An Invitation: (from a journal article)
Just got sidetracked by seeing my contribution to #onlinecarols2012 go live … full service at 2pm today – coming join in at @onlinepraise!
God came to use because he wanted to join us on the road, to listen to our story, and help us realise that we are not walking in circles but moving towards the house of peace and joy.
Now earlier today @sallysjourney linked to a story re Christmas goose … but on Facebook, immediately as I thought I’d like to link to it, I saw it come up in blog post – so go about half-way down and seek out the goose analogy for the coming of God to this world – he came to be with us, to help us understand in which direction we should be going! We don’t have to struggle on our own – we can accept God’s invitation not to be afraid.
Worry Not: Luke 12: 32-33
Reminds me of verses I often engage with:
Matthew 6:25-34
The Message (MSG)
25-26 “If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.
27-29 “Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.
30-33 “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
34 “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.
Prayer: You often said ‘Be not afraid’. “May your message sink into our heart and offer us merciful consolation and joyful assurances of your unending card and concern. Amen”
Advent Action: The mistletoe – has no root – cannot grow without something to cling onto. Include a sprig as a reminder that we are dependent upon God..
Now off to check out Pam’s post…