Anyone Listening?

I have no idea how many Apple computers, iPhones and iPads there are in the world, but if a visit to

the Apple Store at Southpark is any indicator, the number is staggering.   Last week I made two visits to the “Geek Bar” for some technical support for my new iPhone.   It’s a slick device and technological marvel.   I just can’t figure out how it all works.   In fact, I doubt if there is anyone who knows everything there is to know; simply way too much technology for any one person to master.   This is why it took two trips to finally solve the “glitch” in my software.

We have come a long way since Alexander Graham Bell introduced us to the telephone.  Imagine what he would think of Facetime, voicemail, email and texting.

Of course, the whole idea of a phone is to communicate.  You know, talk and listen. In his book, Life Together, Dietrich Bonhoeffer writes, “The first service that one owes to others in the fellowship consists in listening to them.  Just as love of God begins with listening to his word, so the beginning of love for the brethren is learning to listen to them.”

In a day when everyone has a cell phone up to their ear, it might be worth asking ourselves if we are really listening.  Careful listening only happens in those unhurried moments with our friends, spouse, children, teenagers and aging parents.   The Geek Bar can help with lots of things, but only you and I can decide to be good listeners.   Anyone still  listening?

 

Thanks to all of you who have been reading Dr. Kort’s blogs.   This will be his last blog for a while.  Thanks again.

The 10,000 Year Clock

I have always been fascinated by clocks; in fact, I have a small collection of them. Most of the clocks in my collection were made around 1850, and are still running. I wonder what stories they could tell if they could talk instead of just going tick tock?

Recently I read about the 10,000 Year Clock, designed by Danny Hillis. It is built to run for 10,000 years without the use of batteries or anyone needing to wind it. It will be powered by mechanical energy harvested from sunlight and the people who visit it. While there is no completion date on the books, it will be unveiled to the public once it is ready to start ticking.

You don’t need a 10,000 year clock or even a Timex to remind you that life moves fast and waits for no one.  The Bible says, “Teach us O Lord, to number our days and to apply our hearts unto wisdom.”  In other words, time is a gift and most of the important ticks in life seem to come in moments. As Alice Johnson is fond of saying, “life does not consist in the number of breaths you take, but in the number moments that take your breath away.”

We’re now into the second week of a new year. Time keeps ticking away.  I hope that during this New Year life will surprise you with many breathless moments.

I wonder what moments you have experienced that took your breath away?  Any  you would like to share?

Now What?

If we have not already done so, most of us will soon be packing away the remnants of another Christmas. The tree is at the curb or stashed in a box. The family decorations and lights are boxed and stored out of sight. Christmas is over, but now what?

As we begin a new year, may this prayer of Howard Thurman help us keep Christmas every day.

The Work of Christmas

When the song of the angels is stilled

When the star in the sky is gone

When the kinds and princes are home

When the shepherds are back with their flock

The work of Christmas begins:

To find the lost,

To heal the broken,

To feed the hungry,

To release the prisoner,

To rebuild the nations,

To bring peace among brothers (and sisters),

To make music in the heart.

   

Last Minute Gift Ideas

Are you the kind of person who has all of their Christmas gifts bought and wrapped by July?  Or, are

you like the many last minute shoppers?   I saw an article suggesting simple gift ideas for last minute shoppers.  It included such things as a keyboard decal and Corkcicle wine chiller. Who knew there were decals for your keyboard? Apparently they come in all different colors and customizations.  The Corkcicle wine chiller was intriguing, you put it in your bottle of wine and it keeps both red and white at the recommended temperatures. The gift idea list went on and on with more things I've never heard of.

There are, however, some gifts this list did not mention. These gifts are not available online at Land’s End or at Macy’s or even Tiffany & Co. These are gifts you cannot buy, but should give.  They come from inside of you. The gift is you!

I wonder if there is anyone on your Christmas list that needs the gift of encouragement this year?  Or someone who needs the gift of a visit or phone call, just to let them know you are thinking of them?  What about the gift of understanding or listening? Kindness is a gift that fits all sizes, and so is patience. Hope is a gift that never goes out of style. Laughter and hugs and kisses don’t need any ribbons or bows. Come to think of it, the Bible has a great gift idea for all shoppers.  You can find it in I Corinthians 13.  It is the gift of love, because love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.  Love never ends and that’s the gift we all hope to find this Christmas. 

Why Pink?

This week we lit the third candle in the advent wreath.  It was pink; the other two are purple.  Why pink?   I chuckle when folks ask me that question.  Some think it is because we ran out of purple candles. One child said it was because Mary and Joseph really wanted a little girl.  

Here’s the real explanation. Advent is a time of repentance and reflection, and the purple candles reflect this mood as we prepare for Christmas.   While the first two candles in the advent wreath are purple, the third week is pink (or rose) and is the color of joy.   The pink candle gets its name from the Latin word,   gaudete, which means rejoice.   The early church recognized it was spiritually appropriate to rejoice and experience a little joy  the third week  of Advent, before returning to a more reflective mood the week before the birth of Christ.

We hear a lot these days about the stress and hassles of the season, but it seems to me there is also much joy to experience.   Of course the Bible is clear in its rejoicing of “ Joy to the world, the Lord has come.”  I wonder what else is it that sets your feet a-tapping and your soul rejoicing?  Love to hear what it is that brings you joy.   

Stress Level

As we enter the second week of Advent, how is your stress level?  Oh I know, every year we promise to not get caught up in the frenzy and hassle of the season, but it never seems to play out that way.   No matter how hard we try,  the stress and anxiety return every year.

Howard Thurman reminds us that something special also returns every year: Christmas! In his book, The Moods of Christmas he offers this prayer for all of us:

Christmas returns, as it always does, with its assurance that life is good.
It is the time of lift to the spirit, when the mind feels its way into the common place, and senses the wonder of simple things: an evergreen tree, familiar carols, merry laughter.  It is the time of illumination, when candles burn, and old dreams find their youth again.  It is the time of pause, when forgotten joys come back to mind and past dedications renew their claim.  It is the time of harvest for the heart, when faith reaches out to mantle all high endeavor, and love whispers its magic word to everything that breathes.  Christmas returns, as it always does, with its assurance that life is good.

Yes,  Christmas returns as it always does,  to tell us how much we are loved by God.   I’m glad Christmas is coming. Are you?

   

   

Advent Quiz

No sooner do you clear and clean up the dishes from Thanksgiving Day dinner and everyone’s thoughts are now in full Christmas mode.   Same thing happens in church.

This past Sunday we lit the first of our candles in our Advent wreath.   I thought I might offer a little Advent Quiz to tickle your fancy.  

Take Tom's Advent Quiz and let us know your score!

1. The word ADVENT comes from Latin and means what?
a. To cook
b. To come
c. To rest
d. To sing

2. The liturgical color for Advent is what?
a. Purple or violet
b. Green
c. Red
d. Red and green

3. The observance of Advent probably started in:
a. 1492
b. The 6th century
c. The 1st century BC
d. 1776


4. Who was it who said, “Prepare Ye the way of the Lord’?
a. Santa Claus
b. The Heavenly Host
c. John the Baptist
d. Home Depot

5. The “mood” of Advent is:a. Hectic
b. Stressful
c. Repentance and Reflection
d. Full of holiday cheer


Long ago,  the exhortation of John the Baptist was to “prepare” for the coming of the Lord.   How are you and your family preparing for the birth of Christ?   What preparations are we making to welcome His coming into our hearts?    How might prayer, quiet time, reading Luke’s story of Christmas, and attending worship help you reflect and prepare yourself spiritually for the greatest gift of all?


Quiz Answer Key: B, A, B, C, C