I stand and applaud Foster's great work on the spiritual disciplines. He made a weighty subject light, a profound idea simple, and a difficult task easy. Foster did what we all should do when we write: he shared the information in a manner in which the subject was the subject and the point was the point. He did not tell us a story of his great accomplishments (which much of Christian writing today has become) or flex his own spiritual muscles to impress the crowd. He shared with me some of the most important truths I have ever learned.
I have wondered for 13 weeks if I could or would actually make it through this process. I admit there were times when I had to catch up in order to stay on track, but I did. There were times when I didn't think I had anything worth saying, but I said it. There were times when I wondered why I was attempting such a project, but I completed it. And now I am finished, and I am glad I did it.
If you recall, the movie, "Julie & Julia," was the inspiration for Following Foster. Last week that movie made it to our little town's discount theater. I thought it ironic that it finished playing in my town at the same time I finished this blog. I am grateful for that movie and this journey. I am thankful for the wonderful book and the man who wrote it.
In the movie, Julie wondered if Julia knew about her blog and then discovered that she hated it. I must admit that I have wondered if by any strange means that Mr. Foster noticed as I walked in his footsteps. Perhaps not, but I am forever grateful for his fine work.
Thank you for following me follow Foster down the path to spiritual growth. God bless on your continued journey. See you in heaven some day.
His servant,
Todd
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
The Joy of Celebration
At a ministers meeting today, I was reminded of how cynical I have become. I tend to be critical or cynical about most everything. I am not negative although I would understand how someone might feel that way. I just remain pretty realistic most of the time.
As we were sharing our woes, I thought about celebration. This group has not celebrated together in years. Granted, we usually have more to gripe about than cebrate, but that should not keep us from celebrating what God is doing in our churches, families, and lives.
Next month, I think I am going to celebrate with them, for them, or at them. Perhaps my cynicism can be turned to joy. At least I hope so.
As we were sharing our woes, I thought about celebration. This group has not celebrated together in years. Granted, we usually have more to gripe about than cebrate, but that should not keep us from celebrating what God is doing in our churches, families, and lives.
Next month, I think I am going to celebrate with them, for them, or at them. Perhaps my cynicism can be turned to joy. At least I hope so.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Sunday Service
Today was a good day to celebrate. Our worship with our church family was joyous and . . . As I try to find other words, I am stuck with little else to say. The day was not great by any standard, but it was a good day to celebrate.
My son just brought home his first high school report card. The grades were better than expected. We are going to celebrate. That is a big deal. We are going to throw a party. Why? Because we have a reason to celebrate.
May we all find a reason to throw a party this week. We need to lighten our load and focus on joy. I hope you enjoy your celebration; I know I will.
My son just brought home his first high school report card. The grades were better than expected. We are going to celebrate. That is a big deal. We are going to throw a party. Why? Because we have a reason to celebrate.
May we all find a reason to throw a party this week. We need to lighten our load and focus on joy. I hope you enjoy your celebration; I know I will.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Celebration and Service
Last week I preached a sermon about how Christmas was a time of celebration. With too much on my mind and too many heavy objects on my heart, I found the sermon difficult and laborious. I made it through it, but it felt like a marathon as I tried to just make it to the end.
Celebration, like any of the other disciplines, must have our full attention. The danger of practicing any discipline without our full attention is that we may do the actions but never practice the discipline. On this occasion, I was guilty of going through the motions.
Last weeks discipline was guidance, and I struggled with celebration as I worked through guidance. My prayer this week is that I can actually celebrate our loving God while still seeking guidance.
God guide me into celebration.
Celebration, like any of the other disciplines, must have our full attention. The danger of practicing any discipline without our full attention is that we may do the actions but never practice the discipline. On this occasion, I was guilty of going through the motions.
Last weeks discipline was guidance, and I struggled with celebration as I worked through guidance. My prayer this week is that I can actually celebrate our loving God while still seeking guidance.
God guide me into celebration.
Celebrate, Jesus, Celebrate
Friday night was our annual Living Nativity at Kenwood Church. We have stations that depict portions of the Christmas story. We have Mary, Elizabeth, Joseph, the angels, shepherds, and even animals. We have a good time and the community seems to enjoy the presentation.
My favorite part of our event every year is the closing. We all join together, have a prayer of thanks, and sing Silent Night. I don't know if it was a silent night or not, but I do know that throughout our entire Living Nativity including the final song that Jesus is celebrated. We may miss the baby because of the activity of the jolly old man in the red suit at other times but not on this night. This may be my favorite night of the time leading up to Christmas. Jesus is our reason for the season.
The joy felt by all is amazing. We certainly love to be together in this endeavor, but the truth is that we feel such joy because we are practicing what we preach. We are celebrating the Christ child.
My favorite part of our event every year is the closing. We all join together, have a prayer of thanks, and sing Silent Night. I don't know if it was a silent night or not, but I do know that throughout our entire Living Nativity including the final song that Jesus is celebrated. We may miss the baby because of the activity of the jolly old man in the red suit at other times but not on this night. This may be my favorite night of the time leading up to Christmas. Jesus is our reason for the season.
The joy felt by all is amazing. We certainly love to be together in this endeavor, but the truth is that we feel such joy because we are practicing what we preach. We are celebrating the Christ child.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Family Celebrations
How often does your family celebrate? We celebrate birthdays, major holidays, anniverseries, but that's about it.
When my son was small, we celebrated everything. I mean everything-the first step, the first word, the day we stopped buying diapers, Kindergarten graduation, you name it. We liked to party. We used to look for reasons to go to Chucky Cheese.
My son is now in high school, and we don't celebrate as often any more. I seem to be on his case more than lifting up his spirits. I spend more energy on arguing than congratulating. I yell more at him than for him. I need to celebrate the kid who means more to me than any other kid. We need to celebrate.
Celebrate good times, come on.
When my son was small, we celebrated everything. I mean everything-the first step, the first word, the day we stopped buying diapers, Kindergarten graduation, you name it. We liked to party. We used to look for reasons to go to Chucky Cheese.
My son is now in high school, and we don't celebrate as often any more. I seem to be on his case more than lifting up his spirits. I spend more energy on arguing than congratulating. I yell more at him than for him. I need to celebrate the kid who means more to me than any other kid. We need to celebrate.
Celebrate good times, come on.
Why Don't We Celebrate More Often?
Israel was commanded to celebrate 3 times a year. I am sure they could have celebrated more, but they were required to celebrate at least 3 times a year. How often do we, Christians, celebrate?
One of the most common uses of the word "celebrate" in the church is in reference to the Lord's Supper. Do we really celebrate communion? When I think about celebrating, I think of wedding receptions, birthday parties, New Years Eve, etc. We use the term celebrate so often in the church that I think we have robbed the term of its meaning.
I think the sentiment is right. We should celebrate the Lord's Supper. In my tradition, we take the Lord's body and blood each week. Is that too often to celebrate? Can we really pull that off?
I think I am going to make celebration a New Year's resolution this year. I want to celebrate more in 2010.
One of the most common uses of the word "celebrate" in the church is in reference to the Lord's Supper. Do we really celebrate communion? When I think about celebrating, I think of wedding receptions, birthday parties, New Years Eve, etc. We use the term celebrate so often in the church that I think we have robbed the term of its meaning.
I think the sentiment is right. We should celebrate the Lord's Supper. In my tradition, we take the Lord's body and blood each week. Is that too often to celebrate? Can we really pull that off?
I think I am going to make celebration a New Year's resolution this year. I want to celebrate more in 2010.
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