Isaiah 64:1-9 Scott...
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Isaiah 64:1-9
Scott knew now that he shouldn't have done it. But with gas high everywhere, and higher in Wyoming's outback, he'd made a quick calculation and driven by the last outpost for gasoline. He'd been sure he could make it to the next larger town and save a few pennies on gas. Besides, his children were asleep and his wife was reading.
Although he said nothing to his family members, his gas gauge informed him he was jeopardizing their vacation. Driving uphill must be lowering his miles per gallon. He drove slower and slower to save gas. He gazed more intently over the deserted horizon.
So we approach Advent: in an uphill climb, needing help sooner than we thought, having others implicated in our bad choices, and becoming more desperate as we go slower and slower toward a goal that seems further and further away.
Isaiah 64:1-9
We want you ... but we don't want you. We want you to rip open the heavens and be righteously angry ... but we don't want you to be angry at us. It's like little Sam: "Do you want applesauce or peaches for dinner, Sam?" "I want both!" "Do you want to watch television or help me make cookies, Sam?" "I want both!" "Do you want this white shirt or this blue shirt, Sam?" "I want both!" We can't have both, even though that's what we really want. We want to be serious adults, but we really just want to have a good time. We want to go to church, but we don't want to change our lives. We want people who will listen to our problems, but we don't always want to listen to other people. We want both, but we can only choose one.
Isaiah 64:1-9
I feel certain that any of us who have ever tried to shape a lump of clay while it's spinning on a potter's wheel admire the skills of the potter's hands. The potter creates and molds exquisite ornamental pots for decoration in addition to plain earthenware for daily usage.
Pottery that is highly ornamental and appropriate for a palace is placed prominently for display, while other pots have a more humble use. There is the pot used for paint thinner to clean a paintbrush, the pot used as a chamber pot, the pot used to wash the dinner dishes in. They may not be attractive, but what would people do without them?
We are useful like humble, everyday clay pots, yet God has filled us with God's own Spirit. We have been touched and formed by the living God. We are subject to cracks and breaks, yet our God is ever ready to repair and reinforce us to a strength even greater than our original.
Isaiah 64:1-9
The preschool children at the church came to see Pastor Mary and were thrilled to present her with several gifts. A local potter had come to the school and helped the three- and four-year-olds make things out of clay.
They painted each piece and then the potter took them and fired them to make them hard. Now, some of the children wanted to give their creations to the pastor. She gave great praise to each piece, hoping they wouldn't ask her to tell them what each piece was. There was a cup and an ashtray and a ball and one piece that resembled nothing Mary had ever seen. When she gave a quizzical look, the child said, "Do you like my fish?" Relieved, she replied, "Oh, yes, it's a wonderful fish."
Isaiah 64:1-9
It is a bittersweet moment for Carla. For many years, she had been working for a store chain as a clerk. She wanted very badly to be promoted into management, but the old manager's family and friends always got the promotions Carla felt she had earned.
Finally that day came, however, and Carla was made manager of the store.
Then the store was bought out by a larger franchise. As manager, Carla had to inform her fellow employees that policies had changed and the world of retail was now very different and full of unchartered areas.
It was to such people in similar straits that Isaiah after the exile was speaking, to provide a glimpse of hope in changing and uncertain times.
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
I believe in God, the God who I have come to know as Father, as Abba -- Daddy.
I always envied boys I saw walking hand-in-hand with their fathers. I thirsted for the conversations fathers and sons have about the birds and the bees, or about nothing at all -- simply feeling his breath, heartbeat, presence. As a boy, I used to sit on the front porch watching the cars roll by, imagining that one day one would park and the man getting out would be my daddy. But it never happened.
When I was eighteen, I could find no tears that Alabama winter's evening in January 1979 as I stood finally -- face-to-face -- with my father lying cold in a casket, his eyes sealed, his heart no longer beating, his breath forever stilled. Killed in a car accident, he died drunk, leaving me hobbled by the sorrow of years of fatherlessness.
By then, it had been years since Mama had summoned the police to our apartment that night, fearing that Daddy might hurt her -- hit her -- again. Finally, his alcoholism consumed what good there was of him until it swallowed him whole.
It wasn't until many years later, standing over my father's grave for a long overdue conversation, that my tears flowed. I told him about the man I had become. I told him about how much I wished he had been in my life. And I realized fully that in his absence, I had found another. Or that he -- God, the Father, God, my Father -- had found me.
(From a meditation on the meaning of God's strength, from "The God Who Embraced Me," by John W. Fountain, broadcast on NPR's All Things Considered, November 28, 2005, http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5016108)
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Mark and Julie remember how hectic Christmas celebrations were when they were first married. Both of their parents insisted that they spend Christmas Day with them. The problem was that their parents lived in different towns. Before dawn, Mark and Julie would leave to travel to Julie's parents' home. They would arrive mid-morning. They would open presents and then sit down to eat dinner. By early afternoon they would leave for Mark's parents, arriving later that afternoon. They would again open presents and eat dinner with Mark's parents. They would return home around midnight exhausted from their long day.
Julie told Mark that all the traveling took the joy out of Christmas. Mark agreed. When Suzie was born, they would have to pack baby food, diapers, a portable crib, and other things. Suzie would miss her regular nap times and become irritable. This practice continued for a few more years.
One day Julie was alone with her mother and she shared how all the travel and rushing from parent to parent on Christmas Day took the joy out of the celebration. Julie's mother understood, recalling her own days of trying to please both sets of parents. Julie's mother said that they would not have to visit them on Christmas Day. That would cut considerable travel from their schedule. They could visit with Julie's parents some other time. "Any time you come will be Christmas Day" her mom told her. Julie was relieved.
Julie and Mark experienced Christmas grace: They would no longer have to strive to please both sets of parents in one day. The next Christmas, joy returned to their family celebration.
At the beginning of Advent may we focus on Jesus, the reason why we celebrate Christmas, and may we do so with joyful hearts. The apostle Paul wrote, "I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus."
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
There are several precautionary measures drivers should take before driving in cold winter climates, one of which is to have an emergency supply kit in the car. Such a kit is designed to provide the driver and passengers the necessities needed to survive a long period of time without heat in the event the car runs into the ditch or stalls. An emergency supply kit should include: blankets/sleeping bags; flashlight with extra batteries; first-aid kit; knife; high-calorie, non-perishable food; extra clothing to keep dry (including hat, socks, mitts, and gloves); a large empty can and plastic cover with tissues and paper towels for sanitary purposes; a smaller can and waterproof matches to melt snow for drinking; sack of sand or cat litter; shovel; windshield scraper and brush; tool kit; tow rope; booster cables; water container with water; brightly colored cloth to use as a flag; and a compass and road maps.
As an emergency supply kit provides for us until help arrives, so the Holy Spirit empowers us as we await the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Mark 13:24-37
My eighth grade teacher was a soldier in the Korean War. Once during a history lesson he told us of his war experience. The US army was retreating. For the moment he and two friends were huddled in a hole. They hadn't eaten for several days and the weather alternated between snow and freezing rain. One man said, "Well, at least it can't get any worse," at which moment they came under artillery fire. The lesson our teacher taught us, at the cost of his own experience: Things can get worse.
Whereas plenty of Christians toss around chatty advice, "Don't worry. Be happy." Or, "Everything's going to be all right," instruction from our Lord Jesus serves us better. At the cost of his own experience he informs us that Christian life now and in the future won't always be "just fine."
Mark 13:24-37
In Ray Bradbury's book, Fahrenheit 451, heaven and earth have not passed away; however, nearly all words have. Bradbury's science fiction novel portrays a world where books are illegal. Firemen don't put out fires; instead, they round up illegal books and burn them. Throughout the novel, readers see the last few determined book lovers found out and their collections burned -- until one fireman reads a few words. Guess whose words they are? God's words. The fireman reads a passage from the Bible and realizes that books, the catalogs of human knowledge and hope, are too precious to burn. He becomes an outcast, wandering in the wilderness with a group of other literary runaways, a keeper of God's word in a time where words are quickly losing ground. Despite the turmoil in Bradbury's world, despite bombs from the sky and destruction on the earth, one man puts himself in danger to save the words of God from the all-consuming flames.
Mark 13:24-37
Did Jesus really expect the end of all things to come in his own time? It is possible that he did. But he may also have meant that the signs of the end that he had been discussing would all appear before the present generation had died. The temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE and many people suffered calamities. This means continued watchfulness for us.
True Christian posture is one of expectancy, of standing on tiptoe for the arrival of the great Day of the Lord. This does not mean letting all our duties go, so that the world must take care of itself. On the contrary, it means a heightened attention to all responsibilities.
When the master is away, the servants are to be at work, though one servant is waiting at the door. All are excited about the master's imminent return. We are all to be about our work but with a keen sense of watchfulness.
The signs of the end have been fulfilled many times over. The end itself could be at any time. Faithful servants will always be ready, regardless of how long we have already waited.
This is the eternal hope of every Christian. After the wars and rumors of wars, after the quakes and famines, after all sufferings, the coming of the Son in power and glory. Then justice will reign forever.
Scott knew now that he shouldn't have done it. But with gas high everywhere, and higher in Wyoming's outback, he'd made a quick calculation and driven by the last outpost for gasoline. He'd been sure he could make it to the next larger town and save a few pennies on gas. Besides, his children were asleep and his wife was reading.
Although he said nothing to his family members, his gas gauge informed him he was jeopardizing their vacation. Driving uphill must be lowering his miles per gallon. He drove slower and slower to save gas. He gazed more intently over the deserted horizon.
So we approach Advent: in an uphill climb, needing help sooner than we thought, having others implicated in our bad choices, and becoming more desperate as we go slower and slower toward a goal that seems further and further away.
Isaiah 64:1-9
We want you ... but we don't want you. We want you to rip open the heavens and be righteously angry ... but we don't want you to be angry at us. It's like little Sam: "Do you want applesauce or peaches for dinner, Sam?" "I want both!" "Do you want to watch television or help me make cookies, Sam?" "I want both!" "Do you want this white shirt or this blue shirt, Sam?" "I want both!" We can't have both, even though that's what we really want. We want to be serious adults, but we really just want to have a good time. We want to go to church, but we don't want to change our lives. We want people who will listen to our problems, but we don't always want to listen to other people. We want both, but we can only choose one.
Isaiah 64:1-9
I feel certain that any of us who have ever tried to shape a lump of clay while it's spinning on a potter's wheel admire the skills of the potter's hands. The potter creates and molds exquisite ornamental pots for decoration in addition to plain earthenware for daily usage.
Pottery that is highly ornamental and appropriate for a palace is placed prominently for display, while other pots have a more humble use. There is the pot used for paint thinner to clean a paintbrush, the pot used as a chamber pot, the pot used to wash the dinner dishes in. They may not be attractive, but what would people do without them?
We are useful like humble, everyday clay pots, yet God has filled us with God's own Spirit. We have been touched and formed by the living God. We are subject to cracks and breaks, yet our God is ever ready to repair and reinforce us to a strength even greater than our original.
Isaiah 64:1-9
The preschool children at the church came to see Pastor Mary and were thrilled to present her with several gifts. A local potter had come to the school and helped the three- and four-year-olds make things out of clay.
They painted each piece and then the potter took them and fired them to make them hard. Now, some of the children wanted to give their creations to the pastor. She gave great praise to each piece, hoping they wouldn't ask her to tell them what each piece was. There was a cup and an ashtray and a ball and one piece that resembled nothing Mary had ever seen. When she gave a quizzical look, the child said, "Do you like my fish?" Relieved, she replied, "Oh, yes, it's a wonderful fish."
Isaiah 64:1-9
It is a bittersweet moment for Carla. For many years, she had been working for a store chain as a clerk. She wanted very badly to be promoted into management, but the old manager's family and friends always got the promotions Carla felt she had earned.
Finally that day came, however, and Carla was made manager of the store.
Then the store was bought out by a larger franchise. As manager, Carla had to inform her fellow employees that policies had changed and the world of retail was now very different and full of unchartered areas.
It was to such people in similar straits that Isaiah after the exile was speaking, to provide a glimpse of hope in changing and uncertain times.
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
I believe in God, the God who I have come to know as Father, as Abba -- Daddy.
I always envied boys I saw walking hand-in-hand with their fathers. I thirsted for the conversations fathers and sons have about the birds and the bees, or about nothing at all -- simply feeling his breath, heartbeat, presence. As a boy, I used to sit on the front porch watching the cars roll by, imagining that one day one would park and the man getting out would be my daddy. But it never happened.
When I was eighteen, I could find no tears that Alabama winter's evening in January 1979 as I stood finally -- face-to-face -- with my father lying cold in a casket, his eyes sealed, his heart no longer beating, his breath forever stilled. Killed in a car accident, he died drunk, leaving me hobbled by the sorrow of years of fatherlessness.
By then, it had been years since Mama had summoned the police to our apartment that night, fearing that Daddy might hurt her -- hit her -- again. Finally, his alcoholism consumed what good there was of him until it swallowed him whole.
It wasn't until many years later, standing over my father's grave for a long overdue conversation, that my tears flowed. I told him about the man I had become. I told him about how much I wished he had been in my life. And I realized fully that in his absence, I had found another. Or that he -- God, the Father, God, my Father -- had found me.
(From a meditation on the meaning of God's strength, from "The God Who Embraced Me," by John W. Fountain, broadcast on NPR's All Things Considered, November 28, 2005, http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5016108)
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
Mark and Julie remember how hectic Christmas celebrations were when they were first married. Both of their parents insisted that they spend Christmas Day with them. The problem was that their parents lived in different towns. Before dawn, Mark and Julie would leave to travel to Julie's parents' home. They would arrive mid-morning. They would open presents and then sit down to eat dinner. By early afternoon they would leave for Mark's parents, arriving later that afternoon. They would again open presents and eat dinner with Mark's parents. They would return home around midnight exhausted from their long day.
Julie told Mark that all the traveling took the joy out of Christmas. Mark agreed. When Suzie was born, they would have to pack baby food, diapers, a portable crib, and other things. Suzie would miss her regular nap times and become irritable. This practice continued for a few more years.
One day Julie was alone with her mother and she shared how all the travel and rushing from parent to parent on Christmas Day took the joy out of the celebration. Julie's mother understood, recalling her own days of trying to please both sets of parents. Julie's mother said that they would not have to visit them on Christmas Day. That would cut considerable travel from their schedule. They could visit with Julie's parents some other time. "Any time you come will be Christmas Day" her mom told her. Julie was relieved.
Julie and Mark experienced Christmas grace: They would no longer have to strive to please both sets of parents in one day. The next Christmas, joy returned to their family celebration.
At the beginning of Advent may we focus on Jesus, the reason why we celebrate Christmas, and may we do so with joyful hearts. The apostle Paul wrote, "I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus."
1 Corinthians 1:3-9
There are several precautionary measures drivers should take before driving in cold winter climates, one of which is to have an emergency supply kit in the car. Such a kit is designed to provide the driver and passengers the necessities needed to survive a long period of time without heat in the event the car runs into the ditch or stalls. An emergency supply kit should include: blankets/sleeping bags; flashlight with extra batteries; first-aid kit; knife; high-calorie, non-perishable food; extra clothing to keep dry (including hat, socks, mitts, and gloves); a large empty can and plastic cover with tissues and paper towels for sanitary purposes; a smaller can and waterproof matches to melt snow for drinking; sack of sand or cat litter; shovel; windshield scraper and brush; tool kit; tow rope; booster cables; water container with water; brightly colored cloth to use as a flag; and a compass and road maps.
As an emergency supply kit provides for us until help arrives, so the Holy Spirit empowers us as we await the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Mark 13:24-37
My eighth grade teacher was a soldier in the Korean War. Once during a history lesson he told us of his war experience. The US army was retreating. For the moment he and two friends were huddled in a hole. They hadn't eaten for several days and the weather alternated between snow and freezing rain. One man said, "Well, at least it can't get any worse," at which moment they came under artillery fire. The lesson our teacher taught us, at the cost of his own experience: Things can get worse.
Whereas plenty of Christians toss around chatty advice, "Don't worry. Be happy." Or, "Everything's going to be all right," instruction from our Lord Jesus serves us better. At the cost of his own experience he informs us that Christian life now and in the future won't always be "just fine."
Mark 13:24-37
In Ray Bradbury's book, Fahrenheit 451, heaven and earth have not passed away; however, nearly all words have. Bradbury's science fiction novel portrays a world where books are illegal. Firemen don't put out fires; instead, they round up illegal books and burn them. Throughout the novel, readers see the last few determined book lovers found out and their collections burned -- until one fireman reads a few words. Guess whose words they are? God's words. The fireman reads a passage from the Bible and realizes that books, the catalogs of human knowledge and hope, are too precious to burn. He becomes an outcast, wandering in the wilderness with a group of other literary runaways, a keeper of God's word in a time where words are quickly losing ground. Despite the turmoil in Bradbury's world, despite bombs from the sky and destruction on the earth, one man puts himself in danger to save the words of God from the all-consuming flames.
Mark 13:24-37
Did Jesus really expect the end of all things to come in his own time? It is possible that he did. But he may also have meant that the signs of the end that he had been discussing would all appear before the present generation had died. The temple was destroyed by the Romans in 70 CE and many people suffered calamities. This means continued watchfulness for us.
True Christian posture is one of expectancy, of standing on tiptoe for the arrival of the great Day of the Lord. This does not mean letting all our duties go, so that the world must take care of itself. On the contrary, it means a heightened attention to all responsibilities.
When the master is away, the servants are to be at work, though one servant is waiting at the door. All are excited about the master's imminent return. We are all to be about our work but with a keen sense of watchfulness.
The signs of the end have been fulfilled many times over. The end itself could be at any time. Faithful servants will always be ready, regardless of how long we have already waited.
This is the eternal hope of every Christian. After the wars and rumors of wars, after the quakes and famines, after all sufferings, the coming of the Son in power and glory. Then justice will reign forever.
