The downward pull of the world and its ways might be called "self-consciousness," or darkness, wherein we focus on all that's dark, negative, and painful in ourselves and the world around us. But the spirit of this season is LIGHT:
God-consciousness - His ways of thinking, speaking, and acting - are so different than what we’re used to, that learning to live in the Wonderful Counselor's light is supremely difficult at first. But in order to experience His promises, we must adjust to Him, not vice versa. He’s already done the monumental adjusting to us in the Incarnation. Now we have to do the difficult work of learning His voice and ways, so that He can draw us out of the downward pull of the world and it’s voice and ways.  

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Our Monthly Meetup Bible study in the Gospel of John is December 11 at 6:30 PM Central in the Community. You coming?

LOVE the Word® is a Bible study method based on Mary’s own practice: lectio without the Latin. Get the book based on Sonja’s method in the right margin, How to Pray Like Mary.  
L | Listen (Receive the Word via audio or video.)

O | Observe (Connect the passage to your life and recent events.)
This adjustment to God-consciousness is sometimes called the anti-Eden motif, in which the Light of Christ reverses the self-focus of the Fall and places it back on God, which illumines and expands us into the former glory. Where do you need this light in your life? 
V | Verbalize (Pray about your thoughts and emotions.)
Remembering that He loves you and that you are in His presence, talk to God about the particulars of your O – Observe step. You may want to write your reflections in your LOVE the Word® journal. Or, get a free journal page and guide in the right-hand margin.
E | Entrust (Rest in the Word.)
Almighty God, grant us the grace to hope in you with unwavering trust, that we may draw close enough to experience the "too wonderful" of you. As we begin this season of Advent, may our hearts be filled with the hope and wonder that comes from knowing your promises are true. Amen +
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What We Discussed | Show Notes
Overview:
Minutes 00:00-12:00 – Isaiah 9; Wonderful Counselor; "why is this so hard"?  
Minutes 12:01-24:00 – darkness and light; a single name; John the Baptist must come before the Baby
Minutes 24:01-36:00 – what it means to "repent" or 180; leaning into the darkness and misery; looking toward the light; what "counselor" means
Minutes 36:01-48:00 – The New Law is a Person; the law is love; learning to love and be loved authentically is God-consciousness
Transcript
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