Ready or not, a child has been born!

A child came into the world today,
and I was found ill-prepared.

I am not unlike many who have gone before me.

Those expecting the arrival of a child are often caught by surprise.

Of course, the expectant prepare the room, get the house in order, and have parties in anticipation of the glorious event.  But all of the preparation, reading, and consultation can never truly make one ready for the manner in which the arrival of a child changes things.

The arrival of a child has a way of changing
everything.

However, I really thought I was ready,
this time.

But how can one be truly ready for the change that is brought about by the arrival of a child?

And this child,
this child brought with him change that no one could ever imagine.
This child ushered in a transformation that continues to impact the entire world.
This child engendered a revolution that wreaks havoc on not only the world but also on individual lives.
This child generates conversion of all things.

I long for this kind of change.
And yet,
I confess that I am not ready for what it may mean.

For these frighteningly beautiful words float along on the fierce winds of change and are heard in the breath of a babies cry,
"Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is the Messiah, the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11)

" 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
   because he has anointed me
     to bring good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives
   and recovery of sight to the blind,
     to let the oppressed go free,
     to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.'
...'Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.' " (Luke 4:18, 19 and 21)

We are all called, you and I, to live into this metamorphosis brought about by this child that has been born, yet again, on this day.

"For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually, and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom. He will establish and uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time onward and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this." (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Ready or not, a child has been born!
Let the earth rejoice!

Advent - Week 4 - Love

Week 4

This week we light the fourth candle of Advent Wreath. 

We light this candle to symbolize the gift of God’s love in Jesus Christ. 

Questions:

What is love?

When you think of love, what is the first thing or person that comes to mind?

What does it mean to love?

Scripture:

John 3:16-17

"For God so loved the world that God gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."

Discussion:

What do hear in this passage about love?

Who in your life is an example of love?

What does it mean to you that God loves you this much?

Activity:

Write a note or card to someone who has shown you what it means to be a person of love or who you think is an example of God's love.  This would be an incredible Christmas to give to someone.

May the power of Christ’s love transform our lives.

Advent - Week 3 - Joy

Week 3 

This week we light the third candle on the Advent wreath.
“We light this candle in great joy; Jesus is our joy!”

Questions:
What is joy?
What do you think of when you consider what it might mean to be full of joy?
What are some of the characteristics of joy?

Scripture:

Isaiah 12:2-6

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid, for the LORD GOD is my strength and my might; he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. And you will say in that day: Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known his deeds among the nations; proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously; let this be known in all the earth. Shout aloud and sing for joy, O royal Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel.

Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Discussion:
Is there joy in expectation?
What goes through your own head and heart when you are anticipating something?
Consider these two lines…
“Shout aloud and sing for joy.”
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.”
When do you find it most difficult to sing for joy and rejoice?
For what in your life can you sing for joy or rejoice now?

Activity:
Sometime before Sunday, consider the things that bring you joy. 

Why do those things bring you joy? 

Think about some ways in which you might be an agent of joy in your house, your school, your place of employment.

Find a service project you can participate in that will bring joy into the lives of others.

Sign up to participate in Christmas Benevolence.  It is still not too late.

Advent - Week 2 - Peace

Week 2 
This week we light the second purple (or blue) candle on the Advent wreath.
“We light this candle in peace; Jesus is our peace.”

Questions:
What is peace?
What does peace look like?
What would it mean for you to have peace?

Scripture:
Luke 1:68-79
“Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, 
for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. 
He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David, 
as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 
that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. 
Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, 
and has remembered his holy covenant, 
the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, 
to grant us that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, 
might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 

And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; 
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 
to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins.
By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us,
to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

Discussion:
What does this passage say about peace?
Luke writes that Zechariah, father of John the Baptist said at John's birth, “By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
What might these words mean?
What would it be like to be a messenger of God's peace?
How can you bring this comfort to those around you?

Activity:
Sometime this week, make a list of those in your life who need comfort and peace.  
Consider how you might be someone who brings comfort and peace to these people.  
How can we work together toward peace? 
Find a service project to participate in that brings comfort and peace to those in need.

Christmas Benevolence:
Christmas Benevolence needs a lot of help! If you are in town this weekend, check out the opportunities to serve. Check the church website www.secondchurch.org for a full list of opportunities.

Advent - Week 1 - Hope

Throughout the season of Advent there will be one post each week with one of the Advent passages and a short devotional on the text.  It is our hope that Advent would be a season of preparation for the birth of the Messiah.

Week 1 - This week we light the first purple (or the blue) candle in the Advent wreath.
“We light this candle in hope, the bright hope of Jesus, the Christ.”

Questions:
What do you think of when you think of hope?
Who would be an example of hope?
Where do you find hope?
For what do you hope?

Scripture:
Jeremiah 33:14-16
"The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah. In those days and at that time I will cause a righteous Branch to spring up for David; and he shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. And this is the name by which it will be called: 'The LORD is our righteousness.' "

Discussion:
What does this passage have to do with hope?
Jeremiah writes, ”The days are surely coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise I made to the house of Israel and the house of Judah.”
What do you think these words mean?  
Does this relate to hope?  
What do you wish God would do?

Activity:
Sometime this week, write down a list of your hopes for yourself, for your family, for our world.  
Share these with someone else.  
Consider ways that you might work toward these purposes.

Christmas Benevolence:
Click here to find ways to volunteer for this year's Christmas Benevolence.

Sunflowers of Thanksgiving

Today, I had someone put something amazing on my desk.  Beautiful sunflowers arrived to brighten my day. These sunflowers were given by a student who wanted to share something precious with Tyler, Stephanie, and me (the Aspire Youth Ministries staff).

The sunflowers came with this incredible note attached...
"Every year since we were kids my mom gives me and (my brother) sunflowers to give to the person/people we were most thankful to have in our life that year.  So this year I chose you 3. Thank you so much for everything you guys do! You rock! Happy Thanksgiving!"

I am so thankful for and humbled by this young person who took the time to send a ray of sunshine into our lives through wonderful sunflowers.  This small gesture reminds me that in this busy season of thanksgiving it is so easy to forget the small yet vitally important ways in which we can say thank you to the people in our lives for whom we give thanks.

These flowers changed me and challenged me today.  I realize that I do not say "thank you" nearly enough - especially to those with whom I work and live.

I have been changed by these sunflowers.  I am committing myself this day to say a simple "thank you" to the people in my life for whom I am grateful.  There are so many, and I am sure that I will miss some of the most important people.  However, if I begin this discipline today, then perhaps I will continue to practice it every day, and I will not leave anyone out.

Who are the people for whom you and your children are the most thankful?
What are some ways in which you can say thank you to them?
How can you and your family practice the discipline of thankful living together throughout the year?

Let me begin by saying, "Thank you" to you.

If you are reading this blog, you have undoubtedly touched my life in some way this year.  I want to thank you for journeying with me this year.  I am thankful for you and for your faithfulness.

Thank you.
Brian

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, 

give thanks in all circumstances; 

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NRSV) 

Fear Not

Our world is a marketplace of fear.  On this Halloween and in the closing days of a virulent political campaign, I wanted to remind you of the power of faith, hope, and love in the face of our deepest fears.

"And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians 13:13, NRSV).

"There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear" (1 John 4:18)

Slaying Dragons
Fear’s toxic breath fills the air
Permeating every corner of life.
Gaining power
As Panic, Fear’s lackey,
Unleashes its menacing talons 
Attempting to choke out life in its grasp.

Despite its apparent strength
This invisible dragon,
The world’s one true foe,
Can be slain
Through the power of choice,
Freedom’s first fruit.

Do not fear;
Choose to live
In the face of the beast.
Steal its power;
Stifle its incessant noise;
End its tyrannical reign.

Fear no longer has a foothold 
On those who choose to live
Courageously,
With eyes of hope,
Full of faith.
Behold, the dragon now silenced.
                                  -- Brian Shivers

Reclaiming Words - "Salvation"

Salvation
1.  the act of saving or protecting from harm, risk, loss,destruction, etc.
2.  the state of being saved or protected from harm, risk, etc.
3.  a source, cause, or means of being saved or protected from harm, risk, etc.
4.  Theology . deliverance from the power and penalty of sin;redemption.

The idea of salvation often carries with it a tremendous amount of baggage that can cause a great amount of discord and disagreement even among those who come from similar theological traditions.  Salvation has been written about by some of the greatest theological minds our world has known, and yet the disagreements and debates remain.  Therefore, the goal of this blog post (or any of the other posts found on this blog) is not to offer a solution to the disagreements or end the debate once and for all.  The goal is for us to think together, to enter into a dialogue of sorts, and to agree to journey toward an answer knowing that the answer is not necessarily a destination but the journey itself. 

What is salvation?
Each of the definitions above use the preposition "from" to define salvation. Salvation is being saved "from" something in particular.  This is indeed an important part of the Christian understanding of salvation.  However, it is not the entire picture.  If it were, salvation would be nothing more than a selfish and egocentric proposition.  

This is too small.  God's salvation is bigger than that.  God's salvation is all encompassing.  God's salvation extends beyond you and me.  God does not just save us "from" something.  God saves us "for" something.  This idea can be seen throughout the stories, narratives, prophecies, and letters found in scripture.  

Take for example the beginning of the covenant with Abram (who would later be renamed "Abraham," which means "Father of a multitude").  "Now the Lord said to Abram, 'Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.  I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed' " (Genesis 12:1-3 NRSV).  A part of the covenant is that Abram and his offspring shall be a blessing to all of the families of the earth.  Abram was blessed in order to be a blessing.  Salvation did not end with Abram, Sarai, and their offspring.

Consider the story of Zacchaeus. Jesus "entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax-collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way.  When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, 'Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.' So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. All who saw it began to grumble and said, 'He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.' Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, 'Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost'" (Luke 19:1-10 NRSV).  Because of the Jesus' presence and the story of salvation that sprang from his life, actions, and words, Zacchaeus was compelled to act.  He gave of himself and his wealth.  Salvation did not end in Zacchaeus' house but extended throughout his community.


Salvation does not begin and end with being saved from something but extends to being saved for something.  Being saved from is passive.  Being saved for is active.  Salvation is what God has done, is doing, and will continue to do.  Salvation has come for us all, and we are called to be a blessing to all of the families of the earth.  

The author of Micah says it this way, 
   and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:6-8 NRSV)
‘With what shall I come before the Lord,
   and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt-offerings,
   with calves a year old? 
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
   with tens of thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
   the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?’  
He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
   and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,

We have not just been saved from something.  
We have been saved for something.

Reclaiming Words - "Faith"

Faith

1   a : allegiance to duty or a person : loyalty

     b (1) : fidelity to one's promises (2) : sincerity of intentions

2   a (1) : belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2) : belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion

     b (1) : firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2): complete trust

3   something that is believed especially with strong conviction; especially : a system of religious beliefs

Faith is often challenged. 

Faith is often decried as unnecessary and a hold-over from a bygone era in our post-modern world. 

Those of us who say we are people of faith are often put down, ridiculed, and mocked.

Let's do some unpacking of what faith is not. Maybe the we can begin to reclaim what faith is.

Faith is not blind allegiance.

Faith is not intellectual suicide.

Faith is not a crutch for the weak.

Faith is not a one time thing.

Faith is not an opiate for the masses.

Faith is not the absence of doubt.

Faith is not certainty.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the fact is we all have faith. Every single one of us. And that faith is exercised often throughout the day.

Faith is our first act in the morning as we swing our legs over the side of the bed and stand to greet the day even though we have no idea what the day may hold.

Faith is that which compels us to move forward in the face of the mounting evidence that should lead us to just stop.

Faith is the marriage of belief and trust.

Faith is living life like you mean it.

Faith is often difficult.

Faith is a gift.

Of course, the objects of our faith may be different from one another. But the truth still remains that faith is something that is possessed by all.

Of faith...

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, "You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."

Philip Yancey wrote, "I have learned that faith means trusting in advance what will only make sense in reverse."

C.S. Lewis penned, "Faith is the art of holding on to things in spite of your changing moods and circumstances."

The author of the letter we call Hebrews composed, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1 NRSV)

Faith is beautiful. 

What is faith to you? 

Reclaiming Words - "Worship"

For the next several weeks, we will take a look at some words that seem to have lost a part, if not all, of their meaning in our culture.  We will begin with a quick look at the dictionary definition of the word.  Then we will think through what it might mean to reclaim the word in our lives and as an important part of our journey of faith. We started last week with a look at the word "desire".

This week, let's look at
worship
n.

1. a. The reverent love and devotion accorded a deity, an idol, or a sacred object.

    b. The ceremonies, prayers, or other religious forms by which this love is expressed.

2. Ardent devotion; adoration.

v.tr.

1. To honor and love as a deity.

2. To regard with ardent or adoring esteem or devotion.

v.intr.

1. To participate in religious rites of worship.

2. To perform an act of worship.

Worship has been a huge topic of discussion and debate in churches across the country.  It has even sparked books, articles, and conferences centered around the theme of "worship wars."

Much of the debate has centered around the style of music played during worship.  Will the church have an organ, a choir, and "traditional" music or will the church have drums, guitars, and "contemporary" music?  There are people who lobby earnestly on each side of this music style debate - good people of deep and abiding faith.

In spite of the best intentions of those on both sides of the debate and those somewhere in between, we have lost something.  We have lost the heart and the meaning of worship.

Music is indeed an important and integral part of worship.  Music is to be a part of the prayer and praise offered by the congregation or the individual in worship.  However, music is not the entirety of worship nor should it be the focus of worship.  In fact, John Calvin wrote that everything we do should be an act of worship offered to God.  It is not just the songs we sing.  Worship is as much an attitude of the heart, mind, and spirit as it is the actions of the body and mouth.

In the Book of Order for the Presbyterian Church (USA) we have these words, "Christian worship joyfully ascribes all praise and honor, glory and power to the triune God. In worship the people of God acknowledge God present in the world and in their lives. As they respond to God’s claim and redemptive action in Jesus Christ, believers are transformed and renewed. In worship the faithful offer themselves to God and are equipped for God’s service in the world." (Book of Order, W - 1.1001)

In our long and tiring debate over worship style, we have lost the point that worship has very little to do with us at all.  Worship is about God.  When corporate worship and individual worship is focused on what we get out of it, worship has become nothing more than an empty exercise of ego-centric self improvement.  We might as well be at a Tony Robbins seminar.  Worship is to be about giving "all praise and honor, glory and power to the triune God."  When our worship is rightly focused, style becomes much less important.  All of our vain trappings and stylings come off of the center stage when "the faithful offer themselves to God."

Donald McKim writes, "We gather in the covenant community for praise, petition, and thankfulness for who God is and what God has done...We worship as Christians to give our full attention to the God who is our creator, who redeems us in Jesus Christ, and who is present with us by the Holy Spirit...Worship provides the orientation for our Christian lives" (Presbyterian Beliefs, 104).

The end result is that God is glorified and the people of God are transformed, renewed, and equipped for service to the world.  Let us worship God in all we say and do.

Reclaiming Words - "Desire"

For the next several weeks, we will take a look at some words that seem to have lost a part, if not all, of their meaning in our culture.  We will begin with a look at the dictionary definition of the word.  Then we will think through what it might mean to reclaim the word in our lives and as an important part of our journey of faith.

Let us begin with...
desire dəˈzī(ə)r 
n. A strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen.
v. Strongly wish for or want (something).

Desire is not something we talk a lot about in church.  Sometimes it even feels like an inappropriate word to speak or mention in a church setting. It seems as though any time it is spoken, or written about, it has some type of sexual undertone.  Even though desire can be a great way to explain our feelings in this area of our life, desire can and should mean so much more.  The word "desire" (like so many others) has been robbed of its complete meaning and therefore its power.  At its essence "desire" has the capacity to be a marvelous descriptor of the deepest part our life and the passions which drive us most.

Consider the deepest longings of your heart.  Not whether or not you want a roast beef sandwich right now or really wish that you could have the newest and finest luxury automobile.  Go deeper than that.  Think about the things that cause you to get emotional.  Think about the issues, topics, hopes, and dreams that occupy your daydreams.  These are some of your deepest desires.

So, with all of this in mind, what is it that you desire?

Take a moment to reread the definition of the word before you respond.
Grab a pen and paper.
Write down some of the things that come to mind when you think about how you would answer the question.

What is it that you desire?

Are you willing to take the sometimes difficult steps to walk toward that which you desire?
Are you willing to allow God to walk that path with you?

In Psalm 37, the psalmist writes,
3 Trust in the Lord, and do good; 
      so you will live in the land, and enjoy security. 
4 Take delight in the Lord, 
      and the Lord will give you the desires of your heart. 
5Commit your way to the Lord; 
      trust in the Lord, and the Lord will act. 
6 The Lord will make your vindication shine like the light, 
      and the justice of your cause like the noonday. 
7 Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for the Lord; 
      do not fret over those who prosper in their way, 
          over those who carry out evil devices.

The psalmist speaks of a world in which those who do wrong and plot evil seem to prevail.  The psalmist speaks from the anger and anguish of witnessing this as it takes place.  In the midst of this comes the psalmist's message of hope.  "Take delight in the Lord, and the Lord will give you the desires of your heart."

Look around you.
Where is it that God is doing something amazing?
Where are the hungry fed?
Where are the sick being healed?
Where is the prisoner being visited?
Where are the lonely given hope?
Where is the Good News of God's steadfast love being proclaimed?

Things like this are happening all around us.  Join in.  Take delight in these things. God can be found there.  And then "wait patiently for the Lord" for the "Lord will give you the desires of your heart."

Of Clenched Fists and Open Hands

Religion has taken a huge hit in our culture lately.  There is no doubt that some of the criticism that has been levied against organized religions and their institutions is much deserved.  There is more than enough hate, vitriolic speech, and ugly actions all in the name of god to prove the critics right in their assessments.

In spite of all of this "evidence", I feel the need to somehow come to the defense of organized religion and those who belong to these groups.  I am convinced that organized religion is not the enemy, nor are the faithful people who are striving hard to be faithful within the structures organized religion provides them.  Organized religion is not the problem. The problem is not even faith itself even though some modern thinkers, philosophers, and pundits would like us to believe it is true.  No, the problem is and seemingly always has been with certitude - the kind of certitude that builds an impermeable wall around itself.  This is the "I am right and everyone else is wrong" type of conviction.  The enemy is the faith that ends in worship of itself instead of the god to which it claims to point.  The problem rests in the language and behaviors of those who firmly believe they have it all figured out once and for all and aren't afraid to share and show their beliefs to all of those around them with little to no regard for humanity.  This type of certitude runs rampant throughout our culture and world.  It is by no means the monopoly of organized religion.  We find it lurking at political rallies, "news" resources, Internet videos, billboards, bumper stickers, and, yes, pulpits and pews.

What is the remedy?  I wish I had the cure! I wish there was an instant fix!  But there is not.

One thing I know for sure is that any move made will take intentionality and depth of commitment.  Even though I would never claim to have a cure, I do think there are some logical places for us to start.  It may sound like circular reasoning, but the clearest place to start is with faith itself.  By its very nature, faith cannot be held in the clenched fist of certitude.  Holding faith in this way only chokes the life and vitality out of it.  Faith must be held in an open hand if it is to be allowed to flourish.

It is the faith of the clenched fist that is used as a weapon against those who disagree or believe differently.  It is the faith of the clenched fist that must be defended at all costs - even life itself.  The clenched fist is threatened by and threatens anyone or anything perceived to be in its way. The clenched fist cannot shake hands in solidarity or offer a gift of grace.  

It is the faith of the open hand that is offered in love and humility.  It is the faith of the open hand that is free to fly wherever the Spirit might lead.  It is the open hand which has the confidence to welcome.  It is the open hand which greets others in freedom and respect.

Let us not blame our institutions for the problems that we all embody.  If we cannot begin to live our individual lives characterized by the open hand, then how can we expect our institutions to be welcoming of everyone and affirming of humanity?

I commit myself, this day, to begin living my life with an open hand.  Will you pledge to do the same?  Life itself may hang in the balance.

Stress Free

The best things in life are free...
Except when you are talking about stress!


Stress often comes as the free add on to many of the things we do and experience in life. 
And STRESS can be a MONSTER! 

You are more keenly aware of this than anyone else as finals are breathing heavy down your neck.


So, what's a person to do?


It is more than a bit ridiculous to think that someone can live a stress free life. Responsibility brings with it a certain amount of embedded stress. It is part of the deal.  As was said above, it comes free of charge as an added "bonus" to much of what we do and experience in life. 

Because of this, the question shouldn't really be how you can eliminate stress from your life. That is unrealistic. The real question is how can you manage the stress that exists in your life so that it no longer dominates your mind, your body, and your health.


There really is no secret potion or magic arrow for the complete elimination of the STRESS MONSTER because it looks and behaves differently for each of us. Therefore, I won't insult you by providing a list of books to read or exercises to do in order to eradicate stress. What I will provide is a list of questions to consider. As you think about your responses, consider how you might intentionally take action on one or two of them in hopes of managing your stress level as you go into finals (or any other time you feel stressed).


1. What is your favorite genre of music? You know, the songs that immediately take you to that "happy place." Maybe your "guilty pleasure" songs that no one else knows you really like - Spotify can be your friend here.


2. What is your favorite snack? Think back to when you were a kid. What was the snack that made you do your "happy dance"? Go find one!


3. What is the one location, within walking distance, that helps you relax? Take a hike!


4. Whose company do you crave when you are stressed? 

5. What is the fragrance that immediately conjures up fond memories? Take a whiff! 


6. What makes you laugh?


7. Do you have time for a guilt free nap?


Finally, I would be remiss if I didn't share a couple of my favorite passages of Scripture that help keep my sanity in check when I feel the most stressed...


John 14:25-27 
"All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."


Isaiah 43:1-5 
But now, this is what the LORD says-- he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life. Do not be afraid, for I am with you"


Matthew 6:25-34
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life ? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."


Oh, and don't forget to breathe!  Every breath can be a prayer uttered to the God who promises to never leave us nor forsake us.


During this stressful time may you discover a way to manage the monster.