tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10217302.post113323138862447225..comments2024-03-21T03:45:48.679-05:00Comments on Enter the Rainbow: Why AdventAndy B.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05944614269873479581noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10217302.post-1133448944658504342005-12-01T08:55:00.000-06:002005-12-01T08:55:00.000-06:00Clarification - I used the word "audacious" in my ...Clarification - I used the word "audacious" in my sermon Sunday, not in the blog post.<BR/>- ABAndy B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05944614269873479581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10217302.post-1133448365399180222005-12-01T08:46:00.000-06:002005-12-01T08:46:00.000-06:00Mom,The word I used in thinking about expectations...Mom,<BR/>The word I used in thinking about expectations of God was not "arrogant" as you offered, but "audacious."<BR/>Anonymous,<BR/>Yes! I wish you who wrote the last comment would fess up - who are you? Your comment is brilliant. In fact, that is the direction I have found this Sunday's sermon heading. Thanks!<BR/>- Andy B.Andy B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/05944614269873479581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10217302.post-1133408798360097732005-11-30T21:46:00.000-06:002005-11-30T21:46:00.000-06:00Expectation of God without expectations. God alway...Expectation of God without expectations. God always works in our lives; we should expect and rejoice in that. It is when we have expectations of how God works that we fall into trouble...<BR/><BR/>And Advent has always had a double meaning. This is not news. Christians must always be looking forward and back in all seasons. (Just as each Testament looks forward or back [accordingly] to the Christological event) Advent is about the coming of Christ both in his birth and second coming. Christmas should not be celebrated without a realization of what Christ was born to do for us. (That's why so many great Christmas carols have a last verse about Christ dying for us.) Christians should always live both in Christ's death and resurrection. You can and must have it both ways. Expectation without expectations!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10217302.post-1133310768550657162005-11-29T18:32:00.000-06:002005-11-29T18:32:00.000-06:00I get existential as all get-out over Advent. See...I get existential as all get-out over Advent. See, we celebrate the coming of Christ because Christ is <I>always</I> coming - if we look for him. It's also how I preach resurrection: when a starving person receives a hot meal, Christ is emerging from the tomb. When the church visits a prisoner, Christ is emerging from the tomb. It's all about how Christ is bursting forth into reality in each and every moment. <BR/><BR/>At least, that's how I do it.Willie Deuelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11793491583747419707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10217302.post-1133304069320207882005-11-29T16:41:00.000-06:002005-11-29T16:41:00.000-06:00To comment on the "What we expect from..." bit:My ...To comment on the "What we expect from..." bit:<BR/><BR/>My favorite sermon or whatever took place at Broadway Baptist Church on or near Easter, 1989... or maybe 1990. Like how I'm clear on the date?<BR/><BR/>Apparently it caused quite a stir, but I liked it a lot, and it actually sorta reached me, which is nigh unto impossible for any sermon to do.<BR/><BR/>The upshot was: YOU are going to judge ME after I die? I don't think so. You let me see the following people or groups of people and have them tell me it was worth it, and then I'll decide whether or not this is Heaven.<BR/><BR/>But they said it way better.EyeRytStufhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05490634373460113381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10217302.post-1133292737231756432005-11-29T13:32:00.000-06:002005-11-29T13:32:00.000-06:00I agree with Jim, esxept that for Dru and I Christ...I agree with Jim, esxept that for Dru and I Christmas starts way before Thanksgiving. We've been rockin' the Christmas toons since before Halloween! Yeah baby...Happy Harry Connicka!Adam Caldwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04658691482502007651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10217302.post-1133286096871309262005-11-29T11:41:00.000-06:002005-11-29T11:41:00.000-06:00Something bothers me to be thinking "what do I exp...Something bothers me to be thinking "what do I expect from God." Expectation is and has always been an important aspect of the Advent experience for Christians. But I feel kind of arrogant assigning expectations to God. It feels better for me to think on what I expect from myself, or what my response needs to be, to God's gracious generosity. And I really don't need expensive gifts for Christmas. Just come and visit me every day off and every holiday. That's not asking too much, is it? Love, MomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10217302.post-1133278602605838282005-11-29T09:36:00.000-06:002005-11-29T09:36:00.000-06:00We must constantly struggle with the culture aroun...We must constantly struggle with the culture around us. During Advent we should be singing Advent hymns. Right? "Christmas" begins with Thanksgiving and ends with Christmas day. It's hard to fight it. Is there a difference between Christians always expecting Christ show up as in incarnation as opposed to showing up daily in "the least of these" or "Christ will come again" as in the communion liturgy. I, too, think we should be in serious reflection but to challenge our culture today with the sin of war or the arrogance of wealth is volatile at the very least. In all of your Advent reflection, don't forget to buy very expensive gifts for your wondrful parents. Shalom-dadAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10217302.post-1133240774230930752005-11-28T23:06:00.000-06:002005-11-28T23:06:00.000-06:00for me advent, like lent, has a spiritual discipli...for me advent, like lent, has a spiritual discipline side to it. for me there is a linguistic difference in the two seasons- for lent i ask- what shall i give up?<BR/><BR/>for advent i ask- what shall i take on? both take a spiritual practice of sorts.Jonathonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05754345540431565703noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10217302.post-1133240173922204842005-11-28T22:56:00.000-06:002005-11-28T22:56:00.000-06:00I commented at Cole's site, and wanted to add some...I commented at Cole's site, and wanted to add something further here, since I guess I should have linked over here before asking my question.<BR/><BR/>I like what you have to write about the Church being in constant Advent mode. It's true, and it makes good sense. <BR/><BR/>But I don't think it's right to assume that simply because others in your congregation don't share their epiphanies with you that they haven't had them. It's easy to look around a solemn church during any ritual and decide that the "true meaning" has passed everyone by. I would reckon, though, that the Holy Spirit's ability to minister to each of us in our place of need is greater than we can fathom. I imagine that most of us, whether we are outwardly expressive or not, are being dealt with by the Spirit.Kat Coblehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01989208841608754591noreply@blogger.com