Eclectic Echoes--December 11th

THOUGHTS ON ADVENT
John the Bell Ringer
Christmas Memories: Everett and Brenda
Who Have We Forgotten
Claus-trophobia
Deo
A Counter-Cultural Quiet
Star-studded Wise Men--Rethinking the Christmas Story
The Story of Yuletide Carol

THOUGHTS ON FAITH AND LIFE
The War President's Peace Prize--Influence of the Niebuhr's
I am Tiger Woods Part 1 and Part 2
Worship with the Saints not as an individual experience
Judging Who is Poor Enough

REFLECTIONS ON CHURCH
Women Steering the Titanic
Adam Hamilton for Bishop

FROM NORTH ALABAMA
Need A Little Christmas
Prayer of Placement
Preaching Politics

OTHER INTERESTING STUFF
The Island of Misfit Christmas Specials
Bizarre but Clever Christmas Decorations
Handel's Messiah: The Story Behind the Classic
What is Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

JUST FOR FUN
Subtle Worship Distractions
Baby It's Cold Outside
Top Ten Geeky Christmas Presents

LAUGH OF THE WEEK
My annual sharing of "Elf's Lament"

2nd Sunday of Advent

1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: "Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; 6 and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.' " 7 John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, "We have Abraham as our ancestor'; for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. 9 Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." 10 And the crowds asked him, "What then should we do?" Luke 3:1-10

Eclectic Echoes -- December 5th

I'm getting ready for the Grant Christmas parade. The snow on the ground is beautiful (and I can't remember seeing snow in Alabama before Christmas ever!). But the parade promises to be COLD!

But here are a few thought and smile provoking articles from this week:

THOUGHTS ON FAITH AND LIFE
Finding God in the Chatter -- what does God have to say to women today?
Is it Holidays or Advent?
Is God With Us?
On the way to being the "new humanity"
Me and Tiger Woods are Idiots!
Top 5 Books on Advent
We May Be Born with an Urge to Help!
Happy Adventillating
Busted Halo's Advent Calendar
Merry Advent

REFLECTIONS ON CHURCH
Should Pastors Know How Much Members Give?
What We Are Asked to Change
So I can't bring myself to spend the time listening to Mark Driscoll, here are some good reasons to do so!
United Methodists Tackle Ineffective Clergy and Congregations
Must We Lose Guaranteed Appointments

FROM NORTH ALABAMA
The Spirit of Advent Giving
The Paradox of Expectation
Like Us in Every Respect
Buncombe Street, Through Faith Colored Glasses
Re-thinking Annual Conference Staff Positions

OTHER INTERESTING STUFF
Make Your Own Captain's Chair -- for my husband!
The Christmas Best and Worst List

JUST FOR FUN
Taking Notes During Sermons -- I'm looking for that moleskin notebook!

LAUGH OF THE WEEK