I apologize for the lack of EChruch messages in the last two weeks. I was stressed due to an unexpected, highly unusual opportunity to discuss this blog. I can’t say much until it is released sometime in the next few months. This situation also brought unpredicted and welcome attention to some victims of abuse about whom I have written. I saw a divine orchestration of events and look forward to explaining this soon.
Advent Prayer by Henri J.M. Nouwen link
Lord Jesus,
Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas.
We who have so much to do and seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day,
We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.
We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom.
We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence.
We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light.
To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!’
Amen.
Advent Prayer link
Loving God,
It is growing in my heart:
An awareness and gratitude of your constant love for me;
Like the sun rising in the East
to warm and comfort my life
and to bring new growth.
Thank you for these weeks of prayer.
In the spirit of the season
my waiting, my patience,
feels sacred.
Bless my heart with generosity
and make me ready to receive you.
Come, Lord Jesus! Come!
Amen
Advent Prayer link
Oh, Emmanuel,
“God-with-Us,”
You have touched me;
you are God-with-Me.
Thank you for these weeks of prayer.
In the spirit of the season
my waiting, my patience,
feels sacred.
Refine and purify my heart
with the hottest flame of your love.
Give me the courage of your prophets
and let me do what is right
even when others don’t understand.
Bless my heart with generosity
and make me ready to receive you.
Come, Lord Jesus! Come!
Amen
Benediction link
May you be filled with the wonder of Mary,
the obedience of Joseph,
the joy of the angels,
the eagerness of the shepherds,
the determination of the magi,
and the peace of the Christ child.
Almighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit bless you now and forever.
Amen.
Dr. John Lennox is truly a gift to our generation.
More about the love of God as brought to us in Jesus, for all generations:
youtube.com/watch?v=NQwld_iB9Hg
And we are ever grateful for the love of Jesus as found here at TWW, “willing the good of the other, and then doing something concrete about it. Not an emotion, not an attitude, it’s a move of the will, to want the good of the other, and do something about it.”
Tough love for offenders embedded in churches, and their supporters. Compassionate love for survivor victim witnesses. Love. Exposing one group while supporting the 2nd group, which is exactly the opposite of what religious institutions are doing today.
Thx, Dee, and TWW community for living the tough compassionate combo love of Jesus.
Merry Christmas.
Ava Aaronson(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQwld_iB9Hg
Ava Aaronson(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Ava Aaronson,
It seems the link is not working.
It is found at the “Daily Dose of Christ” channel on YouTube.
The name of the video is, “Bishop Barron/Pope SHOCKS Congress with Powerful Speech.”
The video was posted yesterday.
And thanks, again, Dee for posting Dr. John Lennox, a light in the darkness of Academia, for our times.
Ava Aaronson(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Yes thanks for posting Johns Christmas message and though we need to be careful in not heaping too much praise on people. John Lennox’s public ministry has been a mature model on how best to respectfully engage people in conversation and debate on matters related to christain faith, human existence and creation. Christopher Hitchens regarded him as one of those, “thougtful Christian’s.”
Ian Docker(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)
Ian Docker,
He reminds me, in some small way, of CS Lewis. Both men have helped me in my Christian walk.
dee(Reply & quote selected text) (Reply to this comment)