H2odevos eots 122111 Chain of Love-Advent Style

H2odevos eots 122111 Chain of Love-Advent Style

Woke up Sunday morning blue gulf of Mexico


Barefoot children were dancing in the sand


There are chains that bind you chains that remind you


Won't you please give me your hand

http://littleflockmusic.com/AUDIO/PM/RG/ChainOfLove.mp3

PRAYER OF THE DAY for All Saints Sunday (ELW) Almighty God, you have knit your people together in one communion in  the mystical body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant us grace to follow your blessed   saints in lives of faith and commitment, and to know the inexpressible joys you have prepared  for those who love you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and  the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen Yesterday would have been my father’s 94th birthday.  As many of you know four years ago  on his 90th birthday Frank Glusenkamp had a stroke,  suffered seizures and never regained consciousness. He died 14 days later. I’ve been working  with a couple of families this week who are similar situations. I always tell them,  “there are worse things than dying.” Sometimes they shake their heads and signify  that they agree. At other times they look at me with a look that seems to ask “what are you talking about?” But, what I am talking about is what Peter is singing about,  namely we are connected through a chain of Love. This chain is not always visible to the  human eye, but nevertheless it is real, it is strong, it holds onto us when we can longer hold onto  it or to each other. I give thanks for this chain that connects  you and me together. I give thanks for you. Deck the halls, rtg

H2odevos eots 122021 “every body’s searching”

H2odevos eots 122021 “every body’s searching”

Peter sings, “just a piece of paradise.”

I’m listening to the new cd, Under Your Spell.  It’s not too late to get your stocking stuffer!   http://littleflockmusic.com/product.asp?ID=PM-UYS-CD

A cup of coffee, a wrinkled newspaper, a well worn Bible and an ipod keep me company as I hear Peter sing,

“I thought that I had a soul, it turned out to be just a hole in my life.” 

I keep playing the song over and over. Some of the licks of the guitar state that plaintive lament which is a cry of the heart, but then there is Peter’s soothing voice of hope and resilience. I mean who hasn’t had a hole in their life? As Peter correctly observes “every body’s searching.” Searching for that perfect gift, that perfect mate, that perfect tree, that perfect church, that perfect perfection, a “piece of paradise.”

And yet, folks experience

“broken hearts and broken hands in their lives.”  For some reason this year I am more mindful of that than at other times past. Perhaps it’s because I recognize clearly the brokenness in my heart, in my hands.

In Luke 23:43  Jesus told the thief on the cross,  "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise." The thief saw a slice, a piece of paradise.

In 2 Corinthians 12:4  St. Paul talks about how he “
was caught up into Paradise and heard things that are not to be told, that no mortal is permitted to repeat.” He got a little piece of paradise.

In Revelation 2:7, we get a celestial invitation,  “
Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who conquers, I will give permission to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God.”

I pray today that you recognize that “piece of paradise” that is from the Prince of Peace.

May the “echoes of the season” bring you joy.

Deck the halls,

rtg

H2odevos eots 121611 Christmas Countdown

H2odevos eots 121611 Christmas Countdown

I was making a home visit on Wednesday (yes, pastors still do that). In fact, my colleague Pastor Ruth Ann  and I attempt to see all the incoming 7^th graders to our confirmation program. Each year that amounts on average to be about 35-40 young people. So, this is something that we desire to do as we share with the students, their parents, their siblings and even pets, the approach we take to faith formation.

Our partners in this venture are a wonderful group led by Dr. Paul Hill and his colleagues called VIBRANT FAITH. Their website is http://vibrantfaith.org  - I encourage you to check it out.

So, I was visiting  a student by the name of Grace, how cool is that? She has a sister named Mia. As they were treating me in the kitchen to cookies and some warm coffee I saw their countdown calendars up on the wall. Their parents, Angela and Charlie are doing a good job! The message of the calendars is CHRISTMAS IS…

CHRISTMAS IS A COMING!

As Peter sings, “once again the story begins bringing good news in the night.”

On Tuesday, I visited Annette. She was baptized at Bethany many years ago. In fact, she is the oldest living member of our church who was baptized at our church. I believe if memory serves me correct that she was born in 1917. At one time she was very good with her hands and made lots of gifts of counted cross-stitching and embroidery. The following picture is of  one of her creations that currently hangs in our library at church.

 It’s a quotation from Isaiah 40:31,

³¹but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength,

they shall mount up with wings like eagles,

they shall run and not be weary,

they shall walk and not faint.

It’s all about waiting. And while we are “counting down” the days, maybe it’s also a good time to be “counting up” the ways we can let light and love shine around us.

Deck the halls,

rtg

h2odevos eots 121711 Whisper

H2odevos eots 121711 WHISPER

Isaiah 29:4  
Then deep from the earth you shall speak,

from low in the dust your words shall come;

your voice shall come from the ground like the voice of a ghost,

and your speech shall whisper out of the dust.

Christmas came a little early yesterday. My shipment of Peter’s new cd, “UNDER YOUR SPELL”  

 arrived via of the good folks who work so hard to make packages and boxes arrive in time for the holidays.

I’m grateful for the blessing of family on this day. We are going to celebrate as Sue Ann receives her Masters degree in Nursing Leadership. We have a “hooding” to attend as well as the graduation from Regis University at the convention center. I am sure with all of us gathered together that we will want to be talking all the time. I am also sure someone will turn around with a strern look in their eye and their index finger in front of their lips while “mouthing” the word “whisper.”

Peter knows this is the season of “whispers” We whisper what we want for Christmas. We whisper what we bought another. We whisper the “hopes and dreams of all the years.” We whisper our love and affection.

May this whisper of a day bring you hope, light and love.

Deck the halls,

rtg

H2odevos eots 12111 Blooms from Brokenness

"Out of a thousand faces you find the light in one From so many distant places your journey has begun To find true joy and happiness To bring new blooms from brokenness And every day your song be yes We're touched by the hands of love" http://www.petermayer.com/songs/the-hands-of-love

http://pomegranates.org/index.php?c=5 I had an amazing day on Monday. It was full of emotions. There was everything from "true joy and happiness"-to some deep sadness and brokenness. As a parish pastor I know that folks let you walk with them through good times and bad times. Monday was full of both ends of the spectrum. I've been doing this "work" for thirty years or so. I've learned a few things along the way. I believe as Peter sings that we've been "touched by the hands of love." I know  there are "new blooms from brokenness." I trust that when we see our day as a "song of yes" as opposed to a "lament of NO" that we truly let our hearts and lights shine. Just as I wrote those words, our power went out in our home. (After some searching around in the dark for a candle, I'm now writing by candlelight and using my lovely MacBook Pro on battery power. I've experienced the reality that: Weeping may spend the night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30) Nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8) God has a plan for us even when we can't see it or feel it. But, there is a plan for our wellbeing. (Jeremiah 29:11) God is Love! 1 John Blooms do come from brokenness. http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/pe_prb/t/the_hinton_st_mary_mosaic.aspx When I was in England in October, I first heard about the Hinton St. Mary Mosaic. In what many people believe is one of the first mosaic images of Christ, he is flanked by pomegranates. There was the understanding in Jewish lore that there are 613 seeds in the pomegranate-one seed for each of the commandments in the Old Testament. Today I pray that you find the seeds of love, hope and grace that are all around us. Deck the halls, rtg

h2odevos eots 121211 REJOICE ALWAYS

"Through trials and darkness fear and temptation You look for deliverance and some revelation With no song of spring you wait for the call Could there be nothing at all...Oh Sing Joy joy joy in the morning Joy joy in the afternoon Joy joy joy for the child is born This night the promise is given to you" Sing Joy by Peter Mayer

In yesterday's sermon I referred the worshippers to 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24. I likened it to a blueprint.  My father, Frank, was an architect. I remember as a little boy looking at the blueprints he would create. There was a great deal of detail on each and every page. The blueprints weren't the building of course, but they showed how the workers could put the building together. St. Paul has created an amazing blueprint for "building each other up" for constructing a joyful self and community this Advent. I encourage you to take a look at the words, 16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19Do not quench the Spirit. 20Do not despise the words of prophets, 21but test everything; hold fast to what is good; 22abstain from every form of evil. 23May 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. 24The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this. I asked the congregation to read along with me as we looked at the verses. So, today,  I need you to help me with this. It's all about reading the blueprints. Let's read the two words in verse 16: 16 "Rejoice always, Alright, we've heard these words before from here and in other places like Phil. 3:1 and Romans 12:12. And to "rejoice always" means something different from Bobby McFerrin's "Don't Worry, Be Happy" (although that is a very fine song). But, it seems to me that "rejoicing," means finding the joy in it all. I think it can mean, finding the "Light" in the darkness. Let's read the three words of verse 17: 17pray without ceasing, Good! These words echo Col. 4:2 and Eph. 6:18. As a child and young adult I would hear these verses as a judgment of sorts, that I had to just sit in church and pray 24/7. But, that's a childish view, a simplistic view of prayer. Prayer is talking and listening to God. When we sing carols, when we read Scripture, when we bake cookies for a neighbor, we are praying. My prayer today is that you follow the star. My hope today is that you enjoy a piece of  bread as we think about making our way to Bethlehem (which means HOUSE OF BREAD). I'd like for you to intentionally take time to "rejoice always" and "pray without ceasing." Deck the halls, rtg

h2odevos eots 121111 Job Description (encore)

December 11, 2011 Third Sunday in Advent Job Description    "Break out the lights shine them bright Hang them from tree and from rafter Let them burn all through the night Light up your hearts with the laughter" Ring Out The Bells by Peter Mayer

This is an Encore Devo, first published on December 11, 2005 Okay, Christmas Day is just two weeks from today. While that thought might bring a sense of anxiousness to some people, the very good news for our world is that Christmas comes whether we are ready or not! The holiday is not dependent on our state of readiness or preparedness. Fortunately, the promises of God are being fulfilled while stars are positioned in the sky and angelic choirs are on alert in the heavenly realms all set to sing "Gloria in excelsis Deo." The other day I heard someone ask in a rather frustrated voice, "What in God's name are you doing?" This question was not (in my humble opinion) intended to evoke a vocational assessment on behalf of the hearer, but was intentionally spoken as a critique of another person's behavior. It was an evaluation of current state. And while the words were spoken in an exasperated tone, I'd like to re-frame them or position them to suggest that all of us have job descriptions given to us by God. Today we hear the following words from the prophet Isaiah. They are a job description posted years ago which Jesus aligned himself with in the course of his ministry. "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 brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; 2to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; 3to 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."(Isaiah 61:1-4) Like Peter sings, break, hang, let, light." Today you might have the opportunity to give a garland instead of ashes, Spritz some oil of gladness instead of mourning, To wrap someone with a scarf (cashmere of course) of praise instead of deflating their hopes and dreams. 'Tis the season & Jesus is the Reason! RTG

h2odeovs eots 121011 LIGHT + LOVE

H2odevos eots 121011 Light +Love

Winter's come again too soon this year
Grab your hat and woolen scarf my dear
Feathers from a Robin's wing
That's all you'll find to remind you of spring
Colored lights in ornamental strings
Turn ordinary streets to special things
A sigh catches your breath
Then a smile for the season of stars and promises

http://www.petermayer.com/songs/stars-and-promises

Sue Ann and I were at Regis University last night for a Service of Lessons and Carols.

It was a lovely time to hear about “stars and promises.” As we left the sanctuary I noticed that there was a copy of portions of the St. Johns Bible. The pages which caught my eye were from Exodus 19 and 20. Chapter 20 is all about the BIG 10 (not the athletic conference) (which actually now has 12 schools in it) but the TEN COMMANDMENTS.  You can read more about this lovely project by checking out the website:

http://www.saintjohnsbible.org/

I’ve also included a couple of pictures.

As I reflect on the service the whole idea of Light + Love comes to me. I am grateful for people who have shown me light and love along the way. I think of how Peter’s music graciously proclaims light and love to folks who gather together to hear his music. The Bible is a love song full of Light+ Love. As you know sometimes people want to take a select portion of the Bible  (or particular soundbytes ) out of context in order make a point or to attempt to win an argument. I’m always taken by Kurt Vonnegut’s words:

“For some reason, the most vocal Christians among us never mention the Beatitudes. But, often with tears in their eyes, they demand that the Ten Commandments be posted in public buildings. And of course that's Moses, not Jesus. I haven't heard one of them demand that the Sermon on the Mount, the Beatitudes, be posted anywhere.”

Kurt Vonnegut

So, today it is my prayer that these words of Light + Love might echo in your heart and soul:

When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. ²Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:

³"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

⁴"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

⁵"Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

⁶"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

⁷"Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

⁸"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

⁹"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.

¹⁰"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

¹¹"Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account ¹²Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Deck the halls,

rtg

h2odevos eots 120911 A SPACE RESERVED FOR THE MONARCH

H2odevos eots 120911 “A Space Reserved for the Monarch”

I was walking down a busy street in Denver when I saw the sign which read

“Parking for Monarch Only.” A smile immediately came to my face. I thought about this holy season of Advent as a special time to prepare for the coming of the Lord.

I remember as a little boy memorizing the following verse FROM HEAVEN ABOVE

      O dearest Jesus, holy child,

      prepare a bed, soft, undefiled,

      a holy shrine, within my heart,

      that you and I need never part.

Text: Martin Luther, 1483-1546; tr. Lutheran Book of Worship, 1978

© 1978 Lutheran Book of Worship, admin. Augsburg Fortress

That lovely intention is one of the of the “Echoes of the Season that I hear as I make visits to homebound members of our congregation. Another “echo” I am sure that you hear comes from

O Little Town of Bethlehem

      O holy child of Bethlehem,

      descend to us, we pray;

      cast out our sin, and enter in,

      be born in us today.

      We hear the Christmas angels

      the great glad tidings tell;

      oh, come to us, abide with us,

      our Lord Immanuel!

Text: Phillips Brooks, 1835-1893

Both of these carols echo the passionate prayer that there be a space reserved for this monarch lovingly called the Prince of Peace.

Peter texted me the other day that one of the songs on the tour this year that is really getting traction asks the question, “what will Christmas make of you?”  I believe that is really the question. Quite often in the whole discussion about Christmas, while some folks condemn and others affirm the recognition of various faith and religious traditions, as some embrace and others eschew tolerance and diversity, some Christians really play the “victim” card and role. Nate, Noah, Hannah and I are reading a book which is titled

All Things Shining –Reading the Western Classics to Find Meaning in a Secular Age

http://books.simonandschuster.com/All-Things-Shining/Hubert-Dreyfus/9781416596158

This past week in the chapter we were discussing (via of conference call) it seemed that the authors said many people often get caught either being totally devoted to a notion of the nostalgic past or a notion of a wonderful future (NOTE:these are my words, not those of the authors and so I could have misunderstood their point). However, it does some to make sense that we are tempted to either live in an idealized past (which for me consisted of Lassie, Bozo, Ozzie and Harriett, of course the Cleavers and BONANZA!) Or at the other end of the spectrum to be so focused on a future which is all full of JETSON type appliances and gadgets coupled with  pseudo-enlightened and faux progressive view of self and the world.

So, I’m intrigued by the question “what will Christmas make of you?” If you’d like to take a turn at answering that, send a note to me at h2odevos@gmail.com

Meanwhile, be sure to reserve a space in your heart for the Monarch.

Deck the Halls,

rtg

h2odevos eots 120811 THERE + HERE

I happened to be at Regis University on Tuesday to witness my wife, Sue Ann, participate in her oral comprehensive final exam in her quest for a Masters in Nursing Leadership.

She was eloquent, elegant and profound. Her graduation day is December 17^th. Nate, Noah and Hannah are all coming in for the event. I am so very proud of her and what she has accomplished.

As I was hanging out  (some might call it loitering) in the hallway waiting for some of the procedural stuff to unfold, a holiday display caught my eye. In the midst of the kinara (the candle holder for Kwanza), the menorah (the lamp stand used in Jewish liturgy), and the advent wreath (the circular, four candle pre-Christmas lights), there was a dreidel.

The dreidel is associated with Hanukkah  (Festival of Lights), which is a celebration of the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem.

The four letters on the dreidel (transliterated for Microsoft Word)  and need to be read from the left to the right are (SH, H, G, N) or נ (Nun), ג (Gimmel), ה (Hay) and ש (Shin), which stand for the Hebrew phrase "Nes Gadol Haya Sham" (which means "a great thing happened there." The "great thing" was there was only enough oil for the light to burn for one day, but it burned for eight days.

 

 

  

Now in Israel the dreidel has a different fourth letter (which stands for the word "here.")

I like the notion of marking "great things" (as well as "small things") which take place because of miracles "there and here." Perhaps in the kitchen where food for friends, neighbors and strangers is made we should make a sign which reads "a great thing happened here." Maybe in the living room where forgiveness has been asked for and granted, a sign could be placed, "a great thing happened here." What might be amazing is that you and I take time today to move from a notion of scarcity to recognizing the miracle of abundance all around us.

When that happens, it's time to DECK THE HALLS!

Peace,

rtg

h2odevos eots 120711 "What's the Buzz" encoure 120705

S&P 2005 what’s the buzz 12-07-06

What’s the Buzz?

St. Ambrose Day, Bishop of Milan, 397

(encore performance)

“There is a wind that moves all around us

Making the sound of a song if you listen

And yet we wander over the world

For a place to belong to replace what we’re missing

We bring our differences, our hopes, our faith and fears

We’ll build  a home for love in this family

For the light that brought us here

With a blueprint for living

Each new day is lifted up

For this house we lay a foundation

On this cornerstone of love”

Blueprints by Peter Mayer and Jim Mayer

Just by mentioning  the date today, “December 7^th” evokes powerful feelings, memories and emotions. You can re-fresh your memory of those times by checking out the website for the Library of Congress www.loc.gov/

Today is a day to remember all those who currently serve and have served our country through the armed forces. We keep in our prayers their families and friends who watch and wait.  It is also a day to remember the innocent victims of war, past and present.

And as the issue of conflicts and wars is contemplated it is appropriate to reflect on how faith communities deal with problems and disagreements within the community. The challenge is “let our lights shine” in order to create illumination and warmth as opposed to feeling “the heat” of pain, disappointment and resentment. It is as Peter sings,

“And yet we wander over the world

For a place to belong to replace what we’re missing

We bring our differences, our hopes, our faith and fears

We’ll build  a home for love in this family

For the light that brought us here”

 Healthy congregations facilitate healthy members and clergy. Healthy members and clergy facilitate healthy congregations. Now having said that, I am also cognizant that “church fights or conflicts” are nothing new. When one reads the letters of St. Paul it is obvious that he was constantly doing conflict resolution work. That “tradition” continues today. Ask any bishop or assistant to a bishop or mid-level judicatory official regarding “what do you spend a majority of your time on?” The answer which will come (quite quickly) is “conflict.”

Ambrose who was baptized, ordained as priest and consecrated as bishop on this date was thrust into conflict immediately. He is often referred to as the “honey tongued doctor.” In fact, iconography associated with him are bees and beehives. Check out http://symbols.ehibou.com/bee/ to learn more about the bumblebee. He is the patron saint for bee keepers, candle-makers and all things related to wax.

No one heals himself by wounding another.

- Saint Ambrose

---

Our own evil inclinations are far more dangerous than any external enemies.

- Saint Ambrose

The Church of the Lord is built upon the rock of the apostles among so many dangers in the world; it therefore remains unmoved. The Church's foundation is unshakable and firm against assaults of the raging sea. Waves lash at the Church but do not shatter it. Although the elements of this world constantly beat upon the Church with crashing sounds, the Church possesses the safest harbor of salvation for all in distress.

There is a stream which flows down on God's saints like a torrent. There is also a rushing river giving joy to the heart that is at peace and makes for peace.

He who read much and understands much, receives his fill. He who is full, refreshes others. So Scripture says: "If the clouds are full, they will pour rain upon the earth."

-St. Ambrose

I hope you will create “buzz” today by building up God’s church and the world in which we live.

rtg

h2odevos eots 120611 JOY! (St. Nick's Day)

H2odevos eots 120611 JOY!

St. Nicholas Day

“Sing Joy, joy, joy in the morning”

On Saturday as the snow was falling in our community a young couple at church attending a baptism seminar brought me a gift of Arthur Bryant’s BBQ Sauce. Now, let me tell you, “this is the real deal.” They had been visiting family in Kansas City. And so like the traveling Magi, the Wise Ones of old, these travelers from the East brought a gift that was worth it’s weight in gold, frankincense and myrrh. Arthur Bryant’s BBQ is authentic.  This gift which came totally out of the blue (it is that heavenly, as well as a lovely Advent gift) brought me a great sense of joy.

On Monday morning Sue Ann and I took a trip to the mountains to cut down a Christmas tree. This was in a national forest. The tree cutting process is all part of forest management. I thought to myself about what things need to be “cut down” in my life during this season of Advent? Where is there too much growth? Where does the spiritual landscape need a sabbatical in order for new growth to take place at a future date?

On Saturday as the snow was falling in our community a young couple at church attending a baptism seminar brought me a gift of Arthur Bryant’s BBQ Sauce. Now, let me tell you, “this is the real deal.” They had been visiting family in Kansas City. And so like the traveling Magi, the Wise Ones of old, these travelers from the East brought a gift that was worth it’s weight in gold, frankincense and myrrh. Arthur Bryant’s BBQ is authentic.  This gift which came totally out of the blue (it is that heavenly, as well as a lovely Advent gift) brought me a great sense of joy.

On Monday morning Sue Ann and I took a trip to the mountains to cut down a Christmas tree. This was in a national forest. The tree cutting process is all part of forest management. I thought to myself about what things need to be “cut down” in my life during this season of Advent? Where is there too much growth? Where does the spiritual landscape need a sabbatical in order for new growth to take place at a future date.

We were way out there. Besides a few animal prints in the snow there wasn’t much evidence that there was any thing or any one else around us. And yet, we knew we were in the presence of LIFE in this holy  cathedral of creation. The snowy trees sang “JOY!”

If you live in Colorado you can “bring” JOY by participating in www.firstgiving.org

on this day we remember Jolly Old St. Nick. If you live in another part of the country you might want to share you JOY by making a surprise donation or give a secret gift to another. You’ll be glad you did.

Deck the halls,

rtg

h2odevos eots 120511 Harmony + Comfort

H2odeovos eots 120411 Harmony + Comfort

“It doesn’t really matter if it’s yours or if it’s mine

it’s the same amount distance one step at a time”

http://www.petermayer.com/songs/harmony

http://www.harmony.mn.us/

Friday night as the soloists and chorus sang,           

 we heard the words, “the crooked made straight, the rough made plain.” I thought of those parts and pieces of each one of us that are “crooked” and “rough.” You know those edges and sides of you that have scar tissue from being wounded or wounding others. It doesn’t take much for those hardened parts of our hearts and souls to be places of pain or spaces that attempt to wound others.

Art Garfunkel sang years ago in a song, “I bruise you,  you bruise me, we all bruise too easily.”  http://www.artgarfunkel.com/lyrics/alliknow.html

On this day, I always quote a spokesperson from years ago, (it’s a generational thing) a man by the name of John Cameron Swayze. He would advertise Timex watches.

Through some pretty crazy stunts he’d always say about the watch, “takes a licken, but keeps on ticking.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vgsvnvf6UGA

Human beings are that way, too. There is an amazing reliance. We can “take a licken, but keep on ticking.”

At the same time, we are quite fragile. A particular look, a perceived slight, a cross word and our day is “ruined.” We bruise too easily! And we bruise others too easily as well.

And so it is with a very open heart that the words of the Isaiah 40 come into our lives this morning. It’s a counter balance. Historically, the words came to the children of Israel after they had lost everything, their country, their temple, their work, their loved ones.

These words come to us and mend our hearts, the “crooked made straight, the rough made plain.”

Comfort, O comfort my people,

says your God.

²Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,

and cry to her

that she has served her term,

that her penalty is paid,

that she has received from the LORD's hand

double for all her sins.

³A voice cries out:

"In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD,

make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

⁴Every valley shall be lifted up,

and every mountain and hill be made low;

the uneven ground shall become level,

and the rough places a plain.

⁵Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,

and all people shall see it together,

for the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

It is food, comfort food for the soul. Taste and see that the Lord is GOOD!

It’s what Peter is singing about in Harmony.

“It doesn’t really matter if it’s yours or if it’s mine

it’s the same amount distance one step at a time”

Blessings,

rtg