Advent 09 - reading one

Some of you may remember I did weekly emails for Lent this year. Now that I have this blog, you will be able to follow some Bible thoughts through this coming Advent.

We are starting a bit early, as their are nine traditional readings for Advent and only eight weeks. That means you get two this week, although if you went to the half day retreat and pizza tonight, you will have already seen the material in this post.

Advent, like lent has strong themes of preparation, of waiting, of the coming dawn. And the story started a long time ago. Why did God decide to be born a man? Why was the rescue plan needed? It all started way back in the beginning:

Genesis 3:8-19



We all have our failings. We all have our dark times. But God has journeyed with us through it all. When Adam and Eve left the garden, God clothed them and followed them. He never left them alone, and has been with us ever since.

Of course it is in the coming of Jesus we see the greatest expression of God with us. As we wait for his coming this Christmas, lets not forget why he came.

We are not lost, or left in the dark, His salvation has dawned upon us. Today we have a heart bead each to remind us of this - why not do the same? Make one or buy one...



Extra study:

How are we to deal with the world we live in? Does anything we do really make a difference? Take a look at the example of Pilate's wife:

Cloud of Witnesses - Pilate's wife

Today we each took home with us a nut - the nut and bolt variety... why? Because it may look insignificant, but acutally its very useful - as we are useful in Gods eyes and plan.

Start Freedom

Do you ever watch the news or hear of yet another case of human trafficking, human exploitation, misery...

and wonder how on earth you could ever make a difference?

Or perhaps the whole thing has yet to feature on your radar.


Either way, Stop the Traffik have come up with a fabulous idea especially aimed at 12 to 18 year olds (although I have to say if you are older, the info is still worth a look).

Jesus says if we love him we will obey his commands (John 14:21) and his command is that we love our neighbour as ourselves (Mark 12:31)

And what an amzing way to love your neighbour Start Freedom is...

take a look for yourselves and see what you could do.

Cartoon Gospel

I was wandering around the internet this morning and came across a Christian cartoon site. Now I have to say, I think the site is cheesey to say the least, but amongst all that mozzarella were some interesting things.

There is the Gospel presentation Battle of the Kingdoms and an ebook you can download called Spirituality made simple.

Both have much to say about our salvation and sanctification (CU people, oh look its those words again) in a clear and visual way.

I wonder what you think of them both? What questions come to mind when you have watched/read them? I would be interested to know.

As ever you can comment here on my blog, or via facebook when this appears in my notes. Image from http://www.ydyc.org/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=42

A brilliant new website

I have to say, trawling though the internet for decent Bible studies can be a bit of a fruitless task.

Thankfully the lovely people at Sophia Network have come up with a gem.


Cloud of Witnesses has to be one of the most straight forward, easy to use and informative sites I have seen in a long time.

Now they say themselves:

"These studies aren’t claiming to be the definitive final world on a biblical character, they are a starting point, a way to begin to think about our fore-fathers and fore-mothers and see what we might learn about following God from them. We also want to say that exclusively doing character studies isn’t the best way to handle the Bible. There’s a lot more in Scripture than just narratives, like law, letters, worship, & wisdom! Our recommendation is that you use these resources alongside other things and get a ‘balanced diet’ of Bible study."

But I have to say there web site is a jolly good place to start.

Whether you have been reading your Bible for donkeys years or you are a newbie, these pages are a great way to get inspired about the Bible and I recommend them to everyone.

#4 Stumbled Upon

It's been a while since we had a rummage round the internet, so for your delight and interest...

Some lovely pictures via imagefave, for example, umbrellas and crayons and some interesting "music" on youtube.



Want some fun stuff for your blog? There's some nice gadgets on abowman...

But perhaps you are feeling a little stiff having at at the computer too long? Kermit the frog can help you.

And now you are up you find your chair squeaks - enter WD40 along with its many other uses.

and finally, done something good or noble recently? Why not post it on the Peace board.

Dealing with stress bible study and meditation

The idea of a Bible meditation is to allow yourself time to really listen to the story, to think what it might have been like to be there and to give space for God to speak to you through the passage you are reading.

It is a good idea if you are relaxed be fore you read. You could try this:

Sit in a comfy chair. Imagine every muscle in your body relaxing, starting from your feet all the way to your neck/head. Then spend a few munites noticing your breathing. If your mind wanders, don’t worry, when you realise youve wandered just go back to noticing your breathing.

Now turn to reading the bible passage at hand. You can try the following study, then try other bits of Jesus’ life, asking:

What is happening?

What did the people involved learn?

What is God saying to me?

Are you a Mary or a Martha?

Scripture mediation: Mary or Martha? Luke 10:38 - 42

Listen to the bible passage; imagine yourself there, what you would have said. Try the questions mentioned above.

Dinner is important, but it’s not the first priority. As Mary had discovered, our relationship with Jesus is.

Where is Jesus in your life? In what ways can YOU prioritise Him?

With Jesus at the centre, we stop rushing, with other stuff as the centre, life gets in a muddle.

Jesus never promised us an easy life, but he did promise to be with us forever.

With him at the centre, life makes a whole lot more sense, even in the most stressful of times.

Read:

Psalm 23 – the lord is my shepherd and the following version written by Tokio Megashio What do these say to you about dealing with stress?

Psalm 23 a Japanese version

The lord is my pacesetter I shall not rush.

He makes me stop for quiet intervals.

He provides me with images of stillness

Which restore my serenity.

He leads me in ways of efficiency

Through calmness of mind

Even though I have a great many things to accomplish each day,

I will not fret for his presence is here.

His timelessness, his all importance

Will keep me in balance.

He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of my activity.

My cup of joyous energy overflows.

Truly harmony and effectiveness

Shall be the fruit of my hours.

For I shall walk in the pace of my lord

And dwell in his house forever.

Thinking about the things we say at conformation

Whether you are just about to be confirmed, or whether for you, it was some years ago, the things we say at conformation are ever important... but when was the last time you thought about what those words actually mean?

What follows is part of the conformation service (in black) and some questions to consider (in orange)...

The bishop asks the candidates

Have you been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit?
I have.

Are you ready with your own mouth and from your own heart to affirm your faith in Jesus Christ?
I am.

It can be easy to go to church, Bible study or prayer group, but to say in ourselves, yes I personally am for Jesus, is sometimes a bigger thing. What does it mean to put YOUR faith in him?

People of God, will you welcome these candidates and uphold them in their life in Christ?
With the help of God, we will.

THE DECISION

A large candle may be lit. The bishop addresses all the candidates

In baptism, God calls us out of darkness into his marvellous light.

To follow Christ means dying to sin and rising to new life with him.

How would you explain “dying to sin” to someone else?

Therefore I ask:

Do you reject the devil and all rebellion against God?

I reject them.

Do you think “rebellion against God” and “the deceit and corruption of evil” have anything to do with you? What does it mean to reject them?

Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?
I renounce them.
Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour?
I repent of them.

What does repent mean?

Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?
I turn to Christ.

How do we turn to Christ?

Do you submit to Christ as Lord?
I submit to Christ.

What does it mean in real life to submit to Christ?

Do you come to Christ, the way, the truth and the life?
I come to Christ.

What does it mean to come to Christ and what does Jesus being the way the truth and the life mean to you?

We say what comes below week in week out in church. Are there any bits you don’t understand? Could you explain what’s being said to someone else?

PROFESSION OF FAITH

The bishop addresses the congregation

Brothers and sisters, I ask you to profess
together with these candidates
the faith of the Church.

Do you believe and trust in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

Do you have any more questions? post a comment...