Dear Reader:

I turned to today’s meditation in Quinn Caldwell’s Book – All I Want for Christmas and it was about becoming an ” instigator “-today that term is so negatively associated with the term – terrorist -that I was initially taken back… slightly repelled.

But I should have known the quick-witted theologian was playing a word game with us. Caldwell reflected: ” I had this one poor teacher in elementary school who would jab a finger into a student’s chest and utter the worst thing she could call you…Instigator…which, in her mind was the culprit who got all the bullies and trouble makers to ruin her life ( sending her running to the teachers lounge for a lot of furiously smoked cigarettes!)

After Jesus’ death and resurrection, the apostles immediately were also targeted as ” instigators.” The apostles could whip up an angry mob pretty quickly. Acts 5:31 states ” God has exalted Jesus to his right side as leader and savior to change Israel’s heart.” ( leader meaning instigator. )

Caldwell then gives us a mid-Advent assignment. Stop the card and gift buying-instead… ” Call somebody up to to help instigate something “AWESOME!”

Write letters to our soldiers, cards to Amnesty International, carol at strangers’ homes, honk if you love the Prince of Peace signs on a busy street corner. Jesus’ arrival sure caused a ruckus… so should we!

So until tomorrow… ( love Quinn Caldwell’s prayer) ” God grant me the grace not to just shake up the world on your behalf, but to get people around me to do it too. And bless Miss You Know Who; after all those years teaching us, she needs it. Amen. ”

Today is my favorite day-Winnie the Pooh

Pam Stewart visited yesterday bringing me an Advent Hope Jar from church.

Walsh and Mollie are working hard preparing for the family celebration Christmas Eve!