Advent-Hope In the Greater Montgomery Area

Christians are a people of hope, even in a time of widespread despair. We (should)know that no matter how bleak the world around us may seem, God is tearing open the heavens and coming to us. We hope for more than an economic recovery and an end to partisan bickering. Even when the unemployed find work and our political leaders work together, we continue to live in a broken world. The Christian hope is that Jesus Christ was born and will come again—now as well as in the fullness of God’s reign—to transform our individual lives and our world.
(from Ministry Matters)

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Psalm 42:11 

MANY, MANY people live without HOPE every day in the Greater Montgomery area. Wonder what it would look like if we were very intentional this Christmas to share God's HOPE with our neighbors, our co-workers, those we see every day and usually don't pay attention to? Will you commit with me to be INTENTIONAL in sharing God's love this Christmas season.

In the Five Areas of Concern for the Greater Montgomery area, here are some thoughts about being intentional this holiday season.

RACE RELATIONS-Be intentional as you consider how other cultures feel and think. How can you be a bridge this Christmas instead of building a wall?
CRIME-Be intentional about praying for our public safety officers. Reach out to those who you might not hang out with. Crime has deeper roots than just violent behavior. It is about a heart change from desperation to hope.
POVERTY-Be intentional this Christmas about sharing the love. Matthew 10:8 in the Message says this: "Treat others generously as you have been treated generously." And we all know, we have been given to VERY generously over the years. Share those blessings with others. Consume less and give more. In our family, we try very hard to give more than we receive. That meant cutting back on all the gifts and sharing hope with others.
SCHOOLS-Be intentional about praying for teachers, administrators and others who work for all of our schools in the Greater Montgomery area. Pray for students as they finish up the semester and pray for Jesus to give each and every student HOPE this Christmas.
CONSUMER RELIGION-We are all consumers of something but are you a "consumer of religion"..you know, "let me get what I can from my church" type of thought process. Be intentional this year.....check YOUR heart. Are you getting more than you give? Are you consuming religion but not practicing it? For all of us, because we are human, this calls for a CONSTANT heart check.
In all of these challenges in the Greater Montgomery area, WE CAN BE the HOPE that someone is craving. Will WE be intentional about sharing HOPE with others where we live?

Let's also be so intentional that we don't get so busy with our own lives that we forget others......

“Never be so busy as not to think of others.”
― Mother Teresa, The Joy in Loving: A Guide to Daily Living