I am not much of a "resolution" guy, but, I do like the idea of taking a look at where I am at when the NY begins. Normally, I start the year with some "musings of Matt", but this year I thought I would be a little more focused and suggest a theme that might be a good focus for the whole of 2016.

I am not much of a "resolution" guy, but, I do like the idea of taking a look at where I am at when the NY begins. Normally, I start the year with some "musings of Matt", but this year I thought I would be a little more focused and suggest a theme that might be a good focus for the whole of 2016.

In the story of the birth of Jesus, the gospel writers record that on four different occasions, key people were told to not be afraid. Why was that so important and what's the message to us during the Advent Season?

Hannah & Caleb Atkins share an Advent devotional about their journey with being unable to have another baby for many years. We then reflect on Advent Hope and how it requires us to look to the future and possibility, rather than looking at the past and causality.

If you answer yes to any of the following, this discussion is for you! Please get a cup of something warm, find a comfortable spot, put in/on your headphones and stop doing other things!How many of you, like me, can spend lots of time in your head pre-thinking conversations, sometimes having them over and over again, projecting the other persons/groups response before they even happen?You have a difficult time falling back to sleep if you happen to wake up in the middle of the night because your mind gets active.You find it hard to pray because your mind keeps wandering.You think you have communicated to everyone that needs to be communicated with because in your head you have talked about something over and over again.During times of stress, you can tend to communicate less to those around you, but only because your mind is so active that it’s hard to form it into words.You find it easy to run to activities that take your mind off things.

Veteran missionary and friend, Shane Treadway, challenges us to think about what it means to follow the examply of the incarnation by living a sent life. What are the implications of the word "sent"? Beginning point? Destination? Purpose? Mission?

"We only teach the bible at our Church". I have heard it said countless times. Sometimes its said as a statement of enthusiastic support, sometimes in defense and most often it has a little question built in about whether or not you do the same. Like many educational endeavors, the result can easily be that we teach people "what" to think, rather than "how" to think. This is particularly important when it comes to the Bible. Knowing the context, authors intent, word meanings, etc... are all very important, and may bring us to a point of believing we have the right beliefs (orthodoxy). But the same thing can result in us holding and practicing our beliefs in the exact wrong way, unless we examine the how & why, not just the what.

One of our rhythms involves the simple act of sharing food and drink together. But, the rhythm is so much more than just eating and drinking, it is a recognition that Jesus can be found in the selection of food, the preparation, the presentation, the consumption and the clean up. All aspects provide opportunity to express who we are, while we commune with others and with God.

This is an extended recording that captures our listening Sunday. It would be most valuable if you took the time to reflect on scripture during the times when the singing stops.

From the Jewish account of creation in Genesis, to the construction of the temple, to the worship of the Psalmists and the futuristic vision of the reconciliation of all things, the Bible is full of beauty. This is why we intentionally bring beauty into this world. It is a continuation of the work of God as YHWH re-shaloms the whole of creation.