Two housekeeping issues I want to raise and hear responses on.
1) I've noticed some real problems saving blogs lately. I just changed to a new browser: Firefox. So I don't know if its the browser or the blogger. I have noticed the problem goes away if I save a draft version first and then publish. Anybody else having difficulties here? Mostly I want reassurance I'm not just messing up someplace :0)
2) We begin chapter 5 which puts us into the home stretch. I welcome input for the next scripture study. We can plough through a new book -- but we gotta choose one. For those who celebrate the season of the Guy-in-the-Red-Suit family issues may impinge -- we can deal.
8 comments:
"For those who celebrate the season of the Guy-in-the-Red-Suit"
I like that, Dave. One of the things I like about Quakers is their casual approach to holidays. I've had it all my life, but Quakers give me more permission.
I dislike ceremonies of all sorts, no goodbyes or even ceremonious greetings, celebrate birth of "Our Lord" in July. Anything to be different.
As for the season to be jolly, see my comment on your other blog. I have just downloaded firefox too, yesterday. Haven't tried saving a blog draft yet. My vote for next book ... maybe John? I don't know anything about the different letters, but I'm basically open to anything.
The season of the Guy In the Red Suit???!!! Don't get me started. I think I'm a scrouge, a grinch, an unpleasant person. I absolutely, categorically REFUSE to treat Santa as if he is the reason we celebrate. I read books to my kids about Santa, the history behind him, how he has morphed into what he's seen as today, the myths and the reasons behind them. I leave it at that, I don't say he's real, I don't say he's fiction, he's historical. Hopefully my children will not 'ruin' Santa for anyone, but I'm not perpetuating the commercial machine. I first really thought about Santa when a friend of mine noted that the Santa story is often when parents tell their first lies to their children. Argh!
I realize I may need to lighten up a bit. Thats why we do read about Santa, to acknowledge the history and the story, but we leave it at that. Christmas is about reading the nativity story and understanding the other influences which bring the holiday to December (winter festivals...)
I nearly lose it every year when Santa comes to visit my church after the Christmas pageant. But I'm learning to smile sweetly and keep my opinions to myself. He's harmless if I don't make a big deal of him. Bah, humbug!
Request for clarification: The Gospel of John or the Letters of John? I've done a study on the Gospel, it would be nice to do it again or move along.
How about and Old Testament book? We could get Larry really worked up on that! Just kidding -- anything you do is fine with me, I'm enjoying the ride and the company.
AND one final rant, if the season means anything to me at all, it means I make time to read the Word of God.
Don't hold back Marjorie. Tell us what you REALLY think. :0)
I really do get into a dark brooding funk this time of year. I think this is a good opportunity for churches to minister to hurting people rather than to buy into the whole Christmas package.
A church in my old home town had a "Its Hard to Be Merry Service" I never went. But just knowing it was there amde me feel a bit more okay.
Ministering to those who hurt -- now that it the purpose of Christmas, to bring light into the darkness in which we all dwell. You've given me something on which to focus, thank you.
I must also add, those buying into the Christmas machine seem pretty miserable, too. They are in a trap -- its bright and noisy and confusing and it only seems to highlight where we each fall short in our families and our lives. If I were inclined, I'd say its Satan twisting Christmas. I think its just the worst of human nature -- consumerism, competition, mindless frenzy and stress.
But now I feel positive, focusing only on the Light.
I hope we stick to the new testament but if you guys want to do something in the old, I'll still join in :-). I'm up for either John's letter or gospel .... or anything else NT.
The only clear suggestion is for John -- gospel or letter(s) (there were three letters after all). One suggestion for something form the Hebrew scriptures and one preference for the Christian (sorry -- I've taken on the discipline of avoiding the terms NT and OT -- not an easy discipline).
Meanwhile -- the themes that seem to speak to folks -- that generate the most energy -- are politics -- or rather the political implications of the gospel -- and prayer.
If we want to continue with those themes I think Acts would be a good choice. However -- if we want a fresh take and something different -- the gospel of John could be quite interesting.
I love the letter of James. That's why I chose it. So I can post based upon having read it over and over and over again. With John -- I've read it -- in pieces herea and there. I will likely be a whole lot more tentative in my commentaries. Maybe a good thing.
What say you all?
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