Tis the season of advent. Yes, I know that is not the normal phase, but it is really what is happening. "Light one candle to watch for Messiah, let the light banish darkness, he shall bring salvation to Israel, god fulfills the promise." It is advent, we are waiting for the birth of Christ.
Church was just wonderful this week. I love my home church and I wouldn't trade it for anything. The stress of school is overwhelming, but this morning I was blessed to be among wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ rejoicing together. It doesn't matter the size of your church, the age demographic or the performance--what matters is coming together praising the LORD Jesus for the right reason! Being surrounded by those that love you is more supportive than anything else in the world. And having a place where I know that I am accepted as a child of God with my own image is breath taking.
This time of year can be a hard one. The stress is overwhelming from the ending of college semesters. Work load for many is more compressed then other times. Memories are exposed from ones that are no longer in our lives. Some may be going without things they once had. But instead of dwelling on the negatives and the hardships of life, it is a wonderful time to rejoice and remember to live everyday like it is a new one. Jesus gave as a wonderful gift, the ability to life live fully.
December is such a wonderful month. I think I have decided that November and December are my favorite months. My birthday, friends birthdays, Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas... what more special can it get :). The calendar is filling up and I am more than excited to know that I will be spending my Sunday afternoons decorating the church and spreading Christmas joy with those that are home bound, while spending time with the people that mean the world to me. I plan on going to Christmas concerts, volunteering at Yokefellow, visit people and remember that I am doing what I want to do. I am blessed to know that I live in a country that has the freedom to celebrate Advent and Christmas freely and openly.
About a month ago, I learned about a mission to encourage all to wear red on Fridays to support our troops. While at first, I thought really I support troops all the time and pray about them daily. But then I got thinking.. they give their every moment to protecting others and standing up when they would rather lie down. They are the reason that we can openly and freely celebrate Advent and Christmas, so why not wear red on Fridays. In this day and year everyone knows of at least someone that has chosen to serve our country. They may be a mother or father, son or daughter, sister or brother, husband or wife. Or maybe a friend or a friend of a friend. OR maybe they are someone that is just on a prayer list, but together as brothers and sisters in Christ we all know someone that is a troop serving our country and we should support them.. I wear red on Fridays now and support troops.
Dear gracious Lord, the blessing that you have given us to wait for the birth of Christ is precious. We often push to hard to get ready for Christmas, but through you we should remember to wait and to wait for the star to show us the way. You are amazing Lord Jesus. I ask for you to watch over everyone that is dealing with anything that causes a struggle and to watch over those that are caring for them. While I wear Red on Fridays, I don't want that to be the only day I thank a solider, but instead I want to be do so as a reminder that you have chosen those to protect others like me. I pray for all those in my church that are suffering sickness, pain, turmoil, sadness, but also those that are rejoicing, praising and being who they are everyday! Lord Jesus, help me to remember to wait. To take to just wait. In your holy name, I pray, Amen.
December is such a wonderful month. I think I have decided that November and December are my favorite months. My birthday, friends birthdays, Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas... what more special can it get :). The calendar is filling up and I am more than excited to know that I will be spending my Sunday afternoons decorating the church and spreading Christmas joy with those that are home bound, while spending time with the people that mean the world to me. I plan on going to Christmas concerts, volunteering at Yokefellow, visit people and remember that I am doing what I want to do. I am blessed to know that I live in a country that has the freedom to celebrate Advent and Christmas freely and openly.
About a month ago, I learned about a mission to encourage all to wear red on Fridays to support our troops. While at first, I thought really I support troops all the time and pray about them daily. But then I got thinking.. they give their every moment to protecting others and standing up when they would rather lie down. They are the reason that we can openly and freely celebrate Advent and Christmas, so why not wear red on Fridays. In this day and year everyone knows of at least someone that has chosen to serve our country. They may be a mother or father, son or daughter, sister or brother, husband or wife. Or maybe a friend or a friend of a friend. OR maybe they are someone that is just on a prayer list, but together as brothers and sisters in Christ we all know someone that is a troop serving our country and we should support them.. I wear red on Fridays now and support troops.
Dear gracious Lord, the blessing that you have given us to wait for the birth of Christ is precious. We often push to hard to get ready for Christmas, but through you we should remember to wait and to wait for the star to show us the way. You are amazing Lord Jesus. I ask for you to watch over everyone that is dealing with anything that causes a struggle and to watch over those that are caring for them. While I wear Red on Fridays, I don't want that to be the only day I thank a solider, but instead I want to be do so as a reminder that you have chosen those to protect others like me. I pray for all those in my church that are suffering sickness, pain, turmoil, sadness, but also those that are rejoicing, praising and being who they are everyday! Lord Jesus, help me to remember to wait. To take to just wait. In your holy name, I pray, Amen.
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