advent

1. a coming into place, view, or being; arrival
2. the coming of Christ into the world.
3. the period beginning four Sundays before Christmas, observed in commemoration of the coming of Christ into the world.
my friend kevin found this site which gave us some great ideas that we're using in our services at wellspring over the next few weeks:
advent
i'm also going on hiatus from writing the blessing during this advent time...

while i get my life together.

so instead, i leave you with brian mclaren's new creed...

check out his new book too, ken recommended it & we're beginning to read it in our small group. i'm really digging it.
everything must change

the justice creed

♥
we believe that the living God is just
and that the true and living God loves justice.
God delights in just laws and rejoices in just people.
God sides with those who are oppressed by injustice,
and stands against oppressors.
God is grieved by unjust people and the unjust systems they create and sustain.
God blesses those who hunger and thirst for justice,
and God’s kingdom belongs to those willing to be persecuted for the sake of justice.
to God, justice is a weighty thing which can never be ignored.
we believe that Jesus, the liberating king, came to free humanity from injustice and to display the justice of God,
in word and deed, in life, death, and resurrection.
the justice which God desires, Jesus taught must surpass that of the hypocrites.
for the justice of God is a compassionate justice,
rich in mercy and abounding in love
for the last, the least, the lost and the outcast.
on his cross, Jesus drew the injustice of humanity into the light,
and there the heartless injustice of human empire met.
the reconciling justice of the kingdom of God.
the resurrection of Jesus proclaims that the true justice of God- naked, vulnerable, and scarred by abuse is stronger than the violent, injustice of humanity armed with weapons, conceit, deceit, and lies.
we believe that the Holy Spirit is here now,
convicting the world of sin and justice,
warning that God’s judgment will come on all that is unjust.
we believe that the kingdom of God is justice, peace, and joy in the holy spirit. empowered by the Spirit,
then we seek first God’s Kingdom and God’s justice.
for the world as it is has not yet become the world as God desires it to be...
and so we live and work and pray until justice rolls down like water...
and flows strong and free like a never failing stream.
for we believe that the living God is just and that the true and living God loves justice.

Amen.