brian shivers

This Advent take time to slow down and embrace the season. Week 4 This week we light the fourth candle of Advent Wreath.  "We light this candle to symbolize the gift of God’s love in Jesus Christ." SLOW DOWN, EMBRACE LOVE. Questions: What do you think of when you hear the word "love"? Who do you think of? Scripture: Psalm 89:1-4; 20-26  "I will sing of your steadfast love, O LORD, forever; with my mouth I will proclaim your faithfulness to all generations. I declare that your steadfast love is established forever; your faithfulness is as firm as the heavens. You said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to my servant David: 'I will establish your descendants forever, and build your throne for all generations.'" Selah Then you spoke in a vision to your faithful one, and said: "I have set the crown on one who is mighty, I have exalted one chosen from the people. I have found my serv...

This Advent take time to slow down and embrace the season. Week 3  This week we light the third candle on the Advent wreath. “We light this candle in great joy; Jesus is our joy!” SLOW DOWN, EMBRACE JOY. Questions: What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of the word 'joy'? What do you think it might mean to live a life characterized by joy? Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion-- to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, to di...

This Advent take time to slow down and embrace the season. Week 2  This week we light the second purple (or blue) candle on the Advent wreath. “We light this candle in peace; Jesus is our peace.” SLOW DOWN, EMBRACE PEACE Questions: When you think of peace, what images come to mind? What does peace look like? What would it mean for you to have peace? Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-10 "Comfort, O comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and cry to her that she has served her term, that her penalty is paid, that she has received from the Lord’s hand double for all her sins. A voice cries out: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the   Lord , make straight in the desert a highway for our God.   Every valley shall be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; the uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.   Then the glory of the   Lord  shall be revealed, and all people shall see it together, for the mouth of the...