A new year provides an opportunity to look back and to look ahead.
Looking back is something that was a part of the worship of the children of Israel. In the Passover, they looked back, year after year, recalling the faithfulness of God in delivering them from their slavery in Egypt. Looking back strengthened their faith in God's ability to handle the hear and now too.
As you look back over the past year, where have you seen the hand of God, faithfully working his deliverance and unfolding the path through the wilderness to you?
The turning of the calendar to a new year is also a time to look ahead. "If any man is in Christ, he is a new creation. Old things are passed away. Behold, all things are become new."
What new things is the Spirit of God stirring in your heart? What fresh new things might he have in store for us as we worship together?
God, keep leading us forward. And keep us following that lead. Breathe your freshness into our hearts and into our worship.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Augustine's Prayer
O you who are everywhere present, filling yet transcending all things; ever acting, ever at rest; you who teach the hearts of the faithful without noise of words: teach us, we pray you, through Jesus Christ our lord. Amen. --Augustine
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Favorite Christmas songs?
What are your favorite Christmas songs, and why? Which verse(s) or phrases?
Friday, December 3, 2010
Luke 2:21-40
21 And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, his name was called JESUS, which was so called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. 25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, that they might do concerning him after the custom of the law, 28 then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Now lettest thou thy servant depart, Lord, According to thy word, in peace; 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples; 32 A light for revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of thy people Israel.
God, give us such a heart of anticipation like Simeon had!
21 And when eight days were fulfilled for circumcising him, his name was called JESUS, which was so called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons. 25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, that they might do concerning him after the custom of the law, 28 then he received him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29 Now lettest thou thy servant depart, Lord, According to thy word, in peace; 30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all peoples; 32 A light for revelation to the Gentiles, And the glory of thy people Israel.
God, give us such a heart of anticipation like Simeon had!
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