1. A GREAT Article from Scott Sauls: Jesus and Women During Advent and Always
I loved this article. It might offend you, but give it prayerful consideration. Here’s a snippet from Scott:
“It is clear that God esteems and elevates women and men. For this reason, I am sharing something I have previously written about the place of women in the world, in the church, and in the story of God. The following excerpt was posted after we decided to commission our first class of Deaconesses at Christ Presbyterian Church. It isn’t explicitly about Christmas, but I hope it will nonetheless enrich our understanding of God during the Advent season.”
2. A Christmas Album that I Cannot Stop Listening to. A Very Maverick Christmas, Especially Revelation 19:1
Worshipful, powerful, inspiring, happy. I could go on and on. When you get to Revelation 19:1, just crank it up!
3. A Powerful Article from Crosswalk: 7 Things We Regularly Get Wrong about Worship
Don’t read this unless you are ready to be challenged a bit regarding your heart towards worship. Here is a clip from this excellent article. “
“I didn’t get anything out of that today.” “I didn’t get anything out of the sermon.” “I didn’t get anything out of that service.” “I guess her song was all right, but I didn’t get anything out of it.”
“Sound familiar? Not only have I heard it countless times over these near-fifty years in the ministry, I probably have said it a few times myself.”
4. A Powerful List of Seven Commands for a
Peace-Filled Life from Psalm 100
In Psalm 100, we find seven such imperatives in Hebrew, seven commands related to gratitude.
One: “Make a joyful noise to the Lord.” The Hebrew means to “shout,” to actively and publicly vocalize your praise to God. To “shout” involves your voice, mind, emotions, spirit, and body in personal, passionate worship. This is an act of public praise.
Two: “Serve the Lᴏʀᴅ with gladness.” “Serve” here means to focus your entire life and existence on your sovereign Master, giving him your whole heart and surrendering your entire life to his service. This is for every moment of every day, not just an hour at church. It means to yield your life all day, every day, to his Lordship. Do this with “gladness,” rejoicing for the privilege in a lifestyle of praise.
Three: “Come into his presence with singing.” God’s “presence” refers to his “face.” This command calls us to seek personal, transforming intimacy with our Lord.
Four: “Know that the Lᴏʀᴅ, he is God.” “Know” means to acknowledge or confess, to testify publicly that the Lord is God over all the world. This is a public confession made proudly and boldly.
Five: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise.” We learn that gratitude allows us to experience God’s presence, power, and grace.
Six: “Give thanks to him.” Once you are in his presence, find specific reasons to express your gratitude to your Father.
Seven: “Bless his name.” The “name” of God denotes his presence, personality, and very essence. This means to thank and praise God himself.
5. Another Great Article: Benefits of Gratitude: 28+ Surprising Research Findings from PositivePsychology.com
This is a powerful, secular perspective that also aligns with all that the holy scriptures describe regarding gratitude and serving others. Here’s a sample: “
The benefits are split into five groups:
- Emotional benefits
- Social benefits
- Personality benefits
- Career benefits
- Health benefits
There are many benefits of gratitude, but these categories cover quite a few.
BONUS: A POWERFUL QUOTE FROM GIL HOPKINS
“Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy Crap, what a ride!’”
