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ADVENT 2020

DAY 12: The Heart of the Matter

December 10, 2020

BY: KAYLEE BREKER

“I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.”

Hosea 6:6

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

John 10:10

Several weeks ago, while spending the day with a friend, we found an interesting little craft shop that we perused for quite some time. There were many unique Christmas decorations, homemade gifts and gadgets that you can’t find just anywhere. I snagged a few small things for stocking stuffers, but my friend found this ridiculous little kitchen gadget used for cleaning your microwave. In a shop full of beautiful, decorative and desirable things, I thought it was an interesting choice. She proudly held her item up and commented that it would be perfect for her family’s white elephant gift exchange that they do every year.

Knowing this gadget was to be a white elephant gift, changed my perspective. It was neon colored and kind of silly, but for someone who doesn’t stay on top of keeping their microwave clean, this could be a useful tool.

Isn’t that the best case scenario with a white elephant gift? I always hope that I walk away with either a gift card (there’s usually one or two right?) or something that, while entertaining, could still be useful to me. Otherwise, it’ll just end up being thrown away or saved as my next white elephant gift.

The funny thing about gag gifts is they tend to be the ones wrapped most meticulously. They look beautiful on the outside and tend to invoke excitement and wonder. Even when you suspect it’s something quite useless on the inside, it’s difficult to resist choosing the present with the big, perfectly shaped bow, or coordinating paper and ribbon. Some people are smart enough to reach for the crumpled brown bag or lumpy misshapen packages, as those tend to hold the true treasures, but I tend to fall for the glitz and glam and most often am disappointed with something of little to no value.

Things are not always as they appear.

Several hundred years before the birth of Jesus, God began to speak to Israel about this very topic. The Israelites appeared on the outside to be living very devout, faithful lives, but God saw the truth of their hearts and knew how far they were from Him. There were many religious responsibilities that they were faithful to keep, but who they were on the inside was not matching their actions, and was not pleasing to God.

Jesus’ life and ministry provided a living, breathing example of what true relationship with God looks like. Jesus’ life was marked by prayer, love and compassion for others and perfect obedience to His father. Christ came to not only free humanity from the hold that sin and death had on us, but also to teach us how to live lives that are of true value to the Lord.

There is something about us as humans that seems to want to focus on the outward presentation of our faith: church attendance, generosity, all the things that make us a “good person”. Jesus models for us with His life the importance of the inward spiritual life bringing honor and glory to God, and value to His kingdom.

As we go about celebrating the birth of Jesus in these next several weeks, may we be faithful to allow the purity of His life to shape ours. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to reveal one way that we’re focusing on outward appearances and neglecting inward transformation. May this Christmas season be a time of marked change in our lives that lead fuller, vibrant relationships with the Lord and lives that bring great pleasure to Him.

Daily Challenge:

Have you ever fallen for something based on its outward appearance?

#Advent2020AC

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    DAY 26: From Death to Life

    by Angela Johnson December 24, 2020

    DAY 25: The Most Unlikely

    by Angela Johnson December 23, 2020

    DAY 24: Founded In Love

    by Angela Johnson December 22, 2020

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    Angela Johnson

    Angela holds a Master’s in Public Health, two bachelors degrees, and is a registered nurse. Motivated to continue learning and help others, Angela left a full-time position in corporate wellness to pursue a career in nursing. After a short time as a labor and delivery nurse, Angela felt the calling to stay home full-time with her children. And 5 1/2 years ago, she felt a deep calling for connecting mothers and was able to begin the Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) and MOMSnext ministry at her local church. Within the past 2 years, Angela recently transitioned out of her position at her local ministry and now works with MOPS International as an area Ministry Coach in Central Ohio. Because of the profound impact that working with women and mothers has had on her life, both professionally and personally, Angela continues to work to encourage and equip women to realize their God-given potential. She has been on a journey to come alongside women to help them grow in their intimacy with the Lord and she is excited to help other believers mature in their faith. Angela enjoys writing, public speaking, singing, worshiping, leading Bible Study, crafting, playing outside with her kiddos, shopping, going out to dinner with her husband (without the kiddos), and spending time with friends and family.

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    Hello, Im Angela
    about me

    Hello, Im Angela

    I’m a follower of Jesus Christ, wife to Derrick, and mother to 3 beautiful children — Elliott, Elias, and Eleanor. I have a passion for teaching and sharing the Word of God through the written and spoken word.

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    BIG Day. HUGE Day. EPIC Day here at the Johnson house! Elliott decided he wanted to be baptized! He’s asked for a while and we wanted to be sure he understood what it meant — he signed up and wrote his own reason for why 𝘏𝘌 wanted to be baptized. So excited for his profession of faith—today was definitely a proud moment for me and @daddydj247! Here’s our whole service: https://youtu.be/icxvCjb6Ul4 (min 21:00 for Elliott!) #raisingwarriors #mybabygotbaptized #professionoffaith #firstbornsconfessionoffaith #warriorraiser
    BIG Day. HUGE Day.  EPIC Day here at the Johnson house! Elliott decided he wanted to be baptized! He’s asked for a while and we wanted to be sure he understood what it meant — he signed up and wrote his own reason for why 𝘏𝘌 wanted to be baptized.

So excited for his profession of faith—today was definitely a proud moment for me and @daddydj247! 

Here’s our whole service: 
https://youtu.be/icxvCjb6Ul4 
(min 21:00 for Elliott!)

#raisingwarriors #mybabygotbaptized #professionoffaith #firstbornsconfessionoffaith #warriorraiser
    BIG Day. HUGE Day.  EPIC Day here at the Johnson house! Elliott decided he wanted to be baptized! He’s asked for a while and we wanted to be sure he understood what it meant — he signed up and wrote his own reason for why 𝘏𝘌 wanted to be baptized.

So excited for his profession of faith—today was definitely a proud moment for me and @daddydj247! 

Here’s our whole service: 
https://youtu.be/icxvCjb6Ul4 
(min 21:00 for Elliott!)

#raisingwarriors #mybabygotbaptized #professionoffaith #firstbornsconfessionoffaith #warriorraiser
    BIG Day. HUGE Day.  EPIC Day here at the Johnson house! Elliott decided he wanted to be baptized! He’s asked for a while and we wanted to be sure he understood what it meant — he signed up and wrote his own reason for why 𝘏𝘌 wanted to be baptized.

So excited for his profession of faith—today was definitely a proud moment for me and @daddydj247! 

Here’s our whole service: 
https://youtu.be/icxvCjb6Ul4 
(min 21:00 for Elliott!)

#raisingwarriors #mybabygotbaptized #professionoffaith #firstbornsconfessionoffaith #warriorraiser
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    BIG Day. HUGE Day. EPIC Day here at the Johnson house! Elliott decided he wanted to be baptized! He’s asked for a while and we wanted to be sure he understood what it meant — he signed up and wrote his own reason for why 𝘏𝘌 wanted to be baptized. So excited for his profession of faith—today was definitely a proud moment for me and @daddydj247! Here’s our whole service: https://youtu.be/icxvCjb6Ul4 (min 21:00 for Elliott!) #raisingwarriors #mybabygotbaptized #professionoffaith #firstbornsconfessionoffaith #warriorraiser
    2 days ago
    View on Instagram |
    1/5
    Had the pleasure of sharing an original poem I wrote almost 20 years ago with Cass Hunter’s poetry group at the @ywcacbus! 

Cass, thank you for your willingness to be bold and start this group! You’re doing awesome things!

And I absolutely loved reading the enormous quote on the wall as I walked in.

Such a perfect reminder that no matter our story — 

 “I am not what happened to me 
I am what I choose to become.”

The poem I shared today was this quote personified…

My past is a part of my story, yes, but the wounded and lost woman I once was…she is no more! God has redeemed me. He has made me new!

He can do the same for you.

#warriorraiser #nursetobibleteacher #standfirminyourfaith #YWCA #poetrylovers #poemsofpromise #ywcacolumbus
    Had the pleasure of sharing an original poem I wrote almost 20 years ago with Cass Hunter’s poetry group at the @ywcacbus! 

Cass, thank you for your willingness to be bold and start this group! You’re doing awesome things!

And I absolutely loved reading the enormous quote on the wall as I walked in.

Such a perfect reminder that no matter our story — 

 “I am not what happened to me 
I am what I choose to become.”

The poem I shared today was this quote personified…

My past is a part of my story, yes, but the wounded and lost woman I once was…she is no more! God has redeemed me. He has made me new!

He can do the same for you.

#warriorraiser #nursetobibleteacher #standfirminyourfaith #YWCA #poetrylovers #poemsofpromise #ywcacolumbus
    Had the pleasure of sharing an original poem I wrote almost 20 years ago with Cass Hunter’s poetry group at the @ywcacbus! 

Cass, thank you for your willingness to be bold and start this group! You’re doing awesome things!

And I absolutely loved reading the enormous quote on the wall as I walked in.

Such a perfect reminder that no matter our story — 

 “I am not what happened to me 
I am what I choose to become.”

The poem I shared today was this quote personified…

My past is a part of my story, yes, but the wounded and lost woman I once was…she is no more! God has redeemed me. He has made me new!

He can do the same for you.

#warriorraiser #nursetobibleteacher #standfirminyourfaith #YWCA #poetrylovers #poemsofpromise #ywcacolumbus
    Had the pleasure of sharing an original poem I wrote almost 20 years ago with Cass Hunter’s poetry group at the @ywcacbus! 

Cass, thank you for your willingness to be bold and start this group! You’re doing awesome things!

And I absolutely loved reading the enormous quote on the wall as I walked in.

Such a perfect reminder that no matter our story — 

 “I am not what happened to me 
I am what I choose to become.”

The poem I shared today was this quote personified…

My past is a part of my story, yes, but the wounded and lost woman I once was…she is no more! God has redeemed me. He has made me new!

He can do the same for you.

#warriorraiser #nursetobibleteacher #standfirminyourfaith #YWCA #poetrylovers #poemsofpromise #ywcacolumbus
    Had the pleasure of sharing an original poem I wrote almost 20 years ago with Cass Hunter’s poetry group at the @ywcacbus! 

Cass, thank you for your willingness to be bold and start this group! You’re doing awesome things!

And I absolutely loved reading the enormous quote on the wall as I walked in.

Such a perfect reminder that no matter our story — 

 “I am not what happened to me 
I am what I choose to become.”

The poem I shared today was this quote personified…

My past is a part of my story, yes, but the wounded and lost woman I once was…she is no more! God has redeemed me. He has made me new!

He can do the same for you.

#warriorraiser #nursetobibleteacher #standfirminyourfaith #YWCA #poetrylovers #poemsofpromise #ywcacolumbus
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    Had the pleasure of sharing an original poem I wrote almost 20 years ago with Cass Hunter’s poetry group at the @ywcacbus! Cass, thank you for your willingness to be bold and start this group! You’re doing awesome things! And I absolutely loved reading the enormous quote on the wall as I walked in. Such a perfect reminder that no matter our story — “I am not what happened to me I am what I choose to become.” The poem I shared today was this quote personified… My past is a part of my story, yes, but the wounded and lost woman I once was…she is no more! God has redeemed me. He has made me new! He can do the same for you. #warriorraiser #nursetobibleteacher #standfirminyourfaith #YWCA #poetrylovers #poemsofpromise #ywcacolumbus
    5 days ago
    View on Instagram |
    2/5
    Talk about a blast from the past! Almost 30 years later I went back to my middle school @grizzellmiddleschool and was able to share with the FCA group this morning!

I’ll be honest, middle schoolers aren’t usually my target audience for speaking engagements… But I had a Fantastic time with them this morning!

Thanks Angie Weatherwax for making the connection!

#WarriorRaiser
#NurseToBibleTeacher #FCA #FellowshipOfChristianAthletes #I’mOlderThanTheBuilding #middleschool #Middleage #standfirminyourfaith
    Talk about a blast from the past! Almost 30 years later I went back to my middle school @grizzellmiddleschool and was able to share with the FCA group this morning!

I’ll be honest, middle schoolers aren’t usually my target audience for speaking engagements… But I had a Fantastic time with them this morning!

Thanks Angie Weatherwax for making the connection!

#WarriorRaiser
#NurseToBibleTeacher #FCA #FellowshipOfChristianAthletes #I’mOlderThanTheBuilding #middleschool #Middleage #standfirminyourfaith
    Talk about a blast from the past! Almost 30 years later I went back to my middle school @grizzellmiddleschool and was able to share with the FCA group this morning!

I’ll be honest, middle schoolers aren’t usually my target audience for speaking engagements… But I had a Fantastic time with them this morning!

Thanks Angie Weatherwax for making the connection!

#WarriorRaiser
#NurseToBibleTeacher #FCA #FellowshipOfChristianAthletes #I’mOlderThanTheBuilding #middleschool #Middleage #standfirminyourfaith
    Talk about a blast from the past! Almost 30 years later I went back to my middle school @grizzellmiddleschool and was able to share with the FCA group this morning!

I’ll be honest, middle schoolers aren’t usually my target audience for speaking engagements… But I had a Fantastic time with them this morning!

Thanks Angie Weatherwax for making the connection!

#WarriorRaiser
#NurseToBibleTeacher #FCA #FellowshipOfChristianAthletes #I’mOlderThanTheBuilding #middleschool #Middleage #standfirminyourfaith
    warriorraiser
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    Talk about a blast from the past! Almost 30 years later I went back to my middle school @grizzellmiddleschool and was able to share with the FCA group this morning! I’ll be honest, middle schoolers aren’t usually my target audience for speaking engagements… But I had a Fantastic time with them this morning! Thanks Angie Weatherwax for making the connection! #WarriorRaiser #NurseToBibleTeacher #FCA #FellowshipOfChristianAthletes #I’mOlderThanTheBuilding #middleschool #Middleage #standfirminyourfaith
    2 weeks ago
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    3/5
    Such a fabulous Mother’s Day! 
Breakfast in bed with eggs from Elliott, church with my family @adventure.church listing to my girl @jesshammond24 bring a powerful message and now headed to lunch with my momma @lynnpetro1 !🌸🌺🌷

And a pretty sweet video from my kids —watch the link below to see how they called me a glorified maid! 🥴😂😜

https://www.facebook.com/AdventureChurchColumbus/videos/1056868128561183/
    Such a fabulous Mother’s Day! 
Breakfast in bed with eggs from Elliott, church with my family @adventure.church listing to my girl @jesshammond24 bring a powerful message and now headed to lunch with my momma @lynnpetro1 !🌸🌺🌷

And a pretty sweet video from my kids —watch the link below to see how they called me a glorified maid! 🥴😂😜

https://www.facebook.com/AdventureChurchColumbus/videos/1056868128561183/
    Such a fabulous Mother’s Day! 
Breakfast in bed with eggs from Elliott, church with my family @adventure.church listing to my girl @jesshammond24 bring a powerful message and now headed to lunch with my momma @lynnpetro1 !🌸🌺🌷

And a pretty sweet video from my kids —watch the link below to see how they called me a glorified maid! 🥴😂😜

https://www.facebook.com/AdventureChurchColumbus/videos/1056868128561183/
    Such a fabulous Mother’s Day! 
Breakfast in bed with eggs from Elliott, church with my family @adventure.church listing to my girl @jesshammond24 bring a powerful message and now headed to lunch with my momma @lynnpetro1 !🌸🌺🌷

And a pretty sweet video from my kids —watch the link below to see how they called me a glorified maid! 🥴😂😜

https://www.facebook.com/AdventureChurchColumbus/videos/1056868128561183/
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    Such a fabulous Mother’s Day! Breakfast in bed with eggs from Elliott, church with my family @adventure.church listing to my girl @jesshammond24 bring a powerful message and now headed to lunch with my momma @lynnpetro1 !🌸🌺🌷 And a pretty sweet video from my kids —watch the link below to see how they called me a glorified maid! 🥴😂😜 https://www.facebook.com/AdventureChurchColumbus/videos/1056868128561183/
    2 weeks ago
    View on Instagram |
    4/5
    Last year I was blowing up Facebook and Instagram with posts about my nephew Luca. 

Wellllllllll - here he is a year later! ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

He just celebrated his 1st “heartiversary” and EVERY SINGLE TIME I see him, I’m reminded of God’s faithfulness and the power of prayer. 

Thank you to ALL of the prayer warriors who joined with our family to flood heaven with intercession for Luca, my brother @apetrosino and my SIL, @redgrl73 ! 

Ashley posted a few days ago that, “He will forever have 2 days…the day he was born and the day his heart was fixed.” Amen! AMEN!

Looking at these pictures, I bear witness to an answered prayer…his life truly is a miracle. 

#warriorbaby #babybornblue #babyironman #heartiversary #TGA #tgababy #auntielove #miraclebaby #GodIsAHealer #prayerworks #powerofprayer #warriorraiser #lucaslight
    Last year I was blowing up Facebook and Instagram with posts about my nephew Luca. 

Wellllllllll - here he is a year later! ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

He just celebrated his 1st “heartiversary” and EVERY SINGLE TIME I see him, I’m reminded of God’s faithfulness and the power of prayer. 

Thank you to ALL of the prayer warriors who joined with our family to flood heaven with intercession for Luca, my brother @apetrosino and my SIL, @redgrl73 ! 

Ashley posted a few days ago that, “He will forever have 2 days…the day he was born and the day his heart was fixed.” Amen! AMEN!

Looking at these pictures, I bear witness to an answered prayer…his life truly is a miracle. 

#warriorbaby #babybornblue #babyironman #heartiversary #TGA #tgababy #auntielove #miraclebaby #GodIsAHealer #prayerworks #powerofprayer #warriorraiser #lucaslight
    Last year I was blowing up Facebook and Instagram with posts about my nephew Luca. 

Wellllllllll - here he is a year later! ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

He just celebrated his 1st “heartiversary” and EVERY SINGLE TIME I see him, I’m reminded of God’s faithfulness and the power of prayer. 

Thank you to ALL of the prayer warriors who joined with our family to flood heaven with intercession for Luca, my brother @apetrosino and my SIL, @redgrl73 ! 

Ashley posted a few days ago that, “He will forever have 2 days…the day he was born and the day his heart was fixed.” Amen! AMEN!

Looking at these pictures, I bear witness to an answered prayer…his life truly is a miracle. 

#warriorbaby #babybornblue #babyironman #heartiversary #TGA #tgababy #auntielove #miraclebaby #GodIsAHealer #prayerworks #powerofprayer #warriorraiser #lucaslight
    Last year I was blowing up Facebook and Instagram with posts about my nephew Luca. 

Wellllllllll - here he is a year later! ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹

He just celebrated his 1st “heartiversary” and EVERY SINGLE TIME I see him, I’m reminded of God’s faithfulness and the power of prayer. 

Thank you to ALL of the prayer warriors who joined with our family to flood heaven with intercession for Luca, my brother @apetrosino and my SIL, @redgrl73 ! 

Ashley posted a few days ago that, “He will forever have 2 days…the day he was born and the day his heart was fixed.” Amen! AMEN!

Looking at these pictures, I bear witness to an answered prayer…his life truly is a miracle. 

#warriorbaby #babybornblue #babyironman #heartiversary #TGA #tgababy #auntielove #miraclebaby #GodIsAHealer #prayerworks #powerofprayer #warriorraiser #lucaslight
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    Last year I was blowing up Facebook and Instagram with posts about my nephew Luca. Wellllllllll - here he is a year later! ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹 He just celebrated his 1st “heartiversary” and EVERY SINGLE TIME I see him, I’m reminded of God’s faithfulness and the power of prayer. Thank you to ALL of the prayer warriors who joined with our family to flood heaven with intercession for Luca, my brother @apetrosino and my SIL, @redgrl73 ! Ashley posted a few days ago that, “He will forever have 2 days…the day he was born and the day his heart was fixed.” Amen! AMEN! Looking at these pictures, I bear witness to an answered prayer…his life truly is a miracle. #warriorbaby #babybornblue #babyironman #heartiversary #TGA #tgababy #auntielove #miraclebaby #GodIsAHealer #prayerworks #powerofprayer #warriorraiser #lucaslight
    2 weeks ago
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