Unexpected Trials

Posted: December 20, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Reflections on Life & Faith | Tags: , | 2 Comments
Today, we continue our look at the unexpected events of Advent. We have taken a couple looks at Zecharias–his being chosen to enter The Holy Place and his visit from Gabriel.
Mary was a young woman, planning her life with Joseph, her fiance. We know that Mary was a descendant of King David, Matthew gives us the full lineage. She was living in Nazareth, a small town in Galilee. From other Gospels, we learn that Nazareth was not a well-liked city. John records Nathanael asking Philip “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (1:46). It is believed to be a small, insignificant town in that day.  Read the rest of this entry »

The Unexpected

Posted: December 18, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Reflections on Life & Faith | Tags: | 3 Comments

This is the second of a multi-part series about “the unexpected.” We are taking a look at the Christmas story and the many unexpected things that happen throughout, trying to draw lessons from them. Yesterday we looked at the diligence of Zechariah as he performed his bi-annual priestly duties of travelling to Jerusalem. He was an old man and never chosen to enter The Holy Place to make an incense offering. Until now.

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Expect the Unexpected

Posted: December 17, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Leadership, Reflections on Life & Faith | Tags: | 4 Comments

It is Advent season. Many know this, we are lighting a new candle each week at church. What many may not realize is that “advent” means “coming,” a time we celebrate the coming of God to earth–Emmanuel, God with us. This month in my small group, we have been looking at the Christmas story as told by Luke. A theme that I caught the first week and have continued seeing throughout has been “the unexpected.” Read the rest of this entry »