Elliott's Muses

This Sunday I want to begin our Advent Celebration with a message from Isaiah.  Here, the Prophet, some 700 years before Jesus' coming (Incarnation is the theological word) spoke of God who saw what people were going through and spoke of Hope. Isaiah 40:1-11 (NIV) 1  Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2  Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD 's hand double for all her sins. 3  A voice of one calling: "In the desert prepare the way for the LORD ; make straight in the wilderness a highway for our God. 4  Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. 5  And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all mankind together will see it. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken." 6  A voice says, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall ...

God's word, according to Jesus, is "food" for us.  He was quoting the O.T. book of Deuteronomy when he said, "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from God's own mouth." (my paraphrase). Given the fact that we consume a couple of "ton" of calories (they say the average Thanksgiving meal is 4500 calories!), its quite reasonable to think of "eating" God's word at Thanksgiving! Here's another thought from God's word on the theme of thanksgiving and just look at the ways in which he incorporates thanksgiving into these three sentences. Colossians 3:15-17 (NIV) 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful . 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whet...

It's Thanksgiving Week - a celebration without gifts to give, tinsel, or jingles.  It's a time to reflect on how grateful we can be because of the good that has happened...even when we're struggling in life's circumstances. Here's Psalm 107...look at the times he says "give thanks", and the circumstances that surround them. 1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever. 2 Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story— those he redeemed from the hand of the foe, 3 those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south. 4 Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle. 5 They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away. 6 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress. 7 He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle. 8 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderf...

One of the more respected voices in the Evangelical movement that does not fit the status quo of typical Evangelicals is a pastor/theologian/writer by the name of Greg Boyd. Greg has written a number of books, and one that I'm using at present in our Men's Fellowship is his very public letter exchange with his Father (who wasn't a believer at the time) entitled "Letters From A Skeptic".  What I love about the book is how highly personal it is, and yet how the biblical and theological reflections that Greg gives to his Father's questions are well thought out - regardless if you agree with every answer given. Peter writes in  1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)  15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,  One of my concerns as a Pastor is that the essence of the verse is largely ignored in our churches today.   Fi...

Yesterday I blogged about "Halloween" - which is actually "All Hallowed's Eve".  So if you haven't read that blog you might want to skip back a day and take a look at that before reading this one. Today in the church's calendar year is the celebration of "All Saints Day"... that's You and Me too! The word "saints" is used quite often in New Testament scripture. It was used of those who arose from graves after the crucifixion of Jesus.   Matthew 27:52 (NASB)  52 The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised;  And in the book of Acts it appeared several times:  The first time it was spoken by Ananias whom God called to go give Saul's sight back to him after he was struck down on the road to Damascus.   Acts 9:13 (NIV) 13 "Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.  Of Pe...