Advent
Disturb our prejudices to make room for everyone
| Advent 2023 / 2 |
When Jesus was born, the angels visited some people to invite them to be witnesses to the special event. But the angels didn’t go to the palace to find the king and his court. They didn’t go to the Temple to find the religious elite. They didn’t go to the richest, most influential people to give them the message. Instead, they went to a field, where they found a few shepherds out tending the sheep. These were the outcasts of society. No one wanted to be associated with shepherds. And yet, it was to these people that the angels came. They were the first witnesses that the Messiah had been born. Read more
When Jesus was born, the angels visited some people to invite them to be witnesses to the special event. But the angels didn’t go to the palace to find the king and his court. They didn’t go to the Temple to find the religious elite. They didn’t go to the richest, most influential people to give them the message. Instead, they went to a field, where they found a few shepherds out tending the sheep. These were the outcasts of society. No one wanted to be associated with shepherds. And yet, it was to these people that the angels came. They were the first witnesses that the Messiah had been born. Read more
Disturb our ordinary lives to work a miracle
| Advent 2023 / week 1 |
Christmas is often pictured as a cute, fluffy scene that we can put on Christmas cards. But the real first Christmas would have been disturbing, shocking. Lives would have been shaken up and transformed. This Advent season, we’re going to look at the different ways Christ’s arrival disturbed the lives of people around Him, and consider how God wants to disturb our lives and transform them for His glory. This week we think about God disturbs ordinary lives to make room for the miraculous Read more
Christmas is often pictured as a cute, fluffy scene that we can put on Christmas cards. But the real first Christmas would have been disturbing, shocking. Lives would have been shaken up and transformed. This Advent season, we’re going to look at the different ways Christ’s arrival disturbed the lives of people around Him, and consider how God wants to disturb our lives and transform them for His glory. This week we think about God disturbs ordinary lives to make room for the miraculous Read more
Shalom: Perfectionism and Redemption
| Advent 2022 / 3 |
We so often strive for perfection in our lives. Either out of a desire to be the best, to win the approval of others because of our pride and arrogance; or out of fear and shame of our inadequacies and failings. But we have a God who sets us free from the need to strive for perfection. God offers us His Shalom, which makes us complete, whole, loved and valued by God. Will you let go of the need for perfection and instead rest secure in God’s Shalom? Read more
We so often strive for perfection in our lives. Either out of a desire to be the best, to win the approval of others because of our pride and arrogance; or out of fear and shame of our inadequacies and failings. But we have a God who sets us free from the need to strive for perfection. God offers us His Shalom, which makes us complete, whole, loved and valued by God. Will you let go of the need for perfection and instead rest secure in God’s Shalom? Read more
Shalom: Exhaustion and Rest
| Advent 2022 / 2 |
It is the second week of Advent and we continue our advent series looking at Shalom - peace, renewal, completeness. The Shalom of God can permeate every aspect of our lives if we allow Him to. Let us take time to reflect on how God’s Shalom can help us in our exhaustion and fatigue. God offers us rest, renewal, and peace - will you accept His offer? Readings Luke 2:16-20 Exodus 20:8-11 Matthew 11:25-30
It is the second week of Advent and we continue our advent series looking at Shalom - peace, renewal, completeness. The Shalom of God can permeate every aspect of our lives if we allow Him to. Let us take time to reflect on how God’s Shalom can help us in our exhaustion and fatigue. God offers us rest, renewal, and peace - will you accept His offer? Readings Luke 2:16-20 Exodus 20:8-11 Matthew 11:25-30
Shalom: Fear and anxiety
| Advent 2022 / 1 |
It is the first week of Advent and we begin our advent series looking at Shalom - peace, renewal, completeness. The Shalom of God can permeate every aspect of our lives if we allow Him to. Let us take time to reflect on how God’s Shalom can help us overcome our fears and anxieties. Readings Psalm 23 Philippians 4:7 Quote Shalom is what love looks like in the flesh. The embodiment of love in the context of a broken creation, shalom is a hint at what was, what should be, and what will one day be again. Where sin disintegrates and isolates, shalom brings together and restores. Where fear and shame throw up walls and put on masks, shalom breaks down barriers and frees us from the pretence of our false selves.” Jamie Arpin-Ricci, Vulnerable Faith: Missional Living in the Radical Way of St. Patrick Read more
It is the first week of Advent and we begin our advent series looking at Shalom - peace, renewal, completeness. The Shalom of God can permeate every aspect of our lives if we allow Him to. Let us take time to reflect on how God’s Shalom can help us overcome our fears and anxieties. Readings Psalm 23 Philippians 4:7 Quote Shalom is what love looks like in the flesh. The embodiment of love in the context of a broken creation, shalom is a hint at what was, what should be, and what will one day be again. Where sin disintegrates and isolates, shalom brings together and restores. Where fear and shame throw up walls and put on masks, shalom breaks down barriers and frees us from the pretence of our false selves.” Jamie Arpin-Ricci, Vulnerable Faith: Missional Living in the Radical Way of St. Patrick Read more
