Random Thoughts from 2008

Random thoughts from the past year in list form – may mean something to you or not.  Hope you all had a good year.

(in no order)

1. Received another degree in 2008 – ThM-ST from Trinity
2. New Anglican province
3. Read lots of good books
4. Read lots of bad books
5. Great music
6. Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, Okkervil River, Sigur Ros
7. The Weepies, She and Him, Calexico, A Fine Frenzy, among others
8. Moved away from the best church I have ever been a part
9. Grew to appreciate the Eucharist and the Creed even more
10. Made lots of new friends
11. Currently missing all those friends
12. Learned accounting
13. Realized why I do theology
14. Applied to PhD and MLS programs
15. Snow, Snow, Snow
16. Ate some of the most unhealthy, nasty food of my life
17. Coffee
18. Scotch
19. The Nickel
20. The Brothers K
21. Highwood
22. Prayer Books galore – Anglican Breviary soon
23. Making hope from every small disaster
24. iPhone
25. A heart that sighs has not what its desire
26. GRE
27. ThM Comps
28. Faith, Hope, Love
29. Encouragement from A Fine Frenzy as I write this list
30. Doubt anyone is still reading
31. Windows open with temperature well below zero outside
32. Comfortable Words
33. Way too long, but historic election
34. Didn’t vote
35. Lots of prayer – Often silence
36. You
37. Lenten Season
38. Easter Vigil
39. Discouragement
40. Doubt
41. Encouragement
42. Faith
43. Writing papers – Changing ideas on many things
44. Jokes and fun
45. Meaningful coffee times
46. Chicago
47. Huntsville
48. I haven’t been gone very long, but it feels like a lifetime
49. We send to the cross of Christ
50. Secrets, stories, and wishes I’ll keep to myself
51. Confirmation
52. More ordination frustrations
53. Hope for new experiences in 2009
54. Prayers for all my friends as one year closes and one year dawns

St. Stephen, Protomartyr

Stephen, full of grace and power, did great wonders and signs among the people. Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), Cyrenians, Alexandrians, and others of those from Cilicia and Asia, stood up and argued with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he spoke. Then they secretly instigated some men to say, “We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God.” They stirred up the people as well as the elders and the scribes; then they suddenly confronted him, seized him, and brought him before the council. They set up false witnesses who said, “This man never stops saying things against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses handed on to us.” And all who sat in the council looked intently at him, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel.

Then the high priest asked him, “Are these things so?”

And Stephen replied: “Brothers and fathers, listen to me. You are forever opposing the Holy Spirit, just as your ancestors used to do. Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, and now you have become his betrayers and murderers. You are the ones that received the law as ordained by angels, and yet you have not kept it.”

When they heard these things, they became enraged and ground their teeth at Stephen. But filled with the Holy Spirit, he gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died. (Acts 6:8-7:2a,51c-60)

Gracious Father, who gave the first martyr Stephen grace to pray for those who took up stones against him: grant that in all our sufferings for the truth we may learn to love even our enemies and to seek forgiveness for thsoe who desire our hurt, looking up to heaven to him who was crucified for us, Jesus Christ, our mediator and advocate, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

Morning Prayer – Christmastide

To us a child is born, to use a son is given:
let us pray for the people he came to save.

Wonderful Counsellor, give your wisdom to the rulers of the nations:

Mighty God, make the whole world know that the government is on your shoulders:

Everlasting Father, establish your reign of justice and righteousness:

Prince of Peace, bring in the endless kingdom of your peace:

Academics have left the baby behind

This is really good.  From the Christian Century blog.

Every 12 months we lectionary types spend four weeks in the liturgical wilderness of Advent waiting for a reason to sing. But we’ve heard the good news so many times that it isn’t really news at all. And modern voices are rarely tuned for genuine praise, whether it be at the announcements of the first angels, the words of the fourth evangelist or the sermon offerings of tired-from-the-holidays preachers. Even in the best of times, we don’t sing much anymore—not old songs, not new songs, not any songs that have God as their subject and God’s work as their object.

Doxology is difficult for the detached and analytical; it’s really hard to sing with your fingers crossed. Our skepticism affects the vocal cords and pinches the nerve of praise. We find if safer to reflect on others’ experiences, to interpret biblical praise in its original context, to explore the historical and sociopolitical development of Israel’s convictions regarding the Christ.

Our hermeneutic of doubt allows us to understand how past generations invested Jesus’ birth with theological significance without having to make a call ourselves. We get it, in other words, but we will not be gotten. We posit the truth of the gospel but refuse to hold the baby.