Goodbye As an Act of Grace
 
The Apostle Paul knew the people Ephesus as well as he knew any of the people in the towns and cities of Greece and Asia Minor where he had been used by God to plant and nurture churches.  For over two years in the early 50’s A.D. he had lived and ministered to and with the Ephesians.  Towards the end of the decade Paul passed close by Ephesus as he sailed towards Jerusalem on his last great missionary journey.  Having stopped at the port of Miletus, he sent for the elders of the Ephesian church that he might talk with them one last time. Luke tells the story Acts 20.  It ends this way:   When (Paul had finished speaking), he knelt down with all of them and prayed. They all wept as they embraced him and kissed him. What grieved them most was his statement that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to the ship. Continue reading →

King's Dream, Gene's Nightmare and Prayer on Flight 1549
 
Monday is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Tuesday is Inauguration Day.  Much has been made of the two days and their connectedness and for good cause.  Americans of every race and political persuasion have reason to celebrate.   
 
King ended his famous "I Have a Dream" speech (why not take some time this weekend to listen to the entire oration) with these lines: Continue reading →

Staying Connected
 
We're still getting Christmas cards and it's our fault.  We didn't send ours until late in the season and so some of those who did not yet have our new address have been kind enough to include us in a late mailing. 
 
I love Christmas cards.  Actually, it's not the cards, it's the letters.  Some are personal. Most, like ours, are photocopies of an annual update sent far and wide. 
 
Yesterday we received two Christmas letters of the photocopy variety and one very personal note.  The personal note was from one of Becky's best friends during our eight years in Oregon and it is a precious gift. Continue reading →

Auld Lang Syne
 
Guy Lombardo made the tune a New Year's tradition for two generations. 
 
The old Robert Burns poem asks the question rhetorically, "Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?"  The answer is "no."  We should remember old acquaintances and bring them to mind from time to time. 
 
What and who made your acquaintance in 2008?  This past Sunday Psalm 126 and some of you helped us take stock of our old-year acquaintances.  We heard about how some of us made the acquaintance of new family members (babies born and brides or grooms welcomed).  Some got to know success and opportunity while others met job loss and discouragement.  Some became familiar with new places and others rediscovered old loves.  Continue reading →

Jesus in the Details
 
Last December the results of a poll taken in the U.K. revealed that only 12% of adults in Britain have a detailed knowledge of the Christmas story – and that the figure drops to 7% for those in 18-24 age range.  Culture warriors will hear the results as one more call to take up arms and drive the heathen from the schoolrooms and courthouses of our land – after all, the British are usually just a few years ahead of us when it comes to such things.  Continue reading →