Praise!

Read Jeremiah 33:14-16. As often happens, the Sunday after Thanksgiving is also the First Sundayof Advent. Advent is the season in which we joyfully anticipate the coming of the baby Jesus. As we sit around the Thanksgiving table and think of everything we have to be thankful for, let's remember to be thankful that God's promise to us through the prophets of the Old Testament has been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Our church theme for the First Sunday of Advent is "Praise!" Let's remember to praise God as we look forward to Christmas. Let's take some time out from our "Black Friday" madness to remember the true reason for the season: God's great gift to us in Jesus Christ, our "star child" and "earth child."
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! And have a blessed Advent!

Son Rise

Read 2 Samuel 23:1-7 and Matthew 1:17: King David in the Old Testament is one of the most important figures in Jesus' lineage. In the scripture from 2 Samuel, King David writes about the legacy he hopes to leave as one who has ruled over people in righteousness and in the fear of God. King David was one of the greatest kings Israel ever had, but his greatest legacy is as the forefather of the One who is King of the World.
What legacy do you hope to leave? What are you doing now to make it happen?

Watch Out!

Read Mark 12:38-44: Who do you relate to most in this story? Do you give to the church, to charity, to people in crisis and need, only out of your leftovers? Do you believe only the super-rich should be responsible for giving: the movie stars, rock stars, star atheletes, and multi-gazillionaires? Or can you relate to the poor widow: willing to give all she had for a greater good? Use this week as a time to examing your spending and giving patterns. What can you do to bring them into balance?