- Isaiah 52: 7-10
- Psalms 98: 1, 2-3, 3-4, 5-6
- Hebrews 1: 1-6
- John 1: 1-18
- What Good News do you bring?
- If we are going to bring people to Jesus, we have to have something that they want. The Prosperity Gospel suggests that God is here to fulfill our needs. Not responsible Christianity. But what do we offer that's even better?
- From your own life story, what promises would you make to anyone thinking about giving their lives to Jesus?
- How does your life announce the Good News?
- The grand stage of history
- God's goodness and love are in the little things, and the big things. This very moment and the long sweep of history.
- Where have you seen God's work in your life, your family's, your community's, your nation?
- How do those actions of God shape your view of your existence today?
- Where do you fit into that bigger picture?
- Imago Dei
- We all bear the image and likeness of God. I hope that doesn't mean that He's losing His hair too.
- Can you think of any ways that you share in the Shekhinah glory of God?
- What prepared you for that experience?
- What can you do to be more prepared the next time that God chooses to visit you?
- How much revelation is enough?
- We are all called to be prophetic, to herald the approach of God, who comes in large ways and small. How much revelation do you think the world needs?
- How have others shown you the glory of God?
- Was that attractive, or frightening?
- If one of us doesn't do their job revealing God to those around them, do you think that God will find someone else?
- Is that a good thing?
- Preparation for Reconciliation:
- How is my life Good News to those around me?
- How am I being the ongoing incarnation of God?
- How can I show the glory of God more in my life?
- What am I inspiring in others?
I Can't Seem to Find my Harp
For some reason, popular imagination puts a harp into the hands of the angels.
I'm hoping that there is a corner of heaven where the angels play the bagpipes.
Bagpipes need a lot of room. They don't fit well into a studio.
The only time I ever heard someone practicing on the pipes was outdoors.
The pipes are not pretty, nor polite, but urgent, calling you forward.
Over the brow of that next hill to see what awaits you.
The best part of heaven is that everyone there will praise God in their own way.
The way that they were created to praise Him.
No more will we try to praise God in ways that do not suit our character,
No more will we waste time and talent trying to find our true voice.
No more will we punish ourselves with uncertainty or false modesty,
But in humble ardor belt out narratives of God's glory in our own life story.
My hope is that heaven won't be a surprise, a shock to me.
That I will have found my true voice long before then.
That I will have found the way that God is coming to Earth in my flesh,
That I will know in my bones and sinews that resurrection is real and throbbing within.
I'm hoping that there is a corner of heaven where the angels play the bagpipes.
Bagpipes need a lot of room. They don't fit well into a studio.
The only time I ever heard someone practicing on the pipes was outdoors.
The pipes are not pretty, nor polite, but urgent, calling you forward.
Over the brow of that next hill to see what awaits you.
The best part of heaven is that everyone there will praise God in their own way.
The way that they were created to praise Him.
No more will we try to praise God in ways that do not suit our character,
No more will we waste time and talent trying to find our true voice.
No more will we punish ourselves with uncertainty or false modesty,
But in humble ardor belt out narratives of God's glory in our own life story.
My hope is that heaven won't be a surprise, a shock to me.
That I will have found my true voice long before then.
That I will have found the way that God is coming to Earth in my flesh,
That I will know in my bones and sinews that resurrection is real and throbbing within.
Merry Christmas!
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