Below is one of the Still Speaking Advent devotions. I must admit, I've been finding them increasingly meaningful in the past few days, especially the one below, about falling and getting up again. My mother, Ella Kropa, had a stroke in the early hours of December 28 while we were on vacation in Myrtle Beach, SC. As we transported her home on Monday and Tuesday, her left side became increasingly paralyzed, which means she almost fell, and toppled to the side too many times. She was admitted to Phoebe Allentown on January 2, where I'm sure she'd appreciate mail: Mrs. Ella Kropa, 1925 Turner Street Allentown PA 18104. She's in Room 3112 Trexler Wing.
Of course, your prayers are appreciated.
Pastor Jane Kropa
Are You Still Listening?
A StillSpeaking Advent Devotional-Fourty-Two
January 3
Beginning Again... and Again... and Again
David Powers
When people fall, do they not get up again? If they go astray, do they not turn back? Jeremiah 8:4
How many New Year's resolutions have already been broken at this point? It seems our annual ritual of making oversized promises to ourselves practically guarantees failure.
But don't give up yet! The good news is, the God who comes into the world in Christ is about fresh starts, any time, anywhere. In fact, even God makes a fresh start with the birth of Jesus--a new kind of connection with you and me and the creation. Beyond
the age--old Scriptures, God graces us now with a new love alive in Christ.
Don't give up! Reframe your goals and begin again. The God of second chances gives us a new day, and speaks a new word to our hearts, and that word is? hope.
Prayer: Free us, O God, to get up again when we fall, turn back when we go astray, begin again when we face dead ends, knowing that you call us still, encourage us still, love us still.
Amen.
