Last year, I had the privilege of contributing to an Advent devotional book called Advent: Preparing for the Arrival of the Savior. My contribution included Christmas and Advent hymns from church history, with a peek into the theology and history of the hymns. For our blog post today, I have included the introduction that I wrote for that devotional. I hope it encourages you in your own Advent studies this year. May the hymns you sing during Advent encourage and strengthen your faith as you worship the birth of our Savior!
Immeasurably More: The God-Sized Story of The Gift Goes On!
Have you ever seen God turn what seemed like a small idea into something so wildly wonderful that only He could be responsible? You will if you come shop at The Gift Goes On, Council Road’s beloved purchasing-for-a-purpose event on November 19th! But to fully appreciate its wonder, you should hear how far it has come from where it began.
Green, Ripening, Ripe?
Am I ripe, or am I still just a bit green, needing to sit on the counter a bit longer to allow my flavor to deepen so the fullest, most delicious bite is its finest? I first completed an extensive study on the above verses with Pam Thompson. She was a pushover for any study where “joy” was an included element. So, Beth Moore, here we come, and full speed ahead! Since that long ago summer deep dive into Beth’s study on the well-known and loved Galatians Fruit of the Spirit passage, I’ve experienced a maturing of the flavor of my Fruit. I would certainly hope so; I’ve been on the counter a good while by now. However, in some ways, I’m still there, awaiting the perfect maturing of all delightful essences of this Fruit, two of which are self-control and faithfulness.
Goodness & Gentleness
Playing referee to my arguing kids was one of the hardest things for me to manage as a mom! Ephesians 4:32 was probably my most quoted verse on a day to day basis. I wondered if my kids would ever actually like each other! It is fun for my husband and I to be on the other side now as empty nesters and see how much our kids enjoy being together. They hang out with each other and even vacation together—with & without us!
Peace and Patience
Peace and patience - qualities we want to have, yet they seem ever elusive. We want peace whenever life is hard and the storms rage on. We grit our teeth in the midst of frustration trying to muster an ounce of patience when someone irritates us or our circumstances are not what we would have chosen. Why is having peace and patience so difficult?
Counting It All Joy
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,…” I don’t know about you, but hearing that I should be counting it joy when I have struggles seems like an oxymoron. How in the world can those two things go together? I think I am just beginning to understand what we are being asked to do here.
Hands 4 Missions
Hands 4 Missions had its beginnings in 1998. A request was given to a class for needed items for a project at Baptist Village. Since that time a group of women has met the first three Thursdays of each month to create blankets, totes and gifts for our homebound members. The group works primarily by tying off lap quilts. Several of the members of the group use their time at home to make the quilts. The other members then tie the quilts off with colorful yarns.
A Group For Everyone
September is Groups Month! Group life is an essential part of CRBC. As a church, we take an entire month to showcase the diversity we have in Connection Classes and Small Groups. An entire month should make us pause and wonder, why does CRBC care so much about this topic? Scripture has something to say about it!