by Tom Sine
As we raced into 2020, we suddenly found ourselves dealing with the COVID 19-pandemic, disrupted school schedules, and Zoom church services. If all that wasn’t enough, COVID-19 has caused a recession where millions have been laid off… and it isn’t over yet!
Dwight Friesen and I invite you to view a webinar for followers of Jesus who want to both be a difference and make a difference in 2021. Send us your feedback and questions, we want to hear from you!
In 2020s Foresight: Three Vital Practices for Thriving in a Decade of Accelerating Change, Dwight and I show Christian leaders:
- How to anticipate waves of change that are likely to impact those they work with in their churches and communities;
- How to use their lead time to research innovative ways to address those new challenges;
- Finally, how to select those creative responses that most fully reflect the ways of Jesus.
As we race towards Christmas 2020, we have already been alerted to some very bad news, The refusal of many to take seriously the incoming waves of the COVID-19 pandemic has cost some of our family and friends, who shared Thanksgiving, their health and for some, even their lives. The Washington Post observed that, “Thanksgiving leftovers won’t taste as good if you’re on a ventilator.”
We urge all of our readers to take very seriously the dangerous COVID-19 Wave coming our way for Christmas 2020. We urge you to very seriously consider hosting a Zoom celebration with your loved ones and friends. You can open presents together over Zoom, have activities as well as your respective meals together.
In the new year, President Biden and Vice President Harris will need all of our help to deal with a growing economic recession in 2021. Thousands of young people in our churches and neighborhoods are not going to be able to go to college because of the growing impact of the COVID-19 Recession. This is an opportunity for all of our churches to come alongside young people in our churches and our communities to help them launch their lives in times like these.
We are all looking forward to the good news in 2021 of the growing availability of immunizations to protect us from COVID-19. It is also a year to reinvent where we live, how we work to support our families and how we can join neighborhood change-makers to create a better way of life for all our neighbors.
2020s Foresight: Three Vital Practices for Thriving in a Decade of Accelerating Change is designed to be a study book for church study groups, campus ministry groups, Christian colleges and seminaries with questions at the end of each chapter. If you contact Dwight and I ahead of time, we would welcome the opportunity to Zoom into your discussion group and discuss creative ways we can all both be a difference and make a difference in the new year of 2021!!!
by J. Thomas
Growing up, my youth pastor liked giving sermons about the resurrection leading up to Christmas, and Christmas sermons on Easter Sunday. He was funny that way. Admittedly, I did appreciate hearing a message on the reason Jesus came to earth leading up to the day that celebrates his birth. As I prepare my heart for Christmas, the Advent season is the journey leading up to the blessed day. This reminds me of the many great experiences that biblical figures have on their journeys or “on the road” to somewhere. Today, I reflect on two of Jesus’ followers shortly after Jesus’ death and resurrection on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24.
Imagine two of Jesus’ closest followers, but not part of the twelve, traveling away from Jerusalem talking and having an in-depth discussion on the week’s events: the triumphant entry of Jesus on a donkey, the last supper, a secret arrest followed by a sham trial, the public execution, and now mysterious reports of an empty tomb and Jesus sightings. It is a married couple. Think about the lively, perhaps bickering, conversation and debate unfolding when Jesus himself comes alongside them and walks with them. They have no idea it is him, and the pair update this uninformed stranger about the crazy week and aftermath. I can just picture how in the retelling of the events, the married couple disagrees on the details, speaks over each other to offer commentary, and express emotions of confusion, hope, and sadness all mixed up. No wonder why Jesus responds with a “how foolish you are” annoyance at their chattering. Then for the rest of the journey, it is Jesus’ time to give the Bible study of a lifetime – starting with Moses and all of the Prophets, Jesus expounds on what is “said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”
Photo by Jonny Gios on Unsplash.com
Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?
Amazing things happen on the road. So, as we travel with our family and friends during this year’s Advent journey, let us expect glorious things to occur. I want us to talk, laugh, and debate about the world’s events. We are experiencing strange and disorienting times when it is hard to see what is up and what is down. It is dizzying. But I admire the journey. Like the travelers on the road to Emmaus, I am on my own journey after a confusing and dizzying few months. I feel like I have been persecuted but also triumphant in starting a public ministry and connecting to a new church. And like Jesus was able to tell a single narrative that spans the entire Bible, I feel Jesus is revealing to me a story that spans my entire life.
At three-and-half years old, I am separated from my primary caregiver, my grandmother, as she returns to Korea after living with us from birth. Both my parents are still there to feed me and shelter me, but as my earliest childhood memory, I am left with a deep loss and a fear of abandonment that follows me to adulthood. I am pained by how my parents did not prepare me for the separation and provide an explanation of what was going to happen. I’m incensed when a second aunt, whom I saw only twice before, tries to comfort me. She implores, “Don’t be sad! I’m still here. I’ll take care of you.” I look at her. Her lack of understanding cuts deep. I push her away, and yell, “I don’t want you! I want my grandma!” I am on my knees and bawl as I watch my grandmother walk away down the airport terminal.
What I did not recognize back then, I realize now. Just as the two followers did not recognize it was Jesus speaking with them on their journey, I did not realize that it was my Lord and Savior that spoke to me through that second aunt. What possessed that woman to say those words to me? Why are they still burned in my memory as I recount the story? What was the salt in my grief as a toddler, is now a message of hope and joy. My God never left me. He was always there. I did not recognize it, but it was he that tried to comfort me. And though I pushed him away because I did not recognize my Savior, he continued to pursue me until I reached out for his hand.
Whether we are walking away from something or walking toward a destination, on the road is an opportunity to have a Jesus encounter. With untrained eyes, light is blinding. We may shun it at first. It hurts. We may close our eyes and reject the light. But when the moment comes when we can see the story of our lives from God’s point of view, our eyes open and we see Jesus was there all along. Leading up to Christmas, expect great things to happen. There are revelations all around us that Jesus is eager to unlock for us. Please lean into the light and press in closer to Jesus. And that burning you feel in your heart, that is the light within. Tell your story to another, and let it shine
Welcome to the Godspace Team, J. Thomas! Check out his member page.
by June Friesen, photos by June Friesen
The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light. For those who lived in a land of deep shadows— light! sunbursts of light! You repopulated the nation, you expanded its joy. Oh, they’re so glad in your presence! Festival joy! The joy of a great celebration, sharing rich gifts and warm greetings.
Here Isaiah is talking about the coming of the Messiah – the Israelites have been struggling in their lives to follow God and yet so many times it appears as if God is ignoring them and some probably, like many today thought and felt/feel God is non-existent. We know that when the Messiah did come there were two different announcements of His birth with light – the light that accompanied the angels when they appeared to the shepherds and the great star that the wisemen of the East saw in the sky. The shepherds and the wisemen welcomed the birth of the Messiah; they embraced the light that was unusual and believed it was a gift/sign from God.
For us today, many of us may feel as if we are being overwhelmed in so much darkness of so many kinds. There is the darkness of inequality, the darkness of the pandemic, the darkness of fear of tomorrow, the darkness of everything seeming to be out of control – and for some of us – we may even feel that our spirits are fighting an overwhelming darkness. Somehow, some of us, even in the midst of our faith walk with God, may feel as if God is absent or asleep, or not very interested in the fact that we are trying to keep our faith in Him. I find myself on alert for God’s presence around me – in a person, in an animal, in a bird, in plant life, and God has not disappointed me. Today I share with you embrace the light of God wherever it appears and be filled with encouragement.
EMBRACE GOD’S LIGHT
Walking through the world of nature
I am constantly amazed at the creative ways that plant life grows;
It finds a crevice, sometimes small, sometimes a small crevice ledge,
And there it allows the moisture and simple soil to nourish it as it also embraces the light,
And it grows and shares it beauty with the world and even with you and me.
Now you may notice in these two photos that there is a difference of light –
First the light is rather small and misses some of the growth looking for light,
But the growth in darkness waits patiently and soon it too is embraced in the light
And now – all is well.
And so it is with you and I my friend –
As we are walking through the world –
We must find those places of light and nourishment –
Sometimes the light is somewhat obscured
Sometimes it is clouded
Sometimes it comes in full force.
Sometimes we feel squeezed in a crevice….loosely….but now so tight – OUCH!
Sometimes we feel as if we are on a ledge, maybe almost falling….. OOPS!
So today – pause –
Embrace your crevice experience –
Embrace your light – partially, more fully and in full cover of light –
God is present –
Waiting – waiting – waiting
To be embraced.
Will you embrace Him today?
June Friesen 10/2020
by Lisa DeRosa
On December 1st, we recognize the necessity of generosity and awareness in our own lives and for the lives of others in this place, this God-created world we call Earth. Each day, we rise and are blessed. We can choose to be grateful for and accept ourselves and others as they are; made in the image of God. We can choose to love God and love others.
As we begin this last month of 2020, the year that has wrecked us in more ways than one, I find myself asking: How is this year going to end? I know when it will end. Like it does every year; with my birthday on the 31st. But unlike most years in the few decades I have lived on this earth, the end of this year feels just as different as the months before it. Uncertain. Unpredictable. Uneasy. Yet, each day, I remind myself that all I have is this day that God has gifted to me. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. I have the capacity for only today. In light of that, I want to share with you some opportunities that December 1st brings us.
Today is the 8th anniversary of Giving Tuesday, “a global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world.”
I have heard of Giving Tuesday before, but this year, I almost overlooked it! An unexpected package arrived from Circlewood and reminded me that they celebrate Giving Tuesday as “Reverse Giving Tuesday” where they as an organization send a gift to their supporters. This year, we received homemade blackberry jam made with the blackberries they foraged on their land on Camano Island. Such a lovely gift and reminder that this day is important and must not be forgotten.
Giving Tuesday provides an opportunity for us as a consumer culture to remember to give back after our Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday shopping sprees. While I am a HUGE fan of Small Business Saturday, the consumer still receives a commodity for their purchase. Giving Tuesday is about generosity and placing the needs of others above your own by donating time, talents/skills, money, and/or resources to support others in need. This list of ways to give back in 2020 was really helpful for me as I researched more about Giving Tuesday this year.
As today is also World AIDS Day, I urge you to consider supporting them on this Giving Tuesday. HIV is a virus that was identified back in 1984 and still affects an alarming amount of people around the world today. I know we have been inundated with the current Coronavirus pandemic, but the AIDS epidemic cannot be ignored. There are ways you can help to raise awareness, to give online, and to join their campaign using this virtual red ribbon to #rocktheribbon on social media and in your email signature.
In the spirit and hope of beginning traditional Advent this week, take time right now to ask Jesus how you will respond today. There are an abundance of opportunities, organizations, and neighbors that are seeking generosity and awareness this season. If you don’t already know which person, people group, or cause to focus on, ask Jesus to guide you! He absolutely will because he came to seek and save the lost, lonely, and broken on this earth. As we focus on the light that Christ has brought to us in this season and on the light that he is, we as followers of Jesus are called to share that light with others.
Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV) says,
You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
God, I am humbled by the gift of this day and the love You have for me and others in Your creation. Thank You for Your presence, for who You are, and for the opportunity to share Your love and light with others. Guide me in who You are asking me to reach out to specifically today. Amen.
by Christine Sine
Today is the first Monday of traditional Advent and I feel like Elizabeth greeting her cousin, Mary. In some ways, this year has seemed barren, just as Elizabeth’s womb seemed to be barren, but in the midst of that barrenness, heartache and grief, at God’s appointed time, unexpected seeds have been planted. Just as Elizabeth’s baby leapt for joy when they encountered Jesus in Mary’s womb, so the seeds within us are beginning to leap for joy as they encounter the yet unborn Jesus, for whom we wait with such longing.
On my desk in front of me is this beautiful image of Elizabeth and Mary meeting each other when Mary flees (my interpretation) from her family and the wrath of her community to find protection and comfort with her cousin. My eyes constantly drift to this image throughout the day, especially to the babies growing in Elizabeth’s and Mary’s wombs. Both of them are babies of promise. Both of them are being prepared for important destinies but at this stage, they are just seeds of hope and promise.
As I look at these women and the amazing babies growing in their wombs, I find God reminding me of the seeds that have been planted in me over this challenging year – embryos that are still growing slowly in the comforting darkness, nurtured and sustained by the spirit of God. Like Elizabeth’s baby, I feel these “embryos” leap with joy as they encounter the baby Jesus during this Advent season.
This morning, we lit the first candle on our Advent wreath, which sits in the middle of our breakfast table. It is the candle of hope and I already find myself looking forward to the new life of a new year and new possibilities with hope and expectancy. As I breathed in, I felt that every breath that I took was drawing the light of that candle, and its hope, in with it. I was aware of the light of life and love flowing through my bloodstream to nourish the womb of my spirit where the seeds God has planted will continue to grow.
I am looking forward to 2021 being a year of healing and I wonder what can I do now, during this season of waiting, to ensure that happens? How do I nourish the seeds that God has planted in me during this challenging year?
We seem to be living in a world that needs so much healing. The sick and dying long for it, the unjustly treated and abused crave it, the marginalized and economically fragile are starving for it. Even the creation cries out for it. And as I wait during this Advent season, reaching out with longing and hope to the child growing in Mary’s womb, I ask, “How can I use Advent to prepare me to be a better healer in this coming year?”
What about you? Take some time to study this image and allow your eyes to rest on the babies growing in Elizabeth’s and Mary’s wombs.
What has germinated in the womb of your soul this year that leaps for joy at the sight of the child in Mary’s womb?
Invite God to remind you of what has been seeded as a result of the challenges you have faced. Ask for divine wisdom to understand how best to nurture and grow those seeds during this Advent season.
As I did that this morning, I was not only reminded of the seeds growing inside the womb of my soul, but I was also reminded of the wise men who came and visited Jesus and then returned to their homes by a different route. (Matt 2:12) I wonder if during this Advent and Christmas season part of what God intends us to get ready for too is the fact that once we have encountered the Christ child this year we too will need to “return by a different route” The future will not look like the past. This is a great time to start getting ready.
Conceive in us your wholeness Lord
Form it in the darkness within.
Grow it in embryonic form,
as the Christ child grew in Mary’s womb.
Give birth to wholeness Lord
Let it emerge in infant form,
as the Christ child came,
perfect in form, but not fully grown.
Grow in us your wholeness Lord,
Enlarge the tiny child of God within.
Nurture it, shape it
bring it to maturity.
Christine Sine
NOTE: This is one of the prayers on our Advent prayer cards.
It’s the first Sunday of Advent – a new liturgical year beginning with a season of waiting. This is great time to take some quiet time to rest, reflect and soak in the wonder of the season with music in the style-of-Taize.
A contemplative service with music in the style-of-Taize for the First Sunday of Advent. Carrie Grace Littauer, prayer leader, with music by Kester Limner and Andy Myers.
Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-710-756 with additional notes below.
“In Silence We Wait” – text and music by Susan Masters. Copyright and all rights reserved by Augsburg Fortress Press.
“L’ajuda Em Vindra (I Lift up my Eyes to the Hills),” “O You are Beyond All Things” (O Toi L’au-dela de Tout) and the refrain of “Kyrie for November 29” are songs from the Taize community – copyright and all rights reserved by GIA/Les Presses de Taizé.
“Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus” – was written for The University Of Notre Dame Folk Choir by Steven C. Warner, released on the album “Prophets of Joy.” Copyright 1996 World Library Publications.
by Carol Dixon, photo above of St Andrew’s Church, Bothal, Northumberland, UK by Carol Dixon
Growing up in a household with a Scottish father, we never forgot St Andrew’s Day! Not just because he happens to be the patron saint of Scotland (among other places) but also because Andrew is such a likeable character among the disciples of Jesus.
Andrew is mentioned only 12 times in the gospels but a number of them are on key occasions. In the synoptic gospels, apart from appearing in the list of disciples, he is one of those called by Jesus at the lakeside; he is present when Jesus goes to Peter’s house (the house Andrew shares with his brother); and he is one of the four disciples who question Jesus about the destruction of the Temple. My favourite stories of Andrew though are all recorded in John’s gospel and all involve introducing people to Jesus – it is to Andrew that Philip goes when some Greeks turn up wanting to meet Jesus and it is Andrew who facilitates it; it is Andrew who brings the small boy with the loaves & fishes to Jesus at the feeding of the 5,000.
Perhaps my favourite story of all is in the first chapter of John when Andrew and his unnamed friend (who are disciples of John the Baptist at the time) leave John to tag along behind Jesus and end up being invited to join him for the day. (John 1 v 35-42)
Andrew was a young man living in difficult times. He came from Bethsaida which was in the area ruled by Philip, son of Herod the Great (& brother to Herod Antipas). Philip was a hedonistic head of state who loved all things Roman and who cared neither for God nor for the people and society where he was tetrarch so the area he ruled was more secular than other places in Palestine at the time and the ancient values of respecting God and caring for your neighbour had all but disappeared.
Many devout Jews at that time were hoping & praying, expecting God’s Messiah to come and overcome the foreign oppressors in the manner that King David had destroyed the nations who had overpowered God’s chosen people, the Israelites. So it is little wonder that many of the young people in particular were hoping and praying for a new way of living.
When John the Baptist points out Jesus to his two disciples as the person they might be looking for, they wanted to know more and started following Jesus at a distance. So Jesus turned round and asked them a question, ‘What are you looking for?’ or ‘What do you want me to do for you?’. I often wonder if they were able to answer Jesus’ question by the end of the day. It seems so, partially at least, because Jesus must have made such an impact on Andrew that after spending time with him, the first thing Andrew did was to rush home and tell his brother, Simon that he had met God’s promised Messiah and he took Simon to meet Jesus at the earliest opportunity.
It’s a good question to ask ourselves from time to time – What am I really looking for in life? Not an easy question to answer but a good one to ponder especially in these difficult times. So how will you celebrate St Andrew’s Day this year? I hope that with God’s grace I can find new ways to bring people to Jesus during Advent, whether we are in lockdown or not.
As one of my favourite hymns by Graham Kendrick says: One shall tell another and he shall tell his friend…
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