Advent is a season of anticipation, of longing. We look forward to this season for many reasons... Turkey, presents, lights... and celebrating the birth of Jesus. We wait for eleven months. What is we had to wait eleven years, or longer. Simeon and Anna had waited their whole lives. And they only caught a glimmer of the light. It was enough. Enough to bring joy. Enough to cause worship.

Something is different. You have been through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. Felt the fear. Known the pain. You longed for things to be the way they were before. When things were simpler. Easier even. And even though things are better -you feel better- things aren't the same. They are different. Your disorienting time led you to a new understanding. Was the pain worth it? Of course not. But you like the way things are now. Admit it. Thank God for it.

Sometimes it is hard to get out of bed. Or to stop crying. Or to believe things will ever get better. Some think theses thoughts show a lack of faith. Let's be clear: they are not bad people, but they are wrong. The ability to cry out to God in anger, hurt and confusions may show the deepest faith of all. Are you willing to dig that deep this morning?

“Oh, what a beautiful morning. Oh, what a beautiful day. I've got a beautiful feeling everythings goin' my way.” Have you ever had a day like that? A month? A decade? There are times in our lives when everything seems to go right. What do we do then? How do we worship?

How are you this morning? Are you sick, tired or exhausted? Do you feel overwhelmed by life or overjoyed? No matter how you feel, there is a Psalm to help you express your heart. There are Psalms for the good times and the bad, the joyous and the frustrating. Let us join our voices with the psalmists this morning...

Letter to the Church in Philadelphia

Letter to the Church in Sardis

Letter to the Church in Thyatira

Suffering is an expected part of following hard after Jesus. He told his disciples to expect ridicule, abuse, slander, beatings... the list can go on and on. Yet, we seem surprised when someone suffers. We seem overwhelmed by even the idea. It is the reality for so many Christians around the world. Should it be part of our own?

“How could you be so heartless?” The words sting like a knife. Our souls long to love and be loved. Sometimes we betray our lovers. Sometimes we turn on those who have warmed our lives with their care. Sometimes it is more insidious.

We still do all the right things. We say the right words. We remember all the right dates. Inside, though, we have lost our love. We run from it and merely act out the role prescribed for us by the other party.