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December 19, 2024 – 5 Days Until My Head Explodes, Or Devotions to Prepare Us For Christ’s Coming

“ I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father. 5 But now, dear lady, I ask you, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning, let us love one another. 6 And this is love that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment just as you have heard it from the beginning—you must walk in it.” 2 John: 4-6

Well, another Christmas ornament abomination. Even Cranky Reverend knows that if you hang this ornament on the tree, it will look more like a dead bird than it will Christmas cheer. Perhaps you might be able to find a broken egg in your front yard, or maybe even a frozen worm to put beside this poor example of the holidays. Cranky Reverend likes the spirit of the movie “Nightmare Before Christmas”, but CR does not need to hang it on the tree.

Notice in the scripture that it does not say “all of your children” – but “some of them.” Even in the first century following Christ was not necessarily easily passed on to the progeny. CR is thrilled to see children in the church. The Crankster even has a thriving puppet ministry. And still the church lacks consistent attendance from the children of the congregation. Perhaps CR needs less scary puppets.

We all want our children to stay in the church – to find their place in the church no matter their age. We also know that they will go through times where they will want nothing to do with the church leaving their parents and grandparents feeling a bit like a broken egg – we hoped to hatch baby birds of faith, and they have broken away and broken our hopes.

But if we are honest, we will admit that some of us also fell away from the church in our early life. All we can do is pray and pray and pray – and set an example for all our families. G-d willing, the children will come back.

Pastor Dave

December 18, 2024 – 6 Days Until My Head Explodes, Or
Devotions to Prepare Us For Christ’s Coming

“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. Now by this we may be sure that we know him, if we obey his commandments. Whoever says, “I have come to know him,” but does not obey his commandments, is a liar, and in such a person the truth does not exist; but whoever obeys his word, truly in this person the love of God has reached perfection. By this we may be sure that we are in him: whoever says, “I abide in him,” ought to walk just as he walked.” 1 John 2:1-6

“A picture is worth a thousand words” so says this Cranky Reverend. And if that is true then why is this Cranky Reverend having so much trouble finding anything redeeming about this Christmas ornament? There just aren’t any words for such an….abomination. Does CR call this a “Santa-taur”……….see, CR is at a loss because there just are no words.

In John’s letter the intention is to share an “eyewitness” account of how meeting and knowing Jesus has changed his life and what faith in Christ can mean to anyone. There is power in firsthand proclamation. Cranky Reverend reminds the congregation all the time that Jesus the Christ and his love will change people. What we need to do is share our story of how G-d, through Jesus has touched us and how we experience him in our day-to-day journey.

And one of the best ways to share how Jesus has changed our lives is by living and following basic tenets of love: love G-d and love your neighbor. Cranky Reverend usually doesn’t like anyone, but even CR knows to live a life of love that is founded in G-d’s love for all of humanity.

No matter the ups and downs, highlights and low-lights of your story, your faith in Christ is a story worth sharing.

Pastor Dave