A "Holiday" Post You Should Read...

Father Paul Edgerton (pictured with his wife, Christie, and son, Isaac) is a priest in the Reformed Episcopal Church and is currently planting The Church of the Redeemer in Wilson, NC. He also happens to be a friend of mine. He recently wrote a blog post about Advent and Christmas, and clearly he is no fan of what he calls "ambiguous holiday stuff". It was so intense that I had to read it twice just to let it sink in. Here's a sample:

"And, well, blame it all, it ain’t Christmas yet. It’s Advent. Yes, Advent. Purple doesn’t look good with red, folks. And the clash between Advent and the culture’s preemptive Christmas melee is more than just a clash of colors. While the world dreams up or sneers about the possibility of Peace and Joy and Hope and Family, we Christians are taking some time out instead for recognition that not a stinkin’ bit of it is at all even remotely possible for us on our own terms and in our own power or certainly by our own gift-giving."

Click here to read the whole thing.

JI Packer, "I am no Gandalf"

I'm a huge JRR Tolkien fan. If you don't believe me just drop by my office and have a look at the huge Middle-Earth map hanging on my wall (a gift from Autumn!). His books are in my all-time favorite category. I'm also a JI Packer fan. His writings have shaped my theology deeply. I still remember reading Knowing God for the first time. This is why when I came across an article from World Magazine that mentioned both Tolkien and Packer - I just had to share it:

When theologian, teacher, and writer Dr. J.I. Packer reached his 80th birthday on July 22, 2006, his home church in Vancouver, British Columbia—St. John's Shaughnessy Anglican Church—honored him with a special celebration.

One after the other, friends from church and colleagues from nearby Regent College, where he has taught for three decades, spoke of Packer's impact on the evangelical movement and themselves. Several, referring to the great mentor in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, called Packer their own Gandalf.

But Packer, when it came his time to speak, gently protested. "I am no Gandalf," he said, his normally strong and clear voice choked with emotion. "I'm much closer to the lowly Sam."

This is just one more reason why I appreciate Packer - he is brilliant and very humble.

An Advent Call to Worship

"God of power and mercy, You call us once again to celebrate the coming of your Son. Remove those things that hinder our love of You, that when He comes, He may find us waiting in awe and wonder for Him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen!" -Advent Call to Worship, The Worship Sourcebook

This Advent prayer is an excellent reminder (for all seasons!) of our desire to be "waiting in awe and wonder" for our Savior's return!

A Great (And Uncomfortable) Reminder...

Erik Kowalker over at www.jcrylequotes.com shared this power-packed Ryle quote today:

"Men entertain thoughts in private, and say words in private, and do acts in private, which they would be ashamed and blush to have exposed before the world. There is an all-seeing Witness with us wherever we go. Lock the door, draw down the blind, shut the shutters, put out the candle; it matters not, it makes no difference; God is everywhere, you cannot shut Him out and prevent His seeing."

And just think... this was long before the Internet!

Jason & Beth Sessoms Share About Rosa

Dan asked Beth and I to write a little bit about Rosa Porter. This has created two dilemmas for us. On the one hand, it is almost impossible to put into words how great of a lady she is. So no matter how hard we try, we will fall short at expressing to you how wonderful she is. The other dilemma is that in trying to be honest about how special she is, we will most certainly come across as making her out to be perfect. But the truth is, she is as near perfect as anyone we have ever met. No, really.

Some background for you, she is the wife of our former pastor, Roy Porter. And to say he is our former pastor is not an adequate description of our relationship with him. Our family spends birthdays, holidays and other special events with the Porters throughout the year. And although we are no longer members of the church he pastors, he will always be a spiritual father to us and we grow closer as friends with each new day.

Now about Miss Rosa. If she has ever had a negative word to say to or about someone, then we have not heard it or heard about it. She is probably the only person we can say that about, and she certainly is the only redhead we can say that about. Though she must have flaws, we have never seen them or heard anyone else point them out to us. She has the rare ability to make everyone feel like they are the most important person in the room. She speaks with a soft voice but people listen. She gives wise counsel. she invests in people's lives. She is precious, simply precious. You must meet her to know.

Praying For Rosa Porter

Here is Pastor Roy Porter's link to stay updated about his wife Rosa's surgery: http://www.rnporter.wordpress.com/

Let's continue to pray for them.

O Almighty God, who art the giver of all health,
and the aid of them that turn to thee for succour;
We entreat thy strength and goodness in behalf of thy servant,
that she may be healed of her infirmities, to thine honour and glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.

-A Prayer for Healing
The Book of Common Prayer, 1789 AD