Virtual Methodist

I've probably published more versions of this Psalm than any other (I actually posted another version back in July )... I suppose because it speaks so powerfully to the human condition, struggling with the here and now, and holding on to the hope of what is yet to come. Maybe one day I will take a long hard look at it and produce a definitive version... But the first time I posted one, back in 2010 , it was with Advent looming... This time I'm posting this responsive version because we used it on Sunday. Again those with LOCD (see yesterday for an explanation) will be twitching at this point but hey ho... The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid? When evil is on the upsurge and the wicked seem to hold the winning hand I know that they will not have the last word. Though the armies of hell seem to be attacking me, my heart will not fear; Though world war three break out agains...

I suppose this poem/reflection was a product of many thoughts colliding: a reaction against the idealised views of birth, especially the birth of Jesus in less than ideal conditions, the discipline of waiting in both advent and pregnancy, as well as the Jesus' phrase about being born of "water and Spirit" (John 3: 5) to Nicodemus, a conversation which also gave us the much-misused or misunderstood statement about being "born again/from above", as well as the verse in the first Letter of John: This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. 1 John 5:6 (ANIV) Born of water and blood He’s coming Joseph He’s coming… The waters break… And the agony begins. Through the water The people were saved. Through time of trial A place of promise was reached. Wait, my love… Wait, don’t push… The time is not right, But he is coming… Why must we wait? Why not now? Let’s take what is ours It’s the way of the world H...

This Sunday is the first Sunday in Advent. So here is the first of the Advent liturgies we will be using in Dundonald Methodist Church this year. Voice 1: Advent is a time for waiting… [PAUSE] Voice 2: Advent is a time for waiting; Voice 1: for the postman; Voice 2: for the end of school; Voice 1: for family members to come home; Voice 2: for standing waiting in a queue; Voice 1: for waiting for santa for Santa to come and go. Voice 2: Advent is a time for waiting for God; Voice 1: for God who came in Jesus the Christ child, Voice 2: for God who came unexpectedly. Voice 1: We wait for God, who will come again in a new and surprising way. Voice 2: We light the first candle to remind us to wait. [THE FIRST CANDLE IS LIT] Voice 1: In Luke chapter 12 we read Voice 2: "Be dressed and ready for action and keep your lamps burning, like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him. Voice 1: ...

Advent is a time of waiting, yet that noted philosopher Dr. Seuss states in his magisterial work "Oh the Places You'll Go" describes one of the places we might go as: a most useless place. The Waiting Place... …for people just waiting Waiting for a train to go Or a bus to come, or a plane to go Or the mail to come, or the rain to go Or the phone to ring, or the snow to snow Or waiting around for a Yes or No Or waiting for their hair to grow. Everyone is just waiting. No! That’s not for you! Somehow you’ll escape All that waiting and staying. You’ll find the bright places Where the Boom Bands are playing. I’m not too sure its such a useless place, or that the Boom Bands would be quite so exciting without the waiting and anticipating… We need to beware of filling every available moment with “useful” activity… And at this point everyone who knows me falls around laughing… Originally submitted this as a comment on someone else's blog on Mockingbird's Leap