Something I appreciate about the E Orthodox calendar - the dark, strict, slowing, quiet fasting of Advent as the season quiets and slows the environment with us... struggling, awaiting, yearning for the arrival of God...🙏🏼
Apolytikion today: "Be thou ready, Bethlehem, Eden hath opened unto all. Ephratha, prepare thyself, for now, behold, the Tree of life hath blossomed forth in the cave from the Holy Virgin. Her womb hath proved a true spiritual Paradise, wherein the divine and saving Tree is found, and as we eat thereof we shall all live, and shall not die as did Adam. For Christ is born now to raise the image that had fallen aforetime."
I have appreciated this so oooo much!!! These Xmas episodes have been so rich and of deep content and knowledge and gentle beautiful reminders of the beauty of Christ !!! Ooohhh how I have loved these conversations filled with the beauty of Jesus on so many levels. Loved the mantle of eloquent and intentional dialogue. John and Staci are amazing!!!!!!!!
My beautiful husband, Neil, who passed away from suicide 5.5 years ago, was sooooooo like you John! Just watching your beautiful interaction on this between you and Stasi felt like a throwback to the many many nights Neil and I would wrestle over the truths of God’s word but the despair that would try to creep in and cloud it as we walked as strangers and aliens in this world. Your marriage and ministry literally changed ours! I cannot overflow enough here in how much you mean to me. With tears, I am so so glad to call you my dear friends and family in Christ!! Your entire family is a blessing. I have three sons as well!
Time has definitely gone by faster this year. Doesn’t seem like it’s really Christmas but maybe that’s just part of being older? Good reminder that we look forward to the 2nd coming!!
Merry Christmas to all of you at Wild at Heart ministries! Thank you for all the work you do for it has helped me and many of my friends for so many years... I love you all!
Thank you Stasi and John for this timely reminder! I'm not there yet, but I want to be like Nicholas Cage in "The Rock" film--dual wielding flares to light up the landing zone for Jesus' second coming. Merry Christmas!
I think the challenge for me with regard to focusing my hope on Jesus' second coming is twofold: 1) I associate Jesus' second coming with time running out for those who do not yet know Him, so it feels like wishing for His speedy return is a bit like wishing for the destruction of those who don't know Him yet. 2) It feels to me like waiting for His return to fix things is a way of absolving us of our responsibility to make things better now, and it seems to me to be associated with expecting less from the cross and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. How much of things getting set right is supposed to wait for His return, and how much is supposed to be carried out by His Church before He returns? Jesus gave this definibtion of eternal life: John 17:3 NKJV [3] "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." That understanding of eternal life doesn't need to wait for the second coming: it can happen right now. Am I missing it? I realize it will be wonderful when He returns, but is it strange that I want it to happen only in His timing and not ASAP?
![Seungmin "그렇게, 천천히, 우리(As we are)" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/kAzmhLHePqU/mqdefault.jpg)
Exactly what I needed to hear. Bless you for obeying Him and gifting us this beautiful message of Hope, Healing, and Restoration.
I loved Staci's beautiful serene face while John was praying at the end...Judy Roth
So thankful every week. ❤️🎄
Thank you for recentering us!
Thank you for this and Merry blessed Christmas. Come Lord Jesus
Something I appreciate about the E Orthodox calendar - the dark, strict, slowing, quiet fasting of Advent as the season quiets and slows the environment with us... struggling, awaiting, yearning for the arrival of God...🙏🏼
Apolytikion today:
"Be thou ready, Bethlehem, Eden hath opened unto all. Ephratha, prepare thyself, for now, behold, the Tree of life hath blossomed forth in the cave from the Holy Virgin. Her womb hath proved a true spiritual Paradise, wherein the divine and saving Tree is found, and as we eat thereof we shall all live, and shall not die as did Adam. For Christ is born now to raise the image that had fallen aforetime."
As always I so appreciate your openness and humbleness. Merry Christmas to you and your family. ❤
Thank you for this message. Blessings to you all. Merry Christmas
I have appreciated this so oooo much!!! These Xmas episodes have been so rich and of deep content and knowledge and gentle beautiful reminders of the beauty of Christ !!! Ooohhh how I have loved these conversations filled with the beauty of Jesus on so many levels. Loved the mantle of eloquent and intentional dialogue. John and Staci are amazing!!!!!!!!
Thank you!
I rejoice in your beautiful marriage and ministry!
My beautiful husband, Neil, who passed away from suicide 5.5 years ago, was sooooooo like you John! Just watching your beautiful interaction on this between you and Stasi felt like a throwback to the many many nights Neil and I would wrestle over the truths of God’s word but the despair that would try to creep in and cloud it as we walked as strangers and aliens in this world. Your marriage and ministry literally changed ours! I cannot overflow enough here in how much you mean to me. With tears, I am so so glad to call you my dear friends and family in Christ!! Your entire family is a blessing. I have three sons as well!
@@karaguggenmos5359 Thank you for sharing this about Neil. We hold this close and wish you a Merry Christmas!
Time has definitely gone by faster this year. Doesn’t seem like it’s really Christmas but maybe that’s just part of being older? Good reminder that we look forward to the 2nd coming!!
Thank you!
Thank you!❤️🎄✝️ this was so helpful 🙌
Merry Christmas to all of you at Wild at Heart ministries!
Thank you for all the work you do for it has helped me and many of my friends for so many years... I love you all!
Thank you!
Thank you Stasi and John for this timely reminder! I'm not there yet, but I want to be like Nicholas Cage in "The Rock" film--dual wielding flares to light up the landing zone for Jesus' second coming. Merry Christmas!
Stasi- I loved the reindeer headband along with the ambiance of the fireplace- you made me smile 🤩
Lift up your eyes......it is closer than you think ❤
I think the challenge for me with regard to focusing my hope on Jesus' second coming is twofold: 1) I associate Jesus' second coming with time running out for those who do not yet know Him, so it feels like wishing for His speedy return is a bit like wishing for the destruction of those who don't know Him yet. 2) It feels to me like waiting for His return to fix things is a way of absolving us of our responsibility to make things better now, and it seems to me to be associated with expecting less from the cross and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. How much of things getting set right is supposed to wait for His return, and how much is supposed to be carried out by His Church before He returns?
Jesus gave this definibtion of eternal life:
John 17:3 NKJV
[3] "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent."
That understanding of eternal life doesn't need to wait for the second coming: it can happen right now.
Am I missing it? I realize it will be wonderful when He returns, but is it strange that I want it to happen only in His timing and not ASAP?
How do I get this off of my feeds