Something from Advent

An Advent Credo

I believe in Joy.

I believe in the promise of the morning.

I believe that Christ will come

and wipe our tears away.

I believe in the life everlasting.

I believe that Christ will come

and bring a bright new day.

Lord, in my heart i believe.

When the darkness falls around me,

in the still of the night, when the

shadows all around me, faith will

lead me to the morning light!

I believe in peace.

I believe in the song of tomorrow.

I believe that Christ will come

and war shall be no more.

I believe in love.

I believe in God's great love.

I believe that grace unites us.

I believe that Christ will come

in glory from above.

I believe in joy.

I believe in hope.

I believe in peace.

I believe in love.

Lord, I believe.

Merry Christmas Everyone

Isn't it easy to gt caught up with the holidays and to forget what it is really about? -the birth of our savior, being with family and caring for one another. I always love going home for break because it is a time where i can "just be" while i am at home. But then i get home and time quickly disappears. I over plan and commit myself, and then before you know it, break is almost over and i missed the importance of the holidays.

Today is Christmas eve, what an amazing time to reflect and remember the significance of what tomorrow brings. A beautiful baby that changed the meaning and ending of our lives. who came to us out of love and to build a relationship with us all. who gave his life so we may live with him forever. What a sacrifice, and what a deep ardent love. Hopefully we can all take some time to think about just what that means.

Here are some inspiring words from Shauna Niequist i read earlier today:

"You are more than dust and bones. You are spirit and power and the image of God. And you have been given Today."

So today let us remember the one who's love is never ending and the joy of his birth!

Time for Rest

As this semester ends i can't believe just how fast time has gone by. This semester was my introduction to the nursing program. Something that i am very excited about. I learned so much with the rotations we had, with our classes, and my class mates. First and foremost i learned that God is calling me to nursing more strongly than i ever thought. I see so much brokenness with our patients and long for their healing. I wish that peoples environments and family circumstances were supportive not cruel. I see the need for Gods love to pour out over this world and show all those who are hurting, treating them selves unkindly, or grieving that he is there for them holding them in his arms.

When the Seasons Change, Your Love Still Remains

Remain - by Starfield

Defender of this heart

You loved me from the start

You never change

Through the highs and lows

As seasons come and go

You never fail

Day after day

Your love will remain

Faithful and true

You are good

[Chorus:]

You are God with us

You're victorious

You are strong and mighty to save

For Your word stands true

There is none like You

And when all else fades

You remain

When troubles come my way

You guide and You sustain

Lead me, I pray

Forever You will be

The great eternal King

Now and always

Day after day

Your love will remain

Faithful and true

You are good, you are good

When all else fades

You remain

You remain

Cause' day after day

You never change

Day after day

You are the same

Day after day

You remain

Silence Like Zechariah

Today at church we read Luke 1, the story about the birth of john the Baptist. The pastor started by telling us the story about the encounter of Zechariah and the Angle Gabriel. We read the Gabriel comes to Zachariah to tell him good news- the birth of his future son. Zechariah questions this information because he and his wife are not as young as they once were and wonder if this is possible. Because of this Gabriel tells Zechariah that he will not be able to talk until his son John is born.

9 months is a long time to listen and reflect over what others are saying. Just think- it took 9 months for Zechariah to understand and reflect the power of what God was telling him. Just think how much longer it might take for us to understand what god is telling us.

The pastor used an example of how hard it is to find natural silence in our world today. In 1968 a research study was conducted to see how long it would take to get 60 mins of natural silence. It took them about 12 hours (maybe a bit more or less). BUT what was shocking to me was that they did this study again in 2001 and it took these researchers 3 months - 2000 hours to get 60 mins of natural silence....wow.....what does that say about us.....are we uncomfortable with silence..... and if so how do we become comfortable and create space for silence in our lives?