Christmas Break & New Years Promises
We arrived in my hometown, Rainy River, ON this evening to begin our long awaited Christmas break. My brother & sister-in-law will be joining us in due course, bringing the Ricci clan together for Christmas for the first time in a few years. We are really looking forward to it.
When we get back after the New Year begins, we will be going directly into our Discipleship Training School (DTS) which will keep us pretty tied up for several months. Given all the stress of the last few weeks, I have decided to take a break from blogging until the holidays are over.
That being said, I want to spend some of this time off developing ideas for the coming year. I believe 2007 will be an important year for me, so I hope that will be reflected in my blog. Here are some of the things you can expect:
-Lost In The Barrens chapter exploration: Once a week, I want to explore a topic that will be covered in a chapter of my new book, getting your input, feedback and even critique. Some of the topics will include sexuality, ecology, Scripture, gender roles, the so-called “para-church” and much more (for a complete list, See Here).
-Personal Life Processing: I truly believe that God is bringing me through one of the more crucial stages in my personal and missional formation. It is my intention to try and share with you how that process is going. This is not an attempt to be self-serving, but rather that so often we feel alone in these times because we do not share with each other. It will be a stretch for me, but I’ll do my best.
-Discipleship Training School: For a few months of the year, at least, I will be engaged in co-leading our DTS. I truly believe in this program, so I thought I would share some of experiences each week to give you an idea of what it is we do.
-Friday Art Reflection: I started this at random, but it has drawn some of the best conversations (this years winner being the post on nudity in art). I will endeavour to keep it fresh, but you input is welcome (and needed).
-Readers Choice: I would love to hear from all of you what you would like to see here. Share in the comment section now or anytime throughout the year. I am not an expert missionary nor a Bible answer guy nor a wise sage, but I’ll tackle nearly any topic you want, so long as you’ll join me in the journey. So have at it!
As you enter into the last days of this Advent season, consider the beauty and power of Christ’s first coming and consider with hope and purpose His second. God bless!
Emerging Church, Missional, New Year, Christmas
Thank you, Jamie, for your willingness to share all of this- however often you write, your posts will be eagerly awaited. You do actually have wisdom that the church sorely needs, and the desire to live a life reflective of God’s generosity that overflows, which actually calls people to be a part.
Do have a wonderful and restful time with your family, without plumbing problems!
Jesus is born- and everything is different now…
Dana
Dana,
Thank you for your affirmation. It means a great deal to me. May you Christmas be filled with the hope and wonder of the incarnation!
Peace,
Jamie
Peace and joy to you, Kim and your clan in this holy season. May God’s grace overwhelm you.
Peace,
Norm
Thanks Norm! A blessing to you and yours this season as well!
Peace,
Jamie
Jamie, I’ve been blessed a number of times reading your blog and it is great to see the way it has developed. For me, your Art reflections have been a highlight.
Hope you have a really wonderful Christmas!
f.
Fernando,
Thanks for the encouragement. I have begun to make a list of some art reflection topics, but I still need some suggestions. Care at add a few?
Peace,
Jamie
Jamie,
Merry Christmas. Have a wonderful time with your family. I really look forward to what you will be sharing with us in the coming year.
I’ve only been participating in the emerging and missional conversations for about a year now, and you’ve had a real impact in my life in the past year, forcing me to think about the way I look at things and process them.
Thanks
John,
Thanks so much. I appreciate your honest and gracious interaction with the emerging church conversation, both here and at other blogs.
Peace,
Jamie
Merry Christmas!
To you too, Steve! Blessings!
Peace,
Jamie
Just dropping by my “blog friends” to say Merry Christmas and thanks for blogging!
FTM
ftm,
Thanks & Merry Christmas to you!
Peace,
Jamie
Jamie: Looking forward to another year of rich reading at (e)mergent Voyageurs. Praying that you will have a peaceful Christmas season and a spiritually fulfilled 2007 as you continue the journey.
Hey Rick,
I look forward to the same over at Blind Beggar! Peace to you and yours!
Blessings,
Jamie
Merry Christmas, Jamie. Praying that this will be a year of peace and clarity for you guys.
Cindy,
Thanks for that. May you and yours also experience the peace and direction that God has for you all.
Blessings,
Jamie