Advent 2

Again, I share the heartfelt thoughts of my friend, Trudy Parker.

December 5, 2021, Sunday, Week 2, Day 1, Second Lavender Candle

Faith: Bethlehem

Up close and personal: prior chapters in my life have been dragged into my present: some pleasant, some not so. During last week’s read, I pulled the scriptures from a Life Recovery Bible – my gift to me in 1993 while attending a weekly communion and worship service. There was something raw, brutal and honest about those attending that drew me. I was also drawn to the liturgical ceremony and psalters used; polar opposite of my childhood background. It was also the first time I heard “Arms of Love” as sung by Loren Hartman, strummed the strings of my soul and became one of my soothing songs in times of trouble and personal worship through the years. It was sung at our 2005 wedding.

Thinking that “we came to believe” in anything describes a process, which includes consider, doubt, reason and conclusion. In my own experience, and I am reminded again, pretty much understand what doesn’t work. Life’s condition: I realize I don’t have enough power to overcome my dependencies.

When we are quiet enough to listen, we hear that still small voice inside us, “There is a God, and he is extremely powerful.”

“For the truth about God is known to all instinctively; God has put this knowledge in our hearts.” (Romans 1: 19). Recognizing my internal weaknesses again and then looking beyond myself; I see others who struggle and recover. I get that they were unable to heal themselves, yet live free of their addictive behaviors.

Join me again this week in getting quiet, self-reflect and lift your head to the one whose promises are never broken: our Abba Daddy: Hebrews 4:9; Joshua 21:44, Exodus 19:4. I love these!

Reflect on the time, surroundings, and place of Jesus’ birth.

Sunday: Tonight’s light will be twice as bright with both the Prophecy and the Faith candles lit

I Samuel 16:1-3
Matthew 2:6-12
Luke 1:39-53, 57,80

Monday 12/6:
Some don’t believe without seeing; let our faith grow realizing the thing He desires is simply to let Him love us.

1 Peter 1:6-9
John 3:12
Ephesians 3:17, 18

Tuesday 12/7: “The unexpected”
Living the awareness that we dwell beyond the grave, beyond the farthest star, hid with Christ in the arms of God, in the center of His overwhelming love as we journey through life. He gave all. Take the time and search this touching story: The Gift of the Magi.

John 3:16

Wednesday 12/8: “The real pilgrimage is in the heart.”

Isaiah 9:2, 6-7

Thursday 12/9:
Faith is the dependence of a new baby.

Psalm 78:1-8

Friday 12/10: Traditions:

Psalm 117

Saturday 12:11:

Mark 10:15
Hebrews 13:8
Hebrews 12: 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author of and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before him (since the beginning of time) endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sits at the right hand of God, forever interceding.

Expect some chaos this season.