I called 2002 the year of balance because the numbers look like a weightlifter's barbell. Of course that had nothing to do with it's content of history. Yet I do see a fuller religious awareness as we've learned so much more about Islam, which will soon be the world's largest faith unless Christians become more evangelistic. Oh that the death of those three missionaries in Yemen yesterday could trigger such a revitalization in all branches of the Lord's church. And knowing about Judaism or Islam is the starting place as I see it. We hear now of Ramadan in the news each year in November. It's a month of fasting for devout Muslims, who celebrate things mentioned in their Koran (especially it's claim of Muhammad making a over night journey to Jerusalem and clear on up to the Allah in the seventh heaven).Then usually in December we've heard of Hanukkah (which celebrates with lighted eight candle menorahs all those nights a single one burned continuously in the Hebrew temple). Most recent is Kwansaa, begun in 1966 based in part on traditional African harvest festivals but particularly emphasizing the role of the family and community in African American culture with each day dedicated to a particular principle (unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith). Like the menorah, a candle is lighted each day on the candelabrum starting Dec.26th. So we keep gaining more balance in our understanding of others. But the religion of this new Realian movement based on cloning to achieve eternal life provokes my hostility. That 31 year old American named Bridgett somebody or other claims to have mothered a clone. If it's only an extension of herself, does it have a soul of it's own? The former sportscaster who is telling her extra-terrestrials have revealed to him the origin of human life is no priest or prophet. But she admits he's saying what she had already figured out. So that cloned child will be eventually cloned for on and on? Notoriety yes, but not immortality. If she shows us a child, let the DNA prove it's her exact duplicate, I say. Should she really have a clone, let's hope the babies hair doesn't look striped like her's, red and gray. Taking a look at Christmas for Christians, we often heave a sigh of relief when the big day is past. Yet traditionally there are twelve days in the season which only begins on Dec.25. When I first went into the ministry, few Methodists knew that. But we gradually began to follow liturgy in our worship with the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Epiphany, Lent, Eastertide and Kingdomtide. Each had a special color and the color of Advent is purple, which doesn't fit the Christmas red and green. Advent hymns were supposed to be about looking for Christ's coming instead of His birth. But popular demand was for carols and we sang them. So that liturgical season was swallowed up by Christmas. Thus I came to feel that the "Twelve Days of Christmas" actually began Dec.13th, liturgical calendar or not. Now we face a new year and there's one resolution I've stuck with for 2002, so here it is again for 2003: read something from the Bible every day. It doesn't have to be according to any schedule. Just open the Book and take a look. There's inspiration in every page, though continuity helps. But we get so absorbed in TV, newspapers or other distractions that we miss out on it far too much. Shortly after inauguration, when president Bush was asked how he began each day he said "I read some Scripture." That's the book on which he laid his hand to take office too. If a man as busy as our president can take the time, so can all of us Americans. The printing press was invented just a few years before the Protestant Reformation began in 1517 and churches throughout Germany and elsewhere established schools for teaching the citizens to read. It was so they could consult their own Bibles. Before that there were only hand written copies of Scripture which were read by priests at worship to illiterate worshippers. The reason we're mostly literate now was accomplished so that we could know the holy book. Paul commended young Timothy: "from a child thou hast known the Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation." Sad to say, our public schools no longer give heed to such a standard. But each believer must do it for self and for family. My dad read the Bible to us and I did to my kids. And I hope they do also. ANGELFIRE extra 1-01-09 Sticking to Bible reading has been joined by my seat belt rule. Can't go in the car without it and can't go into the day without consulting the Book. Both hold me in place despite circumstances. Most often I just open the nearest Bible at a place that suites my sense of balance. I can't recall ever getting any that was pointless to me, though some I skimmed over to get to more interesting Scripture. It doesn't work as superstition because the Holy Spirit leads in each choice. Often I'm amazed at how apt the text turns out to be. Other books have gained my attention, but I lay them aside for each morning's reading. Right now "3:16: The Numbers of Hope" is a Christbirth gift I received and I'm half way through it. Sure is well written and inspiring, but not as basic and the Book of books. My son up at Tulsa who belongs to AA says he reads their Big Book faithfully every day. I tell him "Son that's ok, but read your Bible too." Wish he'd read it first but didn't make that stipulation since I am thankful for how AA has helped him. He has a wife and two kids and without their help (or the Lord's through them) it would all have fallen apart. So praise the LORD for His Biggest Book. SoLong/Shalom, JosephA