The author reflects on Advent as an invitation rather than a command, contrasting their earlier beliefs about religious duties with a more profound understanding of God's nature. Advent represents a chance to receive gifts of Hope, Joy, Love, and Peace, emphasizing patience and personal readiness in accepting these invitations without fear of punishment.
Tag: trust God
Advent Joy
The content reflects on finding joy during the Advent season, especially for those feeling disconnected from it. It shares that even in pain, disappointment, and waiting, one can discover joy by being honest about feelings and recognizing God's presence. The narrative encourages embracing life's complexities and looking for joy amidst struggles, just as reflected in the stories of Elizabeth and Mary.
Advent of Peace: Returning to Elizabeth’s Story
Find yourself struggling with finding peace this Advent season? Join me as we uncover the One who can take all our worries and hand us His peace.
Advent of Hope: The Story of Elizabeth
Growing up Southern Baptist, I never understood advent. To be honest, it’s still something I wrestle with. I want it to mean something to me and feel guilty that it doesn’t. There seems to be a perpetual whisper that as a Christian, I’m missing out on something because it just doesn’t, but being honest, it’s… Continue reading Advent of Hope: The Story of Elizabeth
But God Was With Me…
In the days of COVID-19, this story comes to mind. Like Gideon, you probably feel as though your only option is to hide and to store for yourself whatever provisions you can. Like Gideon, you may feel overwhelmed, disillusioned, hopeless that you can do anything to change the situation.
Disappointment
Disappointment. Maybe for you, it’s a perpetual feeling of being lost, frustrated, empty..but at the core it’s a constant feeling of overwhelming disappointment. Life doesn’t resemble anything like you had envisioned. Your marriage isn’t the close, happy one that others seem to experience. You trusted God; prayed to God-over and over and you heard nothing.… Continue reading Disappointment
I Love You in Pieces
I’m guessing the expression, “I love you to pieces” sounds vaguely familiar. Over the last few days of this journey, I feel God impressing upon me a bit different take to this familiar saying. Rather than God loving me to pieces, He loves me IN pieces. At various points in my life, God has given me a vision… Continue reading I Love You in Pieces
Thank You, God
On Monday, when Chris was still in rehab, and I was worried about the logistics of him coming home in a matter of days, I didn’t stop and say thank you that you, alone, are sovereign-in all things. On Tuesday, when the ambulance that was supposed to take him for an early morning procedure broke… Continue reading Thank You, God
Severing the Head
Severing the head..it’s a gruesome thought I know. Honestly, it’s always been one of those details in the Bible I’ve asked myself before ‘is it really necessary to include?’ And as it always is with God, things become necessary once I realize the significance. The severed head I’m speaking of is Goliath’s. A quick… Continue reading Severing the Head
All the Numbers in the World
From the time our oldest was born, I’ve told him that I love him, “all the numbers in the world..plus 1.” I have no idea where I got that only that it has always seemed to be the most encompassing expression of how I feel for my children. That my love is beyond infinite in… Continue reading All the Numbers in the World
Blessings in the Breaking
If you had stopped me in line at the store 266 days ago, I would not have believed the catastrophic breaking our family would experience. Honestly, focusing on what’s broken is easy. It’s easy to watch the physical, mental and emotional suffering that our family has experienced and only see the shattered pieces of lives… Continue reading Blessings in the Breaking
Do You Want to be Healed?
I recently listened to a sermon on John 5:1-18. This is the story of the lame man that has been lying by the pool of Bethesda with numerous other sick people-blind, crippled, paralyzed, etc.-all waiting for the pool to bubble up so that they could get into the waters and potentially be healed. In the… Continue reading Do You Want to be Healed?
Rooted Leaders 