Week Three of Advent

Seize the Moment – Carpe Dieum

So much of life is lived in the past and future. Have you noticed that in your own life? Regrets, Monday morning quarterbacking, and feeling sorry for things done or left undone can really occupy our thoughts. Likewise living in the future, planning, worry, and anticipation can really distract us from fully appreciating the present. This week I will delve into seizing the moment this Christmas.
How will we do that? Here will be the suggestions: 1. Focus on the vital and not ust the urgent. Listen to Jesus words: “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” Matthew 6:34 MSG; 2. Focus on spiritual preparations and not just the physical preparations. St Paul talks about this when he writes to the people in Colossae “Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from His perspective.” Colossians 3:2 MSG; 3. Focus more on God than on yourself. Jesus famous conversation with Martha and Mary brings this to our attention: “‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘You are worried and upset by so many things but only one thing is needed.’” Matthew 6:41-42; 4. Focus on the supernatural rather than the superficial. I love what the prophet Jeremiah has to say about this; “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight.” Jeremiah 9:23-24.
I know my thoughts are a few among the memories, conversations, and activities of the week ahead but I hope for a few of you this might inspire you to grow closer to the Lord this very special week. Don’t forget the Christmas Eve Schedule December 24, 2008:

1:30PM Holy Communion and Canlelight 4:30PM Candlelight Service of Word and Carols 10:30PM Candlelight Service of Word and Carols

You might want to note that during the day on Christmas Day WCOE radio will being playing a lot of sacred and traditional music of which Bethany is one of the sponsors. In fact we are the only Church that is sponsoring music that day. Listen in if you get a chance. Thanks to Donna and Norma who got us signed up.

C U in Church,
Pastor Denny