Advent 2010-#4

Candle of Peace

Isaiah 9:6-7 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.

Luke 1:78b-79 ..by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”

Luke 2:27b-32 When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

Peace is such a wonderful yet elusive thing for folks today. We tend to look at the chaos surrounding us and ask “Is this the best it will be?” Even our health sometimes fails us and we can’t even escape the turmoil living in our own bodies.

The Bible tells us that at the perfect place and time a baby was born in the midst of a situation that did not lend itself to calmness and security. Yet, this newborn was the one who was to be known as the “Prince of Peace.”

Today we know Him as Jesus. The one who is trustworthy and faithful. In a world of empty promises he stands by His word. It seems almost too easy to think peace is available in one person. Shouldn’t we have to work harder for it? The answer is a profound “No.”

All that is required is to follow. The gospel of Luke tells us that Jesus will “guide our feet into the way of peace.” Why follow anyone else?

This advent season let us follow not the hectic pace that people tell us to follow. Rather let us follow a Prince, the Prince of Peace.

Prayer:

Dearest Father,

Praying for peace is like asking to be fed when the food is right in front of us. You are the Prince of Peace. You are our Savior and Lord. In You we have nothing to fear. Help us to ignore the fear that creeps into our lives so that we may experience more of Your peace. Lead us to the place where we may listen, wait, and enjoy the peace that passes all understanding. Thank you Father for Your constant love and watch care over us.

In Your Precious name we pray,

Amen

Advent 2010-#3

Candle of Joy

Isaiah 35:10

Luke 19:37-38

Isaiah 35:10 “..and those the LORD has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Luke 19:37-38 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

Joy. In today’s world joy is one commodity that seems to be lacking. There is a plethora of depression, disease, and crisis all around us. People are craving relief from the busyness. Boring monotony has numbed society into thinking this is normal and there is no other way.

Then, like a holy cry of celebration, joy disrupts the monotony. Joy crashes through the headaches and stress. It cuts through the depressing thoughts to bring hope.

This is what the birth of Jesus brings us. Joy. We are so fortunate to live in the current time. We can look back and see the life-changing pattern Jesus has caused through this thing called joy. Jesus, the Savior of the world, does what no one else can. He can bring joy even when joy doesn’t make sense.

This advent season let us celebrate as never before. Let us spread joy as only His church can. Let us be exactly who Jesus tells us we are. People of Joy!

Prayer:

Dear Creator and Lover of My Soul,

Thank you for this precious season of the year. As Creator, You loved and gave us the greatest gift of all! Through the birth of Jesus, You gave us love, grace, mercy and peace! Through this gift of love, Jesus, the Savior, comes and gives us what we don’t deserve. And to top it off, He gives us joy even in this crazy world and our messed up lives – Thank You! Thank You! Your joy runs over in our lives as we see the love gift of Jesus. We love You and praise You. Amen.

this day

I will never forget this day. Rather, I will never forget this date. December 13, 2003 the most amazing woman in the world became my wife. There is so much about that day I will never forget. How I got choked up during the vows.

How beautiful she looked in her wedding dress.

How we got out of town on our way to the honeymoon just before an ice storm hit.

The last seven years have been more than worth it. We now have two kids. Two dogs. A mortgage. A minivan.

Sometimes I look in the mirror and I have to laugh and asked "when did you become an adult?"

I wouldn't trade the last seven years for anything. I can't wait to see what's next.

Today Allison had to go to work. Working for hospice provides many moments people will never forget. Today she told a family that their loved one would likely die within the next six months.

I'm sure they will never forget this day either. I'm sure they will never forget this Christmas.

Sometimes we remember because we want to.

Sometimes we remember because we can't forget.

Sometimes we remember because of the lessons we learn.

Sometimes we remember because we just can't help it.

Even though I can't remember every single day that I have lived I do remember people that God has used throughout my life to impact me in an empowering way.

My prayer today is that I may walk in a manner so that one day, maybe a day someone will never forget, they will remember me and think, "wow, he helped me walked a little closer to Jesus."

Advent 2010-#2

Here's the Advent devotion from yesterday's service...the prayer for this one was written by Troy Henderson.

Candle of The Way

Matthew 3:1-2

John 14:6

Matthew 3:1-2 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

John 14:6 Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Everyone has been lost at some point. You don’t know where you are much less which direction to take. The hopelessness can lead to panic. Then panic can lead to decisions that are inappropriate at best.

There are lost and dying people around us all the time. People who not only know what it’s like to be lost but have convinced themselves that this is as good as it gets. “Surely if there is a God He’s too busy to bother with someone like me.” But that is exactly what Jesus did. He not only provided a way and direction out of a dark existence but allowed himself to be that “way.” To be “the” way. With Jesus there is always a way. With Jesus there is always a direction. With Jesus the lost can be found. Jesus is the way and that is a reason to celebrate.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for being our way. Thank you for taking us from the darkness. As we go throughout our days may we realize who you are and what you have done. May our eyes be set upon you and on the way you want us to travel. Thank you Lord for your love and grace. Thank you for opening our eyes to the way.

Advent 2010-#1

I know this is a little late but here is the Advent Devotion that I wrote for the first Sunday of Advent this year.

Candle of Prophecy & Hope

Isaiah 60:1-3

Matthew 24:44

Isaiah 60:1-3 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.

Matthew 24:44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

Darkness. No one likes it. Darkness denotes separation, aloneness, hopelessness. Darkness doesn’t mean no one else is present. It just means you can’t see them. You are not aware of who is around you.

How many days have we stumbled through completely unaware of who is around us? How many times have we conducted ourselves as if we are the only ones who exist or at least the only ones who matter? Fumbling through a darkness that is self imposed succeeds only at making us look clumsy.

Jesus is the light that was prophesied about, fulfilled that prophesy, and made everyone acutely aware of who is around. Jesus is the antithesis of darkness. In Christ we not only have his everlasting presence but access to a community, a family that we could not make happen on our own. As a part of this community we have the privilege of letting our light shine like a beacon of hope making everyone in darkness intensely aware. You are not alone.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

You display Your existence to us every day. Even when we do not pay attention You continue to surround us. You show us Your love. Help us to not take You for granted. Open our minds so we can have the pure faith of children. Keep us from being skeptical and cynical. Your love is before us. We are Your children, Lord. Thank you for being our hope.

In Your gracious name we pray,

AMEN

Cool Poem

Here's a poem by Anne Jackson that I thought was really cool. Check out more of her stuff here.

As we spin with the world
Rotating among
The stars and particles
Swirling around us
Tides ebbing and flowing
The moon and the sun rising
We must command
Ourselves
To simply stop.
To simply be.

Breathe in the air
Not polluted by hurry
And breathe out the spirit
Of mercy and peace

(Anne Jackson, February 2010)