God With Us

It's been a great Christmas season so far. I've loved doing the Advent Bible Study each night with my family, and I've also enjoyed the sermons that have been preached on Advent by my buddy Tom.

Today Tom shared about the Trinity, and how specifically the Son was revealed at Christmas.

GOD WITH US.

It's more than a Christmas story, more than shephards, skits, and a manger scene; more than what we can hold in our understanding...

God was revealed to the world.

God with humanity.

And even better, He is still with me, and in me,

Today.

Wow.

Oh to live with a greater revelation of "God with us" this Christmas season and beyond.

Beautiful God

God is so kind. He is so good to us...

As we have been working through the Thriving Family Advent calendar, put out by Focus on the Family, I have seen some good things happening with my family. What happened tonight was incredible - it was beautiful, real and powerful, and all orchestrated by God.

The Holy Spirit began working on the hearts of my oldest two children about two separate things, one regarding the Lordship of Jesus in their lives (going wherever He tells her to go, and giving her whole heart), the other on their sin.

After tears, confession, and prayer, I put two of the younger ones to bed only to come back out to see the two oldest behind the couch, Bibles opened, highlighting and talking.

They took turns reading the Word, then talked about how they could get up early each morning to pray and read.

After some more meaningful moments, they headed to bed; Mom and Dad with full hearts, thanking God and humbled by what God was doing.

I know He was doing... in spite of me, not because of me.

If anything, I was convicted of my own sin through the night.

I just feel so privileged to be a part of such a special moment in our family. These moments are soo precious, and I am so glad God allowed us in on what He is doing in their lives.

Advent - Day One

At The Chapel today, we began the Advent celebration by sharing about and lighting the Prophecy candle. I've always been in the dark about Advent, not knowing really what it meant, or its Biblical significance. I think I'm finally getting my mind around the worthwhile church tradition.

Thriving Family Magazine sent us an Advent Calendar (see pic) with this months issue, and we are going to go through the schedule they put together for each day leading up to Christmas. We did day one tonight - it was a great start.

I'll update you more as our family walks through this special "Advent" time of year together...