“To be loved but not known is comforting but superficial.

To be known and not loved is our greatest fear.

But to be fully known and truly loved is, well, a lot like being loved by God. It is what we need more than anything. It liberates us from pretense, humbles us out of our self-righteousness, and fortifies us for any difficulty life can throw at us” (Timothy Keller).

That’s the greatest kind of love– better than romantic love — to have someone love you just as you are, warts and all. That kind of love isn’t the kind that winks at your flaws but transforms you and makes you want to be better and do better.

That’s the love of God, unmerited and undeserved, for each of His children. For you. For me. He really does love each one of us like we were the only ones to love. That’s one of the perks of being infinite and eternal.

May you know down deep in your bones and in your soul this kind of selfless, sacrificing, agape love of God this Christmas season.

I think that should just about cover it.

Seriously, I think I’d like to feel some sand between my toes in the near to not-so-distant future. There’s something healing about smelling the salty ocean air and feeling those ocean breezes at night.

So, in lieu of gifts, just send me money. Lots and lots of money.

I’ll be over here holding my breath.

“God favors the darkest places — so we can see His light the brightest.”

I won’t use the old cliche that the night is darkest just before the dawn.

I will say that God is closest to those who are broken-hearted and crushed in spirit.

I will say that the best place to be sometimes is at the very bottom where all you can do is to look up.

I will say that God’s presence means more to those who are walking in darkness.

“The people who walk in darkness
    will see a great light.
For those who live in a land of deep darkness,
    a light will shine” (Isaiah 9:2, NLT).

I’m tired. By that, I mean that I’m ready for bed. But I’m also tired of a few other things well.

I’m tired of all things Coronavirus and the Pandemic. I’m tired of reading about all the new cases and deaths (including more and more people that I knew and loved).

I’m tired of wearing a mask and not being able to see people’s faces. I miss seeing people smile and being able to smile at people. I also miss hand shakes, fist bumps, and hugs. By the way, I still wear a mask in the chance that it might help others in the slightest.

I’m tired of people who use politics and mask-wearing (or lack of mask-wearing) to be nasty to each other and to call each other names. That has no place in the hearts of children of God ever. Fear and shaming are not how God’s people are to motivate others to do right; they’re not good leadership but bad parenting for two year olds (as Dave Ramsey said once).

I’m tired of people who have spoken hatefully in the name of God. They do not speak for God when they degrade those made in His image and for whom Christ died. Whether conservative or liberal, Republican or Democrat, Trump supporter or Biden supporter, they all bear the imago dei and are loved by God.

I’m tired of seeing how people are turning away from the faith (including many I know). It saddens me that they will forsake the only spring of Living Water for broken cisterns that hold no water. It also saddens me that people who profess to be Christians have done much to drive them away.

Still, I know that Jesus said that if I came to Him with all my burdens, I could find rest for my soul. I could trade my burdens for His, which are light. I could find peace not in the absence of trouble but in the midst of it.

“Jesus! I am resting, resting
In the joy of what Thou art;
I am finding out the greatness
  Of Thy loving heart.
Thou hast bid me gaze upon Thee,
And Thy beauty fills my soul,
For, by Thy transforming power,
  Thou hast made me whole” (Jean Sophia Pigott /James Mountain)

I want to note that I did not write this. I found it on Facebook just now and thought it was worth sharing. What follows is something every believer needs to remember during this Advent season:

It’s assumed that Mary rode on a donkey, but the Bible doesn’t say she did. ⁣
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It’s assumed there was an innkeeper, but it doesn’t mention one anywhere. ⁣
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It’s assumed there were three Magi, but it doesn’t give a number of those who showed up. ⁣
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It’s assumed there was a star overhead when Jesus was born, but it doesn’t say that either. ⁣
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It’s assumed that Jesus was born in a stable, but all it says is that He was laid in a manger – and that could’ve been any number of places. ⁣
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Christmas comes with many assumptions—some helpful, some not so much. ⁣
Spirituality also comes with many assumptions, and the ones that fail us are the ones we make about what it’s supposed to look like, who is worthy for it to happen to, and what kind of outcome it’s supposed to have for us. Assumptions like . . . ⁣
⁣
You should be more than you are now to be pleasing to God. ⁣
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Your weaknesses are in the way of God’s plan for your life. ⁣
⁣
Your lack of religious excitement disqualifies you from divine participation.⁣
⁣
You’re probably not doing it right.⁣
⁣
Other spiritual people have something you don’t have.⁣
⁣
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Our assumptions hinder our spiritual journey in all kinds of ways, and the antidote to assumption is surprise. The surprise of Christ’s incarnation is that it happened in Mary’s day as it is happening every day in your lack of resources, your overcrowded lodging, your unlit night sky, your humble surroundings. ⁣
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It’s a surprise that life can come through barren places.⁣
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It’s a surprise that meek nobodies partake in divine plans. ⁣
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It’s a surprise that messengers are sent all along the hidden journey of life to let you know you are not alone.⁣
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It’s a surprise that you will be given everything you need to accomplish what you’ve been asked to do.⁣
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It’s a surprise that nothing can separate you from the love of God.⁣
⁣
Nothing can separate you from love. Your assumptions believe there must be something that can . . . But surprise! ⁣
⁣
Nothing can. ⁣
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May you thank God with joyful surprise at how much you have assumed incorrectly. ⁣
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advent @honestadvent

I think tonight most of us just need a little more faith. 2020 has been hard on all of us. It hasn’t always brought out the best in us.

I think we can all agree that sometimes for me it’s best to just admit that I don’t have it in me to cope and that I need God now more than ever.

It’s not true that God helps those who help themselves. God comes to those who know they can’t help themselves. God comes for those who admit their neediness and helplessness.

It’s also not true that God doesn’t give us more than we can bear. He never allows us to be tempted beyond our ability to endure. If we never faced anything that was more than we could bear, we wouldn’t need God in the first place. If we’re honest, all of us at times have faced adversity that seemed overwhelming and beyond our ability to endure. That’s where we saw God come through most clearly.

So yeah, I need more faith. Even if it’s still small, it’s enough. When it comes to the economy of faith, it’s not so much the size of your faith, but the size of the object of your faith– in our case, the size of a God who can be trusted at all times.

“Come, Lord Jesus, and be with me where I feel poorest. I trust that this is the place where you will find your manger and bring your light. Come, Lord Jesus, come. Amen” (Henri Nouwen)

How many of us have felt inadequate and weak this year? How many have felt overwhelmed with anxiety and fear? How many have tried to live out of victory and faith and ended up at the end of the day feeling like they’d failed?

God often comes to the lowliest. He comes to us when we feel poorest. His strength is perfected when we’re at our weakest.

Come, Lord Jesus, to Your people who need you most that they may feel you near tonight. Amen.

“Be not perplexed
Be not afraid
Everything passes
God does not change
Patience wins all things
He who has God lacks nothing
God alone suffices” (Teresa of Avila).

That’s the key. Simple trust. In all circumstances and in every moment, God is enough.

Pandemics pass, viruses die out, no trial lasts forever.

Fear can make you short-sighted. Fear can make you forget God. Fear will flat out lie to you.

But God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of love and a sound mind.

Faith and not fear is what wins. Not so much because faith is strong but because the God of our faith is strong and able.

I saw this mask on Amazon and it spoke to me.

First of all, I love all things Tolkien. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve read through The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and even The Silmarillion. For a while, I was reading through them every year.

But lately, I feel in my bones that I really do need an adventure, preferably with dragons and gold and such. It would do my heart good to be involved in a quest with a bit of danger and excitement.

Maybe after 2020 ends . . .

Who sleeps with a ceiling fan running, even in the winter? This guy does.

One of my pet peeves is when I’m all hot and sweaty when I’m trying to sleep. There’s nothing worse than that in my opinion. I’d much rather be cold and add more blankets than be hot.

I can completely relate to the cat in the picture. How many times have I stuck my foot out from under the blanket to cool off a bit.

What’s the point? There’s not really one. I’m just giving you a little glimpse into the madness that is my mind. And also letting you know that my ceiling fan will be on tonight, regardless of how cold it gets outside tonight.

You’re welcome.