Sermon Video, Calvary Community Church, Williams Bay, WI

Life is a moment-by-moment, delicate adventure of living in the shadow of the past and in anticipation of the future. Social obligations, year-end business pressure, family expectations, and much more, intensifies the Advent season to an almost frenzied pace of life that leaves us weary, worn and, too often, deeply disappointed. Is there a better way to experience this Advent season that will propel us into a new year of 2012 content, confident, and actually celebrating the reality of "Immanuel" (God with us) as God intended Advent to be lived?

In the frenzy of “Black Friday” weekend, many voices call us to consider our transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Elderly voices who survived the Great Depression and World Wars caution us to fiscal responsibility and family priority. Young voices assure us that they much prefer a loving, united family rather than piles of gifts. Billions of desperate people around the world urge us to live simple and compassionate lives, seeing their hopelessness. And as we "Draw Near to God," what does He say?

In the frenzy of “Black Friday” weekend, many voices call us to consider our transition from Thanksgiving to Christmas. Elderly voices who survived the Great Depression and World Wars caution us to fiscal responsibility and family priority. Young voices assure us that they much prefer a loving, united family rather than piles of gifts. Billions of desperate people around the world urge us to live simple and compassionate lives, seeing their hopelessness. And as we "Draw Near to God," what does He say?

It's Thanksgiving week... emotions and raw reality reach a breaking point. The joy, but also the heartbreak, of family. The elusiveness of how much is enough. The comfort, but also the pain, of memories. The confusing uncertainly of our future. How can we break free to live Generous Gratitude... Thanksliving?

It's Thanksgiving week... emotions and raw reality reach a breaking point. The joy, but also the heartbreak, of family. The elusiveness of how much is enough. The comfort, but also the pain, of memories. The confusing uncertainly of our future. How can we break free to live Generous Gratitude... Thanksliving?

We’ve all been wounded...it’s part of life. We are designed by God to heal from our wounds, but we can prevent our own healing through unforgiveness. Anger is a God-designed emotion, but unresolved anger breeds bitterness, which enslaves and consumes us. How can I be set free once and for all?

We’ve all been wounded...it’s part of life. We are designed by God to heal from our wounds, but we can prevent our own healing through unforgiveness. Anger is a God-designed emotion, but unresolved anger breeds bitterness, which enslaves and consumes us. How can I be set free once and for all?

Like stubborn toddlers, we declare, “I can do it myself,” and our pride, our self-reliance, and our refusal to see God’s reality, lead us down the wandering path toward self-destruction. Our best hope is …”Draw Near to God” and when we do, a humble, teachable spirit will awaken in us allowing us to see reality and to make our course corrections before it’s too late.

Like stubborn toddlers, we declare, “I can do it myself,” and our pride, our self-reliance, and our refusal to see God’s reality, lead us down the wandering path toward self-destruction. Our best hope is …”Draw Near to God” and when we do, a humble, teachable spirit will awaken in us allowing us to see reality and to make our course corrections before it’s too late.

The world watches in amazement as Americans plant tombstones in their front yards, hang skeletons and “ghosts” around their homes, and fill their theatres with terrifying movies. What does it mean in a world wracked by real earthquakes, hurricanes, floods and the brutality of devastating wars? Where are the people who bring honorable hope, maybe even "holy hope" to a desperate world?