December 22, 2015 -- Issue #41

In today's newsletter:

1) Advent LOVE!

2) The Father's Voice

3) Glimpsing God's Joy

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1) Advent LOVE!

Week 4: Light the "Candle of Love" (Light three purple candles, and the pink one.)

In this last week of Advent, let us consider God's love language towards us:

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son---born of a woman . . . that He might redeem those who were under the Law--- that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16, Galatians 4:4-5). 

And may this Divine love define our lives! "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. . . . Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than these" (Mark 12:30-31, Leviticus 19:18, Deuteronomy 6:5). 

"Love one another. As I have loved you . . . By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-35).

Get our Advent Wreath Idea for ages 10 and older.

                           Bible Lesson Plans

2) The Father's Voice

My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. John 10:27 (NAS)

When I was pregnant with our first child, I read an article explaining that after babies were born they would recognize voices they’d heard while in the womb. So for the next nine months my husband, Bob, and I would talk to him, pray for him, and sing to him. 

Then came the big day; several hours after he was born—I’ll never forget this moment—we decided to try out this theory of voice recognition. I swaddled our precious son close to me, and as my husband stood across the room, he gently called out, “Jared, Jared.” All of a sudden . . . 

Continue reading the Father's voice.

3) Glimpsing God's Joy

Lately I have been thinking about the glimpses of God’s glory that can be seen when I am looking and listening for what God is doing around me. St. Ignatius Loyola encouraged the practice of a form of prayer called The Examen; it consists of three questions:

1. Where did you sense joy today? (Joy corresponds to God’s nearness.) 

2. When did you feel far from God today? (This might indicate sin in your heart or a need to realign your priorities with God’s.) 

3. What message is God speaking to you through your emotions?  

Joy is a glimpse of God’s glory, the sparkle of His handiwork in this world. . . . Continue reading Glimpsing God's Joy.

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