What has been happening in Gaza makes me sick. The massacre of Palestinian people that just happened to take place over the celebration of Hanukkah should be an eye-opener for Christians in America. Wake up America! It is so easy to turn a blind eye to what is happening over there but as for me, I can’t ignore it. Hundreds of civilians, men, women, and children have been bombed in the last few days and all our government, media, and (some) churches can do is give full support for Israel rather than condemn the killing of innocent people. Over 3 million people are imprisoned in Gaza and the West Bank and are essentially being starved to death by the Israeli government and thousands have died over the last few years. This is an issue that should not be ignored.

Here is an interview of someone you most likely have not heard of. Rachel Corrie had spent some time in occupied territory and this is what she had to say:

Rachel was later murdered in 2003 by a bulldozer operator as she tried to prevent him from demolishing another Palestinian home.

It looks like we now have some new features on the blog, including picture updates from Nasa, an improved Twitter feature, and a new feature that allows us to track the number of readers we have and their locations. I really like the new features - especially the pictures from Nasa, which show us the tremendous miracle that is God's creation! Awesome work! I hear the elves will be tinkering with the main website soon :)

May this celebration of our Lord's birth be a reminder of that magnificent day in human history when God Himself stepped down from heaven and assumed human flesh, to walk among His people and make Himself known to all the nations of the Earth. May God richly bless us all as we reflect on that moment when the course of history was forever changed, and a new story was written in the midst of human striving. Today, over 2,000 years after that pivotal moment, the story of Jesus continues to unfold throughout the world, as lives are changed and transformed by the good news of His Kingdom. The next chapter in the story of God's Kingdom is being written right here in Gallatin Valley, and all across the world as men and women are drawn into the life of Christ.

May this be a day of rich blessings as we step forward in faith on this journey and proclaim to all the world the miracle of Christmas - God is with us!
-
Michael

Luke 1: 46 And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.
50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers."

What is the definition of Worship?:

I think we would all agree it's more than a specific act[s] of religious devotion. But how? What emotions are involved, or in what matter of attitude do we worship?
Christian mystic Evelyn Underhill defines worship this way:

"The adoring acknowledgment of all that lies beyond us—the glory that fills heaven and earth. It is the response that conscious beings make to their Creator, to the Eternal Reality from which they came forth; to God, however they may think of Him or recognize Him, and whether He be realized through religion, through nature, through history, through science, art, or human life and character."

I would agree totally with this definition. Worship can manifest itself in different ways:

• prayer;
• sacrifice;
• rituals;
• some forms of meditation;
• holidays, festivals;
• sacraments;
• pilgrimages;
• music or singing;
• dance;
• eating food;
• readings from sacred books;
• listening to a talk or sermon;
• the construction of temples or shrines;
• the creation of idols of the deity.
• private acts of devotion

In Christianity, check out "Christian Worship" or "Contemporay Worship" on Wikipedia. Personally I was surprised 99% of the information pertained to music, while most Christians would profess music is only one aspect of Worship, while in the same breath talk about how "Worship" (pertaining to music) was good or bad in their church.

This narrative/music liturgy will involve the whole congregation. The musicians will include the Bridger String Quartet, 2 percussionists, flute, bell choir, church choir, organ, harpsichord, harp, and piano. The music is complex, yet very worshipful.
This will be Sunday Dec 7th 7:00 at Hope Lutheran.
Directions are easy, go south on 19th, take a right at the blinking light past Grace Bible.

Hi everyone,

Just a quick update to wish everyone a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving day, and to remind the group that we will not be having a meeting tomorrow (10/26) due to the Thanksgiving holiday. I hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday surrounded by friends and family, but more importantly, I hope that we each use this day as an opportunity to remember how richly God has blessed us in Christ.

In the Book of Genesis, God blessed Abraham so that Abraham, in turn, might become a blessing to those around him. While Abraham was blessed with physical wealth and numerous offspring, the greatest blessing of all would come centuries later, when the Savior entered the world through Abraham's line. As we recount our many blessings, I pray that we will be moved by the Holy Spirit to share the abundance that God has given us, both spiritually and physically, and that this would be an opportunity for us to share the love that God has shown to us in Christ Jesus.

Be blessed,
Michael

"Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name." - 1 Chronicles 29:11-13