This isn't my daily meditation but rather something that grew out of yesterday's one. As I meditated on the idea of setting aside Advent as a deliberate time of prayer based on these four headings, I immediately started getting ideas, specifics, as to what might be prayed for each day. The attached prayer is a result of that, but please feel free to fill in other headings as seem appropriate

An all too frequent habit among us humans is that we 'write ourselves off', or, do that very same thing with other people. Simon Peter had good reason to do that after denying our Lord three times, and so too did Judas. However, Peter didn't go off and hide himself and wallow in his woes, having his own private pity party. No, he sought out his fellow believers, who could help and support him during this time of shame and self-doubt. Judas, on the other hand--equally remorseful, sought the only relief he could think of, namely ending his own life. He figured that he was too far gone even for God, for Jesus Christ. Peter knew otherwise, knew that there was nothing that would interfere with the practice of God's love (see Romans 8:38-39) and so decided to give God a chance.

The penitent thief on the cross was of the same mind. Somehow, he knew that he wasn't too far gone for God. His faith, his cry for help, was pretty dismal, but it was enough for God! God, in Jesus Christ, responded and welcomed him home.

The same goes for each of us--and indeed, for everyone else in the world. None of us is too far gone for God. What wonderful and uplifting news! Alleluia.

Today's passage and meditation touch on something that is probably woefully understated--and under-practiced--in many of us today, and that is the practice of prayer. James has much to say on the matter, but let me suggest something very practical, based on his words in today's passage. Let me suggest a particular prayer discipline for the four weeks of Advent (which begins next Sunday):

Week One (November 27 - December 3): prayer for ourselves and for help in times of trouble or difficulty (don't we all have them?);

Week Two (December 4-10): prayer for those around us, for their healing and their forgiveness;

Week Three (December 11-17): prayer for the church and for its restoration and renewal. When James speaks of people 'having wandered away from the faith'', he isn't speaking of something sudden or intentional, but a gradual, unconscious drifting away. Isn't that very thing a problem with lots of so-called Christians these days?

Week Four (December 18-24): prayer for our land and our nation, even as did Elijah for his country and its people.

Anyway, this is just a suggestion, but one that I, hopefully, will be able to adopt.

Aches and pains and various other ailments, such as colds and the flu, seem to be the common lot of most if not all of us. Misery is something that we know all too well, and so we can most definitely sympathize with the author of today's passage from the Psalms. He certainly does 'have it bad', and in the introductory phrase to this psalm, invites others--us included--to join in its words. But rather than being disheartened by all that he has and is going through, he remembers God and recalls the glorious things that God can and has done, and calls God back to this. While he himself is a mere mortal, blessed with only a short lifespan, God is not. God and His love and care are everlasting and eternal. And so, God can do far more than we usually give Him credit for. That realization is certainly awe-inspiring, heartening and encouraging, but then, just near the end, the psalmist suggests that God's intervention is even more incredible. The author of the Letter to the Hebrews suggests that several verses here, verse 25-27, are actually referring to the Messiah. That gives God's intervention and action on our parts even more scope. Wow! So, most certainly, we can have confidence in going to Him with our prayers and petitions.

Faith, that is, trust in God, and faithfulness, are two sides of the same coin. We know that God is faithful and will always keep His side of the covenant He has established with us, His people. But whether we prove faithful is another story. We may place our faith and trust in Him in word, but do we always follow up on it? We may make promises to Him but don't always keep them. Sadly, that is part of the human condition, part of who we are as flawed, fallible human beings. Fortunately, God is always there for us, always faithful, and welcomes us back at the slightest opportunity. Thanks be to God.

An interesting commonality to the previous few meditations is a focus on faith, and not simply faith as a matter of faith or even of commitment, but faith put into practice in very tangible observable ways, whether in continuing to live fully in this age or safeguarding our tongues (what we say out loud or in print) or in choosing to trust Jesus even before we see any 'results'.

An interesting commonality to the surround mediations is that of them is a focus on faith, and not simply faith as a matter of faith or even of commitment, but faith put into practice in very tangible observable ways, whether in continuing to live fully in this age or safeguarding our tongues (what we say out loud or in print) or in choosing to trust Jesus even before we see any 'results'.

Sometimes the Scriptures seem almost uncanny--and almost frightening--in their discussion of issues and problems that we still face today. In today's reading from Habakkuk, we hear of God's indictment of run-away profiteering, of abuse of persons, of despoiling the environment and of reliance upon material things rather than upon God. Just how contemporary and relevant this is! However, in this context, it is good to know that God is fully aware of all this--and all we go through--and that He is here with us to help us and to guide us. Thanks be to God.

An interesting commonality to the next few meditations is a focus on faith, and not simply faith as a matter of faith or even of commitment, but faith put into practice in very tangible observable ways, whether in continuing to live fully in this age or safeguarding our tongues (what we say out loud or in print) or in choosing to trust Jesus even before we see any 'results'.

Here we are now, partway through November, almost at the end of the church year and at the verge of Advent--which begins November 27. Advent has often been called a mini-Lent, and for good reason, as it focuses on repentance and getting prepared for the coming of Jesus Christ. Likewise, seeing as repentance, or a right frame of heart and mind, is a primary emphasis on today's Scripture reading and meditation, is perhaps a good call-up to our Advent season. I hope you enjoy it.

Just has a rather remarkable and discomforting way of calling us up short at times. Rather than simply being baptized and confirmed, rather than simply being church members and doing our part to further the work of the church, He calls us to be His disciples--that is, to learn from Him and follow Him and obey Him. And that means putting every other attachment, every other priority, to one side--and sometimes, to give them up entirely--in order to do as He says. And certainly that means being true to who we are in Him, even when all sorts of pressures and enticements would prompt us to do otherwise. Fortunately, in all this, we have His presence, and His grace, to help us.

I hope that this morning finds you safe and well and in good spirits. Our meditation for today reminds us that our loving Lord and Saviour, like the true friend that He is, never gives up on us, no matter who we are, what we do, or in what circumstances we find ourselves. To me, that is good news of the 'highest order' and one that I will forever cling to and rely upon.

Today, you will notice something rather unusual, namely two meditations, both given today's date. That is because I misread the Forward Day by Day devotional booklet for today, thinking that it was the passage from Ecclesiasticus that was chosen. Instead, it was the one from Revelation.

However, by the time I realized this error I had already spent a while meditating of that first passage. Then, afterwards, I went back to Revelation and meditating on it as well, so this time you are getting two passages 'for the price of one'. I hope you enjoy them and find them helpful and inspiring.

One other thing: yesterday in my attached note I made a mistake. When describing the stance of the Anglican Church (and others) toward the book of Ecclesiasticus, I should have said 'this book isn't counted as canonical'. Instead, I said 'is', which is incorrect.