Advent Challenge: Seven Creative Ways to Give Back This Christmas

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 3:31 pm By Mark D. Roberts

My friend and colleague, Marcus Goodyear, has written a fine piece called “Advent Challenge: Seven Creative Ways to Give Back This Christmas.” He acknowledges the source of these seven creative ways: social entrepreneur Jeff Shinabarger The High Calling first met Jeff several years ago through Jubilee when Jeff was first launching GiftCardGiver.com and we hosted our own High Calling gift card party. Now, Jeff is letting us share seven creative ideas adapted from his upcoming book, More or Less: Choosing... Read more

Devotional Doodle for the Sixth Day of Advent, by Linda Roberts

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 3:31 pm By Mark D. Roberts

(Click on the doodle above for a hi-res version and for Linda’s devotional thoughts.) Read more

Devotional Doodle for the Fifth Day of Advent, by Linda Roberts

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 3:31 pm By Mark D. Roberts

(To see a hi-res version of this doodle and Linda’s devotional thoughts, click on the doodle above.) Read more

Growing Closer to God in Advent: Some Practical Suggestions

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 3:31 pm By Mark D. Roberts

We are now in the season of Advent. If you’re not quite sure what this means, you may want to read my online article: What is Advent? An Introduction to Advent. But, if you’re ready to let Advent be a time of drawing near to God, then let me suggest some specific activities you might choose to do. Pay Attention to the Advent Content of Corporate Worship If your church celebrates Advent, be ready to pay close attention to the... Read more

Devotional Doodle for the Second Day of Advent, by Linda Roberts

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 3:31 pm By Mark D. Roberts

(To see a high-res version of this doodle and Linda’s devotional thoughts, click on it.) Read more

Devotional Doodle for the First Day of Advent, by Linda Roberts

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 3:31 pm By Mark D. Roberts

(To see a high-res version of this doodle and Linda’s devotional thoughts, click on it.) Read more

Reflection for the First Sunday of Advent: Waiting for the Shepherd

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 3:31 pm By Mark D. Roberts

Psalm 80:1-19 Please listen, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph’s descendants like a flock. O God, enthroned above the cherubim, display your radiant glory to Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh. Show us your mighty power. Come to rescue us! Psalm 80:1-2 Introduction to Advent Reflections This is the first Sunday in Advent, the beginning of the season in which Christians throughout the world prepare for a fuller, richer celebration of the birth of Jesus. Advent is a time of... Read more

Why I Am an “Adventophile” . . . a Lover of Advent

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 3:31 pm By Mark D. Roberts

I am a proud “Adventophile,” a lover of Advent. But I wasn’t raised this way. I didn’t start valuing Advent until I became the Senior Pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church in Southern California. Why? Why was Advent growing on me? Why had I come to love this season that had mattered so little in the first 35 years of my life? Why was I becoming, of all things, an Adventophile? This was happening to me for two main reasons. First,... Read more

A Week of Thanksgiving – Thanksgiving as a Way of Life

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 3:31 pm By Mark D. Roberts

Yesterday was Thanksgiving Day, a day set apart by the U.S. government so that Americans might express their thanks. I think it’s a fine thing that the United States (among other countries) sets apart a specific day for gratitude, even if this day is often more devoted to football and feasting than to actually giving thanks to God. Yet, we must remember that thanksgiving isn’t just about what we do one day of the year. In fact, it’s not even... Read more

A Week of Thanksgiving: The Rewards of Gratitude, Part 2 – Communal Celebration

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 3:31 pm By Mark D. Roberts

Happy Thanksgiving! In today’s post, I continue to reflect on some of the rewards of gratitude. During my sixteen years as pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church, one of my favorite events was our annual Thanksgiving Eve worship service. We gathered to sing songs of gratitude, to offer prayers of thanks, and to be reminded of God’s goodness to us. One of the best-loved parts of this service was an “open mike” time when people in the congregation shared briefly that... Read more