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h2odevos
Advent and Lenten Devos based on the music of Peter Mayer and written by Pastor Ron Glusenkamp.
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Current Episodes:
- Stars and Promises * Epiphany* January 6, 2010
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- I am becoming more and more convinced about the power and need for community. And like many things perhaps community is not so much the destination, but rather the journey. Over the past few years I have remarked that most people I know who join church come looking for a sense of community. They are hungry for a place and space where they're welcomed and accepted. However, sometimes church in its feebleness or shortsightedness offers people an opportunity to serve on a committee instead of the real deal, community. There is no doubt that sometimes community is a byproduct of being on a committee. But, there's no guarantee.
"The Christmas star, shines from afar
a herald of joy far and wide
Break out the lights Christmastide"
Ring Out The Bells by Peter Mayer
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Link- This Night Sing Joy + Christmas Eve+
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- http://www.petermayer.com/AUDIO/SPA/SingJoy.mp3
We are almost there. Thank you for making the journey this Advent. It is my hope and prayer that you’ve been able to take time to mark time to prepare for the glorious heavenly text message that proclaims,
“Joy joy joy for the child is born
This night the promise is given to you”
As you might expect the days before Christmas are quite busy. Sometimes in the midst of it all I lose my focus on what’s important, or more appropriately, “who is” important. The other day I experienced a lack of Christmas “clarity.” So, after a long day I put my laptop on my desk (I didn’t even turn on the light in the office). I just set it on the desk and went to bed. To my surprise, shock, embarrassment and ultimately, JOY, I came back in the morning to work at my desk and there was the angel JOY.
- The Adventure of Keep Walkin 122309
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- A great gift that you can give this Christmas is the gift of encouragement. The storms of life coupled with bumps along the journey can tend to add up to sums which result in discouragement. So, you can make a difference by deciding to encourage those who are making and taking strides to reach their goals. And sometimes one needs to have that same talk with oneself.
A passage which has meant a great deal to me and continues to be like a guiding star is
Jeremiah 29:11, " For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope."
Joseph had a plan, but that plan got changed when he learned that his fiancée was pregnant. He now had a new plan to put Mary away. But, God's heavenly plan collided or intersected with Joseph's plan which was built with fear, shame and worry.
- dance joy 122209
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- On Sunday night Chelsea, Jessica and McKenna danced their way into the Christmas
Overture. It was lovely, surprising and gracious. So, in the same space that the
concert took place, I officiated at a funeral on Monday. Later on today in that
same space there will be a couple get married who stand with his two sons from a
previous marriage. On Thursday evening, Christmas Eve, we will gather around the
manger and rejoice in the gift of the Christ Child who makes all things new.
We are all part of a larger dance. The rhythms might change, the steps may get switched
around, but we're in this holy hoe-down together.
- Smile Joy + Fourth Sunday of Advent 122009+
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- “Friends and dear ones from our yesterdays
Coming home to that familiar place
A sigh catches your breath then a smile for
The season of stars and promises”
Stars and Promises by Peter Mayer
We are definitely in the season of “stars and promises.” Each day draws us closer to the holy moment of the “Word becoming flesh.” It’s a time to smile and rejoice in the good news that God smiles with us and on us with grace, hope and light.
- Table Talk 121909 Saturday
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- My family and close friends know that I love the music of Peter Mayer, Bono and Sting. In fact, the word love might be an understatement. After observing me watch and listen non-stop over the past week to Sting's new dvd A Winter's Night-live from Durham Cathedral, Sue Ann used the word obsession. I confess and readily admit my deep admiration, attraction and attention for these artists who so amazingly communicate and engage folks via music. People at church are used to me quoting in sermons from that "great theologian" Bono. And of course, I "sing joy" because Peter and I have been able to collaborate together throughout the years. Tomorrow night Peter will be at Bethany in Denver. I know the Fourth Sunday of Advent is gonna be rockin'.
- GRACE, PLAY & HOPE 121809
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- "Once again the story begins
Bringing good news in the night
Ring out the bells Christmastide
Break out the lights shine them bright
Hang them from tree and from rafter
Let them burn all through the night
Light up your hearts with the laughter"
Ring Out The Bells by Peter Mayer
- The Good Book 121709 Thursday
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- The Bible is full of "text messages" for our day and age. Sometimes, people tell me they want to read the Bible more, but they don't know where to start. That's a pretty fair point. Often at the beginning of a year people decide to start reading the Bible with the first book of the Bible, namely Genesis. Usually about two weeks into it, they find themselves in the Land of Nod and jettison the project. The Psalms are a good place to start if you are wondering or wandering around for a place to begin. Just start by reading a few of them. The words might connect to you or they may not. But, hang in there, they are the songs of people who were trying to follow God's voice.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America has a daily Bible email that goes out. You can sign up for it by going to the following link:
http://www.elca.org/What-We-Believe/The-Bible.aspx
- A Song of Your Soul 121609 Wednesday
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- Wow, I just listened to this song once again. It is amazing. And what really touched
me was the notion that a mountain could be moved "by singing a song of your soul."
It takes faith to sing one's soul song, doesn't it? I mean, those cosmic bits and
pieces of light and harmony which have been garnered through blood, sweat and tears
can be so precious and spectacular. By singing one's soul song, it is obvious that
one can be vulnerable. But, at the same time it is obvious that one can be valuable
to another person who also is drawn to the light and lyric that one has to share.
- Bridge Building 121509
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- So, I need to ask myself those questions in terms of forgiveness. My conclusion
is that I have the ability to forgive, and so what keeps me at times from doing
it? Well, I must confess in certain instances it is a lack of will or perhaps a
sense of fear. Maybe I've spent so much energy on not forgiving that I'm not sure
where that energy would be channeled if redirected. It's weird, but I've probably
grown attached to the perceived pain or injury by another. And so it's time to be
about building bridges, "for everyone has need to be forgiven" including me for
my lack of forgiving.
I trust the Stars and Promises pointing to the long awaited Savior of the world
will help me re-solve any construction problems I have.
Peace and remember to sing joy
- Flow River Flow 121409 Monday
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- G.F. Handel died 250 years ago in 1759. I find it amazing and wonderful that in this year of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Darwin and the 150th anniversary of the publication of The Origin of the Species that we are still taking time and making time to celebrate Messiah. For a little taste of this amazing work, check out the Bethany College Choir, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Abcgpn2UTV8
- Rejoice 2 3rd Sunday of Advent 121309
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- 4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:4-7
- Beautiful and Bountiful 121209 Saturday
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- "Wrap it up in yesterday's newspaper
Whatever you got to give we could use as well
A most unlikely place for Christmas
In a junkyard shop to find Emmanuel
Flim Flam preacher man fix it King
Arch rival of the squeaky clean
Out of broken pieces sees a beautiful thing
That's a Junkman
For this worn out world he loved so well
With a troubled treasured story to tell
There's not much time but it's yours and mine
Before the night is through
If you've got anything left to give
This is for you"
Junkman's Christmas Eve by Peter Mayer