I always read SCL because it makes me smile and I need to start the day off with a smile, and suggest that you do the same. Jon linked to his other blog The Prodigal Jon. I would urge you to get over there and read it. Its a great stop and think moment. I often find myself reflecting over the few times that he decides to get serious. I wonder why I never thought of whatever that way before or if I have, why have I forgotten it. Case in point, there was a post about how we often have selfish motives for reading the Bible or doing service or something of that nature. Then we beat ourselves up over having a selfish heart. The thing is that we aren't able to change ourselves. This goes back to the whole renewal thing, its God's desire to change us, not for us to try and change ourselves. We have to get back to that thought, "I can't, but you can." I guess more than anything, I am thankful for the reminders that get me back on track.
Speaking of the whole getting back on track thing, this is the season to reflect on Jesus' coming. Of course, we have been celebrating Advent at our church. We have been using the small groups to end each Sunday service with one praying and one lighting the Advent candle. This past week was our groups turn to do those things. Our word was "Peace" and I will include the prayer that we gave at the end of this post. While studying the words in Hebrew and Greek, I was sort of surprised to learn that the word they use for "peace" doesn't just mean the end of hostilities, but a making whole, made complete. Thats exactly what Jesus' coming means that we can be whole now.
It is the whole Christmas season thing and that means another time to spend with family. I am looking forward to this week. I have been more than blessed with both of my families, the one I was born into and the one the I was married into. They both love me more than I can imagine and more than I can believe. They are both great examples and I am amazed by them constantly. But, most of all I am blessed for having a wife who is wonderful and makes me feel like the greatest man on earth. I hope that your holiday is great as well.
Dear Father,
You alone are the source of Peace. You not only ended the hostilities between us, making us no longer enemies, but your children, but you also came to make us whole. We can be complete because of Jesus and His perfect sacrifice. You give us peace, in our lives, that is far beyond our ability to understand it. This doesn’t mean that everything will be easy, but that even in those times when everything else is going wrong, we are right with you Lord. All of this, everything that we can hold on to, is because of our Prince of Peace, our mediator, our loving friend and messiah, Jesus. For that peace, that assurance, that victory, we are blessed. As we celebrate your coming, both your birth and your return in triumph, we pray for your peace to rule in our lives.
Amen.
