The first thing to accept is, ever and again this reality of an enduring Advent. If we do that, we shall begin to realize that the borderline between “before Christ” and “after Christ” does not run through historical time, in an outward sense, and cannot be drawn on any map; it runs through our hearts. Insofar as we are living on a basis of selfishness, egoism, then even today we are “before Christ.” But in this time of Advent, let us ask the Lord to grant that we may live less and less “before Christ,” and certainly not “after Christ” but truly with Christ and in Christ; with Him who is indeed Christ yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). Amen. (What it Means to Be a Christian, by Joseph Ratzinger, page 40)

Although I can’t say I am a big fan of English musician Joe Jackson (as a matter of fact I had never heard of him until this week), he has written an interesting article about the science and politics behind tobacco which was reprinted in the Winter 2007 issue of Cigar Magazine. Jackson makes some downright silly logical errors in his argument and as is typical in today’s culture he takes shots at evangelical Christians all the while supporting the rights of everyone else. Still, the article has some very interesting data in it, and presents a case that is strangely parallel to the issues that surround the debate over firearms and their place in society. You can download the rather lengthy article (including source information) from Joe Jackson’s website.

Micah 7:8-9 is a picture of what you say to your enemy when he scoffs at your defeat…[it] is what victory looks like the morning after failure…”When I fall, I shall rise.” Yes, I have fallen. I hate what I have done. I grieve at the dishonor a I have brought on my King. But hear this, O my enemy, I will rise. I will rise.
“When I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me.” Yes, I am sitting in darkness. I feel miserable. I feel guilty. I am guilty. But that is not all that is true about me and my God. The same God who makes my darkness is a sustaining light to me in this very darkness. He will not forsake me.
“I will bear the indignation of the Lord because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my cause and executes judgment for me.” O yes, my enemy, this much truth you say: I have sinned. I am bearing the indignation of the Lord. But that is where your truth stops and my theology begins. He-the very one who is indignant with me-will plead my cause…My God, whose Son’s life is my righteousness and whose Son’s death is my punishment, will execute judgment for me. For me! And not against me.
“He will bring me out to the light; I shall look upon His vindication.”…this I know for sure…God will bring me out to the light, and I will look upon His righteousness, my Lord and my God.

Taken From “Gustsy Guilt” As Adapted From A Sermon Given By John Piper At Passion ‘07 In The October 2007 Issue Of Christianity Today.

Police arrested 30-year-old gravedigger Keith Chartrand on June 20, charging him with removing a body from a grave. Chartrand, who planned to use the stolen skull as an ashtray and to craft a femur into a pipe, claimed he got the bones from a casket that accidentally broke open while he was digging.

Taken From The Winter 2007 Issue Of Cigar Magazine