I was raised in church. I can remember mom and dad getting ready every Sunday morning. Then they would get us ready. I didn’t really understand what was going on. I just watched everybody. I knew that there was more than what people said. I knew that I wanted to learn the truth. So I had to search for it. You ever listen to someone talk and you know that it is the truth. It is because it rings true in your heart. Whether or not it is the popular belief. I have talked to many people. Some believe and some don’t. But I have always found that people want to believe in what is good and right. Once you collect baggage, like a lost love or hurts that you can’t forgive, it is hard to go back. I wanted to believe so badly, but the pain got in the way. Thank God, He didn’t give up on me. When I was 8 years old, I gave my heart to the Lord. But by the time I reach college, I had walked away. God had a plan for me. When I was 28 years old, God called again and I answered. This time God had me to study and build my faith. One day I was stopped at a railroad crossing. I was waiting for the train to go by. God spoke to me and told me to get out of my car. He wanted me to tell everyone stopped that God loved them. I froze and the hand of God lifted off me. I thought I had really messed up. God was teaching me a lesson. This one was a practical lesson. God was going to send me to people to tell them what He said. I learned quickly. People want to believe. It is our job as Christians to give them that chance for life.
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Advent is the observance of 4 to 6 weeks before Christmas. It is observed by Western and Eastern Christians. It is to prepare for the Second Coming of Christ. Depending on where you live, the traditions vary from place to place. The Eastern Christians observe a fast for 6 weeks, while the Western Christians only observe Advent on the 4 Sundays before Christmas. It was started by the 12 apostles to mimic Yom Kippur. If you don’t know what Yom Kippur is, it is the preparation of oneself for the coming of the New Year. This was a time to repent of your sins and to get right with God. So everyone could start right with God in the New Year. This past Sunday was the first Sunday of Advent. Yom Kippur was an ordinance of God. That meant that everyone had to follow God’s commandment to get their lives right. Advent is voluntary. It is the difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament. With the coming of Jesus and opening heaven to everyone who will believe, it is up to the individual to respond to God’s calling. It is a good tradition and should be followed. Although Christianity isn’t popular in most western cultures, God still hasn’t given up on man. It is funny how when there is a national disaster, people seek God for help. As I see the national news there has been a national disaster almost every week. So why haven’t more people responded to God’s call. What are you waiting for? Does the disaster have to strike your family before you are willing? All you have to do is ask God and He will respond to you.
http://www.joseph1637.com
joseph1637@juno.com