Some interesting thoughts that came partially from the sermon/worship service tonight and partially from the Scriptures read tonight and partially just from chats with God:

Our hearts are the manger for Jesus and Jesus is born in our "heart-manger" every day

Christmas is an amazing season

Jesus came as a baby in this world...Look at the babies around you seriously next time...My friend Daniel said that's how he fully understood what Jesus did when he saw his newborn daughter being held up on Christmas Eve.

Incarnation...God came to be with us. God came to be with us. God came to be with us.

Sometimes if you keep an open mind/heart/ear you hear something that is incredibly useful and God will speak to you. When you close yourself off, God has a hard time getting through. Hence, you should try and be more open.

Christmas is one of my favorite seasons and one that is vital to the Church. If Christ had not been born, how could Christ die for us? How can we sit by and let this pass without worshipping and celebrating the day? (I'm still sad for those people to whom the churches have closed their doors, but I hope that they still find their home in a church and most importantly The Church.)

"church" is something that is much more than "just a service"...Church is a way of life and something that you can't pick and choose when you "use" it. Church is the body of Christ at work in the world; Church is the community in which your faith is shaped; Church is the outreach of Christ's love to the world. Church is NOT something you do because it's fun (great side effect, but not the purpose); Church is NOT something that harms people or oppresses them; Church is NOT an event or a time or a place

There are some Christmas traditions that have to happen in order for it to "feel" like Christmas...However, the most important thing to remember is the Incarnation of Jesus Christ. When God became flesh to live among us...



Merry Christmas everyone!

Here are my top 10 CDs of this year...Just like the movie list, these may not have been released this year necessarily, but they were certainly worn out in my CD player this year! Also, they are in no particular order, hence why they are not numbered...

Kevin Max-- The Imposter: What can I say? This is an incredible album! The songs are so honest and real and they cut down to the core. If you listen with an open heart and an open mind, you can truly cut down past all of your crap and realize that indeed, you are the imposter..."Oh, the imposter is me..."

Black-Eyed Peas-- Monkey Business: This is so much fun and happy, but the lyrics are great as well (although, I must say that while I liked "My Humps" when I got the CD, now it just gets on my nerves.) I'm really glad to see that they have been "truer" to themselves from the last album. I'm disappointed when groups put one thing on a CD, but change the song for their single (Like their last year's "Let's Get It Started" which on the CD was "Let's Get Retarded").

Jamie Cullum-- Chasing Tales: I must say that I just love Jamie Cullum! It's such a different style than I normally listen to (although I don't really have a "normal" style). His original songs are amazing, lyrically and musically and I love it when he puts a new touch on some familiar songs-- It's almost like it's a whole new song!

Tobymac--Welcome to Diverse City: I can't remember when this one came out particulary, but I know that it is in regular rotation in my CD player. The songs are great and I can identify with several of them most of the time. Every girl's break-up song should be his "Gone" and I know many pastors who should really listen to "Getaway Car"...I think Toby is a great songwriter, but I think that the Rap thing holds him back a little bit...

Little Shop of Horrors Soundtrack: I forgot how much I loved this musical! I saw it again this summer and brought back the whole story. Whenever I feel like I need or want to belt out some theatrical music, I put this one in and sing at the top of my lungs and pretend like I'm Audrey. I guess I'm just looking for my own Seymour...

Kelly Clarkson--Breakaway: I wasn't entirely a huge fan when she won AI (I didn't watch that year), but even her first CD didn't seem the best...But, I was impressed with the song Breakaway and who could avoid Since You Been Gone? And now Beacause of You...This has definately been worn out too. I would like to hear "Addicted" as the next single.

Relient K-- Mmhmm: Another amazing lyrical performace. I listen the the songs and wonder how they read my journal and got those ideas and feelings. I can't say that there's one single song that I like the best because I love it all. No matter when I listen to it and what mood I'm in, I can find something in every song to identify with "You took my heavy heart and You made it light..."

Riley Armstrong-- La Loop: I have been waiting for a new Riley Armstrong album for awhile and this one did not disappoint. He's got a slightly different sound and I think that his marriage/relationship had something to do with that. I would like to say that I would fall in love with the man who sang "Melting" to me.

Robbie Williams--Greatest Hits: How can you go wrong with Robbie? Having most of his greatest songs on 1 CD is incredible! I remembered why I loved such songs as "Angels" (THE ROBBIE VERSION!!! Jessica's is horrible) and "No Regrets" plus it was nice to hear some new music in anticipation for his new album (of which I still need to get!)

Morrissey--You are the Quarry: When the first song that is on the album is virtually saying that America is a big whore, you know what you're in for. I must say that "I Have Forgiven Jesus" inspired a lot of theological reflection for me and made me think about what that really means. I am very impressed with this album-- I wasn't a huge Morrissey fan before, but I am sold on his lyrics and style.



So, there's the list-- again, feel free to add your own to this or comment on my list!

I've been reading a bunch of people's top ten movie/CD/Book lists for the year and I thought that I needed to add my own. But, instead of just putting on my list those movies that were released this year, I'm going to create a top ten of movies that I saw this year that totally made movie watching worthwhile.

Rabbit Proof Fence-- An outstanding and beautiful true story of grisl who were sold into slavery, but managed to escape. Taking the story out of America and into Australia was obviously true to the story, but it was interesting to see that discrimination really happens all over the world and that it is a global problem and not a national problem.

Real Women Have Curves--A beautiful story and a glimpse into Latino culture, somewhat. It focused on a young woman's life story of trying to become her own person while trying to hold onto her family and their heritage, but not feeling directly connected to it at the same time.

Sometimes in April--A harsher look at the Rwandan conflict. It is not as forgiving and compassionate as Hotel Rwanda, but moving and emotional all the same. It tends to provide a more realistic flavor to the conflict as there are literally bodies piled up or we see the people shot. Eye-opening again...

Rent--I have loved the music since it was first released although I have yet to see it performed on stage. It was nice to see things brought to life that I had only pictured in my head, but also to hear some of the original voices as well.

Crash--Amazing...I'm not really sure what more to say other than racism still exists in our country. Beautifully crafted and wonderfully acted-- some of the actors actually played much different roles than they had previously played and it is a welcome change.

Jarhead--An honest depiction of war and what it does to people, but one could also watch the movie and see an honest depiction of war and what it does to people completely opposite of my view and be completely justified in their opinions.

Maria Full of Grace--Gorgeous! Also a glimpse into Latino culture and the struggles of immigrants and their desire to come into this country. When I ask the question of what I don't like about this country and what could possibly draw people here, I see something like this and see the allure of America.

Dear Frankie--Heartbreaking story of a mother who tries to cling to her son's innocence while he holds onto it just for his mother.

A Rumor of Angels--Another story of child-like innocence that is rekindled by an older grandmother type. A family story that brings a broken family back together.

Good Night and Good Luck--Wonderfully crafted and beautifully told story. I wish that I knew more about the era before I saw the movie, but it was excellent.



These movies were not necessarily chosen for any particularly outstanding performances or cinematography, per se...But, they were chosen because they have had a significant impact on my life, my entertainment, or my opinions. Please, share yours too! I'll be posting my CD list later this week...

I hate it when church gets in the way of Christmas!

So, I was having a conversation with my friend Daniel on Thursday and we were discussing two different articles that we read from 2 different newspapers, but both with the same basic story. It was about churches who will not be having services on Christmas Day. We were both perplexed at the implications of this decision. Now, I know that I've talked with other pastors who have been wavering about having services because their congregations didn't want to. I just can't understand why this is! The whole reason for Christmas is to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Christmas is not about family or opening presents, but it's about the birth of a baby who would save the world. I won't deny that family is important and something that is dear especially during Christmas, but to say that it's the centrality of the holiday is simply unbiblical. It was Jesus himself who said that we must leave our families in order to follow him. That is a very difficult thing to swallow and I know that I have a prof who said that taeching is the one teaching that he will not follow.

The implications of not having services goes beyond not celebrating the birth of Jesus, but by closing the church doors on one of the "high holy days", you are also telling those who may not have families (singles, widows, orphans, etc...) that their concerns are not important and once again, they have no place. The church is not just a place for families, but is a place for all who are seeking Jesus Christ and an honest relationship with Him. I don't know how any UMC could possibly say that they are truly "Open hearts, Open minds, Open doors" and then close their doors on Christmas day.

The other implication is that the congregations can pck and choose when to have the church open. One pastor in one of the articles basically said that the Christmas morning service would be the lowest attended, so why have services? Would you say the same to a small congregation with 20 people in service? "Well, you don't have enough people, so it doesn't make sense to ask God to come and join us..." That's basically what's being said. Jesus said, "Where two or three are gathered in my name, there I will be also..."

So, you can be assured that I will be in Christmas morning worship to celebrate the Incarnation of my Savior and rejoicing in the fact that a baby was born over 2000 years ago and still meets me daily. I do not say these things in order to make you feel guilty for not going to church...Only you can make yourself feel guilty about that. Nor do I say it to make myself seem or feel superior, but to share that Christmas is an important day in the life of our Church and as a Christian.