Advent confronts this corrosion of the heart with the insistence that God has not abandoned the world, hope is real and something is coming.
- Rob Bell

Christmas Season

Thanksgiving has been celebrated, it is officially the "Christmas Season".

Let the preparation for the birth of Our Savior, Jesus.

Is that always the focus?

Yesterday, I pulled out the Christmas Tree, hung the ornaments, and have started to transform the house with red, green, lights, and little trinkets.

I am questioning, is this all in preparation for the birth of Jesus?

While, some of the items are a bit much ... they do provide a consistent reminder of the upcoming celebration.

It is my prayer that I will keep my eyes focused on the REASON for the SEASON.

In addition to the start of Advent ... this weekend Northview Church is launching the Brookside Christmas Experience.

This will include a gift drive (now until 12/16), a Family Festival (12/12) , Christmas Dinner (12/19) and the Christmas Store (12/21&22). We are so excited to be working with Shepherd Community Center to offer similar services to families during Christmas. The gifts collected will be used to stock the Christmas Store, the store will provide an opportunity for families (adults and children) to select items for family members.

As the Volunteer Coordinator for Urban Ministry for Northview Church I have been charged with the task of lining up the volunteer force that will be needed for ALL the events.

Please pray that those able and willing will provide the gifts needed for the Christmas Store and those called to serve, will move into action.

If you want to serve, click here!

On a different note, Beads By Beth is heading into a fantastic season - this Friday the 3rd, I am working with 2 other local artists to host a holiday open house. Along with 3 other custom parties - LOVING IT!

You are also invited to attend, OPEN HOUSE

To keep the business moving forward, I started a facebook page :beads by beth and a twitter @beadsbybeth, and have continued the original blog ... check 'em out!

GRACE AND PEACE!

thankfulness

great devo for today, thanksgiving ....

November 25, 2010
Finding Thankfulness / Rachel Olsen

"They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness." Psalm 145:7 (NIV)

Devotion:
In the American tradition, today is an official day of thanksgiving - a day to reflect on, celebrate and express gratitude to God for our blessings. Many will gather with family and friends ... perhaps by candlelight, or firelight, or the light of a TV screen broadcasting parades and football games. Many will eat turkey - some hot and moist, and some slightly overcooked and dry, but well-rescued by gravy or cranberry sauce. And many will acknowledge Who provides both family and friends, as well as food and fire.

In the Judeo-Christian tradition, every day is a day to give thanks to God. In fact, each day that the Lord allows us to draw breath is cause to give thanks. Have you thanked Him today?

Have you praised His Name?

Perhaps this day finds you in a tight spot. Maybe this hasn't been your week, your month, or even your year. Maybe you're having trouble seeing what you have to be thankful for. How about your heartbeat? How about the sun that rose today to illuminate and warm the earth? How about the clothes on your body, or the food in your cabinet?

Take a moment to absorb the great gift that the forgiveness of your sins and the purging of your guilt through Jesus Christ is. And the fact that a day is coming when there will be no more sickness and no more tears. That's cause for deep gratitude.

One thing I'm giving thanks for today is my Bible, which is the living, active Word of God preserved for me and you. It teaches me to count my blessings and focus my mind on the gracious loving kindness of God. The Psalmist David leads me to do that through Psalm 145. Let me leave you with his words today, to jumpstart your own Thanksgiving.

A psalm of praise by David

I will exalt you, my God the King; I will praise your name for ever and ever. 
Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.

Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom. 
One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts. 
They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty—and I will meditate on your wonderful works. They tell of the power of your awesome works—and I will proclaim your great deeds. 
They celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.

The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. 
All your works praise you, LORD; your faithful people extol you. 
They tell of the glory of your kingdom and speak of your might, 
so that all people may know of your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. 
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations.

The LORD is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does.
The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down. 
The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. 
You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.

The LORD is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. 
The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. 
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. 
The LORD watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.

My mouth will speak in praise of the LORD. 
Let every creature praise his holy name for ever and ever. Psalm 145 (NIV)

Dear Lord, today I want to say thank You for my life. Thank You for the chance to feel sunshine, to taste fruit, to swim in water and to watch lightening. Thank You for my home and family, my church and friends. Thank You for the chance to know and serve You, now and eternally. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

GRACE AND PEACE!

believing HIM

the word fills me up! and i will keep my eyes fixed on HIM ... believing in HIS promises

from joel osteen

Persevere Until You See the Promise

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised” (Hebrews 10:36, NIV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria What are you believing God for today? Promotion? Healing? Stronger relationships? Deliverance? God has promised all these things to you in His Word because it’s His heart for you to live in blessing and wholeness.

When you follow the will of God by obeying His Word and precepts, it opens the door for His promises to be fulfilled in your life. You may be doing all the right things today — don’t give up! Perseverance will carry you to the promise.

Perseverance means that you are focused, that you are believing what God says about your situation. It’s looking away from distractions and any negative, defeating thoughts. Perseverance looks away from discouragement and looks to the Word of God. Perseverance has a voice, and it says things like, “No weapon formed against me shall prosper! If God is for me, who can be against me! I am more than a conqueror through Jesus!”

Whatever you are believing for today, keep believing! Stand strong and fight the good fight of faith. Ask God to give you endurance, perseverance and patience so that you can see His promises fulfilled in every area of your life!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father in heaven, thank You for Your good promises to me. I ask that You give me a heart that is steadfast and fixed on You. Fill me with Your peace and perseverance so I can live in victory all the days of my life. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

GRACE AND PEACE!