Elliott's Muses

As most of my close friends know, I consider Advent to be the most important season on the Christian's calendar. It's not just that Advent leads up to Christmas, it is much more than that. The Advent of our Lord Jesus Christ was God's declaration of love for his creation -- "For God So Loved The World, That He Gave His One and Only Son..." -- but it is this unbelievable concept of the "INCARNATION", the IMMANUEL, that is "God is With Us". God's love conquers a world full of sin...of hate, suspicion, material end alls and racial divide. He has given us all a picture of His Kingdom that we are invited into. It is not a Kingdom of the rich and powerful, of the movers and shakers, it's the "Upside-Down" character of God that comes flying in for all to see... "you gotta be kidding me. God says he is going to change the world and that sin will be no more, and he sends a baby!" Yes, a baby. Every year I celebrate Ad...

Well, it's "All Saints Eve" and I get this chance to do some Grandson bragging. My Grandson, Jack, is now four months and a week old. He is a real joy to my heart. Earlier this month Sarah had an emergency appendectomy and after her hospital stay she and Chris came out to live with us so that Sarah could recuperate. Well, that meant that for several days Jack lived with us and I had the time of my life. Sure, there's crying and diapers and spitting up... (remember the saying in Proverbs about 'where there is no oxen there's a clean stall'?). But, a Grandson's smile at his Grandpa is enough to melt the heart! So, without further adieu, my Grandson, Jackson...age four months.

Tomorrow is October 31st, which means that all sorts of young people will be dressed in costumes, and will soon be "trick or treating" Wednesday night in most cities in the U.S. and some other countries. I hope it does not surprise you to know that "Halloween" (by that name) started out as a Christian celebration? “Hallow”, in Old English, means "holy" or "sacred” (“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name” begins the Lord’s Prayer). Therefore, "Hallows' Eve," or "Halloween" simply means "the evening of holy persons" and refers to the evening before All Saints Day, which is always on November 1 in both Anglican and Catholic calendars. Halloween is a mixture of Celtic religious ideas and Christian martyrology. In the early years when the Roman Empire persecuted Christians, so many martyrs died for their faith, that the Church set aside special days to honor them. For example, in 607 Emperor Phocas pr...

It seems I'm in a time period of new beginnings. What I mean by that is that there are several areas where I'm either involved in, or initiating something new. First, I'm doing a bunch of weddings in both June and July -- hence new beginnings for couples to begin their married life. I love doing weddings. I love seeing beautiful brides and dashing grooms smile, celebrate family, and solemnly lead them to realize the vows they are saying to one another. Secondly, Linda and I are involved with Retrouvaille -- a ministry for marriages in crisis. These are couples who are separated, divorcing, or actively struggling with the whole idea of staying married. Retrouvaille was a powerful place of correction in our marriage, and giving back by being involved and helping others seems so right to do. This last weekend 26 couples came to a Retrouvaille weekend...nervous, wondering if it was going to help...and when I came on Sunday afternoon to help wrap things up, I noticed two c...

Hi all, Well, the long anticipated day arrived on June 22, 2007, when Sarah and Chris gave birth to Jackson Christopher Michael Elliott Pollasch, who was born at 12:15 a.m., @ 9lbs, 3oz. and 19 in. long. I'd say a potential linebacker! I am a Grandpa for the first time, and extremely glad to be. The wonder of God is the birth of a child, but the wonder that is also full of Thanksgiving is the birth of your own Grandchild..., and the Pollasch name lives on!

It's been a month of celebrating: Our 36th anniversary was June 12...a remarkable accomplishment from my standpoint...Not because I didn't think I'd love Linda forever; but simply because 36 years of anything seems a long time. NOW...I'd love to be writing something similar 30 years from now. Greg's Birthday is tomorrow, and on Sunday last (17th), we celebrated His birthday and Father's Day at the same time. NOW...what everyone is waiting for is Sarah and Chris' baby to come. She/He (my own opinion is that "SHE" is coming) was due last Friday, and wouldn't you know, SHE, in typical girl fashion is late! OK, so not really, it's only a few days. BUT, this morning at 6:30, when the phone rang, Linda was up and off the couch faster than I've seen in years! She laughed as she told Kelly - who called - that early in the morning phone calls shouldn't be toyed with. SO...we're celebrating, and waiting, so that we can celebrate some...

We just returned from a trip to visit our daughter and son-in-law, Lindsay and Peter, who live in Bristol, England. While we were there we had the opportunity to drive up to Scotland for a few days. Of all the places we've visited over the years, England is still our favorite. The reason is simple...friends. We have lots of relationships that have been formed over the years and we love visiting people who we love and who also love us. Our history with England goes back to 1992/93 when we met Dave Day from Bristol Christian Fellowship. As time went along Dave brought many from Bristol to visit us. We also took quite a few trips across the pond to visit them. One of the relationships that opened up in time was Richard and Norma Roberts who now live in the village of Beaminster, in Somerset, south of Bristol by about an 1+hour. This small village is their new home and the place they also own a business. We spent the first weekend with them and had the opportunity to visit lots of old ...