'Advent Conspiracy' Tagged Posts
Welcoming Peace in the Emergency Room
And he will be our peace. Micah 5:5a When I had my first panic attack, I had no idea what was going on. Confused and terrified, I spent most of that night in the ER. While I waited to be admitted, I noticed a young man with red hair who was also waiting. We were the only two in the waiting area, and we were both there for at least half an hour, me experiencing the end of a three…
The Accidental Pizza
I lay in the brown leather recliner in our attic, the chair where I have fed my three babies these last six years and spent countless nights with each newborn, rocking, nursing, snacking with the hunger of a new mother, and dozing when I could. Because of this, I always think of that chair sentimentally, but this August weekend it would be drained of nostalgia. This weekend I spent three days in that chair, coughing and wheezing as I fought…
Simple Blessing
Have you ever been overwhelmed with someone’s response to your act of service? I had this experience several times. The specifics are different each time, but the core part of the story is the same: I help by doing something relatively minor, they respond as if I’d just done the most difficult thing in the world. It’s jarring to me because I don’t see what I did as particularly significant or noteworthy. In fact, I often will play it down…
Worship Preview: Give More – Simple Blessing
We continue our Advent Conspiracy this week with Give More – Simple Blessing. When you give of yourself to others, you become a blessing to them. Changing how we celebrate Christmas starts with simple acts of blessing, as we Give More of our selves this year. We also get to hear our Preschool kids sing during the Contemporary service. (Worship Schedule, Series Page) Readings (Click to read or listen) Old Testament: 1 Kings 17:7–16 New Testament: Acts 10:1–4 Gospel: Mark 6:33–44…
Simple Living
It’s hard to believe, but I have been in Buffalo for nine years now. It’s the longest I’ve lived in one city since leaving for college in 1995. Prior to moving here in November 2005, I had lived in Texas for 5 years, then 1.5 years in Cleveland. It effectively meant that we moved twice in under two years. What I’ve learned about myself through the moving process then and twice since we got to Buffalo is that I have…
Worship Preview: Spend Less – Simple Living
“I’m busy.” “I’m exhausted.” “I could use a break right now.” Have you ever responded like this when someone who asked how you were doing during the Christmas season? It seems to be a time when we are overcommitted in our schedule and finances. But what if Christmas were different? What if there was space to breathe? Come find out how to make that happen as we continue the Advent Conspiracy and look at how we can “Spend Less” through…
Simple Worship
Several years ago I had an opportunity to chart how I was using my time. Throughout the day, I would record what I did in 15-minute increments. At the end of the 2-week period, I totaled up all the time spent on various projects and areas of ministry. It was an interesting process. It led to an even more interesting discovery. I found I was doing a lot, but accomplishing little. Have you ever felt that way? You’re working hard,…