Sandals and a Stick

Another Spirit of Christmas Message

There is a chance that you’ve already finished your Christmas shopping list. There’s an equal chance you haven’t yet begun! In either case, let’s talk about gifts. In most cases, we hope that what we give to one another will be appreciated and cherished. We know in our hearts that the success of this endeavor is not based on the price of the gift, but I’ll take this one step further.

In the Driver's Seat

This controlling worldview probably means that we will have a difficult time ‘letting go’, trusting God, and submitting to God’s will. Does anyone else have this issue? Just me then? I was introduced to a couple of images that helped me to understand that my tendency to be in control is little more than an internal myth.

Rules for Robots

My nagging interloper started with that first law: “A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.”

An Unexpected Lesson

This morning’s sermon resonated, especially after my recent excursion. If I want the Spirit of Christmas to be alive and well, I shouldn’t just sit around and complain that it can’t be found. Rather than incorporating entitlement and judgment of others, I can be accommodating - like the considerate driver. I can humble myself to serve others in a million tiny ways. I can (we can) project the Spirit of Christmas in a way that fulfills the message I heard this morning. “Be the reason someone smiles today.”

Christmas is for Everyone

Perfection? It was to be found only at Hillcrest. My arrogant attitude had no room to offer grace – to anyone. I was trained to be meticulously correct. In turn, I demanded the same of everyone else. I was righteously right – and my experience proved it. Eventually, I discovered that this ‘comparison’ between demanding excellence and the reality of life took its toll. The world consistently failed to meet the exacting standards, leaving me alone and ensconced in a bubble of unearned superiority. I was the one being denied the pleasure of dining out.

One Thousand Points of Light

"We can find meaning and reward by serving some higher purpose than ourselves, a shining purpose, the illumination of a Thousand Points of Light… We all have something to give." President George H.W. Bush, Founder of Points of Light