The Ghost of Christmas Present: A Journey Into Joy

In Blessing, Christmas, Consumption, Contemplation, Culture, Formation, Purpose and Meaning by BizgaineyLeave a Comment

The Ghost of Christmas Present: A Journey Into Joy

From the prison to the poor-house, Scrooge discovers what life requires of us who have been given so much.  He also learns what life exacts from others when we hoard our resources and live from a place of scarcity rather than abundance.

The opening scene of Stave Three introduces us to the Ghost of Christmas Present.  Dickens invites the reader to imagine a lavish feast at a King’s table. A table overflowing with bounty and abundance.

Upon entering the room, Scrooge …
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The Ghost of Christmas Past: Wanting to Extinguish What Must Be Explored

In Advent, Blessing, Brokenness, Christmas, Imagination by BizgaineyLeave a Comment

The Ghost of Christmas Past: Wanting to Extinguish What Must Be Explored

Everything about the Ghost of Christmas Past is exceptional.

Everything.

While televised renditions attempt to capture its essence, all of them fail – some miserably so.

But, of course, how could they not?

The Ghost that Haunts Us All

Dickens imagines a complex and contradictory apparition.  Conveying the essence of the Ghost of Christmas Past is like trying to describe an ancient, angelic being.  The kind of being lodged in the bowels of Apocalyptic books like Daniel or …
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According to Dabo Swinney, Love Wins!

In Blessing, Christian Leadership, Culture, Football, Formation, Social Imaginary by BizgaineyLeave a Comment

According to Dabo Swinney, Love Wins!

That’s right!  Head coach of the newly crowned national champion Clemson Tigers, told the nation, after having previously telling his team – repeatedly – that it’s love that wins!

For Dabo, love was the key to the final – and classic – moments of the championship game.

A game the Tigers won as time ran out.

In his own words,…
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Imagining Heaven: The Day Without Night

In Blessing, Death and Dying, Desire, Heaven, Imagination, The Parade of Nations by Bizgainey1 Comment

Year in and year out, I have one post that gets more attention than all the other ones.   It’s one a wrote nearly three years ago.  The piece is a vision of heaven, the hereafter, and the moments in between.  It’s designed to give hope to those who go to rest in the arm of the Lord.

This year, as in the previous two, this will be my last post of the year.  I pray it will bring you hope!…
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A Daily Prayer for Peace: Haunt Me With Your Holiness

In Advent, Blessing, Christmas, Prayer, Spiritual Formation by BizgaineyLeave a Comment

Overwhelmed this last week of the Advent Season? Unprepared for the mad dash this week may become?

Perhaps this prayer, prayed daily, might help you ‘clear he mechanism’ and celebrate He who is worthy of celebration every season, all year-long!

A PRAYER TO RECAPTURE THE HAUNTING HOLINESS OF ADVENT

Dear Father,

May this season, often flattened and frenetic, bound by a life with little room for you,

expand to receive the haunting presence of your holy love: the beauty of your glory revealed!

Haunt me with a sense of your …
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