Advent Devotional #16

Today's devotion from Goshen College:

DEC. 16 - GOD'S GOOD AND GROANING WORLD


By Keith Graber Miller, professor of Bible, religion and
philosophy

SCRIPTURE: II Samuel 7:1-11, 16 (NRSV)
Scroll down for complete Scripture.

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DEVOTIONAL:
Over the last decade our family has had many opportunities
for global travel and extended sojourns -- to the Dominican
Republic, Cuba, Costa Rica, China and Cambodia with (
http://www.goshen.edu/sst )Goshen College’s Study-Service
Term program; to Puerto Rico, my spouse's homeland, on
sabbatical; and to Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, China and
Vietnam for family reasons (visiting siblings, taking
vacations and adopting our daughter). In each of these
settings we've been struck by God's presence manifest in
different ways: in the energetic worship of charismatic
Christians in Latin America; in the cathedrals and rich
iconographic traditions of Orthodoxy in Eastern Europe; in
the marginal Christian communities of Asia, struggling to
get a foothold in their home cultures; in many people
seeking justice and peace through faith groups and
non-governmental organizations.

In today’s passage from II Samuel, we see a foreshadowing
of a theological message that comes to fuller fruition in
Christian Scriptures: the reality that God is not bound to
one holy place; God dwells everywhere -- ever tenting,
always on the move -- in God's good and groaning world. When
David offers to build the Lord a temple, God turns this
offer on its head, noting instead that God will give David
and Israel rest from their enemies and from their journey.
God promises to be with David and his people wherever they
go. Although the temple is later built, the trajectory has
been set, foreshadowing the coming of Jesus and the sending
of the Spirit: God is present throughout the world, in all
nations and peoples, guiding and sustaining and
transforming. Amen and amen.

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SCRIPTURE: II Samuel 7:1-11, 16 (NRSV)
Now when the king was settled in his house, and the Lord
had given him rest from all his enemies around him, the king
said to the prophet Nathan, 'See now, I am living in a house
of cedar, but the ark of God stays in a tent.' Nathan said
to the king, 'Go, do all that you have in mind; for the Lord
is with you.'

But that same night the word of the Lord came to Nathan:
Go and tell my servant David: Thus says the Lord: Are you
the one to build me a house to live in? I have not lived in
a house since the day I brought up the people of Israel from
Egypt to this day, but I have been moving about in a tent
and a tabernacle. Wherever I have moved about among all the
people of Israel, did I ever speak a word with any of the
tribal leaders of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my
people Israel, saying, 'Why have you not built me a house of
cedar?' Now therefore thus you shall say to my servant
David: Thus says the Lord of hosts: I took you from the
pasture, from following the sheep to be prince over my
people Israel; and I have been with you wherever you went,
and have cut off all your enemies from before you; and I
will make for you a great name, like the name of the great
ones of the earth. And I will appoint a place for my people
Israel and will plant them, so that they may live in their
own place, and be disturbed no more; and evildoers shall
afflict them no more, as formerly, from the time that I
appointed judges over my people Israel; and I will give you
rest from all your enemies. Moreover, the Lord declares to
you that the Lord will make you a house. Your house and your
kingdom shall be made sure for ever before me; your throne
shall be established for ever.




View all of this season's devotions at
http://www.goshen.edu/devotions

Goshen College
http://www.goshen.edu
---------

Only in America...

Only in America, it seems, we have decided that 'tolerance' requires us to post a sign viciously attacking religious beliefs alongside symbols of religious belief.

the full story is here, at onenewsnow.com


Anti-faith 'rant' will stay, says Wash. governor
Charlie Butts - OneNewsNow - 12/15/2008 8:05:00


As Liberty Counsel's Mat Staver explains, the holiday display in the state Capitol includes a Christmas tree, nativity scene, menorah.

"Next to those three symbols is a rant by the Freedom From Religion Foundation, purportedly to celebrate the Winter Solstice -- but it doesn't do anything of the kind," says the Christian attorney. "It's a rant against the existence of God. It claims that there is no god, [that] there are no angels or devils or heaven or hell, and that reason should prevail."

Governor Chris Gregoire does not have to permit the atheist sign because it must meet the theme of the display, which it does not, says Staver. The sign, he says, is totally out of place because the other three items are symbols -- not attacks on other religions and their holidays.

Matt Staver"It's absolutely outrageous that this sign is there," Staver asserts, "and we ought to call on the governor to remove this travesty."

The governor said she has no choice but to allow the sign -- a stance Liberty Counsel labels as "erroneous."

Advent Devotional #16

Today's devotion from Goshen College:

DEC. 15 - NAME HIM JESUS


By Bethany Swope, church relations coordinator



THIS WEEK'S THEME: Name him Jesus
Scroll down for complete Scripture.

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DEVOTIONAL:
Between bites of a glazed donut, my nephew recently asked what I would name a baby boy. He likes the name David. I don’t know why he asked the question, but I do know that names matter to us. I’ve always disliked being called "Beth." It's Bethany. My parents chose it to be my name, despite my sister's request for "Stephie."

In The House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros' character Esperanza, "hope" in Spanish, reflects on her name -- what it means, why her parents chose it and names she would prefer, including "Zeze the X." She explains how English speakers and Spanish speakers say her name differently: "At school they say my name funny as if the syllables were made out of tin and hurt the roof of your mouth. But in Spanish my name is made out of a softer something, like silver."

When I was a Goshen College student on ( http://www.goshen.edu/sst )Study-Service Term (the college's three-month study abroad program), I wrote in my journal about how my hosts in Cote d'Ivoire said my name:
"bay-tah-nee." The difference symbolized the shift in identity I felt in a culture far from home.

I wonder if Jesus felt far from home as he walked the earth. I wonder if he heard different meanings in the way people spoke his name. Did they see him as a prophet? A heretic? A regular guy? The Messiah?

Still, he let his face shine. He let his name shine:
Jesus, "the Lord saves." A name of esperanza. May it shine on us, this season and always.




View all of this season's devotions at http://www.goshen.edu/devotions

Goshen College
http://www.goshen.edu

Advent Devotional #15

Today's devotion from Goshen College:

DEC. 12 - FINDING OUR VOICE AGAIN


By Rachel S. Gerber, apartment manager

SCRIPTURE: John 1:6-8, 19-28 (NRSV)
Scroll down for complete Scripture.

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DEVOTIONAL:
In our text today, we hear a loud voice -- John the
Baptist preparing the way for Jesus’ ministry. His sense of
clarity of purpose and mission challenges me. John knew who
he was and responded to others out of it.

Likewise, I wonder, ‘What shall I cry?’ And suddenly, I’m
at a loss for words. It seems like as the Church, in this
world of many voices, we have lost ours. In the past, it
seems that when the Church responded, it tended to do more
harm than good. It’s no wonder the world is cynical and
distrusting of religion. And I bet there might be a good
number of current church-goers that feel the same way.
Because of this, our response to God’s call to “cry out,”
turns silent.

But what if we got again to the heart of Christianity --
Jesus -- and found our voice there? What would it sound
like? What if Christianity is not so much about “getting
yourself saved,” as it is about an invitation to join the
mission of God’s people to meet the world’s needs?

In the season of Advent, we await the coming of God in the
person of the baby Jesus. This is not a season where we
simply wait for an anniversary to come, but rather it’s a
time to reflect on the nature of the One who came first to
us, and who invites us to jump on board with what this One
is doing in our world. So what then, shall we cry out? Let
us discover together how God is calling us anew today, so
that we too might join in the words of John to prepare the
coming way of the Lord!

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SCRIPTURE: John 1:6-8, 19-28 (NRSV)
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He
came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might
believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he
came to testify to the light.

This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent
priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, 'Who are
you?' He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, 'I am
not the Messiah.' And they asked him, 'What then? Are you
Elijah?' He said, 'I am not.' 'Are you the prophet?' He
answered, 'No.' Then they said to him, 'Who are you? Let us
have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about
yourself?' He said, 'I am the voice of one crying out in the
wilderness, "Make straight the way of the Lord" ',(as the
prophet Isaiah said.

Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him,
'Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah,
nor Elijah, nor the prophet?' John answered them, 'I baptize
with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the
one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the
thong of his sandal.' This took place in Bethany across the
Jordan where John was baptizing.




View all of this season's devotions at
http://www.goshen.edu/devotions

Goshen College
http://www.goshen.edu
---------
The views and beliefs expressed in the devotional piece prepared by
each individual reflect their own spiritual growth journey and
thoughts, and while created in a campus environment that encourages
thoughtful questions and reflection on biblical Scripture and
contemporary Christian themes, do not necessarily represent the
official institutional positions of Goshen College or Mennonite Church
USA.

We welcome students who desire a Christ-centered education shaped
around
* passionate learning
* global citizenship
* servant leadership and
* compassionate peacemaking.
Do you know someone who would be a good fit at Goshen College?
Find out more at http://www.goshen.edu/dev/admission .

To keep this unique community of faith and learning vital and
affordable for students, Goshen College welcomes your financial support.
Visit http://www.goshen.edu/give/devotions to learn how you can support
our mission.
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Advent Devotional #14

Below is today's repost from the Advent Devotionals I've been putting up here. There are some good thoughts to be found, but the main thrust of the devotional refers you to get online and listen to some sermons which expand the idea. I haven't listened to those sermons, but the link is still there, you'll have to copy it into your address bar, because the link doesn't work.

I would add this to your reading: what can you do to strengthen your relationships with your church family? Not just your local one, but with believers everywhere? How can you help them grow? That will be a continued part of our conversation in the months to come...

Today's devotion from Goshen College:

DEC. 11 - A LETTER FROM THE GLOBAL CHURCH


By Greg Yoder, a senior music major from Perkasie, Pa.

SCRIPTURE: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 (NRSV) Scroll down for complete Scripture.

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DEVOTIONAL:
This passage from Paul's first letter to the church of the Thessalonians is nothing if not encouraging. Paul writes to this new and developing church, encouraging them in their faith. "Be joyful always; pray continually."

In the first centuries, the church was an international fellowship; distant congregations supported and encouraged one another in letters similar to this one from the pen of Paul. Today, the church is again a global family; our brothers and sisters in the global south are growing in number and in vibrancy.

Recently I have had the opportunity and privilege to read the writings of some of the leaders in these churches, and I find their words encouraging, a true testament to the light that is the good news of Jesus the Christ. Bishop Danisa Ndlovu of Zimbabwe (president-elect of Mennonite World Conference) speaks of worship in a sermon entitled "Worship Christ in the Nations," and he says, "Worship is active, to reach out, to meet the needs of others."

Ndlovu's words testify to the light of Jesus, especially as he continues. "There is pain in worship...Those that God calls must rejoice in the pain of reaching out to others."
Life with Jesus may not always be easy or happy, but it will be filled with joy.

During this Advent season, let us pray continually for our brothers and sisters in faith, around the world and in our own communities. Let our reaching out be an active worship, and should we find it painful, let us reach out joyfully, testifying to the Light.

To read and hear more from Bishop Danisa Ndlovu and other leaders in the global Mennonite church, visit: http://www.mwc-cmm.org

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SCRIPTURE: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 (NRSV) Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.

May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.




View all of this season's devotions at http://www.goshen.edu/devotions

Goshen College
http://www.goshen.edu

Advent Devotional #12

Today's devotion from Goshen College:

DEC. 10 - FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION


By Betty Schrag, assistant to the president

SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:46-55 (NRSV)
Scroll down for complete Scripture.

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DEVOTIONAL:
Mary’s Magnificat is a beautiful illustration of her
simple faith in a God she learned about from stories passed
down through her family line and from others in her faith
community.

Every October when the air is cool and crisp, and the
leaves are beginning to change, I migrate east with my
siblings and our families to our roots, to the hills and
valleys of Pennsylvania. We spend time cooking together,
playing games, hiking, reminiscing and allowing our souls to
catch up with our bodies. For one week we live together once
again on the land where we, our parents and grandparents
grew up. Although the generations before us are no longer
living, we continue this ritual of gathering, bound together
by our common biological and spiritual ancestry, and by our
love for each other.

This fall, we set aside one evening to talk about family
dynamics at the request of a younger family member who
facilitated the conversation. As we shared our stories --
some humorous and some painful -- we recognized the common
thread of God's faithfulness to our family through the
years. We became keenly aware of how much the passed-down
stories of faith and failure have influenced the way we live
our lives. It was a holy moment. We sat in silence for a
long time. Nobody wanted to be the first to break the spell
of this sacred time.

"My soul is filled with joy . . . and holy is your name
through all generations, everlasting is your mercy . . ."

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SCRIPTURE: Luke 1:46-55 (NRSV)
And Mary said,

'My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God
my Saviour,

for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his
servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call
me blessed;

for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy
is his name.

His mercy is for those who fear him from generation to
generation.

He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the
proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and
lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his
mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to
Abraham and to his descendants for ever.'




View all of this season's devotions at
http://www.goshen.edu/devotions

Goshen College
http://www.goshen.edu
---------
The views and beliefs expressed in the devotional piece prepared by
each individual reflect their own spiritual growth journey and
thoughts, and while created in a campus environment that encourages
thoughtful questions and reflection on biblical Scripture and
contemporary Christian themes, do not necessarily represent the
official institutional positions of Goshen College or Mennonite Church
USA.

We welcome students who desire a Christ-centered education shaped
around
* passionate learning
* global citizenship
* servant leadership and
* compassionate peacemaking.
Do you know someone who would be a good fit at Goshen College?
Find out more at http://www.goshen.edu/dev/admission .

Advent Devotional #11

Today's devotion from Goshen College:

DEC. 9 - HOW WILL WE TESTIFY TO THE LIGHT?


By Bill Born, vice president for student life

SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 (NRSV)
Scroll down for complete Scripture.

----------

DEVOTIONAL:
"I don’t think I can celebrate Advent if this is God's
idea of being loving and just." These were the words of my
brother just five days ago as he looked ahead to the Advent
season in the midst of personal pain. His spouse, his best
friend and our mother are all experiencing extreme physical
and cognitive failure due to disease, stroke and dementia.
He's carrying some heavy burdens. I listened with little to
say in response.

As I shared this conversation with another peer he noted
that sometimes all we can say is, "Then let me celebrate for
you."

Both conversations have been with me each day since.

Isaiah 61:1-4 notes a personal call to action following
the long-awaited anticipation of restoration and peace. In
response to the Lord’s personal anointing, our purpose is
defined as servants to those who are poor, oppressed,
brokenhearted and to those who are captives, and are
mourning and in despair.

During this Advent season, is there someone for whom you
can personally say, "Let me celebrate Advent for you?" Is
there someone you can reach out to who is poor, oppressed,
brokenhearted, who is captive or in mourning and despair. Is
there someone you can speak with and say, "I can’t fully
understand, but I am present."

In any given "here and now," Isaiah 61:8 promises the
Lord's justice and his faithfulness to restore. His covenant
is everlasting and in time, we will experience salvation and
peace.

During this Advent season, in this imperfect world, we are
called to be God’s means of hope for those who are suffering
most and in this way we "testify to the light."

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SCRIPTURE: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 (NRSV)
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord
has anointed me;
he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to
bind up the broken-hearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the
prisoners;
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour, and the day of
vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;
to provide for those who mourn in Zion -- to give them a
garland instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of
praise instead of a faint spirit.
They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of
the Lord, to display his glory.
They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up
the former devastations;
they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of
many generations.

For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and
wrongdoing;
I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will
make an everlasting covenant with them.
Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and
their offspring among the peoples;
all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people
whom the Lord has blessed.
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall
exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he
has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a
bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as the earth brings forth its shoots,
and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to
spring up before all the nations.




View all of this season's devotions at
http://www.goshen.edu/devotions

Goshen College
http://www.goshen.edu
---------