advent - week two - peace :)

oh the peace week of advent... haha I for sure felt like this was a week to be praying that I would feel some peace this week - but there is another kind of peace we can have, and that is the peace that Jesus gives us :)

Matthew 3:1-6

3 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea ² and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” ³ This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,

‘Prepare the way for the Lord,

    make straight paths for him.’”

⁴ John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist.His food was locusts and wild honey. ⁵ People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. ⁶ Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.

When I read this it reminds me to repent and sometimes I feel like this is a scary word to people, and and when they hear it they can picture someone standing on a soap box with a mega phone yelling "Repent now and save your soul"

Really, repentance I think is a discipline that we forget - or think doesn't apply to us, but I think it really is a beautiful thing because it brings us closer to Jesus.  I often even forget the importance of repenting, there was once a time in my life where it was a daily activity and I wouldn't go for longer than a day with unforgiveness or any sin because I just wanted every minute to be closer to Jesus. But things get busy, I forget, my heart becomes hard and I tell myself that it wasn't really gossip what I just said to my friend, I pretend that tv show I watch doesn't cause me to lust after things I don't have, and that when my feelings are hurt it is ok to hold that person in my debt until I want to forgive them... these things build up and our heart get's hard and we lose that peace, and we realize we can't hear that still small voice, because there is no room...

... but Jesus changes everything...

Jesus was born, died on the cross - such a crazy/beautiful act of love - and was resurrected!

The kingdom of God is here, yet is still coming.

All repenting really means is to in prayer confess the things that have caused us to stray away from Jesus, and ask forgiveness, and to choose to turn towards Jesus.  

It causes us to humble ourselves, and surrender our control over at the foot of the cross - both quite challenging things - but when we pray and humble ourselves, seek Jesus and turn from our ways the bible says that Jesus will hear and forgive us! With this forgiveness that can only come from Jesus comes peace.

Spend a minute or two and think about the peace Jesus brings through His life, death and resurrection 

So during this crazy time to you have peace?  

oh and here are some fun pics of my week :)

smiles and blessings

ashleigh

Advent - week one - hope:)

Here is the gingerbread house I made tonight with friends - most fun ever :)

Why do I love advent so much?  I think because things get busy at Christmas and it is really easy to get caught up in so many other things.  At Christmas sometimes I'm exhausted or overwhelmed - I get disappointed or feel left out and other times things are going smoothly - i'm happy and joyful, but advent makes time for me to thank God and remember He hasn't abandoned me.

Advent is about anticipating the birth of Jesus.  It's about longing and desiring that which is yet to come - and so we wait - together.

So each december we have the opportunity to enter into a season of waiting, expecting and longing that the Spirit will meet us here.  A time to ask God to enter into our deep places, the parts that are hard or bitter, the places that have lost the hope of tomorrow.

I am desperate for Him to come

We turn our hearts to that day.  That day when Jesus cries His first cry and we celebrate that sound we have been waiting for.

The first week of advent is:

The Hope Candle

Isaiah 11:1-10

Jesse’s family is like a tree that has been cut down.
    A new little tree will grow from its stump.
    From its roots a Branch will grow and produce fruit.
² The Spirit of the Lord will rest on that Branch.
    He will help him to be wise and understanding.
He will help him make wise plans and carry them out.
    He will help him know the Lord and have respect for him.
³ The Branch will take delight
    in respecting the Lord.

He will not judge things only by the way they look.
    He won’t make decisions based simply on what people say.
⁴ He will always do what is right
    when he judges those who are in need.
He’ll be completely fair
    when he makes decisions about poor people.
When he commands that people be punished,
    it will happen.
When he orders that evil people be put to death,
    it will take place.
⁵ He will put godliness on as if it were his belt.
    He’ll wear faithfulness around his waist.

⁶ Wolves will live with lambs.
    Leopards will lie down with goats.
Calves and lions will eat together.
    And little children will lead them around.
⁷ Cows will eat with bears.
    Their little ones will lie down together.
    And lions will eat straw like oxen.
⁸ A baby will play near a hole where cobras live.
    A young child will put his hand into a nest
    where poisonous snakes live.
⁹ None of those animals will harm or destroy anything or anyone
    on my holy mountain of Zion.
The oceans are full of water.
    In the same way, the earth will be filled
    with the knowledge of the Lord.

¹⁰ At that time the man who is called the Root from Jesse’s family line will be like a banner that brings nations together. They will come to him. And the place where he rules will be glorious.

So take a moment or two and think about what is the hope of advent - what is the hope we have because of Christ's second coming?