Advent Celebrations~

When I was growing up, this is what Advent Calendar meant to me.

Candy!!

My grandma would always get us each a calendar for the Advent season.

Our church has always observed Advent and this year they  aren't and

I really wanted find something to do together as a family.

I also teach an 8th grade Bible Class at school and very few students

were even sure what Advent meant or even heard of it. SAD!

So, I decided to change that and I did some research and have found

some great resources online.

"A Family Advent, Keeping the Savior in Christmas"

is an awesome book that my friend is using with her family.

I'm trying to find it in our local bookstores, no luck yet!

 A Family Advent Celebration: This is a wonderful children's book that I used to read to my 4th graders. It's a little too juvenile for my kids, but I think I might still pull it out and read it :)

The Purpose of Christmas, by Rick Warren. I know I have this book somewthere in my Christmas book collection. I really need to find it and read it myself.

I plan on making this Advent wreath this weekend with my girls.

I found this picture from Loving Christmas.

This site is filled with great ideas for small groups,

bible studies, or family activities to do together!  

Does your church observe Advent?

Do you do anything as a family to observe this Advent season?

SHARE!

How Big Are Your Containers?

"There's more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we're hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we're never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary—we can't round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!"
Romans 5:5 (The Message)

When we feel "hemmed in," overwhelmed, tired, uncertain, foggy, or discouraged, it can be so hard to remember that the fine tuning of our patience can forge tempered steel..tempered steel of VIRTUE! Staying alert means to not bury our head under the covers, or in the sand, or hang our head in discouragement but to keep forging along, keeping our eyes on the prize..on the race before us! AND keeping our eyes open, our heart ready and our mind filled with HIS word...because I can promise you with all that is within me, WE WILL NEVER, EVER, EVER be shortchanged! HE does not forget us..even on the empty, gray days where our heart may be prone to wander...HE DOES NOT SHORTCHANGE US....get this.......
We will not have enough room for what God generously gives us, ONLY through the power of the Holy Spirit. I love this word picture..we won't have enough containers to hold it all....ahhhh...as in tupperware containers...that was my first thought..haha! No, the large tubs won't even hold what HE has in store for us when we allow HIS power to work in us! He has come to set us free, to break chains of bondage...I pray daily for MORE OF JESUS, GIVE US  MORE OF YOU, DEAR LORD! Our hearts are alert and our containers are ready!!

Embraced By the Father~

CLARITY

WISDOM

Seeking

HIS face,

HIS wisdom,

HIS voice~

Faith,

 Peace

   Strength~

   step into the unknown,

step out of the boat

step forward into

an unclear future,

knowing,

standing,

 believing

  empowered~

by HIS hand that holds me!

"His left arm is under my head and his right hand embraces me!"

Song of Solomon 8 :3

What a comforting, comforting word picture!

I Will Live

from

I will not live:

 in doubt,

fear,

restlessness,

anxiousness,

discouragment,

feelings of inadequacy

questioning myself

judgement

I will live:

free

empowered by the Holy Spirit

covered with His Armor

motivated

 because of HIS grace

like I am loved

because of HIS forgiveness

Fully clothed in righteousness

because of HIS mercy

LIKE......"I am my Beloved's and HE is mine"

Song of Songs 1:7

I said to myself, "Relax and rest.

GOD has showered you with blessings.

Soul, you've been rescued from death;

Eye, you've been rescued from tears;

And you, Foot, were kept from stumbling

Psalm 116:8 (The Message)

Now say this, “Soul, you will not die, eye, no more tears, foot, you will not stumble today!