Bill Teague’s lpc e-pistle

Auld Lang Syne
 
Guy Lombardo made the tune a New Year's tradition for two generations. 
 
The old Robert Burns poem asks the question rhetorically, "Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind?"  The answer is "no."  We should remember old acquaintances and bring them to mind from time to time. 
 
What and who made your acquaintance in 2008?  This past Sunday Psalm 126 and some of you helped us take stock of our old-year acquaintances.  We heard about how some of us made the acquaintance of new family members (babies born and brides or grooms welcomed).  Some got to know success and opportunity while others met job loss and discouragement.  Some became familiar with new places and others rediscovered old loves.  Continue Reading »

Jesus in the Details
 
Last December the results of a poll taken in the U.K. revealed that only 12% of adults in Britain have a detailed knowledge of the Christmas story – and that the figure drops to 7% for those in 18-24 age range.  Culture warriors will hear the results as one more call to take up arms and drive the heathen from the schoolrooms and courthouses of our land – after all, the British are usually just a few years ahead of us when it comes to such things.  Continue Reading »

Not My How and When
 
C.S. Lewis refused to read a daily newspaper saying it was a waste of time.  He said that he heard all the news of the day at the pub each evening and if something of lasting importance happened, someone would write a book about it and he might consider reading it.  Lewis, of course, was keenly interested in the world around him and his critique of modern culture in his classic The Abolition of Man is still widely quoted for its amazing insight.  He just didn’t waste time with the newspaper. Continue Reading »

Christmas Gifts with a Theological Twist
 
I am infamous in our family for being the only member who refuses to come up with any kind of Christmas wish list.  I’m sure a good therapist could ferret it out, but for some reason I just don’t pay much attention to the whole gift side of Christmas.  And, frankly, I’m also a lousy gift-giver, and that’s really not such a good thing.
 
That being said, I have some suggestions for your gift-giving this season. Continue Reading »