Peace Amidst Holiday Strife
-
A subdued Christmas? Sometimes. A happy Christmas? Always! And that is what I wish for you this Christmas. (by Ajith Fernando)
As I pray for the 2018 Urbana Missions Conference, of course I pray specifically for our dear friend, Ajith Fernando. Please do pray for this dear pastor and brother in Christ (and his family–who sacrifices each day to support and enable his ministry). And please be blessed by his reflections on Christmas! (I’ve highlighted a few passages in it–so please note that the emphases are mine.) Happy, Blessed Christmas to you, my friends– Yours in Christ, Tara B. A SUBDUED CHRISTMAS by Ajith Fernando “Some of you were a little concerned that in my last letter I seemed to be open to the possibility of not going to Urbana because…
-
Dreading the Holidays? Dreading the PEOPLE at the Holidays? Here are five things to remember that might encourage and protect you from further harm …
In 2018, at age 48, I can honestly say that I truly enjoy the holidays. I love celebrating Advent; I think icing sugar cookies is fun. I even like the chaos and clutter of the tree and decorations, etc. etc. But it is the quiet of the holidays that I love the most. I know that may sound strange to many of you because your calendar’s cup overfloweth in a whirling dervish of concerts, parties, crafting, shopping, hosting, etc. But for our little family of three introverts + Ella, we gear down over the holidays because we are so happy to have me not traveling for speaking events and so grateful for any and all vacation time that…
-
Comparisons (Holiday Misery Part 1)
On my walk this morning, I seriously contemplated trying to be a real blogger and start this post with some sort of official, “This is the first part of a six part series on how to not be miserable during the holidays” announcement. But that would mean that I have to scope out an actual plan for these posts and I don’t see that happening any time soon. So instead of being a super organized with-it blogger, I’m just going to jump in with a few reflections on why, it seems to me, so many of us can be tempted to misery during the holiday season. (And, of course, some…
-
Childhood Memories–Both Good and Bad (Holiday Misery Part 2)
This entry is part 2 of my new blog series on things that tempt us to be miserable during the holidays. I’ll start with a quick recap of what we’ve covered so far and then jump into today’s topic. 1. Comparisons: We live in a world of competition and performance, even (tragically) in the church. No one wants to look ugly, sound stupid, or be a relational flop … It doesn’t matter how much we have or what blessings our lives contain. If we do not guard our hearts, the holidays will tempt us to compare ourselves with others and focus on what we perceive as the lack. But it doesn’t have to…
-
Money (Holiday Misery Part 3)
This entry is part 3 of my blog series on things that tempt us to be miserable during the holidays. I’ll start with a quick recap of what we’ve covered so far and then jump into today’s topic. 1. Comparisons: We live in a world of competition and performance, even (tragically) in the church. No one wants to look ugly, sound stupid, or be a relational flop … It doesn’t matter how much we have or what blessings our lives contain. If we do not guard our hearts, the holidays will tempt us to compare ourselves with others and focus on what we perceive as the lack. But it doesn’t have to be…
-
Christmas is a Vulnerable Time
Well! Today I left my house for the first time in two weeks. I was finally cleared by my surgeon to start Physical Therapy (yay!) and I am looking very forward to the hard work of rebuilding my strength and mobility. It was such a missing month for me—for all intents and purposes, I pretty much went “deep and dark”/”off the grid” re: contact with the outside world as I a) survived my surgery and the ensuing surgical complications; b) survived the one-year anniversary of my sexual assault; and c) cranked out my RTS (seminary) course that I thought I had until December 30 to finish but NOPE! November 30. Yeah. That was…
- Child Protection / Abuse in the Church, How to Love a Mentally Ill Addict, Peace Amidst Holiday Strife, Surviving a Childhood of Neglect and Abuse
Family Holidays with Drunks, Addicts, and People Who Do Not Like You
It wasn’t until God saved me as a teenager and I began to be invited into people’s homes and holiday celebrations that I learned first-hand that sometimes, families really liked to gather with one another at the holidays and that sometimes, decorations were lovely; music was redemptive; and food was delicious. (I had read about such things in books as a child, but never had the reality of the experience myself.) My childhood holidays were different. I remember a lot of drunken yelling and slamming of doors and then sitting at an over-done formal table, plastering a smile on for the Polaroid to show how “happy” and “normal” we were. Then everyone scattering…
- Hope in Suffering, How to Love a Mentally Ill Addict, Peace Amidst Holiday Strife, Surviving a Childhood of Neglect and Abuse
HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS WHEN HOME ISN’T SAFE (PART 1) – by Dan Doriani
I have always admired and enjoyed Dr. Dan Doriani. But I didn’t know this part of his life story until I read it on the Gospel Coalition’s website this past week. This is worth the read, my friends: Home for the Holidays When Home Isn’t Safe (Part 1)
-
Forgiveness is at the Heart of Every Redemptive Encounter in the Church
Thanks, Dave! I needed this today. (From our Redeeming Church Conflicts site …) Forgiveness is at the Heart of Every Redemptive Encounter in the Church by David V. Edling In prior posts we have noted the distinctions drawn by the Scriptures between the wisdom of this world and the wisdom that comes down from heaven. James 3:13 through 18 is one place where we see that distinction being drawn: Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about…
-
Six Deaths in 36 Days
On any given day, I love being an early morning riser. I used to love it as a child, when I would follow my dad around the house as he went through his morning routine—I’d even tuck a handkerchief and old men’s wallet and little black comb into MY pants pocket too because I wanted to be just like him. I loved not being tired at 6:30AM jazz band and swing choir rehearsals in high school. And I have always loved the freshness and encouragement of super early morning walks—it’s such a perfect time to be outdoors, take deep breaths, and think, reflect, pray, and enjoy. (My non-early-morning-riser friends undoubtedly disagree with…