Tag: Advent

Thankful Thursdays

Holidays can be very difficult times.  Reality rarely matches the “Hallmark card” expectations that can be projected on festive celebrations.  Empty places at the table where loved ones sat in the past feel even more pronounced at family gatherings.  Yet here is the holy place where God meets us between the yearning for “shalom” and all that is still marked by the Fall. 

• Take a few minutes to make a list of things that make you aware of the inner ache of waiting.
• Without denying the ache, what gifts are you thankful for amid the losses you’ve experienced?
• Is there a way that, like Elizabeth,  your struggle has shaped you into a meaningful companion for others who are suffering?
• Ask the Lord to bring at least one person to mind to whom you can offer some form of comfort.

Worship on Wednesday

Music has always been a form of “prayer without ceasing” for me.  I can look back at various seasons of my life, and there were particular songs that gave words to my struggle or which expressed my desire before God. As I played them repeatedly, those songs were interwoven with my conversations with Him. 

During one particularly painful season, I found myself unable to find any words to pray.  I felt as if I had already said everything I could possibly say to God about a situation that had caused years of heartache, and I was utterly worn out.  In a very personal way, God expectedly provided several classical music CDs – music without words.  As I listened to them, I sensed the Spirit saying that He could handle my weary silence, that He would still find ways to minister to me without words.

• Make a list of ways that God has shown up in your life.  Were there particular songs that ministered to you then or provided words to offer Him when you had none of your own?
• Revisit some of those today as an act of remembering God’s faithfulness and celebrating His character.

We also have a Larger Story playlist on Spotify to help you center your attention on Jesus this season, and we’re continuing to add music to it throughout Advent. 

Tea Time Tuesday

The Christmas season is such an important time of year for me. (See my blog article here to read more.) I want to savor every moment, meaning, and experience of the season, and yet every year so many things compete for my time and keep me from enjoying and celebrating Advent the way I hope to. Holiday parties, extra decorating and cleaning chores, kids’ basketball games, winter illnesses, opportunities to travel- all compress an already tight schedule leaving little time for tending to my heart and spirit. When I am so busy, rushed, and overwhelmed that I find myself almost wishing for the season to be over, I know I am long past needing some time to reflect. 

That usually triggers an actionable intention to set apart time in my day to sit and savor with my Savior. My favorite way to do that is to make a luscious cup of tea, or more likely, coffee, and have one of my favorite Chocolate Orange biscotti (see the recipe below). I have a wonderful sunroom-cum-office (a special gift from my husband a few years ago) where I can enjoy the beauty of nature out my window without experiencing the brokenness of being in it. I turn on my favorite Christmas playlist and reconnect with the Love Story of Advent and the Lover of my soul who patiently asks me to turn my gaze away from the to-do list and back to Him. He is waiting for me when I take the time to wait for Him. The true Meaning and Mystery of the season finds its way into my heart in the peace and stillness of those precious moments.

Chocolate Orange Biscotti

Ingredients:

1 cup of granulated sugar

3 eggs

2 teaspoons of almond extract

¼ cup of orange juice

2 ¾ cups of all-purpose flour

1 ½ teaspoons of baking powder

1 teaspoon of nutmeg

1 teaspoon of cinnamon

½ teaspoon of salt

½ cup of sliced almonds, toasted

½ cup of candied orange peel

½ cup of mini chocolate chips

1 cup of powdered sugar

Preparation Steps:

1. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper
2. In a large bowl, mix granulated sugar, eggs, almond extract and 3 tablespoons of the orange juice until blended. 
3. Stir in flour, baking powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, and salt. Stir in almonds, candied orange peel and chocolate chips. Divide dough in half; place on cookie sheet.
4. Using floured hands, shape dough into 2 (8×4- inch) logs about 3 inches apart. 
5. Bake 35-40 minutes or until light golden brown. Cool 15 minutes. 
6. Place logs on cutting board; cut into ½ inch slices. Place cut sides down on cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes. 
7. Turn slices over; bake 10 minutes longer 
8. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack and cool. 
9. In small bowl, mix powdered sugar and remaining 1 tablespoon of orange juice until smooth. Drizzle over tops of biscotti. You can also drizzle melted chocolate over biscotti if you prefer.

Memories on Mondays

Crabb family holidays as Ken and I (Kep Crabb) were growing up always revolved around two things, Jesus and mom.  I remember Dad always emphasizing giving back in the name of Jesus.  And telling us we needed to do something special for Mom.  Dad would prepare blueberry pancakes before we would dive into the presents under the tree.   

I’m reminded of a story, when I was about 6 or 7 years old, on one of my early Christmases.   We never “believed” in Santa since most Christmas times, we (Kenny and I) would go to the store and pick out some of our gifts for Christmas morning – we knew mom and dad were really “Santa”.  Dad and I were shopping one afternoon, and I had a little money to spend on a toy.  He told me that I was only allowed to spend a certain amount, and as I got back to the car, he asked, “How much did you spend?” 

After some prodding, I told him the amount, and I had spent more than we agreed on.  He said I needed to take that toy back in.  As I slowly walked back to the store to return my toy, he went and bought me the same toy.  As we got back to the car, he gave it to me and said, “You deserve to be punished, but this is the gift of grace.”  That still impacts me today.  I have many of those stories about how my Dad parented me – awesome!

Dad was also a prolific poem writer.  From before I can remember he began writing poems for holidays, birthdays, and special occasions.  Mom saved most of those, and here’s one that was fun to look at from many years ago: 

From Florida’s shores, Christmas greetings we send

In Shakespearean verse (you’re asked to pretend);

Tho’ it’s not just like William (but he’s OK too),

It’s the Crabb way of saying Merry Christmas to you.

With brown curly hair and no adipose lack,

We measure Ken’s weight by the pain in mom’s back.

A milk spilling whiz, drawer emptier too, 

Now walking and talking, each day something new.

Kep’s taller and bigger (in six months he’ll be four).

His chatter and laughter make a pleasant dull roar.

School’s soon upon him, then college? work? wife?

Nothing speeds by like your child’s young life.

 Another new home, so mom’s still on the go.

Orange trees to plant and new curtains to sew, 

Plus picking Kep’s pre-school, pulling Ken from the shelf

And after making Dad happy, grabbing time for herself.

New job and new home (same wife, but she’s fun);

Dad’s shrinking heads now in the Florida sun;

He keeps himself busy, there’s plenty to do–

Golf every morning and the beach after two.

The Lord has been good, we’re much in His debt.

In a word lacking peace, we’ve no cause to fret.

Our Christmas is merry when we rest in His love.

We wish you that joy which comes from above.

Holiday memories of my Mom always stand out.  She enjoys decorating for the holidays and other celebrated days on the calendar.  From the 4th of July to Easter, she went all out.  I recall her setting up an advent countdown calendar to Christmas Each day Kenny and I would hang an ornament on that calendar as Christmas seemed to take forever to finally arrive.  I would bet she still has that calendar somewhere today.  She always wanted to make our family holidays memorable.  Sitting at the table after dinner playing the Memory Game as a family – family times were a priority with my folks.

I can honestly say that I have been truly blessed to have a father and mother who loved me in a way that helped shape who I am to this day.  I’ve been shown by them how to put Jesus on display and how to love others.   Merry Christmas, everyone!

Worship & Welcome: The Rescue Candle

The tabernacle, the place where God first moved in to be with His people, paints a picture that foreshadows what is to come. The portability and design point to God’s commitment to never leave or forsake His people. It is visible proof that God’s presence was real and was going to be with them no matter where they wandered. The tabernacle was also a place of atonement, bearing testimony to God’s plan to provide the atonement that would forever destroy the walls that sin had built. The Holy of Holies and all of the extravagant detail offer the hope of the future incarnation when God himself would leave His home in Heaven to live the human experience with us humans here on earth. 

As you light the third candle, the candle of Hope, give thanks for the Living Hope that you have and celebrate the hope of heaven that we have because of this Advent story.

Saturday Self-Awareness

When we struggle with repetitive sin, it would be wise to ask what purpose that sin is serving in our lives.  Since Adam and Eve chose independence from God, we’ve all inherited the desire to live life on our own terms.

• How does the ongoing cycle of sin keep us from having to rely on God? 
• What is the underlying dynamic that drives the sinful behavior? (eg, we may have fear of change, of what is unfamiliar, or of loss of control that motivates speaking of others in sweeping or unjustly negative ways).
• Do you practice honesty with God, sharing what’s true about where you are regardless of whether it’s good or bad?
• In what ways are you actively stirring your affection for God so that your desire for Him is greater than anything else?

Friendship on Fridays

One of my best memories of Larry spiritually relating to me was my 2nd time to SSD. He had discerned that I struggled with the sense of always needing to prove myself, usually by trying to be “the smartest guy in the room.” He could tell my soul was not at rest, and that I may or may not have felt loved by God, but I certainly didn’t feel liked by God. So, as he engaged with me over dinner one night, he said, “I feel like you have a check for a million bucks in your back pocket, and you need to take it out and cash it.” Instantly, in my soul, I knew I no longer had to prove anything to earn God’s favor. I already possessed the riches of His love and He liked me just the way I am.

-Dave Hawkins

Thankful Thursdays

I can get very attached to my expectations and when they aren’t realized, the lurking bitterness and resentment launch a hostile take-over of my heart. Something about the promise of the holidays fertilize my expectations and make me susceptible to disappointment and the bitterness that accompanies it. I want my way, my perfect holiday experience with all the beautiful settings, delicious treats, and perfect relationships, and when I don’t get it, I can throw an internal (and occasionally external) tantrum to rival the best toddler rage or teenager rant. Somewhere on the backside of the outburst, hopefully before it goes outward, God gently reminds me of his purpose and invites me into an attitude shift- a shift that always begins with gratitude. 

“Count your blessings. Name them one by one. Count your many blessings. See what God has done.”   

~Johnson Oatman, Jr. 

This old hymn offers a powerful means of grace- taking inventory, specifically and by name, of all that God has done for you. So, take some time today to count your blessings. Here are some ideas and categories to get you started:

• Both good and hard things from today. 
• Both good and hard things from this year.
• Family, friends, and companions who support you on your spiritual journey.
• Difficult relationships that require you to lean into the power of the Holy Spirit.
• Painful and challenging things that invite you to take that pain to Jesus and share in his sufferings. 
• The unique ways you are created in the image of the Father. 
• The ways you have grown into the likeness of Christ this year.
• The sufferings that drew you closer to the Trinity this year.

Worship on Wednesday

Presenting ourselves to God – being present with Him as well as available to follow Him, is intrinsic to worship. 

• Consider how God has redeemed your past.  Regardless of how the surface circumstances of our lives may look, we have all been rescued from the darkness of our own selfishness and rebellion against God.  Spend some time naming the things from which He has delivered you.
• Offer yourself to God.  How might you make Him happy today?  In your words to others?  By interacting with a difficult person with courage and kindness instead of being “nice”?   As you give witness to what you see God doing in another person’s life? By choosing to hope in Him again? In your quiet faithfulness amid repetitive tasks?
• Be deliberate in celebrating the opportunities of ordinary life to give God joy in the way that you relate. 

We also have a Larger Story playlist on Spotify to help you center your attention on Jesus this season, and we’re continuing to add music to it throughout Advent. 

Tea Time Tuesday

My great aunt Carrie personified Southern hospitality.  She loved to feed people, and she was creative in the way that she did so. 

Knowing that I hated all forms of squash but being convinced that I should learn to love all vegetables, she came up with a recipe for a pie that she informed me was made with  zucchini after I’d asked for my second slice!  When a major storm took out a gas line and required our family to evacuate our house for a few days, she was thrilled to welcome us into the home that she and my grandmother shared and to feed us  home-cooked meals until we had to roll away from the table.

I’ve always regretted that I didn’t have more time directly with her in the kitchen, learning from her, and that she wouldn’t allow me to record the wonderful stories she would tell about her nursing career that began in the 1920s and lasted for decades.  Sometimes the gifts that we offer seem ordinary to us when in fact that are deeply meaningful to those around us.

Coming up with a creative way to make zucchini taste like coconut lemon pie may not be what makes you happy, but pay attention today to the ways that you come alive when you express love.  Sometimes we’re so focused on love being sacrificial that we can forget how much fun we can have giving in the way that we are uniquely designed to care for others.  May your joy be contagious today!

Aunt Carrie’s Christmas Cake

Ingredients:

6 eggs

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup milk

2 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla* 

4 cup flour

1 tsp salt

2 tsp baking powder 

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.  Prepare 2 round 8″ cake pans with non-stick spray.  Mix the “wet” ingredients together.  Combine the dry ingredients in a separate bowl, and then slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture.   

While Aunt Carrie used either lemon or chocolate icing with this cake, those recipes have been lost to time, so I use whipped cream to frost it and then top with fresh berries.

*I also do a pistachio version of this cake by adding 2 packages of instant pistachio pudding to the wet mixture and sprinkle the top of the whipped cream frosting with pistachio nuts ground in a food processor.