Advent Reflection

Advent... 

The following  is a lengthy reflection  from one of my favorite blog sites, Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.   Any words or thoughts I have concerning this season of Advent would be trite in comparison to words of Prioress General Sister Pat. The scriptures that she sites are powerful. 

As a Protestant how did I  come across this site?  Four years ago,  my husband and I celebrated a special anniversary.  We hosted  a simple gathering for friends and family. We shared food, music, and a short video. Each of our guests received a small  bar of fragrant soap that was beautifully wrapped and tagged with a scripture from the Bible.  I purchased the soap from the Sisters. They create soap and other items. Since then, I am on their email list and mailing list.  

 To read the entire  post, I invite you to visit  site. Sacred Stones, Sacred Stories. 

"A word from our Prioress General Sister Pat on Advent:  O Come, Emmanuel

Advent is the season that allows us to give unabashed and full vent to our longings.  To long for something is to recognize that a gap exists between what is and what could be; that a piece is missing from the whole.  The human heart longs for justice and truth, mercy and forgiveness, peace and understanding, compassion and love.  The Advent scripture readings from the prophets, St. Paul and the evangelists fuel our longing for these human hungers as they hold out hope that God will bring us to safety and security and glorious redemption.

Our greatest longing, of course, is for God.  That most basic, primal longing is a mirror image of and response to God’s longing for us:

“God called to the man, ‘Where are you?’” (Gen 3: 9)

“I will seduce her and lead her into the desert and speak to her heart.” (Hos 2: 14)

“I myself took them in my arms; I drew them with bands of love.” (Hos 11: 4)

“How many times I yearned to gather your children, as a hen gathers her young.” (Mt 23: 37)

And our longing for God:

“God, you are my God, for you I long.” (Ps 63: 2)

“O Lord, our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” (St. Augustine)"
What do you think?  This is not the end of the post. You may visit the site to read the entire post. 

In closing, I rest in the fact I trust in a God who is a faithful, loving, and merciful . I also long for the day when Jesus will return. 

Fellowship ...Koinonia

“A conversation here. A conversation there. A meal. 

A trip. A visit. A problem faced. A struggle overcome.

A success shared. Little by little, our friendship has grown.”

This is how Dianna Booher describes the growth of a friendship.

I think she has it almost perfect.  She missed one detail…praying with a friend.

 I  am astonished at the depth of my friendships in Bible Study Fellowship. At our weekly meetings, we bow and pray.  We train, We pray .  We celebrate our victories.  We laugh. We comfort each other in our grief. We grow in our relationships with each other and with God. We share a passion that others will come to have a vibrant personal relationship with God. 

Today’s fellowship… sweet…

Pet of the week, Patches

Patches

"Cats are the connoisseurs of comfort." James Herriot
Do you see the red and white water and food bowls?

Last month, we enjoyed spending time in Hilton Head, Savannah, and  Daufuskie Island.
This is the General Store on Daufuskie Island.

A journey to restore value to women

As I look at my calendar, I have a sense of giddy anticipation that is mixed with an emotional ache.  In the next two weeks, I plan to attend a cookie exchange,  play, business dinner, a college graduation,  a birthday party, potluck and a quarterly meeting. Lord willing, I hope to enjoy the celebrations.  

At some of these events, food may be the focus. It is tempting to indulge in foods that are only offered once a year.  I'm working to resist the temptation to over indulge. I have a plan. 

Tonight I attended a Christmas Tea to benefit the Refuge for Women.  Tonight’s event had a perfect balance of healthy food, conversation, and speakers. 

Lori and I at tonight's event.
Lori is a Life Coach @ I Bloom.
I mentioned I Bloom in a previous post.

The most important part of tonight's event...
How God has enabled women to leave the adult entertainment industry.
Godly women making a difference
Learn more here: Restoring Value to Women
On the left, program director for the program
On the right, the founder.

Soup

"Only the pure in heart can make a good soup."

Ludwig van Beethoven

At yesterday's lunch, Koko prepared the Spiced Beet Carrot Soup
This recipe is in  December's  2012 issue of Cooking Light.
Photo courtesy of Becky

Advent Season

First Sunday of Advent
"May God our Father himself and our Master  Jesus clear the road to you! And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes on everyone around you.
I Thessalonians 3:11 - 12 Message

Living your legacy

One word has adjusted how I look at legacy. Instead of leaving a legacy... living your legacy. This book,  i Choose2 Love My Life has been an important tool for me. In the book, they (the iBloom team) discuss living intentionally, time management, being grateful, forgiving, eating healthy, and more.  This year long journey has been a catalyst for change. Now, I want to go deeper and grow in the commitments I have made this year.  Have you ever considered having a life coach?  Are you stuck in a place? Do you know someone who needs inspiration? The iBloom  team could be a perfect team for you or a friend.  Visit their site @ Christian Life Coaching

Today, Mrs. Georgia Wilson leaves a wonderful legacy to her family, friends, and her church community.   Her legacy lives on in her son and grandchildren. Praying for her family as they celebrate her life.