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— James 5:7-10 Resource Archive: Newsletter Archives |
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Who would benefit from this issue? Pastors, church staff, any leader serving within your congregation, and any Christian reflecting upon his or her faith journey this season.
A- Read: James 5:7-10
I grew up on a small rice and soybean farm in the rural south. I know first-hand how heavily farmers depend upon good weather, fertile soil, and moisture for bountiful crops. Harvest season is indeed bleak if too much hail, wind, or drought occurs. In those tumultuous seasons of both plenty and want much prayer and praising happens. Advent is a time to reflect upon how Christians similarly seek to sow the gospel seed, knowing we are not alone in our endeavors. We, too, need good soil, a ready heart, and prayer moisture for the good seeds to sprout. In short, we need the Holy Spirit. When Jesus came to earth as a babe in a manger, God knew our need for a Savior while understanding our frailties from having resided in human flesh. While we praise and thank God in seasons of plenty, our reliance upon God grows stronger in seasons of drought, wind, and hail. We are joyful and secure in the knowledge that our Savior came to earth, lived a sinless life and died for our stains and sin. We rejoice because we live fully dependent on the giver of life and provider of bountiful harvests. Advent is indeed a time for joy! Copyright © 2007 LaRose Karr
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< B- Read: Isaiah 2:1-5
I took a deep breath before opening the doors to the shopping mall. I knew many had gone in before me, armed and dangerous with their shopping lists. I had to be ready for the challenge. People walked past me, swinging bags. Others frantically bought items, crossing them off their lists. Still more waited impatiently in line. As I scooted to the side to let another person barrel by me in the aisle, I remembered there is more to Christmas than Santa, fruitcake, and long lines. There is hope in this merry season. For a moment, I turned away from the busyness and turned my attention to the one who offers us hope. I am comforted by Isaiah's words, which reassure us that one day others will return their focus to God. God provides a sanctuary in the midst of activities and events. It is here that we gain a deeper revelation of God's character and goodness. This sacred place holds no distractions and allows us to recharge and focus on the one behind the twinkling lights and carols sung. The Creator meets our needs and makes provisions for us. A smile forms on my face as I picture God's haven. The Lord cares so much for us that he offers a reprieve from man-made stress. I returned my gaze to the shelves of merchandise and holiday greeting cards. This time I gladly shifted for a frazzled shopper to pass, knowing I have a place of godly rejuvenation awaiting me. Lord, thank you for always caring about us. Point me to the sanctuary, atop the highest mountain where I learn your ways. Show me how to tell others about your gentleness and places of rest. Amen. Copyright © 2007 Lisa Christine
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< C- Read: Isaiah 35:1-10
It's all worth it! Every bit of it! According to Isaiah everything meaningless--like desolate wilderness, ragged mountaintop, weakness, blindness, lameness, and all things judged useless by worldly standards--is worth the struggle. According to the great prophet, all those things suffered and endured which snatch us off the path to meaningfulness, success, and victory are tolerable. In an inspired and sweeping description of creation (Zion) redeemed we are vividly reminded of the power of Christ's passion to make all things new. As the faithful, whose faces are set toward heavenly Zion, we are sent soaring out of our weariness of and despair over things "not the way they should be." We are instantly transported into the realm of seeing all that we are in Christ. Everything that is broken about our existence is destined to be transformed into wholeness. All that is violent in our being is to be dissolved into everlasting peace. Each and every broken fragment of this existence we know so well is to be completely restored in the beauty and glory of heaven without any of the sharp edges of our former lives showing at all. As we prepare vigorously in spirit and practice for the coming of Christ, we already know that the bloody path to Calvary will be changed in an instant into the sacred and luscious way to Zion. It makes the frequently frantic, yet weary pace all that much more worth it! Precious Lord, set our feet straight and determined on the path, the only path upon which you lead us from death on earth into life in the Kingdom of God. Amen. Copyright © 2007 Thomas M. Lang
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< D- Read: Isaiah 52:7-10
It happened one Sunday morning during the singing of the Lord's Prayer. As our individual voices rose in unison, I realized the deep and prayerful connection that we shared as we sang. I could literally feel it. Yet, in that same moment, we were all also deeply connected to God. And I felt God's presence among us. It was a holy moment, and I knew it. So often in our busyness as congregational leaders we either miss or ignore these holy moments. It's especially easy to lose sight of God's presence during the Advent season. It's ironic that during a time when we are supposed to focus on waiting and watching for the coming of our Lord, we often run frantic in holiday preparations. We end up missing God's presence in the here and now. The words of Isaiah remind us that God has promised to be with his people. We are never alone. Copyright © 2007 Susan M. Lang
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< E- Read: Luke 2:1-14
It surprises me that Mary laid her baby in a manger. It surprises me that she laid him down at all. When my children were born, I wanted only to hold them close, to give them a sense of security, to keep them warm and safe. I was instantly protective of them. Mary took her newborn and placed him away from her. Not only that, she laid him in a feeding trough. Granted, she was in a stable, and there weren't too many options. There was no heirloom cradle handcrafted by Joseph's ancestors. There was no checking for consumer product safety guidelines. The trough may have been the equivalent of a dresser drawer. Or it may have been something more. Mary, servant of the Lord, wrapped this child who was hers, but not really hers. Then, because she had no claim to hold him to herself, she made of him an offering. She placed the Word Incarnate in a vessel intended for feeding. And that is where we find him, even as we prepare to welcome him again. He is available to us now, to nourish us in these days of Advent fasting and preparation. He sustains us, today's servants of the Lord, as we tarry and prepare others for the feast of Emmanuel. Copyright © 2007 Sue Ellen Shively Spotts
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< F- Read: Luke 2:15-20
Oh, to possess uninhibited boldness when praising God! One teenage girl in our church demonstrates this every Sunday. Whether in her seat or in the aisle, she enthusiastically claps to the music. She grins and exhibits an overflowing joy of the Holy Spirit, putting to shame many who show no emotion. The amazing thing is that she is autistic and has cerebral palsy. Although she cannot sing the words, through her clapping and arm movements she gives her utmost to the Lord. Her witness inspires me to worship God more boldly. The shepherds were also moved when they witnessed the uninhibited praise of the multitude of angels that surrounded them. When the angels departed, the shepherds rushed to find the Christ child. After seeing him, they returned to their flocks, raising their voices in praise and boldly spreading the good news. Worshipping is contagious. Spirit-filled people inspire us to follow in their footsteps. During the weeks before Christmas, everyone seems to be on overload, especially those of us in leadership. We get caught up in the madness of shopping and an excess of activities. But how can we spiritually nurture those in our care if we are physically worn out? This year, let's try to stand out from the crowd. Let's make a concerted effort to conserve our energy so we can praise God with uninhibited boldness. Hopefully, our example will motivate others. Copyright © 2007 Frances Gregory Pasch
2- RevWriter News A - Recent RevWriter Sightings:
B - What's New?
C - Still Available:
Financial Contributions Welcomed Due to the addition of new charges at my e-zine delivery system, this year it will cost me over $400 to produce and manage The RevWriter Resource. Writers of devotions and main articles have always been, and will continue to be, paid. In the past, this has come out of my personal writing income, but as this ministry continues to grow, the cost to me will also continue to increase. In the effort to maintain the ministry provided through the publication of The RevWriter Resource without requiring a subscriber's fee, I am now welcoming contributions from subscribers.
Most importantly, I appreciate your prayers as this ministry continues to grow during its fifth year in publication. Sue
About the author: RevWriter, Rev. Susan M. Lang, is an interim pastor and writer, residing in Pennsylvania. She is also the author of the Augsburg Fortress Congregational LEADER Series book entitled, OUR COMMUNITY: Dealing with Conflict in Our Congregation. Revwriter Susan M.
Lang http://www.revwriter.com & http://www.suelang.com
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2007 revwriter.com - Susan M. Lang - All Rights Reserved
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