Re:turn to Advent - Zephaniah 3:14-17

14 Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel!

Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem!

15 The Lord has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy.

The Lord, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm.

16 On that day they will say to Jerusalem,

“Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp.

17 The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves.

He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you,

but will rejoice over you with singing.”

Questions for Reflection:

How do you feel to know that God "takes great delight in you?"

What makes it possible for God to delight in us?

How could you lift your hand in rejoicing either figuratively or literally today?

Prayer of the Week:

Daily Opening Prayer (including 2 minutes of silence)

Father, Son, Holy Spirit, I rejoice in the in the reality and opportunity to spend these moments in Your presence. It is so good to be with you Jesus, so good. Please, restore me in You and renew me in you that I might experience all of You that is possible. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, saturate me in Your Love, saturate me in your Life and saturate me in Your JOY this day. Untangle me from my anxious thoughts, immerse me now in my true identity as a child of my heavenly Father with an irreplaceable role to play this day, in Your larger story.

Jesus, help me untangle from all other claims on my attention as I engage with you in this time. I ask for more of your JOY today and an increased capacity to REJOICE in You and all You are to me. I am open to You Jesus now … I rest in You… (Spend two minutes of reflective silence with eyes closed, this time is embedded in the audio version … just rest in the presence of yourself and Jesus!)

Daily Closing Prayer

Jesus, through the waiting of this Advent give me a deeper desire for you and for Your JOY in my life. I long for you and for a life of REJOICING! I long also for Your return to make all things new – when JOY and REJOICING will flow uninhibited! Jesus, I renounce any and all ways I tend to look to others and my circumstances as my source of JOY and my reason for REJOICING. I want You and all You have done, are doing and will do for me to be the foundation of my JOY - then I will be able see and not miss all the myriad people and experiences in my everyday life as invitations to REJOICE. Jesus, I admit that I am not good at JOY and REJOICING especially when my situation and circumstances are difficult and overwhelming. I trust Your grace in these moments. I trust you will meet me in those places as well. I know having your JOY does not ignore my reality but rather helps me navigate my reality with You in the center - and when You are with me then the possibilities HOPE and JOY and PEACE abound.

Thank you – Thank You – Thank You! I receive You now.

I am excited to see what you can do today. I know you can do amazing things, and I would love to be a part of them.

I am waiting for your cue.

Amen

Re:turn to Advent - John 15:5-11

John 15:5-11

“I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire. But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. This is how my Father shows who he is—when you produce grapes, when you mature as my disciples.

“I’ve loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. If you keep my commands, you’ll remain intimately at home in my love. That’s what I’ve done—kept my Father’s commands and made myself at home in his love.

“I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature.

Questions for Reflection:

How does it feel to know that Jesus deeply desires you to have joy, true joy, His joy?

What do you think it means to be "at home in Jesus's love"? Do you think you are?

Is there anything hard or challenging about being loved so very deeply by Jesus and then living in that love on a daily basis?

Prayer of the Week:

Daily Opening Prayer (including 2 minutes of silence)

Father, Son, Holy Spirit, I rejoice in the in the reality and opportunity to spend these moments in Your presence. It is so good to be with you Jesus, so good. Please, restore me in You and renew me in you that I might experience all of You that is possible. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, saturate me in Your Love, saturate me in your Life and saturate me in Your JOY this day. Untangle me from my anxious thoughts, immerse me now in my true identity as a child of my heavenly Father with an irreplaceable role to play this day, in Your larger story.

Jesus, help me untangle from all other claims on my attention as I engage with you in this time. I ask for more of your JOY today and an increased capacity to REJOICE in You and all You are to me. I am open to You Jesus now … I rest in You… (Spend two minutes of reflective silence with eyes closed, this time is embedded in the audio version … just rest in the presence of yourself and Jesus!)

Daily Closing Prayer

Jesus, through the waiting of this Advent give me a deeper desire for you and for Your JOY in my life. I long for you and for a life of REJOICING! I long also for Your return to make all things new – when JOY and REJOICING will flow uninhibited! Jesus, I renounce any and all ways I tend to look to others and my circumstances as my source of JOY and my reason for REJOICING. I want You and all You have done, are doing and will do for me to be the foundation of my JOY - then I will be able see and not miss all the myriad people and experiences in my everyday life as invitations to REJOICE. Jesus, I admit that I am not good at JOY and REJOICING especially when my situation and circumstances are difficult and overwhelming. I trust Your grace in these moments. I trust you will meet me in those places as well. I know having your JOY does not ignore my reality but rather helps me navigate my reality with You in the center - and when You are with me then the possibilities HOPE and JOY and PEACE abound.

Thank you – Thank You – Thank You! I receive You now.

I am excited to see what you can do today. I know you can do amazing things, and I would love to be a part of them.

I am waiting for your cue.

Amen

Return To Advent - Revelation 22:12-17

12-13 “Yes, I’m on my way! I’ll be there soon! I’m bringing my payroll with me. I’ll pay all people in full for their life’s work. I’m A to Z, the First and the Final, Beginning and Conclusion.

14-15 “How blessed are those who wash their robes! The Tree of Life is theirs for good, and they’ll walk through the gates to the City. But outside for good are the filthy curs: sorcerers, fornicators, murderers, idolaters—all who love and live lies.

16 “I, Jesus, sent my Angel to testify to these things for the churches. I’m the Root and Branch of David, the Bright Morning Star.”

17 “Come!” say the Spirit and the Bride. Whoever hears, echo, “Come!” Is anyone thirsty? Come! All who will, come and drink, Drink freely of the Water of Life!

Questions for Reflection:

How are you doing so far during this Advent season with "waiting"?

Are you sometimes in the "wilderness", too? Are you tired and thirsty? Where are you going for "water"? So, perhaps STOP for some reflection and recognize your utter need for Jesus as your Savior - every day Savior - not just the Baby in the manger. But, watch out for the enemy who wants to sabotage even this time of reflection. He is going to point out to you everything you're doing wrong. So, also take some time to STOP and reflect and even say out loud the good ways you HAVE been preparing well. Thank Him! Praise Him! Saturate in all of this time, STOPPING and RE-SEEing the wilderness and going to the REAL Source of Living water!

Prayer of the Week:

Today’s Opening Prayer (including 2 minutes of silence)

Father, Son, Holy Spirit, I praise and thank you for the opportunity to be in your gracious presence in this moment. Jesus, restore me in You and renew me in you. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, saturate me in Your Love, saturate me in your Life. Untangle me from my anxious thoughts, immerse me now in my true identity as a child of my heavenly Father and my irreplaceable role in Your larger story.

Jesus, help me STOP and own my utter need for You as my Savior, Leader, Lord, Hope and Life …

Jesus, open me up to receive You and all You have for me today …

I rest in You …

(Spend two minutes of reflective silence with eyes closed … just rest in the presence of yourself and Jesus!)

Daily Closing Prayer

Jesus, through the waiting of this Advent give me a deeper desire for you. I long for your return to make all things new! Jesus, I renounce any and all ways I tend to replace You through the celebrations and preparations of this season. Help me Re-see ways this season actually ignites my passion and longing for You. I want more of you Jesus. I need, utterly need, more of You Jesus. Fill me to overflowing with your life and your love.

Jesus through waiting I ask for more of your presence. I want to know you more. I want to spend all my day in side-by-side friendship with you. I receive You now.

I am excited to see what you can do today. I know you can do amazing things, and I would love to be a part of them.

I am waiting for your cue.

Amen

Return To Advent - Revelation 21: 1-7

1 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

5 He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”

6 He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. 7 Those who are victorious will inherit all this, and I will be their God and they will be my children.

Questions for Reflection:

What are things that are stressful about this month for you and how can focusing on the new earth to come bring you relief and comfort?

Prayer of the Week:

Today’s Opening Prayer (including 2 minutes of silence)

Father, Son, Holy Spirit, I praise and thank you for the opportunity to be in your gracious presence in this moment. Jesus, restore me in You and renew me in you. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, saturate me in Your Love, saturate me in your Life. Untangle me from my anxious thoughts, immerse me now in my true identity as a child of my heavenly Father and my irreplaceable role in Your larger story.

Jesus, help me STOP and own my utter need for You as my Savior, Leader, Lord, Hope and Life …

Jesus, open me up to receive You and all You have for me today …

I rest in You …

(Spend two minutes of reflective silence with eyes closed … just rest in the presence of yourself and Jesus!)

Daily Closing Prayer

Jesus, through the waiting of this Advent give me a deeper desire for you. I long for your return to make all things new! Jesus, I renounce any and all ways I tend to replace You through the celebrations and preparations of this season. Help me Re-see ways this season actually ignites my passion and longing for You. I want more of you Jesus. I need, utterly need, more of You Jesus. Fill me to overflowing with your life and your love.

Jesus through waiting I ask for more of your presence. I want to know you more. I want to spend all my day in side-by-side friendship with you. I receive You now.

I am excited to see what you can do today. I know you can do amazing things, and I would love to be a part of them.

I am waiting for your cue.

Amen

Return To Advent - John 3:25-30

25 An argument developed between some of John’s disciples and a certain Jew over the matter of ceremonial washing. 26 They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, that man who was with you on the other side of the Jordan—the one you testified about—look, he is baptizing, and everyone is going to him.”

27 To this John replied, “A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.’ 29 The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. 30 He must become greater; I must become less.”

Questions for Reflection:

In what way is it hard when you see someone else succeeding in something that you are not able to do or in an area that you are not cut out for?

Notice the joy and contentment that John had when Jesus was was increasing and he was decreasing. How can you and I experience this kind of contentment in this season? What would that look like?

Prayer of the Week:

Today’s Opening Prayer (including 2 minutes of silence)

Father, Son, Holy Spirit, I praise and thank you for the opportunity to be in your gracious presence in this moment. Jesus, restore me in You and renew me in you. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, saturate me in Your Love, saturate me in your Life. Untangle me from my anxious thoughts, immerse me now in my true identity as a child of my heavenly Father and my irreplaceable role in Your larger story.

Jesus, help me STOP and own my utter need for You as my Savior, Leader, Lord, Hope and Life …

Jesus, open me up to receive You and all You have for me today …

I rest in You …

(Spend two minutes of reflective silence with eyes closed … just rest in the presence of yourself and Jesus!)

Daily Closing Prayer

Jesus, through the waiting of this Advent give me a deeper desire for you. I long for your return to make all things new! Jesus, I renounce any and all ways I tend to replace You through the celebrations and preparations of this season. Help me Re-see ways this season actually ignites my passion and longing for You. I want more of you Jesus. I need, utterly need, more of You Jesus. Fill me to overflowing with your life and your love.

Jesus through waiting I ask for more of your presence. I want to know you more. I want to spend all my day in side-by-side friendship with you. I receive You now.

I am excited to see what you can do today. I know you can do amazing things, and I would love to be a part of them.

I am waiting for your cue.

Amen

Return To Advent - John 1:29-37

29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”

35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” 37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus.

Questions for Reflection:

I don't have a question from the text this morning. Instead, I encourage you to take a little time today to press into what John's words mean for you when he declares Jesus is the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world"... which includes your sin and my sin!

Prayer of the Week:

Today’s Opening Prayer (including 2 minutes of silence)

Father, Son, Holy Spirit, I praise and thank you for the opportunity to be in your gracious presence in this moment. Jesus, restore me in You and renew me in you. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, saturate me in Your Love, saturate me in your Life. Untangle me from my anxious thoughts, immerse me now in my true identity as a child of my heavenly Father and my irreplaceable role in Your larger story.

Jesus, help me STOP and own my utter need for You as my Savior, Leader, Lord, Hope and Life …

Jesus, open me up to receive You and all You have for me today …

I rest in You …

(Spend two minutes of reflective silence with eyes closed … just rest in the presence of yourself and Jesus!)

Daily Closing Prayer

Jesus, through the waiting of this Advent give me a deeper desire for you. I long for your return to make all things new! Jesus, I renounce any and all ways I tend to replace You through the celebrations and preparations of this season. Help me Re-see ways this season actually ignites my passion and longing for You. I want more of you Jesus. I need, utterly need, more of You Jesus. Fill me to overflowing with your life and your love.

Jesus through waiting I ask for more of your presence. I want to know you more. I want to spend all my day in side-by-side friendship with you. I receive You now.

I am excited to see what you can do today. I know you can do amazing things, and I would love to be a part of them.

I am waiting for your cue.

Amen

Re:turn to Advent - John 1:19-28

John 1:19-28

Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.”

21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?”

He said, “I am not.”

“Are you the Prophet?”

He answered, “No.”

22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”

23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’”

24 Now the Pharisees who had been sent questioned him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

26 “I baptize with water,” John replied, “but among you stands one you do not know. 27 He is the one who comes after me, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.”

28 This all happened at Bethany on the other side of the Jordan, where John was baptizing.

Questions for Reflection:

Can you name 3 or 4 people that are strong followers of Jesus but stand out in your mind because of their humility?

What was it about them that place them in the "humble" yet confident category?

How does "humility" help prepare you for encountering Jesus as he comes now and as you prepare for His return?

Prayer of the Week:

Father, Son, Holy Spirit, I praise and thank you for the opportunity to be in your gracious presence in this moment. Jesus, restore me in You and renew me in you. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, saturate me in Your Love, saturate me in your Life. Untangle me from my anxious thoughts, immerse me now in my true identity as a child of my heavenly Father and my irreplaceable role in Your larger story.

Jesus, help me STOP and own my utter need for You as my Savior, Leader, Lord, Hope and Life …

Jesus, open me up to receive You and all You have for me today …

I rest in You …

(Spend two minutes of reflective silence with eyes closed … just rest in the presence of yourself and Jesus!)

Daily Closing Prayer

Jesus, through the waiting of this Advent give me a deeper desire for you. I long for your return to make all things new! Jesus, I renounce any and all ways I tend to replace You through the celebrations and preparations of this season. Help me Re-see ways this season actually ignites my passion and longing for You. I want more of you Jesus. I need, utterly need, more of You Jesus. Fill me to overflowing with your life and your love.

Jesus through waiting I ask for more of your presence. I want to know you more. I want to spend all my day in side-by-side friendship with you. I receive You now.

I am excited to see what you can do today. I know you can do amazing things, and I would love to be a part of them.

I am waiting for your cue.

Amen

Return To Advent - John 1:6-16

6 There was a man sent from God whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe. 8 He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.

9 The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10 He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11 He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

15 (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’”) 16 Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given.

John 1:6-16

Questions for Reflection:

Have you ever known anyone who just radiated "Jesus Light" so that they ended up being really great reflectors of Jesus? What did they do or say or act like that really reflected Jesus?

What rhythms/practices/other things do you have built into your daily life that act as witnesses to Jesus that help you "Stop" and "RE-See"

How have you noticed Jesus "tabernacling" near you in your life? What signs or signals do you typically notice that remind you of Jesus' presence?

Prayer of the Week:

Father, Son, Holy Spirit, I praise and thank you for the opportunity to be in your gracious presence in this moment. Jesus, restore me in You and renew me in you. Fill me afresh Holy Spirit, saturate me in Your Love, saturate me in your Life. Untangle me from my anxious thoughts, immerse me now in my true identity as a child of my heavenly Father and my irreplaceable role in Your larger story.

Jesus, help me STOP and own my utter need for You as my Savior, Leader, Lord, Hope and Life …

Jesus, open me up to receive You and all You have for me today …

I rest in You …

(Spend two minutes of reflective silence with eyes closed … just rest in the presence of yourself and Jesus!)

Daily Closing Prayer

Jesus, through the waiting of this Advent give me a deeper desire for you. I long for your return to make all things new! Jesus, I renounce any and all ways I tend to replace You through the celebrations and preparations of this season. Help me Re-see ways this season actually ignites my passion and longing for You. I want more of you Jesus. I need, utterly need, more of You Jesus. Fill me to overflowing with your life and your love.

Jesus through waiting I ask for more of your presence. I want to know you more. I want to spend all my day in side-by-side friendship with you. I receive You now.

I am excited to see what you can do today. I know you can do amazing things, and I would love to be a part of them.

I am waiting for your cue.

Amen