Rescue
RESCUE
December 10, 2023
It will be a sign and witness to the Lord Almighty in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the Lord because of their oppressors, He will send them a Savior and Defender, and He will rescue them.
Isaiah 19:20
Thought
Now search your heart, and ask whether you believe that God is your God, Father, Savior, and Deliverer, who wants to rescue you. (Martin Luther)
Song
"Come, O Redeemer, Come"
1. Father, enthroned on high
Holy, holy!
Ancient eternal Light
Hear our prayer.
[CHORUS]
Come, O Redeemer, come;
Grant us mercy.
Come, O Redeemer, come;
Grant us peace.
2. Lord, save us from the dark
Of our striving,
Faithless, troubled hearts
Weighed down.
[CHORUS]
3. Look now upon our need;
Lord, be with us.
Heal us and make us free
From our sin.
[CHORUS]
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I believe and proclaim with all of my heart that You have truly rescued me through Christ my Sure Redeemer. Thank You for the deliverance that came when He was born, and thank You for the deliverance that will come when He returns. Through Him I pray to You. Amen.
Daily Readings
Isaiah 19, Isaiah 20, and Isaiah 21
To see the full Advent devotional, click on the button below.
Love
LOVE
December 9, 2023
In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it— One from the house of David— One Who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.
Isaiah 16:5
Thought
Mark the season of Advent by loving and serving the others with God’s own love and concern. (Teresa of Calcutta)
Song
"The Weight Of The World"
1. My shoulders are narrow
My body is weak
I haven’t got any good words to speak
My heart often falters
My footing’s unsure
Under the weight of the world
The weight of the world
The weight of the world
Under the weight of the world (2x)
2. This is no load for one person to bear
Just one is able, just one anywhere
I’ll take it all to King Jesus in prayer
He’s strong for the weight of the world
The weight of the world
The weight of the world
He’s strong for the weight of the world (2x)
3. I am not able for all of my cares
Even my winnings are more than I’ll bear
I’ll take it all to King Jesus in prayer
He’s strong for the weight of the world
The weight of the world
The weight of the world
He’s strong for the weight of the world (2x)
4. The fabric of faith is too strong to tear
Woven by Christ, the saints daily will wear
A surety that Jesus, so strong and so fair
Has carried the weight of the world
The weight of the world
The weight of the world
He’s carried the weight of the world (2X)
Prayer
Gracious Father, just as You have shown love and concern unto the world, show these things through me that the world might know the One You sent. Jesus Christ, Who carried its weight while carrying a cross. To Him be the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Daily Readings
Isaiah 16, Isaiah 17, and Isaiah 18
To see the full Advent devotional, click on the button below.
Rest
REST
December 8, 2023
All the lands are at rest and at peace; they break into singing.
Isaiah 14:7
Thought
You have made us for Yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in You. (Augustine of Hippo)
Song
"What Child Is This?"
1. What child is this Who laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet
While shepherds watch are keeping
[CHORUS]
This, this is Christ the King
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing
Haste, haste to bring Him laud
The babe, the son of Mary
2. Why lies He in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding
Good Christian fear, for sinners here
The Silent Word is pleading
[CHORUS]
3. So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh
Come peasant king to own Him
The King of kings, salvation brings
Let loving hearts enthrone Him
[CHORUS]
Prayer
In this season You call Your people to enjoy a daily Sabbath. Therefore, O Son of Mary, I seek to rest within the waiting. Forgive me for the times when I have idolised being busy, and give to me Your perfect peace which calms the restless heart. In Your name I pray. Amen.
Daily Readings
Isaiah 13, Isaiah 14, and Isaiah 15
To see the full Advent devotional, click on the button below.
Salvation
SALVATION
December 7, 2023
Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord Himself, is my strength and my defense; He has become my salvation.
Isaiah 12:2
Thought
As we return to the manger, let us not forget the meaning of His birth and the purpose of His life. He came to save, deliver, and redeem us: O come, let us adore Him!” (Jean-Michel Hansen)
Song
"O Come, O Come, Emmanuel"
1. O come, O come, Emmanuel
And ransom captive Israel
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
2. O come, Thou Dayspring, come and cheer
Our spirits by Thine advent here
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night
And death’s dark shadows put to flight
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to thee, O Israel
Prayer
My Lord Jesus, as I enjoy the festivities of Advent, from calendars and decorations to special foods and music, I joyfully acknowledge the reason for Your birth. You were born not to add to the lists of celebrations, but to save the world from sin and death through a cross beyond the manger. And for this I give You praise and adoration. Amen.
Daily Readings
Isaiah 10, Isaiah 11, and Isaiah 12
To see the full Advent devotional, click on the button below.
Trust
TRUST
December 6, 2023
I will wait for the Lord, Who is hiding His face from the descendants of Jacob. I will put my trust in Him.
Isaiah 8:17
Thought
While we wait, we have to trust, to have faith, but it is God’s grace that gives us that faith. (Michelle Blake)
Song
"Come Thou Long Expected Jesus"
1. Come, Thou long expected Jesus
Born to set Thy people free
From our fears and sins release us
Let us find our rest in Thee
Israel’s strength and consolation
Hope of all the earth Thou art
Dear desire of every nation
Joy of every longing heart
2. Born Thy people to deliver
Born a child, and yet a King
Born to reign in us forever
Now Thy gracious Kingdom bring
By Thine own eternal Spirit
Rule in all our hearts alone
By Thine all sufficient merit
Raise us to Thy glorious throne
Prayer
To the One Whose joy is the strength to those who live by faith, may You strengthen me that I might have a better trust in You. Help me to go beyond believing in Your promises to clinging to You with an unshakable hope and an unbreakable gratitude. The hope and gratitude of those who awaited Jesus and found joy through the Holy Spirit that He would reign forever. Amen.
Daily Chapters
Isaiah 7, Isaiah 8, and Isaiah 9
To see the full Advent devotional, click on the button below.
Send
SEND
December 5, 2023
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for Us?” And I said, “Here am I. Send me!”
Isaiah 6:8
Thought
God sent a star to light the night for The Way, The Truth, The Life–His Son. He sent the Light of Life to prove His heart so we would invite His Son into our own. (Pamela Dowd)
Song
"This Is Christ"
1. Good news from heaven the angels bring
Glad tidings to the earth they sing
To us this day a child is given
To crown us with the joy of heaven
[CHORUS]
This is the Christ, our God and Lord
Who in all need shall aid afford
He will Himself our Savior be
And from our sins will set us free
2. All hail, thou noble guest this morn
Whose love did not the sinner scorn
In my distress, thou come’st to me
What thanks shall I return to thee?
[CHORUS]
3. Were, earth a thousand times as fair
Beset with gold and jewels rare
She yet, were far too poor to be
A narrow cradle, Lord, for Thee
4. Praise God upon his heavenly throne
Who gave to us His only son
For this his hosts on joyful wing
A blessed New Year of mercy sing
[CHORUS]
Prayer
O Maker of all things, Who filled the sky with stars, thank You for sending the brightest star, Your Son, into the darkness. His radiant beams revealed Your mercy and grace to humanity, and it showed the Creation Your heart of deep compassion and steadfast love. Lord, in this Advent season help me to grow in faith, and to be a beacon of mercy and grace that shines with compassion and love. In Your holy name I pray. Amen
Daily Chapters
Isaiah 4, Isaiah 5, and Isaiah 6
To see the full Advent devotional, click on the button below.
Listen
LISTEN
December 4, 2023
Hear me, you heavens! Listen, earth! For the Lord has spoken.
Isaiah 1:2
Thought
You hold your breath to listen. You are aware of the beating of your heart. The extraordinary thing that is about to happen is matched only by the extraordinary moment just before it happens. Advent is the name of that moment. (Frederick Buechner)
Song
"Let All Mortal Flesh Keel Silence"
1. Let all mortal flesh keep silence,
And with fear and trembling stand;
Ponder nothing earthly-minded,
For with blessing in His hand,
Christ our God to earth descendeth,
Our full homage to demand.
2. King of kings, yet born of Mary,
As of old on earth He stood,
Lord of lords, in human vesture,
In the body and the blood;
He will give to all the faithful
His own self for heav’nly food.
3. Rank on rank the host of heaven
Spreads its vanguard on the way,
As the Light of light descendeth
From the realms of endless day,
That the pow’rs of hell may vanish
As the darkness clears away.
4. At His feet the six-winged seraph,
Cherubim with sleepless eye,
Veil their faces to the presence,
As with ceaseless voice they cry:
“Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia, Lord Most High!”
Prayer
Almighty God, Whose Light came down from heaven, thank You for another season of hope and joyful waiting. Help me to listen like the Cherubim with sleepless eye, and rest within Your Holy word throughout the weeks ahead. And may each day be filled with praises like the Seraph: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Lord Most High! Amen.
Daily Chapters
Isaiah 1, Isaiah 2, and Isaiah 3
To see the full Advent devotional, click on the button below.
My New Parish: The American Protestant Church of the Hague
My New Parish
The American Protestant Church of the Hague
In March I was elected to serve at the American Protestant Church of the Hague [APCH]. Since then I have received many questions about this wonderful congregation in South Holland. At first I thought of answering them through a traditional article, but I thought it best to let APCH speak for itself.
To learn about my new parish click on the Church logo below!
The images featured in this post are by the American Protestant Church of the Hague.
I Still Love My Country: A Prayer for Independence Day
I Still Love My Country
A Prayer for Independence Day
Love Not Lost
There are many reasons to lose hope for the United States of America. In fact, I discussed a few of them with an ex-American just before the 4th. They lamented over several ills such as mass shootings and the Culture War, and expressed a fatigue at having the explain the problems while living abroad.
As an expat of over a decade I understand their frustration. Though not in government, we are in many ways representatives of our homeland. Our actions, no matter how small, can impact its reputation. From achievements that make Americans look respectable, to cultural faux pas that make us look foolish.
Indeed, I know all to well the frustration of my ex-compatriot. An irritation that for them became so much that they gave up U.S. citizenship. But for me, I am not so ready to leave behind my passport. For despite the egg on Columbia’s (the female national personification of the United States) face, my love for her has not yet waned.
I love my country for what it was, despite the issue in its founding and past. I love my country for what it is, despite its present issues which deserve critique. I love my country for what it could be, even if the future looks bleak. Despite many valid reasons I have not lost hope, and am still proud to be an American.
Love Without Extremes
Chad Bird writes that when loving the United States, one can fall into one of two extremes. They can either treat it as God’s favorite nation on earth or define it solely by its faults. While loving America I seek to do so without these extremes. She is neither a utopic promised land nor an ongoing failed experiment.
At the end of the day America is like all other nations on earth. A place with broken and beautiful people daily facing the brokenness and beauty of life. Therefore, as I lament her ills and bear the frustration I do not condemn. I simply pray for her well-being and wish her the best. My home and beautiful country.
A Prayer For Independence Day
Here is a prayer that I wrote for the 2023 Independence Day. It can also be used at any other time of the year.
To the Ruler all of nations, I thank You for my country. A land not higher than others in Your sight, yet under the care of Your guiding hand. Forgive me for the times and ways that I have loved it like an idol or taken it for granted while spurning the blessings You have given through it. Also forgive me for the times and ways that I have mistreated fellow citizens, and likened them to enemies instead of neighbors that I am called to love. Set right the wrongs among my country and its people, and give us Your peace that we might be a true agent of healing for the wounds of this world. In Your gracious name I pray. Amen.
The images featured in this post are by rogerl01 and Pexels of pixabay.com, and Paul Stahr from the WWI period. Each image is free for public use with the proper acknowledgements.
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UPDATE: Next Stop Netherlands!
UPDATE: Next Stop Netherlands!
A new adventure for the Williams family
Instead of a barbecue with relatives and friends, my family and I spent this Juneteenth clearing out our apartment. After seven years in Wittenbach, and thirteen years in Switzerland, we are embarking on a new adventure in another part of Europe.
Last November I was invited to candidate at the American Protestant Church of the Hague [APCH]. A congregation that has been quite special to my wife and I throughout the years. In fact, I preached there in the summer of 2013, and some of its former pastors are mentors and good friends.
The idea of serving at APCH brought much joy and excitement, and I am happy to announce that in a few weeks it will become a reality. On March 19th I was voted to be its next Lead Pastor. I look forward to joining an amazing team bringing Good News to an amazing place.
On behalf of my family, many thanks to all who helped us get to this point. We will never forget your loving support as we move on to The Hague.
The images featured in this post are by Scotty J. Williams, tomekwalecki and Wereldbestormers of pixabay.com, and the American Protestant Church of the Hague. Each image free for public use with the proper acknowledgements.