A Few Advent Thoughts

I've been thinking about the Advent season lately. Christmas is my absolutely favorite time of year because it gives me plenty of new perspective on the incarnation. Perhaps this may assist you as well.

noun

1. a coming into place, view, or being; arrival: the advent of the holiday season.

2. (usually initial capital letter) the coming of Christ into the world.

3. (initial capital letter) the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas, observed in commemoration of the coming of Christ into the world.

4. (usually initial capital letter) Second Coming.

So we continue to wait, even after His first appearing. The Bible even tells us the world groans with eager expectation. Even the world cries out in earthquakes, floods, and storms to be reconciled under Christ.

"The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God."--Romans 8:19-21

I rather like John Piper's sermon on this section of the Bible (which of course is what inspired this blog in the first place).

Listen Here!

Also, here are a few pictures from my trips to the Christmas markets in Alsace last weekend.

Christmas markets in Strasbourg, Alsace

Roommates, Krisi (Redhead) and Jacie (Blue coat)

On a mountain near a castle in Kayesbourg Alsace. The Chinese students talked us into this pose. Apparently it's a thing in China.

Colmar, Alsace

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In Case You Were Curious

The feat of writing a post and explanation for what happened this past weekend has kept me from even attempting it for some days now. How do you describe miracles but not as to cheapen the treasure of their testimony? First I must begin to explain who this man Steven is, and who he someday will be. Skeptical, I have been for some years now which is why I categorize his existence as a miracle. He is strong. Meek. Authoritative in speech, and yet the most gentle of men. He hates all the usual things like Wal-Mart and loves all the usual authors like G.K. Chesterton. His brokenness before the Lord was what set him apart from the crowd for me. I honor this man with words of encouragement. "Steven, you are dearly loved and anointed by Jesus. Not because you have done great things for Him, but because your heart longs to make Him the focus. You know He is good even in the desert seasons. You have chosen Jesus. You have a closeness with Him that inspires me to seek Him a

Let's Run!

I am tired of making the Christian life look good. I might as well wear the t-shirt that says "Christians have more fun". When Jesus said we could have life to the full (John 10:10), I am told He was not wearing the t-shirt. If anything His shirt would say "fullness of life found here". It's futile of me to think we Christians need to persuade the world that we love our lives. In fact Paul said, "If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men."--1 Corinthians 15:11 If indeed Jesus has been raised, then my living is not empty. I fix my eyes on the prize. That prize is not less drinking, fewer swear words, and a "good job" from morality at the end of the day...it is El Shaddai, God all sufficient. "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to

Songs of Solomon 1:2 and some "HWIT"

I have three weeks off until my classes start. Before I do a little bit of traveling these next few weekends (once to Germany--er--Deutschland ja!, and the other to the South of France) I've taken the liberty of planning my wedding. I found Pinterest to be very helpful for ideas and I think ranunculus with baby's breath might be the way to go instead of peonies because I'm told they keep longer and are less expensive--ALICIA YOU DON'T HAVE A BOYFRIEND! Oh, THAT. Yes, in due time Mr. Conscience. In my reasoning, I will never have another three weeks "off" in my entire life so I should make use of it. On another related aspect, in my Housewife In Training sessions (also known as HWIT), I've been trying my hand at this cooking thing. Here in my French living quarters I've discovered the cheap and great joy that is couscous. This is thanks to my roommates that are a little more learned at this thing than I ( a TRL shout out to Jacie a

Here's my heart, Lord, take and seal it

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