Grateful for Love

#192 - God of the In-Between

Now that Christmas has past, we are in the in-between spaces between it and the new year! The joys of the Christmas season have regrettably ended, but it always leaves me with a hope for a better year to come. God is with us even in the quiet spaces of the in be-tweens of our lives. The highs as well as the lows. We don't know what the future may hold, but we can trust Him with our present moments - just as Mary did. Her life would forever be changed due to being the mother to the Christ child. She trusted her present and entrusted her future into the loving arms of God. May we all do the same while we wait in our in-betweens and look forward to what new things God brings into our lives.

#191 - Advent Continues - Love

As Christmas draws near, we light the final Advent candle - the Candle of Love. Love is the heartbeat of the Christmas story: a God who came close, stepped into our humanity, and embraced us with grace. Never lose sight of the real reason for the season.

#190 - Advent Continues - Joy

Joy is much deeper than happiness. It is born from God's truth that says, God is with us and He is for us. Even during uncertain times, God's joy rises up like a song inside our souls, reminding us that Christ's coming brings good news for all people. Luke 2: 10 - But the angel said to them, do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Christ's coming validates to what extent God, the Father, took to recover man's lost relationship with Him. Christ came to restore and renew.

#189/ The Story of Advent

Advent is the story of a God who steps into our longing - not from afar, but from within a manager. My prayer is that as we enter into this Advent season. We are invited to wait not with fear, but with expectation, for the Light is coming. Advent reminds us that no matter how long the night may feel, God is already working. He steps into our waiting with purpose. He steps into our darkness with light. And even before we see the answer, hope invites us to trust that God is near.

#188/Wisdom Lessons Recap

God created us with the ability to make choices. In Tremper Longman's "The Wisdom Book", the author stresses that in order to have true wisdom one must have a relationship with God. Jesus is the very "wisdom from God." We should deepen our relationship with Him through prayer and through listening to His teaching from the whole of Scriptures.