9 results for tag: Advent
Advent Hope – Beyond Wishful Thinking – Brad Jersak
In modern culture, the word hope is normally used as a subjective, psychological state of feeling hopeful—and measured on a scale from hopelessness to confidence. It can be used as an adjective for optimism or, more negatively, wishful thinking. Today, “I hope so” can even be a euphemism for “I doubt it.”
To a great degree, that inner sense of hope that good things are coming is crucial to our mental and spiritual health. On the other hand, we know from hard experience that attaching ourselves to outcomes is also perilous. And since we fear disappointment, people of my disposition are wary of ...
Sometimes Waiting Is Hard – Brad Jersak
Advent is a word I was unfamiliar with as a child growing up in my Baptist tradition. But in my years with the Mennonites, I became familiar with the ritual of lighting candles on the Advent wreath in anticipation of Christ’s nativity.
Advent, I learned, meant arrival, but intrinsic to that word was the waiting, the anticipation, and the longing of God’s people for his appearance and especially his deliverance. As a little boy, I relived that expectant hope as the calendar slowly edged forward to Christmas.
Sometimes, Waiting Is Hard
I think most children find waiting for the climax of Christmas morning difficult… but they may also ...
December 2024
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Brad Jersak Sometimes, Waiting Is Hard – pg. 2
Laura Urista Great Gifts in Small Packages – pg. 4
Greg Albrecht Believe Him & Receive Him – pg. 5
Advent: Awaiting Arrivals – by Laura Urista
For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)
Advent is a time of expectation, anticipation and waiting. Ancient Israel awaited the arrival of a Savior – the Messiah to establish his kingdom of peace. The Magi awaited the arrival of a magnificent star to guide them to the newborn king. Mary awaited the arrival of her son, whom she named Jesus (Savior). Every year at Christmas-time, we await the arrival of friends and family at dinners and celebrations.
ARRIVAL DATE: ...
Sometimes Waiting is Hard – Brad Jersak
Waiting:
“Advent” is a word I was unfamiliar with as a child growing up in my Baptist tradition. But in my years with the Mennonites, I became familiar with the ritual of lighting candles on the Advent wreath in anticipation of Christ’s nativity.
Advent, I learned, meant arrival but intrinsic to that word was the waiting, the anticipation and the longing of God’s people for his appearance and especially his deliverance. As a little boy, I relived that expectant hope as the calendar slowly edged forward to Christmas.
Sometimes Waiting is Hard
I think most children find waiting for the climax of Christmas morning difficult … but they may ...
December 2019
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Brad Jersak: Mary: The Second Eve– pg. 3
Scott Erickson: O Eve!– pg. 7
Greg Albrecht: Wrapping an Idea in a Person – pg. 8
Jim Fowler: The Reason for the Season – pg. 10
Felicia Murrell: Advent Poem – pg. 12
Richard Rohr: Christ in the Face of the Other – pg. 13
Greg Albrecht: Was Christ a Created Being? -pg. 15
December 2018
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Brad Jersak: Advent, Arrival, Appearance– pg. 1
Eden Jersak: Arrival of Hope– pg. 3
Brad Jersak: Arrival of Peace – pg. 4
Laura Urista: Arrival of Joy – pg. 6
Kenneth Tanner: Arrival of Love – pg. 8
Greg Albrecht: Kingdom of Heaven – pg. 8
Larry Parsley: J.B. Roane and the Case of the Belated Apology – pg. 12
Steve Stewart: Pure and Wonderful Grace – pg. 14
Brad Jersak: “What Lesson Is God Teaching Me?” -pg. 15
December 2017
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Greg Albrecht: The KING Who Became a Man – pg. 1
Brad Jersak: The Great Scandal! – pg. 5
Eden Jersak: God With Us – pg. 8
Laura Urista: Good News of Great Joy – pg. 12
Brian Zahnd: Waiting for God to Act – pg. 13
Greg Albrecht: “If God is love, why would he allow a place like hell?” -pg. 15