In one of the most familiar stories from Jesus' life, (and one of the few where we have a recorded explanation) Jesus teaches his followers that good seed is being sown all over the place, the problem is the state of the soil.

As is normal at the start of the year, we try to prompt our community regarding things that we think are important for the coming year and things that may need adjustment from the past. This year is no different.

In our unique political and global situation, remembering that Christ-followers are first and foremost called to kingdom living and service of only one King. Everything else flows from that.

It was great to have Shane Treadway in Bellingham for a short visit. As usual, it was also great to hear from him and to hear what is on his heart.

One of the most prevalent themes throughout the story of Jesus' birth and life, was the promise of joy. Much has been written about joy and if you were to do a search, you would find that much of it is explaining why joy and happiness are not the same. But, is this biblical? On a very practical level, is it even realistic? Don't joy and happiness usually go together?

Though this is important, it is really not the main theme of our discussion this week. As I have been trying to do this Advent season, I want us to ask ourselves what needs to be present in our lives for joy to break in. All through the Advent script, there is a common element that is present in every single character's experience. That element is faith. Without it, it is almost impossible to experience joy, especially when things are not going as we want them to or thought they would.

How many of us can honestly say that we are peaceful? In our "always on" world, it is difficult to make room for peace to enter our lives. What makes it hard for you to be at peace? Are you worried, anxious, fearful? One of the great Advent promises is that Jesus would bring peace. Not just the absence of war, but also the presence of peace in the midst of both internal and external strife. So, what does it take for peace to have room in our hearts and minds? More often than not, our experience of peace doesn't just happen. It enters our lives as we learn to let go and relinquish those things that we can't control in this life. Take a few minutes and pray this prayer:

Dear God,

In this moment, I let go of all thoughts and concerns. When I let go, I am able to receive. When my hands are formed into tight fists, I cannot open my hands to receive anything.

Letting go in this moment, I receive your loving presence around me and within me.Help me to let go when I am feeling overwhelmed, so that I may receive your shalom. Help me to let go when I feel fear so that in fear’s place I may receive love and courage. I let go of problems and challenges in order to receive your guidance and clarity. I let go and trust you.

I let go and trust in the still, small voice inside of me. Help me not to struggle but to surrender my struggle to you. I gladly receive this gift of letting go and letting you lead me and give me shalom.

As we enter the season of Advent, think about what needs to take place in our lives in order for the offerings of Jesus to be present. Hope doesn't just happen. Hope rises as we recognize that we don't have what we long for. Hope comes only as we embrace the reality of our current situation, stop striving and wait.

Luke 4:5 - “And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to Him, “I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 “Therefore if You worship before me, it shall all be Yours.”

What do you think?

* In this moment of seeing the kingdoms of the world, did it include the USA?

* Was the devil simply lying when he said that it had been handed over to him and he could give it whomever he wished?

* So, who is in charge of the “kingdom” of our country?

I believe that the primary message of Jesus, or as I have been putting it, "the offer of Jesus", was captured most fully in his teaching about the kingdom of God. In the words that He spoke and the actions that He demonstrated, Jesus declared what life is like when YaHWeH is king. When YaHWeh is king, there is good news for the poor, comfort for the brokenhearted, release for the captive, freedom for the prisoners and sight for the blind. There is healing from affliction and there is healing for the soul. There is mercy instead of judgement and forgiveness for all. This is the kingdom we long for and work towards, and though we do not see it yet, we do not lose heart.

We are always pleased when Heidi is able to speak at Mosaic. This time was no different, so take a few minutes, grab a warm drink and take it in.