View From Columbia

  Christmas Music Isaiah 9: 2-3, 6-7 (RSV) The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased its joy; they rejoice before thee as with joy at the harvest… For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. "Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David, and over his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this. Musing Who hears these words and doesn’t automatically hear Handle’s Messiah playing? I can’t. I was going to use the Common English Bible translation and just couldn’t bring myself to do it. It didn’t sound right even when I was ...

  Just a note before my main post: R.I.P. Lucille Bridges:  She was a former sharecropper who hauled 90 pounds of cotton the day before her daughter was born. Her daughter was going to do better.  Lucille Bridges 's determination helped power six-year-old  Ruby Bridges  to become, 60 years ago on Saturday, one of the first Black pupils  to integrate an elementary school in the South . Of the crowds that jeered the school-bound first grader ( pictured above, escorted by U.S. marshals ), her mother said: “Don’t pay them no attention. Just pray for them.” Lucille Bridges died Tuesday at her home in New Orleans,  the  Washington Post  reports . She was 86. (from National Geographic History email newsletter)   Gathering Prayer Lord God, Maker of heaven and earth, we come together in Your name. We come as living sacrifices, to offer You our worship and thanksgiving, our praise and our prayers. Come among us, living Lord. Through ...

  Remembering the Saints   Prayer I will praise God in every moment, and through every situation. Through my words and action, my life will pay tribute to God. Whenever the poor and humble hear of God’s greatness, they will celebrate, too! Come and lift up God’s name with me; let’s praise God’s name together! Amen. ~ Christine Longhurst. re:Worship blog. Inspired by Psalm 34:1-3 ( The Voice translation) Matthew 5: 3-11 “Happy are people who are hopeless, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. “Happy are people who grieve, because they will be made glad. “Happy are people who are humble, because they will inherit the earth. “Happy are people who are hungry and thirsty for righteousness, because they will be fed until they are full. “Happy are people who show mercy, because they will receive mercy. “Happy are people who have pure hearts, because they will see God. “Happy are people who make peace, because they will be called God's children. “Happy are people w...

 GRACE God of all who wander in the wilderness, you go before us as beacon and guide. Lead us through all danger, sustain us through all desolation, and bring us home to the land you have prepared for us. Amen. Exodus 20: 1-4, 7-9, 12-18 And God spoke all these words: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below… “You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work… “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. “You shall not murder. “You shall not commit adultery. “You shall not steal. “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. “Y...

Gathering Prayer God of justice, peace, and righteousness come into our midst this afternoon/evening Breathe your breath, your Spirit of prophecy, your energy, your enlivening, your imagination on us. Wake us up. Open our eyes. Unplug our ears. That we might hear. That we might see That we might grieve. That we might dream. That we might follow the ways of your extraordinary kingdom Amen ~ posted on the Jonny Baker blog. http://jonnybaker.blogs.com/jonnybaker/2012/07/wake-up.html   Romans 13: 8-10 (CEB) Don't be in debt to anyone, except for the obligation to love each other. Whoever loves another person has fulfilled the Law. The commandments, don't commit adultery, don't murder, don't steal, don't desire what others have, and any other commandments, are all summed up in one word: You must love your neighbor as yourself. Love doesn't do anything wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is what fulfills the Law.   Musing In January of 2008 I...