmas movie, one you haul out every Christmas holiday season. Sure, part of the reason for Christmas movie watching is to disarm tense… Continue reading Wonder
Seeking God’s Face
The publisher of my book Seeking God's Face is offering a smokin' hot deal. Only one more day left - the deal shuts down tomorrow but you can order them here right now at Faith Alive. Avoid sweating through the malls in a heavy winter coat and get a fine resource that will keep giving through til… Continue reading Seeking God’s Face
Don’t mess with these grandmas
In our church during Advent we're entering into the lineage of Jesus, dwelling with the stories of the four women named in Matthew's genealogy. As a disciple of Jesus, this is my family tree, my spiritual DNA, these strong women my faith grandmothers. I love this genealogy, populated by wild and woolly risk-takers, most with… Continue reading Don’t mess with these grandmas
Do not wait till the world is sane
First Coming He did not wait till the world was ready, till men and nations were at peace. He came when the Heavens were unsteady, and prisoners cried out for release. He did not wait for the perfect time. He came when the need was deep and great. He dined with sinners in all… Continue reading Do not wait till the world is sane
Sick of all that’s bent, bruised and broken
"Father, I am weary of all that is wrong with the world - murder of the innocents, a smeared and wrecked creation, tyrant-oppressed poor, hunger-withered children, exploited women, forgotten elderly, invisible homeless. I long to see that all these enemies - yours and mine - will be, once for all, condemned, and all things crooked… Continue reading Sick of all that’s bent, bruised and broken
Friday photos – “the age of decay”
"The age of decay" - that's what a prophetic friend of mine calls the time we live in now, the harsh, mostly unwelcome recognition that entropy wins. What is will wilt and fail us - our bodies, this groaning creation, the ones we love, the treasured dreams we clutch in this world will all break… Continue reading Friday photos – “the age of decay”
A saint, a dude and an ordinary joe
A saint is one who exaggerates what the world neglects. G. K. Chesterton No, Virginia, that paunchy, red-suited, white-bearded stranger who breaks into people’s houses once a year is not real - he’s an imposter, a sham and serves as the front-man for the consumer empire we live in. But yes, Virginia, Saint Nicholas is… Continue reading A saint, a dude and an ordinary joe
Sought After
So long as we imagine it is we who have to look for God, we must often lose heart. But it is the other way about - he is looking for us. Simon Tugwell, Prayer Isn't this the heartening hope, the deep gladness of Advent? It's not up to us; this salvation business doesn't depend… Continue reading Sought After
Squinch 