EMBRACING "ADVENT"

Advent 2019 

begins today 

December 1st until December 24th

I LOVE ADVENT
so
this is a season that is not difficult to
EMBRACE
{except for tomorrow, Dec. 2nd & then Dec. 6th}

"Advent, (from Latin adventus, “coming”),  in the Christian church calendar, the period of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas and also of preparation for the Second Coming of Christ."...

  Advent is a season of a time of  expectant waiting and preparation

Beautiful Savior, may every symbol of Your birth draw us closer to You ...

I look forward to finding more peace, purpose and strength with Jesus in prayer.
Each week I will  EMBRACE one theme of Advent and daily I will be following chosen plan(s) at You Version {less there than usual} 
I also finally gave in and purchased "Advent in Narnia" which I can't wait to read so I really have to pace all this reading {maybe I'll share this one in 2020}
plus
here on my blog (at least once a week) I will be sharing from The Passion Translation (TPT) book
"Come and Behold Him" by Brian Simmons
{I have read it before but would like to read it again to keep me focused}
Book Description (but also a good introduction to Advent)

"Prepare yourself to celebrate the real reason for the season—Jesus! Beginning with the first day of Advent, this four-week devotional will take you through the entire Christmas season with twenty-one readings organized around the weekly themes of Advent. Through short, engaging reflections on hope, peace, joy, and love, combined with the beauty and relevance of The Passion Translation—a fresh, faithful translation of the Bible—you will find the inspiration you need to celebrate the true reason for the season. Each reading follows the inspiring journey of the main characters of the Christmas story and offers and Advent prayer, making them perfect for personal, family, or small-group use. Scriptures from The Passion Translation will give you greater insights this season for your journey toward Bethlehem. May this devotional and translation of God’s Word inspire your faith in the One who came to rescue us and will come again to create us anew!"

so

YOU

may

EMBRACE

Advent

along with me

* There will be another post this evening and each week of Advent as we EMBRACE this season in every aspect and theme. Sadly, I went to change to my winter 'Star of Bethlehem' template that I received from 'The Cutest Blog on the Block' and even though I saved the code, I forgot how or where to do it so then I tried to go to that blog as I had in the past, only to find out either I could not enter it or it was gone (safety warning). So this is the best I have for my Christmas look, and now I understand the frustration of others who have tried to visit here or leave comments. Still, we'll press on. If anyone finds the blog or knows where I put the code (I was thinking just in a gadget and move it under header but it just went black) please let me know.  

EMBRACING BEING TRANSFORMED (?) 4- 4

EMBRACED

... Knowing God is Holding Me (You) Close

2019

Part 4: 

EMBRACING

His Calling

to be Transformed

Devotions #91 - 95

91. "I Want What She Has" Proverbs 14:30

..."I am not equipped to handle what they have, both good and bad." ...

92. "But, Lord, I Can't Do That!" Exodus 4:10

..."The exact way God made you is in keeping with how He will use you."

93. "Feeling Guilty?" Psalm 139:14

... "Sometimes I feel more guilty for what I'm not thankful for than what I am."

94. "Even When I Fall Short" Proverbs 24:16

... "When circumstances shift and we feel like we fall short, we should ask, 'How can I see Jesus, even in this?' ...

95. "The Friendship Challenge" Ecclesiastes 4:9-11

... "The Lord knew we would need each other to get through this life." ...

Now, in retrospect, I should have gotten "Embraced..." in Kindle, but it really is a beautiful book and I love to hold a book in my hands still. The reason I write this is because sometimes I could be reading the devotion, if I could read in Kindle, so linking these devotions, ends up helping me too. However, sadly I have noticed they're either not available or the same. My apologies... missing 1 this time #94

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I really don't like doing this, but as you can see there are still 5 devotions left to finish in this last part of "Embraced ..." AND November is over by next weekend, after Thanksgiving Day. ADVENT begins on Sunday, December 1st, 2019... SO, I have to hold off doing those last 5 until probably after Christmas Day, for the last week of 2019. {or I could add them on to this post} I already have a plan for December during Advent to EMBRACE ... and some over at You Version as well as continue with "One Thousand Gifts" (for 4 more weeks/sessions} ... so that's far more than enough for me. You'll have to hold on and see the rest ... later or ... in the last week of the year 2019!

EMBRACING BEING TRANSFORMED (?) 4- 3

EMBRACED

... Knowing God is Holding Me (You) Close

2019

Part 4: 

EMBRACING

His Calling

to be Transformed

Devotions # 86 - 90

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Truthfully, I'm already falling behind in reading these devotions from the first two weeks, but will share this next week anyways - because the 'new' Ann Voskamp with FaithGateway obs starts this week of "One Thousand Gifts" study guide and book make for alot of reading, yet still can watch the weekly video teachings of this ... and hopefully stay caught up with "EMBRACED..." this week. I need these all as I continue "being transformed".

86. "God, Give Us Self-Control" Isaiah 55:10-11

..."The answer to keeping God's power with me and working in me to produce self-control is letting His Word get inside me."...

87. "What to Do with Tough Relationships" 1 Peter 5:6

... "The truth is, we have an Enemy, and it's not each other." ...

88. "You Don't Like Me" Philippians 4:6

... " In the absence of truth, lies reign." ...

{tell me about it}

89. "Comparisons Stink" Galatians 6:3-5

... "Satan will always try to point out what's "wrong" to block out all that is right." ...

90. "Her Success Doesn't Threaten Mine" Luke 10:2NLT

... "All tides rise when we see a sister making this world a better place with her gifts." ...

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I leave the box below, in case I find more to share after reading the devotions.

So, I'll be starting to EMBRACE 'One Thousand Gifts'

November 18 - December 22

which will deepen my

attitude of gratitude

which I started to

EMBRACE

back here

and

it just so happens

that in another devotional

"365 Devotions to EMBRACE what Matters Most"

this week 47 is

"Your Attitude Matters"

Looking forward to

"being transformed"

in my

Attitude

EMBRACING BEING TRANSFORMED (?) 4-2

Perhaps you read my title and wonder why there's a question mark, as part of this last part of Lysa's book "Embraced ..." (which is the reason for the 4-2, 4th part and 2nd post)... but if you were able to read or understand my 4-1 rambling, you'd better understand the reason for the (?) ... I'm just not sure that one readily "embraces" being transformed or "embraces" transformation, even when it's realized that there's a definite need for transformation in all of us. However, I put the (?) because I was not sure if Lysa's Part 4 is about "Embracing His Calling" or "Embracing His Calling to be transformed" (which is how it's written). I'm hoping as I read more of these devotions in this final part of her book, I will know ...

EMBRACED

... Knowing God is Holding Me (You) Close

2019

Part 4: 

EMBRACING

His Calling

to be Transformed

Devotions #76-100

this week

#81-85

... no matter which way I look at this last part, as calling or transforming, I'm thankful that I know God is holding us close and that Lysa's devotions, draw me closer to being "embraced" as I read and learn more about "embracing" His Calling, and my need to be transformed. 

Last weekend, as I prepared that blog post, my mind was kinda in a fog a week ago, since November 2nd is a day, I remember and grieve the loss of our youngest brother, many years ago now, yet still thought of often, so I had and have been listening to some of his favorite music. As I mentioned last week's blog post, I am finishing up Laura Story's "I Give Up: The Secret Joy of a Surrendered Life" and that week was on "Being Transformed", so when this song played from a random playlist, it was not only  timely, but a moving reminder of "Surrender to Jesus"and I'd like to share it this week, to honor my brother before moving ahead with this next week's devotions. 

Here's another "Surrender" with an intro filled with so much meaning by the artist, my brother, Gary enjoyed, John Michael Talbot along with Michael Card

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Devotions #81 - 85

81. "Receiving Grace " Psalm 34:1 KJV

{could not find to link, see list below #83} ... but I, too have a problem giving and receiving grace with humans

... "In the midst of my mess, God is there."...

82. "The Treasure of Thrown-Away Food" Phil. 4:7

..."The truly thankful is a truly peaceful person."

83. "Giving Grace" Ephesians 6:12

{could not find that one but here's a few others by her on "grace"} "A Space for Grace" "Pinches and Grace" "Grace in the Middle" or "When Giving Grace Feels Hard"

... "The secret to healthy conflict resolution isn't taking a you-against-me-stance, but realizing it's all of us against Satan - he's the real Enemy."

84. "Something to Consider with Criticism" Luke 21: 13-15 HCSB

... "Remember, behind every harsh critic is usually a brokenhearted person desperate for love."

85. "I Had the Perfect Comeback" Philippians 3:16

{not me, ever}

... "Why would I want to trade the peace of partnering with God for a few cheap moments of putting someone else in their place."

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I shared a Gratitude Challenge last week by Maree Dee but actually it's the name of her blog & one of her categories that really intrigued me EMBRACING the UNEXPECTED (category) on Embracing Life in the Midst of the Unexpected (blog) neither of which I do very well so I won't even attempt to add this to all I need to EMBRACE in 2019 because this year is almost over and I've just tipped the top of this 'iceberg' {I think that's the expression}
anyways I'm still searching for what God meant when He whispered EMBRACE as my One Word in 2019 learning to EMBRACE as much as I can before 2020
sounds almost as vast as EMBRACING 1000 GIFTS which I hope to at least start with Ann Voskamp & FaithGateway
{I've got (actually had) the book & just got the study guide, so we'll see}
Thankful for Ann Voskamp & her books FaithGateway & the many studies they make available Lysa TerKeurst & her books, ministries & team at P31 & First 5 {that's a good start on "gifts" and gifted blessings}

EMBRACING BEING TRANSFORMED (?) 4-1

When I originally headed to my laptop with the idea to share a blog post, it was not at all for the one, previously posted. I came here with the intention of continuing with ...

EMBRACED

... Knowing God is Holding Me (You) Close

2019

Part 4: 

EMBRACING

His Call to be Transformed

Devotions #76-100

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The reason was simple - the year's almost over and the topic this past week (Session 4) in the Laura Story (OBS with Faith/Study Gateway) 

"I Give Up: The Secret Joy of a Surrendered Life"

(with only one more week left)

was

"BEING TRANSFORMED"

... and truthfully, I'm just not finished with this at all. In fact, it appears like I'm just getting starting again and have much still to work through and do. Then I remembered that this last part in Lysa's book "Embraced..." had to do with "being transformed" (or perhaps, without having read these last 25 devotions in Part 4, it may be about Embracing His Calling). Either way, with so many studies and plans, I really dislike leaving Lysa's book unfinished or God's work in me in 2019 ... so I need to press on and tackle reading these devotions (at least 5 a week) so I can find out which one it may be - help to "be transformed" or to "embrace His call". 

Looking at this more clearly, it looks like it's about "Embracing His Call to be transformed" ... because most of us do not easily want to embrace being transformed. We know we need it. We know we should. We even realize the benefits, but getting right down to answering His Call or letting His Spirit transform us ... (well?) I kinda think "transformation" is a life-long process; some parts more easily done than others (I could be wrong) but I don't think it's complete this side of eternity. 

I've been observing the caterpillars getting ready for their big transformation to becoming a butterfly, getting into their metamorphosis and they look pretty slow about making this come about, creeping slowly, not really settling on any one spot, reticient, and often I find them just curled up in a ball or ring (not on any branch-ready to go). Just saying. They're ready to blame it on the weather or other conditions for not proceeding. Maybe they're afraid of the change or giving up crawling around. They most definitely do not seem to be embracing, even a twig.

Nonetheless, I have much to learn just in the 'surrender' part and much more in being transformed. I'm ready (Laura Story) for your last part on "The Ripple Effect of Surrender". And all Lysa TerKeurst has yet to share in Part 4: Embracing His Call to be Transformed:

Devotions #76 - 80

76. "The Beginnings of a Miracle" Psalm 77:11

"A God who still does Miracles"

..."I knew my progress would be imperfect, but it could still be miraculous." ...

AMEN!

77. "Is My Pain Talking?" 2 Corinthians 10:5

..."Our Lord doesn't whisper shameful condemnations. Spiritual cnvictions, yes. Personal condemnations, no." ...

78. "Getting Unstuck from My Thinking Rut" Rom. 12:2

... "If we change the way we think, we'll change the ways we act and react." ...

79. "The Root of My Rot" Psalm 139:24 NLT

... "How we react is a crucial gauge of what's really going on inside us." ...

80. "I Quit" 2 Corinthians 7:10

{I'm pretty sure this isn't the same as "I Give Up"}

... "There is a big difference between being sorry and being changed." ...

" "

{Not enough time or eye strength for all this reading, but I'll give it my best}
and all along I will try to continue to
EMBRACE  GRATITUDE
and
BEING TRANSFORMED
more gracefully than  the caterpillar until it's a butterfly but imagine the joy in flying and flittering  about instead of crawling or rolling up into a ball
it's not so easy to die to self even when we know it's to be someone better

*if you don't see a post next week, it only means I'm running a little behind ... or poor to no connection ... certainly not because I'm too busy (ahem) reading here and there ... and everywhere.  Maybe I need to Embrace ... less reading more leaning into Him and trusting! Less doing and more being. Less of me, more of Jesus.