This Advent, we will focus on the mystery of incarnation. Prophets called the child Son of God, Son of man, Immanuel, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. What child is this? Today we focus on child of promise and the biblical prophecies.

This week is Thanksgiving, when we remember to live in gratitude. How can we let go of grumbling?

Almost every one of us struggles with worry. How can we let worry go?

Sometimes when we are hurt we decide that the way to avoid pain in the future is to make a vow--commitment to self-defense (in some way) instead of a commitment to trusting God.

Shame is deeply corrosive. How can we release shame so that it no longer has a hold on us?

Hurts are real, and need healing. Injustice is real, and should be set right. Resentment does not lead to healing nor to justice. Resentment just holds on to the hurt so we are living in it. How can we let go?

We live so much of our lives for ourselves—our careers, our family, our schedule, ourselves. God invites us to let go of ourselves to take hold of something bigger.

Fear can be healthy when it is a reasonable response to a real danger. Fear is unhealthy when it is an unreasonable response, or a response to an unreal danger. Fear can paralyze us. How can we let go of unhealthy fear so that we are not controlled by it?

Have you heard words that feel like that from other people, and somehow they echo within you days, weeks, even years or decades after they were carelessly spoken? This is self-condemnation. Some of us deal with self-condemnation as an ongoing struggle and today I’d like to explore how we can let go.

What comes first in your life? What is truly most important to you? How can we find space for God?