church seasons

just recently became really interested in learning about the church seasons. after doing some reading, im realizing that the seasons of the church year really help one to intentionally celebrate a certain time of year - like advent, or easter. and in the in between time (what is called 'ordinary time') it helps and encourages the believer to stay committed in devotions and prayer with the Lord.

two books i've really enjoyed:

"seeking God's face: praying with the bible through the year" - found here(thank you momma, for picking this one up for me!)

this book is a daily devotion. each day consists of an invitation, a bible song (usually a psalm), a bible reading, a lectio-divina type of guided mediation, suggestions for prayer, and then a prayer/benediction in closing.

so far, i've really enjoyed the lection divina part. the writer constantly reminds you that you are in God's presence, and then tells you to read the bible passage again. i dont think im usually in a mindset of 'im in God's presence' as im reading scripture, and i should be! i've also enjoyed the suggestions for prayer. some of the suggestions are not things i might have been thinking of on my own, but might be things God wants me thinking about - and he's using this to encourage me in that direction.

second book i've enjoyed - (not all the way through it) thanks to amy, for the book suggestion, and mom, again, for letting me borrow her copy.

"circle of seasons: meeting God in the church year" - found here.

again, im not all the way through this one, but have read some in the advent section. she compares the season of advent to her pregancy with her first child. she talks about how during her pregancy she was preparing - her life, her heart, her home, every aspect of her life, for this little guy who was going to come and change everything. this is how it should be with advent. advent should be a season of preparation, anticipation as we wait for the celebration of the birth of Christ, who comes and changes our world!
this book is also filled with interesting facts i didnt know. did you know that each of the four sundays in advent is associated with a different prophet and different scripture? i didnt! when advent rolls around, i want to take part in remembering these things, in fully celebrating, and in celebrating in community - years and years of believers have celebrating and walked through these church seasons. what a beautiful way to walk with believers who have gone before us!

Blessings by Laura Story

"We pray for blessings
We pray for peace
Comfort for family, protection while we sleep
We pray for healing, for prosperity
We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering
All the while, You hear each spoken need
Yet love us way too much to give us lesser things

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

We pray for wisdom
Your voice to hear
And we cry in anger when we cannot feel You near
We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love
As if every promise from Your Word is not enough
All the while, You hear each desperate plea
And long that we'd have faith to believe

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home

Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
And what if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise"