Advent: Learning To Wait With Hope
As we enter this new season, I want to take a moment to talk about something that might be new for you: Advent. The word simply means arrival, but it’s long been connected to another idea many of us wrestle with…waiting. And waiting usually brings out one of two responses in us: we’re either filled with excitement for something good, or we’re anxious about something uncertain. Maybe you’re waiting for a prayer to be answered. Or you’re waiting for direction. It may be you’re just hoping life will slow down enough to breathe again. No matter what you’re waiting for, Advent gives us a chance to approach these weeks leading up to Christmas a little differently. What Advent Is Really About Advent begins the fourth Sunday before Christmas, which is November 30 this year. It’s a short season, but a meaningful one. It invites us to prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus: God entering our world as fully God and fully man, fulfilling His plan to free us from sin and bring us life through His death and resurrection. That is incredibly good news. By this point in the year, most of us have already been surrounded by Christmas lights, decorations, and music, sometimes since before Halloween. Those things are fun, but Advent calls us into something deeper. It’s not about gift lists, decorations, or even the daily chocolate from an Advent calendar (though no judgment if you’re a fan). Advent is about intentional waiting – a chance to slow down in the middle of the busy season and remember what, and who, we’re truly celebrating. Four Weeks, Four Themes Over the next four weeks, we’ll walk through four traditional Advent themes: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Each one reveals something about God’s story and how it connects to our own. To help guide you, we’ll be sharing a weekly Advent reading plan through YouVersion. These readings are simple and accessible, something you can do in a few quiet minutes each day. It’s an opportunity to pause, breathe, listen, and ask God to help you wait well. Why Scripture Matters Here One of our core values as a church is that the Bible is our guide. We believe God’s Word leads us, shapes us, and shows us who He is. During Advent, when we read Scripture together, we aren’t just revisiting stories we’ve heard a hundred times. We are encountering the living Word of God, the Word who became flesh and made His home among us. Jesus modeled this kind of intentional rhythm throughout His ministry. He stepped away to rest and pray. He listened and encouraged His disciples to do the same. Advent is our opportunity to follow His example and create space in our lives for God to speak. Light in the Darkness None of us approaches Christmas perfectly. And that’s okay. The point isn’t perfection, it’s presence. John 1 paints a beautiful picture of what we’re celebrating: The Word was with God from the beginning. His life brought light to everyone. That light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. God’s unfailing love and faithfulness came through Jesus Christ. This is what Advent leads us toward: Light breaking into darkness. Hope breaking into discouragement. Love breaking into a weary world. Join Us This Advent As Advent begins, let’s choose to wait with expectation, trusting that God meets us right where we are. Our prayer is that this Christmas looks and feels a little different for you, that you notice God’s presence in new ways, and that you experience His peace even in the waiting. And we would love for you to join us on this journey. Join our Advent Bible Reading Plan. Commit to read Scripture together. We will prepare room in our hearts for Jesus. Let’s welcome His arrival, side by side. Advent Plan: https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/28220
Give Yourself Permission To Have A Summer Sabbath
Isn’t summer supposed to mean a break from the fast pace we keep for the rest of the year? How about a Summer Sabbath to remind us it’s ok to slow down, and rest in the Lord. Tired Yet? Same… Can you believe it?! August is here. I hope your summer was FULL in the way of long days and late nights, extra scoops of ice cream, pool time and overflowing calendars with opportunities of fun. When I look back on my family’s summer, I’m hit with a strange mix of satisfaction but also a feeling of burnout after trying to make ALL the exciting, fun, and spontaneous activities happen. On one hand, summer is a season that invites us to slow down and enjoy the longer nights, to ride bikes and play outside after dinner, and to make memories that outlast the bug bites. On the other hand, the very freedom of summer often turns into pressure. Pressure to make it count, fill every day, say yes to everything, and make the most of it all. I imagine my kids running back to school, completely worn out from all the fun, but sometimes, it feels like we’re just worn out, period. Somehow, in a season meant for rest, we end up even more tired. Yep, that’s us. But here’s the good news: summer’s not over yet. There’s still time for a reset. That’s why we need a Summer Sabbath, not just a day off, but a spiritual reset. It’s an invitation to let go of the pressure and reconnect with the rhythms of rest and trust that God designed us for. What is Sabbath? Sabbath is more than just a Sunday nap or a quiet day. It’s a holy rhythm of stopping. God modeled it Himself in the very beginning: “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy…”—Genesis 2:2–3 (NIV) God didn’t rest because He was tired; He rested to set the rhythm for His creation. He knew we would need regular, intentional pauses to reconnect with Him, realign our souls, and remember who we are apart from our work, our to-do lists, and our constant striving. The Hebrew word for Sabbath, Shabbat, literally means “to stop.” It’s the sacred space where we stop working, stop producing, stop comparing, and stop performing. Now to me, that kind of rest sounds like heaven! Summer is the perfect time for Sabbath! Let’s be honest. The summer schedule can be weird. Some days are wide open and lazy. Others are jam-packed. The routines that hold our year together get tossed out the window, and we’re left trying to balance spontaneity with sanity. That’s why Sabbath can be so grounding. It gives you a gentle rhythm when life feels scattered. It’s not about being super spiritual, it’s about making space for your soul to breathe. Here’s what makes Summer Sabbath especially powerful: It gives your soul room. Life doesn’t stop in the summer, it just shifts. Whether you’re carting kids to swim lessons or trying to balance vacation days with your job, it can all feel like a lot. Even Jesus, who had more to do than any of us, took time to step away: “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” —Luke 5:16 (NIV) If Jesus needed space, we sure do! Sabbath gives us permission to unplug, unwind, and actually notice what’s going on in our hearts, not just our calendars. It helps you let go of the pressure. You don’t have to create a Pinterest-perfect summer. You don’t need a bucket list a mile long. Your kids don’t need a full-time cruise director. They just need you, rested, present, and not running on fumes. Sabbath reminds us that our worth isn’t in what we do or how much we produce. It’s in who we are: children of a God who calls rest good. “It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night… for God gives rest to his loved ones.” —Psalm 127:2 (NLT) What if the most “productive” thing you do this summer is rest well? Sign me up! So…What Can Summer Sabbath Look Like? Here’s the good news: summer isn’t over, and sabbath doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s not about rules, it’s about rhythms. It can look like a full day once a week or just moments woven into each day. It’s more about intention than perfection. Here are a few simple ways to practice Sabbath this summer: Pick a Time To Pause Maybe Sunday afternoons become your slow time. Or maybe it’s Friday night pizza on the back deck with no screens. Choose a few hours that feel like exhale time and protect them. Do less, enjoy more. Don’t overthink it. Sabbath might mean taking a nap, going for a walk, playing a board game, or enjoy a fun hobby…just do something life-giving! The goal? Enjoy what God’s already given you. Make it fun for your family. If you’ve got kids, make Sabbath something they look forward to. Turn on your favorite Christian artist, pull out a board game, and do highs and lows around the table. Keep it simple and joyful. Unplug a little. Put your phone down! Sabbath is a great time to disconnect from the noise, especially the kind that lives in your phone. Even an hour without screens can help you be more present with God and the people in front of you. Talk to God. Sabbath isn’t just about rest, it’s about reconnection. Talk to God. Listen. Thank Him. Breathe deeply and remember you’re not in control, and that’s actually really freeing. Say YES to Rest! Jesus didn’t say, “Come to me when you’ve got it all together.” He said: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” —Matthew 11:28 (NIV) Friend, you don’t have to earn rest. You’re invited into it. Praise the
Where You Can Find Rest
By some miracle, I woke up easily and full of rest Sunday morning-time change Sunday! I was sitting on the couch thinking through the day, asking God what He had for me that morning as I prepared to be in Seneca for worship. I think what helped was my excitement to be at their campus-it had been a long time, and I love getting to see the team and people who are there week to week! Furthermore, I try-especially on Sunday mornings-to ask God what I am supposed to say or do that day and for Him to show me clearly what I may have missed this week that He is trying to show me. A few moments later, my husband woke up, and I heard our dog, Scout, head down the stairs. I knew she was coming to say hello. Finding Rest At The Start Of The Day This is her rhythm if I’m the first one out of bed. She doesn’t want to go outside or grab a drink first, but she immediately comes and lays eyes on me. I say good morning and scratch her ears. Then she trots over to her bed nearby and snuggles in until the house is a little more active. She desires to be seen by me, given a little affection, and then she can rest. Matthew 11: 28 – Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” I think this moment with Scout is a glimpse into what God is inviting us to. In her mind, she needs to see me and come to me before she can go back to rest-even though we were literally in the same room all night and had only been apart for maybe 15 minutes. For her, nothing else matters or needs to happen first. What if we trust that these words are true today? What if we come to our Savior for rest-for restoration? The next verse (still Jesus’ words) says, “Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Not only does Jesus invite us to come, but He also offers to show us how to do this—to let Him come alongside us (take my yoke) in our struggle, our heartache, our pain, and our frustration and allow Him to teach us a better way. With humility and gentleness. And find rest for our souls. I wish it came as easily for me as it does for Scout, but thankfully, God is patient with my stubbornness, and gently God reminds us of His goodness-even in our pets! We wrapped up the Joy Challenge with a message on Joy, Despite Worry. I pray you find rest for your souls as you bring your worry to the Lord. He is waiting patiently for you to come to Him! You can go back and watch The Joy Challenge messages and dive deeper with the discussion guides and videos.
What The Bible Says About Rest
Can you think of a time when someone gave you great advice, but you didn’t take it? Today we’re looking at what the Bible says about rest and God’s advice on rest and how He has a plan for you to rest. You may think of God’s advice as rules, restrictions and regulations. I challenge you to shift your perspective to look at God’s advice as gifts. These are gifts from a God who loves you and wants to offer you the best life you could possibly have. What Does God Say About Rest In Genesis, God created the world, and everything in it was perfect. God rested on the seventh day. He blessed the seventh day and made it holy. Then the Lord took man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. In Hebrew, “put him in” actually means rested him. So, in God’s perfect design, He rested man in the garden to work. This was when everything was perfect and there was no sin. Enter the serpent and, before long, everything gets out of whack. Adam and Eve get sent out of the garden and out of God’s presence. Work gets hard. But, God always had a plan to restore us to the rest that Adam and Eve got in the garden. Many years after Adam and Eve messed up, God’s people were enslaved in Egypt. Remember the story where God sent Moses to get them out of Egypt? So, He rescues them out of Egypt, and they’re in the wilderness. Do you remember how He fed them? He dropped bread from heaven, and they could only pick up enough for each day. Except on the sixth day, bread could be picked up for two days because on the seventh day the bread didn’t come down. On the seventh day, God’s people were supposed to rest. God gave people the 10 commandments, one of which is to remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it, you shall not do any work, neither you nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. Exodus 20:9-11 When Is The Last Time You Let God Have Your Full Attention It’s easy to miss the point of the Sabbath, and we’re not the only people who missed the point of it. Luke tells us the story: As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” – Luke 10:38-42 Martha dismissed the idea of rest and the value of being at the foot of Jesus. She didn’t give God her full attention. 3 Steps To Taking A Sabbath Change your brain about it. Rest is a gift, not an oppression. Why do you resist rest? It may be because you like to accomplish things, and you like people to tell you that you’re good at accomplishing those things. It’s all about ego and need for affirmation. You may think you don’t need it and what you got going is working. Or maybe you try to reason it this way…”I’ll take a couple of hours here and there, but I don’t need to take a full Sabbath.” Or maybe you think if you take a vacation and average it out that it all works out. God wants you to live life and live it to the full, and His advice is to take a full day of rest. When is the last time that you took God’s advice, and it steered you wrong? Plan for it. You plan for the important things in your life, right? Make it a priority and put it on your schedule. Rest is delighting in who God created you to be, something that fills your soul, puts you in the presence of God and reminds you that you were created for good. This can look different for each person. If you work all week with your brain, then you need to rest your brain on the Sabbath. If you work all week with your body, then you need to rest your body on the Sabbath. Some people may need to wake up and not know what they are going to do for the day – a total open schedule. Maybe it’s eating with friends, playing a game, reading or biking. The important thing is to figure out what Sabbath looks like for you and plan for it. Remove something. If you’re going to have Sabbath in your life, you’ll have to take something out to free up space. It’s time to lighten the load, so you have space for time with God. The Sabbath is a gift from God. It’s for you. Take it. Watch a message about rest and taking a Sabbath…