Christmas seems to be more of a wonderful and unsearchable mystery to me each year. Last night I was pleasantly surprised by this John Rutter piece at our church's Christmas concert.What sweeter music can we bring,Than a carol, for to singThe birth of this our heavenly King?Awake the voice! Awake the string!Heart, ear, and eye, … Continue reading What Sweeter Music

Caption: "Santa has clearly had enough, after a 13 hour shift at Feldman's Discount Appliance Barn. By secretly applying a 250 volt cattle prod to the unsuspecting hindquarters of his guests, St. Nick realizes that he can cut down significantly on the chronic Santa problem of "lap overload". Seen here, in the green coat, 4 … Continue reading Santa Has Had Enough!

As long as I can remember, I have been watching "A Charlie Brown Christmas". We will watch it again this weekend, as is our family tradition while decorating the Christmas tree, along with "White Christmas".Yesterday, I spotted a well done article in the LA Times about the popularity of this wonderful little tradition, and I … Continue reading "Isn't There Anybody Who Knows What Christmas Is All About?"

From Henri Nouwen:"For us who still live in time, it is important not to act as if the new life in Christ is something we can comprehend or explain. God's heart and mind are greater than ours. All that is asked of us.....is trust"

It was a relatively regular day. Off at 7:30 AM with the girls for drop-off at high school. Then to the office for a typical morning on the phone with clients and friends. Lunch errands. More phone calls and light work at the office in the afternoon.Then, the commute home. Red lights in a stream … Continue reading I Wonder As I Commute

Fra Filippo Lippi and WorkshopThe Nativity, probably c. 1445Samuel H. Kress CollectionNational Gallery of ArtYesterday, I heard this piece on the radio.....Magnum Mysterium - by William CooperO magnum mysterium et admirabile sacramentumut animalia viderent Dominum natumjacentem in praesepio. Beata virgo cujus viscerameruent partare Dominum Christum. Alleluia. Literal translation:O great mystery and admirable [wonderful] sacrament That … Continue reading O Magnum Mysterium

First......do all Emergent Church People look and act the same? So, is Emergent, in its own way, just as conformist as the rest of us? Go here to find out the answer, and get a laugh in the process. Thanks to KC.Secondly, I used a form of Christian swear word yesterday. I said the "R … Continue reading I Said A Cuss Word!

I had lunch today with a new friend, a recent graduate of Fuller Seminary, with a Master of Arts in Christian Leadership. My friend, Michael and I discussed his vision of his future vocational and ministry calling. I have not been so energized by a lunch discussion in some time. Michael has a vision for … Continue reading Lunch Discussion of Relevancy

As we approach the Holidays I want to share with you the joy of Christmas, as seen by a child. I wonder if this Santa ever returned to the ranks after this experience? I am sure that his beard was actually straight prior to the 500 decibel scream that emanated from this sweet little girl; … Continue reading Its That Special Time of Year