Acts 2: 5Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power."
Several hours ago part of the 100 voice choir of the Long Branch Middle School offered a program of holiday music at the Rotary Club. They were led by our own Andre Baldasserini. I counted at least three languages in the songs they sang, English, Spanish and Latin. The choir themselves were composed of 6th through 8th graders of various ethnic backgrounds. And yet here they were all singing in harmony.
12/20/07
1 Kings 19: 11He said, "Go out and stand on the mountain before the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by." Now there was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; 12and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a sound of sheer silence. 13When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. Then there came a voice to him
For my devotionals this month, I have been reading about poustiniks. This is the Russian term for people who decide to spend quality time with God. Traditionally, they left their village and lived in a simple hut in the woods. While this sounds intriguing, I doubt if any of us would literally follow their example. But there are variations on this theme. The author talks about spending time in a spare room or even a large closet. The point is just to find some quiet place to stop talking and doing and running around, and simply listen to the "still, small voice" of God. When the Christmas presents are all opened and the special meals are all made and consumed this might not be the worse spiritual practice to undertake in our Lord's precious name.
12/24/07
Luke 2: 1In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3All went to their own towns to be registered. 4Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
