Words to Read. Words to Hear.
Another Day Along the Way
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Another day,
A December day of rain in Georgia. Falcons lose a close game to the undefeated Saints. Students complete their work and leave for Christmas break in two days. Friends gather to discuss life and pain and hope.
I'm already thinking of dreams and goals for next year, though still shocked that the numbers will be 2010. I'm finishing assignments, praying for friends, reading three new books, and wondering what the future holds for us all. I think about our grandchild to be born this summer and about our middle son graduating college this spring: What awaits them? I think about family together for Christmas, remembering Decembers past and seeking to enjoy this moment in time.
In our hurry, can we slow down a little? In our plans, can we include time for those who are usually unnoticed? In our selfishness, can we remember a season about a baby, a promise, a hope, and a life?
Yes, we can. We can pause and meditate and remember. We can pray and forgive and be forgiven. We can love and laugh and listen. We can notice and hug and be. Just be.
For me, reading and writing help that process. Here are a few suggestions of words to see and hear over the holidays. They're not holiday hits to help you hurry through the mall. Hit your radio for those. These words will challenge, dare, inform, inspire. A few words might convict you; a few words might comfort you. But let the words come to you, as we remember a Word arriving many years ago....
The article America's Ugliest Crime, by my friend Charles J. Powell, in Charisma:
http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/features/2009/november/23558-stop-child-slavery-now
The article A Voice for Sanity, by Sarah Pulliam Bailey, about my friend Lee Grady:
http://www.ctlibrary.com/ct/2009/november/33.42.html
The new CD by Christine Dente (I'll write more about this in a future Another Day), Voyage:
http://www.christinedente.net/
The book, The Good and Beautiful God, by James Bryan Smith:
http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/author.pl/author_id=6377
The magazine, Conversations:
http://conversationsjournal.com/
And, an article I wrote back in December 2001:
http://www.chrismaxwellweb.com/assets/pdf/GodDreamingOfWhite.pdf
Enjoy the words you hear and see. Go after a few more books, many more songs, and many, many, many more words. Read. Listen. Receive. Learn. Welcoming a variety of stories all related somehow to the Story. In a season of hurry and food and gladness and pain, welcome the Story. Make room. And, be. Just be.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Powerful Statement: The Word became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory,
like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
true from start to finish.
(John 1:14, The Message)
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Another day,
A December day of rain in Georgia. Falcons lose a close game to the undefeated Saints. Students complete their work and leave for Christmas break in two days. Friends gather to discuss life and pain and hope.
I'm already thinking of dreams and goals for next year, though still shocked that the numbers will be 2010. I'm finishing assignments, praying for friends, reading three new books, and wondering what the future holds for us all. I think about our grandchild to be born this summer and about our middle son graduating college this spring: What awaits them? I think about family together for Christmas, remembering Decembers past and seeking to enjoy this moment in time.
In our hurry, can we slow down a little? In our plans, can we include time for those who are usually unnoticed? In our selfishness, can we remember a season about a baby, a promise, a hope, and a life?
Yes, we can. We can pause and meditate and remember. We can pray and forgive and be forgiven. We can love and laugh and listen. We can notice and hug and be. Just be.
For me, reading and writing help that process. Here are a few suggestions of words to see and hear over the holidays. They're not holiday hits to help you hurry through the mall. Hit your radio for those. These words will challenge, dare, inform, inspire. A few words might convict you; a few words might comfort you. But let the words come to you, as we remember a Word arriving many years ago....
The article America's Ugliest Crime, by my friend Charles J. Powell, in Charisma:
http://www.charismamag.com/index.php/features/2009/november/23558-stop-child-slavery-now
The article A Voice for Sanity, by Sarah Pulliam Bailey, about my friend Lee Grady:
http://www.ctlibrary.com/ct/2009/november/33.42.html
The new CD by Christine Dente (I'll write more about this in a future Another Day), Voyage:
http://www.christinedente.net/
The book, The Good and Beautiful God, by James Bryan Smith:
http://www.ivpress.com/cgi-ivpress/author.pl/author_id=6377
The magazine, Conversations:
http://conversationsjournal.com/
And, an article I wrote back in December 2001:
http://www.chrismaxwellweb.com/assets/pdf/GodDreamingOfWhite.pdf
Enjoy the words you hear and see. Go after a few more books, many more songs, and many, many, many more words. Read. Listen. Receive. Learn. Welcoming a variety of stories all related somehow to the Story. In a season of hurry and food and gladness and pain, welcome the Story. Make room. And, be. Just be.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Powerful Statement: The Word became flesh and blood,
and moved into the neighborhood.
We saw the glory with our own eyes,
the one-of-a-kind glory,
like Father, like Son,
Generous inside and out,
true from start to finish.
(John 1:14, The Message)
6 Comments:
The part about including "those who are usually unnoticed" really got me. I race about trying to find just the right gift for family and friends who need nothing I can give them and there are people I work with and students I serve who probably aren't going to have much of a Christmas at all. I am going to slow down a lot and get rid of a lot of selfishness this season so that I can bring honor to the Savior who was born a baby but isn't in the manger any more.
Forgiving is one thing. Being forgiven is another. Both are often difficult but one we have no control over. I will choose to forgive and hope to be forgiven.
I am looking forward to listening to Christine Dente's new CD. Thanks!
But I'm too busy writing about God to actually spend time with Him and His kids--thanks for the reminder of my craziness. Very convicting thoughts--slow down, slow down.
A side note--I recently encountered a new site called Christians With Disabilities. You might want to check it out, because they'd appreciate your encouragement as a fellow traveler.
http://christianswithdisabilities.ning.com
Merry Christmas!
Thanks again, CMax. Lovin your words. I'll read the articles later and try to get the CD. Hope to talk with you again one day.
You give very good advance to so many of us. I'll try to reserve a little time for each one. For me, though, it shall possibly be after christmas.
Post a Comment