ADVENTure Day 10

When I was in college, I visited many of the area churches on Sunday mornings.  I went to the local Baptist church, the local Presbyterian church, the local Methodist church, and many other churches.  One church I visited fairly often was the local Christian Missionary Alliance (C.M.A.) church.  Many college students attended this church.  The services were somewhat contemporary, and they did a great job including students from our college in the worship from time to time.

The C.M.A. church had a tradition called I think they called a Love Feast.  I was there when they did it once or twice.  During the service, they brought out baskets of bread.  I don’t remember if they passed out the bread or if you came to the front to pick up a couple of pieces of bread.  As I remember the Love Feast, everyone stood up and walked around the sanctuary or auditorium.  They approached someone in the congregation they knew and selected to receive a piece of bread.  As they gave them a piece of bread, they would share something they loved about the other person.  The recipient would then eat the piece of bread.  It was simple and powerful.

I remember seeing people crying throughout this “sacrament” of love.  I’m sure there were people who were going through reconciliation.  Others were simply being encouraged.  It was a time of healing.  I time of hope.  And I time of love.

Christ came to provide healing, hope, and love to a broken world.  He set the example for reconciliation and forgiveness.  This Love Feast was an opportunity to experience and share this love with others.

As we celebrate Advent, it should be a time of healing, hope, and love.

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.  2 Corinthians 5:16-20

ADVENTure Activity:  With whom do you need to pursue reconciliation?  Take a step this week towards reconciliation.

ADVENTure Question:  How have you experienced reconciliation with someone?  How did it feel?  Were you pursued or did someone else pursue you?

ADVENTure Day 9

A Love That Doesn’t Sense

It’s easy to love others when they treat you well, when they do what you want, and when they love you back.  But what about when people treat you like garbage, when they don’t do what you want, and when they hate you?  Obviously, this doesn’t make sense.

Christmas is all about a love that doesn’t make sense.

Why in the world would God send His Son to save people who sin, who hate, and who continue to do everything contrary to His Law?

But this is just what He did.

It doesn’t make sense to me.  Does it make sense to you?

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Romans 5:6-8

ADVENTure Activity:  Do something that doesn’t make sense today.  Report back with the details in the comments.

ADVENTure Question:  Where have you seen a love that doesn’t make sense?

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ADVENTure Day 8

On the second Sunday of Advent, many churches will be focusing on love.

Last week, we focused our ADVENTure series on hope, and this week we’ll move more towards love.

Love is an interesting thing.  There are different kinds of love.

There’s brotherly love – where we get the word Philadelphia.  This is a love for your fellow-man – not in a homosexual way, but in a friendly way.  I would equate this kind of love to the love that David had with Jonathan (King Saul’s son).

There’s erotic love which carries a more physical and sexual based focus.

There’s storge love.  This is the love between family members.  I love my kids.  I love my brothers.  I love my parents.

There’s agape love.  This is an unconditional, sacrificial love.  This is the love that Christ showed us when He died on the cross for our sins.  This is the best love – the love we are called to pursue.

As we head into this second week of ADVENTure, it’s important to remember Christmas is all about this agape love God has for you and me.

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.  John 15:13

ADVENTure Activity:  Talk with someone about love.  Make a list of the things and people you love.  What kind of love do you have for this thing/person?

ADVENTure Question:  What do you love about Christmas?

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ADVENTure Day 7

What is your nickname?

Have you always had the same nickname?  Or has it changed throughout your life?

People call me Stretch and Stolpe now.  But I’ve also been called The Reverend, Stain, and Pope.

Nicknames are an interesting thing.  They are part of our identity.  Sometimes the names are good, and sometimes the nicknames carry a negative meaning.

Advent is all about the coming of our Savior – Jesus Christ.  If you read through the Bible, He is marked with several names.  I’m not sure they would be called nicknames, but they are definitely markers of His identity.

The prophet Isaiah gives us a glimpse into some of His names.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Isaiah 9:6

Knowing Jesus’ names helps us to better understand who He is.

ADVENTure Activity:  Make a list of the names and attributes of Jesus Christ.  Share your list in the comments.

ADVENTure Question:  What is your nickname(s)?  How did you get the nickname?

ADVENTure Day 6

Last night, our family spent some time decorating for Christmas.  We set up the tree.  We hung the stockings.  We put up the window decorations.  And we set up the Christmas Victorian Village.  Later this weekend, we’ll decorate the tree with ornaments, and we’ll set up our Nativity.

After 17 years of marriage and many years of parenting, we have developed systems for setting everything up.  As the kids have gotten older, the process as definitely become easier.

Our time of decoration is part of how our family prepares for Christmas, and it reminded me of something worth pondering today.

How are we preparing for Christmas?

And more importantly, how are we preparing for the second advent?

The Bible reminds us that we do not know the hour or the day when Christ returns.  If we are a Christ follower, I don’t think this is something to get worried about, BUT it’s a reminder of the importance of being ready at all times.  This may mean having our own spiritual houses in order, and I think it points to the urgency of sharing the message of Christ with others who don’t follow Him yet.

As you head into the weekend, I hope you’ll ponder this thought and decide on an ADVENTure action (or activity) that seems appropriate.  Don’t wait!

 “But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”  Matthew 24:36

ADVENTure Day 5

Where has all the hope gone?

Seriously, if you watch the evening news or read the latest news websites or blogs, it’s easy to get discouraged.  There are shootings in schools.  There’s a mess in Washington, DC.  The local sports teams are struggling.  The weather forecast is bleak.  It’s bad news followed by more bad news.

Part of this is amplified by a news media that stalks on the misfortune of others.

And part of it is related to our own failure to recognize the positives and to stand up for stories that bring encouragement.

The whole story of Advent is meant to be a positive uplifting message.  God did not send his Son into our broken world to bring more despair and depression.  Christ came to be a shining light and a beacon of hope to this world.

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”  John 8:12

ADVENTure Activity:  Go on a hope hunt.  Find places in the world where hope is shining brightly.  Share your discoveries in the comments.

ADVENTure Question:  What gives you hope today?  How has hope helped you overcome despair?

ADVENTure Day 4

What are some things that younger people can do better than older people?

Younger people have more energy than older people (generally).  Younger people are more flexible and more athletic than older people.  Younger people tend to learn faster than older people.

Now flip the question.

What are some things that older people can do better than younger people?

Older people tend to have more wisdom than younger people (thanks to life’s experiences).  Older people tend to make better financial decisions than younger people (again thanks to the lessons of life).  Older people can do a lot of things better than younger people.

Now here’s another question.

What is something that requires audacious hope?

Finding a cure for cancer requires audacious hope.  Fixing the national debt requires audacious hope.  Bringing people out of poverty in countries like Guatemala requires audacious hope.

Another question.

Do you think it’s easier to have audacious hope when you are younger or when you are older?

Many people might say that audacious hope comes easier when you are younger, because you have not been “tarnished” by the realities of life.

As I was thinking about advent yesterday, I kept coming back to the story of Simeon and Anna in Luke 2.  If you remember the story, they were both older individuals who were waiting for the Messiah.  After nearly 400 years of silence in Israel (between the Old Testament times and the New Testament times), Simeon and Anna had an audacious hope that the Messiah would come in their lifetimes.  I want this kind of hope.

Many think that advent is all about getting ready to celebrate Christ’s birthday.  This is okay, but I think there’s something far more important about the advent that we now celebrate.  We should celebrate advent as a reminder to have audacious hope for Christ’s return – the second advent.  We don’t know the hour, the day, or the year when this will happen, but we can be confident in our hope that it will happen.  This is the kind of hope we need to have and that we need to share with others.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace.  For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel.”

The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four.  She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.  Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.  Luke 2:25-28

ADVENTure Activity:  Go visit a nursing home or an elderly neighbor.  Share hope with them.  Then take time to listen to them.  Grab their wisdom.  Ask them about hope.  Share your experience in the comments.

ADVENTure Question:  Answer the questions in the post above.

ADVENTure Day 3

Did you ever stop to think about your role in this whole hope thing?

Seriously, you are a vessel of hope.

At Christmas time, people around you are going through all kinds of things.  While the Christmas season is supposed to be a happy and joyful time, it can actually be very painful to those who have lost love ones or lost contact with people.  Christmas can be a reminder of what someone doesn’t have – friends, family, relationships.  Christmas can also be a time when people dampen life’s realities by spending more money than they have on things they don’t need.

This is your big chance.  You can bring hope to someone this holiday season.

You Help Other People Everywhere (H.O.P.E.)!

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.  I Peter 3:15

ADVENTure Activity:  Find one way to bring hope to someone today.  Don’t wait for tomorrow.  Don’t wait for the perfect opportunity.  Jump in and sprinkle hope into someone’s life today.  Let us know how it worked out in the comments.

ADVENTure Question:  Is Christmas a happy time or painful time for you?  How can you be better prepared to share hope with others?

ADVENTure Day 2

Yesterday, we kicked off a new ADVENTure series, and we talked about hopes and expectations. I hope you took advantage of the ADVENTure activity.  Did you create a list of all your hopes and expectations for this season? (If not, take a few minutes to make your list – see yesterday’s post for more instructions.)  It can be easy to be overwhelmed by our lists.  We want to accomplish so much.  It’s not that our hopes and expectations are bad, but they can cause us to have blinded vision to what is really important.

Today is an important day in your ADVENture.  Today, you must make a big decision about where your hope will lie this holiday season.  You can hope to get everything done – your Christmas shopping, your Christmas baking, your Christmas cards.

I’d like to challenge you to refocus your hope.

Put your hope in the Lord.  The prophet Isaiah reminds us (see below) that those who put their trust in God will find new strength.

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:31

ADVENTure Activity:  Take a look at your list from yesterday.  Separate you list into three categories – Me focused hopes and expectations, Others focused hopes and expectations, and God focused hopes and expectations.  Now select one of the hopes and expectations (preferably from the God focused list).  Write down three actions you can take this week to move closer to this hope and expectation.

ADVENTure Question:  How is your life different when you put your hope in God?  Share one of your action items in the comments.

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ADVENTure Day 1

Over the next twenty-five days, I want to make this season of Advent an adventure for you and for me.  Each day, I’ll provide a little reflection, an activity of some type to help us make this season more ADVENTurous, and a question for us all to ponder together in the comments.  I hope you’ll jump in and go on this ADVENTure with me.  It should be fun, and I hope it will help us prepare for this holiday season like never before.  So here goes, ADVENTure Day 1!

Today marks the beginning of Advent.

Many Christians use this time to prepare for Christmas.  Maybe you are opening the first door on your Advent calendar this morning.

Many churches around the world are lighting the first candle in their Advent wreath today.  They will be talking about hope.

Before the first Christmas, the people of Israel were hoping and expecting the arrival of Messiah.  If I understand it correctly, they expected the Messiah to arrive as a mighty warrior perhaps riding on a white horse.  They expected the Messiah to instantly take over the government and to rule with authority and power.  They hoped it would happen soon.

Many of us have hopes and expectations for this season.  We hope it will snow.  We hope to get that special present from a special someone.  We hope we have a chance to catch our breath during the busyness of this holiday season.

I think hope is healthy.  It keeps us looking forward instead of dwelling in the past.  Hope pushes us to dream bigger.  Hope teaches us to expect the unexpected.

On this first day of ADVENTure, let’s take time to hope!

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11

ADVENTure Activity:  Take time today as a family (or as an individual) to make a list of all your hopes and expectations for this holiday season.  Remember the rule of brainstorming – no idea is a dumb idea.  Write everything down that comes to mind.  We’ll revisit this list tomorrow.

ADVENTure Question:  How did you celebrate Advent as a child?  Did you celebrate Advent?  Share one thing from you list of hopes and expectations.

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