GroshLink

How does one deal with the saints who have only recently gone before us . . . leaving living reports from family, friends, and co-laborers? Betty Smartt Carter's review of Son of a Preacher Man: A memoir by Frank Schaeffer raised this question for me in a strong manner. A few hours before reading the article, I had chosen to play an American Girl Doll board game with Ellen and Hayley. I stepped into their world of interest. They shared stories which brought me up to date as we unpacked and stepped into this challenging Christmas gift (thank-you Groshes). While we played the one van was in the shop for an inspection, I had a printer to hook-up, expense reports waited in the to do pile, relatives floated around, and the phone kept ringing (one letting us know an American Girl Doll book was ready for pick up at the library).

The girls have heard (and witnessed) much about the Kingdom of God at home, in our family, as part of a local assembly (and the larger Body of Christ, not to mention various mission weekends), on campus, in the community, around the globe, through time/eternity . . . As we spend time together around American Girl Doll and daily devotional readings, my prayer is that I reflect Christ, the Spirit moves/breathes in our midst, and the Father draws all of us closer to Himself. Today my prayer has been that I would become more like a child, knowing I can't do it on my own . . . extending my arms out to receive strength from the One through whom I live, move, and have my being.  The One who makes me whole again, as I was intended to be, in His image . . . cleansed from the flesh, the devil, and the world. 

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I commend Alan Jacobs' article The Conscience of an Anglican: A man under authority to my Anglican friends. I continue to labor with you in prayer for discernment during the unfolding of the middle coming, i.e., Christ in us as we await the second coming with great anticipation.

Here's the conclusion of the piece:

Those of us living in the ruins of Anglicanism might be especially inclined to say that we have nothing more to go on than rumors, a handful of slightly hopeful whispers fading into imperceptibility. This could be deeply worrisome for those, like me, who see in Anglicanism a beautiful and compelling vision, a church that draws together the Catholic and the Reformed strands of the Christian life and thereby brings both of them to their fullest realization. I do not enjoy the thought that the Anglican experiment may be over, since, as I have said, I don't know how to be a Christian any other way; but I do not believe that that experiment is over; in fact, I have hope—I hear certain rumors—that it may be only beginning.

But even if that experiment is drawing to a close, I am not worried—a little sad, maybe, but not worried. I could learn to be a Christian some other way, if I had to, because, after all, there is one Lord, one faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of all. Plus, I'm thinking about Christmas, which, among other things, teaches us that all those rumors are true: the Lord of All came once, in meekness and humility, in the form of a servant. And he will come again—but next time in glory.

Amen to St. Nick in the Big City! But this Christmas morn (and afternoon), I confess receiving great joy in seeing Eden take 2-3 steps here and there between presents (thank-you to everyone for their generous gifts and even more so for their love/care for Eden), play hide-n-go seek with her sisters (thank-you Hayley and Ellen for being big sisters), fill up on plate-after-plate of food (lots of cheese thanks to Uncle Phil), and embrace her large stuffed puppy (thank-you Uncle Scott).

Time to pack it in, in order to rise fresh for more joyous time with family tomorrow (and a few year end Fund Development details for InterVarsity) as we walk together in this life. With even more anticipation than Christmas gifts and time with family, I look forward to Christ Jesus in the Big City descending from heaven. A time when Eden will dance on the streets that are golden not only with Baby Elise, but the whole family of the people of God (including St. Nick) . . . and all the world will be set aright (as it was intended to be at the time of creation before we chose our own way into darkness/sin). Come Lord Jesus, Come. Enable our family to walk by the Light, Logos, and Life of your glory and grace each and every day . . .

A USA Today article gave the Advent Conspiracy some press: The real meaning of Christmas? This holiday is rooted in grand and inspiring purposes that have little to do with culture wars or a red-nosed reindeer — and even less with crass commercialism.

Does that make it a success? No, but at Wendy's over frosties Ellen, Hayley, and I (Tom) recounted what we enjoyed most about preparing for Christmas this year. Playing with and discussing The Nativity Story (film and set under the Christmas tree), our local congregation's Christmas Production (of which Hayley and Ellen were a part), and family Advent devotionals were high on the list. 

AND we'll be sure not to forget copies of That Most Familiar Story:  How Certain Details of the Nativity Became Tradition and Christmas Hymnody: Theology and History when we're with family today, keeping in mind it doesn't all need to come out onto the table today.  Advent renews a conversation which carries into the next year ;-)

In preparation for a Practicing A Christ-Centered Christmas adult elective class, our family watched and discussed an A&E Biography Video on Santa Claus (Borrowed from our local public library). Tag-line: Some know him as St. Nick. Others call him Father Christmas. By whatever name you may know him, he has come to personify the holiday spirit. This well developed piece is an excellent vehicle for conversation with one's family regarding St. Nicholas, his role in the Church, and how we ended up with Santa Claus.

When you consider the legacy you're leaving among family, friends, neighbors, and beyond, don't forget among all the gifts, good cheer, and acts of kindness to underline the true meaning of the times in which we live and the traditions we celebrate as the Christ child speaks to the past and look to the future.

When you can state the theme of a story, when you can separate it from the story itself, then you can be sure the story is not a very good one. The meaning of a story has to be embodied in it, has to be made concrete in it. A story is a way to say something that can’t be said any other way, and it takes every word in the story to say what the meaning is. You tell a story because a statement would be inadequate. When anybody asks what a story is about, the only proper thing is to tell him to read the story. The meaning of fiction is not abstract meaning but experienced meaning, and the purpose of making statements about the meaning of a story is only to help you to experience that meaning more fully. -- Flannery O’Connor, Writing Short Stories in Mystery and Manners: Occasional Prose

A worldview, even when it is half unconscious and unarticulated, functions like a compass or a road map.  It orients us in the world at large, gives us a sense of what is up and what is down, what is right and what is wrong in the confusion of events and phenomena that confronts us.  Our worldview shapes, to a significant degree, the way we assess the events, issues, and structures of our civilization and our times.  It allows us to "place" or "situate" the various phenomena that come into our purview. -- Albert M. Wolters, Creation Regained

Recent developments within evangelicalism continue to fascinate me, no more so than all the press given to the evangelical political crack-up.  I wouldn't be surprised if George Marsden's chronicling of the rise of the Moral Majority for CMU's history department several years ago awakened my curiosity.  Once again Kevin finds pieces of interest, Among Evangelicals, A Transformation: They're not 'cracking up,' as some contend, or hope; they are, however changing (Peter Wehner, National Review) gives a little bit more than Breakup of the Religious Right.  Here's the section I found particularly insightful: 

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So all parties are appeased and off to MiddleEarth with Peter Jackson's adaption of The Hobbit. Has the quest become more important as The Golden Compass falls short in the theatre, possibly leading to New Line dropping Pullman to go back to Tolkien? Well, the exact reasons don't interest me so much as the importance of breaking out The Hobbit for the girls . . . although right now we're in Ellen's Narnia cave with Hayley listening to Prince Caspian on tape.  What a time to raise kids!  Isn't it great!  Our generation must be the envy of many and we have another to welcome to The Table of Plenty.

The semester has come to an end.  Christmas is but a few days away.  InterVarsity's National Staff Conference (in St. Louis) lies just beyond the new year. Before we know it, the annual Mid-Altantic Graduate & Faculty Ministry Winter Retreat will be upon us! Join me in prayer as I prepare to direct the January 25-27 gathering.

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Miller passed along the Reformed Theological Seminary's I-tunes link for the opportunity download/listen to free lectures by John Frame from his classes on Ethics, Apologetics, and History of Philosophy/Christian Thought. I've never explored I-tunes as a resource for free lectures, but a quick search revealed quite a lot including Dr. Hoffecker's The Church and the World. Hoffecker was one my most influential mentors at Grove City College. God used his gifts to open my eyes to faith and disciple me in my college years (Note:  he co-officiated our wedding at Manheim BIC with Keith Tyson . . . our 12th anniversary will be on Jan 6.  Time is moving along right along). Merry Christmas!

Earlier today, I received an excerpt from a Christmas sermon by Thomas 'a Kempis, the fifteenth-century author who penned the devotional classic The Imitation of Christ, from Worship Quote of the Week.  It's definately a gift worth sharing this Christmas. Take some time to read through the sermon (or some of the other links given at the end of the post) with your family and friends . . .

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Thank-you to Kevin for the forward of Stephen V. Monsma's, Research Fellow, The Henry Institute, Calvin College, response to reports of the Breakup of the Religious Right.  After having worked through the NY Times Magazine's lengthy The Evangelical Crackup (and surveyed numerous blog postings on the topic) it was good to something brief which pointed in a helpful direction. The part which I appreciate the most is given below: 

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This afternoon, I [Tom] did something unhelpful to my lower back while playing 1-1 basketball with a friend. I don't know how to describe what occurred, except that I came down odd on my one foot and stretched something inappropriately in my lower back as I followed up my miss with another shot. Currently, I can't reach down to the floor, have difficulty getting my shoes/socks off/on, and am challenged by laying down/getting up. Sitting down and walking is fine. This prayer request should not be overshadowed by the praises:

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Dear Partners in Ministry,

Follow this link for our year end mailing in PDF.  If you attended our dessert or receive our mailings (paper/email), then you will most probably already have seen it. We rejoice in your prayer, encouragement, and support of our vital vocationally forming home mission. 

In addition to a number of year end donations and faith commitments for the coming year (which have addressed about 20% of our $10,000-15,000 projected June fiscal year end shortfall), we're receiving a printer/copier combination to replace our broken unit, following up to an offer for assistance with daytime volunteer support for mailings/special events, and Christmas gift cards for the family -- thank-you!  If you'd like to donate time, materials, or services (particularly as we prepare for some special events in the spring semester), drop us an email or give us a call.

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During Advent our attention fixes not only upon the first coming of Christ, but also on the second coming and the new creation.  The other day, a posting of Peterson's The Message translation of Romans 8:22-25 caused me [Tom] to stop and ask whether a woman (particularly one who has experienced pregancy) would have worked this text out in the same manner.  I enjoy Peterson's work and I seldom ask about masculine influence on textual translation, but I couldn't help but wonder when I read these words: 

waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us.  But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy. 

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Here's an excerpt from Signs of hope in film and television. Helpful piece. Take some time in the midst of all the Christmas media, to pray for the industry as a whole to not just raise the big questions and make money off of Christian audiences, but also to be moved by the Spirit to embrace the Big Picture given to us by the Word of God.

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Ellen would like to share about her class for 2-4 year olds.  She's been thinking about it because she works with Eden around the house.  Ellen reads to her and tries to make her learn her sounds. 

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Well stated Mike!  Wish we could have this clarity in conversations on campus.

Praise God for followers of Christ which take the time to call us to remember/learn the context, history and meaning of the Christmas carols which have become part of the background in Christmas parties, coffee shops, malls, and road trips!  Here's a recent post passed along to me by my friend Kevin.  May this research bless your own journey in Christ this Advent/Christmas/Epiphany and be a blessing to others as you share Word-, Logos-, Light-, Incarnational- and Spirit-based reflections with others at your local congregation, home, workplace, and various Christmas-time socials.  By-the-way, make sure you follow the link to Ben Witherington's post No Inn in the Room-- a Christmas Sermon on Lk. 2.1-7. What a prophetic academic!

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Political issues rarely come up on our blog, but my friend Kevin has passed along several pieces which I commend to you.  The first is Joe Loconte: Mitt Romney's Step of Faith and the second is George Weigel's Church and State (Note: for a different angle on the speech see Mitt Romney Is No Jack Kennedy). Here is an excerpt near the beginning of Loconte's piece:

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More helpful thoughts regarding Confession from my friend Miller. 

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My friend Miller's helpful thoughts on confessing to one another.

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If you haven't already, check out Hearts and Minds Blog with great Advent recommendations (and special deals)! 

For families looking for a resource, I've read some good reviews of Tamara Buchan's Seeking the Christmas Lamb: Forty Days of Celebrating Christ’s Sacrifice Through the Season

From Publishers Weekly
Buchan, who grew up evangelical and came to understand Christianity's rich liturgical calendar as an adult, aims to restore the season of Advent as a time to prepare for Christ's coming (and not just to prepare for the assorted relatives who will be arriving on Christmas Day). She offers this book for parents who want to include their children in daily devotions during Advent, Christmas and Epiphany. Each day's lesson includes a Bible story, questions for reflection and suggested hands-on activities to get younger children involved. Buchan also asks parents to provide a four-candled Advent wreath and a nativity scene, to help children understand the purpose of the season. Replete with evangelical language and a general theme of Christ as the sacrificial lamb whose blood is poured out for others, this book will best be appreciated by evangelical Christians. -- Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Note:  Currently out of print, but some copies available through Amazon.  

Maybe you could pass along a gift for next Christmas this Christmas ;-)

Below is an email from Miller on the Hebrews 11 and the Nature of Evil which I thought would be of value to share. A seminary friend of his commented:

I couldn’t improve on this. Remarks about evil are illuminating. Yes, the path of faith is to heed God’s word even when there is no evidence, or when the apparent evidence is on the other side. That’s the thrust of Eve’s temptation in Gen. 3, and basically all the decisions, good and bad, made by people through the biblical history.

So here's the comment, for your prayerful consideration as we celebrate the incarnation of the Logos, the appearance of the Light of Christ which illuminates (and dispels the darkness from) our hearts, minds, souls, and actions. Come, Lord Jesus come.  We long for the day when every knee will bow, tongue will confess that you are Lord over all of creation, and presence of evil will be banished to the outer darkness!

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Wow!  Just came across The Golden Compass and Phillip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials Trilogy: TKM Live at The Movies Segment 1 of 1.  Check this out, good conversation and tips healthy conversation with the family.

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As I did the other day, I'm recycling some thoughts posted on another blog. The topic under consideration was Legalism, both ethical and doctrinal, distorting spirituality. I think what is below largely stands on its own, but if you'd like to place it into its context, go to Divine Embrace 5.

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