Finding a Deep and Wide Christmas Advent – Dec. 10th
What is sustaining you this Christmas? And I’m not talking about coffee and chocolate versus smoothies and kale. (I know where I fall on that one!) This is a reminder that what we’re depending on or Who we’re drawing from is obvious to those around us. It’s called a food chain. We’ve heard of them, but do we realize we’re passing on what we’re feeding on?
Finding a Deep and Wide Christmas Advent – Dec. 9th
Trying to create a wonderful Christmas for someone else wearies the best of us. It’s also as futile as trying to earn God’s love when we already have it. This season is ours to enjoy, but we can miss it while we work for it! Let’s fire ourselves from the impossible job of making Christmas happen and let Jesus rule the day. There’s no comparison between
Finding a Deep and Wide Christmas Advent – Dec. 8th
I need Jesus. You do, too. The truth is, our best intentions to fix our eyes on Jesus and walk through Christmas worshipping Him instead of getting ambushed by the demands of the holiday will fail us without His holy help. Call to Him with me. #911 Jesus, we need you! As I’ve confessed, I’m not beyond getting stuck in the muck of me, but I’ve
Finding a Deep and Wide Christmas Advent – Dec. 7th
We don’t have to participate in the Crazy Christmas Countdown. We can enjoy this day instead of seeing it as one less opportunity to get everything done. Here’s an idea: Let’s ask God to be God to us today. The very idea brings my blood pressure down, and it’s not even mine. It’s His! Over and over in the Scriptures, God expresses His intention to be
Finding a Deep and Wide Christmas Advent – Dec. 6th
Here’s a challenge for us all. Let’s expect God today to reveal Himself to us. Wherever we are and whatever task we’re marking off the Christmas list, let’s remind ourselves that God is near, ask Him to speak, and listen. I believe you and I experience God in our daily lives to the degree that we desire and expect to experience God. Our relationship with Him
Finding a Deep and Wide Christmas Advent – Dec. 5th
Believer, beware. It’s possible to get so caught up doing Christmas that we resort to coasting on the leftovers of our last devotional or worship service. Whether that be a conscious or unintentional decision, we’ll be weaker for it. Have you settled somewhere between coming to Jesus for eternal life and continuing to come to Him for abundant life? You’re not alone, and that’s not a
Finding a Deep and Wide Christmas Advent- Day 4th
We can have so much more than a meaningful Christmas. Jesus can form Himself in the Bethlehem of our hearts as surely as He grew up in the ancient city if we’ll own our complacency and ask God to turn it into holy hunger. We are pilgrims, designed for more. In Him we can be satisfied without being settled, loved without being lazy, rest while ever reaching.
Finding a Deep and Wide Christmas Advent – Dec. 3rd
The goal of walking through Christmas with our eyes trained on Jesus isn’t to make it through the holidays without going straight running crazy (although much can be said for being sane come January). The goal is nothing short of knowing the transformative presence of the Savior the baby was born to be! God won’t drag us into the deep and wide life, and we can’t
Finding a Deep and Wide Christmas Advent – Dec. 2nd
It’s impossible not to recognize the increasing commercialism of Christmas, and it’s a good and necessary idea to ask the Holy Spirit to help us stay focused on its true meaning. But as we walk through this season, let’s make sure our observations don’t lead to communication that alienates those who most need to hear the good news of Jesus! Super-abounding grace in the face of
Finding a Deep and Wide Christmas Advent – Dec. 1st
For believers, the Christmas holiday holds meaning far beyond feel-good movies and familiar carols. We can wring our hands over those around us who are missing the glorious message, or we can choose to let our lives spread the message. This world is bloated with religion but starved for Jesus. The good news is that by continually beholding Him, we can share the Bread of