Iraq Misson Update

As Christmas grows closer, I have received word about some of the gifts that you have shared with Iraqi families as part of the humanitarian mission of Aaron's MiTT (Military Transition Team) at KMTB in Iraq. I would like to say thanks to all of you for your support of this wonderful effort, and would like to share this message from Capt. Galus, a member of the MiTT about it all:
"We have been accumula- ting supplies from back home for many months now and all the donations were put to good use earlier this month! Thank you very much to you and all the members of your church that sent out so many wonderful donations. The school supplies were invaluable and the children at the school loved them. We were able to make small kits of school supplies, toys, and candy for 400 children at the school. The Iraqi Army helped us to assemble and sort through the supplies and then delivered them to the children. For one day at least, they were heroes in the eyes of their countrymen . . . We would of course appreciate further donations. We don't know if we will do another Humanitarian Mission before we leave, but for sure if you do pass along donations, we will be sure to pass it along to the next team so that they can continue this kind of good work that pays off for us over here in Iraq. School supplies are great and anything for children such as toys and candy. Thank you again for all your contributions. We really appreciate it and it is motivating knowing that there are so many fine Americans back home that really do care about what happens abroad with the troops and needy people of the world."

Joy to the World! The Lord is come! May you all have a blessed Christmas, and journey into 2008 as faithful disciples of Jesus Christ!

Advent Time Warp

It is the Monday after the second Sunday in Advent, and I am looking forward and backward at the same time. I am also experiencing the phenomenon that occurs every Advent and Lent, when I am planning a long series in advance--I don't know "when" I am! With all four weeks of Advent, Christmas Eve, and on into January swirling around in my mind, I am unsure what today really is! Perhaps that is helpful as I reflect on the eschatological passages in scripture that are "up" each week in the lectionary.

As a human, time-bound person, I sometimes struggle with the concept of eternity. Just how long is that? And in periods of Advent waiting, just how long do we wait for God to bring in the peaceable kingdom promised in Isaiah and the Gospels? When will the Lord return again? It's hard to be patient.

In one of C.S. Lewis' Narnia books, the lion Aslan asserts: "All times are now." Maybe that is what eternity is--the now and then and not-yet all merged into the "eternal now." Not know which week of Advent it is may just be my own silly glimpse into that reality. My question, then, is how do I live in that eternal now? I'll be pondering this as I prepare for Sunday's sermon, whichever week this happens to be!