I really appreciated this post by John Meunier, Wesley's Treatment Plan for those who experience spiritual darkness and lose the comfort, love, joy and peace of being a Christian.
After Heath talked about the advent wreath on Christmas eve, I left with this image: if I'm the wreath, it's possible and maybe not that hard to surround myself with joy, peace, love, and hope...and with care, I can keep those fires lit. If one fire goes out (let's say hope) I may be able to rekindle it with joy. But if they all go out, where does the fire (light) come from? If the Christ candle at my center is there but not burning (and it would be easy for others not to notice, as long as the other candles are lit!), what do I do? But if the flame of Jesus is always burning at my center, it can always rekindle the other 4. Food for thought. Another thing I realized when he was talking was that in our church, the advent wreath isn't placed where everyone can see it. Sitting near the back, it wasn't visible to me. What was visible? musical instruments. Hmmmm.
If this is not a place where tears are understood, Then where shall I go to cry? And if this is not a place where my spirit can take wings, Then where shall I go to fly? I don't need another place for trying to impress you With just how good and virtuous I am. I don't need another place for always being on top of things; Everybody knows that it's a sham. I don't need another place for always wearing smiles, Even when it's not the way I feel. I don't need another place to mouth the same old platitudes; Everybody knows that it's not real. So if this is not a place where my questions can be asked, Then where shall I go to seek? And if this is not a place where my heart cry can be heard, Where, tell me where, shall I go to speak? So if this is not a place where tears are understood, Where shall I go, where shall I go to fly? -- Ken Medema
My good friend, Sue Bartz, sent me this treasure trove of cookie recipes. Just click on the cookie's name, and presto -- you'll get the recipe! This is for all the folks who complain about "cookies" on their computers. 1-2-3 Cookies 7 Layer Cookies Allie Nelson's Famous Snickerdoodle Cookies Almond Crescent Shortbread Amish Sugar Cookies Andies Candies Cookies Angel Crisps Angenets Applesauce Cookies Apricot Fold-Overs Aunt Edy's Molasses Crinkles Auntie Linda's Ginger Gems Bakeless Dream Cookies Banana Drop Cookies Best Chocolate Chip Cookies in the World Biscotti Biscotti Blueberry Cookies Boiled Chocolate Oatmeal Drop Cookies Bronwnies Brown Sugar Shortbread Brownie Cookies Brownie Delight Brownies Buccaneer Snowballs Buried Cherry Cookies Butter Cookies Butter Nut Balls Butterballs Butterscotch Haystacks C.O.P. Cookies Candy Cane Cookies Candy Cookies Caramel Shortbread Cheesecake Brownies Cherry Buns Cherry Crowns ...
After Heath talked about the advent wreath on Christmas eve, I left with this image: if I'm the wreath, it's possible and maybe not that hard to surround myself with joy, peace, love, and hope...and with care, I can keep those fires lit. If one fire goes out (let's say hope) I may be able to rekindle it with joy. But if they all go out, where does the fire (light) come from? If the Christ candle at my center is there but not burning (and it would be easy for others not to notice, as long as the other candles are lit!), what do I do?
ReplyDeleteBut if the flame of Jesus is always burning at my center, it can always rekindle the other 4. Food for thought.
Another thing I realized when he was talking was that in our church, the advent wreath isn't placed where everyone can see it. Sitting near the back, it wasn't visible to me. What was visible? musical instruments. Hmmmm.