pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: children of God


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Advent Living

Advent begins today.  The scripture passage from Mark is about being awake and alert. It is a call to be aware of God and His presence in our world.  There is a danger in simply going through the motions of life.  There is an equal danger in choosing to live life for self.

Advent is a time of waiting and watching for the work of God in our worlds.  We wait and watch with expectancy – sure that He is present among us.  We live in the belief that we are all God’s children.  Therefore we all have equal right and access to His presence.

There is an implication to that though.  Not all truly have equal access.  Not all know Christ and all He offers to each of us.  Part of our call as Christians is to share the good news and teachings of Jesus Christ so that they too can join in the family.  Part of our call is to provide access by removing barriers such as economic limitations and other injustices.  All are called to live as children of the light.

This Advent season, may we be alert and awake to all God has to offer.  May we walk fully as children of the light bringing love, mercy, and justice to all so that all may enter into the holiness of this Advent season.

Scripture reference: Mark 13: 24-37


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The Reality of God’s Love

As Christians, is it even possible to be God’s light to everyone we encounter? Can we really extend the love of God to everyone we meet? I know the theortical answer is ‘yes’ but… I even know what the answer SHOULD be, but I also know my reality.

Jesus surely set the example for us and Mother Theresa did an excellent job of loving everyone. Pope Francis probably loves almost everyone he meets too. I am sure there are others close to the ‘perfection’ end of this continuum.

We are all God’s children. We are all loved equally by the Father. Yet to begin this walk toward loving all we encounter, we must first acknowledge our role as a child of God. For all are called, but not all answer. As a Christian we begin this journey first by claiming a personal relationship with Jesus and then cultivating that relationship. As we come to know Him more, we come to love Him more. As we come to love Him more, we come to serve Him more.

And soon we are on that road to loving all we encounter. In my reality, and maybe in yours, there are bumps on the road. There are times when I don’t feel like loving the person God has placed in front of me. There are times when I would rather not be around ‘that’ person. In those times I need to lean more into Christ so that the love of Christ may be shared with another.

We are all children of God. Some people just don’t know it yet. It is our call to bring them to the way, the truth, and the life. To end, a favorite quote: “Share the gospel always; use words when necessary.”