So the last few days have been a blessing of family, friends and fellowship. It has been a true celebration of the season and I am glad that Christ’s birht can bring such fellowship in our secular age.

 

Of course i personally feel as though I have gained 397 and 1/4 pounds in the past couple of weeks. Gluttony has been a dominant sin in my life lately and I am paying for it now.

 

The other night we were over at Angie and Wes’s for a fantastic dinner and a little after dinner Call of Duty. Woo hoo. Yesterday we really needed to stay home for New Year’s Eve as is our tradition. Last week the Magi came over and a little Fallout was had. Our friends Ben and Megan came over and we celebrated with them and watched an episode of 3rd Rock from the Sun. They got us the entire season one for Christmas. So much fun. Megan also pointed out to me another group that is reminiscent of Ida Maria – it is the New York band the Yeah, Yeah, Yeahs – so far – I like them a lot.

 

Today we were over at our friends Loni and Jim’s and family for a casual afternoon hanging out and a fantastic meal in the evening. Whew. What a blessing is our community. Now I am not feeling well and going to bed right after this post so I can be rested up to finish my sermon for Sunday. Loni introduced me to a new author who I think I will greatly appreciate – Timothy Keller. I ordered two of his books this evening and will keep you posted. The books I ordered were The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism; and The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith.

 

Final Thought: Speaking of Ida Maria, her song Stella has an interesting scenario in which God offers to give the world to an old prostitute if she will spend the evening with him in conversation. In the course of the lyrics she sings:

 

And It made me realise
how much you wanna give away just to feel love
And the Lord blinked to me and asked
what is real love to you
what is fake and what is true

 

Of course the song is far from being a sacred song but as is usual with art you find glimpses of great wisdom. How much are people willing to give in order to feel love? Perhaps everything? How much was God willing to give so that we might share in His love? He gave Himself? How much are we willing to give back in response?