Slowing Down to Hear the Truth of God’s Word
As I sit here pondering what to write for this week's meditation for preparation, I must confess my mind is going in a million different directions. I’m thinking about groceries, presents, and work (because that is where I am currently located). I am thinking about our upcoming trip to Georgia and all the tasks that need to be done to get our family of five into the car and down the road. I am thinking about how our cat loves to climb into the pile of presents just so he can be under the tree and wondering how many presents
Celebrating Advent
In the Episcopal church of my childhood, there were no Christmas carols until Christmas Day. Corporate prayers during Advent reminded us that we were “sorely hindered by our sins.” The Book of Common Prayer suggests Mark 13:35-36 be read at the beginning of the service: “Watch ye, for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock-crowing, or in the morning; lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping.” This was a solemn warning for people distracted by parties and Santa Clause. At least in church, Advent was a more somber time; we
Christmas Through the Eyes of An Adult
Read: Jeremiah 33:14-16 I have heard it said that Christmas is more for children than adults. In fact, the plea to see Christmas through the eyes of a child is echoed in advertisements, modern Christmas songs, and small wooden Christmas decorations put upon fireplace mantles. Some might argue that their own personal love for Christmas resembles a "child-like" joy with overwhelming enthusiasm and spontaneous verbal explosions of excitement. (I acknowledge the validity to such claims) However, my zeal and love for this season has not diminished as I have grown older; instead, it has increased.  I do not attribute this increase to reverting back to a youthful
Advent is the Arrival of God the Shepherd
At North Wake, we're studying "Advent BC" -- Old Testament predictions of the coming Messiah. In our sermon Sunday, we will be looking in Ezekiel at one such prediction of a Shepherd. But here, I want to look at another time God taught His people through the prophet Isaiah. Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might,and His arm rules for Him;behold, His reward is with Him,and His recompense before Him. (Isaiah 40:10) We read, “God comes with might” because He is a victorious warrior. “His arm” (His military might) proves He is powerful over His enemy in this battle.  This shock and awe is intended to make the world alert to the fact that He has power, and He will use it. I grew up near a
The Meaning of Advent
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 I must admit that Advent, as observed by the church, has always been a bit of a mystery to me. I get counting down the days, and I love the idea of a chocolate calendar that helps me. But I was not raised in a church that celebrated Advent, and even though we have been at North Wake for 18 years, I have always viewed advent as a purely “high church” tradition and not something for personal growth. But
Thanksgiving
Today I went digging through some journals and searching for a number. 1,455. A magic number from many years ago. I had found myself in a sorrowful, difficult place.  I mourned; I doubted; I denied. I knew 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.  "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." It sounded ridiculous. I dared God. “You say I can give thanks in all circumstances. Ok. Make me thankful. Prove to me that this is possible. Help me say thank you--even for this.”  I opened a Word document, and I started counting the grace I
Money, Hope and Our Future
Read: I Timothy 6:3-19  There is an old proverb about wealth that goes like this: "Money is like a brick. With a brick, you can build hospitals or you can break windows. It all depends on what you do with it." For the past 40 years my father has helped families financially prepare for their future. Over the past year, I have been acquiring licenses and going through training so that I can be in a position to run his business if God takes him home unexpectedly. In my training, I have heard many stories of nameless clients who have amassed large amounts of money and how this financial gain either accelerated their
Resources About Domestic Abuse
In the book, “Is it My Fault” Justin Holcomb shares the following, “If a church has 400 members, 160 are adult women, 160 adult men, 20 were teenage boys, 20 were teenage girls. 40 of these women (teenage girls or adult women) would experience physical violence in their lifetime. 20 would be currently experiencing physical abuse. 80 are experiencing verbal and emotional abuse (some kind of humiliation and degradation from a spouse or boyfriend). 200 of those members would have witnessed abuse in their home or in their spouse’s home.” That is a very sobering statistic. Statistically, there is no
What Is Christian Joy?
"Christian Joy," they tell us, "is not happiness." It's not all about smiles. It's not primarily about the easy moments and the celebrations. As we complete our study of Philippians, we have an opportunity to learn about joy by looking at 12 sketches of joy drawn for us by Paul in this book. Twelve Sketches of Joy from Philippians Sketch 1 Joy is the feeling you have in knowing that God is working in your Christian friends to bring them to ultimate salvation. Even when these believers are out of your sight, you know that God is working in them,
Oppression Through the Eyes of the Outsider
This week’s topic in our service is Domestic Abuse. This is a topic that has been ignored or swept under the rug within the walls of the church for too long. It is also a topic that many have a hard time understanding. Trouble comes when we think, “Well I wouldn’t…” or “I could never….” or “There is no way I would let someone…” When we think or verbalize these statements, we are making assumptions about those that have found themselves in a devastating position. From the outside we are blaming the oppressed for not being strong enough or smart
