November 2008 Archives

Mark D. Roberts has his 2008 Advent guide online - Preparing for the Coming of Christ:
A Guide for Using the Advent Wreath.

We seem to take solace in the idea that half-hearted worship is acceptable as long as it's honest, but doesn't Jesus ask us for "all"?

Go deeper! Listen to my podcast on this subject on iTunes or at our podcast page for TruthCast.

Here are a few books you can use to focus on the real meaning of Christmas:

• Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus: Experiencing the Peace and Promise of Christmas
• Christ in Christmas: A Family Advent Celebration
• The Advent Jesse Tree: Devotions for Children and Adults to Prepare for the Coming of the Christ Child at Christmas
• Jotham's Journey: A Storybook for Advent

You can read Advent devotionals online (and have them sent to your email address) here.

Mark D. Roberts helps us understand the meaning and significance of the Advent season.

The time before Christmas is Advent, a season of preparation for Christmas. Christians prepare for celebrating the birth of Jesus by remembering the longing of the Jews for a Messiah. In Advent we’re reminded of how much we also need a Savior, and we look forward to our Savior’s second coming even as we prepare to celebrate his first coming at Christmas. Indeed, the word Advent comes from the Latin word that means “coming” or “visit.” In the season with this name, we keep in mind both “advents” of Christ, the first in Bethlehem and the second yet to come.

Read more here.

Advent08, found here , is a daily devotional tool to help find focus and discipline attention. It is more than just a way to count down the days to Christmas; it is a way to help transform Advent into a journey of faith. It is a way to help prepare for the coming of Jesus to live among us, so that the good news of Christmas morn lingers on long after the packages are opened. It is our hope and prayer that the Holy Spirit would lead you through the Scriptures to a newfound wonder of Emmanuel, Jesus Christ, Savior of the world. May the Lord bless you on your journey.

Advent Begins November 30.

(Found at Between Two Worlds)

Pastor Rick McKinley of Imago Dei Community discusses Advent Conspiracy.

 

[AC] Advent Conspiracy from Jon Collins on Vimeo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RethinkingChristmas.com - Advent Conspiracy is a movement calling us to proclaim Christ in how we celebrate Christmas. But rethinking Christmas is not an easy venture for anyone. It requires us to try new things and push outside our comfort zone. This is a community site for you to share your stories and ideas for the season of advent. To particpate, contribute your gift ideas and post questions and comments in the forum.

Advent Conspiracy brochure (12.6 MB pdf)

Listen to the Advent Conspiracy podcast (link will open iTunes, if you have it)

 

Download free audio and video from a recent Shepherding A Child's Heart conference with Dr. Tedd Tripp.

Conference information:

Everyone wants to be a great parent--the biggest responsibility of parenthood is teaching your children to love Jesus with all of their heart, soul, and strength. For parents with children of any age, Dr. Tripp's insightful, biblical teaching provides perspectives and procedures for shepherding your child's heart into the paths of life.

• Session 1: The Call to Formative Instruction
• Session 2: Giving Kids a Vision for God's Glory
• Session 3: Helping Kids Understand Authority
• Session 4: Helping Kids Understand the Heart
• Session 5: Overview of Corrective Discipline

The Conspiracy is coming to Grace Chapel.