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Today is the first Sunday in Advent. Advent is a time of waiting. We wait for Christmas.We wait for Christ's return. We wait for God to come to us today. And so we prepare for Christ's coming like we prepare for Christmas.
This week we'll spend time cleaning house. Isn't that an important part of preparing for Christmas?
Isaiah asked that God would rend the heavens and come down (Isaiah 64:1). He pleads for God to cleanse his people, but how does he come? Throughout this week we'll look at different household cleansers, and use them as a picture of God's loving act of cleansing in our lives.
"Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself." Galatins 6:1 New Living Translation
Murphy's oil soap is a gentle cleanser often used on wood cabinets and other material that can't handle more abrasive cleansers.
We need a gentle cleanser.
When we ask God to rend the heavens and come down we ask that he do so with gentleness. This gentleness is a mark of the Christian community.
God uses sisters and brothers in Christ to work his cleansing. Why? Because we know our own need for this loving work of cleansing. This cleansing, through the community, is not a point your figure, shape up or get out cleansing, but a restorative balm of healing for those who are straying from the love of Christ.
We're reminded of this gentleness by a baby born in humble means and laid in a manger for us. It is this baby who comes to cleanse us in love.
Join the conversation at Praying With the Eyes on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/groups/173881749421231/
This week we'll spend time cleaning house. Isn't that an important part of preparing for Christmas?
Isaiah asked that God would rend the heavens and come down (Isaiah 64:1). He pleads for God to cleanse his people, but how does he come? Throughout this week we'll look at different household cleansers, and use them as a picture of God's loving act of cleansing in our lives.
"Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself." Galatins 6:1 New Living Translation
Murphy's oil soap is a gentle cleanser often used on wood cabinets and other material that can't handle more abrasive cleansers.
We need a gentle cleanser.
When we ask God to rend the heavens and come down we ask that he do so with gentleness. This gentleness is a mark of the Christian community.
God uses sisters and brothers in Christ to work his cleansing. Why? Because we know our own need for this loving work of cleansing. This cleansing, through the community, is not a point your figure, shape up or get out cleansing, but a restorative balm of healing for those who are straying from the love of Christ.
We're reminded of this gentleness by a baby born in humble means and laid in a manger for us. It is this baby who comes to cleanse us in love.
Join the conversation at Praying With the Eyes on Facebook. http://www.facebook.com/groups/173881749421231/
(Click on picture to enlarge.)
Text and Photographs ©Copyright 2012-2013 Douglas P. Brauner. ARR.
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