Author: lakewooducc

Advent 2011 Daily Reflection 1

Reflection 1 – Advent 2011

The theme for this Advent season at Lakewood United Church of Christ is JOY to the World. Each day during the Advent season, a reflection on a scripture passage related to JOY will be posted. We hope these daily reflections help you to have a joy-filled Advent.

“Rejoice always, pray constantly, and give thanks for everything – for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice always. Really? How can we rejoice always? There are bad days. There are the days when you get the terrible diagnosis. Days when someone you love dies. Days when a car accident derails your future. Days when the pregnancy ends prematurely. Days when you get laid off. Days when you get a bad grade on an assignment and it drops your GPA making graduation precarious. Days when the company goes bankrupt and your pension is gone. Days when you’re beaten again by your spouse. Days when you get word that your brother was killed in combat. Days when you get another DUI. There are bad days. I am sure you can add to this list. There are days when terrible things happen – things we’re responsible for and things we aren’t. How can we possibly take seriously this directive to “Rejoice always”?

When Paul wrote this message to the Thessalonians, they were in the midst of being persecuted for their faith. They were being abused, attacked, and afflicted for their beliefs. Talk about a bad day! And yet, they are told to, “Rejoice always.” Some may see this as insensitivity. Or as the twisted embracing of martyrdom. Or denial.

But Paul does not say “Rejoice always” because of your circumstances. I take his directive to mean “Rejoice always” in spite of your circumstances. Don’t let your spirit, your life, your being, be controlled by outward events and conditions. Remember to see the bigger picture. Look for the good. Appreciate the grace present in each and every day. Give thanks for the lessons that adversity teaches. “Rejoice always” takes us beyond the challenges we face in life and keeps us connected to the deeper source, the infinite love, the eternal divine which is our lifeline on the worst of days. “Rejoice always.” Not only is it possible, but it is advisable, especially on the bad days.

Prayer
These Advent days, may we “Rejoice always”! In the midst of busyness, tragedy, sorrow, loss, and disappointment, may we focus on the goodness and blessing that each day brings. May we offer comfort and joy to others who need to be sustained by hope. May the presence of Divine Love in Jesus, in ourselves, in others, and in Creation give us cause to Rejoice ALWAYS! Amen.

Kim’s Blog: Trick or Treat?

Kim’s Blog: Trick or Treat?

Last night we observed the annual Halloween ritual of costumed children, teens and even adults going from house to house and being given candy. We had lots of trick or treaters on our street. A steady stream, giving our dogs quite a work out barking! Some homes had elaborate decorations involving skeletons, ghosts, tombstones, and more.

Each year for Halloween we have candy ready for the trick or treaters who come through our neighborhood. This year as October 31 got closer, I still had not shored up our stores of candy. The decorations were not down from the attic. I didn’t carve a pumpkin. I just didn’t have the passion that I usually have for this holiday. Was it because I am on a weight reduction regime from my doctor and didn’t want to pass out fattening, unhealthy candy? Was it the recent move by the county commission to remove fluoride from the county water system that made me more concerned about dental health and cavities? Was it the ghoulish gore of many of the costumes in a world with more than enough real life blood and guts? Was it the violence that is implied in many of the outfits? Or the weapons wielded by many a trick or treater that offends my sensibilities in a culture where guns are far too easy to procure? I don’t know why, but my heart simply wasn’t in it this year.

Monday afternoon, I relented and headed to the store for some candy. I picked what my husband and son like so that any leftovers are sure to get eaten. As dusk descended, I turned on the porch light and prepared myself to be continuously interrupted by the ringing door bell, candy near to the door but out of the reach of our dogs. Jeff and I took turns at the door commenting on the costumes and doling out treats. At one point, Jeff asked me, in an accusatory tone, “How much candy are you giving them?” “Just three or four pieces,” I replied. “What about you?” “The same. I thought you must be giving them more because the bag is getting low. There must be a lot of kids out tonight!” And so the evening continued until the candy was gone. Then we headed to a neighborhood haunted house and graveyard display.

Trick or treat? I was ambivalent going into it, but I think the custom of kids going from house to house expecting a welcome and a sweet in our “don’t talk to strangers” world won out. I couldn’t resist. Halloween was a treat!