I am so sorry for the late posting. I was not feeling well last night and nearly overslept for work today. I hope you have had a beautiful Sunday, the fourth of Advent. Can you feel the excitement and anticipation of the coming week(?). As we progress through the week let us all be mindful of the precious gift God gave the world. I have provided some quotes about HOPE, LOVE, JOY and PEACE. May the peace of God fill you.
“Hope is like the sun.If you only believe it when you see it you’ll never make it through the night.”
Offerings are much more than money we place into envelopes and place into an offering plate at church services. In the season of anticipation; we look and experience hope, joy, peace and love. We can choose personal offerings such as giving, (de)cluttering, shedding unnecessary things, all to make room for the birth of Jesus in our lives. It can be so easy to become distracted by the commercialization of Christmas and the true meaning and reason for the season. As we celebrate this season remember JOY, the joy from hearing the Christmas story from the Bible in Luke.2 (1-20). I love reading and listening to this story, it evokes old memories of places and people I have shared this story with.
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
This might come as a surprise, Ordinary Time is not called “ordinary” based on its level of importance. The origin of the name Ordinary Time comes from the Latin word ordinalis, which means “numbered.” Ordinary Time, which occurs between Christmas and Lent then again between Easter and Advent, signifies a numbered (or ordered) list of Sundays that anchor our daily lives in the Church.
Liturgical Seasons and Colors
The colors of the lectionary are representative of the Liturgical seasons of western Christianity. These seasons are Advent, Christmas, Ordinary Time (Time After Epiphany), Lent, Easter, Pentecost and Ordinary Time (Time After Pentecost). The liturgical year begins with Advent.
Lent – Violet (purple) or Blue (six weeks prior to Easter)
Easter – White (Easter through six weeks to Pentecost)
Pentecost – Red (one Sunday only)
Ordinary Time – Green (after Pentecost until Advent)
“There is ordinary time in this season too. There is waking, working, talking, eating. There is sweeping, shopping, washing dishes, laundry. There is checking doors and windows before bed. There is turning down the covers. There is sleeping. There is rest.”
– Jan Richardson
These days bathe us in images
of abundance and happiness,
but we pray for those
who do not find in this time
a season of goodness
and light.
Give us eyes to see
into the shadows
cast by the millions of
blinking lights;
ears to listen
beyond the carols
to hear
the anguished weeping;
and hearts that long
for the liberation
your advent truly brings.
- Jan Richardson
May you be filled with JOY today in all that you do. It is my joy to share this advent season with you. I am truly blessed for your support and encouragement. ~
~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.
Many of us can probably relate to answering questions with the response, “I’m working on it!” People from all ages have most likely used the phrase; parents asking if homework is finished; teachers/professors asking if papers are finished; supervisors asking if projects are finished…the list could go on and on. Try to remember the last time you were ask a question and responded with “I’m working on it,” how did it make you feel? Did you feel pressure to complete the “work” quicker? Did it just seem like a polite question or an accusing question? Something questions are just that, an inquiry; no drama involved. My personal experiences have given insights to my own self-consciousness, I feel guilty at the question if I haven’t been working as diligently as I could. For the longest time, and sometimes still my thoughts deceive me and fill me with negativity, I am learning that this is a learned behavior. I am slowly recognizing that learned behaviors can be unlearned and replaced with more realistic thought patterns.
How might “I’m working on it” be answered in our spiritual life? Has the Holy Spirit caused you to pause or questions things in your life that you are working on? Life is being alive! I believe that we all have things in our lives that we should or could be “working on,” and I want to share one of mine with you. I share because I want to be honest and authentic.
My “I’m working on it,” is attending Sunday morning worship services at the church at which I am a member of. I have very dear friends who pray for me and an Elder who checks in on me as well. My main reason for not attending has to do with my work schedule and sleep schedule. I work 2nd shift and often do not get home from work until 11 pm and I generally try to get 9 hours of sleep at night. I can certainly get by on less at times. This is a reasonable explanation for missing services. But, I do often feel guilty about not attending, I think figuring out where the guilt comes from is an important piece to figure out. Truly, there’s more reasons and they are difficult to articulate and I haven’t sorted it all out, yep, “I’m working on it.” I try to stay connected through two separate women’s groups that meet once a month. One group is called the JULIETS(Jolly Unique Ladies Informally Eating Together Somewhere) and a Bible study group called “Esther’s Circle.” I love all the women in these groups and they love with their whole hearts. I am thankful to them for their love and support.
The Joy of Forgiveness – Psalm 32
A Psalm of David A Maskil (a person versed in Hebrew or Yiddish literature)
1 Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 2 Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. 3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. 5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. 6 Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them. 7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. 9 Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. 10 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him. 11 Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!
Below are some Bible verses that have been helpful to me and I hope they are to you as well.
“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
~Psalm 9:9-10~
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
~Philippians 4:19~
“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.”
~Psalm 32:7-8~
“Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”
Friends— Remember the JOY of this season of Advent as we wait in anticipation for the birth of Jesus. Jesus brings JOY to a hurting world, He care for you and me, the whole wide world! Choose JOY today. I am so grateful for your visit today, thank you💟
~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.
The oldest known map is the Imago Mundi Babylonian map from the 6th century BCE Babylonia. Now in the British Museum. Below is a photo of the map that is on display at the British Museum.
Does the name Rand McNally mean anything to you? When I was growing up, if you wanted to know where a state, city or county was located you looked either on a paper map or in a road atlas. Also, if you had done this you know that (re)folding a paper map took so engineering know how. Now, we can just type into our smartphones and a map with pop open and give us step by step directions along with road conditions to our destinations. It may be quicker and more convenient but I have also found it to be very annoying when I decide to stop or veer off track to check something out, “MAKE A U-TURN AT THE NEXT STREET.” A road map, atlas or your smartphone app provides us with detailed directions to reach a certain destination.
The Bible (God’sWord), also provides for us detailed directions along with instructions for living a life pleasing to God. It tells of roads and paths to avoid falling into sin; teaches us to avoid hazards in life; provides warning signs and tells when use caution. The Bible also provides us with instructions for living a life that is loving, generous, and draws others to Jesus and His teachings. The Bible is our road map to the new Jerusalem and the new heaven. Revelation 2:21, “And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.” We even have a personal guide, the Holy Spirit leading on the path of righteousness to God Himself.
“But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things.”
—John 14:26—
The Bible is our road map for living, dying, and living again. Psalm 119:105 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.”
The Bible starts with the beginning at Genesis and it takes us to the end of time in Revelation. It is about the Alpha and the Omega, the one One, the I AM that I AM, who began this world and the One who will bring it to a conclusion.
Revelation 1:8,“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”
Revelation 21:6-7, “Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.”
Revelation 22:13, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
“Theology is like a map. Merely learning and thinking about the Christian doctrines, if you stop there, is less real and less exciting than the sort of thing my friend got in the desert. Doctrines are not God: they are only a kind of map. But that map is based on the experience of hundreds of people who really were in touch with God–experiences compared with which many thrills of pious feelings you and I are likely to get on our own are very elementary and very confused. And secondly, if you want to get any further you must use the map.”
—C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity—
Photo Credit: Me (my hands)
Thank you for visiting my blog today. May you experience the love of God today as you continue your journey through Advent. You are a blessing. 🛐 💟
~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.
It was St. Augustine, who said “God gives where he finds empty hands” and C. S. Lewis who reminds us that “God gives his gifts where he finds the vessel empty enough to receive them,” for, “a man whose hands are full of parcels cannot receive a gift.”
I love how both scripture verses provide beautiful visuals for us as they relate to our relationship with God. God created us, formed us, made us; like a potter crafts beautiful pieces from clay. We are all unique creations and are perfectly what God designed us to be. None of us are mistakes or imperfect; we were designed by God, for God’s purposes and to walk with God.
Often times, our choices in life tend to fill us with things that clutter our vessel. The more we fill our vessel with our own stuff, God’s stuff tends to flow out because we overfill our vessel selfishly. It is through our confession of sin, the removing of clutter that provides space for God to fill us with goodness. When we are filled with God’s goodness our overflowing seeps out and God uses that to fill others around us. We are then being the literal hands and feet of Jesus in the world. I love David’s words in Psalm 23:5-6, “You prepare a table before me in the presenceof my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and mercy/love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Prayer~ God of all creation, help me to declutter, help me to empty out my vessel of selfishness, pride, arrogance and everything that keeps me from your goodness. Lord, fill me with compassion, humility and love for all creation. Teach me your ways, place your words of instruction on my heart that I might learn from you day and night. I ask all these things in Jesus’ name.
~Amen.
Friends, thank you for stopping by today, I hope you are filled with the JOY that only God can fill you with. You are truly a blessing to me. 💟
~Charlotte, Seeker of unexpected Comfort, Happiness, Joy and Patience.
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