Seth Haines's Blog, page 28

Advent: Day 13

Each Advent, I commit to reading the daily lectionary, the Bible readings that prepare our hearts for thecelebration of Christ’s coming. This year, I’m writing a brief reflection on these readings each weekday. It’s Advent, day thirteen.

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Readings: Isaiah 7:10-25; 2 Thessalonians 2:13-3:5; Luke 22:14-30

We are betrayers. We are partakers. We are everything in between. Remember, remember, remember.

Then he took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them,...

Advent: Day 12

Each Advent, I commit to reading the daily lectionary, the Bible readings that prepare our hearts for thecelebration of Christ’s coming. This year, I’m writing a brief reflection on these readings each weekday. (Apologies for missing yesterday; I was on the road.) It’s Advent, day twelve.

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Readings: Isaiah 7:1-9; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; Luke 22:1-13

I always find it odd when the Advent readings take a turn into the passion narrative. Advent–isn’t this the season of preparation for the swee...

Advent: Day 10

Each Advent, I commit to reading the daily lectionary, the Bible readings that prepare our hearts for thecelebration of Christ’s coming. This year, I’m writing a brief reflection on these readings each weekday. It’s Advent, day ten.

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Readings: Isaiah 5:13-17, 24-25; 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28; Luke 21:29-38

The world wobbles on its axis this time of year, what with the weight of the season bearing down. The commercial Christmas season comes with its material, and eggnog, and all its pomp and...

Advent: Day 9

Each Advent, I commit to reading the daily lectionary, the Bible readings that prepare our hearts for thecelebration of Christ’s coming. This year, I’m writing a brief reflection on these readings each weekday. It’s Advent, day nine.

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Readings: Isaiah 5:8-12, 18-23; 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11; Luke 21:20-28

Sin and consequences–don’t the two seem a natural pair? The preacher reminds us there are consequences for sin. Your momma told you there were consequences for sin. The horror movies of the...

Advent: Day 6

Each Advent, I commit to reading the daily lectionary, the Bible readings that prepare our hearts for thecelebration of Christ’s coming. This year, I’m writing a brief reflection on these readings each weekday. It’s Advent, day six.

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Readings: Isaiah 3:8-15; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12; Luke 20:41-21:4

Recall yesterday’s reading fromIsaiah?Remember how the prophet wrote that all of humanity’s silver and golden gods would be left to the rodents on the day of the King’s return? Silver, gold, weal...

Advent: Day 5

Each Advent, I commit to reading the daily lectionary, the Bible readings that prepare our hearts for thecelebration of Christ’s coming. This year, I’m writing a brief reflection on these readings. It’s Advent, day three.

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Readings: Isaiah 2:12-22; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13; Luke 20:27-40

It’s a season of preparation, and what season of preparation would be complete without actual preparation? And by preparation,I do not mean the hanging of the stockings, the wrapping of presents, or the soak...

Advent: Day 4

Each Advent, I commit to reading the daily lectionary, the Bible readings that prepare our hearts for thecelebration of Christ’s coming. This year, I’m writing a brief reflection on these readings. It’s Advent, day three.

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Readings: Isaiah 49:1-6; 1 Corinthians 4:1-16; Isaiah 55:1-5; John 1:35-42

This morning’s readings are a gripping lot. From the sword-tongued servant in Isaiah to the come-and-see admonition of Jesus, these passages are full ofponder-worthy scriptures. And yet, despite a...

Advent: Day 3

Each Advent, I commit to reading the daily lectionary, the Bible readings that prepare our hearts for thecelebration of Christ’s coming. This year, I intended to write a brief reflection each day, but times being what they are, I’m a bit a behind. So let’s begin here: it’s Advent, day three.

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Readings:Isaiah 1:21-31; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12; Luke 20:9-18

The double helix of humanity is dotted with certain codes. Some carry the coding for blond hair or black skin. Some carry the coding for b...

An Antidote to the Noise: Thanksgiving

I’ve written a good bit on the noise that’s cluttered mymind over the last few weeks. The news, the false news, the social media feeds, and the innumerable op-eds have wormed their way into my inner ear and have disrupted my sense of balance.

Thanks a lot, American Politics.

In the last week, though, I’ve tried a new practice to quiet the mind–prayers of thanksgiving. I’ve found that when I practice gratitude and thanksgiving in prayer, gratefulness crowds out any lingering worry, fear, or di...

Silence and Slunger

In this month’s first Tiny Letter (my bi-monthly newsletter), I’m exploring silence. Sign up here to read more.

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On an average Tuesday morning, I woke before the rest of the house. In my office, lights off, only the crickets chirping, I tried my best to find a quiet space. Still and sitting in the overstuffed chair, I focused on my breathing and began sinking into something likemeditation. It was a short sinking, and only seconds in, the voices of all the people in all the world on all the...