It’s been said, “There is nothing you can do to make God love you more, and nothing you can do to make God love you less”. That is probably the best definition of grace I’ve come across, but I’m not sure I believe it. These days my self-talk doesn’t reflect that kind of grace—nor do… Read more »
Monthly Archives: December 2016
Preacher’s Post: The Grinch Makes It To Christmas
From Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” “And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled till his puzzler was sore. Then the… Read more »
Preacher’s Post: The Unwelcome Guests (Grinches) at Christmas
Monday morning I took off for a bike ride in the Berkeley hills. It was a cool, beautiful morning with a fantastic view from Grizzly Peak Road. I was merrily peddling along, and all of the sudden it was like a bunch of uninvited guests showed up and crashed the party. For whatever reason, a… Read more »
Preacher’s Post: Our Traditions are The Container for Christmas–Not Christmas
We’ve had the Christmas boxes down from the garage rafters the past ten days as Christmas emerges from storage and appears all over the house. Lights and decorations go up, and the mailbox begins to fill with cards and good wishes from friends and family. There is something extraordinary that invades the ordinary this time… Read more »
Preacher’s Post: Grinchlike Christmas Expectations
I’ve come to accept that expectations are a part of the Christmas celebration whether I like it or not. It’s not the expectations which can trip me up, it’s whether I hold my expectations and acknowledge the expectations of those around me, and whether I hold all of these expectations loosely or tightly. If I’m… Read more »
During our “Healing Group” meeting
During our “Healing Group” meeting that uses the twelve steps to address what ails us, not just substance abuse, we read about the spiritual companions who are our “balcony people.” While we’re trying to live our lives on the dance floor of life, there are people not only cheering us on, but offering desperately… Read more »
Dr. Seuss’ “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” is a Classic
Dr. Seuss’ “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” is a classic. His strategy was to steal everything related to Christmas so the people of Whoville would awaken to find all their hopes for Christmas dashed. But, alas, as the story tells us, the good people of Whoville gathered together and sang with joy, a song which… Read more »