I've been broken open reading Christena Cleveland's God is a Black Woman. This is a good thing, but I couldn't attend church on Advent I, recognizing her whitemalegod in action.
Diana, your reflection is a balm to my sorrowful spirit. I see the light of Hope. Thank you.
I’m a priest without a church in the way of a building, but being church everyday by working in homeless services, though worried about what a Trump administration will mean to our marginalized and unhoused siblings. This is exactly what I needed for the Advent Season. Purchased my subscription today because I needed to be reminded every day that God is bigger than the injustice in the world and our service done in joy means something in the expansion of God’s kingdom on earth. Peace.
I absorbed your ideas on a morning in which I was feeling the pain of what would happen to the children of immigrants at the point of deportation. If they go with their parents, what environments of poverty and violence might they encounter? If they stay in the U.S. as orphans, how will they be loved at a time of great emotional dislocation? To my rescue came Diana's direction that I seek joy in the depths of myself as I seek justice for others. Thank you.
Thank you for writing this, Diana. I have always likened advent to the waiting of God's promise to man. Your explanation of 1 Thessolonians made me tear up... with joy. 😊 Love and joy to you this anticipatory season.
Two women have loved me tenderly, with all their heart - one flew to heaven, however such a trip happens - and one is blessing my earthly life now. I've been eternally blessed to be their husband, to love them both and will beyond forever. Joy because of them and from God by joining us together is sometimes inexplicable to me and my heart. Justice for all via equity and fairness raining down on all hearts is promised by God. Modeled by Jesus. If only all could experience these gifts given to me, then justice would be fulfilled here on our island home. Equity of Love for, from and to all. Joy would reign now. Thank you Diana, for shining your wisdom on these in my life.
I've never heard this song before but my mom is a big Peter, Paul and Mary fan and it reminded me of "This Little Light of Mine". Thank you for the reminder that joy can remain when happiness is fleeting AND the charge to let our light so shine when when the world seems so dark...
Thank you, Diana, for calling out the made-up doctrine of the Rapture for the violent, hateful, fear and guilt inducing misinterpretation of Scripture that it is. And reminding us that God's justice, whenever it comes, will be accompanied by love and joy.
Thank you for your wisdom and the Hope that you encourage as we journey together through these challenging times. Sharing “Don’t let your light go out” is a beautiful gift this morning, listening to the gifted trio while watching the beautiful faces of the children brings deep joy to my soul.
“Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads.”
At church today, the liturgies about caring for one neighbor, and the care and redemption of all the God has made were ringing, pretty hollow, while wondering who in the congregation had voted for whom.
Then came the sermon. The pastor mentioned some of the apocalyptic things from the scriptures that seemed applicable to the current day, including calling out climate change disasters and the rise of fascism and persecution of minorities in America.
Her answer to this was to stand up and raise our heads and voices when we see wrongs and injustices, and recall that the first Advent candle is the Hope candle, which calls us to faith, courage, and powerful, loving action.
Faith, Hope, and Love abide.
Now more than ever is the time for people of faith to have their words and deeds become the tangible, life-affirming fruits of their faith.
This is the kind of sermon that everyone needs to hear -- not just evangelical Christians, but folks who don't think Jesus is relevant to today. This is a model for preachers who can't figure out how to bring what they learned in seminary into their congregations with integrity.
This is a really nice thing to say! I've long tried to model exactly what you point to -- bringing the best of scholarship - with beauty and honesty - to folks in pews and bookstores and those searching for a better way.
Know that many folks currently believe that this savior is soon to be leading the way in this, our world. This worries me.
I've been broken open reading Christena Cleveland's God is a Black Woman. This is a good thing, but I couldn't attend church on Advent I, recognizing her whitemalegod in action.
Diana, your reflection is a balm to my sorrowful spirit. I see the light of Hope. Thank you.
I’m a priest without a church in the way of a building, but being church everyday by working in homeless services, though worried about what a Trump administration will mean to our marginalized and unhoused siblings. This is exactly what I needed for the Advent Season. Purchased my subscription today because I needed to be reminded every day that God is bigger than the injustice in the world and our service done in joy means something in the expansion of God’s kingdom on earth. Peace.
Welcome, Holly.
And yes, I'm deeply concerned about the same.
I absorbed your ideas on a morning in which I was feeling the pain of what would happen to the children of immigrants at the point of deportation. If they go with their parents, what environments of poverty and violence might they encounter? If they stay in the U.S. as orphans, how will they be loved at a time of great emotional dislocation? To my rescue came Diana's direction that I seek joy in the depths of myself as I seek justice for others. Thank you.
love this post, the Drew Lanham poem (!) and of course big fan of Peter Paul and Mary...
Thank you for writing this, Diana. I have always likened advent to the waiting of God's promise to man. Your explanation of 1 Thessolonians made me tear up... with joy. 😊 Love and joy to you this anticipatory season.
Two women have loved me tenderly, with all their heart - one flew to heaven, however such a trip happens - and one is blessing my earthly life now. I've been eternally blessed to be their husband, to love them both and will beyond forever. Joy because of them and from God by joining us together is sometimes inexplicable to me and my heart. Justice for all via equity and fairness raining down on all hearts is promised by God. Modeled by Jesus. If only all could experience these gifts given to me, then justice would be fulfilled here on our island home. Equity of Love for, from and to all. Joy would reign now. Thank you Diana, for shining your wisdom on these in my life.
I've never heard this song before but my mom is a big Peter, Paul and Mary fan and it reminded me of "This Little Light of Mine". Thank you for the reminder that joy can remain when happiness is fleeting AND the charge to let our light so shine when when the world seems so dark...
Thank you, Diana, for calling out the made-up doctrine of the Rapture for the violent, hateful, fear and guilt inducing misinterpretation of Scripture that it is. And reminding us that God's justice, whenever it comes, will be accompanied by love and joy.
Thank you for your wisdom and the Hope that you encourage as we journey together through these challenging times. Sharing “Don’t let your light go out” is a beautiful gift this morning, listening to the gifted trio while watching the beautiful faces of the children brings deep joy to my soul.
“Now when these things begin to take place, stand up and raise your heads.”
At church today, the liturgies about caring for one neighbor, and the care and redemption of all the God has made were ringing, pretty hollow, while wondering who in the congregation had voted for whom.
Then came the sermon. The pastor mentioned some of the apocalyptic things from the scriptures that seemed applicable to the current day, including calling out climate change disasters and the rise of fascism and persecution of minorities in America.
Her answer to this was to stand up and raise our heads and voices when we see wrongs and injustices, and recall that the first Advent candle is the Hope candle, which calls us to faith, courage, and powerful, loving action.
Faith, Hope, and Love abide.
Now more than ever is the time for people of faith to have their words and deeds become the tangible, life-affirming fruits of their faith.
I’m so looking forward to journeying this Advent season with The Cottage…today’s musing was like a first step both to and away-from.
Thanks also to this group for the wonderful suggestions and references!
I was reminded of a favorite book whose author’s stories ooze Joy and have lived injustice and justice.
“The Book of Joy” by the Dalai Lama & Desmond Tutu /Douglas Abrams. (The audio version is a real treat!!)
https://www.amazon.com/Book-Joy-Lasting-Happiness-Changing/dp/0399185046/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=JQ02ZNJ1IBVX&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.O9Ybrwrd-5Q8qMPCrewAsSkgHXI019sEOdhCKUuE0eY5o1UPdi1hGN9B2KU2tuxLqAm_QGbQryBvdvhOYwAtj-QevW32FjTQGQA5kguDuIF_55rNYx-OeBmSCQ90qujmzd_NOUNdEsUNOgC0apDWKaOnGVi5deEZAhkOKtraNBqY27ledEQSlOxAYzjSJdssvFqqi5PiyLSRhKjUu956XA.rF6iaLagwWrDSXxI9KhjJcjX0wIBGKF6Dgsl69etQ8U&dib_tag=se&keywords=book+of+joy+dalai+lama+desmond+tutu&qid=1733065558&sprefix=book+of+joy%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-1
Oh! I loved that book!
Thank you for the words I so need in this time and this place. I look forward to your advent offerings.
In my comment yesterday about Tasha Tudor's "Take Joy", I should have added mention of her Christmas video "Take Peace". It is really lovely. https://www.amazon.com/Take-Peace-Corgi-Cottage-Christmas/dp/B07FRRQCRG/ref=tmm_aiv_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
This is the kind of sermon that everyone needs to hear -- not just evangelical Christians, but folks who don't think Jesus is relevant to today. This is a model for preachers who can't figure out how to bring what they learned in seminary into their congregations with integrity.
This is a really nice thing to say! I've long tried to model exactly what you point to -- bringing the best of scholarship - with beauty and honesty - to folks in pews and bookstores and those searching for a better way.
So encouraging to me! Thank you.
You do this Diana (scholarship - with beauty and honesty). I'd add also with integrity and love. Bless you!
"Thy commonwealth come..." Amen.
I like that rendering.