Advent Day #25, Living Advent Quote of the Day is:
"Christmas gift suggestions:
to your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect."
– Oren Arnold
And Michael's prompts were as follows:
Who is the enemy you can forgive?
I try my best not to have enemies. But there are a few people with whom I have sparred on the Internet. And, yes, there are some people I have even blocked or unfriended on FB. I could forgive these people, I guess, but they have not asked for forgiveness. I could seek them out, but I am not sure that would end well. So, they remain blocked and unfriended. Sad, yes, but reality.
Who is the opponent you can offer tolerance to… a truce?
Since the last response was a little heavy, I will be a bit whimsical in this reply. I am about to spend this coming weekend with my In-Laws and Sarah's Brother-In-Law is a Washington Redskins fan. So, for this family holiday, we need to have a truce and I will tolerate his fandom of the Eagles' opponents this week....well, until the game is in heat of the moment, then we will see. :-)
Who is the friend who needs your heart?
I have a lot of friends for whom the holidays have a darker side. For some, the holidays bring out thoughts of prior (or even current) losses and heartbreaks. For them, they are in my prayers and, if there is a way I can offer my heart, a hug, a kind word, or something else, I hope they let me know.
The neighbor you can serve?
One of our neighbor's son was seriously injured in a wrestling accident in this past week. We are all banding together, as a community, to help them. People are bringing food. People are doing errands. People are shuttling kids. I love my town.
The child you mean to be a good example for?
There is not one specific child I can identify for this answer. The basic answer are my two daughters. But I think, as a society, we should be good examples for all of the children in our lives. This is why I value so much my volunteering in OMAYSC, Little League, Colls Rec Basketball, and more.
How could you show yourself greater respect?
Sleep. I need more sleep.
And what could it look like to share “the love of God”
(which is technically what “charity” means) in some real way to all people?
For me, sharing the love of God is living my life in a way I hope God intended me to live. Being caring, being loving, helping others, being positive, trying to be an example for others. This is what I strive to do. I know I do not always reach the target. But, none of us is perfect, and we can just continue to strive to be better each day!
And I pray for all - prayer can be helpful to others, but can also be helpful to self. As Psalm 2 states"
"Happy are all who take refuge in him."
Happy Christmas Eve Eve and Goodnight!
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
There is a time for a child to be born
12/22/15, Advent Day #24 and Michael's quote for the day is an interesting one.
We do live in a world that is scary at times these days. War, Terror, Famine, Pollution, the current state of Politics in the US, Crime, Poverty, the News and the list goes on and on. Michael asks us, in light of all of this, what it would take for us to love.....
For me, that is easy. Does not take much. I know things may seem bleak, but I refuse to let it get me down! It's just so much better to live life filled with love and kindness. At least I hope I am doing this, I am certainly trying. I mean, maybe it is naive, but I will just quote the Beatles, "Love is All you Need!"
Psalm 103 (today's psalm from Michael) reminds us how much God loves us. And, as I previously stated, I have always felt loved: by my family, by my Church, by God. So, let's pass it forward everyone and live lives filled with Love and Kindness. Especially during this Season.
"There is a time for a child to be born,
With the earth betrayed by war and hate
And a comet slashing the sky to warn
That time runs out and the sun burns late.
With the earth betrayed by war and hate
And a comet slashing the sky to warn
That time runs out and the sun burns late.
–When is the time for love to be born?
The inn is full on the planet earth,
And by a comet the sky is torn–
Yet love still takes the risk of birth.”
–Madeleine L’Engle
The inn is full on the planet earth,
And by a comet the sky is torn–
Yet love still takes the risk of birth.”
–Madeleine L’Engle
We do live in a world that is scary at times these days. War, Terror, Famine, Pollution, the current state of Politics in the US, Crime, Poverty, the News and the list goes on and on. Michael asks us, in light of all of this, what it would take for us to love.....
For me, that is easy. Does not take much. I know things may seem bleak, but I refuse to let it get me down! It's just so much better to live life filled with love and kindness. At least I hope I am doing this, I am certainly trying. I mean, maybe it is naive, but I will just quote the Beatles, "Love is All you Need!"
Psalm 103 (today's psalm from Michael) reminds us how much God loves us. And, as I previously stated, I have always felt loved: by my family, by my Church, by God. So, let's pass it forward everyone and live lives filled with Love and Kindness. Especially during this Season.
Monday, December 21, 2015
Who made lame beggars walk and blind men see?
I skipped the Living Advent Day #22 Prompt. Partially because I was really tired after a long day yesterday. But also because Michael prompted us to consider someone we have given up on. And I am not sure I have given up on anyone. It may be a character flaw of mine that I keep giving people second, third, fourth chances....but I also think it's a good thing, usually.
So let's move to Living Advent Day #23, 12/21/15, where Michael's quote is as follows:
"Tiny Tim told me, coming home, that he hoped people saw him in church, because he was a cripple, and it might be pleasant to them to remember upon Christmas Day, who made lame beggars walk and blind men see." — Charles Dickens
Today's assignment was to consider what would happen if we made our imperfections public. Well, I think I do this all the time. As I stated in previous posts here, I have a lot of self-doubts and, frankly, I do not have much of an inner monologue. So it means I often talk to others about my imperfections, and maybe I share too much sometimes. I do believe that God forgives my imperfections, and, honestly, many times others do as well, as long as you are honest. So, it may hold me back sometimes (like in my career), but I think I will keep doing what I am doing. And, yes, sometimes I take out the garbage and recycling in my underwear too, to my neighbors, I am sorry! :-)
Psalm 51 is a prayer for cleansing and pardon. Things I ask for a lot - from God as well as from my friends and family here on Earth. Life would be much better if we could all grant each other the same (cleansing and pardon).
So let's move to Living Advent Day #23, 12/21/15, where Michael's quote is as follows:
"Tiny Tim told me, coming home, that he hoped people saw him in church, because he was a cripple, and it might be pleasant to them to remember upon Christmas Day, who made lame beggars walk and blind men see." — Charles Dickens
Today's assignment was to consider what would happen if we made our imperfections public. Well, I think I do this all the time. As I stated in previous posts here, I have a lot of self-doubts and, frankly, I do not have much of an inner monologue. So it means I often talk to others about my imperfections, and maybe I share too much sometimes. I do believe that God forgives my imperfections, and, honestly, many times others do as well, as long as you are honest. So, it may hold me back sometimes (like in my career), but I think I will keep doing what I am doing. And, yes, sometimes I take out the garbage and recycling in my underwear too, to my neighbors, I am sorry! :-)
Psalm 51 is a prayer for cleansing and pardon. Things I ask for a lot - from God as well as from my friends and family here on Earth. Life would be much better if we could all grant each other the same (cleansing and pardon).
Saturday, December 19, 2015
Would You be Interested?
12/19/15 is Advent Day #21 and Michael's quote prompt is about unconditional love and acceptance:
The question then posed to us was to consider the connection between religion and love. And here is where I feel really lucky. Because, except for a few interpersonal situations (which happen everywhere), I have always felt that religion (at least at Old First, in the UCC, and in the Sherr household) is about love and forgiveness and acceptance. I LOVE the "No matter who you are or where you are in life's journey" slogan that we so often express at OFR and in the UCC. And, as I was saying to some people tonight, I believe that all religions are similar in that loving one and other (and oneself) is at the core of it all. I have a lot of self doubts, but I have been lucky in that I have always felt loved and, thus, have been able to love myself. This has more to do with my family of origin (from good ol' 911 S. 47th Street) and my current family (of Oaklyn, NJ). The foundation set by my parents and my sister that Sarah and I have been able to build upon with our kids has been constantly love-filled. I am blessed in that, for certain. I know many who have not had the benefits I have when it comes to this area. And for them, I pray they can feel as loved as I have and I do.
As Psalm 139 states
"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts."
And let my heart and thoughts be filled with love for others, and also for myself.
“If Christianity were only about finding a group of people that shared openly their search for God and allowed anyone — regardless of behavior — to seek too… a group that collectively lived by faith to make the world a little more like Heaven, would you be interested? ”
“Hell yes,” was his reply. “Are there churches like that?”
– Hugh Halter & Matt Smay
– Hugh Halter & Matt Smay
The question then posed to us was to consider the connection between religion and love. And here is where I feel really lucky. Because, except for a few interpersonal situations (which happen everywhere), I have always felt that religion (at least at Old First, in the UCC, and in the Sherr household) is about love and forgiveness and acceptance. I LOVE the "No matter who you are or where you are in life's journey" slogan that we so often express at OFR and in the UCC. And, as I was saying to some people tonight, I believe that all religions are similar in that loving one and other (and oneself) is at the core of it all. I have a lot of self doubts, but I have been lucky in that I have always felt loved and, thus, have been able to love myself. This has more to do with my family of origin (from good ol' 911 S. 47th Street) and my current family (of Oaklyn, NJ). The foundation set by my parents and my sister that Sarah and I have been able to build upon with our kids has been constantly love-filled. I am blessed in that, for certain. I know many who have not had the benefits I have when it comes to this area. And for them, I pray they can feel as loved as I have and I do.
As Psalm 139 states
"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts."
And let my heart and thoughts be filled with love for others, and also for myself.
Friday, December 18, 2015
Of course there is a Santa Claus!
OK, catching up late on 12/18/15 for Advent Day #20!!! Today's quote spoke to me similarly to the one for Day #14. It, again, talks about secular and sacred aspects. This time, it is specific to Santa and God.....
"Of course there is a Santa Claus. It’s just that no single somebody could do all he has to do. So the Lord has spread the task among us all. That’s why everybody is Santa Claus. I am. You are." — Truman Capote
Michael (and many other OFR pastors) have often reminded us that when we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, help the needy (etc.), then we are extensions of God and Jesus and we are ministering to those in need as well. Therefore, if we are all Santa, when infused with the spirit of giving during the Christmas Season, then it is similarly so. But Michael asked us what Christmas would mean to us if we did not believe in God. I am not sure my thoughts would change. I think there are many people who do not think of Santa as a religious figure, or the capitalized version of Christmas as a secular holiday. Of course it is, but I think that, even if I did not believe in God, my need to give would overwhelm my doubt and I would still believe in Santa.....as I do today.
As for Psalm 77, I am actually really too tired to try to interpret it tonight. So I am going to cheat and connect this post to Psalm 77 by just using a word that appears twice in this psalm and many times in many other psalms.
Selah!
"Of course there is a Santa Claus. It’s just that no single somebody could do all he has to do. So the Lord has spread the task among us all. That’s why everybody is Santa Claus. I am. You are." — Truman Capote
Michael (and many other OFR pastors) have often reminded us that when we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, help the needy (etc.), then we are extensions of God and Jesus and we are ministering to those in need as well. Therefore, if we are all Santa, when infused with the spirit of giving during the Christmas Season, then it is similarly so. But Michael asked us what Christmas would mean to us if we did not believe in God. I am not sure my thoughts would change. I think there are many people who do not think of Santa as a religious figure, or the capitalized version of Christmas as a secular holiday. Of course it is, but I think that, even if I did not believe in God, my need to give would overwhelm my doubt and I would still believe in Santa.....as I do today.
As for Psalm 77, I am actually really too tired to try to interpret it tonight. So I am going to cheat and connect this post to Psalm 77 by just using a word that appears twice in this psalm and many times in many other psalms.
Selah!
Our maker was made human
12/17/15 - Advent Day #19 - and today's quote is one with high aspirations:
"Our maker was made human that the Ruler of the stars might
nurse at His mother’s breast.
That the Bread might hunger.
The Fountain thirst.
The Light sleep.
The Way be tired on its journey.
The Truth accused of false witness.
The Master beaten with whips.
The Foundation be hung on wood.
The Strength might grow weak.
The Healer might be wounded.
That Life might die." — Augustine of Hippo
And Michael prompted us to think about a time when we did the impossible. And maybe it is because I am tired and trying to catch up as I have fallen behind, on emails, on Living Advent posts, on other work at home and office....but I am struggling to think of a time when I did actually complete the impossible. I will say, however, that I can think of a time when I worked on a team that achieved our goals, on time and under budget. In university-land, many people think that may actually be impossible. The work that we did in the NGSS Release 1 launch was amazing. I loved working on this team and I valued the collaborative approach and positive spirit of my co-workers on this project and I will remember the launch week as long as I continue to work at Penn. It was not impossible but, to some people, it was improbable. Frankly, I had little doubt, but I was glad to be right.
Psalm 94 is the Psalm for Day 19, and Michael asked us to think about what this Psalm is promising us. What we are promised is the steadfast love of God, and also God's gifts, should we follow God's way. Would that I could attain this as well:
"For the Lord will not forsake his people;
he will not abandon his heritage;
for justice will return to the righteous,
and all the upright in heart will follow it."
"Our maker was made human that the Ruler of the stars might
nurse at His mother’s breast.
That the Bread might hunger.
The Fountain thirst.
The Light sleep.
The Way be tired on its journey.
The Truth accused of false witness.
The Master beaten with whips.
The Foundation be hung on wood.
The Strength might grow weak.
The Healer might be wounded.
That Life might die." — Augustine of Hippo
And Michael prompted us to think about a time when we did the impossible. And maybe it is because I am tired and trying to catch up as I have fallen behind, on emails, on Living Advent posts, on other work at home and office....but I am struggling to think of a time when I did actually complete the impossible. I will say, however, that I can think of a time when I worked on a team that achieved our goals, on time and under budget. In university-land, many people think that may actually be impossible. The work that we did in the NGSS Release 1 launch was amazing. I loved working on this team and I valued the collaborative approach and positive spirit of my co-workers on this project and I will remember the launch week as long as I continue to work at Penn. It was not impossible but, to some people, it was improbable. Frankly, I had little doubt, but I was glad to be right.
Psalm 94 is the Psalm for Day 19, and Michael asked us to think about what this Psalm is promising us. What we are promised is the steadfast love of God, and also God's gifts, should we follow God's way. Would that I could attain this as well:
"For the Lord will not forsake his people;
he will not abandon his heritage;
for justice will return to the righteous,
and all the upright in heart will follow it."
One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas Day. Don’t clean it up too quickly.
Life has been crazy, so I have fallen behind. Here is the Living Advent for Day #18 (12/16/15). And today's quote has to do with life's messes:
"One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas
Day. Don’t clean it up too quickly." ― Andy Rooney
And, with two kids, a crazy amount of extracurriculars, lots of community work, etc., we have piles. Oh, yes, much to all of our chagrins (some more than others), we have piles. And they can get overwhelming. But, last week (in anticipation of this prompt maybe, and, yes, during Advent), we hosted a party in our house last Friday and had to clean our piles. And, clean we did (well, mainly Sarah, but the house is cleaner, MUCH cleaner). And this past week it HAS felt different in our house, like we are waiting for something special to happen. SO, I think we are going to try to keep the piles lower, and the house more ready for the visitors, for something to happen....similar to Advent, I guess (yes, Michael??)
Psalm 130 is this day's reading, and it is subtitled (in the webpage version to which OFR links), Waiting for Devine Redemption. Aren't we all?? Maybe that is why we need to keep our house clean (but I thought it was lamps trimmed and burning....) :-)
"One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas
Day. Don’t clean it up too quickly." ― Andy Rooney
And, with two kids, a crazy amount of extracurriculars, lots of community work, etc., we have piles. Oh, yes, much to all of our chagrins (some more than others), we have piles. And they can get overwhelming. But, last week (in anticipation of this prompt maybe, and, yes, during Advent), we hosted a party in our house last Friday and had to clean our piles. And, clean we did (well, mainly Sarah, but the house is cleaner, MUCH cleaner). And this past week it HAS felt different in our house, like we are waiting for something special to happen. SO, I think we are going to try to keep the piles lower, and the house more ready for the visitors, for something to happen....similar to Advent, I guess (yes, Michael??)
Psalm 130 is this day's reading, and it is subtitled (in the webpage version to which OFR links), Waiting for Devine Redemption. Aren't we all?? Maybe that is why we need to keep our house clean (but I thought it was lamps trimmed and burning....) :-)
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