It was a recent rainy and dark afternoon when I had all sorts of "important" reading to do. Instead, I lost myself in Mitch Albom's most recent book, have a little faith. As with Albom's other books (Tuesdays with Morrie, The Five People You Meet in Heaven, etc.), it was a tear-jerker! have a little faith is based on a series of interviews Albom had with a dying rabbi for whom he was to deliver the eulogy and a former addict turned pastor to the homeless in Detroit. I was interested in the book because I'd heard Albom say that he believes that as our country struggles with current hard times, people will increasingly turn to their faith and belief in God.

As I watched the first candle being lit on the Advent wreath yesterday -- the one that represents hope -- I was curious. Will this be true? Will this be our experience at Disciples Christian? It is my hope, and it is my prayer.

God sings, we hum along, and there are many melodies, but it's all one song --

one same, wonderful, human song. I am in love with hope.

(concluding paragraph from have a little faith, Mitch Albom)

Blessings this day -

Pastor Kris

A suggestion for prayer today: pray for the hope of our church -- our children and youth and those coming to Christ for the first time.

hope in the bleak midwinter ...

We light the candle of Hope.
hope
like a seed
buried deep within the earth;
hidden
covered by layer,
disappointment, struggle, pain;
buried yet stretching,
growing and becoming.
hope
like a seed
becoming new life.
we light a candle for hope
Katherine Hawker, www.liturgy.net

It’s been said that hope is less an act of will as it is an act of imagination, curiosity, and of courage. Hope sees clearly the difficulties of life and says, somehow we’ll get through and God will be there not only every step of the way, but on the other side of it too, promising this life to which we have been called. Hope is there for us all. Hope stands at hospice bedsides and at gravesites, if you have courage enough to see it. Hope reaches into the despair and the bleakness and injustice, if you are imaginative enough to find it. Hope will take you beyond your own experiences and to places where you have not yet been, if you are curious enough to try.

In worship this morning we will light one of four candles on the Advent Wreath. May that candle be not only a symbol but a stirring of hope in our hearts. Come, Lord Jesus, come as the LIght of the World.

Blessings this Advent Sunday -
Pastor Kris

An Advent Journal 2009

Dear Disciples:



This is a very busy time of year for any local church pastor as we begin the season of Advent on Sunday, November 29. Advent is that four week season that comes while we are waiting for Christmas to arrive. It's difficult to wait for something so wonderful as Christmas Eve and Silent Night by candlelight. I want the world to celebrate the birth of the Christ Child again!




As I wait this year, I'm also going to keep this Advent Journal that will be posted daily with some personal thoughts and prayers, perhaps sprinkled with excerpts from other writers whose words have special meaning for me. I hope you'll read along with me. Your days are busy too, so I won't be writing volumes. I will also be suggesting ways to guide your prayers for the day.




One of the advantages of sharing this blog with you is that you can interact with me. If you read something here that particularly challenges you, touches you, or triggers a memory or a thought -- I hope you'll click on "comment" and share your thoughts with all of us who are sharing this Journal time together,






Blessings for the wait -
Pastor Kris