Promises for the Battle
Advent
Soon May Your Kingdom Come
During the Advent season we celebrate Christ’s birth 2000 years ago, and we celebrate, in anticipation, his return to reign as God’s anointed king. So we pray that our Father in heaven will consummate the establishment of his kingdom, in which everyone in the kingdom will exhibit righteousness and love. This new Advent song will … Continue reading
Christmas 2022—Advent Trumpets
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. … “Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord.” Suddenly a vast, heavenly army appeared with the angel, praising God. Luke 2:9 The Lord himself will come down from heaven with … Continue reading
Advent 2022 #3—Fear Not!
The glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened. But the angel said to them: “Fear not! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is … Continue reading
Advent 2022 #2—Christmas Wildness
This Christmas sonnet/prayer comes from thinking about what Paul writes to the Christians at Ephesus. It also arises from an objection to the typical rhyming pattern found in Christmas carols: child – mild, as in “meek & mild;” meek, yes; but mild? I never perceive Jesus as “mild;” rather he always seems untamed to me, … Continue reading
Advent 2022—#1
Believe this: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am the foremost. Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate his perfect longsuffering as an example for those committed to believe in him for eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:15–16 At … Continue reading
The Present of Advent
Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:28 We celebrate in order to bring the joy of the past into the present. We anticipate in order to bring the joy … Continue reading
Advent 2019 #3—Illuminated for Fellowship with God
You are Yahweh, Most High over all the earth. You are exalted far above all gods. Hate evil, you who love Yahweh; for he preserves the souls of his kind ones by snatching them from the hand of the wicked. Light is shining for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart. Be glad … Continue reading
Advent 2019 #2—Illuminated for Life
In the Word was life, and the life was the light of mankind; and the light shines on in the darkness, but the darkness has not overpowered it. … I am the light of the world; those who follow me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life. John 1:4–5; … Continue reading
Advent 2019 #1—Illuminated by Jesus
I am the Light of the world; he who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life. … The person who sees me sees the One who sent me. I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me will not remain in darkness.” … Continue reading
I Was Just Thinking … About the Next Advent
“It Came Upon A Midnight Clear,” one of the many songs we enjoy during the Christmas season, is not really about the past. It begins there, but it quickly moves to remind us about how we should live while we await Jesus’ second advent. Since we live in the present so that we can enjoy … Continue reading
Promises for the Battle 