I Love You Dead: The Good News of Incongruous Grace
In Luther’s words, “God’s love does not find but creates that which is pleasing to it.”
Love in the Ruins. The title of Walker Percy’s 1971 novel captures the book’s setting and theme — Thomas More’s Utopia this is not. But the phrase also catches a moment in the marriage of its protagonist, Dr. Tom More:
“Don’t you see,” says his wife, “people grow away from each other … We’re dead.”
“I love you dead. At this moment.”
“Dead, dead,” she whispered…
“Love,” I whispered.
The poignancy of this exchange is the paradox, the surprising where, when and who of this whispered love: it is “in the ruins,” “at this moment” of despair, this dead end, and it is “love” for “you” — for the “dead.”
……………………..
Read the rest at
https://mbird.com/2020/10/i-love-you-dead-the-good-news-of-incongruous-grace/
![[Bible Study] Jonah 3 Zoom to Scripture](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1602258540333-0OMTFK3Y4X1LRMU75R52/Zoom+to+Scripture+%2816%29.jpg)
Christians Must Learn To Keep Politics In Their Right Place
When politics becomes a cultural force, it provides a venue for self-expression, self-affirmation and a source of community that can ultimately divert politics from its right and just aims.
Earlier this week, we at RELEVANT ran an excerpt from a new book by Cameron and Stuart McCallister on a healthy Christian posture for the upcoming election. The piece connected and left a lot of people wondering about what that might look like on a practical level.
One way to get that question answered is to pick up the McCallisters’ book Faith That Lasts and read more of their argument. But we also thought we’d put in a call to Michael Wear, a former staffer for President Barack Obama who founded a consulting firm called Public Square Strategies LLC to help businesses, non-profits, foundations and Christian organizations navigate the tensions between faith and politics. Here are some of his thoughts about what direction politics is heading in the U.S. and how Christians can resist the tide towards defining themselves in terms of their political beliefs.
We ran a piece on how Christians should be politically engaged without putting their hope in politics to save them. But how do you actually do that?
Politics has become an even more prominent cultural force. When politics becomes a cultural force, it provides a venue for self-expression, self-affirmation and a source of community that can ultimately divert politics from its right and just aims.
…………….. Read the rest.
![[Sunday] Jonah Chapter 2](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1601656590278-ZJ5LYIE4DXKME6QLOGJV/Jonah+Weekly2a.jpg)
[Sunday] Jonah Chapter 2
Jonah’s in the belly of the whale. This time of terribleness as Jonah lays next to all the old meals of this giant fish causes him to lament, causes him to think back and causes him to see salvation in the LORD alone.
Service [above] Sermon releases at 10pm [under]
Questions for the Week
Describe a time of struggle in your life, where God used it to draw you closer to him?
Read Jonah 2:1-3. Jonah cries out from the belly of the fish. What does Jonah see as God’s role in his current situation?
Read Jonah 2:4-9. What does God use this negative situation to cause Jonah to see?
How has God used difficult situations in your life, to help you see His mercy more?
Read Jonah 2 :10. What eventually does God do to Jonah? How has Jesus rescued you after going through a rough situation?
---- THIS WEEK AT GRACE - Today October 4, 2020
Worship Service 8:30 AM
Second Worship Service and
Video Service www.gracelutheranpsl.com 10:15 AM
Zoom into Fellowship 12:00 PM - Noon
Korean Church Worship 1:00 PM
AA 7:30 PM
Rest of the week October 5 - 10, 2020
LWML Monday 12:30 pm
Olivet School Tuesday, 8 AM - 1PM
Adopt - A - Mile Tuesday 8:30 AM
Individual/Family Communion Wednesday, 11:00, 11:20, 11:40 & Noon
ZOOM Bible Study Thursday, 11:00 AM
Korean Church Prayer Saturday, 6:00 AM
For complete calendar information, go to www.gracelutheranpsl.com/calendar
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS THIS WEEK: Bob Fox - 10/5, Clara Creelman - 10/6, Glen Hudson & Katie Hoffman - 10/7, Pat Bachman - 10/8, Lorie Schultz - 10/9.
ANNIVERSARIES THIS WEEK: Bernie & Shirley Mullins - 10/4 (23 yrs), Steve & Kim Glish - 10/5 (35 yrs), Paul & Pat Hasz - 10/10 (33 yrs)
THE FLOWERS ADORNING THE ALTAR one vase is given by Hatha & Terry Brown in memory of her daughter, Mary Ellen Padrick. The second vase is from Shirley & Bernie Mullins in honor of their 23rd wedding anniversary.
LWML will meet this MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1:00 p.m. in the church fellowship area. Join in snacks and fellowship at 12:30! ALL ladies at Grace are welcomed! Bring a friend!
ADOPT-A-MILE (A WEEK EARLIER!) is this Tuesday, October 6, 2020 at 8:30 AM! Our meeting place will be on the corner of Torino and Conus. For more information contact: Judy Fredrich (561) 315-9555 pjfred@outlook.com
CARENET BANQUET THANKS Rough stats as of now, Thursday evening $70K, Friday evening $116K. This will greatly help the development of a much needed Carenet center near Gatlin Blvd. Thank you all so very much for your support to save babies and families.
PLEASE CALL PEOPLE I realize I take for granted that people just come to the church on a regular basis. So that we all don’t descend into madness, let’s call and talk to each other regularly. Phone directories are available for your convenience.
GIVING - We are here to provide “Grace and Peace in this Chaotic and Lonely Time” to those in our church and community. Thank you for your past and continual prayers and financial support to Grace and your community. We have added Paypal for online donations. If you would like to give through Paypal, please go to: www.GraceLutheranPSL.com and click the “GIVE” button on the upper right side of the page.
COMMUNION ON WEDNESDAY: If you, or someone you know, would like to celebrate Holy Communion but prefer a small group or unable to attend Sunday service, Pastor Cris has set aside Wednesday’s to celebrate the meal in small/family groups. Please come by on Wednesday at: 11:00, 11:20, 11:40 or 12:00 (noon) and partake of this wonderful meal.
SEE YOUR GRACE FAMILY ON ZOOM! Pastor and Coli will be hosting Zoom to Coffee at NOON every Sunday for those who would like to join in fellowship “virtually” to see and chat with Grace members and friends. All are welcome!
BIBLE STUDY FOR ALL Pastor Cris is conducting a “livestream” Bible study online (www.GracelutheranPSL.com) with ZOOM, for you to participate in on Thursdays at 11:00 AM. ** You are also welcome to attend the Bible Study at church, in person! ** Seating with social distancing along with wearing your mask is now happening, at the Bible Study on Thursday at 11 AM and at Worship on Sundays at 8:30 AM and 10:15 AM.
What Had happened at Grace this week.
![[Sunday] Royal Introduction - Kingdom Way](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1732292654207-IOAL90WWETSNSYJWNI92/KW+1a.jpg)
Love Across the Political Divide
You can laugh when you know with humility the limits of the truths you hold so dearly.
Life is not politics.
That has not been so obvious in these months. Everything is qualified (or disqualified) by whether you want the President to be our president or not. There is less and less tolerance, more and more nullification of any validity of any credibility depending on what you believe is best for our government. People speak of revolution and “saving our country” and fascism — when we are having an election in a month.
Read the rest at
https://mbird.com/2020/09/no-sense-love-across-the-political-divide/
![[Bible Study] Jonah 1 + 2 Zoom to Scripture](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1602258656606-NN12A9KF69MJDPFGBLHO/Zoom+to+Scripture+%2814%29.jpg)
Is Your Church A Racist Monument?
Article written by a personal friend of Pastor Cris. Fellow LCMS pastor who has been working in North City St Louis. This is also the first location of Coli’s First Teaching Job. This is a Large National Magazine. Congrats Chris
Article written by a personal friend of Pastor Cris and fellow LCMS pastor who has been working in North City St Louis. He is also working in the location of Coli’s First Teaching Job. This is a Large National Magazine. Congrats Chris
Chris Paavola also works with Lutheran Hour. https://thred.org/
—— read here
During the Great Migration, millions of Black Americans fled the violence of the Jim Crow south for a new life in northern cities. In response, thousands of white Americans left their diversifying city to resettle in homogeneous suburbs in a reactionary migration known as white flight. Left behind in the systematically segregated communities of color was something white families couldn’t take with them– their churches.
White Churches………………………….
Read the Rest at
https://relevantmagazine.com/faith/church/is-your-church-a-racist-monument
![[Sunday] Jonah Chapter 1](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1601126639358-WOT2MF1SXF0JC2TSTDVE/Jonah+Weekly1a.jpg)
[Sunday] Jonah Chapter 1
Asleep at the wheel? Have you ever been driving and you then realize you are miles further than you remember? Scary stuff. Jonah is asleep at the wheel of his faith, just getting by and hurting people in the process. Perhaps his life can wake us from our slumber.
Service [above] Sermon releases at 10pm [under]
Questions for the Week
What do you think is important about the story of Jonah in the Bible?
Read Jonah 1. What does God ask Jonah to do? What does Jonah actually do?
As Jonah runs from God, describe what negative effect that has on other people.
Describe a time you’ve gone an opposite direction of God in your life. What were the results?
How is Jonah ultimately rescued? Read Matthew 12:39-41. How does Jesus rescue us in a similar way?
---- THIS WEEK AT GRACE - Today September 27, 2020
Worship Service 8:30 AM
Second Worship Service and
video service www.gracelutheranpsl.com 10:15 AM
Zoom into Fellowship 12:00 PM - Noon
Korean Church Worship 1:00 PM
AA 7:30 PM
Rest of the week September 28 - October 3
Grace Crafters Monday, 10:30 AM-2 PM
Olivet School Tuesday, 8 AM - 1 PM
Individual/Family Communion Wednesday, 11:00, 11:20, 11:40 & Noon
ZOOM Bible Study Thursday, 11:00 AM
Korean Church Prayer Saturday, 6:00 AM
For complete calendar information, go to www.gracelutheranpsl.com/calendar
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS THIS WEEK: Maria Lambrechts - 9/27, Brooklyn Dressler - 9/28,
Bill Strauss - 9/29, Augustyn Arbuzow & Karen Albano - 9/30,
Rus Schulein, Coli Escher & Bill Kimball - 10/2.
THE FLOWERS ADORNING THE ALTAR are given by Claude & Pat Hessee in memory of their son Kevin whose birthday was September 16th.
PLEASE CALL PEOPLE I realize I take for granted that people just come to the church on a regular basis. So that we all don’t descend into madness, let’s call and talk to each other regularly. Phone directories are available for your convenience.
Online Giving We have now added Paypal for online donations. We have been approved as a trusted non profit organization. If you would like to give through Paypal, please go to: www.GraceLutheranPSL.com and click the “GIVE” button on the upper right side of the page.
COMMUNION ON WEDNESDAY: If you, or someone you know, would like to celebrate Holy Communion but prefer a small group or unable to attend Sunday service, Pastor Cris has set aside Wednesday’s to celebrate the meal in small/family groups. Please come by on Wednesday at: 11:00, 11:20, 11:40 or 12:00 (noon) and partake of this wonderful meal.
SEE YOUR GRACE FAMILY ON ZOOM! Pastor and Coli will be hosting Zoom to Coffee at NOON every Sunday for those who would like to join in fellowship “virtually” to see and chat with Grace members and friends. All are welcome!
BIBLE STUDY FOR ALL Pastor Cris is conducting a “livestream” Bible study online (www.GracelutheranPSL.com) with ZOOM, for you to participate in on Thursdays at 11:00 AM. ** You are also welcome to attend the Bible Study at church, in person! ** Seating with social distancing along with wearing your mask is now happening, at the Bible Study on Thursday at 11 AM and at Worship on Sundays at 8:30 AM and 10:15 AM.
GIVING - Changing over to a social distance model of ministry has been quite challenging. We needed to purchase new equipment and the overall church’s expenses did not go down even though we were not meeting in person. We are here to provide “Grace and Peace in this Chaotic and Lonely Time” to those in our church and community. Thank you for your past and continual prayers and financial support to Grace and your community.
What Had happened at Grace this week.
![[Sunday] Named Expectation - Kingdom Way](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1732674628275-BT5YOQCW9FVYUE1GCROF/KW+2a.jpg)
I Am Jonah
In the end, my only hope is that Jesus is always the initiator of mercy. He pursues me, even when I am unfaithful.
As a little girl, I learned that there was a prophet named Jonah that God rescued by sending a great fish to swallow him and carry him safely to land. As an adult, I learned that Jonah was, basically, a jerk who chose to run away from God rather than go and preach to his enemies, because he knew that God was going to have mercy on them and he didn’t want any part of that. Today, I learned that I am Jonah.
Read the rest at
Jonah
Jonah is written like a comic book. Everything is big and impressive, and you know beyond a shadow of a doubt who is right and who is wrong. But the story goes to another level when we see it is actually holding up a mirror to ourselves, a mirror that asks us one simple question. What happens when God loves your enemies?
Jonah is written like a comic book. Everything is big and impressive, and you know beyond a shadow of a doubt who is right and who is wrong. But the story goes to another level when we see it is actually holding up a mirror to ourselves, a mirror that asks us one simple question. What happens when God loves your enemies?
Sermon Series Playlist
Watch Full Services & See the Bulletin
![[Sunday] Jonah Chapter 4](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1602868143507-DMTTUEJ1PK9JWILJZ1W7/Jonah+Weekly4a.jpg)
![[Sunday] Jonah Chapter 3](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1602256579938-CV2SMDNWSGEGTKYH8U74/Jonah+Weekly3a.jpg)
Adaptive Leadership Strategies
Coli’s Handouts for Her PEC conference workshop.
Discussion and Reflection Questions
Resources to Explore the Topic of Adaptive Leadership During a Crisis
Adapting for the Long Haul
Discussion and Reflection Guide
IDENTIFYING YOUR PURPOSE
Consider your organization’s purpose.
What are your personal passions?
How might that purpose need to change during these difficult times?
COMMUNICATING YOUR IDEAS
Who hears your thought process and plans?
What language do you use (verbal and non-verbal) to communicate your ideas?
What about good news or bad news? How do you communicate those?
Do your followers/partners understand why you make the decisions you make?
How transparent are you with why you do what you do?
How can you become a clear, thorough, and transparent communicator?
LISTENING TO OTHERS
How often have you stopped to listen since mid-March?
To whom do you listen?
What have they shared?
How did you process their ideas/questions/criticism?
How open are you to accepting help, suggestions, criticism, and feedback?
Do your followers see you as approachable or a good listener?
DELEGATING AND COLLABORATING
How often do you engage in collaboration?
When others in your organization bring an idea to the table, how likely are you to encourage him/her to run with it?
In what ways have you (or can you in the future) given others opportunities to shine?
How willing are you to delegate tasks to others?
Can you stop to recharge your own self?
EMBRACING CONFLICT
When you think about conflict, how do you feel?
How likely are you to embrace opposing opinions (dissenters) within your community or organization?
When changes need to be made, how do you communicate with your team?
How can you balance conflict in a way that others don’t feel threatened but instead have a chance for growth?
Consider the dissenters that challenge you and your organization. How can you give them a voice without giving them power?
THRIVING INSTEAD OF SURVIVING
What technical challenges have you tackled since mid-March?
How can you shift the focus from those challenges into more adaptive change?
How can you be more purposeful and Gospel-centered in your decision making?
What is going to have to change for you to move from surviving to thriving?
Watch Party - Presidents Equip Conference
Apparently, Registration is closed.
you are will welcome to join us.
Watch Party at Grace
Thursday 10Am -Noon
Friday & Saturday 9Am - Noon
Elevator Encounters
Freedom to hear hurt and not to try to make it about me. Freedom to know that Jesus bears my own rage on the cross so he can carry the anger of those who rage against me.
https://mbird.com/2020/09/elevator-encounters/
Ihave been in two heated race-related situations in the past six months. Both of them have happened at elevators.
Several months ago I was leaving a doctor’s office and looking for the restroom in the corridor. A black man walked out behind me with a name tag and a clip board and I assumed he was a doctor in the practice. I turned and asked him if he knew where the restroom was. He snapped back, “I don’t work here!” To which I responded, “Got it. Sorry.”
Then as he headed towards the elevator and I headed on a hunt to empty my bladder he yelled back, “Stupid white bitch thinks I work here!”
To which I yelled back, “Sorry!”
He did not respond. He got on the elevator, and I found a toilet.
Then just last week we were on a family weekend vacation and were standing at the hotel elevator bank with our children. We had already lectured them about how we cannot go bounding onto elevators with other people. There were signs up about one party per elevator and I was not interested in bringing a corona virus strand back as a souvenir…………………
Read the rest
https://mbird.com/2020/09/elevator-encounters/
![[Sunday] Sneaky Snakes - The Standard - 9,10th Commandment](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1600527914615-7F9VM9FOWKNFK2U7HMV1/Standard+Weekly+9b.jpg)
[Sunday] Sneaky Snakes - The Standard - 9,10th Commandment
It's so scandalous and sneaky when we feign righteousness before everyone but secretly wish them poor fortune.
Service [above] Sermon releases at 10pm [under]
Questions for the Week
Describe a time when you have coveted something? What did that do to the relationship with the person that had it? What did that coveting do to your relationship with God in that time?
Read 1 Timothy 6:6-12. Where does God desire his people to look for, and find, contentment?
Name some specific maneuvers and shrewd practices approved by the world that would come under diving judgement of the 9th and 10th commandments.
How does being content with what you have prevent you from coveting?
We’ve seen that the 10 commandments are all about loving God and our neighbor. What have you learned in our time this sermon series in the 10 commandments?
---- THIS WEEK AT GRACE - Today September 20, 2020
Worship Service 8:30 AM
Second Worship Service and
video service www.gracelutheranpsl.com 10:15 AM
Zoom into Fellowship 12:00 PM - Noon
Korean Church Worship 1:00 PM
AA 7:30 PM
Rest of the week September 21 - September 26
Olivet School Tuesday, 8 AM - 1 PM
Individual/Family Communion Wednesday, 11:00, 11:20, 11:40 & Noon
ZOOM Bible Study Thursday, 11:00 AM
President’s Equip Conference (At Grace) Thursday - Saturday 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Korean Church Prayer Saturday, 6:00 AM
For complete calendar information, go to www.gracelutheranpsl.com/calendar
BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS THIS WEEK: Steve Glish & Cuurtney-Becker Sauber - 9/20, Robert Pellin - 9/24, Alexis Blizzard - 9/26
THE FLOWERS ADORNING THE ALTAR are given by Jan & Jan Lendak & Judy Hunter in celebration of their Aunt Marian Engelhardt's 100th birthday.
PLEASE CALL PEOPLE I realize I take for granted that people just come to the church on a regular basis. So that we all don’t descend into madness, let’s call and talk to each other regularly. Phone directories are available for your convenience.
CONGRATULATIONS OFFICERS OF LWML: For the 2020/21 year, the Ladies group, LWML will be served by; Shirley Mullins - President, Judy Fredrich - Vice President, Laura Peeler - Secretary, and Joyce Strickler - Treasurer. Thanks to Hatha Brown and Diane Heinz as they step down as President and Secretary.
CARENET BANQUET: is being held this Thursday, September 24 or Friday, September 25 with those who indicated their interest to attend. The guest speaker this year is David Williams, who at the the age of 19 thought abortion was the answer.
Online Giving We have now added Paypal for online donations. We have been approved as a trusted non profit organization. If you would like to give through Paypal, please go to: www.GraceLutheranPSL.com and click the “GIVE” button on the upper right side of the page.
COMMUNION ON WEDNESDAY: If you, or someone you know, would like to celebrate Holy Communion but prefer a small group or unable to attend Sunday service, Pastor Cris has set aside Wednesday’s to celebrate the meal in small/family groups. Please come by on Wednesday at: 11:00, 11:20, 11:40 or 12:00 (noon) and partake of this wonderful meal.
SEE YOUR GRACE FAMILY ON ZOOM! Pastor and Coli will be hosting Zoom to Coffee at NOON every Sunday for those who would like to join in fellowship “virtually” to see and chat with Grace members and friends. All are welcome!
BIBLE STUDY FOR ALL Pastor Cris is conducting a “livestream” Bible study online (www.GracelutheranPSL.com) with ZOOM, for you to participate in on Thursdays at 11:00 AM. ** You are also welcome to attend the Bible Study at church, in person! ** Seating with social distancing along with wearing your mask is now happening, at the Bible Study on Thursday at 11 AM and at Worship on Sundays at 8:30 AM and 10:15 AM.
GIVING - Changing over to a social distance model of ministry has been quite challenging. We needed to purchase new equipment and the overall church’s expenses did not go down even though we were not meeting in person. We are here to provide “Grace and Peace in this Chaotic and Lonely Time” to those in our church and community. Thank you for your past and continual prayers and financial support to Grace and your community.
What Had happened at Grace this week.
![[Bible Study] 9,10 Commandment Zoom to Scripture](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5852f18a20099e30cd2c01dc/1600533351534-GLHVG9NGC2RZA5CZ9ORT/Zoom+to+Scripture+%2812%29.jpg)
[Bible Study] 9,10 Commandment Zoom to Scripture
[Bible Study] 9,10 Commandment Zoom to Scripture
Losing Our Religion, Finding Good News
Peter is losing his religion. Religion, properly understood, is the stuff we must do in order to get a Higher Power to do something for us. And Jesus takes all of Peter’s religion, his former understanding of the way things work, and he flushes them down the toilet.
https://mbird.com/2020/09/losing-our-religion-finding-good-news/
Aclergy colleague told me on the phone last week, “Our online worship numbers have gone down week after week even though I keep telling my people to invite more people, and to pray harder, and to read their Bibles. None of it seems to work … I feel like I’m losing my religion.” My pastoral training told me to listen attentively, to offer little (if any) advice, and to pray at the end. Which I did, faithfully. But what I really wanted to say was this: “Maybe losing your religion wouldn’t be such a bad thing …”
From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and the chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. (Mk 8:31)
But Peter? Peter wasn’t having any of that. “Um, Jesus, Lord, I don’t mean to interrupt but, are you out of your mind? If you’re the Messiah I’ve confessed you to be, then you know that you can’t die. That’s losing. And in the kingdom you promised us there’s supposed to be nothing but winning!”
“Pete,” the Lord calmly intoned, “get out of my way! You’re stuck on earthly things, but the kingdom is bigger and better than your feeble little head can imagine.” Then Jesus looks out at everyone else, “Hey, listen up. This is important. If you want to be part of this whole turning-the-world-upside-down endeavor, then your world needs to get flipped right now. If you want to save your lives, go find some other teacher. But if you’re willing to accept that this life ain’t much to begin with, that’s what actually leads to salvation. Because, in the end, you can try to perfect yourself, but it won’t even come close to what I can do through you.”
……………………
Read the Rest at
https://mbird.com/2020/09/losing-our-religion-finding-good-news/
Hate the Sin, Not the Book
But this fair-mindedness was integral to Douglass’s massive success as an orator, as a persuader of the half-convinced and the faint of heart. He knew how to sift, to assess, to return and reflect again. The idealization and demonization of the past are equally easy, and immensely tempting in our tense and frantic moment. What Douglass offers instead is a model of negotiating with the past in a way that gives charity and honesty equal weight.
“This is an intresting read. the stand out is the fact that Douglas tried to find the positive even with a history he disagreed with. This is the idea we were talking about last sunday”
Reading works from the past can offer perspective—even when they say things we don’t want to hear.
SEPTEMBER 6, 2020
Professor of humanities at Baylor University
This might seem a very strange time to publish a book recommending that we read the voices from the past. After all, isn’t the present hammering at our door rather violently? There’s a worldwide pandemic; a presidential election is about to consume the attention of America; and if all that weren’t sufficient, we are entering hurricane season. The present is keeping us plenty busy. Who has time for the past?
But my argument is that this is precisely the kind of moment when we need to take some time to step back from the fire hose of alarming news. (When I first tried to type fire hose, I accidentally typed dire hose instead. Indeed.) As we try to manage our dispositions, we need two things. First, we need perspective; second, we need tranquility. And it’s voices from the past that can give us both—even when they say things we don’t want to hear, and when those voices belong to people who have done bad things. One of the best guides I know to such an encounter with the past is Frederick Douglass, an escaped slave, America’s most passionately eloquent advocate for the abolition of slavery.
The Rest at
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/09/hate-sinner-not-book/616066
Christmas expectations are often Joshed. Yet the name Emmanuel breaks all expectations as Jesus comes to be with us.