We anticipate the joys of Christmas and the remembrance of Jesus coming among us in bodily form. We anticipate His return when this age as we know it comes to an end. We anticipate the end of the battle between the powers of darkness and light. We anticipate the end of the falleness and brokenness of this current age often filled with suffering, death, and tears. We, with Paul, believe that to be with Christ is our gain and at times I wake up thinking I am ready for the end: "Come Lord Jesus, Come". Yet the Father is patient. He is waiting for the perfect time and until then there is more work to do. There are more who are in darkness who need to come into the light.
At New Wine we are so aware of people in need everyday. Yesterday, I learned of a family who needs to seek bankruptcy protection because they have no jobs. Our local Outreach food closet is serving over 200 families a month when only a few years ago it was 60. At the YMCA the other day I overheard a man share how he was facing cancer yet had no faith to help him cope. The physical and spiritual needs around us are so great.
We are people on mission. If you have not been to our website and new blog:
Please check it out. There you can read about how the Lord spoke to us through His Spirit on our last Listening Retreat. In our time we reflected on the nature of our spiritual battle and our need to always be listening and connected to the Lord in these end times. Our theme seemed to be "Word of God Speak". I rejoice that the Lord is creating in us a community of people eager to hear from the Lord.
One way we are trying to expand the teaching aspect of our work is that we have a link on our blog to our updated website where we are now posting a recording of the Sunday Sermon. People who miss a Sunday or those who are far away can listen to this week's teaching, as long as you have internet access wherever you are around the world. (Even our Kate in New Zealand or Joy in China).
This month we will be doing several outreach efforts through our different cell groups that are seasonally appropriate. We plan a special 7pm Christmas Eve Service but will not gather on Christmas Day which is a Sunday so we can gather with our own families. We ask your prayers that the Lord would help Deb find a job. It is critical that we soon find a means to make up the $600 a month short fall that her previous job provided.
Thank you to all who continue to pray and support us in our mission. May the Lord fill your Advent and Christmas with His glorious light and a renewed sense of His return!
Dave+ & Deb
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