LUKE 3 -- A G A I N ????

On December 3, having read all of Luke 2, we were sent ahead to read the first six verses of Luke 3. Read the whole of Luke 3 on the 4th of December. And now on December 10 we are sent back once again to Luke three to read verses 7-18. And why? Well, because these are the verses we are going to hear this Sunday. And we need to be beaten up some more about our sins and all the bad stuff that is going to happen to us if we don't straighten up. We aren't even into the middle of Advent yet and I am longing for some words of encouragement. I need to know that somebody loves me. Enough already of John screaming in the wilderness.

I am not wanting to even think about what the 17th is going to bring us. More of Luke 3 no doubt. Perhaps between now and then we can have some positive stuff. And if it isn't, I'll turn it into positive. I am doing pretty well at my Advent discipline of reading Luke, coloring and meditating, writing a line or two about the days calender offering. Positive. Be positive.

UNPLUGGED

I am very fortunate to be able to have some time most mornings for 'self.' It is a quiet time of doing puzzles: Jumble, Celebrity Cipher, Newsday Crossword, and, of course, the Sudoku. Some days I actually finish all four. Taking on these daily Advent pictures has added time for myself. Choosing and applying the colors, thinking about the day's offering, all quiet time.

PLUS I continue to read the chapter a day of Luke. This is even more time away from 'communication' with others. And I have learned that reading Luke BEFORE I play with the colors is better. More time to meditate on the chapter. Like today there were included six parables, count them SIX. And in addition, a couple of little asides. So, once again, a chance to lament the demise of the swine herd. And what about the one where Jesus notices that power went out from him. I've always wondered if that meant that there was power taken away from the whole of his power and therefore it could get used up or that there might be an unlimited supply. Then I think, no, this is Jesus we're talking about. God has power going on forever. But these thoughts do surface every time I hear the story.

THANK YOU, GOD

'Thank you, God' is my first prayer of the day. Imagine NOT waking up. I am just thankful that I did. Then I'm thankful that all my body parts are working. Thankful that I still have a job in this nasty economy. Thankful that I am loved and have ones to love. The list goes on and on and is probably pretty boring. True facts are a lot of the time boring. I have an abundance of boring gifts in my life. And I am endlessly thankful. And the prayer continues throughout the day -- every day.

Well, this is the first time I have met up with Ambrose. A saint no less. So I was prompted to to Google him and sure 'nuf, Wickipedia has more information than I need to know. Check it out yourself here. I was more than a little impressed that this unassuming man was raised up and accomplished so much and remained true to his belief in his Christ. Really impressive.

It was only after my peaceful time of quiet while I played with the coloring that I even thought to look up Ambrose. I can get lost in the Internet far too easily. I was happy to be lost in the color and quiet of today's picture. It is a kind of prayer time when I can just be. I lose track of real time. I forget the pressures and the responsibilities. If only for this little bit of colorful time. It is relaxing into the timeless of God. I enjoy that.

ADVENT 2

Hard to believe that it is the second Sunday in Advent already. It has been a full week with extra hours of work due to filling in for an absent workmate. I am not used to working so many hours and I must admit to some weariness. I was glad for this weekend respite. And I took advantage of the respite to do little and what I did do was at a leisurely pace. The Christmas Crazies are being held at bay.

There is a busy week coming up beginning tomorrow filled with church and personal commitments as well as the usual twenty hour work week. I will continually seek God's grace as I live on toward Christmas. I am fully aware of the abundance that I enjoy and will seek ways in which I can share with others.

I'M SORRY

So you say.

Do you really mean that?

Two words so easily spoken. So frequently spoken. So frequently meaningless. I hate that. The person who says them expects to be absolved of whatever infraction they have committed. I don't think so. Back up. Not so simple. Just what are you sorry for? Let's name it.

I want to hear just exactly what you are sorry for. I want to hear "I'm sorry I embarrassed you last night at the party by saying ......" I want to hear " I really am sorry I forgot to mail the checks that you gave me." I want to hear "I'm sorry I was rude to your mother, I'll try not to do it again." I want to hear it. I want to know that you know.

AND "It's okay," does NOT have to be the reply. Most of the time it ISN'T okay. It was WRONG. It was INEXCUSABLE. Given the explicit apology an acceptable reply might be, "Thank you." Then again the reply might be "Can we talk about it?"

Sometimes "Try again," might be appropriate. An apology might be a small part of a greater problem. The apology, however, is a necessary part of the reconciliation. Sometimes it is the real beginning of the healing. Be open to an apology. And always acknowledge what was the wrong. Be sincere in the apology. And always be explicit. NAME the wrong.

BEEN THERE / DONE THAT

Yes, been there, done that and I'm not doin' it again any time soon. In fact several years ago I even gave up sending Christmas cards. It wasn't the expense; it was the push to do it. I began to be more thoughtful about the gifts that I give. AND I slowly worked into the "Adventness" of the season. Now I am getting better at pushing aside the commercialism and really enjoying the thoughtful gifts that I can give. It isn't perfect yet. It is still a process of getting back into the REAL Christmas -- whatever that is. The point is that I don't dread the season any more. I am learning to enjoy it and getting into the waiting. I haven't achieved the quietness yet ..... I'm working on it.