Merry Xmas!

Just noting what stood out to me this Xmas season:
 - people who get upset about Xmas vs. Christmas.
 - what type of man was Joseph?
 - what a celebration! looking at the angelic activity, the reactions of the shepherds, and the long pursuit of the wisemen.
 - materialism is quiet yet strong.
 - some people really like to give gifts.
 - some people really like to get gifts.
 - it's alot of fun to give to our kids. Is this pleasure a taste of what God feels when He gives us something?
 - it's very easy to take this miraculous event for granted.

I hope that you and yours have a great Christmas Eve and a great Xmas Day!

Drops Like Stars

I was surprised to find this at our local library, so I grabbed it up on my way to the checkout desk. Since it's due back today and I had only made it through the first few pages before this morning, I wasn't sure I could finish it and turn it back in on my way home. But this has to be the biggest book I've ever read in less than 20 minutes! There are alot of images and negative spaces in it's 160 pages. Here are some other things that stood out to me:

- Rob Bell is a creative.
- The images are nice.
- There is a broad spectrum of resources.
- The beauty and value of suffering was communicated well.
- The idea that Jesus identifies with our suffering is accurate and encouraging.
- Jesus' relationship to us and our suffering was not explained beyond that.
[I think that's unfortunate because He is more than the Great Sympathizer.]
- "...sometimes the most important work is knowing what to take away." p. 74
- The last story (from which the book's title is derived) is a very good endcap; it's memorable.

I've only read one other book by Bell. As before, he did a great job of expressing his thoughts. He writes (and speaks) in ways that cause me to think things over, and for that I am grateful. I am sure that some people will find some comfort as they are reading the book, but I am not sure that they will find comfort beyond that moment. As I noted in the bulleted points, I wish that he had said more about Jesus. Jesus' own ministry to those who were suffering was more than a ministry of presence or kindness, it also involved repair and restoration. While the book has good thoughts delivered in nice packaging it will not be the first book, about suffering, that I will recommend to others.

The Sacred Meal by Nora Gallagher

Nora Gallagher’s book, The Sacred Meal, is about the Christian tradition known as Communion. As she examined the different elements of Communion, the author drew out the at-large value of that element and, in a very transparent manner, relayed the more personal values and lessons about that element as learned from her own Communion experiences. The bottom line in her mind is that the Sacred Meal is exactly that – it is sacred because it is uniquely spiritual, communal, and powerful.

While I scratched my head on a few comments, I did connect with her call to recognize anew the powerful ceremony that is Communion. A major contention of her short work (137 pages) is that the Sacred Meal is intended to move us from one spiritual place to another spiritual place. It is more than a token ritual. But even though the personal accounts that she shares are interesting and, at times, moving, they are subjective. I think the book would have been more accurately titled, ‘My Thoughts on the Sacred Meal.’

While I have not read any other books in the Ancient Practices Series, I had expected more info on the ancient side of this ancient practice. Gallagher majored on personal, modern-day stories. There was no tracing of historical developments in Communion traditions. There was no significant examination of the Biblical texts regarding Communion.

Having said these things and for fear of sounding angry, let me be clear. I hold some different theological beliefs than the licensed Episcopal preacher does, but I do appreciate the high value she places on the Sacred Meal. Her willingness to share her stories and observations caused me to think again on this valuable practice instituted by Christ. And as was her intent, I did not think on the nuts and bolts or the history of this ritual but rather the meaning, the spirit, and the power of this ancient practice. If you are looking for a textbook of sorts, look somewhere else. If you need some food for thought, give this book a try.