Celebrating Advent

Advent is the four-week celebration leading up to the day we mark the birth of Jesus.  There are many ways to go about this celebration from the toy or candy-filled Advent Calendars which produce a daily treat throughout Advent at the lift of a flap or the opening of a tiny door, to the awesome journey through Christ's life laid out by a Jesse Tree, or the traditional Advent wreath with candles and greenery.

This week you hopefully had an opportunity to pick up the booklet provided for Heartland families called Celebrating Advent.  This booklet outlines a simple, fun, hands-on way to celebrate Advent geared toward families with young children.  We are asked to remember that "this is also a time to focus on the concept of giving rather than receiving." The devotions and activities "will enable your family to grow in your understanding of the aw of Christmas and the impact Christ's birth can have on you...help(ing) moms and dads as primary faith shapers."

There are instructions for decorating an Advent Box which can be as simple as designating a nice-looking box or basket you have as your Advent Box or as hands-on as wrapping a box you have or you get in wrapping paper and adorning it with a bow or other embellishments.

Next you have suggestions for creating an Advent wreath.  Once again, this can be something extremely simple or incredibly elaborate depending on your interest, time, and resources.  Several years ago we picked up an iron Advent wreath from a shop specializing in Scandinavian products and decorations.  It is a circle of black iron with four candle holders and leaves spaced around the circle, lending the appearance of a branch woven into a wreath.  We usually weave in some berries and a bit of greenery (fake stuff we picked up at a craft store years ago), put white taper candles in each of the holders and a red pillar candle in the middle.  It is sturdy enough to last years and years and hopefully one day be passed on to our kids.

That being said, there is no right or wrong way to make an Advent wreath.  Throw some greenery (fake or from your backyard...or not even green at all) on a round plate (cake tin, platter, dinner plate, whatever...), add five candles (again, with wicks you light, battery-operated led lights, or construction paper cylinders with a "flame" cut out of yellow or orange paper taped to the top) and you are good to go.

Need some inspiration?  Know about Pinterest?  Search for Advent wreath on Pinterest or Google and you will find a ton of great ideas for formal, decorative Advent wreaths, Advent wreath crafts you can do with your kids, and even links to Advent wreaths you can purchase.

The Celebrating Advent booklet has song, verse, and activity cards for you to cut out and weekly Advent celebrations you can do with your family.  The great thing about it is that YOU get to decide how much or how little to include in your Advent Box and you don't have to stick to what is offered as suggestions.  Have your own wacky Christmas song that the kids insist be included in any Christmas activity?  Write out a card for it...or sing it every time!  Have too many "helpful" small hands to do some of the activities?  Do something that works for your family!

Once you have your Advent wreath, your Advent Box of verse, song, and activity cards, and the booklet you are ready to go!  Each Sunday, beginning December 2nd, pull the booklet out and follow the instructions for the appropriate week's celebration.  Select verse, song, and activity cards as often as works for you and don't forget to HAVE FUN!

A Redemption Story

 

Today we get to hear an amazing story of redemption and how God can and does use bad for good to create new things.  We saw a glimpse of this as we read the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead in John 11 and we will get to hear it first hand from Jena M. as she shares her powerful testimony of personal redemption.  Please join us today as we ponder what Jesus may want to awaken in each of us. 

"Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus .Bethany . . .Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, "Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick."  When Jesus heard that, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it."  Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.  (John 11:1-5)

But . . . Jesus knowing all this delayed and Lazarus died.  For what purpose did he delay?  Jesus reiterates the purpose in vs 15.

"And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe.  Nevertheless let us go to him."  (John 11:15) . . ."Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house.  Then Martha said to Jesus, "Lord if You had been here, my brother would not have died. But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You." Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."  Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day."  Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die.  Do you believe this?" (John 11:20-26)

In verse 25 we see the fifth out of seven "I am" statements in John further emphasizing that no resurrection or eternal life exists outside of the Son of God as He is the source of both.

• Do you believe that Jesus has a resurrecting power strong enough to bring about new creation in you?
• Do you trust that His plan for your life is consistent with His promises?
• Do you trust that in Jesus there is a present life-giving miracle for you like he did for Lazarus?

Let's pick up the story again and read John 11:39-45

"Jesus ssaid, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, "lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days."  Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying.  And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father I thank You that You have heard Me. And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me."  Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" And he came out bound hand and foot . . .Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had see the things Jesus did, believed in Him."

I don't know about you but thank goodness our Lord does call out to us in a whisper, luring us gently and lovingly but will also make Himself known to us in big, loud ways if we are watching and expecting and most of all believing . . . believing in the power - the same power that raised Christ from the dead.

What's Your Story?

• When Jesus calls us out of death, we get up and walk into a new life.  Are you trusting His promises?
• We're called to a spiritual rebirth; a new life in Christ right now.  What does that mean to you?
• God is the author and perfector of your faith.  Trust him to write your very best story!  What's your Redemption Story?

Click HERE for today's power point presentation.

Celebrate Advent with a Jesse Tree

 What is the Advent Jesse Tree?

"The Advent Jesse Tree seeks to tell the story of God's redemptive plan for the world through 25 symbols from the Old and New Testament.  The symbols trace the heritage of Jesus Christ from the beginning of creation." - Dean Meador Lambert, The Advent Jesse Tree: Devotions for Children and Adults to Prepare for the Coming of the Christ Child at Christmas

"Your making of a Jesse Tree is to trace the family line and heritage of your own forever family, the family of God." -Ann Voskamp

There are an increasing number of resources out there to help you create a Jesse Tree to celebrate Advent.  Just Google Jesse Tree or search for it on Pinterest and you will have quite a bit to choose from.  In our house, we have decided to leave our Thankful Tree up, removing our Leaves of Thanks and replacing them with the Jesse Tree ornaments as we go through Advent.

In the spirit of making life easier for busy moms we have a couple of suggestions.

Jesse Tree Journey

Source: Ann Voskamp & Nancy Rodden, www.AHolyExperience.com

Print your Advent Celebration, the Jesse Tree Journey, by visiting http://www.aholyexperience.com/, and clicking on the "Free Gifts For You" tab. 

Download a beautiful and free devotional to guide you through the Christmas season with a Bible passage and accompanying ornament to place on a "Jesse Tree" each night.

The Advent Jesse Tree

Devotions for Children and Adults to prepare for the coming of the CHRIST CHILD at CHRISTMAS

Dean Meador Lambert

This book is available in hardcover or ebook formats and has great reviews.  It includes a symbol reference, memory verse, suggested hymns to sing, scripture references, a devotion, questions to ponder and a prayer for each of the 25 days of Advent.  There are separate scripture references, devotions, and prayers are given first for the children, then adults.

How are you going to celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ in your home this year? 

Knowledge Seekers

Serving and Caring for Our Neighbors

Heartland on Mission . . ."We exist to equip and challenge people to invest in others.  Our hope is for all followers of Jesus will lovingly sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel."

Today we have an opportunity to be the hands and arms of Christ's love to those who live around us . . . our neighbors.  Heartland always has a food pantry open and available for those in need both within and outside of Heartland's walls.  In addition, during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons Heartlanders rally to provide numerous Thanksgiving Meals and gifts for the Angel Tree Project and Heartland families through the "Heartland Hearts" initiative who need a little help in providing gifts to their loved ones.

Our Serve Day team has a special day planned for us so we can learn more about these initiatives mentioned above and the impact they have on families around us.  Liz Sears has been an instrumental part of our Missions Team here at Heartland and personally involved in administrating and delivering gifts to families.  She is going to be explaining these different missional efforts and letting us know how we can get involved.  We will watch a video about the Angel Tree Project (see link below) and Liz will lead us in a meaningful time of prayer for all the families who will be impacted.  Then we will split into two groups to either package groceries for ongoing needs or to write notes of encouragement that will go into the Thanksgiving Meals and grocery boxes. 

Additional resources:

• Thanksgiving Meals - lists were provided this past Sunday and the food is due this coming Sunday, Nov. 18
• List of groceries requested by the Food Pantry Team for ongoing needs
• The Angel Tree Project Video

 

 

Honesty and Authenticity

The mission of Mothers Together is to be a community of women with hearts open to the Lord, one another and a world in need.  We pray that through this community we will have the opportunity to enter into discipling relationships that will transform our lives by strengthening our ultimate relationship with Christ as we journey together as women.

The thing about any relationship from which you expect growth, be it personal, professional, within the church, or otherwise, is that it requires a level of honesty and authenticity.  If you want to enter into a life-changing relationship, a discipling relationship, as we are all called to do it takes more than the accountability we have already discussed.  

Greg Ogden says that, “Transformation occurs when we grapple with the truth of God’s Word in the context of transparent relationships.” [Discipleship Essentials: A Guide to Building Your Life in Christ]  I don’t know about you, but the idea of being “transparent” with others is a scary thing for me to consider.  Being open and honest with God is one thing - He has not only seen my dirty laundry, He held me up, walked next to me, and watched over me while I got each and every stain, scuff, or speck of dirt - but inviting others into my laundry room makes me a bit queasy.  

Ogden goes on to write, “Honesty with God is not sufficient. We give God permission to reshape our lives when we risk self-revelation and confession to others.”  Whoa...in order to truly give my life over to God, I have to open it up to others?  One of Heartland’s Core Values is to “Be Honest with yourself, one another, and God.”  

In the Bible, Jesus’ brother James wrote to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16.  Once again, we are called to open up and be honest with one another.  We are to live lives of authenticity - be real with one-another, do life together.  “We can’t grow in Christ by ourselves.” [Discipleship Essentials]

What does that look like?  My husband and I have been working on living this within our marriage as well as our friendships.  We are reading Discipleship Essentials by Greg Ogden and make a point to discuss it.  In all honesty, he is much better about translating what he has learned into his friendships - I am working on it.  It has improved our communication with one another, giving us a platform for bringing personal trials and issues between us into the light.  

I have a few women who I am trying to be more intentional about living transparently with.  It is hard, but prayerfully considering my interactions has allowed me to feel the freedom to open up when I feel the Holy Spirit leading me to do so.  The women at my table in Mothers Together are becoming women I can open up to and the prompting of our speakers, discussion questions, and Bible reading has made the opportunities to open up easier to take advantage of.  Who are you opening up to?

Teacher Appreciation

Many of you have little kiddos and can't even imagine them in middle school...but I wanted to share what I do for our daughters middle school teachers.  

As your children grow, the relationship with their teachers has to become more intentional. You do not see them as much as you did their elementary teachers!! During parent teacher conferences i give them a little treat after our brief update on our student.  We tell them thank you and that we are grateful for them and we make sure to bless them in Gods name so they will know we are Christ followers!

Teachers are underpaid under appreciated servants!!  God gives the gift of teaching and we think its so important to love on our kids' teachers!  I use parent teacher conferences as a chance to share some love!!


Treats don't have to be big or expensive it's truly the thought that counts!! I am amazed at the response from the middle school teachers!  They are such a treasure and are so happy for the recognition.  It makes me so happy to remind them how important they are in our daughters life!  

We chose to send our kids to public school and as of now that has worked for our family, but we remain true to our faith and take any opportunity we can to show the love of Christ to them.


I encourage you to do the same!
Tasha cook

Knowledge Seekers

The Good Shepherd

 John 10

 

"I'm telling you the solemn truth,' said Jesus. 'Anyone who doesn't come into the sheepfold by the gate, but gets in by some other way, is a thief and a brigand.  But the one who comes in through the gate is the sheep's own shepherd.  The doorkeeper will open up for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out.  When he has brought out all that belong to him, he goes on ahead of them.  The sheep follow him, because they know his voice."  (John 10:1-4) 

“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me — just as the Father knows me and I know the Father — and I lay down my life for the sheep.
[...] My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:14, 15, 27)

In biblical times, local shepherds could bring their flocks to a community sheepfold that was guarded by a gatekeeper.  The gatekeeper actually stayed in the doorway to prevent robbers, animals etc., away from the sheep.  Shepherds could then retreat to their homes or tents for a good night's sleep.  In the morning, the shepherd would present to the gatekeeper, who would open the door and the shepherd would call to his sheep.  He would walk away from the sheepfold talking to his sheep and they would recognize his voice and follow.  The other sheep stayed put til their shepherd came for them.  Isn't this amazing!

Today Shelley Winkler will be with us to bring this chapter to life as we strive to be more in tune with what God is saying to us.  Click HERE for our handout.

Enhance Your Love Map

Last time I posted here I mentioned how my husband and I worked through “The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work”, by John Gottman at the recommendation of our counselor when we were in a definite state of crisis and how working through that helped us reconcile from a separation. 

Currently, we’re working through the book again.  No, we aren’t separating!  The Couple’s Home Improvement classes here at Heartland are utilizing this text as the curriculum for the year.  We thought it would be great to revisit these concepts as a preventative measure. 

The first principle in the book calls us to “Enhance Our Love Maps”.  I recall being super excited by this title the first go round, since I have a strong sense of direction.  However, I quickly found out this was not the type of map I was used to. 

The love map refers to how intimately familiar we are with each other’s world.  Gottman claims, “From knowledge springs not only love but the fortitude to weather marital storms.”  Citing research that indicates the more detailed the love map, the higher the marital satisfaction.

So what kind of knowledge fills out a love map?  It varies from the simple – favorite color, movie, music, and food, etc. to the deep – fears, worries, ideal job, and aspirations.  In the book and during Home Improvement couples can take sample quizzes to see how healthy their current love map is and most importantly, exercises to expand them.

The time we spent establishing our love map reminded us of when we were dating and used to spend hours just talking!  We realized the base for our love map was in pretty good shape, but we hadn’t been as diligent as we should have about updating it.  Updating our love maps and bringing each other up to speed provided a unique chance to reconnect. 

So, go grab a coffee and ask each other some questions, you’ll be amazed at how fun this date will be!

I can’t wait to hear all about it!

Nanette

P.S.  Ladies, I have found love maps to be extremely helpful in maintaining other important relationships as well.  It’s a powerful thing to know and be known!

Finding Time and Motivation to Exercise

It is always amazing to me how quickly I forget the fruit that develops from regular exercise.  Earlier this summer, my schedule  finally opened up and allowed for me to work out on a regular basis.  I  found a class that I LOVED attending and looked forward to each day.  I trusted the child care and while it was not always easy to get there, once I was there, I just disappeared into the music and let the instructor tell me what to do. It was wonderful.  My clothes began to fit differently, the numbers on the tags got smaller, my energy level went up, and so did my confidence.  I felt capable.  I felt healthy and I felt strong in my body, mind and spirit.

I should tell you that working out regularly is not something I naturally default toward.  Oh, how I wish I did.  No, it takes a lot of effort for me.  While I do enjoy a good work out and savor the inward and outward glow that comes from physical exertion, given my druthers, I’d choose to curl up on the couch with a good book and a blanket any day.  It is amazing how many creative excuses pop into my mind when it comes time to decide whether or not to work out on a given day.

Flash forward to today.  It’s been over a month since we moved into our new house and I have not worked out once since we moved.  Boxes have been gradually disappearing as ever so slowly I have been getting our family settled.   It seems that every free moment has been consumed with unpacking, cleaning, organizing and de-cluttering.  And free moments that have not been spent doing those tasks, have been spent thinking about how I should be doing them.  (Having a toddler underfoot has done nothing to expedite the process or diminish my frustration level either!)

I have felt frustrated, depressed, hopeless and socially invisible these past couple of months.  My spirits and energy level for anything have been l-o-w.  When I’m feeling this way, I tend to gravitate toward food and lethargy- a dangerous combination.  My list of excuses for not working out (aside from going for walks with my daughter) has been long....too much to do, need to find a new workout place closer to our new home (which is a hassle), child care concerns, scheduling conflicts with class times on and on. 

Until today.  It was a very long day in our house, lots of things to accomplish, lots of tears, lots of frustrations and finally, I reached my limit and we packed into the car and headed off to find a possible new place to work out simply because I needed a break!  It was challenging, but after an hour of sweat and physical exertion, I was beyond thankful we had faced all of the deterrents in my mind that had been standing in our way of doing this sooner and had gotten back on track.  I’m even going again tomorrow.  

It is worth every bit of effort and hassle to get there and in the future, when life gets busy, and especially with the holidays looming, I hope I never forget it!

Having a difficult time jump starting your work out too?  Here are some things to consider:

First thing- pray.  Ask God to fill you with a supernatural desire to exercise and take care of yourself.  Ask him to help you to be the best example of health and positive self care you can be for your children and family.  Ask him to help clear any obstacles that may be standing in your way (attitude, energy, illness etc).  Ask him to fill your heart with grace toward yourself as you work to get this area of your life back on track.

Then ask yourself- 

1. What kind of worker-outer are you?  Do you enjoy solitary exercise (you and a treadmill)? Are you more energized by a class setting? (Zumba, Step etc), Do you need a friend to go walking/running with you?  Do you prefer a DVD in your own home?

• Find what you love to do and what makes the time fly and do that!  Regularly!

1. Tell someone about your struggle and your desire to change.  Ask them to hold you accountable for exercising/eating healthy...whatever your challenge may be.

3. Be prepared to take little steps toward progress each day and be kind to yourself on the journey.  Our children’s impressionable eyes are watching! 

- Sarah L.