{"id":4225,"date":"2020-12-05T17:56:56","date_gmt":"2020-12-05T21:56:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ikemediology.com\/clc\/?p=4225"},"modified":"2020-12-07T11:14:55","modified_gmt":"2020-12-07T15:14:55","slug":"2020-advent-week-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.ikemediology.com\/clc\/2020\/12\/05\/2020-advent-week-2\/","title":{"rendered":"2020 Advent Week 2"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.7.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.7.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.7.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.7.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>It&#8217;s Tuesday evening. \u00a0We&#8217;ve had a wind and rain event today. \u00a0The ferry has been out of service all day. \u00a0The email just came through and it won&#8217;t return to the island until tomorrow morning to make the first trip. \u00a0I have lived on Grand Manan for a total of 24 years. \u00a0The other forty-two of my sixty-five have been spent elsewhere. \u00a0I am glad to be home. \u00a0If there ever was a group of people who understand that things don&#8217;t always go as planned, it would be someone who lives right here.<\/p>\n<p>Whether it is a ferry trip that is canceled due to high winds or vacation plans postponed because the catch was down. \u00a0None of these things are in our control. \u00a0Still we love our beautiful island home. \u00a0Right now things are out of our control. \u00a0I just circulated a request for input re: Sunday services. \u00a0The concensus is that orange is not a color that we can work with. \u00a0So we&#8217;ll move one single event online rather than meet in person on Sunday. \u00a0We are talking about an hour and a half gathering. \u00a0For me it leaves a huge gaping hole but my faith is not built on a 90 minute Sunday event.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>My Hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=&#8221;4.7.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;]<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/6WtV1XtqsW0\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>[\/et_pb_code][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.7.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>I insert this video because I ran to it tonight. \u00a0I have never known anxiety in my life but a perfect storm has converged on my life in the last three plus years. \u00a0It is absolutely nothing compared ot what some of you have faced but it has been too much for me, enough so that I have been driven to connect as deeply as I can with my spiritual resources. \u00a0This song has a particular relevance to me these days.<\/p>\n<p>If one of you has a music video or some other material that you have connected with and you&#8217;d like to share it, email me at <a href=\"mailto:karl.ingersoll@gmail.com\">karl.ingersoll@gmail.com<\/a>\u00a0and I&#8217;ll include it in our online material.<\/p>\n<p>Here is some scripture that I have used this week. \u00a0Take a few minutes and look up the passages and think about them.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.7.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;-23px|auto||auto||&#8221;][et_pb_column _builder_version=&#8221;4.7.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; type=&#8221;1_2&#8243;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.7.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>I have been thinking about the idea of peace. \u00a0When Jesus showed up, he brought peace to every conflict or calamity. \u00a0He deescalated things except for the religious folk. \u00a0Stiil they were unable to argue with his perspective. \u00a0I watched a Netflx documentary which was both good and disturbing. \u00a0It had to do with misinformation on the internet and how people can be manipulated to believe lies. \u00a0Our peace is shattered unless we can get on solid ground. \u00a0Facebook, although a wonderful utility for certain purposes, only facilitates confusion a lack of peace. \u00a0I have yet to fully process this documentrary but it will make a difference in my own social media presence.<\/p>\n<p>So peace is eliminating the noise, confusion, misinformation. \u00a0The favor of God brings peace. \u00a0Read the scripture below:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAnd there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, \u201cDo not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.\u201d Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, \u201c<em><strong>Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.<\/strong><\/em>\u201d\u201d<\/p>\n<p>(Luke 2:8\u201314, NIV84)<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=&#8221;4.7.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; type=&#8221;1_2&#8243;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.7.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMany of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman\u2019s testimony, \u201cHe told me everything I ever did.\u201d So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman, <em><strong>\u201cWe no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.\u201d\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<p>(John 4:39\u201342, NIV84)<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\u201c<\/span><i style=\"font-size: 14px;\">Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, \u201cWe have seen the Lord!\u201d But he said to them, <\/i><strong>\u201c<em>Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it<\/em>.<\/strong><i style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\u201d A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, \u201cPeace be with you!\u201d Then he said to Thomas, \u201cPut your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.\u201d Thomas said to him, \u201cMy Lord and my God!\u201d Then Jesus told him, \u201cBecause you have seen me, you have believed; <strong>blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.<\/strong>\u201d Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.<\/i><span style=\"font-size: 14px;\">\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p>(<span>John 20:24\u201331<\/span>, NIV84)<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.7.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221;][et_pb_column _builder_version=&#8221;4.7.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; type=&#8221;4_4&#8243;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.7.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; custom_margin=&#8221;-40px|||||&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>The other scriptures as well have to do with knowledge and belief. \u00a0The woman at the well shared her testimony which impacted her community but there cam a point when the townspeople believed for themselves. \u00a0They made whatever step of faith necessary, from the knowledge that they had to personal trust in Christ. \u00a0Knowledge never takes us the distance. \u00a0In the end we all must trust for ourselves.<\/p>\n<p>The scripture re: Thomas illustrates the rfusal to take someone else&#8217;s words for anything. \u00a0Thomas insisted on seeing for himself. \u00a0That&#8217;s not doubt at work, in my opinion but discernment. \u00a0Look at the following scripture:<\/p>\n<p>\u201c<i>Dear friends, <\/i><em><strong>do not believe every spirit<\/strong><\/em><i>, but <\/i><em><strong>test the spirits<\/strong><\/em><i> to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because <strong>the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world<\/strong>. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.<\/i>\u201d (<span>1 John 4:1\u20136<\/span>, NIV84)<\/p>\n<p>As you watch the video today, note what is required beyond knowledge, to take us the distance. \u00a0I have mentioned a few thinsg. \u00a0You may think of more. \u00a0Remember belief is more a matter of the heart than the head. If we are to know the peace of God, it will begin in our hearts. \u00a0Paul tells us that we can know the &#8220;<em><strong>peace of God that passes all understanding<\/strong><\/em>&#8220;.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=&#8221;4.7.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2jHwa8o1Qjk\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>[\/et_pb_code][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>It&#8217;s Tuesday evening. \u00a0We&#8217;ve had a wind and rain event today. \u00a0The ferry has been out of service all day. \u00a0The email just came through and it won&#8217;t return to the island until tomorrow morning to make the first trip. \u00a0I have lived on Grand Manan for a total of 24 years. \u00a0The other forty-two [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[38,22,6,12],"tags":[16,17,13,14],"class_list":["post-4225","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-blog","category-christmas","category-life-between-sundays","category-sermons","tag-community-life-church","tag-grand-manan","tag-karl-ingersoll","tag-sermons"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6IX45-169","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.ikemediology.com\/clc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4225","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.ikemediology.com\/clc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.ikemediology.com\/clc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.ikemediology.com\/clc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.ikemediology.com\/clc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4225"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"http:\/\/www.ikemediology.com\/clc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4225\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4245,"href":"http:\/\/www.ikemediology.com\/clc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4225\/revisions\/4245"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.ikemediology.com\/clc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4225"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.ikemediology.com\/clc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4225"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.ikemediology.com\/clc\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4225"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}