2012 In Review (video)

What a year!



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Come Thou Long Expected Jesus...

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A Mirror in the Manger

I shared these thoughts today in the communion meditation.  They are not mine... a college professor of mine at Milligan College, Lee Magness, wrote them (found HERE).

But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons (Galatians 4:4, 5).

The scene is a sparse hill in ancient Judea, not far from Jerusalem. Nearby is a cave. Jesus wears one meager garment. Mary watches, wondering what it all means. A man stands by, not the father of Jesus, but the one who will care for her. Beneath Jesus are beams of rough wood. Above, the heavens sparkle with supernatural splendor. In the city sits Herod, pondering Jesus’ death. Jewish leaders discuss his coming. Nearby are outcasts, giving their own crude testimony. Soon the rich arrive with gifts, better for burial than for birth.

What did you picture? A birth or a death? A crèche or a cross?

The hill could be a sheep-studded hill near Bethlehem, or the hill called Golgotha. The cave could be a stable crudely cut into one of Bethlehem’s hills or a burial vault recently carved in a nearby cemetery. The garment could be swaddling clothes or a bloody, ragged loincloth.

It is Jesus of course, but is he a newborn baby or a dying man? And it is Mary, but is she sitting at a cradle comforting her baby or is she crouching, crying, and in need of comfort? Is the man Joseph the carpenter or John, who will make her a home? Are the wooden beams a manger or a cross? Are they eyeing a cold, clear star or an eclipsed sun and a blood-red moon.

The Herod could be “the Great,” who tried to kill the baby, or his son, who in a sense succeeded. The outcasts could be shepherds, kneeling on either side, or subversives, hanging on either side. The rich men could be magi who offer exorbitant gifts or Nicodemus and Joseph who offer only an empty tomb.

There’s a mirror in the manger, a birth reflecting a death. So there is no better way to celebrate Christmas than to keep Communion.

God, thank you for sending your Son, to be born, to live, to die, and to live again. We celebrate him this day and pray in his name, Amen. 

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Carol of the Bells... Crowder Style

Why We're Still Here... 12/22/12

^{Matthew 24:36
36} “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son (Jesus), but only the Father."

Jesus... and He would know if anyone would know... said that no one knows the day or the hour... not even the angels... nor Jesus himself... nor the Mayans... know of the end.  

Only God himself... and He hasn't told anyone.  

JC



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#FallingPlates - Powerful Images of the Gospel

Powerful stuff!

JC



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Where Was God... last Friday... Sandy Hook Elementary...

I shared this video on Facebook yesterday... but I thought it deserved another and potentially wider posting...





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A Different Perspective on Christmas...

Here's a bit of a different perspective on Christmas...

WARNING: You shouldn't take a sip of coffee as you start this video... you might wear it (you were warned...)!

December from 328 Stories on Vimeo.

Interesting...

Merry Christmas!

JC



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And the winner is... Michelle Savage!

So...
Last week, I posted a blog post (original post here) about my plans to run the Blue Ridge Marathon in April 2013 in Roanoke, VA.  I also posted how you could get in on the action at Blue Ridge for free.  Many did... and for me, I wanted them all to win.  Unfortunately, there could be only one winner.

After a random.org drawing, the winner is Michelle Savage from Cincinnati, Ohio (you can follow her on Twitter here).  

I thought it would be fun to Twinterview (like an interview over Twitter... nevermind) her and she agreed.  So... that will give you a bit of a chance to meet another great runner.

Enjoy!

Question 1: Tell us a little about yourself?

Answer 1: I'm a wife, mother to a little boy and avid runner :). My next feat will be to complete an ultra marathon! 

Question 2: How long have you been running? When did you start and why?

Answer 2: I've been running since 2007. I got sick of staring at the inside of the gym. So I went outside and started to run.

Question 3: What do you enjoy most about running?

Answer 3: I love that it's just me & the pavement. Nobody judging me, competing against me. Just me. Time to think, create, plan, dream.

Question 4: Random/Non-Running Question: What is you favorite Christmas movie and why?

Answer 4: The Grinch, because so many times I think the Spirit of Christmas is lost in lines & gift wrap.

Question 5: What has been your favorite marathon or half-marathon experience and why?

Answer 5: The Columbus Marathon this past October.  It was my 1st full and a great experience. I was so humbled and grateful for being able to run.

Question 6: Why do you want to run the Blue Ridge Marathon?

Answer 6: (took 2 tweets...) I was challenged by a friend and I love new opportunities to see myself grow as a runner. It will be a challenge but what better way to grow and have wonderful experiences along the way. Prove to yourself what you are made of! :) 

Great thoughts Michelle! Thanks for sharing and congratulations! 

As I said before, you can keep up with Michelle's training on her Twitter feed (HERE).  

If you entered... but didn't win... the free registration to the Blue Ridge Marathon, you can still register for the Blue Ridge Marathon (HERE).  Additionally, there are others who are running the Blue Ridge Marathon who will be offering free registrations.  As I see them posted on Twitter, I will retweet them on my feed... so keep following me.  You can also follow the hashtag #runBlueRidge for tweets from anyone running Blue Ridge! 

Keep running friends!

JC

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