2006 reads...a record year!

Just finished compiling my list of books read this past year. This has to be a record breaking year in number of books! These books have shaped this season of sabbath and discernment. I know they will play a valuable part in shaping all that is to come in 2007!

The List...

Thirteen Cents by K. Sello Duiker
A book about a 13-year old boy on the streets of Cape Town. Really shows the sad, desperate, and ugly realities of the "other Cape Town." A tough and graphic book to read, but gave me new eyes for Cape Town and the kids on the streets I saw.

Under the Unpredictable Plant by Eugene Peterson
A book that seeks to reclaim the spiritual dimensions of pastoral call and vocational holiness, using the example of Jonah.

Sleeping with Bread: Holding What Gives you Life by Dennis Linn, Sheila Fabricant Linn, & Matthew Linn
European refugee children during WWII were given a piece of bread to hold at bedtime, so they could sleep in peace and not fear homelessness and starvation again. This book takes this example and applies it to the Ignition prayer of Examen, where we ask ourselves what we are grateful for and what gives us life, as well as what we are not grateful for and what sucks life out of us.

More then Equals by Spencer Perkins & Chris Rice
The story of friendship and racial reconciliation between a white man and black man in the South. An important book for me to read in South Africa, as I examine my own heart and racism at home.

History of South Africa by Leonard Thompson
A great book on the history of South Africa and the racism that has existed from the beginning. Now I just need a book that picks up recent history and issues, post-2000.

Sacred Rhythms by Christine Sine, MD
I'll finish this one on the plane ride home. An excellent book that focuses on taking our spiritual pulse and finding a spiritual rhythm to our lives.

The Gift of Being Yourself by David Brenner
A book that reminds us that ultimately our vocation and call is grounded in relationship with God and who we are in Him.

A Sacred Sorrow by Michael Card
A book that opened my eyes and heart to the prayer language of lament in scripture and for today.

Let Your Life Speak by Parker Palmer
Reread this small and important book that speaks of discernment as it relates to call and vocation.

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
A classic! A story in which Christianity and Colonialism destroyed the stability and integrity of African traditional life and culture.

Spiritual Exercises by St. Ignatius
Since I have read a lot about Ignatius, I thought I better read him in his own words.

School(s) of Conversion: 12 Marks of a New Monasticism edited by: The Rubta House
Identifies the key marks of Christian communities living and serving in the abandoned and forgotten places in the U.S. and our world.

Friend of the Bridegroom by Thomas Green
A good introduction to spiritual direction.

Listening to the Music of the Spirit: The Art of Discernment by David Lonsdale
Most impactful book this year on discernment using Ignatius’ examen questions of consolation and desolation.

The God of Life by Gustavo Gutierrez
Great read in the context of living in a favela in Rio and spending time with children and youth on the streets.

Catch Your Breath: God’s Invitation to Sabbath Rest by Don Postema
Just what I needed this year of sabbatical!

The New Friars by Scott Bessenecker
Highlights five incarnational mission communities that are living and serving among the poorest of poor around the world.

Next Up in 2007…
- Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading by Eugene Peterson
- Companion to the Poor: Christ in the Urban Slums by Viv Grigg
- The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggemann
- God of the Empty-Handed: Poverty, Power & the Kingdom of God by Jayakumar Christian
- Free of Charge: Giving and Forgiving in a Culture Stripped of Grace by Miroslav Volf
- Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott
- The Pilgrimage Way of the Cross by Edward Hayes
- The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. edited by Clayborne Carson

12 days of christmas...more then a song

Here is some cool info on the twelve days of Christmas, beginning Christmas Day and leading up to Epiphany on January 6.

http://www.crivoice.org/cy12days.html

This web site, www.crivoice.org, really has a ton of helpful info and resources on the church calendar and seasons. It is quickly becoming a favorite of mine!

christmas day - christ candle

Sing to the Lord a new song, for God has done marvelous things;
God’s right hand and holy arm have worked salvation.
Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you.
The Lord has made salvation known and revealed righteousness to the nations.
Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you.
God has remembered his love and faithfulness to the people; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of God.
Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you.
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing.
Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you.
Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the Lord, for God comes to judge the earth. The Lord will judge the world with righteousness and the people with equity.
Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you.

We have now light the four outside candles of the Advent Wreath. The first candle reminds us of hope. The second candle is the candle of peace. The third candle represents our joy. The fourth candle is for love, our love of God, and God’s love for us. We now light the center candle, the Christ candle. Jesus Christ is our HOPE. Jesus Christ gives us PEACE. We can have JOY because Jesus has come to us. Jesus is God’s greatest gift of LOVE. And because of God’s loving gift of Jesus Christ, we have life now nd forever.
Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you.

We Pray Together:Loving God, we are thankful that the waiting of Advent is over. We rejoice that today in the city of David a Savior is born. We rejoice that our hope is fulfilled, and God’s peace has come to earth. We rejoice that we can fully know God’s love in Jesus Christ. Help us to celebrate today and always that a Savior has been born to us. Amen.

Taken from:
http://images.rca.org/docs/discipleship/advent-readings.pdf

fourth sunday of advent...love

Fourth Sunday in Advent – December 24
Love & the Christ Candle
Scriptures: Psalm 103; John 3:16-21

Today we relight the first three candles of the Advent Wreath -- the candles of HOPE, PEACE and JOY.

Now we light the fourth candle of Advent. This is the candle of LOVE.

Jesus demonstrated self-giving love in his ministry as the Good Shepherd. Advent is a time for kindness, thinking of others, and sharing with others. It is a time to love as God loved us by giving us his most precious gift. As God is love, let us be love also.

In the Book of Deuteronomy we find these words:
"For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing. You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. -- Deuteronomy 10:17-19a

From the Gospel of John we hear:
"I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." -- John 13:34-35

Teach us to love, O Lord. May we always remember to put you first as we follow Christ's footsteps, that we may know your love and show it in our lives. As we prepare for our celebration of Jesus' birth, also fill our hearts with love for the world, that all may know your love and the one whom you have sent, your son, our Savior. Amen.

Taken from: http://www.natpresch.org/advent_liturgy.php

rose rejoicing sunday

Third Sunday in Advent – December 17
Gaudete Sunday (Rose Rejoicing Sunday)
Color: Pink
Theme: Joy
Scriptures: Isaiah 35:1-10; Luke 1:39-55

The third candle, usually for the Third Sunday of Advent, is traditionally Pink or Rose, and symbolizes Joy at the soon Advent of the Christ. In the four weeks of Advent the third Sunday came to be a time of rejoicing that the fasting was almost over (in some traditions it is called Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin word for "rejoice"). The shift from the purple of the Season to pink or rose for the third Sunday Advent candles reflected this lessening emphasis on penitence as attention turned more to celebration of the season. "Rose Rejoicing Sunday" shows how anticipated joy over our Savior's coming breaks through all our serious Advent preparation.
(Taken from: http://www.crivoice.org/cyadvent.html)

Lighting the Candle....
The third candle of Advent is the Candle of Joy. It reminds of the joy that Mary felt when the angel Gabriel told he that a special child would be born to her - a child who would save and deliver his people.

God wants us all to have joy. The angel who announced to the shepherds that Jesus had been born told them: "Do not be afraid. I am bringing you good news of a great joy for all people - for to you is born this day, in the City of David, a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord."

We light this candle to remember that Christ brings the promise of a new life - a life in which the blind receive sight, the lame walk, and the prisoners are set free. We light it to remember that He is the bringer of true and everlasting joy.

We light this candle today to remind us that he brings Joy to all who trust in him.

Loving God, we thank you for the joy you bring us. Help us prepare our hearts for this gift. Bless our worship. Help us to hear and to do your word. We ask it in the name of the one born in Bethlehem. Amen.
(Taken from: http://www.kirkweb.org/adventw.htm)

prayer for second week of advent...peace

Prayer of Saint Francis of Assisi
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen

a few parting shots....

Just a few more pics of Brasil friends my final week there...

Thanksgiving in Rio

With Andre & Clayton

With Ludmila and Rilo

Brasil Peeps on Thanksgiving

On retreat on a deserted beach just outside of Rio
(I'm not on Copacabana or Ipanema anymore)

Second Sunday of Advent

Theme: Peace
Scriptures: Isaiah 9:1-7; Revelation 21:1-5

Today we relight the candle of HOPE.

Now we light the candle for the second Sunday in Advent. This is the candle of PEACE. As we prepare for the coming of Jesus, we remember that Jesus is our hope and our peace.

From the prophet Isaiah:
"For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." -- Isaiah 9:6-7

From the Gospel of John:
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid." -- John 14:27

Gracious God, Grant that we may find peace as we prepare for our Lord’s birth. May divisions in ourselves and in our families be peacefully resolved. May there be peace in our cities and in the countries of our world. Help us to see the paths of peace in our lives, and then give to us courage to follow them. Lord, let us remember that you only are the giver of lasting peace and that you are always with us. Amen.

(Liturgy taken from: http://www.natpresch.org/advent_liturgy.php)

reading, listening, watching, & surfing...

Currently Listening To...
Songs for Christmas, Sufjan Stevens


Currently Reading...
The New Friars
By Scott Bessenecker


Currently Watching...
Blood Diamond
Going to see this movie this weekend. It highlights the conflict in Sierra Leone. The previews alone bring back memories of my visit in 2003. Timely for my upcoming visit to Sierra Leone in January ("on the way" to South Africa).


Currently Surfing...
http://www.metamorpha.com/
Metamorpha is an online community centered around spiritual formation. Metamorpha offers resources to inform those interested in spiritual formation (videos, articles, journals, etc.), tools for participation in the Spirit's transforming work (prayer exercises, spiritual disciplines, etc.) and community for discussion of the journey we are on (forums).

daily scripture readings for advent

The following readings include an Old Testament passage from Isaiah, a passage from one of the Gospels, and a passage from a New Testament epistle.

Daily Scripture Readings for Advent
(Taken from the Book of Common Prayer)
http://www.crivoice.org/daily.html

happy "church calendar" new year!

Yesterday was the first Sunday of Advent, which is also marks the beginning of the liturgical year in the Western Church. Advent is the first of six seasons on the Christian calendar and, as such, the beginning of a whole new (church) year. I am an illiterate Protestant on all this, so I am enjoying reading up and learning more.

I am finding myself more and more drawn to the rhythm and seasons of the church calendar and liturgy. I found a helpful website with lots of articles and resources on the church calendar and seasons.... http://www.crivoice.org

Here are a couple specific links that I found especially helpful this week...
The Seasons of the Church Year:
http://www.crivoice.org/chyear.html
The Liturgical Year:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liturgical_year