Month: December 2019

God’s 2020 Vision || guest post by Pastor Garrett Lowe

Posted on by Garrett Lowe

God’s vision for your life is for you to flourish! Psalm chapter 1 describes you as strong tree that has been planted by streams of water that supply continual nourishment for you to grow and produce fruit.

But this does not happen apart from God’s Word. In order to flourish, you need to have your roots firmly planted in Scripture. On Sunday, December 29th, I mentioned three practical suggestions to help you begin the new year with God’s Word.

I would recommend picking one, and then invite a friend or family member to join you for encouragement and accountability.

#1 Seek the Wisdom of God

Commit to The Proverb a Day Challenge! Proverbs is a book full of God’s wisdom. There are 31 chapters and there are 31 days in the month of January. Just read one chapter a day! It should only take you 3-5 minutes.

Action Step:

After you read through the chapter, identify one verse that stands out to you and then take action in one of three ways:

  • Write it down in a journal
  • Text it to a friend
  • Share it on social media -we’ve created a Instagram and Facebook story wallpaper for
…

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New Parent Vault || guest post by Garrett Lowe

Posted on by Garrett Lowe

Hello parents!
 
My desire for 2020 is to create a vault (noun: a secure room where valuables are stored) of parent resources that encourage and equip you with tools, insights, and practices that will help you vault (verb: jump over obstacles; leap forward) in raising your children to be authentic followers of Jesus!
 
We are living in a culture unlike any other time or place in history! There are a lot of challenges and dangers that threaten the spiritual lives of our children, but there are also many opportunities and advantages that we can leverage for the flourishing of our families.
 
The first resource in the vault is a video that our NextGen team put together for you to use on Christmas morning. A common Christmas family tradition is reading Luke chapter 2, the story of Jesus’ birth. We know how hard it is for young people to just listen to a story, so we hope our video is a fun way for your family to gather together and experience the story.
 
We even included a ten-question trivia game at the end, so pay attention (and try to let your kids answer)! 

 You can sign up …

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Night of Worship || guest blog by Chris Smith

Posted on by Chris Smith

This past Friday evening we held a Christmas Night of Worship at Living Word. The theme for this evening was “God With Us” and the reality found in John 1:14: “The Word became flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood” (MSG). The truth of the incarnation demands a response–songs, poetry, art, and, above all, wonder and worship. While I love gathering with the church family throughout the year for worship nights, there is always something special about the Christmas season and the unique carols and songs that go with it. I love how the Christmas carols are able to stir our hearts (and yes, evoke nostalgia) as they melodically capture profound truths.

God and sinners reconciled. (Joy to the World)

Truly He taught us to love one another. (O Holy Night)

The hopes and fears of all the years are met in Thee tonight. (O Little Town)

With His blood mankind hath bought. (The First Noel)

The wrong shall fail, the right prevail. (I Heard the Bells)

Christmas started with a song—the angels heralding the news of the Messiah’s arrival and the peace that he brings. Singing accompanies celebration. When news is THIS good

—“Heaven is here!”—it calls for …

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