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A Morning View By the Wood Stove

Advent is Hope, Peace, Love, Joy.
We celebrate the coming of the Savior.

Lent is remember who we are, reflection, preparation, repent, sacrifice.
We celebrate the death and resurrection of the Savior. 

Two independent distinctly different focuses, yet completely interdependent upon each other for the plan of God redeeming creation as God's own. 

Just thinking..... perhaps Advent really belongs after Lent. I do not see Hope, Peace, Love and Joy possible without the death and resurrection happening in our lives first. I cannot celebrate Advent until I die to myself and my sin in repentance, seeking forgiveness, accepting forgiveness and waiting on God to resurrect me from my self imposed grave. 

Lately there is nothing more that I desire for my soul than Advent. If my soul was perfectly aligned with the redemption of the cross and resurrection from my grave then Hope, Peace, Love and Joy would naturally and abundantly flow from within and although I humanly cannot be perfect, I can become perfect in love. 

John Wesley believed we could become perfect in love in this life. If Jesus invites us to seek perfection, perfect love is possible. He didn't mean we would be free from mistakes, temptation or failure. For Wesley, growing as a Christian is all about being filled with love, which happens by the grace of God. God's grace began for us at the empty tomb and our realization and proclamation that Jesus Christ is Lord. 


Lenten reflection helps us in out pursuit of perfection in love. Confession and resurrection from death gives us life. Advent provides Hope, Peace, Love and Joy as a result of God's action in our lives. 


“Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith. As you test yourselves, I hope you will recognize that we have not failed the test.” - 2 Corinthians 13:5 NLT


I am seeking perfection in love through the grace of God. I have tasted it, experienced it and it is so good. Come and try it out yourself.


Peace,

PB

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