The Adventure of Advent
“The beautiful thing about this adventure called faith is that we can count on Him never to lead us astray.” – Chuck Swindoll
I have always said if you read one of my devotions where words and scriptures are discussed in the original Greek or Hebrew, it’s been edited. I’m just not that girl. Let it be known… today, that changes. I feel so grown up. Buckle up, we’re going on an adventure.
While not an original idea, I wondered recently if the words ADVENT and ADVENTURE came from the same root word. So, after some research, the answer is a very academic sounding, sorta.
The root of adventure means to arrive or be about to happen. The root of advent means an arrival of someone important. From this, we could conclude that the period of Advent concerns the arrival of a new adventure, in whatever form this may end up taking.
Ya’ll. What if this year, in this unprecedented year, we really dug into the adventure of our journey to Christmas? Our journey to faith. Our journey to Christ.
I’m not a very adventurous person. I will never jump out of a perfectly good airplane, ziplining seems ridiculous; and in my world, roller coasters are even out of the question. In the adventure column of my life, the closest I come is knowing I’ve watched every episode of Survivor. I’m OK with it. And while it may not involve sunshine, speed, and eating slugs, my adventurous spirit comes in the shape of entrepreneurship and mixing stripes and polka dots.
It’s been a little overwhelming setting my heart on Christmas with all the world’s unknowns. But I am going to build up my “adventure muscle” this month and look forward to Christmas in a wild, yet calculated, way. While I fully recognize this life is an adventure of its own (hello, 2020), what we have left of this year can be a season of connection and anticipation we’ve never known.
“I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death.” (Philippians 3:10)
Dear Lord, I am ready for an adventure! As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, help us hear Your voice. Touch our souls once again. Give us the courage to be Your beloved. Give us courage to choose joy. We need You now this Christmas. Amen.
By Carrie Peterson
Carrie is happiest with her people and a pen in hand!
I have always said if you read one of my devotions where words and scriptures are discussed in the original Greek or Hebrew, it’s been edited. I’m just not that girl. Let it be known… today, that changes. I feel so grown up. Buckle up, we’re going on an adventure.
While not an original idea, I wondered recently if the words ADVENT and ADVENTURE came from the same root word. So, after some research, the answer is a very academic sounding, sorta.
The root of adventure means to arrive or be about to happen. The root of advent means an arrival of someone important. From this, we could conclude that the period of Advent concerns the arrival of a new adventure, in whatever form this may end up taking.
Ya’ll. What if this year, in this unprecedented year, we really dug into the adventure of our journey to Christmas? Our journey to faith. Our journey to Christ.
I’m not a very adventurous person. I will never jump out of a perfectly good airplane, ziplining seems ridiculous; and in my world, roller coasters are even out of the question. In the adventure column of my life, the closest I come is knowing I’ve watched every episode of Survivor. I’m OK with it. And while it may not involve sunshine, speed, and eating slugs, my adventurous spirit comes in the shape of entrepreneurship and mixing stripes and polka dots.
It’s been a little overwhelming setting my heart on Christmas with all the world’s unknowns. But I am going to build up my “adventure muscle” this month and look forward to Christmas in a wild, yet calculated, way. While I fully recognize this life is an adventure of its own (hello, 2020), what we have left of this year can be a season of connection and anticipation we’ve never known.
“I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death.” (Philippians 3:10)
Dear Lord, I am ready for an adventure! As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, help us hear Your voice. Touch our souls once again. Give us the courage to be Your beloved. Give us courage to choose joy. We need You now this Christmas. Amen.
By Carrie Peterson
Carrie is happiest with her people and a pen in hand!
Recent
Archive
2021
January
New BeginningsBe a LightPraying for the Gospel to AdvancePraying for Church LeadershipPraying for RestorationPraying for the Persecuted ChurchPraying for Our NationBridging the GapJesus UnderstandsYour Spiritual TankMade to WorshipProtection and WisdomDeliver Us From TemptationWholly Following the LordDistinguishing Characteristics of a True Disciple of ChristLoving Others as God Loves UsOvercoming Resistance to the GospelHow to Love Your EnemiesWinning Influence with Reciprocating LoveF-O-C-U-SA Job RejectionRejected by Your FamilyRejected by Church PeopleRejected for Your ViewpointThe Most Dangerous Rejection of AllWhat Are You Seeing?
February
112 YearsJesus Is Followed - Beth's StoryJesus Is Followed - Bryce's StoryJesus Is Followed - Jeff's StoryJesus Is Followed - Lily's StoryJesus Is Followed - Sarah's StoryClean SlateTake. Your MatHe Ain't HeavyFind Another WayPick Up And GoIt's Not About This LifeMan's Rules & God's LawLord of the SabbathTo Do Good or HarmWithered-Hand FaithGrace and TruthLooking for the RootsThe Wandering PathA Powerful ForceFinally!Do You See Them?Is Your Faith Enough?Ebony and Ivory
March
The Price You Pay for Free GraceThe Most Important Question of AllThe Nature of Saving FaithThe Way Down is The Way UpThe Effect of Shame on SinnersLet's Memorize Scripture!Extra CreditA Mailbox FriendBeing a NoticerInterruptionsThe Other GuysName Above All NamesCelebrateFilled to OverflowingCliffhangerTwo Dead EndsThe FeastGod's GoodnessOne Great ParableA Tale for All SinnersTwo Prayers, One JustificationGrace and HumilityCome to JesusWhat To Do?What is Worship?The Stones Would Cry OutJoyful Noise
April
The Lifting of HandsWorship Your WayGod Is The WindThe Trap of Human WisdomThe Danger of ComplacencyThe Quest for Meaning Apart from GodThe Futility of Living for the MomentThe Illusion of Self-righteousnessHe Is Risen!Lightning BugsIf?Pure WorshipStanding in LineI Surrender...Releasing ControlReplacementsA Worthy SubstituteThe PursuitEqual or Lesser ValueDwellChrist The Solid RockThe Search for HopeThe Hope We HaveA Gentle AnswerThe Essential TruthWhoever, Wherever, Whenever
May
Rooted in HopeKeith's StoryRachel's StoryTim's StoryKathleen's StoryJacob's StoryMicah's StoryCaroline's StoryRaegan's StoryMatt's StoryAshley's StoryVicki's StoryBradley's StoryConsider the WildflowersTwo CentsTurn Your Eyes Upon. JesusYou Don't Want Me to Worry about What?Replace WorryMighty PowerBeing GratefulExpressing GratitudeUnexpected PraiseDetours to GratitudeHumbling MomentsGospel GratitudeKnowing God through His WordBeing the Favorite
2020
March
I Am The Good Shepherd Shepherd LeadershipI Am the Good Shepherd that Keeps the GateShepherding the TeamI Am The Good Shepherd: A Note from a Thankful SheepTime OutFour DaysUp from the GraveResurrection LifeThe Shadow of DeathMore Than an Empty TombLet\'s Not Get DistractedThis Is No Time to Be TroubledJesus Christ Is The Way
April
Jesus Christ Is The TruthJesus Christ Is The LifeAn Inconvenient TruthPalm SundayI Am The VineJust Do ItI Am The DoorCuttingsThe StruggleGood FridayThe DoorAbundant GraceAbundant SalvationAbundant SecurityAbundant LifeThe Thank You NoteBreakthrough PrayerLetter to the ChurchA Time for Great ThingsPrayer for a BreakthroughThe Day of ChristAs Far As the Eye Can SeeLoosen the ChainsNothing to FearOn the Same SideWhat Are You Living For?
May
Stand Firm in One SpiritOur God of CertaintyWhy Desire Humility?The Joy of HumilityHumility in ActionThe Ultimate Example of HumilityThe Glory of HumilityThe Faith of a Mom and a GrandmotherKeep OnCelebrate Your DecisionLet Your Light ShineHow Are You Being Poured Out?Be an EncouragementManna from HeavenSafeguarding Your HeartThe Proper Way to BoastHaving Nothing to Offer GodChrist Is All I Want and NeedOn Knowing ChristNo Greater LoveBiblical ObedienceBiblical MaturityBack to ShoreEnemies of the CrossA Bridge to HeavenIt's About Time
June
A New Way of ThinkingThe Lord Is at HandWait to WorryReal PeaceRight ThinkingSuch a Time as ThisA Lesson from Homer SimpsonHesitationThe Power RangerPep TalkSea Billows RollDo You See Them as Gifts?The God QuestionA Hopeless JourneyThe Hope of GraceDon't Miss the PartyThe Joyful GodWho's Listening AnywayThe InheritanceWhat Do You See?Give Me, Give Me, Give MeTearful PrayersFaithfulnessGo and DoIt Seems GoodTrust the Creator
July
Welcome His PeaceLet Us SingGod Is AbleOur Dependence on GodJealousyWhat Dreams Are Made OfServant LeaderChoosing ForgivenessCourage To Be TransformedHeaven and Earth ReuniteHope ReachesA Hope EternalA Hope InheritedHope RebuildsHope UnseenThe Promise of HopeOur Hope Comes From The LordThe Lord Takes Care of His PeopleFree from HarmThe Protective Hand of God\'s Loving CareThe Security of God\'s Watchful LoveThe Traveling TabernacleCommunityCommunityThe FloodThe Cool KidOpposites Attract
August
Open Our EyesThe Call to DiscipleshipA Strategy to Change the WorldImitators of ChristGrowth in Uncertain TimesA Legacy of DiscipleshipHard QuestionsQuestionsThe Answer, Part OneThe Answer, Part TwoThe Answer, Part ThreeThe Answer, Part FourUsing What God Has Given UsBest Laid PlansLive Without LimitsWhat Do You Want To Do?Unlimited SupplyJust A ... ?Who Is Jesus To You?Why Do the Wicked Prosper?Living By ConvictionThere's No Price Too HighAn Epoch BattleConfusion: A Sign of Trouble AheadDay and NightBuilding Brave
September
The Faith GapWhen Bravery CallsFor Such A Time As ThisBravery In The SilenceOpen Our EyesThe Cheese Stands AloneDreamThe StandoffStrengthFather Knows BestAmbassador for ChristPapa BearBest Seat In The HouseWaiting On The LordThe Last Chapterin God\'s Tender CareDo Not Be AnxiousFinish The PlayA New DecreeThat All Might KnowThe Formula For BraveryHow Will You Respond?Stepping Out In FaithHappily Ever After?P.S.Superlatives
October
The Final Curtain CallBraveLet Your Light ShineThe God Who SeeksI Once Was Blind But Now I SeeSalvation for the Chief of SinnersA Picture of RepentanceJesus Is The Son of GodThe Red BinGoAllInAlwaysJesusOur Identity In ChristThe Christian Duty to ForgiveJesus Paid Our Sin Debt In FullThe Power of Forgiveness ExperiencedThe Consequences of UnforgivenessThe Freedom of ForgivenessDo Not Be Conformed to the WorldBetter Than I DeserveGrace Considers Us WorthyGrace Seeks OutGrace ExtendedUnconditional GraceNovember 3, 2020 | HopeGod Is ConsistentNovember 2, 2020 | Never Alone
November
November 4, 2020 | Stand the HeatNosy NeighborsUnintended ConsequencesCultivating a Biblical View of Sorrow in the Midst of a Global PandemicIt's About MoneyBeing ShrewdAre You Rich?PrioritiesThe Big IdeaThe Bigger PictureDifficult SilenceDifficult AnswersReverent HonestyHumble WaitingFrowning ProvidenceLove One AnotherGod's Love Is...Write It DownTalk It OutPandemic FatiqueHappy Thanksgiving!Stuff-MartSilenceFocusing On The EternalKnowledge of God is a Prerequisite of Faith
December
Praising God by Remembering His FaithfulnessThe Relationship Between Fear and FaithThe Transformation of Affirming FaithThe Freedom of HumilityFaith In The StormThe Adventure of AdventA Sure FoundationA Long SilenceA Divine MessengerA Doubting ResponseGod RemembersChristmas Is Still Worth CelebratingNothing New Under The SunNazareth?Highly Favored OneNow THAT'S An Understatement!He KNOWS You!Mary's SongReading Like An Ancient HebrewGo Tell It On The MountainWonder In The FamiliarOur High PriestThe Horn of SalvationTo My Grandmothers, With LoveMerry Christmas!Hope In JesusThree DaysNow I Can Die in PeaceWait, What?Rejection